I have been pondering on what to blog about next. Should I stick with the Holiday theme and write about Chri$tma$ (yes the dollar signs were on purpose)? Maybe a round on Congress not being able to come to terms with extending the Payroll Tax Cut? Maybe some thoughts on the Dutch scientists that have "created" a highly contagious and deadly from of the bird flu that is airborne and has the potential of killing millions? Nah.. maybe next time.
I think this time it's going to be a random rambling that has rolled around in my head. Lord knows they have plenty of room to rattle around in there.
Let's start with this. It's moving, at least to me. Please take a few minutes a click these links below. They are to a country singers website. Ronnie Dunn. No, I'm not promoting his music or trying to sell you something. Hell, I'm not even a country music fan. But, it goes right to the heart of the matter.
The first one is 4 minutes and 32 seconds if you can spare it. It's the music video itself.
http://www.ronniedunn.com/video/music_videos/cost-of-livin_1
The second is a Fox News report on the video. Another 3 minutes and 32 seconds.
http://www.ronniedunn.com/videos
Hopefully you took those few minutes and checked out the videos and your back. Good people, if you haven't figured it out. There is it. That's what happening around us. I've been there, too many of us have. And those "wolves at the door"; if they are not at your throat or your door, they're lurking just around the corner waiting for any sign of weakness to pounce. Unfortunately they are feeding all too well these days. Hopefully we all can start to realize that we have to begin taking care of each other. I don't see anyone else doing it for us, unless they can figure a way to line their own pockets in the process. Sometimes all it takes is a kind word, or holding back a harsh one. Maybe some encouragement or understanding. Just like the man in the video talking about the plant closing, I think we're all a little scared, even if we don't ever show it. We have to start somewhere. It's time that we all just do what we should.
And to Mr. Ronnie Dunn, if by some stoke of luck you, should happen to see this and take offense or have an issue with my linking to your web page, let me know and I'll remove it. But in the meantime the Internet blogger / critic with "made up" sounding name that you blogged about having some unkind words to say about you. Well... he can kiss my not such much of a "country music fan" ass too.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Econmic Meltdown
So here we are in the throes of an economic crisis. But, how did we get here? This is a brief over view of what happened as I see it. With a bit more research on the internet, you can dig even deeper if you chose.
In March 2007, the United States' subprime mortgage industry collapsed due to higher-than-expected home foreclosure rates, with more than 25 subprime lenders declaring bankruptcy, announcing significant losses, or putting themselves up for sale.
The national median home price is poised for its first annual decline since the Great Depression, and the National Association of Realtors reported that supply of unsold homes is at a record 4.2 million.
Because of this, borrowers can't refinance as they no longer have the equity in their homes that they had in 2005 or 2006.
Why…
Mortgage fraud
In 2004, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned of an "epidemic" in mortgage fraud, an important credit risk of nonprime mortgage lending, which, they said, could lead to "a problem that could have as much impact as the Savings and Loan crisis".
The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission reported in January 2011 that: "...mortgage fraud...flourished in an environment of collapsing lending standards and lax regulation. The number of suspicious activity reports—reports of possible financial crimes filed by depository banks and their affiliates—related to mortgage fraud grew 20-fold between 1996 and 2005 and then more than doubled again between 2005 and 2009. One study places the losses resulting from fraud on mortgage loans made between 2005 and 2007 at $112 billion. Lenders made loans that they knew borrowers could not afford and that could cause massive losses to investors in mortgage securities."
New York State prosecutors are examining whether eight banks hoodwinked credit ratings agencies, to inflate the grades of subprime-linked investments. The Securities and Exchange Commission, the Justice Department, the United States attorney’s office and more are examining how banks created, rated, sold and traded mortgage securities that turned out to be some of the worst investments ever devised. As of 2010, virtually all of the investigations, criminal as well as civil, are in their early stages
Securitization practices
The traditional mortgage model involved a bank originating a loan to the borrower/homeowner and retaining the credit (default) risk. With the advent of securitization, the traditional model has given way to the "originate to distribute" model, in which banks essentially sell the mortgages and distribute credit risk to investors through mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and collateralized debt obligations (CDO). Securitization meant that those issuing mortgages were no longer required to hold them to maturity. By selling the mortgages to investors, the originating banks replenished their funds, enabling them to issue more loans and generating transaction fees. This created a moral hazard in which an increased focus on processing mortgage transactions was incentivized but ensuring their credit quality was not.
Inaccurate credit ratings
Credit rating agencies are now under scrutiny for having given investment-grade ratings to MBS based on risky subprime mortgage loans. These high ratings enabled these mortgage-backed securities to be sold to investors, thereby financing the housing boom.
The three credit rating agencies were key enablers of the financial meltdown. The mortgage-related securities at the heart of the crisis could not have been marketed and sold without their seal of approval. Investors relied on them, often blindly. In some cases, they were obligated to use them, or regulatory capital standards were hinged on them. This crisis could not have happened without the rating agencies. Their ratings helped the market soar and their downgrades through 2007 and 2008 wreaked havoc across markets and firms.
Government policies
Both government failed regulation and deregulation contributed to the crisis. In testimony before Congress both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Alan Greenspan conceded failure in allowing the self-regulation of investment banks
Then came "The Bailout".
The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) is a program of the United States government to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions to strengthen its financial sector that was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008. It was a component of the government's measures in 2008 to address the subprime mortgage crisis. The initial bailout was approximately $700 billion.
Less than two months after Congress and President George W. Bush agreed to send $700 billion to the banking industry to "rescue" Wall Street, it was revealed that those very same banks have been using the money to pay out more than $18 billion in bonuses to top executives.
It’s estimated that the average American family will contribute $7,000 to the very companies which took "the destabilizing risks that undermined the global economy."
It's common sense: giving money to people who have made poor choices and driven their companies into the ground will only result in more poor choices. Before the bailout, senior financial executives were making billions in bonuses. After the bailout, senior financial executives were making billions in bonuses
On December 8th 2008 the Bush administration said it would lend $17.4 billion to General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC.
Fast forward to 7/24/2011 when the following fact were published buy the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/02/04/business/20090205-bailout-totals-graphic.html
“Through April 30, the government has made commitments of about $12.2 trillion and spent $2.5 trillion…”
Please click the link above to get the detailed picture.
First let’s think about $14 trillion dollars. How much is that anyway? That would be
$14,000,000,000,000. That’s right 14 followed by twelve zeros. A million is a number followed by six zeros (1,000,000). $14 trillion is $14,000 million.
Let’s break that down. On April 1, 2010 the US Census reported the US population to be 308,745,538 people. Time to break out that snazzy calculator your computer has. $14 trillion dollars would be enough money to give EVERY man, woman, and child is the United Stated of America $45,344.79 EACH. So a family of four would roughly get $200,000. Do you think that would have stimulated the economy a bit?
So, how did this all start? In my opinion it was a group of very greedy corporations and individuals that had a scheme to circumvent the system. They had come up with a plan to line their pockets with our money, with no thoughts or remorse for the consequences.
And what will come of it all? Probably not much. The folks responsible will never be held accountable. Some government agency may try, but it will be the equivalent of a witch hunt. A few underlings may have to fall on their swords, but what will that do for us. Nothing. We’ll still be in the economic crapper. Employment will still be high (which doesn’t count those that have dropped off the roles or the under employed). Houses will still foreclose, with their values lower than they have been in years. The number of people of food stamps will still rise and the lines at the local churches and food banks will grow longer with people trying to get food for their families. We’ll continue to struggle to survive for decades to come, while the corporate leaders will continue to make millions in salaries and most likely billions in bonuses.
In March 2007, the United States' subprime mortgage industry collapsed due to higher-than-expected home foreclosure rates, with more than 25 subprime lenders declaring bankruptcy, announcing significant losses, or putting themselves up for sale.
The national median home price is poised for its first annual decline since the Great Depression, and the National Association of Realtors reported that supply of unsold homes is at a record 4.2 million.
Because of this, borrowers can't refinance as they no longer have the equity in their homes that they had in 2005 or 2006.
Why…
Mortgage fraud
In 2004, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned of an "epidemic" in mortgage fraud, an important credit risk of nonprime mortgage lending, which, they said, could lead to "a problem that could have as much impact as the Savings and Loan crisis".
The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission reported in January 2011 that: "...mortgage fraud...flourished in an environment of collapsing lending standards and lax regulation. The number of suspicious activity reports—reports of possible financial crimes filed by depository banks and their affiliates—related to mortgage fraud grew 20-fold between 1996 and 2005 and then more than doubled again between 2005 and 2009. One study places the losses resulting from fraud on mortgage loans made between 2005 and 2007 at $112 billion. Lenders made loans that they knew borrowers could not afford and that could cause massive losses to investors in mortgage securities."
New York State prosecutors are examining whether eight banks hoodwinked credit ratings agencies, to inflate the grades of subprime-linked investments. The Securities and Exchange Commission, the Justice Department, the United States attorney’s office and more are examining how banks created, rated, sold and traded mortgage securities that turned out to be some of the worst investments ever devised. As of 2010, virtually all of the investigations, criminal as well as civil, are in their early stages
Securitization practices
The traditional mortgage model involved a bank originating a loan to the borrower/homeowner and retaining the credit (default) risk. With the advent of securitization, the traditional model has given way to the "originate to distribute" model, in which banks essentially sell the mortgages and distribute credit risk to investors through mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and collateralized debt obligations (CDO). Securitization meant that those issuing mortgages were no longer required to hold them to maturity. By selling the mortgages to investors, the originating banks replenished their funds, enabling them to issue more loans and generating transaction fees. This created a moral hazard in which an increased focus on processing mortgage transactions was incentivized but ensuring their credit quality was not.
Inaccurate credit ratings
Credit rating agencies are now under scrutiny for having given investment-grade ratings to MBS based on risky subprime mortgage loans. These high ratings enabled these mortgage-backed securities to be sold to investors, thereby financing the housing boom.
The three credit rating agencies were key enablers of the financial meltdown. The mortgage-related securities at the heart of the crisis could not have been marketed and sold without their seal of approval. Investors relied on them, often blindly. In some cases, they were obligated to use them, or regulatory capital standards were hinged on them. This crisis could not have happened without the rating agencies. Their ratings helped the market soar and their downgrades through 2007 and 2008 wreaked havoc across markets and firms.
Government policies
Both government failed regulation and deregulation contributed to the crisis. In testimony before Congress both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Alan Greenspan conceded failure in allowing the self-regulation of investment banks
Then came "The Bailout".
The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) is a program of the United States government to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions to strengthen its financial sector that was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008. It was a component of the government's measures in 2008 to address the subprime mortgage crisis. The initial bailout was approximately $700 billion.
Less than two months after Congress and President George W. Bush agreed to send $700 billion to the banking industry to "rescue" Wall Street, it was revealed that those very same banks have been using the money to pay out more than $18 billion in bonuses to top executives.
It’s estimated that the average American family will contribute $7,000 to the very companies which took "the destabilizing risks that undermined the global economy."
It's common sense: giving money to people who have made poor choices and driven their companies into the ground will only result in more poor choices. Before the bailout, senior financial executives were making billions in bonuses. After the bailout, senior financial executives were making billions in bonuses
On December 8th 2008 the Bush administration said it would lend $17.4 billion to General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC.
Fast forward to 7/24/2011 when the following fact were published buy the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/02/04/business/20090205-bailout-totals-graphic.html
“Through April 30, the government has made commitments of about $12.2 trillion and spent $2.5 trillion…”
Please click the link above to get the detailed picture.
First let’s think about $14 trillion dollars. How much is that anyway? That would be
$14,000,000,000,000. That’s right 14 followed by twelve zeros. A million is a number followed by six zeros (1,000,000). $14 trillion is $14,000 million.
Let’s break that down. On April 1, 2010 the US Census reported the US population to be 308,745,538 people. Time to break out that snazzy calculator your computer has. $14 trillion dollars would be enough money to give EVERY man, woman, and child is the United Stated of America $45,344.79 EACH. So a family of four would roughly get $200,000. Do you think that would have stimulated the economy a bit?
So, how did this all start? In my opinion it was a group of very greedy corporations and individuals that had a scheme to circumvent the system. They had come up with a plan to line their pockets with our money, with no thoughts or remorse for the consequences.
And what will come of it all? Probably not much. The folks responsible will never be held accountable. Some government agency may try, but it will be the equivalent of a witch hunt. A few underlings may have to fall on their swords, but what will that do for us. Nothing. We’ll still be in the economic crapper. Employment will still be high (which doesn’t count those that have dropped off the roles or the under employed). Houses will still foreclose, with their values lower than they have been in years. The number of people of food stamps will still rise and the lines at the local churches and food banks will grow longer with people trying to get food for their families. We’ll continue to struggle to survive for decades to come, while the corporate leaders will continue to make millions in salaries and most likely billions in bonuses.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Black Friday 2011 did not disappoint...
Or, maybe it did.
Initial reports are saying that Black Friday sales were up by 26% over last year, but was the cost really?
Do a Google search for "Black Friday 2011 incidents" and see what you find. Shoppers pepper spraying other shoppers, shootings, stabbings, police tasering folks, fist fights, parking lot muggings, and the most heart breaking I heard.. a 61 year old man died on the floor of a department store from a heart attack while eager bargain hunters stepped over his body.
Unbelievable.
That time of year huh? Peace on Earth, Good will towards men, and all those other lyrics to holiday songs. Yeah, right. If Santa is making a list and checking it twice for all those naughty or nice, he could give his eight tiny reindeer the night off.
Do you think the people that shouted, pushed, shoved, hit, and/or punched their way to the front of the line to get that special holiday bargain are proud? I bet they are. I bet they haven't a shadow of remorse for how they got their bargain.
So let's start making a check list for next years Black Friday sale...
1. Shopping list.
2. Tent for camping outside the store 3 days prior.
3. Safety Goggles
4. Pepper Spray
5. Taser
6. Hand held weapon of choice. (gun, knife, club, or shillelagh perhaps)
7. Full body armour.
8. Lack of any common decency.
No worries, the local media will be providing the news crews and aerial photography.
So, if you were one of those the pushed, scratched, or clawed your way to that bargain of the year. Enjoy it. Think not of the person that missed out, got injured, or maybe even died so you could have your deal. It's not about them, it's about you. Remember, maybe next year your neighbor may step over your body to get that flat screen TV they've been wanting.
Initial reports are saying that Black Friday sales were up by 26% over last year, but was the cost really?
Do a Google search for "Black Friday 2011 incidents" and see what you find. Shoppers pepper spraying other shoppers, shootings, stabbings, police tasering folks, fist fights, parking lot muggings, and the most heart breaking I heard.. a 61 year old man died on the floor of a department store from a heart attack while eager bargain hunters stepped over his body.
Unbelievable.
That time of year huh? Peace on Earth, Good will towards men, and all those other lyrics to holiday songs. Yeah, right. If Santa is making a list and checking it twice for all those naughty or nice, he could give his eight tiny reindeer the night off.
Do you think the people that shouted, pushed, shoved, hit, and/or punched their way to the front of the line to get that special holiday bargain are proud? I bet they are. I bet they haven't a shadow of remorse for how they got their bargain.
So let's start making a check list for next years Black Friday sale...
1. Shopping list.
2. Tent for camping outside the store 3 days prior.
3. Safety Goggles
4. Pepper Spray
5. Taser
6. Hand held weapon of choice. (gun, knife, club, or shillelagh perhaps)
7. Full body armour.
8. Lack of any common decency.
No worries, the local media will be providing the news crews and aerial photography.
So, if you were one of those the pushed, scratched, or clawed your way to that bargain of the year. Enjoy it. Think not of the person that missed out, got injured, or maybe even died so you could have your deal. It's not about them, it's about you. Remember, maybe next year your neighbor may step over your body to get that flat screen TV they've been wanting.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Black Friday, Grey Thursday
It's that time of year again. Only this year it's ealier than ever. The Holiday Season is upon us. There is a local FM radio station that started it's regiment 24 hour Christmas music on November 2nd.
Maybe I'm old fashoined, or just old for that matter. But, I remember the days when the "Holidays" didn't start until after Thanksgiving. The commericals on the television and radio have started, the stores are decked out in thier holiday best, and folks are decorating thier yards with lights and plastic reindeer.
The latest is "Black Friday" (please see the blog entry about DNA) is spilling backwards into Thanksgiving. Which should be henseforth known as "Grey Thursday". Another day to camp out for the great deal. Another oppotunity to put on our helmets and shoulder pads to trample our way through the crowd to get that item we just can't live without. Be damned with the "Holiday" spirit! To hell with being with family! Just give me that bargin! Now we need not even consider the countless people that will have to work at these retail establishments on a day usually set aside for family, friends, and giving thanks. They need to be at thier posts, working for minimum wage, sacrificing thier "Holiday" so we can can get that cheap laptop or flat screen TV!
I suppose this is all good for the sake of profit. Heavens forbid the retailers stock enough of those products that we could go at our leasure and get a great deal. No, that wouldn't work. Why stock enough of the deal for everyone, when we can stock 10 of them and let the rest pay full price for a similar item? Where's the fun in that? That wouldn't make the evening news.
So here's the reality check. the "Holidays" aren't about family, or friends, or giving thanks. They are about money. Don't believe me, take a look around. Why did do the RETAILERS get to decide when to kick off the "Holiday" season? Corporate profits have taken over and the "Holidays" have moved from our hearts to our wallets. Believe that. Ask someone that's struggling in this economy right now, worrying about how to pay the bills, the food they don't have, or the roof they don't have over thier heads. They'll tell you just how much "Holiday" spirit they can afford. Let's ask the 49 million people on food stamps in the US (reported this morning) about the "Holidays" or the people we see lined up at the food pantries.
So yeah, the "Holidays" can suck for alot of people. More now than ever and starting the "Holiday" season right after Halloween is just rubbing our noses in it.
Maybe I'm old fashoined, or just old for that matter. But, I remember the days when the "Holidays" didn't start until after Thanksgiving. The commericals on the television and radio have started, the stores are decked out in thier holiday best, and folks are decorating thier yards with lights and plastic reindeer.
The latest is "Black Friday" (please see the blog entry about DNA) is spilling backwards into Thanksgiving. Which should be henseforth known as "Grey Thursday". Another day to camp out for the great deal. Another oppotunity to put on our helmets and shoulder pads to trample our way through the crowd to get that item we just can't live without. Be damned with the "Holiday" spirit! To hell with being with family! Just give me that bargin! Now we need not even consider the countless people that will have to work at these retail establishments on a day usually set aside for family, friends, and giving thanks. They need to be at thier posts, working for minimum wage, sacrificing thier "Holiday" so we can can get that cheap laptop or flat screen TV!
I suppose this is all good for the sake of profit. Heavens forbid the retailers stock enough of those products that we could go at our leasure and get a great deal. No, that wouldn't work. Why stock enough of the deal for everyone, when we can stock 10 of them and let the rest pay full price for a similar item? Where's the fun in that? That wouldn't make the evening news.
So here's the reality check. the "Holidays" aren't about family, or friends, or giving thanks. They are about money. Don't believe me, take a look around. Why did do the RETAILERS get to decide when to kick off the "Holiday" season? Corporate profits have taken over and the "Holidays" have moved from our hearts to our wallets. Believe that. Ask someone that's struggling in this economy right now, worrying about how to pay the bills, the food they don't have, or the roof they don't have over thier heads. They'll tell you just how much "Holiday" spirit they can afford. Let's ask the 49 million people on food stamps in the US (reported this morning) about the "Holidays" or the people we see lined up at the food pantries.
So yeah, the "Holidays" can suck for alot of people. More now than ever and starting the "Holiday" season right after Halloween is just rubbing our noses in it.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
DNA
They say that there is about a 3 - 5% difference in human DNA and the DNA of an ape. So that means the difference between a blogging, smart phone toting human and a grub eating, poo throwing ape is a relatively small number of DNA strands.
This isn't about evolution, more about behavior. It doesn't take long to look around and find examples of "humans" acting like animals. How about the "Knock Out Game"? Unprovoked attacks on innocent bystanders to see if you can "knock someone out". There are reports of people being beaten to death over this. A fine example of humanity. Maybe the annual reports of people stampeding retail outlets for the "Black Friday" sales. Knocking each other down and trampling one another for a good deal. Guess it's called "Black Friday" for a reason. Do a Google search on what happened at the Astrodome following Hurricane Katrina if you have any doubts left.
Have a look around during your day. I bet there are a lot of examples of people acting more like an animal than a fellow human. They don't have to be as tragic as the ones I mentioned before, they are most likely very subtle. Ignoring things that shouldn't be ignored, humiliating someone is some way for amusement or to elevate yourself. Demeaning or dehumanizing someone to get your own way, to feel or re-enforce a position of power. Sadly, the list could go on and on.
Is this really what we're suppose to do with that 5% of DNA? In times of need or catastrophe shouldn't we be rising to help one another instead of watching the idea of civilization dissolve, or worse, participating? Or maybe the next time I see something like this happen I should just throw some poo at them.
This isn't about evolution, more about behavior. It doesn't take long to look around and find examples of "humans" acting like animals. How about the "Knock Out Game"? Unprovoked attacks on innocent bystanders to see if you can "knock someone out". There are reports of people being beaten to death over this. A fine example of humanity. Maybe the annual reports of people stampeding retail outlets for the "Black Friday" sales. Knocking each other down and trampling one another for a good deal. Guess it's called "Black Friday" for a reason. Do a Google search on what happened at the Astrodome following Hurricane Katrina if you have any doubts left.
Have a look around during your day. I bet there are a lot of examples of people acting more like an animal than a fellow human. They don't have to be as tragic as the ones I mentioned before, they are most likely very subtle. Ignoring things that shouldn't be ignored, humiliating someone is some way for amusement or to elevate yourself. Demeaning or dehumanizing someone to get your own way, to feel or re-enforce a position of power. Sadly, the list could go on and on.
Is this really what we're suppose to do with that 5% of DNA? In times of need or catastrophe shouldn't we be rising to help one another instead of watching the idea of civilization dissolve, or worse, participating? Or maybe the next time I see something like this happen I should just throw some poo at them.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Zombies
Zombies seem to be “in” these days. Zombie movies, zombie documentaries, zombie TV series, zombie video games, highway traffic signs warning of zombies, smart phone apps regarding zombies, and countless websites dedicated to zombies. Apparently zombies are the new vampires. We’ve had a few predictions for the end of the world with those remaining turning into… zombies. So far, I think those didn’t come true.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has a blog for Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness a http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2011/05/preparedness-101-zombie-apocalypse/ and a county in Ohio had a mock drill for a zombie outbreak http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45087497/ns/health/ . Even a hardware store offering a Zombie Preparedness Center http://www.westlakehardware.com/specialties/zombies .
Will they be the traditional slow moving, brain eating zombies? The ones that lumber along, moaning and groaning, in search of a free meal of flesh and human brains. Perhaps a new breed of zombies will emerge. Faster, smarter, more agile zombies now those would be really frightening. We should be able to outsmart the old school zombies.
Or maybe… zombies are already among us. The ones that look like they need their cell phone surgically removed from their hands. They wander through the stores staring blankly at their phone in their hand. Paying little or no attention to whatever is happening around them. Those are like the old school zombies. They are pretty easy to out maneuver. Then you have the ones that insist on surfing the internet or sending some extremely important text message while driving. They even have traffic signs, commercials on TV, pledges to follow, and laws on the books for those. “Don’t Text and Drive”. These aren’t zombies in the classic sense. They didn’t catch some new strain of virus or were put under some ancient curse, but I’m sure they fall into some yet unknown category of zombie. We could call then Phombies! They are oblivious to what’s going on around them, seem to have only one purpose on their mind, and are often heard moaning and talking to themselves.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Discrimination
Here's a thought or two about discrimination. First I believe that discrimination is a terrible thing. No one should be discriminated against for any reason. That being said, what is the general idea about what people who feel discriminated against want? Equal rights! To be treated and acted upon as everyone else is! Not to be treated unfairly! That sounds reasonable.
Then why was it when a lesbian couple was recently asked to debark from an airplane before it took off due to supposedly in appropriate behavior, the discrimination flag was raised high? Does that mean if a heterosexual couple would have been engaging in the same behavior it would have been OK? I think not. Inappropriate behavior is, well, inappropriate, no matter who is acting in that matter. It shouldn't matter what the offending persons lifestyle choices, race or anything else that could be used as an excuse be used as a defense for bad behavior. So, isn't that equal? Isn't that what everyone wants?
How about the fact that major insurance companies will insure your spouse. Which is defined as the person your legally married to and they will insure your same sex partner. Which implies that your not legally married to your "spouse". OK... I don't know, but I would imagine that you would have to prove that you both live under the same roof and more perhaps. So now we are insuring married heterosexual couples and non married homosexual couples. I don't have an issue with that... What I have an issue with is NOT insuring a heterosexual couple that is not married and could pass the same vetting that a non married homosexual couple passes and gets insurance. Is that equal or fair? Is that discrimination?
How about this.... Can we pick a set of rules and follow them for everyone? You use vulgar language or partake in a full on tonsil hockey kiss your going to get kicked off an airplane. If you can pass the test to get your "spouse" insurance, their going to be insured. No flag waving, no headline news, just fair.
Then why was it when a lesbian couple was recently asked to debark from an airplane before it took off due to supposedly in appropriate behavior, the discrimination flag was raised high? Does that mean if a heterosexual couple would have been engaging in the same behavior it would have been OK? I think not. Inappropriate behavior is, well, inappropriate, no matter who is acting in that matter. It shouldn't matter what the offending persons lifestyle choices, race or anything else that could be used as an excuse be used as a defense for bad behavior. So, isn't that equal? Isn't that what everyone wants?
How about the fact that major insurance companies will insure your spouse. Which is defined as the person your legally married to and they will insure your same sex partner. Which implies that your not legally married to your "spouse". OK... I don't know, but I would imagine that you would have to prove that you both live under the same roof and more perhaps. So now we are insuring married heterosexual couples and non married homosexual couples. I don't have an issue with that... What I have an issue with is NOT insuring a heterosexual couple that is not married and could pass the same vetting that a non married homosexual couple passes and gets insurance. Is that equal or fair? Is that discrimination?
How about this.... Can we pick a set of rules and follow them for everyone? You use vulgar language or partake in a full on tonsil hockey kiss your going to get kicked off an airplane. If you can pass the test to get your "spouse" insurance, their going to be insured. No flag waving, no headline news, just fair.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Tale of the Hot Dog
During a recent stop at the local mega/super/enormous store where you can purchase almost anything you like under one roof (if your willing to crawl on the floor to get your soda from the back of the bottom rack), I discovered that my usual pack of bargain polish sausage is now in a package of 14 instead of 16. If my math is correct that is a 12.5% reduction in meat by product for the same price. It also appeared that the plastic "cans" of coffee are now a tad smaller. For the same price... I'm really not sure what else, but I'm sure there are many more. Think about the increase in profit for the company that manufactures those dogs. The new packaging gets them a free one to sell every 7 or so. I know this has been going on for years, but come on... Usually the decrease the amount of product and cut the price a tiny bit to make you believe you're getting a deal. Not anymore. We live in a "take it or leave it" market place. Believe that. Don't want to pay the high price for fuel? Walk. Don't like the age or conditions you work in? Join the ranks of the unemployed with little hope for finding a job, let along a well paying job. There was actually a politician, a short time ago, that made the comment on a radio station that it was time to realize that our children are not going to get to go to college. Can you believe that?? He's saying that the next generation as little hope of doing as well as this generation has done. I think he's wrong, or at least I hope he is, and what a great thing to say to boost peoples morale.
So, what's going to happen from here? More of the same I suspect, at least for a while longer. It's going to take a change like we have never seen before to turn this trend around. Maybe it will come next year, the Mayans seem to think something big is going happen in 2012. Maybe we'll get our 2 hot dogs back.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Once Again
Once again I ponder the state of life, the universe, and whatever. After re-reading my post over four years ago I see the basis hasn't changed. If anything things are worse. Take a moment to look around you as you go through your day. People just aren't happy overall. It seems everyone is stressed out about something. The economy is in the tank and the average person on the street, either trying to make a living or trying to survive (or more likely both) doesn't see any end or improvement in site. It is refreshing to see some brave folks around the country protesting. Let's stand outside some building or street corner hold up signs, yell at the passing cars and maybe sing a protest song or two. I'm sure the good folks that are making the decisions that cause our fuel prices or food prices to increase while our wages stall will at least be amused. It most likely won't do a thing to improve our lot.
I wrote before about the lack of customer service. That lack is still there. But where's the incentive? I'm one that was raised to go to work early each day, work hard and be rewarded for my efforts. I still do that and always will. But I look around at those folks that pass through my day. Barely skating by, doing as little as possible and getting the same pay and increase in salary as I do. While the demands for improvement pile on.
Monday, August 15, 2011
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