The Common Man Digest

Why do we do that?

2011-08-12T14:19:00.000-04:00

I'm currently vacationing in Gatlinburg, TN. It was a small town in the Smokie Mountains with beautiful views of the National Park. The town itself has grown from a quaint, quiet vacation spot to a total tourist trap filled with go-carts, miniature golf, and Ripley's museums. None of which have anything to do with the natural beauty surrounding the town. For those that stay in one of the "over 1000 motel rooms" in town, there are a variety of "authentic" country shows, fast food places, and gift shops of all types to visit. It has become the Tennessee version of the Jersey shore.

So the question that I have is, why do we do this to places of natural beauty? Why do we allow greed to overtake our good sense and stewardship of nature? How does a beautiful shoreline or picturesque mountain translate into video arcade? Why do we build hundreds of hotel/motel rooms and condo rentals in these locations so that people can supposedly come to enjoy what nature has to offer and then clutter it all up with mindless nonsense that takes us away from all of that offering?

Thoughts anyone?

Can somebody please lead?!

2011-08-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

After a grueling, and embarrassing, debate over the national debt limit, followed by a humiliating lowering of our credit score, now we enter the beginning of campaign season. This is shaping up to be even more acrimonious and divisive than our debt limit debate was. Not only that, there doesn't seem to be any good reason for it.

Every summer we travel the country for a week or two and meet all kinds of interesting people from different walks of life. We all seem to be able to get along, transact business, and go about our daily lives without worrying about who's richer, what party they are a member of, or any other type of unimportant nonsense. We are secure in the knowledge that we all belong to the same country and we can get together and get things done when we need to.

Why can't Washington do the same? Why can't they remember that ultimately, they are sent there to get a job done? Why can't they work in the national interest and not in the interest of a party or movement? Why do they continue to spend time worrying about their allegiances to each other rather than the country they serve?

Thoughts anyone?

Accountability II

2011-01-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

The idea of personal accountability is something that needs to become an issue of public debate because it is the foundation of all that our government does. Tony Blair spoke of welfare as becoming a "hand up and not a hand-out" an idea originally ascribed to FDR and the New Deal. At the root of this statement is a firm belief that it is the individual's responsibility to make their own way in life. It is the idea that one's success or failure is an individual responsibility and that the government's role is to offer a second chance and a level playing field. It is the idea that it is not the government's responsibility to ensure everyone's success.

This is the major divide between the left and the right at this point. When Tea Party members talk about "big government" they are really talking about the belief that the government's job is to protect all from any danger through regulation and legislation. The belief that it is government's responsibility to make sure that everyone can afford to eat three meals a day and live in suitable housing without even having to work if they can't find a job that they like. The belief that those who are more successful should share their financial success with those who are less successful by paying higher taxes, regardless of the effort put forth by those who are less successful.

Is this what we really believe? Is it true that people are no longer responsible for their own actions? Is everything controlled by our environment and everything bad that happens the result of actions beyond our control? Is that a reason for the government to control all aspects of our lives in order to "keep us safe"?

Thoughts anyone?

Accountability

2011-01-20T20:22:00.000-05:00

I was involved in an interesting conversation about accountability yesterday. A group of people were discussing the shooter from Tucson and how the media is looking for someone to blame for his shooting all those innocent people. The press is asking why the police officer let him go after stopping him for running a red light. Some Democrats are blaming Sarah Palin and other right-wing extremists for their "hate campaigns" against Democrats. (I would refer you to my previous post Intolerance of the Obama supporter). Other articles asked why his parents didn't intervene. Everyone is looking for a reason, someone to blame.

While I understand that we all want to understand why and how a human being could do this to people he didn't even know. It is human nature to want to believe that there is some outside force that would make people suddenly do bad things. If 9/11 and the ensuing terroristic acts taught us anything, it should have taught us about the ability of humans to just not care about others. In this case, as in many others, there is no one to blame but the actor. The shooter did what he wanted and in retrospect, there was little indication that should have led people to stop him. He is and should be held fully accountable for his own actions. Punishment should be dealt accordingly.

Thoughts anyone?

Remember Tucson

2011-01-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

It's hard for those of us who don't live in Tucson to understand the deep trauma that the residents of that city are experiencing right now. Having lived through 9-11 and being able to see the towers belching smoke like two chimneys as I responded to Fort Lee, I can understand that no one feels the tragedy like those who live there. I watched in horror as the events in Oklahoma City unfolded, but then went on about my day after turning the tv off.

The people of Tucson have been violated. "One of their own" turned on them and killed 6 people including a 9 year-old child in front of a store that many of them shopped without thinking twice. They are now made to wonder, where will it happen again. They'll feel vulnerable and suspicious everywhere they go. Although many will say they don't think twice, they to will look around at the car backfiring or check out the strange looking person on the corner like they hadn't before.

All I can tell you is, we do feel for you but can never feel the way you do. I can also tell you, people of Tucson, it does get better. The cautious feeling doesn't go away, but the constant fear does. Be strong and ask for help when you need it.

Thoughts anyone?

The Rapture vs Milk

2011-01-08T17:01:00.000-05:00

So there is a group traveling the country trying to make us all aware that the biblical Rapture is going to start on May 21st of this year. Whether you believe that or not (which can be the subject of another post) it brings up an interesting idea. What would you do if you knew the world were going to end in just three months? Would you work to make amends with others? Would you enjoy time with family and friends? Would you quit your job and travel? Would you spend all your money? What would you do?

One would hope that if you could verify that the Rapture really were coming on a specific date, one would work to make themselves right with God and each other. After sitting out in front of the supermarket the other day, the day of a predicted 3-6 inch snowfall (hardly the end of the earth) I became disheartened about the state of humanity. I watched a people entered and exited the supermarket with an attitude that can best be described as controlled looting. There was an air of frenzy as people "stocked up" before the storm. It wasn't limited to a few people either as the parking lot had no extra spaces and, in fact, had cars waiting for others to pull out so they could zoom into the empty spot before someone else did. Is that really our reaction to upcoming hardship?

If that's how we react to an upcoming minor snowstorm, how would we react to end of the world? Thoughts anyone?

Being a good villager

2011-01-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

It is important to be part of a village, but in order to do that, you must be part of a village. A village doesn't have to be a geographical place of residence. It is anywhere you "belong". It can be your house of worship, your book club, your service organization, or your neighborhood. It is a group of people who watch out for each other and protect each other's interests. It is your circle of close friends.

What do you need to do to be a good villager? You need to notice. You need to be aware of when your fellow book club member is unusually hostile when discussing this month's comedy. You need to notice the balloons out in front of the neighbor's house. You need to make a note when you haven't seen someone in church for the past two weeks. You need to notice.

Once you've noticed, you need to approach. After book club, you approach the unusually hostile member and ask them if everything is ok. You stop by the neighbor's house and ask what special event they're celebrating with the balloons. You call your fellow worshipper and let them know that you've missed them. You need to approach.

Lastly, you need to care. You listen to the book club member with true empathy and a desire to help where you can. Maybe it's just by listening or maybe it's something more, but you need to want to help. You need to want to be happy for your neighbor. You need to be happy for your neighbor and be willing to celebrate with them. You need to be truly concerned that the fellow congregant is missing worship. You need to want to help solve the issue that's preventing them from joining you. You need to care.

It's important to be part of a village, but in order to do that, you need to be a good villager. Thoughts anyone?

Are you part of a village?

2011-01-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Hilary Clinton told us years ago that it takes a village to raise a child. I would expand that and say that it takes a village to be a human being. Having just gone through the Christmas season where we were inundated with the stories of the modern day Scrooges and Grinches and that tried to ruin Christmas for everyone around them only to find out it was only because they were lonely, it is fresh on my mind exactly how important it is to be part of a "village".

We used to own our own small business and while there are many things that I don't miss about being a small business owner, the one thing I do miss is the feeling of being a member of my community. I was able to walk into other businesses and there was an immediate feeling of kinship. I would go around town and run into people who would say, "Hey, it's the video store guy" and we'd have a quick conversation about this and that. It made me feel connected.

I now have a different job, in the same town, but not as exposed to the public and I don't have that same connection to others in town. It really brings home the fact that we need to belong to some "village". We need to be recognized by others, we need to recognize others, we need to be connected. There needs to be a "Cheers" in our lives where we walk in and everyone yells, "NORM". It is my New Years' wish that you find your village.

Thoughts anyone?

The Hybrid Water Heater

2011-01-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Recently we received an e-mail from GE touting a new "hybrid" water heater. After reading the specifications, checking the online reviews, and emptying the bucket under my leaking gas-fed water heater, I decided to make the purchase. It cost $1500 (including tax) and that's with me picking it up and installing it. At this point, it seems that I'll get 30% back on my taxes and possibly at $250 rebate from the state of New Jersey. That brought the cost down to comparable to a regular gas-fed water heater and it uses less energy.

It's estimated to save me up to $30 per month in energy bills (which I think will turn out to be a little high but we'll see) which would make it pay for itself in 2 years and it comes with an expected life of 10-15 years. In addition, if we are able to put solar panels on the house, it'll save even more because we'll be using electric instead of natural gas.

Just another way to use new technology to "go green" and reduce both your carbon footprint and your energy costs. Thoughts anyone?

Exciting things in the world of green building

2011-01-03T10:00:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since we've discussed green products. Given the current state of home building and renovation, there hasn't been a lot of call for articles on green building. Nonetheless, there has been improvement in both products and distribution. A quick check of our favorite green distributor, Green Depot, shows a widening selection of products available.

We have personally used some of the products sold by Green Depot including the recycled content drywall, recovered denim insulation, and low VOC paint. We found them all easy to use and equal or better than conventional products. The one disappointment is the VOC paint. We've found that the Home Depot's low VOC brand covers a little better than the SafeCoat brand. Otherwise, we highly recommend "going green" during home renovation.

A new product that we're currently excited about trying out is Viribright's new LED light bulbs. Retailing at about $10 a bulb with the potential of a 17 year life span and the use of only 11W to product the equivalent of 60W incandescent bulbs makes this bulb interesting. In addition, the promotional material states that it's instant on (unlike CFLs) and is recyclable (also unlike CFLs). It should be mentioned here that the Home Depot does have a recycling program for CFL bulbs. They should not be discarded in the garbage.

More info as it becomes available. Thoughts anyone?

Welcome to a new decade

2011-01-02T13:27:00.000-05:00

So now we begin 2011 and the start of the second decade of the 21st century. It's amazing the things that have and haven't come to pass as we've grown up. According to what we read in the '70's, by now we were either going to be flying around in hovercars that were automatically driven by computers, or sitting in mud huts shivering in the cold, barely able to breathe the air because we'd used up all our resources and were swimming in our own filth.

It is indeed fortunate that the latter didn't happen and somewhat disappointing that we aren't flying (although they are working very hard on cars with auto-pilot). No one predicted that we would be carrying the internet in our pockets through cell phones, the PC wasn't even a concept then. CD's and MP3's weren't conceptualized yet. Terrorism was something that happened only in the Middle East. The Soviet Union was our biggest fear and catching syphilis was the danger presented by unprotected sex.

How things have changed. I'm asking you, blog readers, to submit what you think our next few years look like. Will Republicans shrink our government? Is it the end of the age of the US as a world power? Will we run out of energy? Will the icecaps disappear? Use your imagination and psychic powers and let us know what you think.

Thoughts anyone?

Does it matter?

2010-12-20T13:41:00.026-05:00

Today's newspaper had a story about the "alarming" statistic that the majority of those that "celebrate" Christmas don't do so in a religious manner. In fact, the study found that many of those trimming trees and buying presents weren't even Christian. This was greeted with hand-wringing and dismay by several of the religious figures that were interviewed for the article.

So there are two things important in this article. One is the obvious commercialization and secularization of the holiday. There is the concern that the emphasis on Santa obscures the message of the birth of a Messiah. The giving of presents overshadows the giving of thanks and praise. This is all valid and worrisome. It's also partly due to the mainline religions sticking to dogma and perhaps missing the point.

In our jaded and overly scienced world, the idea of a virgin birth and a baby in a manger seems all to fairy tale and unlikely. Maybe it is, but does that matter? The idea of virgin birth in humble surroundings is common to many of the religions of the world, especially those originating in the Middle East. It is not unique to Christianity. Again, does that matter?

Isn't the point really that God provided us with an individual that was able to, for a brief span of time, show us what a world could be like if we realized the potential that we all have inside us in the form of God (Holy Spirit, soul, quantum particles, etc)? Does the surrounding mythology really matter so much more than the message? Does it really matter whether George Washington really chopped down a cherry tree in order for you to understand the message that he was an honest man of integrity? The story should not obscure the message.

Mainline churches would do well to begin to focus on the message of God's interaction and desire for us to fulfill our promise rather than the mythology. The story is nice, it makes a great pagaent, but it shouldn't be the focus of the holiday. Instead, the fact that God did provide us a glimpse of how it could work, how there could be peace on earth and goodwill toward men, how we really are all His creation. That should be the focus.

Thoughts anyone?

Noblesse Oblige

2009-10-22T11:00:00.001-04:00

Noblesse Oblige means the obligation of nobility. This is the concept that those who are more fortunate are required by their good fortune to help those who are less fortunate. It has been around since the Medieval Age where nobility existed. If we pay attention, we find that has become more and more interwoven into the fabric of American politics. The Democrats use it as the basis of their tax policy. It's behind the idea that the "rich must pay their fair share."

Here's the question, who says this must be so? Why are those who work hard to become successful obligated to help those who aren't as successful? Why is it an "obligation" for the wealthy to give me some of that money? More importantly, if people are obligated to give away their wealth once they work hard to get it, what is the incentive to become wealthy? Lastly, what exactly is a "fair share" and who qualifies as "rich"?

If the government requires that the more fortunate give a greater percentage of their income to the poor, what does that do to the concept of charity? Does giving a greater percentage of income to the government relieve the wealthy of having to support other charity? On the other side, what obligation do those receiving this redistributed wealth have to society? Should they have to contribute to "pay back" the gifts they have received from the wealthy? How do they recognize the sacrifice made on their behalf?

Thoughts anyone?

Save the holidays

2009-10-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

A recent news article states that "reliable sources" indicate that Toys 'R Us is planning on joining KMart in opening their stores on Thanksgiving. It stated that 14% of the public wants to "get a jump" on their holiday shopping by shopping one day ahead of Black Friday. This cannot happen!!!!

By shopping on Thanksgiving, you are stealing the holiday from all those managers and associates that are required to be there to help you. They have had to leave their family celebrations to come and help you save 15% or whatever the sale is that day. They don't get to play football in the backyard with their sons, or trim the Christmas tree with their family, or even just take a nap after eating the holiday meal because you need to shop a day earlier. Is this fair? Do you really need to shop on a holiday and steal those memories and family times from others? Is that what it's all about?

In addition, if they can take away Thanksgiving, where does it stop? How about Christmas and Easter? I know we're a multi-cultural society, but do we really have to give up all of our heritage? Isn't there anything still sacred to us or do we all have to worship at the altar of the dollar?

If you feel that Toys 'R Us is making a mistake, there are a couple of things I would ask you to do: 1) E-mail, call, or write their headquarters and tell them NO. Thanksgiving is too important to make their employees work. 2) Pass this blog posting on to as many people as you can so they will take action too. 3) If they insist on opening on Thanksgiving, let them know that you will take your holiday dollars to some other retailer that allows its employees to still celebrate their holidays with their families. Let them know that you will not spend your money in their stores from Thanksgiving to Christmas. There are plenty of other options....use them.

Keep our holidays sacred and for family.

Thoughts anyone?

An Endorsement for NJ Governor

2009-10-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Having watched as the candidates continue the mud-slinging that they purport to be a campaign, I've noticed a recent change that is exciting. There have always been third (sometimes fourth and fifth) party challengers and usually they are ignored. Suddenly, we've seen advertisements discrediting the third party challenger. Why is this significant? Because that means for the first time in recent NJ history, the major parties are worried that Independent candidate Chris Daggett actually could pose a real threat, that voting for him may not actually be the same as throwing your vote away.

Ironically, the Republican's commercial led me to actually investigate Daggett by looking at his website and reading what he's about......thanks Republicans because I was going to vote for Chris Christie till then. He's actually got some very common sense answers to a lot of our problems. He doesn't promise quick fix solutions and he gives you reasons for his programs. He also quotes some solid research for many of his positions. I think he could help us get some things done here in a state that hasn't done much right for years.

Jon Corzine has turned out to be such a disappointment. The golden boy, businessman, hasn't run NJ like a business, hasn't made the tough decisions, and instead has followed the Nancy Pelosi left-wing class warfare line and taxed us into oblivion without fixing anything. I had hopes that he would be different and he was......worse than I ever expected.

Chris Christie is also a party man who is more interested in bashing Democrats than offering solutions. Of the two major party candidates, I would pick him, but I think this is the best chance we have as voters to tell the major parties that it's not about fighting each other but instead it's about fixing the problems we face.

Thoughts anyone?

An important anniversary

2009-10-19T22:52:00.002-04:00

I've had the opportunity to be in Virginia for a little-known but very important anniversary. Today, October 19th, is the 228th anniversary of the defeat of the British commander Cornwallis at the small Virginia village of Yorktown. It was the last military action of the American Revolutionary War which led to the eventual Paris Treaty which ended the war and created the United States of America.

Sadly, there were no fireworks and no parades, yet the sacrifices of the men who marched 450 miles from their positions around New York to join with local militias and 5000 French troops in Virginia are key to the beginnings of our country. Let us take a moment to realize what these men achieved on a small outcropping on the shores of the James River. We owe them and all those that follow their example, a huge debt.

May God continue to Bless the United States of America.

Small towns in peril

2009-08-02T23:41:00.002-04:00

Traveling over the last week, I've had an opportunity to see a good part of our heartland. These are the "red" states. It struck me how differently we all view our country and how that affects everything we do. Here in the land of small agricultural towns, there is a sense of community. There is a sense of belonging and pride. I was amazed when I attended the St. Louis Cardinal game the other night that everyone stood and sang, with pride, the National Anthem. In New York, we usually miss the last few bars because everyone starts clapping. It's treated as the song you have to get through before the game gets started.

It is this sense of "ownership" that is important. There are people across the country who spend thousands of dollars in therapy trying to find this connectedness that is prevalent in the hundreds of thousands of small towns across the heartland. They long to be able to walk into the hardware store and have everyone in there greet you. To make you feel like you're special, you're one of them.

Now this way of life is in jeopardy. The small town of my grandparents is dying. It's downtown has been gutted by the Super Walmart that came in and destroyed family businesses that couldn't compete with the cheap crap imported from foreign countries. The town council tried to fight but who can compete with the legal team that has destroyed small town after small town across the globe.

In addition, the lights and glitter of the "big city" have always held a fascination for the youth of these towns. Once any opportunity has been stripped away by the likes of Walmart, what is left but to move out. Sadly, these roots of America are withering.

I wish I could write some words of wisdom on how to reverse this and save a vital part of our heritage but I don't. I can merely warn of impending doom and hope that readers will think and respond. One thing I can tell you, I don't EVER shop at Walmart!!

Thoughts anyone?

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Knowing what's important

2009-08-01T10:55:00.004-04:00

I've had the opportunity this week to visit good friends from college in Chicago and to attend a family reunion in rural Southern Illinois. I've also spent time wandering around my college campus (Illinois Wesleyan University -- I would highly recommend it to any college seekers). All of this has brought home the importance of relationships.

My friends and I were laughing about some of the issues we fought for (and against) while in college and were amazed at how important they seemed to be at the time and how unimportant they seem to be now. I'm sure if we look at what is important to us now, in ten years, we'll be able to laugh about how trivial those same issues seem to be then.

The point of all this rambling is, what has really endured over the past 30 years is the connections. Connections to friends and family that have kept us moving forward through all of those seemingly "critical" issues that come and go each day. I guess it's important that we worry about jobs, mortgages, and other daily life issues, but it's equally as important to make time for those who are truly important.

Although it was challenging to get four families from all over the country to the same place at the same time, the four hours of laughing and reminiscing refreshed and invigorated us to go and face the world. It reaffirmed an anchor and more importantly, the kids got to meet and get to know each other. The families are beginning to become intertwined for longer than just 4 years in college. Who knows how important that tie will be in future generations.

Thoughts anyone?

Another Deception from Verizon

2009-04-14T00:28:00.003-04:00

Today my mother was reviewing her FIOS bill from Verizon and found a line item for something called "here!" for $7.99. A look on the computer finds that it is a movie channel dedicated to gay programming. Seeing that neither she nor my late father are/were gay, she was outraged and called Verizon for an explanation.

The first "customer service" person that she talked with offered no explanation and would not offer any credit (it seems that this has been on her bill for a while and no one noticed with the recent passing of my father). When she off-handedly said that Optimum was looking better all the time, the representative told her to "go ahead, switch". She then asked to talk with someone else.

After talking with them for a minute or two about how to return a cable box, she asked again about "here!". The representative explained that it was on her bill, had been for a while, and he couldn't do anything but take it off going forward. She then asked when the work order was placed to add it and who authorized it. The representative checked with his supervisor and was told "That was something we added to everyone's bill and there was no work order." At this point my mother became outraged (rightly so......that's called fraud) and the representative was suddenly able to credit her bill for all of the past months.

CHECK YOUR VERIZON TV BILLS!!! They are one of the most DECEPTIVE and DEVIOUS companies on the planet and deserve to be put out of business immediately!!! Where is the FCC??

Thoughts anyone?

Intolerance of the Obama Supporter

2009-01-26T14:43:00.005-05:00

So here is the e-mail that I received:

"Go to Amazon.com, and fill in "Pocket Obama" in the search area. Read all about the book, especially theh 'excerpts' part. Sends chills and thoughts of Stalin down the old spine. Chris Matthews get chills up his leg, I get 'em down my spine.This is very scary, seeing as how he has been president for less than a week. I almost sense a religious movement forming around him.RUN FOR THE HILLS!!"

That's all it said. You would think that it called for a national recall of the election of Barak Obama. No, it merely talks about a book and gives a negative opinion. If you read the excerpts of this book, they are merely sayings. So far, the e-mail (which was forwarded to about 30 people) has generated no less than 10 e-mails full of anger and spite to someone who, one would assume, was a friend of theirs.

The thing that amazes me is the fact that these people are angry that the original e-mailer would send them an e-mail so "full of anger and hate." Read it again, do you see any anger or hate? I see a potentially right-wing rant (which in reading the book is totally unjustified), but nothing else.

The scary thing here is the fact that these Obama supporters are quick to talk about Hope and Change and a New World and Tolerance, but it seems to only apply to those who thing like they do. While they talk about free speech, they don't seem to be inclined to allow it. While they talk about respect and dignity, they don't seem to offer it (witness the boos and shouts of "go home now" to the then-President of our country) to anyone they don't agree with.

I am worried and excited about President Obama. I found his inaugural address to be very much inspired by FDR and that pleases me. What I find most troublesome is the media-inspired deification of the man. It is all but impossible for him to live up to this image. His supporters seem to feel that he is going to get back at the man and score one for the oppressed. Well, who decides who "the man" is and who is "oppressed"? In addition, how is this a new approach of hope and change? How is this a new world order? It sounds like intolerance and suppression, just now coming from the left instead of the right.

Thoughts anyone?

More customer service -- in a recession?

2009-01-13T10:03:00.005-05:00

My wife and I recently stopped in a local A&P supermarket for some milk and bread. While there we spotted a sign that told us that Entenmann's bakery goods were on sale 2 for $5.00. Being a big Entenmann's fan, I immediately picked out two items to purchase. When we got up to the checkout, the items did not come up at the sale price. I mentioned this to the cashier and she told us that it only applied to purchases over $25.00. My wife and I pointed out that the sign did not indicate that anywhere and she then informed us that it said so in their flier. We told her we didn't get the flier and again stated that the sign did not mention that. She looked at us blankly.

When it became obvious that she was not going to take any action to remedy the mix up, we told her to take the items off the bill. She promptly did this which then required her to call a supervisor since it represented approximately 50% of the sale. The supervisor came over looked at the screen, turned her key, and walked away. She didn't ask why there was such a large void or if there was some way she could help. Disregarding the loss prevention aspect of her actions, she shouldn't have done this because she could have prevented the loss of the sale. A mere "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding" would have at least saved A&P of Midland Park a customer. Instead she showed complete disinterest and so now we've told as many people as possible about the incident, and you're reading it on a blog.

In my previous retail life as a front end manager, I was clearly instructed by my bosses as to how to handle this. I would have 1) checked the sign, 2) honored the price for the customer if that was indeed what the sign said, 3) apologized for the misunderstanding, 4) immediately removed the sign if it was wrong. That would have been customer service. Instead, at a time when every retailer should be fighting for as many customers as possible, A&P of Midland Park is turning them away.

Thoughts anyone?

Did you know....?

2009-01-04T14:53:00.002-05:00

Did you there is a disease that is the leading cause of death for people ages 1-44? Did you know that it is the third leading cause of death overall? Did you know that it accounts for over 125,000 DEATHS PER YEAR in the US? This disease is called TRAUMA. It is slips and falls, gunshots, stabbings, and over 48,000 deaths in motor vehicle accidents alone!! Where is the public outcry about this? How do we kill 80 times more civilians per year than the number of soldiers killed in the entire Iraq campaign and no one knows about it?!? Did you know that we spend $64,000,000 PER DAY on trauma? That's $50 BILLION per year and no one mentions it.

That's a lot of people friends. That's a lot of death and destruction. It's time that we start to pay attention. It's time we start to watch around our homes, wear our seatbelts, and do what we can to make our workplaces safe. It's more than just talk. It's entire communities of people dying each year without us taking great notice.

Thoughts anyone?

Welcome to 2009

2009-01-03T15:07:00.002-05:00

It has, unfortunately, been months since I've last posted on this blog. In the new year, I will endeavor to increase my postings. I have several lines of thought that I'm working on and will begin articles within the next few days. Stay tuned for articles on EMS, customer service, and the ever popular politics. In addition, I will try and spend a little time looking through news to find other less noticed topics to try and comment on. Should you have suggestions, as always, they are welcome.

I've now joined Facebook and am enjoying reconnecting with friends. I look forward to a better 2009 and hope the same is true for all of you.

Things you learn when you lose someone

2008-11-03T17:45:00.000-05:00

With the passing of my father, I have learned many things:

1) You don't really know who your friends are until that happens. We've had true, heart-felt expressions of grief, love, and support from people that we never thought we would hear from and conversely, we haven't heard a word from people that we thought were dear friends.

2) Viewings are as much for others as they are for us. The "wake" (or shiva for our Jewish in-laws) are just as much an opportunity for those in our community to come and grieve and to "do something" as it is for us (the family) to know we are supported. It was wonderful to see the people dad had touched.

3) We offered as much support as we received. As the community came, I found myself comforting others as much as I was comforted. I would offer words of consolation to those who came and couldn't seem to comprehend any more than we could.

4) Saying, "I'm sorry" really is enough. Having been on the other side and feeling that a handshake and an "I'm sorry for your loss" just didn't cut it, I can now say that it is really powerful. You don't have to say much, just mean what you say. At death, sometimes less is more and a heartfelt "I'm sorry" means much more that an attempt at some words of wisdom.

5) Thanks for making the effort. I had friends drive from a new store opening over an hour away just to say "we're here for you" and another friend who dismissed his class early and drove an hour to just sit with me. Friends from all over the country who sent e-mails expressing sympathy and an offer to call when I need. All of this means more than you can imagine at a time like this.

These are all lessons that I've learned from an experience that we all know is coming some day, but came much too soon for me. Thank you all for your love and support.

Passing of time

2008-11-02T17:34:00.003-05:00

So, much has happened since my last post. First and foremost, is the unexpected passing of my father, Douglas W. Johnson. His obit read as follows:

JOHNSON Reverend Dr. Douglas W., of Ridgewood died October 17, 2008. Beloved husband of Phyllis (nee Heinzmann). Loving father of Kirk and wife April Johnson of Fair Lawn; Heather and husband Greg Walker of Ho-Ho-Kus; Kirsten and husband John Sharo of Midland Park; Tara and husband Evan Johnson of Midland Park. Adoring grandfather of Christel, Cole, Cory, and Carson Walker, and Stephanie, Patrick, and Ella Sharo. Devoted brother of Alex and wife Sherry Johnson, Wayland and wife Diana Johnson, Ralph and wife Sandy Johnson, Geraldine and husband Joe Oram, and the late Jerry Johnson. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ridgewood. Rev. Johnson was listed in several editions of 'Who's Who', and had authored 18 books and numerous articles. He taught sociology at Western Connecticut State College, and served several churches in Illinois and Massachusetts. In addition, he was the Director of Research for the National Council of Churches and for the General Board of Global Ministries for the United Methodist Church. He owned and operated American Home Entertainment in Ridgewood from 1992-2006. His family was incredibly important to him, and he always organized family trips. Rev. Johnson cooked family dinner for 17 every Sunday. In lieu of flowers, donations to Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 –OR- The Smile Train, 41 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, NY, NY 10010 (www.smiletrain.org) would be appreciated.

What to do with your favorite jeans

2008-08-04T23:48:00.003-04:00

Another "green" product that I'm learning about is the insulation called UltraTouch. It is an insulation with a high R value (amount of insulation offered), no formaldahyde (who wants to breathe in the stuff they used to preserve your dissected frog in 8th grade bio), mold and mildew resistant, and most of all, it's not itchy when you install it! What is it made of? Denim!!

This product is made from the by-products of jeans production. It is all that denim that ends up on the cutting room floor. It is cleaned, soaked in borax for fire resistance, shredded, and then made into batts that can be easily installed between the studs in your walls. It not only provides you with a nicer, safer product than the traditional fiberglass insulation, it reduces the amount of industrial product dumped into the landfills across the country.

I will be using this product (although it's more expensive than traditional fiberglass insulation) in my basement renovation. I will post my experiences here so that you can have some first hand information on ease of use and results.

Thoughts anyone?

Deadly Paint

2008-08-01T16:02:00.005-04:00

As any regular reader knows, I have an interest in "going green". My recent research is into the world of home improvement. One of the topics that has come up, over and over, is the need for "green" paint. This is typically defined as one without "volatile organic compounds" or VOCs.

As happens frequently, there is the government definition of non-VOC and then there are manufacturer definitions. To decide what qualifies as non-VOC, I first had to find out what a VOC was and why it is harmful. I turned to two articles on WebMD. The first talks about environmental illnesses caused by toxins in our environment, and the second specifically tells you what VOCs are and what they can do to you.

According to my research, new paint can release VOCs into the air for up to one year after application. These VOCs can cause loss of coordination, liver damage, asthma, and some forms of cancer. Is this what you want as a side effect of repainting your bedroom?

Most major manufacturers offer low or non-VOC paints now. In addition, there are companies (like AFM) which offer only non-VOC paints and stains. If you are considering home renovation, I would encourage you to check this out.

Thoughts anyone?

DANGER

2008-07-14T10:22:00.002-04:00

Here is a link to a news story from ABC's 20/20. It's regarding the sale of old (not used) tires in the US. Please take a look because it's wise to be informed!

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

Thoughts anyone?

Management Inbreeding

2008-07-12T12:16:00.000-04:00

Here is the last in my current series on government accountability. I call it management inbreeding. This is when management perpetuates itself. That means that the Police Chief started as a patrolman in the same department and the Chief has always been "brought up through the ranks". Again, I'm using this as an example, it is prevalent in every department and division of government, not just the Police Department.

When a government agency promotes from within, as guaranteed by civil service, there is no real opportunity to change. There will be incremental changes as certain people change practices that they didn't like, or they realize didn't work well, but there will be no overhauls of the way things are done. There won't be any real studies to see if there are ways to do things better. Tradition overrules almost all attempts at change and since the new manager used to be "one of the gang" they won't risk losing life-time relationships to make changes that may serve the public better.

Don't think that volunteer agencies are better, in fact, they are usually worse. Since they recruit membership and are not bound by civil service regulations, they have a tendency to "weed out" those that do not share a similar vision as existing management. This is seen in the current "volunteer crisis" throughout the state of New Jersey. It is frequently bemoaned that there is no one willing to volunteer anymore, but that is not true.

This past weekend, I've spoken with three different people who took the time to go through the 130 hour EMT course and then volunteer on a local ambulance, only to become disgusted at the poor management and time wasting internal politics. The end result will be that these three people will stop volunteering and the local ambulance corps will continue to cry about its lack of volunteers. The problem is not the volunteers, they are out there in droves, its the management of the ambulance corps that lives and dies by the phrase, "We've always done it this way."

Again the question, how do we fix this? Is it time that all volunteer government agencies be headed by a paid, full-time professional? If so, who picks that person, what will their qualifications be, and how do we prevent them from becoming stagnant?

Thoughts anyone?

Identifying the problem

2008-07-11T11:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I asked about how we improve service from government agencies. Today I want to discuss the first step in solving any problem.....identifying it. Many of us are not even aware that we can be (and in many cases, should be) treated to better service. The only way to discover this is to change localities and note the differing levels of service.

Here in New Jersey, much of the emergency services (fire and ems) have been provided by volunteers. This is slowly changing due to the fact that the number of volunteers has been steadily dropping (read tomorrow for that entry). The public has been very slow to address the issue of the change in service resulting from fewer volunteers.

Here is an example. The local ambulance corps' daytime membership drops to the point where they cannot guarantee a crew and have to rely on whomever happens to be in town at the time they receive a call. This means that there may be an ambulance on the road within 5 minutes of the call, or they may have to call to some of the surrounding towns (who are in the same situation) for assistance. The result can be up to a 45 minute delay in response. Unless you are the poor person needing an ambulance and waiting 45 minutes, you don't realize the danger that you are in. All you know is "those nice volunteers" are taking care of your emergency medical needs, but they really aren't.

This feeling results from the fact that some of your neighbors, who you are friendly with, have been volunteers for years and are really devoted to it. They do, in fact, devote hundreds of hours a year to training and response. They are committed and enjoy what they do. They also can't guarantee you an ambulance when you need it.

The same can be true of your police department, your building department, or whatever agency you name. It's always been that way and you've become used to it. The agency serves your needs adequately (maybe) during the limited times that you need it, so it doesn't occur to you that maybe the building department could put permitting on-line so you can apply for and receive a permit any time of day or night, or maybe your police department should have a fitness requirement so they don't look like they would collapse if they had to run after a fleeing felon. None of this would occur to you until you go to another jurisdiction and see what services THEY take for granted.

So, how do you correct this situation because you aren't aware that it exists? I don't have an answer, I merely pose the question. Perhaps we look to our state governments to provide specific service guidelines (ie an ambulance MUST be on the road within 10 minutes of the intial 911 call, the building department MUST issue non-contested permits within 24 hours of receipt, etc). Then the question is, who develops those guidelines and how do we keep them from being influenced by special interest groups? Perhaps we make all government agencies semi-private, they must answer to an elected board of directors, much the way corporations do.

Thoughts anyone?

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Government Accountability

2008-07-10T11:44:00.003-04:00

It's an election year and much is going to be said about voting. It is EXTREMELY important that you vote in every election that you can. This is the way that you can make the most impact on what happens in your government. This national election will decide philosophy on taxation, entitlement, and government regulation. It tells our elected officials what the people are thinking about how government affects them.

That being said, now the question comes, how do we affect those who aren't elected? For most of us, our interaction with the government (aside from checks to the IRS), is on the local level. This interaction comes in the form of the local water utility, local building department, local tax authority, local garbage collector, and maybe the local emergency service. None of these people are elected and yet they are the ones that we are most likely to come in contact with. How do we have an effect on how that service is delivered? Unless we make it a public issue that causes embarrassment to the elected officials, the answer is usually, we don't.

Given that we are frequently treated poorly by some of these agencies and we have no recourse, how do we change the system to make it more responsive to the customer, in this case....us? How do we make the garbage man replace the lid on the can when he finishes dumping it? How do we make the TSA worker treat us politely and not like some convicted terrorist? How do we get the building department to issue permits in a speedy and helpful way? How do we get the motor vehicle representative to be polite?

Thoughts anyone?

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Scariest part about Nazis

2008-06-13T23:23:00.004-04:00

I'm currently reading the book, The Nazis: A Warning from History, by Laurence Rees. It is a fascinating study on the rise of Hitler and some of the psychology behind it. The interesting part that is frequently glossed over in discussions of the rise of the Nazi Party and the resulting Holocaust is the fact that Adolf Hitler and his party came to power in a democracy. They were elected into office.

This book examines many of the frequent excuses and rationalizations that are used by historians to explain how this could happen. He looks at the oft used, "Germans are known for their efficiency and the Nazis provided that." and the other "They were following orders." He uses interviews with people who were in the government and who lived through the Nazis' rise to power to debunk most of these rationalizations.

What Mr. Rees eventually comes down to is a combination of pride and fear. Why do I discuss this here? Well, think back seven years and think about how we felt on that Tuesday in September. We were very afraid.....I know I was! We also had our pride demolished. Into that void rode "W". He provided us with quick answers and quick responses. We attacked Afghanistan because we needed to hurt somebody right away. We passed the Patriot Act because we needed to protect ourselves against "them".

I happen to agree with both these actions, even in retrospect, but we need to keep these emotions in mind as we move forward. We are in an election year, terrorism is not gone, and there will be much talk about who can better protect us from "bad guys." Take the time to study, to think, to reflect. Don't go for the easy answer, because there isn't one. Don't give up everything just to feel safe. As my boss frequently says, "If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't." Don't vote for someone who doesn't feel right. Think for yourselves.

Thoughts anyone?

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Do you work here?

2008-06-06T16:21:00.001-04:00

Almost every business in the United States tells you that it is their goal to provide "superior customer service". I can tell you, that is very difficult. It is difficult not only because it is tough to find employees who are motivated to give excellent customer service, especially at the salaries retail feels are acceptable (but that is another posting), but it is also difficult because of the customer.

As a customer, I try to be aware of the level of service I get in places that I patronize. I also try to be aware of how I am behaving towards the people who are providing this service. It should be no surprise that the nicer I am, the nicer the associate is going to be. It is also important to note, that there are other factors involved.

One is, be aware of who you are talking to. If you find someone who is cleaning the store, stocking items on a shelf, pulling product around the store, or otherwise performing a function of the store, don't start your conversation with, "Do you work here?" Clearly they do and they are working at the time you approached them. You've now identified yourself as a needy person who is going to ask them a dumb question. You've irritated them and won't get as good a response as the person who interrupts them by saying something like, "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I need some help with...." You've acknowledged that they are clearly working and let them know you need them for something. That is their job, they are paid to help you and most will do it gladly.

Second, don't play let's make a deal. Unless you are at a bazaar in some foreign country where bartering is a way of life, most businesses in the US price their items at the price they expect to get. If there is damage or something wrong with the product, look for another, or ask if there may be an undamaged one available somewhere. Let the retailer offer a discount if there is no other option. Asking for money off automatically puts the associate on the defensive. Imagine how you would feel if someone asked you to perform your service or sell your product for less than you intended. Wouldn't you be instantly resentful? Wouldn't you want the option to offer a discount if there was no other way to satisfy the customer rather than having them start by asking for one?

Lastly, wait your turn. A customer who interrupts when an associate is helping others is going to identify themselves as someone who is rude and pushy. They will again raise a red flag, no matter how patient the associate is. Think of how much you enjoy being interrupted when someone is helping you with a problem.

Customer service, believe it or not, is a two-way street. You need to help yourself receive good customer service. Try it and see what happens. Post here and let me know how you make out.

Thoughts anyone?

Pedestrian courtesy

2008-06-05T15:47:00.003-04:00

While returning from an ambulance call the other day, my fellow EMT and I were discussing the prevalent "Yield for Pedestrians in Crosswalk". My partner commented on how far society has fallen that we have to print something as basic as Please Don't Run People Over With Your Car on signs and put them in the middle of the street.

From there we progressed to discussing how the whole concept of crossing the street has turned into a war. There are pedestrians that will step into the crosswalk and expect traffic to stop instantaneously, thereby risking an accident. I had the experience of a pedestrian who held up her hand as if she was a traffic cop, as she boldly walked across the street in front of me. Since I was turning right into a driveway (which I was clearly signalling with my blinker) before getting to her crosswalk, I didn't slow down. This made her start angrily pointing at the crosswalk and glaring as she stepped further into my lane of traffic as if daring me to hit her. How smart is that (especially from a retired school teacher....I recognized her)?

Once again it comes down to basic morality. I was raised to respect others, and certainly "do not commit murder" is up there with respect. I therefore, would never consider not stopping for someone who is in front of, or about to be, my car in a crosswalk. I will always stop as I would expect most people to. As a pedestrian, I would wait for a break in traffic and then step into the crosswalk. Once in the crosswalk, I would expect traffic to stop for me either out of courtesy or at least out of respect for the law. This is all common sense people. Why has this become grounds for anger and debate? Why do we need dayglo signs to remind us of this basic courtesy?

Thoughts anyone?

Spam?

2008-05-08T10:10:00.005-04:00

Did you know that Google can block a blog as a "spam blog"? I don't even know what a spam blog is. All I know is I'm back and writing again.

Much has happened since my last post in April. We've had the Democratic feeding frenzy with the Dems turning on their own golden girl and telling her the game is over. Does it sound like things are unfolding according to predicitions in one of my previous posts?

The price of oil has skyrocketed even as Americans are starting to learn to "go green". Our demand for oil is actually beginning to slow and possibly drop. Keep trading in those gas sucking SUVs and turning toward hybrids! By the way, did anyone in Detroit notice that while their sales are tanking, Toyota turned in one of the best quarters they've had? Could it be that the American people aren't as stupid as a Detroit executive? We need to use LESS GAS!! If you make SUVs and pickups that are hybrid, maybe your sales will begin to return, otherwise, learn to speak Japanese.

The stock market has begun to turn. Maybe our recession, as predicted by the market, has bottomed out and begun to improve.

A reader suggested less politics and more personal info here. That will come, but right now I only have time for the quick political comment.

Any thoughts?

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The Lorax Rocks!

2008-04-22T09:03:00.000-04:00

So here's a news item. In 1971, Dr. Seuss published a book called the Lorax. I distinctly remember not only reading it, but watching the television special. As a 10 year old, I found it extremely moving and motivating. As a 46 year old, I find it's message still relevant and even more urgent.

The news item is that Dr. Seuss Enterprises, has announced that 10-15% of all profits from sales of the book and licensed products will go to the Lorax Project which is working to save various rainforests around the world. Regardless of whether you believe in global warming or not, you cannot deny that wholesale deforestation of such huge eco-systems is a problem.

Check out the website, see how you can help at home, and maybe pick up The Lorax
to read to your kid at bedtime tonight.

Potpourri

2008-04-15T23:14:00.000-04:00

So, it's been a while. There are lots of things to talk about.

I continue to fight against mandatory full service in New Jersey. I resent paying extra to have a guy with a phone glued to his ear, come up and tap on my passenger side window and force me to lean over and give him my card....all this for 5 cents a gallon more!

It's school board election day here in New Jersey and voter turnout is miserably low. For all our talk of representative democracy and the power of the people, we are apparently willing to let a select few determine the direction of our children's education and our local tax burden. We'd prefer to stay home and watch American Idol!

I've gotten more e-mails about the site http://www.usawakeup.org/. It's got some real powerful and disturbing messages. I'll be researching it further, but the site is worth a look. Maybe some of our nostalgic looks back at our patriotic past could save our future.

Lastly, I'm looking to focus in on some of the many things that I write about. I've written about morality, EMS, politics (specifically what's happening in the Democratic Party), entitlement, New Jersey, environment. As a reader, which would you be most inclined to check in to read about?

Thoughts anyone?

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I have to agree with Bill

2008-03-24T10:59:00.000-04:00

This weekend's debate over whether Obama is patriotic or not is more smoke and mirrors. I actually have to agree with Bill Clinton's remarks where he wishes that we had two decent candidates whose credentials were not in question and we could decide merely on the basis of their stand on issues. This is the wish of the majority of American voters. Alas, that will not be the case regardless of who the Democrats choose.

A reader asked in response to an earlier post, what are my thoughts on the 2008 election now. I stand by my original prediction which is that the Democrats will choose Obama as the flavor of the week. He is young, a great speaker, and not white. These make him the favorite of the ruling left wingers in the party. Add to this the fact that he is NOT Hillary, and that pulls in the disenfranchised middle and right of the party. I don't see them choosing Hillary because she is disliked, discredited, and married to Bill.

That being said, I still feel that the country will have a hard time not voting for McCain. There is still rampant racism in many areas of the country and the whole stir over Obama's pastor's remarks show that this will be exploited. The country also tends to be more to the center than Obama and while he has the younger vote, so did John Anderson in 80. They talk more than they vote. It will be interesting, but that's my current take on it.

Thoughts anyone?

Just Get on the Bus Gus

2008-03-14T13:49:00.000-04:00

So oil prices have hit $111 a barrel last Thursday which brings our current gasoline prices higher than the "oil crisis" years of 1973-75. In spite of this, there has been no appreciable decline in the demand for oil. Why is this?

There are many reasons for this, but one that struck me as I motored home from the town next door is a lack of options. I live in a county of 1 million people just outside New York City and it would take me between 20 to 45 minutes to make the trip by bus that I just made in my car in 5. This is because our transit system of rail and bus assumes that the only place that people want to travel is to New York City for work. There is no easy way for me to go from town to town to go to a restaurant, my bank, shopping, or to visit friends unless I happen to be on a bus route that runs people into and out of "the City". Even if I am lucky enough to be on such a route (which I am), the schedule is still inconvenient because it requires the bus(es) to go from "the City" out to the end of its route and return. It does not run merely from town to town within the county.

It is time for transit systems (or maybe even private transport companies) to start thinking about filling in the holes. Not everyone wants to commute to the big cities that most transit systems are geared towards. People are going to be more likely to consider a quick bus ride to the local supermarket or restaurant in town as the cost of filling up the car exceeds $50 (at least). However, people will pay the $50 if it means saving them many hours of waiting for a bus or riding the bus into the city to transfer and ride out on a different bus just to travel to a town 3 miles away.

Transit officials frequently lament the poor ridership. Instead they should be thinking about how to provide new services. Quit thinking about the commuter and start thinking about everyone else! Quit thinking about standard size buses and start thinking about mini-buses. Quit thinking about full trains and start thinking about single cars or interconnecting light rail. Think outside the box and be surprised at how many riders you will gain!!

Thoughts anyone?

2008 Election

2008-03-10T10:37:00.000-04:00

Here is an interesting article from Colorado. It backs up my feeling that we will eventually see Hillary lose the nomination and Obama lose the election. I feel that many of those Democrats (myself included) who are voting for Obama are not actually FOR Obama as much as they are AGAINST Hillary. Regular readers know that I will vote for almost anyone in order to deny Hillary the nomination. I think this is more common than our media is reporting.

Come November, however, I don't think the general population is going to elect a black liberal with supposed (though not true) Muslim ties who is thought to associate with a black extremist pastor. This is not a racist comment, as there are many black men (and women) that I would whole-heartedly support (Colin Powell anyone?). It is merely the fact that I don't think Sen. Obama is the right one, regardless of his color.

Like it or not, and my jury is still out, I think we need to get used to saying, "President McCain".

Thoughts anyone?

Extremism

2008-03-10T10:15:00.000-04:00

Events of recent days have reminded (and inspired) me to talk of the dangers of extremism. Much is said in the press these days about the dangers of Islamic extremism. It is also frequently noted that such extremism generally runs counter to the underlying message of Islam.

A frequently overlooked, but just as dangerous, form of extremism is certain forms of rabid Christian fundamentalism. The far right, fire and brimstone, non-believers are going to hell, sort of Christianity is just as dangerous as Islamic extremism. Witness various deadly bombings of abortion centers in the name of Christianity. It is also the root of much of the white supremacy movements in the US. It is just as dangerous and ill-informed as the Islamic extremist movement.

In fact, extremism in any form is a danger. Democrats or Republicans who will vote
"the party line" without any thought or consideration are dangerous. Anyone who will blindly follow anything without due consideration becomes a danger. I guess the bottom line here is, think for yourself. There is certainly nothing wrong with (and actually a need for) passionate beliefs in things, but it should come after careful consideration and constant reevaluation.

Every action should be measured against the gold standard of the belief. Would Jesus stop associating with people because they didn't believe the way you do? I think not. Would Mohammed condone flying planeloads of women and children into a building for political gain? Again, I highly doubt it. Would FDR support a nationalized health care system? I'm thinking no.

Think for yourself. It only makes your faith stronger.

Thoughts anyone?

Hillary's Scorched Earth program

2008-02-26T11:17:00.000-05:00

Hillary, in my humble opinion, has made a critical error for the Democratic party by allowing her desperate campaign to release this photo of Obama on a state visit to Kenya. In addition to making her look like the power-hungry, self-serving, morally bankrupt, woman that she is, it will provide fodder for those who oppose Obama in the general election. There are already e-mails circulating the internet falsely stating that he is a Muslim. His patriotism is in question, (in fact, even on this blog) due to a variety of missteps by him and his wife. It does no good, and should seal the deal on her quest for the throne. Just another example of why she shouldn't hold any position of power.....it has corrupted her absolutely.

Thoughts anyone?

New Advertisers

2008-02-23T22:31:00.000-05:00

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Lemon Study

2008-02-21T16:43:00.001-05:00

This report will scare the HECK out of you. It is my suggestion that you IMMEDIATELY ask restaurants to leave the lemon out of your drink. Who started that trend anyway?

Democrats = less money in your pockets

2008-02-21T16:27:00.000-05:00

Here is an e-mail that I have received proving what I've suspected all along:

Based on using the actual tax tables (see link below), here are some examples on what the taxes were/are on various amounts of income for both singles and married couples. So let's see if the Bush tax cuts only helped the rich. http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html

Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008
Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250

If you want to know just how effective the mainstream media is, it is amazing how many people that fall into the categories above think Bush is screwing them and Bill Clinton was the greatest President ever. If any democrat is elected, ALL of them say they will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people that fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen. Why is that?

Now is the time to write Congress and let them know that we all want to pay less to the US federal government and more to the places that WE choose to spend our money. As President Bush said in his State of the Union address, for those who feel strongly that the government needs those extra dollars, the US Treasury will accept check or money order.

Thoughts anyone?

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Goodbye to Hillary?

2008-02-15T10:08:00.000-05:00

So it would seem that the party is finally waking up to the fact that most of us would rather vote for a candidate that will lose the general election than vote for another morally bankrupt Clinton in the White House. Can you imagine what Bill would be doing while Hillary was "at work"?

Here is my prediction.......President John McCain. Democrats, such as myself, who have voted against Hillary, and not necessarily for Barak, will abandon him in the fall election. While polls show him slightly ahead against McCain, he won't have a chance once the press and some of the more conservative support groups start advertising campaigns about his family's Muslim background (already the subject of nasty e-mails on the internet even though he is a member of the Trinity Church of Christ in Chicago), his support of extremely liberal causes including the UN Millenium Project which seemingly takes the UN one step towards becoming the world government, and, of course, his race (which shouldn't make a difference but will in many conservative areas).

It is great to see a truly African-American (his family is from Kenya), take the campaign stage and excite so many sections of the liberal wing of the party. His energy, enthusiasm, and drive would make him the one to support if he didn't have so many glaring weaknesses.

Thoughts anyone?

Support our troops

2008-02-01T16:26:00.000-05:00

I had the privilege of spending time with my college friend, Rev. Jim Higgins this past weekend. Along with all the usual catching up and laughing about college times remembered, we talked about his recent tour of duty as a chaplain in Iraq. We also discussed an article that I have written for Helium.com in which I say that it is impossible to support the troops without supporting the war. I asked his opinion (which I value highly) and he told me of a question that he regularly asks those who "support the troops".

When someone tells him that they don't support the war, but they "do support the troops" he automatically asks, "How?" When they universally reply, "What do you mean?" before they try and stammer some nonsensical answer, he replies, "You say that you support the troops so I'm asking you how. Have you sent a care package, a letter, called one of them, volunteered at a USO or VA Hospital? What have you done to support them?" So I ask all of you the same thing.

The other day I watched a Law and Order:SVU in which the story came down to an assassination of a public figure by the distraught husband of a female soldier killed in Iraq. The story line was not as moving as the final scene in which the husband is standing in an airplane hanger by himself with a Marine honor guard as they put his wife's coffin in a hearse. As the officers arrest him, he asks, "How does he (the public figure) get all of the media attention for what he did and she (his wife) gets this? Where are the cameras and the press to honor her?" (or something to that effect) The point is, it's easy to protest "the war" and to call for peace, but it's not so easy to deal with the humanity involved.

I'm ashamed to admit that the bishops of my church (United Methodist) have distributed one of the most ill-advised and politically motivated letters they have issued regarding the war. In it they call for the immediate withdrawl of our troops and a peaceful end to hostilities. I would ask, how do they propose that? In addition, and more importantly, if they are so concerned about our troops and their well-being, what are they doing about it until they are brought home?

Where is the letter calling for all of our churches to be actively engaged by "adopting" service people and bombarding them with letters, packages, and prayers from home? Where is the letter calling for all of our churches to have someone meet the planes transporting the bodies of the fallen so that we can minister to those families as they begin the grieving process? Where is the letter calling for all of our churches to actively engage with those injured in the war by assisting them in their homes and hospitals? Instead, they take the politically popular position of "supporting our troops" by calling for them to come home. That's easy to say, but what are you doing to show your support until they do come home?

Thoughts anyone?

Why not Hillary!

2008-02-01T16:03:00.000-05:00

So Super Tuesday is coming and our party (the Democratic National Party) is going to vote on delegates who will decide our candidate for the presidency. Our choices are now Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton. To quote an e-mail from a friend, I have a severe case of electile dysfunction which is defined as a failure to be aroused by any candidate running in the 2008 presidential election.

I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that I will vote for my neighbor down the street (whom I've never met) before I will vote for Hillary Clinton. Here's why: It has nothing to do with the fact that I disagree with almost every liberal, government enlarging, power grabbing program that she proposes, it has to do with something more basic.........HER!

As my wife says, she lost all credibility when she stood by her poor excuse of a husband while he's disgracing the office (literally) of the President of the United States by having an intern perform oral sex on him. There is NO justification for that kind of poor judgement and disrespect for all that office stands for. If he is so base as to do that there, then he apparently has no type of moral compass and is thus not the type of person to lead our country.

Furthermore, when she condones that type of behavior by "standing by her man" AGAIN, it tells you there is something more to her than loyalty. She showed us what that was when she announced her political ambitions (ambition being the key word). She showed that morality and decency are expendible in her quest to be in charge. Although her mouth tells us that she is working to bring a better life for all of us, her deeds show that she is a power-hungry megalomaniac.

There was a well-known Republican who ran because he believed that he was best able to help the underdogs. He believed it so much that he became the closest thing the US saw to a dictator. His name, Richard Nixon. The similarities in his psyche and motivations to those of Hillary are remarkable. Neither show any shame or restraint in their quest for the top because they truly believe that only they know what's best for the rest of us.

I cannot urge you enough to vote against Hillary on Tuesday. If you agree, please click on the e-mail button at the bottom of this article and e-mail it to as many people as you can before Tuesday.

Thoughts anyone?

More on Self Serve Gasoline

2008-01-25T12:52:00.000-05:00

As my regular readers know, I am against the New Jersey law that prohibits self-serve gasoline in NJ. I am now in South Carolina and I can tell you that the argument that our prices are cheaper even though we don't allow self-serve are false. The price of gasoline is as the same or cheaper here in South Carolina than in NJ even though their state tax on gasoline is higher. This means that full service costs us more in NJ but it being subsidized by the state government in the form of lower fuel tax. This is ridiculous!! Our roads could use the higher income and our consumers could use the break in prices.

I've written my state representatives and only Rep Gordon responded. He felt that he needed to support the current regulation against self-serve "for safety reasons". Apparently he feels that the people of New Jersey are stupider than those in 48 other states around the country where they are smart enough to put a gasoline nozzle in their car's fuel tank without setting it on fire. Is that how little he thinks of his consituents? Maybe it's time that we remove him from office!! Maybe it's time for us to remove all of them in the NJGCA's pocket!!

Thoughts anyone?

Meet your Presidential Match

2008-01-18T16:51:00.000-05:00

Click on this link and go to ABCNews' "Match-O-Matic" site. While it certainly does not remove your obligation to research your candidates, it does give you some interesting insight into who you might want to look into further. It also gives you an idea of who you might not "click" with. I was surprised to find that the two men that I was most intrigued by, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, did not make my top three.

The "Candidate Calculator" is another interesting (and perhaps more in depth) site.

Give them a whirl and see who your match is....

Thoughts anyone?

Is it too late?

2008-01-18T16:41:00.000-05:00

View this movie and post your thoughts:

http://www.usawakeup.org/

The consumer speaks

2008-01-17T20:48:00.000-05:00

So Circuit City has released its third quarter results and guess what.....they suck! Their sales declined 3.1% company wide and 5.6% in stores that have been open over one year. It's just under a year ago that they stunned the country by dismissing 9% of their workforce in a single day, with no warning. I said then that the consumer must speak out about how unfair and unwise that was. It seems that many across the country agreed with me and we have stayed away from Circuit City in droves.

I am hoping that those governing corporations across the country are paying attention to what happens when you summarily dismiss your most experienced employees across the board and callously destroy lives like that. While I'm not so naive as to believe that everyone stayed away from Circuit City for moral reasons, I do know that there are others that, like myself, have stayed away for exactly that reason. Whether you stopped patronizing Circuit City because you don't like what their management stands for or because you don't want to deal with an unmotivated 18 year old part-timer who doesn't know an HDTV from a weed-wacker (nor could he care), kudos to you. Keep it up and watch the end of Circuit City.

Thoughts anyone?

Click to give

2008-01-08T17:16:00.000-05:00

In the past few days I've become familiar with things that I had hoped I would never know up close and personal. I'm familiar with the different forms of chemotherapy for breast cancer. I've learned about HER-2 and Herceptin and the almost magical effects it has on cancer. I've learned about "chronic" (aka incurable) cancer and how we "regulate" it. It's not been something I would've volunteered for, but it is a wakeup call.

It's made me acutely aware of the fact that I am quite thankful that my employer has very good medical insurance. I'm thankful that I don't live in Hillary's world where the government decides whether my wife's condition is "worth the cost" of what it would take to treat her. I'm sorry for those whose wives don't have good or even any insurance and I can't imagine the emotional pain and anguish that causes. I know that we need to help them.

It's also made me aware of how we need to celebrate and enjoy each day and quit waiting, saving, and counting towards retirement or "some day". I know that's trite, but it doesn't become apparent unless you make it so.

It's also made me aware of how amazing medical technology is. This leads me to my last point, if you have a minute, please visit http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/ to help fund mammographies for those who can't afford it. While you're at it, check out his affiliated sites such as thehungersite, and theanimalrescuesite. All of these are legitimate as verified by our friends at snopes.com.

Thoughts anyone?

More good news from Iraq

2008-01-02T14:57:00.000-05:00

I came across a story from the AP entitled, "US Offers Iraqis Service Jobs" which details a program by the US Military in which they employ local Iraqis to begin working on sanitation, rebuilding, and security. They are paid $300 per month which is great wealth to some of these men who have been out of work for years.

The program is modeled after the successful "Awakening Council" idea which pays locals to provide security against the insurgent movement. These councils have provided income and security in many of the towns throughout the country which has led to a 60% drop in violence since its inception last June.

This is similar to the concept of the New Deal program instituted by FDR during the Depression. The idea is to provide a "hand up, not a hand out". It will improve the lot of those in the community and it will pump income into the local economy. Most importantly, it will allow those proud and intelligent men to provide for their families once again. The work is not glamorous, but it is honest and it beats getting paid to be a suicide bomber.

Finally, the US is making strides towards removing itself and it will be able to look at its work with pride. It will have taken down a dictatorship and left a growing democracy. Let us hope.

Thoughts anyone?

Genetics gone crazy

2008-01-02T14:39:00.000-05:00

I have been reading Michael Crichton's "NEXT" and have become more bothered by the growing field of gene therapy. Although some of it is fiction, he regularly sprinkles news stories about interesting events in the field of genetics. I highly recommend this book as a springboard into the world of genetics and genetic ethics.

One of these interesting stories is about research showing that Neanderthals were actually smarter and better looking than the Cro-Magnons which we are currently taught to believe were the "next step" in evolution. The researcher, Peter Frost, has apparently posited that the Neanderthals were more like the ideal Aryans, tall, blonde, blue-eyed, and smart. This lead me to check out some of his research and it is very interesting and quite possibly controversial if people outside the genetic world actually read it.

The book and the website are both worth reading, but be prepared to be scared. The things being done in genetic research are scary. For example, did you know that "designer" animals are being created for the purpose of art? Did you realize that they have actually created wings for pigs? Did you know that certain universities have tried to use the power of eminent domain to make people give up their genetic material?

Read and learn.

Thoughts anyone?

So, how did we do?

2008-01-01T12:59:00.001-05:00

I reviewed my wishes for 2007 and found it interesting where and what progress we made. Observe:

Maj. Jim DID make it home and is doing quite well in Atlanta. My wife and I are looking forward to spending time with him and his family in 2008!

Politics - The verdict is still out on that. Mike Huckabee may be realizing that mud-slinging is wrong...or maybe he's just mud-slinging in a more ingenious manner. We'll see if his "conversion" is real as his campaign goes on. Let's hope he can lead us back to civility and intelligence in politics.

Taxes - Sadly there's no improvement there. Governments on all levels continue to mismanage their finances and the Democrats continue their ridiculous "tax the rich" drumbeat.

Religion - Same as taxes. We continue to use our various man-made interpretations of God and His work in our world as a way to divide His creation instead of brining it together.

International Affairs - Happily the Iraqis seem to be gaining control of their own destiny. The Sunnis are beginning to see that the path of al-Qaida is a path to destruction and they are beginning to work to end terrorism as their tool for change. The Palestinians also seem to be wondering if Hamas' violent ways are indeed the best way to achieve statehood. This is all promising. The US, however, hasn't woken up to the fact that development is more effective than military force as a way to win the hearts and minds of the world.

Racial relations - Idiots like Al Sharpton seem to be more side-lined as extremists. Unfortunately, the entitlement mentality hasn't abated, despite strong attempts by leaders such as Bill Cosby to speak out.

Civility - Being in retail, I can tell you their is nothing civil about our society right now!

Environment - This shows promise. CAFE has been renewed with increased efficiency now being mandated. The federal government is pushing for more renewable energy production and the idea of global warming is now making its way into daily conversation and awareness including advertising pitches. Once conservation and CO2 reduction become economically viable, you will see great strides.

So, as with most years, it was a mixed bag. 2008 promises to be an interesting year due to the upcoming election of the US President. I would hope that we will be able to elect someone that will bring us together, diminish our tendency towards "class warfare", revitalize our economy, bring sensibilty to government spending, reduce our taxes, maintain a strong defense, be fair and generous. I'm not sure such a person even wants to enter politics, but I'm always hopeful.

Thoughts anyone?

Who needs YOUR peace?

2007-12-28T22:25:00.000-05:00

Two articles struck me today. Both are about the so-called peace movement. One comes from a blog that is local and is actually the second time I've read of such behavior by "peaceniks". It's entitled, "Ridgewood Resident gets harassed by Teaneck cops for thanking the troops." The second is from the AP and is entitled, "Vermont Town Seeks Bush, Cheney Arrests." The common thread through both of them is the fact that those who are against the war in Iraq seem to be almost fascist in their hatred of anyone who disagrees with them.

How is the arrest of the US President and Vice-President going to serve any practical purpose other than to show complete disregard and respect for the elected leader of the country? It will not stop a military action. It is not even legal. It is merely contemptuous and stupid. It certainly argumentative and not very peaceful.

The behavior reported in the blog's story is reprehensible. Once you read the story, check out the comments to see further input from the original victim. A similar story of poor behavior on the part of anti-war protestors was carried in the local paper a couple of months ago. If this is representative of the "peace" these people want, I'll have none of it thank you. It sounds like their way or the highway, certainly not what our Constitution is all about.

Thoughts anyone?

Melting pot?

2007-12-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

A comment on an earlier post got me to thinking about what it means to become an American. I work with a young man who comes from the African country of Ghana and I am always impressed about how interested he is in learning about "our ways." This is quite different from the immigrant rights people who have marched demanding "fair" treatment for those who have illegally entered our country.

In researching, I have come across a book entitled, "Reinventing the Melting Pot" which seems to be an in depth look at the idea of integrating immigrants into modern American society. According to the review, the consensus is that it is unrealistic to believe that we can (or should) achieve the sort of homogeneous integration that was prevalent in the 1950's but that we should strive for integration nonetheless.

I know that many of my more conservative friends are adament that anyone coming to this country should be expected to adopt all of our ways. They seem to forget that many of "our ways" come from the practices of previous immigrants that brought them into our collective practices.

Bottom line, I think there must be some middle ground between those who would grant all rights to illegal immigrants (otherwise, what's the purpose of citizenry?) and those who would require every immigrant to become an English-speaking, Republican, WASP.

Thoughts anyone?

Space...the final frontier

2007-12-26T11:30:00.000-05:00

A news article caught my eye. It was entitled, "New Orleans gets a boost from NASA" and it details how the next generation of rockets are scheduled to be built in the New Orleans area which will bring some very high income jobs to New Orleans for many years to come. It talked about the Constellation Project which is the US' next big project to put men on the moon by 2020 at the latest. Have you heard of it?

I vaguely recall hearing about it as part of a budget report or some other barely covered report from NASA. This is a huge shame!! It's a very exciting project to not only put men on the moon (been there, done that....I saw it on TV), but to keep them there in a regular outpost. This is a huge step for humanity and no one seems to notice. For the first time, we are going to become extra-terrestrials!!

For those of us who regularly read science fiction, we can tell you that this will open up a vast array of socio-economic and political issues. Who owns the base? Who taxes it? Who governs it? (Think of England dealing with the colonies in the "New World". We all know how that turned out) Are we ready for an independent planet to keep up with? Anyone for the Mars v. Earth Solar Series in October? The implications are staggering. Keep watching at http://www.nasa.gov/ or http://www.spacefoundation.org/.

Thoughts anyone?

Parable of the Birds

2007-12-25T18:31:00.001-05:00

My friend, Dr Rev Jim Higgins, has once again published a thoughtful and moving story on his blog. Please read his story "Dr. Jim's Blog: A Christmas Parable"

Merry Christmas whether you like it or not

2007-12-25T18:12:00.000-05:00

Much has been said about saying (or not saying) "Merry Christmas". Here are my thoughts. As my pastor said last Sunday, Christmas is about JOY. It is about receiving a message that makes you so happy that you cannot contain it and you just have to exude that happiness. It's like getting THE present that you've been dying for and wanting to share it with everyone you see.

That's a great feeling and it's what generates a greeting like "Merry Christmas". Now I ask, what difference does it make whether you believe that Christ was the Messiah if you understand the meaning behind the greeting? The fact that I'm a Christian does not diminish the sincere feeling behind the greetings of "Mazel Tov" from my Jewish in-laws when my wife and I married. I was able to accept the heart-felt wishes of joy and happiness without being Jewish and without feeling that it threatened my Christianity. I would also be able to accept the greeting of "God is Great" from a Muslim friend in a similar situation.

I have been married for over 3 years so I have gone through the Jewish New Year three times now and have genuinely appreciated the wishes of "Happy New Year" even though it came in September. I have also always returned the greeting of "Good Shabbos" on Friday night even though my Sabbath has always been celebrated on Sundays.

It is important to understand the significance and meaning of the greeting....to the greeter. If I wish you a Merry Christmas, I'm sharing with you the joy and peace that the holiday brings to me. I am hoping that you, through your understanding of God (Jewish, Muslim, agnostic, Buddhist, Confusionist, Zoroastrian, whatever), may receive the peace that I get during this religious celebration. I'm not trying to insult or convert you. I'm also not going to denigrate my celebration by telling you "Happy Holidays" because that means nothing.

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

Thoughts anyone?

Follow up on LED streetlight article

2007-12-02T17:11:00.000-05:00

In a previous post, I talked about Ann Arbor, MI's intention to convert all of its streetlights to LED lights in an effort to save money and reduce global warming emissions. A copy of my post was put on a local blog since the town was considering replacing its streetlights. The idea was immediately dismissed a untenable, too expensive, silly, etc. In researching further, I found this article on a major city that has already installed them and they work. It just shows that all towns, villages, and cities across the world should follow this lead and install them immediately.

Thoughts anyone?

Get to work

2007-12-02T16:54:00.000-05:00

I read with much interest the comments by union president, Rae Roeder, moaning about the fact that New Jersey's state employees had to actually go to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In addition, Assemblyman Greenwald makes the ridiculous statement, "New Jersey should join the growing number of other states that recognize the Thanksgiving weekend as a time to spend with family and close friends." Is he kidding?

If he's that concerned about spending time with family and friends, why doesn't he propose it as a mandatory state holiday requiring the closing of all places of business......including retail? Doesn't he think all of those people at Macy's, Sears, and all of the other places he and his family were shopping at deserve the weekend "spending time with family and friends"? Why are Ms. Roeder's consituents more important than those non-unionized employees of the retailers across the state? Could it be that they are NON-unionized and therefore less likely to vote the party line?

I say, state workers have no more right to have a special day off than any other industry. Their time with family and friends is no more important that the thousands of others who have to work that day. Sorry Ms. Roeder, but be quiet and get back to work like the state employees of the majority of states in the US (26 out of 50).

Thoughts anyone?

Barak and the National Anthem

2007-12-02T16:34:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been watching Barak Obama with some interest (especially since I consider Clinton to be evil incarnate) but here is a clip that has eliminated him from consideration for me.

There is an e-mail rant that goes with this and there is a snopes.com article that discusses it, but I'm just concerned about the fact that someone who is running for the President of the US doesn't have the political sense (or even survival instinct) to follow protocol. If he can't participate in such a basic act as respect for the National Anthem, what other basic things will he disregard?

Thoughts anyone?

Another company with a heart

2007-11-15T17:13:00.000-05:00

I received this e-mail today and it is indeed verified by Snopes.

Subject: Sears - Christmas shopping has already started

I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always my first choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they haven't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up.

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:

I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.

This is their answer to my e-mail:

Dear Customer:

Thank you for contacting Sears.The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.

Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358

Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!

It's Verified! By Snopes.com at:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp (shows the entire article)

Given this, I would encourage you to make Sears one of your stops for holiday shopping this year!!

Oh the humanity....

2007-11-15T16:58:00.000-05:00

Today's news carries a story about a survey of IM (Instant Message) useage and its helpfulness to teens. It's entitled, "Poll: IMs Help Teens Avoid Embarrassment" It describes how teens are using IM to ask people out on dates and to even break up relationships. All of this instead of doing it face to face.

While I heartily wish there was a way for me to have asked out some of those women who crushed me by saying they didn't think of me "that way," I think there is something almost cowardly by using the computer to do that. The fact that a woman feels ok being asked out by someone who doesn't even think enough of her to "man up" and ask her face to face concerns me.

I will admit that it is often easier to say things on-line that you wouldn't necessarily say in person. I have sent e-mails that were a little harsher than what I would've said in person. The whole thing is a little dehumanizing. It is great to have such expanded access to people and places throughout the world, but we need to remember that the receiver is still a person.

This is the risk faced by those growing up with such instant and impersonal communications available. By learning all of their socialization through IMs and text messages, I worry how they will fare when they have to carry on an actual conversation with a live person in the booth at the restaurant. Will they be able to handle the emotional response? Will they even recognize it? Will they be able to appropriately filter their statements? What will this do to the art of conversation?

Thoughts anyone?

I hate to admit Hilary's correct...

2007-11-13T18:12:00.001-05:00

This is a great story about a small town and how it raises it's children. It seems to prove that Hilary is right and it truly does take a village to raise a child. It also shows that it takes parents who take responsibility for their children and their proper training.

Thoughts anyone?

Time to pony up for the Iron Horse

2007-11-13T15:11:00.000-05:00

An article in the November 4th Parade Magazine entitled, "A Better Way to Travel" highlights the current state of the nation's rail transportation system. It is interesting that the mode of transportation that is credited with opening up the westward expansion during the 1800s is now the black sheep of the transportation family.

Having travelled in Europe, I have experienced first hand what a wonderful and exciting trip can be had by rail. In addition, Europeans make it unnecessary to travel by car. To be fair, the entire continent of Europe can fit inside the Eastern half (from the Mississippi east) of the United States, but that doesn't excuse our lack of decent rail transportation.

I would travel to Chicago by rail, except the trip is over 28 hours long each way and costs over $280 round trip. This compares to a trip on American Airlines which would take just over two hours but would cost $448 round trip (which could be lowered to under $225 if I reserve farther in advance). This same trip would take 15 hours by car and cost less than $250 in gas.

If we were to invest in some of the rail technology currently commonplace in other places around the globe, we could reduce that trip to something more in the range of 9-12 hours. This is still longer than a plane trip, but it offers several advantages. First, you can walk freely around the train as it travels. Second, unlike air travel, you will travel regardless of rain, wind, snow, fog, etc. Lastly, rail travel affords time for relaxation, cell phone use, laptop use, reading, watching out the window, and conversation. While some of this is available during air travel, some of it is not and most of it is not available during travel by car.

Given this, I feel that it is time the United States government and the individual states, begin looking to rail travel as a way to reduce dependence on foreign oil and emission of CO2 gases. The federal government pays billions to build and maintain highways, why shouldn't a good portion of that money go towards building and maintaining a reasonable rail system? History has shown that when given the option to take a well-run, on-time, conveniently scheduled train versus any other type of transportation, train useage increases dramatically. It's time to contact your Representatives and Senators and let them know there is a need for federal money to improve and increase our rail availability.

Thoughts anyone?

"Get off the interstate, Ben Stone"

2007-11-09T13:20:00.001-05:00

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with a New Store Opening team in upper New York state for the past week. Aside from the chance to mingle with some great people from stores throughout 5 states, I also worked with many of the "locals". It was a week that I won't forget soon.

As I was driving home through the mountains full of changing leaves, I was struck by the thought that we miss an awful lot by staying home or merely relying on planes to carry us from place to place. By "getting off the interstate" (a line from the great movie "Doc Hollywood"), I was able to see the local houses and places of employment. I saw all the diners and auto repair shops. I was able to remember that throughout this country, regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, or economic status, we go about our daily lives being in our communities, working with our co-workers, and trying our best to live good lives. It makes you remember how much we are similar. It makes you forget all of the idiosyncracies that drive you crazy about the people in your area. It makes you remember that we are all in this together.

As much as I hate to advocate the use of gas and production of CO2, I encourage all of you to take a drive to someplace different and to appreciate how much we are alike.

Thoughts anyone?

An amazing video about our troops

2007-10-30T16:30:00.000-04:00

This video on YouTube shows over 18 million hits. As you watch it, you'll understand why. I especially appreciate the total lack of political overtone and total focus on the humanity of our troops. Watch.....

Go Ann Arbor!!

2007-10-18T10:04:00.000-04:00

A recurring theme of this blog is being green. Today's news wires are carrying a story that is very exciting!! It seems that the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan is going to replace all of its street lights with LEDs. As we've discussed previously in this blog, the LED saves a significant amount of electricity (which equals $$$$$) and lasts approximately 10 years to a 2 year life for a regular incandescent bulb.

According to the story, the city expects to recover its costs of installation through energy savings in just 2 years!! This means that the next 8 years of operation (the expected life of the LED) will be money in the taxpayers' pockets. In addition, it will reduce greenhouse gas production in an amount equivalent to taking 400 cars of the road! Where is the downside on this? Why aren't all towns and cities looking at doing this?

Thoughts anyone?

Hillary = less money in your pocket

2007-10-13T11:32:00.000-04:00

In an article from the Associated Press, Hillary Clinton is once again discussing raising taxes, but won't do it publicly. Instead, her public answer is quoted to have been, "I don't think I should be negotiating about what I would do as president." I ask you, isn't that the point of a campaign, to tell us what you intend to do as president?!?!

Could it just be that Hillary doesn't want us to know that her plan to "fix" Social Security is to raise our taxes? She apparently privately told a voter that she would leave the current Social Security limit at $97500 of income and then add an additional tax for those who make over $200000. That sounds great except that the tax limit has been raised over the years and it wouldn't take long for the "gap" between $97500 and $200000 would disappear resulting in everyone paying Social Security taxes (14.3%) on all income.

In addition, our income (my wife and myself) would be considered upper class in many parts of the country, but here in the New York metro area (where we happen to have jobs and family, otherwise we would move) we are barely middle class due to the cost of living. Given that, who is Hillary Clinton (or any politician) to say that the "rich" aren't paying their fair share. If she wants to develop a tax based on the relative income based on cost of living in a certain area, then she might be on to something (imagine THAT tax return!). Or.....she could do what was proposed by the Republicans years ago and develop a flat tax.

Thoughts anyone?

When is Illegal wrong?

2007-09-29T22:11:00.000-04:00

So Mayor Bloomberg is in trouble from no less than the Governor of New York, who should know better!! It seems that His Honor came out against Spitzer's plan to allow illegal immigrants to get NY Driver's Licenses because he felt that it would be a security risk. Being from the state that provided licenses for several of the 9-11 hijackers, I must say that I can see some validity in his argument.

A variety of Hispanic organizations have attacked Mr. Bloomberg. One spokesman I heard on the radio said that it was "wrong" to not allow the Mexican driving the pickup to his lawn job, or the Hispanic woman who takes care of our children to not get a driver's license. I must disagree. It is NOT wrong, it is the correct attitude because a driver's license is not a right, it is a privilege (at least that is what I was taught before the days of PC). Not only is it a privilege, it is a privilege for CITIZENS of the United States.

Why would we not want to give them licenses? Perhaps it's because they are not in this country legally and have not earned the right. That's generally what the word ILLEGAL in front of immigrant means!! When you run across the border without securing proper entry, then you are violating our laws. You, therefore, should give up the benefits associated with law-abiding citizens (and legally registered aliens).

I am in favor of working on a plan to grant citizenship to those already here if they have established themselves as productive members of our society, but I'm not going to give them the rights due a citizen until they become one.

Thoughts anyone?

Reflections

2007-09-19T01:32:00.000-04:00

So as I begin my 46th year here on the planet, I reflect upon the things that I've learned. Despite what other writers may have you believe, I don't think I really learned all that I needed to know in kindergarten. I think that it is my job to learn new things continually. Here are some of the more important things I have learned so far:

1) I've found that Billy Joel was right, "just surviving is a noble fight." Coming out of college I left a good paying job with a reputable company doing something that I enjoyed because I felt that it didn't contribute enough to society. Over the years I've often wondered if I hadn't left that job, how would things have turned out. I've learned that having such a job eliminates one part of your life that you have to worry about and you can use your free time to "change the world" or at least make a bigger difference. By always searching for "the perfect job", you may give up the ability to do other things outside of work.

2) I've learned that my parents were right when they told me that you will probably be able to count the number of true friends on your hands. I have many good friends and am lucky enough to have a great deal of acquaintenances whose company I have and do value, however, there are about 6 people that I feel that I could call at this hour (1:45am) and say, "I need your help tonight" and they would come from across the country without question and they know that I would do the same for them.

3) I've learned that family is important. I've seen families that allow themselves to drift apart, to argue about petty things such as status and belongings, and to keep score on who did what to whom. They are, in the long run, very sad people who end up lonely. This past weekend, I lost an aunt and was fortunate enough to be able to attend a family gathering of aunts and uncles and cousins, literally from all over the country. Amid the mourning, there was joy at the ability to be together and laugh and remember and share. Although we hadn't all been in the same place at the same time in 5 years (fortunately a wedding), we knew we were connected.

4) I've learned that you must do what you think is right. Not right for you, just right. You must be able to look at the "man in the mirror" and know that you've done the best you can for those that you can.

This is what I can come up with on the morn of my new year. I hope that I will have more for you next year.

Thoughts anyone?

It is 9/11

2007-09-11T11:20:00.000-04:00

My thoughts and prayers to all of those touched by 9/11/01. If you haven't already, I would encourage you to read some of the articles regarding the day on www.helium.com. They range from the somber to ridiculous. Here is what I wrote:

"We remember because we must. Thousands of lives were snuffed out that day and we wish to honor them as we would any other significant loss of life such as a plane crash, a boat sinking, or an act of war. They were human beings who were doing nothing more than living their daily lives and they were slaughtered. The politics behind it can be discussed, dissected, and debated for years, but that doesn't change the fact that these souls deserve to be remembered.

The emotions behind the remembrance are most definitely geographical. I remember watching the tragedy unfold in Oklahoma City and I felt for those families and rescue workers. I felt their anger and pain while I watched. I will admit, however, that there was a certain emotional detachment that may eventually lead me to write an article using such callous phrases as "shooting an elephant with a BB gun" (but I doubt it). I was because I didn't see the smoke or hear the sirens or know someone who knew someone. That makes it more of an impersonal remembrance, but a remembrance nonetheless.

Being in the New York City area, I watched as black smoke poured out of the towers. I cringed as US Air Force F-16s roared overhead in a desperate attempt to try and keep anything else from happening. I was sobered as I watched National Guard troop helicopters pour into the city. I was scared when I listened to the chaos and uncertainty on my police scanner. We were scared and those of us who live here will never forget that.

As with all memories, the pointedness of the feelings will diminish with time, but they won't be erased. We must remember this day because it is about people who were doing nothing more than living their daily lives. It could've been you or me, and we also need to remember that the danger is still out there, so it still could be you or me, the next time."

Thoughts anyone?

We've got your back

2007-09-10T16:09:00.000-04:00

Much is said, and rightly so, of those men and women of the emergency services of New York City that perished in the World Trade Center. They should be remembered always. I cannot even imagine the courage it took to try and fight the hijackers on Flight 93. There were acts of heroism throughout that terrible day in 2001.

As we remember six years later, I wanted to share my recollections from the other side of the river. I am fortunate to be a part of a specialty EMS unit that provides emergency command and control for EMS responders. On the morning of September 11, 2001, we were called to respond to the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge to assist in setting up a triage and treatment station for the victims that were expected to pour across the bridge in an effort to try and make it home after the attack.

As we gathered our equipment and personnel, it struck me that I was surrounded by well-trained volunteers from my community. There were college students, business people, firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and others that comprise this unit and they all left work and responded to the call. As our task force made its way from our town to its assigned point, people actually pulled their cars over (a rarity in the New York metro area) and waved out the window for us to go by. Some even shouted, "Go get them". On our way we drove by hastily assembled checkpoints, some manned by obviously off-duty officers who were wearing jeans and a t-shirt with their badges hanging around their necks and guns tucked in their belts.

When we arrived at the GW Bridge Plaza, you could see fire trucks and ambulances, three lanes across, bumper to bumper, sitting and waiting for instructions. Most of these also manned by volunteers. Some of them from towns as far as 100 miles away. All of them mobilized by the various mutual aid and disaster response agencies in the state. They all sat quietly waiting.

We were rerouted to a football field in the local high school where we set up. We were assigned a task force of 20 ambulances to transport our injured to hospitals around the state. Once we set up, people came from surrounding apartment buildings asking us to take blood (which we can't as EMTs). In addition, the high school opened its facility and made all its staff available to us. The man assigned to me as my "runner" (a person who literally runs paperwork from one officer to another to facilitate patient tracking), came to me and said, "Tell me whatever you need me to do." He was later introduced as the principal, someone who is used to running the whole thing.

This type of behavior was repeated throughout the day and throughout the state. In the Meadowlands, a huge staging area was set up and task forces arrived from as far as Delaware and Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, as we all know, most of these resources were not needed because those who made it out were able to receive treatment in NYC and those who didn't couldn't use our help.

The point of the story is, as we remember those who fell, we should also remember that today, just as on September 11, 2001...........we've got your back.

Thoughts anyone?

More Inconvenient Truths

2007-09-02T23:59:00.000-04:00

Shame on Al Gore!!! Read on:

"LOOK OVER THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING TWO HOUSES AND SEE IF YOU
CAN TELL WHICH BELONGS TO AN ENVIRONMENTALIST. HOUSE

# 1: A 20-room mansion (not including 8 bathrooms) heated by natural
gas. Add on a pool (and a pool house) and a separate guest house all heated by
gas. In ONE MONTH ALONE this mansion consumes more energy than the average
American household in an ENTIRE YEAR. The average bill for electricity and
natural gas runs over $2,400.00 per month. In natural gas alone (which last time
we checked was a fossil fuel), this property consumes more than 20 times the
national average for an American home. This house is not in a northern or
Midwestern "snow belt," either. It's in the South.

HOUSE # 2: Designed by an architecture professor at a leading national
university, this house incorporates every "green" feature current home
construction can provide. The house contains only 4,000 square feet (4 bedrooms)
and is nestled on arid high prairie in the American southwest. A central closet
in the house holds geothermal heat pumps drawing ground water through pipes sunk
300 feet into the ground. The water (usually 67 degrees F.) heats the house in
winter and cools it in summer. The system uses no fossil fuels such as oil or
natural gas, and it consumes 25% of the electricity required for a conventional
heating/cooling system. Rainwater from the roof is collected and funneled into a
25,000 gallon underground cistern. Wastewater from showers, sinks and toilets
goes into underground purifying tanks and then into the cistern. The collected
water then irrigates the land surrounding the house. Flowers and shrubs native
to the area blend the property into the surrounding rural landscape.

HOUSE # 1 (20 room energy guzzling mansion) is outside of Nashville,
Tennessee. It is the abode of that renowned environmentalist (and filmmaker) Al
Gore.

HOUSE # 2 (model eco-friendly house) is on a ranch near Crawford,
Texas. Also known as "the Texas White House," it is the private residence of the
President of the United States, George W. Bush.

So whose house is gentler on the environment? Yet another story you
WON'T hear on CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC or read about in the New York Times or
the Washington Post. Indeed, for Mr. Gore, it's truly "an inconvenient truth."

Here's another example of do as I say, not as I do, brought to you by a leading Democrat! (Once again verified as true by my friends at snopes.com.)

Thoughts anyone?

Hooray for the US Postal Service

2007-09-02T22:22:00.001-04:00

Today I got an e-mail story about a kind act from the Postal Service. I checked it with snopes.com and found it to be true. Before I quote it, I just wanted to say that while I am guilty of occasionally complaining about junk mail, slow mail, or other things related to the Postal Service, I would like to note that it is an amazing service to be able to drop a letter in any mailbox around (although they are becoming more scarce) and know that the item I dropped in the box will be received by the party it's addressed to in a matter of days. All this for $.41!

When I read of something like this e-mail, it just adds to my wonderment at the men and women who are out there every day in weather that keeps me inside (too hot, too cold, too rainy, too snowy). Thanks to them. Read this and then do what you feel is right next time you see your mailperson:

"Some of you may know that our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month (8/23). The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. She dictated and I wrote:

'Dear God,
Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and swim before she got sick.
I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.
Love,Meredith Claire
P.S.: Mommy wrote the words after Mer told them to her'
We put that in an envelope with 2 pictures of Abbey, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Mer stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven) and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.
For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, for Labor Day, we took the kids to Austin to a natural history museum. When we got back, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and said "To: Mer" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, When a Pet Dies.
Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope (which was marked 'Return to Sender: Insufficient address'). On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith." We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:
'Dear Mer,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me — just like she stays in your heart — young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets! — so I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am in heaven and wherever there is love.
Love,God, and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words."
As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things that I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is some very kind soul working in the dead letter office. Just wanted to share this act of compassion :) dear friend — hope you enjoy it as much as I did"

Snopes.com can tell you the details on when and where this happened, but they did verify that it is true.

Thoughts anyone?

A quick note

2007-08-25T17:04:00.001-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted recently but I've been preparing for a wonderful cruise to Alaska aboard the Radiance of the Seas (Royal Carribean). I am currently posting from their via wireless connection. I will post more in depth soon, but in the meantime I would encourage you to go to www.helium.com and check out some of my articles as well as meaningful discussions on almost everything in the world.

Politics today

2007-08-17T15:30:00.000-04:00

It's an interesting day in the world of politics. We have Obama talking about "muddy waters", Thompson talking about federalism, and Giuliani not talking about much of anything. Of the three, I'm most disappointed in Fred Thompson. While I enjoyed him on Law & Order, I'm learning that he was a better actor than a politician. He seems to be turning out to be a little too far right for my taste.

Now on to Obama. He is chastising Clinton and ignoring Edwards on the issue of lobbyists and their influence. I find his remarks to be somewhat refreshing and honest (two words that you are unlikely to ever see in the same sentence as the name Hillary Clinton). He talks about how it is silly (at best) to pretend that lobbyists will go away. They make their money and continue to thrive because they do serve a purpose. Just as there are lobbyists for "big oil" who are working to monitor and influence legislation that will affect the oil industry, there are also lobbyists who work for various non-profits around the country. In fact, one of the more powerful lobbies in New Jersey state is a lobby for the volunteer ambulance corps of the state. Who would campaign against the protection of volunteer ambulance corps?

Instead Obama seems to be leaning toward more disclosure and some restrictions on the "buying" of elections through excessive donations. I will wait to hear more, but Barak seems to be the most reputable and decent of the Democratic candidates thus far.

Now, my personal favorite is Rudy Giuliani. He is involved in a skirmish with the press and some members of the public who feel that all aspects of a candidate's personal life are fair game. I, for one, disagree with this. I would agree that if the candidate is found drunk in a gutter, in bed with a prostitute (or another person who is not their spouse), beating their children, or any other sort of illegal activity, that is news. Whether or not Rudy Giuliani is speaking with his children after a divorce, or whether or not he is a practicing Catholic is personal and has no bearing on his candidacy. I feel that the candidate (regardless of who they are) should only be forced to answer such questions if the person asking the question is also willing to go "on the record" with their answer to such a question and one follow-up of the candidate's choice.

Thoughts anyone?

More hot air from Hillary

2007-08-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

One of the most dangerous candidates in this year's elections is Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her personal need for power and fame knows no bounds. She will make outrageous statements merely to be able to get the free press. As a Democrat, I cannot urge my fellow party members enough to select ANYONE ELSE as our candidate in 2008.

One of the big things that irritates me about her (and her predecessors John Kerry and John Edwards) is the haves vs. have not arguments. She continually talks about how the Bush Administration and his fellow Republicans have worked only for the benefit of the rich. She continually talks about how she will work for the middle class. My question to her is, how does she know what the middle class wants or needs? She is actually one of the "rich" that she claims benefitted most from the Bush tax cuts.

Here's my challenge to Hillary, John, and any of the other well-heeled Democrats who are going to claim to speak for me. GIVE AWAY (not put in a blind trust, get rid of) all of your personal wealth and start living on $75,000 - $100,000 annual income and THEN talk to me about understanding the needs of the middle class. At that point, you might find that an extra $20 in your weekly paycheck IS something to be happy about instead of complaining that someone else got more. Until you do that, shut up about the middle class, you have NO IDEA what you're talking about.

Thoughts anyone?

They were wrong again

2007-08-11T10:29:00.000-04:00

For the last several years we've heard from very rich Democrats (Hillary, Ted, John Edwards and Kerry) about how the Republicans are ripping us off and sending our government into an economic tailspin by cutting taxes across the board. As has been mentioned here several times, I've seen my federal taxes go down, so I don't care how much others' taxes go down, just make sure mine don't go back up!

Here's the other part of the story. In an article today from the Associated Press, it was announced that the projected federal deficit is going to be even lower than originally predicted. With just over a month and a half to go in the fiscal year, it seems that the deficit will end up somewhere near the $150 billion mark. While that is a truly unfathomable number to me, it is significantly lower than the $239.6 billion deficit of last year. Heading in the right direction, eh?

The REALLY interesting part is the revenue figures. This is the amount of money the federal government takes in.....FROM TAXES. Given the fact that Bush and the GOP cut taxes, given that the economy hasn't been the greatest, and given the fact that we hear how we aren't really better off than the glory days (?) of the Clinton era, you would expect that the government's revenue has fallen, right? Well guess what, so far this year, the US government has received $2.12 trillion, a new all-time record income!!!

That's right, just as every other time in history, any time a government reduces tax rates, the government's income GOES UP. It happens because people spend more money and lift the general standard of living when the percentage of their hard earned money going to the government drops. People who make more money don't mind paying more taxes as long as the percentage paid remains even.

So why do we still have a deficit when the government is pulling in record income? You would have to ask the Democratically-controlled Congress because not only did revenue reach a record, these fiscally-responsible watchdogs in the Democratic House and Senate (who regularly tell us that the Republicans are cutting funds to those who need it) have spent a RECORD $2.27 trillion so far this year. The leading spender, NOT the military, but the Department of Health and Human Services at $1.7 trillion so far. The military is number 2 at $437 billion.

Thoughts anyone?

Cell Phones and 9-1-1

2007-08-08T10:54:00.000-04:00

Just a quick reminder today. Federal law requires that all cell phones, even those without an active service contract, be able to dial 9-1-1. This has an upside and a hazard to watch. The upside is that you can give a cell phone to an elderly or young family member to carry with them in case of emergency. It will only be able to dial 9-1-1 and it is no cost to you.

The hazard is the cell phone sitting around the house that is no longer used because you've upgraded can still dial 9-1-1. This means that it shouldn't be given to the toddler to play with because they can (and sometimes do) accidentally dial 9-1-1. While some agencies are able to trace cell phone locations to a specific point, most can't yet and that may result in dispatching units to an area in an attempt to locate someone who has dialed for help on a cell phone but won't speak to the dispatcher.

Thoughts anyone?

More Self-Serve Ripoffs

2007-08-07T10:52:00.000-04:00

Having travelled to the midwest, I was able to disprove another myth of those who protect New Jersey's "need" for the "protection" of "full-service" (when was the last time an attendant washed your windshield, checked your oil, or tire pressure?). We've been told that we still have the cheapest gasoline around despite the ban on self-serve. That's no longer true. In St. Louis, I paid $2.59/gal for self-serve Shell regular (and a lot more in taxes per gallon) while here in Fair Lawn, NJ I would pay $2.61/gal for "full" serve regular (with the lowest fuel taxes in the country).

It is plain to see where the $.02/gal is going. Not that the extra $.26 per fill-up would break me (about $12 per year more), but why should I have to pay an EXTRA $12 per year to do something I can do myself just because the state legislators are being wined and dined by the NJ Gasoline Retailers lobby?

Thoughts anyone?

The United States?

2007-08-06T12:29:00.000-04:00

As we travel the United States this weekend, it once again becomes obvious how huge the United States is. Frequently we forget that we are really a conglomeration of what, anywhere else, would be several different countries. It is important to know the the 13 countries that make up the origianl European Union would find handily between the US East Coast and the Mississippi River. This just gives you an idea of how big a country we are and how amazing it is that we have actually kept it together for over 200 years now.

This puts our internal squabbles into a different perspective. It's educational to hear how midwesterners and/or southerners talk about those who live in the "east" (actually the northeast, but everyone seems to know what they are talking about). It's also interesting, although sad, to hear those who live in the New York metro area talk about the farmers of the midwest as though they are country bumpkins with little or no intellectual ability.

The fact of the matter is, these farmers here regularly operate farms that have more moving parts than many small businesses operated by those sophisticated easterners. In addition, one piece of farm equipment is worth as much (or more) than some of the houses sold in our neighborhood. These farmers regularly have to know about hydroponics, weather, finance, futures, biology, geology, and a host of other disciplines. How many snobby "professionals" can say the same?

Thoughts anyone?

Thank you George Bush

2007-08-03T12:00:00.000-04:00

I was just going over my year-to-date financial information and came across some interesting information. I've made about $900 more this year than last and yet I've paid $88 LESS in federal income tax. That's not a lot, but what other item has gone down in price (and yes, taxes are the price you pay for government services) this past year?

To compare, I've paid $295 MORE for gasoline, $134 MORE for groceries, and $176 MORE for my utilities. Also in comparison, I've spent $259 MORE in local taxes. The only thing that I've spent less on is my federal income tax. That's thanks to the Republicans and their "tax cut for the rich".

To be clear, I'M NOT RICH. I would have to more than double my salary to equal what an average autoworker makes. I would have to more than double my salary to raise my salary into what would be the next tax bracket. This, to me, is proof that the Democrats are full of crap when they say the tax increases only benefit the rich.

As I've said before, I don't care if people wealthier than me get more money back. All I care is that I'M PAYING LESS FEDERAL TAX THIS YEAR. I would thus encourage everyone to let Congress know that we want to keep paying less tax (even though government tax receipts are UP!!!) and have them make the tax cuts permanent.

Thoughts anyone?

More everyday heroes

2007-07-24T21:30:00.000-04:00

Today's message comes from an article entitled, "Paying it forward proves lifesaving" in USA Today. If you haven't seen the movie "Pay It Forward", I can't recommend it enough. (Intelliflix.com online DVD rental Movies & Games) Many don't like the ending, but I think it fits and it just shows the magnitude of the idea.

This article is about people following this philosophy in real life. What they are doing is giving kidneys to people in need. This is done all the time but the difference here is that the recipient is required to sign up on the donor list with a partner donor. This means Junior Smith may need a kidney, in order to get on this list, he signs up with Mom Smith who agrees to donate her kidney to the next pair on the list. The end result is a "cascade" of kidneys going to people in need instead of merely a single transplant. It's an amazing idea that truly does "pay it forward".

I encourage you to read the article for more detail and a look at some truly innovative lifesavers.

Thoughts anyone?

It makes me proud to live in the US

2007-07-23T14:57:00.000-04:00

Here is an e-mail I received about a memorial for a fallen soldier. I've checked with snopes.com and it is a true story.

What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce about her nephew James' funeral (he was serving our country in Iraq): "I'm back, it was certainly a quick trip, but I have to also say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There is a lot to be said for growing up in a small town in Texas . The service itself was impressive with wonderful flowers and sprays, a portrait of James, his uniform and boots, his awards and ribbons. There was lots of military brass and an eloquent (though inappropriately long winded) Baptist preacher. There were easily 1000 people at the service, filling the church sanctuary as well as the fellowship hall and spilling out into the parking lot. However, the most incredible thing was what happened following the service on the way to the cemetery. We went to our cars and drove to the cemetery escorted by at least 10 police cars with lights flashing and some other emergency vehicles, with Texas Rangers handling traffic. Everyone on the road who was not in the procession, pulled over, got out of their cars, and stood silently and respectfully, some put their hands over their hearts. When we turned off the highway suddenly there were teenage boys along both sides of the street about every 20 feet or so, all holding large American flags on long flag poles, and again with their hands on their hearts. We thought at first it was the Boy Scouts or 4H club or something, but it continued .... for two and a half miles. Hundreds of young people, standing silently on the side of the road with flags. At one point we passed an elementary school, and all the children were outside, shoulder to shoulder holding flags kindergartners, handicapped, teachers, staff, everyone. Some held signs of love a nd support. Then came teenage girls and younge r boys, all holding flags. Then adults. Then families. All standing silently on the side of the road. No one spoke, not even the very young children. The military presence..at least two generals, a fist full of colonels, and representatives from every branch of the service, plus the color guard who attended James, and some who served with him .. was very impressive and respectful, but the love and pride from this community who had lost one of their own was the most amazing thing I've ever been privileged to witness. I've attached some pictures, some are blurry (we were moving), but you can get a small idea of what this was like. These photos are awesome !!

While I wouldn't wish that any family have to receive such news, it would be my hope that if they do, they are lucky enough to live in a town that cares this much.

Thoughts anyone?

Self-service in New Jersey

2007-07-21T23:43:00.000-04:00

Here is the Preamble to the legislation banning self-service gas stations in New Jersey:

The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Because of the fire hazards directly associated with dispensing fuel, it is in the public interest that gasoline station operators have the control needed over that activity to ensure compliance with appropriate safety procedures, including turning off vehicle engines and refraining from smoking while fuel is dispensed;
b. At self-service gasoline stations in other states, cashiers are often unable to maintain a clear view of the activities of customers dispensing gasoline, or to give their undivided attention to observing customers; therefore, when customers, rather than attendants, are permitted to dispense fuel, it is far more difficult to enforce compliance with safety procedures;
c. The State needs stronger measures to enforce both compliance by customers with the ban on self-service and compliance by attendants with safety procedures;
d. The higher general liability insurance premium rates charged to self-service stations reflect the fact that customers who leave their vehicles to dispense gasoline or other inflammable liquids face significant inconveniences and dangers, including the risks of crime and fall-related personal injury, which are a special burden to drivers with physical infirmities, such as the handicapped and some senior citizens;
e. Exposure to toxic gasoline fumes represents a health hazard when customers dispense their own gasoline, particularly in the case of pregnant women;
f. The significantly higher prices usually charged for full-service gasoline in states where self-service is permitted results in discrimination against low income individuals, who are under greater economic pressure to undergo the inconvenience and hazards of dispensing their own gasoline;
g. The increasing use of self-service has contributed to the diminished availability of repair facilities and maintenance services at gasoline stations;
h. Even in filling stations which offer both self-service and full-service gasoline, customers are less likely, because of the much higher price usually charged for full service, to have attendants make needed maintenance checks, thus causing significant neglect of maintenance and danger both to the customers and to other motorists, as well as the unneeded costly repairs which often result from deferred maintenance;
i. The prohibition of customer self-service does not constitute a restraint of trade in derogation of the general public interest because the Legislature finds no conclusive evidence that self-service gasoline provides a sustained reduction in gasoline prices charged to customers; and
j. A prohibition of self-service gasoline will therefore promote the common welfare by providing increased safety and convenience without causing economic harm to the public in general.

My question is, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" The Preamble should really read, "Because we are afraid of the New Jersey Gasoine Retailers Association, we will remain one of the last two states in the United States to inconvenience the public by not allowing the self-service option!!"
First of all, I've seen numerous vehicles sitting idling at the pumps while the attendant, who is usually on either a cell or portable phone, fills the tank without even looking at the drivier, never mind the car for maintenance (see paragraphs A and H). Secondly, most reasonably priced gas stations are solely that, gas stations and not repair facilities so there goes paragraph G! Lastly, C is a joke!!
The latest is the fact that the attendants (who no longer check the oil, wash the windshield, check the tires, or any of the other things implied by this antiquated law) won't even walk around the car to the driver's side to receive payment. I have to roll down my passenger's side window and lean across the car to tell them what I want and then to hand them payment. One time I refused to do that and the attendant removed the nozzle from the tank and told me to leave. Is this "promoting the common welfare" by "increasing safety and convenience" or is this an example of a powerful lobby buying the state legislature?
It's time for New Jersey to join the rest of the union and remove this ban on self-service because we are already practically doing it. I would receive MUCH faster (and more courteous) service if I were allowed to do it myself.
Thoughts anyone?

A new phone company

2007-07-19T13:02:00.001-04:00

Recently I wrote about some of the apparent problems with Verizon's FiOS and I now have an answer. In researching options, I have found that my internet provider, Earthlink, will offer me service that combines my DSL and my phone. The bundle is cheaper than the two services separately (by about $20 a month) and it has more features than my current phone service. In addition, I get to deal with Earthlink which has had exceptional customer service since I first started dealing with them in 1992!!

Since their service remains on copper wire, the issue of losing phone service in a power outage (a problem for fiber) does not exist. Also, they provide E911 (address and phone number) service so I don't have to worry about that in the case of an emergency.

Their service is not nationwide yet, but it's growing quickly. For more info, click here....

Small business deserves respect

2007-07-16T10:19:00.001-04:00

A comment on another blog got me to reflecting on my days as a small-business owner. I just wanted to comment on some common misperceptions out there (I know because I had most of them).

When I first bought my business, I heard all the time about how I was "raking in the money" and being the boss I could "set my own schedule". Let me tell you a secret......that's crap!! I got to rake in whatever was left after paying the rent, paying utilities, paying my suppliers, paying my insurer, paying the phone bill, paying taxes, paying for advertising, paying my employees, and paying my loans. Everyone thinks that you take in all this money and put it in your pocket. They forget that all the rest of this has to be paid too. Add to that all the requests for donations and ads by local charities, schools, and sports teams who think that if you say no, you're not a "good neighbor".

In addition, everyone thinks that you don't have to ever go to work because "you've got people". Well, what happens when you're out to dinner and the "people" that's working calls to tell you they have to go home because they are really sick? Who do you think covers then? What happens when you want to go away on vacation and there is no one over the age of 16 left in town to watch after your business? Do you go away?

My family and I spent a lot of time, energy, money, and worry running a small business for 15 years (longer than the national average) and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I really enjoyed much of that life, but am VERY glad to be rid of other parts of it. The point here, however, is that you should appreciate the person behind the counter of the local store. In all likelihood, they have sacrificed much to be there. They deserve your respect and hopefully have earned your patronage. If they do well, please tell them. It would probably be the highlight of their day.

Thoughts anyone?

Head-on EMS

2007-07-11T22:42:00.000-04:00

Today I was reading an article entitled, "The Risky Side of Response" by David Williams and Christine Zalar in the April 2007 edition of JEMS magazine. It was a study of the number of fatalities and injuries that occur during emergency transport of the dead and dying across the United States. While the article was mainly focused the difference between air ambulance transport and ground transport, I was struck by some of the statistics on injuries/fatalities occurring during ground transport because this is something I am quite familiar with.

I've been a volunteer EMT for over 20 years and currently serve with 2 different agencies. I have been fortunate that I've only witnessed one accident involving an ambulance which sent members (or anyone else) to the hospital. According to the research in the article, there are 32.5 fatalities resulting from ground ambulance accidents. Why is this statistic not a matter of concern to any single government agency? The FAA regulates the air ambulance industry, but no single agency regulates the ground transport ambulance. In fact, the authors of the article had difficultly even piecing together the statistics because there is not even a central reporting agency.

One of the items mentioned in the article was a need for training. I know from personal experience that there is no standard for driver training. One agency requires certification from the National Safety Council's Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator course as well as successful completion of a cone driving course. The other agency does not. A third agency that I've worked with merely required some over-the-road driving time with a "trainer". There was no objective criteria. These agencies are all located in the state of New Jersey and are in fact, less than five miles apart.

In addition, there is no limit to hours worked. This too, is amazing. A standard "over the road" trucker is only allowed to work a limited number of hours, but the EMTs in this area have no such regulation. Many of them will work 12 hour shifts, some work a full day at their "day job" and then serve as a volunteer at night. Depending upon how busy the agency is, this could be a very long time without rest.

The question then arises, what is the government doing about this? It's not as easy as merely mandating training because they need to balance the fact that many of these services are run by volunteers who must weigh their training time versus their availability. In addition, to mandate new training on the local level means that 73 agencies need to be monitored in our county alone. This is a great deal of oversight required by the regulating agency.

Clearly, the burden falls upon the EMT training center. The national curriculum needs to expand the amount of time spent on ambulance operations which includes driver training. (In fact, the EMT curriculum should be reexamined in general, but that is a different blog.) Right now it is a 3 hour (out of 130) overview of operations which includes driver training, radios, call reports, and other things.

Thoughts anyone?

Another reason to never do business with Verizon!!

2007-07-08T19:34:00.001-04:00

Warning....Verizon is one of the most disreputable companies in the United States!!!!!

In reading news today, I've come across another example of how dishonest Verizon is. It seems that when they give you the new FiOS service (better, faster, stronger), they remove the copper line to your home and replace it with fiber-optic line. This means,

"But once the copper is pulled, it's difficult to switch back to the
traditional phone system or less expensive Digital Subscriber Line service. And
Verizon isn't required, in most instances, to lease fiber to rival phone companies, as it is with the copper infrastructure. What's more, anyone who owns Powderly's house [the man in the example in the article] in the future will face higher bills with FiOS than another home with copper."

The article details how Verizon claims it tells customers prior to switching that it is their intention to remove the copper, but a quick check with a Verizon customer that I know reveals that they were not told either. They are shocked and a little angry at the deception as are most people in the article.

This has been my dealing with Verizon throughout their history. When I switched from Verizon DSL to Earthlink DSL (a significant savings by the way) they disconnected my service immediately and failed to notify Earthlink that the circuit was available until I complained to Earthlink and they found out what had happened. At that time they immediately activated the circuit but it was apparent that Verizon's intention was to make Earthlink look bad and inconvenience me. It is quite obvious that they are out to eliminate competition at all costs.

I cannot urge you enough to take two actions. One, contact the FCC, your senator, your representive, anyone and protest this attempt to eliminate competition by this telecommunications monster!! The other, DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH VERIZON!!!

Thoughts anyone?

Do we have any prophets out there?

2007-07-08T18:18:00.000-04:00

Today in church we heard about the prophet Elisah who took over from the prophet Elijah. It was interesting that the ability to speak on God's behalf was widely believed and accepted in Bibilical times. The story that we heard involved a great general who suffered from leprosy and sought the assistance of the king of Israel who referred him to the prophet Elisah. Here is the leader of the military being referred by the head of government and yet today we are skeptical because our President is an avowed United Methodist and takes his spirituality somewhat seriously. How things have changed.

More importantly, what about this prophecy thing? Why is the Bible literally filled with books of prophetic sayings and we read them every weekend (depending upon your particular faith) and have no trouble accepting that these were words from people of God? Why, then, do we have trouble talking about God in our daily lives? Why do we shy away from discussing our faith on a daily basis? Are there such things as prophets around today? Who are they?

Thoughts anyone?

More untold news from Iraq

2007-07-08T17:37:00.000-04:00

I was sent the following link to a story by writer Michael Yon. I've checked his website and his story is fascinating. I would encourage all readers to add it to their list of favorites and check it on occasion. He presents a view of the US soldier in action in Iraq that is not usually shown on the major media outlets because it shows the reasons and reactions for our continued presence in that troubled country.

This link in particular is very graphic and disturbing. I recommend it to show the ferocity and desperation of the enemy of Iraqis and the lengths they will go to to win. It reminds us that the men who perpetrated 9-11 are not gone, not subdued, and not conquered, they've merely focussed on Iraqis.......for now.

Read with care and be prepared for some graphic pictures.

"WHY DON'T AL QAEDA ATROCITIES GET MEDIA ATTENTION?
Yon's story doesn't get attention because it is humiliating.
It is humiliating because it is obvious that we media – and our allies in the state department, the legal trade, the NGOs, the Democratic Party, the UN, etc., - can’t do squat about such determined use of force.

Our words, images, arguments and skills can’t stop the killing. Only the rough soldiers and their guns can solve the problem, and we won’t admit that fact because the admission would weaken our influence and our claim to social status.

So we pretend Yon’s massacre – and the North Korean killing fields, the Arab treatment of women, the Arab hatred of Israel, etc. - doesn’t exist, and instead focus our emotions and attention on the somewhat-bad domestic things that we can ‘fix’ with our DC-based allies. Things such as Abu Ghraib, wiretapping, etc. When we ‘fix’ them, then we get status, applause, power, new jobs, ego, etc.

Please don’t be surprised. We media are an interest group not much different from the automakers, the unions, and the farmers."

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm

A Long Distance Hug

2007-07-08T17:21:00.000-04:00

Follow this link to a news story of a magnificent woman....

http://mfile.akamai.com/21772/wmv/gannett.download.akamai.com/21772/streaming/wmv/hancockportraits.asx

News?

2007-06-25T19:27:00.001-04:00

As regular readers may be aware, I watch (and have linked to) The Ridgewood Blog and now its new "arch-rival" Ridgewood Views. Although the latter claims to be a more "civil forum", it actually has merely become a place for disaffected readers of the former to go to bad-mouth the moderator of the original Ridgewood blog. On both blogs, there is a discussion of the value of blogging and whether or not it qualifies as news.

I would like to examine that for a minute. In my humble opinion, I would say that both (as do all blogs) qualify as a "news" outlet. After all, if your next door neighbor leans over the fence and tells you that the neighbor across the street fell off the front porch because she was drunk, and the ambulance had to come and take her to the hospital, that's news. It may not be completely factual. It may be that the reason the woman fell was because she was stung by a bee and missed the step trying to get away, or maybe she was indeed drunk. Either way, she was taken away by ambulance and that is news.

Both versions tell you of the main fact, but the background information (drunk vs. sober) is suspect. You would decide on whether to believe the neighbor's interpretation based on what you know of the reporter's affiliation (how does she feel about the one across the street?) and their past history (does she have a history of exaggeration?). If you don't have this information, then you cannot judge the veracity of the information.

Please understand, ALL news outlets have an agenda!! It is not possible to be human and not report from a certain point of view with certain assumptions. This is the fallacy of the supposition that ABC, NBC, CBS, AP, FoxNews, CNN, and all the rest are unbiased. They cannot be!! This was demonstrated in the recent story on MSNBC showing that a large number of journalists donate to candidates of their choice (mostly to the left). In my opinion, that is their right, they just need to let us know. Quit pretending that they have no bias. Admit to it.

This blog, while I try to bring you new or overlooked information, IS MY OPINION. Make no mistake, I think it, I write it, I edit it, it is mine. You may find things out here, but you will also get my spin and opinion on the information. Now if CNN would make the same admission (as well as the two Ridgewood blogs mentioned earlier), we might be getting somewhere towards an honest press.

Thoughts anyone?

National health care anyone?

2007-06-25T13:11:00.001-04:00

So here is what nationalized medicine can do for you....in an article entitled, "Court Weighs Alzheimer Drug Access Issue" from today's AP wire service, the story is told how many of Britain's alzheimer sufferers are are being denied access to drugs that can potentially slow the progress of the disease.

By allowing national medical officials to make the decisions based on cost-benefit analysis, these individuals have been denied access to the medicine that can allow people who are recently diagnosed with the disease to begin immediate treatment so that they can continue to take care of themselves and live a more productive life for a longer time. Is this what we want in the United States? While it's a seductive idea to have all medical treatment paid for by a national health care plan, this is the downside of that plan. Once the government (even if it's through an insurance program) becomes the buyer of medical services on our behalf, it has the right (and responsibility) to determine what care, how much, and how much it will pay for that care. It takes away our ability to make our own health care decisions.

While it is essential that we develop a plan that makes health care more affordable for everyone, the Clinton health plan is not it!! Any plan developed must put the decision-making process in our hands. The money should be ours, such as in a Medical Savings Account. This means that if the government wants to make tax dollars available to every citizen, the money must be given to each citizen for them to spend as they see fit. Perhaps a "Health Care Debit Card" can be pre-loaded and given to each citizen to use. These cards can only be processed at health care facilities, pharmacies, and doctor's offices. There is a potential for fraud, but look at our current Medicare and Medicaid system.....

Thoughts anyone?

Have a plan

2007-06-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Nine firefighters lost their lives in South Carolina this week. That is tragic. The thing that makes it even more tragic is the reason that they were inside the building was the fact that they were looking for 2 workers that were unaccounted for. Had they not thought their were people trapped inside, they would have been outside. They would have lost the building, but not their lives.

It is important that EVERY business, no matter how large or small have a plan. If, God forbid, your place of employment catches fire (or even your home), you must have an agreed upon place where EVERYONE meets to take attendance. It is important that as soon as everyone gets out, they go immediately to that place. This makes it possible for the person in charge to meet with the fire officer in charge and let them know whether or not they need to send people into the burning building.

Please DON'T risk lives by heading home for the day, or wandering out to the meeting place at a leisurely pace, or stopping to chat with others nearby. Get to the spot and report in as fast as you can. Pretend it would be you that would have to enter the building.

In addition, the person in charge MUST have a roster that is accurate. It doesn't help if you "think" Johnny is here, but maybe he's at lunch, or maybe he's off today. You need to know.

Lastly, practice your evacuation plan. Preach it, learn it, live it. You may save someone's life and it may even be your own.

While you're at it, please say a prayer for those who have fallen and their families.

Thoughts anyone?

Another example

2007-06-21T19:31:00.001-04:00

This post 9/11 commercial is another elegant example of how a company can remain respectful and display compassion. Just another point about Anhauser-Busch (and I'm NOT a beer drinker), when I had an opportunity to work as a rescue volunteer in Missouri after the Mississippi River flooding, the clean drinking water was provided in cans, by the truckful, by Busch. No charge.