RANT: Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good

Sunday, March 13, 2016

FROM SNOPES

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/lifelessons.asp

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio 
“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. 
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:  
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. 
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 
5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone. 
8. It’s OK to get angry. 
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present. 
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry. 
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it. 
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks. 
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful. 
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. 
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer. 
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple. 
24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’ 
27. Always choose life. 
28. Forgive everyone everything. 
29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time some time. 
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 
33. Believe in miracles. 
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do. 
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young. 
37. Your children get only one childhood. 
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back. 
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 
42. The best is yet to come. 
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift. 

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RANT: YOU’VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM

Saturday, March 12, 2016

from an email “chain letter” forward to me by a young relative

*** begin quote ***

“IF YOU CAN’T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU’VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM”
WRITTEN BY A 21 YEAR OLD FEMALE. Wow, this girl has a great plan! Love the last thing
she would do – the best.

This was written by a 21 yr. old female who gets it. It’s her future she’s worried about and this is how she feels about the social welfare big government state that she’s being forced to live in! These solutions are just common sense in her opinion.

This was in the Waco Tribune Herald, Waco , TX

PUT ME IN CHARGE . . .

Put me in charge of food stamps. I’d get rid of Lone Star cards; no cash for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho’s, just money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away. If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.

Put me in charge of Medicaid.The first thing I’d do is to get women Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligations.Then, we’ll test recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. If you want to reproduce or use drugs, alcohol, or smoke, then get a job.

Put me in charge of government housing. Ever live in a military barracks? You will maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair. Your “home” will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a job and your own place.

In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week or you will report to a “government” job. It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you. We will sell your 22-inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward the “common good.”

Before you write that I’ve violated someone’s rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary.

If you want our money, accept our rules. Before you say that this would be “demeaning” and ruin their “self esteem,” consider that it wasn’t that long ago that taking someone else’s money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem.

If we are expected to pay for other people’s mistakes we should at least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.

AND

While you are on Gov’t subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes, that is correct. For you to vote would be
a conflict of interest. You will voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Gov’t welfare check. If you want to vote, then get a job.

*** end quote ***

Makes sense to me!

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RANT: The murder of a poor cook in northern China

Friday, March 11, 2016

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_CHINA_DEADLY_POLLUTION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-03-07-08-54-05

Mar 7, 8:54 AM EST

CHINESE COOK DIES FROM TOXIC WASTE DUMPED AT PARKING LOT

*** begin quote ***

BEIJING (AP) — Police in a northern Chinese city have broken up a major toxic waste case that came to light when a restaurant owner died after inhaling poisonous gases coming from his kitchen drain, state media said Monday.

Police discovered that the operator of a parking lot near the restaurant in Baoding city had allowed factories to dump highly toxic waste into its drain pipes for illegal gains, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

The parking lot operator allowed a total of more than 3,400 tons of toxic waste to be dumped between August 2014 and May 2015, Xinhua said.

*** end quote ***

Sounds like murder!

And how did they think they were going to get away with this?

At the very least, the parking lot operator was going to be caught! And, then sing like a canary!!!

Given the Chinese and their use of the “death penalty”, if I were these folks, then I’d be saying my prayers and calling in all the bribes I’d ever given for help.

What a shame for the poor cook.

Requiescat In Pacem

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ECONOMICS: “The Bureau of Lies & Scams”?

Thursday, March 10, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/03/jim-quinn/lies-damn-lies-bls-statistics/

Lies, Damn Lies, & BLS Statistics
By Jim QuinnThe Burning Platform
March 5, 2016

*** begin quote ***

So, we have the BLS reporting tremendous job growth over the first two months of 2016, while actual payroll tax data and actual corporate layoff announcements showing little or no growth. Who to believe? Wages are dropping. The number of hours worked is dropping. The number of part-time jobs is soaring. The number of self-employed Ebay sellers is going up. Retail sales are terrible. Polls show most people think the economy is on the wrong track. Corporate profits and all economic indicators indicate recession. Establishment politicians are being tarred and feathered. Do you believe the facts or do you believe the government manufactured propaganda, propagated by their corporate MSM mouthpieces, and peddled by the Wall Street criminal bankers?

*** end quote ***

He correctly calls it the “The Bureau of Lies & Scams”!

It should be unnecessary to estimate anything!

Use the tax withholding data — number of people paying taxes and how much they pay — and there is no need for fudging (i.e., adjustments).

Over time all the “seasonal effects” will sort themselves out.

Unfortunately, “We, The Sheeple” are fooled by all the “adjustments”.

But you just have to look with your own eyes. Just yesterday, I rode by several half empty shopping centers and several completely empty one. Add all the stand alone sites that are empty and available!

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Where are the photos of the people of those who can’t?

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

http://www.cato.org/blog/oregon-legislature-repeals-laws-supply-demand

MARCH 4, 2016 9:50AM
Oregon Legislature Repeals Laws of Supply & Demand
By RANDAL O’TOOLE

*** begin quote ***

Buoyed by its success, the legislature yesterday passed a law legalizing inclusionary zoning, that is, forcing homebuilders to sell a certain percentage of their products below cost. This will also lead them to build fewer homes and to sell the market-rate homes they do build for higher prices to offset their losses on the “affordable” homes. In other words, this law relies on the counterintuitive notion that making housing more expensive will make it more affordable.

Once again, the legislature is playing a balancing game. A few people will get–and be very grateful for–more affordable housing. Every other homebuyer and renter will end up paying more, but not enough more for them (the legislature hopes) to complain about it.

The Oregonian, for example, accompanied my article criticizing the urban-growth boundary with a photo of a man who enjoys “affordable” housing provided by the city of Bend that was funded by taxing all other new homes in the city. Where are the photos of the people having to pay higher taxes or who can’t afford to buy a new home because of that tax?

*** end quote ***

This is just a variation of Bastiat’s Broken Window fallacy.

“The broken window fallacy” — Frédéric Bastiat Ce qu’on voit et ce qu’on ne voit pas (That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Unseen) 1850 

The politicians and bureaucrats are always “giving” but we don’t see those “taken from”.

Argh!

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LINKEDIN: “Save to Contacts” feature removed silently

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/43372

*** begin quote ***

Note: As part of our ongoing efforts to invest our resources in building a better LinkedIn, we’re retiring the Save to Contacts feature on February 25, 2016. You’ll still access all of the Contacts you’ve previously saved by going to your Connections list, choosing the Filter By Tag option, and selecting the Saved_Contacts tag.

*** end quote ***

I used this feature a lot.

It just disappeared. 

Hence I’m dropping the premium feature of LinkedIn.

Sad, when these “services” go rogue.

Guess they don’t need my money!

Too bad. Argh!

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POLITICAL: The prettiest horse at the glue factory in terms of foreign policy

Monday, March 7, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/03/thomas-woods/can-laugh-2/

Moderators and Candidates Make Direct Hits on Trump: Lew and Tom Discuss Another Debate
By Thomas E. Woods Jr.
Tom Woods Show
March 5, 2016

*** begin quote ***

In last night’s debate (March 3, 2016), Trump suffered blows at the hands of moderators and candidates alike, and didn’t respond well. 

*** end quote ***

Good point by Tom Woods about the “open letter” hit on Trump by all the “experts” (ex spurts) and where their advice and expenditures have delivered us. Hell in a handbasket with all that “great” advice. Argh!

If life was fair, then the politicians, bureaucrats, and experts that give us these massive failures would slink silently into the shadows and be quiet. But like certain economists, weather forecasters, and groundhogs, that have no shame when they are obviously WRONG, these same losers prattle even louder about what should be done.

While I am not a fan of any politician or political party, I do think, that Trump’s modest statements on “foreign policy” (i.e., leave Putin alone; the USA should not be in foreign wars; let’s take care of our vets), makes him, like the US dollar, the “prettiest horse at the glue factory”.

While all these dictators around the world are very bad people, who’s to say that getting rid of them will make things better. We have classic examples in Iraq, Libya, and Egypt. And, now the warmongers of both parties — HRC and the Republican New-Cons — want to try again in Syria. What a mess!

And, let’s not forget our crazy old man the “democratic socialist” who is advocating for the system that exterminated millions under Stalin, Mao, and many other examples. How he has any support at all is a testament to the lure of “free cheese”.

Argh!

The whole system is INSANE. 

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GUNS: Guns and selfies don’t mix

Sunday, March 6, 2016

http://www.cnet.com/news/man-taking-selfies-with-gun-fatally-shoots-himself-police-say/

Man taking selfies with gun fatally shoots himself, police say

*** begin quote ***

In Concrete, Washington, a 43-year-old man and his girlfriend were taking selfies while holding a gun.
Chief Chad Clark of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to me that the couple had been taking the photos periodically throughout Sunday.

*** end quote ***

Stupidity abounds.

Add in a gun and the results are obvious.

First rule of firearms safety is that “every gun is loaded”. Even if you just “cleared” it, then you still ALWAYS keep it pointed in a safe direction.

It’s a tool. 

And, for the same reason one doesn’t juggle running chainsaws, you don’t do stupid things with a gun!

Argh!

Make life hard for responsible gun owners.

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POLITICAL: Corporations do not pay taxes

Friday, March 4, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/03/walter-e-williams/every-dime-youve-got/

What Is the Fair Share of Taxes?
By Walter E. Williams
March 1, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Our demagogues also claim that corporations do not pay their fair share of taxes. The fact of the matter, which even leftist economists understand but might not publicly admit, is corporations do not pay taxes. An important subject area in economics, called tax incidence, says the entity upon whom a tax is levied does not necessarily bear the full burden of the tax. Some of the tax burdens can be shifted to another party. If a tax is levied on a corporation, and if the corporation hopes to survive, it will have one of three responses to that tax or some combination thereof. It will raise the price of its product, lower dividends or lay off workers. In each case, a flesh-and-blood person is made worse off. The important point is that a corporation is a legal fiction and as such does not pay taxes. As it turns out, corporations are merely tax collectors for the government.

*** end quote ***

I have known this ever since I took my first class in Corporate Finance. And heard it repeated over and over.

“Corporations are merely tax collectors; not taxpayers. They merely pass their costs along.” Lawrence Alan “Larry” Kudlow is an American economist, television personality, and newspaper columnist. August 26, 2014 0830 on WMAL Mornings on the Mall Brian Wilson and Larry O’Connor

But for some reason, “We, The Sheeple” don’t seem to understand.

Burger King goes to Canada. Drug Companies and Banks got to the Grand Caymans. Google and Apple store their cash in Ireland.

See a pattern here.

Like the beer trucks with signs on them “This vehicle pay $11,985 in taxes.” NONSENSE! The poor bloke who drinks the beer is paying those taxes.

Every can on beans you buy in the supermarket has hidden taxes build right into the purchase price. And, don’t get me started on “gas taxes for the roads”! Another fiction. Seen the roads lately? Where did all that money go? So every product delivered by a gas powered engine (i.e., plane; train; boat; truck) has a hidden gas tax that’s being paid for by “We, The Sheeple”.

So the correct corporate tax rate is ZERO, because only REAL people pay taxes. 

Ask you favorite politician about that concept!

I’m sure you’ll be told “it’s more complicated that that.” It ain’t! Argh!

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VETERANS: Senior VA execs get off scott free

Thursday, March 3, 2016

FROM Mike Berger’s March Bugle Blasts

Appeals judges reverse punishment for senior VA execs – source Military Times

*** begin quote ***

VA officials’ attempt to punish a pair of high-ranking executives over mismanagement issues has been knocked down by appeals judges who ruled the department’s other disciplinary moves have been too inconsistent to justify punishing those two. The news comes a month after Justice Department officials announced they would not charge the two women with any criminal activity, despite accusations from the IG the executives manipulated the hiring practice and unjustly pocketed about $400,000 in federal funds.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

The corruption in Gooferment and its inability to “police” itself is demonstration that it’s immoral, ineffective, and inefficient. As well as untrustworthy.

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INVESTING: Evaluate “tuition” as an ROI

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

http://www.edelmanfinancial.com/radio

Episode 02.20.16

Topic: How to Handle Student Loans Later in Life

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No secret that I like Ric Edelman and I am a “client”.

He made what I thought was an interesting off-the-cuff observation with respect to “education” expense.

The caller was an older 50-ish woman who had a 20K$ student loan at less than 5% and wanted to pay it off. In delving into her circumstances, he found out that she was earning 45k per year after incurring that debt. And, he raved over the ROI.

Not sure that it’s that cut and dry, but I think it was an astute observation.

While she may have paid more than 20K$ for the “educational investment”, the decade, that she will be earning 45k annually, will earn 450K$. 450k/20k = ROI 22½. Roughly. Ignores the time value of money and that it was probably more than a 20k total investment. Ignore the opportunity cost of the time spent. Etc. Etc. Etc. But not bad for a radio show podcast.

And, also, importantly, that 20k$ loan NOT paid off should earn at least a ten year market average while preserving liquidity (i.e., the lady still has her twenty k if she needs it).

Many of the education “horror stories” reported in the media are from some very poor decisions. Picking some obscure specialties with no real market value and spending a few hundred thousand dollars that results in 100k to 200k of student loan debt is a recipe for disaster.

On 101.5 D&D show the other day, http://nj1015.com/tuition-and-wedding-costs-on-the-rise-stolen-bank-info-and-more-on-dd-today/ chatted about the cost of tuition and invited callers to tell their stories. Some of the tales were pretty interesting. The divided into two types — medical doctors with ½ million of debt and then “regular people”. Argh! Worst case: 200k$ debt for an ART DEGREE!

So this “national problem” is all about bad decisions amplified by poor Gooferment policy (i.e., cheap government insured loans at artificially low rates). 

What to do?

Make “good decisions” about education ROI and the financing of that education.

Hold the politicians and bureaucrats accountable for the stupidity of these policies.

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  • How to Handle Student Loans Later in Life

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HARDWARE: Maybe a fix for WiFi’s poor performance?

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

http://fortune.com/2016/02/23/eero-home-networking-review/

Struggle with Wi-Fi speeds and coverage in your home? Eero has the answer.

*** begin quote ***

A year ago, startup Eero surfaced with a bold claim: It had developed a product that would fix Wi-Fi in our homes. Using a series of small white boxes, Eero would create a smart network capable of providing a consistent connection to Wi-Fi hungry devices throughout your home.

*** end quote ***

Steep price for a better experience.

One thing is for sure the current crop of wireless routers provided by ISPs are all no bargain.

I have FIOS, Optimum, and TWC. Gal pal has another optimum setup.

Performance is AT BEST less than perfect; in Gal Pal’s case almost unusable.

She is much less demanding and much more tolerant of the flaws than I am.

My standard is I pay to use it; not work around it, debug it, and reset things.

Argh!

Maybe I should go back to IT leadership as a career. At least, I might be able to fix the Customer experience?

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POLITICAL: Dig into the CIA connection to the Bushes and Clintons!

Sunday, February 28, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/podcast/roger-stone-endorses-trump/

Roger Stone Endorses Trump
Tells Lew Rockwell about how he will wreck the Hillary and Jeb crime families.
October 30, 2015

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24 minutes

In the beginning of the podcast, he destroys Jeb and Bill.

Roger Stone really excoriates the Bush / Clinton CIA connection.

He sticks the fork in these “politicians”.

Argh!

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GOLDBUG: The Banksters are going attempt a robbery of “We, The Sheeple”

Sunday, February 28, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/02/clive-maund/curb-enthusiasm-just-little/

Gold Market Update
By Clive Maund
CliveMaund.com
February 22, 2016

*** begin quote ***

The big banks have plans to seriously mine their customer’s accounts, and we are not talking about charging half a percent a year here, we are talking about 2 or 3 percent of your account money being siphoned off into their coffers every year for the privilege of you being able to hold an account with them. Of course, any rational person knowing this was coming would withdraw their money and stuff it under a mattress or buy gold, so they are going to be prevented from doing so, by the introduction of the “cashless society”. 

*** end quote ***

This situation is shaping up to be a robbery of “We, The Sheeple”.

Not sure how the average Joe Sixpack can avoid this theft.

Maybe save some nickels?

Argh!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Peyton Manning — hero or villain

Saturday, February 27, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/02/william-l-anderson/media-driven-character-assassination/

Narratives, Nonsense, and Media-Driven Character Assassination: The Manning Saga Continues
By William L. Anderson
February 22, 2016

*** begin quote ***

Let us step back and look at the big picture. Two weeks ago, Peyton Manning achieved what no one believed was possible just a few months ago. He was badly injured and was benched for backup Brock Osweiler, and most observers had concluded that Manning was finished.

When Manning’s injuries had healed enough for him to return to practice, he took snaps with the scout team, which also is known as a “practice squad” or the “taxi squad.” (These are players who are not on the roster and do not play in games. Their purpose is to help the players on the regular team get ready for games.

Many quarterbacks, and especially future hall-of-famers, would have refused such duty and would have wreaked havoc with the coaching staff. Manning quietly did what was needed, even though such a demotion would have been truly humiliating. However, in the last regular-season game against the San Diego Chargers, Osweiler faltered and Manning came in and led his team to victory.

He then played all the snaps for the two playoff games and the Super Bowl. Manning, who at 39 is the oldest quarterback ever to have won a Super Bowl, was not spectacular and he certainly was not the Peyton Manning of even two years ago, but the Denver Broncos won and that was all that mattered. At least then.

*** end quote ***

I’m not sure I’ve seen or heard enough to convict the man of anything other than some bad commercials.

The “media” certainly doesn’t have as much credibility as he does.

So, until there’s some “evidence”, it’s innocent until PROVEN guilty. 

And, not by some witch hunt in the media.

Although, the National Enquirer did unmask John Edwards and TMZ did the same for Ray Rice and some other woman beaters.

So there is an investigative media out there; it’s just not in the mainstream newspapers or TV.

Argh!

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QUOTE: Don’t allow sadness to dwell in your soul, for sadness prevents the Holy Spirit from acting freely. #‎StPadrePio

Friday, February 26, 2016

2016-Feb-26

Don’t allow sadness to dwell in your soul, for sadness prevents the Holy Spirit from acting freely. ‪#‎StPadrePio‬

What else can be said.

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Don’t allow sadness to dwell in your soul, for sadness prevents the Holy Spirit from acting freely. ‪#‎StPadrePio‬

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LIBERTY: Categorically against the “death penalty”

Thursday, February 25, 2016

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/02/20/lawmakers-strike-political-compromise-to-fix-florida-s-death-penalty-law.html?intcmp=hplnws

ISSUES
Lawmakers strike political compromise to fix Florida’s death penalty law
Published February 20, 2016  FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

“This bill is cloaked in procedure, but soaked in a hateful policy,” Rep. Darryl Rouson, a Democrat, told The Florida Times-Union. “This bill is cloaked in process, but soaked in the cries of innocents and the exonerated.”

*** end quote ***

As a pro-life pro-choice little L libertarian, I am categorically against the “death penalty”.

My reasoning is very very simple. You can NOT correct a “mistake”.

“Perhaps the bleakest fact of all is that the death penalty is imposed not only in a freakish and discriminatory manner, but also in some cases upon defendants who are actually innocent.” -Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., 1994

The execution of a person who can show that he is innocent comes perilously close to simple murder. -Justice Harry Blackmun, Herrera v. Collins, 1993

Sorry, but I don’t condone the Gooferment killing anyone.

If life in prison is too dangerous for the guards, then surely we can create a “Devil’s Island” somewhere?

Argh!

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INTERESTING: UTC is the ONLY “time zone”!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3452639/Should-time-zones-SCRAPPED-Plan-global-universal-clock-end-confusion-travellers.html

Should time zones be SCRAPPED? A global universal clock based on the Earth’s rotation could ‘end confusion for travellers’ (but it might be dark at midday!)

  • Researchers claim the internet has ‘annihilated’ time and space on Earth
  • There are 40 different time zones in use in different parts of the world
  • These create confusion for travellers, financial markets and governments
  • Adopting UTC around the world would simplify things, the scientists argue 

By RICHARD GRAY FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 06:18 EST, 18 February 2016 | UPDATED: 08:39 EST, 18 February 2016

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Yes.

I’ve ranted about this often.

As early as 3/14/10!

https://reinkefaceslife.com/2010/03/14/technology-just-use-gmt/

Argh!

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SECURITY: Help wanted — an info sec person for an LA hospital

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3452178/Los-Angeles-hospital-paid-17-000-ransom-hackers-regain-control-computers.html

Los Angeles hospital paid $17,000 ransom to hackers to regain control of computers

  • Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center was hacked on February 5
  • The cyber criminals had demanded $3.4million to give them control back But the accepted a lower fee – the cash equivalent of 40 bitcoins 
  • CEO Allen Stefanek said patient care was not affected during the attack 

By WILLS ROBINSON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and ASSOCIATED PRESSPUBLISHED: 20:17 EST, 17 February 2016 | UPDATED: 22:12 EST, 17 February 2016

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I guess they need to fire their current CEO, CIO, CTO, CISO, CDRP, and their IT audit leadership.

Some these should be working as clerks in Walmart or McDonalds. If they can make the cut!

Oh BTW where were “the regulators”?

Argh!

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HARDWARE: iPhone Power Cord pet peeve

Monday, February 22, 2016

http://www.instructables.com/id/IPhone-Power-Cord-Protection-With-Shrink-Tubing/

iPhone Power Cord Protection With Shrink Tubing

*** begin quote ***

The iPhone is a significant investment but the power cord is surprisingly vulnerable to kinks and tears. To protect against this I applied a two inch length of shrink tubing. This serves to reinforce the collar.

*** end quote ***

Pet peeve.

Every Apple cord has this type of damage.

(Except for the brand new one I have that I haven’t used yet. Argh!)

More than their resistance to break their security, how about they put another penny in to the cords?

Double Argh!

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Posted by reinkefj

GUNS: Phony gun, real time — NJ actor could face 5 years for prop firearm in film

Sunday, February 21, 2016

http://nj1015.com/carlo-bellario-to-dj-ive-been-overwhelmed-with-support/

Carlo Bellario to D&J: I’ve been overwhelmed with support
By Dan Tantillo February 16, 2016 12:15 PM

*** begin quote ***

New Jersey comedian and actor Carlo Bellario’s name is in the news because he may face five years in prison for a prop gun. As Dennis & Judi were discussing his story, we were lucky enough to have Carlo join us on-air.

*** end quote ***

Absolutely absurd!

https://www.gofundme.com/rawdeal

Vote with your contributions.

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SECURITY: Apple Tim Cook is wearing “the Emperor’s new clothes” with respect to “privacy”

Saturday, February 20, 2016

http://www.france24.com/en/20160219-usa-apple-plays-digital-privacy-hardball-with-fbi-but-not-china

Business – Apple plays digital privacy hardball with FBI, ‘but not China’ – France 24

*** begin quote *** 

Apple was hailed as a champion of digital privacy this week after refusing to help the FBI hack into an iPhone belonging to a suspect in the San Bernardino shooting. But the firm hasn’t always been so scrupulous about user data, especially in China.

*** end quote ***

FURTHER undermining the Apple argument!

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CLOUD: LinkedIn change?

Saturday, February 20, 2016
Hi FJohn,
 
 
At LinkedIn, we’re always looking for ways to make your professional life better. This sometimes means shutting down certain features that aren’t heavily used to invest in others that offer value for our members. 

On February 25th we’ll be removing the ability to save new contacts and sort your contact list by saved contacts. We’ve migrated the contacts you’ve already saved to a tag called “Saved_ Contacts” so you won’t lose anything you’ve already stored. To access your saved contacts from the LinkedIn desktop site: 

1. Go to “My Network” on the top navigation bar and select “Connections.” Scroll down to your Contacts list and click on the “Filter by” dropdown on the left. 

2. Select “Tag.” 

Calendar

3. In addition to a list of tags you may have created you’ll find a newly added tag called “Saved_Contacts.” Click on this tag to display your previously saved contacts. 

Calendar

We apologize for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions, please contact our Help Center. 

Thanks for being a member,
The LinkedIn Team 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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OK, I pay 500$/year and the change may negate what I use it for. Argh!

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Hi FJohn,
 
 
At LinkedIn, we’re always looking for ways to make your professional life better. This sometimes means shutting down certain features that aren’t heavily used to invest in others that offer value for our members. 

On February 25th we’ll be removing the ability to save new contacts and sort your contact list by saved contacts. We’ve migrated the contacts you’ve already saved to a tag called “Saved_ Contacts” so you won’t lose anything you’ve already stored. To access your saved contacts from the LinkedIn desktop site: 

1. Go to “My Network” on the top navigation bar and select “Connections.” Scroll down to your Contacts list and click on the “Filter by” dropdown on the left. 

2. Select “Tag.” 

Calendar

3. In addition to a list of tags you may have created you’ll find a newly added tag called “Saved_Contacts.” Click on this tag to display your previously saved contacts. 

Calendar

We apologize for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions, please contact our Help Center. 

Thanks for being a member,
The LinkedIn Team 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Posted by reinkefj

LEXICON: Precariat?

Friday, February 19, 2016

http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/ClaireWolfe/2016/02/15/i-have-learned-a-new-word-precariat/

Claire Wolfe
I have learned a new word: precariat
Monday, February 15th, 2016

*** begin quote ***

So yeah, “precariat” is an apt term for people like me and the growing number who live in the so-called “gig economy.”

Technically, to be in the precariat, you must also be in the proletariat: both insecure and low income. Without capital for building a real business. Selling your labor, piecemeal. Hey, I qualify again!

But what the heck. Life itself is precarious. And though the vast precariat lives on uncertainties, name me anybody who ultimately doesn’t. How many fabulously rich stock-market investors have taken spectacular falls? How many “secure” middle-class people have suddenly been rendered precarious by illness, addiction, divorce, accident, or government interference in their lives?

We are all members of the precariat as long as we’re still breathing.

*** end quote ***

I would think that the “precariat” would be well situated for “tough times”.

Regardless of how much money you have, you have to think “worried”.

Growing up, I was always taught to “live below my means”. Unfortunately, it took me a while to learn that less0m.

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RANT: What the hell is “eyewash”?

Thursday, February 18, 2016

http://www.thedailysheeple.com/the-cia-has-been-lying-to-its-own-employees-for-decades_022016

THE CIA HAS BEEN LYING TO ITS OWN EMPLOYEES FOR DECADES
FEBRUARY 13, 2016 | THE ANTI-MEDIA

*** begin quote ***

The Post says that references to eyewash date back to the 19th century in books on spying, as well as more recent Hollywood movies such as Argo. One official who has seen the Senate report said, “The people in the outer levels who didn’t have insider access were being lied to. They were being intentionally deceived.”

Five former “high-ranking CIA officials” said they have never heard of eyewash nor had they seen it used in internal communications. Fred Hitz, a former CIA inspector general, told the Post that someone might make a decision based on false information and said the tactic was equivalent to “playing with fire.” Other officials interview by the Post said the program has a significant potential for abuse.

Another government official who claims to have seen the practice said that in his career of more than two decades he had “only seen maybe five or six” eyewash cables. So far, the CIA has refused to comment on the Washington Post story.

Federal laws exist which make it illegal for a government employee to lie or falsify statements in an official record. Somehow, the CIA has managed to become so far above the law that they are able to lie to their own employees and compartmentalize it in such a fashion that the left hand never knows what the right hand is doing.

*** end quote ***

You can trust the Gooferment about as you can trust that a politician is “honest”.

The fact that the CIA lies to its employees is only obscured by the fact that they, and the rest of the Gooferment, lies to the people, the taxpayers, and the world!

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Never ending wars are an accepted fact of life today

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2016/02/patrick-j-buchanan/republics-perish/

How Republics Perish
By Patrick J. Buchanan
February 12, 2016

*** begin quote ***

“Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded,” wrote James Madison, “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”

Perhaps Madison was wrong.

Otherwise, with no end to war on America’s horizon, the prospect of this free republic enduring is, well, doubtful.

*** end quote ***

The last Presidential candidate who was a “peace candidate” was Ron Paul. He was thrown out of the race by being accused of isolationism, pacifism, and essential being “crazy”. BHO44 became the “new” “peace candidate”; even going so far to get a Nobel Peace Prize for doing NOTHING. Then, immediately staring the pot and creating more wars. Argh!

So, who turns this around and how does it get done?

Sad to say, the only one with any semblance of a “peace bone” in their body — now that Rand Paul is gone — is Donald Trump. At least at one point, he said “leave the Ukraine to Putin” and let the “Muslims fight it out without us”. While not the “Let’s bring all the girls and boys home now!” of Ron Paul, I’ll take any shred of peace that I can get. And, the Donald has said things that make me think he’s not as “crazy” about war as the main stream media would like us to believe.

I can’t vote for a socialist or a uncovicted felon. So we have to see what choices we have.

I remember the line by in “Master and Commander” when Captain Jack Aubrey (Russel Crowe) says: “There, I have you! You’re completely dished! Do you not know that in the service … … [pauses] … … one must always choose the lesser of two weevils.”

Argh!

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Posted by reinkefj

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