GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald needs a pink slip

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/05/23/va-secretary-disney-doesnt-measure-wait-times-so-why-should-va.html?intcmp=hplnws

VETERANS
VA secretary: Disney doesn’t measure wait times, so why should VA?
By Sarah Westwood  Published May 23, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald on Monday compared the length of time veterans wait to receive health care at the VA to the length of time people wait for rides at Disneyland, and said his agency shouldn’t use wait times as a measure of success because Disney doesn’t either.

“When you got to Disney, do they measure the number of hours you wait in line? Or what’s important? What’s important is, what’s your satisfaction with the experience?” McDonald said Monday during a Christian Science Monitor breakfast with reporters. “And what I would like to move to, eventually, is that kind of measure.”

*** end quote ***

Argh!

You MUST be kidding me.

How tone deaf can a bureaucrat be?

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RANT: Found something worse than TSA, Mexican Immigration, USA Customs, and USA Immigration

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Went to Cancun, actually Playa Del Carmen, from EWR.

TSA 15 minute wait. Everyone was pleasant and efficient.

Mexican Immigration 5 minute wait. Everyone was pleasant and efficient.

Coming home, ditto. Couldn’t have been better.

However the private free market screwed up royally.

Have Lomas Travel for the transfer from Cancun to the hotel. Waited in the sun 90 minutes while they fumbled and bumbled to arrange a ride. Argh!

Arrives at the Hotel (Sandos Playa something). Waited 30 minutes to check in. I was next in line the whole time. There were three clerks checking in: one couple, one trio, and one quartet. In that 30 minutes, the mob gathered. There was no line aka queue. No one much gave a <synonym for excrement>. Argh!

I have some other rants about the hotel — like they don’t give you a map of the property — or explain that the internal shuttle stops running at 11PM and it’s a big place — the room arragnements for the group were screwed up for everyone . But those were minor in comparison.

Argh!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Shouldn’t confiscated motorcycles be sold?

Monday, May 23, 2016

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/05/17/nypd-crushes-dozens-confiscated-motorcycles-live-on-facebook/?intcmp=hpff

NYPD crushes dozens of confiscated motorcycles live on Facebook
Published May 17, 2016 FoxNews.comFacebook

*** begin quote ***

The New York City Police Department “crushed it” on the internet on Tuesday.

So said NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, who oversaw a Facebook Live broadcast of the destruction of a few dozen off-road motorcycles and ATVs, that were confiscated for being illegally operated on city streets.

The hashtag? #UseItAndLoseIt

*** and ***

Several suggested that they should have been resold to raise money for the city, or donated to charity, instead.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

The arrogance and stupidity of politicians and bureaucrats on full display.

How does this help anything?

The waste reminds me of BHO’s “cash for clunkers” that raised the cost of used cars and hurt everyone. 

Leaving aside the “theft of private property” for the “crime” of using the taxpayer paid for streets, how does the size of the crime match the punishment.

Argh!

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RANT: Is “global warming” today’s version of the 1970’s “global cooling”?

Sunday, May 22, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/05/butler-shaffer/state-enforces-idea-doubt/

The Benefits of Global Warming
By Butler Shaffer
May 21, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Religious dogmas can find their roots in scientific as well as theological thinking. Questioning either the “intelligent design” or “big bang” explanations for the origins of the universe can evoke angry responses from true-believers on either side of the issue. In the case of the High-Church Warmingists, a verifiable fact (i.e., increased temperature) is merged with an empirically unfounded assertion (i.e., human activity is the causal explanation) to provide true believers the rationale for their rule over mankind. Those who deny this article of faith are targeted for dismissal in academia and even televised weather shows.

*** end quote ***

It’s all about the “rule over mankind”.

Like the “High Priests” of old, it’s nice to have job where you don’t sweat and live high on the hog.

Of course, those who live too high on the hog at the expense of the rabble, soon find themselves on the guillotine.

Wonder when the rabble will revolt against the Hollywood “stars”, politicians, and bureaucrats?

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TECHNOLOGY: United Wifi “aint”

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Have to buy it as 4$/hour.

We’re currently  out of coverage

We are outside of the coverage area or are experiencing difficulties with our connection. You can continue to access the United Wi-Fi home page, including our personal device entertainment options, and watch for notification when the system reconnects. Internet service is available over the continental U.S.

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POLITICAL: The end of the road for free speech

Friday, May 20, 2016

2016-May-18

Shame on the U.S. Supreme Court for Making a Mockery of the First Amendment
By John W. Whitehead
The Rutherford Institute
May 18, 2016

*** begin quote ***

No wonder interactions with politicians have become increasingly manufactured and distant in recent decades. The powers-that-be wants us kept at a distance. Press conferences and televised speeches now largely take the place of face-to-face interaction with constituents. Elected officials keep voters at arms-length through the use of electronic meetings and ticketed events. And there has been an increased use of so-called “free speech zones,” designated areas for expressive activity used to corral and block protestors at political events from interacting with public officials. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have used “free speech zones” at various conventions to mute any and all criticism of their policies and likely will do so again this year.

We’re nearing the end of the road for free speech and freedom in general, folks.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

The politicians and bureaucrats don’t want to be bothered by the rabble!

Gooferment censorship leads to self-censorship.

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No wonder interactions with politicians have become increasingly manufactured and distant in recent decades. The powers-that-be wants us kept at a distance. Press conferences and televised speeches now largely take the place of face-to-face interaction with constituents. Elected officials keep voters at arms-length through the use of electronic meetings and ticketed events. And there has been an increased use of so-called “free speech zones,” designated areas for expressive activity used to corral and block protestors at political events from interacting with public officials. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have used “free speech zones” at various conventions to mute any and all criticism of their policies and likely will do so again this year.

We’re nearing the end of the road for free speech and freedom in general, folks.


GOVEROTRAGEOUS: End the TSA

Thursday, May 19, 2016

http://www.jasonstapleton.com/examining-the-tsa-why-government-fails-at-everything/

Examining the TSA. Why Government Fails at Everything
By Jason Stapleton –  May 16, 2016

*** begin quote ***

If you’ve been watching the news recently, you’ve not doubt seen the long lines of travelers waiting hours to pass through TSA checkpoints. According to a recent article, more than 4,000 people have missed flights due to delays caused by the TSA.

So why does TSA do such a poor job at its primary function? Simply put, because it’s government.

It turns out the TSA his a top-heavy, bureaucratic, administrative nightmare. The do everything poorly. The recruit poorly, they train poorly, and they perform poorly.

And what do we get for our long lines and humorless security providers? Not much it turns out. When the TSA did its own internal audit recently over 97% of the contraband made it through TSA screenings.

*** end quote ***

The answer is simple.

End the TSA.

We can NOT afford “security theater”.

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RANT: Anyone following the “news”?

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Seems like a lot of folks are registering to vote in New Jersey or switching parties.

Could this be the “groundswell” of all those people who never vote?

That could change the whole electoral political landscape.

I think it may be the Libertains time.

Fiscally conservative with very small Gooferment and a classical liberal approach to social issues (i.e., myob).

If the USA survives, like the USSR, “big” is bad.

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ECONOMICS: 2% inflation = 47 cents of purchasing power after 30 years

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

http://contrakrugman.com/ep-35-debt-default-good-or-bad/

Ep. 35 Debt Default: Good or Bad?
15 May 2016     |     Tom Woods     |    

You’ll never guess: Krugman contradicts himself this week, but only Bob Murphy, who knows Krugman’s columns inside and out, caught him. This week the topic is whether it’s a good idea at some point to repay the national debt at less than face value. Krugman is horrified, so maybe it’s a good idea….

Krugman Column“The Making of an Ignoramus” (May 9, 2016)
“Keynesians on Treasury Default: Depends Who’s in the White House,” by Robert P. Murphy
“Trump’s Right — Paying Back the National Debt with ‘Discounts’ Is Already Official Policy,” by David Stockman
“Repudiating the National Debt,” by Murray N. Rothbard

Related EpisodeEp. 33 Krugman and Hamilton Sitting in a Tree

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Key takeaway: 

If the Fed does meet its target inflation rate of 2%, then arithmetically over thirty years your dollar’s purchasing power is down 53%.

It’s a silent theft of your wealth.

Good luck saving with that scenario. Back to the analogy — what do you want find a pirates chest full of: US “dollars”, Confederate dollars, or gold coins?

Argh!

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ECONOMICS: One great reason to raise the minimum wage

Monday, May 16, 2016

http://tomwoods.com/podcast/ep-659-afraid-of-president-trump-how-about-presidents-in-general/

Ep. 659 Afraid of President Trump? How About Presidents in General
12th May 2016
Tom Woods

*** begin quote ***

Michael Malice makes his triumphant return to the show with a discussion of a possible President Trump, and why Trump Derangement Syndrome seems to make people forget how bad the other presidents have been.

*** end quote ***

Michael Malice hit a great reason to raise the minimum wage.

Get the stupid people who screw up your order out of the process.

Look at Wendys putting in the kiosks.

Wawa and QuickCheck has.

Feel sorry for the unemployable.

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HEALTHCARE: The Gooferment should NOT be involved in “health”, “health care”, or “health care insurance”

Sunday, May 15, 2016

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/05/13/stossel-hospital-bureaucracy-is-toxic-for-patients-heres-my-solution.html?intcmp=hpff

HEALTH CARE
Stossel: Hospital bureaucracy is toxic for patients. Here’s my solution
By John Stossel  Published May 13, 2016  FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

But Goldhill points to one favorable trend. “Increasingly, people have high deductible (insurance) plans … (I)t’s the most promising thing in health care.”

Many patients hate high deductibles. But they are useful because they make us realize that care is not “free.”
Patients with high deductibles and Health Savings Accounts ask important questions: “Doc, do I really need that test? What does it cost?” They shop around.

Suddenly, there’s the beginning of an actual market. When patients shop, doctors strive to please patients rather than distant bureaucrats. More doctors give out their email addresses and cellphone numbers, and shorten waiting times. Their bills are easier to read because the providers want customers to pay them!

Government and insurance companies don’t make health care free. Such third-party payments just hide the cost, which increases the costs and makes payment more complicated.

*** end quote ***

I’ve had really close contact with hospitals twice in my life where I was NOT the patient but the Patient Advocate. (Or PIA!)

The system is a mess.

I’m aware of one case involving my OLD friend where to break a log jam I volunteered to drive a blood sample from Charlotte to Chicago because the first one they took spoiled due to the delay in transport.

(Have to admit my OLD friend reported shocked look on the docs faces when he told them what he wanted to do. Magically the “problem” was “solved”. I knew that would be the response since I had a similar response at one point in my deceased wife’s care where I threatened — at 3PM in the afternoon — to take her out on the hospital driveway, draw a blood sample (I was a credentialed EMT at the time), and have it delivered by limo / escorted by a relative to the appropriate lab in NY. After they put their eyes back in the sockets, “magic” happened and the test was completed by the next morning! Never underestimate the value of a crazy PIA patient advocate.)

The disconnect between the “golden rule” (“he who has the gold makes the rules”) and good medical care is so obvious that only a fool would not make the connection.

Argh!

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SECURITY: Tell me that this is for MY benefit

Saturday, May 14, 2016
Dear Ferdinand,

As we move closer to joining together with Starwood®, we want you to continue taking advantage of everything the Marriott Rewards® program has to offer by making sure your account information is current and secure.

It is our ongoing priority to ensure your personal information is protected. For your continued security, we will be implementing enhanced password protections over the next few weeks. 

You are receiving this email because your account password needs to be updated to comply with our revised security measures. We encourage you to log in and follow the steps below as soon as possible to ensure uninterrupted access to your account when the new password requirements take effect.

As a reminder, experts recommend that you periodically change the passwords you use to access websites as a precaution. Changing your Marriott Rewards password is easy. All you will need to do is:

Log in to your Marriott Rewards account on your desktop or laptop
 
Select “My Account”
 
Select “Profile”
 
Select “Edit” in the Password section
 
Enter current and new password
 
Confirm your identity if you are not using a registered device
Log on now to your Marriott Rewards account to take action. Thank you very much for taking the time to update your password information. 

Sincerely,

Argh! I’m SURE that this id for MY benefit.

Argh! Laugh!

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ECONOMICS: So much for a “great economy”!

Friday, May 13, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/05/michael-snyder/global-depression-begun/

Rail Traffic Depression: 292 Union Pacific Engines Are Sitting In The Arizona Desert Doing Nothing
By Michael Snyder
The Economic Collapse
May 11, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Because rail traffic is down so dramatically, many operators have large numbers of engines that are just sitting around collecting dust.  In his article, Wolf Richter shared photographs from Google Earth that show some of the 292 Union Pacific engines that are sitting in the middle of the Arizona desert doing absolutely nothing. 

*** end quote ***

All the politicians and bureaucrats squawking about the “great economy” can’t make it so.

Argh!

What we need is to unleash the entrepreneurs.

* A ten year moratorium on new regulations, laws, tax policy changes, and other Gooferment diktats.

* A 10% tax rate for individuals and corporations.

* Ten years of zero Gooferment deficits.

* and put all mandates and liabilities must be put on a track to be fully funded in 10 years.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Children are undervalued

Thursday, May 12, 2016

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/teen-makes-stellar-discovery-previously-unknown-maya-city-005856?nopaging=1

9 MAY, 2016 – 22:03 MARILO
Teen Makes Stellar Discovery of Previously Unknown Maya City

*** begin quote ***

William Gadoury, a 15 year-old Canadian from Quebec, has revolutionized the academic world by using ingenious reasoning to discover a previously unknown Maya city. Based on his own theory – that the Maya chose the location of their cities following constellations, he realized that there must be another undiscovered city in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Satellite images of the area have confirmed his hypothesis.

*** end quote ***

“Children will no longer waste the first 25 years of their lives. Adults will no longer be tossed on the rubbish pile for the last 50 years of their life.”  — CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 2 Page 370

Here’s an excellent example of the waste of human resources.

Sorry, that it’s a sad fact. We went from “child labor” to complete insanity. At least, “child labor” made economic sense in a subsistence economy. (That’s why the USA imposing its social mores on Third World countries with sub-subsistence economies is not understandable!)

There has to be a better compromise!

Like Sheldon on #TBBT, we have to figure out a way to “exploit” the talent that is going to waste.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Miners walk on Hillary; when do Black Americans do the same to the Democrats

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/05/10/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-west-virginia-trump-nebraska/84185016/

Sanders defeats Clinton in West Virginia
Heidi M Przybyla, USA TODAY 10:29 p.m. EDT May 10, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Bernie Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in West Virginia’s Democratic primary Tuesday, while Donald Trump, with no remaining challengers, claimed an easy victory there and in Nebraska among Republicans.

At a rally in Salem, Ore., following his win, Sanders, a Vermont senator, told supporters “it appears that we won a big, big victory in West Virginia.”

“West Virginia is a working-class state, and like many other states in this country, including Oregon, working people are hurting,” he said. “And what the people of West Virginia said tonight, and I believe the people of Oregon and Kentucky will say next week, is that we need an economy that works for all of us, not just the one percent.”

*** end quote ***

May I offer Bernie another interpretation?

The D’s have long been anti-coal. Here’s the average working-class joe sixpack sending HRC a message.

I’d be astonished if WV does go big for Trump.

Bill Clinton, for all his faults, was spot on with “It’s the economy, stupid!”

The only think I wonder is when Black Americans will wake up like West Virginians? Their loyalty to the Democratic Party has been both misplaces and abused. Go through the classic Civil Rights legislation and count the Democrats who opposed it and Republican who did. Go through the litany of cities with Democratic mayor and machines, count the ones that for all intents and purposes are little better than war zones. Some Iraqi and Syrian cities look better than Detroit. Finally, go thru the casualties in the “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs” and the Welfare State’s destruction of the black families and the black churches.

Then tell me how good the D’s are for the country! (Not that the R’s are that much better. But one must pick the prettiest horse in the glue factory coral.)

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INTERNET: Is there such a thing as “fitbit hypochondria”?

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

https://www.reddit.com/r/HealthAnxiety/comments/3myqes/fitbit_heart_rate_monitor/

http://www.medicaldaily.com/dr-google-breeds-hypochondria-scaring-people-thinking-worst-332316

*** begin quote ***

Zuccon argues the resultant “cyberchondria” people experience — the fear that they have something worse than they actually do — isn’t entirely people’s fault. The Internet isn’t a luxury anymore. People demand up-to-the-minute information about their health, and the tools of search engines must be smart enough to accommodate that need. Unfortunately, the sites’ algorithms prioritize results according to different metrics.

*** end quote ***

In the last decade, I’ve been a bad sleeper. I charged it off to old age. My last primary care physician said “normal for my age” and to ignore it.

Well, I ,too, got a fitbit to track my sleep.

And this is a typical night:

FITBIT  1  1

A typical crappy night for me.

But what shocked me was this picture:

FITBIT  1

Now I am freaking out. Did my heart stop at some point? I have NEVER seen this before; I’ve been watching for the last few months.

OR have I now “infected” myself with the “fitbit hypochondria” virus (akin to the Doctor Google hypochondria)? It’s a meme-borne virus of the brain!

Argh!

First thought was to RUN to a cardiologist I know.  Second thought was to stop looking at data that I neither could understand, interpret, or take action on.  Third thought was to bring it up to my new primary care provider at a already scheduled appointment in a few weeks. (Assuming I survive that long! If I don’t, I don’t have a care in the world and my “inheritors” will be happy. Not as happy as if I won the powerball, but still happy.)

So, wish me luck while I wait.

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INTERNET: To leave Apple — or not?

Monday, May 9, 2016

Perhaps it’s time to leave Apple, its crappy planned obsolesce strategy, and its mediocre software behind once and for all.

QUESTIONS:

* What do I lose completely?

* Is the decision iPhone / MacBookAir versus Samsung / Chromebook or mix and match?

* My current iphone5 has at least two bugs: 
    — no sound other than podcast and alarms. Annoying but not a killer.
    — Address Book doesn’t sync. Annoying and maybe a killer.

* My MacBookAir will probably soon be obsolete?

Comments?

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PRODUCTIVITY: Stop multitasking!

Sunday, May 8, 2016

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/05/04/multitasking-is-actually-kind-of-problem-for-kids-and-adults/

The SwitchMultitasking is actually kind of a problem — for kids and adults
By Hayley Tsukayama May 4 

*** begin quote ***

Parental advocacy group Common Sense Media came out with a new study Tuesday that looks at how parents and their children view their own media habits — and whether they feel as if they’re “addicted” to their screens.

But it also takes aim at another common modern behavior: multitasking.

Chances are that we all multitask. (Case in point: In the course of writing this post, I have taken four calls for three stories, sent seven emails and participated in two work chats.) It has become easier than ever with the advent of new technologies that let us juggle screens — and even multiple things on each of those screens.

*** end quote ***

I am writing this while watching TV.

Maybe I need to change?

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LIBERTARIAN: Limited Government, Individualism, Peace, Tolerance and Free Markets

Saturday, May 7, 2016

http://www.jasonstapleton.com/a-message-to-cruz-supporters/

A Message to Cruz Supporters
By Jason Stapleton – May 4, 2016

*** begin quote ***

What is the message to the millions of Cruz supporters? To the constitutional conservative who feels their voice is no longer represented in politics today.

Many of you feel that the Republican party no longer represents your values and ideals. I’ve felt that way for many years. Gone are the old ideas of limited government, states rights, individual liberty and free markets. The majority of Republicans serving in office today are barely distinguishable from liberal progressives.

Oh sure, we get the occasional lip service paid when there’s an election. They talk about lower taxes, reducing the debt, returning to constitutional government and clawing back the regulatory spiderweb that’s keeping our economy is a perpetual malaise but what do we really get?

Time and again we’ve seen Republicans cower and fold when it comes time to make good on their promises. Whether we’re talking about the debt ceiling being raised, adding anther trillion to our debt in the last six months or the new “conservative” budget passed by a Republican Congress that boasted a half a trillion dollar deficit, the results never match the rhetoric.

The Republican party is no longer the party of constitutional, limited government. They are no longer the party of liberty. With Cruz out there is little to stop Trump from being the party’s nominee. With his assertion marks a definitive shift in the party of Lincoln. The Republican party will now take on the face of a Nationalist and populist movement. That is what Trump stands for.

In the coming months, you’re going to be given a false choice. You’re going to be told for any number of reasons that you must vote Trump. You’re going to see political insiders and media giants who once stood shoulder to shoulder with you against Trump now modify their message to make it acceptable for you (and them) to support a man who does not hold your values or your ideals sacred.

They will do this because, at their core, it’s about party not principle. They will give you the impression that you can choose left or right, but you much choose one or the other. This is the false choice. There is a third way. A way for you to maintain your principles and vote your conscience. A way for you to send a message to those who tell you to fall in line.

As I said, I came to the realization that the Republican party didn’t represent me years ago. And I went looking for a political philosophy that did. And I found it. Libertarians believe, at their core in 5 basic principles. They are Limited Government, Individualism, Peace, Tolerance and Free Markets.

Libertarians believe you have the right to be left alone. That government should be limited to protecting life liberty and property and should be no larger than is necessary to perform those functions.

Come November you’re going to walk into a voting booth and on the ballot there is going to be a third choice. The libertarian choice. What I would ask is, if you feel like you’re voice is no longer represented, if you feel like a man or woman without a country, please investigate the third option.

Don’t sit at home on election day in an attempt to punish Republicans. Stand up and be counted. Let them know that you no longer stand with the party of National Populism. Tell them you still love liberty, and you’ll fight to keep it.

*** end quote ***

Your choices are: Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian.

“But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.” Grail Knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097576/quotes

I’d be happy to chat with any Bernie, Hillary, or other non-Trump supporter about why there is a THIRD choice.

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SURVIVAL: Misconceptions that will kill you in your TEO planning

Friday, May 6, 2016

https://survivalblog.com/seven_common_teotwawki_misconc/

Seven Common TEOTWAWKI Misconceptions, by Brian T.

*** begin quote ***

Misconception number four:  Roving criminal hordes will come from the urban environment to your rural home or Bug Out Location (BOL).  Nope, these people do not play chess or even checkers; they do not plan ahead much at all.  Criminals, with few exceptions are lazy.  And many are on drugs.  Yes, a few will flee at the very beginning if they have a specific refuge in mind, the uncle with the farm, but most will not leave their familiar comfortable environment.  Even if they have an operational vehicle capable of the trip it is likely to be low on fuel, particularly these days.  They will burn up what little fuel they have driving around their usual haunts, to the liquor and drug stores, then to the convenience or grocery store like they did before the event until their tank is empty.  Walking or biking to save fuel will never cross their mind. No gas means no travel for this group.  There will be rare exceptions.

*** and ***

In a crisis, do not plan on doing things you have never done and do not plan on other people’s behavior to change, neither one is very likely.

*** end quote ***

Interesting.

Reminds me of that story where the guy build a retreat, and unbuilt it, that was virtually undetectable.

Maybe all the planning and thinking about TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) is just foolishness. 

But it does make sense to plan for the bad things that can happen more frequently (i.e., storms, power outages, financial turmoil, political unrest).

Doing nothing / planning nothing just ensures failure.

Argh!

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LIBERTARIAN: Add an air gap, vpn, and firewall?

Thursday, May 5, 2016

http://www.dcclothesline.com/2016/05/03/scalias-dead-now-supreme-court-grants-fbi-remote-access-to-any-computer-in-the-us/

*** begin quote ***

… … the Supreme Court has approved new rules that would allow the FBI to not only hack any computer in the U.S., but around the globe. Legally.

*** end quote ***

Does anyone, other than me, see a problem with this type of intrusiveness? 

Time to “air gap” your computer?

At the very least, use your CHROMEBOOK to access the inet. Since it has no storage for the FBI to inspect, there’s nothing for them to see ON YOUR COMPUTER. (Bet they won’t even look.)

Use an SD card to capture data you want from the inet and “sneaker net” that to the computer you use and visa versa.

PIA, yes. But secure from remote inspection.

On another note, any serious computer person has best invest in a VPN and a FIREWALL. I don’t trust the ISPes either. They HAVE to be in bed with the Gooferment.

Argh!

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INOVATION: Location data needs to be universal

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

https://www.edq.com/uk/blog/why-location-data-quality-matters-more-than-ever/

Why location data quality matters more than ever
HOW ACCURATE GLOBAL ADDRESSING CAN LITERALLY SAVE LIVES
Paul Malyon March 15, 2016 Data Quality, Data Cleansing, Partners

*** begin quote ***

Back in frog.surely.vest, the issues may not be lifesaving. However, even in places where there is a good quality address file, there is still room for innovation. Imagine taking a short walk on to Clapham Common and sitting down for a picnic at proof.rugs.cage. Shortly after spreading out your picnic blanket, a delivery driver (or perhaps even a drone) drops off your gourmet sandwiches and a bottle of pop. This is simply not possible using existing solutions and would elevate the customer experience on offer to another level for that retailer. This could easily sit alongside the service that delivers your weekly grocery order to your home.

*** end quote ***

Sounds great!

Now if we can just get the USPS on board!

What other ways can we use this?

EMT and POLICE for sure.

Need an app for that and get everyone on board.

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HEALTH: What’s Wrong with Health Care?

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

http://tomwoods.com/podcast/ep-651-austrian-school-physician-on-whats-wrong-with-health-care/

Ep. 651 Austrian School Physician on What’s Wrong with Health Care
29th April 2016
Tom Woods

Dr. Michel Accad, a physician influenced by Austrian economics, says Austrian insights are essential to a proper understanding of health, which mainstream medicine cannot coherently define. Plus: why we don’t need medical licensing.

About the Guest: Dr. Michel Accad practices cardiology and internal medicine in San Francisco.
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Guest’s Blog: AlertAndOriented.com

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I was ASTONISHED how this tied right in with the episode: Ep. 647 Cancer: One Child’s Story, and Lessons Learned

Our Girl, my wife died of AML. Both these podcast really hit me hard.

I’ll be writing my next book on my experiences and lessons learned. I’ve been reenergized by these two podcasts.

WE need to change the system.

Imagine “not having a definition of health” and not having a RIGHT to try anything unobstructed by Gooferment.

Argh!

‘I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!’ I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell – ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Things have got to change. But first, you’ve gotta get mad!… You’ve got to say, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Then we’ll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: [screaming at the top of his lungs] “I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!” — the character Howard Beale played by Peter Finch in the movie Network (1976)

ARGH!

Remember that when Gooferment politicians and bureaucrats talk about the “Affordable Healthcare Act”, they are not talking about “health”, “health care”, “health care insurance”, or something else. They are talking about CONTROL.

Argh!

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I was ASTONISHED how this tied right in with the episode: Ep. 647 Cancer: One Child’s Story, and Lessons Learned

My wife died of AML. Both these podcast really hit me hard.

I’ll be writing my next book on my experiences and lessons learned. I’ve been reenergized by these two podcasts.

WE need to change the system.

Imagine “not having a definition of health” and not having a RIGHT to try anything unobstructed by Gooferment.

Argh!

‘I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!’ I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell – ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Things have got to change. But first, you’ve gotta get mad!… You’ve got to say, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Then we’ll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: [screaming at the top of his lungs] “I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!” — the character Howard Beale played by Peter Finch in the movie Network (1976)

ARGH!


CLOUD: Let’s explain why our service won’t do something so obvious?

Monday, May 2, 2016

Dear Valued Client,

 

We are unable to resolve this via an e-mail request. Please allow us to explain to you the situation. Please call Paytrust Customer Service at 1-800-729-8787 and a member of our support staff will assist you with your concern properly. I apologize for any inconvenience.

 

Regards,

 

Lebanon M.
April 30, 2016

Bill Payment Services Provided by Metavante Payment Services, LLC
 
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Argh! (Nice font though.)
 
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RANT: On not being enough of a pain in the !

Sunday, May 1, 2016

http://tomwoods.com/podcast/ep-647-cancer-one-childs-story-and-lessons-learned/

Ep. 647 Cancer: One Child’s Story, and Lessons Learned
25th April 2016
Tom Woods

*** begin quote ***

What would cause the leading cancer doctor in the world to fly across the country to the funeral of a boy of 8? That’s part of today’s story.

Past guest Roger McCaffrey discusses the terrible ordeal his family endured when they discovered their 4 1/2-year-old son, John, had CML, a stem-cell cancer. The story involves not only a family’s anguish, but also a miracle drug, insurance companies, politics, and the FDA.

About the Guest

Roger A. McCaffrey, who describes himself as a recovering political consultant, is a book publisher, editor, and direct-mail specialist. He is co-author with brother Eugene of Players Choice: Major League Ballplayers Vote on Their All-Time Greats, which contains a foreword by George H.W. Bush, the latter’s finest contribution to public life. His book An Executive’s Complete Guide to Licensing was published by Dow Jones-Irwin. He writes occasional pieces on various topics and has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, and The American Spectator.

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I listened to this and it saddened me.

It makes me think that I didn’t fight hard enough to save Our Girl, my wife of forty years. 

That thought brings me to tears, literally.

While I thought of 13 things I could have done better, I never sat down an wrote the “PIA: The Patient Advocate Handbook”. 

This podcast moves this project to the front burner. 

Argh!

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TINFOILHAT: Your privacy is gone!

Saturday, April 30, 2016

http://www.thedailysheeple.com/8-revelations-from-2016-that-completely-vindicate-conspiracy-theorists_042016

8 REVELATIONS FROM 2016 THAT COMPLETELY VINDICATE “CONSPIRACY THEORISTS”
APRIL 25, 2016 | CLAIRE BERNISH 

*** begin quote ***

1. Though trading a pinch of liberty for an ounce of security has never panned out for anyone but government, people continue to allow the fuzzy blanket feel of increased ‘protection’ from terrorism to cloud their perception of possible future outcomes. Such has been the case with the insidious PATRIOT Act, whose repercussions from blanket, indiscriminate surveillance culminated this year in a gloriously horrible way.

In March, it was divulged that domestic law enforcement will now have access to information swept up by the National Security Agency’s broad net of data collection performed on all Americans. Shocking though that may be, global tumult in recent years — which naturally has begun to sweep the U.S. — evidences a paranoid and increasingly fascistic government in decline. Its imperative need at this point wholly comprises self-preservation.

What better way to effect and maintain control than to have its every enforcement arm keen to those who might organize sufficiently to oust said government from its pedestal of power. Of course, when Edward Snowden first revealed the NSA’s dubiously extensive program, privacy rights advocates suspected there would be more to follow — and now we know.

“What does this rule change mean for you?” queried the ACLU. “In short, domestic law enforcement officials now have access to huge troves of American communications, obtained without warrants, that they can use to put people in cages.”

*** end quote ***

Still think that all Conspiracy Theorists are crazy?

Still trust “your” Gooferment?

Still want to pay your taxes?

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1. Though trading a pinch of liberty for an ounce of security has never panned out for anyone but government, people continue to allow the fuzzy blanket feel of increased ‘protection’ from terrorism to cloud their perception of possible future outcomes. Such has been the case with the insidious PATRIOT Act, whose repercussions from blanket, indiscriminate surveillance culminated this year in a gloriously horrible way.

In March, it was divulged that domestic law enforcement will now have access to information swept up by the National Security Agency’s broad net of data collection performed on all Americans. Shocking though that may be, global tumult in recent years — which naturally has begun to sweep the U.S. — evidences a paranoid and increasingly fascistic government in decline. Its imperative need at this point wholly comprises self-preservation.

What better way to effect and maintain control than to have its every enforcement arm keen to those who might organize sufficiently to oust said government from its pedestal of power. Of course, when Edward Snowden first revealed the NSA’s dubiously extensive program, privacy rights advocates suspected there would be more to follow — and now we know.

“What does this rule change mean for you?” queried the ACLU. “In short, domestic law enforcement officials now have access to huge troves of American communications, obtained without warrants, that they can use to put people in cages.”