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
Monday, February 05, 2007
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
Friday, November 24, 2006
Now Here's a Really Bad Idea
Originally written Nov 22
In today's local newspaper was a story titled "slot parlors can serve unlimited free drinks". A bill recenly passed by the Pennsylvania State Senate would allow slot machine parlors to serve unlimited free drinks to gamblers. It says this measure is necessary to allow Pennsylvania gambling places to compete with those in other states where "around-the-clock free drinks are customary".
Does anyone besides me see a problem here? In this age of DUI crackdowns and drunk drivers causing accidents and tragic deaths and injuries, they want to give away unlimited free alcoholic drinks? Like that won't contribute to the drunk driving problem? Come on, senate, this is a pretty stupid idea if you ask me. I hope the house votes it down and/or Rendell vetoes it, which is unlikely since he is so pro-gambling anyway.
Playstation Mayhem
Originally written Nov 20, 2006
It's the middle of November. There are lines of people camped out outside of Best Buy and other stores that sell electronic gizmos. It can only mean one thing...the latest gaming console is about to be released. It happens every two or three years, usually a little before Christmas. Of course the companies that make these things never make enough of them, at least initially, to satisfy the demand. So if you really want to get one, you have to camp out in line for days, even longer, outside your favorite store just to have a chance to get one. Or pay double to get one on e-bay. So a lot of people who want one for Christmas end up disappointed. Just what are these companies trying to put over on us anyway? Getting people to stand in line for days for the "opportunity" to spend hundreds of dollars on something that will be obsolete in two or three years anyway. Actually it isn't the companies fault, it is the fault of the people that are willing to stand in line and spend the money. Anyone who wastes several days of their lives waiting to spend hundreds of dollars on something they do not need and will be obsolete in a couple of years anyway has some seriously misplaced priorities. You will NEVER catch me standing in line for hours or days to buy anything, no matter what it is.
TomKat--Who Cares???
Originally written Nov 20, 2006
Every day for at least the past week, I have opened my local newspaper to see an article about Tom Cruise and whoever it is he is marrying...Kate somebody or other I think.Well WHO THE FRICK CARES about these people and their stupid wedding??? I SURE THE FRICK DON'T. I would think they could find some real news to put in the newspaper rather than this irrelevent garbage. It's bad enough that it's in there one day, but it has been in there day after day after day for days and days and days. GET OVER IT FOLKS!! What makes it such a big deal? They're just two people getting married so just leave them alone and put some real news in the paper.
Too Early for Christmas
Originally written Nov 12, 2006
Every year it gets earlier. This year it's right after Halloween; the ads are on TV, the decorations are out in the stores and the sales are on. Yep, its Christmas already!!
Don't get me wrong. Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the music. I love the decorations. I love the food. I love giving presents. So I don't have a problem with extending the "season". But instead of it starting earlier, why can't we extend it later? Come January 2nd or even before that, it's all over. The music is gone, the decorations are down, and there are two to three months of dark, cold, boring and depressing midwinter nothingness to endure. So instead of starting early, let's extend the season later...into January, maybe even February. Let's wait until after Thanksgiving to start the Christmas stuff, but then then keep it going, maybe til Groundhog Day or so.
Post-Election Rant
Originally written Nov 8, 2006
None of the people that I voted for won. So what's the point of voting? It's sort of like rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On a more positive note, the new touch-screen voting machines were so easy to use, A CAVE MAN COULD DO IT!!!! (Sorry, Geico, no copywright violation intended...and my apologies to any actual cave men who might be reading this; no offense was intended!)
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