First of all a couple of questions. On Saturday night at the end of D.S.T., do the bars get to stay open an extra hour since at 2 A.M. it become 1 A.M. again? Has there ever been anyone stupid enough to turn their clock back to 1 A.M., then an hour later turn it back again, and so on, getting stuck in an endless loop until D.S.T. rolled around again in the spring? (I'm thinking blonde joke material here).
Now to be a little more serious. I don't care what anyone says, I really don't see how daylight time saves any energy. The number of hours of daylight and darkness don't change. So the energy not being used in the evening is instead being used in the morning to light and heat our homes before we go to work and school. My theory is that it is more of a political and economic thing. People that own stores and restaurants want more daylight at the end of the day so that customers are more likely to go out to eat or shopping after work. It's a good theory; after all, who wants to get home from work at 5 or 6...with it already dark, and then go out shopping or out to dinner? Not me...because I can't see well enough in the dark to drive!
I don't even know for sure when daylight time starts or ends anymore...since they've messed with it, again! I've heard that it ends this weekend, so I'll go along with it. But when, someday, I show up at work an hour late or an hour early, it's probably because I've missed the start or end of daylight time!
So Sayeth The Shack
Friday, November 02, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Beer-Can Economics
I came upon the following on the internet. I am unable to attribute it to anyone but thought is was worth passin on so here goes.....
Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand. Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20."Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man.
He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
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Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand. Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. "Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20."Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20,"declared the sixth man.
He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
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Global Warming Hits Pennsylvania?
According to an article in my local newspaper entitled "State Details Changes To Storm Response":
"The state's Road Weather Information System...continues to be a problem. Most of the sites are currently operable, but one along I-81 in Susquehanna County on Monday registered winds of 242 mph and temperatures in the 120s."
Wow! Guess that's what we have to look forward to in the future!
So Sayeth The Shack
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"The state's Road Weather Information System...continues to be a problem. Most of the sites are currently operable, but one along I-81 in Susquehanna County on Monday registered winds of 242 mph and temperatures in the 120s."
Wow! Guess that's what we have to look forward to in the future!
So Sayeth The Shack
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Sunday, October 28, 2007
Prepare For The Crash
There is a crash coming. The economic and political course we are on cannot be sustained forever. Economically, there is increasing debt at all levels from personal to the federal government, as well as the trade deficit. The increasing cost of energy (which leads to the higher cost of most everything else), medical care and higher education are forcing people into ever more debt. More and more people are living tenuously from paycheck to paycheck, just one disaster away from ending up living in a cardboard box in the middle of a field. Politically we are making more and more enemies around the world by sticking our nose into other people's business and telling them what to do. Eventually it will come to an end and things will come crashing down around us. I do not know when it will happen; it may be sooner or it may be later, but it is best to begin to prepare for it now.
It will be an economic crash, to be sure. As bad as or worse than the one in 1929, for anyone old enough to remember. Most of us will end up unemployed and poor or even broke. But it will also be a crash of society, civility and government. Our society is simply not the same as it was eight decades ago. The acute shortages of basic necessities will pit people against each other and against the government. Imagine the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, but on a national or even global scale. The crash may come quietly, but odds are it will be triggered by either a large-scale natural disaster or another attack on our homeland. It will begin here in the U.S. but may spread worldwide.
So how does one prepare?
The first thing is to be prepared as you would for a natural disaster. have a supply of non-perishable food on hand that can last for weeks or months, along with a way to prepare it. Arm yourself with some good guns and ammunition. Keep some cash on hand as well. Beyond that, here are some other things you can do:
1) Get of debt and stay out. If you are in debt, do not add to it and work to get out. If you are not in debt, stay out of it. Do not buy anything beyond the necessities...food, basic clothing, basic shelter and basic transportation. The new car, computer or big-screen tv...forget it! Those items will be of no value once the crash happens. Even a college education may be of little or no value then. I feel that coming out of college and starting your life already in debt is a really bad idea.
2) Support local businesses. Buy your basic goods and services as close to home as possible. Not on the internet and not in another city. This saves energy and money, but more importantly, these local businesses....if they survive, may be all you have to rely on after the crash for things you need.
3) Forsake technology. Computers and the internet, cell phones, TV are all great, for now. But none of them may work after the crash. I already regret buying this computer a year ago. It just put me in more debt and could have probably done without. Should have just put up with the old piece of crap that crashed every time I used it. So don't bother spending money on upgrades or new items; they may end up being worthless.
4) Don't expect the government or insurance to help. These institutions may not even exist after the crash. And if they do...as we have already seen, they have their own agenda and don't give a hoot about the little guy.
5) MOST IMPORTANT: If you are one of the fortunate who have plenty after the crash, be willing to help those of your neighbors who do not. If you have nothing, do not rob or kill for food. That is what animals do...not humans. It is better to die hungry than to murder another man for his food.
Good luck
So Sayeth The Shack
---------------------------------------------------------------
It will be an economic crash, to be sure. As bad as or worse than the one in 1929, for anyone old enough to remember. Most of us will end up unemployed and poor or even broke. But it will also be a crash of society, civility and government. Our society is simply not the same as it was eight decades ago. The acute shortages of basic necessities will pit people against each other and against the government. Imagine the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, but on a national or even global scale. The crash may come quietly, but odds are it will be triggered by either a large-scale natural disaster or another attack on our homeland. It will begin here in the U.S. but may spread worldwide.
So how does one prepare?
The first thing is to be prepared as you would for a natural disaster. have a supply of non-perishable food on hand that can last for weeks or months, along with a way to prepare it. Arm yourself with some good guns and ammunition. Keep some cash on hand as well. Beyond that, here are some other things you can do:
1) Get of debt and stay out. If you are in debt, do not add to it and work to get out. If you are not in debt, stay out of it. Do not buy anything beyond the necessities...food, basic clothing, basic shelter and basic transportation. The new car, computer or big-screen tv...forget it! Those items will be of no value once the crash happens. Even a college education may be of little or no value then. I feel that coming out of college and starting your life already in debt is a really bad idea.
2) Support local businesses. Buy your basic goods and services as close to home as possible. Not on the internet and not in another city. This saves energy and money, but more importantly, these local businesses....if they survive, may be all you have to rely on after the crash for things you need.
3) Forsake technology. Computers and the internet, cell phones, TV are all great, for now. But none of them may work after the crash. I already regret buying this computer a year ago. It just put me in more debt and could have probably done without. Should have just put up with the old piece of crap that crashed every time I used it. So don't bother spending money on upgrades or new items; they may end up being worthless.
4) Don't expect the government or insurance to help. These institutions may not even exist after the crash. And if they do...as we have already seen, they have their own agenda and don't give a hoot about the little guy.
5) MOST IMPORTANT: If you are one of the fortunate who have plenty after the crash, be willing to help those of your neighbors who do not. If you have nothing, do not rob or kill for food. That is what animals do...not humans. It is better to die hungry than to murder another man for his food.
Good luck
So Sayeth The Shack
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Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Are People Or Mussles More Important?
Apparently, part of the severe water shortage in the Atlanta area has to do with the weather; less than 50 percent of normal rainfall.
Another part has to with a species of mussel downstream that is being protected under the endangered species act. In order to protect the lives and habitat of these mussels (I'm not sure what a mussel is really...I know they're not talking about those big bulging things on my arms), the Army Corp of Engineers needs to let a certain amount of water out of the reservoir that supplies Atlanta's drinking water so that there is enough water downstream for the mussels, among other things. So residents of Atlanta may run out of drinking water because it would be a violation of the law for the engineers to keep the water in the reservoir and let the mussels die! So are the mussels really more important than people? Maybe we should become an endangered species too...after all we're dying left and right from natural disasters, wars, genocides, disease, etc. The obvious answer is that both are important, but in a case like this I would think that people must take precedence.
I've heard it said that water will be the next oil. Right now we are fighting wars over the dwindling oil supply. As the population of the world continues to increase and resources vanish, we will be fighting wars over water, among other things.
So Sayeth The Shack
Another part has to with a species of mussel downstream that is being protected under the endangered species act. In order to protect the lives and habitat of these mussels (I'm not sure what a mussel is really...I know they're not talking about those big bulging things on my arms), the Army Corp of Engineers needs to let a certain amount of water out of the reservoir that supplies Atlanta's drinking water so that there is enough water downstream for the mussels, among other things. So residents of Atlanta may run out of drinking water because it would be a violation of the law for the engineers to keep the water in the reservoir and let the mussels die! So are the mussels really more important than people? Maybe we should become an endangered species too...after all we're dying left and right from natural disasters, wars, genocides, disease, etc. The obvious answer is that both are important, but in a case like this I would think that people must take precedence.
I've heard it said that water will be the next oil. Right now we are fighting wars over the dwindling oil supply. As the population of the world continues to increase and resources vanish, we will be fighting wars over water, among other things.
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Our Government At Work....Or Not
This sounds like taxation without representation to me...What are we paying these guys for anyway???
From this week's Parade Magazine...
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_10-21-2007/Intelligence_Report#governmentwatch
So Sayeth The Shack
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From this week's Parade Magazine...
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_10-21-2007/Intelligence_Report#governmentwatch
Do Senators Vote Anymore?
In one recent week, the Senate passed 153 bills—without voting on a single one. Instead, the measures were “hotlined,” or approved by what’s called “unanimous consent.” How it works: Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, and Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, agree to pass a bill. Then each Senator is called on a special hotline and asked if he or she objects. They may have as little as 15 minutes to respond—and if their staff misses the call, the bill sails on. While some of the hotlined bills just named post offices, others authorized hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending—$294 million over five years in one piece of legislation alone.So Sayeth The Shack
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Friday, October 19, 2007
I Think They Deserved This One
Woman, 75, fined for smashing Comcast office with hammer
- The Associated PressBRISTOW, Va. — She was fined and got a suspended jail sentence, but Mona Shaw says she has no regrets about using a hammer to vent her frustration at a cable company.
"I stand by my actions even more so after getting all these telephone calls and hearing other people's complaints," she told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.
Shaw, 75, and her husband, Don, say they had an appointment in August for a Comcast technician to come to their Bristow home to install the company's heavily advertised Triple Play phone, Internet and cable service.
The Shaws say no one came all day, and the technician who showed up two days later left without finishing the setup. Two days after that, Comcast cut off all their service.
At the Comcast office in Manassas later that day, they waited for a manager for two hours before being told the manager had left for the day, the Shaws say.
Shaw, a churchgoing secretary of the local AARP branch, returned the next Monday - with a hammer.
"I smashed a keyboard, knocked over a monitor ... and I went to hit the telephone," Shaw said. "I figured, 'Hey, my telephone is screwed up, so is yours.'"
Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable company, disputes Shaw's version of its customer service record and calls Shaw's hammer fit on Aug. 20 an "inappropriate situation."
"Nothing justifies this sort of dangerous behavior," Comcast spokeswoman Beth Bacha said.
Police arrested Shaw for disorderly conduct. She received a three-month suspended sentence, was fined $345 and and is barred from going near the Comcast offices for a year.
The Shaws did eventually get phone and television service - with Verizon and DirecTV.
She said many people have called her a hero. "But no, I'm just an old lady who got mad. I had a hissy fit," she said.
Yeah; I've been tempted to do this also!
So Sayeth The Shack
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Freedom Of Speech?
Jeez you can't even swear in your own house anymore! What is this world coming to??
http://www.centredaily.com/news/state/story/234786.html
So Sayeth The Shack
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http://www.centredaily.com/news/state/story/234786.html
So Sayeth The Shack
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Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Spoiled Brat Kids
Two news stories, one on CNN and the other in my local newspaper, aroused some thoughts over the past few days.
The story on CNN concerned parents bemoaning the high price of tickets to Hanna Montana. Now I don't really know what that is but there was a woman on there saying she had to pay much higher than the face value to get tickets for her kids because there were none available at face value. First of all, I see nothing wrong with scalping tickets to concerts, sporting events etc. I mean, if Exxon/Mobil or any other oil company can make billions of dollars a year selling us gasoline at jacked-up prices, why can't some other company or individual make a profit selling tickets at a high price if people are willing to pay for it? but that isn't what this post is about. Excuse me lady, but no one is forcing you to buy those tickets for your kids. There is such a thing as saying "no...I'm sorry; we can't afford it" or whatever. I have been fortunate enough to be able to get my kids...and occasionally myself... to a few concerts and sporting events. But there is a limit as to how much I will pay. Hundreds of dollars for tickets to a college football game? Hah! Forget about it!
The other item was about services employed by college students to clean their dorm rooms, frat rooms or apartments because they are too busy (lazy?) to do it themselves. These services, according to the article, are paid for not by the students, but by their parents! (Who are probably paying for at least part of their tuition, computers, even cars!) Wow! Talk about spoiled!
Buying your kids everything and fulfilling their every desire is not going to make them better people. They will just expect everything to be given to them and done for them as they go through life, and that isn't the way things work. I don't consider myself the world's best parent but here is how things work in the Shack household: The kids are expected to keep their rooms "reasonably" neat and clean, and to help with keeping the rest of the house neat and clean as well. There is no cleaning service here. Every 2 weeks there is "cleaning day" when everyone has a certain job to do. They are also expected to do their own laundry. No laundry service here. Each day at dinnertime each of us (myself included) has a job that involves getting dinner on the able and/or cleaning up afterward. When groceries are brought in, the guys unload them from the car into the house and the gals put the stuff away. I don't know how my kids will turn out once they are out on their own, but hopefully this is teaching them to do some things for themselves rather than throwing away their hard-earned money paying someone else to do it.
So Sayeth The Shack
The story on CNN concerned parents bemoaning the high price of tickets to Hanna Montana. Now I don't really know what that is but there was a woman on there saying she had to pay much higher than the face value to get tickets for her kids because there were none available at face value. First of all, I see nothing wrong with scalping tickets to concerts, sporting events etc. I mean, if Exxon/Mobil or any other oil company can make billions of dollars a year selling us gasoline at jacked-up prices, why can't some other company or individual make a profit selling tickets at a high price if people are willing to pay for it? but that isn't what this post is about. Excuse me lady, but no one is forcing you to buy those tickets for your kids. There is such a thing as saying "no...I'm sorry; we can't afford it" or whatever. I have been fortunate enough to be able to get my kids...and occasionally myself... to a few concerts and sporting events. But there is a limit as to how much I will pay. Hundreds of dollars for tickets to a college football game? Hah! Forget about it!
The other item was about services employed by college students to clean their dorm rooms, frat rooms or apartments because they are too busy (lazy?) to do it themselves. These services, according to the article, are paid for not by the students, but by their parents! (Who are probably paying for at least part of their tuition, computers, even cars!) Wow! Talk about spoiled!
Buying your kids everything and fulfilling their every desire is not going to make them better people. They will just expect everything to be given to them and done for them as they go through life, and that isn't the way things work. I don't consider myself the world's best parent but here is how things work in the Shack household: The kids are expected to keep their rooms "reasonably" neat and clean, and to help with keeping the rest of the house neat and clean as well. There is no cleaning service here. Every 2 weeks there is "cleaning day" when everyone has a certain job to do. They are also expected to do their own laundry. No laundry service here. Each day at dinnertime each of us (myself included) has a job that involves getting dinner on the able and/or cleaning up afterward. When groceries are brought in, the guys unload them from the car into the house and the gals put the stuff away. I don't know how my kids will turn out once they are out on their own, but hopefully this is teaching them to do some things for themselves rather than throwing away their hard-earned money paying someone else to do it.
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, October 14, 2007
More On Advertising
A while ago I wrote a post concerning advertising. One thing I did not include at that time was how some of us actually pay companies to do their advertising for them. One of the most common ways this happens is by wearing clothing with the company name or logo on it. Nike shoes are a good example. I also notice a lot of, mostly young people, wearing shirts that say "Hollister" or "Abercrombie & Fitch" on them. I guess it makes them look cool or something...so they think. Here's what they don't think about. First of all, they pay more for the shirt with the name on it than they would a plain shirt; now much more I do not know. Then, by wearing the shirt, they are providing free advertising for the company! So the company gets double the benefits and the purchaser and wearer of the shirt is paying a heck of a lot more than they would to wear a plain shirt.
So Sayeth The Shack
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So Sayeth The Shack
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Germophobia
In the past few years there has been a great increase in the number of products that supposedly kill germs. Of course Lysol has been around pretty much forever. Then came antibacterial soap. Then antibacterial hand creme (for when there is no water). Now there are antibacterial cleaning products....for your kitchen, bathroom, etc. Has anyone come out with antibacterial laundry soap yet? But this next one really got me....antibacterial glass cleaner! Do I really care if there are germs on my windows??
All of these products claim that they kill 99.X percent of germs. Sounds nice and clean and sanitary and what a good housekeeper should be using to protect themselves and their children from those awful scary germs. But is this really a good idea? If we wipe out nearly all the germs, our immune systems won't have anything to fight against, so they will weaken and lose their purpose. Then the leftover (100-99.X) percent of the germs that weren't killed will gang up on us and wipe us all out!! So let's go easy on those germs. Yeah they might make us sick now and then, but overall they are sort of our friends.
So Sayeth The Shack
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All of these products claim that they kill 99.X percent of germs. Sounds nice and clean and sanitary and what a good housekeeper should be using to protect themselves and their children from those awful scary germs. But is this really a good idea? If we wipe out nearly all the germs, our immune systems won't have anything to fight against, so they will weaken and lose their purpose. Then the leftover (100-99.X) percent of the germs that weren't killed will gang up on us and wipe us all out!! So let's go easy on those germs. Yeah they might make us sick now and then, but overall they are sort of our friends.
So Sayeth The Shack
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Sunday, October 07, 2007
The Legacy Of Columbus
This week we celebrate Columbus Day. We celebrate the bravery of a man and his crew who, centuries ago, sailed across the Atlantic to "discover" a new land and the people thereon. In recent years this day has become less of a celebration than it used to be. In fact, it has even become grounds for protest by those who feel that the arrival of Europeans on American soil resulted in the ultimate downfall of the people who already lived here. There is no doubt that the Native Americans, Indians, or whatever you choose to call them suffered greatly at the hands of the Europeans. They were subjugated, in some cases killed, and in most cases eventually driven from the land they had inhabited for who knows how long before 1492 and forced to live on "reservations" as second- or third-class citizens of the land they originally inhabited. All because they looked, behaved, lived and worshipped differently than the newly-arrived Europeans. They were "savages" and "pagans" in the eyes of the newcomers. They had to be "civilized" and "christianized". Even though many of them were peaceful, many died at the hands of the "invaders" or from new diseases brought by the "invaders" that they had no immunity from. So there is reason to look negatively upon Columbus and the other early European settlers of this country.
But that does not make them any less great. It took a great deal of bravery to leave one's home and sail for weeks across a sea to face a difficult and uncertain future in a new land. As far as their handling of the native people of America is concerned, they didn't know any better. They believed (as some people still do now) that they had to bring Christianty whereever they went. They believed that, because of how the natives lived, that they were inferior and possibly dangerous, so they had to be "controlled" or "civilized" The knew nothing of the diseases they carried to those who had no immunity to them.
So, looking back, yes, you can say that the entire situation was handed wrongly. But as Jesus said" forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do" One cannot go back in time and change things. So let us honor the bravery and greatness of Columbus and others like him, but at the same time, we should perhaps mourn the downfall of the societies and civilizations of the original inhabitants of this continent.
So Sayeth The Shack
But that does not make them any less great. It took a great deal of bravery to leave one's home and sail for weeks across a sea to face a difficult and uncertain future in a new land. As far as their handling of the native people of America is concerned, they didn't know any better. They believed (as some people still do now) that they had to bring Christianty whereever they went. They believed that, because of how the natives lived, that they were inferior and possibly dangerous, so they had to be "controlled" or "civilized" The knew nothing of the diseases they carried to those who had no immunity to them.
So, looking back, yes, you can say that the entire situation was handed wrongly. But as Jesus said" forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do" One cannot go back in time and change things. So let us honor the bravery and greatness of Columbus and others like him, but at the same time, we should perhaps mourn the downfall of the societies and civilizations of the original inhabitants of this continent.
So Sayeth The Shack
Monday, October 01, 2007
Comcast And The Big Ten Network
First of all, I would like to thank my cable provider, D & E Communications, for quietly adding the Big Ten Network, along with several other stations, to their lineup without (at least so far) raising the rates.
But mostly, I would like to berate Comcast for running an ad that says "There are some fans that want to watch the extra games....the Big Ten Network offers. And there are countless others who don't want to pay the added costs....to watch programming they don't want". Come on, Comcast, you more than anyone should know that it doesn't work that way. No cable or satellite provider offers a la carte programming. We are all, no matter who our provider is, forced to subscribe to channels we don't want in order to get channels that we do want. If I want Channel B, I have to get Channel A and C along with it, even if I never watch them. I actually know people who refuse to subscribe to cable TV at all because they would have to pay for things they won't be watching. I don't even know how many channels I have available now, but I probably only ever watch half of them. Comcast, I'll bet you have a bunch of channels on your system that less than 50 percent of your subscribers watch with any regularity.
Why should the Big Ten Network be different? Not every subscriber will watch it any more than every subscriber watches the Soap Network or the Home Shopping Network. Yet they are on your system. So stop the arguing; stop depriving fans of their precious PSU sports, and put the channel in your lineup.
So Sayeth The Shack
But mostly, I would like to berate Comcast for running an ad that says "There are some fans that want to watch the extra games....the Big Ten Network offers. And there are countless others who don't want to pay the added costs....to watch programming they don't want". Come on, Comcast, you more than anyone should know that it doesn't work that way. No cable or satellite provider offers a la carte programming. We are all, no matter who our provider is, forced to subscribe to channels we don't want in order to get channels that we do want. If I want Channel B, I have to get Channel A and C along with it, even if I never watch them. I actually know people who refuse to subscribe to cable TV at all because they would have to pay for things they won't be watching. I don't even know how many channels I have available now, but I probably only ever watch half of them. Comcast, I'll bet you have a bunch of channels on your system that less than 50 percent of your subscribers watch with any regularity.
Why should the Big Ten Network be different? Not every subscriber will watch it any more than every subscriber watches the Soap Network or the Home Shopping Network. Yet they are on your system. So stop the arguing; stop depriving fans of their precious PSU sports, and put the channel in your lineup.
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, September 30, 2007
I-Pods Cause Crime??
Another headline in my local newspaper caught my attention recently. It read "I-pods tied to higher crime across the U.S." Wow...now we've gone from blaming crime on the devil to blaming it on the victims to blaming it on inanimate objects. Thank goodness I don't have an i-pod yet (or should I say I still don't have one!) When will we realize that the people responsible for crime are the actual criminals??
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
China Bans Bra & Underwear Ads
http://www.centredaily.com/news/weird_news/story/221026.html
Maybe we should do this in this country too. Some of those ads are on the border of being R or even X-rated.
So Sayeth The Shack
Maybe we should do this in this country too. Some of those ads are on the border of being R or even X-rated.
So Sayeth The Shack
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Pedestrians Can Do No Wrong?
The recent convection of Anthony Torsell, a young man who, while heavily intoxicated, sped through town and mowed down two pedestrians, killing one and seriously injuring the other, sends some interesting messages. Yes, Mr. Torsell was extremely drunk; he should not have been behind a wheel. Yes, he was speeding. But one of the facts presented in the case was that the accident would not have happened if the pedestrians had not entered the intersection on a "don't walk" signal. So they, the victims, also contributed to the accident. We see this kind of thing all the time around here. Pedestrians walking across the street oblivious as to whether or not they have the right-of-way and whether or not there is traffic coming. Sometimes they walk right out in front of you and expect you to come to a screeching halt. When I was young (yes they had cars back then) I was taught to look both ways and wait for traffic to clear before crossing...even at a crosswalk. People are no longer taught this. They are taught that they can cross any street at any time and the traffic will stop for them, except perhaps for speeding drunks and the writer of this post, who more than once has been tempted to mow down someone who walked out in front of me as I drove down the street. The result of the trail may encourage more pedestrians to engage in this kind of dangerous behavior. It would be nice to be able to drive through town and expect everyone, including the pedestrians, to obey the traffic laws.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Friday, September 21, 2007
Here's A Stupid Lawsuit
I was reading a magazine recently and saw one of those lawsuit settlement notices. You know what I mean? It says that if such and such has happened to you, you may be a member of the settlement class and entitled to some amount of compensation. The suit was against Herbalife and some of their distributors for allegedly violating a telecommunications act by contacting non-customers who had registered their phone numbers on the do-not-call list. OK maybe a law was broken and someone should be punished....but a million dollar lawsuit for making phone calls? I would have never thought of doing something like that. So really, the next time a telemarketer calls me, I'll just sue them!
What is even stupider is that one can get up to 75 dollars just by saying that you were contacted illegally by Herbalife or one of their distributors. How could it be verified? I cannot prove that I was called but they cannot prove that I wasn't. Sounds like an easy 75 bucks to me.
So Sayeth The Shack
What is even stupider is that one can get up to 75 dollars just by saying that you were contacted illegally by Herbalife or one of their distributors. How could it be verified? I cannot prove that I was called but they cannot prove that I wasn't. Sounds like an easy 75 bucks to me.
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
We Are All Poorer For It
I work for a "media company" as they call it. Years ago, our income was derived from clients who paid us for information. Then came the internet and Wal-Mart. Both have resulted in huge changes.
With the internet, people expect information and other services without wait and without cost. You get on the internet and read the news, sports, weather and whatever, whenever you want, and you don't pay for it. (Actually you do and you'll see how in just a bit). So the company I work for has a web site (just like every other company) where people can obtain information at no cost. So if no one is "paying" for the information anymore, where does the money come from for my salary and that of my co-workers? Advertising, that's where. Advertising pays for your free news, your free sports, weather, etc. It pays for many of the web sites you visit, the TV shows you watch, the radio programs you listen to, and in part for the newspaper or magazine you read.
So what is advertising all about? My definition of advertising is a company paying money to get you to spend money you don't have on something you don't need. The purpose of advertising is to create a want, or even better, a perceived need for a product...to make us feel that we cannot live, or at least live well, without it. This works well with children, but even many adults are easily swayed by advertising. Why else would someone spend $500 on an I-phone, hundreds of dollars on a suit, tens of thousands on a car, etc. A large part of our economy is now dedicated to advertising and it's associated costs. A large percent of the cost of virtually every product you buy goes to advertising. So in reality, all of that "free" news, weather and stuff on the internet isn't really free. You pay for it every time you buy something. Even companies that are essentially monopolies spend money on advertising, which is ridiculous. Why should a company like Exxon, that sells like 90 percent of all gasoline and makes billions of dollars in profit doing it, need to advertise. Why should the electric company advertise; I can't get electricity elsewhere. Interestingly enough, technology makes it possible to avoid and ignore most advertising. Pop-up ads and spam e-mails, the bane of the internet just a few years ago, can be effectively blocked. VCR's and more recently TiVo and DVR's make it possible to fast-forward through ads on TV. So companies are spending more on advertising that people are seeing less of.
Now on to the "Wal-Mart effect" as I call it. "Always the lowest price " the ad says. Maybe so, but at what cost? The goods and services that are not "free", people want be sure they are getting the lowest price for, and are not necessarily concerned about quality (at least not until the product turns out to be defective). The result is fierce price competition (and more advertising) between the producers of goods and services. That is a good thing, right? To an extent yes. But too much of this is now driving down wages and benefits and sending many jobs overseas.
So the end result of advertising, the internet and WalMart in America is lower wages, poorer benefits and higher costs for all of us. I don't know about any of you, but I am no better off and am perhaps worse off than my parents, who had no internet and no WalMart.
So Sayeth The Shack
With the internet, people expect information and other services without wait and without cost. You get on the internet and read the news, sports, weather and whatever, whenever you want, and you don't pay for it. (Actually you do and you'll see how in just a bit). So the company I work for has a web site (just like every other company) where people can obtain information at no cost. So if no one is "paying" for the information anymore, where does the money come from for my salary and that of my co-workers? Advertising, that's where. Advertising pays for your free news, your free sports, weather, etc. It pays for many of the web sites you visit, the TV shows you watch, the radio programs you listen to, and in part for the newspaper or magazine you read.
So what is advertising all about? My definition of advertising is a company paying money to get you to spend money you don't have on something you don't need. The purpose of advertising is to create a want, or even better, a perceived need for a product...to make us feel that we cannot live, or at least live well, without it. This works well with children, but even many adults are easily swayed by advertising. Why else would someone spend $500 on an I-phone, hundreds of dollars on a suit, tens of thousands on a car, etc. A large part of our economy is now dedicated to advertising and it's associated costs. A large percent of the cost of virtually every product you buy goes to advertising. So in reality, all of that "free" news, weather and stuff on the internet isn't really free. You pay for it every time you buy something. Even companies that are essentially monopolies spend money on advertising, which is ridiculous. Why should a company like Exxon, that sells like 90 percent of all gasoline and makes billions of dollars in profit doing it, need to advertise. Why should the electric company advertise; I can't get electricity elsewhere. Interestingly enough, technology makes it possible to avoid and ignore most advertising. Pop-up ads and spam e-mails, the bane of the internet just a few years ago, can be effectively blocked. VCR's and more recently TiVo and DVR's make it possible to fast-forward through ads on TV. So companies are spending more on advertising that people are seeing less of.
Now on to the "Wal-Mart effect" as I call it. "Always the lowest price " the ad says. Maybe so, but at what cost? The goods and services that are not "free", people want be sure they are getting the lowest price for, and are not necessarily concerned about quality (at least not until the product turns out to be defective). The result is fierce price competition (and more advertising) between the producers of goods and services. That is a good thing, right? To an extent yes. But too much of this is now driving down wages and benefits and sending many jobs overseas.
So the end result of advertising, the internet and WalMart in America is lower wages, poorer benefits and higher costs for all of us. I don't know about any of you, but I am no better off and am perhaps worse off than my parents, who had no internet and no WalMart.
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Religion: A personal Matter
It is Sunday afternoon. Earlier today, many of us went to one church or another. Some of us did not go to church. In a couple of days is the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, whan a handful of people killed themselves and thousands of innocent people, supposedly in the name of "God".
Last month, I watched a documentary on CNN called "God's Warriors". It was a three-part show, with two hours each focusing on fundamentalism and fanaticism in each of the three major religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It helped me to understand the sources of some of the conflict in the Middle East, but more so, it made me think how much a personal decision our religion must be.
Each of choose to either go to church or not, to believe in God or not. This is something that, at least here in the United States, cannot be forced upon us. I cannot force my beliefs, or lack thereof, upon my neighbors, co-workers, family, even my children. Sure, we drag our children to church when they are young and try to brainwash them with whatever version of religion our particular church teaches, but they eventually reach an age where they must decide for themselves what or if they believe. My 15-year-old son has recently stated that he does not believe in God or religion. So as a parent, should I force him to continue to go to church, or say: "I respect your lack of belief; it is up to you whether or not to attend church"?
On a larger scale, it is the fanatics and fundamentalists in each religion that are trying to force their beliefs upon the rest of the world, some by political means, some be violent means, and some by trying to "sell" their religion door-to-door. We most often think of Muslims when we say using violent means, but there have been violent Christians as well, such as those who have bombed abortion clinics or killed abortion doctors. Just recently a new Al Queda tape was issued in which Bin Laden said something like we won't kill you if you all convert to Islam. There are also Jews who are trying, by violent means, to force the Palestinians out of Israel. In the political arena there are plenty of right-wing Christian fanatics who are trying to steer the laws and leaders of our own country. And then there are the "sellers" of religion; those who go door-to-door like the Mormons and the Jehovas' Witnesses trying to sell their beliefs and recruit new members to their churches.
I may or may not believe in God and may or may not attend a church, but that is my own personal choice. It is not up to my government, my family or my neighbors. I have no business telling you that my religion or lack of it is better than yours. And it is certainly not up to me to hurt or kill someone in the name of "God"; for this "God" supposedly said "Thou shalt not kill". I am not aware of any exceptions to that.
Let us all remember the thousands of innocents who died 6 years ago at the hands of fanatic religions fundamentalists acting in the name of some "god".
So Sayeth The Shack
Last month, I watched a documentary on CNN called "God's Warriors". It was a three-part show, with two hours each focusing on fundamentalism and fanaticism in each of the three major religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity. It helped me to understand the sources of some of the conflict in the Middle East, but more so, it made me think how much a personal decision our religion must be.
Each of choose to either go to church or not, to believe in God or not. This is something that, at least here in the United States, cannot be forced upon us. I cannot force my beliefs, or lack thereof, upon my neighbors, co-workers, family, even my children. Sure, we drag our children to church when they are young and try to brainwash them with whatever version of religion our particular church teaches, but they eventually reach an age where they must decide for themselves what or if they believe. My 15-year-old son has recently stated that he does not believe in God or religion. So as a parent, should I force him to continue to go to church, or say: "I respect your lack of belief; it is up to you whether or not to attend church"?
On a larger scale, it is the fanatics and fundamentalists in each religion that are trying to force their beliefs upon the rest of the world, some by political means, some be violent means, and some by trying to "sell" their religion door-to-door. We most often think of Muslims when we say using violent means, but there have been violent Christians as well, such as those who have bombed abortion clinics or killed abortion doctors. Just recently a new Al Queda tape was issued in which Bin Laden said something like we won't kill you if you all convert to Islam. There are also Jews who are trying, by violent means, to force the Palestinians out of Israel. In the political arena there are plenty of right-wing Christian fanatics who are trying to steer the laws and leaders of our own country. And then there are the "sellers" of religion; those who go door-to-door like the Mormons and the Jehovas' Witnesses trying to sell their beliefs and recruit new members to their churches.
I may or may not believe in God and may or may not attend a church, but that is my own personal choice. It is not up to my government, my family or my neighbors. I have no business telling you that my religion or lack of it is better than yours. And it is certainly not up to me to hurt or kill someone in the name of "God"; for this "God" supposedly said "Thou shalt not kill". I am not aware of any exceptions to that.
Let us all remember the thousands of innocents who died 6 years ago at the hands of fanatic religions fundamentalists acting in the name of some "god".
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Back Again, Or Still Here
Just a quick post for now to let you know that I am still alive and have not abandoned the blog. Have been enjoying the summer and doing some things with the ShackFamily. This year instead of a family vacation all together I decided to spend time with each family member separately. A few weeks ago my son LittleShack and I went whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River (hope I spelled that right). A couple of weeks from now my daughter ShackEtte and I will be going to New York for a Yankees game. A little over a week ago I took my wife ShackWife out to dinner for her birthday. (She is now older than me until my birthday which is later this month). She and I will also be going to a couple of shows during the course of the winter. I have also spent a lot of time tending to the garden which has yielded, despite the less than perfect weather, a good crop of various vegetables. I had no luck with lettuce (didn't grow at all) or beets (only one of a row), but everything else was plentiful. The peppers were especially abundant. Also harvested plenty of corn, tomatoes, carrots, onions and zucchini. By the way the secret to zucchini is planting two plants and keeping only one. Even then, you may still have more than you want or need. The freezer is stuffed full, thanks to the efforts of ShackWife. Still picking some tomatoes, peppers and the last of the corn, but since ShackWife is back to work for the school year, am trying to keep amounts down. The wife and kids headed back to school/work today, and I have a couple of days off to spend with just myself. Look for more posts in the near future as I have some thoughts to share.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Ownership
We don't really "own" anything. We come into this world with nothing. We can take nothing when we leave. We really only "borrow" things for the short amount of time that we are here.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Joke Time
Question: Why did Jesus take three days to rise from the dead?
Answer: Because he had a PENNDOT crew digging him up!!
----------------------------------------------------------
President Bush and General Rumsfeld are in a meeting. Rumsfeld tells Bush that three Brazilian soldiers have just died in Iraq. "Oh my God!!" says Bush, "three Brazilian solders!!! That's horrendous!!" He is visibly upset, holding his head in is hands and shaking it side to side. After a moment,Bush says "now tell me again; is a brazilian more than a billion?"
So Sayeth The Shack
Answer: Because he had a PENNDOT crew digging him up!!
----------------------------------------------------------
President Bush and General Rumsfeld are in a meeting. Rumsfeld tells Bush that three Brazilian soldiers have just died in Iraq. "Oh my God!!" says Bush, "three Brazilian solders!!! That's horrendous!!" He is visibly upset, holding his head in is hands and shaking it side to side. After a moment,Bush says "now tell me again; is a brazilian more than a billion?"
So Sayeth The Shack
Shut Down The Internet!
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=41402
Apparently, "Sir" Elton John wants to shut down the internet "for about five years" because it is
"destroying good music and stopped people talking to each other".
I agree. I think we should shut down the internet. But for other reasons. All the spam e-mail, scams, hoaxes, porn, identity theft, computer viruses , etc; it is nothing but trouble. Shut it down!
The only problem is you wouldn't be able to read my blog!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
Apparently, "Sir" Elton John wants to shut down the internet "for about five years" because it is
"destroying good music and stopped people talking to each other".
I agree. I think we should shut down the internet. But for other reasons. All the spam e-mail, scams, hoaxes, porn, identity theft, computer viruses , etc; it is nothing but trouble. Shut it down!
The only problem is you wouldn't be able to read my blog!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Here's Why The Funk, Mr. Barone
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070729/6barone.htm
In his article in the August 6th issue of U.S. News & World Report, Michael Barone asks why America is in such a funk, given that things seems to be going so well. Here are some reasons for pessimism:
In his article in the August 6th issue of U.S. News & World Report, Michael Barone asks why America is in such a funk, given that things seems to be going so well. Here are some reasons for pessimism:
Despite what Wall Street might have to say, the economy is not all that great. The majority of the money is in the hands of a minority of the people. The middle class is shrinking. Many Americans are deeply in debt and cannot see themselves getting out. Many are in debt right off the bat out of college due to student loans. Many will not be able to afford to retire when they reach the retirement age because they have not been able to contribute enough to their retirement accounts (something the previous generation did not have to worry about). Our economy is based largely on service industries and advertising (companies spending money to persuade people to spend money they don't have for something they don't need) and much less on manufacturing. Consequently our trade deficit is skyrocketing. This course is simply not sustainable and eventually everything will come crashing down, plunging the nation into a deep recession or even a depression.
We have in this decade been attacked on our own soil and are threatened with further attacks by the same enemy, an enemy that we have not been able to even find, much less to conquer. We are involved in a war that, like Vietnam, seems to have no end.
Our education system is failing. Many high-school and even college graduates are not as intelligent, well-educated or motivated as their counterparts in (or from) other countries. (Ever notice how many foreign doctors there are now?) Our health-care system is unaffordable to many, even with insurance. Our political system is a mockery, and our news media is more concerned with the affairs of celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears than with truly important matters.
America has reached its peak and is heading downhill. Our world prominence is being replaced by that of rising nations such as China and India.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Yeah, Right!
Baghdad bans gunfire for big soccer match
Yeah right....banning gunfire in Baghdad. That's like banning gunfire on the first day of deer season in Pennsylvania! Or banning speeding on a Nascar track!! I'm sure it will work well.
So Sayeth The Shack
Saturday, July 28, 2007
It's All About The Size
OK based on the title you might expect this post to be about a certain body part, but it isn't.
I'm talking about TV screens here!
In the past several years the size of TV screens has gone in 2 different directions. On one extreme we have the big screen gizmos that would take up my entire living room wall, and that I might actually be able to see without my glasses. On the other extreme we now have the ability to view movies or TV programs on relatively small computer monitors and even smaller cell phone and i-pod screens. Now maybe watching a show or a movie on my computer monitor would be OK, if it were the only alternative, but on a cell phone or i-pod? NO WAY! I really don't get the attraction of watching shows on those little gizmos. First of all, the screen is way too small and the sound is crummy. Second of all I prefer to watch TV in the comfort of my home on a screen that I can see, cuddled up on the sofa with the Shack-Wife and maybe consuming a bowl of ice-cream with hot fudge/peanut butter topping and whipped cream on top (my nightly snack). I might be an impatient person but I am not so impatient that I cannot wait to get home to watch something. Yes I do have a VCR and TiVo so I can watch what I want when I want to, but I would guess most people who have cell phones and i-pods also have that capability. So is there really a need for these tiny screen TV's? I don't think so. It is just another example of marketing to make people think they need something that they really don't.
Anyway I am afraid that I have purchased my last television set. I have had it for over 7 years. It is a modest size (36 inch diagonal) regular TV set from Sears. Nothing fancy. The problem is that they pretty much don't make "regular" TV sets anymore. Everything is big-screen, or high-definition, or plasma screen, or something else. I really don't know what is the difference between high-def, plasma or whatever. Except that they all cost a big bundle and I won't be able to afford any of them. So after this one goes kaput, I might end up watching TV on my computer monitor, or, God forbid, my cell phone (no I don't have an i-pod).
So Sayeth The Shack
I'm talking about TV screens here!
In the past several years the size of TV screens has gone in 2 different directions. On one extreme we have the big screen gizmos that would take up my entire living room wall, and that I might actually be able to see without my glasses. On the other extreme we now have the ability to view movies or TV programs on relatively small computer monitors and even smaller cell phone and i-pod screens. Now maybe watching a show or a movie on my computer monitor would be OK, if it were the only alternative, but on a cell phone or i-pod? NO WAY! I really don't get the attraction of watching shows on those little gizmos. First of all, the screen is way too small and the sound is crummy. Second of all I prefer to watch TV in the comfort of my home on a screen that I can see, cuddled up on the sofa with the Shack-Wife and maybe consuming a bowl of ice-cream with hot fudge/peanut butter topping and whipped cream on top (my nightly snack). I might be an impatient person but I am not so impatient that I cannot wait to get home to watch something. Yes I do have a VCR and TiVo so I can watch what I want when I want to, but I would guess most people who have cell phones and i-pods also have that capability. So is there really a need for these tiny screen TV's? I don't think so. It is just another example of marketing to make people think they need something that they really don't.
Anyway I am afraid that I have purchased my last television set. I have had it for over 7 years. It is a modest size (36 inch diagonal) regular TV set from Sears. Nothing fancy. The problem is that they pretty much don't make "regular" TV sets anymore. Everything is big-screen, or high-definition, or plasma screen, or something else. I really don't know what is the difference between high-def, plasma or whatever. Except that they all cost a big bundle and I won't be able to afford any of them. So after this one goes kaput, I might end up watching TV on my computer monitor, or, God forbid, my cell phone (no I don't have an i-pod).
So Sayeth The Shack
This Is News?
At the place where I work there are several big-screen TV's mounted on the wall and tuned to various stations, including some of the all-news stations, mostly Fox News.
It seems most of the so-called "news" carried by Fox concerns Lindsay Lohan's DUI, Brittany Spears' "meltdowns" (whatever a meltdown is...is that we used to call a nervous breakdown?) and various other problems of other people who have way too much money and don't know what to do with it or how to behave. Every once in a while they throw in a car chase to break the boredom. I can't believe enough people are interested in that stuff for them to devote so much airtime to it.
So anyway I've come up with a new advertising motto for Fox News, based on what I have seen: "59 minutes an hour of totally worthless crap".
So Sayeth The Shack
It seems most of the so-called "news" carried by Fox concerns Lindsay Lohan's DUI, Brittany Spears' "meltdowns" (whatever a meltdown is...is that we used to call a nervous breakdown?) and various other problems of other people who have way too much money and don't know what to do with it or how to behave. Every once in a while they throw in a car chase to break the boredom. I can't believe enough people are interested in that stuff for them to devote so much airtime to it.
So anyway I've come up with a new advertising motto for Fox News, based on what I have seen: "59 minutes an hour of totally worthless crap".
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
How Did They Do It?
Last year, for an entire road construction season, a road that I use daily was closed so that a center turning lane could be added. It took the whole year to add one lane to about a one mile length of road. (Most of the time it seemed like they weren't doing anything).
So I'm wondering...given the above calculation, and how long it takes to complete ANY road project these days, how did they actually ever build the interstate? Guess they must have worked faster back then, or something. Or they just did such a shoddy job that it's no wonder it has to be rebuilt EVERY YEAR!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Bush's Colon
So they didn't find any cancer in Bush's colon....
But he sure keeps pulling a lot of stupid ideas out of it!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
But he sure keeps pulling a lot of stupid ideas out of it!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Who Benefits From Minimum Wage Increase?
My daughter works at a local pizza place. A few weeks ago they put into effect new (higher) prices. Many other pizza places in the area did the same, as did, I am sure, most restaurants. Interestingly, these price increases coincide with the increase in minimum wage which took effect July 1. This makes me wonder...is anyone better off because of the minimum wage increase? I can tell you that I, for one, am not. My salary is not tied to the minimum wage so it does not change when the minimum wage does. The businesses are neither better nor worse off. They simply pass on the increased costs to the consumer. That is one thing I hate about capitalism. It is always the consumer who has to absorb increased costs. I cannot have my wages increased just because the prices I pay for things has gone up. So it is always me, the consumer, that gets screwed every time. The minimum-wage workers are probably no better off either. They get paid more, but they have to turn around and pay more for things that now cost more because of their own wage increase.
So does anyone really benefit? Wait! I think I know! Its the GOVERNMENT that benefits! They can collect more tax on the higher wages and also on the higher prices. They benefit both ways! Imagine that! the government enacting policy that benefits no one except themselves!
So Sayeth The Shack
So does anyone really benefit? Wait! I think I know! Its the GOVERNMENT that benefits! They can collect more tax on the higher wages and also on the higher prices. They benefit both ways! Imagine that! the government enacting policy that benefits no one except themselves!
So Sayeth The Shack
Thursday, July 05, 2007
They Deserved To Die
From CNN:
CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) -- A neighbor apparently angry about fireworks at a noisy Fourth of July party shot three people to death early Thursday and wounded two others, police said.
Terrance Hough Jr., a 35-year-old off-duty firefighter, was arrested in connection with the shootings, police spokesman Lt. Thomas Stacho said.
No charges had been filed Thursday morning because police were still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, Stacho said. There was no phone listing for Hough's address.
Police had received a number of complaints in recent years about loud parties, fireworks and drag racing connected to the house where the victims were shot, Stacho said. Some complaint calls came from Hough's address, but no one called police about the party Thursday night.
The neighbors were throwing a party when two men and a woman, all in their 20s, were shot to death shortly after midnight, Stacho said. He said another man was shot in the elbow and a woman was wounded in the hand.Shack Says: These people deserved to be shot. I've had neighbors like this...they don't give a flying fuck about anyone. You tell them they are disturbing you and they just do it more. If I had had a gun a few years ago some of my former neighbors would have been dead too. For the same reason.
So Sayeth The Shack
Monday, July 02, 2007
Of Toll Booths, Interchanges and Landfills
These three are hot discussion topics around here lately so I will offer some of my views. The idea of tolls on I-80 is the most recent. I will start with that and work my way back to the landfill.
The Pennsylvania legislature has recently proposed to collect tolls on I-80 to raise funds for road repair and construction, and for mass transit. This is not a new proposal. The idea has been advanced at least a couple of times before, but it has never happened (yet). I am not against the idea, but I personally would not pay a penny to drive on that road. I am not as widely traveled as some people, but it is the worst road I have ever been on. Every summer, huge stretches, probably more than 50 percent of the distance across the state, are ripped up for construction. So you end up putzing along a less than one lane wide "road" for mile after mile after mile. And if there is a wreck or breakdown, forget it; you're stuck for hours. In the winter, when there is snow or ice, the Penndot idea seems to be to wait for the stuff to melt rather than plow or salt. And then of course you have these jackasses that don't seem to realize that when there is snow or ice on the road or the visibility is poor, it might be a good idea to slow down (or even get off) so you don't end up in or causing one of those famous 100-vehicle wrecks that backs up traffic halfway across the state. I would rather take Gorton Rd to Ohio, if it went that far. Now if you are lucky there is a week or two in the late fall and early spring, between winter and construction, that the road can almost be a joy to drive on, IF it isn't filled with bumps and potholes. Now the idea is to scatter some toll booths across the state. One at each border and a few others who knows where. These will be permanent traffic bottlenecks. All traffic will have to stop long enough to pay. Vehicles will back up. Then there will be wrecks as someone will
be barreling along, not realize the traffic is slowing or stopping, and smash into someone. This will make the road even more dangerous than it is now. Plus the towns near the toll collection sites will have an increase in traffic as vehicles temporarily exit to avoid the tolls. The only safe way to collect tolls, and it will be expensive , at least at first, is to put toll booths at each interchange, like the turnpike.
Now on to other matters. I feel that the proposed landfill near the border of Rush and Snow Show Township should be built, but ONLY IF the proposed I-80 interchange is built along with it. Rts 144,53, Gorton Rd and others are simply not built for the big trucks that would be going in and out of there. And the interchange does not have to be open to Gorton Rd. It could be for the landfill only, so long as the landfills owners pay for it and none of our tax dollars are used. The landfill could bring some good jobs to the area. As far as the land use is concerned, sure it's wooded now, but a generation or so ago it was mined and logged, so it definitely has a history of being other than woodland. And there used to be a landfill in Snow Shoe Township anyway. With new technology, this one would probably be cleaner than the old one.
So Sayeth The Shack
The Pennsylvania legislature has recently proposed to collect tolls on I-80 to raise funds for road repair and construction, and for mass transit. This is not a new proposal. The idea has been advanced at least a couple of times before, but it has never happened (yet). I am not against the idea, but I personally would not pay a penny to drive on that road. I am not as widely traveled as some people, but it is the worst road I have ever been on. Every summer, huge stretches, probably more than 50 percent of the distance across the state, are ripped up for construction. So you end up putzing along a less than one lane wide "road" for mile after mile after mile. And if there is a wreck or breakdown, forget it; you're stuck for hours. In the winter, when there is snow or ice, the Penndot idea seems to be to wait for the stuff to melt rather than plow or salt. And then of course you have these jackasses that don't seem to realize that when there is snow or ice on the road or the visibility is poor, it might be a good idea to slow down (or even get off) so you don't end up in or causing one of those famous 100-vehicle wrecks that backs up traffic halfway across the state. I would rather take Gorton Rd to Ohio, if it went that far. Now if you are lucky there is a week or two in the late fall and early spring, between winter and construction, that the road can almost be a joy to drive on, IF it isn't filled with bumps and potholes. Now the idea is to scatter some toll booths across the state. One at each border and a few others who knows where. These will be permanent traffic bottlenecks. All traffic will have to stop long enough to pay. Vehicles will back up. Then there will be wrecks as someone will
be barreling along, not realize the traffic is slowing or stopping, and smash into someone. This will make the road even more dangerous than it is now. Plus the towns near the toll collection sites will have an increase in traffic as vehicles temporarily exit to avoid the tolls. The only safe way to collect tolls, and it will be expensive , at least at first, is to put toll booths at each interchange, like the turnpike.
Now on to other matters. I feel that the proposed landfill near the border of Rush and Snow Show Township should be built, but ONLY IF the proposed I-80 interchange is built along with it. Rts 144,53, Gorton Rd and others are simply not built for the big trucks that would be going in and out of there. And the interchange does not have to be open to Gorton Rd. It could be for the landfill only, so long as the landfills owners pay for it and none of our tax dollars are used. The landfill could bring some good jobs to the area. As far as the land use is concerned, sure it's wooded now, but a generation or so ago it was mined and logged, so it definitely has a history of being other than woodland. And there used to be a landfill in Snow Shoe Township anyway. With new technology, this one would probably be cleaner than the old one.
So Sayeth The Shack
The Worst Run Business
If you or I were in business and we ran our business the way oil companies run theirs, we would soon be out of business.
Every year, in the spring and early summer, the price of gasoline rises. The oil companies say it is because people are driving more as the weather gets nicer and vacations get underway, so the supply goes down and the price goes up. Imagine that. It happens every year, yet every year they(the oil companies) seem to be caught off guard, so the price goes up.
Every year, in the fall and early winter, the price of heating oil goes up. The oil companies say it is because the weather is getting colder and people are using more heating oil. Wow. Imagine that. It gets colder in the winter. Happens every year. But again, the oil companies always seem to be unprepared, and the price goes up.
Over the past few weeks the price of gasoline dropped a bit. There was an "unexpected" rise in inventory of gasoline. Duh! You jack up the price high enough and at least some people...the ones with some common sense, cut back on their unnecessary usage. However, just this past Friday I read that crude went over $70/barrel because of a report that inventories were down. So I'll be that gas prices will soon be back over $3/gallon, if they aren't already, just in time for the holiday.
It seems that any other company could anticipate these seasonal fluctuations in demand and plan ahead for them so as not to anger their customers with sudden price changes. But not the oil companies. They don't care. They don't have too. The only thing keeping them in business is the lack of alternatives. In other words, they are the only show in town. They are a monopoly. And a monopoly can do whatever it wants. And it usually wants to screw the customer.
So Sayeth The Shack
Every year, in the spring and early summer, the price of gasoline rises. The oil companies say it is because people are driving more as the weather gets nicer and vacations get underway, so the supply goes down and the price goes up. Imagine that. It happens every year, yet every year they(the oil companies) seem to be caught off guard, so the price goes up.
Every year, in the fall and early winter, the price of heating oil goes up. The oil companies say it is because the weather is getting colder and people are using more heating oil. Wow. Imagine that. It gets colder in the winter. Happens every year. But again, the oil companies always seem to be unprepared, and the price goes up.
Over the past few weeks the price of gasoline dropped a bit. There was an "unexpected" rise in inventory of gasoline. Duh! You jack up the price high enough and at least some people...the ones with some common sense, cut back on their unnecessary usage. However, just this past Friday I read that crude went over $70/barrel because of a report that inventories were down. So I'll be that gas prices will soon be back over $3/gallon, if they aren't already, just in time for the holiday.
It seems that any other company could anticipate these seasonal fluctuations in demand and plan ahead for them so as not to anger their customers with sudden price changes. But not the oil companies. They don't care. They don't have too. The only thing keeping them in business is the lack of alternatives. In other words, they are the only show in town. They are a monopoly. And a monopoly can do whatever it wants. And it usually wants to screw the customer.
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Teach Your Kids About Money
I am nearly 50 years old, have a college degree, have worked for the same company for 27 years in the field my degree is in. I am married and have two teenagers.
Sounds like I should be in reasonably decent shape financially, right?
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!
I am broke. I have spent every penny that I have ever had. I do not own a home or property; no savings, stocks, bonds or anything like that. Both of our cars are financed. Essentially I have nothing except for some clothes and shoddy old furniture. I am living paycheck to paycheck and many months not making it so actually my wife and daughter are chipping in to help meet expenses. I will likely not be able to put one cent toward my children's college education.
So what happened?
I could spread the blame around like saying my employer doesn't pay enough and other things, but truth is, most of the blame lies with me. I have always been a very impulsive person and have made many stupid decisions that caused my family to go backwards financially rather than forwards. I guess I do blame one party for my situation: my parents. Don't get me wrong; I love my parents and they are great, but they really did not teach me about money. And they were not in financial ruin. They did not go to college, but they both worked and there always seemed to be enough money. In fact it seems like they had more money then than I do now. They were not in debt (that I know of). They were able to pay for a large part of my college education so that I had no student loan debt upon graduation. We had what we needed and for the most part what we wanted. Of course they did not have some of the expenses that many people have these days: no cable bills, internet, cell phones or computers that always seem to need to be upgraded. (I think the cell phone and computer industry is all a big conspiracy to relieve us of our money).
So I would consider my parents financially successful. Not rich by any means, but certainly well able to provide. But they did not pass their know-how on to me. They did not teach me about saving for purchases versus buying on credit; waiting patiently until I had enough money rather than "whipping out the plastic"; they did not teach how do distinguish wants from needs and to act accordingly. And so instead of being a financial success, I consider myself a financial failure.
So what about my children? My oldest will be a senior in high school this coming school year. She has a job and is saving her money well as she looks forward to college. Her younger brother is more like me. He spends eveything he gets and so at any given time has virtually nothing.
So here is some advice for parents to teach their kids about money. (Do as I say and not as I have done!)
1: If possible, give them an allowance and set up a savings account for them. If you can join a credit union, do it at a credit union rather than a regular bank because they generally pay better interest. make the allowance contingent on doing certain chores around the house. If the chores are undone or not done up to standards, withhold part or all of the allowance.
2: encourage them to get a job; a part-time job in high school makes most kids more responsible and many actually do better with their schoolwork than those without jobs.
3: have them pay with some of their allowance or job money certain household expenses that pertain to them, such as cell phone bills or internet costs, and car insurance, gasoline and maintainance if they are driving.
4: if they need/want more money than they have, lend them some if you can, but charge them interest and be sure they pay you back; otherwise, withhold the allowance. Make sure to help them distinguish wants from needs when borrowing. If they can do without it, it is unadvisable to borrow for it. It is also a bad idea to borrow for something that will be outdated before they get done paying for it.
5: let them in on the famly budget and decision-making process. Have a "family budget meeting" once in a while so they can see how things work in real life.
Don' let your kids end up like me because it really sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
Sounds like I should be in reasonably decent shape financially, right?
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!
I am broke. I have spent every penny that I have ever had. I do not own a home or property; no savings, stocks, bonds or anything like that. Both of our cars are financed. Essentially I have nothing except for some clothes and shoddy old furniture. I am living paycheck to paycheck and many months not making it so actually my wife and daughter are chipping in to help meet expenses. I will likely not be able to put one cent toward my children's college education.
So what happened?
I could spread the blame around like saying my employer doesn't pay enough and other things, but truth is, most of the blame lies with me. I have always been a very impulsive person and have made many stupid decisions that caused my family to go backwards financially rather than forwards. I guess I do blame one party for my situation: my parents. Don't get me wrong; I love my parents and they are great, but they really did not teach me about money. And they were not in financial ruin. They did not go to college, but they both worked and there always seemed to be enough money. In fact it seems like they had more money then than I do now. They were not in debt (that I know of). They were able to pay for a large part of my college education so that I had no student loan debt upon graduation. We had what we needed and for the most part what we wanted. Of course they did not have some of the expenses that many people have these days: no cable bills, internet, cell phones or computers that always seem to need to be upgraded. (I think the cell phone and computer industry is all a big conspiracy to relieve us of our money).
So I would consider my parents financially successful. Not rich by any means, but certainly well able to provide. But they did not pass their know-how on to me. They did not teach me about saving for purchases versus buying on credit; waiting patiently until I had enough money rather than "whipping out the plastic"; they did not teach how do distinguish wants from needs and to act accordingly. And so instead of being a financial success, I consider myself a financial failure.
So what about my children? My oldest will be a senior in high school this coming school year. She has a job and is saving her money well as she looks forward to college. Her younger brother is more like me. He spends eveything he gets and so at any given time has virtually nothing.
So here is some advice for parents to teach their kids about money. (Do as I say and not as I have done!)
1: If possible, give them an allowance and set up a savings account for them. If you can join a credit union, do it at a credit union rather than a regular bank because they generally pay better interest. make the allowance contingent on doing certain chores around the house. If the chores are undone or not done up to standards, withhold part or all of the allowance.
2: encourage them to get a job; a part-time job in high school makes most kids more responsible and many actually do better with their schoolwork than those without jobs.
3: have them pay with some of their allowance or job money certain household expenses that pertain to them, such as cell phone bills or internet costs, and car insurance, gasoline and maintainance if they are driving.
4: if they need/want more money than they have, lend them some if you can, but charge them interest and be sure they pay you back; otherwise, withhold the allowance. Make sure to help them distinguish wants from needs when borrowing. If they can do without it, it is unadvisable to borrow for it. It is also a bad idea to borrow for something that will be outdated before they get done paying for it.
5: let them in on the famly budget and decision-making process. Have a "family budget meeting" once in a while so they can see how things work in real life.
Don' let your kids end up like me because it really sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
Friday, June 01, 2007
Something To Be Thankful For
As one of the world's biggest cynics, I rarely feel thankful for anything, but I think I have finally found something...
With all the pollen that has been in the air for the past few weeks, I'm really thankful that I'm not allergic to the stuff. Otherwise I'd be miserable (or at least more miserable than I already otherwise would be).
So OK; THANK YOU FOR NOT GIVING ME ALLERGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
With all the pollen that has been in the air for the past few weeks, I'm really thankful that I'm not allergic to the stuff. Otherwise I'd be miserable (or at least more miserable than I already otherwise would be).
So OK; THANK YOU FOR NOT GIVING ME ALLERGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Ding Dong The Bitch Is Gone!!!
So Rosie is leaving "The View"! That's the best news I've heard in years!
While she's at it, maybe she can leave the planet..or even the universe!!!
She is a big fat ugly frickin' a-hole.
But...she has the right to say anything she wants...just like Imus, right?
(At least Imus is better looking!)
So Sayeth The Shack
While she's at it, maybe she can leave the planet..or even the universe!!!
She is a big fat ugly frickin' a-hole.
But...she has the right to say anything she wants...just like Imus, right?
(At least Imus is better looking!)
So Sayeth The Shack
It Could Have Been Me
Whenever something like the Columbine shootings or the latest incident at Virginia Tech happens, I think to myself, it could be me doing that.
Generally, the perpetrators of such deeds have been loners, outcasts, generally shunned by society. I too am somewhat of an outcast and a loner...even though I have a family and a decent job.
In grade school I was the one who was always picked on and bullied. It wasn't so much physical bullying as it was phsycological and verbal. Being called names and left out of things because I was fat (a lot less common back in those days than it is now) and awkward. I was always picked last when teams were formed in gym class or at recess because I was lousy at sports. Having no siblings, I had not learned how to get along with and react to other children my own age. So I reacted in peculiar ways and therefore was teased and tormented. I did not have any friends.
In high school most of the teasing and tormenting had ended. But I was still an outcast. There were many cliques in high school. There were the jocks...obviously I was not one of those. There were the brains...not quite; I wasn't that smart. There were the band kids, the drama club kids and the shop kids (auto mechanics etc.). Nowhere did I fit in. I still had no friends.
The first part of college was a little better. I attended a small branch campus of a large university. There I finally had a small group of friends, at least for a while. But I have not heard from any of them since; so were they really friends? The second part of college went downhill. I was at the main campus of the large university. I found that the other kids in the dorms were a bunch of inconsiderate assholes...blasting stereos at all hours, setting off firecrackers in the hallways, etc. I had 1 friend. He is still pretty much my friend now. At least we still communicate from time to time, even though we live nowhere near each other.
Since college I have worked for a company, gotten married and raised 2 kids to high school age. But people still pretty much ignore me. In a social or party situation, no one sits with me/us unless it is the only place left; then they still ignore us. I still have no other friends. The town where I live is filled with inconsiderate generally drunk assholes....still blasting stereos, setting off firecrackers and yelling at the top of their lungs for no reason at all. College students that never grew up I guess. I am a quiet, shy, soft-spoken person and I am frightened by loud obnoxious people and unexpected loud noises.
I have done many things over the years to try to "fit in" somewhere. I became a volunteer first responder/firefighter for a time, but could not break into the clique so did not fit in there. I joined a different church than the one I was raised in, but then discovered that I was unable to live up to their expectations, so I don't fit in there either. Prettty much the only women who were ever interested in me were either fat, ugly, stupid or some combination of the 3. I have grown tired and unhappy with my career and wish I had gone into something else. My financial situation is bleak as I have spent all my money trying to make myself happy but to no avail. I cannot see any improvement in the future. Rarely a week goes by that I do not consider killing myself. Sometimes I think about it every day for a period of time but then my mood lightens and it is back to once a week for a while. I guess I am too chicken. Maybe it will hurt too much. Maybe I will fail at it like I have failed at most everything else in life. At least if I ever do do it, I will probably only kill myself and not take a bunch of other people with me.
So Sayeth The Shack
Generally, the perpetrators of such deeds have been loners, outcasts, generally shunned by society. I too am somewhat of an outcast and a loner...even though I have a family and a decent job.
In grade school I was the one who was always picked on and bullied. It wasn't so much physical bullying as it was phsycological and verbal. Being called names and left out of things because I was fat (a lot less common back in those days than it is now) and awkward. I was always picked last when teams were formed in gym class or at recess because I was lousy at sports. Having no siblings, I had not learned how to get along with and react to other children my own age. So I reacted in peculiar ways and therefore was teased and tormented. I did not have any friends.
In high school most of the teasing and tormenting had ended. But I was still an outcast. There were many cliques in high school. There were the jocks...obviously I was not one of those. There were the brains...not quite; I wasn't that smart. There were the band kids, the drama club kids and the shop kids (auto mechanics etc.). Nowhere did I fit in. I still had no friends.
The first part of college was a little better. I attended a small branch campus of a large university. There I finally had a small group of friends, at least for a while. But I have not heard from any of them since; so were they really friends? The second part of college went downhill. I was at the main campus of the large university. I found that the other kids in the dorms were a bunch of inconsiderate assholes...blasting stereos at all hours, setting off firecrackers in the hallways, etc. I had 1 friend. He is still pretty much my friend now. At least we still communicate from time to time, even though we live nowhere near each other.
Since college I have worked for a company, gotten married and raised 2 kids to high school age. But people still pretty much ignore me. In a social or party situation, no one sits with me/us unless it is the only place left; then they still ignore us. I still have no other friends. The town where I live is filled with inconsiderate generally drunk assholes....still blasting stereos, setting off firecrackers and yelling at the top of their lungs for no reason at all. College students that never grew up I guess. I am a quiet, shy, soft-spoken person and I am frightened by loud obnoxious people and unexpected loud noises.
I have done many things over the years to try to "fit in" somewhere. I became a volunteer first responder/firefighter for a time, but could not break into the clique so did not fit in there. I joined a different church than the one I was raised in, but then discovered that I was unable to live up to their expectations, so I don't fit in there either. Prettty much the only women who were ever interested in me were either fat, ugly, stupid or some combination of the 3. I have grown tired and unhappy with my career and wish I had gone into something else. My financial situation is bleak as I have spent all my money trying to make myself happy but to no avail. I cannot see any improvement in the future. Rarely a week goes by that I do not consider killing myself. Sometimes I think about it every day for a period of time but then my mood lightens and it is back to once a week for a while. I guess I am too chicken. Maybe it will hurt too much. Maybe I will fail at it like I have failed at most everything else in life. At least if I ever do do it, I will probably only kill myself and not take a bunch of other people with me.
So Sayeth The Shack
Monday, May 21, 2007
Finally Cutting Back?
I took a trip to Ohio this past weekend to see my Mom for her 83rd birthday. With gas prices already at or above $3/gallon, I noticed less non-commercial traffic on the road that on most other times that I have made the trip over the past few years. Could it be that people are finally wising up and curtailing their travels?
No matter what anyone says, I fully believe that gas will hit $4/gallon this summer. All will take is one hurricane, or someone's camel sneezing in Saudi Arabia.
The only thing that will bring the price down, if there is indeed anything that will, is people lowering their usage by cutting down on unnecessary travel. You can complain all you want, but it won't do any good unless you speak with your wallet instead of your mouth.
So Sayeth The Shack
No matter what anyone says, I fully believe that gas will hit $4/gallon this summer. All will take is one hurricane, or someone's camel sneezing in Saudi Arabia.
The only thing that will bring the price down, if there is indeed anything that will, is people lowering their usage by cutting down on unnecessary travel. You can complain all you want, but it won't do any good unless you speak with your wallet instead of your mouth.
So Sayeth The Shack
Thursday, May 10, 2007
No More Sperm Donations!
The other article in today's paper that I found interesting was one where a sperm donor was required to pay child support for his progeny. According to the article, this man helped a lesbian couple conceive two children. After the couple split up, he was required to pay child support! Wow! if that won't cut down on sperm bank donations I don't know what will!
So what will they think of next? I suppose if I donate blood which saves someone's life, I might be found liable to pay their taxes? Helping people is a dangerous thing in this day and age.
So Sayeth The Shack
So what will they think of next? I suppose if I donate blood which saves someone's life, I might be found liable to pay their taxes? Helping people is a dangerous thing in this day and age.
So Sayeth The Shack
Mind Your Own Business, Government!
There were two articles in the paper today that I felt compelled to comment on.
The first has to do with gas prices and the government saying they are too low!!. Apparently a service station in Merrill, Wisconsin has been offering a 2 cent per gallon discount for senior citizens and a discount card that lets youth sports boosters pay 3 cents per gallon less. Now given the outrageous price of gas these days, 2 or 3 cents isn't much, but the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (they're protecting consumers from low prices?) claims that it is a violation of the state's "Unfair Sales Act" which requires stations to sell gas for about 9.2 cents above the wholesale price.
How is it that government, be it state, federal or local, has the right to tell businesses how much to charge for their products? No wonder there is no competition! There must be a law like that around here too because all the gas stations have the same price and whenever one goes up they pretty much all do at the same time. I remember when I was a kid there used to be "gas wars" with stations competing against each other for the lowest price. But not anymore, thanks to the government I guess.
So Sayeth The Shack
The first has to do with gas prices and the government saying they are too low!!. Apparently a service station in Merrill, Wisconsin has been offering a 2 cent per gallon discount for senior citizens and a discount card that lets youth sports boosters pay 3 cents per gallon less. Now given the outrageous price of gas these days, 2 or 3 cents isn't much, but the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (they're protecting consumers from low prices?) claims that it is a violation of the state's "Unfair Sales Act" which requires stations to sell gas for about 9.2 cents above the wholesale price.
How is it that government, be it state, federal or local, has the right to tell businesses how much to charge for their products? No wonder there is no competition! There must be a law like that around here too because all the gas stations have the same price and whenever one goes up they pretty much all do at the same time. I remember when I was a kid there used to be "gas wars" with stations competing against each other for the lowest price. But not anymore, thanks to the government I guess.
So Sayeth The Shack
Friday, May 04, 2007
Another Stupid Lawsuit
OK this is even stupider than the woman who sued McDonald's because their coffee was hot (duh!) and she was so clumsy she spilled it on herself.
Apparently someone is suing a dry cleaning business for $65 million over a missing pair of pants!!!
WOW! $65 million for a pair of pants...are they made of gold or something?
I hope that no judge or jury is stupid enough to award this lawsuit.
The original cost of the pants and maybe a little extra for the trouble is all that the dry cleaner should be liable for.
If it's really that easy to make $65 million, I should just start suing people. Oh, wait, I can't afford a lawyer in the first place.
So Sayeth The Shack
Apparently someone is suing a dry cleaning business for $65 million over a missing pair of pants!!!
WOW! $65 million for a pair of pants...are they made of gold or something?
I hope that no judge or jury is stupid enough to award this lawsuit.
The original cost of the pants and maybe a little extra for the trouble is all that the dry cleaner should be liable for.
If it's really that easy to make $65 million, I should just start suing people. Oh, wait, I can't afford a lawyer in the first place.
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Getting To the Cause
In the wake of the recent massacre of over three dozen innocent people at Virginia Tech, there will be the usual calls for beefing up security at schools and other institutions as well as for more stringent gun laws. However, no amount of security nor the strictest gun law will solve the actual underlying problem. To do that, we must answer the question: what is the cause of such an action? What kind of hate or rage drives someone to go out and gun down a bunch of innocent fellow human beings?
I believe that all of us have a "breaking point", a "last straw", so to speak, that can send us over the edge. Very few people ever reach it and most of us never even get close. But at any given time, there may be a handful of people out there, somewhere, who have "had it up to here and can no longer cope". Some will say that such people need mental help. Maybe so, but most do not get the help they need. So they are out there, one spark away from an explosion. Who knows whether or not an action on my part or your part is that "last spark"? Maybe the person I tailgated and honked at for going too slow on the way to work this morning is that person, or maybe they will pass that frustration and inconsiderate action on to someone else, and so on down the line, until it reaches someone that is at that breaking point. That person then "goes berserk" and kills or injures one or more people, perhaps including themselves, or blows something up, or whatever. No amount of gun control will stop this. If one of the innocent victims had had a gun, he or she might have been able to injure or disarm the shooter before things got as far as they did. If not a gun, some other weapon will be used. Perhaps fewer people would be killed, but even one innocent life lost is too many. Security will not stop this; no one knows who will be the next person to "lose it". What will stop it? Perhaps if we all treated each other better, people would not be reaching that "breaking point". If we all treated each other the way we would like to be treated it might go a long way to preventing these kinds of tragedies. And unlike other options it wouldn't cost a penny.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, April 15, 2007
In Defense Of Imus
OK it is not good to call anyone names, not matter what your race or nationality or their race or nationality.
BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As long as Black people can call other Black people nigger, ho, or whatever (see rap music, etc) then White people should not be punished for doing the same thing. Certainly Imus does not deserve the punishment he has received and certainly does not deserve to be fired.
As far as I'm concerned, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are just as much racists (in the opposite direction) as any white supremist Nazi skinhead!
Seems to me that some people, especially some Blacks, need to get a thicker skin.
So Sayeth The Shack
BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As long as Black people can call other Black people nigger, ho, or whatever (see rap music, etc) then White people should not be punished for doing the same thing. Certainly Imus does not deserve the punishment he has received and certainly does not deserve to be fired.
As far as I'm concerned, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are just as much racists (in the opposite direction) as any white supremist Nazi skinhead!
Seems to me that some people, especially some Blacks, need to get a thicker skin.
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
No More Boundaries!
Iran's recent reaction to the "trespassing" on its waters by some British sailors reminds me of some old mountain man (my apologies to Jeni) shooting at people that wander onto his property either by mistake or on purpose. This whole concept of "my land" or "my water" or "my property" must be done away with. This earth belongs to all of us. We are all the same, each and every one of us. There may be some minor variation in skin color, place of origin, what we believe in terms of religion, and whether or not we posess certain sexual organs. But basically we are all the same. We are all human. We all have certain basic needs and, I believe, certain basic rights. Instead of differentiating ourselves along national, religious or racial lines, and hating those who do not "belong", we should understand who much the same we are. We are all in the same boat, and that boat is called Earth. We need to start getting along, sharing our resources and loving each other rather than killing each other. The people in Iran are acting like a bunch of 3-year-olds who have not learned how to share.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Friday, March 30, 2007
Food or Fuel?
Within the past couple of years there has been a big push for the use of ethanol and other biofuels, partly to reduce our dependance on imported oil. This is a good thing, right? Maybe not.
The diversion of part of the corn and soybean crop for the production of these fuels is already causing an increase in food prices. Part of the crop is being used for the production of fuel and so the supply goes down and the price goes up. The latest news is that the price of milk may rise nearly 10 per cent, partly because of the increase in cost of feed (mostly corn) for the cattle. Meanwhile, the price of regular fuel oil continues to rise. So we are being hit by price increases both at the grocery store and at the gas pump. Some of us may have to decide between feeding our families and putting gas in the car so we can go to work. And get this....as I understand it, it takes some amount of energy to covert the corn into ethanol, so in terms of actual energy, are we really getting much value out of it?
Furthermore, you think the price of oil is volatile? (News Flash: the price of gas rose $0.30/gal today after a camel crapped in Iran). Just wait until a hailstorm destroys a cornfield in Iowa or a drought hits part of the corn belt. Heck even the forecast of a drought will bring huge price increases...and remember these increases will be for both fuel and food. We are treading down a dangerous path here. I think is a bad idea to be converting some of our food supply into fuel.
Instead of biofuels we should be looking at solar and nuclear power as well as geothermal energy and wind power. Solar power, wind power and geothermal energy are totally sustainable. They use essentially no resources and produce essentially no pollution.
So Sayeth The Shack
The diversion of part of the corn and soybean crop for the production of these fuels is already causing an increase in food prices. Part of the crop is being used for the production of fuel and so the supply goes down and the price goes up. The latest news is that the price of milk may rise nearly 10 per cent, partly because of the increase in cost of feed (mostly corn) for the cattle. Meanwhile, the price of regular fuel oil continues to rise. So we are being hit by price increases both at the grocery store and at the gas pump. Some of us may have to decide between feeding our families and putting gas in the car so we can go to work. And get this....as I understand it, it takes some amount of energy to covert the corn into ethanol, so in terms of actual energy, are we really getting much value out of it?
Furthermore, you think the price of oil is volatile? (News Flash: the price of gas rose $0.30/gal today after a camel crapped in Iran). Just wait until a hailstorm destroys a cornfield in Iowa or a drought hits part of the corn belt. Heck even the forecast of a drought will bring huge price increases...and remember these increases will be for both fuel and food. We are treading down a dangerous path here. I think is a bad idea to be converting some of our food supply into fuel.
Instead of biofuels we should be looking at solar and nuclear power as well as geothermal energy and wind power. Solar power, wind power and geothermal energy are totally sustainable. They use essentially no resources and produce essentially no pollution.
So Sayeth The Shack
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
What Goes Around Comes Around
From this morning's paper, in an article titled "Economy May Be In For A Rough Ride" by Kevin G. Hall: "Higher lending rates in China matter to average Americans. Most large American corporations either manufacture there or purchase from contract Chinese manufacturers. Higher lending rates in China would slow economic activity there and raise the cost of doing business. The cost could be passed back to Americans as pricier imported goods."
So let me get this straight here. The companies that used to employ Americans and pay them good wages to produce products for other Americans but in the last few decades have moved overseas to take advantage of lower labor costs are now going to raise the prices they charge their former (American) employees for their products because their costs are going up? So they screw us by outsourcing our jobs and then screw us again by raising the prices on the products we used to make over here that we can no longer afford to buy because all of the good jobs are gone .
We are consumers. We shall be screwed. Resistance is futile!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
So let me get this straight here. The companies that used to employ Americans and pay them good wages to produce products for other Americans but in the last few decades have moved overseas to take advantage of lower labor costs are now going to raise the prices they charge their former (American) employees for their products because their costs are going up? So they screw us by outsourcing our jobs and then screw us again by raising the prices on the products we used to make over here that we can no longer afford to buy because all of the good jobs are gone .
We are consumers. We shall be screwed. Resistance is futile!!!!
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
What To Do With Anne Nicole's Body
Wow! Even long after she is dead, it seems everyone still wants Anne Nicole's body! (Now that just sounds wrong, doesn't it?
Well here is the (obvious) solution: Cremate her and divide up the ashes. That way everybody who wants can have a piece of her (sounding wrong again!)
So Sayeth The Shack
Well here is the (obvious) solution: Cremate her and divide up the ashes. That way everybody who wants can have a piece of her (sounding wrong again!)
So Sayeth The Shack
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Mormons ARE Christians
Mitt Romney's recent announcement that he will run for president has created quite a bit of controversy about his religion. Some of the remarks that were made by other politicians and so-called Christians are absurd. It is sad how little people know about this large and still-growing faith, especially since there are missionaries in almost every country teaching about it.
First and foremost, Mormons ARE Christians. The full name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". They believe in Jesus Christ just like all other Christians. They believe that he is the son of God and that he died and was resurrected. They also believe in both the old and new testaments of the Bible. The Book of Mormon is believed to be a scripture supplementing the Bible and dealing with people living on the American continent before, during the after the time of Jesus. This includes a visit by Jesus to the people of this continent after his resurrection. This makes a lot of sense. Why would Jesus only visit one place on earth when there were people living elsewhere and there was no means of communication between them?
Mormons believe that God again speaks to His people through a prophet (the head of the church). This prophet directs the church and receives revelation just like the old testament prophets. I don't know about you but this makes perfect sense to me. Why would God no longer give revelation to his people, especially now when we seem to need it more than ever.
The practice of polygamy by the true Mormon church ended long ago. There are "splinter groups" that may practice it but they are not true Mormons. Once of the teachings of the church is that people are to obey the law of the land, and if that law prohibits polygamy, then polygamy shall not be practiced. I doubt that Mr Romney will try to change that law and besides I don't think that polygamy is any worse than the idea of same-sex marriage. (I'd rather have 2 wives than a husband, but I can barely afford one wife!)
Yes there are some secret ceremonies in this religion. These are conducted in the temples and are open only to highly worthy church members. But other societies also have secret ceremonies. What about the Masons? What about the Knights of Columbus?
My aim here was to educate the readers a little about the Mormon church and take away a little mystery. Do not discount Mitt Romney because he is Mormon anymore than you should have discounted Kennedy because he was Catholic.
So Sayeth The Shack
First and foremost, Mormons ARE Christians. The full name of their church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". They believe in Jesus Christ just like all other Christians. They believe that he is the son of God and that he died and was resurrected. They also believe in both the old and new testaments of the Bible. The Book of Mormon is believed to be a scripture supplementing the Bible and dealing with people living on the American continent before, during the after the time of Jesus. This includes a visit by Jesus to the people of this continent after his resurrection. This makes a lot of sense. Why would Jesus only visit one place on earth when there were people living elsewhere and there was no means of communication between them?
Mormons believe that God again speaks to His people through a prophet (the head of the church). This prophet directs the church and receives revelation just like the old testament prophets. I don't know about you but this makes perfect sense to me. Why would God no longer give revelation to his people, especially now when we seem to need it more than ever.
The practice of polygamy by the true Mormon church ended long ago. There are "splinter groups" that may practice it but they are not true Mormons. Once of the teachings of the church is that people are to obey the law of the land, and if that law prohibits polygamy, then polygamy shall not be practiced. I doubt that Mr Romney will try to change that law and besides I don't think that polygamy is any worse than the idea of same-sex marriage. (I'd rather have 2 wives than a husband, but I can barely afford one wife!)
Yes there are some secret ceremonies in this religion. These are conducted in the temples and are open only to highly worthy church members. But other societies also have secret ceremonies. What about the Masons? What about the Knights of Columbus?
My aim here was to educate the readers a little about the Mormon church and take away a little mystery. Do not discount Mitt Romney because he is Mormon anymore than you should have discounted Kennedy because he was Catholic.
So Sayeth The Shack
DST About Money, Not Energy
This year, daylight savings time will begin a few weeks earlier and end a few weeks later than in the past, plunging early risers back into darkness and offering some extra light to the night owls.
The government claims that this is an energy-saving measure but I fail to see how any energy is saved. If it is dark for an extra hour in the morning we will use lights in the morning rather than in the evening. So where is the savings? Plus school kids will be heading to school or to bus stops in the dark for a time. I remember back in the 70s where we had year-round daylight savings time for a year. It was pitch dark going to school in the winter. Not exactly the safest thing.
I really think this is all about money. I think merchants and restaurant owners want the extra daylight in the evening so that people are more inclined to go shopping or out to eat after work, thereby spending money and increasing their business. I think these people have secretly lobbied congress to extend daylight savings time for several weeks. Energy has nothing to do with it.
So Sayeth The Shack
The government claims that this is an energy-saving measure but I fail to see how any energy is saved. If it is dark for an extra hour in the morning we will use lights in the morning rather than in the evening. So where is the savings? Plus school kids will be heading to school or to bus stops in the dark for a time. I remember back in the 70s where we had year-round daylight savings time for a year. It was pitch dark going to school in the winter. Not exactly the safest thing.
I really think this is all about money. I think merchants and restaurant owners want the extra daylight in the evening so that people are more inclined to go shopping or out to eat after work, thereby spending money and increasing their business. I think these people have secretly lobbied congress to extend daylight savings time for several weeks. Energy has nothing to do with it.
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Poor Anne Nicole
So some real rich and famous person died a few days ago. Wow! Big deal! As far as I know, Every person who has ever lived on this earth, who is currently living, or who has yet to live, either has died or will die. It is pretty much inevitable. So why make such a big deal about it? Oh Yeah...she was rich, famous, a big celebrity. Wow! I think her death has gotten more coverage than that of former president Ford (which I also thought was excessive). Should I lower my flag to half staff? Maybe I should lower my underwear to half staff.
Don't get me wrong...it's sad that she died, especially at such a young age, but does there really need to be so much hoopla about it? I'm sure that when I die, no more than 3 people will know about it...a bit shy of the entire planet.
Oh and the big thing...she was depressed? Maybe on drugs? Wow! I think if I had as much money as she did, I would be able to keep from being depressed. They say money doesn't buy happiness, and she is a prime example. Nevertheless I think I would be just a bit happier if I weren't always running out of paycheck before I ran out of month.
So Sayeth The Shack
Don't get me wrong...it's sad that she died, especially at such a young age, but does there really need to be so much hoopla about it? I'm sure that when I die, no more than 3 people will know about it...a bit shy of the entire planet.
Oh and the big thing...she was depressed? Maybe on drugs? Wow! I think if I had as much money as she did, I would be able to keep from being depressed. They say money doesn't buy happiness, and she is a prime example. Nevertheless I think I would be just a bit happier if I weren't always running out of paycheck before I ran out of month.
So Sayeth The Shack
Monday, February 05, 2007
A Super Yawn
Wow! I haven't had a more boring Sunday evening in a long time! Of course I'm talking about the Super Bowl. The game itself was unexciting. After the first few posessions by the Bears, it was pretty much dullsville. The commercials were not all that great, either. And could they have found a worse halftime performer? I could not understand a word he (and I use that term loosely....more like an it...one of the ugliest things I've ever seen on stage) sang, or shouted or screamed or whatever he was doing. It was more like a bunch of noise. He gets paid for that? I could get up on stage and make a bunch of racket too. At least they had someone decent for the National Anthem so it didn't get murdered like it usually does. And it was pouring the whole game, so where were the wet cheerleaders? Come on guys! At least next Sunday it'll be back to Desperate Housewives.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Global Warming Thoughts
In the light of yesterday's report on global warming (coincidentally released on the same day Punxatawney Phil predicted an early spring and just prior to one of the worst cold snaps in years), I would like to add my thoughts.
OK the planet is getting warmer. There is data that supports this and I will not question it.
We (people) are the cause of it. Well, maybe we are hurrying it along, but who is to say that it would not be occurring anyway? To determine that, we would have to remove all the people, turn back time, and see what would happen.
Our planet, at various times, has been both warmer and colder than it is now. There is fossil evidence and other data that indicates this. These warm and cold spells (ice ages) have occurred without the presence of humans on the planet, or at least before we were burning fossil fuels. These are natural cycles that the planet goes through over long periods of time.
Humans are not the only things that have impacted the climate and wrought changes in the weather. Volcanos have often thrown so much material high into the atmosphere so as to dim the sun and cool the earth for years afterwards. In addition, large meteors and asteriods have had similar effects.
My conclusion is what we are calling "global warming" is at least partly a natural cycle of the earth, climate and weather. Perhaps human activity is making it go faster than it would otherwise but I do not believe that we are completely responsible. That does not mean that we should not work on cutting back on our emissions and burning of fossil fuels. There are other compelling reasons to do this besides the global warming issue, such as availability and cost of these fuels (The fact that a small group of mostly unfriendly countries controls most the world supply). Just as importantly, if not more so, we need work on our adaptability if we are to survive as a species. As the earth warms, certain areas may become uninhabitable or unsuitable for growing food while other areas become better suited for living or growing crops. So we need to look for new areas to grow food and also consider the possibility of having to shift population from one area to another. This will require cooperation between nations, something that we, as humans, have not always been good at. But it is something that we will have to do if we are to continue to inhabit this planet.
So Sayeth The Shack
OK the planet is getting warmer. There is data that supports this and I will not question it.
We (people) are the cause of it. Well, maybe we are hurrying it along, but who is to say that it would not be occurring anyway? To determine that, we would have to remove all the people, turn back time, and see what would happen.
Our planet, at various times, has been both warmer and colder than it is now. There is fossil evidence and other data that indicates this. These warm and cold spells (ice ages) have occurred without the presence of humans on the planet, or at least before we were burning fossil fuels. These are natural cycles that the planet goes through over long periods of time.
Humans are not the only things that have impacted the climate and wrought changes in the weather. Volcanos have often thrown so much material high into the atmosphere so as to dim the sun and cool the earth for years afterwards. In addition, large meteors and asteriods have had similar effects.
My conclusion is what we are calling "global warming" is at least partly a natural cycle of the earth, climate and weather. Perhaps human activity is making it go faster than it would otherwise but I do not believe that we are completely responsible. That does not mean that we should not work on cutting back on our emissions and burning of fossil fuels. There are other compelling reasons to do this besides the global warming issue, such as availability and cost of these fuels (The fact that a small group of mostly unfriendly countries controls most the world supply). Just as importantly, if not more so, we need work on our adaptability if we are to survive as a species. As the earth warms, certain areas may become uninhabitable or unsuitable for growing food while other areas become better suited for living or growing crops. So we need to look for new areas to grow food and also consider the possibility of having to shift population from one area to another. This will require cooperation between nations, something that we, as humans, have not always been good at. But it is something that we will have to do if we are to continue to inhabit this planet.
So Sayeth The Shack
Monday, January 22, 2007
Still Getting Screwed
Over the weekend I spotted an article in my local hometown newspaper complaining that the gas prices there were the highest in that particular state. Mind you, they are nearly 20 cents per gallon lower than they are locally. This means that prices across the Buckeye State are mostly under $2.00/gallon. That's far lower than they are around here. So why are we still getting screwed by the oil companies. Prices of crude have dropped precipitously. Yet the price at the pump, locally, has only gone down 4 cents. Someone should take a car bomb to one of the oil companies and blow it sky high!
Better yet...I should just get a tanker truck, drive it to Ohio and fill it with gasoline, drive it back up here and sell the gas for $2.20/gallon. I could undercut the local prices and still make a profit. Maybe even enough to ditch my real job.
So Sayeth The Shack
Better yet...I should just get a tanker truck, drive it to Ohio and fill it with gasoline, drive it back up here and sell the gas for $2.20/gallon. I could undercut the local prices and still make a profit. Maybe even enough to ditch my real job.
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Taxes, Taxes
Saw this on the discussion boards of the local newspaper. Origin and author unknown.
> *Tax his land,
> Tax his bed,
> Tax the table
> At which he's fed.
>
> Tax his tractor,
> Tax his mule,
> Teach him taxes
> Are the rule.
>
> Tax his cow,
> Tax his goat,
> Tax his pants,
> Tax his coat.
>
> Tax his ties,
> Tax his shirt,
> Tax his work,
> Tax his dirt.
>
> Tax his tobacco,
> Tax his drink,
> Tax him if he
> Tries to think.
>
> Tax his cigars,
> Tax his beers,
> If he cries, then
> Tax his tears.
>
> Tax his car,
> Tax his gas,
> Find other ways
> To tax his a$$.
>
> Tax all he has
> Then let him know
> That you won't be done
> Till he has no dough.
>
> When he screams and hollers,
> Then tax him some more,
> Tax him till
> He's good and sore.
>
> Then tax his coffin,
> Tax his grave,
> Tax the sod in
> Which he's laid.
>
> Put these words
> upon his tomb,
> "Taxes drove me
> to my doom..."
>
> When he's gone,
> Do not relax,
> Its time to apply
> The inheritance tax.
> *
> *Accounts Receivable Tax
> **Building Permit Tax
> **CDL license Tax
> **Cigarette Tax
> **Corporate Income Tax
> **Dog License Tax
> **Federal Income Tax
> **Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
> **Fishing License Tax
> **Food License Tax,
> **Fuel permit tax
> **Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
> **Hunting License Tax
> **Inheritance Tax
> **Interest expense
> **Inventory tax
> **IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
> **Liquor Tax
> **Luxury Taxes
> **Marriage License Tax
> **Medicare Tax
> **Property Tax
> **Real Estate Tax
> **Service charge taxes
> **Social Security Tax
> **Road usage taxes
> **Sales Tax
> **Recreational Vehicle Tax
> **School Tax
> **State Income Tax
> ** Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
> **Telephone federal excise tax
> **Telephone federal universal service fee tax
> **Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes
> **Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
> **Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
> **Telephone state and local tax
> **Telephone usage charge tax
> **Utility Taxes
> **Vehicle License Registration Tax
> **Vehicle Sales Tax
> **Watercraft registration Tax
> **Well Permit Tax
> **Workers Compensation Tax
> **
> **Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
> We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world.
So Sayeth The Shack
> *Tax his land,
> Tax his bed,
> Tax the table
> At which he's fed.
>
> Tax his tractor,
> Tax his mule,
> Teach him taxes
> Are the rule.
>
> Tax his cow,
> Tax his goat,
> Tax his pants,
> Tax his coat.
>
> Tax his ties,
> Tax his shirt,
> Tax his work,
> Tax his dirt.
>
> Tax his tobacco,
> Tax his drink,
> Tax him if he
> Tries to think.
>
> Tax his cigars,
> Tax his beers,
> If he cries, then
> Tax his tears.
>
> Tax his car,
> Tax his gas,
> Find other ways
> To tax his a$$.
>
> Tax all he has
> Then let him know
> That you won't be done
> Till he has no dough.
>
> When he screams and hollers,
> Then tax him some more,
> Tax him till
> He's good and sore.
>
> Then tax his coffin,
> Tax his grave,
> Tax the sod in
> Which he's laid.
>
> Put these words
> upon his tomb,
> "Taxes drove me
> to my doom..."
>
> When he's gone,
> Do not relax,
> Its time to apply
> The inheritance tax.
> *
> *Accounts Receivable Tax
> **Building Permit Tax
> **CDL license Tax
> **Cigarette Tax
> **Corporate Income Tax
> **Dog License Tax
> **Federal Income Tax
> **Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
> **Fishing License Tax
> **Food License Tax,
> **Fuel permit tax
> **Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
> **Hunting License Tax
> **Inheritance Tax
> **Interest expense
> **Inventory tax
> **IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
> **Liquor Tax
> **Luxury Taxes
> **Marriage License Tax
> **Medicare Tax
> **Property Tax
> **Real Estate Tax
> **Service charge taxes
> **Social Security Tax
> **Road usage taxes
> **Sales Tax
> **Recreational Vehicle Tax
> **School Tax
> **State Income Tax
> ** Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
> **Telephone federal excise tax
> **Telephone federal universal service fee tax
> **Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes
> **Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
> **Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
> **Telephone state and local tax
> **Telephone usage charge tax
> **Utility Taxes
> **Vehicle License Registration Tax
> **Vehicle Sales Tax
> **Watercraft registration Tax
> **Well Permit Tax
> **Workers Compensation Tax
> **
> **Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
> We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world.
So Sayeth The Shack
Saturday, January 13, 2007
More Crap I Don't Care About
So there's a lot of "news" lately concerning some fighting between Donald Trump and Rosie Odonald or whoever she is. Who the frick cares? Just a bunch of worthless rich bitches thinking they are important because they have some money. What have they ever done for anyone? They can all die as far as I'm concenered. Same with this Beckham soccer dude. Is he worth that much money? NO!!! No one who has ever lived or ever will live is worth that kind of money. And this stuff is not news as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't belong in the newspaper, on TV news or anywhere else.
The Great And Powerful Shack Hath Spoken!
The Great And Powerful Shack Hath Spoken!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Work From Home Scams
Ever see the ads on TV for working from home? There is one particular ad that is on quite frequently, but every time it is on, the web site being advertised is different. Usually it is something like 21income.com or 32gain.com or whatever; almost always a number followed by a word that has something to do with money. The one lady in the ad always says "this is the one web site you must vist". If that is true, then why is it a different web site every time she says it? I don't know about you but it sounds like a scam to me. I've never visited any of the sites to see what it is all about but it just all looks very fishy.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
We Didn't Spend Enough
I'm hearing that many retailers are griping about a so-so holiday shopping season. You know what that means, fellow consumers...we didn't spend enough!!
Well EXCUSE ME but I just don't have any money left! Maybe some of you readers can help the retailers out by picking up the slack and spending a little extra, but getting more money from me is like trying to get water out of a rock. I get my paycheck, pay my bills...and there's nothing left. All of my expenses are higher than they used to be but my paycheck isn't, or at least not by the same amount. I think most of you know what I mean. Any increase in income is more than eaten up by increases in expenses. And they wonder why people have so little savings and are in so much debt.
So Sayeth The Shack
Well EXCUSE ME but I just don't have any money left! Maybe some of you readers can help the retailers out by picking up the slack and spending a little extra, but getting more money from me is like trying to get water out of a rock. I get my paycheck, pay my bills...and there's nothing left. All of my expenses are higher than they used to be but my paycheck isn't, or at least not by the same amount. I think most of you know what I mean. Any increase in income is more than eaten up by increases in expenses. And they wonder why people have so little savings and are in so much debt.
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Ripped Off Again!!
I have been hearing a lot lately about how the price of oil is coming down, partly due to the mild weather. However, the price of gasoline has not budged at the local gas stations. So the oil companies are ripping us off again. As soon as the price of oil goes up, the price of gasoline goes up instantaneously if not sooner, but when the price of oil goes down, the oil companies rake in the profits for weeks at a time before lowering the price of gasoline. And these oil companies are getting government subsidies financed by my tax dollars!! So I am getting double ripped off. Supposedly the government is looking toward ending these subidies. They could not so it soon enough. The oil companies don't deserve a penny!!
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
I'm A Global Warming Whimp
Definition: Global Warming Whimp: Someone who, when the temperature actually gets down to "normal" thinks that is is darn cold.
Ok I'll admit, I have become a "Global Warming Whimp". I was outside walking this morning when the temperature was in the 30s and the wind was blowing. I had on a moderately heavy coat and a hat. Darn it felt cold!! The temperature was at or above average, but it felt nasty. The cold never used to bother me, but now since it doesn't get cold anymore, that is a different story. Is global warming making a whimp out of you too?
Or maybe it's just that we're getting older?
Ok I'll admit, I have become a "Global Warming Whimp". I was outside walking this morning when the temperature was in the 30s and the wind was blowing. I had on a moderately heavy coat and a hat. Darn it felt cold!! The temperature was at or above average, but it felt nasty. The cold never used to bother me, but now since it doesn't get cold anymore, that is a different story. Is global warming making a whimp out of you too?
Or maybe it's just that we're getting older?
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Holiday Thoughts From The Shack
The Shack Family (The Shack, ShackWife, LittleShack1 and LittleShack2) wish all of you the best at this holiday season, regardless of what holiday you may celebrate, or even if you don't celebrate any holiday.
Remember you can make every day of the year like Christmas. Focus on the giving, not the getting. Keep that spirit of giving year-round. And not necessarily material things. Instead, give love, friendship, patience, foregiveness, a helping hand where possible.
And every day can be like New Year's, too. A new beginning. A clean slate. The problems and wrongs of yesterday in the past. If necessary, make amends and ask for foregiveness for things you may have done wrong and remember to forgive others as well. Then start anew.
So Sayeth The Shack
Remember you can make every day of the year like Christmas. Focus on the giving, not the getting. Keep that spirit of giving year-round. And not necessarily material things. Instead, give love, friendship, patience, foregiveness, a helping hand where possible.
And every day can be like New Year's, too. A new beginning. A clean slate. The problems and wrongs of yesterday in the past. If necessary, make amends and ask for foregiveness for things you may have done wrong and remember to forgive others as well. Then start anew.
So Sayeth The Shack
Friday, December 22, 2006
I Wouldn't Take This Drug
I was reading a magazine the other day and came upon one of those 2-3 page advertisement and information layouts for a prescription drug. I usually page right past these, but something caught my eye. The drug is called Abilify and supposedly treats bipolar disorder. Here is a quote directly from the ad: "How ABILIFY is thought to work:.... the exact way any medicine for bipolar disorder works is unknown"
That's just great. They have now idea how the stuff works but they want people to buy it. I think I'll just wait until they figure it out. Not that I have bipolar, but it seems to me they should know how a drug works before marketing it.
So Sayeth The Shack
That's just great. They have now idea how the stuff works but they want people to buy it. I think I'll just wait until they figure it out. Not that I have bipolar, but it seems to me they should know how a drug works before marketing it.
So Sayeth The Shack
Watch How You Spelll That
I was typing something the other day and interchanged a couple of letters within a word. This ended up turning "santa" into "satan". Wonder if it is just a coincidence that the two words are so similar?
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Protecting Us From Ourselves
Here are some of the latest examples of how our government is protecting is from ourselves, since they seem to have nothing better to do.
1) As mentioned in a recent post here, New York City is banning trans fat because it is bad for our health,
2) In Ohio, it is apparently illegal for a truck driver to smoke in the cab of his or her truck, because it is a "workplace" and the ban on smoking in the workplace apparently extends to the cab of the truck, even though no one else is being affected.
3) This one really takes the cake. Virginia either has or is considering passing legislation making it illegal for churches and other charitable organizations to prepare and feed meals to the poor unless they go through the time and expense of being licensed and inspected like a regular restaurant. Jeez you can't even do something nice for somebody else without the government getting in the way!
So Sayeth The Shack
1) As mentioned in a recent post here, New York City is banning trans fat because it is bad for our health,
2) In Ohio, it is apparently illegal for a truck driver to smoke in the cab of his or her truck, because it is a "workplace" and the ban on smoking in the workplace apparently extends to the cab of the truck, even though no one else is being affected.
3) This one really takes the cake. Virginia either has or is considering passing legislation making it illegal for churches and other charitable organizations to prepare and feed meals to the poor unless they go through the time and expense of being licensed and inspected like a regular restaurant. Jeez you can't even do something nice for somebody else without the government getting in the way!
So Sayeth The Shack
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Big Apple Bans Trans Fat
So the latest news out of New York City is that they are enacting a ban on trans fat. Really now. Just what kind of country are we living in here? It is perfectly OK to kill your (unborn) child, but you can't have trans fat because it's hazardous to your health!! Seems a bit hippocritical to me. So what will happen now? They'll have bootleg trans fat coming in from Boston and Philadelphia. Seriously though. If I want to eat something that isn't good for me, I should be free to do so. I'm not hurting anyone but myself.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Things I'm Sick Of Hearing
We are all used to hearing the disclaimers at the end of advertisements. Things like "batteries not included", "shipping and handling extra" and "side-effects include....". One of these that I've really gotten sick of hearing lately is "well-qualified buyers". This phrase usually is part of an ad for a car. Judging by the numbers of ads for cars that are on TV these days (every other ad seems to be a car ad), there must be millions of cars out there waiting to be sold. But they only seem to want "well-qualified buyers". Just what is a "well qualified buyer"? Probably someone who doesn't really need the perks they are offering like zero percent financing forever or incredibly low lease payments or no money down. A "well qualified buyer" is one who is well enough off financially to be able to make a downpayment or pay a little interest. But they don't have to. What about the rest of us who aren't "well qualified"? We have to pay the interest, make a down payment or whatever. This is just another example of how the well-off in our society are catered to at the expense of the rest of us. So don't expect me to be buying a new car anytime soon, because I'm not "well qualified" So screw you, car companies.
So Sayeth The Shack
So Sayeth The Shack
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