INTERESTING: Glenn Beck’s new site
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Shore workers from foreign countries because USA kids won’t work?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2010/08/young_adults_from_abroad_work.html
*** begin quote ***
“Of our 1,600 seasonal employees, 750 are foreign students,” said Denise Beckson, who makes all international hires for Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. “We couldn’t run the pier without them.”
*** end quote ***
This says a lot about what’s wrong with the USA and the world.
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INTERESTING: Did a 100k words over about 100 days
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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INTERESTING: Heuristics; my ROTs (Rules of Thumb)
Friday, August 20, 2010Re-Consider the Rules of Thumb You Use in Everyday Life.
from The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
*** begin quote ***
My adventures in the lands of happiness research led me to the concept of heuristics. Heuristics are “rules of thumb,” the quick, common-sense principles people apply to solve a problem or make a decision. They aren’t “rules for living” that you consciously try to apply; rather, they’re deeply embedded, often unconscious, rules that you use to make decisions, answer a question, or decide a course of action.
*** and ***
My children are my most important priority.
Exercise every day.
People don’t notice my mistakes and flaws as much as I think.
My husband is my top priority.
“Yes” comes right away; “no” never comes.
Get some work done every day.
Whenever possible, choose vegetables.
I know as much as most people.
Try to attend any party or event to which I’m invited.
My parents are almost always right.
Ubiquity is the new exclusivity.
If I’m not sure whether to include some text in my writing, cut it out.
When making a choice about what to do, choose work.
I’m too busy to do that.
There’s no wrong decision.
Always say hello.
People in business, small or large, will take advantage of you if they can.
What would my mother do?
Actually, this is good news.
Say yes.
This is the fun part.
Do nothing, go nowhere.
Do everything all at once.
*** end quote ***
MINE:
- Frau is Job #1.
- Doctors and nurses are educated and experienced resources; they are not the Pope and this ain’t matters of faith and morals.
- Fool me or make a fool of me once; no second chances.
- Stop lights are the Universe telling me to slow down and look around.
- In a decade, will I care? Will anyone? So, why do I now?
- MYOB!
- Go for the gusto; go “big” or go home.
- I am not my “job”. I am not who I was or am; I am what I will be.
- Focus on Quadrant 1 activities: “Important” and “Urgent”.
- Your priorities are not NECESSARILY mine. Your lack of planning doesn’t constitute n emergency on my part.
- Begin with the end in mind. Planning is everything; plans are meaningless.
- 7 P’s (PPPPPPP)
- There is no such thing as “over communication”. There is ALWAYS someone who is out of the loop thru NO fault of their own.
- There is no substitute for good written DOCTRINE; there’s no excuse for failing to do “LESSONS LEARNED”.
- Don’t get mad; get working.
- NEVER assume that the organization’s objectives are aligned with yours; figure them out and protect yourself.
- There’s no substitute for accurate written records; remember the hearsay rule.
- Can’t cheat an honest man. Live life as if you’re going to explain your conduct to your Mom, Grandmom, and the Creator.
- Life is not like Jeopardy. There’s no extra credit for rudely shouting out the answer.
- The only “dumb” question is the one that you don’t ask. If you’re think it, someone else is too.
- The Shouldas, couldas, and wouldas will make you miserable; discard them asap. One year amnesty on mistakes.
- Setup systems that are automatic; your intentions have to be backed up with actions.
- You are neither as smart as you think; nor as dumb as you act.
- Do quick tasks; partition and schedule big ones. Do something to advance the ball. DIspatch the long running tasks quickly.
- Multiple “top priorities” means you have no priorities.
What are yours?
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INTERESTING: Question about the SCOTUS terms
Tuesday, August 17, 2010How about the idea of a single 18 year term for justices on the Supreme Court.
I’m adverse with tinkering with the wisdom of the Dead Old White Guys like was done with the direct election of senators.
BUTT (there’s always a big but) this proposal appears to have merit.
* each prez gets a pick; prevents “popular packing” by judges timing their “retirement”.
* doddering old “scholars” will be respectfully booted off.
* it presents a problem if one of them dies prematurely.
* probably should be accompanied by an age qualification (i.e. 65, 70,75?) to ensure that post-SCOTUS employment opportunities don’t enter into judicial decisions.
Your thoughts?
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INTERESTING: Inet radio
Thursday, August 12, 2010http://picocool.com/design/heritage-deluxe-table-radio-by-revo/
Heritage Deluxe Table Radio by Revo
*** begin quote ***
We’re not that happy with the typical iPod docks from Sharper Image – they’re a bit too shiny, a bit too soulless. Consider then, this Heritage Deluxe Table Radio by Revo.
*** end quote ***
Needs to be wifi and have a “cheaper version”. It has to get in to where folks will buy it on a lark. The wifi support must allow the wifi lans to be predefined (i.e., like a hospital; home; work). Nice idea but incomplete.
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INTERESTING: Constantly putting up a front is psychologically taxing; physically?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010http://artofmanliness.com/2010/08/08/the-masks-men-wear
The Masks Men Wear by Brett & Kate McKay on August 8, 2010
*** begin quote ***
Researchers who study primates, like baboons, have learned never to tranquilize a male in front of his rivals. Once the male goes down, his competitors see the opportunity to pounce on him and will viciously attack the helpless baboon. No such problem exists when researchers tranquilize female primates. One can see then why male primates that are sick or injured will put on displays of vitality and vigor when their rival is around, only to go back to licking their wounds when once again by themselves. Biologists theorize that perhaps our human ancestors dealt with same issue-they couldn’t appear vulnerable or their rivals would see an opening, an opportunity. So our male ancestors learned to hide weakness and act tough. But constantly putting up this front can be psychologically taxing.
*** end quote ***
So that’s why men die sooner than woman? Keeping that front up is hard work.
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INTERESTING: Moral Hazard
Monday, August 9, 2010http://cafehayek.com/2010/08/successful-bailout.html
Successful Bailout? by Don Boudreaux on August 2, 2010
*** begin quote ***
Second – and more importantly – the chief economic case against the bailout was not that huge infusions of taxpayer funds and special exemptions from bankruptcy rules could not make G.M. and Chrysler profitable. Of course they could. Instead, the heart of the case against the bailout is that it saps the life-blood of entrepreneurial capitalism. The bailout reinforces the debilitating precedent of protecting firms deemed ‘too big to fail.’ Capital and other resources are thus kept glued by politics to familiar lines of production, thus impeding entrepreneurial initiative that would have otherwise redeployed these resources into newer, more-dynamic, and more productive industries.
*** end quote ***
“The broken window fallacy”
— Frédéric Bastiat Ce qu’on voit et ce qu’on ne voit pas (That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Unseen) 1850
I know for certain that the 5k$ that Obama robbed from my wife’s IRA could have been used to do something she wanted to do. Even if the bankruptcy only gave her a dollar, it was still HER dollar; not his!
Seizure by the Gooferment. Worked for FDR; worked for Obama. I won’t forget it either.
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INTERESTING: Quebec and Vermont, pehaps the first of many?
Sunday, August 8, 2010http://dumpdc.wordpress.com/2010/08/01/what-the-kosovo-ruling-means-for-canada-trouble/
What The Kosovo Ruling Means For Canada: Trouble!
by Milan Markovic
*** begin quote ***
The muted reaction was appropriate. International lawyers agree that last week’s decision is mostly notable for what it doesn’t do. The World Court purposely sidestepped difficult questions such as whether the declaration brought about Kosovo’s secession from Serbia and whether nations such as Canada and the United States were legally justified in recognizing an independent Kosovo. The court ruled only that declarations of independence made by separatist groups are not contrary to international law.
*** and ***
What the court did find was that secessionist groups are not obligated to respect the territorial integrity of the country from which they are trying to secede. Nor are they prohibited from unilaterally declaring independence against the will of that country. What, then, is to stop Quebec’s National Assembly from declaring the province’s independence without holding a fair referendum as Quebec is supposed to do under the Clarity Act?
*** and ***
The Kosovo precedent also undermines the notion that Quebec must seriously negotiate its separation from Canada. Under the administrative scheme established by the United Nations Security Council, representatives from Serbia and Kosovo were required to negotiate Kosovo’s final status. The negotiations were fruitless, leading Kosovo to declare its independence. But Kosovo’s representatives indicated from the beginning of negotiations that they would not settle for anything short of full independence and would not tolerate any partition of Kosovo’s territory. Quebec’s leaders may be tempted to take a similar line and declare Quebec’s independence if Canada refuses to acquiesce to these unfavourable terms.
*** end quote ***
Observations and comments:
- The Gooferments of the various countries will probably back each other up with respect to “secession”. Can’t let your “sheeple” escape. Can’t let them defy the “law”. Can’t let anyone to be free. On the theory that it’s a “closed club”, those in power will seek to keep the club’s doors closed and locked. After all it’s not like Quebec, wants to join the USA. Or that Texas, Vermont, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Alaska, or others want to join Canada. It’s an “escape” to freedom. From the movie Candhi, “I beg you to accept that there is no people on Earth who would not prefer their own bad government to the good government of an alien power.” They don’t want to lose their power. Even a fraction of it.
- You only have the “rights” that you are willing to demand and fight for. So to, you can only have the “state” that you’re willing to fight for. In the case of the big gang that Gooferment represents, you’ll need help. Your neighbors have to be of like mind.
- Gandhi is the model for non-violent revolution. Unfortunately, the people he freed are not as wise as he. Few would be. They don’t have true freedom yet. There’s a lot of corruption and poverty there. But it’s their problem.
Ready for the Third American Revolution yet?
It’s coming. Just like the USSR, all empires fail. Some sooner, some later. But they all do.
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INTERESTING: Sherrod Story; somethin’ is off
Saturday, August 7, 2010http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/07/real_sherrod_story_still_untol.html
July 30, 2010
Real Sherrod Story Still Untold
By Jack Cashill
*** begin quote ***
“As an old pro,” Brown acknowledged, “I know that you don’t fire someone without at least hearing their side of the story unless you want them gone in the first place.” Brown observed that Sherrod had been a thorn in the USDA’s side for years, that many had objected to her hiring, and that she had been “operating a community activist organization not unlike ACORN.” Although Brown does not go into detail, he alludes to a class action lawsuit against the USDA in which she participated some years ago.
*** end quote ***
I agree. I smell a rat. And, maybe my tin foil hat is wrapped too tight, but nothing is ever as it seems.
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INTERESTING: Don’t tell me you’re Six Sigma
Friday, August 6, 2010INTERESTING: A six sigma discussion
ROFL! Yesterday, before Frau was given her release, yet another hospital manager came by to talk about the patient’s perception of her care. Since Frau was sleeping, the lady “nursing director” talked to me. She was taking names of did a good or bad job. Since both patients in the room were “unavailable” (i.e., sleeping), guess I was selected to be a proxy.
Boy, did she get an earful before Frau woke up. And put the kibosh on me.
I’m not good with names, but this floor was better in general than the CCU or the last floor she was on two weeks ago.
But then, she made a mistake! She mentioned that they were Six Sigma. Who, wee, here we go!
I dusted off my “consulting hat” and asked “Why six sigma?” SHe didn’t answer but asked what my Six Sigma background was. See asking “why” there times is how Six Sigma-ites get to the real reason why you’re doing something. I told her that I had some minor experience in it and challenged her about answering the question.
“Better patient care” “Why?” “Better outcomes” “Why” “To become patient centered”
Ahhh, Hah!
So we got into a discussion about how the patient was not a Customer, a Stakeholder, or even a Client in their processes. Then, I moved in for the kill describing how this morning the tech woke the patient to take blood pressure but was called away in the middle for a “safety huddle” at 8AM plus or minus a few minutes. Her response was that the “BPs were late and the huddle was on time”. And, I concluded: “So explain to me HOW that is patient focused care?” She was speechless.
We got into a discussion of how the technology, process, or people could be deployed that would have transformed that into a patient centric focus.
Like maybe, never wake a patient to do a routine test in the first place, leave an appliance there and the first person to see the patient awake take the bp. Use new bp tech that takes the patient’s bp even if they are sleeping. Or even just questioning how to organize so the patient is not disturbed.
Another example was the call bell that neither differentiates between urgency or type of need.
Another example was how there’s no call center to take the call and directly alert the right person.
Another example was there’s no feedback loop to collection and action what the patient sees.
Another example was that the staff had no technology to make their jobs more effective or efficient — there were sheets at each patient that the staff was to initial each hour that they visited the patient. An rfid badge and readers at each bedside, would collect that data without paperwork and wasting the staffer’s time. Besides at the end of each shift, they just “caught up” the log. So does leadership REALLY want to know the answer?
She gave up saying “they didn’t have …” because it was painful obvious even to her that they do NOT want “patient focused” because they have all their processes. So be honest and call it “processed focused care”.
We were discussing more examples when the BLOODDOC came and rescued the Director from the trap she had fallen into. I let him know that he was 6 minutes late. (Hey, he set the expectation. Not me. No one forced him to say what time he’d be there.)
ROFL!!!
Be careful what you ask for, you may get it.
My observation is, imho, they don’t want to change. They want the praise that comes with being Six Sigma, but they don’t want to do the heavy lifting. My experience with TQM, Six Sigma, and other quality initiatives is that the problem is ALWAYS leadership. They may “talk the talk” but they don’t “walk the walk”. You can put up all the funny inspirational signs on the wall you want, but people are smart. They see your mixed messages and adapt.
I always say I can play any game, just tell me the rules.
In this case, it is NOT “patient centric care”.
Boy, was that fun!
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INTERESTING: Food supply is on a slender thread
Thursday, August 5, 2010http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100726/D9H6KLSO0.html
Margaret McGrath, an associate professor of plant pathology at Cornell University, said the fungus is likely more of a problem for home gardeners and herb farmers who may not have access to fungicides that are available to larger commercial growers.
*** end quote ***
An interesting example of the slender thread that the “food supply” hangs on. Today basil; tomorrow who knows what?
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INTERESTING: The miracle of a biological
Monday, August 2, 2010FROM A FRIEND’S FACEBOOK PAGE
*** begin quote ***
Rule number one at the beach: don’t feed he seagulls but sometimes rules are made to be broke for example : when the sea gull swoops down when u are not looking and grabs your hoagie out of your hand. If this happens do not throw said hoagie onto the sand bc a lot oc seagulls will converge around u lol gotta love the beach :)
*** end quote ***
As a fat old white guy injineer, I was always fascinated feeding seagulls off the Ocean Pier in AC. To create a “biological”, that can detect, track and catch a thrown piece of food high in the air, often on the rise, in competition with other biologicals, at almost random time – direction – speed – rotation, is amazing. There must be a “God”, or at least a “First Ingineer”. Thanks for the prompt to recall that.
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INTERESTING: PhD in Plumbing?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=7024
*** begin quote ***
A New Hampshire Catholic college is establishing medieval-style guilds in woodworking, baking, sacred art, and music to complement its academic curriculum.
*** end quote ***
It would appear that they might have lost their way in these confused daze?
What’s next? A PhD in Plumbing.
(Might be a good idea. I’ve never met a poor plumber.)
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INTERESTING: Genetic testing already shows promise; except the Gooferment wants to control it
Tuesday, July 27, 2010http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/should-you-be-allowed-to-know-whats-in-your-dna/?singlepage=true
Should You Be Allowed to Know What’s in Your DNA?
“You can’t handle the truth!” That’s the federal government’s latest message to Americans seeking to learn the content of their own DNA.
July 15, 2010 – by Paul Hsieh
*** begin quote ***
Opponents of direct-to-consumer genetic testing typically raise three standard objections, including: (1) the test results may be inaccurate; (2) even if the results are accurate, customers will not know what to do with the information; and (3) customers may learn about genetic defects that could make health insurance prohibitively expensive or impossible to purchase. However, a truly free market in health services and health insurance would address all of these concerns.
Customers concerned about the reliability and accuracy of their test results are best served by a free market that subjects products to the pitiless scrutiny of consumers seeking the best value for their money. Of course, if an unscrupulous company makes fraudulent claims about its services, it should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Protecting consumers against fraud is one of the proper functions of government. But if personal genomics companies otherwise truthfully describe the capabilities and limitations of their tests, then the early adopters should be left free to exercise their best judgment as to whether they wish to purchase those services.
*** end quote ***
If it’s my body, who is the Gooferment to interfere?
Prevent force or fraud, fine. Keep me from making a mistake, not so good. Tell me I can’t have the use of my own body, tyranny.
Time to pound the FDA back into historical irrelevancy. Who would you trust with your health? (1) Politicians and bureaucrats; or (2) a free market with Walmart, Walgreens, and innumerable competitors “supervised” by Consumer’s Reports, Underwriters Laboratory, the media, the general public, and the Trial Lawyers?
Give me the market any time. Keep your Gooferment “help” to yourself.
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Remember the “old days” … …
Monday, July 26, 2010… … when you could drop a tree on an American car and it not kill the occupant?
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INTERESTING: Folksonomy, wisdom of crowds?
Sunday, July 25, 2010http://vanderwal.net/folksonomy.html
Folksonomy
February 2, 2007
*** begin quote ***
Folksonomy is the result of personal free tagging of information and objects (anything with a URL) for one’s own retrieval. The tagging is done in a social environment (usually shared and open to others). Folksonomy is created from the act of tagging by the person consuming the information.
*** end quote ***
Interesting, I’d never heard of this word before.
The wisdom of crowds?
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INTERESTING: American “inginuity” … need more of it and less politicians and bureaucrats
Sunday, July 18, 2010Fri Jul 16, 2:22 pm ET
Berkeley prof: ‘Mystery plumber’ may have designed the new BP containment cap
By Brett Michael Dykes
*** begin quote ***
When BP’s newest spill-containment strategy in the Gulf yielded such encouraging initial results, many asked why the oil giant didn’t hit on this solution earlier in the crisis. The short answer is that the model of the well cap now in place didn’t exist in the earlier stages of the spill saga. But what’s more noteworthy than the timing issue is the likelihood that the device owes its origin to the same authority that any homeowner turns to in order to get a leak plugged: a professional plumber.
*** end quote ***
For some reason, this story resonated with me. In a free market economy, this disaster would never have happened. And, this plumber would have stopped the leak much sooner. I can just see all the panels of egg heads that prevented him from getting his idea heard.
Argh!
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I’m a fat old white guy injineer. So I spell “ingenuity”, like I spell “ingineer”! At least someone reads my blog.
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INTERESTING: Rove’s self-admitted blunder
Saturday, July 17, 2010* OPINION
* JULY 15, 2010
My Biggest Mistake in the White House
Failing to refute charges that Bush lied us into war has hurt our country.
Mr. Rove is the former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush
*** begin quote ***
At the time, we in the Bush White House discussed responding but decided not to relitigate the past. That was wrong and my mistake: I should have insisted to the president that this was a dagger aimed at his administration’s heart. What Democrats started seven years ago left us less united as a nation to confront foreign challenges and overcome America’s enemies.
We know President Bush did not intentionally mislead the nation. Saddam Hussein was deposed and eventually hung for his crimes. Iraq is a democracy and an ally instead of an enemy of America. Al Qaeda suffered tremendous blows in the “land between the two rivers.” But Democrats lost more than the election in 2004. In telling lie after lie, week after week, many lost their honor and blackened their reputations.
*** end quote ***
Hard to imagine not counter attacking the political enemies when they AGREED to the assessment.
It MAY have been a blunder. (Iraq had six months to move the WMD to Syria. We know Sadam had them; we sold them to him. And, he used those weapons on the Kurds.)
But, not contesting the slurs against the character of the Bush administration was just stupid.
Perception is reality and so we are hung with a “fact” now ingrained in the popular culture.
Argh!
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INTERESTING: Doing impressive scary stuff for its own sake
Saturday, July 3, 2010FROM ONE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL CHUMS
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=RobaJKGMMiE (N.B. ten minutes, SFW, in German)
*** begin quote ***
The following was produced as a commercial for a German heavy equipment manufacturer. You don’t want to be in the same marketplace with competitors like this.
The operator isn’t exactly a slouch either.
They didn’t tell us how they got it down
*** end quote ***
Very entertaining.
We, in the USA, have lost that “competitive feeling”.
Why did these guys do it? Who cares they did it.
I think it has to do with the feminization of our culture. Women’s rights has emasculated us. No one does big scary shit just for the sake of the adrenalin rush. Still still, be polite, don’t offend anyone, political correctness, graft, laziness, and corruption are the values praised today.
Argh!
We should have rebuilt the WTC in record time with three towers, the middle one being a little taller.
We should throw out all these “leaders” an get some Pattons, some Jesse Venturas, some Reagans. To inspire us.
We have a temporary advantage while the Arab countries fight with one hand behind their back (i.e., they suppress their women).
We need to eliminate the welfare / warfare state and throw open the borders to anyone who wants to come here to work. We need the energy.
Drill, nukes, as well as conservation and new technology.
We need honest money to make this all possible.
Most of all we need to take back our birthright as “not females”!
Argh!
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<Yes, dear, put down the computer and finish the housework.>
Argh! Squared!
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Time to nuke Freddy and Fannie!
Thursday, July 1, 2010CAPITALJUNE 17, 2010
Rethinking Part of the American Dream
By DAVID WESSEL
*** begin quote ***
In hard-hit Las Vegas, nearly 59% of households own their homes, but only 15% to 19% of households own a home in which they have any equity left.
For many, the American dream of home ownership turned into a nightmare of debt and foreclosure. Some people should rent.
As late as the 1930s, a U.S. mortgage was generally a loan for three to five years, at which time the borrower had to pay it off. Then the government fostered the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage—and eventually the 30—and the concept that the homeowner would pay off principal in monthly installments.
*** end quote ***
Argh!
Several thoughts occur to me here:
① 15 to 20% of homes left with the owners having equity? All those senior citizens who bought retirement homes? That’s astounding.
② Talk about malinvestment. (That’s Austrian economics term. See below.) Detroit, Flint, and Gary are destroying houses to avoid providing gooferment services. We as a society have our wealth destroyed by such action. Are there no homeles there?
③ It would seem that the FTC and the TREASURY / FED / SEC could stop this disaster anytime they want to. Regulations of minimum down payment like stock margins. Rules about honest disclosure. Limits on what banks can resell as “securities”. AND, the biggest rule, the originator get stuck with defaults! No more package it and forget it. (But then we’d see just how crappy the economy is. And, how many banks would be insolvent. It’s in the Gooferment’s interest to keep putting lipstick on the is pig. Pucker up! Guess who’s going ot have to kiss it?
④ I remember reading that Freddy and Fannie make the economy more uncompetitive and more “rigid” in that owning a home meant the workforce could not adapt to new opportunities in new locations. A high percentage of folks renting means they can move more quickly. Didn’t the Mayans force migrations by burning the village and forcing them to move hundreds of miles? Is this our modern equvalent?
⑤ Speaking of Freddy and Fannie, I see where bailing them out is going to be the “mother of all bailouts”. Shouldn’t we put them out of their, and our, misery? Time for a Constitutional Amendment banning all GSEs! (Gooferment Sponsored Entities)
⑥ Why don’t we bring back the 30 year Treasury Bond as a method of financing the deficit and easing the pain we are facing? Or is the GOoferment afraid of what that 30 year rate will be?
⑦ On HGTV, there are a lot of home buyers, some first timers, who are buying big ticket homes with nearly nothing down. Several hundred thousand dollar mortgages and they need “mortgage assistance”, seller paid closing costs, and even the tax credits to make the numbers work at all. And, in the cases of two income “families” (i.e., DINKs), one paycheck is completely going to the mortgage. Isn’t that a recipe for default in a job loss scenario?
⑧ Perhaps, it’s time for multi-generational households (i.e., grandma and grandpa buy with their retirement money; mom, dad, and the grandkids bunk in)? Wasn’t that the model before Social Security allowed Grandparents to escape to Florida? Makes the Grandparent able to dodge the nursing home.
⑨ Interesting that the Wall Street Journal paywall isn’t very encompassing.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malinvestment
“Panics do not destroy capital; they merely reveal the extent to which it has been destroyed by its betrayal into hopelessly unproductive works.”
— John Mills, December 11, 1867, on Credit Cycles and the Origin of Commercial Panics
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: It’s the Gooferment’s fault; not BP’s
Monday, June 28, 2010http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdZ5LCNmvFQ&feature=player_embedded
June 26, 2010
Calm Judge Napolitano vs. Excitable Shep Smith
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Interesting the 75$M liability cap allowed BP to proceed without insurance. Interesting that the Gooferment predicted that spilled oil wouldn’t reach the shore. Interesting that the Gooferment immunizes itself and its bureaucrats from being held responsibile.
Argh!
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Hasselbeck critique
Friday, June 18, 2010http://ginabortolussiblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/elizabeth-hasselbeck-is-ridiculous.html
The Good, the Fad and the Ugly
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
*** begin quote ***
Elizabeth Hasselbeck is ridiculous. Her unprofessionalism on The View today was crossing a line. I never really get upset about her comments, even when she’s babbling on about the GOP, but to yawn and say rude comments to a guest is a little much in my opinion. Okay, you don’t like Kathy Griffin, she said some stuff about you, which I think a lot of peeps agree with in one or or another, but aren’t you supposed to do a job without bias? (I love that I’m asking her a question, like she reads this blog. I mean she should, duh). In no way, shape or form is Elizabeth a journalist, but she is still supposed to act accordingly and treat all guests equally when interviewing them.
*** end quote ***
I though Elizabeth was rude. And, she does shill for the R’s. (Just as Joy shills for the D’s.) Clearly they need Whoopi, who seems like a straight shooter (i.e., during Obamacare debate, said: “I want what you got”. And her usual exclamation “What the hell!”)
E, J, or any of them in this venue are NOT “journalists”. Barbara Wawa is the closest they have to one. (And, you’ll notice she stays well back from the partisan line. Except we KNOW she’s a liberal. And, throws liberals “softballs. But she tries to be a “journalist”.)
You must realize that the hosts of the views are like Glenn Beck, Rush, and Bill O’R are commentators. Not new people. There’s a diff between opinion, comment, and news.
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Reacting to the ‘Oil Spill” speech
Friday, June 18, 2010http://www.keywestlou.com/2010/06/actions-speak-louder-than-words.html
My Life in Key West
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010
*** begin quote ***
Actions speak louder than words!
Yesterday I said I was disappointed with the President’s speech. Today I must say I am impressed with what he accomplished yesterday. I refer to the $20 billion committment plus he obtained from BP.
Perhaps Obama is a differnet type leader. He seems much like Teddy Rooseveelt. Speak softly and carry a large stick.
Credit must be given where credit is due. Good job, Mr. President!
*** end quote ***
>I said I was disappointed with the President’s speech
As well you should be. Like all Americans, we expect our Presidents to DO something. Other than point fingers.
>Today I must say I am impressed with what he accomplished yesterday.
In a twenty minute meeting? It was more likely just some posturing and a general collapse of BP in front of the Boy King.
>I refer to the $20 billion commitment plus he obtained from BP.
Commitment? I’d call it extortion. So when does the litigation start. The stockholders, the dividend recipients, the British pensioners (from whence they get 20% of their pension), and to a lesser extent the workers were extorted to the tune of 20B$. If their liability was capped at 75M$, where does the BP CEO and team get off giving away the assets of the company? And to a political slush fund? The 911 fund was a disaster that we have only partially seen the facts. More money to be “expensed” by the politically connected.
As a lawyer, would you care to opine on under what principle of law he can extract such a “commitment”? If you were counsel to the BP CEO, would you advise him to pay off like a slot machine? If you were advising the stockholders, wouldn’t you sue?
>Perhaps Obama is a different type leader.
Leader? Sorry, but I haven’t seen ANY leadership out of him. Even on his “signature” items — porkulous and socialist health, he was like a disinterested third party. Lobbyists and backroom aides wrote the bills.
> He seems much like Teddy Rooseveelt.
He’s not “in the Arena”. He’s in campaign mode; still running for the job. Or reelection. Although, he is, like TR, killing folks. He’s expanded Bush’s Predator Drone program. Killing even American citizens!
> Speak softly and carry a large stick.
No speak and no stick. He’s just another corrupt Chicago politician. BP is his biggest contributor and long time benefactor of his Chief Of Staff Rahm. His background tells you a lot about him.
>
If he was a true leader, he’d have reached out to Sarah Palin for her expertise in regulating Oil Companies. She’d have told him that they “understate the truth”. If he was a real leader, he’d have installed Biden in Texas and asked the Bushes to assist him in “solving the problem”. If he was a real leader, he’d have engaged on Day One.
Sorry, but the only thing that needs to be kicked, is him. Out!
Not that McCain is a saint either. But Sarah would have been an asset to have in place. Not that she’s Joan of Arc either. I dislike BOTH political parties.
But when the Nation is in trouble, EVERYONE needs to be used. There’s no shame in not having all the answers. There’s plenty in not asking the right questions.
He’s yet another “empty suit”.
You were more correct yesterday!
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Police may have over reacted
Thursday, June 17, 2010http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/16/seattle-police-guild-defends-officers-punch/?test=latestnews
CRIME & COURTS
Seattle Police Guild Defends Officer’s Punch
Published June 16, 2010 | Associated Press
*** begin quote ***
Seattle Police Officers Guild President Rich O’Neil says an officer was justified in punching a young woman who shoved him in a dispute over jaywalking.
*** end quote ***
I had a conversation about this incident.
Over jaywalking? And, how old are the two girls?
FRIEND: It was the fact that the officer was surrounded by urban yutes, and the woman pushed him. They are trained how to handle themselves in situations like this….as they commented later, there have been many instances where police officers were brutually attacked when they took a passive stance. His aggressive action may have prevented something much worse. I need to get you a new pair of glasses, or contact lenses! :-)
No. (no new glasses needed)
I’ve seen the video. Couple of points:
(1) Jaywalking? It’s like the Gooferment is using its force to pick a fight with the folks.
(2) The girls were clearly out of control and were inciting trouble.
(3) The “citizens” didn’t not help “their” police diffuse the situation, calm the the agitated woman who got punched, or assist in protecting “their” officer. (imho citizens have an affirmative duty to enforce the laws made in their name).
(4) The police officer MAY have over reacted. But alone, and facing multiple opponents, and a potential mob, I’m not going to criticize him. (I ain’t walked in those moccasins.) Faced with that situation, if he truly felt threatened he’d have been justified imho in drawing his weapon. I think that he was foolish to get in close combat with “crazy people” who might have had a knife or other “blade”. When they resisted, I’d have stepped back, drawn my weapon, and directed them to step back and lie down on the ground. I’d support that.
The punch in an attempt to detain may have been an over reaction.
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And, how old are these girls anyway?
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Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: Justice, PoliceAbuse | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Write your own obit
Monday, June 14, 2010One thing that I have learned form reading all the old Jaspers’ obits is that you should write your own.
You should have your own “doomsday book”. It will come eventually to all of us. The financial writer all advocate having all your details in one place for your executor to access. Passwords as well.
I’ll have to start working on mine.
What color should it be?
Black? Nah, too somber. Inside I was a barrel of fun.
White? Nah, too pure. I certainly wasn’t that.
Pink? Nah, too gay. Not me.
Blue? Nah, too stodgy. That’s not the fun loving guy I was.
Paisley? Nah, too frivolous for a serious topic. I was always serious.
Guess it will be a recycled Green. For Jaspers. And, cheap. I was never cheap except in my old age.
Now where did I put my “treasure chest”. All I need is the eye patch to match my scar.
Argh!
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1 Comment | INTERESTING | Tagged: Peace | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: A one minute osprey video
Saturday, June 12, 2010http://www.flixxy.com/bird-aerodynamics-mastery-of-flight.htm
An osprey figures out how to remove the drag in air-resistance that the fish is causing. From the BBC series ‘The Life of Birds’.
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A one minute video that is impressive, thought provoking, and ultimately (to me) very interesting.
Makes me wonder.
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Seats for everyone?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010Why pregnant women can’t get a seat on the bus
Pregnant women are being left standing on public transport because commuters are too afraid to offer their seat in case they are simply overweight, researchers claim.
By Nick Collins
Published: 7:30AM BST 08 Jun 2010
*** begin quote ***
The majority of expectant mothers cannot find a seat on buses and trains because their fellow passengers cannot distinguish between a pregnant woman’s bump and the figure of an obese woman, it was claimed.
*** end quote ***
May I suggest that standees are, in an accident, both at risk and a risk to other passengers?
When I visited London (a long time ago) on a mixed business pleasure trip, saw two buses accidents in a week. A lot of ambulances and police at both scenes. No idea of the casualties if any. (In NYC, bus accidents magically attract additional passengers seeking a payoff. I assume similar happens there. And, everyone is “hurt”?)
So shouldn’t it be required that ALL passengers have a seat? You might even require all to belt in.
“My” commuter bus company between NYC and a NJ suburb REQUIRES every passenger to have and take a seat. Otherwise, the driver is instructed not to move the bus. Granted that this route travels on a “high speed” route. (What you’d call a motorway, we call a limited access expressway. Or turnpike. Or parkway. A rose is a rose is a rose.)
In an accident, even at low speeds, a body in motion tends to remain in motion. A body (i.e., standee) motions until it’s stopped by something (i.e., windshields, seats, other passengers). Hard to imagine a worse scenario for a standee?
So perhaps, instead of worrying about pregnant standees, you should be worried about ALL standees. If everyone has to take a seat, then by definition we’ve “solved” the “pregnant standee” problem. Of course, it may require more and better hardware, but that’s a different problem.
I never understood the Japanese Rail passengers crammed in like sardines. What happens in an accident with them?
Nope everyone should take a seat, and hold on for dear life. It might make commuting a lot less stressful.
Just a suggestion from across the pond.
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: fear.less is a free online magazine
Tuesday, June 8, 2010*** begin quote ***
fear.less is a free online magazine that empowers people through unique stories of overcoming fear. From entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists and scientists to survivors of extreme experiences, these stories demonstrate the hidden potential we have to confront our fears and come out victorious. Fear.less is our answer to an emergency.
*** end quote ***
Technology-wise it appears slow. But content-wise it’s “interesting”.
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: A “bad BB call” versus a “bad PR strategy”
Saturday, June 5, 2010http://blogs.jobdig.com/wwds/2010/06/04/irrevocable-mistakes-at-work
Irrevocable Mistakes at Work
Posted in June 4th, 2010
*** begin quote ***
Heard about Jim Joyce, right? He is the umpire who cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game…only twenty EVER in major league baseball…with a horrendous call at first base with two out in the ninth inning.
He’s gone from goat to hero. Sportsmanship and all that. I heard Matt Lauer thank him this morning for the “teaching moment” he gave us all. To be fair, Umpire Joyce did admit his mistake right away, took the abuse like the man he undoubtedly is, apologized personally to Armando and did not hide from fans nor media. A class act, even with his outdated Leon Redbone mustache; luckily, there are no pictures of him in his wife beater or we all might not think so nicely about him.
*** end quote ***
http://www.northjersey.com/news/95486624_BP_oil_spill_is_a_public_relations_disaster__too.html
BP oil spill is a public relations disaster, too
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Last updated: Thursday June 3, 2010, 6:13 AM
BY ERIKA BOLSTAD The Record MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
*** begin quote ***
A litany of half-truths, withholding crucial video, blocking media access to the site and a failure to share timely and complete information about efforts to contain the largest oil spill in U.S. history have created the widespread impression that BP is suppressing the facts about the April 20 oil rig blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, if not misleading the public and the government.
*** end quote ***
Imagine the difference.
The head of BP gets up at a twice daily briefing and explains what is being done. Bring in real people to talk. Demonstrate how they are pulling out all the stops. Bring the people into the loop.
May not be a smart legal strategy, but it’s smart PR.
Explain why they had to drill in deep water. Explain about all the regs and safety they have to meet. Explain what the Plan A, Plan B, … Plan Z are.
Imagine the difference.
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Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: Common Sense | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: Pontius Pilate, Lady Macbeth, and I; all wash our hands
Friday, June 4, 2010May 6, 2010, Anxiety
Washing Your Hands Reduces Cognitive Dissonance
Soap reduces the effects of postdecisional dissonance.
By Matthew Hutson on May 6, 2010
*** begin quote ***
Some decisions just leave you gutted. Your iPad 3G or your finger. Your son or Sophie Jr. Paper or plastic. The only way to alleviate the anxiety that results from saying no to something you want is to convince yourself you didn’t really want it in the first place. Now there’s a way to reduce the effects of cognitive dissonance: Wash your hands.
*** and ***
Previous research linking disgust and moral purity has shown that recalling an unethical act increases the desire to atone and that this increase is attenuated by hand-washing. Lee and Schwartz suggest that that Lady Macbeth effect and their own results might both be subcases of a broader “clean slate effect”: washing may expunge the emotional power of past acts–perhaps even good ones–from the mental record.
*** end quote ***
I tried to explain to my friend about this “finding”. He listened patiently and added an interesting aspect. In the Gospel According to Matthew, Pontius Pilate washes his hands of Jesus and reluctantly sends him to his death
Hey, I didn’t even think of that!
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Posted by reinkefj
INTERESTING: We know so little about our tuckus (tuchus?) (butt!)
Sunday, May 30, 2010May 30th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Scientists Believe a Near-Death Experience is the Last Gasp of a Dying Brain
*** begin quote ***
A Dutch study published in The Lancet in 2001 found around one in five cardiac arrest victims underwent a near-death experience. They found these patients tended to feel happier, more altruistic and less afraid of death later on.
*** end quote ***
We know so very little about everything?
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Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: Human Factors | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
