What a good day

So today has been busy. We've added a link to another intelligent blog, we added DirecTV as a sponsor and now I'm pleased to add MyPoints as another sponsor. You basically get points for reading advertiser e-mails. It's easy and I've learned about new products and services as well as gotten points which I've used to purchase airline miles, restaurant giftcards, and will go shopping more later. As with all my sponsors, (they are chosen because I use them) I recommend joining.

Here's the link:

Check this out

In reading The Ridgewood Blog, I came across a link to someone named George Ajjan. Not being familiar with him, but trusting that PJBlogger always has something interesting to offer, I clicked on the link. Mr. Ajjan is an American, apparently of Syrian descent. He is intelligent, well-spoken, and quite interesting. I would encourage you to click on the link here (or on this blog's sidebar) and read his comments on the Arab world. They are quite enlightening.

Welcome to a new sponsor

I would like to welcome the folks at DirecTV to my blog. I have been a customer for over two years and cannot say enough good things about them! We switched from cable at the earliest possibility and have never looked back. In keeping with a theme of enabled consumer, I will tell you that this company has been extremely responsive and appreciative to me and anyone that I've referred. On the few occasions that we experienced a problem, they have worked hard to resolve it, unlike the cable company which approached everything with the attitude that "hey, we're cable, you need us more than we need you." Consequently, I don't use them.

That's the heartfelt commercial, here's the link.....

Check it out, you won't be sorry.

Remember them all

Tomorrow is Memorial Day here in the US and it is important that we remember all those who have fought and died for us to be able to freely and safely celebrate this day. From the 20,000 who lost their lives in our Revolutionary War to the 100,000 who died in World War II up to today to the over 3000 who have died in the four year conflict in Iraq. Each and every life given is precious and should be honored and thanked for their sacrifice.

As we move through this day of remembrance, we will hear increasing clamor from the press, the Democratic candidates, and no doubt, Cindy Sheehan about the 3000 men and women who have "needlessly" given their lives in Iraq. I personally think that is an insult to the soldiers' honor, but let's put it in perspective.

In 2004 (that's just one year compared to the four year Iraq War total of about 3100), there were 4,641 pedestrians killed by motor vehicles. In 2004, there were 17,575 unrestrained passengers killed in motor vehicle accidents, talk about needless!! How difficult is it to click on your seatbelt? In 2004, there were 14,409 people killed in motor vehicle accidents in which a driver had a .08 blood alcohol content (or greater). That's criminally needless!!!! All total, in 2004 (the latest year that figures are available at www.nhtsa.com) there were 42,636 PEOPLE (that's CIVILIANS TOO) KILLED IN MOTOR VEHICLE RELATED CRASHES!!! Did you see that? In ONE YEAR there were 1,375% MORE DEATHS than the entire death count in the whole 4 year Iraq War!!!!!

Why do I point this out? Certainly NOT to minimize the value of the lives lost in Iraq. As I said at the start EVERY one of these lives (soldiers and civilians) is valuable and their loss should be avoided. The reason I point it out is to show the hypocrisy of those listed earlier. Why isn't Cindy Sheehan camping outside GM headquarters to help improve vehicle safety? Why aren't the Democratic candidates talking about how they are going to start a campaign to promote pedestrian safety? Why isn't the New York Times, ABC, NBC, CNN, USA Today, etc running daily stories giving us the death count attributed to drunk driving in the US? We are killing more people here EVERY DAY than die in Iraq in a month and nobody seems to be upset. How is that happening and why are we letting them get away with diverting our attention like that?

Thoughts anyone?

Don't you wish.....

Last night I watched Man of the Year starring Robin Williams. This was not a hit for Robin, but it certainly struck a chord with me. It is about a political satirist that through an improbable turn of events becomes President and then walks away.

The reason that it struck a chord was because the character was someone that I desparately wanted to vote for. Any person that so believed in the office of the President that they would walk away from it on a moral basis, is someone that I think most deserves it. In this blog, I've frequently lamented the fact that there are a limited number of, if any, candidates that I truly feel DESERVE to be President. The majority are power-seeking, poll-driven, nare-do-wells, ala Hilary Clinton.

This phenomenon is true all across the spectrum and permeates all the way down to the local level. We own part of this as well. As you can see on my list of links, I have encouraged readership of a local blog which is frequently the home of the local gadflies. While this is a valuable part of the democratic process, perhaps it has become too much so. Perhaps we have become so vocal and so immediate in our criticism that it has had the result of a) discouraging any intelligent, well-meaning candidates from running for fear of constant public ridicule and b) immunized those who DO become elected from any public comment because there is a constant flow of negativity regardless of their actions. Since there is always going to be negative commentary, why worry about any of it?

Perhaps it is time to begin looking for intelligent, well-meaning, and right-thinking candidates like the fictional Tom Dobbs or even Jeb Bartlett, and supporting them, even when they make mistakes. Maybe it is time for those who support these people to begin to build a long-term support network and not be reacting to the latest poll. Make a plan and then execute it. Is this possible or is it too late for the US political system to reverse its rocketing to inactive mediocrity?

Thoughts anyone?

Let your light shine

I just read a fascinating article on the end of the incandescent bulb. In keeping with a recurring theme of this blog which is energy conservation, I encourage you to read how much merely replacing your standard light bulbs with the new compact flourescent bulbs will reduce energy consumption and global warming. It is a very easy way that you can contribute TODAY.

Screw in flourescent bulbs have come down dramatically in price and are now widely available in Home Depot or even your local supermarket. (Click here now and enter the code AFFL3 into the promotional code box on Peapod home page to get $10 off your FIRST purchase)

Not only will the flourescents reduce your energy bill, they will more than pay for themselves in longevity. They last an average of 10,000 hours versus 1,000 hours for the average incandescent bulb. The article I referenced talks about how LEDs will replace both in the next 5 to 10 years (about the time a flourescent bulb installed today will be ready to be replaced). They will use a fraction of the energy flourescents use and will last 50,000 hours. Amazing, eh?

Have you left for the supermarket yet (or clicked on the link above)? Don't forget to turn off your computer.

Thoughts anyone?

Edwards and Giuliani make money

Today an important bit of news comes to light. Rudy Giuliani and John Edwards reported their income over the last 16 months. Mr. Giuliani shows $16.1 million in earned income and Mr. Edwards shows $29.5 million in assets. The reporter seems to be comparing apples to oranges here by showing income vs. assets. It would unfairly inflate Mr. Edwards' number because his real estate holdings are not the equivalent of Mr. Giuliani's income.

Nonetheless, the important part to note is that Mr. Edwards, a DEMOCRATIC hopeful, has millions of dollars at his disposal. This is true of most of the leaders of the Democratic party which lectures us on the trials and tribulations of the "working man" and the "middle class" neither of which they would recognize if they tripped over one!!

My point here is that you should recognize the attempts at pandering and the hypocrisy evident when the leading Dems open their mouths (Clinton, Kennedy, Edwards, Kerry, Pelosi, etc). They are all for higher taxes (make no mistake, letting a TAX CUT expire = a TAX INCREASE), and bigger government programs because they can afford it!! More government spending on universal health care comes from someone. More government spending on Welfare comes from someone. Is it Obama or is it you?

Thoughts anyone?

Read this Nancy Pelosi....

In case you wonder what the soldiers on the front think of their homeland, read this post from Iraq entitled Soldiers.

Tell U.S. what you think

Today I was listening to "IVillage Live" while getting my haircut. Amazingly, the guest was talking about having "Dog Parties". She went on to describe the outfits, the decorations, the party favors, and the decorated food that one should have when throwing a dog party.

I love my dog and she is well-fed and taken care of, but I cannot imagine what would possess someone to go to such excess for a dog. My thoughts went from there to how affluent (and decadent?) a society must be that they would be throwing elaborate parties for domesticated animals.

I'm not going to rant about how we need to be better stewards of our world or how we as Americans are somewhat out of touch with how good we have it. Instead, I know that this blog has gotten hits from around the world and I will leave it to all of you to comment on this thread.

Thoughts anyone?

Madness to your method

Today my pastor, for whom I have a great deal of respect, preached on social action. He referenced the whole Don Imus affair, which has been discussed here earlier. The pastor urged us to speak out against things that we feel are contrary to our faith. He specifically encouraged us to write to Post and tell them that we will stop buying their cereal if they continue to sponsor shows like Don Imus. I only partially agree.

I heartily agree that we need to put our faith into action. In accordance with that, I have voted my shares in favor of some of the anti-slavery and "green" shareholder proposals that have been brought before the annual meetings in companies in which I hold stock. In addition, I have written about how this blog removed Circuit City as a sponsor after they destroyed the lives of hundreds of their formerly loyal employees. I will continue to speak out in this blog on issues of importance.

The place that I disagree is in the method. As discussed earlier, this type of protest tends to lead to a more negative response than desired. I would encourage you to write Post and tell them you won't buy their cereal IF you have stopped listening to the Don Imus show as a result of his offensive comments. If you've never listened to Imus, then leave Post alone. Why, you may ask.

If you never listened to Imus, by writing to the company you are overstepping your bounds. You already "spoke out" to have Imus removed by the fact that you never listened to his show. Therefore, you already have opted to NOT listen to Post's advertising and thus they are wasting their advertising dollars. If you then write to them and give them the impression that they are losing a customer (that they never had), you are fraudulently representing your position. In addition, you are encouraging them to take action which interferes with those who actually do listen to the show and enjoy it. You are imposing your understanding of a faithful action on them.

For example, I despise Howard Stern and see NO socially redeeming value to him or his show. I find it offensive, unfunny, and moronic. I will not, however, write his sponsors because I don't listen to the show. Those who do, do not harm me and are exercising their God-given right of choice. I will, however, discuss with anyone who cares to listen how I think Howard Stern should be devoid of listeners because he is demeaning to women, minorities, and humanity in general. He appeals to the basest of human failings and should not be encouraged by his listenership. I would question anyone who does listen as to why and would engage them in a conversation. To me, this is the more responsible approach. I am putting my faith into action without imposing it upon those who understand God's call in a different manner.

Thoughts anyone?

A word from our sponsors

As you may have noticed, there is a column of sponsors to the left of the articles here on this blog. They are not random, they are carefully selected. They are merchants that I have used and would vouch for their service and quality. I would encourage you to use these merchants when you shop on-line and I would personally appreciate it if you use these links.

No Gas Day?

Today I got an e-mail from a friend that advocates May 15th as a No Gas day. It is supposed to be a way to force gas companies to lower the price of gas. I would encourage everyone to ignore that e-mail should you come across it for many of the reasons that Snopes.com lists on its page devoted to this particular e-mail.

Instead, I would encourage you to work on making one day a week a "no vehicle" day. This would do a great deal more towards lowering gas prices as well as making other dramatic changes in our society. If everyone took mass transit one day a week, imagine how much incentive that would be for transit systems to improve their service, routes, and pricing. Imagine how much pollution that would take out of the skies (reduce global warming). Imagine how much wear and tear that would save on your vehicle, making it last longer, making it less likely to be in an accident, etc.

If everyone were to spend 52 days a year, not driving, that would send a HUGE message to a lot of people!! I will admit, I would be challenged to do that too, but hey the nice weather is coming up, maybe we can give it a try.

Thoughts anyone?