TECHNOLOGY: WGA is one of the reasons I’ve left MSFT

Thursday, April 16, 2009

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/090416/

Windows Genuine Advantage is still genuinely bad
Ryan Russell By Ryan Russell

*** begin quote ***

Microsoft’s system for validating Windows before users can download most updates continues to be a problem for legitimate customers and for Internet security as a whole.

*** end quote ***

And, what exactly are you buying when you give Microsoft your hard earned money — either directly or indirectly?

Nothing. Potentially nothing.

For any reason at all they can “turn you off”.

Sorry.

Not for me any more.

I’m moving.

Glacially it seems at times, but moving.

To Linux.

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INTERESTING: Carla Howell delivered this speech on April 15, 2009 at the TEA Party Event in Boston

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Forgotten Truth About the Original Boston Tea Party –
and Why We Desperately Need It Today
Written by Carla Howell and Michael Cloud

Carla Howell delivered this speech on April 15, 2009 at the TEA Party Event in Boston:

*** begin quote ***   

“I did NOT come here to Protest.

“I did NOT come here to try to change the minds of Democratic or Republican officeholders in Washington – or on Beacon Hill.

“I came here to change politics in America – just like the American Patriots who gave us the first Boston Tea Party.

“The Original Boston Tea Party was NOT a Protest.

“Let me say that again: the Original Boston Tea Party was NOT a Protest.

“The Patriots did NOT just hold up signs, give speeches, and complain.

“The Patriots stopped British ships from unloading Monopoly British Tea – their version of AIG.

“The American Patriots blocked the collection of taxes.

“That is why the Boston Tea Party mattered – and why we remember it today.

“Because it was direct political action, not just protest.

“And it was action that made government smaller.

“Those great American Patriots realized that what they said and what they wrote – changed nothing.

“But action changes everything.

“Not just any action. Action that shrinks Big Government.

“They were right!

“Deeds, NOT just words.

“Direct political action, NOT just protest.

“Action that moves us forward, that moves us closer to small government – NOT the no-win strategy of holding the line, or just opposing more Big Government.

“This is the lesson of the first Boston Tea Party.

“Now it is our turn to live the lesson.

“Let me ask you a few questions.

“Do you believe that the Wall Street bailout is insane?

“Do you believe that the massive federal government borrowing is hurting your business and your family?

“Do you believe that government is too big?

“Do you believe government debt is too high?

“Do you believe government spending is too high?

“Do you believe taxes are too high?

“Now let me ask you the questions inspired by the Original Boston Tea Party:

“Are YOU willing to take political action?

“Are YOU willing to END the Big Government Insanity – and start voting to make government smaller than it is today?

“Are YOU willing to vote against every Big Government candidate – in every election?

“Now here’s the really hard question: Are you willing to vote against them even when you hate the other Big Government candidate more?

“Are you willing to vote FOR small government candidates and FOR small government ballot initiatives?

“Most political candidates who tell you they’re against Big Government, who tell you they are for ‘smaller government’ talk your way — and vote the opposite. They vote for tax increases, debt increases, spending increases, and more Big Government programs. They vote for each year’s higher government spending. Their votes raise your taxes.

“The only way we can protect ourselves against these phonies and fakers is to ASSUME THAT EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL IN AMERICA IS GUILTY OF VOTING BIG GOVERNMENT – UNTIL OR UNLESS HE PROVES HIMSELF INNOCENT by showing you his voting record. By proving to you that he voted small government while in office.

“Are you willing to vote against every officeholder who refuses to show you their voting record?

“To reclaim the American Dream, we must vote out every Big Government officeholder in our federal, state, and local governments. Every one. Democrat AND Republican.

“But we must NOT stop there.

“We must vote FOR candidates who campaign for, promise, and vote to reduce and remove today’s Big Government social and economic programs – and GIVE BACK EVERY DOLLAR SAVED TO THE TAXPAYERS.

“We must vote for candidates who campaign for, promise, and vote to reduce and END government borrowing, reduce and remove government overspending and waste. Starting now. Small government candidates who will give back every dollar saved to the taxpayers.

“We must vote for small government candidates.

“We must vote FOR ballot initiatives that shrink Big Government.

“Candidates and ballot initiatives that cut orend taxes.

“Candidates and ballot initiatives that drive down today’s Big Government spending.

“Just protesting Big Government will nevergive us what we want. Voting against Big Government will. Voting FOR Small Government will.

“Every Election. Every time. No exceptions. No excuses.

“This is the ONLY way we can fulfill the promise of the Original Boston Tea Party.

“I’m Carla Howell. I head the Center For Small Government. We’re on your side. Please join us.

“Because ‘small government is possible’.”

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I’m proud to be of some modest assistance to a modern america freedom fighter. And, I’ve taken the Small Government Pledge.

http://www.centerforsmallgovernment.com/sgpledge.htm

Have you?

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200904160632.jpg


INTERESTNG: a UNIQUE moment in internet history!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

<b>Susan Boyle – Britains Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 – Saturday 11th April</b>

Don’t miss this. As the “ugly duckly” changes into a swan before your very eyes. A unique internet moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

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http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4949467n

A follow up.

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GUNS: Pelosi doesn’t like “guns”

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Pelosi Calls For Gun Registration, Opposes D.C. Gun Reform Legislation

In February, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) rightly rejected Attorney General Eric Holder’s call for renewing the so-called “assault weapons” ban, which expired in 2004 after Congress refused to renew it.   

However, on Tuesday, on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Pelosi said, “we [members of Congress] have to find some level of compromise” on guns. She noted that the Supreme Court, in District of Columbia v. Heller, ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to guns. But, she said, “We want them registered.”

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Guess that the 3rd in line for the Presidency doesn’t understand the difference between a RIGHT and a privilege!

After “gun control” comes genocide.

… from my cold dead hands!

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RANT: Too many drones; not enough workers

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/04/representation_without_taxatio.html

April 10, 2009
Representation without Taxation
By Alan Aronoff

*** begin quote ***

When beneficiaries of government policy do not sufficiently overlap the payers of those benefits, we have a governing system of representation without taxation. This type of system is not sustainable long term, but history suggests it may persist for some time under the pretext of ‘economic justice’ unless soundly rejected by the American people.

*** end quote ***

That’s the result of “progressive” taxation aka “soak the rich”.

The only fair tax is to make it voluntary. If the gooferment provides a service, then it should “tin cup” for donations.

At the very least, if EVERYONE had to pay a 1% tariff on imported goods. That would be “fair”.

As I proposed in page 616 of my book “CHURCH 10●19●62” (http://www.itstartedinchurch.com), a simple modest tariff collection mechanism would require little enforcement:

“Because the Government didn’t want to have a lot of checkers, the value is declared at the border. The tariff is two MILs per 10 ounces of value. The importer declares the value and pays the tariff. To ensure honesty, under estimation triggers a 100% penalty. So because the rate is so low and the penalty so high, importers typically add a zero to the end of the value number. For example, a truck valued of one thousand ounces would be assessed a tax of two ounces. So an importer, to be sure of compliance, would call it ten thousand ounces and pay a tax of twenty ounces. Not very fair, but very easy to administrate.”

We have reached the point where the “takers” outnumber the “producers”. We’ll we now see the diminished incentives lead to decreased productivity. Eventually it winds up that we look like a Communist country where the underground economy and “just getting by” becomes the national ethic.

Where are the pitchfork and torches?

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RANT: Begala says paying taxes is patriotic

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/15/begala.taxes/index.html

Commentary: April 15 is patriots’ day

   * Paul Begala: April 15 is one day most Americans sacrifice for government

   * Begala says paying taxes to support worthy government services is patriotic

   * “Tea parties” are being pushed by GOP supporters who lost election, Begala says

   * He says President Obama and Congress have cut taxes for most

By Paul Begala

CNN Contributor

*** begin quote ***

(CNN) — Happy Patriots’ Day. April 15 is the one day a year when our country asks something of us — or at least the vast majority of us.

*** and ***

This country has showered me with the blessings of liberty. So what do I owe my country in return? Paying my fair share of taxes, it seems, is the least I can do. Thanks to President Obama and the Democratic Congress, 95 percent of Americans will get a tax cut this year. No one — not even the wealthiest 1 percent — will have to pay higher income taxes until 2011.

*** end quote ***

Please don’t make me laugh. Or, insult my intelligence!

As a vet, a voter, and a taxpayer, why don’t I feel “represented”. My congress critters and bureaucrats no more represent my thinking than the pirates in Somalia. Congress is bought and paid for by the special interests.

I am oppressed more than any serf in the middle ages. At least the feudal lord left them half.

It’s impossible to day to figure out how much of a serf I am. It feels close to 100%!

And, perhaps, Komrade Begala can explain to me how this obligation was created.

The State has no specific duty to protect me; yet, I have an obligation to pay taxes for protection I don’t receive. So, how does what some dead old white guys agreed to in a room more than 200 years ago bind me? Sorry, but I didn’t, don’t, and won’t agree with tyranny.

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RANT: A good summary of why taxes are absurd

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

200904131402.jpg

http://libertarianchristians.com/

10 Things I Hate About Taxes

#10:

#9: Taxation is Theft

#8: Living in Fear

#7: Caesar’s Benevolence

#6: Withholding Taxes

#5: Your Tax Dollars at Work

#4: Privacy and Personal Income

#3: The Truth About Government Spending

#2: Newspeak

#1: Lost Productivity

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MONEY: Pay your taxes, serf?

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

http://www.impactlab.com/2009/03/27/watching-the-income-tax-system-implode/

March 27th, 2009 at 9:12 am

Watching The Income Tax System Implode

*** begin quote ***

Change does not happen because everyone gets together first and decides a change is going to happen. Momentum will build quickly around a single event or thought leader. When the general public senses that the end is near, an overwhelming flood of support will rapidly hasten its demise.

*** end quote ***

I think it ends when the productive class decides to produce less. They pay less tax. And, the gooferment can’t find enough to tax.

The Chinese decide that 5T$ is too much. And, the world refuses to lend more to the American “banana republic government”.

The world decides that era of the American dollar as a reserve currency is over. And, the American Empire slides into the dustbin of history.

Tax revolt?

Even if we don’t have one here, the one overseas will be much worse.

See inflation is a tax on those foreigners holding dollars.

Gold anyone?

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MONEY: Health care a la WalMart

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/026345.html

April 15, 2009
Thank Goodness for Wal-Mart
Posted by Lew Rockwell at April 15, 2009 12:35 PM

*** begin quote ***

I kept my COBRA going, but at $538/month, it became unsustainable. I let it lapse four months ago. Last month, I couldn’t refill my high-blood pressure medications and I took my last thyroid pill on Saturday. I didn’t know what I was to do. Kaiser wouldn’t even let me PAY for my medications as I wasn’t a member now.

I remembered Wal-Mart had these walk-in clinics. In desperation and fearing the worst, I went on Easter Sunday. The clinic was spotless, the doctor was a retired UCD Medical Center Professor who just wanted to keep his hand in and see patients, there wasn’t any wait, the cost was only $59, and my prescriptions were only $9 each for a 100 days supply. Total with Wal-Mart: $86. With my Kaiser, I would have paid a $25 copay for the doctor visit and three $25 copays for each medication. Total with Kaiser: $100, but AFTER I paid $538/month to remain a member. Before Wal-Mart, my blood pressure was 123/186, today it is back down to 84/124.

*** end quote ***

Great lesson to the “universal health care” advocates!

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GUNS: Israel has the RKBA down pat!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

http://incredimazing.com/page/Girls_of_Israel  

200904111357.jpg

“Girls of Israel”

Just another stroll to the cafe for these ladies.

submitted by alexis on Dec 09, 2007

200904111420.jpg

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