Hi Everyone:
Again, just when you thought you have heard every type of lack of common sense person or business, today's story certainly should win the award. You will not believe this story about Whole Foods, but it is true.
Whole Foods is a national food specialty chain that prides itself in selling only natural and organic foods. Prior to this story, I have always questioned the legitimacy of businesses calling their products natural and/or organic. Whole Foods has proven me right. Whole Foods is selling organic vegetables. Where are the veggies in those products grown? California?...... nope, The United States?...........nope, Mexico?..........nope, anywhere in South America?........nope, Europe?.........nope. Give up? The veggies are grown in China. Yes China!? That's the country that can't even produce children's toys without some kind of toxins in it. Yes, the country that seems to manufacture almost everything this country needs, but their products are inferior to any product made elsewhere in the world. Yes, the country that buys our old "recycled" computers, monitors, tv's etc., etc., and then dumps them in huge piles in different villages where residents are paid to take them apart for their valuble metals, including toxic metals.
Yes, Whole Foods is selling what they call organic vegetables. One item was even called California Vegetables. But all of the veggies are grown in China. The packaging even says, in small print, "Product of China". Verifying that the vegetables were grown organically without the use of pesticides seems highly unlikely. With all the other issues, problems and poisoning that China has had with their products, who would want to have China grow anything and then sell it in this country? It is painfully obvious that Whole Foods didn't use any common sense at all in their decision to buy vegetables grown in China. You can bet the house that I won't be buying food products that are grown in China. I now have to be more vigilent in reading product info including where the product was grown. Who knew?
If you want to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=JQ31Ljd9T_Y. Thanks Brian!
Talk to you in 2 weeks.
Peter
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
To Tell The Truth
Hi Everyone,
This is another unbelievable, but true story. As far as I am concerned, when I watch the news on tv, (I do watch many different channels), I expect the news to be reported accurately, truthfully with no spin, slant or twisting of the facts. So my question today is, when is a news corporation not a news corporation? The answer is obvious. When the truth is not reported.
On Thanksgiving day, President Obama gave his Thanksgiving day proclamation, just like so many presidents before him. I happened to watch Fox news that evening and their "big" political news story was about how President Obama had not thanked God during his speech. Then every Fox affiliated channel repeated the same story, that President Obama didn't thank God during his speech. Since I hadn't heard his speech, I decided that I had to watch his speech. Well, well, well, after watching his speech, I counted two times he thanked God. If one watched the speech, there was no misunderstanding about what he said. How could Fox news be so wrong and then only Fox affiliates report the same exact story? It didn't take me long to figure that one out. Everyone knows that Fox news is a conservative news corp. and they are obviously hellbent on trying to make sure President Obama is not re-elected. But to tell an outright lie, is not the way to go about it. Common sense was not even considered when they reported such an outrageous lie, over and over again!
Fox news should be ashamed of reporting such a lie and should apologize; first to President Obama and then to the American people. But you know that will never happen when you remember that Murdoch and company is very well known for reporting lies about famous people and tapping peoples cell phones in England. Would you expect anything else? Someone should sue them.
Hey Fox news, you are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts. If you can't report the truth, don't say anything. Either tell the truth or get the hell out of the business.
Again, I plead with you, my readers, to send this blog to all of your friends to let them know what Fox news is all about!!!
Keep this in mind if you watch Fox news. Enough said.
Til next week.
Peter
This is another unbelievable, but true story. As far as I am concerned, when I watch the news on tv, (I do watch many different channels), I expect the news to be reported accurately, truthfully with no spin, slant or twisting of the facts. So my question today is, when is a news corporation not a news corporation? The answer is obvious. When the truth is not reported.
On Thanksgiving day, President Obama gave his Thanksgiving day proclamation, just like so many presidents before him. I happened to watch Fox news that evening and their "big" political news story was about how President Obama had not thanked God during his speech. Then every Fox affiliated channel repeated the same story, that President Obama didn't thank God during his speech. Since I hadn't heard his speech, I decided that I had to watch his speech. Well, well, well, after watching his speech, I counted two times he thanked God. If one watched the speech, there was no misunderstanding about what he said. How could Fox news be so wrong and then only Fox affiliates report the same exact story? It didn't take me long to figure that one out. Everyone knows that Fox news is a conservative news corp. and they are obviously hellbent on trying to make sure President Obama is not re-elected. But to tell an outright lie, is not the way to go about it. Common sense was not even considered when they reported such an outrageous lie, over and over again!
Fox news should be ashamed of reporting such a lie and should apologize; first to President Obama and then to the American people. But you know that will never happen when you remember that Murdoch and company is very well known for reporting lies about famous people and tapping peoples cell phones in England. Would you expect anything else? Someone should sue them.
Hey Fox news, you are entitled to your own opinions, but not to your own facts. If you can't report the truth, don't say anything. Either tell the truth or get the hell out of the business.
Again, I plead with you, my readers, to send this blog to all of your friends to let them know what Fox news is all about!!!
Keep this in mind if you watch Fox news. Enough said.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Another Unbelievable But True Story
Hi Everyone,
Are any of you aware that the United States of America is being held hostage? Not only is this a true fact, but we are being held hostage by one single person! Maybe you are thinking that it is some politician making some outrageous demands and holding up the house or congress. If you thought that, you are wrong. This person is not even an elected official.
Give up? The person's name is Grover Norquist. What, you haven't heard that name? So who is Grover Norquist? He is a man, a non elected person who happens to have extremely wealthy backers who will back him and his ultra secret organization to the end of the world. Legally, he doesn't even have to divulge who his financial backers are! How is this Norquist person holding the country hostage? Somehow he has succeeded in having the majority of elected Republican policitians and presidential candidates (except for two) sign a pledge that includes that they will never raise taxes. Why is this important? Because if any of the politicians who signed the pledge, in reality a contract, raises taxes, Norquist and his rich croonies will pump as much money as it takes to have that politician beaten in their next election. Why is this so important? Because the republicans will now never, ever compromise on a budget that will raise taxes on the rich.
Now you know why the super committee couldn't reach a compromise on how to reduce the U.S. budget by 1.2 trillion dollars. The republicans will never compromise. They want Obama out no matter what it takes and how much they hurt our country. The republicans fear Norquist and what his wealthy croonies will do to any of them who try to raise taxes on the rich. But guess what? They lie! How? The same Republicans who won't raise taxes on the wealthy including Norquist's croonies, want the payroll tax to expire, which will raise taxes on everyone, but especially the middle class, who now, more then ever, need that extra $1,000 or so per year to be able to spend and pump that money into our economy that our sour economy needs. Nothing like speaking with forked tongues!
Don't believe me? Check him out and see for yourselves. Grover Norquist should be tried and convicted for treason and then imprisoned where he should be strung up by his thumbs until he squeals like a pig and recinds his stupid and unholy contract that will kill our country. Think our credit rating is bad now, wait a few more months and see what happens. Then interest rates will go up and help the big banks make more money, but obviously will not help the little guys.
As I said last week, country first and party second........ period!!! Never the other way around. Republicans seem dead set on party first and screw the rest. Common sense has to become a way of life for politicians who just don't get it. It is time for the 99% to take back control of this country and not be controlled by the 1%. Never, ever should one person and/or organization be able to do this!!! This kind of behavior must be made illegal!!! I believe that Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan would be turning over in their graves if they knew what their beloved party is up to.
Again, if you agree with me, send this blog to your friends to help stop this insanity once and for all!!!
Til next week.
Peter
Are any of you aware that the United States of America is being held hostage? Not only is this a true fact, but we are being held hostage by one single person! Maybe you are thinking that it is some politician making some outrageous demands and holding up the house or congress. If you thought that, you are wrong. This person is not even an elected official.
Give up? The person's name is Grover Norquist. What, you haven't heard that name? So who is Grover Norquist? He is a man, a non elected person who happens to have extremely wealthy backers who will back him and his ultra secret organization to the end of the world. Legally, he doesn't even have to divulge who his financial backers are! How is this Norquist person holding the country hostage? Somehow he has succeeded in having the majority of elected Republican policitians and presidential candidates (except for two) sign a pledge that includes that they will never raise taxes. Why is this important? Because if any of the politicians who signed the pledge, in reality a contract, raises taxes, Norquist and his rich croonies will pump as much money as it takes to have that politician beaten in their next election. Why is this so important? Because the republicans will now never, ever compromise on a budget that will raise taxes on the rich.
Now you know why the super committee couldn't reach a compromise on how to reduce the U.S. budget by 1.2 trillion dollars. The republicans will never compromise. They want Obama out no matter what it takes and how much they hurt our country. The republicans fear Norquist and what his wealthy croonies will do to any of them who try to raise taxes on the rich. But guess what? They lie! How? The same Republicans who won't raise taxes on the wealthy including Norquist's croonies, want the payroll tax to expire, which will raise taxes on everyone, but especially the middle class, who now, more then ever, need that extra $1,000 or so per year to be able to spend and pump that money into our economy that our sour economy needs. Nothing like speaking with forked tongues!
Don't believe me? Check him out and see for yourselves. Grover Norquist should be tried and convicted for treason and then imprisoned where he should be strung up by his thumbs until he squeals like a pig and recinds his stupid and unholy contract that will kill our country. Think our credit rating is bad now, wait a few more months and see what happens. Then interest rates will go up and help the big banks make more money, but obviously will not help the little guys.
As I said last week, country first and party second........ period!!! Never the other way around. Republicans seem dead set on party first and screw the rest. Common sense has to become a way of life for politicians who just don't get it. It is time for the 99% to take back control of this country and not be controlled by the 1%. Never, ever should one person and/or organization be able to do this!!! This kind of behavior must be made illegal!!! I believe that Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan would be turning over in their graves if they knew what their beloved party is up to.
Again, if you agree with me, send this blog to your friends to help stop this insanity once and for all!!!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, November 20, 2011
New Rules For Washington D.C.
Hi Everyone,
So the 2011 elections are over and now the focus is on the 2012 elections. I have given a lot of serious thought about next year's 2012 elections. My common sense has kicked into overdrive and I have come up with some proposals that should be given serious consideration. Before I give you my ideas, I would like to preface them with the following thoughts... All Washington elected officials HAVE to put country first in front of party. Our elected officials should not worry about the next elections, but should worry about the next generation and the ones that follow.
The following is my top 10 list on how to try to fix Washington, D.C. and some of these should, in reality, become law:
1) Term limits of eight years (two 4 year terms and no more 6 year terms) for all elected officials, period! Being an elected official was never meant to be life long employment!
2) Insider trading laws must be applied to all of them. Did you know that they can legally use insider information to benefit their own pockets? We can't so why should they?
3) All personal investment portfolios/accounts must be put into blind trusts until they are out of office!
4) Make it illegal to use any secret and/or privileged info in any way, shape or form!
5) Make it illegal to accept free stock deals. Pass the Stock Act!
6) Stop their "special" medical, dental and pension programs that only apply to them. All elected officials should have the same Social Security benefits and medical and dental benefits that are available to rest of the people of this country! They must even have to pay into the system instead of getting it free, paid by us taxpayers.
7) Outlaw all PACS and lobbyists. When big money throws it weight around, the people of this country lose every single time.
8) Campaign donations must be limited up to a maximum of say $2,000 per year, per individual and per company, no exceptions! Billion dollar elections are absurd!
9) Stop the lying by twisting and spinning facts. In the same vein, if asked a question, answer the damn question with no beating around the bush and not answering the question in the end. A direct answer is the only common sense way to go!
10) If #7 doesn't become law, once out of office, they can never, ever become a lobbyist, period. If they want to write a tell all book, so be it!
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the control of all Americans, the elected officials that make the laws, will never make the above proposals laws because it will hurt them financially. But, they have no problem hurting the pockets of the rest of us. Unless, WE THE PEOPLE change the rules and laws governing those in D.C. and make the above the new laws of the land, it will be business as usual. That is totally UNACCEPTABLE! People first, party second!
How is it possible that, for example, U.S. Senators who make $174,000 per year can leave congress after just one 6 year term a millioniare? We must stop the madness. If you want more info on some of my proposals, I implore you to check out last Sunday's, 11/13/11 CBS's 60 minutes.
Now, please, please, if you agree with my proposals, forward my blog to all of your friends and let them know that you agree. Who knows, maybe we can start a common sense grass roots campaign to change D.C. If you have other ideas that you think should be added to my list, let me know. Most of all, please remember that all of my ideas are apolitical and must be applied to all of them across the board, with absolutely no exceptions! Your additional ideas must be in the same vein!
Til next week.
Peter
So the 2011 elections are over and now the focus is on the 2012 elections. I have given a lot of serious thought about next year's 2012 elections. My common sense has kicked into overdrive and I have come up with some proposals that should be given serious consideration. Before I give you my ideas, I would like to preface them with the following thoughts... All Washington elected officials HAVE to put country first in front of party. Our elected officials should not worry about the next elections, but should worry about the next generation and the ones that follow.
The following is my top 10 list on how to try to fix Washington, D.C. and some of these should, in reality, become law:
1) Term limits of eight years (two 4 year terms and no more 6 year terms) for all elected officials, period! Being an elected official was never meant to be life long employment!
2) Insider trading laws must be applied to all of them. Did you know that they can legally use insider information to benefit their own pockets? We can't so why should they?
3) All personal investment portfolios/accounts must be put into blind trusts until they are out of office!
4) Make it illegal to use any secret and/or privileged info in any way, shape or form!
5) Make it illegal to accept free stock deals. Pass the Stock Act!
6) Stop their "special" medical, dental and pension programs that only apply to them. All elected officials should have the same Social Security benefits and medical and dental benefits that are available to rest of the people of this country! They must even have to pay into the system instead of getting it free, paid by us taxpayers.
7) Outlaw all PACS and lobbyists. When big money throws it weight around, the people of this country lose every single time.
8) Campaign donations must be limited up to a maximum of say $2,000 per year, per individual and per company, no exceptions! Billion dollar elections are absurd!
9) Stop the lying by twisting and spinning facts. In the same vein, if asked a question, answer the damn question with no beating around the bush and not answering the question in the end. A direct answer is the only common sense way to go!
10) If #7 doesn't become law, once out of office, they can never, ever become a lobbyist, period. If they want to write a tell all book, so be it!
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the control of all Americans, the elected officials that make the laws, will never make the above proposals laws because it will hurt them financially. But, they have no problem hurting the pockets of the rest of us. Unless, WE THE PEOPLE change the rules and laws governing those in D.C. and make the above the new laws of the land, it will be business as usual. That is totally UNACCEPTABLE! People first, party second!
How is it possible that, for example, U.S. Senators who make $174,000 per year can leave congress after just one 6 year term a millioniare? We must stop the madness. If you want more info on some of my proposals, I implore you to check out last Sunday's, 11/13/11 CBS's 60 minutes.
Now, please, please, if you agree with my proposals, forward my blog to all of your friends and let them know that you agree. Who knows, maybe we can start a common sense grass roots campaign to change D.C. If you have other ideas that you think should be added to my list, let me know. Most of all, please remember that all of my ideas are apolitical and must be applied to all of them across the board, with absolutely no exceptions! Your additional ideas must be in the same vein!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Consumer Alert!!!
Hi Everyone,
I have blogged about common sense for almost 2 years now and I thought that my excellent common sense would always help me. Not!? This is a true story of what happened to me and how you can protect yourself from it happening to you.
So there I was last week, doing my grocery shopping at our ShopRite store just like I have always done. I got to the check out and there was an employee packing groceries for customers. Most of the time I pack my groceries myself, but the employee was there and I allowed her to pack. I told her to use double plastic bags for the heavy stuff since I have had single plastic bags rip one too many times. The packer packed very fast and loaded my cart with my purchases. Before I knew it, she was done and walked away with an arm full of plastic bags. I paid my bill and went to my car to load it. As I finished loading the car, I kind of thought that I was missing some groceries. I went back to the cashier to look and ask if I had left anything. The cashier said that I had not left anything behind.
So I drove home and unpacked. It didn't take me long to realize that I was indeed missing 10 items. I searched the car for the missing items to no avail. I immediately went back to Shoprite with receipt in hand and told the cashier that I was missing items. She brought me to a manager. I told the manager that I was missing 10 items and showed her on the receipt which ones were missing. The manager asked me who the packer was and I told her it was Teresa. Luckily I remembered her name. The manager then rolled her eyes and said, oh her. I showed the manager my receipt and the 10 missing items were all in a row and all were kind of pricey refrigerated things. The manager surprised me when she told me to go get the 10 items and bring them to her. When she checked to make sure I had the same items that were missing, she initialed my receipt and sent me on my way. I thanked her and told her that I hadn't expected them to replace the items.
Even though my items were replaced and I was made whole, I still can't believe that I was ripped off right under my own nose. When Teresa walked away with the arm full of plastic bags, she also had my bag of groceries. I never thought that I should watch a packer since I never had missed anything previously.
A word to the wise, when checking out of any store, my common sense now tells me to keep an eye on the packer, if there is one, to make sure you don't get ripped off. I never thought that this kind of thing would have happened to me, but it did and now my guard is up as so should yours.
Til next week.
Peter
I have blogged about common sense for almost 2 years now and I thought that my excellent common sense would always help me. Not!? This is a true story of what happened to me and how you can protect yourself from it happening to you.
So there I was last week, doing my grocery shopping at our ShopRite store just like I have always done. I got to the check out and there was an employee packing groceries for customers. Most of the time I pack my groceries myself, but the employee was there and I allowed her to pack. I told her to use double plastic bags for the heavy stuff since I have had single plastic bags rip one too many times. The packer packed very fast and loaded my cart with my purchases. Before I knew it, she was done and walked away with an arm full of plastic bags. I paid my bill and went to my car to load it. As I finished loading the car, I kind of thought that I was missing some groceries. I went back to the cashier to look and ask if I had left anything. The cashier said that I had not left anything behind.
So I drove home and unpacked. It didn't take me long to realize that I was indeed missing 10 items. I searched the car for the missing items to no avail. I immediately went back to Shoprite with receipt in hand and told the cashier that I was missing items. She brought me to a manager. I told the manager that I was missing 10 items and showed her on the receipt which ones were missing. The manager asked me who the packer was and I told her it was Teresa. Luckily I remembered her name. The manager then rolled her eyes and said, oh her. I showed the manager my receipt and the 10 missing items were all in a row and all were kind of pricey refrigerated things. The manager surprised me when she told me to go get the 10 items and bring them to her. When she checked to make sure I had the same items that were missing, she initialed my receipt and sent me on my way. I thanked her and told her that I hadn't expected them to replace the items.
Even though my items were replaced and I was made whole, I still can't believe that I was ripped off right under my own nose. When Teresa walked away with the arm full of plastic bags, she also had my bag of groceries. I never thought that I should watch a packer since I never had missed anything previously.
A word to the wise, when checking out of any store, my common sense now tells me to keep an eye on the packer, if there is one, to make sure you don't get ripped off. I never thought that this kind of thing would have happened to me, but it did and now my guard is up as so should yours.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Nor'easter of 10/29/11
Hi Everyone:
There is a very good and valid reason why I didn't write a blog last week. No power, no computer, no blog.
It had been 24 years since where I live, had a devastating October snowstorm. The very heavy wet snow took down uncountable branches and numerous trees. The destruction was immediate and widespread. In a very short period of time, we went from living in 2011 to living in approximately 1850. It took me almost 5 hours just to clear my driveway to get a car out a day after the storm. My wife and I took a short drive to check out the surrounding areas and were flabbergasted at the amount of destruction we saw. Road closures were the norm and not the exception. We didn't get electricity restored until Wednesday night, for a total of 4 days without power.
During the aftermath of the storm, I noticed 2 things that really got my dander up. The first was that the road that we live on is the only East-West road in my county. Obviously that means that the road is heavily used and is an important connection between the east and west sides of the county. I guess New York state didn't think so. The road that I live on is a state road and is maintained by the state. In just a short 5 mile distance, there were at least 20 trees that had fallen onto the road, taking down about 6 telephone poles and blocking at least one lane of the 2 lane road, 20 times. The road was even closed at one place, where trees blocked the entire road. At another spot, the road was so narrow that firetrucks were unable to squeeze through. You could seen the different paint colors on the guard rail from vehicles that were a bit to wide. With all of that, you would think that NYS would have at least tried to remove some of the trees from the road. But nooooooo! My road wasn't fully open until Wednesday morning 11/2, 4 days after the storm. Now I'm not expecting miracles, but to have the only East-West road in a county closed for 4 days is unacceptable. I'm not sure why it took the state so long to fix it, but I'm pretty sure there wasn't a lot of common sense used.
The second thing that got my dander up was an email that I got from my Republican congresswoman, Nan Hayworth on Wednesday, 11/2. The email had important information regarding where to pick up dry ice and bottled water. The problem was that the email didn't have any info regarding my town. It's as if we didn't exist. The second problem was that she sent the email 4 days after the storm. I later found out that dry ice and bottled water were being given out as of Monday 10/31, including my town. Her email was 2 days late. I guess her common sense was left by the wayside, since her email was days late and short on info by leaving out our town completely.
All in all, we survived the Nor'easter of 10/2011, none the worse for wear.
Til next week.
Peter
There is a very good and valid reason why I didn't write a blog last week. No power, no computer, no blog.
It had been 24 years since where I live, had a devastating October snowstorm. The very heavy wet snow took down uncountable branches and numerous trees. The destruction was immediate and widespread. In a very short period of time, we went from living in 2011 to living in approximately 1850. It took me almost 5 hours just to clear my driveway to get a car out a day after the storm. My wife and I took a short drive to check out the surrounding areas and were flabbergasted at the amount of destruction we saw. Road closures were the norm and not the exception. We didn't get electricity restored until Wednesday night, for a total of 4 days without power.
During the aftermath of the storm, I noticed 2 things that really got my dander up. The first was that the road that we live on is the only East-West road in my county. Obviously that means that the road is heavily used and is an important connection between the east and west sides of the county. I guess New York state didn't think so. The road that I live on is a state road and is maintained by the state. In just a short 5 mile distance, there were at least 20 trees that had fallen onto the road, taking down about 6 telephone poles and blocking at least one lane of the 2 lane road, 20 times. The road was even closed at one place, where trees blocked the entire road. At another spot, the road was so narrow that firetrucks were unable to squeeze through. You could seen the different paint colors on the guard rail from vehicles that were a bit to wide. With all of that, you would think that NYS would have at least tried to remove some of the trees from the road. But nooooooo! My road wasn't fully open until Wednesday morning 11/2, 4 days after the storm. Now I'm not expecting miracles, but to have the only East-West road in a county closed for 4 days is unacceptable. I'm not sure why it took the state so long to fix it, but I'm pretty sure there wasn't a lot of common sense used.
The second thing that got my dander up was an email that I got from my Republican congresswoman, Nan Hayworth on Wednesday, 11/2. The email had important information regarding where to pick up dry ice and bottled water. The problem was that the email didn't have any info regarding my town. It's as if we didn't exist. The second problem was that she sent the email 4 days after the storm. I later found out that dry ice and bottled water were being given out as of Monday 10/31, including my town. Her email was 2 days late. I guess her common sense was left by the wayside, since her email was days late and short on info by leaving out our town completely.
All in all, we survived the Nor'easter of 10/2011, none the worse for wear.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Right to Have Your Vote Counted
Hi Everyone,
I recently read a newspaper article that absolutely stunned me. Then the more I thought about it, the more infuriated I became. The article was about a new report from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The report showed that in New York state---- only 73.9% of military and overseas ballots were counted last November. The national average is 93.2% which also gets my goat. Do the math, that means that 26.1% of the legitimate ballots are not counted. I am especially upset that NYS troops, in harms way, may not have their ballots counted.
Besides the fact that all legitimate votes must be counted, there is no common sense reason for not counting them. This is an outrage and should not be tolerated ever! All legitimate votes in all 50 states must be counted, period, end of story!
Til next week.
Peter
I recently read a newspaper article that absolutely stunned me. Then the more I thought about it, the more infuriated I became. The article was about a new report from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The report showed that in New York state---- only 73.9% of military and overseas ballots were counted last November. The national average is 93.2% which also gets my goat. Do the math, that means that 26.1% of the legitimate ballots are not counted. I am especially upset that NYS troops, in harms way, may not have their ballots counted.
Besides the fact that all legitimate votes must be counted, there is no common sense reason for not counting them. This is an outrage and should not be tolerated ever! All legitimate votes in all 50 states must be counted, period, end of story!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Could This Be A Way to Help?
Hi Everyone,
Back in 1920, congress passed the 18th Amendment which prohibited the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale and consumption of alcohol. More then a decade and a ton of money was spent trying to stop the flow and sale of alcohol after 1920. We all know that prohibition was a complete and utter failure. It was such a failure that on 12/5/33, congress passed the 21st Amendment that repealed the 18th Amendment and made alcohol legal again.
Fast forward to 2011. More then 5 decades and how many countless billions of dollars have been spent trying to stop the flow, sale and use of marijuana? It does appear that history has repeated itself. So after a half century, nothing much has changed. Why continue spending all the money and manpower to a losing cause that can't seem to be won?
So here is a common sense approach to stop the bleeding of money that the federal, state and local police agencies spend. Why not legalize pot? But no other drugs. The feds and states could regulate and tax it. I read somewhere that between 30 to 40 million Americans regularly use pot. Imagine the enormous amount of new tax revenue that would be generated. Police agencies would also be able to save taxpayers a lot of money, since they would not be chasing the pot chain. The new revenue stream could be used to reduce our debt, lower our taxes and improve our schools etc. The possiblities are endless and the increased taxes should be considered. It's a new world and new and different thinking is desperately needed to get us out of this financial mess.
Just a thought to think about.
Til next week.
Peter
Back in 1920, congress passed the 18th Amendment which prohibited the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale and consumption of alcohol. More then a decade and a ton of money was spent trying to stop the flow and sale of alcohol after 1920. We all know that prohibition was a complete and utter failure. It was such a failure that on 12/5/33, congress passed the 21st Amendment that repealed the 18th Amendment and made alcohol legal again.
Fast forward to 2011. More then 5 decades and how many countless billions of dollars have been spent trying to stop the flow, sale and use of marijuana? It does appear that history has repeated itself. So after a half century, nothing much has changed. Why continue spending all the money and manpower to a losing cause that can't seem to be won?
So here is a common sense approach to stop the bleeding of money that the federal, state and local police agencies spend. Why not legalize pot? But no other drugs. The feds and states could regulate and tax it. I read somewhere that between 30 to 40 million Americans regularly use pot. Imagine the enormous amount of new tax revenue that would be generated. Police agencies would also be able to save taxpayers a lot of money, since they would not be chasing the pot chain. The new revenue stream could be used to reduce our debt, lower our taxes and improve our schools etc. The possiblities are endless and the increased taxes should be considered. It's a new world and new and different thinking is desperately needed to get us out of this financial mess.
Just a thought to think about.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Unbelieveable and Unfortunately True
Hi Everyone,
Just when I think that I can write about a topic other than politics, a newspaper article caught my attention. Today's blog will tell you what is wrong with politicians and their extremely greedy ways.
My hat is off to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a republican, who has decided to fight the status quo in her state. Unbelieveably, it is legal in South Carolina for legislators to collect a legislative pension while still in office. What? It is also legal in South Carolina for legislators to double their pensions by including their expense reimbursements and per diem allowances in their salaries. Double What? Haley wants legislators pensions based only on their $10,400 salary and not their $12,000 expense reimburements. Haley's judgement is sound and obviously has a lot of common sense behind it. Want to eliminate waste and excesses? This is an excellent first step.
USA TODAY researched this issue and found that 13, yes, 13 states allow the same things. On what planet do these politicians live on? Expense reimbursements and per diem allowances are NEVER included in anyone's salary base in the real world in which you and I live. That is tantamount to highway robbery. In passing laws that legalized such a rip-off, common sense was never on any of those politicians radar, only their own personal greed. I wonder how much money the American taxpayer would save if laws like these and others were eliminated?
Politicians are not CEO's or owners of some big business, they are elected by the people, to work for the people and not to line their pockets with ill gotten and outrageous, off the wall gains.
Common sense rules and greed is always wrong on any level.
Til next week.
Peter
Just when I think that I can write about a topic other than politics, a newspaper article caught my attention. Today's blog will tell you what is wrong with politicians and their extremely greedy ways.
My hat is off to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a republican, who has decided to fight the status quo in her state. Unbelieveably, it is legal in South Carolina for legislators to collect a legislative pension while still in office. What? It is also legal in South Carolina for legislators to double their pensions by including their expense reimbursements and per diem allowances in their salaries. Double What? Haley wants legislators pensions based only on their $10,400 salary and not their $12,000 expense reimburements. Haley's judgement is sound and obviously has a lot of common sense behind it. Want to eliminate waste and excesses? This is an excellent first step.
USA TODAY researched this issue and found that 13, yes, 13 states allow the same things. On what planet do these politicians live on? Expense reimbursements and per diem allowances are NEVER included in anyone's salary base in the real world in which you and I live. That is tantamount to highway robbery. In passing laws that legalized such a rip-off, common sense was never on any of those politicians radar, only their own personal greed. I wonder how much money the American taxpayer would save if laws like these and others were eliminated?
Politicians are not CEO's or owners of some big business, they are elected by the people, to work for the people and not to line their pockets with ill gotten and outrageous, off the wall gains.
Common sense rules and greed is always wrong on any level.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Continues Without Apologies
Hi Everyone,
Two weeks ago I blogged about statements made by some Republican Presidential Candidates that were completely false. I have now waited two weeks to see if anyone would apologize for their incorrect statements. Of course that didn't happen. So has anyone else make incorrect statements since then? Of course. It seems to be a prerequisite in the GOP's race to 2012 to say anything that will stir up controversy or utter inaccurate and dangerous statements.
Michele Bachmann takes the cake for her statement regarding Texas Governor Perry's law mandating that all young girls have to take the HPV vaccine. That statement is correct. The HPV vaccine does help protect women against cerival cancer later in life. But Bachmann did say that the HPV vaccine causes mental retardation; her words not mine. Bachmann had no charts or graphs or any medical professionals backing up her statement. She heard one story from one mother and that was it. The CDC and the medical profession called Bachmann's statement a blatant falsehood. One very upset medical professional said that her statement was akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater, when there is no fire. Where is her common sense? A presidential candidate using at best an unsubstantiated claim and at worst, spreading an accurate rumor should be extremely worrisome. She has made it abundantly clear that her common sense is dead on arrival. Maybe she should be held liable for her false statement? That might stop any further falsehoods from her and any other person.
Governor Rick Perry seems to be willing to join the Bachmann club on inaccurate statements. Perry has accused the Obama administration on being weak on the immigration problem and something needs to be done. Perry wants to ship them all home except for his state. Perry signed into law allowing illegal immigrant children to get tuition assistance for any Texas college they attend. What? Using taxpayer money to help illegal children get a college degree when there are thousands of legal college age citizens who could use that money to further their education needs. What he is thinking? Oh right, when you don't have any common sense it is difficult to make the correct decision.
This new GOP has a motto of no tax increases. They stopped the expiration of the Bush tax cuts that help only the rich, but didn't create any job growth. Now Paul Ryan and Herman Cain say that the republicans will oppose an extension of Obama's payroll tax cuts for both employees and employers and let IT expire. Well, for the party who says no tax increases, they certainly want to increase taxes on the middle class and poor class of citizens, who certainly need that extra money in their paychecks. The GOP really does have it wrong when they say the Democrats are initiating class warfare when Obama wants the rich to pay their fair share of taxes. On the contrary, class warfare apparently stems from the GOP against anyone who is not rich or is a weathly corporation. You can't say that you are against tax increases and then turn your back and raise taxes on the majority of Americans. Does that make any sense? Of course not. Common sense was left by the wayside as usual. When will this madness end?
My wishes for this upcoming election season is that ALL politicians tell the truth, apologize when they say something wrong and use common sense when making any and all decisions. I would also have to include that fearmongering stop.
My last wish is for all voters to carefully listen to, read about and watch on TV, any and all information they can get to make a decision for whom they want to vote for, keeping in mind that common sense should and must be used.
Til next week.
Peter
Two weeks ago I blogged about statements made by some Republican Presidential Candidates that were completely false. I have now waited two weeks to see if anyone would apologize for their incorrect statements. Of course that didn't happen. So has anyone else make incorrect statements since then? Of course. It seems to be a prerequisite in the GOP's race to 2012 to say anything that will stir up controversy or utter inaccurate and dangerous statements.
Michele Bachmann takes the cake for her statement regarding Texas Governor Perry's law mandating that all young girls have to take the HPV vaccine. That statement is correct. The HPV vaccine does help protect women against cerival cancer later in life. But Bachmann did say that the HPV vaccine causes mental retardation; her words not mine. Bachmann had no charts or graphs or any medical professionals backing up her statement. She heard one story from one mother and that was it. The CDC and the medical profession called Bachmann's statement a blatant falsehood. One very upset medical professional said that her statement was akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater, when there is no fire. Where is her common sense? A presidential candidate using at best an unsubstantiated claim and at worst, spreading an accurate rumor should be extremely worrisome. She has made it abundantly clear that her common sense is dead on arrival. Maybe she should be held liable for her false statement? That might stop any further falsehoods from her and any other person.
Governor Rick Perry seems to be willing to join the Bachmann club on inaccurate statements. Perry has accused the Obama administration on being weak on the immigration problem and something needs to be done. Perry wants to ship them all home except for his state. Perry signed into law allowing illegal immigrant children to get tuition assistance for any Texas college they attend. What? Using taxpayer money to help illegal children get a college degree when there are thousands of legal college age citizens who could use that money to further their education needs. What he is thinking? Oh right, when you don't have any common sense it is difficult to make the correct decision.
This new GOP has a motto of no tax increases. They stopped the expiration of the Bush tax cuts that help only the rich, but didn't create any job growth. Now Paul Ryan and Herman Cain say that the republicans will oppose an extension of Obama's payroll tax cuts for both employees and employers and let IT expire. Well, for the party who says no tax increases, they certainly want to increase taxes on the middle class and poor class of citizens, who certainly need that extra money in their paychecks. The GOP really does have it wrong when they say the Democrats are initiating class warfare when Obama wants the rich to pay their fair share of taxes. On the contrary, class warfare apparently stems from the GOP against anyone who is not rich or is a weathly corporation. You can't say that you are against tax increases and then turn your back and raise taxes on the majority of Americans. Does that make any sense? Of course not. Common sense was left by the wayside as usual. When will this madness end?
My wishes for this upcoming election season is that ALL politicians tell the truth, apologize when they say something wrong and use common sense when making any and all decisions. I would also have to include that fearmongering stop.
My last wish is for all voters to carefully listen to, read about and watch on TV, any and all information they can get to make a decision for whom they want to vote for, keeping in mind that common sense should and must be used.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The Lighter Side
Hi Everyone,
Sometimes we all need a break from our daily lives and the world in which we live, to take a look at the lighter side. That's what today's blog is all about; the lighter side of life. I found these in a free publication in our local grocery store. Imagine, something free! These are just the ones with a tad of common sense tucked into them. The following are called Ponderisms:
1. There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.
2. Life is sexually transmitted.
3. Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
4. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
5. Have you noticed that since everyone has a video camera phone these days, no one talks about seeing UFO's like they used to?
6. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
7. All of us could learn a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
8. In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
9. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire.
10. Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things and drink whatever comes out?"
11. If Jimmy cracks corn and no ones cares, why is there a song about him?
12. Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway?
13. If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
14. If corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what in the world is baby oil made from?
15. Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?
I hope you enjoyed these Ponderisms.
Til next week when I'll return to the real world.
Peter
Sometimes we all need a break from our daily lives and the world in which we live, to take a look at the lighter side. That's what today's blog is all about; the lighter side of life. I found these in a free publication in our local grocery store. Imagine, something free! These are just the ones with a tad of common sense tucked into them. The following are called Ponderisms:
1. There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.
2. Life is sexually transmitted.
3. Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
4. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
5. Have you noticed that since everyone has a video camera phone these days, no one talks about seeing UFO's like they used to?
6. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
7. All of us could learn a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
8. In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
9. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire.
10. Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things and drink whatever comes out?"
11. If Jimmy cracks corn and no ones cares, why is there a song about him?
12. Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway?
13. If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
14. If corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what in the world is baby oil made from?
15. Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?
I hope you enjoyed these Ponderisms.
Til next week when I'll return to the real world.
Peter
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Be Aware and Informed
Hi Everyone,
As hard as I try to not write about politicians and their lack of common sense, their own words are their worst enemy. What concerns me the most is that there are people who will believe anything a politician says and will take as the gospel truth.
Last Sunday, 9/4, on Face the Nation, Michele Bachman said that if elected president, she would drop the corporate tax rate down to 5%. Which she said meant a fundamental restructing of the tax code. Then she said that she would replace the lost federal money with a use tax for all Americans. In essence what this means is that corporations would pay less taxes and all Americans would pay more via a use tax. Bottom line, corporations pay less and a tax increase for everyone else. Doesn't that go against the tea party vow of no new taxes?
Bachman then said that if she was elected president, she PROMISED gas prices under $2.00 per gallon. She would allow drilling for oil anywhere in the United States, including she said, the Florida everglades. Ok there seems to be a few problems with her promises. First and most importantly, Bachman and any other president have absolutely no control over the price of oil. She should study up on the free market and OPEC a lot more to better understand how oil prices work. Secondly, even if Bachman allowed oil drilling anywhere and everywhere, it would take over 5 years for that oil to come to market and not during her presidency. Thirdly, oil drilling should not take place in environmentally sensitive areas like the everglades. Obviously, someone didn't pay attention to or learn a lesson from the BP disaster that happened to the Gulf affecting some six or seven states wet lands and beaches etc. Oil on beaches crippled those economies and killed an unknown number of fish and birds etc. According to Bachman, environmentally sensitive areas be damned. Oil wins over environment?
Still on the same Face the Nation show, Rick Perry said that Social Security is unconstitutional. What? That means that Perry wants to eliminate Social Security. It that were to happen, it would hurt tens of millions of people receiving SS who can least afford it. I don't think it would hurt the upper class millionaires, do you?
On Tuesday, 9/6 on the Today show, Perry, via satellite, said that his state, Texas had 50 wildfires and he needed lots of help from the federal government to fight the fires. Besides needing manpower, he said he needed FEMA money asap. If you remember, Perry also thinks that FEMA's budget should not be increased except when an equal amount of money is cut from the federal budget. We all know how the last federal budget reduction talks went. It took months and we ended up having our country's excellent credit rating lowered. So if FEMA's budget is strapped due to, to many natural disasters, according to Perry, the House and Congress would have to fight it out again and the affected states wouldn't get their much needed urgent money to clean up and rebuild. How do you clean up and rebuild when it could take months and months to receive the money? Most interesting is that Perry is not calling for an equal offset now in FEMA's budget since his state needs money. Go figure. Why is it ok to take the money when his state needs it, but not ok to increase FEMA's budget when its funds run dangerously low? Makes no sense does it?
Again, all politicians should use common sense before they open their mouths. Tit for tat and partisan politics must end. I made mention of these statements to let voters understand that there are some politicians who besides lacking any common sense, are also wolves in sheep clothing. Voters should be wary and vote with as much correct information as possible.
Til next week.
Peter
As hard as I try to not write about politicians and their lack of common sense, their own words are their worst enemy. What concerns me the most is that there are people who will believe anything a politician says and will take as the gospel truth.
Last Sunday, 9/4, on Face the Nation, Michele Bachman said that if elected president, she would drop the corporate tax rate down to 5%. Which she said meant a fundamental restructing of the tax code. Then she said that she would replace the lost federal money with a use tax for all Americans. In essence what this means is that corporations would pay less taxes and all Americans would pay more via a use tax. Bottom line, corporations pay less and a tax increase for everyone else. Doesn't that go against the tea party vow of no new taxes?
Bachman then said that if she was elected president, she PROMISED gas prices under $2.00 per gallon. She would allow drilling for oil anywhere in the United States, including she said, the Florida everglades. Ok there seems to be a few problems with her promises. First and most importantly, Bachman and any other president have absolutely no control over the price of oil. She should study up on the free market and OPEC a lot more to better understand how oil prices work. Secondly, even if Bachman allowed oil drilling anywhere and everywhere, it would take over 5 years for that oil to come to market and not during her presidency. Thirdly, oil drilling should not take place in environmentally sensitive areas like the everglades. Obviously, someone didn't pay attention to or learn a lesson from the BP disaster that happened to the Gulf affecting some six or seven states wet lands and beaches etc. Oil on beaches crippled those economies and killed an unknown number of fish and birds etc. According to Bachman, environmentally sensitive areas be damned. Oil wins over environment?
Still on the same Face the Nation show, Rick Perry said that Social Security is unconstitutional. What? That means that Perry wants to eliminate Social Security. It that were to happen, it would hurt tens of millions of people receiving SS who can least afford it. I don't think it would hurt the upper class millionaires, do you?
On Tuesday, 9/6 on the Today show, Perry, via satellite, said that his state, Texas had 50 wildfires and he needed lots of help from the federal government to fight the fires. Besides needing manpower, he said he needed FEMA money asap. If you remember, Perry also thinks that FEMA's budget should not be increased except when an equal amount of money is cut from the federal budget. We all know how the last federal budget reduction talks went. It took months and we ended up having our country's excellent credit rating lowered. So if FEMA's budget is strapped due to, to many natural disasters, according to Perry, the House and Congress would have to fight it out again and the affected states wouldn't get their much needed urgent money to clean up and rebuild. How do you clean up and rebuild when it could take months and months to receive the money? Most interesting is that Perry is not calling for an equal offset now in FEMA's budget since his state needs money. Go figure. Why is it ok to take the money when his state needs it, but not ok to increase FEMA's budget when its funds run dangerously low? Makes no sense does it?
Again, all politicians should use common sense before they open their mouths. Tit for tat and partisan politics must end. I made mention of these statements to let voters understand that there are some politicians who besides lacking any common sense, are also wolves in sheep clothing. Voters should be wary and vote with as much correct information as possible.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Common Sense Award #5
Hi Everyone,
I hope anyone who was affected by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene that life is starting to return to some kind of normalacy.
This week, instead of blogging about politicians and their total lack of common sense, it is time once again to blog about something good. This week I am awarding the fifth Common Sense Award. The last Common Sense Award was given out on 3/20/11, so here is the back story to today's winner.
This summer has been a terrible summer for the mid-western states, especially Texas. I believe that the year long drought affecting Texas is the worst in over 50 years. The impact has been most devasting to farmers and ranchers. Hopefully it will rain soon and end the drought. But the third largest city in Texas, El Paso, located in the far western part of the state, is not worrying about water. Why? Well it all started 20 years ago.
Over the past 20 years, El Paso has paid city residents over $11 million or $1 per square foot, to remove their grss and replace it with gravel, cement or desert plants. In addition, the city has permanent restrictions on watering days and reduced water comsumption by offering special showerheads and rebates for water-efficient toilets.
El Paso's 20 year plan has helped them to avoid a water crisis that other towns across the state now face, including the community of Robert Lee, which is currently rushing to find a new source of water before its faucets run dry within the next several months.
The foresight and common sense of El Paso of 20 years ago has helped them today. For that reason, I am awarding the fifth Common Sense Award to the city of El Paso, Texas. You see, common sense does work. So many of our problems can be solved if cooler heads prevailed and common sense is used.
Til next week.
Peter
I hope anyone who was affected by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene that life is starting to return to some kind of normalacy.
This week, instead of blogging about politicians and their total lack of common sense, it is time once again to blog about something good. This week I am awarding the fifth Common Sense Award. The last Common Sense Award was given out on 3/20/11, so here is the back story to today's winner.
This summer has been a terrible summer for the mid-western states, especially Texas. I believe that the year long drought affecting Texas is the worst in over 50 years. The impact has been most devasting to farmers and ranchers. Hopefully it will rain soon and end the drought. But the third largest city in Texas, El Paso, located in the far western part of the state, is not worrying about water. Why? Well it all started 20 years ago.
Over the past 20 years, El Paso has paid city residents over $11 million or $1 per square foot, to remove their grss and replace it with gravel, cement or desert plants. In addition, the city has permanent restrictions on watering days and reduced water comsumption by offering special showerheads and rebates for water-efficient toilets.
El Paso's 20 year plan has helped them to avoid a water crisis that other towns across the state now face, including the community of Robert Lee, which is currently rushing to find a new source of water before its faucets run dry within the next several months.
The foresight and common sense of El Paso of 20 years ago has helped them today. For that reason, I am awarding the fifth Common Sense Award to the city of El Paso, Texas. You see, common sense does work. So many of our problems can be solved if cooler heads prevailed and common sense is used.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Will It Ever Stop?
Hi Everyone,
I have blogged about this problem before, but it never seems to stop. When will this stop? What I am talking about is when politicians state, for lack of better words......... outright lies and then protray those statements as the truth; their truth.
Case in point is on August 17th, Presidential candidate, Republican, Texas Governor Rick Perry said the following, and I quote; "The Federal Reserve should open their books up, they should be transparent so the American people know what they are doing. It would go a long way toward either finding out whether or not there is some activities that are improper, or that they've been handling themselves quite well. But until they do that, I think there will continue to be questions about their activity and what their true goal is for the United States."
News flash... according to today's Gannet paper, the Fed has become one of the most transparent agencies in government. Its' books are open. It publishes its' balance sheet every week, which tells us how much the Fed has lent out to banks, how many bonds it has accumulated and how much money the banks are parking at the Fed. The weekly report doesn't say which banks got the loans. But the Dodd-Frank Act ordered a complete audit of the Fed's activities during the 2008 financial crisis, including the banks it helped and how much it gave to them.
FYI, the congressional Government Accountability Office has the authority to go back and audit the Fed's books again and again. The law also requires the Fed itself to disclose details of its emergency loans with a delay.
So here we have a seemingly intelligent politician making a statement that is totally false, but he continues to try to pass off his lie as the truth; his truth. If a politician makes an inaccurate statement, common sense dictates that he/she should apologize for the mistake and move on. Unfortunatley, that is not how the political game is played. Obviously, common sense would and should also dictate that one should not lie, ever. It will come back to bite you.
Unfortunately, Perry added more salt to his self inflicted wound by saying that Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve Chairman's actions border on treason. What? Does Perry even understand the definition of treason? Obviously not since he made the outrageous statement.
Should politicians who blatantly lie be trusted? I think not, but the voters will make up their minds at the polls.
Til next week...
Peter
I have blogged about this problem before, but it never seems to stop. When will this stop? What I am talking about is when politicians state, for lack of better words......... outright lies and then protray those statements as the truth; their truth.
Case in point is on August 17th, Presidential candidate, Republican, Texas Governor Rick Perry said the following, and I quote; "The Federal Reserve should open their books up, they should be transparent so the American people know what they are doing. It would go a long way toward either finding out whether or not there is some activities that are improper, or that they've been handling themselves quite well. But until they do that, I think there will continue to be questions about their activity and what their true goal is for the United States."
News flash... according to today's Gannet paper, the Fed has become one of the most transparent agencies in government. Its' books are open. It publishes its' balance sheet every week, which tells us how much the Fed has lent out to banks, how many bonds it has accumulated and how much money the banks are parking at the Fed. The weekly report doesn't say which banks got the loans. But the Dodd-Frank Act ordered a complete audit of the Fed's activities during the 2008 financial crisis, including the banks it helped and how much it gave to them.
FYI, the congressional Government Accountability Office has the authority to go back and audit the Fed's books again and again. The law also requires the Fed itself to disclose details of its emergency loans with a delay.
So here we have a seemingly intelligent politician making a statement that is totally false, but he continues to try to pass off his lie as the truth; his truth. If a politician makes an inaccurate statement, common sense dictates that he/she should apologize for the mistake and move on. Unfortunatley, that is not how the political game is played. Obviously, common sense would and should also dictate that one should not lie, ever. It will come back to bite you.
Unfortunately, Perry added more salt to his self inflicted wound by saying that Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve Chairman's actions border on treason. What? Does Perry even understand the definition of treason? Obviously not since he made the outrageous statement.
Should politicians who blatantly lie be trusted? I think not, but the voters will make up their minds at the polls.
Til next week...
Peter
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Who Is Right?
Hi Everyone:
Today's blog is a continuation of last week's. As the discussions regarding increasing our debt ceiling and decreasing our expenses was approved last week, it is painfully obvious that not enough was done since Standard and Poor's lowered our country's credit rating from AAA to AA+. During the debate, both side were throwing around numbers and using them to their own advantage. So which side is right?
A reader of my blog and a very good friend to boot, sent me a link to the Atlantic's article that was published in the New York Times last week. The article is about a chart that shows the costs of policy changes under Presidents Obama and Bush. Per the article: The chart is based on data from the Congressional Budget Office and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorites. Its significance is not partisan (who's "to blame" for the deficit) but intellectual. The chart identifies policy changes, the things over which Congress and the Administration have some control, as opposed to largely external shocks - like the repercussions of the 9/11 attacks or the deep worldwide recession following the 2008 financial crisis. The cost of new policies from the Bush era is $5.07 trillion and the Obama era is $1.44 trillion. The point is that governments can respond to but not control external shocks. That's why they are called shocks. But, governments can control their policies.
During the debate on raising the ceiling and lowering expenses, both sides used so many numbers that it was mind numbing. According to the chart, the policy that did the most to magnify future deficits is the Bush-era tax cuts. But that isn't the case with the Republicans. They think that the cuts have helped our economy. By the end of the Bush administration, there were millions of jobs lost with a negative total over his tow terms. Remember the old saying: you are entitled to your own opinions but not to your own facts. It amazes me how parties spin everything to help showcase their position. You should check out the chart and you will understand the truth.
You can read the article and see the chart at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/07/the-chart-that-should-accompany-all-discussions-of-the-debt-ceiling/242484/
Now you can see for yourself the real numbers and then you can make up your own mind. It seems that the Bush-era tax cuts have not worked and will not work, but will cost our economy dearly for years to come, unless they are eliminated. You can not balance a budget with cuts that affect only the middle class and to those most in need. The wealthy must pay their fair share, which they are not doing now. When will common sense be used solely to make decisions and not a spin version with made up facts? That is just so wrong!!!
Til next week.
Peter
Today's blog is a continuation of last week's. As the discussions regarding increasing our debt ceiling and decreasing our expenses was approved last week, it is painfully obvious that not enough was done since Standard and Poor's lowered our country's credit rating from AAA to AA+. During the debate, both side were throwing around numbers and using them to their own advantage. So which side is right?
A reader of my blog and a very good friend to boot, sent me a link to the Atlantic's article that was published in the New York Times last week. The article is about a chart that shows the costs of policy changes under Presidents Obama and Bush. Per the article: The chart is based on data from the Congressional Budget Office and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorites. Its significance is not partisan (who's "to blame" for the deficit) but intellectual. The chart identifies policy changes, the things over which Congress and the Administration have some control, as opposed to largely external shocks - like the repercussions of the 9/11 attacks or the deep worldwide recession following the 2008 financial crisis. The cost of new policies from the Bush era is $5.07 trillion and the Obama era is $1.44 trillion. The point is that governments can respond to but not control external shocks. That's why they are called shocks. But, governments can control their policies.
During the debate on raising the ceiling and lowering expenses, both sides used so many numbers that it was mind numbing. According to the chart, the policy that did the most to magnify future deficits is the Bush-era tax cuts. But that isn't the case with the Republicans. They think that the cuts have helped our economy. By the end of the Bush administration, there were millions of jobs lost with a negative total over his tow terms. Remember the old saying: you are entitled to your own opinions but not to your own facts. It amazes me how parties spin everything to help showcase their position. You should check out the chart and you will understand the truth.
You can read the article and see the chart at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/07/the-chart-that-should-accompany-all-discussions-of-the-debt-ceiling/242484/
Now you can see for yourself the real numbers and then you can make up your own mind. It seems that the Bush-era tax cuts have not worked and will not work, but will cost our economy dearly for years to come, unless they are eliminated. You can not balance a budget with cuts that affect only the middle class and to those most in need. The wealthy must pay their fair share, which they are not doing now. When will common sense be used solely to make decisions and not a spin version with made up facts? That is just so wrong!!!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Newest Dirty Word
Hi Everyone:
I am pretty sure that all of you are painfully aware of the newest dirty word in the English language. The newest dirty word is..... compromise. As the world watches, it appears that our elected officials in Washington, from both sides of the aisle, can't come up with a compromise solution to our country's debt ceiling. Our country's debt is the result of years and years of overspending by both Republicans and Democrats alike.
It used to be that both sides of Congress were able to sit down, talk and negotiate a deal. Both sides having to compromise their positions to get a completed deal that was agreeable to both sides. Now Washington is so paralyzed by partisan politics (and it gets worse every day and week and month and year), that nothing is getting accomplished on our deficit and raising the debt ceiling. Obviously, the only common sense and logical solution to the debt ceiling debacle is compromise. Previously, Republicans and Democrats were the two sides debating the issues, but today there seems to be a third side. The tea party within the GOP, which is a minority of Republicans and freshmen to congress, has held the talks hostage by their demands and their intentionally forgetting about the art of compromise. One can not compromise if one is not willing to ease up on their demands.
If compromise is not obtainable within two days, the U.S. will default on its bills that are owed. Unfortunately, the tea party thinks that it is ok for the U.S. to default, which would be devastating to every person and company in this country for a myriad of reasons. For a minority of Republicans to hold such power is very troubling for House Speaker Boehner to put together a bill that would pass the house. I give him credit for trying. But remember, compromise means not getting everything you wanted but some.
Since our deficit is the fault of both parties, both parties must concede on some of their positions to reach an agreement. I remain hopeful that a compromise will happen, but the result should not be a political, short term, band-aid solution, but a longer term solution. Why can't politicians worry first about us instead of their re-election.
Til next week.
Peter
I am pretty sure that all of you are painfully aware of the newest dirty word in the English language. The newest dirty word is..... compromise. As the world watches, it appears that our elected officials in Washington, from both sides of the aisle, can't come up with a compromise solution to our country's debt ceiling. Our country's debt is the result of years and years of overspending by both Republicans and Democrats alike.
It used to be that both sides of Congress were able to sit down, talk and negotiate a deal. Both sides having to compromise their positions to get a completed deal that was agreeable to both sides. Now Washington is so paralyzed by partisan politics (and it gets worse every day and week and month and year), that nothing is getting accomplished on our deficit and raising the debt ceiling. Obviously, the only common sense and logical solution to the debt ceiling debacle is compromise. Previously, Republicans and Democrats were the two sides debating the issues, but today there seems to be a third side. The tea party within the GOP, which is a minority of Republicans and freshmen to congress, has held the talks hostage by their demands and their intentionally forgetting about the art of compromise. One can not compromise if one is not willing to ease up on their demands.
If compromise is not obtainable within two days, the U.S. will default on its bills that are owed. Unfortunately, the tea party thinks that it is ok for the U.S. to default, which would be devastating to every person and company in this country for a myriad of reasons. For a minority of Republicans to hold such power is very troubling for House Speaker Boehner to put together a bill that would pass the house. I give him credit for trying. But remember, compromise means not getting everything you wanted but some.
Since our deficit is the fault of both parties, both parties must concede on some of their positions to reach an agreement. I remain hopeful that a compromise will happen, but the result should not be a political, short term, band-aid solution, but a longer term solution. Why can't politicians worry first about us instead of their re-election.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Bureaucracy Out Of Control
Hi Everyone:
Where we live, about 50 miles north of New York City, the majority of homes use a septic system for all household waste water. For those of you not in the know; a septic system consists of a septic tank (holding tank) where the solid waste sinks. The water then overflows into a septic field where it leaches into the ground. The current law states that the size of a septic system is based on the number of bedrooms contained in a house.
That said, the Putnam County Health Department in New York decided to make its own rules regarding septic systems and home improvements. The health department required homeowners who planned to increase their living space by 50% or more to upgrade their septic system, regardless of whether new bedrooms were added. Such a law was never passed by the county Legislature or the Board of Health. To make matters worse it violates county and state law.
But that didn't stop the health department until they were sued by a couple who wanted to add a second floor to their ranch and relocate their 3 existing bedrooms from the first floor to the new second floor addition. Last September, the health department denied the owners a permit for the work because the addition was over 91% of the size of the existing 1,832 square foot home and therefore a septic system upgrade was needed.
This past Friday, a state Supreme Court justice ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and told the health department to issue the permit. Time will tell if and when they will issue the permit. But how can an agency in a county government go against current law and dictate their own "law"? It is apparent that the health department had no common sense whatsoever to issue such a "law". The bureaucracy had gotten out of control. How could a small agency in a small county of 100,000 people do this and go unnoticed until the lawsuit?
It boggles the mind that this could and did happen. Where were the checks and balances? Why did this have to go court at all? If common sense had been used from the onset, the taxpayers of Putnam County would not have had to pay lawyers to defend a losing proposition.
Til next week.
Peter
Where we live, about 50 miles north of New York City, the majority of homes use a septic system for all household waste water. For those of you not in the know; a septic system consists of a septic tank (holding tank) where the solid waste sinks. The water then overflows into a septic field where it leaches into the ground. The current law states that the size of a septic system is based on the number of bedrooms contained in a house.
That said, the Putnam County Health Department in New York decided to make its own rules regarding septic systems and home improvements. The health department required homeowners who planned to increase their living space by 50% or more to upgrade their septic system, regardless of whether new bedrooms were added. Such a law was never passed by the county Legislature or the Board of Health. To make matters worse it violates county and state law.
But that didn't stop the health department until they were sued by a couple who wanted to add a second floor to their ranch and relocate their 3 existing bedrooms from the first floor to the new second floor addition. Last September, the health department denied the owners a permit for the work because the addition was over 91% of the size of the existing 1,832 square foot home and therefore a septic system upgrade was needed.
This past Friday, a state Supreme Court justice ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and told the health department to issue the permit. Time will tell if and when they will issue the permit. But how can an agency in a county government go against current law and dictate their own "law"? It is apparent that the health department had no common sense whatsoever to issue such a "law". The bureaucracy had gotten out of control. How could a small agency in a small county of 100,000 people do this and go unnoticed until the lawsuit?
It boggles the mind that this could and did happen. Where were the checks and balances? Why did this have to go court at all? If common sense had been used from the onset, the taxpayers of Putnam County would not have had to pay lawyers to defend a losing proposition.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Trivial? Maybe!
Hi Everyone:
Last week, my wife went to our local post office to buy a stamp and mail a bill. What she got in return amazed her so much that she brought it to my attention. She handed me a receipt from the USPS for the one stamp. The receipt is unbelieveably 11" long by 3" wide. More then half of the receipt are ads for the USPS; i.e., phone numbers, multiple web sites, get a post office box and guaranteed services. I am pretty sure that most Americans know how to contact the USPS either by their web site or in person to get the same information. Why the need to advertise it on the receipt? Seems to me to be a waste of paper.
I am also pretty sure that most Americans are aware that the USPS hasn't been profitable in a long time. FedEx, UPS and email has cut heavily into their buisness and hence their bottom line. The USPS is no longer and hasn't been the only kid on the block in a very long time. In order to cut costs, which is vital to their survival, the USPS must look at every aspect of their business, including something as trivial as the length of their receipts. With all the USPS locations all over this country, reducing the length of the receipts could potentially save millions of dollars on saving receipt paper alone. Instead, what I have heard is that the USPS is thinking about reducing deliveries from 6 days a week to 5 days a week, maybe eliminating Saturday delivery.
It is apparent to me that the USPS is in dire need of some good old fashion common sense. They need to open their eyes wider to look in the microscope to find all the common sense opportunities that would lower their operating costs. Why they haven't done that does amaze me.
Til next week.
Peter
Last week, my wife went to our local post office to buy a stamp and mail a bill. What she got in return amazed her so much that she brought it to my attention. She handed me a receipt from the USPS for the one stamp. The receipt is unbelieveably 11" long by 3" wide. More then half of the receipt are ads for the USPS; i.e., phone numbers, multiple web sites, get a post office box and guaranteed services. I am pretty sure that most Americans know how to contact the USPS either by their web site or in person to get the same information. Why the need to advertise it on the receipt? Seems to me to be a waste of paper.
I am also pretty sure that most Americans are aware that the USPS hasn't been profitable in a long time. FedEx, UPS and email has cut heavily into their buisness and hence their bottom line. The USPS is no longer and hasn't been the only kid on the block in a very long time. In order to cut costs, which is vital to their survival, the USPS must look at every aspect of their business, including something as trivial as the length of their receipts. With all the USPS locations all over this country, reducing the length of the receipts could potentially save millions of dollars on saving receipt paper alone. Instead, what I have heard is that the USPS is thinking about reducing deliveries from 6 days a week to 5 days a week, maybe eliminating Saturday delivery.
It is apparent to me that the USPS is in dire need of some good old fashion common sense. They need to open their eyes wider to look in the microscope to find all the common sense opportunities that would lower their operating costs. Why they haven't done that does amaze me.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, July 10, 2011
What Took Them So Long?
Hi Everyone:
The grocery store that my family uses a lot is called ShopRite. My background search on ShopRite revealed some interesting facts. ShopRite began in 1951 as a cooperative. By 1961 it had lost half of its locations when a retail owner took his locations out of the cooperative and started Pathmark. Presently, ShopRite has approximately 278 locations in 6 states: CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE and MD. Another fact that I discovered is that ShopRite is the largest employer in New Jersey with approximatey 162 locations. And finally, ShopRite is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the US.
So it would appear that ShopRite is a survivor and knows how to run a business. But I question that. Why? For years my local ShopRite used open top floor freezers for all of their frozen food products. Additionally, they used open front refrigerating units for all their dairy and refrigerated products. Where we live, we used to have numerous power outages throughout the year. The 3 or 4 times that I was actually in the store when the power went out, the routine was always the same. Employees quickly placed layers of cardboard over the exposed frozen products to try to keep them frozen. At the same time, another group of employees were also quickly taping pastic over the front of the refrigerated products.
About 4 or 5 years ago, my ShopRite installed upright freezers with doors. I did wonder why it took them so long to have freezers with doors. To me that was a no brainer and should have been there a long time ago. Fast forward to about 2 to 3 months ago, in the year 2011. My ShopRite finally installed doors on the pre-existing open front refrigerators. I walked up to one of the people installing the doors and I asked him how come ShopRite decided to install the doors now? He told me that ShopRite had done a 6 month study in a New Jersy location and found out that having doors on the refrigerated units saves electricity and helps to keep the products cold when the power goes out. Well duh!!!! I can't believe that they had to do a study to make that determination.
It is pretty obvious that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that having doors on freezers and refrigerators will save electricity and help keep products cold during a power outage. ShopRite seemed to be lacking common sense on this issue due to the length of time it took them to figure out doors work. Go figure.
Til next week.
Peter
The grocery store that my family uses a lot is called ShopRite. My background search on ShopRite revealed some interesting facts. ShopRite began in 1951 as a cooperative. By 1961 it had lost half of its locations when a retail owner took his locations out of the cooperative and started Pathmark. Presently, ShopRite has approximately 278 locations in 6 states: CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE and MD. Another fact that I discovered is that ShopRite is the largest employer in New Jersey with approximatey 162 locations. And finally, ShopRite is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the US.
So it would appear that ShopRite is a survivor and knows how to run a business. But I question that. Why? For years my local ShopRite used open top floor freezers for all of their frozen food products. Additionally, they used open front refrigerating units for all their dairy and refrigerated products. Where we live, we used to have numerous power outages throughout the year. The 3 or 4 times that I was actually in the store when the power went out, the routine was always the same. Employees quickly placed layers of cardboard over the exposed frozen products to try to keep them frozen. At the same time, another group of employees were also quickly taping pastic over the front of the refrigerated products.
About 4 or 5 years ago, my ShopRite installed upright freezers with doors. I did wonder why it took them so long to have freezers with doors. To me that was a no brainer and should have been there a long time ago. Fast forward to about 2 to 3 months ago, in the year 2011. My ShopRite finally installed doors on the pre-existing open front refrigerators. I walked up to one of the people installing the doors and I asked him how come ShopRite decided to install the doors now? He told me that ShopRite had done a 6 month study in a New Jersy location and found out that having doors on the refrigerated units saves electricity and helps to keep the products cold when the power goes out. Well duh!!!! I can't believe that they had to do a study to make that determination.
It is pretty obvious that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that having doors on freezers and refrigerators will save electricity and help keep products cold during a power outage. ShopRite seemed to be lacking common sense on this issue due to the length of time it took them to figure out doors work. Go figure.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What's The Difference Between 1986 and 2011?
Hi Everyone:
So there I was last week cleaning out the basement, when I came across some old Consumer Reports magazines. As I was placing them in brown paper bags for recycling, I found the 1986 Cars issue. I was curious so see the difference between cars made in 1986 and today.
I know that major safety innovations such as anti-lock brakes, stability control, computers and air bags etc. that are available on almost all new cars today weren't available 25 years ago. So I decided to check out the fuel economy of 25 years ago. What I had forgotten was that there were a lot of cars that got very good gas mileage. Granted the down side was that some of those high gas mileage cars were not all that good overall. But check these out:
Small cars:
Chevy Chevette- 24 city / 48 highway
Chevy Nova - 24 46
Chevy Sprint- 37 59
Dodge Colt- 23 45
Ford Escort- 21 41
Honda Civic- 22 39
Mazda 323- 22 42
Nissan Sentra- 24 45
Toyota Corolla- 23 48
Compact cars:
Chevy Cavalier- 16 35
Ford Tempo- 19 41
Honda Accord- 19 40
Mazda 626- 20 38
Toyota Camry- 23 46
Medium cars:
Audi 5000S- 15 25
Buick Century- 15 39
Dodge Aries- 19 32
Ford T-Bird- 16 29
Pontiac 6000- 15 29
The list goes on and includes large cars. I realize that with new safety features, computers, larger wheels and tires comes added weight, which in turn has meant less fuel economy. But in 25 years of technological advancements, why can't car manufacturers make cars that get at least 50 mpg? Yes, I know that there are a few hybrids and pure electric cars that get that kind of mileage, by not including them, we seem to be stuck at the 35+/- mpg. Why? I believe that the issue is the higher horsepower of our new cars. Cars with high horse power get worse gas mileage. The introduction of SUV's, minivans and huge high output V8 engines didn't help gas mileage either.
But one would think that 25 years later in 2011, we would have more cars that get better mileage then previously. Unfortunately that is not the case and now we are more dependant on foreign oil then 25 years ago. With the price of gasoline hitting $4.00/gallon twice in the past 2-3 years, I am pretty sure that the American public is now ready to buy higher mileage cars. Common sense should now dictate that car manufacturers think outside the box to develop very high mileage cars. My own belief is that hydrogen fuel cells are the way to go. Only time will tell though.
Til next week.
Peter
So there I was last week cleaning out the basement, when I came across some old Consumer Reports magazines. As I was placing them in brown paper bags for recycling, I found the 1986 Cars issue. I was curious so see the difference between cars made in 1986 and today.
I know that major safety innovations such as anti-lock brakes, stability control, computers and air bags etc. that are available on almost all new cars today weren't available 25 years ago. So I decided to check out the fuel economy of 25 years ago. What I had forgotten was that there were a lot of cars that got very good gas mileage. Granted the down side was that some of those high gas mileage cars were not all that good overall. But check these out:
Small cars:
Chevy Chevette- 24 city / 48 highway
Chevy Nova - 24 46
Chevy Sprint- 37 59
Dodge Colt- 23 45
Ford Escort- 21 41
Honda Civic- 22 39
Mazda 323- 22 42
Nissan Sentra- 24 45
Toyota Corolla- 23 48
Compact cars:
Chevy Cavalier- 16 35
Ford Tempo- 19 41
Honda Accord- 19 40
Mazda 626- 20 38
Toyota Camry- 23 46
Medium cars:
Audi 5000S- 15 25
Buick Century- 15 39
Dodge Aries- 19 32
Ford T-Bird- 16 29
Pontiac 6000- 15 29
The list goes on and includes large cars. I realize that with new safety features, computers, larger wheels and tires comes added weight, which in turn has meant less fuel economy. But in 25 years of technological advancements, why can't car manufacturers make cars that get at least 50 mpg? Yes, I know that there are a few hybrids and pure electric cars that get that kind of mileage, by not including them, we seem to be stuck at the 35+/- mpg. Why? I believe that the issue is the higher horsepower of our new cars. Cars with high horse power get worse gas mileage. The introduction of SUV's, minivans and huge high output V8 engines didn't help gas mileage either.
But one would think that 25 years later in 2011, we would have more cars that get better mileage then previously. Unfortunately that is not the case and now we are more dependant on foreign oil then 25 years ago. With the price of gasoline hitting $4.00/gallon twice in the past 2-3 years, I am pretty sure that the American public is now ready to buy higher mileage cars. Common sense should now dictate that car manufacturers think outside the box to develop very high mileage cars. My own belief is that hydrogen fuel cells are the way to go. Only time will tell though.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Dirty Little Secret
Hi Everyone:
Did you know that it is still legal in New York state and other states to discriminate against a certain group of people? Not only is it legal, but companies do it all the time. The discrimination is even blatantly written in their ads for job openings online and in newspapers.
What is the discrimination I am talking about and what group of people is affected? Companies blatantly discriminate against unemployed workers. Workers who, through no fault of their own are laid off and then get discriminated against. How do companies discriminate against the unemployed? All you have to do is read help wanted ads. There they are in black and white stating, "Must be currently employed to apply." It amazes me that companies would want to eliminate an entire group of people. It also amazes me that this is legal.
But wait, New Jersey has a new law that makes discriminating against the unemployed illegal. New York state is in the process of looking into the situation and determining if a new law is needed. Oh come on! It doesn't take a genius to figure out that discriminating against anyone is wrong. But it is a double whammy for unemployed people to not be able to get a job interview because they are unemployed. That makes no sense, what-so-ever.
When I was a corporate Human Resouces executive, I prided myself in hiring unemployed people. They had more fire in their belly to do the job as best as possible. If their background and experience fit the job description and they were the best candidate, they were hired. Case closed.
Obviously, common sense dictates that discriminating against the unemployed is wrong and even stupid. I believe that a federal law should be enacted under Title VII, that includes the unemployed.
To all of you fathers, Happy Father's Day.
Til next week.
Peter
Did you know that it is still legal in New York state and other states to discriminate against a certain group of people? Not only is it legal, but companies do it all the time. The discrimination is even blatantly written in their ads for job openings online and in newspapers.
What is the discrimination I am talking about and what group of people is affected? Companies blatantly discriminate against unemployed workers. Workers who, through no fault of their own are laid off and then get discriminated against. How do companies discriminate against the unemployed? All you have to do is read help wanted ads. There they are in black and white stating, "Must be currently employed to apply." It amazes me that companies would want to eliminate an entire group of people. It also amazes me that this is legal.
But wait, New Jersey has a new law that makes discriminating against the unemployed illegal. New York state is in the process of looking into the situation and determining if a new law is needed. Oh come on! It doesn't take a genius to figure out that discriminating against anyone is wrong. But it is a double whammy for unemployed people to not be able to get a job interview because they are unemployed. That makes no sense, what-so-ever.
When I was a corporate Human Resouces executive, I prided myself in hiring unemployed people. They had more fire in their belly to do the job as best as possible. If their background and experience fit the job description and they were the best candidate, they were hired. Case closed.
Obviously, common sense dictates that discriminating against the unemployed is wrong and even stupid. I believe that a federal law should be enacted under Title VII, that includes the unemployed.
To all of you fathers, Happy Father's Day.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, June 12, 2011
When Will People Learn?
Hi Everyone:
For the past 2 weeks, the news has centered around 2 politicians who made mistakes, but didn't admit to their mistakes. I feel that I would be remiss if I didn't talk about both.
The first is Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat from NY. Even though sexting isn't a crime, his indiscretions have hurt his family, especially his new (maybe pregnant) wife of only 11 months. But his denying his involvement is tantamount to lying and he lied a lot about it. For his lying, which is tantamount to a cover up, he should resign.
The second is Sarah Palin, Republican from Alaska. During her current bus tour of the east coast, while in Boston, she told reporters that Paul Revere's famous ride was to warn not only his fellow colonists, but also to warn the British soldiers. What? Palin said, "He who warned the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms by ringing those bells and makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed." Palin who is a paid contributor to Fox news, was asked by Fox News Sunday anchor, Chris Wallace, "You realize that you messed up about Paul Revere, don't you?" Palin relied, "I didn't mess up about Paul Revere. Part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there. That, hey, you're not going to succeeed. You're not going to take American arms. You are not going to beat our well armed persons, individual, private militia that we have. He did warn the British." Someone should read their US history books a little more carefully.
My question is this; how can 2 seemingly intelligent people, who happen to be politicians, make such stupid mistakes and not immediately own up to them? It took Rep. Weiner a week to own up to his sexting. But by then, the damage was done by his lying and he has no one to blame but himself. Palin on the other hand, had to be told by at least one of her staffers, after her first statement regarding Revere's ride, that she was wrong. If Palin was told, she didn't listen because her second inaccurate statement was a very feeble attempt to reinforce her first inaccurate statement. Not for nothing, Sarah Palin can't rewrite history and she should make a public statement that she was wrong both times and apologize. Palin can't blame the, using her words, "liberal media" for this graff. This is all her doing and she has no one to blame but herself and her lack of knowledge of our country's history. But to make matters even worse, Palin supporters tried numerous times to change Wikipedia's correct and accurate version of Revere's ride, to that of Palin's version. Wikipedia had to block anyone from changing the correct and accurate version. Why would people do something so stupid? Did they really think that just because Palin said it, it must be the truth? Go figure!!!
So the conclusion to this blog is that there are too many politicians who lack common sense, especially when it comes to apologizing for their own mistake. It is time for politicians to stop spinning and just speak the truth when they make a mistake. Then let the chips fall where they may with the voters. Ahhhhh, wishful thinking.
Til next week.
Peter
For the past 2 weeks, the news has centered around 2 politicians who made mistakes, but didn't admit to their mistakes. I feel that I would be remiss if I didn't talk about both.
The first is Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat from NY. Even though sexting isn't a crime, his indiscretions have hurt his family, especially his new (maybe pregnant) wife of only 11 months. But his denying his involvement is tantamount to lying and he lied a lot about it. For his lying, which is tantamount to a cover up, he should resign.
The second is Sarah Palin, Republican from Alaska. During her current bus tour of the east coast, while in Boston, she told reporters that Paul Revere's famous ride was to warn not only his fellow colonists, but also to warn the British soldiers. What? Palin said, "He who warned the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms by ringing those bells and makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed." Palin who is a paid contributor to Fox news, was asked by Fox News Sunday anchor, Chris Wallace, "You realize that you messed up about Paul Revere, don't you?" Palin relied, "I didn't mess up about Paul Revere. Part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there. That, hey, you're not going to succeeed. You're not going to take American arms. You are not going to beat our well armed persons, individual, private militia that we have. He did warn the British." Someone should read their US history books a little more carefully.
My question is this; how can 2 seemingly intelligent people, who happen to be politicians, make such stupid mistakes and not immediately own up to them? It took Rep. Weiner a week to own up to his sexting. But by then, the damage was done by his lying and he has no one to blame but himself. Palin on the other hand, had to be told by at least one of her staffers, after her first statement regarding Revere's ride, that she was wrong. If Palin was told, she didn't listen because her second inaccurate statement was a very feeble attempt to reinforce her first inaccurate statement. Not for nothing, Sarah Palin can't rewrite history and she should make a public statement that she was wrong both times and apologize. Palin can't blame the, using her words, "liberal media" for this graff. This is all her doing and she has no one to blame but herself and her lack of knowledge of our country's history. But to make matters even worse, Palin supporters tried numerous times to change Wikipedia's correct and accurate version of Revere's ride, to that of Palin's version. Wikipedia had to block anyone from changing the correct and accurate version. Why would people do something so stupid? Did they really think that just because Palin said it, it must be the truth? Go figure!!!
So the conclusion to this blog is that there are too many politicians who lack common sense, especially when it comes to apologizing for their own mistake. It is time for politicians to stop spinning and just speak the truth when they make a mistake. Then let the chips fall where they may with the voters. Ahhhhh, wishful thinking.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, May 29, 2011
How Much Is Too Much?
Hi Everyone:
So there I was this morning reading the Sunday paper when the big headline read, Perks boost SUNY presidents' pay. For those of you who are not in the know, SUNY is the 64 campus, State University system in New York state. FYI, since 2008, NYS cutbacks to SUNY have amounted to $1.5 billion, or roughly 35% in operating aid. University officials have been pressing lawmakers for permission to raise tuition by small, predictable increments each year.
So what are the perks the SUNY presidents receive? According to my newspaper, they receive free housing or housing allowances, free cars and an array of other perks, including; golf-club memberships, paid retirement contributions, drivers for night driving and long trips, entertainment allowances and in one case up to $13,000 per year in additional personal expenses. Also FYI, the presidents' salaries range from $183,068 to well over $400,000. I am not so sure that the SUNY system should get automatic tuition increases when they seem to be giving away the ship to a small number of employees, namely the presidents. I understand the free housing or housing allowance perk. But if someone makes over $183,000, do they need a free car, free retirement funding, free entertainment expenses, free drivers, free golf-club memberships and free money for additional personal expenses? Probably not. It is time to come back down to earth and take back some, if not most of those perks. That to me would be a common sense approach to slow down the runaway costs of free perks to SUNY presidents. They make enough money to afford to pay their own way.
Til next week.
Peter
So there I was this morning reading the Sunday paper when the big headline read, Perks boost SUNY presidents' pay. For those of you who are not in the know, SUNY is the 64 campus, State University system in New York state. FYI, since 2008, NYS cutbacks to SUNY have amounted to $1.5 billion, or roughly 35% in operating aid. University officials have been pressing lawmakers for permission to raise tuition by small, predictable increments each year.
So what are the perks the SUNY presidents receive? According to my newspaper, they receive free housing or housing allowances, free cars and an array of other perks, including; golf-club memberships, paid retirement contributions, drivers for night driving and long trips, entertainment allowances and in one case up to $13,000 per year in additional personal expenses. Also FYI, the presidents' salaries range from $183,068 to well over $400,000. I am not so sure that the SUNY system should get automatic tuition increases when they seem to be giving away the ship to a small number of employees, namely the presidents. I understand the free housing or housing allowance perk. But if someone makes over $183,000, do they need a free car, free retirement funding, free entertainment expenses, free drivers, free golf-club memberships and free money for additional personal expenses? Probably not. It is time to come back down to earth and take back some, if not most of those perks. That to me would be a common sense approach to slow down the runaway costs of free perks to SUNY presidents. They make enough money to afford to pay their own way.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Is Grass Worth It?
Hi Everyone:
A few weeks ago my wife and I went upstate New York. The weather was perfect and the drive was a breeze. I did notice something though that caught my attention. As we were heading north on the New York State Thruway, we saw numerous large tractors mowing the grass. If you have ever been on this highway, you will know that there is a vast amount of grass on the median and both shoulders. I think that the thruway is some 450 to 500+ miles long. That is huge amount of grass.
With the current price of gasoline, using those gas guzzler tractors just doesn't make sense. And with the NYS economy in the pits, it also doesn't make sense to pay all the man hours necessary to get the job done. So what to do? I believe that it was Ladybird Johnson, President Johnson's wife, who led a campaign to plant wildflowers near highways, instead of grass. I believe that would be the common sense solution for New York and other states, for all their highways and parkways, would be to plant indigenous wildflowers etc. No more gasoline needed for the tractors and no man hours paid for upkeep. And finally I think that the Wildflowers would look a whole lot better then the miles of boring grass. Problem solved!
Til next week.
Peter
A few weeks ago my wife and I went upstate New York. The weather was perfect and the drive was a breeze. I did notice something though that caught my attention. As we were heading north on the New York State Thruway, we saw numerous large tractors mowing the grass. If you have ever been on this highway, you will know that there is a vast amount of grass on the median and both shoulders. I think that the thruway is some 450 to 500+ miles long. That is huge amount of grass.
With the current price of gasoline, using those gas guzzler tractors just doesn't make sense. And with the NYS economy in the pits, it also doesn't make sense to pay all the man hours necessary to get the job done. So what to do? I believe that it was Ladybird Johnson, President Johnson's wife, who led a campaign to plant wildflowers near highways, instead of grass. I believe that would be the common sense solution for New York and other states, for all their highways and parkways, would be to plant indigenous wildflowers etc. No more gasoline needed for the tractors and no man hours paid for upkeep. And finally I think that the Wildflowers would look a whole lot better then the miles of boring grass. Problem solved!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Did You Hear What Happened and What Didn't Happen?
Hi Everyone:
Well it finally happened about 10 days ago. The price for a barrel of crude oil dropped 15% to below $95. The price of oil has been on the rise for the past 9 or 10 months, hitting about $109 per barrel at its highest. Last week, the CEO's from the biggest oil companies were in DC to answer Senators questions as to why the prices were so high and why they should still receive the billions of dollars in subsidies, when the companies earn some $10 billion of profits each in the first quarter of 2011.
So what didn't happen? The price of gas has not dropped one cent. It has actually increased around where I live! How can that be? When we hear about a price increase in a barrel of oil, the price of gas increases immediately. But when the price of a barrel of oil drops, it takes weeks for the price of gas to drop a few cents. What's up with that? What else didn't happen? The CEO's didn't tell the truth. The CEO's of the oil companies blamed the gas price increases on anything and everything but the truth. The truth is that the demand for gas has decreased and that speculators are responsible for the increases in prices. Supply and demand economics mean nothing to them! In addition, back in 2004 0r 2005, the CEO's stated that they no longer needed the subsidies, due to the fact the a barrel of oil was selling for $55. But now when the price hovers around $100, the big oil companies say they need the subsidies to help them for more oil exploration.
Give me a break!!! If they didn't need the subsidies when oil was at $55/barrel, they certainly don't need it at almost double the price now. You would think that a company that earns $10 billion in profits in the first quarter, would use its own money for exploration. But nooooooo, they are so damn greedy that they will squeeze every drop of blood that they can get for as long as they can.
The bottom line here is that it makes no common sense to continue giving big oil companies any additional taxpayer money, period! It also makes no common sense as to why the price of gas doesn't drop when the price of crude drops. Don't believe them when they say it is a time lag factor of the oil not reaching our shores for up to 2 weeks before the price drops. If that was true, there would also have to be a time lag when prices of crude goes up. Again the correlation only works in their favor when the prices go up.
Til next week.
Peter
Well it finally happened about 10 days ago. The price for a barrel of crude oil dropped 15% to below $95. The price of oil has been on the rise for the past 9 or 10 months, hitting about $109 per barrel at its highest. Last week, the CEO's from the biggest oil companies were in DC to answer Senators questions as to why the prices were so high and why they should still receive the billions of dollars in subsidies, when the companies earn some $10 billion of profits each in the first quarter of 2011.
So what didn't happen? The price of gas has not dropped one cent. It has actually increased around where I live! How can that be? When we hear about a price increase in a barrel of oil, the price of gas increases immediately. But when the price of a barrel of oil drops, it takes weeks for the price of gas to drop a few cents. What's up with that? What else didn't happen? The CEO's didn't tell the truth. The CEO's of the oil companies blamed the gas price increases on anything and everything but the truth. The truth is that the demand for gas has decreased and that speculators are responsible for the increases in prices. Supply and demand economics mean nothing to them! In addition, back in 2004 0r 2005, the CEO's stated that they no longer needed the subsidies, due to the fact the a barrel of oil was selling for $55. But now when the price hovers around $100, the big oil companies say they need the subsidies to help them for more oil exploration.
Give me a break!!! If they didn't need the subsidies when oil was at $55/barrel, they certainly don't need it at almost double the price now. You would think that a company that earns $10 billion in profits in the first quarter, would use its own money for exploration. But nooooooo, they are so damn greedy that they will squeeze every drop of blood that they can get for as long as they can.
The bottom line here is that it makes no common sense to continue giving big oil companies any additional taxpayer money, period! It also makes no common sense as to why the price of gas doesn't drop when the price of crude drops. Don't believe them when they say it is a time lag factor of the oil not reaching our shores for up to 2 weeks before the price drops. If that was true, there would also have to be a time lag when prices of crude goes up. Again the correlation only works in their favor when the prices go up.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, May 8, 2011
When It Floods, It Pours Money.
Hi Everyone:
It is spring...... finally! With spring comes warmer weather and rain. Combine those two and you get mountain snow melt, swollen creeks and tributaries that then drain into rivers. Then as expected, the rivers overflow their banks and land gets flooded. Some flooding is good, depending on the time it occurs, for farmers, since flooding adds nutrients back into the land. But flooding is terrible news for homes and businesses in the way of the surging and rising waters.
Some of the major rivers that flood the most seem to be the: Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. Every year like clock work we see and hear about those rivers flooding and the millions and billions of dollars of damage that the flood waters cause. What's wrong with this picture? When I hear and see on TV about so many people affected and then they say that it is their second or third or even the fourth time that they have been flooded out, it makes my blood boil. Why? To me, it would make sense that if you are flooded due to some waterway over flowing, its time to get out of Dodge or at very least, move to higher ground. But what really gets my goat is that if you have flood insurance, whether a Federal or private plan, the company will pay you to rebuild on the same location. Then unfortunately, insurance companies increase all of their policy holders rates, to cover their losses due to floods. All bets are off if people don't carry flood insurance, for whatever reason.
In order to minimize loss of life, damage to homes and businesses and to save both taxpayers and policy holders money, my common sense says they should not be allowed to rebuild at the same location. The bottom line here should be, if you live in a flood zone and you get flooded out once, the insurance policy should mandate that you have to move. Mother nature will always win and the flooded zones will eventually be turned back into their naturalness. Then when the yearly flooding occurs and you know it will, there will be no loss of life or damaged buildings and everyone will save money in the long run. I just don't get why people want to live in a situation where they put their own families in harms way. Think about it.
On a side note, it is a very interesting fact that the Hudson river does not flood like the other above mentioned rivers. I just don't know why.
Til next week.
Peter
It is spring...... finally! With spring comes warmer weather and rain. Combine those two and you get mountain snow melt, swollen creeks and tributaries that then drain into rivers. Then as expected, the rivers overflow their banks and land gets flooded. Some flooding is good, depending on the time it occurs, for farmers, since flooding adds nutrients back into the land. But flooding is terrible news for homes and businesses in the way of the surging and rising waters.
Some of the major rivers that flood the most seem to be the: Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. Every year like clock work we see and hear about those rivers flooding and the millions and billions of dollars of damage that the flood waters cause. What's wrong with this picture? When I hear and see on TV about so many people affected and then they say that it is their second or third or even the fourth time that they have been flooded out, it makes my blood boil. Why? To me, it would make sense that if you are flooded due to some waterway over flowing, its time to get out of Dodge or at very least, move to higher ground. But what really gets my goat is that if you have flood insurance, whether a Federal or private plan, the company will pay you to rebuild on the same location. Then unfortunately, insurance companies increase all of their policy holders rates, to cover their losses due to floods. All bets are off if people don't carry flood insurance, for whatever reason.
In order to minimize loss of life, damage to homes and businesses and to save both taxpayers and policy holders money, my common sense says they should not be allowed to rebuild at the same location. The bottom line here should be, if you live in a flood zone and you get flooded out once, the insurance policy should mandate that you have to move. Mother nature will always win and the flooded zones will eventually be turned back into their naturalness. Then when the yearly flooding occurs and you know it will, there will be no loss of life or damaged buildings and everyone will save money in the long run. I just don't get why people want to live in a situation where they put their own families in harms way. Think about it.
On a side note, it is a very interesting fact that the Hudson river does not flood like the other above mentioned rivers. I just don't know why.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Will We Ever Learn?
Hi Everyone:
Just when you think you have heard it all, comes this tidbit of info that should get us all upset. In these times of huge deficits on both the Federal and State levels, comes the following idea from Houston Republican Rep. John Davis. He sponsored a bill that would cap the maximum sales tax the state would collect on the sale of a personl boat costing $250,000 or more. What??? Just when we need the sales tax money, this lack of common sense person wants to decrease the amount. Unfortunately and unbelievably, the House Ways and Means Committee then approved the tax break.
Have politicians lost their minds? Now is not the time to decrease sales tax revenues, which are so sorely needed. Common sense says that this issue should have never come up in the first place and if it did, it should have been defeated. But NOOOOO! How will the lost sales tax revenue be made up? Oh yea, on the backs of the middle class. Why do the rich get tax breaks and the middle class gets the shaft? Tax breaks for the rich do not work. All you have to do is check the economy's response to such tax breaks. Prior tax breaks for the rich didn't trinkle down into a better economy. What it did do was to make the rich get richer. But go figure, if it didn't work before, why not try it again? How assinine!
Will we ever learn? We are suppose to learn from our mistakes, in order to not repeat them. But I guess that all bets are off when tax breaks for the rich come into play.
Til next week.
Peter
Just when you think you have heard it all, comes this tidbit of info that should get us all upset. In these times of huge deficits on both the Federal and State levels, comes the following idea from Houston Republican Rep. John Davis. He sponsored a bill that would cap the maximum sales tax the state would collect on the sale of a personl boat costing $250,000 or more. What??? Just when we need the sales tax money, this lack of common sense person wants to decrease the amount. Unfortunately and unbelievably, the House Ways and Means Committee then approved the tax break.
Have politicians lost their minds? Now is not the time to decrease sales tax revenues, which are so sorely needed. Common sense says that this issue should have never come up in the first place and if it did, it should have been defeated. But NOOOOO! How will the lost sales tax revenue be made up? Oh yea, on the backs of the middle class. Why do the rich get tax breaks and the middle class gets the shaft? Tax breaks for the rich do not work. All you have to do is check the economy's response to such tax breaks. Prior tax breaks for the rich didn't trinkle down into a better economy. What it did do was to make the rich get richer. But go figure, if it didn't work before, why not try it again? How assinine!
Will we ever learn? We are suppose to learn from our mistakes, in order to not repeat them. But I guess that all bets are off when tax breaks for the rich come into play.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Can You Believe This?
Hi Everyone: When I learned about today's topic, I became upset and angry. I'm not sure about the state in which you may live, but New York state has hit another low in a series of low blows. According to data compiled by the New York Public Interest Research Group from the state Commission on Public Integrity; statewide, local governments and affiliated organizations paid more than $7 million for lobbying in 2010. What? I can't believe that towns, cities and counties etc. in New York state pay for lobbyists. In essence that means that taxpayers are paying for lobbyists, or insiders, to argue for one level of government against another. You've got to be kidding. This makes no sense to me, but is the norm. One lobbyist group, Albany-based Patricia Lynch Associates is now caught up in a series of corruption scandals. One had to know that was coming. Anyway, Lynch paid a $500,000 fine and admitted arranging campaign contributions, gifts and other favors to gain access to the state's comptroller office for clients selling investments. "Gifts, favors and campaign contributions are not a legitimate basis for government contracts or special treatment," then Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo said last December. "Lobbyists whose stock in trade is pay to play have no business appearing before government agencies that safeguard taxpayer dollars," he added. Then Cuomo said that, "Lynch's lobbying group is a major broker in Albany's corrupt pay to play political culture." What a tangled web. It is unimaginable that taxpayers are paying for a questionable service just to find out how corrupt the service and lobbying in general is. Lobbyists are a big business, not only in local and state governments, but also in our federal government. Our founding fathers never imagined that governments would work in such a manner. Common sense tells one that this isn't right and should be stopped, but I feel that lobbyists are so entrenched that they are not going away any time soon. Someone needs to protect the interests of taxpayers and if lobbyists aren't able to do it, who will? Politicians? Yea right!!! Til next week. Peter
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Man of the Cloth Without Any Common Sense
Hi Everyone: Last year, the Rev. Terry Jones, pastor of a very small church in Gainesville, Fla., threatened to burn a Quran, Islam's holy book. His threat made national news and notority to both the pastor and his small congregation of 50 +/- people. Islamic followers were outraged that a Reverend would consider burning a copy of another religions holy book. What was he thinking? Nothing good would come out of burning a Quran. Eventually he backed down and didn't burn a Quran. On March 20th, The Rev. did indeed burn a Quran. Under the First Amendment, the pastor had the right of free speech to burn a Quran. But just because he had the right to do it, should he have done it? What would the outcome be if he did burn a Quran? Would anyone really care? Well as it turned out, people did care and the outcome was not good. Muslims worldwide were outraged and in Afghanistan, it further strained relations with the West. Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai, condemned the burning four days after it happened. On Friday, according to Gannett, 11 people were killed, including 7 foreign U.N. workers, in a protest in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. On Saturday, in Kandahar, Afghans protested for a second day and nine more were killed. An unofficial total says that 20 people were killed due to the protests of the Quran burning. So there you have the jist of the story. The pastor's burning led to deaths of innocent people half a world away from Florida. There were repercussions. But the infamous pastor on Friday said that Islam and its followers were responsible for the killings. As for the actual killings, yes Afghans killed Afghans, but all they needed was a spark and the pastor gave it to them. Even though the pastor had the right of free speech to burn the Quran, common sense should have told him, don't do it. There were deadly consequences to his actions and he should be ashamed of himself. Can a pastor be defrocked? If yes, Terry Jones should be! Til next week, Peter
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Federal Government's Lack of Commom Sense.
Hi Everyone: I read about today's blog about 6-8 weeks ago. But before I wrote about it, I had to do some investigation to make sure I had the facts. I was shocked and dismayed when I did learn the truth. How could the Feds do something so stupid without using any common sense. The bottom line is that the Feds actions will have an unknown effect on many businesses, people and advanced technology. The feds could have and should have had the foresight to determine that their actions would have far reaching consequences. What am I talking about? I am talking about helium. What is going on with helium you may be wondering? Well it seems that we are running out of helium and it is all the government's fault. Helium is not a naturally occurring element. Think about it, since helium is lighter than air, if it was found in nature, it would just float off into space and be gone. To verify the info that I had learned, I called a very good friend of mine, Greg. Greg, who just happens to be a highly respected chemical engineer, told me the honest truth about helium. First he informed me that helium is not found in nature, due to the fact that it would indeed float off into space and disappear. Oh, no, helium is made by a chemical reaction that can only be done in a highly specialized lab. Greg told me that it is a dangerous process but safe if done properly. There has never, ever been a helium processing accident. The problem Greg told me is that, President George Bush the first, under the guise of the EPA, banned the use of the second of three elements needed to make helium. The ban was to take effect in March of 2003 because of its cancer causing side affects. There was a long battle against banning the element but President George Bush the second, sided with his father and implemented the ban. Now 8 years later the helium shortage has begun. How will this affect you and me? Well first of all, you can forget about buying helium filled balloons. If you can buy it, it will probably cost you an arm and a leg just to fill up a medium size balloon. Helium is also the "glue" so to speak, needed in the process that makes titanium. Titanium is an extremely strong metal that it is also extremely lightweight. Numerous car manufacturers were getting ready (2015) to introduce new hybrid vehicles made entirely of titanium that could get up to 75mpg. The underlying factor of the superior high miles per gallon is due to using the lightweight material that could shave off 1,000+ lbs from a 2,400 lb car. Crash tests that compared titanium made cars and non titanium cars was a pleasant surprise. Titanium built vehicles fared far better then expected. The energy absorbing material was super strong and protected the passenger compartment better then ever before. That is huge and now it isn't going to happen. Greg also told me that helium was being tested in other applications. Most of the apps are top secret, but he did tell me about tires made with helium and then filling the tires with helium. Again, all of those innovations are dead in the water. By the way, Greg was laid off due to the ban. When push comes to shove, someone, somewhere, has to put their foot down and tell the truth. I am now that person and the truth of the matter that I have to say is, happy early april fools day. Gotcha? All of the above is complete and utter rubbish and totally untrue. FYI, helium is the second element on the periodic table. That means that it is the second most abundant element found in nature and it is naturally made. Next week I will return to more important lack of common sense issues. Til next week. Peter
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Common Sense Awards #3 and #4
Hi Everyone:
After a very long absence, since 8/2/09 to be exact, I have some good news to blog about while handing out my third and fourth Common Sense Awards. There are far too few people, businesses and politicians etc., that can or do think outside the box using good old common sense. In today's blog, the heroes so to speak, are not businesses, but a politician and an institution of higher learning who thought outside the box using common sense. Who would have thunk it? Not me. Go figure.
Drum roll please.....
Common Sense Award #3 (albeit a bit late) goes to New Jersey's Republican Governor Chris Christie. This award is late, since it was only this past week that I read an article in my local Gannett paper about what New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie did. He signed legislation this past January, that allows school bus advertising. That makes New Jersey the sixth state that allows advertising on school buses. The others that permit the ads are: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas. FYI, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah and Washington are presently considering the idea.
But wait, are you thinking (like I did), about what kind of ads are on those school buses? In a nut shell, there are no ads about: beer, alcohol, bars, drug companies, tobacco, politics, religious organizations or anything sexual in nature. The school districts actually stay away from any ad that might be controversial. Advertising on 100 buses, on average, generate $500,000 over a four year period. Larger school districts will earn more, as will where the district is located may mean more money.
This is free extra money for the schools and is probably one of the best common sense, thinking outside the box, way to generate extra money, that is sorely needed in probably every school district in this country. A great idea in my book, to generate extra money.
Common Sense Award #4 goes to an institution of higher learning. But this story is about an airport and a college. What? Yes! In lower New York state, there is the Westchester County Airport, located in Harrison, New York, which is of course located in Westchester County. It is a highly used airport with a terrible parking problem. If you really, really want to park in the airport's covered parking lot, you should arrive about 60-90 minutes earlier then you normally would arrive. This is so you can go round and round and up and down, looking for that elusive vacant space.
Located about 5-10 minutes from the airport is Purchase College. The college is now allowing parking for airport customers for $5 per day and that includes help with your luggage and a shuttle ride to the airport. Of course, since this is a new venture for Purchase College, the price increases to $15 per day as of 6/1/11. Still, this is a fantastic way for the college to make extra money and simultaneously help alleviate the parking crunch at the airport. Another great use of common sense while thinking outside the box.
Congratulations and kudos to the recipients of the third and fourth Common Sense Awards.
If you know someone who is deserving of a Common Sense Award, post in the comment section so you can share with everyone.
Til next week.
Peter
After a very long absence, since 8/2/09 to be exact, I have some good news to blog about while handing out my third and fourth Common Sense Awards. There are far too few people, businesses and politicians etc., that can or do think outside the box using good old common sense. In today's blog, the heroes so to speak, are not businesses, but a politician and an institution of higher learning who thought outside the box using common sense. Who would have thunk it? Not me. Go figure.
Drum roll please.....
Common Sense Award #3 (albeit a bit late) goes to New Jersey's Republican Governor Chris Christie. This award is late, since it was only this past week that I read an article in my local Gannett paper about what New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie did. He signed legislation this past January, that allows school bus advertising. That makes New Jersey the sixth state that allows advertising on school buses. The others that permit the ads are: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas. FYI, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah and Washington are presently considering the idea.
But wait, are you thinking (like I did), about what kind of ads are on those school buses? In a nut shell, there are no ads about: beer, alcohol, bars, drug companies, tobacco, politics, religious organizations or anything sexual in nature. The school districts actually stay away from any ad that might be controversial. Advertising on 100 buses, on average, generate $500,000 over a four year period. Larger school districts will earn more, as will where the district is located may mean more money.
This is free extra money for the schools and is probably one of the best common sense, thinking outside the box, way to generate extra money, that is sorely needed in probably every school district in this country. A great idea in my book, to generate extra money.
Common Sense Award #4 goes to an institution of higher learning. But this story is about an airport and a college. What? Yes! In lower New York state, there is the Westchester County Airport, located in Harrison, New York, which is of course located in Westchester County. It is a highly used airport with a terrible parking problem. If you really, really want to park in the airport's covered parking lot, you should arrive about 60-90 minutes earlier then you normally would arrive. This is so you can go round and round and up and down, looking for that elusive vacant space.
Located about 5-10 minutes from the airport is Purchase College. The college is now allowing parking for airport customers for $5 per day and that includes help with your luggage and a shuttle ride to the airport. Of course, since this is a new venture for Purchase College, the price increases to $15 per day as of 6/1/11. Still, this is a fantastic way for the college to make extra money and simultaneously help alleviate the parking crunch at the airport. Another great use of common sense while thinking outside the box.
Congratulations and kudos to the recipients of the third and fourth Common Sense Awards.
If you know someone who is deserving of a Common Sense Award, post in the comment section so you can share with everyone.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Bad Drugs
Hi Everyone:
This is a true story and no names have been changed to protect the guilty. In August 2002, Cheryl Eggert, a Quality Control Manager for Glaxo, Smith, Kline, (a huge pharmaceutical company with 80 plants world wide) wrote a letter to her boss (VP of QualityControl)
regarding the problems with the manufacturing processes at numerous plants around the world. But the Cidra plant was by far the worst with what Ms. Eggert saw as shoddy oversight of the entire manufacturing process. Ms. Eggert said that the Cidra plant had 9 serious problems including contamination of medicine and wrong drugs put in the wrong bottles. She told her boss that the plant should be shut down immediately and recall the drugs ASAP.
This is a true story and no names have been changed to protect the guilty. In August 2002, Cheryl Eggert, a Quality Control Manager for Glaxo, Smith, Kline, (a huge pharmaceutical company with 80 plants world wide) wrote a letter to her boss (VP of QualityControl)
regarding the problems with the manufacturing processes at numerous plants around the world. But the Cidra plant was by far the worst with what Ms. Eggert saw as shoddy oversight of the entire manufacturing process. Ms. Eggert said that the Cidra plant had 9 serious problems including contamination of medicine and wrong drugs put in the wrong bottles. She told her boss that the plant should be shut down immediately and recall the drugs ASAP.
Ms. Eggert's alarm went unheard. GSK told her that the plant just had a FDA inspection in July 2002 and had passed. So her concerns were not valid. Ms. Eggert continued with her very real concerns until April 2003. That's when GSK laid her off due to what the company called a reorganizing. Ms. Eggert saw it differently, so she became a whistleblower to alert the FDA. For years, GSK stated that there were no problems with their plants and all was well. Well, well, well, in November 2010, GSK plead guilty for allowing adulterated drugs to be sold. GSK paid $750 million dollars in fines.
What concerned me the most is that since GSK plead guilty, they had to have known about the problems, but still allowed adulterated drugs to be sold. It is obvious to me that GSK had no common sense what so ever and that the bottom line, (money) was more important then the health and safety of the people who took their medicine. Shame on GSK and shame on the FDA for not finding the problems themselves during their inspection!
Common sense still rules and greed still drools!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Big Bank Sticking It To Customers
Hi Everyone:
My wife received a letter this past week from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. It was one of those, "You are pre-approved for a Chase Freedom with Exclusive Benefits", a Visa credit card. We get these alot. Having good credit means you are inundated with these offers.
Not that we need another credit card, but we decided to read the entire offer. The following is exactly as it appeared on the Pricing Information and Interest Rates and Interest Charges page under the heading - Penalty APR and When It Applies section:
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29.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. (Ed note: It is really 26.99% plus the prime rate, as stated in the very fine print at the bottom of the page. The penalty rate will increase when the prime rate increases).
The Penalty APR will be applicable to your Account if you:
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Did you catch the problem I have with this offer? FYI, I have no problems with the first three, although a 29.99% penalty rate is excessive. But if it is legal to be able to charge that amount, so be it. My problem is with the last condition. To me, it states that if you do any of the first three with any other JPMorgan Chase account or loan or with a related bank, they will apply the 29.99% penalty APR to your Chase Visa Credit card. So if you are late with a payment to a Chase loan etc., etc., your credit card rate will increase?!!!
We couldn't believe it, so I took it a step further. I called Chase and spoke with a customer rep. The rep's response to my questioning that condition was very evasive. The rep kept saying that they "might" raise the credit card rate. I responded that the word "might" is not there and as I read it, they "would" raise your rate. Getting nowhere with the rep, I then asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor's responses were even more evasive. He also used the word "might" but kept dwelling on the first three conditions dealing with the credit card solely. After 5 minutes of playing word games, I finally got the supervisor to agree that Chase would indeed raise your credit card rate if you met any of the first three conditions on any other Chase account or loan. I then asked the supervisor if that made any common sense? He again became very evasive and wouldn't directly answer. I told him that it didn't make any sense. I said that anyone who reads all the conditions and fine print would not sign up and be subjected to that 4th condition and that it seemed to be based purely on greed. Believe it or not, the last thing the supervisor said to me was if I wanted to sign up for the card? I told him that it was obvious that he hadn't listened to what I had been saying so I hung up.
So there you have it. Please be very careful signing up for a new credit card in these times and make sure you read every single word in the offer, including all of the small print. Big banks lost their common sense years ago with the sub-prime mortgage mess and continues to this day. Big banks have replaced common sense with greed. They even train their customer service reps and supervisors on how to be evasive and deceitful. WATCH OUT.
Common sense rules and greed still and always will drool.
Til next week.
Peter
My wife received a letter this past week from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. It was one of those, "You are pre-approved for a Chase Freedom with Exclusive Benefits", a Visa credit card. We get these alot. Having good credit means you are inundated with these offers.
Not that we need another credit card, but we decided to read the entire offer. The following is exactly as it appeared on the Pricing Information and Interest Rates and Interest Charges page under the heading - Penalty APR and When It Applies section:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. (Ed note: It is really 26.99% plus the prime rate, as stated in the very fine print at the bottom of the page. The penalty rate will increase when the prime rate increases).
The Penalty APR will be applicable to your Account if you:
- fail to make any Minimum Payment by the date and time due (late payment);
- exceed your credit line (if applicable);
- make a payment to us that is returned unpaid; or
- do any of the above on another account or loan you have with us or any of our related banks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you catch the problem I have with this offer? FYI, I have no problems with the first three, although a 29.99% penalty rate is excessive. But if it is legal to be able to charge that amount, so be it. My problem is with the last condition. To me, it states that if you do any of the first three with any other JPMorgan Chase account or loan or with a related bank, they will apply the 29.99% penalty APR to your Chase Visa Credit card. So if you are late with a payment to a Chase loan etc., etc., your credit card rate will increase?!!!
We couldn't believe it, so I took it a step further. I called Chase and spoke with a customer rep. The rep's response to my questioning that condition was very evasive. The rep kept saying that they "might" raise the credit card rate. I responded that the word "might" is not there and as I read it, they "would" raise your rate. Getting nowhere with the rep, I then asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor's responses were even more evasive. He also used the word "might" but kept dwelling on the first three conditions dealing with the credit card solely. After 5 minutes of playing word games, I finally got the supervisor to agree that Chase would indeed raise your credit card rate if you met any of the first three conditions on any other Chase account or loan. I then asked the supervisor if that made any common sense? He again became very evasive and wouldn't directly answer. I told him that it didn't make any sense. I said that anyone who reads all the conditions and fine print would not sign up and be subjected to that 4th condition and that it seemed to be based purely on greed. Believe it or not, the last thing the supervisor said to me was if I wanted to sign up for the card? I told him that it was obvious that he hadn't listened to what I had been saying so I hung up.
So there you have it. Please be very careful signing up for a new credit card in these times and make sure you read every single word in the offer, including all of the small print. Big banks lost their common sense years ago with the sub-prime mortgage mess and continues to this day. Big banks have replaced common sense with greed. They even train their customer service reps and supervisors on how to be evasive and deceitful. WATCH OUT.
Common sense rules and greed still and always will drool.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Are High-Capacity Mags Really Necessary?
Hi Everyone:
I blogged last month about the incident in Tuscon, where a deranged man legally bought a gun and a high-capacity magazine to make his carnage as deadly as possible. Did you know that sale of those high-capacity magazines were unlawful until 2004?
FYI, the sale and manufacture of high-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds has been outlawed in New York since 1994. They were also unlawful under federal law from 1994 until 2004. In 2004, Congress and President George W. Bush failed to renew the assault weapons ban and the sale and manufacture of high-capacity magazines became lawful once again.
Since 2004, high-capacity magazines have been used in every mass shooting. According to Gannett, the following mass killings happened:
2007, the Virginia Tech shootings: 33 dead, 15 round magazines used, hundreds of shots fired.
2008, the Binghamton shootings: 13 dead, 30 round magazines used, 99 shots fired.
2008, the Northern Illinois University shootings: 6 dead, 21 wounded, 30 & 15 round magazines used.
2009, the Fort Hood shootings: 13 dead, 30 and 20 round magazines used.
2010, the Connecticut Beer Distributor shootings: 8 dead, 2 wounded, high-capacity magazines used.
The unfortunate statistics speak for themselves and they speak volumes. Failing to renew the assault ban weapon in 2004 was a grievous and fatal mistake that to date has cost at least 73 people their lives. High-capacity magazines were designed as a weapon of war to kill as many people as possible. The blaring common sense approach would have been to renew the ban. But since it wasn't, HR 308/S32 legislation sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-NY and Sen. Frank Lautenburg, D-NJ needs to pass. It will again ban the sale and manufacture of high-capacity magazines with more than 10 bullets. Again that is a common sense approach that needs to be implemented asap.
The NRA shouldn't have a problem with it since it doesn't take guns away from people, just high-capacity magazines. But you know what? The NRA will have a problem with it and will again try to use their clout to kill the bill. The hell with the NRA, pass the bill! There shouldn't be any debate about the right to bear arms or turn it into a Republican or Democrat stand. This should be a peoples stand to try to save peoples lives.
Enough said.
Til next week.
Peter
I blogged last month about the incident in Tuscon, where a deranged man legally bought a gun and a high-capacity magazine to make his carnage as deadly as possible. Did you know that sale of those high-capacity magazines were unlawful until 2004?
FYI, the sale and manufacture of high-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds has been outlawed in New York since 1994. They were also unlawful under federal law from 1994 until 2004. In 2004, Congress and President George W. Bush failed to renew the assault weapons ban and the sale and manufacture of high-capacity magazines became lawful once again.
Since 2004, high-capacity magazines have been used in every mass shooting. According to Gannett, the following mass killings happened:
2007, the Virginia Tech shootings: 33 dead, 15 round magazines used, hundreds of shots fired.
2008, the Binghamton shootings: 13 dead, 30 round magazines used, 99 shots fired.
2008, the Northern Illinois University shootings: 6 dead, 21 wounded, 30 & 15 round magazines used.
2009, the Fort Hood shootings: 13 dead, 30 and 20 round magazines used.
2010, the Connecticut Beer Distributor shootings: 8 dead, 2 wounded, high-capacity magazines used.
The unfortunate statistics speak for themselves and they speak volumes. Failing to renew the assault ban weapon in 2004 was a grievous and fatal mistake that to date has cost at least 73 people their lives. High-capacity magazines were designed as a weapon of war to kill as many people as possible. The blaring common sense approach would have been to renew the ban. But since it wasn't, HR 308/S32 legislation sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-NY and Sen. Frank Lautenburg, D-NJ needs to pass. It will again ban the sale and manufacture of high-capacity magazines with more than 10 bullets. Again that is a common sense approach that needs to be implemented asap.
The NRA shouldn't have a problem with it since it doesn't take guns away from people, just high-capacity magazines. But you know what? The NRA will have a problem with it and will again try to use their clout to kill the bill. The hell with the NRA, pass the bill! There shouldn't be any debate about the right to bear arms or turn it into a Republican or Democrat stand. This should be a peoples stand to try to save peoples lives.
Enough said.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Updates
Hi Everyone:
Today's blog is about following up on a few of my past blogs and let you know what updates I have learned.
On 1/23/10, I blogged about New York State and its out of control spending. Unfortunately, even in a bad economy, states also have to have layoffs and I suggested just that. Governor Cuomo's new budget calls for massive layoffs. Unfortunate but necessary. When times are good, state governments add employees, but in bad times they rarely lay them off. It is long overdue to reduce the size of government.
On 3/14/10, I blogged about Toyota's acceleration problems. I suggested that the vast marjority of sudden acceleration was due to driver error and a few people who just wanted to jump on the sue Toyota bandwagon. Well in the past week or so, an independent commitee including NASA checked almost 900 Toyota's that were supposedly involved in sudden acceleration incidents. Only 3, yes 3 were found to have a problem and the problem wasn't even computer related. The commitee's findings stated that there wasn't anything wrong with the vehicles electronics. The overwhelming cause was human error.
On 9/12/10, I blogged about Carl Paladino's run for governor of New York State. I said that Paladino was a loose cannon who would say inappropriate and incorrect statements, was not
to be trusted and shouldn't be elected. He was even caught on video, threatening a reporters life. Paladino lost the election by a wide margin.
On 10/10/10, I blogged about unions and their strangle hold on businesses and state and federal governments. Even though contracts were negotiated in good faith, times have changed and the endless bottomless wallets of taxpayers dried up like a river in a desert due to the economy falling off a cliff. Right now in numerous states, governors have demanded union employees contribute to their health and pension plans (which they have never done) that are on par with private sector employees. That would save billions and billions and billions of dollars to all states. In New York City, Mayor Bloomberg even wants to do away with the last hired, first laid off clause and instead lay off the weaker, non-performing teachers first.
And last, but certainly not least, on 12/12/10, I blogged about career politicians, getting convicted or pleading guilty to felonies, while in office and still be legally eligible and able to collect their state pension. Well low and behold, New York state government now has a bill on the agenda that would make a politician ineligible to collect their pension if they are found guilty of a felony, while in office. Now if only the bill gets approved.
Til next week.
Peter
Today's blog is about following up on a few of my past blogs and let you know what updates I have learned.
On 1/23/10, I blogged about New York State and its out of control spending. Unfortunately, even in a bad economy, states also have to have layoffs and I suggested just that. Governor Cuomo's new budget calls for massive layoffs. Unfortunate but necessary. When times are good, state governments add employees, but in bad times they rarely lay them off. It is long overdue to reduce the size of government.
On 3/14/10, I blogged about Toyota's acceleration problems. I suggested that the vast marjority of sudden acceleration was due to driver error and a few people who just wanted to jump on the sue Toyota bandwagon. Well in the past week or so, an independent commitee including NASA checked almost 900 Toyota's that were supposedly involved in sudden acceleration incidents. Only 3, yes 3 were found to have a problem and the problem wasn't even computer related. The commitee's findings stated that there wasn't anything wrong with the vehicles electronics. The overwhelming cause was human error.
On 9/12/10, I blogged about Carl Paladino's run for governor of New York State. I said that Paladino was a loose cannon who would say inappropriate and incorrect statements, was not
to be trusted and shouldn't be elected. He was even caught on video, threatening a reporters life. Paladino lost the election by a wide margin.
On 10/10/10, I blogged about unions and their strangle hold on businesses and state and federal governments. Even though contracts were negotiated in good faith, times have changed and the endless bottomless wallets of taxpayers dried up like a river in a desert due to the economy falling off a cliff. Right now in numerous states, governors have demanded union employees contribute to their health and pension plans (which they have never done) that are on par with private sector employees. That would save billions and billions and billions of dollars to all states. In New York City, Mayor Bloomberg even wants to do away with the last hired, first laid off clause and instead lay off the weaker, non-performing teachers first.
And last, but certainly not least, on 12/12/10, I blogged about career politicians, getting convicted or pleading guilty to felonies, while in office and still be legally eligible and able to collect their state pension. Well low and behold, New York state government now has a bill on the agenda that would make a politician ineligible to collect their pension if they are found guilty of a felony, while in office. Now if only the bill gets approved.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Truth About Roofs
Hi Everyone:
I have read a lot of stories this winter about people who have leaking roofs. I have also seen first hand just by driving around, a lot of homes with the roofs shoveled/raked off with snow. People don't normally clear their roofs off unless there is a reason, like a leak. Some of the stories that I read dealt with homeowners who had their roofs fixed several times, but to no avail.
When a roof leaks into a wall, I'm not talking about a leak from the middle or top of a roof section, the reason is almost always the same. First you have a lot of ice daming in your gutters. As the ice continues to build up, it can, depending on how the roof was built, touch the plywood sheathing of the roof. The ice can and will push up under the tar or felt paper. The end result is the same, water leaking down the inside of the roof and then onto and down the walls. If this is a problem you or someone you know has, there is only one common sense solution to permanently stop the problem.
First you must find a reliable, experienced roofing contractor with checkable references. Even if your roof is not past it's lifespan, all the shingles and tar or feltpaper must be removed. You see its not your shingles that are leaking, but the way the layer under the shingles was installed that is wrong. The common sense solution goes like this:
1) Have all gutters separated from the facias to approximately 3-4".
2) Use ice and water shield that begins approximately 3" on the facia, which is why the gutters were pulled a little bit away from the facias, then continue up, around and onto the wood sheathing. There should be approximately 2' 6" of the ice and water shield on the roof proper.
3) Use ice and water shield on all valleys.
Now you can install any type of roof you want. It is the all important first row of protection that is THE most important. The object is to cover any and all wood from being exposed or should I say touched by ice. If the ice can't touch any wood what-so-ever, there is no way to have leaks due to ice daming. Leak problem solved. This will not stop ice daming, but since it can't
touch wood, there are no leaks.
Obviously this is not an inexpensive solution, but it is the only solution. There is no patching of a roof, no matter what a contractor may tell you, that will work. How do I know about this? I had my roofing contractor do this to my roof 10 years ago and there have been no problems. I must tell you though that my roofing contractor never installed ice and water shield in this matter before mine and now he swears by it.
Til next week.
Peter
Common sense can help solve any problem.
I have read a lot of stories this winter about people who have leaking roofs. I have also seen first hand just by driving around, a lot of homes with the roofs shoveled/raked off with snow. People don't normally clear their roofs off unless there is a reason, like a leak. Some of the stories that I read dealt with homeowners who had their roofs fixed several times, but to no avail.
When a roof leaks into a wall, I'm not talking about a leak from the middle or top of a roof section, the reason is almost always the same. First you have a lot of ice daming in your gutters. As the ice continues to build up, it can, depending on how the roof was built, touch the plywood sheathing of the roof. The ice can and will push up under the tar or felt paper. The end result is the same, water leaking down the inside of the roof and then onto and down the walls. If this is a problem you or someone you know has, there is only one common sense solution to permanently stop the problem.
First you must find a reliable, experienced roofing contractor with checkable references. Even if your roof is not past it's lifespan, all the shingles and tar or feltpaper must be removed. You see its not your shingles that are leaking, but the way the layer under the shingles was installed that is wrong. The common sense solution goes like this:
1) Have all gutters separated from the facias to approximately 3-4".
2) Use ice and water shield that begins approximately 3" on the facia, which is why the gutters were pulled a little bit away from the facias, then continue up, around and onto the wood sheathing. There should be approximately 2' 6" of the ice and water shield on the roof proper.
3) Use ice and water shield on all valleys.
Now you can install any type of roof you want. It is the all important first row of protection that is THE most important. The object is to cover any and all wood from being exposed or should I say touched by ice. If the ice can't touch any wood what-so-ever, there is no way to have leaks due to ice daming. Leak problem solved. This will not stop ice daming, but since it can't
touch wood, there are no leaks.
Obviously this is not an inexpensive solution, but it is the only solution. There is no patching of a roof, no matter what a contractor may tell you, that will work. How do I know about this? I had my roofing contractor do this to my roof 10 years ago and there have been no problems. I must tell you though that my roofing contractor never installed ice and water shield in this matter before mine and now he swears by it.
Til next week.
Peter
Common sense can help solve any problem.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Obituary
Hi Everyone:
A very good friend of mine recently sent me the following. I had seen it years ago, before I starting blogging about it and had forgotten about it. These are not my words but it is very true. What do you think?
Obituary
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain.
- Why the early bird gets the worm.
- Life isn't always fair; and
- Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your home since the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents: Truth and Trust, by his wife: Discretion, by his daughter: Responsibility and by his son: Reason. He is survived though by his 4 stepbrothers:
-I Know My Rights
-I Want It Now
-Someone Else Is To Blame
and
-I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Again, I didn't write this and I believe that common sense isn't completely dead. But the majority of people need to learn it asap!
Til next week.
Peter
A very good friend of mine recently sent me the following. I had seen it years ago, before I starting blogging about it and had forgotten about it. These are not my words but it is very true. What do you think?
Obituary
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain.
- Why the early bird gets the worm.
- Life isn't always fair; and
- Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your home since the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents: Truth and Trust, by his wife: Discretion, by his daughter: Responsibility and by his son: Reason. He is survived though by his 4 stepbrothers:
-I Know My Rights
-I Want It Now
-Someone Else Is To Blame
and
-I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Again, I didn't write this and I believe that common sense isn't completely dead. But the majority of people need to learn it asap!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Here We Go Again!
Hi Everyone:
Have we as a nation become so complacent that we just swallow whole anything big businesses say? Case in point is the rising oil prices, hence rising gasoline prices? I don't see people hanging out their windows and yelling I'm mad as hell and I not going to take it. Per some experts, it appears that by springtime we may be heading for gas that costs $4.00 per gallon AGAIN! It is when gas prices reach $4.00/gallon that people get upset and start to complain. I previously blogged about this very subject twice before on 3/8/09 and 6/21/09.
Last month I read somewhere that for the first time in U.S. history (since total U.S. oil consumption was tracked), that we as a nation, have consumed less gasoline for 2 years in a row. That has never happened before. Not even during the 2 OPEC oil embargoes of the 1970's did we use less gas 2 years in a row. In my opinion, gas prices above $4.00/gallon had a lot to do with it but the Great Recession also had a lot to do with it. The American driving public using vehicles that get better mpg including hybrids also helped a lot. Soon as more electric vehicles are in use the consumption should be even less. So why are gas prices rising and may hit $4.o0 again?
The answer that we hear is the same old story as before in 2008. Developing countries like India and China are using more oil/gas hence the reason for the increases. Well, when prices hit $4.00 several years ago, it was determined that speculators had more say in the price of oil/gas then actual consumption had on it. So you can throw out whatever you learned in economics 101. Supply and demand economics is meaningless when it comes to oil prices. Greed is the main driving force for the current price increases. With the world trying to recover from the Great Recession, (remember that the experts have said that the recession is over, lol) steep price hikes in oil will send numerous economies that were already on the brink, in a tailspin.
What I don't understand is why we are all so complacent and being so quiet about the increases? The complacency is deafening to me. How can speculators be so damn greedy that they are willing to risk a double dip recession that will have detrimental effects on this country as well as many others? Oh right, greed sure does seem to be the most important aspect with them.
I now firmly believe that common sense should be used with oil speculators. Oil speculating should be outlawed and let supply and demand be used to determine prices.
Common sense rules and greed drools!
Til next week.
Peter
Have we as a nation become so complacent that we just swallow whole anything big businesses say? Case in point is the rising oil prices, hence rising gasoline prices? I don't see people hanging out their windows and yelling I'm mad as hell and I not going to take it. Per some experts, it appears that by springtime we may be heading for gas that costs $4.00 per gallon AGAIN! It is when gas prices reach $4.00/gallon that people get upset and start to complain. I previously blogged about this very subject twice before on 3/8/09 and 6/21/09.
Last month I read somewhere that for the first time in U.S. history (since total U.S. oil consumption was tracked), that we as a nation, have consumed less gasoline for 2 years in a row. That has never happened before. Not even during the 2 OPEC oil embargoes of the 1970's did we use less gas 2 years in a row. In my opinion, gas prices above $4.00/gallon had a lot to do with it but the Great Recession also had a lot to do with it. The American driving public using vehicles that get better mpg including hybrids also helped a lot. Soon as more electric vehicles are in use the consumption should be even less. So why are gas prices rising and may hit $4.o0 again?
The answer that we hear is the same old story as before in 2008. Developing countries like India and China are using more oil/gas hence the reason for the increases. Well, when prices hit $4.00 several years ago, it was determined that speculators had more say in the price of oil/gas then actual consumption had on it. So you can throw out whatever you learned in economics 101. Supply and demand economics is meaningless when it comes to oil prices. Greed is the main driving force for the current price increases. With the world trying to recover from the Great Recession, (remember that the experts have said that the recession is over, lol) steep price hikes in oil will send numerous economies that were already on the brink, in a tailspin.
What I don't understand is why we are all so complacent and being so quiet about the increases? The complacency is deafening to me. How can speculators be so damn greedy that they are willing to risk a double dip recession that will have detrimental effects on this country as well as many others? Oh right, greed sure does seem to be the most important aspect with them.
I now firmly believe that common sense should be used with oil speculators. Oil speculating should be outlawed and let supply and demand be used to determine prices.
Common sense rules and greed drools!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Tragedy in Tuscon
Hi Everyone:
Today's blog is not the one I intended. But yesterday's tragedy in Tuscon begs to be discussed, so I will do just that.
Newly re-elected 40 year old Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat, Arizona, was shot in the head Saturday by 22 year old Jared Loughner, who opened fire outside a grocery store. Remarkably, Rep. Giffords is alive and in ICU. She was at a grocery store to meet and talk with her constituents after being sworn in to her new term last week.
All total there were 13 people injured and 6 killed, including a 9 year old child and a U.S. District Judge. Loughner had bought the handgun legally and then added a 30 round clip to the gun. As he was firing, Loughner was taken down by 2 witnesses, who held him until police arrived and arrested him.
This past election, Rep. Giffords fought a fierce campaign against a Tea Party candidate, but ultimately won re-election. Rep. Giffords was just doing the job she loved and was elected to do. She really cared about the people she represented and it showed. Rep. Giffords had met regularly with her constituents like the one yesterday, since she was originally elected.
Pima County, Arizona Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that Giffords was the target and Loughner acted with an accomplice. The Sheriff pointed to the political rhetoric that has consumed the country and how some people respond to politicians talking about tearing down the government. "The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on this country is getting to be outrageous," the sheriff said. Then I heard that Sarah Palin posted a sympathy note to the victims. I thought that was odd but then I remembered that last year, Palin had posted a map of the United States with crosshairs of a rifle on targeted non-tea party politicians. Not surprisingly, Giffords was part of Palin's crosshairs. That was probably why Palin posted her statement.
My questions are: Did Palin's crosshair posting inspire or helped to inspire Loughner to commit this outrageous and senseless act? Only Loughner knows that answer for sure. But, does Palin have any remorse for her own outrageous rhetoric using the crosshairs? Or does Palin bear any responsiblity for this tragedy due to her crosshair posting? I guess time will tell as answers will be found as the investigation is only in its infancy.
Since this shooting, I strongly believe now more then ever, that all political rhetoric from all parties must end now, today, period! Common sense demands it, damn it! No good can ever come out of the rhetoric that makes people hate our political system and most of it members. Remember that there will always be people in this country, be they normal or not who sometimes need just a little push to do unimagineable things. Something pushed Loughner over the edge and now look at the consequences of his hateful actions.
Today, I would like to start a new campaign to stop rhetoric. It will be called, Ban All Rhetoric Now or BARN. If you believe in BARN, now is the time to start the BARN raising by calling, writing, texting or emailing your elected officials to stop all rhetoric. I can only hope!
Til next week.
Peter
Today's blog is not the one I intended. But yesterday's tragedy in Tuscon begs to be discussed, so I will do just that.
Newly re-elected 40 year old Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat, Arizona, was shot in the head Saturday by 22 year old Jared Loughner, who opened fire outside a grocery store. Remarkably, Rep. Giffords is alive and in ICU. She was at a grocery store to meet and talk with her constituents after being sworn in to her new term last week.
All total there were 13 people injured and 6 killed, including a 9 year old child and a U.S. District Judge. Loughner had bought the handgun legally and then added a 30 round clip to the gun. As he was firing, Loughner was taken down by 2 witnesses, who held him until police arrived and arrested him.
This past election, Rep. Giffords fought a fierce campaign against a Tea Party candidate, but ultimately won re-election. Rep. Giffords was just doing the job she loved and was elected to do. She really cared about the people she represented and it showed. Rep. Giffords had met regularly with her constituents like the one yesterday, since she was originally elected.
Pima County, Arizona Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that Giffords was the target and Loughner acted with an accomplice. The Sheriff pointed to the political rhetoric that has consumed the country and how some people respond to politicians talking about tearing down the government. "The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on this country is getting to be outrageous," the sheriff said. Then I heard that Sarah Palin posted a sympathy note to the victims. I thought that was odd but then I remembered that last year, Palin had posted a map of the United States with crosshairs of a rifle on targeted non-tea party politicians. Not surprisingly, Giffords was part of Palin's crosshairs. That was probably why Palin posted her statement.
My questions are: Did Palin's crosshair posting inspire or helped to inspire Loughner to commit this outrageous and senseless act? Only Loughner knows that answer for sure. But, does Palin have any remorse for her own outrageous rhetoric using the crosshairs? Or does Palin bear any responsiblity for this tragedy due to her crosshair posting? I guess time will tell as answers will be found as the investigation is only in its infancy.
Since this shooting, I strongly believe now more then ever, that all political rhetoric from all parties must end now, today, period! Common sense demands it, damn it! No good can ever come out of the rhetoric that makes people hate our political system and most of it members. Remember that there will always be people in this country, be they normal or not who sometimes need just a little push to do unimagineable things. Something pushed Loughner over the edge and now look at the consequences of his hateful actions.
Today, I would like to start a new campaign to stop rhetoric. It will be called, Ban All Rhetoric Now or BARN. If you believe in BARN, now is the time to start the BARN raising by calling, writing, texting or emailing your elected officials to stop all rhetoric. I can only hope!
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Unsustainable and Getting Worse
Hi Everyone:
On 5/24/09, I wrote about excessive overtime in municipalities and the consequences of including OT in calculating monthly/yearly pension amounts. It took some time since then, but the issue is back at the forefront and people and finally politicians are looking closer at the cost of pensions for teachers, firefighters, police etc.
I recently found out that a firefighter in a certain New Jersey town with 25 years of service can retire with 65% of their yearly pay. If that firefighter waits until completing 30 years of service, they can retire with 70% pay. I would be the first in line to stand up for firefighters, police and teachers. But retiring at 70% pay or even at 65% pay is not only unsustainable due to the ever increasing taxes needed to pay for it, but it also no longer makes any common sense.
In New York State, for the Employees Retirement System, the average 2011-12 contribution rate will increase from 11.9% of payroll to 16.3%. For the Fire and Police Retirement System, the average rate will go from 18.2% of payroll to 21.6%, according to the state comptroller's office. The payroll and benefits are soley paid for by taxpayers and the percentages are way out of line and will continue to get worse if it isn't fixed.
The old saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Well the system is broken and now is the time to fix it. I know that the biggest obstacle to fixing the system will be the numerous unions that represent all those employees. Their stance will be that a legally binding contract is in place and no changes will be permitted. That fight will be an interesting one to say the least. We can only hope that common sense will be used and cooler heads will prevail to be able to fix the system and relieve taxpayers of the huge burden that school and city/county/town and village taxes have become.
Til next week.
Peter
On 5/24/09, I wrote about excessive overtime in municipalities and the consequences of including OT in calculating monthly/yearly pension amounts. It took some time since then, but the issue is back at the forefront and people and finally politicians are looking closer at the cost of pensions for teachers, firefighters, police etc.
I recently found out that a firefighter in a certain New Jersey town with 25 years of service can retire with 65% of their yearly pay. If that firefighter waits until completing 30 years of service, they can retire with 70% pay. I would be the first in line to stand up for firefighters, police and teachers. But retiring at 70% pay or even at 65% pay is not only unsustainable due to the ever increasing taxes needed to pay for it, but it also no longer makes any common sense.
In New York State, for the Employees Retirement System, the average 2011-12 contribution rate will increase from 11.9% of payroll to 16.3%. For the Fire and Police Retirement System, the average rate will go from 18.2% of payroll to 21.6%, according to the state comptroller's office. The payroll and benefits are soley paid for by taxpayers and the percentages are way out of line and will continue to get worse if it isn't fixed.
The old saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Well the system is broken and now is the time to fix it. I know that the biggest obstacle to fixing the system will be the numerous unions that represent all those employees. Their stance will be that a legally binding contract is in place and no changes will be permitted. That fight will be an interesting one to say the least. We can only hope that common sense will be used and cooler heads will prevail to be able to fix the system and relieve taxpayers of the huge burden that school and city/county/town and village taxes have become.
Til next week.
Peter
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