Views you can use....

Leaking out

2012-01-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember I have pissed people off. Theyalways seem to like me at first. I tend to make a good first impression. But,over time things change. I've thought about it and I know the reason. It isbecause of me. I have two critical personality flaws. I over estimate potentialand I have no regard for things I can't respect.

I am a horse's ass. Other people have called me much worse.I have high expectations and I think about things to the point of becomingobsessive. This often leads me to dissecting the people and events around me. Isee people for their potential. I oftenover estimate this potential and then become amazed that the people whom Irespected, are in fact stupid. Once I turn the corner on this discovery, thereis almost never a turning back. Here is an example. It might not be a goodexample but it will work to make my point: If you have a runny nose, you want atissue. You look for a tissue and you are thrilled when you find it. You blowyour nose. And, then the tissue is worthless. You discard it without a secondthought. It is of no value to you. What was once thrilling to find has become worthless.This is my experience with most people and events in my life.

There are a few occasions where I am surprised. BMW andApple products have never disappointed me. The Dry Cleaner we use on Kraemerhas exceeded my expectation repeatedly. My wife, Pam, is much smarter and betterat "managing" me than I ever expected. My parents and my childhood werenearly perfect, as far as I am concerned. Most of my children have turned outwell and I am proud of them. But.... there are so many other things that havebeen a disappointment. I won't list them. It would take a while.

Sometimes, like today at the Day Care Center, I try hard notto be the pain in the ass person that nobody likes. The lady told me to wearpaper booties over my shoes, "to keep the germs out of the play room."Really? Are you that stupid? Paper Booties stop germs? Brother, it is hard togo through a day without telling people how stupid they really are. I am tryingto keep this all inside. If it leaks out once in a while, I am sorry.

We need a Guarantee

2011-12-09T10:00:00.001-08:00

Don't you hate it when youfeel like you have been cheated? You buy a toaster and after a few days itstops working. You take it back to....Wal-Mart or Best Buy or wherever. Theytell you all sales are final or drop dead. You have been cheated. Don't goback.

To relieve this feeling ofbeing cheated we have all begun to look for guarantees. I expect a guarantee atthe car wash by my house. If I'm not satisfied I get another car wash for free.FedEx used to have a guarantee..."Absolutely, Positively overnight or it'sfree". Those days are gone. Their guarantee sounded more like a line froma hooker and they dropped it.

As tax payers we want a guarantee.How much money have you sent to government? Do you feel like you are gettingyour monies worth? Many of us don't think government is spending our money inthe best possible way. We feel cheated and like with the toaster....we won'tlet this happen again. We want a guarantee.

Increasingly it seems thatmore and more Americans and Europeans are on the "dole". Governmenttakes money from solid hard working people who have paid their taxes and givesit away to dead beats that did not get an education or a job and expect hand outs. Perhaps this is an over simplification.Regardless, money is taken from people who planned and worked hard. This moneygoes into "programs" that "help the poor and the needy".The problem is the group of "poor" keeps increasing and the group ofhard working tax payers is getting smaller.

Something has to change. Themoney is running out and tax payers are fed up with paying for dead beats. Iftax dollars are being spent on poor people.....should we get to tell the needywhat to do? Kids drop out of school, do drugs, have babies and tax payers haveto cover the cost. Over half of Amerika and 80% of Greece on are governmentpayments. It is unsustainable and there is a revolt coming.

People, who have taken responsibilityfor their lives, went to school, got a good job and work hard, are not going topay anymore. Think about taxes for just a minute. You pay federal income tax,state income tax, city tax, sales tax, gasoline tax and misc excise taxes onthings like your phone. Over half the money you earn goes to one form of tax oranother. We have to draw the line. No new tax. No more money for government.Here in California, Governor Brown is begging people to approve new taxes. Heswears "all of the money will go to schools." This is the same storywe heard when we were asked to approve the lottery.

We need a guarantee. No NewTax or you can stop paying.

2013 is closer than you think

2011-11-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Most Amerikans don't pay attention to financial news andeven less to European financial news. That's too bad. If you had been followingthis news for the past three years you know it is all bad and getting worse.There appears to be no end to the sovereign debt crisis. The European leadershave failed repeatedly to come up with a plan to resolve these debt issues.Amerikans have been little help. We and the British have our own problems andlikewise we do not have a long term solution. Two clear schools of thought havedeveloped along traditional lines. One, to cut Government spending to the bareminimum, thus reducing ongoing future debt. The other idea is to spend more on"infrastructure" to help rebuild the economy and create future taxrevenue. I'm not an Economist.Regardless, Economist have not had a good track record over the past ten years,so I am qualified [as Jesse Jackson used to say] to comment on the economicmess. One point is painfully clear. Nobody in government seems to have theanswer or ability to resolve the problem.

Here in the US it is estimated that the total loss from thecrisis is about 7 Trillion dollars. That is really a lot of money. Somebody hasto pay this money back or take it as a loss on their balance sheet. The problemis nobody wants to take on this debt or pay it off. I can understand why. It isa crushing amount. Even if this debt is restructured....extended to be paid offover longer time, it will take millions of tax payers hundreds of years to paythis down.

Most of us did not create the financial crisis we are facingas a nation. It would be easy to say, "Let the Bankers who created thismess pay for it." The hard fact is that even if they paid back everythingthey earned in salary and bonus money, it would not add up to one Trilliondollars. Somebody else is going to have to help pay this money. If, as it isoften suggested, that Business pay more taxes, then in reality they will passthese tax cost on to us, their customers, and in the end we will pay it.

I think each family needs to have their own Financial Planfor the future. I have had one my whole life. I learned all about financialplanning from the economist in our family, Mom. She grew up in the Depression.Her father died when she was young and my Grandmother struggled to feed andclothe her four kids. Mom learned Econ 101; Spend only what you can afford andsave half of what you earn. She went to work at 14 and never graduated highschool. When she died, she only owed the phone bill. My mother was the leadingEconomist of my life. Mom would say we need to cut expenses and increaseincome. This is good advice for government and for each of us.

Cutting expenses means only spending on the things you absolutelyneed. It also includes working to reduce or limit your tax burden. Clearly,everyone is going to be paying more in taxes over the next ten years. You needto know and understand the tax laws. They will be changing in the near futureas politicians try to come up with ways to increase government income [taxes].If you don't know or understand taxes you better learn. In the macro economygovernments will be forced to cut spending and increase taxes. On the micro orindividual level the "trick" will be to find ways to cut spending andlimit the taxes you pay.

If sovereign debt brings Europe to a crash, and I reallythink it will, Amerika and Britain will be drug into this mess. No matter whathappens, 2013 will be a restructuring year politically and out of this willcome new taxes and bigger spending cuts by government. Poor people will suffer.People with income will be taxed. Each of us needs to plan ahead by cuttingspending and limiting or taxes.

Strategic Default.......the new rules

2011-10-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

For many Americans their Home is their single biggest investment. Buying a Home is one of the ways that the US middle class has created enormous wealth. The market fundamentals on home investment show a strong return over the period from 1950 through 2005. During this fifty plus year period money invested in US Homes was safe and grew into significant cash reserves.

Everything changed when the Housing Bubble popped in 2008. Home value dropped by over 30% and many families lost all or nearly all of the equity they had in their single biggest investment. These events were not created or the result of action on the part of Home owners. The entire situation was created by the Banking & Mortgage industry.

Bankers have long known that there is a link between average home prices and average income. Housing cost can not raise beyond the income to repay the mortgage. In spite of this knowledge, Banking lent money to people with little or no chance of paying the mortgage. Many others speculated on the Housing run up by buying multiple homes on extended credit in the hope of "flipping" them and reselling at a profit.

All of this would be normal and OK in a fair market where the persons taking the risk also took the loss or gain. But that is not what has happened.

Families with good credit and good jobs made decisions along with the speculators during this same period. Those families played by the rules. They put 20% down on a new Home and paid their mortgage on time every month. Their decisions were based on the long standing market fundamentals of Home Ownership. Housing was a safe investment and always had been. Until it wasn't.

Government made the decision to "bail out" Bankers who were directly responsible for the creation or the Housing Bubble and the financial crash. Homeowners who followed all the rules and paid their mortgages found themselves paying for Homes that were worth less than they owed. Their down payment and all of the equity they had accumulated was gone.

The normal rules of investing had been altered. The risk takers in Banking were covered by Government bailouts and the Homeowners, who followed the rules, were left holding mortgages for property that would not recover it's value in ten or fifteen years, if ever. So even though the Bankers and the Homeowners had a mortgage, that defined the shared risk of ownership, the Bankers losses were covered by Tax money and the Homeowners lost everything. How could this be fair?

It is not fair, but it is the current situation.

Homeowners have been upset about this outcome. They face two difficult choices. They can continue to pay for their homes knowing that they will never recover the money they have invested. Or, they can refuse to pay and let the home go into foreclosure. Many are choosing STRATEGIC DEFAULT. In this case, they stop paying the mortgage to the Bank and live for free in their home until they are evicted. In some cases this is taking 18 months or longer. Then they can Rent another home for much less than they were paying on their mortgage and in a small way begin to rebuild the money they have lost.

Why should Homeowners play by the old rules when Bankers and Government protect each other at the expense of good people who did everything right? The old rules have changed and if Government won't hold Bankers accountable....then Homeowners are under no obligation to repay mortgages that were created in a climate of deception and greed.

Let me know what you think.

HP revisited.....YES they suck

2011-09-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

Back on February 9, I asked the following question: Is it just me...or does HP suck?

Today the news came out that HP is hiring Meg Whitman as their new CEO. How could a company like HP make so many bad decisions and then repeat them over and over?

Here is the news line today:

HP's board convened Thursday "to consider a host ofissues, including jettisoning Apotheker, who in less than a year on the job hasslashed sales forecasts several times, backtracked on promises to integratePalm's webOS software into devices, and struggled to halt a 50 percent plungein the share price," Reuters reported."

The answer to my question from last February is YES. HP really does suck. And the HP Touch Pad shown above is now dead. Someplace, Steve Job is smiling.

Ask Congress to do the right thing

2011-09-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

On the surface it looks like the Presidents Plan to increase Taxes is a good idea. It's hard to argue against everyone paying the same tax rate. In fact, Republicrats have often talked about the idea of a "Flat Tax".

Current Tax Law is a mess with hundreds of special deals and loopholes for special interest groups. It would seem that the only people who DON'T get a special deal are those people working on a salary making under 100K. Even Social Security contributions are cut off for those earning more than $108,000 per year.

Spending is Washington is a Huge Problem but spending cuts alone will not solve our current mess. Tax reform and a balanced tax law are needed to make sure everyone is paying their fair share.

Crisis of Expectations

2011-09-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Everyone says things are bad. Government, Economy, Jobs, andmore. The news is all bad. But what if it isn't?

Maybe the real crisis is in our collective expectation thatsomething needs to be done.....by someone else. Maybe we need to rethink thisCrisis and bring it all down to individual responsibility. If you areunemployed, is it really the fault of government or business? Isn't it reallybecause you got a poor education and made bad career decisions?

Since the 1930s America and much the World have looked toGovernment for the solutions to every crisis. Paul Krugman repeatedly calls onWashington to spend more on Jobs Bills. The President makes a speech about"creating jobs". People really think the President and / or Congresscan fix things in their lives. The reality is each of US needs to have a planfor ourselves and our families. Presidents cannot stop Hurricanes, tornadoes,or oil wells from linking. Moreover, they cannot find you a good job or fix theeconomy. We need to stop looking for BIG solutions and begin to act on our ownsituations. We know what to do. Mom told me when I was really young: Eat right,get plenty of rest, study hard and get the best education you can, work hard,save your money, have a plan and a good back up plan for your life.

The idea of crisis and everyone being "saved" bygovernment needs to be put aside. This is victim thinking and it prevents realaction. You and I control our own destiny and we do not need to be saved. Wecan work through this if we plan well and work hard.

Article One Section Eight of the US Constitution

2011-06-16T09:38:00.001-07:00

A declaration of war is a formal declaration issued by a national government indicating that a state of war exists between that nation and another. In the United States, Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution says "Congress shall have power to ... declare War". 250 years ago, War was any act of open agression against another state. Today, President Urkel is trying to re-write Webster.

The idea of seperation of Powers was designed to prevent government from acting or over reacting too quickly. It forced discussion and consideration prior to acting. The President is Commander in Chief as defined by the Constitution, but he does not have the power or authority to "declare war" or begin a war without Congressional approval. This is to prevent stupid acts of chest pounding. Five times in the History of the United States Congress did declare War:

• The War of 1812 against Britain
• The Mexican - American War
• The Spanish - American War
• World War I
• World War II

War may be necessary. Our Constitution makes it clear that the process of going to WAR requires consideration and approval from Congress, and perhaps the voters. Events of the last half century have shown us that we cannot allow the President, regardless of intentions, to circumvent the Constitution. America should not be at War unless we fully agree that it is in the best interest of our country.

Currently we are involved in four Wars: iRock, Effenstan, Libya, and Yemen. None of these have proven to be in our best interest. They are far too expensive. They drain our national wealth and they are hurting our military. We need to return to the Consitution and require all Wars to be dclared by Congress alone. Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are correct to file suit to limit the powers of the President.

The Best Candidate

2011-06-14T14:54:00.001-07:00

So, like twenty or thirty other Americans, I watched the CNN Republicrats Presidential Debate last night. Wow, what a group of losers. I was really disappointed and, as Bill Gough used to say, "Underwhelmed."

It might just be that the best Republicrat candidate is Obama. Let's look at the facts. Obama bailed out GM, Wall Street, and Big Banking. That is solid Republicrat work. Obama agreed to keep Gitmo open. Again, Obama and Dick Cheney agree so it must be OK. Obama agreed to continue our Wars in Effenstan and iRock. Plus he added a brand new war in Libya. This is again the kind of work you would expect from a Bush follower. Finally, unemployment is way too high and ONLY a Republicrat would allow this to happen going into an election year. It seems clear....Obama is the best Republicrat candidate.

But let's look at the field. Only Ron Paul seems to have a clear message. All the other candidates have two things to say: First, everything is Obama's fault. Second, they want less government but they won't commit to cutting spending in any specific way. These are not the vague wishy washy wimpy Republicrats we need. Looks like if Ron Paul get's the nomination I could support him....otherwise, I'm voting for Urkel.

Stick a Fork in it......it's over. End the War now!

2011-05-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

It appears that Osama Bin Laden [OBL] has been found and killed by the US Government. Yes, there are many who say this is a Hoax. Many others also believe OBL is alive and being questioned by the US Government. Regardless, it seems clear that he has been found and any threat from him is now over.

There are ongoing questions about "proof" that OBL has been caught and killed. Some say the US Government should release photos of OBL. Anyone who has ever seen Photoshop knows that photos do not prove anything. Therefore, since we are told the body has been buried at Sea, there is no iron clad Proof of anything.

I am sure OBL is dead. Barrack Obama would not make a public statement unless the facts proved his point. With an election coming, could he really risk faking such an important event?

My question is...What does this event say about our ongoing War in Effenstan [Afghanistan]? We went to Afghanistan to find Al-Qaida and Osama Bin Laden. I think our work is done and it is time to end this expensive waste of military manpower. Please ask everyone you know to demand an end to the war. OBL is dead and Al-Qaida are gone....they moved to Yemen. Bring the troops home.

SPORTS HOAX

2011-04-12T09:51:00.001-07:00

The recent events at Dodger Stadium made me think. Was Bryan Stow, "savagely beaten" as some accounts have said...or, is this just one of the Hoaxes of Professional Sports?

I have been a lifelong Dodger Fan. My Dad loved baseball and his idol was Branch Rickey. Mr. Rickey created the Saint Louis Cardinals in the 1920's and in 1943 began to manage the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was Mr. Rickey who hired Jackie Robinson and, broke the color barrier in professional sports. Dad and I would listen to Vin Scully announce the games through the 50's and 60's.

Over the last 16 years I have been to Dodgers Stadium maybe 50 times to watch the games. I have taken my family there and never felt in any danger. Dodger fans are outspoken but rarely insulting or threatening. I was surprised to hear that Bryan Stow, a Giants fan was injured after a recent game. As the story developed it became almost impossible for me to believe. Something is just not right. Is the so called "beating" another hoax of professional sports?

The TEAM HOAX
When I was a kid Sports Teams had players for life, or at least a really long time. Today there really are no "Teams" in the sense that we used to know them. Players move around like a huge game of musical chairs. I hear Albert Pujols may even leave the Cardinals.....There is no loyalty except to the contract. The idea of the TEAM is a marketing Hoax played on the fans.

The RIVALRY HOAX
Fans that are naive enough to believe the TEAM HOAX are then willing to believe that there is some RIVALRY between these so called Teams of millionaires. It's just another marketing hoax played on fans. The Cubs and Cardinals. The Dodgers and Giants. The Yankees and Red Soxs. Please. Baseball is made up of 30 professional teams each with a 40 man roster. This equals about 1200 millionaires who move around from team to team just to get the best financial deal. The only Rivalry in Baseball is to see who gets more of the fans money. The Players really only care about their contracts, bonus money for the play offs, and endorsement deals. Fans should not be fooled by the idea that Players have ANY rivalry with other teams.....they may be playing on those teams next month.

The BEATING HOAX
On March 31, 2011 the Dodgers played the Giants at Dodger Stadium. It was first reported that Bryan Stow and two friends were "walking in the parking lot when Bryan was pushed to the ground." He hit his head and suffered a serious brain injury. Once the story became well known, it changed into a "savage beating" by rival fans. It was also reported to have been witnessed by over "100 fans".

Could this be another Sports Hoax? Maybe. There remains no clear explanation as to why Bryan was pushed. Sports radio and others have assumed it was due to the long standing rivalry between Dodger and Giant fans. It might just be that Bryan was blocking an exit and he fell. We know his two friends did not stop the so called "beating" or catch the guys who allegedly assaulted Bryan. We also know that none of the "100 fans" who saw the incident took any cell phone photos. Why?

Now we hear that it is dangerous to attend Dodger games. Security is an issue. The facts are that 3 million fans attended Dodger games last year. There were 29 major crimes at Dodger Stadium in this period. Nobody was killed and more people have died in plane crashes over the last 40 years than have been assaulted at Dodger stadium. Maybe flying isn't safe? Don't be fooled by this crap. Think for yourself and always...always ask, why? Do you think the Dodgers need a new Stadium and they want the City of Los Angeles to pay for it....all in the name of safety?

When he is right....he's right

2011-03-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Like many Americans, I did not vote for President Obama. Regardless, I watched his speech on Libya and agree with his leadership in this critical situation. Like his direction in Egypt, President Obama has maintained America's credibility among Arabs in support of self determination. This is not an easy path to walk and President Obama deserves credit for the way in which he has worked in support of Arab freedom fighters.

Many, including myself, have did not want "another war" in a Muslim country. We have spent nearly two trillion dollars fighting two pointless wars with no end in sight. President Obama, in his speech, was clear that the US role in Libya would not degenerate into another long term expensive conflict. He also was clear about our unique position to save thousands of people from certain death. These people would have died as a result of an attack on Benghazi. America and our allies saved these people so as to help them continue their struggle for freedom.

America has often been wrong in the past when we support dictators who crush their citizens. In Egypt and Libya we are on the right side of the conflict and the President deserves credit for his leadership. When he is wrong....say so. When he is right....be sure to tell him.

HOW MUCH WAR CAN YOU AFFORD?

2011-03-22T09:59:00.001-07:00

On September 11, 2011, it will be ten years since the Terrorist attack on New York and Washington. As a result of those attacks, America went to War in Afghanistan and Iraq. To date, after nearly ten years of fighting we have not caught the persons responsible for the attacks. This week we began a third war with Libya. I think it is time to ask....How much War can America afford?

In the Congressional Research Service Report "The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations since 9/11," Amy Belasco lists the current cost as of September 2010. Here is a link. Please read it yourself: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33110.pdf

• The War in Iraq has been costing America $5 Billion per month, or $60 Billion per year, a Total of over $500 Billion
• The War in Afghanistan has been costing America $4 Billion per month, or $48 Billion per year, a Total of another $500 Billion
• Total cost of these Wars has reached over one Trillion Dollars

Now we have begun another conflict in Libya. The cost of this new War will quickly reach a Billion dollars per month. You and I are paying for these Wars. President Urkel said he was opposed to these Wars and would end them if elected. How much War can you afford when your country is near bankrupt? Do you really think you are getting your money's worth from the fighting in any of these places? It is time to rethink BIG GOVERNMENT.

Quality Edjamacation

2011-03-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

I like trade unions. While I was in College, I worked summer jobs as a Union Boiler Maker, Carpenter, and Brewery Worker. I made way too much money, filling in while real workers were on vacation. It was this money that helped me pay for college. Along the way I learned more than I wanted to know about Unions.

Unions helped to create the modern work place. They established the 40 hour work week, paid vacations, retirement plans, and healthcare coverage. Work would be awful today if it were not for the hard work of Unions in the 1920s. But, have Unions lost their way?

Today Unions seem to be focused on unreasonable demands. Union Teachers seem to be the most out of touch. Teachers work nine or ten months a year and only six or seven hours a day but they expect to earn more than other people. They complain about layoffs, when millions of other workers have been unemployed for years. And, they refuse to take responsibility for the students they produce. Now the Teacher Unions want all the rest of us to help them. Fat Chance.

Unions need to accept responsibility for the products they produce. If a product or service can be produced better with a non union work force, where is the value in Union Labor? As a union Carpenter, I helped to build high quality homes. We took pride in the product we produced. How can Union Teachers expect us to support them when they have produced poorly trained and near illiterate students? If Unions want broad support they need to make Union Labor a point of difference in producing quality products and services. Teachers need to be accountable for the students they produce.

The Six Ps

2011-03-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

It was my Dad's Birthday on March 15. He would have been 91 years old but he died in 1998. He was a great guy and I miss him.

Dad fought the Japanese on Okinawa in WW II and never really ended his personal war with Japan. He was attacked by a Japanese solider in hand to hand combat. He killed the Japanese soldier and brought back the sword that almost killed him. Yes, Dad if you are reading this....I still have the sword.

Dad grew up during the depression working with his brothers selling illegal whiskey. His job was to carry a shotgun and shoot people who tried to rob them. He told me many times that he was really lucky that WW II came along because he never graduated from eighth grade and didn't have any real skill, except his ability to shoot people. Dad stayed in the military as a First Sergeant and retired after 30 years. One of his favorite sayings was about the SIX Ps. He told me that: Piss Poor Planning Predicated Poor Performance. Dad was full of wise First Sergeant Idioms.

Dad would have laughed his ass off this past week at the Japanese and the events at the Fukishima Power Plant. Yes, I know it is all horrible and a tragic loss of life. But, if you were my Dad, and you spent most of your adult life hating the Japanese, the Japanese cars, Japanese TVs, and all things Japanese. If you lost friends at Pearl Harbor and hated watching TV during the 70s and 80s because they kept saying Japanese this and that. If you heard it 10,000 times that the Japanese are soooo much better at making things, inventing things, and business. Then last week was your big HA! The Six Ps caught up with Japan and I'm sorry Dad did not live to see it.

I guess the shock for me has been the total lack of anything close to a real plan to protect and save these reactors. I grew up thinking Japan really had their shit together when it came to industrial and manufacturing stuff. Turns out they don't know any more about what they are doing than we do in the good old USA. There is a place where old military guys go when they die, I'm sure Dad and some of those guys from the USS Arizona are drinking beer and laughing.

Rethinking the Oscars

2011-03-07T10:24:00.001-08:00

I watched the Oscars last week. It was the most disappointing Academy Awards Show I have ever seen. The best Movie of the Year was clearly True Grit, the story of a young girl's struggle for justice. The original movie version of the book won an Oscar for John Wayne. That was a movie which failed to capture the quality of the book by Charles Portis. The 2010 movie by the Coen brothers was extremely well made and both Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld deserved Oscars. Jeff Bridges won an Oscar last year and Hailee will no doubt go on to win many herself.

The real tragedy of the Oscars was the praise dumped on the King's Speech. I'm upset about the movie because it seems like a really minor event blown way out of proportion. Let's get our facts straight. Albert, King George VI, was the dull brother of the rightful heir to the British Crown, Edward VIII. He only became King because his playboy brother abdicated. During his reign, Britain went from a global leader to its current status. George was not a great leader and, as the movie explains, a poor speaker.

The idea that King George VI inspired anyone is total rubbish. All of the inspiration among the British came from Winston Churchill. Moreover, Churchill had an American mother and right to US Citizenship. He used this to gain support with President Roosevelt and bring America into the war and that saved England. The speeches by King George VI make good reading if you are a person who stutters but the reality is he was a dull and uninspiring leader. The movie attempts to remake history and create the sense that King George VI inspired Britain. It did not happen and the movie is much ado about nothing.

Finally, the Social Network was a great movie that provides insight into the creation of Facebook. I loved the movie and the portrayal of the Winkelvoss idiot brothers. Clearly the social network was better than the King's Speech. I think the same people who rig the Super Bowl are rigging the Oscars.

The Zuckerburg's vrs the Winkelvi

2011-02-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

I have friends who think Facebook is stupid. When I have asked them..."are you on facebook?" they say rude things. One friend told me that facebook was for kids. Another told me that facebook was for people with no life. John told me to, "fuck facebook." How nice was that?

I think facebook is a tool. I have told all of them that when Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1439, 98% of Europe was illiterate. In my view, there is a direct link between the invention of the printing press and the American, French, and Russian revolutions. Gutenberg made it possible to share ideas. These ideas, some of which may be silly, led to enlightenment and democracy. Likewise, facebook is a tool. Young girls can talk about boys at high school and Egyptians can use it to change their country. It is just a tool for social interaction.

So, because I think facebook is powerful, I saw the movie "the social network". The movie was equally powerful. It explains how a person with an idea can change the world. It also shows a clear distinction between the two key ways to develop a business. I need to tell you that I identify with Mark Zuckerberg. I feel his pain as Bill Clinton would say. I know what it is like to say the wrong thing when I believe it is the truth, and have everyone around me upset. I know what it is like to be driven and obsessive about silly little things. I also know what it is like to work at odds with the "system". Mark Zuckerberg is everyman. Likewise the brothers Winkelvoss represent the establishment. They are the suits.

I was amazed that the "Winkelvi" never considered a formal agreement necessary with Mark Zuckerberg. Likewise they did not ask him to sign a confidentiality agreement. These are smart guys from a rich family who went to Harvard. Were they really that stupid? If you have a good idea.....protect yourself...duh? Or, maybe it wasn't their idea after all. I was very pleased when Zuckerberg said, "you can stand on my shoulders and pretend you are tall."

Business is really developed by the guy with a good idea. The suits can take an idea by stealing it or buying it, and build it into something bigger, but they almost never create it. The big companies I have work with were good at having meetings but really bad at creating value. I loved the movie the social network because it was a movie about the guy with an idea and his vision for its development. I really hate to think what facebook or the Harvard Connection would have been like under the direction of the Winkelvoss brothers. In the end business is really summed up as the Zuckerbergs versus the Winkelvi. Gutenberg would be happy.

BIG GOVERNMENT

2011-02-15T10:42:00.000-08:00

We keep hearing that government spending is out of control. Something really needs to be done. Congress and President Urkel seem reluctant to make the critical cuts needed to get spending in line with tax revenue. I think over spending is our number one national security issue.

For all the talk about cutting spending nobody seems willing to discuss the money spent on National Defense or Social Security. You can cut Amtrak and NASA to the bone but the real cost of BIG GOVERNMENT is in Defense and Social Security. I have a couple of suggestions which I have written about numerous times in the past....long before this issue boiled up to the top. First, we need to end these Wars in Iraq and Effenstan [That's my way of saying f'ing Afghanistan]. Second, we need to pay Social Security tax on ALL earnings. Today Americans only pay Social Security tax on the first $106,800 earned each year. This means that everyone earning OVER this amount stops paying Social Security tax once they earn $106,800 in the calendar year. All of Wall Street and 99.9% of all CEOs earn more than $106,000 per year.

Regarding the Wars, how long does this need to continue? We spend billions per day on these wastes of time countries chasing so called terrorist who have long ago moved to Pakistan or Yemen. It's well past time to end this farce and cut the cost of killing low level rag head soldiers. The recent revolution in Egypt proves that there are other Arabs out there who want a better life and we need to support them. Our Wars in Arab / Muslim countries send a bad message about Amerika, and they cost too much. The troops must be tired of this never ending mess. Let's stop the War.

Regarding Social Security, I'm in favor of us having a national safety net for old people like me. The system was set up a long time ago and it needs to be revisited. The idea of people NOT paying into social security who earn over $106,800 per year seems crazy given the lack of funding for the program. This is an easy fix and the right thing to do.

Say NO to BIG SIS

2011-02-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

I read today the comments of Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security. She said, "The terrorist threat facing our country has evolved significantly in the last ten years -- and continues to evolve -- so that, in some ways, the threat facing us is at its most heightened state since those 9/11 attacks," I cannot help but thinking that these comments are designed to create more fear among the population and to justify increased "police state" spending and abuse.

It is important to keep the threat of terrorism in perspective. The US death Rate is about 2.4 million people per year. The single biggest cause is heart related disease with about 800,000 deaths due to heart attack and stroke. Cancer is a big killer too, with over 500,000 deaths per year. Tobacco kills about 400,000 and our old friend alcohol kills 100,000. Auto accidents kill 40,000 and Homicide kills about 18,000. Terrorist kill less than 20 US citizens per year with the exception of 9/11. There seems to be a greater chance that you would die of a heart attack, while smoking and driving your car, than from any act of terror. Even airplane deaths are more common with nearly 1,000 aviation deaths per year and most of those are private plane deaths. Drowning kills 3,000 per year.

So we need to ask: Why all the scare tactics about Terrorism? In the 1950s we heard similar scare tactics about the Russians bombing America. This lead to huge increases in spending to "keep us safe." Turns out the Russians weren't going to bomb us after all. Now the new "threat" is terrorism. To keep us safe...we need to spend more Tax Money on scanners, and TSA agents. All this spending is justified because we need to be Safe.

Life is not safe. There is a risk just getting up each day. The biggest threat to America is bankruptcy and we need to cut spending. Creating a huge Orwellian Police State and spending Billions will not keep us safe. If safety is what we are seeking we should close our borders and prevent potential terrorist from walking into the United States. Paying more to search little old ladies at the Airport is not keeping us safe.

Is it just me...or does HP suck?

2011-02-09T15:35:00.001-08:00

I have an HP Desk Top computer and it drives me crazy. I think it has some secret "back up" program on it in case there is a crash it can go back to a previous time and rebuild all my files. I guess that's nice, but the hard drive runs for about an hour each afternoon while it is backing up. I have tried fifty things to get this to stop. I already use CARBONITE as my back up [Thanks again Jay] and I don't need the computer "thinking for me." HP service tried to tell me this is my fault. Thanks.

As part of all this, HP sends me great little suggestions from time to time via email. I REALLY hate that too and have tried to stop it as well. I am on a one man WAR to end all Junk Mail and Spam. Today HP sent me a note about their new Touch Pad due out this summer. Does the photo look like anything you have seen or bought before? I think HP is saying: "We can't invent anything new but we sure can copy stuff made by other people."

I am fed up with my HP Desk Top and the Printer that jams. Why would I want to buy a clone of the iPad from these guys?

The Adventure

2011-02-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

Life is an adventure. As I watch my son Jack grow up, I see the stages he is moving through much better than I saw them for myself. Now, I am making the transition to another stage in my own life and I can't help but look back. Some part of each change is the need to let go of the things you are leaving behind. I see Jack letting go of his infancy as he becomes a "boy". He is not a baby anymore. In the same way, I am letting go of being the "man of the house". I am no longer the financial support for our family that is was just five years ago. Likewise, Pam is moving from being a "kid" to becoming a real adult. She has people working for her who are, in many ways, the same as she was when she began her career. Now she is more serious. More focused on the numbers. More like I was, for far too many years.

It's good to let go of some of this crap. For years I worried about "work" and the future. Pam calls it "being on the wheel," chasing the dime, going for the brass ring. My view is that I am moving on to things that are more important. In April, we will have a new baby. My job will be child care for the next two years...and maybe rest of my life. Jack will be in First Grade and I will be home with "Paddy" [Michael Patrick May] every day. I already buy the groceries, cook the food, clean the house, wash the clothes, and take Jack to school. When you stop, as I have done, and think about it, isn't what I am doing more important work than all the P&Ls, gross margins, business meetings, and office politics? I think so. Maybe I am rationalizing these changes. Trying to compensate my ego for the loss of a career or position. Nope.....I'm not.

My life, on the edge of change, is just part of the big adventure. I could not be happier. I don't miss any of the idoits for whom I worked. Stanley Allen stands alone as the only person I ever respected whom I called my boss. All the others, from Bill Hyer to Ned were short sighted dumb ass morons. I had my share of real career success and I am over it. My goal now is to work every day to teach my sons the things I learned growing up. How to build stuff and fix stuff. How to skip a rock across the lake four times. How to pick up a snake and not get bit.

This next stage sure looks like fun. I had the Kaiser health check up and passed all the tests. My face is starting to look ten years younger. I'm going for a walk. I need to build up my stamina. I will have two little Ninjas to fight starting in April, and I need to get myself in shape. The adventure continues.

Black Eye, Please

2011-02-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

Like nearly everyone on Earth I watched the Super Bowl. I was a Packer Fan and wanted Aaron Rodgers to win the game so as to be vindicated from his history as a "bridesmaid". Aaron is the guy who never seemed to get the credit or attention due his remarkable talent. I think he was drafted into the NFL in the 900th round. Playing second to Brett Favre must have been demoralizing with constant comparisons being stuffed in his face. I was also happy to see that the Black Eye Peas were going to do the half time show. These half time shows have been a joke for the last several years and I really thought BEP would return the half time show to a new high. Guess I was wrong about that.

I knew things would not be what I expected when Christina Aguilera could not remember the words to the Star Spangled Banner. Next Year, let's ask Christina and Rosanne Barr to do a duet. Then came half time. As the Show began I thought the sound was off on my TV. I kept trying to find the music....I heard none. Then it went terribly wrong. These robot dance numbers with TRON light suits just plain suck. I felt like we went back to 1999 and after the second guest appearance [UGHSHER] I fully expect Janet Jackson to come out and join in the silly dance line.

How could a Group as good as the Black Eyed Peas screw up a Half Time Show? My expectations were so high and the show was so tired and out dated that I can only blame their Producers. Who ever thought the light suits and LOVE stage was a good idea misunderstood the NFL fans and the expectations of the audience. I fully expected a pumped up show and we got a tired old rerun from the past, doing all the choreography from every Michael Jackson video. Moon walk? Were they serious? Was this show rehearsed and did anyone say....Maybe we should rethink our direction here?

So, it was the Best Super Bowl ever. Aaron Rogers is the new star of the NFL. The Black Eyed Peas with be playing at an Indian Casino near you this summer. Their Show ended their Career.

å min gud i himmel

2011-02-04T14:27:00.001-08:00

Two things happened in the last two days to make me embarrassed to be a US Citizen. I am reminded of the term used by my German friends "the ugly Americans".

Today Canadian Prime Minister Harper was in a news conference with President Obama. I was watching CNN as they took questions from Journalist. A Canadian Journalist asked Prime Minister Harper to comment and also asked that he reply in BOTH English and French for Canadian viewers. The feed from CNN stalled and I switched to FOX News [for some crazy reason] to continue to watch. When the Prime Minister began to speak in French, the Fox News Anchor Idiot yelled, TURN THAT OFF. Then he turned to the camera and said, "I'm sorry I can't stand to listen to him in French." I was stunned.

Most of the world speaks multiple languages. I can get by speaking German in most social situations and Pam can speak enough French to save us in Paris. Nearly everyone in the United States came from someplace else and most spoke a language other than English. When we refuse to speak other languages or we are just too stupid or arrogant to try, we tell the world they are right about America. We are self centered and narrow minded.

The second situation is about the Movie, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." The movie is based on the very popular Swedish book by Steig Larsson. The movie was made in Sweden and produced in Swedish. Nearly everyone in Sweden speaks perfect English and at least two other languages like German and French. The Swedes like the Norwegians realize that their language will not become very popular internationally like English, Spanish or Chinese. The Movie was made in Swedish, even though all the Actors speak English, because the Book and Story are Swedish. To change the language is to change the context of the story about Swedish Culture.

Now the Movie is being remade by Hollywood in English. The original Actors in the Swedish version have been replaced with English and American actors. To make the damage worse, the new English version of the film is being shot in SWEDEN! å min gud i himmel [Oh, my god in heaven...in Swedish]

We live in an ever smaller world and as Amerikans we need to learn to fit into the world we live in. It is NOT always about us. I do not know anyone who can name the capital of Canada or Sweden. How can we expect them to respect us?

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

2011-02-03T17:32:00.001-08:00

I think the United States, President Obama and Hilary Clinton have done a good job in dealing with the crisis in Egypt.

Over the last 60 years the US has supported all sorts of crazy Right Wing Dictators. We did this in Cuba, Vietnam, and elsewhere only to have popular democratic uprisings develop. In most cases we supported the wrong side until the Dictators were expelled from power. I'm proud to say we are not doing this in Egypt. In Egypt, we appear to be supporting the people and not the Dictatorship. This is good for Egypt and for the United States.

Please try the Kool Aid

2011-01-31T11:05:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the TV Commercials for SCIENTOLOGY? Is it me or are they just too weird?

Let's clear the air....I am a non believer, with the one exception for Santa. [He brought me a bicycle] All other gods, ghost, bogey men, aliens, and assorted myths are just crap and the fabrication of the human mind. I live in a real world with more than enough bad guys and unexplained events. I don't try to dream up imaginary friends or some invisible man in the sky. I also do not try to "prove" I am right. It is impossible to prove the non existence of people or things.

Back to Scientology. I think they are classified as a religion. The word CULT comes to mind as I listen to their commercial and read their information. It's like having a commercial with Jim Jones selling Kool Aid...just too strange. Please, when the commercial comes on your TV, please explain to the people in the room that this is a CULT designed to steal your money with promises of false hope and personal enlightenment. I read that these commercials are banned in Europe.

FREEDOM of the PRESS

2011-01-31T10:13:00.001-08:00

Last night I watched the 60 Minutes interview with Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Frequently we listen to news reports and develop opinions based on the thinking of those who report the news. I made this mistake regarding Julian Assange and Wikileaks. However, the 60 Minutes interview with Steve Kroft was very powerful and surprisingly informative. Julian Assange is NOT a crack pot or terrorist. He is a PUBLISHER much like Rupert Murdoch or William Randolph Hearst. If you missed the interview you can watch it on 60 Minutes.com.

Assange's point is that the free flow of information is critical in a free society. He believes that the so called "Free Press" is not free and that the raise of internet publishing creates the opportunity for Global Free Press. Assange says, WIKI LEAKS does not solicit information. They only publish the information sent to them. They do not edit the information but only publish it for others to evaluate. Assange gives an example: He says WIKI LEAKS does not take a position on whales. They publish all the information sent to them so that informed people can make informed decisions on whaling. Likewise, Assange believes that support for WIKI LEAKS and he, is based on those who send him information and those who donate money to his organization. In his view, he is working for them and Global Freedom of the Press.

As I listened to him discuss his views calmly, in spite of Steve Kroft's belligerent style, it became clear that Julian Assange is really on to something important. Freedom of Speech and Free Press are critical to free society. If Assange is wrong, society will stop reading his site. BUT, like Matt Drudge before him, I think Julian Assange has created a whole new wave of Free Press beyond the bounds of traditional print or broadcast journalism. It seemed almost silly to watch Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes attempt to discredit Assange. 60 Minutes has made its reputation on doing exactly the same thing Assange is doing but using an older form of publishing, TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzC9invn4Ko

CHECK ENGINE

2011-01-28T11:57:00.000-08:00

If you have ever been driving your car and the Check Engine light comes on, you know the feeling. UGH, what does this mean to me? Likewise as you reach your "golden years", you need to go in for the 60,000 mile check up. In my case, a growth developed on my shoulder and it served as my "CHECK ENGINE" light.

I first noticed the rough spot on my skin about 60 days ago. I believe strongly in self care and home surgery so I attempted to sand the rough spot off my shoulder. That did not work. It bled and became infected. Then I tried all kinds of chemical treatments to kill the growth. Nothing worked. Pam quietly watched over about a week as I kept trying to cut the growth off. Then, well after she was near crazy watching me, she suggested I go see a "DOCTOR".

We have the BEST Health Coverage on Earth, KAISER. Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care consortium found by Henry Kaiser to cover his employees. Today Kaiser covers over 8 million people with full service integrated healthcare. We have been in the Kaiser system for eight years but.....I have never seen a Doctor. I did get my eyes examined once but I did not have a Doctor assigned to me. So I went to Kaiser and saw Dr James Sandys. I picked him because he is an old white guy who can identify with my style.

Dr Sandys looked at my shoulder and asked if I had been "messing with it." I told him I tried home surgery and he asked what I did for a living. I told him I sold food. He said, "I promise I won't try to sell food if you let me take care of the surgery." He sent me to the Lab for some Tests. They cut the growth off my shoulder and I waited for the results.

Turns out I am in great shape. See test results below. The growth was a simple keratosis and not cancer. I need to end my all bacon diet to bring my lipids down a little but I passed the 60,000 mile check up.

My test results:

PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA)
Component Your result Standard range Units
PSA 1.18 < or =" 4.5">

Component Your result Standard range Units

CHOLESTEROL 205 <200>

TRIGLYCERIDE 159 <150>

HDL 44 >/=40 mg/dL
LDL CALCULATED 129 <100>

COP KILLERS RUN FREE ......details at 11:00

2011-01-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

I grew up with a very healthy disrespect for authority. Authority figures, like teachers and the police did not seem to be very smart. Their strategy was to use force or threat of force to motivate people. I never understood why they could not earn the respect they demand through the use of force. In my view, society selected these persons to teach us and keep us safe. Why did they need to then threaten the society in order to gain respect and support?

On January 19, there was a report of a Police Officer shooting in a suburb of Los Angeles. The Officer, Jeff Stenroos, was on School Patrol at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills. The shooting occurred at about Noon on Wednesday. The LAPD reacted very quickly. It must have been a slow crime day. 350 police officers responded closing off seven square miles and "locking down" nine area schools. The Children in those schools were prevented from leaving their class rooms....even to use the toilet. For eight hours the LAPD searched for the shooter. He was described as a white male in his 40s with a bomber style jacket.

They did not catch the shooter. They searched door to door with police dogs. The LAPD used multiple helicopters to sweep the area. The next day they held a press conference and showed a composite sketch of the shooter. A $100,000 reward was offered to catch the guy. Parents who complained about their children being locked up for hours were told, "WE NEED TO TAKE THIS ACTION TO KEEP YOU SAFE." Parents and children just don't understand how the Police need to work...for our safety.

Turns out...It was all a hoax. The dumb stupid Cop shot himself playing with his gun and made up the whole story. He was arrested today for making a false report. Really, I'm not kidding. This would be a great joke if it was not so very sad. By best guess, the police spent well over a million dollars trying to catch the shooter. Nine schools were locked down and perhaps 10,000 families were worried and upset about their children.

My healthy disrespect for authority remains safe. Moreover, my question continues: Why do we hire morons to do this important work of teaching children and keeping us safe? How can the Los Angeles Police Department face the public after such a stupid over reaction to a false shooting?

The Teachers Unions, Police Unions, and Homeland Security would have you believe that you are not nearly smart enough to understand how they work. Really? You need to continue to question authority and hold these people accountable.

Steve Jobs

2011-01-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

Steve Jobs has taken a medical leave of absence from Apple. My wife thinks I talk too much about all things Apple/Jobs related, but this news isn't good. It's not good for Steve Jobs. Not good for Apple consumers. Not good for America.

Steve Jobs is a real American entrepreneur. He is visionary and he has changed the way we think and work. There are almost no words big enough to explain his impact on civilization. Think for just a minute of anyone you know with his history. Steve Jobs was adopted. He dropped out of College in 1972 after just one semester. He got a part time job to save money to take a retreat in India where he became a Buddhist. He shaved his head and took LSD while working part time on a Video game at Atari. Any kid today with this profile would be called a "burnout" or Loser. Then in 1976, four years out of high school, no college, and a Buddhist acid freak, he helped to found Apple Computers. By 1984 Apple had built the Macintosh, while PC computing was still using DOS, C: run.

Jobs was fired from the company he helped to create. Apple we were told, was doomed. But Jobs went on to invent Pixar and digital cartooning. Today Steve Jobs is on the Board at Disney and one of their biggest stock holders. Then Jobs went back to Apple. The company was in trouble and Jobs helped to create the iPod. This led to a shift in the way we buy and listen to music. After inventing the Macintosh Computer, Pixar, and the iPod some people would have quit. But Steve Jobs went on to invent the iPhone and recently the iPad. Both are revolutionary new products that have changed our lives. I believe the iPhone created the entire Smartphone App based hand held business for Blackberry and Android. Now the iPad is creating the digital tablet business for others to follow.

Steve Jobs has the ability to see the potential in things we cannot even imagine. Apple announced their quarterly results for the period ending December 25, 2010. They had record earnings of $26.7 billion up 70% from the same period last year. If Apple were a German or Japanese company we would be studying, "how they did that." But Apple is an American company with a driven visionary leader who did not go to MBA School or climb the corporate ladder.

This is a remarkable American story and I only hope it ends well.

Get to Know China

2011-01-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

Today the Chinese President, Hu Jintao comes to America to visit Washington. Much has been written about the "Raise of China" and its competition with the United States. Before you begin to think that China is an advisory, take the time to get to know China. What do you really know about China? Most people know nearly nothing or worse, only what they are told by FOX News.

China, [The People's Republic of China] is over 1.3 Billion people and the second largest country in area. Chinese civilization is the world's oldest, dating back nearly 6,000 years. The Chinese invented gun powder, but only used it to make fireworks. The Chinese invented noodles or pasta and shared this with Marco Polo to bring back to Italy. The Chinese, much like the Irish, Mexicans, and others came to America seeking opportunity. There are many Chinese American families who have lived in the United States for over 150 years. Chinese food, as we know it, is not served in China and is a product of the Americanization of real Chinese cuisine. China has never attacked or invaded another country. The Chinese have spread around the globe, but in every situation the Chinese are peaceful, respectful and model citizens. During the twentieth century China transformed itself from a farming economy into the world leader in manufacturing. Today, China is one of America's best trade partners. More General Motors automobiles are sold in China than in the USA. The Chinese are not Muslim. Officially, China is non religious. Buddhist and Taoist make up nearly 90% of those who identify a religious preference. The largest English Speaking population on earth are the Chinese.

China is America's friend and partner with a similar relationship to that of America and Europe. The Chinese have problems and they prefer that America not try to tell them how to run their country. Take time to learn more about China. It is important that you know and understand this country and their culture.

Comic Books, Blue Jeans, and Mom

2011-01-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things are just what they appear. As a kid in grade school at Our Lady of Holy Bingo, I was repeatedly told two things by the "Nones" who taught me:
• Reading comic books was bad because it wasn't "Real Reading"
• Wearing Blue Jeans was bad because it "made" you a juvenile delinquent.

After 50 years of observation I call tell you today that reading is reading and all reading is good for you. Moreover, you can wear jeans to church and you will not be struck by lightning.

The shooting is Tucson has everyone out beating the drum for their own favorite cause. Many say this is a result of one or all of the following:
• Rush Limbaugh
• Republicrats
• Demopublicans
• TV
• Video Games
• Rap Music
• Skateboarding
• Gun sales

Again, I am 99% sure this tragic shooting is a result of a crazy kid who needed attention and did not get help sooner. If there is a lesson here, it is that when you think someone is crazy....they might be crazy. Don't talk about them. Do something to get them help. My mother, Saint Mary-Helen, used to tell me she "would rather go to jail for beating me to death with a broom handle than let me turn out badly." She was "engaged" in child development. She was a "hands on mother". Common fear of her disapproval was enough to keep me from shop lifting, smoking, and staying out after the street lights came on.

The shooting is Tucson is a result of not enough people stepping in to stop this crazy kid sooner. Blue Jeans and Comic Books had nothing to do with this.

CARDS & LETTERS, The Becky Saga continues....

2010-12-21T12:07:00.000-08:00

It has been over a year since we last saw Pam's "family". In all honesty, it should not be called a family. Regardless, the good news is we have not visited them and they have not come to visit us.

The bad news is that Becky has sent cards. Becky is Pam's "mother." Again she is only a mother is the very strict biological definition. Becky resents Pam, and their unresolved conflict is at the heart of our dispute. So, Becky sent a card at Valentine's Day to Jack. I got the mail, saw the card, and decided it was more stupid bullshit from Becky. I put the card away thinking I would do something with it later. I did not. Months passed and I forgot about the card. It is very easy for me to put Becky out of my consciousness.

Then after months of happiness came Mother's Day. Pam felt like she had to call her Mom for Mother's Day. I was opposed to any contact. In my view Becky and the Ebola virus need to be handled the same, the less contact the better. Pam called Becky for a very short conversation that met all the requirements of "A call on Mother's Day". Again, on Father's Day, Pam felt like she needed to call her Dad. I like Pam's father, Jim, and feel sorry for him. He is married to Becky after all. I did not agree with calling him for Father's Day. Regardless, Pam called, Becky was screening calls, and Pam went to voice mail. Pam left a message and never heard back. Jim either feels he has no role as Pam's father or was fearful of calling back. It is difficult to understand, being a father myself, how Jim views this situation.

Then Jack started Kindergarten. Becky sent another card. Crap! I took the card and put it away with the Valentine card for Jack. I still did not have a resolution as to how to handle these cards. Like spent nuclear fuel rods, I decided out of sight was out of mind. I was committed to dealing with them later, whenever that was.

Next came "The Birthdays". Jack and Pam have the same date for their Birthday, October 12. Becky called our home phone which was linked and transferred to my mobile phone. We were at the Ritz Carlton on Maui for "The Birthdays". Jack answered, "Hi Becky". I was so proud of him. Jack has almost forgotten who Becky is. I refer to her as "Becky" and he knows the name much like small children know that Satan is evil even if they have never seen him. Pam and Becky talked briefly and Pam told Becky we will be having a second son next April. Then good bye. No card was sent and nothing more happened.

Yesterday, a Christmas card came for Jack from Becky. Crap, again! I found the card and decided that I needed to resolve this card issue. I had a choice of hiding this card with the others, or, discussing this with Pam. I believe, as mentioned above, that zero contact with Becky is the best course of action. I see these cards as Becky's attempt to use the emotion of a holiday or event to continue to make her point. That is: She is unwilling to discuss Pam's concerns and will continue to gossip about us among family members. The cards come addressed to Jack or Pam with no mention of my name. It is Becky's way of saying that I do not exist. But, I do.

Becky makes this dispute about me. It is not. Pam had conflicts and concerns with Becky prior to meeting me. I have only provided the support for her to voice these concerns. I see Becky for the self centered, status seeking gossip that she really is. In pointing out Becky's obvious character flaws, I have given Pam the confidence to express her own concern. Becky refuses to discuss these concerns with Pam.

So I gave the cards to Pam. I told her she needs to resolve this dispute with Becky. Pam agrees and is sending a letter to Becky asking her to meet and talk. Now it is up to Becky. Is she half the mother she thinks she is?

A Day that will live in infamy

2010-12-07T07:23:00.000-08:00

Roosevelt, like Lincoln at Gettysburg, picked a short speech to deliver the impact of situation. Pearl Harbor had been attacked and we were at war with the Empire of Japan. December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy. My Dad and millions of other Americans could never forget the day and what they were doing when they heard the news. It changed their lives our country and the world. It was 69 years ago today. Like 9/11, this is a day for all Americans to remember.

On the other hand..............

2010-11-30T11:35:00.000-08:00

In an odd way, I enjoyed the recent Wiki Leaks because they show me that BIG Government is not as stupid as it appears.

In the past, every time there is an international crisis, like the recent shelling by North Korea, I waited to see the reaction by BIG Government. Over the last fifty years Amerika, through BIG Government, has repeatedly been on the "wrong" side of international issues. Amerika supported numerous dictators going back to Batista in Cuba. In almost every case these were bad guys who exploited their citizens. In my view our support was always at odds with our founding principles. Doesn't Amerika stand for self determination and popular democracy? Why did we always side with the minor league "Hitler" clones? Vietnam, Iran, Panama, the list is long and completely stupid from my point of view.

Now, along comes Wiki Leaks and we discover that our leaders have better sense than we thought. Our elected leaders seem to see many of these foreign politicians as the dolts they really are. I am especially pleased to see that Hillary Clinton is asking the right questions and directing the State Department like General Patton.

Yes, I know the Wiki Leaks are terrible and they are embarrassing etc. But really, isn't it good to know our leaders are not as dumb as they appear?

BE PREPARED

2010-11-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

I have been watching The Walking Dead on AMC since it began on Halloween. I am not usually captivated by Zombie shows but this one is so well written that I think it should be a MUST SEE for everyone.

There have been other post apocalyptic zombie shows. Dawn of the Dead from 1978 established a cult following and The Walking Dead uses Dawn of the Dead as a starting point for its plot. Zombieland took the same basic concept but made it into a dark comedy. In The Walking Dead there is the familiar global epidemic and people are dying, only to become reanimated as flesh eating Zombies. It is a farfetched idea. But, given the spread of viruses, this not a completely crazy idea. In most of these movies the zombies attack and the remaining humans try to escape. In The Walking Dead it's more complicated and far more interesting.

In The Walking Dead the writers have expanded the characters to create a morality play about the meaning of life and the choices we all make. The Zombies are a back drop for bad decision making and evil. At the core of The Walking Dead is the idea that to be human is to be selfless. Team work, sharing, planning, and cooperation are essential to survival. Deputy Rick Grimes explains this with the line, "We don't kill the living".

Regardless of the Zombie premise, The Walking Dead is a great morality lesson. It teaches the importance of being prepared, team work, and doing the right thing because, it is the right thing to do. It reminds me of the Boy Scouts is an odd way. There is nothing wrong with being prepared. Mom always said, "You need to buy a hand gun BEFORE you need a hand gun. You don't want to try to buy one the minute you need it." Mom would have liked The Walking Dead.

OUR SUITCASE

2010-11-23T10:58:00.001-08:00

It was 47 years ago today. We went to see a movie and suddenly the lights came on. A Captain walked out in front. He said, "The president has been shot in Dallas Texas. All Military personnel are to report for duty. We are on full alert. Dependents are restricted to housing."

Not a word was said. Everyone knew their job. I walked home to meet my parents. Dad had brought out "Our suitcase". He told me he had to report for duty and Mom was in Charge. Then he handed me the suitcase. We all knew this was bad. In the suitcase was $500 in cash, $500 in Deutsche Marks, our passports, medical records, other documents and a loaded 32 automatic hand gun. Dad said he would call us with more information, but we were prepared to drive to France. The East German border and Russian Tanks were just 40 kilometers away. We had often discussed with our German friends that nothing could stop the Russians if they wanted to invade Western Europe. Kennedy's assassination was seen by many as the first step in World War III.

In the hours that followed we waited and listened to AFN and the BBC. By morning Dad came home. The base returned to standby. We joined the world grieving for John Kennedy. It wasn't War. The Russian Tanks did not cross the Border.

That was the day I grew up. I was never a kid again after 11/22/63. Life became bigger and more real. Tonight I checked "Our Suitcase". Passports, $20,000 in gold, $5,000 in cash, and a loaded Sig 40. Dad taught me to be prepared.

BIG BROTHER IS BIG GOVERMENT

2010-11-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

In George Orwell's fictional, but all too true book, 1984, he exclaims that "Big Brother is Watching You". It all sounded so silly in 1948. Constant surveillance by "telescreens". Only a member of the lunatic fringe could come up with such nonsense.

Jump forward 60+ years to now. Does it seem so crazy that BIG BROTHER aka Big Government is watching you? My guess is they are watching everyone, or will be in the next five years. The current extensive body search and scanners at airports are justified for the sake of safety. This is a slippery slope and Al Qaida knows it. By creating the potential for a threat, Al Qaida has discovered the weakness in Democracy.

The reasoning goes something like this: If a threat exists to the population, it is Big Government's job to protect us. In protecting us, any and all measures are acceptable.

Sounds crazy but it all began with Motorcycle Helmet and Seat Belt Laws. Big Government could not get the stupid population, US, to understand we were in danger. So, they passed laws demanding that we wear Motorcycle Helmets and Seat Belts. A few free thinkers cried foul but the masses said..."If it makes us safer, I guess it's a good idea." This was just a short intellectual walk in Big Government Thinking to the TSA and current searches.

The next steps will be made in much the same manner. Here is my vision of the future. There will be some terrorist event. My guess is the smart thing for Al Qaida to do is bomb a shopping mall. This will result in new full body searches at Malls across America and it will also damage retail sales. Then the TSA will begin to focus on people not at the Mall but begin random searches of people walking down the street. This will be justified by the need to PREVENT bombings and after all..."if it makes us safer....it must be OK" Not long after this, we will hear of random searches of people's homes. Again all in the name of safety. Nobody wants a bomb maker in their neighborhood.

The flaw in this thinking is that in the history of terror events, the TSA, and FBI have not PREVENTED any events. They have not caught anyone. They searched the 9/11 high jackers and allowed them to board planes. The Time Square Bomber was "caught' by a tee shirt salesman who called the police. Even the Fort Hood shooter, who was in the Army, was not prevented from acting by Big Government.

These searches and invasions on our civil rights do not catch Terrorist. Al Qaida knows this. They only want us to become the POLICE STATE we are today. In this way, they have won the war on terror and we did the work for them.

VISIT THE CATO INSTITUTE WEB SITE

2010-11-19T09:10:00.001-08:00

The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Institute was founded in San Francisco in 1977 by Edward H. Crane and initially funded by Charles G. Koch, Chairman of Koch Industries, Inc., the second largest privately held company (after Cargill) by revenue in the United States. Libertarian economist Murray Rothbard was a core member of Cato's founding group and coined the institutes's name. Rothbard served on its board until leaving in 1981.

The Institute is named after Cato's Letters, a series of British essays penned in the early 18th century by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon expounding the political views of philosopher John Locke. The essays were named after Cato the Younger, the defender of republican institutions in Rome. Cato relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1981, settling first in a historic house on Capitol Hill. The Institute moved to its current location on Massachusetts Avenue in 1993.

If you are wondering how America or the World can work our way out of the current economic mess, take the time to read up on the ideas from the CATO Institute. This isn't FOX News or some other sensational, over the top crazy stuff. These are practical ideas on using government to solve problems. LINK: http://www.cato.org/

TAX ALL INCOME FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

2010-11-19T08:48:00.001-08:00

I have been working for 45 years. This year I became concerned that BIG Government would change "our Deal" on Social Security and decided to apply for early retirement. I wanted my name on the list before they made any changes. My best guess is that my employers and I paid nearly $300,000 into Social Security over the last 45 years. Assuming even a jack ass could have invested this money; they had to have made an additional $25,000 in interest on the money. In my view the Government is holding $325,000 of my money, give or take twenty bucks or so.

Now we hear Social Security is going broke. BIG Government is considering an increase in the retirement age. It is currently at 66 years old. Seems OK to me but if they change the deal, it has to be with the new people coming into the system. Nobody 50 years old will be happy with any changes. The big question is why aren't ALL wages taxed for social security?

The current limit is $106,800. After you reach this annual earnings limit they stop taking Social Security out of your pay check. We always saw this as a yearend benefit or Bonus when we reached this limit and had the extra 6% in take home income. But, when you think about it, this doesn't seem fair. Shouldn't all income be taxed for Social Security?

Nobody seems to be discussing this subject. Not President Urkel or Ron Paul. If every dollar of earnings were taxed for Social Security, maybe the program would not be in such bad shape. BIG Government doesn't seem to know how to do the logical things that make sense to most Americans.

ARE WE BECOMING SHEEP?

2010-11-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

I have heard from my wonderful wife and a few dear friends that I am "carrying on" about some of my gripes. Clearly, I like the iPad and hate the strip search by the TSA [Try Standing Around]. I am also concerned that our government has a leadership void. The Kalifornia Election is over and Jerry won, even if Prop 19 did not pass. I guess my underlying concern is that I am alone in these concerns.

Most of Amerika does not know their congressman or congressperson. Many of the people with whom I have worked think Washington and Washington are the same place....like near Seattle. Nobody seems too concerned about most of the issues I write. Are we becoming sheep? Should I focus on Dancing with the Stars and not BBC World News?

What does it take to make Amerika care about politics, economics, or personal freedom? One good point about 9/11 is it was a cold slap in the face. Do we need a crisis every ten years to keep the attention of the masses?

The TSA....another BIG Government work program

2010-11-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS: BIG Government cannot close the Mexican Border were gangs are killing people and immigrants cross freely into the USA. BUT, they spend millions to search travelers going to visit relatives over the Holidays.

Does this make any sense? Do grandmothers and children need to be screened at US Airports? Even the most recent so called "threats" have come from either foreign sources or were unrelated to air travel. If you buy your ticket in advance....with a credit card.....doesn't BIG Government already know everything about you before you come to the airport? Why waste millions of dollars searching the LEAST threatening people to society?

SPEAK OUT - Demand an end to unreasonable and costly airport screening.

The TSA has become another BIG Government make work program for poorly educated minorities formerly employed at HUD, the Post Office, and DMV.

FROM GUTENBERG TO JOBS

2010-11-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

We often miss the changes that impact civilization because we are too busy living. This was true for my parents who were born before airplanes, television, computers and mobile phones. It is also true today, as we witness the global transformation from the printed page to digital media.

Johannes Gutenberg gets most of the credit for the printing press. In fact, the Chinese printer, Pi Sheng, invented movable type about three hundred years before Gutenberg. Regardless, Gutenberg changed the world. His press could produce 3,600 printed pages per day compared to 40 per day at the time. By 1500 Europe was producing over 20 million books a year. This expanded literacy led to growth of the middle / merchant class and the ultimate liberation of peasants from the Monarch system. One could draw a line through time to say: Gutenberg improved human literacy to make the American, French, and Russian Revolutions possible. No small feat. Today, printing is in decline. Newspapers and magazines are struggling to maintain readers. For over 25 years I have subscribed to USA Today. USA Today was always the "People Magazine of Newspapers". Nothing to gritty just simple news. Perfect for an Airplane trip or to read with coffee. This week I let my subscription go. Like many other people I have moved on to digital media.

I currently get the Wall Street Journal and USA Today on my iPad. I also have National Geographic, Road & Track, and Los Angeles Magazine delivered via Zinio to my iPad. I'm sure I am not alone. Others are making this switch to reading books and newspapers on their mobile phones and iPads. By the holidays we will see dozens of new tablet style computers on the market. All of these will offer digital content.

If you get to Mainz Germany, just West of Frankfurt, visit the Gutenberg Museum: Link: http://www.gutenberg-museum.de/index.php?id=29&L=1
Mainz is over 2,000 years old. The Gutenberg Museum is over 100 years old. It was opened to celebrate Gutenberg's 500th Birthday. Maybe one day, 500 years from now, we will be able to visit the Jobs Museum in Cupertino. Like Gutenberg, Steve Jobs is creating change with a far reaching impact on civilization.

Free Market Economics and Cost Cutting

2010-11-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

It's over. Those ads are gone. TV and Radio have returned to the new normal. I have watched the news to see what people think about the election and economy. Some of what I see is embarrassing. Others things are crazy. Maybe I just see the whole thing wrong.

It seems to me that we are in the middle of the first World Economic War. The old Twentieth Century rules about countries are gone. Armies have been made irrelevant. Everything depends on growth vs. debt. China, Brazil, and India seem to be winning. Europe and America are struggling to hold on. Japan, Greece, Spain, and Ireland are in very big trouble. Survival depends on our ability to reduce government costs and create real economic growth without inflation. Where is Milton Friedman when we really need him? He passed away in 2006.

Some of the idiots on TV think the election was about DEMOCRATS. Others think it was all about REPUBLICANS. I think their crazy. The real issue is who among use is smart enough to lead our country out of this economic mess. Britain seems to have made the "right" choice by going with a coalition government. We will have something similar with the new Congress in January. One thing is sure. The old rules won't work. We need to cut government cost soon and focus on entrepreneurial job creation. It really doesn't matter which party the career politicians support. The work that needs to be done is economic not political. A quick view of the CATO Institute web site will show you the plan. Do we need NASA?

They say that in 1941 most Americans did not know where Japan was located. After 9/11 we learned more than we wanted to know about Iraq. Now I think the country is getting ready for a class in Economics 401, Keynesian versus Free Market Economics. The next two years will be important. Our Economic future depends on how well we understand these issues.

VOLVO

2010-11-01T12:22:00.001-07:00

I recently attend two marketing events for Volvo Automobiles. The word Volvo is Latin and it means to roll. Volvo is an old Swedish Car company dating back to 1927 when Gustav Larson began building cars that could withstand the harsh Swedish climate. These rugged vehicles evolved into one of the safest cars made. Volvo was first to use auto crash test and seat belts in their cars.

Over the years Volvo did not keep pace with German or Japanese auto companies and in 1999 was sold to Ford motor company. Ford worked hard to update Volvo and reintroduce the Brand into the US Market. After ten years of loss, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese manufacturer Geely.

The first event we attended was a test drive for the new 2011 Volvo S60. It was called the "Naughty Volvo Test Drive". They were trying to make the new Volvos seem "bad" or perhaps interesting. The fact is, Volvo only sold 60,000 autos in the US in 2009 versus 190,000 each for BMW and Mercedes. The Volvo Brand is fading faster than Barrack Obama.

The test drive was held at Santa Anita Race Track. It was very dull and the cars were even duller. Pam drove one and I just watched. If the intent was to build interest in the Volvo line...this event failed. Long lines, too few cars, and very little to see or do, made for boredom and sadly that is what Volvo has become. We attended a similar event in the past for Mercedes and it was fun and exciting. Volvo does not know how to attract high end car buyers or how to hold their attention.

The most recent event was last Sunday. It was a focus group session for Volvo's new models. Six of us were in one group and we did not know at the beginning that the cars we would be seeing were Volvos. We were shown several new designs and asked to select which we liked better. It was sort of like being asked, "Do you prefer cancer or heart disease". It was very disappointing.

Volvo's problem is a lack of consistent direction. Their cars have never performed as well as other European makers. Their engines lack power and the cars are dull. Redesign will not fix what is wrong with Volvo. BMW, Audi, VW, and Mercedes all have been working under strong leadership to develop world class cars. If Volvo will be successful, they will need twenty years to catch up. Their cars in the near future are Camry or Buick copy cats.

Halloween - Employee Test Time

2010-10-29T08:43:00.001-07:00

Yes, this weekend is Halloween. Today is the annual Employee Test given by smart managers to see who gets the lowest year end evaluation and no raise.

Years ago we had Halloween but NOBODY came to work dressed in a costume. Then slowly over time, the dumbest of staff members began to ask..."Can we dress up on Friday for Halloween?" I was sure this was a bad idea. I never dressed up for Halloween and always used this day as an informal IQ Test for my staff. Whom among you is the dumbest person working here? Today, that person will reveal himself or herself as in often the case.

If you work in a large Office you will notice a natural pecking order develop today. Clearly one person will shine as the single biggest dumb shit in the place. Then there will be others who will qualify as just plain stupid. Finally, one or two will actually come to work, without a costume. These are your all stars and they deserve the best performance review and biggest raise.

It's nice that Halloween falls this time of year. It makes employee evaluations both interesting and much simpler.

KINDLE & NOOK vrs iPAD

2010-10-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

Look at these two devices..............One has a picture.

In USA Today they were comparing the ereaders that are available. These included: The Kindle, The Nook, The Sony eReader, The Libre, and The iPad. It seems crazy to me that they compare these devices given that the iPad is $300 more expensive and does five hundred times more things than any ereader. Then in a related news article, I read where Steve Jobs said the new "7 inch Tablets" coming to market in 2011 were dead on arrival.

There is currently nothing that compares to an iPad. Moreover, nothing I have seen "coming soon" even comes close. Period.

When they compare the iPad to other ereaders they always say it is much too expensive. They always fail to mention that it also gets email, opens WORD and XL Docs, runs games, and plays movies. To call an iPad and ereader is like calling a BMW M3 a CD player, just because it can play CDs.

This is my vision of the iPad in 2011. It will come out with Face Time and you will be able to make VoIP Video calls on your iPad to IPhone 4 users and new iPad users. Try that on your new Kindle DX.

The answer is LEADERSHIP

2010-10-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

I was reading on-line today about the ways in which different countries are beginning to address the long term impact of the global economic mess. The BBC World Service asked me to comment about California on their nightly live radio broadcast. We discussed three examples:

"Britain's coalition government announces the biggest programme of spending cuts in decades, with thousands of public-sector jobs facing the axe. "

"French strikers impose new fuel blockades, hours after security forces clear protesters from three depots."

"NBC/WSJ poll: GOP poised for big midterm gains 'Democrats, with two weeks left, are facing very, very difficult arithmetic'."

Clearly, we face a global economic crisis. In California things are much the same as in France, the UK, and across America. There are three questions we need to answer:
• How did this happen?
• What can we do to "fix" the situation?
• Who among us will provide the Leadership to make these changes?

Our current global economic situation is a result of over spending for the past forty years. Following the end of the Second World War, global economies expanded. This growth seemed to be unending and led to overspending. The idea was that we will have more money, either higher salaries or more taxes, in the future and we can pay for everything then. This flawed thinking was fueled by the fall of communism and an additional expansion in Eastern Europe in the 90s. All of this came to a halt with the last big economic bubble in Housing.

Today, we need to face the new 21st century reality. Western economic expansion has reached its limit. Everyone in the developed countries has a car and a TV. All future growth will be driven by China, India, and Brazil. These are the growth markets for the next fifty years. The traditional Western Developed countries need to rethink their economic future and live within their means.

The idea of living within our means is painful for many. The concept requires individuals to only spend the money they currently have. This leads to reduced credit spending and reduced consumer spending going forward. Likewise, Governments must reduce spending to levels based on current revenues from Taxation and Fees. On paper this is not too difficult. The hard part comes to the prioritizing as to where to spend and where to stop spending.

On an individual basis these decisions regarding how to prioritize spending can be difficult. As Governments begin to make these decisions, the task will be nearly impossible. Britain this week announced its plan to cut the UK budget by 20%. This includes the cut of 500,000 government jobs. In France they are rioting over the decision to move the retirement age to 62 years old. Only the French would do this. The current retirement age is 60 in France and it is the lowest retirement age in the Western World. Only the California State workers, who can retire at 55, have a better deal.

The difficult decisions we face will require real Leadership. As individuals we can help ourselves by making these decisions NOW. We can also use the upcoming election process to pick the Leaders who will make these decisions for Governments going forward. The longer we wait the more painful this change will be for all of us. I'm voting for Jerry Brown to provide the Leadership we need in California. I think we are stuck with President Urkel for two more years and his version of "hope and change".

UNREASONABLE SEARCH

2010-10-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Today is October 6, 2010. It was 34 years ago today that Cubana Flight 455 was hijacked resulting in the death of 73 people. This event, among others, led to the practice of "AIRPORT SCREENING". I am writing this to ask each of you to demand an end to illegal searches in the name of safety. Prior to 1970, US Airports had minimal security. A series of hijackings and the bombing of flight 455 led to increased airport security in the 1970s.

Airport Screening is the popular euphemism for unreasonable [illegal] search of airline passengers. This failed process has led to the collective "ends justify the means" thinking regarding terrorist attacks. Remember, the 9/11 hijackers ALL went through the airport screening process and it FAILED to catch them. In over thirty four years of searching at a cost of trillions of dollars, the TSA and the former private screeners have not caught a single terrorist.

Worse than the illegal insult of constant search and the cost which could have sent every child in Amerika to college, Airport Screening has spawned the NEW SEARCH INDUSTRY. Today you can't go to Disneyland without being searched. Dodger Stadium searches people too. In the coming years, you will not be able to go to a grocery store or be able to take a piss unless you agree to be searched. This costly unnecessary stupid invasion of privacy has to stop.

Every holiday period, Thanksgiving at LAX comes to mind, the TV News shows some dumb lady waiting in a long line to be "screened." They only allow the lady on TV who agrees to say the following: "OH, I don't mind the wait as long as it makes it safer for everyone to fly." In reality they had to reject the 50 other people who complained that Unreasonable Search is protected by the Fourth Amendment.

The Fourth Amendment is pretty clear: " The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Amerikans fought to defend this fundament right and we need to fight again to end unreasonable search and prevent it from expanding.

Freedom of Speech

2010-10-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

Be glad you live in Amerika.

AMSTERDAM — Dutch politician Geert Wilders appealed for freedom of expression Monday as he went on trial for alleged hate speech at a time when his popularity and influence in the Netherlands are near all-time highs.

Prosecutors say Wilders has incited hate against Muslims, pointing to a litany of quotes and remarks he has made in recent years. In one opinion piece he wrote "I’ve had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate," adding "I’ve had enough of the Quran in the Netherlands: Forbid that fascist book."

We take Freedom of Speech for granted. Many Amerikans have openly complained about Muslims and their impact on our culture. Imagine Holland with over 6% of the population being Muslim compared to Amerika with a less than 1% Muslim population. The Dutch are really fed up with the "Muslim Invasion" that has change their culture.

Now, the Dutch government, in a move of Krazy Political Correctness, has charged an out spoken critic of "Hate Crimes" for speaking out against the problem.

I wonder what would happen if they built a Mosque at Ground Zero in Amsterdam?

TRINK ES AUS

2010-09-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

I spent four wonderful years in Germany as a teenager. I learned to drive on the Autobahn. I learned to speak fair, nicht gut, German from my friend, Axel Becker. And, I learned to drink beer. There are many things about Germany worth considerable praise but German cars and German beer are both the best on earth.

On October 12, 1810, King Ludwig I of Bavaria was married to Princess Therese. This modest five day celebration will once again be remembered this year from September 18 to Oktober 4 in Munich [Munchen, Bavaria]. The Oktoberfest or Okto-Beer-fest as we used to call it, will celebrate 200 years and the longest running wedding party in history. There is a web site: http://munichsoktoberfest.com/ for more information.

Like the Tour de France, the Grand Prix at Le Mans, and the Cannes Film Festival, Oktoberfest is a European experience that everyone must try at least once. BMW World Headquarters and BMW Welt are also in Munich. Porsche has its factory in Stuttgart, just 200 kilometers away. Salzburg, Austria is only 130 kilometers east. And, this is the home of the Autobahn. So think about it. A few days in Bavaria, a rented Porsche or BMW, and the best beer on earth sound good to you? Rufen Sie mich an, wenn Sie entscheiden, zu gehen. Ich kann einen Weg finden, vier Tage in Himmel zu verbringen.

SO MANY THINGS

2010-09-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

I just don't know where to begin. I think the Burning of the Quran nonsense has me the most upset. What does book burning say about people? The Nazi's were big on Book Burning.

I am not a believer. I remember as a boy thinking, "So where is this god? If he is so powerful and knows everything, why does he hide out?" I have never gotten a straight answer on any of these questions. People brush it off as "faith". I tend to live with the laws of Physics in a real world. Regardless, this book burning isn't even about religion. The Books are just the written word of beliefs. You can argue that you don't believe in something but still support the idea that people have a right to what they believe, and a right to print it. Book burning says you don't support these rights, or is it writes?

The "preacher", Terry Jones, can't really be a minister or a Christian if he supports something as stupid as book burning. The believers always say, "What would Jesus do?" He sure as hell would not burn books.

I get numerous really dumb shit comments on FaceBook from "right wing Christian patriots" who strongly support burning what they call "COR-RONS". I am just amazed at the ongoing depth of stupidity among people who call themselves conservatives and Christians. Book burning seems to me like the act of a coward, or worse a Nazi.

iPad again...............

2010-09-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

I keep reading that Amazon has lowered the price of the Kindle. Great.

Toshiba, Samsung, and Apple already offer a Tablet Computer that is ten times better than the Kindle. The iPad does almost everything except make coffee and they are working on an App for that. Why would anyone buy a Kindle? Does it matter how cheap they get? A free Kindle would be too expensive.

Click on this link to see the new Samsung Galaxy Tab: http://galaxytab.samsungmobile.com/

The iPad still beats every other Tablet Computer for ease of use and Apps.

OUR LONG STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM

2010-08-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

How did all this begin? How do we decide what's right?

Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker overturned California's gay-marriage ban in a landmark case that could eventually force the U.S. Supreme Court to confront the question of whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to wed. Most people missed the news flash or did not care about the result. But each of us should care, because today's ruling is History in the making and one of similar events that have changed humanity. Things were not always like this. Freedom and Justice were much harder to achieve 800 years ago. Over time, mankind has moved from a position in which our "fate" was thought to be pre-established by god, even before our birth, to the freedom we enjoy today. At one dark point it was argued that Humanity did not have free will to decide things for ourselves.
Make no mistake. We are not free now. If you think you are free, get high, and drive naked at 100 miles per hour. That should cure you.

Humanity is much freer today than they were in 1215. Prior to 1215 the common belief was in the "Divine Right of Kings". It meant that the King was selected by god to lead us and his will must be obeyed. No voting, no courts, no judges. The King decided everything. It is almost a joke to believe this was common "law" prior to 1215. No joke, the King made all the decisions.

Liberals, those progressives who hate existing norms, pushed for Laws to govern humanity. On June 15, 1215 the Magna Carte was signed. The Magna Carta of 1215 required King John of England to proclaim certain liberties, and accept that his will was not arbitrary, for example by explicitly accepting that no freeman could be punished except through the law of the land, a right which is still in existence today. This was the beginning of the long road to the current level of freedom enjoyed by us and some of humanity.

Other events helped to shape the freedom we enjoy. The writing and signing of the US Constitution, the Abolition of Slavery, the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, giving women the right to vote, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On each of these days, History was made in that Freedom was expanded to more of humanity.

Today, History was made in San Francisco and we need to remember it has been an 800 year fight to get this far. Labels, like Conservative or Liberal, have changed greatly over the last 800 years. The one thing that has not changed is the march forward for more and better individual freedom for Humanity. When issues, like Gay Marriage arise, you have a choice. Are you on the side of increased Freedom for Humanity or are you a supporter of restricting Freedom for yourself or others? Throw out the worn out labels and make decisions based on expanding freedom for Humanity.

TEST Blog from Email

2010-08-03T16:27:00.001-07:00

As if there isn't enough connectivity with iPhone, iPad, Facebook and Twitter.

Now I can BLOG from my phone directly to my BLOGGER site.

Michael

JACK's HEART CONDITION

2010-08-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

A week ago, Jack complained about his ear hurting. He has had four or five ear infections over the last three years. Pam called Kaiser [https://www.kaiserpermanente.org/] to get an appointment.

Kaiser has been our "Health Insurance" and Medical provider for almost ten years. Regardless of your opinion about HMOs or Corporate Medicine, Kaiser does a really good job. When Pam was pregnant, Kaiser tested her and monitored her progress unlike anything I have ever seen. The entire pregnancy and delivery cost $100 and it was Great Care.

Jack usually goes to see a Pediatrician. Pam got an appointment with Family Medicine with a Doctor we had not seen previously. I took Jack to the appointment. I expected it would take five minutes and we would get a 10 day supply of "Bubble Gum Medicine", the Pink penicillin in liquid. We got there and saw the Doctor immediately. They did the routine checking of Jack's weight and temperature then a quick check of his heart and lungs. The Doctor turned to me and said, "HAS HE ALWAYS HAD THIS HEART CONDITION"?

I have never felt the pain of having a child with a serious illness. Parents who have kids with cancer break my heart. Nothing on earth is a painful as having a child with an illness you cannot fix. You are helpless and as a father, inadequate. I almost fainted. No, Jack has never had any problems with his heart or otherwise. I stood there helpless. I asked, "Are you sure"? Dr. Tan said, "Here listen to this." I put on the stethoscope and listened to Jack's heart. Sounded loud with a swishing sound. Dr. Tan said that sound was a Heart murmur. She ordered an Echo Cardiogram and sent us out with the Bubble Gum Medicine.

Pam tried to set up the appointment for the Cardiogram. Kaiser said Jack needed to see a Cardiologist prior to the test. To me this sounded like a STALL technique and I insisted on the test. This led to several disagreeable phone calls in which I reminded everyone that Doctor Tan had ordered a TEST and NOT a Consultation. My last phone conversation included the threat that ..."if anything happens to this little boy, while we wait for this test, I will hold you personally responsible for acting "Against Medical Advice" of the ordering Physician." I was upset and pissed off. I was worried and Kaiser seemed to be stalling the test.

On Thursday, Kaiser called and said they would do the test Friday morning and we could see the Cardiologist next week for the results. I had won my argument to have Jack Tested. We went to the Hospital Friday and each of us worked real hard to make it as easy and unimportant as possible. During the test, in the dark, Pam cried and hid it from Jack.

Today, just a few minutes ago, Doctor Loo, the Cardiologist, [where do all the German, Irish and English Doctors practice?] called to say we did not need to come in for the Appointment. He had read the Cardiogram and looked at the film. Jack's heart was normal and the sound we heard was normal among children under 10 years old.

You never know how good things are until they change. I love this little Boy and I am so happy he is well....5 more days of Bubble Gum Medicine to go.

THE ONE PARTY SYSTEM

2010-06-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

How much do we, as a nation, spend on the Post Office? NASA? AMTRAK? The Dept of Commerce? Best guess, it is over $300 Billion per year. Add to this cost, the cost of a pointless 10 year War in "Effenstan" and you can quickly see a way to save a Trillion dollars. The question is, Why isn't there a politician or party willing to support these cuts in government spending? The answer is the ONE PARTY System. Politicians are there to vote to spend money with their "friends" in Big Business. Nobody wants to cut spending because nobody gets paid off when we DON'T spend money.

Almost Daily I hear that President Urkel is a "socialist" or radical liberal. I am amazed at the way people view US Politics. There is really only a ONE PARTY system in Amerika. It is the party of Professional Politicians. They have tricked you in to thinking there are differences between Demopublicans and Republicrats. There isn't. Urkel said he would end the War.....what happened? He bailed out Wall Street and the Banks.....just like a Republicrat. Go to http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/ to see how we could cut spending on government and balance the budget. Which party supports these cuts? NONE.

The original idea of Representative Government was to have one person go vote for the State or District. This job of voting was seen as a part time job. The Constitution did not plan for the Professional Politician. Today we have people in congress and government who have made their entire careers as politicians. Robert Byrd comes to mind from West Virginia. The only real goal for these Politicians is to make money for their friends who donated to send them to Washington or the State Capitol. Over the last 100 years as the Professional Politicians have established themselves in government, we have seen budgets explode. More and more government money is spent on Departments and government projects. This money they are spending is OURS. Do you really feel like you are getting your money's worth from the Department of Energy?

The Federal Energy Dept spends $38 Billion per year and employs 16,000 workers. This works out to $320 in Taxes to each family in Amerika. In 1977 Jimmy Carter asked that the Department of Energy be created to help Amerika reduce the need for foreign oil. It has not worked and we have spent over $500 Billion on an Energy Department in the last 30 years. The same is true for the Department of Transportation. Since 1967 this Department has cost us over a TRILLION dollars. It will cost each family $700 dollars in taxes this year. Are you getting your money's worth?

Real Change in Amerika won't come until we end the ONE Party system of Professional Politicians and begin to manage the government.

JERRY.....Again

2010-06-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

California is a mess. Like Japan, Spain and the UK, California spent more than it earned for the past ten years. California is NOT poor. California has a GDP [Gross Domestic Product] of $1,846,757 millions for 2009. This ranks California as the seventh largest economy in the World. Please see the Chart below for 2009 GDP information. California has more GDP than Brazil.
So the problems facing California [and the US, Japan, and Europe] are less about income and all about how to spend the money they earn in Taxes. Nearly every major country has overspent for the past ten years. This is best compared to the Family who charges too much to Credit Cards and then cannot pay the bills. It cannot continue, and California needs a real Leader who can control expenses.

California has no real choice for Governor. The two major candidates are clear. Meg Whitman for the Republicrats and Jerry Brown for the Demopublicans. I call these parties by these names since, in my view, they are really no different. The "two party system" is designed to fool voters into thinking they have a choice. They do not. There is really only ONE PARTY. This is the party of the Professional Politicians. In almost every other country on earth there are multiple parties and candidates for public office. In the US we have only the PROFESSIONAL CAREER POLITICIAN PARTY.

So, since we have no real choice, whom do we vote for as Governor of California? I cannot support a Mormon for public office. Meg Whitman is part of the vast Mormon conspiracy to take over America. I simply cannot trust anyone who believes the crap the Mormon Church calls "faith." It's simple for me: Any person who believes in holy underwear and god on another planet is a cult member and a nut case who should not lead us.

So, I am voting for ex-Governor "Moon Beam". Jerry Brown has experience and he is just crazy enough to make this work. I have said this before: "What does it say about the Two Party System when the best Candidate for Governor is a 70 year old Hippie?"

THE PURSE

2010-06-01T15:12:00.001-07:00

Call off the search. After several weeks of looking and numerous sketches on napkins, the PURSE has been found.

We went to Dooney & Bourke to buy a purse and ended up buying two. But, they did not meet the exact need. Now the new Kate Spade is here and things are back to normal.

Dear Dad,

2010-06-01T14:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Memorial Day. I know how you always felt about Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veteran's Day. They all made "your ass hurt." You used to tell me there were two kinds of soldiers, Parade Soldiers and Killers. I understood that you did not like Parades.

I been reading a book that reminds me of you: SHIT MY DAD SAYS. It is so funny to read the crazy stuff Dad's tell their kids. I laughed my ass off thinking of the things you used to say. I only wish I had wrote them all down.

Anyway, Thanks. Thanks for fighting in World War II. Thanks for landing on Okinawa. I still have the sword. Thanks for spying on the Russians when we lived in Alaska and Germany. I think you made a difference. Neither the Japanese or the Russians ever invaded. Thanks for trying to get me into Air Force Flight school. Sorry I was color blind. I have the flag that covered your coffin. That was a real sad day for me. I still miss you.

I tell Jack all about you. We come visit when we are in Saint Louis. Thanks again for all those Breakfasts you cooked, the times you walked me to school, the tree house we built, the 22 rifle, and the time you took me to the doctor. I guess it wasn't a urinary tract infection....but you never brought it up. I love you Dad, and I'm working hard to be as good as the example you set.

Michael

IMMIGRATION - Again

2010-05-19T11:00:00.001-07:00

I keep hearing about the Arizona Law. Let's be clear; The New Arizona law is just an extension of exiting Federal Law.

The bigger questions that need answers are these:

Why doesn't the Federal Government enforce the existing law?
Why doesn't the Governor of Arizona send Arizona National Guard Troops to patrol the Arizona boarder with Mexico?
Why do these illegal immigrants come to America?

First, this current immigration "blow up" is a hoax. It is designed to rally the far right anti government crazies to come out and vote this fall. Nobody really cares about illegal immigrants. Yes, I wrote it: NOBODY REALLY CARES ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. If anyone cared this would have been stopped twenty years ago.

EXAMPLE: Arizona cares about speeding on the Highway. They have hundreds of speed cameras set up on the interstate highways designed to catch speeders. Arizona has ZERO cameras or troops on the Mexican Border. If Illegal Immigration is so important, send troops to the border. Or better, send the Highway Patrol. They don't care or they would do something.

Second, George Bush tried to fix the Illegal Immigrations problem with a guest worker program. Nobody would support it. Why? Because we need cheap non union labor to run this country. The Hotel and Foodservice business in America depends on cheap labor. Construction likes cheap non union skilled labor. Agra-Business likes cheap farm workers and plant workers.

EXAMPLE: If we want to stop this problem. Business needs to pledge that it will not hire illegal workers. Has MacDonald's, Marriott, Tyson Foods, or Conagra come out to say this? NO!

Third, Hispanics come to America because of two things. California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas were all part of Mexico until we stole the land. Europeans moved into this land and then voted to become part of the United States in 1848. This land was originally Mexico. Most of it looks like Mexico. Many of the local families can trace their ancestors back prior to it being the United States.

In 1942 America was at War and we needed cheap labor to help with Farming. Most able bodied men were in the Army fighting. So we began the Bacero Program with Mexico. This was an approved Guest worker program that did not end until 1967. For over twenty years we had an official program with Mexico to import cheap labor into the United States.

EXAMPLE: Families in Mexico grew up sending relatives to the United States to work in the Bacero Program. Many later settled in the original Mexican areas of Texas, Arizona, and California. Now we say they should not be here after we asked them to come for over twenty years to help us.

Who would you like to do the non skilled service work in America? Landscaping, farm work, cooking food, making beds in hotels. In Europe it is done by Muslims from Turkey, Pakistan, and Morocco. The truth is we are too far into this situation to turn back. America wants and needs these workers and the current talk is designed to get votes this fall. Don't be fooled by talk radio. Real Conservatives can think for themselves.

Oh Baby

2010-05-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Mother's Day. Pam spent time with Jack playing in his room and at the park. They really like each other. Pam is a great mother and Jack is a wonderful boy. Two things happened related to mother's day and I'm concerned about both. First, Pam told me she would like to have another child. Second, Pam called her mother, Becky.

When I met Pam, I was 46 years old with four daughters. This was in the summer of 1994. Pam had recently graduated from University of Illinois. She told me then that she did not want to have children. She saw children as "getting in the way" of having an interesting life. That was Ok with me. I had four girls and they were each wonderful, but yes, they can spend money and take up your time. I was looking forward to semi retirement and spending time riding the motorcycle, skiing and traveling. I had raised four children and felt fulfilled.

Later, after 9/11 and while on Vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Pam said she wanted a child. We did the math and it seemed clear that I would die and Pam would be alone and 60. She felt like she wanted a "family" of her own. So, we had Jack. Jack is the son I never had, and the boy who is expected to grow up and care for his mother after I am gone.

Now I'm 62. Pam will be 39 and Jack will be 5 this fall. I am past semi retired and heading into full on retirement. A new Baby would be 20 when I'm 83, if I live so long. I'm not Larry King or Donald Trump. I have five children and a wonderful wife. I don't really need more work or additional expense. I have a dozen good books I would like to read and there is that motorcycle sitting in the garage. Please call Pam and tell her this is crazy. We really do not need another child. We are too old and too lazy to start over. I love Pam and want her to be happy but this is a bad idea.

Speaking of bad ideas, Pam called Becky. I did not know she planned to call. I think any contact with Becky is like touching the ebola virus. Since last Thanksgiving, I have been happy not to talk with or visit Becky. In my view Becky is a gossip who discusses family members who are not present, in an effort to make herself look good. I prefer we never see them or speak to them again. Pam wanted to "do the right thing" and call Becky on Mother's Day. I believed it was unnecessary since Becky is a very poor excuse for a mother, and may not qualify for Mother's Day.

Strange, Pam is a great mother and wants more children. Where could she have learned about being a mother? Clearly, not at home growing up.

It is only a matter of time.

2010-05-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

These guys are terrorist. All three tried to kill Americans. Two are US Citizens. Nothing...Nothing, the US government did protected us from these three, or from the hundred like them that are coming to kill us. It is just a matter of time before they succeed.

Since 9-11-2001 we have spent a "Ka-zillion dollars" fighting terror. We are strip searched at the airport, Disneyland, and Baseball games. We are told there are secret "NO FLY" list and every passenger is screened prior to coming into America. Our mobile phones are tapped and email is scanned by the government. You have heard all of this bull shit for years.

In spite of the money and time spent on counter terrorism, these three [and hundreds more] have traveled to terrorist camps, sent emails to terrorist leaders, flown into the US, and become US citizens. They could not be more obvious. The Major on the right repeatedly expressed anti-American and anti military comments while in the Army. NOTHING was done. He was issued a gun and allowed to continue to serve. He went on to kill people.

We need to face facts: Our government is not capable of fighting terror while they continue to want to be seen as politically correct. Obvious terror suspects are not being watched. The latest Times Square Bomber was an idiot. Still, it was a "Tee Shirt Vendor" who pointed out the car bomb to police. No FBI or Homeland Security personnel were even watching this guy. He flew to Pakistan several times. He brought over $18,000 in cash back to the US. It could not be more clear that he should be watched.

My point is, these guys are stupid and poorly trained. Still they were not watched or prevented from acting. The really good terrorist, who are planning to blow up the Superbowl or White House are not going to get caught. Our government can not catch a Muslim Major in the Army who is emailing terrorist leaders and saying anti American crap. They could not stop a guy in New York who tried to blow up a car bomb with fireworks and left his keys in the car. He almost got away on an airplane.

Each of us need to be more like the "Tee Shirt Vendor" in Times Square. We need to watch out for our selves and our families. Sooner or later one of these nuts is going to blow up a shopping mall and we need to be prepared. Our government can not protect us from these guys. Watch what goes on around you. Know where the exits are located. Learn first aid. There is a day coming when you will need to know how to save your own life.

Chicago May 22-23

2010-05-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's that time again. Spring is in the air and the National Restaurant Show is May 22-25 in Chicago. Pam, Jack and I are planning to attend. Pam and Jack are going to the museum of science and industry while I walk the Show floor. We hope to meet up with Amy, Pam's cousin and have a great dinner at Spagia.

I will post photos for the NRA Show. Let me know if you plan to attend.

Mother's Day

2010-05-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

This coming Sunday is Mother's Day. You must be wondering, "whatever happened to Pam's mom"?

Nothing. She never called or wrote again. I personally believe she was called back to her home world for refitting with an emotion module. Regardless, It has been almost six months and NOTHING.

It's like a dream coming true for me. Like never having to shop at Wal-Mart again. Let's hope my luck holds through Christmas.

Is it just me?

2010-05-05T15:22:00.001-07:00

Big news out today. Microsoft announces the release of their new phones the KIN ONE and KIN TWO. Both use the KIN software.
I read the news report searching for some scrap of "newness" about these phones. They use a type of cloud computing that sets up a web site for your phone and stores all data pictures and music at this site. Nice, but similar to iTunes.

What I came away with was this: Apple is the world leader at game changing technology. All these other companies are trying to catch up and throwing out new devices to attempt to catch a piece of the growing market. Nothing....nothing compares to the iPhone and iPad for fresh new ideas and great execution.

Yes, long ago I drank the Apple Kool Aid. It began with Mac. Then came Powerbook and Mac II. I admit I lost my way for a time. I had two Treo phones. But since iPhone 3G I am back. Our new iPad is just short of breathtaking. Jack loves it and even Pam......a Blackberry user at heart, likes the iPad.

Show me your papers

2010-04-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

Are you a US Citizen? Can you prove it? Show me your "Papers"

Like the line from an old Nazi War movie, America is becoming increasingly more like the evil empires we have defeated. The recent passage of the Arizona law requires proof of US Citizenship. My guess is that over 50% of all Americans cannot prove their citizenship if asked.

The Arizona law is an extension of US Law which defines citizenship by showing proof in one of three ways.
• By certified birth certificate
• By Naturalization Certificate
• By US Passport

It is currently estimated that less than 25% of all Americans own a US Passport. I believe even fewer have a certified copy of their own Birth Certificate. It would seem that only Naturalized Citizens have the documentation needed to prove US Citizenship. Is it just me or does this whole thing seem silly and completely unnecessary.

Who cares about citizenship? Some say we elected President who has trouble proving he is a citizen. Is this issue of citizenship all that important? Almost anyone who wants to can buy a ticket and fly to America to visit Disney World. Once your here you can blend in and soon become as American as Hot Dogs, Pasta, and Tacos. This is a big country full of foreigners. The only "real Americans" were the natives we stole the land from.

My solution is to set up offices at ports of entry for people to register, get finger printed, and have a photo taken. Then like they did at Ellis Island, turn them loose to go make a better life for themselves and their families. This is what America stood for, for over a hundred years. It was a place where the Italians, Irish, Germans, Chinese, and many others could come to make a better life. So what's changed? What have we got to fear from the "New Americans" who are following in my grandfather's footsteps? Nothing. Over 12 million illegal's are here now and they are all around us. I say we should make them welcome and thank them for picking strawberries, making beds, and cleaning my house. I can't find any "real Americans" who want those jobs.

Show me your Papers!

It's Just Math

2010-03-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

For the past five years we have been paying for Colleen and Meredith's cars. Meredith has a VW Cabrio [Convertible]and Colleen a Mini Cooper Convertible. Each car has been costing about $300 per month and with repairs included, almost $10,000 per year for the two cars. To pay about $10,000 per year for cars you need to earn about $12,500. Ya, it's a lot of money. I made a promise to both Meredith and Colleen that I would pay for their cars and we have.

Well things have changed. Meredith's car is finally paid off completely and we signed the car over to her. It is her car now to care for. This left Colleen and the Mini Cooper for Pam and I to pay off. Pam has driven her 2002 BMW 325i Convertible for 8 years and loved it like a baby. It looks almost brand new and remains one of the coolest cars around. I decided, if we have been paying $800 per month to keep Meredith and Colleen's cars running, why not buy a new car for Pam and let Colleen have the BMW 325? Meredith and Colleen really don't understand how much these cars have cost and they don't really appreciate what we have done. Moreover, they have never taken good care of these cars. I think they see cars like CDs, shoes, or magazines. Sort of disposable.

BMW has a deal in March to try to sell more cars. They are offering $1500 credit if you buy a new car. We took Colleen's Mini Cooper over to Irvine BMW and after three days we have a new BMW 128i Convertible. The lease if $474 per month. This is much lower than the two car payments we were paying. They took the Mini Cooper in trade. Colleen agreed to drive Pam's paid off 325 Convertible and Pam....the Saint in all of this.....drove her new 2010 BMW 128i to work today.

Pam has supported me and everything I have agreed to do for Meredith and Colleen. She spent thousands of her own dollars to help me pay for trips, cell phones, clothes, and cars so I could fulfill my responsibility to Meredith, Colleen, and even Julie. I think it's time that Pam gets something out of this deal for herself.

Pam, I hope you like the new car. You deserve it for all the years you put up with crazy stuff from me and the girls. I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done and the new car was not....just about the math.

BOSTON SEAFOOD SHOW

2010-03-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

I went to Boston on Saturday night March 13. I flew JetBlue from Long Beach to Boston Logan on a Red Eye flight that got me into Boston at 7:00 AM. Weather was awful. Storms almost kept us from landing. Still I made it.

Once I landed I went straight to the Westin Boston Harbor. It is attached to the new Boston Convention Center. The Westin was great. The let me check in at 7:30 AM. I changed cloths and met Charlie Decker.

Charlie and I have similar Businesses. He is a Seafood Broker in the New York market and he sells the same items I sell. Charlie is also a great guy. We had several appointments set up and met with many seafood importers. These companies are interested in Charlie and me selling their seafood in the US.

I spent Sunday and Monday meeting people and flew back to LA on Monday evening. It was a good opportunity to meet new clients and to work with Charlie.

The truth about Haiti

2010-02-28T16:35:00.000-08:00

After a month of listening to the awful situation in Haiti, I am finally fed up. I just don't care about Haiti. There I said what most of America is thinking.

Haiti is an awful place. It has been the poorest country in the Americas and it is almost 100% the French who are to blame for this mess. In my view Haiti is in serious problem but it is NOT my problem or the problem for the US Government. I think France should step in and fix the mess they created in 1804. 95% of Americans do not know their own history let alone the history of the world. So here is a crash course.

Haiti was founded by the Spanish in 1504 and called Hispaniola. In 1520 Spain had most of the island's residents move close to the Capital, Santo Domingo, on the south side of the island. French Pirates developed land bases on the north coast which was uninhabited and in 1664 France claimed the Northern half of the island as French territory. France used Haiti to produce great wealth and by 1750 it was producing half of all the coffee and sugar consumed in Europe. This was done on French Plantations which contained an estimated 700,000 slaves. When the French Revolution began in 1789 the slave population revolted against the local French Masters. By 1804 Haiti had declared itself independent of France. France imposed a blockade on Haitian exports and the economy struggled until Haiti agreed, under duress, to pay France 150 million gold Francs in 1825.

This amount of 150 million gold Francs was an impossible amount to repay. It took Haiti over 100 years to pay France and it destroyed the Haitian economy. Haiti is poor today because of French greed, slavery, and the French blockade. It is important to understand this amount paid to France. The United States bought the Louisiana Purchase, most of the Central US, for 60 million Francs in 1804. France forced Haiti to pay an impossible amount and the result has been over a century of poverty.

Today, there is no question that Haiti is poor and needs help. Regardless, Haiti is not an American problem and the French should be held responsible for the last 150 years of poverty and devastation. The recent earthquake is a good opportunity for France to begin to rebuild Haiti. As for the American tax payers....this ain't your fight. Let France pay for Haiti.

V-DAY

2010-02-14T20:35:00.001-08:00

It was five years ago today. I was working at Slade Gorton and Pam was working for Cargil. We lived in the Shadow Canyon condo, the "Trailer in the Sky". Pam and I met for lunch at Elephant Bar. I knew somethings was up when Pam sat down and ordered diet coke.

She told me she had tested positive and was going to have a baby. Pam never wanted children. After two days of drinking in Cabo we decided to have a child. Our age differences, carried to the extreme, means that Pam will be alone after I am dead. Pam's family have never supported or understood her. It became clear....she needed to create her own family for her long term future.

Little did we know that on that day, five years ago, we would be having Jack. Today, Pam has the family she has always wanted. A son who loves her more than anything and who tells her, ..."Mommy, we are best friends". Best Friends at the Beach on Valentines Day. I love you both. Thanks Pam for the son who reminds me of myself and my Dad.

WAR CRIMES

2010-02-13T14:35:00.001-08:00

Today, February 13, is the anniversary of the Allied firebombing of Dresden Germany. 65 years ago on February 13, 19445 the Allied forces, led by the British Royal Air Force, night bombed Dresden with high explosives and incendiary devices. The result was a fire storm that burned 15 square miles in the city center of Dresden and, by some estimates, killed over 250,000 civilians and refugees. The actual death count is unknown due to thousands of refugees who had fled to Dresden so as to avoid bombing in Western Germany.

For many, the Bombing of Dresden remains a little known example of Allied War Crimes in which the military bombed civilian populations with little or no value as a military targets. At the time of the Dresden bombing, Germany was near defeat and the war ended on May 5, 1945. Among the refugees in Dresden were US Army prisoners of war. The book Slaughter House 5, written by Kurt Vonnegut, tells of living through the bombing. In the introduction to his book he writes; "The Dresden atrocity, tremendously expensive and meticulously planned, was so meaningless, finally, that only one person on the entire planet got any benefit from it. I am that person. I wrote this book, which earned a lot of money for me and made my reputation, such as it is. One way or another, I got two or three dollars for every person killed. Some business I'm in." Kurt Vonnegut

TODAY
German protesters stop neo-Nazi march in Dresden
By Dirk Mueller-Thederan 2-13-2010
DRESDEN, Germany (Reuters) – At least 10,000 Germans formed a human chain in Dresden on Saturday and stopped neo-Nazis staging a funeral march to remember victims of the Allied air raid that flattened the city 65 years ago. About 5,000 neo-Nazis, clad in black, had gathered at Dresden's Neustadt station -- where Nazis once packed trains with Jews bound for the Auschwitz concentration camp -- hoping to stage Germany's biggest far-right march since 1945. In the past few years, the February 13 anniversary of the destruction of Dresden, in which 25,000 people were killed, has become a focus for neo-Nazis who describe the blanket bombardment as a "bombing Holocaust."

Eine Deutchland, eine Welt, Deutschland uber alles.

The Good old Days

2010-02-09T15:51:00.001-08:00

Ahhh, remember when your house was worth something and Toyota's were great cars. The only thing to worry about back then was Global Warming. Now it's freezing in Washington and Toyota's are being recalled. And why are we sending millions to Haiti when they won't release those people from Idaho? Where is George when you need him?

Folks in Min-A-Soda put up this sign to make you think. Have you had enough "Hopey Changey" for a while?

Surfs up

2010-01-31T20:46:00.000-08:00

Storms out on the Pacific are pushing waves ashore. These storms in the Northern Pacific will bring more rain to California and more snow to the Midwest. It is amazing to see the power of these waves. Laguna Beach was half as wide as it was just two weeks ago. Sand had piled up nearly 15 feet high with waves coming close to the Basketball courts.

PEW RESULTS - Public's Priorities for 2010

2010-01-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday, the President will give the State of the Union address. Mr. Obama has been in office for just over one year. He was elected to bring "CHANGE" to Washington. The Pew Research Group has studied the Priorities of Americans for years. Here is a the latest summary below. You can read more at: http://people-press.org/report/584/policy-priorities-2010.

As Barack Obama begins his second year in office, the public’s priorities for the president and Congress remain much as they were one year ago. Strengthening the nation’s economy and improving the job situation continue to top the list. And, in the wake of the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on a Detroit-bound airliner, defending the country from future terrorist attacks also remains a top priority.

At the same time, the public has shifted the emphasis it assigns to two major policy issues: dealing with the nation’s energy problem and reducing the budget deficit. About half (49%) say that dealing with the nation’s energy problem should be a top priority, down from 60% a year ago. At the same time, there has been a modest rise in the percentage saying that reducing the budget deficit should be a top priority, from 53% to 60%.

Other policy priorities show little change from a year ago. For example, despite the ongoing debate over health care reform, about as many now call reducing health care costs a top priority (57%) as did so in early 2009 (59%). In fact, the percentage rating health care costs a top priority is lower now than it was in both 2008 (69%) and 2007 (68%).

In addition, the percentage placing top priority on providing health insurance to the uninsured stands at 49%. That is little changed from a year ago and off its high of 61% in January 2001. Notably, there is now a wider partisan gap in opinion about this issue than for any of the other 20 issues in the survey: fully 75% of Democrats rate providing health insurance to the uninsured as a top priority compared with just 26% of Republicans.

More than six-in-ten Americans say securing the Social Security system (66%) and securing the Medicare system (63%) should be top priorities for Obama and Congress. About as many (65%) say that improving the educational system should be a top policy priority. For all three items, public evaluations are not significantly different than they were one year ago.

In the wake of the financial crisis, the public does not place increased financial regulation among its top policy priorities. Fewer than half (45%) say stricter regulation of financial institutions should be a top priority for the president and Congress.

Rain totals pretty impressive - LA Times

2010-01-22T12:24:00.001-08:00

How wet was it today? According to the National Weather Service, there were numerous rainfall records set for the day, including at UCLA and in Lancaster, Palmdale, Long Beach, Woodland Hills and San Gabriel. Some of these records go back to 1960. Some rainfall totals:

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES.............. 1.60
LONG BEACH ............................. 1.57
BEVERLY HILLS............................ 0.85
SIERRA MADRE .......................... 2.07
LA HABRA HEIGHTS..................... 1.11
CLAREMONT.............................. 1.33

A flash flood warning for the Los Angeles County burn areas was expected to end at 5:30 p.m. And it looks like some beaches are already closing because of pollution.
--Shelby Grad LA TimesBlog

Impressive photo, too, by Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Redefining Republicans as True Conservatives

2010-01-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

In the year since we've started the NOH8 Campaign, we've often been surprised at some of the different individuals who have approached us showing their support. Few, though, have surprised us more than Cindy McCain - the wife of Senator John McCain and mother to vocal marriage equality advocate Meghan McCain. The McCains are one of the most well-known Republican families in recent history, and for Mrs. McCain to have reached out to us to offer her support truly means a lot. Although we had worked with Meghan McCain before and were aware of her own position, we'd never really thought the cause might be something her mother would get behind. We have a huge amount of respect for both of these women for being brave enough to make it known they support equal marriage rights for all Americans.

Aligning yourself with the platform of gay marriage as a Republican still tends to be very stigmatic, but Cindy McCain wanted to participate in the campaign to show people that party doesn't matter - marriage equality isn't a Republican issue any more than it is a Democratic issue. It's about human rights, and everybody being treated equally in the eyes of the law that runs and protects this country.

Meghan McCain was asked to be the keynote speaker at next month's National Equality Week at George Washington University for her advocacy. In an odd bit of timing, a student Republican organization has become upset that she'll be giving that speech -- and have publicly voiced their disapproval over the ordeal.

This reprint from: http://www.noh8campaign.com/

MLK DAY 2010 ....there is still work to be done

2010-01-18T11:46:00.000-08:00

Today is the Martin Luther King Holiday in honor of the life and work done by Rev. King in the name of non violent social change. At the MLK Center web site it says that Rev King worked so that "Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood."

Reverend King brought about significant social change and much greater equality for America. Yet, today as the struggle for equality continues, there is no voice among the Black Community who will speak out in favor of Freedom to Marry. Not even Barrack Obama will support Gay Marriage. The question today is this: Was this struggle for equality a BLACK issue or a movement to expand Human freedom? Sadly, after all the talk is done, Blacks are generally not supportive of "equal rights" for the Gay community.

Prior to the 1967 Supreme Court Decision, Loving v Virginia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_v._Virginia interracial marriage was illegal in 15 US States under anti-miscegenation laws. These laws based on moral and religious beliefs made it a crime to marry blacks and whites. The NAACP and Reverend King long sought the end of these laws and viewed them as unfair. In this case, the court ruled that Virginia's anti-miscegenation statute violated both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Today in Kalifornia and throughout America and Europe, citizens are working to expand this freedom granted to Blacks in 1967, 40 years ago. The Freedom to Marry movement asks that all citizens be granted these same rights to marry whom they choose. On MLK Day I am asking Black Americans to speak out in support of this right for others. Where is the outrage and where are the Marches among Blacks in support of others? Social Change and Freedom did not come to Black America without the support of others. It's time to return the favor.

Roads in Angeles National Forest closed as rains bear down

2010-01-18T10:24:00.001-08:00

Roads in Angeles National Forest closed as rains bear down

Posted using ShareThis

NEWS FLASH - Harsh Winter Storm

2010-01-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

Surf, wind and flood advisories issued as rainstorms hit Southern California
January 13, 2010 8:40 am Los Angeles Times

Commutes were marred by slick roads this morning after scattered showers fell overnight, and the rain is expected to continue through this afternoon, along with strong winds and high surf.

Forecasters were warning beachgoers to stay out of the ocean because of dangerous surf. A high-surf advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Friday as a large west swell combines with high tides over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.

Waves are expected to reach 8 to 12 feet at Los Angeles and Ventura county beaches and as high as 17 feet on exposed, west-facing beaches. Dangerous rip currents are expected on all beaches through Friday. During the peak of the event, surf is expected to reach an average height of 15 to 20 feet along the central coast.

LEGALIZE IT

2010-01-12T09:23:00.000-08:00

Peter Tosh sang about it: "Legalize it - don't criticize it Legalize it and i will advertise it Some call it tampee Some call it the weed Some call it Marijuana Some of them call it Ganja Legalize it - don't criticize it Legalize it and i will advertise it "

Today the California Lawmakers will vote on Assembly Bill 390 -- legislation to tax and regulate marijuana. The assembly's Public Safety Committee is expected to vote after a hearing that begins at 9 a.m. hearing in Sacramento. The bill would essentially treat pot the same way alcohol is treated under the law and would allow adults over 21 to possess, smoke and grow marijuana.

The law would also call for a fee of $50 per ounce sold and would help fund drug eradication and awareness programs. It could help pull California out of debt, supporters say, raising up to $990 million from the fees.

I told you this was coming..........Stay Tuned

BECKY and FAMILY Revisited

2010-01-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

It has been a month since I explained our FAMILY situation.

We have not heard from Becky. Emily, Pam's sister, called her. She ranted on about how hurt everyone is but for all her education in Psychology she can't see both sides of this situation. Pam's cousin Amy sent an email. Then she got a call from DUG, Pam's brother. He doesn't have the testicles to call Pam or me. Likewise we have heard nothing from Pam's mother or father.

Oops, sorry, we did get a BOOK from Becky. It was a bound book of photos showing Pam's visit to Belleville over Thanksgiving. Cute photos of Pam and Jack, but no photo of me. Jack wondered why I wasn't in the book. Well Jack, it's like this.............

I DO Support Freedom to Marry

2010-01-11T10:54:00.000-08:00

Today the Federal Trial begins in San Francisco to decide if California Proposition 8 is legal. In my view it is not. Note the trail is not on YouTube because the supporters of Prop 8 don't want to be seen on TV.

This is an historic moment of all Americans. Our basic principal of freedom and justice, "equal protection under the law" is being tested in court. We know that under Islamic Law, gay marriage would not be tolerated. Further, we are told that the bible rejects homosexuality, although there are really no clear examples of this point. You would think it would be one of the ten commandments if it were a sin. You can't covert property, but no mention of homosexuality. It does make me wonder why this was omitted.

Regardless, our society is built on laws. Yes, we have a long tradition of religious belief. In the end, we made the decision to move away from church rules to a legal system that holds that all men and women are created equal. Black, white Asian, gay, divorced, single, hippies or not, we are all equal under the law. This principal forced the ban on slavery and allowed for women to vote. It is our core belief and I believe it will force the end of Proposition 8.

I'm no liberal. As a real conservative I want to see everyone treated the same. Today I read an article by Theodore Olson in NEWSWEEK. He makes the case this way: " Americans who believe in the words of the Declaration of Independence, in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, in the 14th Amendment, and in the Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and equal dignity before the law cannot sit by while this wrong continues. This is not a conservative or liberal issue; it is an American one, and it is time that we, as Americans, embraced it."

You can read this article at : http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957

And now a word from Accu-Weather 9000

2010-01-08T09:45:00.001-08:00

If you live in the US or UK it's COLD. Well, not here in Los Angeles or in Phoenix but yes, everyplace else. It's going to be 72 and sunny AGAIN in Southern California. Did you watch the BCS game from the Rose Bowl last night?

London is 30 degrees, Orlando is 38 degrees New Orleans is 33 degrees and Kapalua, Maui is 83 at the Ritz Carlton. The only warmer place is Perth, West Australia where it is the middle of the summer and approaching 90 degrees for all next week.

I guess that Perth and Maui Temperatures are a result of Global Warming. Ha, ha ha ha ha

TSA in the news.....you can't make this up.

2010-01-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

TSA Agent Arrested at LAX

From NBCLA.com

By KIM BALDONADO and SCOTT WEBER
Updated 8:01 AM PST, Thu, Jan 7, 2010

They are the first line of defense in airport security but two troubling incidents involving TSA agents at LAX are raising concerns.

A TSA agent was arrested on January 3rd in Terminal One at LAX, a source told NBCLA. He had just gotten off duty and was behaving erratically, saying, "I am god, I’m in charge." The agent was arrested.

Meanwhile, a TSA Internal Affairs investigation turned up evidence of LAX TSA agents using drugs at an after-hours party.

TSA officials say a videotape of the party was of poor quality and the employees were not in uniform, but 4 employees were tentatively identified.

All 4 were tested for drugs. One came back positive and that employee was fired.

America wake up to this HOAX.....the TSA and so called "airport security" is a fraud. You are paying billions to be illegally searched all in the name of safety. In spite of the systems and long lines, the TSA has not been successful at catching a single terrorist in the last five years. This phony TSA security system is a waste of Tax dollars and an "unreasonable search".

Be vocal and demand an end to this stupid search system. The only people who need to be searched are those who fail computer profiling. Anyone who buys a ticket with a credit card is traceable prior to the planes departure. TSA and the airlines know these fliers are "safe" prior to arrival at the airport. TSA is a Joke.

THE END of 2009

2010-01-05T12:33:00.000-08:00

It's over. 2009 is history. It was a year of the worst financial mess in modern times. America and the World almost had a financial collapse.

Things were not so bad for me and those I know. Yes, Jennifer has a house in U City she needs to sell. Beyond that, things were not as bad as they appeared in the news. I was laid off from Empress. That led to me starting my own business working from home. Necessity, the mother of invention. Frank Zappa was right. My modest business was successful and we had enough left over for our annual Holiday Party. An added plus, I got to meet and work with Jay Gallagher. I feel like I have known Jay all my life.

Meredith graduated from College, or at least completed her class work and is now ready to find a full time job or attend Grad School. She and Shaun have a new Apartment in San Francisco. Wow, how cool is that? To be 24 and living in the City by the Bay. Just a cable car ride from the Buena Vista. Nice job Mere. You had a dream and you made it come true. I am really proud of you.

Colleen is finished with Orange Coast and trying to transfer to Cal State Fullerton. She seems really happy with Cameron. Her job at the Counter is steady and she will be turning 21 in March. That should lead to a new career opportunity involving beverages. I think Colleen is the happiest she has ever been. She took me to lunch in Laguna for my Birthday and it made my day.

Jack is four. He is wonderful and spends too much time with grown ups. Some of this time is spent watching "bad guy movies". We need to keep an eye on him to make sure he understands they are just make believe.

Pam is also doing great. Her job could not get any better. She turned down a promotion because she wanted an office and they only offered a cubicle. Her sales results exceeded budget and she is respected by the people she works with. If only her mother, Becky, would appreciate her as much as Jack, me, and her employer. But that is Becky's problem and not Pam's.

So it wasn't such a bad year. On the usual scale it came out about an 8.7. Julie had us all together for Christmas Dinner as one family. Thanks again Julz. Greg came to visit for a week and we got to catch up. Yes, I wish Becky and Pam would resolve their issues. But, I don't miss Becky, Dug, or Emily. I wish Kate and Jennifer would come visit or call. I have tried to stay in touch with them.

I wish things were perfect. This gives me something to work on in 2010.

AT THE MOVIES

2010-01-05T11:51:00.000-08:00

Over the recent Holidays I went to two movies.

I waited and read up on AVATAR. I went Opening Day to see the movie in 3D IMAX. The special effects were really good and in IMAX it is overpowering. Jack wanted to see AVATAR so I went a second time to see it with him. I liked AVATAR. My only concern was the thin story line and lack of complex character development. This movie won't win awards for writing.

Then, as a second thought, we went to see SHERLOCK HOLMES. Wow! This movie is all about the writing and the character. I have to admit I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since I was a boy. Regardless, nothing you have seen or read previously adds up to the new movie by Guy Ritchie. In my view, Sherlock Holmes is better than Avatar in every possible way.

My guess is most of America will see Avatar and some will see Sherlock Holmes. Few will see both movies and be able to compare the set design, costumes and writing. For those who have seen other Guy Ritchie movies, [Snatch, Lock Stock and two Smoking Barrels], this movie has the same quickness in dialogue and visual style with slow motion sequences designed to explain the critical moments. I loved it and really like the style that Guy Ritchie has developed.

Go see Sherlock Holmes. It is one of the best movies of 2009.

GLOBAL WARMING ?

2010-01-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

Please look at this Map. As an aside, it is 68 and sunny here in Irvine, California. The rest of America and Europe seem to be suffering. I know it's January and it is supposed to be cold but it is 42 in Jacksonville Florida and 38 in New Orleans. In the UK [That's England for those of you who don't read the Economist] it is the coldest winter on record.

So where is Al Gore during all this? Have we finally reached a point where we can openly discuss the Hoax that Global Warming has become? If you are reading this and it is really cold outside ask yourself. Does Global Warming really exist?

GOLD....revisited

2009-12-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

If you are watching GOLD prices you know it has fallen in the last two weeks.
Krugerands are trading at $1136 each, down from $1250. The 200 day moving average is at $1025. This is the average trading price for the past 200 days.

If GOLD falls to the 200 day moving average, this is a good time to buy.
Historically GOLD has only briefly dropped to the 200 day average and then reversed and gone up.

Note: GOLD coins like the Krugerand, American Eagle, and Canadian Maple Leaf are easy to buy and trade. Each is a troy ounce of GOLD. You can buy them at any coin shop for $25 over the market. Over the last five years they have gone from $500 each to over $1,000.

Ish MY BIRTHDAZE

2009-12-15T14:34:00.001-08:00

A Big Thanks to Colleen for the Birthday Lunch at Watermarc in Laguna Beach. Good soup and a "free" Birthday tray for desert.

They always come back. Just look into her eyes......you are getting sleepy. Now she has you in her spell. Thanks again Colleen, you will always be Jack's "older Brother".

12-15-47 to 12-15-09

2009-12-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when you start something you just aren't sure if you will ever get to the finish.

Today is my birthday. I am 62 and eligible to collect Social Security. Everyone who has a job and has paid into this so called, retirement safety net, should be happy for me. This doesn't mean I am going to start collecting my money. They have it set up in a way so as to encourage you to wait and collect at 66. That's' four years from now.

Regardless, I made it this far and I was never very sure that I would live this long. I have had a crazy life and by all accounts I should have been dead in the 1970s. Luck and Common Sense prevailed and it feels good to finally be at a point where the government will start paying me.

I'm going to Laguna Beach for Lunch with Colleen. She's driving so, I might just have a few sips of the sauce. Thanks Mom for this day back in 1947. You and Dad did a great job and not a day goes by that I don't think of you.

UPDATE

2009-12-14T12:56:00.001-08:00

It's been a week since I posted FAMILY ISSUES. Still no call from BECKY. Each day that goes by proves my point; She only cares about BECKY. The good news is if she can't call, she won't visit and there is no way in hell that we are ever going back to another Wal-Mart Family Holiday.

So, things are going just fine. Pam is disappointed but at least things are clear. Emily called her and I think that was positive.

LA AUTO SHOW 2009

2009-12-14T09:45:00.001-08:00

It is that time of year. The LA Auto Show has been running for the last two weeks. With the Christmas stuff, tree etc, we almost missed it. Sunday was the last day and we got there by 10:30 to check out what's new.

Jack ran around like a crazy boy. The crowds were really light. This was the last day of the Show. Maybe people aren't buying cars so they aren't going to look...who knows. Lack of crowds left big areas for Jack to run wild. He had to sit in as many cars as possible. You can see his grinning little face in the Porsche above.

As we wandered around the Show, it became clear that the Germans are winning the car war. There were almost no lookers in the huge Ford booth.....empty. Likewise Chrysler looked like a ghost town. At BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi you could barely find room to walk. Jack waited for several minutes to sit on the new BMW 1000 RR motorcycle.

Pam has an eight year old BMW 325 Convertible. She loved it when she first got it. Today it holds fond memories but she has been thinking about the day....when she will have the Porsche Convertible.

We pay almost $1500 a month for Jack to attend Tutor Time. It's really the only way Jack can learn to play with other little kids. He loves it and is almost ready to read. Next year he will attend Kindergarten at Tutor Time with all his friends. But in September of 2011 Jack will be in First Grade. This means no more payments to Tutor Time.

$1500 a month is just about what it will take to buy the 911S Porsche Convertible. The one we looked at the Show listed at $135,000. Ya, seems like a lot of money for a car. But, it is just about the best car on earth.

So the clock it ticking. 21 months to go to the 911 Convertible. I will keep you posted on our progress.

AVATAR

2009-12-11T09:34:00.001-08:00

Avatar is coming in IMAX 3D next week. This movie is going to change the idea of going to the Movies.

For the last five years it has been easier to skip going to the Movies. We either wait for Movies to come out on DVD or we rent them on Cable through On-Demand Movies. Driving to the Theatre, waiting in line, sitting in some uncomfortable sticky seat, just isn't as good as being at home.

And, HD Movies at home have been just as good as watching the same movie at the Theatre. But all this may just change. AVATAR and the technology behind the movie may make it necessary to go back to the Theatre. IMAX 3D won't be coming home for a few years and if there was ever a movie to go see in IMAX....it is AVATAR. Early release information in London said the opening night crowd gave the Movie a standing ovation.

In Jack's words this may just be a Really Good Bad Guy Good Guy Movie.

BECKY

2009-12-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

I need to explain myself. People will be asking, "Is Pam's husband crazy?" In a general sense, that question remains to be answered, but regarding this situation..., you alone can be my judge.

I see my role to include responsibility for the protection and welfare of my family. Meredith and Colleen always knew I was there if they needed me to step in to defend them. My approach has never been subtle. I tend to speak out to make may point. I do get results.

My role of protector includes defending Pam and Jack from gossip and abuse, even if it comes from Pam's Mom.

For 15 years I have loved Pam Olroyd. We met while working together. I respected her and we agreed on so many things that it became clear that we would be best friends. Her mother, BECKY, did not approve.

As a parent, I would be concerned if my 23 year old daughter came home and said she liked a 45 year old married man. I understand completely how BECKY felt. But, Pam had always been smart. She was the smartest child, valedictorian, and graduated Summa Cum Laude at U of I. As a parent, I would take time to listen and understand before drawing conclusions. My daughter's boyfriends have always been accepted.

It is here, at this point in my relationship with Pam, that the problem began. BECKY either did not trust Pam's judgement Or, as I have come to believe, she did not care. In my view, BECKY only cares about BECKY. She is insecure and gossips to diminish those around her, whom she sees as "rivals." Becky has done this to nearly everyone in the family. She has said things about Bobby and Sarah, DUG's wife and children, her mother and sisters and more. Simply put: BECKY does not want Pam be happy. She was then and is now jealous of her daughter and her accomplishments. This is the core issue that has led to our situation.

Back to our Story.....So, Pam wanted her mother to accept her decision and our relationship. She set up a lunch in which BECKY and I were to meet. Pam and I arrived to meet BECKY and Pam's sister, Emily, at Jalapenos, in Clayton. This was in ...about 1995. It was a disaster.

BECKY and Emily arrived with a chip on their shoulder. I think I said, "It's a nice day." and They said..."Oh, is it?" in a smug, glib way so as to question everything about me. BECKY had made up her mind and Emily, the mental health poster child, agreed.

That was it. NO ACCEPTANCE for Pam. In BECKY'S view I was .....all those awful things she has said over the years. Old, stupid, overconfident, outspoken, brash, egocentric, a slob, drunk, whatever. [One or two may be true but you have to pick the ones you like best.]

Time went by. I accepted a job in LA. The next year Pam moved to LA. Then in 1999 Pam's brother came to visit. DUG was sent on a "mission" by BECKY. He threatened me. At a Bar in Long Beach he told me he would "take me outside and kick my ass". Yes, he was just as stupid as Mom. I told him to sit down and stop yelling. He called me a coward. I told him I would kill him if he continued. He flew home to BECKY to report that I was in fact crazy. Everyone BECKY knew heard DUG's version of the story. I believe I was defending myself and my relationship with Pam. Back to that role of protector.

Pam and I were married in 2002. Emily and DUG refused to attend. Over the last five years Pam and I have tried to reconcile. DUG will not speak to me. Emily acts like the mental patient she hopes to cure. Each visit reopens the same wounds for Pam. She is not accepted by her brother or sister and BECKY is responsible for creating and encouraging this situation.

So why? Why has this gone on? Why has BECKY gossiped about us and created this mess? My only answer is because BECKY wants to diminish and marginalize PAM. BECKY is resentful of Pam's ability and accomplishments. BECKY can not accept Pam as a successful adult women.

Crazy? You tell me. Am I? Go to my BLOG at: http://viewsyoucanuse.blogspot.com/ and leave your comment. There has to be a reason why BECKY has spent 15 years intentionally hurting her daughter by gossiping and being rude. If I am crazy or wrong, please set me straight.

And, DUG, please come back to "kick my ass" when your wet urine stained pants dry.

FAMILY ISSUE

2009-12-07T12:11:00.001-08:00

We went back to St Louis this past Thanksgiving to spend time with friends and family. Part of this time included Thanksgiving Dinner with Pam's parents and relatives. Jack and Pam said they had a good time. I did not.

I am writing about this so as to have a clear record, for Jack. I want this issue to be understood and in writing. Jack asked me about the situation and I brushed it off because he is too young to understand.

For fifteen years, Pam's family have been "unhappy" with her decision to love and marry me. Her brother and sister refused to attend our wedding. Clearly, they do not respect Pam's judgement. I know they don't like me, and it is very clear when we are together. Some of them try to fake it. Everyone, except Pam's brother, was polite. Regardless, the entire Thanksgiving Day was uncomfortable.

My position on all of this is simple. The issue is between Pam and her family. Pam made the decision to love me, move to California, to marry me, and to have Jack. If there is an issue, it is with Pam's decisions. Regarding me: They don't like me. I can accept who I am. Not everyone likes me. I'm not looking for friends. I do like and respect Jim Olroyd.

From the beginning, from the first time Pam introduce me to her family, it has been a strained relationship. They misjudged me and my motives. They believed that I had "brainwashed" Pam. Anyone who knows Pam knows this is impossible. In the first meetings, they were glib and rude. Her siblings tried to humiliate and belittle me. The high point was Doug's threat to "kick my ass" at the Yardhouse in Long Beach.

Doug misjudged me more than the others. I told him he made a mistake and that if he did so a second time, I would kill him. Who did Doug think he was dealing with? I am not one to be threatened and Doug isn't man enough to do it or back it up. My guess is that Doug was acting on direction from, or with the support of his family. Over the time since that event, he has continued to behave like a coward. He also has the continued support of his family.

I have apologized to Doug for my part in the disagreement at the Yardhouse. I offered to shake Doug's hand and put this disagreement behind us. He refused, and continues to harbor resentment. Pam asked me to try to improve my relationship with her family. I tired and it has not worked. I am finished with participation in these Family events.

In my view there is nothing for me to gain by participating. Pam made her decision to move away from her family's soup opera. Jack would be better off not being involved, and, we already know they don't like me.

Pearl Harbor ....REMEMBER

2009-12-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

Search the news today. You will find almost no mention of the fact that 68 years ago the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

December 7, 1941, was my parent's generation, 9/11. As a kid I remember them retelling stories of where they were when they heard the news that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. News traveled more slowly in 1941 and most of the urgent news was on the radio. They would say, "We interrupt our regular programing with this urgent News report...The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii." WOW, the impact was as powerful as the morning I sat and watched the second plane crash into the World Trade Center.

We should all know why the Japanese attacked. The Japanese had grown into an industrial country. In the process, they needed more and more resources to maintain their production economy. A faction in the Japanese government believed the only way to secure these resources was through invasion. The Japanese began by invading Manchuria and then China. Later they invaded French Indo-China [Vietnam]. The English and French interest in Asia were not being watched as War developed in Europe. The United States cut off oil sales to Japan in an effort to stop the military expansion in Asia. This led to the plan to bomb Pearl Harbor and destroy the US Fleet.

As a result of the bombing, the US declared War on Japan and later Germany. The Bombing of Pearl Harbor brought America into World War II. It is important that we remember this event, why it happened, and how America responded. There is a lesson in this pain. More importantly, we need to remember each year for those who fought to defend our country. Thanks Dad, we still remember all you did for us. I still have the Sword.

OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR MAY BE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK

2009-12-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

The name, "Der Spiegel" means the Mirror in German. On Wednesday following President Obama's speech Der Spiegel posted the following Opinion. This is clearly the view of many of those whom Obama calls our NATO partners.

" Never before has a speech by President Barack Obama felt as false as his Tuesday address announcing America's new strategy for Afghanistan. It seemed like a campaign speech combined with Bush rhetoric -- and left both dreamers and realists feeling distraught." By Gabor Steingart, Der Spiegel

Personally, I liked the speech. I think Obama made his case for additional troops. What he did not say was that most important part of the speech. He did not say, Our friends and allies in Pakistan are capable of finding Osama Bin Laden. He did not say, Pakistan can win their own internal war against radical Islam. In fact, he made it clear that Pakistan may need our help if they want to crush the terrorist inside their own country. This looks like a long expensive mess. Der Spiegel seems to be saying Germany and NATO are not up to the fight.

OL' ST LOU

2009-11-30T11:01:00.000-08:00

The Saint Louis band, MAMA'S PRIDE used to sing: "BUT IF YOU REALLY WANNA HEAR THE BLUES,COME ON TO OL' ST. LOU." They were singing about "the Blues" that music of the Mississippi River that began in the South and moved up the river from Memphis to Chicago.

Last week I spent a few days back in St Louis and I would be singing the Blues if I lived there too. St Louis is not doing well. Much of what is wrong with Saint Louis is a result of it's beginning and these things can not be changed. It began as a place to stop along the river and take on supplies. French Traders first stopped there in 1673. Later it was a place to cross the river and take on supplies for the trip across the Prairie to the West. In point of fact, St Louis has always been sort of a "Truck Stop" for people who are on their way to someplace better.

During boom times, like the Civil War period and Westward expansion, Saint Louis prospered due to it's location. Again, industry and growth were built on the commerce of the travelers passing through the area. Today, Interstate 70 still carries much of the goods through St Louis that cross the country by truck. But, this road side oasis has out lived it's original need. Decay has set in and continues to destroy the core of the city.

In 1950, 856,000 people lived and worked in St Louis city. Today less than 350,000 remain. Those that live in St Louis city today are nearly all poor and black. It is true that St Louis County has grown as has the Metro East area but many of the key manufacturing jobs at McDonnell Douglas, Emerson, Ford, Chrysler, and GM plants are gone or going away. Even Anheuser Busch has sold to a European company. With this has gone the tax base and funding for infrastructure.

Today Saint Louis is depressing, ugly, old, and not very interesting compared to many other cities in America. The weather does not help the situation. Cold winters and hot humid summers only make the conditions worse. Saint Louis has become a city in decline with nearly no current purpose or future. Like Detroit, and many mid western small towns, St Louis is long past it's glory and suffering. Driving around you see vacant lots and boarder up 100 year old brick buildings.

WAR AT TOO HIGH A COST

2009-11-30T10:15:00.000-08:00

It seems that President Obama is ready to address the nation on Tuesday night regarding the War in Afghanistan. Here are some important facts to keep in mind regarding his address and the War in Afghanistan.

1. On 9/11 we were attacked by Al Qaeda, not the Taliban.

2. All of the 9/11 attackers were from Saudi Arabia.

3. The Taliban had been US Allies in the Afghan WAR against Russian Occupation. We trained and equipped the Taliban to fight for Afghan Independence.

4. Each new solider going to Afghanistan costs the US Tax payers ONE MILLION dollars per year in total cost. 30,000 new troops will cost about $3 Billion new dollars.

5. The current Federal deficit is in excess of ONE TRILLION dollars and growing.

6. Russia fought in Afghanistan for over 10 years with over 100,000 troops including the elite Spetsnaz [Special Forces] and failed to win.

7. All of Al Qaeda are currently hiding in Pakistan.

Given these facts, it is too costly, unwinnable, and a waste of US resources to continue a War in Afghanistan. I urge you to write congress and the President to bring the troops home. We need to put AMERICA FIRST. This includes focus on our economy, domestic border protection, and responsible cost effective government.

HOLIDAY RANT

2009-11-23T11:57:00.001-08:00

We were at a party over this past weekend and a lady who works with Pam brought up the fact that the GAP has a policy NOT to wish people Merry Christmas.

Every year we go through this same old tired exercise. For those of you who haven't listened to me carry on about this....here we go again. The Holiday is CHRISTMAS. It is a federal holiday and a day off work. There is nothing wrong with saying "Merry Christmas". People who say "Happy Holidays" are either stupid or gutless.

I'm an atheist and don't really believe in too much religious nonsense. Regardless, I am smart enough to know the Federal Holidays. Christmas is the one on December 25. It is NOT called "HOLIDAY" it is Christmas and it has a long history in Europe.

Christmas as we know it, was a Holiday long before the GAP. It was the Winter Solstice celebration for the Celts. They would drag trees into the cave to set them on fire to drive out the darkness. Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and 5,000 years ago in Europe it was a dark, cold, scary day. Many believed the Sun was dying and so would they.

When the Christians came along, they adopted this day and celebration for themselves, and thus began the 2,000 year old tradition of Christmas in Europe. It is an important Holiday, regardless of your religion. Sort of like Saint Patrick's Day, you don't need to be Irish or Catholic to drink Green Beer. Likewise you are not breaking any rules when you say..."MERRY CHRISTMAS".

Ask the GAP, and anyone else who tells you "Happy Holidays".........what Holiday is it?