Business: Facts and Fiction

What Does the IRS Tax Scandal Really Mean?

2013-05-19T13:15:00.000-05:00

Big government and secrets have always been around and the IRS debacle is no different but what does the IRS tax scandal really mean? It might be less disturbing than reported, at least in my opinion. Let’s see, we’ve got the past history of Jack Lew’s Cayman Island hidden bank roll and tons of money going his way from former employer Citigroup right before the economic crisis. Then there

Business Owners: The Problem Isn’t Gen X or Gen Y—The Problem Is You!

2013-05-04T10:02:00.001-05:00

Business owners and supervisors who fall in the Baby Boomer (born 1946-1964) age group scratch their heads, throw up their hands and bang their heads against the wall trying to understand why their “young” workforce isn’t doing their job. Instead of looking at Gen X (born 1965-1982) and Gen Y (born 1983-2000) as the problem with your workforce did you ever think the problem might be you?

New Rules and Regulations for Gun Control in the U.S.

2013-01-11T13:01:00.001-06:00

The question about gun control in the U.S. is on the minds of all people today. We had too many shootings last year and the last—Sandy Hook Elementary, outraged America. I don’t think we need stronger laws on gun control we just need to change some of the requirements to get a gun. New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg brought up a great point on the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary

This Is My Country—Say Both Democrats and Republicans—But It’s Really Ours!

2013-01-03T19:06:00.006-06:00

America the Beautiful—Home of the Free and the Brave! We’re star-spangled and can pledge our allegiance but what is up with Washington? I can’t honestly say I’m not happy about how 2012 turned out as far as elections go—we still pretty much have the same problems with the same people trying to solve them. Not that I think Mitt Romney could have really made any changes because folks—that’s

Hostess Says No More Twinkies, What’s Next Flavor-Aid?

2012-11-16T21:19:00.000-06:00

I doubt Hostess can honestly say there will be no more Twinkies. Eventually, some other baking / food conglomerate will buy the “secret” recipe and we shall see Twinkies again. For now, however, I can’t tell you how many people were reduced to tears and sadness on Facebook and Twitter today when they heard this could-survive-an-apocalypse snack will never again be placed in little plastic bags

When Political and Celebrity Affairs Used to Be Private

2012-11-14T12:38:00.000-06:00

If you haven’t heard about the affair between CIA director David Petraeus, (also a four-star general) and biographer Paula Broadwell, you’ve been living under a rock but does anyone remember when political and celebrity affairs used to be private? In the days of John Edward and his bad choice, Jesse James and Tiger Woods cheating on their respective spouses and Anthony Weiner sending nude

Tired of Election Facebook Slams, Dunks and Those Bordering on Illegal

2012-11-09T09:06:00.000-06:00

Most of us have a Facebook Page and check it every day. Our friends and friends of friends share links, photos and articles but now that the presidential election is over and President Barack Obama (yay Word finally accepts his name in spell check), has won, can we cut down a bit on the trash talking? I grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, a blue state for sure. I have lived in Arizona—a

Austin TV Network Affiliates Shun Hurricane Sandy Sufferers

2012-11-02T08:29:00.000-05:00

I’ve only lived in Austin Texas for a little over a year now but frankly, I’m a little pissed off when it comes to the websites of the ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates here in Austin and their failure to prominently offer ways Austinites can help Hurricane Sandy sufferers on their websites and on their news broadcasts. I remember when Haiti was in need after the devastation there and even

The Business of Being Prince Harry and The Spare-Heir’s Punishment

2012-09-07T18:38:00.000-05:00

Not that long ago, Prince Harry—the spare-heir to the throne partied it up in Las Vegas and either he or his security guards didn’t handle the guest list that well because someone shot some naked photos of the Prince and we’ve all seen them. The British Military was not happy and said he would be “punished” and we heard no statements or comments from the Royals except for his bro Prince

Business Retreat Tips: What Happens In Vegas Doesn’t Necessarily Stay in Vegas: Ask Prince Harry!

2012-09-03T19:02:00.002-05:00

By now most of you have heard about and seen the naked pictures of Prince Harry on holiday in Las Vegas and the result from the Royal Family—pretty much nada and don’t expect any at least not from Prince Charles or Queen Elizabeth anyway. It appears Prince William told US Weekly he was “Not Impressed,” but I bet that’s all we hear about this prince-heir-spare. US Weekly also reported the

Why American’s Can’t “Occupy” Anything

2012-09-01T15:46:00.002-05:00

Believe it or not I am fond of reading newspapers—the print editions and I especially like the Austin-American Statesman because I live in Austin (the little blue dot in a red state) and I strive to Keep Austin Weird! Statesman reporters Tony Plohetski and Eric Dexheimer wrote an in-depth article on how the Austin Police Department (including the Chief of Police Art Acevedo) allowed

2012 London Olympics: Failure After Failure!

2012-07-27T13:49:00.000-05:00

I must say I was happy the Olympics would be held in London this year. I enjoy the Queen a lot—not so much her family but she’s an awesome world figure and can’t wait to see her officially “open the games.” But there does seem to be just one problem after another and the games haven’t even started yet, well some basketball here and there but the opening ceremonies aren’t until this evening.

Mental Illness and the Colorado Batman Shootings

2012-07-24T14:41:00.000-05:00

Readers can kill me here, but since the Colorado Batman movie shootings, deaths and injuries have occurred I have seen so many experts and non-experts on television and read many posts and articles online that say the man responsible, James Eagan Holmes, is acting insane on purpose. Mental illness in this country is never, ever delved into enough, explored enough or explained enough so the

Are You on Digital Crack?

2012-07-22T18:55:00.002-05:00

The Austin American-Statesman had an interesting story by Tracy Dahlby, a journalism teacher at the University of Texas, “Our Digital Mindset.” He, as many professors and teachers do, fear his teaching time will be interrupted by “digital crack.” What he means is the constant text messaging, the iPad browsing, the Facebook liking and the pinning to Pinterest. He discusses a new stance from

Romney, Obama Sing: Are We Still Proud to Be Americans?

2012-07-17T16:54:00.000-05:00

I knew this was coming. President Obama sang (sort of okay) and then it was Mitt Romney’s turn and this boy can’t hold a tune. So, each of these guys are using the songs against one another, which has nothing to do with politicking or governing, should we still be proud to be Americans? I watched Primary Colors the other day—you know that movie with John Travolta based on the book written

Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Shouldn’t Sign the CBA

2012-07-08T13:00:00.000-05:00

Back in 2011 when NFL fans everywhere feared there would be no football at all unless teams signed a new CBA (collective bargaining agreement) most teams caved but not the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pittsburgh Steelers refused to sign the CBA and if you search the Web you’ll find varying reasons. Some say it’s because the team didn’t receive a copy of the agreement until 3:00 pm on voting

It’s Never Too Soon to Talk About NFL Football and Other Stuff

2012-06-28T16:31:00.001-05:00

I’ve received a ton of emails from NFL.com on how soon fantasy football and the fantasy draft will be upon us! I say any month is a good month to talk about football but my husband feels differently. I like to say “football starts in August” even if it’s the pre-season and even if I pay a huge sum of money to be a DIRECTV Superfan and still don’t get all the pre-season games (UGH!) But,

Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio Under Fire—Again!

2012-06-24T17:54:00.002-05:00

I read an article posted on the Huffington Post about who some people tout as the meanest man in law enforcement, Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The article, “Joe Arpaio Tent City Protests: Thousand Gather for Rally” was a whopper depending on which side you’re on. I used to live in Maricopa County and I like Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He’s mean, he’s tough and yes, he has a jail that is outside called Tent

NBC’s Today Show’s “Professional” Donny Deutsch Says Put Parents of Bullies in Jail

2012-06-22T11:27:00.001-05:00

I try and watch the Today Show on NBC as much as I can but these morning shows are getting longer and longer and as a writer/blogger, I really don’t have as much time as I used to. On Wednesday June 20th, however, I did catch the segment where “Today Professionals” discuss hot topics and offer their opinions. One topic was about the poor grandmother who in her volunteer job as a school

Joe the Plumber is Back and He’s Lost His Mind!

2012-06-20T17:43:00.000-05:00

Most of you remember Samuel J Wurzelbacher aka Joe the Plumber back in the 2008 election right? For Republicans he was hope (if you believe in all that) and conservatives listened to him. So much so, John McCain loved him too and used his opinions and his name every day on the campaign trail. Well my friends, I think Joe the Plumber may have gone just a tad too far when it comes to his

Tiger Woods No Longer a Golfing Great? Tiger Is a Brand!

2012-06-03T20:27:00.001-05:00

This Sunday, as I browsed Google News stories (mostly reading the one on the Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee) I noticed the top trendy news stories all seemed to be about Tiger Woods. Jay Busbee of Devil Ball Golf and streamed to Yahoo! Sports and finally landing as a top story on Google News caught my attention with his post “Tiger Woods Wins Again, and for Now, That’s Enough.” Busbee

John Edwards Touts: “God Is Not Through With Me!”

2012-05-31T18:40:00.001-05:00

ABC News posted a video today announcing John Edwards was found not guilty on just one account and apparently, as far as the other five counts, the jury just couldn’t decide—so hence, a mistrial. Or a hung jury if you will. We all know the prosecution probably won’t pursue a retrial due to the expense and for the most part, the trial of John Edwards (at least in my eyes) served its purpose

A Guide to Job Interview Success

2012-05-29T14:46:00.001-05:00

This article is provided by BCL Legal – A specialist recruiter that provides Legal Jobs. For some, the thought of having a job interview ranks up there with jury duty or having your taxes prepared. The unique person enjoys the interview challenge, but with some old fashioned preparation, one can be successful! Once you have secured an appointment time, research the company. Explore their

Money Can’t Buy Ronald Reagan’s Blood (At Least Not Now)

2012-05-24T11:23:00.002-05:00

A fascinating post by Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Erica E. Phillips, “Auction of Reagan Blood Vial Canceled” fascinated me! As the story goes, apparently after the assassination attempt on the President in 1981, blood was taken to ensure no lead landed there and one vial landed in the hands of what the WSJ calls “the owner.” How mysterious! The “owner” who shall remain nameless I

Texas Mental Health: Still Using Electric Shocks to the Head

2012-05-21T18:20:00.003-05:00

I haven’t lived in Texas long, but I must say in the eight or so months I’ve lived here, I have found it is absolutely the worst place for mental health care. Andrea Ball, a staff-writer for the Austin-American Statesman wrote a story: “Use of Electrical Deviceon State Hospital Patients Draws Scrutiny.” Nice job Ms. Ball! In Ball’s story (May 20 2012) she offers, “On Tuesday, the