7e

Bye Bye America!

2010-06-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

On May 23rd, The New York Times published an article called "Rule 1: Make Money By Avoiding Rules" by Peter Goodman who often reports on economic issues.

Referring to our current attempts to regulate the financial services industry, Goodman writes, "From the earliest days of capitalism, those skilled at making money have proven creative at evading the regulators."

The article concludes with a quote from Eugene Ludwig, CEO of the Promontory Financial Group: "These human foibles are going to be with us forever."

A similar approach to circumventing regulation was taken by the regulators themselves. The Minerals Management Service (MMS), an arm of the United States Interior Department that is supposed to oversee off shore oil drilling has come under fire for being too cozy with the industry it regulates, contributing to the current disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. According to reports by the Interior Department's inspector general, this "coziness" included sharing drugs and having sexual relations with the very industry representatives they were supposed to be regulating.

In healthcare, industry lawyers are busily looking for ways to make use of a gap in the law that allows insurance companies to "refuse new coverage to children (children!!!) because of a pre-existing medical problem, said Karen Lightfoot, spokeswoman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee" who is quoted in a March 24th 2010 Associated Press story.

Congress is amending the bill to close this loophole, but it won't go into effect until 2014, plenty of time for the industry lawyers to find ways to circumvent the amendment so that children with preexisting conditions (children!!!) won't have to be covered.

As Eugene Ludwig said, "These human foibles are going to be with us forever." We might think of these "human foibles" as simply "human nature."

But here are some other things that will be with us "forever:" The sun, the stars, the planets, the weather and Twinkies (okay, only about another 5 billion years but who is counting?).

Of course, we will have "human foibles." But at some point, saying it's only "human nature" becomes an excuse to justify anything: Murder, stealing, dishonesty, greed, selfishness, you name it.

Saying it's "human nature" lets us off the hook. If it's "human nature" we don't have to take responsibility for our actions. Saying it's "human nature" allows us to throw up our hands and surrender. Calling it "human nature" means we're stuck with what we've got so we had better make the best of it. "We didn't do it. The Devil made us do it."

Saying it's "human nature" is like allowing children to drive the car while the adults sit in the back seat.

It's time for the adults to take back the driving.

Larry Barkan
http://www.conflictresolutiontraining.net
Tips, techniques and resources for resolving the conflicts in your work and personal life.
http://www.larrybarkan.com
Leadership, management, team and personal training and development resources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Barkan

Last Day Message! Discover Mark Of The Beast + 144,000 Part 1 of 7

2010-04-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Cybersecurity Bill Proposes Unprecedented Government Power Over the Internet

2009-10-08T22:25:00.001-07:00

Cybersecurity Bill Proposes Unprecedented Government Power Over the Internet - A cybersecurity bill introduced today in the Senate would give the federal government extraordinary power over private sector Internet services, applications and software. The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 would, for example, give the President unfettered power to shut down Internet traffic in emergencies or disconnect any critical infrastructure system or network on national security grounds. The bill would grant the Commerce Department the ability to override all privacy laws to access any information about Internet usage in connection with a new role in tracking cybersecurity threats. The bill, introduced by Sens. John Rockefeller and Olympia Snowe, would also give the government unprecedented control over computer software and Internet services, threatening innovation, freedom and privacy. CDT President and CEO Leslie Harris said, "The cybersecurity threat is real, but such a drastic federal intervention in private communications technology and networks could harm both security and privacy." April 01, 2009

Cybersecurity Act of 2009 [PDF] April 01, 2009
Bill Creating a White House Cybersecurity Advisor [PDF] April 01, 2009

Obama links job growth to health care proposal

2009-10-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press - Charles Babington - ‎1

WASHINGTON - As the unemployment rate climbs, President Barack Obama is trying to make the case that his health care overhaul would create jobs by making small business startups more affordable.

Suicide Killers - A movie about terrorists

2009-09-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

This feature documentary takes the audience on a disturbing journey deep into a culture that few can comprehend -- that of suicide bombers. Filmmaker Pierre Rehov examines the phenomenon of suicide bombers through rare and never-before-seen interviews with actual family members of terrorists, the prisoners whose bombing attempts have been thwarted, and exclusive footage of a terror bomber as he prepares for mission! This film provides a message of urgency for increasing our understanding of the psychopathological dynamics of these terrorist bombers. We finally gain insight to how these human bombs "tick".

Potassium Chlorate and Gummy Bear- What we feed our kids!!

2009-05-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

Molten potassium chlorate is a strong oxidizing agent that reacts violently with sugar. Gummy bears have lots of sugar in them.

The Profit (Movie)

2009-02-11T02:42:00.000-08:00

Directed by former film executive Peter N. Alexander, movie critics have characterized The Profit as a parody of Scientology and of its founder L. Ron Hubbard. Alexander was a Scientologist for twenty years, and left the organization in 1997. The film was funded by Bob Minton, a former critic of Scientology who later signed an agreement with the Church of Scientology and has attempted to stop distribution of the film. When asked by the St. Petersburg Times about parallels to Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard said: "I'll let you draw that conclusion ... I say it's entirely fictional." Dr. David S. Touretzky: "The Profit: The Movie Scientology Won't Let You See" The Profit was written and directed by Peter Alexander, who spent 20 years in the Scientology cult and gave over $1 million to the organization. Alexander is a former executive at Universal City Studios, and was the creator of several famous theme park rides, including Back to the Future, Jaws, and ET. He and his crew suffered intense harassment from Scientology agents while making the film. When the movie debuted at Cannes in 2001, all the copies of the trailers were stolen. Alexander, a soft-spoken former vice president of Universal Studios who now lives near Clearwater, attained the Church's second-highest level of spiritual awakening, OT VII, or Operating Thetan level seven, before he defected in 1997. At one point, Alexander says, he was so consumed with Scientology that he carried around a Church-issued beeper that alerted him whenever his minders decided he required counseling. Greenway, a no-nonsense blonde with a pack-a-day voice and an easy laugh, was never a Scientologist. Alexander hired her in the mid-'90s at his architectural design firm, which at the time was run using Hubbard's principles; she resisted the workplace pressure to join Scientology and eventually convinced Alexander to leave the Church. They both joined the board of the Lisa McPherson Trust—a now-defunct anti-Scientology organization that battled the Church in Clearwater for years—and made a feature-length film called The Profit about a megalomaniacal leader named L. Conrad Powers who founds the Church of Scientific Spiritualism.

If Pot is the Only Thing Keeping Her Alive, Let Her Die

2009-01-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

One of the most horrifying acts of judicial barbarism in American history has just occurred, in yet another example of the insanity of our ineffective drug laws: A federal appeals court has decided that if the only thing that will keep a patient alive is medical marijuana, that individual may be put in prison, deprived of the substance, and left to die. "Oh my God," were the words that desperately ill Angel Raich, a 41- year-old Oakland, California mother of two who depends on medical marijuana for her life, uttered as the savage ruling was read.

The Supreme Court had already ruled that federal law prevailed in the Raich case over California law, which allows the use of medical marijuana. As a result, the only question before the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals was whether or not a person's right to life is more important that the federal prohibition against marijuana.

The court ruled that federal law is more important than the lives of US citizens.

Art credit: freeimages.co.uk

We can spend millions, even billions on fighting a futile war and prosecuting drug users, but we seem to have no money available to try to stem the effects of global warming, and good intentions are not enough. But don't despair: there are lots of things YOU can do: The Key is not only how much you know, but how much you care.

For more information, click here.

Related Stories:
19-Jan-2009: Coffee Highs
05-Dec-2008: Old Pot Stash Discovered
02-Dec-2008: Marijuana for the Memory
20-Oct-2008: Pot Ads Backfire
22-Aug-2007: Is Marijuana Better—or Worse—Than Cigarettes?
06-Mar-2007: Marijuana Medicine
20-Dec-2006: Forget Corn & Wheat--POT is Our Biggest Crop!
09-Oct-2006: Does Smoking Pot Prevent Alzheimer's?
12-Jul-2006: Hallucinogens Bring Everyone the Same Visions
07-Jul-2006: You May be Getting High from Food

Obama warned Republicans to quit listening to Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats

2009-01-23T21:09:00.000-08:00

Obama warned Republicans to quit listening to Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats, during a White House discussion on his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.

WARNING - UPS Uniforms Purchased on Ebay and OTHER HOAXES and Legends

2009-01-18T00:25:00.000-08:00

Did you get the following message in your email? It is a HOAX!

Government Warning regarding purchase of UPS uniforms:

There has been a huge purchase, $32,000 worth, of United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms on eBay over the last 30 days. This could represent a serious threat as bogus drivers(terrorists) can drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences! If you have ANY questions when a UPS driver appears at your door they should be able to furnish VALID I.D.

Additionally, if someone in a UPS uniform comes to make a drop off or pick up, make absolutely sure they are driving a UPS truck. UPS doesn't make deliveries or pickups in anything, except a company vehicle. If you have a problem, call your local law enforcement agency right away!

TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! Tell everyone in your office, your family, your friends, etc. Make people aware so that we can prepare and/or avoid terrorist attacks on our people! Thank you for your time in reviewing this and PLEASE send to EVERYONE on your list, even if they are friend or foe. We should all be aware!

Kimberly Bush-Carr
Management Program Specialist
U.S.Department of Homeland Security
Bureau Customs and Border Protection
Washington, DC20229

On the Homeland Security web site it says:

UPS Uniform Hoax

A hoax regarding UPS uniforms has been circulating on the Internet via e-mail since early 2003. This hoax, and a variation with a Department of Homeland Security signature block, are all equally untrue.

Current Hoaxes

The are a number of web sites that report hoaxes. One is http://urbanlegends.about.com/ which also covers urban legends. Under the celebrity section it gives the following report and I quote:

Lee Marvin & Captain Kangaroo. .. War Buddies?

Netlore Archive: In a story supposedly told by actor Lee Marvin on The Tonight Show, he recalls serving in combat with fellow U.S. Marine Bob 'Captain Kangaroo' Keeshan, whom he called 'the bravest man I ever knew'

Description: Email hoax
Status: False
Circulating since: March 2002
Analysis: See below

Email example contributed by F. Abbott, 20 March 2002:

Subject: FW: Bravery

"Never judge a book by its cover."

Dialog From a Johnny Carson "Tonight" Show. His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima and that during the course of that action, you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."

Lee Marvin's response was:

"Yeah, yeah. .. I got shot square in the ass and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Mount Suribachi. The bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down. But Johnny, at Iwo, I served under the bravest man I ever knew. We both got the Cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. The dumb bastard actually stood up on Red Beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. That Sergeant and I have been life long friends."

"When they brought me off Suribachi we passed him and he lit a smoke and passed it to me lying on my belly on the litter. "Where'd they get you Lee?" he asked. "Well Bob, they shot me in the ass and if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse."

"Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew!" You now know him as Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as "Captain Kangaroo"."

Comments: Despite sundry grains of truth sprinkled throughout - including the fact that both actor Lee Marvin and Bob "Captain Kangaroo" Keeshan were Marines during World War II (Keeshan a reservist), and that Marvin really was wounded in the buttocks while storming a beachhead (though in Saipan, not Iwo Jima) - the story is fundamentally false. According to their respective biographies, Marvin had already been injured and shipped back to the United States with a Purple Heart by the time Keeshan entered basic training. They could not have encountered one another in combat. Neither was awarded the Navy Cross.

At the age of 20, Lee Marvin was a private in the U.S. Marines 4th Division, part of the Allied landing force that invaded the Japanese-held Pacific island of Saipan on July 15, 1944. He was wounded three days later on July 18, spent the next 13 months in Navy hospitals recovering from a severed sciatic nerve, and was discharged in 1945.

Bob Keeshan signed up for the Marine Corps Reserve shortly before his 18th birthday in 1945. Since the war was all but over by the time he finished basic training, it's unlikely Keeshan ever saw combat before completing his service a year later, let alone attained the rank of sergeant.

Those old enough to remember Lee Marvin's occasional appearances on TV talk shows up until his death in 1987 will find the manner and spirit of the storytelling reminiscent of the man himself, but it seems unlikely he would have trumpeted such blatant lies about another man's service record over national television, nor have I been able to find any evidence in the form of tapes or transcripts that prove he did so.

Update: A version of this message circulating since March 2003 includes an addendum claiming that Fred Rogers, host of public television's "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," was an ex-Marine sniper (or, in another version, a Navy Seal) with dozens of wartime kills to his credit. This, too, is false.

Update: Bob Keeshan died on Friday, January 23, 2004.

SO! Don"t believe everything you read. You could be the BUTT (bad pun on Lee Marvin) of a HOAX.

The End

Author: John T Jones, Ph.D.

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He is Executive Representative of IWS sellers of Tyler Hicks wealth-success books and kits. He also sells TopFlight flagpoles. He calls himself "Taylor Jones, the hack writer."

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Watch the player above FULL SCREEN With CHAT- Invite some friends from all over the world and watch TV!~!!

2008-06-24T00:22:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE FOR THE PLAYER ABOVE WITH THE CHAT ROOM!

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2008-05-07T16:08:00.001-07:00

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