Enhanced Interrogation Technique (EIT) - this is the new euphemism and acronym so conservatives do not have to use the word "torture". I don't know of anyone who has undergone waterboarding who doesn't think it is torture. I understand that the US military does it to our own troops as part of Ranger training. I guess that justifies it in the minds of people like Sean Hannity. I am waiting for him to take advantage of Keith Obermann's offer to donate $1,000 to charity for every second that Hannity submits to the procedure.
In the heat of the debate over who knew about these techniques and how effective they were, let us not lose perspective. Back in 2003, we were expecting more terrorist attacks here in the US. It is not hard to imagine that the questioning of terror suspects might have been less genteel than we normally would expect for citizens suspected of shoplifting.
I tend to go along with John McCain's position that torture is not an effective way of eliciting truthful information, and it places us on a moral par with those enemies that have used these practices against our captured soldiers.
We have heard conflicting declarations from government experts about whether the rough interrogation practices of the Bush administration were directly responsible for at least one foiled attempt to create mass destruction in LA.
So, as usual, we are left with conflicting data and no one we can trust to tell us the truth. Thus we must rely on common sense. Ok, maybe one bullet in the kneecap -- we are still talking about Sean Hannity, right?
5/29/2009
5/28/2009
Penultimate Day Musings
Your humble scribe has made a career of searching and hoping to find one day the ideal job. But, alas, he has always been disappointed. He has worked at 27 different jobs in his life. He started hawking copies of the Boston Herald Traveler to commuters in Watertown Square as a lad. He went on to work numerous part-time/summer jobs after school. He fixed duplicating machines, worked as a painter, wrangled horses on a dude ranch, academic administrator, systems analyst, program manager for new product introduction, wrote resumes for people, and worked as a direct marketing database manager. He has unloaded trucks and stocked shelves, he has been paid for published essays, unpaid for poetry and has killed and eaten a moose single-handedly (Just wanted to see if you were still reading), and, most recently has been one of those unfortunate persons on whom god has played another of His cruel jokes - condemned to be a person who waits on the public.
If you have never had such a job - dealing with the public - you have no idea how loathsome and rude the public can be. If you worked in an office in some bureaucracy all your life, you probably thought your boss was a dick wad and most of your coworkers were evil backbiting shits - oh, and you are totally correct on that point - but now, throw-in an unfiltered rabble of customers to this mix, whose only qualification for your attention is that they are suspected of having money. Management insists that these walk-in, random people should be treated as if they were royalty, instead of ravenous doltish vultures with credit cards, which most of them are.
Don't misunderstand, I am not whining. I am merely pointing out that human beings tend to be nasty, brutish and short-tempered. The world consists of two basic types of people: people who provide service and people who consume service. If you are exclusively in the latter group, you probably have little respect for people in the former group, but I need to tell you, it is probably you who is the moron.
That poor menche that is wrestling with a badly-designed computer system to handle the vagaries of your desires is probably doing the best he or she can. And, even if they respond to you in an unpleasant manner (which you probably deserve) perhaps it is understandable if you consider that they have spent the whole morning dealing with inconsiderate assholes, and maybe they have exceeded the reasonable tolerance point for interfacing with people who think the world revolves around them.
Thank god, tomorrow is my last day. Suck on that, public!
If you have never had such a job - dealing with the public - you have no idea how loathsome and rude the public can be. If you worked in an office in some bureaucracy all your life, you probably thought your boss was a dick wad and most of your coworkers were evil backbiting shits - oh, and you are totally correct on that point - but now, throw-in an unfiltered rabble of customers to this mix, whose only qualification for your attention is that they are suspected of having money. Management insists that these walk-in, random people should be treated as if they were royalty, instead of ravenous doltish vultures with credit cards, which most of them are.
Don't misunderstand, I am not whining. I am merely pointing out that human beings tend to be nasty, brutish and short-tempered. The world consists of two basic types of people: people who provide service and people who consume service. If you are exclusively in the latter group, you probably have little respect for people in the former group, but I need to tell you, it is probably you who is the moron.
That poor menche that is wrestling with a badly-designed computer system to handle the vagaries of your desires is probably doing the best he or she can. And, even if they respond to you in an unpleasant manner (which you probably deserve) perhaps it is understandable if you consider that they have spent the whole morning dealing with inconsiderate assholes, and maybe they have exceeded the reasonable tolerance point for interfacing with people who think the world revolves around them.
Thank god, tomorrow is my last day. Suck on that, public!
5/10/2009
The Pursuit of Happiness
The IDEAS section of today's Boston Globe had and interesting article discussing recent scientific research into what makes humans happy - and unhappy.
I know what you are thinking, Grasshopper: Happy = beer; and Unhappy = running out of beer.
But, the topic is not quite so simple. Most of us would assert that the pursuit of happiness is a constitutionally guaranteed right, despite the persistent nagging feeling that a lot of people are having more fun than we are. Even when something good happens, like a lottery hit, or we get something we have always wanted, the feeling of euphoria does not last very long. Delight fades to mere satisfaction which starts to rust almost immediately. Before we know it, we start to develop a new goal/dream/desire to add to our "To Do/Wish" list.
I have previously remarked on this phenomena of dissatisfaction with the status quo, which I have attributed to human nature. I believe it has been adequately explained by Abraham Maslow' s theory of human motivation - The hierarchy of needs - which everyone studied in college (Psychology 101). The pursuit of happiness is an ongoing process, because the things that make us happy keep changing.
No Grasshopper, I am not just talking about the pleasure one finds in strips of crisp bacon on buttered toast in the morning, or the ecstasy a frosty Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on a warm afternoon sitting on a screen porch with a cigar and a good spy novel. These are immutable moments of happiness, but sadly, they end all to soon.
The happiness we are talking about here is a lasting state of being. The research as discussed in the Ideas article shows that people are not very good at predicting what will bring them lasting happiness. The new boat or a bigger house usually involve unintended effects that diminish the sense of satisfaction. For example: moving to a bigger house may involve a migration to exurbia which entails a longer commute. The research seems to indicate that the unhappiness introduced by a longer, unpleasant commute seems to overshadow the joy of a bigger bathroom.
The ultimate determining factor of those who self report a sense of happiness is having a social network. (Maybe I need to reactivate my Facebook account.) Family, friendship, people to talk to - these are what make the difference.
So, there it is. Stop wasting your time trying to "be happy". You are doomed to never be totally satisfied. Go out and talk to your neighbors and call your mother.
The other side of this research is kind of interesting, too. People who ought to be very unhappy because they have suffered terrible trauma (such as loss of limbs or eyesight) seem not to be as bad off as we would predict. (read the article)
In other words, we suck at predicting the impact of future events of our state of being. In a 2006 survey, the Pew research org did a survey on happiness that is worth your review.
By the way, the pursuit of happiness was a phrase from the Declaration of Independence not the constitution. But you already knew that didn't you?
All this scholarship makes me thirsty. But, I seem to be out of beer :-(
Good thing I am friendly with the neighbors...
I know what you are thinking, Grasshopper: Happy = beer; and Unhappy = running out of beer.
But, the topic is not quite so simple. Most of us would assert that the pursuit of happiness is a constitutionally guaranteed right, despite the persistent nagging feeling that a lot of people are having more fun than we are. Even when something good happens, like a lottery hit, or we get something we have always wanted, the feeling of euphoria does not last very long. Delight fades to mere satisfaction which starts to rust almost immediately. Before we know it, we start to develop a new goal/dream/desire to add to our "To Do/Wish" list.
I have previously remarked on this phenomena of dissatisfaction with the status quo, which I have attributed to human nature. I believe it has been adequately explained by Abraham Maslow' s theory of human motivation - The hierarchy of needs - which everyone studied in college (Psychology 101). The pursuit of happiness is an ongoing process, because the things that make us happy keep changing.
No Grasshopper, I am not just talking about the pleasure one finds in strips of crisp bacon on buttered toast in the morning, or the ecstasy a frosty Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on a warm afternoon sitting on a screen porch with a cigar and a good spy novel. These are immutable moments of happiness, but sadly, they end all to soon.
The happiness we are talking about here is a lasting state of being. The research as discussed in the Ideas article shows that people are not very good at predicting what will bring them lasting happiness. The new boat or a bigger house usually involve unintended effects that diminish the sense of satisfaction. For example: moving to a bigger house may involve a migration to exurbia which entails a longer commute. The research seems to indicate that the unhappiness introduced by a longer, unpleasant commute seems to overshadow the joy of a bigger bathroom.
The ultimate determining factor of those who self report a sense of happiness is having a social network. (Maybe I need to reactivate my Facebook account.) Family, friendship, people to talk to - these are what make the difference.
So, there it is. Stop wasting your time trying to "be happy". You are doomed to never be totally satisfied. Go out and talk to your neighbors and call your mother.
The other side of this research is kind of interesting, too. People who ought to be very unhappy because they have suffered terrible trauma (such as loss of limbs or eyesight) seem not to be as bad off as we would predict. (read the article)
In other words, we suck at predicting the impact of future events of our state of being. In a 2006 survey, the Pew research org did a survey on happiness that is worth your review.
By the way, the pursuit of happiness was a phrase from the Declaration of Independence not the constitution. But you already knew that didn't you?
All this scholarship makes me thirsty. But, I seem to be out of beer :-(
Good thing I am friendly with the neighbors...
4/30/2009
State of Fear
Yeah, back on line. Yeah, it cost me $300. Now I am scared to open any email with attachments or links. This is the big Achilles Heel of the internet - hackers can mess everything up. Security experts, like insurance salesman play on our worst fears. Makes you want to just stay in bed and pull the covers up.
I have recently finished re-reading Michael Crichton's State of Fear. The central action in the book is about a group of enviro-terrorists who go around fabricating fake catastrophic "events" to raise the level of fear about man-made global warming. I think Crichton makes an excellent case for those of us who are still skeptical about Al Gore's data - as proffered in "An Inconvenient Truth."
Published in 2004, the story is fictional, but the author did extensive research on the scientific reports and research data that was available at the time. The author -who died last year of apparently natural causes - warned about scientific consensus . Facts are facts, but consensus has almost always been proved wrong by improved observations.
You don't have to agree with all of the arguments made by characters in Crichton's book, but you might have trouble with some of the facts he cites. I do not wish to argue them here, because I think the bigger point that Crichton was making in the book was about the government-sponsored effort to keep the populace in a constant state of fear about things that individuals are helpless to control.
The objective of such a strategy is social control; it is easier to enforce rules which curtail liberties when the people are afraid. Especially if the demon is an unknown foreign power (like Russia or Iran for example) or the climate or even rogue asteroids.
I have recently finished re-reading Michael Crichton's State of Fear. The central action in the book is about a group of enviro-terrorists who go around fabricating fake catastrophic "events" to raise the level of fear about man-made global warming. I think Crichton makes an excellent case for those of us who are still skeptical about Al Gore's data - as proffered in "An Inconvenient Truth."
Published in 2004, the story is fictional, but the author did extensive research on the scientific reports and research data that was available at the time. The author -who died last year of apparently natural causes - warned about scientific consensus . Facts are facts, but consensus has almost always been proved wrong by improved observations.
You don't have to agree with all of the arguments made by characters in Crichton's book, but you might have trouble with some of the facts he cites. I do not wish to argue them here, because I think the bigger point that Crichton was making in the book was about the government-sponsored effort to keep the populace in a constant state of fear about things that individuals are helpless to control.
The objective of such a strategy is social control; it is easier to enforce rules which curtail liberties when the people are afraid. Especially if the demon is an unknown foreign power (like Russia or Iran for example) or the climate or even rogue asteroids.
The media thrives on fearful pronouncements and warnings, so do not expect them to dig into the alleged threats.
Now, to distract us from our deflated nest-eggs and the prospect of higher taxes, inflation and ineptitude in government, we have the prospect of swine flu pandemic. Not to worry - Uka Sam will help you. The check is in the mail. Maybe we should nuke Mexico?4/28/2009
Swine Flu and Other Viruses
You and I are in the wrong business, dude. We need to learn how to fix PC's.
I am writing at the public library today, because my PC is in the shop again. This time it was a virus that was pretending to be a security alert system. It obtrusively popped-up to "warn" me about potential attacks. The more I tried to ignore it, the more insistent it became, until I finally unplugged the foolish thing and took it in to Data Doctors. They were pleased to see me, and assured me that it was nothing that a few days scrubbing and $300 couldn't fix.
I am not sure how the virus got into my machine, or when. I disabled my Mcaffee virus blocker years ago, because it slowed my PC down to an unacceptable crawl. Besides that I was convinced that all the new viruses were aimed at the latest Microsoft Operation system. I'm still running XP. We never click on strange links or download anything. So, I hope that I did not pass anything along to people who I send email attachments to. More importantly, I hope I still have my documents when I get the PC back. (No, I have not backed up the files for several months. Thanks for asking.)
Have you noticed that the media are once again trying to create a state of fear about the prospect of a swine flu pandemic? I think this flu business is a marketing product of the pharmacy companies to make us run out to buy Tamiflu. So, have you got any?
I am writing at the public library today, because my PC is in the shop again. This time it was a virus that was pretending to be a security alert system. It obtrusively popped-up to "warn" me about potential attacks. The more I tried to ignore it, the more insistent it became, until I finally unplugged the foolish thing and took it in to Data Doctors. They were pleased to see me, and assured me that it was nothing that a few days scrubbing and $300 couldn't fix.
I am not sure how the virus got into my machine, or when. I disabled my Mcaffee virus blocker years ago, because it slowed my PC down to an unacceptable crawl. Besides that I was convinced that all the new viruses were aimed at the latest Microsoft Operation system. I'm still running XP. We never click on strange links or download anything. So, I hope that I did not pass anything along to people who I send email attachments to. More importantly, I hope I still have my documents when I get the PC back. (No, I have not backed up the files for several months. Thanks for asking.)
Have you noticed that the media are once again trying to create a state of fear about the prospect of a swine flu pandemic? I think this flu business is a marketing product of the pharmacy companies to make us run out to buy Tamiflu. So, have you got any?
4/16/2009
Eye Trouble
There is an old joke where the employee calls in "sick".
Boss: What's wrong?
Employee: Eye trouble
Boss: Eye trouble? What do you mean?
Employee: Well, I just can't see working today.
That's how I feel these days.
I know what you are thinking: "What a wuss! You only work 20 hours a week, and you don't have to go in until mid morning, you get out before rush hour. No heavy lifting. No statistics. You get along with your coworkers. What's your problem, dude?"
Ok, here is the answer (and stop calling me 'dude', OK?):
Life is short. I have other things to do.
In past entries, I have referred to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as the best explanation for human motivation. In a nutshell, people are never satisfied with the status quo. (I believe a lot of people settle for status quo but continue to yearn for change.)
The present part time job satisfied a lot of the needs I had expressing before starting last August: A schedule, social interaction, being part of a team, making a few bucks...
All of these were accomplished. And it has been good for me, I will admit.
But, the restrictions of having a job are more than I want to live with at this point in my life. The company doesn't want employees to take long vacations, they expect you to show up on time every day that you are scheduled. This job required me to wear a dress shirt and tie (despite the fact that the many of the customers were slovenly, bad tempered and possessed the fashion consciousness of a 4 year old.) .
So, like a fickle hearted suitor, I proved that I could get the job and do the job --- and now I don't want the job anymore. Thus, I have notified my manager that he might consider finding a replacement as of June 1.
Please do not be concerned that my schedule will now have gaping holes. Somehow my calendar has become scribbled on with a prodigious list of things that need to be done around the house and grounds, not to mention a planned vacation to Maine and Canada.
My wife, who has been enjoying the footloose and free life of post-retirement, has been encouraging me take more time off to go places with her. We also have decided to spend a month in Florida next winter.
A few nights ago, we suddenly lost our favorite cat, our ten-year-old male Siamese, Jasmine-Ming. One minute he was fine; the next minute he was lying on the rug unable to walk and in yowling pain. The emergency vet said it was a blood clot, probably caused by a heart condition. The prognosis for recovery was poor; and we all (reluctantly) agreed that euthanasia was the best option. Finis.
This event underscores the fragility of life. Ming was "just a cat" but he was a family member just the same. Any minute, any one of us could be struck down by accident, stroke, fall, natural or man-caused disaster - heck a meteor could fall out of the sky and poof.
When it happens to me, I do not want to be sitting at a desk; I want to be fishing.
Boss: What's wrong?
Employee: Eye trouble
Boss: Eye trouble? What do you mean?
Employee: Well, I just can't see working today.
That's how I feel these days.
I know what you are thinking: "What a wuss! You only work 20 hours a week, and you don't have to go in until mid morning, you get out before rush hour. No heavy lifting. No statistics. You get along with your coworkers. What's your problem, dude?"
Ok, here is the answer (and stop calling me 'dude', OK?):
Life is short. I have other things to do.
In past entries, I have referred to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as the best explanation for human motivation. In a nutshell, people are never satisfied with the status quo. (I believe a lot of people settle for status quo but continue to yearn for change.)
The present part time job satisfied a lot of the needs I had expressing before starting last August: A schedule, social interaction, being part of a team, making a few bucks...
All of these were accomplished. And it has been good for me, I will admit.
But, the restrictions of having a job are more than I want to live with at this point in my life. The company doesn't want employees to take long vacations, they expect you to show up on time every day that you are scheduled. This job required me to wear a dress shirt and tie (despite the fact that the many of the customers were slovenly, bad tempered and possessed the fashion consciousness of a 4 year old.) .
So, like a fickle hearted suitor, I proved that I could get the job and do the job --- and now I don't want the job anymore. Thus, I have notified my manager that he might consider finding a replacement as of June 1.
Please do not be concerned that my schedule will now have gaping holes. Somehow my calendar has become scribbled on with a prodigious list of things that need to be done around the house and grounds, not to mention a planned vacation to Maine and Canada.
My wife, who has been enjoying the footloose and free life of post-retirement, has been encouraging me take more time off to go places with her. We also have decided to spend a month in Florida next winter.
A few nights ago, we suddenly lost our favorite cat, our ten-year-old male Siamese, Jasmine-Ming. One minute he was fine; the next minute he was lying on the rug unable to walk and in yowling pain. The emergency vet said it was a blood clot, probably caused by a heart condition. The prognosis for recovery was poor; and we all (reluctantly) agreed that euthanasia was the best option. Finis.
This event underscores the fragility of life. Ming was "just a cat" but he was a family member just the same. Any minute, any one of us could be struck down by accident, stroke, fall, natural or man-caused disaster - heck a meteor could fall out of the sky and poof.
When it happens to me, I do not want to be sitting at a desk; I want to be fishing.
3/22/2009
Failure is one of many options
I had an interview for a part time professional job a few weeks ago at a local academic research institute. I did well on 3 of the interviews; the 4Th turned out to be the proverbial interview from hell. It was one of the most uncomfortable hours of my adult life, being grilled by a potential colleague who believed that the successful candidate should have a PhD in Statistics or, at very least, to understand how to use those Excel spreadsheet stat functions that I never learned. I was given a piece of paper and asked to plot the curve of some data that were in an array. It was like an SAT exam question. I drew a happy face, hoping I could charm my way out of this sticky situation. She was not impressed. It was clear from her icy demeanor and Gitmo style interrogation methods that I was NOT what she was looking for. I am not exaggerating - I was actually water-boarded - and my copy of the "Statistics 101 for Dummies" was flushed down a toilet!
I'm sure she gave me a big fat F. I did not get an offer.
The good news is: I will not have the prospect of daily contact with a hostile, nitpicking micromanaging colleague to make my life miserable. Not to mention, parking would have been a nightmare. (I racked-up $33 in parking costs on my three visits, not to mention the probable brain damage during the statistics torture session.)
The experience has reminded me that life is short; and maybe a guy who has spent more than 30 years writing business requirements, specifying data conversions, designing reports and worrying about data integrity - maybe this guy should go sit on a beach and stop trying to get a real job.
I'm sure she gave me a big fat F. I did not get an offer.
The good news is: I will not have the prospect of daily contact with a hostile, nitpicking micromanaging colleague to make my life miserable. Not to mention, parking would have been a nightmare. (I racked-up $33 in parking costs on my three visits, not to mention the probable brain damage during the statistics torture session.)
The experience has reminded me that life is short; and maybe a guy who has spent more than 30 years writing business requirements, specifying data conversions, designing reports and worrying about data integrity - maybe this guy should go sit on a beach and stop trying to get a real job.
3/17/2009
St Patrick's Day 2009
Last year at this time, we were on the western side of Kauai. I noticed that St Paddy's Day is not a big deal over there, despite the similarities between Ireland and Hawaii. Both are ancient civilizations who still strongly believe in spirits and sprites. Hawaii, like Ireland, does not have indigenous snakes - who drove them out? St. Iniki?
Anyhow, to tell the truth, I would rather be in Hawaii today enjoying the 80 degree beaches, than here in Boston where it is currently 34 degrees. On the plus side, I have a sixer of Harp in the fridge and an invite tonight for GWP's home-corned beef for the annual dinner (which we missed last year).
How about a bit o' poetry to celebrate the day?
St. Patrick’s Day
Fake Irishmen wearing silly green ties
Calling with bad brogues
for a wee dram of green beer
In bars festooned with shamrocks
Pipes and cartoon leprechauns they
Sing-a-long to a verse of Danny Boy
Like tone deaf drunken goats,
They set the dogs to barking
With their droning tura-lura-lura
Amateurs: they end-up
puking on their Italian loafers
waking-up late for work
the next day in a hangover fog
Grandsons of the famines
Endure this minstrel show
With a mirthless grin
We stay to ourselves
Washing shots of Bushmills
Down with a beer
Glad not to be thinking
About the days
When Irish need not apply.
Anyhow, to tell the truth, I would rather be in Hawaii today enjoying the 80 degree beaches, than here in Boston where it is currently 34 degrees. On the plus side, I have a sixer of Harp in the fridge and an invite tonight for GWP's home-corned beef for the annual dinner (which we missed last year).
How about a bit o' poetry to celebrate the day?
St. Patrick’s Day
Fake Irishmen wearing silly green ties
Calling with bad brogues
for a wee dram of green beer
In bars festooned with shamrocks
Pipes and cartoon leprechauns they
Sing-a-long to a verse of Danny Boy
Like tone deaf drunken goats,
They set the dogs to barking
With their droning tura-lura-lura
Amateurs: they end-up
puking on their Italian loafers
waking-up late for work
the next day in a hangover fog
Grandsons of the famines
Endure this minstrel show
With a mirthless grin
We stay to ourselves
Washing shots of Bushmills
Down with a beer
Glad not to be thinking
About the days
When Irish need not apply.
3/10/2009
Yes We Can
I bought a package of underwear today at Sears. I only mention this because by the end of the day , the stock market jumped 379 points.
Could this be the start of the hoped-for rally that has been predicted? I am no economist but I am pretty sure that if everyone out there would just go to a retail store tomorrow and buy something, the economy will start to improve.
Look I bought $15 worth of underwear and the Dow went up 379 points.
Tomorrow, I'm going to shop for socks.
What are you doing to help?
Could this be the start of the hoped-for rally that has been predicted? I am no economist but I am pretty sure that if everyone out there would just go to a retail store tomorrow and buy something, the economy will start to improve.
Look I bought $15 worth of underwear and the Dow went up 379 points.
Tomorrow, I'm going to shop for socks.
What are you doing to help?
3/01/2009
Bail-out the Boomers
I have an alternative to some of those pork barrel projects that the Obama congress has recently approved as part of the Stimulus Plan. You know the ones I am referring to - that do nothing to stimulate the economy - like funding more social services and roads to nowhere and giving raises to bureaucrats
New law, Boomer Relief Bailout retroactive to Jan 2009: Anyone eligible for IRA distributions, whose taxable income from all sources is less that 250K per year will be allowed to take ordinary distributions up to $20,000 from an IRA/401K tax free!
The effect of this law would free-up money that many retirees are rat-holing because they are reluctant to expose it to IRS taxes. The Gov't wants to stimulate the economy, and this would inject billions of dollars into the economy now - instead of waiting for it to be distributed years down the road, squandered on nursing homes and depends.
In the long run this would cost a lot less than imposing new taxes on a beleaguered generation. This plan would also afford some relief to the low-middle income group (many of whom have already lost up to half of their retirement nest egg in the past 18 months.)
Many people would be eager to take out a "tax free" $20K and take a trip, put a down payment on a house, install replacement windows or buy a car!
This would help to save America! Are you listening John Kerry? Barney Frank? Ferris Beuller?
New law, Boomer Relief Bailout retroactive to Jan 2009: Anyone eligible for IRA distributions, whose taxable income from all sources is less that 250K per year will be allowed to take ordinary distributions up to $20,000 from an IRA/401K tax free!
The effect of this law would free-up money that many retirees are rat-holing because they are reluctant to expose it to IRS taxes. The Gov't wants to stimulate the economy, and this would inject billions of dollars into the economy now - instead of waiting for it to be distributed years down the road, squandered on nursing homes and depends.
In the long run this would cost a lot less than imposing new taxes on a beleaguered generation. This plan would also afford some relief to the low-middle income group (many of whom have already lost up to half of their retirement nest egg in the past 18 months.)
Many people would be eager to take out a "tax free" $20K and take a trip, put a down payment on a house, install replacement windows or buy a car!
This would help to save America! Are you listening John Kerry? Barney Frank? Ferris Beuller?
2/28/2009
Why I Deactivated my Facebook Account
Don't look for me on Facebook anymore. I deleted myself yesterday, after realizing that most of my "friends" are really relatives or in-laws. And we are using the internet to communicate instead of calling each other on the phone or writing more than 2 sentences in a letter.
It is very revealing. And what it reveals is how banal and un-interesting my network is. And, who gives a crap about their pets? Or livestock? People taking photos of themselves with animals is just creepy, if you ask me.
The other thing my "friends" do is to entertain themselves by writing comments on my wall to correct spelling errors (and other minor inaccuracies). Please - if you can't think of anything more to say than to comment on someone's grammatical mistakes or spelling errors, perhaps you should re-evaluate your priorities, you nitpicking natterers.
It's really a young person's venue - where people give out personal information like popcorn, and post inanities. I admit to posting a few myself. See, it's not my fault, it's the medium that invites reckless behavior. This is why I do not blame my tormentors. Now I have deleted the wall. They lose. Besides, no one likes them and they smell funny.
Anyway, the whole facebook idea is just based on graffitti when you think about it.
Oh did I mispell that? Who cares?
It is very revealing. And what it reveals is how banal and un-interesting my network is. And, who gives a crap about their pets? Or livestock? People taking photos of themselves with animals is just creepy, if you ask me.
The other thing my "friends" do is to entertain themselves by writing comments on my wall to correct spelling errors (and other minor inaccuracies). Please - if you can't think of anything more to say than to comment on someone's grammatical mistakes or spelling errors, perhaps you should re-evaluate your priorities, you nitpicking natterers.
It's really a young person's venue - where people give out personal information like popcorn, and post inanities. I admit to posting a few myself. See, it's not my fault, it's the medium that invites reckless behavior. This is why I do not blame my tormentors. Now I have deleted the wall. They lose. Besides, no one likes them and they smell funny.
Anyway, the whole facebook idea is just based on graffitti when you think about it.
Oh did I mispell that? Who cares?
2/26/2009
Stop The Presses!
Holy cow, fatman, the breaking news is in!
Researchers have made the startling discovery that regardless of the fad diet, the significant factor in weight loss is fewer calories.
Duh.
Researchers have made the startling discovery that regardless of the fad diet, the significant factor in weight loss is fewer calories.
Duh.
2/19/2009
American Cowardice
The new AG called us a nation of cowards yesterday because most Americans hang out with people of their own race. Thanks a lot. After a lifetime of supporting efforts to level the playing field, it suddenly dawns on me that Nothing will ever be enough when you are dealing with the victim mentality.
I'm sure Holder was also intentionally firing his shotgun at all self-segregating peoples of every color and background. For example those *bleeping* Amish. They should be ashamed of themselves for preferring to associate with people with whom they share common interests and moral beliefs.
If Holder (the first black AG in our history) thinks we need more honest discussions about race, he should address the specifics rather than exploding a suitcase bomb full of guilt in the public square. He might start by addressing the reasons people are drawn together rather than poking a sharp stick at the touch points of hatred.
What the hell is he talking about anyhow? Doesn't he have a cable TV? There are shows on every network discussing race relations, all the time. They get boring, because the issue that really needs to be addressed is national ignorance not intolerance. How can you have a frank and honest discussion with someone who thinks the word "niggardly" used in proper context is a racial slur?
How about a frank and honest discussion about those professional racists, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? And how about Rev Wright? Maybe I'm missing something but I do not see representatives of any other group who have gained such noteriety by frank and honest dialogue.
Hopefully, Mr Holder will revise his word usage, or some of us "cowards" might become bold enough to sue for reparations.
I'm sure Holder was also intentionally firing his shotgun at all self-segregating peoples of every color and background. For example those *bleeping* Amish. They should be ashamed of themselves for preferring to associate with people with whom they share common interests and moral beliefs.
If Holder (the first black AG in our history) thinks we need more honest discussions about race, he should address the specifics rather than exploding a suitcase bomb full of guilt in the public square. He might start by addressing the reasons people are drawn together rather than poking a sharp stick at the touch points of hatred.
What the hell is he talking about anyhow? Doesn't he have a cable TV? There are shows on every network discussing race relations, all the time. They get boring, because the issue that really needs to be addressed is national ignorance not intolerance. How can you have a frank and honest discussion with someone who thinks the word "niggardly" used in proper context is a racial slur?
How about a frank and honest discussion about those professional racists, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? And how about Rev Wright? Maybe I'm missing something but I do not see representatives of any other group who have gained such noteriety by frank and honest dialogue.
Hopefully, Mr Holder will revise his word usage, or some of us "cowards" might become bold enough to sue for reparations.
2/15/2009
Enough Already
I can't figure out why the liberal press keeps harassing Sarah Palin. She seems to be a lightning rod for all the losers in Alaska and dems who want to keep the spotlight off Biden. She's not that bad. I don't think she was McCain's best choice - and he might have won with someone like Romney or even Giulianni as the VP. Still, I think they should leave her be for a few more years at least.
2/13/2009
Why I Am Going to Register as a Republican
Democratic Senator Predicts None of His Colleagues 'Will Have the Chance' to Read Final Stimulus Bill Before Vote
I think it should be a punishable crime for congressional representatives to vote for a bill that they have not read. There should be no rush to the vote to sell our grandchildren into indentured servitude.
This is Chicago style politics, and it's dirty.
I think it should be a punishable crime for congressional representatives to vote for a bill that they have not read. There should be no rush to the vote to sell our grandchildren into indentured servitude.
This is Chicago style politics, and it's dirty.
2/11/2009
We are Not Impressed
The Dow dropped 382 points yesterday, reflecting Wall Street's confidence in the new administration's vague plans for spending trillions of dollars that we do not have.
We are not impressed with Mr Geithner who should have showed-up better prepared to address the details that he surely must have known were expected. One blogger thinks he looked like a deer in the headlights. I thought his attempts at coolness came-off as arrogance
We are also dismayed by the President's vagueness at the press conference yesterday. Unlike the fawning George Stephanopoulos, we gave him a "D" because like most of the country, we wanted to hear a reason to support his plans. He did not earn any grade points on economy questions. Complaining about partisan politics (because the opposition wanted to cut out funding for programs that would do nothing to improve the economy)clangs like an empty drum.
Then again today at the town meeting in Ft Myers, it was embarrassing to hear questioners begging The President for relief for their "urgent needs" as if he were the moderator of a give-away show. (Er, fine, my staff will look into it.)
How about, "Sorry, I know I promised you Socialism, but it's gonna take time to get the money to all you victims of opression."
Every day my retirement nestegg gets smaller. I need a bailout too but, like Chicken Little, I'm afraid that the sky (Dow) has fallen - and it can't get up.
We are not impressed with Mr Geithner who should have showed-up better prepared to address the details that he surely must have known were expected. One blogger thinks he looked like a deer in the headlights. I thought his attempts at coolness came-off as arrogance
We are also dismayed by the President's vagueness at the press conference yesterday. Unlike the fawning George Stephanopoulos, we gave him a "D" because like most of the country, we wanted to hear a reason to support his plans. He did not earn any grade points on economy questions. Complaining about partisan politics (because the opposition wanted to cut out funding for programs that would do nothing to improve the economy)clangs like an empty drum.
Then again today at the town meeting in Ft Myers, it was embarrassing to hear questioners begging The President for relief for their "urgent needs" as if he were the moderator of a give-away show. (Er, fine, my staff will look into it.)
How about, "Sorry, I know I promised you Socialism, but it's gonna take time to get the money to all you victims of opression."
Every day my retirement nestegg gets smaller. I need a bailout too but, like Chicken Little, I'm afraid that the sky (Dow) has fallen - and it can't get up.
2/09/2009
The Solution
Yesterday, I used my government-issued $40 voucher to buy an analog to digital TV converter. CVS had them on sale for $49.
We are not cave people; we do have digital access via FIOS on the two main sets. The upstairs TV gets the free analog channels, so we elected not to pay $5 per month for the Verizon set-top box.
I had applied for the voucher online early in January and, sure enough, it came in the mail last week. Using the card at checkout worked like butter. My out-of-pocket cost was $9 and change, yet $49 went into the retail sales machine.
(What a bonus it would have been if the manufacturers of these devices were in America instead of Hong Kong.)
It occurs to me that this Voucher approach could be The Solution. Instead of a bloated "bail-out" bill - which will pour hundreds of billions into the coffers of organizations that will not do anything to help "stimulate" the economy, the Feds should just issue voucher cards to individuals for retail, home improvement and entertainment purchases.
If you think about it, the principle stimulus to the economy is at the consumer level. When consumers are consuming all is right with the world. Spending at this level moves inventory, creates jobs, drives confidence. Before you know it you have a rally in the stock market, banks start lending money, people buy new stuff...
Instead of giving more money to failed banks and social services, the bail-out money needs to go to activities that drive sales of goods, services and real estate.
You want to buy a new car, house, boat? Unka Sam will help. Here's your voucher.
You have 45 days to use it or it goes away. Granted this creates another level of bureacracy to administer the givaways. Maybe a new cabinet secretary - a voucher czar?
Anyhow, I hope all the elected reps who read this blog are paying attention. Please do not pass the bill which is loaded with pork and feathers. We are watching and we will not forget what you do here today.
We are not cave people; we do have digital access via FIOS on the two main sets. The upstairs TV gets the free analog channels, so we elected not to pay $5 per month for the Verizon set-top box.
I had applied for the voucher online early in January and, sure enough, it came in the mail last week. Using the card at checkout worked like butter. My out-of-pocket cost was $9 and change, yet $49 went into the retail sales machine.
(What a bonus it would have been if the manufacturers of these devices were in America instead of Hong Kong.)
It occurs to me that this Voucher approach could be The Solution. Instead of a bloated "bail-out" bill - which will pour hundreds of billions into the coffers of organizations that will not do anything to help "stimulate" the economy, the Feds should just issue voucher cards to individuals for retail, home improvement and entertainment purchases.
If you think about it, the principle stimulus to the economy is at the consumer level. When consumers are consuming all is right with the world. Spending at this level moves inventory, creates jobs, drives confidence. Before you know it you have a rally in the stock market, banks start lending money, people buy new stuff...
Instead of giving more money to failed banks and social services, the bail-out money needs to go to activities that drive sales of goods, services and real estate.
You want to buy a new car, house, boat? Unka Sam will help. Here's your voucher.
You have 45 days to use it or it goes away. Granted this creates another level of bureacracy to administer the givaways. Maybe a new cabinet secretary - a voucher czar?
Anyhow, I hope all the elected reps who read this blog are paying attention. Please do not pass the bill which is loaded with pork and feathers. We are watching and we will not forget what you do here today.
1/16/2009
Public Education
Sorry to those of you who depend on my postings to lift the dreariness of your workaday life. I have been wrapped-up in my own mundane existence recently, and have not had much spare time for opining on the bizarre behavior of others.
Since I have returned to the workforce several months ago, I have refrained from commenting on my job or the organization, lest someone of poor humor find my observations to be worthy grounds for involuntary termination. Please do not take this lack of commentary as an indicator that I have at last found a position worthy of my skills and ambitions. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The best thing about my part-time situation is the 20 hour work schedule. The worst thing is that it is basically a retail business that involves working with the public. The "public" means for every ten people you deal with, 2 are enjoyable, 6 are OK and 2 are odious bad-tempered shits.
If I could find a part-time job as a systems analyst or other information professional, within my commute range, at a higher wage, I would jump at it. But such opportunities are pretty rare. I don't know why this is the case. Some observers have suggested that I increase my acceptable commute range beyond a 10-minute ride, but I have my priorities!
If I was a local business or IT manager I would definitely consider hiring experienced low -maintenance old guys, willing to solve problems for cheap money, without benefits for, say, 3 days a week. I'm thinking the current economic situation is going to make it even harder to find someone willing to try a new - potentially more effective - model for work.
So, I just keep my mouth shut and go to work at my retail job. My favorite pub is on the way home, so, life is not so bad.
Most professional people have never worked at a job where there is a counter and an expectation of customer service. These lucky cube dwellers never realize how rude and obnoxious the general public can be. If you have ever sneered at a clerk or stiffed the pizza delivery guy you probably thought they were bumbling oafs - not somebody's mother or a neighbor's kid who was trying their best to do the right thing.
For example, if you encountered me at my part time job, you might regard me as a nice, friendly, well-meaning, old, incompetent fart -- never realizing that I am in fact ornery, extremely competent and fully in control of my bodily gasses. The core reason for your misunderstanding about me is the ancient, poorly designed business process that I am obligated to follow.
Instead of rendering to you exemplary customer service - because your satisfaction is my highest ambition - I am presented with an obstacle course/maze of badly designed systems and processes through which I must find my way (while you wait, impatiently, drumming your fingers on the counter) in order to take your money and give you a receipt and the proper change.
As a sophisticated customer, in the age of bar-coding, Blackberry and IPod, you probably expect the customer service interaction to be smooth and effective. When it does not meet your expectations, you naturally consider the person on the other side of the counter to be a dolt. (I do not blame you for thinking this way, I only hope you can refrain from actually treating the poor retail drone as a dolt.)
Retail management should be the object of your derision and mockery. They are the figures who sit in posh corporate offices, deciding not to spend the cost of 1 hour of programming to save 10 unnecessary clicks on every sale in the cashiering program that processes 10,000 transactions a week.
That and their dumbass customer service surveys. You should know that if you did not like the service, please never fill-out a survey. It will not improve things if you rate your experience as less than 100% satisfied. These surveys are just used as a baseball bat to punish the most innocent victim in the food chain - the poor shmuck whose job is to deliver a bad product to you. If you want to improve things, always talk to the boss directly and do not blame your clerk/waiter/delivery guy.
So, gentle readers, my re-entry into the working world of retail has been a learning experience for me. Not always inspirational, but it has given me a good reason to shower and shave every few days. Someday, I may be able to use some of this material, And we have not even begun to talk about my coworkers.
Please, don't get me started....
Since I have returned to the workforce several months ago, I have refrained from commenting on my job or the organization, lest someone of poor humor find my observations to be worthy grounds for involuntary termination. Please do not take this lack of commentary as an indicator that I have at last found a position worthy of my skills and ambitions. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The best thing about my part-time situation is the 20 hour work schedule. The worst thing is that it is basically a retail business that involves working with the public. The "public" means for every ten people you deal with, 2 are enjoyable, 6 are OK and 2 are odious bad-tempered shits.
If I could find a part-time job as a systems analyst or other information professional, within my commute range, at a higher wage, I would jump at it. But such opportunities are pretty rare. I don't know why this is the case. Some observers have suggested that I increase my acceptable commute range beyond a 10-minute ride, but I have my priorities!
If I was a local business or IT manager I would definitely consider hiring experienced low -maintenance old guys, willing to solve problems for cheap money, without benefits for, say, 3 days a week. I'm thinking the current economic situation is going to make it even harder to find someone willing to try a new - potentially more effective - model for work.
So, I just keep my mouth shut and go to work at my retail job. My favorite pub is on the way home, so, life is not so bad.
Most professional people have never worked at a job where there is a counter and an expectation of customer service. These lucky cube dwellers never realize how rude and obnoxious the general public can be. If you have ever sneered at a clerk or stiffed the pizza delivery guy you probably thought they were bumbling oafs - not somebody's mother or a neighbor's kid who was trying their best to do the right thing.
For example, if you encountered me at my part time job, you might regard me as a nice, friendly, well-meaning, old, incompetent fart -- never realizing that I am in fact ornery, extremely competent and fully in control of my bodily gasses. The core reason for your misunderstanding about me is the ancient, poorly designed business process that I am obligated to follow.
Instead of rendering to you exemplary customer service - because your satisfaction is my highest ambition - I am presented with an obstacle course/maze of badly designed systems and processes through which I must find my way (while you wait, impatiently, drumming your fingers on the counter) in order to take your money and give you a receipt and the proper change.
As a sophisticated customer, in the age of bar-coding, Blackberry and IPod, you probably expect the customer service interaction to be smooth and effective. When it does not meet your expectations, you naturally consider the person on the other side of the counter to be a dolt. (I do not blame you for thinking this way, I only hope you can refrain from actually treating the poor retail drone as a dolt.)
Retail management should be the object of your derision and mockery. They are the figures who sit in posh corporate offices, deciding not to spend the cost of 1 hour of programming to save 10 unnecessary clicks on every sale in the cashiering program that processes 10,000 transactions a week.
That and their dumbass customer service surveys. You should know that if you did not like the service, please never fill-out a survey. It will not improve things if you rate your experience as less than 100% satisfied. These surveys are just used as a baseball bat to punish the most innocent victim in the food chain - the poor shmuck whose job is to deliver a bad product to you. If you want to improve things, always talk to the boss directly and do not blame your clerk/waiter/delivery guy.
So, gentle readers, my re-entry into the working world of retail has been a learning experience for me. Not always inspirational, but it has given me a good reason to shower and shave every few days. Someday, I may be able to use some of this material, And we have not even begun to talk about my coworkers.
Please, don't get me started....
12/30/2008
Someone Up There is an Idiot
Here is the afternoon headline "US will give $85 million to aid Palestinians"
Now I do not want to see anyone suffer, but that seems a lot like giving aid and comfort to the enemies of our only reliable Mideastern ally.
These Gaza schmucks are the ones who 1) voted Hamas into power and 2) let them start the fight with Israel. Hello - The consequences of shooting rockets over the border are fairly well established in history. The Palestinians are reaping what they sowed. Can it get more stupid?
Answer, yes. The US government - which has already demonstrated to the world that supposedly smart people can act stupidly to a degree that challenges credulity - wants to give the poor Pallys more money.
Doesn't anyone up there realize that recipients see money as a reward for behavior?
And While we are asking questions, I would like to know:when is the US going to help the US taxpayer?
Now I do not want to see anyone suffer, but that seems a lot like giving aid and comfort to the enemies of our only reliable Mideastern ally.
These Gaza schmucks are the ones who 1) voted Hamas into power and 2) let them start the fight with Israel. Hello - The consequences of shooting rockets over the border are fairly well established in history. The Palestinians are reaping what they sowed. Can it get more stupid?
Answer, yes. The US government - which has already demonstrated to the world that supposedly smart people can act stupidly to a degree that challenges credulity - wants to give the poor Pallys more money.
Doesn't anyone up there realize that recipients see money as a reward for behavior?
And While we are asking questions, I would like to know:when is the US going to help the US taxpayer?
12/26/2008
Happy Boxing Day
Traditionally, the day after Christmas was observed by giving gifts to the less fortunate. These days, it is a media-sponsored shopping day - where you stand in line to return the crappy gifts you got for Christmas.
If we get any crappy gifts, we save them for New Years Eve.
For the past twenty-odd years, ten of us - couples from the old neighborhood - have gotten together at the Clooneys for the annual rite of passage from old year to new year. We have drinks and dinner. George presides over the grading of our predictions from the past year. The winner gets a bottle of wine for a prize. Then he reads all of our new predictions for the coming year. Last year, when George predicted that oil woud drop below $75 a barrel. We all laughed.
A few of us predicted Obama's successful run, but nobody saw Sarah Palin coming. And no one really thought that we would be in a bad recession (or we definitely would have spent more money on frivolous things).
After predictions we have the White Elephant Yankee Swap. We are all charged to bring a wrapped, unwanted item that we got as a gift. Then, in fine Yankee Swap tradition, we draw numbers and choose from the pile of crappy gifts. The "gifts" range from bizarre noisy gadgets (e.g., a rotating santa claus that repeatedly plays some chinese melody) to the just plain ugly (a plastic fish that sings "On the dock of the bay," when you touch it's head).
It is a cut-throat game between competitive New York types (There are only 2 Boston area natives in the group), bringing out the worst in us, but it is kind of fun. We permit ourselves to be politically incorrect (laughing uproariously at gifts which reveal at the bad taste of less sophisticated gift givers) and we can be mean-spirited in a harmless way.
At the end, each of us ends-up with a crappy gift/stolen treasure. Clooney reminds us each year of the two rules: One, you must not dispose of the crappy gift until you are off his property; and two, you cannot save your crappy gift to bring again next year.
Then it is midnight; we all watch the ball in Times Square fall on TV. We drink some champagne, kiss all the members of the opposite sex and go home at 12:05. We are all in our sixties and cannot stay-up all night partying - like we did years ago.
The next day, we take the crappy gifts that we got from the white elephant swap to the dump. We call it "recycling;" more noble than re-gifting, don't you agree?
If we get any crappy gifts, we save them for New Years Eve.
For the past twenty-odd years, ten of us - couples from the old neighborhood - have gotten together at the Clooneys for the annual rite of passage from old year to new year. We have drinks and dinner. George presides over the grading of our predictions from the past year. The winner gets a bottle of wine for a prize. Then he reads all of our new predictions for the coming year. Last year, when George predicted that oil woud drop below $75 a barrel. We all laughed.
A few of us predicted Obama's successful run, but nobody saw Sarah Palin coming. And no one really thought that we would be in a bad recession (or we definitely would have spent more money on frivolous things).
After predictions we have the White Elephant Yankee Swap. We are all charged to bring a wrapped, unwanted item that we got as a gift. Then, in fine Yankee Swap tradition, we draw numbers and choose from the pile of crappy gifts. The "gifts" range from bizarre noisy gadgets (e.g., a rotating santa claus that repeatedly plays some chinese melody) to the just plain ugly (a plastic fish that sings "On the dock of the bay," when you touch it's head).
It is a cut-throat game between competitive New York types (There are only 2 Boston area natives in the group), bringing out the worst in us, but it is kind of fun. We permit ourselves to be politically incorrect (laughing uproariously at gifts which reveal at the bad taste of less sophisticated gift givers) and we can be mean-spirited in a harmless way.
At the end, each of us ends-up with a crappy gift/stolen treasure. Clooney reminds us each year of the two rules: One, you must not dispose of the crappy gift until you are off his property; and two, you cannot save your crappy gift to bring again next year.
Then it is midnight; we all watch the ball in Times Square fall on TV. We drink some champagne, kiss all the members of the opposite sex and go home at 12:05. We are all in our sixties and cannot stay-up all night partying - like we did years ago.
The next day, we take the crappy gifts that we got from the white elephant swap to the dump. We call it "recycling;" more noble than re-gifting, don't you agree?
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