Friday, September 30, 2005
Road Repaving
I have come to the conclusion that the various Departments
of Transportation have got their acts together in repaving
roads....The road equipment, alone, is a pleasure to watch
in motion.....They scrape up the old, lay down the new and
roll it out.....One truck following the other.....
Did you ever notice that they do not repave over a little
bridge?.....That little thing which goes over your local
creek or in fact a larger one.....
The repaving always stops and then restarts past this
little concrete bridge because the bridge is designed
to "bare" a certain amount of "weight"....An added coat
of macadam would alter the "weight load" of the bridge.....
This is a "no -no" in the engineering field.....Pumps
of Transportation have got their acts together in repaving
roads....The road equipment, alone, is a pleasure to watch
in motion.....They scrape up the old, lay down the new and
roll it out.....One truck following the other.....
Did you ever notice that they do not repave over a little
bridge?.....That little thing which goes over your local
creek or in fact a larger one.....
The repaving always stops and then restarts past this
little concrete bridge because the bridge is designed
to "bare" a certain amount of "weight"....An added coat
of macadam would alter the "weight load" of the bridge.....
This is a "no -no" in the engineering field.....Pumps
Thursday, September 29, 2005
The Olde Trolley
Society does "shoot itself in the foot"....Years ago it decided
that a metal conveyance run by electricity was no longer
needed....In fact it added to the congestion, caused by the
gas powered vehicles, in the streets of many cities......
"Get rid of these annoyances, make room for modernization"....
And so they did.....
Here we are years later complaining about pollution, SUVs,
the price of gas and global warming......Now where is that
conveyance which moved people by non-polluting electric
power?
Maybe they should bring them back.....And run the embedded
tracks in the right lane, which will also alleviate double
parking.......The trolleys of olde even went into the suburbs
then.....They would solve some modern problems....Pumps
that a metal conveyance run by electricity was no longer
needed....In fact it added to the congestion, caused by the
gas powered vehicles, in the streets of many cities......
"Get rid of these annoyances, make room for modernization"....
And so they did.....
Here we are years later complaining about pollution, SUVs,
the price of gas and global warming......Now where is that
conveyance which moved people by non-polluting electric
power?
Maybe they should bring them back.....And run the embedded
tracks in the right lane, which will also alleviate double
parking.......The trolleys of olde even went into the suburbs
then.....They would solve some modern problems....Pumps
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Mostaccioli
"There I said it, I used the word"......What is it?.....
Today I received a recipe with the use of it......I had to Google
"it" to find out what "it" was.....OK, it is a shape of pasta....
That solved one problem, but what does it look like?.....
Can you go into your nearest supermarket and look for
a box of "Mostaccioli"?......I do not think so.....
Well the search ended when I found out it was "tubular.
ridged, diagonal cut" pasta.....Since I will never find it,
I just think that I will use "penne" or "ziti" instead....Pumps
Today I received a recipe with the use of it......I had to Google
"it" to find out what "it" was.....OK, it is a shape of pasta....
That solved one problem, but what does it look like?.....
Can you go into your nearest supermarket and look for
a box of "Mostaccioli"?......I do not think so.....
Well the search ended when I found out it was "tubular.
ridged, diagonal cut" pasta.....Since I will never find it,
I just think that I will use "penne" or "ziti" instead....Pumps
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
ESL
English as a Second Language is a popular subject today.....
Many politicians are promoting ESL and want to throw
a lot of tax payer money at it......
I wish they would save their, and taxpayer's money....
The learning of a second language is always a result
of monetary necessity.....If you are in a foreign land
and want to make money, you will learn the language
in order to do so.....It is a fact of human survival.....
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do"....
And in conclusion, if you ever think that someone
working for you, and making money, does not understand
the language, just make a mistake in their payroll.....
You will see how fast ESL comes into play......Pumps
Many politicians are promoting ESL and want to throw
a lot of tax payer money at it......
I wish they would save their, and taxpayer's money....
The learning of a second language is always a result
of monetary necessity.....If you are in a foreign land
and want to make money, you will learn the language
in order to do so.....It is a fact of human survival.....
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do"....
And in conclusion, if you ever think that someone
working for you, and making money, does not understand
the language, just make a mistake in their payroll.....
You will see how fast ESL comes into play......Pumps
Monday, September 26, 2005
"Low Prices, Not Always"
There is always advertising, marketing and people making
thousands of dollars a year hoping that you believe what they
say......"There is a sucker born every minute.".......
Today's trip to the "low prices, always" store proved my
theory.....There it was, a package of Halloween candy 28 oz.,
which I just purchased somewhere else for $2.99, with an
"everyday low price" of $3.50.....See, they lied.....
Such is the problem with the modern consumer, just as it
was for the ancient consumer.....Know your pricing and do not
get "sucked" in by little yellow "smiley faces"......Pumps
thousands of dollars a year hoping that you believe what they
say......"There is a sucker born every minute.".......
Today's trip to the "low prices, always" store proved my
theory.....There it was, a package of Halloween candy 28 oz.,
which I just purchased somewhere else for $2.99, with an
"everyday low price" of $3.50.....See, they lied.....
Such is the problem with the modern consumer, just as it
was for the ancient consumer.....Know your pricing and do not
get "sucked" in by little yellow "smiley faces"......Pumps
Sunday, September 25, 2005
A Wall
A Wall: An upright structure of wood, stone, brick etc.,
serving to enclose, divide, support, or protect.......So
says the New World Dictionary......
While there are some walls in history that were designed
to keep people "in" (Berlin Wall), most were designed
to keep people "out" (Great Wall of China)......
In these modern times, it appears that the castle walls
are getting larger and larger.....With the migration
of the world's populace, walls are now being made of
barbed wire and razor ribbon.....Such is the case in
Melilla, a Spanish holding, which is "walling" itself
from the main land mass of Moracco.....Pumps
serving to enclose, divide, support, or protect.......So
says the New World Dictionary......
While there are some walls in history that were designed
to keep people "in" (Berlin Wall), most were designed
to keep people "out" (Great Wall of China)......
In these modern times, it appears that the castle walls
are getting larger and larger.....With the migration
of the world's populace, walls are now being made of
barbed wire and razor ribbon.....Such is the case in
Melilla, a Spanish holding, which is "walling" itself
from the main land mass of Moracco.....Pumps
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Gasoline High Again
Has anyone realized that high gas prices are bring the family
closer together, again.....
Mom and Pop are not using their seperate cars but traveling
together in the same vehicle in order to conserve on gas....
They are now communicating....The little offspring, with
driver's licences, are not running all over the place.....
It's just to a friends house or the movies.....They can't
keep hitting up Mom or Pop for gas money.....Mom and
Pop don't have it anymore......
If gasoline gets real high just think, the family will say home
and have dinner together....No one will want to use the gas
money to go out to eat....Don't worry about the restaurants,
they will survive, they may just "jack up the steak" a buck
to keep their profit "percentage" in tact....One pizza chain
has increased it's delivery charge already to cover the gas....
Just imagine, the whole family around the table eating a
nutritious home cooked meal....How novel an idea?......Pumps
closer together, again.....
Mom and Pop are not using their seperate cars but traveling
together in the same vehicle in order to conserve on gas....
They are now communicating....The little offspring, with
driver's licences, are not running all over the place.....
It's just to a friends house or the movies.....They can't
keep hitting up Mom or Pop for gas money.....Mom and
Pop don't have it anymore......
If gasoline gets real high just think, the family will say home
and have dinner together....No one will want to use the gas
money to go out to eat....Don't worry about the restaurants,
they will survive, they may just "jack up the steak" a buck
to keep their profit "percentage" in tact....One pizza chain
has increased it's delivery charge already to cover the gas....
Just imagine, the whole family around the table eating a
nutritious home cooked meal....How novel an idea?......Pumps
Friday, September 23, 2005
Here We Go Again
During the westward expansion of the United States the
government decided in the latter part of the 19th century
to assimilate the "native population" into the newer
"western culture".....Traditions and language were to
be not taught and any heritage to be lost.....
For the past century the American Indian has been able
to reestablish its traditions and language (along with a few
casinos).......
Now, here comes the Political Correct crowd, that says that
the use of an Indian name for a sport's team is insensitive
and demeaning.....Seems like they want to get rid of
the Indians again, just like their great grandfather's did....
History does repeat it's self.....Pumps
government decided in the latter part of the 19th century
to assimilate the "native population" into the newer
"western culture".....Traditions and language were to
be not taught and any heritage to be lost.....
For the past century the American Indian has been able
to reestablish its traditions and language (along with a few
casinos).......
Now, here comes the Political Correct crowd, that says that
the use of an Indian name for a sport's team is insensitive
and demeaning.....Seems like they want to get rid of
the Indians again, just like their great grandfather's did....
History does repeat it's self.....Pumps
Thursday, September 22, 2005
The Crimean War
These are the comments of a "history buff" and do not relate
to any current world conflicts.....
After watching a 3 hour documentary on the Crimean War,
(Charge of the Light Brigade, "Balaklava" and "Sevastopol"),
I have come to the conclusion that Errol Flynn lied to me....
This war was a senseless and futile experiment in egotism....
As "history" has proven, whether it is a school yard bully or
some "bloated" Field Marshal, man's inhumanity to man is
a primary motivation for acceptance and success for a
selected few which seek more power....Pumps
to any current world conflicts.....
After watching a 3 hour documentary on the Crimean War,
(Charge of the Light Brigade, "Balaklava" and "Sevastopol"),
I have come to the conclusion that Errol Flynn lied to me....
This war was a senseless and futile experiment in egotism....
As "history" has proven, whether it is a school yard bully or
some "bloated" Field Marshal, man's inhumanity to man is
a primary motivation for acceptance and success for a
selected few which seek more power....Pumps
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Part D
What a pain in the @ss this drug plan is becoming.....According
to news reports all the necessary information needed to make
an informed and accurate decision is due to be published and
mailed, to the seniors concerned, during the next 4 weeks......
You have to make your decision, as to accept the Medicare
Part D drug plan, in 7 weeks......One is given 3 weeks to have
someone answer your questions.....
The only problem is that NO ONE has all the correct answers
to one's questions.....There are so many options to be considered,
it is suspected that many seniors will pay more for their drugs
if they do not do their research and "homework"....."Please
chose wisely".......Pumps
to news reports all the necessary information needed to make
an informed and accurate decision is due to be published and
mailed, to the seniors concerned, during the next 4 weeks......
You have to make your decision, as to accept the Medicare
Part D drug plan, in 7 weeks......One is given 3 weeks to have
someone answer your questions.....
The only problem is that NO ONE has all the correct answers
to one's questions.....There are so many options to be considered,
it is suspected that many seniors will pay more for their drugs
if they do not do their research and "homework"....."Please
chose wisely".......Pumps
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Unions And Their Retirees
The many American unions are struggling to maintain their
position, and employment percentage, in the current labor
market....And I suspect that the older retiree may suffer
for this...
Fact: The only people that bring money, via dues,into a
union is a current working employee.....A retiree no longer
is a major dues contributor.....When in the course of new
labor/management negotiations I suspect that the union
will defend the position of its current members more so
than its retirees......If a union must concede a point I suspect
it will involve the benefits due the retiree......
The union "coffers" are kept full by active and recruited
workers.....The olde retiree is not longer an asset.....Pumps
position, and employment percentage, in the current labor
market....And I suspect that the older retiree may suffer
for this...
Fact: The only people that bring money, via dues,into a
union is a current working employee.....A retiree no longer
is a major dues contributor.....When in the course of new
labor/management negotiations I suspect that the union
will defend the position of its current members more so
than its retirees......If a union must concede a point I suspect
it will involve the benefits due the retiree......
The union "coffers" are kept full by active and recruited
workers.....The olde retiree is not longer an asset.....Pumps
Monday, September 19, 2005
Confusion Abounds
Our poor school children......No wonder they do not care about
learning......Where is their sense of mental direction going?......
There is one group of people actively seeking the inclusion of
Intelligent Design into the curriculum.....(ID=God).....Then
you have another group of people actively seeking the
exclusion of the word God from the Pledge of Allegiance.......
Will these two groups please make of their minds, do they
want It in school or not in school?.....And if they want to
battle, please leave the children out of it......Pumps
learning......Where is their sense of mental direction going?......
There is one group of people actively seeking the inclusion of
Intelligent Design into the curriculum.....(ID=God).....Then
you have another group of people actively seeking the
exclusion of the word God from the Pledge of Allegiance.......
Will these two groups please make of their minds, do they
want It in school or not in school?.....And if they want to
battle, please leave the children out of it......Pumps
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Wo Fat
If anyone tries to tell you that movies and, for that matter,
TV are real do not believe them.....They are still all make
believe......
Some interesting facts have crossed my path.....Number one -
the actor who played Wo Fat, Khigh Dhiegh, in the TV
series "Hawaii Five-0" was not of an oriental heritage....
Number two - his, non stage name, was Kenneth Dickerson,
American born with Anglo-Egyptian-Sudanese ancestry....
A PHD who got into acting in his later life.....One is
reminded of Sidney Greenstreet who also followed the
same career path.....Pumps
TV are real do not believe them.....They are still all make
believe......
Some interesting facts have crossed my path.....Number one -
the actor who played Wo Fat, Khigh Dhiegh, in the TV
series "Hawaii Five-0" was not of an oriental heritage....
Number two - his, non stage name, was Kenneth Dickerson,
American born with Anglo-Egyptian-Sudanese ancestry....
A PHD who got into acting in his later life.....One is
reminded of Sidney Greenstreet who also followed the
same career path.....Pumps
Saturday, September 17, 2005
The Smoking Conundrum
Sin taxes have been in the fabric of American life for years.....
If you smoke or if you drink, then some politician will find
a way to tax you for that "pleasure"....Your will notice that
they have not taxed prostitution....
The new mantra for the non-smoking crowd is the fact that
the medical bills for smoking is increasing and that the
additional taxes are needed to offset the expenditures......
Here is the conundrum......If you are spending more money
in taxes for smoking then you have a right to have the
government pay the bill......After all you did pay the bill
in advance......Pumps
If you smoke or if you drink, then some politician will find
a way to tax you for that "pleasure"....Your will notice that
they have not taxed prostitution....
The new mantra for the non-smoking crowd is the fact that
the medical bills for smoking is increasing and that the
additional taxes are needed to offset the expenditures......
Here is the conundrum......If you are spending more money
in taxes for smoking then you have a right to have the
government pay the bill......After all you did pay the bill
in advance......Pumps
Friday, September 16, 2005
We Have Survived
Well gasoline prices have dropped.....Our tempers have
tempered....We have made it.....
It is granted that the oil companies did take advantage
of the Katrina situation to pick up an extra buck or million,
but they were aware of the consumer "backlash" all the
time.....Any extension of the high prices would have cost
the "loss" of millions......Can't have that......Even my
BP/Amoco matched pricing with generic brands at the
peak of the gas prices......
I may have lost my opportunity to wash my greasy tools
in BP/Amoco but thing are returning to normal.....Now we
can get our tempers up over the price increase in
Halloween candy this year....Pumps
tempered....We have made it.....
It is granted that the oil companies did take advantage
of the Katrina situation to pick up an extra buck or million,
but they were aware of the consumer "backlash" all the
time.....Any extension of the high prices would have cost
the "loss" of millions......Can't have that......Even my
BP/Amoco matched pricing with generic brands at the
peak of the gas prices......
I may have lost my opportunity to wash my greasy tools
in BP/Amoco but thing are returning to normal.....Now we
can get our tempers up over the price increase in
Halloween candy this year....Pumps
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Beer Bucket
Call it what you will, bucket, kettle, pot......It was used for the
transportation of "tap beer" between tavern and home.....
Prior to the Second World War, while refrigeration existed
it was not the big white box in the kitchen which held
everything....Also true, beer did come in a can but if you lived
in a city or town, there was a tavern nearby from which you
purchased "tap beer" when needed....
One, even at the age of six, would take the "beer bucket" down
to the local "pub" and have it filled.....The cover was placed
on the top and one walked home very slowly in order not to
spill its contents.....Safe arrival meant a 5 cent "tip" which
was usually spend in the local soda/candy shop on the
opposite corner from the "pub"....
It was slightly bigger than the modern "teapot", less spout,
and a larger "looped" wire handle........Pumps
transportation of "tap beer" between tavern and home.....
Prior to the Second World War, while refrigeration existed
it was not the big white box in the kitchen which held
everything....Also true, beer did come in a can but if you lived
in a city or town, there was a tavern nearby from which you
purchased "tap beer" when needed....
One, even at the age of six, would take the "beer bucket" down
to the local "pub" and have it filled.....The cover was placed
on the top and one walked home very slowly in order not to
spill its contents.....Safe arrival meant a 5 cent "tip" which
was usually spend in the local soda/candy shop on the
opposite corner from the "pub"....
It was slightly bigger than the modern "teapot", less spout,
and a larger "looped" wire handle........Pumps
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Once Upon A Time #9
Last night the Turner Classic Movie channel ran the 1930
movie Anna Christie staring Greta Garbo.....During the first
1/2 hour of the movie there was a "bar scene" which brought
back a lot of memories of my childhood....
The first thing I noticed was that the corner tavern or bar
had a "ladies entrance".....This was a side or back door which
allowed women to "sneak" into the back room of the tavern
and sit at a table......Many States did not allow women to be
at the "bar" with men.....Something about prostitution I think.
The second thing I noticed was the bartender's use of a
"beer foam scraper"....This was a piece of plastic very much
like a modern doctor's tongue depressor....It was used to
"scrape" any excess foam off the top of a goblet or mug of
beer....They were imprinted with a brand of beer and supplied
free to the tavern as an advertisement item.....
These olde "beer foam scrapers" are now a collectible and
worth $40 to $150 each.....Beer was a nickel a glass back
then.....I wonder what "beer buckets" are going for with the
collectors these days?....Pumps
movie Anna Christie staring Greta Garbo.....During the first
1/2 hour of the movie there was a "bar scene" which brought
back a lot of memories of my childhood....
The first thing I noticed was that the corner tavern or bar
had a "ladies entrance".....This was a side or back door which
allowed women to "sneak" into the back room of the tavern
and sit at a table......Many States did not allow women to be
at the "bar" with men.....Something about prostitution I think.
The second thing I noticed was the bartender's use of a
"beer foam scraper"....This was a piece of plastic very much
like a modern doctor's tongue depressor....It was used to
"scrape" any excess foam off the top of a goblet or mug of
beer....They were imprinted with a brand of beer and supplied
free to the tavern as an advertisement item.....
These olde "beer foam scrapers" are now a collectible and
worth $40 to $150 each.....Beer was a nickel a glass back
then.....I wonder what "beer buckets" are going for with the
collectors these days?....Pumps
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
The Poker Craze
Go into any shop and you will notice that the "Poker Craze"
has hit all corners of American marketing.....Beside the
availability of playing cards, we now have chips, tables,
glassware, "potato chip" plates all relating to the game
of poker.....
One of the latest marketing ideals has even take "it" one
step further.....
A major manufacturer of beer now prints on the back of
each of their beer cans the "rankings of a poker hand".....
I guess if you are new at the game and forget which hand
is better than another, all you have to do is look at the can
of beer in front of you to see how good your hand is.....
I have to give someone a lot of credit for this one......Pumps
has hit all corners of American marketing.....Beside the
availability of playing cards, we now have chips, tables,
glassware, "potato chip" plates all relating to the game
of poker.....
One of the latest marketing ideals has even take "it" one
step further.....
A major manufacturer of beer now prints on the back of
each of their beer cans the "rankings of a poker hand".....
I guess if you are new at the game and forget which hand
is better than another, all you have to do is look at the can
of beer in front of you to see how good your hand is.....
I have to give someone a lot of credit for this one......Pumps
Monday, September 12, 2005
Engineers
I have a love and hate relationship with people who call
themselves "engineers".....Granted they have built large
building and bridges, which stay up.....The History Channel
has a series regarding their mistakes.....
They are told to construct or design every day appliances
and the like.....But when cutting costs some of the most
durable, stable, "always worked" items start to fail.....From
"over design"......
The modern toilet is becoming one of them....Simple, let water
in and shut it of at a specific point.....Then let the water exit
and shut it off at a specific point.....If you are fortunate to have
a home town Saturday radio "handyman" question and answer
show, just mention a toilet problem and the "handyman" can
fill two hours of talk.....Toilets that squeak, or leak, or flush
by themselves.....Don't fill, overfill, underfill.....It goes on.....
Come on engineers, you can do it.....Make it work.....Pumps
themselves "engineers".....Granted they have built large
building and bridges, which stay up.....The History Channel
has a series regarding their mistakes.....
They are told to construct or design every day appliances
and the like.....But when cutting costs some of the most
durable, stable, "always worked" items start to fail.....From
"over design"......
The modern toilet is becoming one of them....Simple, let water
in and shut it of at a specific point.....Then let the water exit
and shut it off at a specific point.....If you are fortunate to have
a home town Saturday radio "handyman" question and answer
show, just mention a toilet problem and the "handyman" can
fill two hours of talk.....Toilets that squeak, or leak, or flush
by themselves.....Don't fill, overfill, underfill.....It goes on.....
Come on engineers, you can do it.....Make it work.....Pumps
Sunday, September 11, 2005
24 Hours
This post has nothing to do with the popular Fox Network
TV series of the same name.....
During the last 12-13 day every politician is playing the "blame
game" regarding the disaster that Katrina borough to the Gulf
Coast of the United States....One against the other, "If only
someone had acted 24 hours sooner"....And so it goes.
Well our neighbors to the north, Canada, was nice enough to
dispatch a few of their navy vessels from Halifax, NS., to
render what aid they could in our Gulf Coast....They have food
and other supplies but have been held for 24 hours by a
small hurricane called Ophelia....Odd is it not.....Pumps
TV series of the same name.....
During the last 12-13 day every politician is playing the "blame
game" regarding the disaster that Katrina borough to the Gulf
Coast of the United States....One against the other, "If only
someone had acted 24 hours sooner"....And so it goes.
Well our neighbors to the north, Canada, was nice enough to
dispatch a few of their navy vessels from Halifax, NS., to
render what aid they could in our Gulf Coast....They have food
and other supplies but have been held for 24 hours by a
small hurricane called Ophelia....Odd is it not.....Pumps
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Solitaire
Many of the "Senior Set" are afraid of computers......This little
"window on the world" does some strange things at times.....
And people become fearful and feel responsible for "pressing
the wrong key" or heaven forbid "making a left click on a
mouse" when a right click was called for.....
For those who are not computer literate. like Regis and Kelly,
(believe that story and I can sell you a bridge in Brooklyn),
there is the computer game of solitaire.....
This little simple game everyone knows how to play......On the
computer the "computer fields" used to move the cards are very
large and forgiving.....The movement of the "mouse" is simple
and easy.......
Once "one" has mastered the mouse movements can the world of
the web be on the horizon?......Pumps
"window on the world" does some strange things at times.....
And people become fearful and feel responsible for "pressing
the wrong key" or heaven forbid "making a left click on a
mouse" when a right click was called for.....
For those who are not computer literate. like Regis and Kelly,
(believe that story and I can sell you a bridge in Brooklyn),
there is the computer game of solitaire.....
This little simple game everyone knows how to play......On the
computer the "computer fields" used to move the cards are very
large and forgiving.....The movement of the "mouse" is simple
and easy.......
Once "one" has mastered the mouse movements can the world of
the web be on the horizon?......Pumps
Friday, September 09, 2005
An Extra Bag Of Seed
Katrina has gone leaving behind one big mess.....It is as if the
Northern horde descended upon the peasants beneath the walls
of the Great Castle....
Inside the Castle the squires sit at the large round table and
decide the fate of the peasants which have survived......All
has been lost.....The thatched huts, the mounds of grain, and
the water has be contaminated with the dead and their blood....
Alas, "Let them rebuild"....."And to each we will give a bag of
seed to grow more grain"......"They will then be able to pay
next year's taxes".......History has changed little......Pumps
Northern horde descended upon the peasants beneath the walls
of the Great Castle....
Inside the Castle the squires sit at the large round table and
decide the fate of the peasants which have survived......All
has been lost.....The thatched huts, the mounds of grain, and
the water has be contaminated with the dead and their blood....
Alas, "Let them rebuild"....."And to each we will give a bag of
seed to grow more grain"......"They will then be able to pay
next year's taxes".......History has changed little......Pumps
Thursday, September 08, 2005
It's Only A Conveyance
Here is the flip side of the coin....A automobile is a conveyance....
It is not the jewel of the parking lot......
While automobile dealerships will offer your super extended
warranties, free inspections and tires for life, they know
that you will not have the car that long to use the FREE
stuff they are offering......
In two to three years you will be tired of your vehicle.....You will
want the newest model and in order to get a "fair" trade in value
you will wash and clean it and keep it in pristine condition....
All this means that your efforts have not only cost the dealership
nothing, in warranty, but allows them to make more money on
the resale of the vehicle......You get nothing for your effort but a
polite smile as you write the check for the new car.......
It seems that to buy a car and get every warranty mile out of it
before you give it up, is not the American way.....Pity.....Pumps
It is not the jewel of the parking lot......
While automobile dealerships will offer your super extended
warranties, free inspections and tires for life, they know
that you will not have the car that long to use the FREE
stuff they are offering......
In two to three years you will be tired of your vehicle.....You will
want the newest model and in order to get a "fair" trade in value
you will wash and clean it and keep it in pristine condition....
All this means that your efforts have not only cost the dealership
nothing, in warranty, but allows them to make more money on
the resale of the vehicle......You get nothing for your effort but a
polite smile as you write the check for the new car.......
It seems that to buy a car and get every warranty mile out of it
before you give it up, is not the American way.....Pity.....Pumps
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Once Upon A Time #8
There use to be a bank on the corner near where I lived....
Every January your mother would go in and "start"
a "Christmas Club" savings acount......This little account,
which would accept 50 cents or 1 dollar a week, gave you
no "interest" at all......But the bank would give you a
premium or incentive to establish the savings account....
It got "mom" in the door and at the end of the year mom
had $25 to $50 dollars for presents.....(It went a long way
then).....
Well the banking business has changed.....It has come to be
that YOU are to be privilaged for the bank to allow YOU
to hold YOUR money with them......Long gone are the days
of a free toaster or iron (and they were American made back
then).....Today they will just give you enough interest on any
account to mess up your arithmetic by $2.50 or less if you
do not pick up the entry on their statement......
Those olde toasters and irons were built to last.....It is a pity
that the banking business was not built the same way....Pumps
Every January your mother would go in and "start"
a "Christmas Club" savings acount......This little account,
which would accept 50 cents or 1 dollar a week, gave you
no "interest" at all......But the bank would give you a
premium or incentive to establish the savings account....
It got "mom" in the door and at the end of the year mom
had $25 to $50 dollars for presents.....(It went a long way
then).....
Well the banking business has changed.....It has come to be
that YOU are to be privilaged for the bank to allow YOU
to hold YOUR money with them......Long gone are the days
of a free toaster or iron (and they were American made back
then).....Today they will just give you enough interest on any
account to mess up your arithmetic by $2.50 or less if you
do not pick up the entry on their statement......
Those olde toasters and irons were built to last.....It is a pity
that the banking business was not built the same way....Pumps
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Rape and Pillaging
Well in the days to come the crisis of Katrina will slowly
dissipate and the advances made in Western Civilization
will be in question.....The "United States 2005" will equate to
civil unrest, rape, looting and death.....
So what else is new?.....In the pages of history this has
been going on for years.....
Humanity has been taught to live in fear.....In fear of
anything.....The boss, the bully, the invading army and
a religion's superior power or powers.....It is the fear that
governs the human emotion....In some humans that fear
does not exist, for it was never created within them....
Did the Hun fear?....Perhaps the Mongols feared?....Forgive
me, maybe it was the Vikings....No fear, no civil society - only
results in rape and pillaging....For the future history
books, there was no cicil society in New Orleans, LA for
48 hours, due to a flood.....Pumps
dissipate and the advances made in Western Civilization
will be in question.....The "United States 2005" will equate to
civil unrest, rape, looting and death.....
So what else is new?.....In the pages of history this has
been going on for years.....
Humanity has been taught to live in fear.....In fear of
anything.....The boss, the bully, the invading army and
a religion's superior power or powers.....It is the fear that
governs the human emotion....In some humans that fear
does not exist, for it was never created within them....
Did the Hun fear?....Perhaps the Mongols feared?....Forgive
me, maybe it was the Vikings....No fear, no civil society - only
results in rape and pillaging....For the future history
books, there was no cicil society in New Orleans, LA for
48 hours, due to a flood.....Pumps
Monday, September 05, 2005
Labor Day
Labor Day has taken on another meaning to me......Yes, it is
to honor the travail of other people.....It is also a day to
relax, have fun, and "crank up" the grill with some friends....
It is also the day which announces the arrival of ....Fall, School,
Halloween, Thanksgiving......
But the greatest joy of the holiday is the fact that telemarketers
are not laboring.....Not one stupid telephone call all day......We
should call it "Telemarketer Free Day"....Next year "TFD Day"
will fall on September 4th.....Pumps
to honor the travail of other people.....It is also a day to
relax, have fun, and "crank up" the grill with some friends....
It is also the day which announces the arrival of ....Fall, School,
Halloween, Thanksgiving......
But the greatest joy of the holiday is the fact that telemarketers
are not laboring.....Not one stupid telephone call all day......We
should call it "Telemarketer Free Day"....Next year "TFD Day"
will fall on September 4th.....Pumps
Sunday, September 04, 2005
The Airport
With all the news and TV coverage of the Katrina disaster,
one fact has escaped the reporters.....With both the smaller
New Orleans Lakefront Airport and the larger Louis
Armstrong International Airport closed, one airport opened
up with not fanfare.....NO International......
Also, you have heard about the infusion of Army, Navy,
Marine and Coast Guard personnel into the disaster area....
Has anyone noticed that one branch of the military services
is missing?.....
Yes, despite that lack of electric power and flight control
operations, the Air Force re-opened New Orleans International
Airport in Kenner, LA......It then become one of the main
evacuation centers....Pumps
one fact has escaped the reporters.....With both the smaller
New Orleans Lakefront Airport and the larger Louis
Armstrong International Airport closed, one airport opened
up with not fanfare.....NO International......
Also, you have heard about the infusion of Army, Navy,
Marine and Coast Guard personnel into the disaster area....
Has anyone noticed that one branch of the military services
is missing?.....
Yes, despite that lack of electric power and flight control
operations, the Air Force re-opened New Orleans International
Airport in Kenner, LA......It then become one of the main
evacuation centers....Pumps
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Necessity Is The Mother....
If memory serves me correctly, there were a lot of people
that said that our active military personnel were not
properly trained in the techniques of crowd
control and looting situations when they entered into the
City of Baghdad, a few years ago.....They were, after all,
trained for fight a war and not trained to maintain the
peace......
The military commanders at the time said that their
troops would adapt and had the ability to convert from
warrior to policeman.....
Has anyone noticed that there is currently a large
contingent of active military personnel in New Orleans,
many of whom have recently returned from their tours
in Iraq, involved in the maintenance of social order?.....
Like in the Legions of Rome, there is a fine line between
warrior and public servant....Pumps
that said that our active military personnel were not
properly trained in the techniques of crowd
control and looting situations when they entered into the
City of Baghdad, a few years ago.....They were, after all,
trained for fight a war and not trained to maintain the
peace......
The military commanders at the time said that their
troops would adapt and had the ability to convert from
warrior to policeman.....
Has anyone noticed that there is currently a large
contingent of active military personnel in New Orleans,
many of whom have recently returned from their tours
in Iraq, involved in the maintenance of social order?.....
Like in the Legions of Rome, there is a fine line between
warrior and public servant....Pumps
Friday, September 02, 2005
The Great Quest
Well, the politicians are back in Washington, DC to vote on
Katrina disaster legislation....(Did Katrina ruin their
Labor Day plans?).....
Now the politics will start....The congressional committees
will be formed and the "great quest" for the person
responsible for Katrina will be on......Thousands and
thousands of additional money will be spend in order to
find a person "on which to lay blame".......
Since the words, "act of God", no longer appear on an
insurance policy, He, can not be blamed....Therefore
the "great quest" is on for "Mr. Weather Conditions"
(as contributing in any way with an exclusion listed in
paragraph 1 etc., etc., etc.).........Pumps
Katrina disaster legislation....(Did Katrina ruin their
Labor Day plans?).....
Now the politics will start....The congressional committees
will be formed and the "great quest" for the person
responsible for Katrina will be on......Thousands and
thousands of additional money will be spend in order to
find a person "on which to lay blame".......
Since the words, "act of God", no longer appear on an
insurance policy, He, can not be blamed....Therefore
the "great quest" is on for "Mr. Weather Conditions"
(as contributing in any way with an exclusion listed in
paragraph 1 etc., etc., etc.).........Pumps
Thursday, September 01, 2005
From The Ashes
Yes, Katrina has caused the destruction of New Orleans, along
with major parts of Gulfport and Biloxi.....And yes, the
"doomsdayers" and "soothsayers" told us so and forewarned
us, as they have done through out history......
Major cities, which are needed for trade or a center of
culture, always are rebuilt.....At last count there were some
nine Troys (re: Helen of Troy), two Romes, a London or two,
one Chicago and one San Francisco.....Another major earthquake
and make it two for Frisco....
So New Orleans will rise from the ashes like all other cities have.....
This one will be built a little better than the last and the
"doomsdayers" shall start their "chants" again....For
"Chicken Little" still is alive and well, and a history book
printed in the year 2094 will have an extra page devoted to
the "Big Easy"....Pumps
with major parts of Gulfport and Biloxi.....And yes, the
"doomsdayers" and "soothsayers" told us so and forewarned
us, as they have done through out history......
Major cities, which are needed for trade or a center of
culture, always are rebuilt.....At last count there were some
nine Troys (re: Helen of Troy), two Romes, a London or two,
one Chicago and one San Francisco.....Another major earthquake
and make it two for Frisco....
So New Orleans will rise from the ashes like all other cities have.....
This one will be built a little better than the last and the
"doomsdayers" shall start their "chants" again....For
"Chicken Little" still is alive and well, and a history book
printed in the year 2094 will have an extra page devoted to
the "Big Easy"....Pumps
