Reinke Faces Life

I have a bunch of content. Commonly called LP33s, 45s, Cassettes, books, software, hardware. Paid list price for them.

Problem: I’d like to enjoy them on my laptop or my ipad.

Why should I have to pay for the content again?

If I download them via bit-torrent from a pirate, then how much trouble can I be in?

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2000392/Apple-peel-helps-build-muscle-control-weight.html

An apple a day keeps the doctor away… as long as you eat the peel

By FIONA MACRAE

Last updated at 10:22 AM on 8th June 2011

*** begin quote ***

An apple a day really could keep the doctor away – as long as you don’t throw away the peel.

The chemical behind the apple skin’s waxy shine is being credited with a host of health benefits from building muscle to keeping the lid on weight.

Ursolic acid also keeps cholesterol and blood sugar under control, meaning an apple a day could do wonders for all-round health.

*** end quote ***

Wow!

Reminder to self: buy a bag of apples.

It’ll offset the cold corned beef hash?

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Background: To satisfy some idea that maybe I’d like to join the Free State Project (FSP) and move to NH, I went to the FSP’s big event — PORCFEST 2011 (Porcupine Festival — The porcupine is the FSP “mascot”. More like an icon. Inoffensive, but don’t mess with it.). On Friday, at one of the IDOL RANT auditions, I heard the last ranter of the session say some stuff that I found offensive. It was imho a threat to rape an unpopular woman politician. Everyone laughed. Everyone except me and the two folks I was with. The crowd was all much younger than us. Later, when I expressed my concern to my companions, they confirmed my feelings. So … never let it be said that little Johnie Reinke can keep his mouth shut … I decided to RANT about that. Here’s that rant.

# # # # #

Rant about …

… the FSP / PorcFest / and yday’s rants

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Yesterday, my companions said if I do this rant, that I should be able to predict the news tomorrow. “Poor porkfester beaten by enraged ‘non aggression’ festival participants.” But like most Libertarians, I’m used tilting at windmills so here goes.

Previously to PORKfest, I was told that the difference between an anarchist and a libertarian is that the former believes that property is theft, while the latter believes that everything is property. Now, I’m beginning believe, that like the D’s and R’s, there’s no such thing as “libertarian”.

Now technically, this is more an admonishment more than a rant. In the US military, the Mennonite Church, the Quaker & Amish communities, there is the concept of admonishment. I’d call it something between negative applause and complete ostracism.

Yesterday, I attended “Idol Rant” expecting to hear “good stuff”. What I heard somewhat shocked me. I heard some one say more than once that he wanted to forcibly butt fuck Sarah Palin. And, the chair and the audience laffed and applauded this rant. A rant which might even be regarded as a felony. Threatening the violent rape of an ex VP candidate.

I would assert that was IMMORAL. Libertarians are supposed to observe the Zero Aggression Principal. The Big L Libertarian Party left me when they abandoned being the “Party of Principle” and nominated Bob Barr. Yesterday, it was immoral for any Libertarian not to say: “Excuse me, shame shame, we’ll not have any of that here.”

I, as EVERY Libertarian, should defend with my life your right to speak. Even if I disagree with what you are saying with every fiber of my being. Also, we should not condone aggression in thought, word or deed. It’s our principle.

I would further assert that it is BAD Strategy to not treat our philosophical opponents with the respect and courtesy that we would like to receive. FSPers should be aware that yday at least three prospective FSPers were very turned off by the aggression demonstrated by people who supposedly avow their dedication to the Non Aggression Principal.

I would finally assert that it is BAD tactics to talk about a particular woman in a way that we wouldn’t permit someone to say about a woman in our lives. The best way to get in a fight in a bar or on your home street is to insult or threaten your wife, your mother, your girl friend, or your daughter. If I said about your mother what that person said about Sarah, I’d expect to get an admonishment right in the kisser. Smack.

Now, I am no particular fan of Sarah. I don’t like her foreign policy. I’m not sure what her domestic policies are. But I would point out that she, until challenged by the statist media, wore the Alaska flag indicating her support of the Alaska separatist movement and specifically states’ rights. She had Libertarian leanings before running for governor.

She might be approachable and listen to our ideas. Maybe even incorporate them into action. Flies and honey are better than piss and vinegar.

She’s a woman, someone’s wife, someone’s Mom.

• She’s accomplished a lot. She’s overcome a lot. She’s better than most; worse than some.

• She has rights. Among those to be secure in her person. From aggression.

To close, I urge you to consider that maybe we need to do better actioning our beliefs and marketing FSP and little L libertarianism.

And I hope that we can all Agree To Disagree Agreeably. And make the FSP, Porcfest, and Libertarianism live up to the ideals it sets for us.

And to the atheists, Donna Nobis Pacem. But that’s a different rant.

Thanks for listening;

# – # – #

The “leader” told me I was wrong. That this was “political satire”. That it’s free speech. That “words aren’t aggression”.

Yeah, right.

She used the following example: “if I said to this guy here here, I was going to put a cap in his leg. That’s aggression.” Sounds like words to me.

I must have hit a nerve, because one very young lady, a companion or friend in the group of the fellow who made the comment, got up and ranted that “that wasn’t what was intended and apologized for it”. And, as she left the stage, she offered and shook my hand very gently. Her eyes downcast. Like a reprimanded child. Classy. Maybe there is hope for the younger generation.

Needless to say I didn’t advance from the “auditions” to the “finals”. I never saw any criteria for or a list who did. That decision was the sole decision of the “leader”. I suspect that she would not want a larger audience to know how un-Libertarian they were that day. Maybe the bad funny guy advanced.

Either way, it made up my mind.

I’m no Pastor Martin Niemöller or Franz Jägerstätter. But I am pleased that I stood up for what I think is right.

FSP will surely not miss one fat old white guy injineer. But I wonder how many people this “leader” turns away.

Argh!

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http://www.careersolvers.com/blog/2011/06/06/five-social-media-tips-for-anthony-weiner

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Five Social Media Tips for Anthony Weiner

*** begin quote ***

Representative Anthony Weiner has fessed up and admitted that he was the one sending lewd photos of himself on Twitter and that his account was never hacked. I write a lot about managing your online presence and digital dirt during a job search but the same rules apply for people who are trying to hold on to the jobs they have. Here are 5 tips for Weiner and anyone else out there dabbling in social media or even just corresponding via email.

*** end quote ***

HERE’S MY COMMENT:

Old Wall Street proverb (or at least where I first heard it) “When in a hole, stop digging.”

Imagine how this story would have died if he had just said: “I was fallen down stupid drunk and made a mistake. Let this serve as a warning to young people all over that it’s not only very bad to drink and drive, but to drink and tweet. Honesty I can’t imagine what I was thinking. I’ve apologized to my wife and she has generously forgiven me. I’ve apologized to the young lady, her response is hers. Now, I’m apologizing to my constituents, I hope they will too. I expect to be the butt of a lot of jokes. And, I deserve it. Thanks.”

It’d be long over. Nothing more than a footnote.

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http://thesurvivalmom.com/2011/05/18/my-top-16-tips-for-beginning-homeschoolers/

My top 16 tips for beginning homeschoolers

*** begin quote ***

Taking on the education of your children is a daunting task, and most of us need simple baby steps to get started. Here are a few that have worked for me and other homeschooling families.

*** end quote ***

I wonder if parents and students realize that they are “home school ers” by definition?

As a fat old white guy injineer, I judge processes by their output. (By their fruit, ye shall know them.) I’d call “schooling” a defective process both on a basis of statistics about the output and anecdotally by talking to young people who’ve “graduated”.

Ever talk to one of these exemplars?

Can they match up in the world? With their elders? With historical evidence?

Nah, not even close!

So, if parents and students do NOT realize that they are getting a sub-standard education, then they are NOT going to realize that they need to supplement.

Those, that do realize, are running around doing “enrichment”.

Karate, dance, and a myriad of other activities are filling that need.

So parents, who love their children, better be “homeschooling”.

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http://freekeene.com/2011/05/18/tweak-the-law-save-lives/

Tweak the Law, Save Lives
May 18, 2011 by Highline

*** begin quote ***  

Most of you who read the things I write know that my pet issue is drug prohibition.

*** and ***

One idea that has been bouncing around in my head for some time is getting involved in the political process to try and advocate for both a law which would encourage minors who have used alcohol irresponsibly and all people who have used dangerous drugs to seek medical attention if needed. A person having an overdose of alcohol or drugs presently could be (and should be) afraid to call for medical assistance, as when the EMT’s arrive, so does the criminal justice system.

*** and ***

I know a good way. Let’s try and turn New Hampshire into the 3rd state in the nation which grants limited criminal immunity to people requesting medical assistance for alcohol and drug overdoses.

*** end quote ***

This sounds like a GREAT idea!

We need to switch from drug punishment to treating it like a medical problem.

This is the best idea I’ve heard in a while.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/number-of-long-lasting-marriages-in
-us-has-risen-census-bureau-reports/2011/05/18/AFO8dW6G_story.html?hpid=z4

Number of long-lasting marriages in U.S. has risen, Census Bureau reports
By Carol Morello, Published: May 18

*** begin quote ***

Americans may be postponing marriage, and fewer are wedding at all. But what about the people who do get married? They’re staying together longer than they have in years.

*** end quote ***

I’d wager the economy is having multiple effects: (1) one household is cheaper than two; (2) single mom with kids is in poverty for decades; (3) the lack of money means less opportunity for “extravagance”; and (4) the condensation of “extended families” (i.e., parents and children need help).

The gray hair generation is realizing the value of family.

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http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2011/06/the-tragedy-of-sarah-palin/8492/

*** begin quote ***

Palin entered the national consciousness more suddenly than most high-level politicians do, and she did it in the intense final stretch of a presidential campaign, which had a kiln-like effect of hardening the initial impression—depending on your point of view, of the provincial half-wit portrayed by Tina Fey or the plain-sense Mama Grizzly proudly leading her army of culture warriors. In modern politics, your “brand,” once established, is almost impossible to change. Only a handful of politicians have changed theirs (Hillary Clinton is one), and then only through tireless perseverance. Palin has shown little inclination to revise or deepen these impressions—she didn’t respond to my requests to discuss her record—and she hasn’t designated anyone else to do it for her. (Mama Grizzlies claw; they don’t contextualize.)

*** end quote ***

> I dont think she is viable any more….RP starting to look good, just wish he were a little younger.

Too much military aggression for my tastes.

Well, he still has to get through the “tea party” R candidates, then he has to fight through the conservative / moderate sweepstake to get to the R nod, then he has to fight through the liberal media who will try to “Palinize” him like Katie Kute did to SP, and then he has to connect with the great unwashed of the disaffected voters. Dick Morris thinks he has no chance.

I think it’s more about who he picks as VP. Michelle Bachman? It would be an expressway for her to be the first woman President.

That’s my calculation.

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Recent episode had BONES in the sack, tastefully, without apparent sex, maybe, with BOOTH.

Is this the shark jump?

Is the tension between the kool hunk and the nerdy hunkette over?

Sigh. It was good. But maybe they’ve run out of gas.

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http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/05/early-playboy-playmate-and-b-movie-acress-yvette-vickers-found-dead-in-benedict-canyon.html

Mummified body of former Playboy playmate Yvette Vickers found in her Benedict Canyon home

May 2, 2011 | 2:21 pm

*** begin quote ***

Yvette Vickers, an early Playboy playmate whose credits as a B-movie actress included such cult films as “Attack of the 50-Foot Woman” and “Attack of the Giant Leeches,” was found dead last week at her Benedict Canyon home. Her body appears to have gone undiscovered for months, police said.

*** end quote ***

Sad. How does this happen? A year? Auto bill pay? Reminds me of the Beatles’ song.

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<Broken Link>

Wednesday, I made a presentation …

… to some young ladies of Holy Family Academy. (Frau Reinke’s alma mater) Two groups 40 minutes each. 25 in group 1; 40 in group 2. Each group had two teachers as chaperones and the Library Lady listened to both. (Guess that was to monitor discipline. If you’ve read my book, you know there is always “discipline”.)

In exchanging emails with the powers that be, it became apparent that they wanted “guest speakers” and the topic of my book was of interest to them.

So, hey, I’m always up for some “fun”.

The essence of the spiel was “I did it. I published a book. And, you can do it too.”

I connected them to Frau Reinke by their school. I told how Frau Reinke told me to “do it or shudup!” Lovingly. I related about a day dreaming grade schooler. Early mornings, 5k words/day, and some of the challenges. Went thru the technology, step by step. (The second group actually wanted that repeated during the Q&A.) Riffed off the line about 197X FireFox kids doing it WITHOUT technology. And, challenged them to some things they could do.

It was interesting that three of the TEACHERS got really excited about the possibilities.

# – # – #

After action report:

It wasn’t “fun”. It was tough. I guess it’s part of learning to deal with the “ouchie”.

It was difficult because I’ve never “performed” in front of an audience this young. And, as you know, I’m an ITSJ. So, that’s ALWAYS a problem. (Had to be extra careful that any “injineering” language didn’t slip out.)

It was interesting in that the children as NOT as “computer literate” as I would have expected. Most had never heard of an RSS feed out of FACEBOOK.

First group (high school freshman), I needed the filler: SFYG and the Burqa. Second group (English honors juniors and seniors), were more into “novel” and how to do it. We got into Burqa, “digital dirt”, and, then, into a repeat of the EXACT steps to move data from FACEBOOK to a book. The Principal had to call time because they were getting into the gory details.

(The Principal complemented my on my ability to take them as deep as they wanted to go and explaining it such that she could understand it. :-) The essence of a fat old white guy injineer is to make sure you use little words and speak slowly.)

In retrospect, I gave them the rough stats on copies published. Last time I checked. To one significant digit. I could have given them the exact numbers but I didn’t think that was a big deal. In retrospect, I probably should have given them exact. The zeros make a bad impression. Argh! Now I feel bad.

# – # – #

The library had “brag books”. Evidently, each student had to put together a book of what they accomplished at HFA.

(I call it a “brag book” because I recommended something similar to my “turkeys” when they were doing “job search”.)

A lot of it was format stuff and some filler. But, in the forms they had, there was a self assessment. Leadership, speaking ability, yada, yada, yada. Rows of the stuff; maybe 20 rows? With four columns for grading. “Outstanding”, “excellent”, “good”, and “needs improvement”. I looked at more than 20 of them — I was killing a half hour — there was no one who “needs improvement”. I thought that was funny. Funny ha ha!

Now I recognize that if I’d have had to do one in high school. It would have been very very thin with accomplishments.

But, I’d have known I needed a lot of “improvement”. (Luckily, a young lady came along in my sophomore year of college and helped me “improve”.)

SO here we have 20 or so brag books, and NO ONE needs improvement?

That’s a failure.

I saw cheerleaders, Irish Dancers, Eucharistic Ministers, Drama Queens, … …

I didn’t see any Engineers, Scientists, or such …

I didn’t see any athletes …

I did laugh that many claimed that “marching in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade” was an achievement. That sounded like filler to me.

Robert Byrnes cited “the gift to see ourselves as others see us”. Sounds like these teachers and students need some eyeglasses.

Everyone always “needs improvement”.

Even me.

That’s why I don’t take such tests.

Frau Reinke left that job unfinished!

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http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/64167

The New Digital American Family
April 14, 2011 02:36
Source: Nielsen

*** begin quote ***

• Ward and June Cleaver have left the building. The white, two-parent, “Leave It to Beaver” family unit of the 1950s has evolved into a multi-layered, multi-cultural construct dominated by older, childless households. Marketing budgets need to recalibrate to reflect the very different composition of the New Digital American Family.

*** end quote ***

Sad to see that era pass. Women had to go back to work to pay the taxes. That’s not progress!

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http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-noise-impacts-your-health/

14 APR
How Noise Impacts Your Health

*** begin quote ***

A friend of mine recently turned me on to a book called In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise by George Prochnik. Prochnik’s a self-proclaimed noise-a-phobe who sets out to probe both the culture of noise and science behind silence. His quest takes him everywhere from urban streets to university labs to a Quaker meeting to Trappist retreats. The stakes are high, experts tell him: one-third of us, Prochnik learns, demonstrate measurable hearing loss.

And it’s not just our ears that feel the toll. Noise, experts explain, causes stress that can result in serious health risk. A New York Times article last week reported ominous findings of a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. Noise, and the stress and sleep disruption it imposes, appears to be responsible for 1.8% of heart attacks in Western Europe and 2.7% in more densely populated Germany.

*** end quote ***

I used to listen to a lot of background noise. Water falling was my favorite. Instant sleep.

Now I’ve started to turn off the TV and radio I play as “background noise”. (That’s a habit my Mom had. Our Girl too. She liked music though.)

Maybe I should spend some time in the Trappist monastery?

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/04/17/nearly-half-households-pay-income-tax-feds/?test=latestnews

Politics
Nearly Half of U.S. Households Pay No Income Tax to Feds
Published April 17, 2011 | Associated Press

*** begin quote ***

WASHINGTON — As Monday’s tax filing deadline nears, ponder this: The super rich pay a lot less taxes than they did a couple of decades ago, and nearly half of U.S. households pay no income taxes at all.

*** end quote ***

That’s a stunning figure.

So, we have the few who pay for the rest?

Isn’t that socialism?

How did we allow total tax rates to exceed the Bible’s tithe (10%)?

Argh!

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April 7, 2011

Dear fellow Jasper,

Thanks. It was a fun visit. Although, it had to be boring listening to old stories. I’ll be sending you “stuff” over the next few days. Please feel free to dispose of it as you see fit.

When I wrote “my book” “CHURCH 10●19●62”, I put into it every piece of dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) that I had.

(Data is the elemental atom of the paradigm. Like “3”, “7”, “Langley”. Information is data in context. Like “”37 Langley”. Knowledge is actionable information. Like recognizing “37 Langley” is an address. Wisdom is knowing the implications and boundaries of knowledge. Like “37 Langley” is my first house and that there is a lot you don’t know about it.)

Permit me to share a quote.

*** begin quote ***

“Will you do something for me?” she whined.

“Subject to all the usual caveats”, he replied. Long ago, he had posted ‘house rules’.

There were several panels, but there was one that was really ‘on point’. It said:

“Your Mom and I love you very much. We want the best for you. We will do whatever we think is in your long term best interest as we see it. We may be wrong, but don’t ever doubt that we want you to be happy, healthy, and wise.

That being said, be careful what you ask for, it may be more than you wanted.

We will not deprive you of the chance to be happy by paving the road in front of you; someday we won’t be here to do it for you and happiness is in the struggling journey. We will not deprive you of the chance to be healthy by doing for you or not allowing you to grow; that, which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.

We will not deprive you of the chance to be wise by giving you the ‘test’ answers; while we might even be occasionally right, we recognize any answer, that is the ‘right’ answer for us from our point of view in our circumstances, maybe totally the ‘wrong’ answer for you from your pov and in your circumstances.

Having said that, we will love you, regardless of anything. We will provide a shoulder to cry on, a modicum of advice, and a swift kick if needed.

You call us heroes?

We’re just travelers on the same road as you, just a little further down that road. Remember we are all in the Holy Presence, and His Grace is Abundant, if you ask for it.”

*** end quote ***

— CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 2 Page 370

What that long quote means is that the adults, who love you for just being you, (me included), will tell you things —- dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) —- that they believe is right. It’s up to you to take what is being given, usually with the best of intentions, and decide if it is “right for you”. For your set of circumstances. For you at the time and place in your journey that you are at. Everyone, including me, is going to give you “gifts” from THEIR experience that they think is the “TRUTH” for you to act on. Only you will know if it’s truly right for you.

I tell folks that will listen that the DIKW some one gives you MAY be totally wrong. Someone could tell you to “quit school and become a clown in the circus”. In all honesty and sincerity. I think that might be “wrong”, but who am I to say? Only you can decide. You should (usually) honor the gift and the love it represents. But, recognize it may be flat out wrong, doesn’t apply, applies only in part, or is spot on. (“Look both ways when crossing the street.” Good advice. Except when you’re being chased like in a horror movie. LOL!) You may have folks like me who try to “overpower” you with their DIKW as “advice”. And, at that point, you can no longer “honor the gift” some is trying to force on you. (Call me; I’ll “help”. I’m good at being obnoxious.)

Unfortunately in life, there are no “do overs”, “second chances”, or “start overs”. No one ever knows how different paths will work out. Having watched my Mom, Aunt Rita, and to a certain extend myself, go nuts with “Shoulda, coulda, and woulda!”, I’ve come up with the “one year” rule”. Basically, that rule of thumb says: “Any decision I made was correct at the time I made it given the facts at the time. Period! Anything, done more than one year ago, is ‘a lesson to be learned’; not a mistake. I don’t second guess historical events. I learn from them.” This prevents driving yourself crazy.

SO, with that long lead into, here’s what I have been telling any “youngsters”, such as yourself, who will listen:

Success for your generation is: (1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt and savings; (2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you; (3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job doing something in order to save big bux; (4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber; (5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open; (6) a free time hobby that generates income; and (7) a large will-maintained network of people who can and will “help” you.

Based on my experience with marriage, I should update that to include a “loving spouse”, but that’s probably too personal to tell folks. And, note this is VERY different than the formula I used. I’ve changed this formula seven or eight times over several decades. It may well have to change some more. I think it’s important to have “formulas” to help guide thinking. It prevents stupid mistakes. I always make mistakes. The trick is not repeat them.

Unfortunately, I usually, in my fat old white guy injineer way, go on to lecture folks, that you don’t learn everything you need to be successful from books, school, or your family. There is dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) that you have to pick up on your own.

An example! The four sisters — Momma Diddy, my Mom, Pattie, and Rita — grew up in the Great Depression. Poor. Hence they “valued” money and were great savers, but they never taught me how to do it.

Another example, their father Grandpa Ed was a great mechanic, but he never taught me how to do it.

If I had been really “smart”, I’d have insisted they teach me. My life would have been very different if I had learned those two life lessons.

Those lessons were NOT available in school, books, or elsewhere.

So, one of your jobs is to “figure out life”. I’m sure you’ll do better at it than I did. I’ll give you some other ideas, tips, and introductions to folks I think can help you. If you want it. Remember ONLY you are the expert in what’s right for you.

Also, remember the sources of my “education”. I’m just a fat old white guy injineer with: Law “degree” from watching Judge Judy; Medical “degree” from watching Doctor Phil; Building “degree” from watching “Holmes on Homes”; Investing “degree” from reading about Bernie Made-off; and creating caring human relationships from studying the movie roles of Gunny Ronald Lee Ermey!

:-)

Thanks for humoring a “weird old alum”,
Remember you have to do what’s right for you,
Even if it’s ignoring me!
rofl!

# # # # #

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=9558

Nun pleads guilty to embezzling $850,000 from Catholic college
March 10, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Sister Marie Thornton, former vice president of finance at Iona College in New York, has pled guilty to embezzling $850,000 from the college between 1999 and 2009.

*** end quote ***

As a fat old white guy injineer, who has done a ton of IT architecture, Information Security, and Business Process Reengineering engagements, I’m always stunned by stories like these.

Where were the auditors? The Board of Directors? The leadership, and their managers, of Iona?

Absolutely stunning.

I don’t blame the Nun; I blame the people who allowed it to happen.

At the very least, they should consider a career change.

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http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/03/11/86523/

Luftwaffe Over New York, a WW2 Secret
March 11, 2011 posted by Veterans Today
The Most Dangerous Photo-Recon Mission of World War II
By Jim Newsom U.S.A.

*** begin quote ***

On August 27th 1943, a German Luftwaffe long-range photo reconnaissance bomber, a Junkers Ju-390 took off from its base in Norway and flew out across the Atlantic Ocean. Among its four man crew was a brave and daring woman Anna Kreisling, the ‘White Wolf of the Luftwaffe’. A nickname she had acquired because of her frost blonde hair and icy blue eyes. Anna was one of the top pilots in Germany and even though she was only the co-pilot on this mission, her flying ability was crucial to its success.

*** end quote ***

Wow, I never knew that. And, I was interested in WW2 as a child. Stunning revelation!

# # # # #

March 10th

You get it “m a r one zero”.

My grand nephew in law thinks this is a stitch and important.

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-aymond-bans-corporal-punishment-from-new-orleans-catholic-school

Home » News » US
Archbishop Aymond bans corporal punishment from New Orleans Catholic school

*** begin quote ***

New Orleans, La., Mar 9, 2011 / 03:29 am (CNA).- Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans said that a local Catholic school must permanently ban corporal punishment for student misbehavior, even though many parents and alumni support the practice.

“I do not believe the teachings of the Catholic Church, as we interpret them today in 2011, can possibly condone corporal punishment,” he explained to a Feb. 24 a town hall meeting at the Josephite-run St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. While parents have the authority to administer such punishment, he could not “possibly condone” the school doing so, the archdiocesan newspaper the Clarion Herald reports.

Since 1951 teachers and administrators at the historically black all-boys school have used an 18-inch-long wooden paddle, known as “the board of education,” to administer punishment to students for tardiness, sloppy dress or other minor infractions.

*** and ***

The archbishop explained that he believes that “hitting a young man does not build character.”

“My image of Jesus is that he said, ‘Let the children come to me.’ I cannot imagine Jesus paddling anyone.”

Corporal punishment can cause unintended physical injury and studies indicate it can cause physical, emotional and psychological damage, including loss of self-esteem and increased hostility toward authority, the archbishop said.

*** and ***

According to the archbishop, she indicated that the school’s corporal punishment was both excessive and unreasonable and the school did not have effective safeguards to prevent future abuse.

She also said that at least three students were taken to the hospital after being paddled. There were also instances of students being paddled day after day and more than five or six times a day.

Applewhite said that St. Augustine is the last Catholic school in the country to use the wooden paddle.

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I remember the ever loving <synonym for excrement> being beaten out of me. In grammar school and high school.

Good thing that weapons were not permitted in my house, I might have taken one to school for self-protection. Now, I definitely would.

Might doesn’t make right.

Maybe that’s why I’m a little L libertarian and dedicated to the ZAP (Zero Aggression Principle). No one EVER has the right to initiate violence on another human being. No matter how obnoxious they are.

And, in school, I know I was obnoxious. And, I knew it then. And, I know I still can be. One of my many failings.

Donna Nobis Pacem.

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A FACEBOOK FRIEND’S COMMENT

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I hate insurance companies…why are the decisions of our future based on their bottom line?

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Well, insurance companies are really “us” in disguise. Don’t you really want the pool to well-managed properly-risk-adjusted and fiscally sound? This way when you make a claim against the pool, there’s “water” in it? :-) The average profit margin in running insurance is more than a grocery store, but a lot less than WalMart. Think back to the old days of our grandparents when there was no “health insurance” and one good illness would completely ruin families financially, emotionally, and physically. With proper insurance, getting sick is not a complete disaster. The insurance companies need a better brand manager.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8316142/Injections-are-less-painful-if-you-dont-look-away-scientists-claim.html

Injection are less painful if you resist the natural impulse to look away, scientists have claimed.
By Laura Roberts 7:00AM GMT 11 Feb 2011

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The body naturally reduces the pain experienced if the limb or body part affected is focused on visually.

Researchers found that people had a higher pain threshold if they looked at the arm or hand being treated.

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Interesting?

Is this version of the placebo or nocebo effect being demonstrate?

Fascinating stuff, imho.

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In your recent commercial, who backs up over another car, who is the young woman who plays the girl friend? Or who are the two women? Idle curiosity. Yeah, I know, shouldnt let little things bug you. But, no one has a definitive answer — one girl, two, or twins? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks, fjohn

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From: Tim J Thomas @ statefarm.com

Subject: Actress in
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:07:29 -0700

The actress playing the “Before” girlfriend is Gabrielle Dennis. The “After” girlfriend is model/actress Salita Ebanks.

Thanks for your interested in our advertising!

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Amazing invention the internet!

# # # # # posted 2011-02-16 16:02

http://www.impactlab.net/2011/02/08/hole-digging-competition-in-japan/

February 8th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Hole-Digging Competition In Japan

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Over a thousand people gathered on the outskirts of Tokyo, shovels in hand, to dig it out for the top prize in the Japan All-National Hole Digging Competition and claim the coveted Golden Shovel award.

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When I read this story, I went nuts! Life imitating art. Or some sort of repressed memory? Did I hear this, forget it, and it bubbled up in my novel?

Here’s the passage from CHURCH 10●19●62 (Vol 1) 978-0-557-08387-9 page 14

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He wanted to teach life skills, encouraging boy scouts, track, and public speaking. He knew that one couldn’t stand in a corner and pray. Like the old joke about praying to win the lottery and God says ‘help me out a bit; buy a ticket’. He had weekly awards, monthly awards, special recognition, and anything he could to motivate his children. He had ‘dig a hole’ competitions with prizes for deepest, widest, best teamwork, fastest fill in, and even prettiest. He focused on all the children — boys and girls.

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Isn’t that weird?

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http://www.garynorth.com/public/7563.cfm

Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams: Still Out of Step After All These Years
Gary North
Jan. 28, 2011

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Walter Williams has written an autobiography, Up from the Projects (Hoover Institution, 2010). Not counting the index, it is 142 pages long. It makes for a nice afternoon’s read. I read it this week. A week ago, I re-read Thomas Sowell’s autobiography, A Personal Odyssey (Free Press, 2000). Williams is 74. Sowell is 80. The two of them have similar stories. Sowell was born in North Carolina and grew up in Harlem. Williams grew up in Philadelphia. Sowell served in the Marines. Williams served in the Army. Both of them provided plenty of aggravation for their superiors. They both knew how to work the system. Sowell got more out of the experience. He became a first-rate photographer.

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Might actually have to break down and buy these books. KINDLE4iPAD actually.

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