reinkefj has left a new comment on the post “Act locally think globally“:

The “cap and tax” was approved by the House; I hope the Senate comes to its senses. It has nothing to do with emissions, it has everything to do with gooferment control. When they electric bill goes up by 4 grand per family and Congress gets to waste more of our stolen wealth, then what will you be doing for a job. Won’t be able to afford a paper! And, it’ll be “climate change” is the problem as “global cooling” will be freezing out butts like it was in the Eighties. Liberals, panic the sheeple, to get control!

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To allow hands-free eating of your favorite fast-food meals, just slip the device over your ears and enjoy a pouch that blends your favorite menu choices together into an easy-to-eat mixture. For an extra 50 cents, you can throw in a beverage — literally. So stop by a participating Taco Bell, KFC, or Pizza Hut, grab a feedbag, and get busy! Play the video

*** end quote ***

ROFL. short and safe for work

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2009/07/02/whiskey-tango-foxtrot-moment-in-afghanistan/

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Moment in Afghanistan

*** begin quote ***

Well, Jones went on, after all those additional troops,…if there were new requests for force now, the president would quite likely have “a Whiskey Tango Foxtrot moment.”

*** end quote ***

This is pretty self-explanatory.

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READ AND REACT (An Index Card Novel)

The OODA Loop (for Observe, Orient, Decide and Act) is a concept. A tactical-level example can be found on the basketball court, where a player takes possession of the ball and must get past an opponent who is taller or faster. A straight dribble or pass is unlikely to succeed. Instead the player may engage in a rapid and elaborate series of body movements designed to befuddle the opponent and deny him the ability to take advantage of his superior size or speed.

+++++

It was the first day of the Sixth Grade Girls Basketball “tryouts”. (Tryout was a misnomer because everyone who “tried” would make the team.) She was a tall gawky scared girl. She had her designer jeans. (Her Mom wanted her to catch a man later in life and was raising a lady.) All the girls went to the try out to get out of class. Anything was better than being in prison. An old lady was the coach. Rumor had it that she was a semi-pro before “girls basket ball” hit its prime. She was aided by two old men.

The girl wandered out on the court. It was warm ups. She took a ball and walked to the basket. Wondering what she should do now. Silently, and a little scary, one of the old men was behind her. “You could be a great post player.” Huh? She replied: “I could? I don’t know anything?” The old man smiled: “We can teach you facts, drills, and stuff. But, practice is up to you.” “OK” “Let’s do something simple. Put down the purse. Put one foot on each side of this corner here. It’s called the top of the key. Pivot right and shoot. Next pivot left and shoot. Do each these a thousand times and it becomes yours. In a game, you won’t even think about it. Make half of those shots and you’ll be a great player. Hit them all you’ll be a pro. But remember it’s about having fun. You’ll learn to read and react.” It didn’t sound hard. BUT, (there is always a big butt), she objected: “I don’t have the clothes. And, what will the boys think?” “First, you have to want to do something; then you’ll find a way. Second, who cares what others think; you have to sail your own ship on your own course.”

+++++

“Ladies, today is your first time on the ‘confidence course’. Why do we call it that? Because today you will develop a self-confidence that you will always be able to handle any challenge that life hands you. And, it will challenge you. Run away and you’ll be running away for ever. Go over the top and new horizons will be in front of you.”

She was tired. Bone tired. To complete the exercise, she had to make a shot. Silly as it sounds, there was always a challenge. She reached back into her mental closet, put both feet on the top of the key and sighted. The instructor, a fat old man from a long ago war, said: “Good. Excellent stand. Shooting is like basketball. You have to read and react. Now clear your weapon and move out.”

It was hand to hand fighting in the dessert. Wasn’t supposed to be like that. Women were in the “rear”. But these days, there was no “rear”. And, the enemy must not have got the memo. She was always reading and reacting. Assume nothing. Ever. Assumptions kill. The fellow grabed her like an awkward rapist. She relaxed. He relaxed. Wrong move on his part. She pulled his leg out. They went to the ground. Her on top. She got her elbows out. Just like playing the post. And landed her elbow in his solar plexus. He was not good for much after that. But he only had a minute’s discomfort before she put him out of his misery.

+++++

She was out for the family run. Hubbie up in front. Her two boys trying to catch him. Her two girls trying not to embarass their brothers. Periodically, she run up and tell them to tell their Dad he was slowing down. They easily loped up, told him , and fell back. She was getting older. She could feel her time getting slower. But she was determined to wear out; not rust out. The coast country was beautiful. She thought back to all the men and women who helped her get to this point.

Then it struck. A big cat grabbed her husband’s head. In a flash, he was down. The children were screaming. She was calm. She set her feet at the top of the key and went for the shot. It was technically not a hard shot. Ten or twelve feet. The cat was intent on dragging its prey away; it presented a nice target. Emotionally, it was much harder. It was her husband. She needed him. It was only a 380. A ‘girlie gun’; the dealer called it. “I’m just a weak little girl”, she told him. He saw an Amazon and laughed.

To be sure, she may have been a little excited. She put two three shot groups into the cat. First group was the size of a Number 10 Can. Second was an inch and a half across. Old lessons come back quickly. Her fanny pack coughed up a kit. She was never without what she called her friend Bob. Husband had some bad deep wounds. She gather the children to him and stood guard. While treating him! Torn scalp. The blur of events began to slow down. She was telling the 911 operator on her cell phone the coordinates on her GPS. She reloaded her weapon quickly. What if the cat had a mate?

+++++

The ranger said the cat was a “nuisance”. The cop took her gun for testing. She was cited for an unlicensed firearm, killing an “endangered species”, and “noise pollution”. After they medivaced her husband out. EMTs confirmed it was more a precaution. She insisted the cop walk with them back to their car. She took quiet glee at how much he sweated, turned red with the little exercise, and was embarrased at his shape.

Getting in the car, her youngest asked her: “Momma, where did you learn that? Weren’t you afraid?” She smiled. “Various places, my child, and yes, I was terrified. But you learn to read and react to life’s challenges.”

She thought: “Read and react.” She looked around the parking lot. 360 degrees. “Seat belts! Two!”, she cried out. “Three, four, five, six”, came from the back. “OK, let’s go check on Number One!”.

Read and react!

She added “getting another 380 to her list for after the hospital. Til then she have to be satisfied with her knife and her hands.

Read and react.

She pulled out of the parking lot with a slight smile.

+++++

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Travel/Story?id=8024779&page=3

*** begin quote ***

Leave It All Behind: Anything you brought on board can be replaced, with the exception of yourself — if you take the time to fumble for that laptop or grab that purse, you may lose everything.

*** end quote ***

Seems obvious.

Personally, if I was “king”, I’d use the TSA to enforce the “carry on luggage” standards. Everyone hates them anyway. Make security the villain. I can’t believe what people bring into the cabin to avoid “baggage claim”. If I was an airline executive, I’d focus on making that process flawless.

(I always thought that the passengers and cargo should be “containerized”. Load the “passenger container” at the gate and then slide it into the belly of the plane. I had visions of a Quonset shaped sleeve for the people and an upside down one for the cargo. Two symmetrical half circles. Watch how fast FedEx can load one of their big monsters. Southwest Airline with their no reserved seats. We need innovation in air travel.)

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MCBa sucks without free wifi or free power.

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Argh!

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http://www.opednews.com/articles/Three-Rules-for-Living-thr-by-Chaz-Valenza-090706-403.html

July 7, 2009 at 15:28:40
Three Rules for Living through the Second Depression
by Chaz Valenza

*** begin quote ***

If you haven’t already noticed, the police are out in force and quick to pull the ticket book trigger. Here in New Jersey, though the civil and criminal courts were subject to cost-cutting furlough days, no such thing happened in the money making municipal courts. Basically, now is not the time to get caught being late with payments or cheating on taxes, nor the moment to get on any bureaucrat’s building code violations clipboard. As the tax & budget shortfalls grow, expect to be hunted down for the most insignificant violation of any law, code or tax regulation.

*** end quote ***

Traffic stops have always been, imho, about revenue!

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FROM A DRUDGE HEADLINE

“RAHM IT THROUGH: NATIONALIZED HEALTH CARE IN WEEKS!”

Well, we better all make the congress critters understand.

NOT ONLY WILL WE NOT VOTE FOR YOU: WE’LL ACTIVELY CAMPAIGN AGAINST YOU!

One can only hope that the R’s make Teddy and Byrd get out of their sick beds and SHOW UP!

This will be the end of the American Experiment.

Socialism! National Socialism to be precise.

A sad day for America!

Broke (We can’t afford it), Busted (We’ve given the Secular Progressive Socialists control without opposition), and DIsgusted (How many promises and expectations will be left unfulfilled)!

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LETTER TO RUSH HOLT (My congress critter? Can I sell him? No; so he’s not “mine”.)

You had best STOP this health care nonsense. Tell me you’ve read the 1,000 pages? If it passes, we will have socialized medicine. Let’s not kid around. My wife needs her healthcare. And, when you politicians finsih with it, she won’t. So stop it. We can’t afford it. We don’t want to be like Canada and England.

Normally, I’d just say don’t expect my vote. On this issue, I am promising that if you vote for this nonsense, not only will I not vote for you. I will support, campaingn, and contribute to who ever runs against you. An Axe Murder would be kinder. He can only kill you. You are destroying the country.

Shaking my head, what can you in COngress be thining of.

f. reinke

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AUTOMATED RESPONSE

Thank you for your email message. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know your views and concerns about issues facing America. You will be receiving an answer from me soon.

Please do not reply to this e-mail. If you would like to e-mail me again, go to my web site at http://holt.house.gov/contact.shtml .

RUSH HOLT
Member of Congress

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*** begin quote ***

George Newman in the Wall Street Journal today does a good job with some health care reform myths. I especially like this perspective on a “public” plan:

“We need a public plan to keep the private plans honest.”

But then why stop there? Eating is even more important than health care, so shouldn’t we have government-run supermarkets “to keep the private ones honest”? After all, supermarkets clearly put profits ahead of feeding people. And we can’t run around naked, so we should have government-run clothing stores to keep the private ones honest. And shelter is just as important, so we should start public housing to keep private builders honest. Oops, we already have that. And that is exactly the point. Think of everything you know about public housing, the image the term conjures up in your mind. If you like public housing you will love public health care.

*** end quote ***

I LOVE it!

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http://www.ohio.com/news/50172282.html

Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 07:44 p.m. EDT, Jul 07, 2009

*** begin quote ***

Akron police say they aren’t ready to call it a hate crime or a gang initiation.

But to Marty Marshall, his wife and two kids, it seems pretty clear.

It came after a family night of celebrating America and freedom with a fireworks show at Firestone Stadium. Marshall, his family and two friends were gathered outside a friend’s home in South Akron.

Out of nowhere, the six were attacked by dozens of teenage boys, who shouted ”This is our world” and ”This is a black world” as they confronted Marshall and his family.

The Marshalls, who are white, say the crowd of teens who attacked them and two friends June 27 on Girard Street numbered close to 50. The teens were all black.

”This was almost like being a terrorist act,” Marshall said. ”And we allow this to go on in our neighborhoods?”

They said it started when one teen, without any words or warning, blindsided and assaulted Marshall’s friend as he stood outside with the others.

When Marshall, 39, jumped in, he found himself being attacked by the growing group of teens.

His daughter, Rachel, 15, who weighs about 90 pounds, tried to come to his rescue. The teens pushed her to the ground.

His wife, Yvonne, pushed their son, Donald, 14, into bushes to keep him protected.

”My thing is,” Marshall said, ”I didn’t want this, but I was in fear for my wife, my kids and my friends. I felt I had to stay out there to protect them, because those guys were just jumping, swinging fists and everything.

”I’m lucky. They didn’t break my ribs or bruise my ribs. I thank God, they concentrated on my thick head because I do have one. They were trying to take my head off my spine, basically.”

After several minutes of punches and kicks, the attack ended and the group ran off. The Marshalls’ two adult male friends were not seriously hurt.

”I don’t think I thought at that moment when I tried to jump in,” Rachel Marshall said. ”But when I was laying on the ground, I was just scared.”

Marshall was the most seriously injured. He suffered a concussion and multiple bruises to his head and eye. He said he spent five nights in the critical care unit at Akron General Medical Center.

The construction worker said he now fears for his family’s safety, and the thousands of dollars in medical bills he faces without insurance.

”I knew I was going to get beat, but not as bad as I did,” Marshall said. ”But I did it to protect my family. I didn’t have a choice. There was no need for this. We should be all getting along. But to me, it seems to be racist.”

Akron police are investigating. Right now, the case is not being classified as a racial hate crime. There were no other reports of victims assaulted by the group that night.

The department’s gang unit is involved in the investigation, police said.

”We don’t know if it’s a known gang, or just a group of kids,” police Lt. Rick Edwards said.

The Marshalls say they fear retaliation at home or when they go outside. They are considering arming themselves, but they’re concerned about the possible problems that come with guns.

For now, they are hoping police can bring them suspects. They believe they can identify several of the attackers.

”This makes you think about your freedom,” Marshall said. ”In all reality, where is your freedom when you have this going on?”

Akron police say they aren’t ready to call it a hate crime or a gang initiation.

But to Marty Marshall, his wife and two kids, it seems pretty clear.

It came after a family night of celebrating America and freedom with a fireworks show at Firestone Stadium. Marshall, his family and two friends were gathered outside a friend’s home in South Akron.

Out of nowhere, the six were attacked by dozens of teenage boys, who shouted ”This is our world” and ”This is a black world” as they confronted Marshall and his family.

The Marshalls, who are white, say the crowd of teens who attacked them and two friends June 27 on Girard Street numbered close to 50. The teens were all black.

*** end quote ***

Instead of being unarmed victims, guns would have ended the attack in seconds. It’s no doubt that the attackers were using deadly force. If every adult and responsible teenager had a weapon, they could have defended themselves.

Then, I’m sure we would have seen Al Sharpton protesting that these were just innocent students out celebrating Obama’s election.

I find this very depressing. It’s the beginning of race riots.

The Second Amendment says these people have a RIGHT to keep and bear arms. To protect themselves.

What if they had killed the breadwinner. Now he’s stuck for medical bills as a crime victim. Society didn’t do a good job of protecting him for his allegiance. And liberal politicians take away our gun rights every change they get!

Argh, sheeple.

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http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1755584

Firing Day
by Kimberlee Williams

*** begin quote ***

Your palms are a little sweaty, and you’re a little nervous. But the decision has been made, and now’s the time. “You’re fired.”

*** end quote ***

An excellent wake up call.

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http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?id=38821&t=1&c=62&cg=4&mset=

Gold is ultimate store of value for a discredited dollar, says Peter Schiff
Author: BI-ME staff
Source: BI-ME
Published: Fri July 10, 2009 4:12 pm

*** begin quote ***

INTERNATIONAL. Renowned Wall Street financial forecaster and economist Peter Schiff, the president of investment firm Euro Pacific Capital and author of ‘Bull Moves in Bear Markets’ said gold prices are poised for a “spectacular” and prolonged rally as the recession deepens and investors finally become disillusioned with the US dollar.

Schiff, who warned of the October 2008 stock market crash and accompanying recession as far back as 2006, has predicted a gold price of US$2,000, and rising as high as US$5,000 as inflation takes hold.

Speaking at a recent interview with Business News Wire, Schiff suggests that the looming prospect of a hyper-inflationary environment in the US will severely debase the US Dollar over the next few years.

“The global investment community will realise that gold represents the ultimate “store of value” as a safe haven replacement for a discredited dollar,” Schiff said.

*** and ***

“The only solution to the economic problems that we have today is a return to sound money… The world is ultimately going to have to move away from the ‘Dollar Standard’ and back their currencies with something real. I think gold is the best thing to use. Gold has been money for 5,000 years,” he said.

“One of the reasons that gold isn’t stronger is because of this temporary strength of the dollar. This is keeping the gold market in check. And the dollar is getting some of the safe haven money that should be going into gold,” Schiff added.

“At some point that will stop. The people who are buying dollars will realize that there’s no safety in dollars. Because the central banks are going to try to pay for the economic bailouts and stimuli by looting the world’s savings and by printing money and debasing it.”

“So, if you want to escape that, you hold gold, which is something that the government cannot debase,” he concludes.

*** end quote ***

Music to a Gold Bug’s ears.

The implication of 5k$ gold is that inflation as measured in dollars is 400%. That translates to a gallon of gas is $16, a package of hot dogs is $10, and a six pack of cheap beer is $20! Makes Frau’s social security check and my pension a lot lot smaller!

On the positive side, it makes it much easier to pay off the 11T$ “national debt”. But, how do you think the Chinese will feel holding 5T$ of diminished purchasing power? Not too happy!

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The Power to Create

45 seconds! ROFL. Maybe this is what the Pope was thinking about!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1198393/Miss-Obamas-peacenik-T-shirt-sends-message-G8-leaders.html

Miss Obama’s peacenik T-shirt sends a message to G8 leaders
By Charlotte Spratt
Last updated at 9:35 AM on 09th July 2009

*** begin quote ***

Her father had just won agreement from the Russians to cut back on the world’s stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

And Barack Obama’s eldest daughter was obviously keen to make her own statement on the issue – even if it was merely a fashion statement.

Just 48 hours after the U.S. President signed agreements with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to reduce weapon stores, 11-year-old Malia Obama was spotted wearing not one, but two T-shirts with an anti-nuclear message.

*** end quote ***

Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t politician’s children SUPPOSED to be off limits.

And, also correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s originally the Hippie anti-Catholic emblem from San Francisco (i.e., the broken upside down cross).

Is Obama using his children?

He’s certainly not controlling the political message that they are wearing?

Makes them a legitimate target for political controversy.

And, a good Christian father, smart and well educated, would know EXACTLY what the symbolism is.

Besides, 11 year old children don’t buy their own clothes.

Sorry, but this stinks.

I object to politicizing children. I object to the symbol. I object to the manipulation.

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Playing with MagicJack.

A very expensive McBa

add

MagicJack

add

Verizon Wireless Broad Band

add

a $10 Radio Shack phone

EQUALS

A phone booth?

A cell phone?

A free Local and Long Distance phone?

Hmmm?

# – # – #

Notes:

It didn’t go together as easy as they make it sound.

The user interface isn’t as user friendly as it could be.

The FAQ is difficult to navigate and may need some filling out.

Powered USB hub is fine. Although that is NOT clear, the device is labeled “no hubs”.

We’ll see if it’s useful.

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OBSERVATION: No way to import all your phone numbers. No way to use a directory (i.e., Apple’s Address Book or Microsoft Outlook).

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FINAL UPDATE: NOT RECOMMENDED

Gave it a live test and I could hear the drop outs. So could the other person.

RMA process is a hassle.

(And, that was from home with a real high speed line. Not Verizon Wireless Broad Band!)

Funny the McBa with VWBBIE performed better that a VISTA desktop and Comcast Broadband!

Oh well, it was a thought.

I guess you do get what you pay for.

Back to Skype and Google Voice.

# # # # #

Booked a trip. (Yeah, I know. I too would rather go to the dentist than fly. Unavoidable. Have to check on a old family friend!)

Travel Agent got us seats outbound but couldn’t on the inbound return.

So I filled out the airline contact form. (Agonizing detail. Required fields alone took 10 minutes — estimated)

*** begin quote ***

My travel agent says that he’s unable to reserve seats on the return trip. That seems strange and very ‘un Swiss’. We’d like to have seats assigned.

*** end quote ***

SEVERAL days later, I get this:

*** begin quote ***

Dear Mr Reinke,

Thank you for writing to us.

We have reviewed your request and wish to share the following information with you:

A specific seat will be assigned to you during the check-in process.

SWISS offers the following check-in options:

- Web check-in

- Self check-in machines

- Phone check-in

- Local check-in

For further details, please contact the following link on our website:

http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/services/checkin/Pages/checkin_overview.aspx

We wish you a pleasant flight with SWISS and are available to assist you at any time.

Sincerely yours

{Name withheld}

SWISS E-Mail Service Center-Team Basel

*** end quote ***

ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!
I LOVE getting form email. It’s like some one presses response buttons randomly.
And, business wonder why customer HATE them!
{Just shaking my head}
Maybe I should call the 1800 number and have a nice man from Bangladesh read to me from his script. Probably read me the same answer!
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http://formerspook.blogspot.com/2009/07/remembering-real-hero.html

Remembering a Real Hero
from In From the Cold by Spook86

*** begin quote ***

Amid today’s orgy of adulation over Michael Jackson, we should pause and remember real heroes–men and women who paid the ultimate price for this nation, but whose lives go uncelebrated.

U.S. Army Lieutenant Brian Bradshaw was one of individuals. He died on June 25th, the same day that Michael Jackson passed away. But Lieutenant Bradshaw didn’t die in a Hollywood mansion from a drug-induced heart attack. He was killed on a road in Afghanistan, when his vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device.

*** end quote ***

Well from now on anytime I hear “michael jackson” I will think of “Brian Bradshaw”! What about you?

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AN EMAIL TO A SECURITY GURU ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE

*** begin quote ***

Thought you’d find this interesting. As an old security guy, (well that’s what all the recruiters tell me, “too old”, and “50 is the new 90″. I’m “only” 62! Strange world we live in.), I am seeing a “new” form of spam.

Background: I run an alumni news blog / ezine / website. Never, ever any email address in it. Just news. “Joe Blow Class of 1970 died”, “Samantha Smith Class of 1980 promoted”, “Harry Potter Class of 1990 gets Hogswarth PhD”. Absolutely of little interest to other than alumni. I, of course, having too much time on my hands have our own domain. Jasper Jottings dot com.

Punchline: I am now seeing spam addressed to: Joe.Blow, blow.joe, blowj …, jblow, samantha.smith, smith.samantha, etc. etc. AT my domain name! Lots of it.

Conclusion: Someone is parsing the content. Extracting names. And, has a pretty sophisticated addressing mechanism.

Sidenote: Of course, the laughs on them because there are ZERO real people to read the spam. These are advertising commercial products. Not Nigerian benefactors, male / female enhancements, nor get rich quick schemes. But they are tech conferences, odd technology products, and tech books on amazon.

Observation: “Real” websites, for companies or business, with people named on the site are going to get slimed.

Just thought you’d enjoy this little wrinkle. Clearly we need IPv6 and authenticated email; replace SMTP once and for all. (Love to lead that effort for some one!) As I said, too much time on my hands.

*** end quote ***

Love it when I find something new.
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-07-08-redblue_N.htm

Billions in aid go to areas that backed Obama in ‘08
By Brad Heath, USA TODAY

*** begin quote ***

WASHINGTON — Billions of dollars in federal aid delivered directly to the local level to help revive the economy have gone overwhelmingly to places that supported President Obama in last year’s presidential election.

That aid — about $17 billion — is the first piece of the administration’s massive stimulus package that can be tracked locally. Much of it has followed a well-worn path to places that regularly collect a bigger share of federal grants and contracts, guided by formulas that have been in place for decades and leave little room for manipulation.

“There’s no politics at work when it comes to spending for the recovery,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says.

*** end quote ***

Yeah, that’s a howler. Almost wet myself. Does anyone really believe these guys?

# # # # #

“It Started In Church – October 19th, 1962″,

or more simply “CHURCH 10●19●62″   

http://www.itstartedinchurch.com

# # # # #

(Supplied by one of my networking colleagues!)

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http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D998DVD80&show_article=1

As retailers cut back cities confront ‘ghostboxes’
Jul 5 01:15 PM US/Eastern
By JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press Writer

*** begin quote ***

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Hundreds of anxious shoppers watched as city officials used power saws to cut 2-by-4s during Home Depot Inc.’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for its 102,700-square-foot building center in Bismarck. Less than three years later, the home improvement retailer shuttered the underperforming store, leaving a big orange empty eyesore on the outskirts of town.

*** end quote ***

Interesting how the town bureaucrats treat the coomonwealth as their own little business. As if they had any investment in it. The taxpayers do; not them.

For those, that hate WalMart and the other big box stores, seems the way to keep them out is to have a “rip it out if you close” law.

Love it.

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http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/07/11/indie-kindle-author-lands-book-deal/

Indie Kindle author lands book deal
by John Biggs on July 11, 2009

*** begin quote ***

And you though self-pubished books were all rubbish. Author Boyd Morrison sold two books, the first one called The Ark, to Simon & Schuster. Boyd uploaded and sold the books himself and raised awareness for his novels by being a member of Kindle Boards and generally self-promoting.

*** end quote ***

Hope springs eternal!

http://www.itstartedinchurch.com

LOL!

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http://hoopscoach.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/starting-line-in-coaching/

THE COACHING STARTING LINE
Posted on July 4, 2009 by hoopscoach
(Part 4 in a series on the coaching profession)

*** begin quote ***

For the past few days I have been blogging about the coaching profession. I have touched on a few different topics Improvement, Work Ethic and Why We Coach. Every experienced coach has their own personal story on how they entered the business. Most stories are very interesting. Next time you are talking with a peer, ask them how they got their start?

{Extraneous Deleted}

If you want to enter coaching at the collegiate level, you better try and get with someone who is good. You better be ready to start at the bottom and have a small pay check (if you’re lucky enough to get paid). Entering coaching, there is no surefire, direct way. Everyone has their own story (as mentioned before). You can start as a team manager and become a sponge. Learn everything you can about the business. Maybe you played for a guy in college who is a head coach and he hires you. Maybe you know someone who knows a head coach looking for someone. However you get in, it’s a growing process-don’t be in such a hurry to advance. There are no short-cuts.

Write letters to coaches, pick their brains. Ask to work their camp in the summer. Make calls, shoot off e-mails and introduce yourself. Let people know what your aspirations are. Attend clinics and try to speak with the coaches after it’s over. In the beginning of your journey, be prepared to work hard.

If you are lucky enough to get in, don’t be afraid to get down and dirty. You may have to wipe up sweat off the ground, hand water out to players and rebound for them late into the night. Look for things to do.

*** end quote ***

Seems like that’s a success formula for anyone starting out in ANY line of work. IMHO!

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