Saturday, March 31, 2007
The Lawnboy
It appears that this classification of employment has
"bit the dust", so to speak.......And this blog is not about
the "hunk" mowing a lawn in Beverly Hills.....
Years ago you could get small "chore" done for 50 cents.....
That was because the movie cost 25 cents......With a "buck"
you were a big man and even bought popcorn and some
Necco Wafers for your date.......
Now this little "chore" costs ten times as much......$50.00.....
That is because to get into a movie with a date and be
the "big spender", you have to spend at least $35-$40
of that money........
Life is great for the young who either get the $50 from a
lawn or from their parents......The problem is that this $50
does nothing in their future years.......
As you grow older, you find that your $50 is only worth
the original 25 cents........Pumps
"bit the dust", so to speak.......And this blog is not about
the "hunk" mowing a lawn in Beverly Hills.....
Years ago you could get small "chore" done for 50 cents.....
That was because the movie cost 25 cents......With a "buck"
you were a big man and even bought popcorn and some
Necco Wafers for your date.......
Now this little "chore" costs ten times as much......$50.00.....
That is because to get into a movie with a date and be
the "big spender", you have to spend at least $35-$40
of that money........
Life is great for the young who either get the $50 from a
lawn or from their parents......The problem is that this $50
does nothing in their future years.......
As you grow older, you find that your $50 is only worth
the original 25 cents........Pumps
Friday, March 30, 2007
Comcast
This forum is the only way to "vent" one's emotions.....And
I have "vented" previously on the subject of Comcast Cable.....
If your watch their TV service you are bombarded with
constant commercials for $33.00 per month, TV Cable,
High Speed Internet, and Telephone service......
Joy of Joys.......When the cable line "goes out", there goes
your TV, "Dr Phil", HS internet connection and
telephone, if you have it......
Last month, I did not get my Comcast monthly bill......After
three telephone calls to three different people, I did not
receive a duplicate bill......(Drove 13 miles to pay it, anyway.
Remember it is MY credit rating, not theirs.)....They did not
care, the "bill was in my court"......
As the olde saying goes, "Never put all your eggs into one
basket"......(Especially around Easter.).....
Thank God I still have an "Olde Ma Bell Rotary Wall
Telephone to contact the outside world and a TV set
which needs an antenna.......(Soon to be gone in 2009
because of Governmental Regulations.).....
It ain't getting any better......Pumps
I have "vented" previously on the subject of Comcast Cable.....
If your watch their TV service you are bombarded with
constant commercials for $33.00 per month, TV Cable,
High Speed Internet, and Telephone service......
Joy of Joys.......When the cable line "goes out", there goes
your TV, "Dr Phil", HS internet connection and
telephone, if you have it......
Last month, I did not get my Comcast monthly bill......After
three telephone calls to three different people, I did not
receive a duplicate bill......(Drove 13 miles to pay it, anyway.
Remember it is MY credit rating, not theirs.)....They did not
care, the "bill was in my court"......
As the olde saying goes, "Never put all your eggs into one
basket"......(Especially around Easter.).....
Thank God I still have an "Olde Ma Bell Rotary Wall
Telephone to contact the outside world and a TV set
which needs an antenna.......(Soon to be gone in 2009
because of Governmental Regulations.).....
It ain't getting any better......Pumps
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Interns
To me an "intern" was a doctor doing his/her two years
in a hospital prior to going into a private practice.....
Now an "intern" is someone who wants to work for FREE.....
(Just for the experience of doing so.)......It is a great idea
that has been around for a while but now it is being abused
by certain parts of corporate America........
It was one thing to work in Uncle Jake's shop, for the summer,
to "learn the business"......But Uncle Jake at least paid you
some money for your efforts........
Now a days, you spend $100,000, getting yourself through
college......With all the "student loans" you owe, it now
becomes good for your "resume" to work for FREE as an
"intern" for some company.......
You receive no pay......Just the enjoyment of the experience....
Oh yes, you will get coffee, donuts and pizza on Fridays......
At least Uncle Jake was nice enough to give you movie
money........Suckers.......What ever happened to the phrase,
"Show me the money"?.......Pumps
in a hospital prior to going into a private practice.....
Now an "intern" is someone who wants to work for FREE.....
(Just for the experience of doing so.)......It is a great idea
that has been around for a while but now it is being abused
by certain parts of corporate America........
It was one thing to work in Uncle Jake's shop, for the summer,
to "learn the business"......But Uncle Jake at least paid you
some money for your efforts........
Now a days, you spend $100,000, getting yourself through
college......With all the "student loans" you owe, it now
becomes good for your "resume" to work for FREE as an
"intern" for some company.......
You receive no pay......Just the enjoyment of the experience....
Oh yes, you will get coffee, donuts and pizza on Fridays......
At least Uncle Jake was nice enough to give you movie
money........Suckers.......What ever happened to the phrase,
"Show me the money"?.......Pumps
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Jim Webb Aka Paladin
Jim Webb is one of my senators.....And in all honesty really
not my guy.......
Everyday I read Web Blogs, by people much smarter and
more educated that I, from both "sides of the isle".......
Some say he is the answer to the Democratic Party and
a future presidential or vice-presidential candidate, others
say he is just a "facade" placed in office by the Associated
Press and the Washington Post with their reporting about
his opponent's "macaca" statement........Whatever........
What gets me is what type of "thinking" individual carelessly
hands a gun off to someone before boarding a plane and
what high level executive assistant does not know he
has it.......A city kid, in a ghetto, knows better......
If I remember correctly "Paladin" was intellegent......Pumps
not my guy.......
Everyday I read Web Blogs, by people much smarter and
more educated that I, from both "sides of the isle".......
Some say he is the answer to the Democratic Party and
a future presidential or vice-presidential candidate, others
say he is just a "facade" placed in office by the Associated
Press and the Washington Post with their reporting about
his opponent's "macaca" statement........Whatever........
What gets me is what type of "thinking" individual carelessly
hands a gun off to someone before boarding a plane and
what high level executive assistant does not know he
has it.......A city kid, in a ghetto, knows better......
If I remember correctly "Paladin" was intellegent......Pumps
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Carbon Credits #2
It has come to mind that the proper disposal of an American
Flag is to have it properly burned......The American Legion
does perform this task......
We also know that the US Constitution is protecting certain
people who want to burn the Flag for other purposes
than its proper disposal......
If this Global Warming theory causes the need for paid
carbon credits, how much will it cost to "offset" the smoke
of the flag disposal?........And better yet, will the "other"
people pay for "offsets" when they do it?.........Pumps
Flag is to have it properly burned......The American Legion
does perform this task......
We also know that the US Constitution is protecting certain
people who want to burn the Flag for other purposes
than its proper disposal......
If this Global Warming theory causes the need for paid
carbon credits, how much will it cost to "offset" the smoke
of the flag disposal?........And better yet, will the "other"
people pay for "offsets" when they do it?.........Pumps
Monday, March 26, 2007
Immigrant Woman Rule
Many years ago I was a plant manager which hired only
legal immigrant workers with Green Cards......For some
reason it was the law then......
The women who worked for me also controlled their
husbands and families......They "Ruled the Roost"......
And here 25 years later nothing has changed in the
household of the new immigrants.......
The reason for this is very simple.......911.......
Many immigrants come from countries which have
different social standards......Societies where the male
in the family is the "final" word.......So when these
men come to the United States they think that the
household should be the same.......But it does not work.....
One swing or swipe at the wife and it is 911......The
police then inform the male household member that
he is in a different country and if he has any desire
to stay here, by whatever means, "There will be no
more swinging or swiping at the females".......
From that day forward the male "will obey".......A fact
that is well proven by any trip to a big box store or
supermarket where Mr. and Mrs. Immigrant shop.....
Pumps
legal immigrant workers with Green Cards......For some
reason it was the law then......
The women who worked for me also controlled their
husbands and families......They "Ruled the Roost"......
And here 25 years later nothing has changed in the
household of the new immigrants.......
The reason for this is very simple.......911.......
Many immigrants come from countries which have
different social standards......Societies where the male
in the family is the "final" word.......So when these
men come to the United States they think that the
household should be the same.......But it does not work.....
One swing or swipe at the wife and it is 911......The
police then inform the male household member that
he is in a different country and if he has any desire
to stay here, by whatever means, "There will be no
more swinging or swiping at the females".......
From that day forward the male "will obey".......A fact
that is well proven by any trip to a big box store or
supermarket where Mr. and Mrs. Immigrant shop.....
Pumps
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Mustard
I remember the smell from the Gulden's Mustard factory in
lower New York City.....Take a ride on the 3rd Avenue El
and you passed it, in lower Manhattan, on the way to
the Brooklyn Bridge station......
Well mustard has come a long way since then.....More brands,
some corporate and some from smaller private companies....
Mustard seeds are being combined with almost anything else
these days in order to create a new flavor......
Years ago mustards always came in a big wide mouth jar,
so you could easily remove its contents......Today more and
more brands, including Gulden's, are now on the supermarket
shelves in plastic squeeze bottles......."Just squeeze it on your
hot dog."...........
Today's modern problem is that all the mustard does not come
out of the squeeze bottle......Forcing you to throw away mustard
and buy a new bottle......An other problem is that you get 12 oz.
for $1.79 in a squeeze bottle and, if you find a wide mouth
bottle, you can buy 24 oz. (1-1/2 pounds) for, the same price of,
$1.79........
I wonder how much money a "young household' could save by
using the "olde mustard knife"?......
Years ago you would find mustard on the center of the table
in any European style restaurant.....It was in a small crock
with a cover which allowed room for the little wooden
dispensing spoon......Today it's in a squeeze bottle......Pumps
lower New York City.....Take a ride on the 3rd Avenue El
and you passed it, in lower Manhattan, on the way to
the Brooklyn Bridge station......
Well mustard has come a long way since then.....More brands,
some corporate and some from smaller private companies....
Mustard seeds are being combined with almost anything else
these days in order to create a new flavor......
Years ago mustards always came in a big wide mouth jar,
so you could easily remove its contents......Today more and
more brands, including Gulden's, are now on the supermarket
shelves in plastic squeeze bottles......."Just squeeze it on your
hot dog."...........
Today's modern problem is that all the mustard does not come
out of the squeeze bottle......Forcing you to throw away mustard
and buy a new bottle......An other problem is that you get 12 oz.
for $1.79 in a squeeze bottle and, if you find a wide mouth
bottle, you can buy 24 oz. (1-1/2 pounds) for, the same price of,
$1.79........
I wonder how much money a "young household' could save by
using the "olde mustard knife"?......
Years ago you would find mustard on the center of the table
in any European style restaurant.....It was in a small crock
with a cover which allowed room for the little wooden
dispensing spoon......Today it's in a squeeze bottle......Pumps
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Outsourcing 101 - Not
In the past few years, there have been many companies
who have outsourced their telephone "support" work to
India because of the lower labor rates.......Also, because
the people of India, with their British roots, speak English......
It is also becoming a fact that many Indian people are
becoming to hate Americans because of their unpleasant
telephone attitudes........I guess when your Dell computer
breaks down you want to talk to Mr. Dell not Mr. Singh.....
Well this is a good one......A large American TV church
offers the service of individual prayer, if needed......Just
pick up you telephone and call.......A prayer will be said
for "your need" right over the telephone......
You got it.........A person named Daniel answers the
telephone call and reads the prayer for you......Trouble is
he "sounds" like Mr. Singh.......
I wonder if it is a Christian or Hindu prayer?.......Pumps
who have outsourced their telephone "support" work to
India because of the lower labor rates.......Also, because
the people of India, with their British roots, speak English......
It is also becoming a fact that many Indian people are
becoming to hate Americans because of their unpleasant
telephone attitudes........I guess when your Dell computer
breaks down you want to talk to Mr. Dell not Mr. Singh.....
Well this is a good one......A large American TV church
offers the service of individual prayer, if needed......Just
pick up you telephone and call.......A prayer will be said
for "your need" right over the telephone......
You got it.........A person named Daniel answers the
telephone call and reads the prayer for you......Trouble is
he "sounds" like Mr. Singh.......
I wonder if it is a Christian or Hindu prayer?.......Pumps
Friday, March 23, 2007
Why No Problem This Time?
I do not know what other people may be thinking, but to
me the price of a gallon of gas is UP.......Here in Jabunyaville
it is about $2.50 a gallon......The TV people say that it is
about $3.00, plus, in California......
How come no one is complaining about it this time.......The
last time the price of gas went up - it appeared to be the
end of the world, as we knew it.........The media was full
of stories regarding profits, corporate corruption and
price gauging.........
Oops, I forgot, last November there was a change in the
United States Government.......The pricing must be OK
now........Pumps
me the price of a gallon of gas is UP.......Here in Jabunyaville
it is about $2.50 a gallon......The TV people say that it is
about $3.00, plus, in California......
How come no one is complaining about it this time.......The
last time the price of gas went up - it appeared to be the
end of the world, as we knew it.........The media was full
of stories regarding profits, corporate corruption and
price gauging.........
Oops, I forgot, last November there was a change in the
United States Government.......The pricing must be OK
now........Pumps
Thursday, March 22, 2007
The Food Police
Ah yes, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has
made it's quarterly announcement.......Chinese Food is
bad for your especially when it tastes good in the
restaurant.......
For years we have been told that the Asian food diet
is the best in the world.....Vegetables and more vegetables.....
Lots of seafood and very little meat......Tofu and even
more vegetables........
Go into any Chinatown in a major American city and you
will find hundreds of restaurants cooking with MSG,
peanut oil and soy sauce.......You will also see hundreds
of very old Chinese men and woman who have eaten MSG,
peanut oil and soy sauce for 70, 80 or 90 years.......
Today a group of "people who eat nothing" (they have
banned almost all foods) have said what these old
Chinese people have eaten for 90 years is "no good for
you".......
The people at the Center for Science in the Public
Interest must be a bunch of stupid anorexic idiots......
Pumps
made it's quarterly announcement.......Chinese Food is
bad for your especially when it tastes good in the
restaurant.......
For years we have been told that the Asian food diet
is the best in the world.....Vegetables and more vegetables.....
Lots of seafood and very little meat......Tofu and even
more vegetables........
Go into any Chinatown in a major American city and you
will find hundreds of restaurants cooking with MSG,
peanut oil and soy sauce.......You will also see hundreds
of very old Chinese men and woman who have eaten MSG,
peanut oil and soy sauce for 70, 80 or 90 years.......
Today a group of "people who eat nothing" (they have
banned almost all foods) have said what these old
Chinese people have eaten for 90 years is "no good for
you".......
The people at the Center for Science in the Public
Interest must be a bunch of stupid anorexic idiots......
Pumps
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Carbon Credits
In the controversy known as the Global Warming debate, the
words "carbon credits" mean TAX....Simply put, since you drive
a big SUV you have to purchase "carbon credits" in order to
offset the pollution you are causing and responsible for......
Well the purchase of "carbon credits" has started in Australia.....
A discount travel agency wants to add the sum of $260 to your
next round-the-world trip in order to offset the carbon dioxide
the airplane, you are flying in, will produce......Some company
has figured out that your flight will produce "x" amount of
CO2 and although it may cost $85 per ton to get rid of it, they
will only charge you $16 a ton....(How nice of them.)......
So your $260, of TAX money, will be given to a company
which will invest in ways to clean up the CO2....They really
are not inclined to plant trees because they are the least
effective.......Photosynthesis is not the way to go.......
Finally the news article noted that, "The consumer (us) can't
test the efficacy (efficiency) of an offset (where the money goes).
You really have to trust the person selling it (the carbon credit)
to you"........
Seems to me that the wagon with the "snake oil salesman"
has just rolled into town........Just "kiss" $260 goodbye.....Pumps
words "carbon credits" mean TAX....Simply put, since you drive
a big SUV you have to purchase "carbon credits" in order to
offset the pollution you are causing and responsible for......
Well the purchase of "carbon credits" has started in Australia.....
A discount travel agency wants to add the sum of $260 to your
next round-the-world trip in order to offset the carbon dioxide
the airplane, you are flying in, will produce......Some company
has figured out that your flight will produce "x" amount of
CO2 and although it may cost $85 per ton to get rid of it, they
will only charge you $16 a ton....(How nice of them.)......
So your $260, of TAX money, will be given to a company
which will invest in ways to clean up the CO2....They really
are not inclined to plant trees because they are the least
effective.......Photosynthesis is not the way to go.......
Finally the news article noted that, "The consumer (us) can't
test the efficacy (efficiency) of an offset (where the money goes).
You really have to trust the person selling it (the carbon credit)
to you"........
Seems to me that the wagon with the "snake oil salesman"
has just rolled into town........Just "kiss" $260 goodbye.....Pumps
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Pet Food
This recent problem with the quality of cat and dog food
has brought one "fact" to light.....That is - many brand
named products are produced in the same factory......
The "high priced" quality food is produced on the same
production line as your local supermarket's "private
label"........With 40 cat and 48 dog "labels", how much
difference is there in quality?......
There are many a production line in operation today which
are running 24/7......The only change is the label on the
can and the printing on the outer shipping carton.......
We have just seen this also proven with the peanut butter
recall......Generic drugs and other health items are the same
in Walgreen's, Rite-Aid and WalMart......And, I have seen
the same paint poured into buckets with different labels.....
This is a "manufacturing" fact in today's world......
So with a little research, time and effort it is possible to buy
your everyday needs and the products you use, a lot
cheaper.......The label will be different but the product in
the container will be the same........Pumps
has brought one "fact" to light.....That is - many brand
named products are produced in the same factory......
The "high priced" quality food is produced on the same
production line as your local supermarket's "private
label"........With 40 cat and 48 dog "labels", how much
difference is there in quality?......
There are many a production line in operation today which
are running 24/7......The only change is the label on the
can and the printing on the outer shipping carton.......
We have just seen this also proven with the peanut butter
recall......Generic drugs and other health items are the same
in Walgreen's, Rite-Aid and WalMart......And, I have seen
the same paint poured into buckets with different labels.....
This is a "manufacturing" fact in today's world......
So with a little research, time and effort it is possible to buy
your everyday needs and the products you use, a lot
cheaper.......The label will be different but the product in
the container will be the same........Pumps
Monday, March 19, 2007
Ye Olde Vermont
I liked the State of Vermont when I lived there some
30 years ago.......It was one of those places where things
did not change much......In fact there was an olde local
saying that, "Vermont did not take notice of the stock
market Crash of '29 until 1935.......
There are two types of people in Vermont......The native
Vermonter and the Flatlanders.....If your family did not
hunt with the Indians, than you are a Flatlander......
All the little towns are run by the same families for
generation after generation......The large cities are run
by Flatlanders.....
Well, I read in one Vermont paper today, that they
want to change the education system in the state.......
They want to reduce the number of local school boards
by over 1/3, have regional districts and tell Mrs. Green
and Mr. Adams that they no longer have a "say" in
how their grandchildren will be taught......
One thing the Flatlanders never have seemed to figure
out.....And, that is the Vermonter HAS ALWAYS
governed, or permitted someone else to temporarily govern.......
I foresee no changes in the education system....
That is why the gun rack is still in the rear window of
their pick-ups.......Pumps
30 years ago.......It was one of those places where things
did not change much......In fact there was an olde local
saying that, "Vermont did not take notice of the stock
market Crash of '29 until 1935.......
There are two types of people in Vermont......The native
Vermonter and the Flatlanders.....If your family did not
hunt with the Indians, than you are a Flatlander......
All the little towns are run by the same families for
generation after generation......The large cities are run
by Flatlanders.....
Well, I read in one Vermont paper today, that they
want to change the education system in the state.......
They want to reduce the number of local school boards
by over 1/3, have regional districts and tell Mrs. Green
and Mr. Adams that they no longer have a "say" in
how their grandchildren will be taught......
One thing the Flatlanders never have seemed to figure
out.....And, that is the Vermonter HAS ALWAYS
governed, or permitted someone else to temporarily govern.......
I foresee no changes in the education system....
That is why the gun rack is still in the rear window of
their pick-ups.......Pumps
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Corn Tortillas
I have a nice little Mexican egg recipe, which believe it or not
came from the Target store chain, which requires the use of
corn tortillas......It is a simple little recipe which needs no
real brains or talent to make......Just my speed, as they say......
For two servings, I need 4 corn tortillas.......So, out to my
local supermarket to buy a small package of tortillas......
Well the first package I see is 10 Low Carb Corn Tortillas
for the packaged price of $2.99........
"Hold up their Pedro", I say to myself....We are talking about
a simple piece of flat corn product here......
Down the next isle I found a package of 10 Corn Tortillas
for the packaged price of $0.69......Yep Jose, 69 cents.......
I am so happy that these people, who can not control their
weight and eating habits, have the money to buy into this
"low carb" marketing trend........
I can still not figure out why it costs more to manufacture
a product AFTER YOU TAKE SOMETHING OUT OF IT.....
Why does "low sodium" soup cost more than regular soup?.....
Perhaps it is the "fear factor" in marketing?......Pumps
came from the Target store chain, which requires the use of
corn tortillas......It is a simple little recipe which needs no
real brains or talent to make......Just my speed, as they say......
For two servings, I need 4 corn tortillas.......So, out to my
local supermarket to buy a small package of tortillas......
Well the first package I see is 10 Low Carb Corn Tortillas
for the packaged price of $2.99........
"Hold up their Pedro", I say to myself....We are talking about
a simple piece of flat corn product here......
Down the next isle I found a package of 10 Corn Tortillas
for the packaged price of $0.69......Yep Jose, 69 cents.......
I am so happy that these people, who can not control their
weight and eating habits, have the money to buy into this
"low carb" marketing trend........
I can still not figure out why it costs more to manufacture
a product AFTER YOU TAKE SOMETHING OUT OF IT.....
Why does "low sodium" soup cost more than regular soup?.....
Perhaps it is the "fear factor" in marketing?......Pumps
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Saint Patrick's Day
To me Saint Patrick's Day is the happiest holiday on the
calendar......There may be other holidays that make you
happy but not as much as Saint Patty's......
People have fun on New Year's Day and on Christmas......
They stuff their faces with food on the Fourth of July
and and Thanksgiving.......They march on Memorial
and Labor Day, BUT they always have FUN on St. Patty's,
sometimes to the extreme........
It is said that the celebration is because of the Catholic
period of Lent.....It's a day off, so to speak, from being
obedient and repentant.....It was, and still is a
"let it all hang out" day.......God bless the Irish.....Pumps
calendar......There may be other holidays that make you
happy but not as much as Saint Patty's......
People have fun on New Year's Day and on Christmas......
They stuff their faces with food on the Fourth of July
and and Thanksgiving.......They march on Memorial
and Labor Day, BUT they always have FUN on St. Patty's,
sometimes to the extreme........
It is said that the celebration is because of the Catholic
period of Lent.....It's a day off, so to speak, from being
obedient and repentant.....It was, and still is a
"let it all hang out" day.......God bless the Irish.....Pumps
Friday, March 16, 2007
The Greek God Gaia
I never heard of this Greek god, but to tell you the truth I
never did follow Greek mythology in my high school days......
When the Greek society, faded into the history of time,
the Romans reclaimed him and named him Terra........
Because of the Romans we have been given the words
"terra firma" and "terrain"........Both meaning Earth or
from the Earth......The Greeks would have had us call it
"gaia firma" or "gaiaine".......
It appears that there are some, living amongst us in this
modern age, which still believe in this god of the Earth
and it's "ecosystems"......
One new "prophet or priest" of this belief is none other than
Al Gore........
Are we going to have a "church and state" issue with Gaia?......
Pumps
never did follow Greek mythology in my high school days......
When the Greek society, faded into the history of time,
the Romans reclaimed him and named him Terra........
Because of the Romans we have been given the words
"terra firma" and "terrain"........Both meaning Earth or
from the Earth......The Greeks would have had us call it
"gaia firma" or "gaiaine".......
It appears that there are some, living amongst us in this
modern age, which still believe in this god of the Earth
and it's "ecosystems"......
One new "prophet or priest" of this belief is none other than
Al Gore........
Are we going to have a "church and state" issue with Gaia?......
Pumps
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Maple Syrup
A few days ago, NBC TV did a news story on "climate
change" and maple syrup in Vermont.......I suspect who
ever wrote the story for the "news reader" to read
never stepped food on Vermont soil.....
The story's purpose was to connect "climate change"
with reduced maple syrup production this season......
The maple syrup output has always varied from year
to year due to the flow of maple tree sap as a result of
Spring warming temperatures......The warming
temperatures also have an effect on the "grade" of syrup.....
The story also mentioned that the "farmers" always
tapped their trees on the first Tuesday in March.....Wrong.....
Every farmer is at a Town Meeting Day on the first Tuesday
voting on the tax rate and for Town Constable, Fence Viewer
and Weigher of Coal.......
The olde farmer which was interviewed did not seem to
mind the weather too much......He got 1,000 gallons last
year and only expected 700 gallons this year......But like
in baseball, "There is always next year"......Maybe 1,300
gallons.......
(I miss boiling my own sap......Made a quart once, for the
kids and their pancakes.)....Pumps
change" and maple syrup in Vermont.......I suspect who
ever wrote the story for the "news reader" to read
never stepped food on Vermont soil.....
The story's purpose was to connect "climate change"
with reduced maple syrup production this season......
The maple syrup output has always varied from year
to year due to the flow of maple tree sap as a result of
Spring warming temperatures......The warming
temperatures also have an effect on the "grade" of syrup.....
The story also mentioned that the "farmers" always
tapped their trees on the first Tuesday in March.....Wrong.....
Every farmer is at a Town Meeting Day on the first Tuesday
voting on the tax rate and for Town Constable, Fence Viewer
and Weigher of Coal.......
The olde farmer which was interviewed did not seem to
mind the weather too much......He got 1,000 gallons last
year and only expected 700 gallons this year......But like
in baseball, "There is always next year"......Maybe 1,300
gallons.......
(I miss boiling my own sap......Made a quart once, for the
kids and their pancakes.)....Pumps
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Universal Health Care #2
Here is a recent story from Australia regarding their
socialized health care system......
One member of their "Liberal Party" is promising
200 additional new hospital beds and 500 nurses
if he is elected to office.....The "Labor Party" has
promised 2500 new nurses but the "Liberal Party"
thinks they have the better deal......
The new beds will free up some which are currently
used for "emergency" and assign them to "elective"
surgery patients....."Elective" surgery is a low priority
item in a socialized health care system.....Knee, hip,
shoulder operations are considered "elective".....Please
wait in line......
So you can see, from the first two paragraphs, that
Universal Health Care is a "political football".....Vote
for the candidate who is promising the most hospital
beds and reducing "waiting" time.....
One wonders if they will get your vote again after waiting
six months, in pain, to see a doctor that will solve your
medical problem.......Pumps
socialized health care system......
One member of their "Liberal Party" is promising
200 additional new hospital beds and 500 nurses
if he is elected to office.....The "Labor Party" has
promised 2500 new nurses but the "Liberal Party"
thinks they have the better deal......
The new beds will free up some which are currently
used for "emergency" and assign them to "elective"
surgery patients....."Elective" surgery is a low priority
item in a socialized health care system.....Knee, hip,
shoulder operations are considered "elective".....Please
wait in line......
So you can see, from the first two paragraphs, that
Universal Health Care is a "political football".....Vote
for the candidate who is promising the most hospital
beds and reducing "waiting" time.....
One wonders if they will get your vote again after waiting
six months, in pain, to see a doctor that will solve your
medical problem.......Pumps
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Anchor Baby
The United States is currently embroidered with the problem
of Mexican immigration.......The concern of the American
public and it politicians is too late......The whole problem will
resolve itself in one generation, some 20 years......
Most female, undocumented or illegal aliens, have spawned.....
Their children, being born along the southern border of the
United States, as far East as Georgia and Florida, are
AMERICIAN CITIZENS.....
Should any success be made in deporting a family back to its
"roots", in 20 years the "citizen" will return and seek
"citizenship" for "his/her" entire family..........
It's known as the "hang on in there" or "let's take the long
road" syndrome.......Pumps
of Mexican immigration.......The concern of the American
public and it politicians is too late......The whole problem will
resolve itself in one generation, some 20 years......
Most female, undocumented or illegal aliens, have spawned.....
Their children, being born along the southern border of the
United States, as far East as Georgia and Florida, are
AMERICIAN CITIZENS.....
Should any success be made in deporting a family back to its
"roots", in 20 years the "citizen" will return and seek
"citizenship" for "his/her" entire family..........
It's known as the "hang on in there" or "let's take the long
road" syndrome.......Pumps
Monday, March 12, 2007
The Activist Season
Well the weather is getting warmer.....Spring is here........
While some students go on Spring Break other students
and quasi-students will become part of the "Activist
Season"......The warmer weather helps........
There are certain people "who just love to do
THEIR THING' when the weather gets warmer.......
They seem to fight "social injustice" only in warm weather.....
During the recent cold spell in the mid-western part of
the United States, all I saw was snow plows and car
accidents....Not one sign carrying "activist" or demonstration...
"One" would suspect that these "activists" were related,
in some form or another, to a bear.......They do have
some things in common, one being HIBERNATION.....
(Remember Woodstock was in the mud, not in the snow.)
Pumps
While some students go on Spring Break other students
and quasi-students will become part of the "Activist
Season"......The warmer weather helps........
There are certain people "who just love to do
THEIR THING' when the weather gets warmer.......
They seem to fight "social injustice" only in warm weather.....
During the recent cold spell in the mid-western part of
the United States, all I saw was snow plows and car
accidents....Not one sign carrying "activist" or demonstration...
"One" would suspect that these "activists" were related,
in some form or another, to a bear.......They do have
some things in common, one being HIBERNATION.....
(Remember Woodstock was in the mud, not in the snow.)
Pumps
Sunday, March 11, 2007
The Next Doom's Day Scenario
Well we are living with the "Doom's Day" of Global Warming
and Bird Flu.......The next one is Asteroids.....
Yes there are many asteroids out in space which will come
close to impacting on the surface of the Earth......Unfortunately
there is not enough MONEY to track them properly......
So it seems that MONEY is needed to solve Global Warming,
MONEY is need also to find a Bird Flu vaccine and
finally MONEY is needed to plot the course of outer space
objects.......
To quote from the stage play or movie of "Cabaret",
"Money makes the world go 'round".......Pumps
and Bird Flu.......The next one is Asteroids.....
Yes there are many asteroids out in space which will come
close to impacting on the surface of the Earth......Unfortunately
there is not enough MONEY to track them properly......
So it seems that MONEY is needed to solve Global Warming,
MONEY is need also to find a Bird Flu vaccine and
finally MONEY is needed to plot the course of outer space
objects.......
To quote from the stage play or movie of "Cabaret",
"Money makes the world go 'round".......Pumps
Saturday, March 10, 2007
"Paper Or Plastic"
Even after some 20 years or so you still hear the question,
"Paper or plastic?" asked by the packing clerk at a
supermarket check out line......
San Francisco wants to prohibit the use of plastic grocery
bags in its city and use paper (biodegradable) ones......
It seems that plastic bags are made from fossil fuels,
aka, oil or coal and effect "landfills", aka, "dumps".
Am I crazy? Don't I remember a time we were told to
"Save a tree" and use plastic grocery bags in stead of
paper ones.......
It seems that every generation of "thinkers" does not
bother to research any history of the previous
generation........It appears that every twenty years or
so we get a new "NOW" generation........
Other examples are 2000 Global Warming vs. 1975's
Ice Age........Or Protect Wild Birds vs. Build Wind
Turbines (which kills birds) for an alternate energy
source.......
The "NOW" generation just never seems happy....
They must have a problem......Pumps
"Paper or plastic?" asked by the packing clerk at a
supermarket check out line......
San Francisco wants to prohibit the use of plastic grocery
bags in its city and use paper (biodegradable) ones......
It seems that plastic bags are made from fossil fuels,
aka, oil or coal and effect "landfills", aka, "dumps".
Am I crazy? Don't I remember a time we were told to
"Save a tree" and use plastic grocery bags in stead of
paper ones.......
It seems that every generation of "thinkers" does not
bother to research any history of the previous
generation........It appears that every twenty years or
so we get a new "NOW" generation........
Other examples are 2000 Global Warming vs. 1975's
Ice Age........Or Protect Wild Birds vs. Build Wind
Turbines (which kills birds) for an alternate energy
source.......
The "NOW" generation just never seems happy....
They must have a problem......Pumps
Friday, March 09, 2007
James Gadsden
With all the current issues regarding illegal immigration
in the United States today, this is one name that is not
mentioned James Gadsden.......
There are many pro-Mexican organizations, that exist today,
which claim that the Southwestern part of the United States
is "really" theirs and therefore Mexican Territory.......
Historical Fact: After the conclusion of the Mexican-American
War in 1848, Mr. Gadsden made arrangements, confirmed
by The US Congress, to pay Mexican President Antonio Lopez
de Santa Anna the sum of $10 million in 1854 for the land
around Yuma, Tuscon in southern Arizona and on into New
Mexico.......The Gadsden Purchase......
What gets me is why people "think" they own something which
they "sold"......If you sell a car, you have not future claim to
its ownership.......
No wonder no one hears of James Gadsden anymore.....Pumps
in the United States today, this is one name that is not
mentioned James Gadsden.......
There are many pro-Mexican organizations, that exist today,
which claim that the Southwestern part of the United States
is "really" theirs and therefore Mexican Territory.......
Historical Fact: After the conclusion of the Mexican-American
War in 1848, Mr. Gadsden made arrangements, confirmed
by The US Congress, to pay Mexican President Antonio Lopez
de Santa Anna the sum of $10 million in 1854 for the land
around Yuma, Tuscon in southern Arizona and on into New
Mexico.......The Gadsden Purchase......
What gets me is why people "think" they own something which
they "sold"......If you sell a car, you have not future claim to
its ownership.......
No wonder no one hears of James Gadsden anymore.....Pumps
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Universal Health Care
A recent survey stated that most Americans want Universal
Health Care........If Hillary Clinton is elected president,
it will be called Hillary Care........
Fact, the health care systems of England, Canada and
Australia are full of "horror" stories regarding socialized
medicine aka universal health care.......
In the past week the problems of Walter Reed Hospital
have come to light regarding the treatment of our military
wounded.......Along with administration problems in the
Veterans Administration....Both governmental agencies....
While the United States currently has Medicare for its
senior citizens, let us combine the problems with Medicare,
Walter Reed, the VA and call it UNIVERSAL
HEALTH CARE.......
Also remember you can find a lawyer who can sue your
doctor......But you can not sue the governmental
BUREAUCRACY, and that little lady in the medical office
who "checked off" the wrong box on the government
form that resulted in your poor health and misery....Pumps
Health Care........If Hillary Clinton is elected president,
it will be called Hillary Care........
Fact, the health care systems of England, Canada and
Australia are full of "horror" stories regarding socialized
medicine aka universal health care.......
In the past week the problems of Walter Reed Hospital
have come to light regarding the treatment of our military
wounded.......Along with administration problems in the
Veterans Administration....Both governmental agencies....
While the United States currently has Medicare for its
senior citizens, let us combine the problems with Medicare,
Walter Reed, the VA and call it UNIVERSAL
HEALTH CARE.......
Also remember you can find a lawyer who can sue your
doctor......But you can not sue the governmental
BUREAUCRACY, and that little lady in the medical office
who "checked off" the wrong box on the government
form that resulted in your poor health and misery....Pumps
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The Condom Crisis
Two developing nations, in the world today, are having
problems with the "condom".......It seems that the life
style of "Western Decadence" must be spreading.....
Or is is perhaps the "Natural Order of Mating"......
China if "fining" hotels and bars for not having
condom machines and India is complaining about the
cost of its "nationalized manufactured" condoms.......
All of this political and social activity has to do with AIDS.....
Years ago I remember this only being a problem in
the United States and today in Africa......
This little "problem" has a tendency of traveling it seems.....
Pumps
problems with the "condom".......It seems that the life
style of "Western Decadence" must be spreading.....
Or is is perhaps the "Natural Order of Mating"......
China if "fining" hotels and bars for not having
condom machines and India is complaining about the
cost of its "nationalized manufactured" condoms.......
All of this political and social activity has to do with AIDS.....
Years ago I remember this only being a problem in
the United States and today in Africa......
This little "problem" has a tendency of traveling it seems.....
Pumps
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Internet Item Pricing
Recently I became aware of the fact that if I purchased an
item on line or from the store, selling the item, that the price
was the same......$20.00.......
If I ordered the item online, it was $14.00 (hey, look at the
savings).....Then the company added $7.00 for shipping and
handling, total $20.00.....When I walked through the door
the item was $20.00 retail plus State sales tax......
Not all companies do this, so "one" must be aware......Let's
face it UPS or FedEx do incur shipping charges......But they
are minimal unless your want to ship a tank....(Then you
call Flying Tiger).....
It seems that after all these years, it still comes down to
"Buyer beware".......
Just to remind some, my 10:1 theory still holds........To make
a $10.00 retail item it costs $1 in labor and material.....
The rest is profit for the manufacturer and the companies
in the supply chain........Pumps
item on line or from the store, selling the item, that the price
was the same......$20.00.......
If I ordered the item online, it was $14.00 (hey, look at the
savings).....Then the company added $7.00 for shipping and
handling, total $20.00.....When I walked through the door
the item was $20.00 retail plus State sales tax......
Not all companies do this, so "one" must be aware......Let's
face it UPS or FedEx do incur shipping charges......But they
are minimal unless your want to ship a tank....(Then you
call Flying Tiger).....
It seems that after all these years, it still comes down to
"Buyer beware".......
Just to remind some, my 10:1 theory still holds........To make
a $10.00 retail item it costs $1 in labor and material.....
The rest is profit for the manufacturer and the companies
in the supply chain........Pumps
Monday, March 05, 2007
Human Quests
I am of the theory that all "humans" have "quests of life".....
As soon as the thought process is established, in your teens,
you have "a quest to mate" with the opposite sex.......
Once that is out of the way, and becomes the norm, your
next "quest" is "social".......In order to fulfill your life's
dream you must adapt and so "one" does.....Everybody
finds a "route" of their liking and seeks their own
happiness.......
I am coming to the conclusion that in "one's" latter years
the "struggle" is no longer there......As an "elder" one is
respected for their thoughts, but also the "elder" may
now placate others......The "battle for a new quest" is over
and long gone during the years past........
In other words olde people just really do not give a "F---"
anymore......Pumps
As soon as the thought process is established, in your teens,
you have "a quest to mate" with the opposite sex.......
Once that is out of the way, and becomes the norm, your
next "quest" is "social".......In order to fulfill your life's
dream you must adapt and so "one" does.....Everybody
finds a "route" of their liking and seeks their own
happiness.......
I am coming to the conclusion that in "one's" latter years
the "struggle" is no longer there......As an "elder" one is
respected for their thoughts, but also the "elder" may
now placate others......The "battle for a new quest" is over
and long gone during the years past........
In other words olde people just really do not give a "F---"
anymore......Pumps
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Professional Blogging
I enjoy "blogging"......As I have said in earlier posts, it is a way
to get things off my chest while protecting the status of my
28 year marriage.......I also suspect, and have read many other
blogs written by other people for the same similar reason......
Some bloggers just keep their circle of friends "updated".......
BUT, the "blogging cybersphere" is full of professionals, it
seems......People who get paid to sit at home, in the 'jammies'
and "opinionate"........The entire political and social "field of
interest" is full of these little "pros".......
While they may act like a 'concerned citizen', they are being
paid to "opinionate"......And, as always, the "olde snake oil"
salesman may draw a crowd, but not everyone ever bought
his last bottle of "swill".......Beware the "Problogs"......Pumps
to get things off my chest while protecting the status of my
28 year marriage.......I also suspect, and have read many other
blogs written by other people for the same similar reason......
Some bloggers just keep their circle of friends "updated".......
BUT, the "blogging cybersphere" is full of professionals, it
seems......People who get paid to sit at home, in the 'jammies'
and "opinionate"........The entire political and social "field of
interest" is full of these little "pros".......
While they may act like a 'concerned citizen', they are being
paid to "opinionate"......And, as always, the "olde snake oil"
salesman may draw a crowd, but not everyone ever bought
his last bottle of "swill".......Beware the "Problogs"......Pumps
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Your Carbon Footprint
It seems the Global Warming people want you to analyze
the "carbon footprint" that YOU are leaving on the earth.....
The British have a site which will calculate the information
and produce a number, similar to a "credit score".....
You enter the requested information and it produces the
"number" along with the addition of YOUR "secondary
Carbon Footprint" number......
Thus if you do not use any fossil fuel, electricity, car, public
transportation or fly anywhere, you are still responsible for
a "secondary footprint" of some 5,950 kgs of CO2 emissions......
Now it is suggested that you cut your CO2 by 2,500 kgs and
plant four trees.......In order to cut 2,500 kgs you can start
by reducing "secondary emissions" like
Food and Drink......................... 585 kgs
Clothes and Shoes......................486 kgs
Recreation and Services............1,546 kgs
Also since the human body produces CO2 as a by-product
of breathing, "one" may be required to purchase "carbon
credits", in the future, in order to breathe, eat and wear
clothes........
Yep, another "It's your fault"..........Pumps
the "carbon footprint" that YOU are leaving on the earth.....
The British have a site which will calculate the information
and produce a number, similar to a "credit score".....
You enter the requested information and it produces the
"number" along with the addition of YOUR "secondary
Carbon Footprint" number......
Thus if you do not use any fossil fuel, electricity, car, public
transportation or fly anywhere, you are still responsible for
a "secondary footprint" of some 5,950 kgs of CO2 emissions......
Now it is suggested that you cut your CO2 by 2,500 kgs and
plant four trees.......In order to cut 2,500 kgs you can start
by reducing "secondary emissions" like
Food and Drink......................... 585 kgs
Clothes and Shoes......................486 kgs
Recreation and Services............1,546 kgs
Also since the human body produces CO2 as a by-product
of breathing, "one" may be required to purchase "carbon
credits", in the future, in order to breathe, eat and wear
clothes........
Yep, another "It's your fault"..........Pumps
Friday, March 02, 2007
Good Olde Politics
Last November (2006) the American people voted a
number of Republicans out of office because of the
Iraq war issue......The Democrats promised to solve
the problem and "pull our troops out"......
Well here it is March and the Democrats, who won
the election, are changing their mind.......
My big question is if the American public did not
like the "stay the course" Republican view of Iraq
in 2006......And, the Democrats have taken a "let's
leave it alone" attitude in 2007......
How will the American people vote in 2008 when
neither party seems trustworthy?.......
EDITOR'S NOTE: Become a politician and it is a
CYA "position" from then on........
Pumps
number of Republicans out of office because of the
Iraq war issue......The Democrats promised to solve
the problem and "pull our troops out"......
Well here it is March and the Democrats, who won
the election, are changing their mind.......
My big question is if the American public did not
like the "stay the course" Republican view of Iraq
in 2006......And, the Democrats have taken a "let's
leave it alone" attitude in 2007......
How will the American people vote in 2008 when
neither party seems trustworthy?.......
EDITOR'S NOTE: Become a politician and it is a
CYA "position" from then on........
Pumps
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Global Economy
Well all the big money makers wanted a global economy and
they have it......If there is a stock market "fart" in China it
is "smelt" on Wall Street........
In some way, it has always been the nature of business during
the history of the world......At times Britain, Holland, Portugal,
and many cities like Venice controlled world trade.......So things
are "really" not that different with respect to the olden days.....
However, to help China maintain its financial position, and not
falter, it looks like we have to do more shopping at WalMart and
every 99cent or $1.00 store in the world......
Ah, the money brokers.......Their life is never dull........Pumps
they have it......If there is a stock market "fart" in China it
is "smelt" on Wall Street........
In some way, it has always been the nature of business during
the history of the world......At times Britain, Holland, Portugal,
and many cities like Venice controlled world trade.......So things
are "really" not that different with respect to the olden days.....
However, to help China maintain its financial position, and not
falter, it looks like we have to do more shopping at WalMart and
every 99cent or $1.00 store in the world......
Ah, the money brokers.......Their life is never dull........Pumps
