INSPIRATIONAL: Imagining what might have been

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

http://www.keywestlou.com/2011/10/this-morning-is-same-as-yesterday.html

My Life in Key West
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2011
Posted by Key West Lou at 7:54 AM

*** begin quote ***

Williams was a pianist. The best! Popular tunes.

He came upon the musical scene in 1955. Autumn Leaves. Outstanding! To listen to, to dance to, to make love to. I was 19. She was 19. Her name was Terri Hoffman. I was at Manhattan College at the time. She at New Rochelle.

Terri was a day hop. She lived in Larchmont with her family and daily commuted to New Rochelle.

Terri and her family lived in a large apartment complex on the Boston Post Road. An apartment high up. Her Dad was an attorney working with a not for profit in New York. Terri had twin brothers. If my recollection is correct, they also were attorneys.

One evening, Terri and I were sitting about 500 feet from a country club in her home area. The club was located on the ocean near her home. We were sitting on some rocks by the water. There was a party at the nearby club. We could hear Autumn Leaves being played.

It was a night of passion for us. We necked. Period! Nothing more. Not even touching. This was more than 50 years ago and any more was unheard of.

Some evenings, Terri and I would dance in her living room to Autumn Leaves. Lights out. Her family gone.

I have thought of Terri periodically over the years. I have no idea what happened to her or where she is. Each time I think of her, Autumn Leaves is in the background.

*** end quote ***

I guess it’s common for old men to think back to old times. Happier times.

In Lou’s case, triggered by a song, he remembers a girl long lost in time.

In my case, I too think of two two girls. Now both long lost. One in time; the other in death. One, not chosen; the other of forty years plus.

Makes me sad.

For what might have been. What shoulda been. What coulda been.

If we could but rewind the VCR of time and play it over and over again.

Like “Groundhog’s Day”.

Yup, those … Shouldas, couldas, and wouldas! … they will really kill your soul.

“And I’ve lost her … . I’m so sad that I don’t have … . But I’m so grateful that she was with me … . And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?” — Chuck Noland ala Tom Hanks in Cast Away (2000) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162222/quotes

But still we return to the old days. Imagining what might have been.

Donna Nobis Pacem

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RANT: Add Penn to the “Jane Fonda” list

Monday, October 17, 2011

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2011/10/15/sean-penn-calls-tea-party-get-n-word-out-white-house-party-which-wants

Sean Penn Calls Tea Party the ‘Get the N-Word Out of the White House Party’ Which Wants to ‘Lynch’ Obama
By Brent Baker | October 15, 2011 | 01:39

*** begin quote ***

Left-wing actor Sean Penn slimed the Tea Party as motivated by racism, charging on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight on Friday evening that an impediment to President Obama’s success is “what I call the ‘Get the N-word out of the White House party,’ the Tea Party.”

At a time when Herman Cain tops polls of Republican primary voters, Penn proceeded to allege, without citing any evidence, that “there’s a big bubble coming out of their heads saying, you know, ‘can we just lynch him?’”

*** end quote ***

Less than a month ago, I thought that he was just a “pinhead”, And a “liberal” one at that.

Hollywood “stars”, for some reason, think their success at entertaining “We, The Sheeple” somehow makes them “thought leaders”, “experts in all manner of disciplines”, or the next “gandhi”. In fact, there are a few who emerge from that world and demonstrate competency. I’m think of Heddy Lamar inventing a torpedo, Charlton Heston marching with Pastor Martin Luther King, and Ronald Reagan becoming President. And, in the American Republic, the Dead Old White Guys envisioned that every man was king. And, in Hollywood there are some very smart entertainers, Jodie Foster comes to mind. In entertainment, Dolly Parton is a notable business success.

But, it seems that there are just many more loons. Which is OK as long as they are “good people”. Everyone’s entitled to an opinion; even if it is wrong.

At some point however, they can become dangerous and hurtful.

Seems like Sean Penn has crossed over into that territory.

He has smeared a large group of people with basically the worst label one can apply today. Other than “used car salesman” or politician. Racist!

Now, I’ve never been to a “Tea Party”, but I can understand them. I haven’t gone because I believe that they can’t change anything.You’re not going to get the politicians and bureaucrats to give up their power by just showing up. Ain’t never happened; ain’t never going to happen.

The Free State Project is an effort to “take over” a state and eventually throw the bums out. That MIGHT have a chance.

Sean Penn has earned his way on to my personal “Jane Fonda” list. Since I am still free to spend my money any way I want, I choose not to spend it with or on anyone on that list. They are Persona Non Grata. I shun them. Peacefully, turning my back on them.

So to with Sean Penn.

He can get off my list by curing cancer, saving babies, or proving his assertion.

Till then, none of my dollars for him.

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INTERESTING: Verizon Wireless privacy

Monday, October 17, 2011
Your privacy is an important priority at Verizon Wireless. View Online
Verizon Wireless
| Explore | Shop | My Verizon | Support |
Important notice about how
Verizon Wireless uses information.
Why am I getting this notice?
Your privacy is an important priority at Verizon Wireless. Our Privacy Policy (available at www.vzw.com/myprivacy) informs you about information we collect and how we use it. Today we want to tell you about some important updates relating to two new uses of information. Verizon Wireless will begin using the information described below for (1) certain business and marketing reports and (2) making mobile ads you see more relevant. If you do not want us to use this information for these purposes, you can let us know by using one of the options described in the “Your Choices” section of this notice. This supplements our Privacy Policy.
What information are we talking about?
Under these programs, we willnot share any information that identifies you personally.
Verizon Wireless will use the following categories of information:
Mobile Usage Information:
Addresses of websites you visit when using our wireless service. These data strings (or URLs) may include search terms you have used
Location of your device (“Location Information”)
App and device feature usage
Consumer Information:
Information about your use of Verizon products and services (such as data and calling features, device type, and amount
of use)
Demographic and interest categories provided to us by other companies, such as gender, age range, sports fan, frequent diner, or pet owner (“Demographics”)
Is my information shared?
Under these new programs, we will not share outside of Verizon any information that identifies you personally.
HOW INFORMATION
WILL BE USED
DESCRIPTION
EXAMPLE
To create business and marketing reports.
We will combine Mobile Usage Information and Consumer Information in a way that doesnot personally identify you. We will use this information to prepare business and marketing reports that we may use ourselves or share with others.
A report might state that 10,000 mobile users visited a sports website in a month and 60% were men.
For other companies to create business and marketing reports.
We may also share Location Information with other companies in a way that doesnot personally identify you. We will allow these companies to produce limited business and marketing reports.
The data we provide could be combined with data provided by other wireless carriers to create a report on the number of mobile users who take a particular highway during rush hour.
To make mobile ads you see more relevant.
When you use your wireless device, you often see ads on websites and apps. Using certain Consumer Information (such as your Demographics, device type, and language preference) and the postal address we have for you, we will determine whether you fit within an audience an advertiser is trying to reach. This means ads you see may be more relevant to you. We will not share any information that identifies you personally.
A local restaurant may want to advertise only to people who live within 10 miles, and we might help deliver that ad on a website without sharing information that identifies you personally.
Your choices.
If you do not want us to use your information for any of the purposes described above, please let us know at any time by:
Visiting
www.vzw.com/myprivacy

Or

Calling 1-866-211-0874
You will receive mobile ads whether you participate or not, but under the advertising program, ads may be more relevant to you.
If you have a Family SharePlan® or multi-line account, you must indicate your choice for each line. If you add a line or change a telephone number, you will need to update your
privacy choices.

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-17 @ 17:49


GUNS: Packs of Wild Dogs threaten Saint Louis children?

Monday, October 17, 2011

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/10/17/are-wild-dog-packs-roaming-north-side/

Are Packs of Wild Dogs Roaming the North Side Of St. Louis?
Kevin Killeen, KMOX News
October 17, 2011 6:56 AM

*** begin quote ***

St. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOX) – Ten years after a fourth-grade boy was attacked and nearly eaten alive by wild dogs in north St. Louis, city leaders are scrambling to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Aldermanic President Lewis Reed is sounding the alarm. “I’ve witnessed packs of dogs, 10 and 15 dogs running together, and I’ve seen all these dogs I’m talking about they don’t have collars, they don’t have tags, these are truly wild dogs,” he said.

*** end quote ***

Are you kidding me?

Americans are being terrorized by varmints. Pioneer Americans must be rolling over in their graves. Using golf clubs to protect the children.

A young child can’t protect themselves?

A 22 is enough to take down any dog.

An adult with any handgun should be able to dispatch any threat. A pack might require a high capacity magazine.

But this should be a short lived threat.

Remember what the Chinese call dogs …. “DINNER”!

“We, The Sheeple” have become wimps.

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INTERESTING: Ellen’s Tiny Ohio House

Monday, October 17, 2011

http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/ellens-tiny-house/

Ellen’s Tiny House
by Christina Nellemann on October 10th, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Ellen Dawson-Witt was recently featured in her local newspaper because of her tiny house and her downshifted life. Ellen’s 192 square foot house is located on her property in Yellow Springs, Ohio where she grows some of her own food and carries water from a well for washing, uses solar panels for a lamp, CD player and laptop and uses a composting toilet. She does her cooking on a gas range from 1934.

*** end quote ***

Hmmm, the 2011 version of a McMansion?

Clearly the malinvestment of the past decades is in the “overinvestment” in housing. The “Real Estate Market” collapse is a symptom.

Small houses are one alternative. (Homelessness due to high cost.) It would be possible to reasonable afford a “bachelor pad”. There probably needs to be practical “family” housing. Not small for small’s sake, but right-size. (Reminds me of the insource, outsource, rightsource debate in information technology in the late 80’s.)

Multi-generational households are another. (This also solves some of the elder care problem; or at least delays it.)

Plus, there’s a need for housing that adapts over time — the needs of the young morphs into the needs of the old. Housing; not “housing supply” since there are tremendous transaction costs.

One thing’s for sure, the Gooferment isn’t going to deliver that or do anything but delay or prevent it.

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FUN: Pastor’s Christening jokes

Monday, October 17, 2011

When sprinkling the attendees with Holy Water, “if this burns come see me”.

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OK, I THOUGHT it was funny!

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POLITICAL: Cain is just another one of the Republican liberals

Sunday, October 16, 2011

http://lewrockwell.com/eddlem/eddlem54.1.html

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/9375-tea-party-presidential-election-primer-paul-v-cain-on-economics

Tea Party Presidential Election Primer: Paul v. Cain on Economics
by Thomas R. Eddlem
The New American

*** begin quote ***

Herman Cain: Cain called TARP a “win-win for the taxpayer” in an October 20, 2008 column. “Unprecedented problems require unprecedented solutions. The actions by the Treasury are a win-win for the taxpayer.” After Congress passed the TARP bailout, Cain complained about how the money was doled out, but not about the principle of crony-capitalism where profits are privatized and losses are socialized.

*** and ***

Herman Cain – a former chairman of the Kansas City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank – was an opponent of a GAO audit of the Fed until 2011, telling Neil Boortz’s radio audience in December 2010 that “There’s no hidden secrets going on in the Federal Reserve to my knowledge. And I tell people, we’ve got 12 Federal Reserve Banks. Find out which district you are in, call them up and go from there. We don’t need to waste money with another commission or an audit.”

*** end quote ***

I think that the USA’s principle problem is the “dollar”.

It allows unchecked spending by the politicians and bureaucrats.

Fiat currencies (i.e., it has intrinsic value because the Gooferment says it does) have all eventually and inexorably collapsed.

Gold has stood the test of time.

The Federal Reserve Bank isn’t “federal”, reserves nothing, and isn’t a bank. It IS a banking cartel. Think OPEC for money. And, like most “monopolies”, it only exists because it enables the Gooferment, politicians, and bureaucrats to spend like drunken sailors. (With apologies to all drunken sailors who are spending their own money and stop when they run out. They don’t borrow more for someone else to pay.)

So Cain is the candidate of the Federal Reserve Bank!

Not very Tea Party Presidental candidate.

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RANT: Iran actress sentenced; jail and lashes for role in a film

Sunday, October 16, 2011

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.327f17c704be62bbbe8f51190948679a.871&show_article=1

Iran actress sentenced to one year in jail: report
Oct 9 03:15 PM US/Eastern

*** begin quote ***

Actress Marzieh Vafamehr has been sentenced to a year in jail and 90 lashes for her role in a film about the limits imposed on artists in the Islamic republic, an Iranian opposition website reported Sunday.

*** end quote ***

Every woman in the USA should be speaking up about the “importation” of Sharia law or any “foreign” influence into US jurisprudence.

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HARDWARE: IOS5 Wireless syncing

Saturday, October 15, 2011

http://www.macworld.com/article/163060/2011/10/up_close_with_ios_5_wireless_syncing_and_updating.html#lsrc.rss_main

Up close with iOS 5: Wireless syncing and updating | Mobile | Macworld

# – # – #

The new wifi sync is a big benefit of doing the IOS5 update. but you have to turn it on. Who knew? Argh.

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-15 @ 11:24


JOBFINDING: Strategic Sourcing Manager Westchester County, NY

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Strategic Sourcing Manager Westchester County, NY contact bobgilson@rockwood-search.com

Posted by Robert Gilson, Vice President

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-15 @ 08:22


GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Fraud will always be higher in government programs

Saturday, October 15, 2011

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/health-care-executive’s-medicare-fraud-scheme-included-lobbying-washington

‘Health-Care Executive’s Medicare Fraud Scheme Included Lobbying Washington’
Posted by Michael F. Cannon

*** begin quote ***

Miami health-care executive Larry Duran orchestrated one of the largest Medicare frauds in U.S. history, submitting more than $205 million in phony claims and landing a record-breaking 50-year prison sentence for his crimes.

*** and ***

The basic scheme, records show, worked like this: Duran and Valera paid up to $400,000 a month in kickbacks to assisted living centers, halfway homes and others to procure a steady stream of patients for their clinics, which claimed to be providing group mental health treatment. Doctors frequently faked records or signed off on charts without seeing any patients.

*** and ***

The basic theorem is this: market actors have greater incentives to prevent fraud, because it’s their own money on the line. Politicians are spending other people’s money, so their incentive to prevent fraud is far less. Therefore, fraud will always be higher in government programs than in similar market endeavors.

*** end quote ***

I remember back to my first encounter with “health, health insurance, and health costs”, a least the first one that I remember, was my appendix operation.

I got great care and my Mom, rest her soul, got the bill. I remember it was just a little less than $500!

A huge amount in those days.

She took some from savings, some from family, and some from her “stash”. (Depression era people ALWAYS had money stuffed somewhere in case the banks closed again.)

That bill was on the refrigerator and everyone looked at it for errors.

(Visitors tried to remember if I got the stuff that was on the bill.)

She paid the bill and assembled all the bills (i.e., hospital, doctor, drugs) and sent it to Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance.

A couple of months later, she received a check and an explanation. On the refrigerator again.

It was about 80% of what she paid.

There was a lot of conversation and some correspondence about the whole matter.

Eventually, she got another check for a little more.

Fraud?

Not likely with that level of scrutiny!

So, I agree that Gooferment program equals fraud.

Argh!

Clearly, there has to be a fundamental restructuring of these programs so that the beneficiary pays something. Even a tiny per centage will prevent fraud.

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RANT: 999 = great soundbite, but can’t get there from here

Friday, October 14, 2011

999 is a great sound bite. BUT, who would agree to a Sales Tax without the repeal of the 16th and the elimination of income tax. (Income tax is an economically STUPID idea.) The argument against the FAIR / FLAT / 999 / any other great idea is: Why give the Gooferment more money and more ways to take it? AND do you really want a income tax AND a sales tax? AND, do you trust that it would stay at 9, 13, 22, 31%? (You certainly don’t want it hidden in prices like the corporate tax is now. That’s how Europe and Canada would up with a VAT where each step in the production process gets hammered with a huge tax.

In a perfect world, 9% sales tax — with NO other taxes — would be tolerable. The correct level is zero. But I could stand for 9%. But that means no state, no city, no property, no nothing. Politicians and bureaucrats should starve!

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RANT: The World’s Policeman?

Friday, October 14, 2011

President Barack Obama has authorized the deployment of up to 100 combat-equipped U.S. troops to central Africa to help hunt down the leaders of a rebel force known as the Lord’s Resistance Army.

A senior administration official said 12 troops have been deployed so far under what he called a training mission aimed at helping African forces find and kill Joseph Kony, the fugitive head of the rebels.

The U.S. forces will deploy to Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204774604576631223688817698.html?mod=djemalertNEWS

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You have to be kidding me?

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-14 @ 15:40


JOBFINDING: GL Audit NYC

Friday, October 14, 2011

Unfortunately straight GL, not IT…

Kind Regards,

Adam

*** begin quote ***

My client, a progressive CPA firm in Manhattan is looking for an Audit Manager and 1/2 Audit Srs…Their client base is very complex. Very rewarding work. akarpiak@karpiakconsulting.com

*** end quote ***

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-14 @ 11:25


JOBSEARCH: Advice to a baby turkey

Friday, October 14, 2011

*** begin quote ***

I will look into. Just found out yesterday that I need to start a job search and need to figure out the social networking piece besides LinkedIn. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

*** end quote ***

I’m sorry to hear that. Not so much that you’re changing but that you’re not fully ready.

For techies, I think you should have a professional blog. Where you display your dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) for all to see.

You need a professional sounding domain name. You can even use WordPress for just the cost of the domain. (I think it’s 15 or 20 bucks a year.)

I have http://www.reinkefaceslife.com/ on the free WordPress offering and http://www.technologylegacies.com on a hosted site (60$ per year, but I have complete control of it).

You hook that INTO your linkedin account and you then have a stream of professional content flowing to your linkedin network.

Get a twitter account with the same or similar “professional sounding” name and hook the blog to that. Voila, you have a good stream of tweets that reflect well on you. (http://www.technologylegacies.com has the twitter account @technologyleg)

DO the same thing on FACEBOOK.

Cross post the blog post’s url to GOOGLEPLUS (haven’t figure how to do that automagically yet).

And you’ve got all the major social media.

Then you’re a social media guru.

But, don’t emulate me. My personal blog is very opinionated. Probably hurts me to be so out there. But, I’, just a fat old white guy injineer at the end of his career and life.

Hope this helps,

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RANT: Lisa Edelstein, Dr. Lisa Cuddy, has moved on

Thursday, October 13, 2011

http://www.geekosystem.com/good-television-threatened-from-inside/

Good Television That Is Being Threatened From the Inside

House M.D. South Park The Simpsons the Walking Dead

by Rollin Bishop | 3:10 pm, October 13th, 2011

*** begin quote ***

1. House Cast

As time has gone on, Fox’s best-known medical drama, House, has had a rotating cast of characters with some but not too many regulars. This season, there are even fewer regulars than normal. For a drama of this kind, especially one named after a central character, House, M.D. has almost been around for too long. All of the normal character arcs have played their hands long ago and now we’re back to introducing new faces in order to produce new arcs.

But this season marks the absence of Lisa Edelstein, Dr. Lisa Cuddy, as she and Hugh Laurie’s House had a falling out at the end of last season. It’s been written off as Cuddy leaving for another position somewhere else, and she’s gone from regularly appearing. In addition to this, Olivia Wilde has been off making movies and thus appears irregularly as Thirteen. Oh, and did I mention there are two new doctors, both female, being added to the squad? Taub is soon to be outnumbered. But the point remains: This is an obvious attempt to reinvigorate a show that has already had its time and done what it set out to do. It may or it may not actually do it.

*** end quote ***

Guess it’s jumped that proverbial shark.

Deleting it from my DVR and Facebook profile.

Argh!

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NEWJERSEY: 4-H CHICKENS become a townshop concern

Thursday, October 13, 2011

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/nj-town-forces-girl-to-give-up-4-h-chickens-for-violating-livestock-ordinance/

NJ TOWN FORCES GIRL TO GIVE UP 4-H CHICKENS FOR VIOLATING ‘LIVESTOCK ORDINANCE’
Posted on October 5, 2011 at 9:29pm
by Jonathon M. Seidl

*** begin quote ***

LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (The Blaze/AP) — A 10-year-old girl is the latest to run afoul of a Cape May County town’s livestock ordinance.

Brianna Lyman, 10, has until Sunday to get rid of the two chickens she was raising for a 4-H project because her family’s yard falls short of the acre that Lower Township requires for farm animals.

A neighbor complained after the Rhode Island Red and a Black Silkie got loose and rooted through the neighbor’s yard.

The fifth-grader, who spent two years raising the chickens in hopes of winning a 4-H prize, told The Press of Atlantic City she was shocked.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

I hope that someone gets her a good lawyer.

I wonder if that “far animal zoning” was past after they bought the property. Even it was, how would they have known they’d fall “a fowl” of it in the future.

Argh!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Not a Single Christian Church Left in Afghanistan

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/not-single-christian-church-left-afghanistan-says-state-department

Not a Single Christian Church Left in Afghanistan, Says State Department
By Edwin Mora
October 10, 2011

*** begin quote ***

(CNSNews.com) — There is not a single, public Christian church left in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. State Department.

This reflects the state of religious freedom in that country ten years after the United States first invaded it and overthrew its Islamist Taliban regime.

In the intervening decade, U.S. taxpayers have spent $440 billion to support Afghanistan’s new government and more than 1,700 U.S. military personnel have died serving in that country.

The last public Christian church in Afghanistan was razed in March 2010, according to the State Department’s latest International Religious Freedom Report. The report, which was released last month and covers the period of July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010, also states that “there were no Christian schools in the country.”

*** end quote ***

Can someone remind me what our objectives are in the AfPak region?

Was religious freedom on the list?

BYOB

Bring the girls and boys home now!

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RANT: Last Night’s Debate

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

http://www.keywestlou.com/2011/10/good-morning-world-this-morning-is-same.html

*** begin quote ***

I stayed home last night. Wanted to watch the Republican debate at 9. I could not find it on my TV. I have over 300 channels available to me, yet could not get the debate. A bummer.

*** end quote ***

It was on the “Bloomberg” channel by all the finance channels. And it was live on line on bloomberg dot com.

It was interesting. Only Cain and Paul have a unique message. Would have like to have seen more argument between pro-FED Cain and anti-FED Paul over the very existence of the banking cartel.

Cain’s 999 plan took a lot of flak. I’m not sure anyone was listening when Bachman put a torpedo midships of it when she (correctly) pointed out that the National Sales Tax would lead to a Value Added Tax all in ADDITION to the income tax giving the politicians more money to spend.

That’s the argument against any type of tax “reform”. Be it flat tax, fair tax, or rich tax. It’s all just giving more power to the Gooferment.

Argh!

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INTERESTING: Greed?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/republican-party-benefits-from-obama-errors/

REPUBLICAN PARTY BENEFITS FROM OBAMA ERRORS
By Dick Morris

“The weakness of capitalism is greed. The weakness of socialism is corruption.”

# – # – #

Not sure I agree with Dick on this.

I agree with the Gecko character “Greed is good”. It’s the lubricant that induces crotchety humans to cooperate. By following what they see as their own best interests, they are motivated to work harder. Until we figure out how ants coordinate, we need everyone working intelligently. Once each one gets all they are willing to pay for, there’s a complex calculus that shares the “satisfaction” and “dissatisfaction” roughly equally.

The weakness of capitalism is that the calculus is not obvious. There are no guarantees. Not there are any in life under any system. Or anywhere on the planet.

The weakness of socialism is that it makes promises it can’t keep. That “each according to his needs” nonsense ignores the teachings of the dismal science.

Look at the attempts to “legislate” equality. If you look at truly free markets, it’s like a series of elections in real time. That what “prices” in the marketplace communicate more than we realize. How much is an actor willing to pay while balancing supply with demand. That’s a key fact. It’s both the strength and the weakness.

You can be fooled by promises of “free lunch” and fail to see the market as mechanism to induce cooperation.

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JOBSEARCH: “first, help; then, be helped”

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

http://thedegree360.onlinedegrees.com/features/how-to-network-tailgate-party.html

How to network the tailgate party
By Kirstin Swagman
Sep 30, 2011

*** begin quote ***

5. Focus on what you share, not what you want

A tailgate is a social event not a business one, and students should approach it as such.

“Networking doesn’t have to begin with a business discussion at all,” Machado said. “It could very much be a casual conversation. What they want to do is get to know this person and get to know about this person. Ask the alum about themselves. ‘When did you graduate?’ ‘What did you study?’ ‘What do you do now?’ “

Turner suggests students use the shared college experience as a point of entry into their interests and experiences.

In Turner’s case, “These are individuals that have the University of Michigan as a common connection.” She said, “These are possible points of conversation–talking about what their experiences on campus have been and through that highlighting their skill set.”

Extra points: “Be a good listener,” Machado advises. Networking is a two-way street.

*** end quote ***

Everyone seems to, in the panic to find a “job”, that dictum: “first, help; then, be helped”.

How may I help you?

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POLITICAL:

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Jeff Altman – 8:16 AM – Public

What do you think about “Occupy Wall Street?” Good thing? Bad thing? Patriots? Bums? What do you think?

# – # – #

I think they are just dumb. It’s like talking to any wall, a most teenagers, or some women. Talk, or demonstrate, until you’re blue in the face or green at the gills. It isn’t going to make any difference. The problem is in the District of Corruption where crony capitalism distorts the playing field. The rubes in OWS are distracted by the “shiny baubles”. They have to learn to “strike at the root”. That’s in DC. If they want to change the game, then that’s where they should be. IMHO!

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Oct-10 @ 15:01


INSPIRATIONAL: Knowing what to do when something bad happens?

Monday, October 10, 2011

http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/get-over-your-life-%E2%80%93-it-doesn%E2%80%99t-have-to-be-miserable/

Get Over Your Life – It Doesn’t Have to Be Miserable
Written by Marcelina Hardy
Categories: self improvement

*** begin quote ***

Attack, Squash and Move On

Bad things happen to everyone. No one is immune to that. The differences between people who are happy and miserable people are that happy ones know what to do when something bad happens.

They attack it, like a vulture on prey. As soon as something look like it’s about to go awry they are on top of it to squash it.

If they aren’t able to stop the crisis from happening, they do everything in their power to control every part of it until it’s resolved. They take it over and do whatever they have to do to resolve it. Once it’s resolved, they take a deep breath, relax and move on with a smile.

So what does it feel like after an accomplishment like that? Image yourself conquering a crisis with control and strength. Now you know can take on anything life wants to throw your way. You are ready.

*** end quote ***

It’s not all that easy.

Some things are a permanent punch in the gut.

Some times you don’t have choice.

“My love, were it in my power, I would sadly grant thee this boon. But, we have to continue to follow His Plan for us. Let’s go forth and speak no more of this. Who ever is last will be last. It will be His choice; not ours. We’re but humble custodians of His temple on earth. It’s not our place to trump His plan. Whatever that plan be, know that I will be with you to my last breath.” — character “John” in CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 2 Page 399

But that doesn’t mean being “happy” going forward.

One goes “forward” because there’s really no other choice.

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MONEY: It’s always the money, stupid

Monday, October 10, 2011

http://dumpdc.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/its-the-money-stupid/

It’s The Money, Stupid

*** begin quote ***

The American government is going to die because they screwed up the money. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. IT’S THE MONEY, STUPID. And it’s DC’s greed that will be its undoing. Fiat currency…the dollar…is an nonredeemable debt instrument. The dollar-based monetary system is 100% based in debt. Precious metals are money. They are 100% based in value. Redeemability provides stability, which produces predictability. THAT’S how you run an economy.

*** end quote ***

If you distill “our problems” to one essential flaw it’s the money.

How can you play a game, where the “player / banker” participates?

At monopoly, the make introduced credit card to eliminate that flaw.

We need to do the same thing in our mess. (What else can you call the economy / politics / legal framework?

We need a free market in money.

Repealing the “legal tender” laws — it’s money because the Gooferment says it is — would allow “We, The Sheeple” to chose their poison.

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WRITING: “Joan d’Arc — Third Vermont Republic”

Sunday, October 9, 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_d_arc_3rd_VT-republic

Joan of Arc — Third Vermont Republic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Joan of arc)

For other uses, see Joan of Arc (disambiguation).

“Maid of Pownel” redirects here. For other uses, see Jeanne d’Arc (disambiguation).

Joan d’Arc

<<joan_d_arc_sketch1.jpg>>

Self portrait. As an artist, her interpretation of herself.

<<joan_d_arc_sketch2.jpg>>

The only other images of her were the United Nations / United States Federal Bureau of Investigation Most Wanted artist renditions from descriptions. (Centre Historique des Archives Nationales, Brussels, reference La Cour Pénale Internationale — docket number 20XX-0002 – USA / VT)

Born ~2001
New Jersey, USA
Disappeared 01 July 2025 (aged 24)
Pownel, Third Vermont Republic

Joan d’Arc, nicknamed “The Maid of Pownel” (also sometimes referred to as Dolly, or Madison, “No Last Name”, ~2001? – ????), is considered a national heroine of the Third Vermont Republic. A middle class girl born in New Jersey USA. Arrived as a refugee in Vermont during the economic collapse of the dollar sometime between 2014 and 2018. It is believed that she fought in her Uncle’s resistance unit. Assuming command after his death, she developed strategies and tactics which defeated the attempts to return Vermont to the USA after several States seceded. Despite UN involvement, and later total UN control, Vermont successfully resisted as did eventually all of the old USA. She “disappeared” into obscurity and all attempts to discover her real true identity are met with non-cooperation, hostility, and in some cases tar ‘n’ feathers. Some historians doubt the existence of a single individual and call her a composite of folk heros. Survivors of the various Expeditionary Forces into Vermont insist that she is a real single individual who late in the era took particular delight in “taking souvenirs” (i.e., chopping off fingers) and “dispatching returnees” (i.e., slitting throats). She was designated a “war criminal” in 2022 for these and other actions. She is still carried on various War Crimes lists and is actively being hunted. She disappeared from public view in 2025 at the end of hostilities. Since Vermont is not a member of the UN and has limited diplomatic relations, it’s unlikely for her ever to be brought to justice. Billing itself as the “Switzerland of North America”, Vermont has full diplomatic relations with only the Vatican, Switzerland, Israel, and the Free French Republic of Quebec. It is openly hostile to the United Nations and there is currently an active “Act of Marque and Reprisal for War Crimes” against all former, current, and future UN officials. In addition, that War Crimes act also names specifically certain past USA citizens as well as pseudonyms for certain “John Doe’s”.

Contents   

1 Background

2 Life

2.1 Rise

2.2 Leadership

2.3 Strategy

2.4 Tactics

2.5 Disappearance

3 Post-disappearance events

4 Lionization

5 Legacy

6 See also

7 Footnotes

8 References

9 Further reading

10 External links

1. Background

In 2014, the US Dollar aka the Greenback aka the Federal Reserve Banknote became worthless after President Obama was reelected with all sorts of claims of fraud. The result was a collapse of the global economy. The chaos in the world was bad; the affect in the USA was catastrophic. With the collapse, imports to the USA as well as foreign lending ended. The internal economy returned to a subsistence farming level mimicking the 1880s or the 1930s. While politically the USA was run from Washington DC, there was uncontrolled rioting and crime. Since ½ the country was on the dole and ¼ of the country was in “public service”, the remaining productive ¼ was supporting them. When the economy collapsed as a result of the dollar collapse, the productive class could no longer pay the taxes. Anyone with any wealth simply either was robbed or “disappeared”. It’s estimated that ⅓ of the population died in the rioting or the aftermath of the chaos. In 2015, Vermont seceded from the USA. Those in control of the government of the USA had accepted UN conservatorship as a result of that government’s debts to the world. Several States of the USA repudiated this action: Texas, Georgia, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii. In addition several States fractured, Washington, Oregon, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida. Several also merged: New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Maryland. As well as many of the boundaries changed as a result of the fighting over the next decade.

2. Life

Her birthplace is unknown. Her parentage or relatives are unknown. It’s believed that she escaped the riots in the Boston to DC corridor with her two younger brothers at age 14.

There is a colorful legend that has her parents dying in a home invasion where she killed the two intruders with a hidden shotgun that had been secretly given to her by her uncle. She then gathered up her brothers and, with her steering and the older brother operating the pedals, she drove from New Jersey to Vermont. Clearly impossible.

Supposedly they thrived at her uncle’s retreat. Riding out the chaos, until the attempted invasions of Vermont by armies of the USA, later the USA armies supplemented by the UN, and eventually just the UN. With a terrain akin to Afghanistan, the resistance movement was spawned by the attempt to “roll tanks into Vermont”. In retrospect, easier said that done.

2.1. Rise

In a 2016 Reuters report, an unnamed man, presumed to be Joan d’Arc’s uncle, was profiled as the leader of the Southeastern Vermont militia. Characterized as “a loon with delusions”, he was in command of irregular forces of “old men, crazy women, young girls, and children”. He’d fought the invaders to a stand still while never fighting an open pitched battle. His primary weapon was sabotage. It is believed that Joan d’Arc was one of these young girls. The report describes one young girl, believed to be her, pedaling her bicycle through the town of Pownel “trolling” for off duty troopers. When they would chase her, just to talk of course, she would lure them into ambushes where they were brutally murdered. This is all unconfirmed. What is confirmed was that casualty rates, in 2015 thru 2017, were a modest ½%. Combatants frequent gave surrendering troops quarter and parole. After 2018 thru 2020, casualty rates were a ⅓. From 2020 to 2023, they were ½. From 2023 until cessation in 2025, it was not uncommon that entire UN units were wiped out to the last man.

2.2 Leadership

In 2018, there was a massacre at Bennington Bridge. While many of the facts and interpretations are in dispute, there certain facts not in dispute. On 04 July 2018, the Government of the USA turned over all peace keeping operations to the United Nations. On 17 July 2018, a battle between UN peace keepers and Vermont irregulars occurred at Bennington Bridge. Unlike past battles, when the Vermont irregulars were defeated and surrendered, the UN general Muammar Gaddafi ordered the execution of all “arrestees”. Joan d’Arc’s uncle was believed to have been shot killing him along with her younger brother. It’s believed that she assumed command Southeastern Vermont militia. At around that time, they began to use the name Wolverines. The level of violence escalated dramatically after that. As a footnote, on 01 July 2019, General Gaddafi was abducted, killed, and his head was put on a pike at Bennington Bridge. That stayed there until it was taken down 01 July 2025 reportedly by Joan d’Arc personally.

2.3. Strategy

Early in the War for Vermont Independence, the strategy was to merely repel intruding armies. After Bennington Bridge, the strategy shifted to annihilating any armed intruder. Before, there was almost an intra-American civility with surrender and parole routinely granted, like a family fight; After, while there still was some surrender with parole for “Americans”, usually there was no quarter for the hated “blue hats” absent some notable UN courtesy to civilians, the wounded, or the dead (i.e., safe conduct to civilians; cease fire for retrieval of the wounded; honorable treatment of remains). After Bennington Bridge, parole was given only after non-surgical removal of the right pinky finger. Joan d’Arc was reported to have used an old native American tomahawk that her uncle had carried. If a parolee was captured again missing a right pinky finger, they immediately had their throat slit.

2.4 Tactics

Early in the conflict, some of the tactics had almost a humorous note to them. Joan d’Arc was reputed to have organized a “Gala Welcoming Ball by the Vermont Tory Woman’s Society” for the First Airborne Brigade deploying into Vermont. She captured all the officers and ½ the non-coms. Accepting parole, they were delivered naked to the US embassy in the Free State of Quebec. Every person, male and female, had a rude word tatted on their forehead and butt.

Later in the conflict, the tactics turned gruesome and even petty. Common decency precludes detailing them. Needless to say torture for information was routine. Torture, as a reprisal was de rigueur when the rules of war were violated.

In addition to the “right pinky finger” tactic, it was not uncommon for genitalia to be combined with dog tags and a blue hat to be staked on the border.

The western Vermont border was not the historical static dividing line. Vermont fought major pitched battles in New York east of the Hudson River. Skirmishes occurred as far west as the Thruway and the Northway. Eventually Vermont’s western border became the Hudson River and was codified in the Saratoga Springs Treaty. It was common knowledge that Seventh Vermont Regulars had to be recalled as a result of that treaty from the outskirts of Albany. There is no confirmation that Joan d’Arc was leading the Seventh and had “Buffalo or bust” chalked on all the equipment.

Similarly, the south Vermont border, with support of the sister republic of New Hampshire, by right of conflict, became the Atlantic Ocean. With the Treaty of Greenwich, Connecticut ceased to exist. Vermont followed the Hudson including the western part of Massachusetts to the Atlantic with New York City becoming part of Vermont; similarly New Hampshire followed the Rhode Island / Connecticut line though Massachusetts to the Atlantic. The old Interstate 91 became the VT / NH border and was renamed “Cooperation Road”. The western southbound side is in Vermont; the eastern northbound side is in New Hampshire. There are no border controls on this road. Massachusetts is essentially Boston and its suburbs. Rhode Island remains as it always was.

2.5 Disappearance

With Sarasota Springs treaty, Joan D’Arc simply “disappeared”. Many foreign news reporters, who were able to get visas, would find themselves “PNGed” (i.e., declared Persona Non Grata, deported, and if lucky not tarred ‘n’ feathered) for merely asking about her. Local news reporters carefully ignored identifying any Vermont Independence coflict leaders because of the outstanding International Criminal Court arrest warrants.

There was one report of Joan d’Arc responding to a question as to “where did she get her ideas on tactics and strategy”? She’s reported as saying: “As a young girl, I read my uncle’s writings extensively. Mostly Post Apocalyptical Fiction. While he was a very peaceful man, he had a vivid imagination and strong opinions about the future. While some of the ideas were grotesque, they had a certain logic about them. Some I stole directly like: maiming parolees to identify returnees, booby trapping common items, and employing fifth generation warfare against Vermont’s enemies. Others I developed from his themes: disguising one’s true intentions in conflicts, extending Vermont’s borders to the water’s edge, freezing the enemy in people’s minds like focusing on the hated blue hats, and never forgetting nor forgiving. He created a monster and his death, and that of my little brother, unleashed my full vengence. Hell hath no fury like a woman who is <past tense synonym for urine output> off!”

In Vermont politics, no one ever speaks of the conflict other than to mourn the dead and decry the suffering. No one speaks of anyone’s role in the “War for Independence”. The only distinction is that those who were in Vermont during the war are addressed a “comrade”; those who have come after are addressed as “citizen”.

Those individuals, who opposed Vermont Independence called Tories, typically didn’t survive the conflict. Those that did generally would not speak on the record for fear of “an act of marque and reprisal” by the Vermont Legislature. Anyone so “marqued” usually doesn’t survive very long. It’s an easy list to get on and one usually quickly falls off.

3. Post-disappearance events

It is believed that Joan D’Arc resumed her life as a simple young woman on her uncle’s retreat / farm. Her older brother is believed to have survived as well. There are some reports of her marrying and having at least six children. They are strong rumors that the children are named Mark, Maci, Mike, Madelyn, Mitch, and Evlynn. But this is unconfirmed by any records searched. No family with such names is believed to exist.

4 Lionization

Depending upon which side of the conflict that you’re on, her role is hotly disputed. From the Vermont side, she’s a patriot. From the USA / UN / World side, she’s gennocidal killer.

In the days after the peace was declared on 04 July 2025, a rock on private property was reported and photographed. In addition to lists of names and dates, it had the following dedication that can be read in the attached picture

<<<vermont_rock_joan_d_arc_farm.jpg>>>

*** begin quote ***

Comrades forever!

We may never see this place again. We may never survive our fight for Vermont. We may never get home, where ever that is to eventually be.

In time, this war, like every other war, will end. But we will never forget, and, in our dreams, we will come back to this place where it all began. Of safe good shelter. Of rest and refit. Of a base to strike out at the vipers who claim our souls. We’ll return often to it. If even only in our mind’s eye. To the safety of our comrades; to honor them in the common cause. Even when, or if, no one else ever does. Sad as that is, we’ll: Never forget. Never surrender. Never forgive.

In the early days of the war for Vermont’s independence, survivors, mostly children, placed their names, and the names of their lost upon this wall. They fought here alone; some gave up their lives. Some for us; some against us. No matter! They are ‘ours’. So that others could go on. They recorded their prayers so they’d not be lost.

We have made our mark. Each in our own way. Some had very short lives. Some suffered greatly; others passed quickly. No matter! Comrades in arms. Comrades in suffering. Comrades in the long cold sleep. If the writing fades, the deeds will speak for themselves! We have promised to each other: our fidelity, our lives, whatever meager fortune we gather, on our honor, to our comrades. Past, present, and in the future.

So say we all.

And, have inscribed our names as follows to this, our promise to each other, originally made on American Independence Day The First Day of July, Two Thousand Fifteen.

And, renewed today, on Vermont’s Independence Day The First Day of July, Two Thousand Twenty Five. The First day of our New Lives.

*** end quote ***

Since this rock is on private property, which is sacrosanct from trespass in Vermont, no further information, even its exact location, is available. All we have is the picture.

5. Legacy

At the four major entry points to the State, an intake building was built with a replica of the Statue of Liberty atop it. Suitable groups of refugees without sponsorship are organized into new clans to meet the sponsorship requirements. An Initiative named for Joan d’Arc will loan them the necessary funds to satisfy the entry requirements and provide sponsorship secured by liens on each individual.

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Their statue is now called “Joan d’Arc”.

<<<This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2028)>>>

6 See also

7 Footnotes

8 References

9 Further reading

10 External links

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RANT: Secret U.S. Memo

Sunday, October 9, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/world/middleeast/secret-us-memo-made-legal-case-to-kill-a-citizen.html

Secret U.S. Memo Made Legal Case to Kill a Citizen
By CHARLIE SAVAGE
Published: October 8, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Then there was the Bill of Rights: the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee that a “person” cannot be seized by the government unreasonably, and the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee that the government may not deprive a person of life “without due process of law.”

The memo concluded that what was reasonable, and the process that was due, was different for Mr. Awlaki than for an ordinary criminal. It cited court cases allowing American citizens who had joined an enemy’s forces to be detained or prosecuted in a military court just like noncitizen enemies.

It also cited several other Supreme Court precedents, like a 2007 case involving a high-speed chase and a 1985 case involving the shooting of a fleeing suspect, finding that it was constitutional for the police to take actions that put a suspect in serious risk of death in order to curtail an imminent risk to innocent people.

The document’s authors argued that “imminent” risks could include those by an enemy leader who is in the business of attacking the United States whenever possible, even if he is not in the midst of launching an attack at the precise moment he is located.

*** end quote ***

(1) “Secret”? Argh! What kind of “barbara streisand” is this?

(2) “… may not deprive a person of life without due process of law.” Seems pretty straight forward to me. (Have to like the Dead Old White Guys for saying what they meant!)

(3) Sorry, but this is just wrong!

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