May Day Protests

I like Mexicans. I like Mexican food, beer, and tequila, although I seldom drink alcohol anymore. I like the Mexicans I’ve worked with and I like the ones I’ve spent time with when I was living in Monterrey. I like most of the people I’ve met, lived with, and worked beside throughout Central America. Senoritas with long black hair, petite curves, quick smiles and friendly ways hold a place in my heart. Remind me sometime to tell you about how I almost didn’t make it out of Honduras without getting married. It’s a funny story, now.

May 1^st has been set aside by mostly illegal immigrants to protest the way the US handles its immigration policy.

I just like to say: “If you don’t like it, get the hell out! If you’re here illegally, get out anyway."

Since most of these illegal’s are from Mexico, lets take a look at how they do things at home.

Mexican Constitution:

Article 11: Protects citzens from "undesirable aliens resident in the country."

Article 16: Grants private individuals authorization to make citizen's arrests.

Article 32: "Mexicans shall have priority over foreigners under equality of circumstances for all classes of concessions and for all employment, positions, or commissions of the Government in which the status of citizenship is not indispensable."

Article 33: "Foreigners may not in any way participate in the political affairs of the country."

In Mexico they can arrest “undesirable aliens”, who determines what’s undesirable? The Mexican citizen making the arrest. In Mexico native born Mexicans get first priority in getting a job. And the big one: In Mexico if you’re a foreigner they throw your butt in jail and kick you out of the country for protesting or in any way participating in politics.

Gosh almightily, we gringos are so darn insensitive, uncaring, and restrictive on people living here illegally. It must be racism.

Maybe we should treat foreigners the same way they do in other countries, like Mexico.

Laugh to Keep From Crying

“Macro Economics”

by

Ben Bernanke

“This Book SUCKS!”

This video is the great economics geek parody of the year. Go check it out.

Fed Chairman Video

Talk about taking quick hard jabs at “Mr. Helicopter Money”, of course the truth hurts sometimes.

*****Update******

CBS is the Columbia Business School, not the TV broadcast company, you nit! Thanks for the email.

For the real Federal Reserve story use this link: Von Mises on the Fed.
Warning: its 41 min long.

The rest of the Columbia Business Schools Follies Videos Here.

Blog Recommendation

I don’t generally promote other blogs but I found one that debates current issues in unique format. Over at Objectivist v. Constructionist you can find a civilized debate that centers on key values as they are viewed from the respective philosophical positions. I found the Immigration Policy debate particularly worth while.

If you’re looking for something that raises above the general blog-sphere noise, these two gentleman are worth the effort to read. They don’t publish everyday or even weekly but the quality of the thought behind the arguments is worth checking back in for.

From the Esteemed Ron Paul

This is old news to most. The Honorable Mr. Paul from Texas has a excellent commentary out concerning our banking and monetary systems. These bullet points are taken from that article.

Particular things to remember:

• If one endorses small government and maximum liberty, one must support commodity money.
• One of the strongest restraints against unnecessary war is a gold standard.
• Deficit financing by government is severely restricted by sound money.
• The harmful effects of the business cycle are virtually eliminated with an honest gold standard.
• Saving and thrift are encouraged by a gold standard; and discouraged by paper money.
• Price inflation, with generally rising price levels, is characteristic of paper money. Reports that the consumer price index and the producer price index are rising are distractions: the real cause of inflation is the Fed’s creation of new money.
• Interest rate manipulation by central bank helps the rich, the banks, the government, and the politicians.
• Paper money permits the regressive inflation tax to be passed off on the poor and the middle class.
• Speculative financial bubbles are characteristic of paper money – not gold.
• Paper money encourages economic and political chaos, which subsequently causes a search for scapegoats rather than blaming the central bank.
• Dangerous protectionist measures frequently are implemented to compensate for the dislocations caused by fiat money.
• Paper money, inflation, and the conditions they create contribute to the problems of illegal immigration.
• The value of gold is remarkably stable.
• The dollar price of gold reflects dollar depreciation.
• Holding gold helps preserve and store wealth, but technically gold is not a true investment.
• Since 2001 the dollar has been devalued by 60%.
• In 1934 FDR devalued the dollar by 41%.
• In 1971 Nixon devalued the dollar by 7.9%.
• In 1973 Nixon devalued the dollar by 10%.

The good congressman makes some points of debatable economic quality, however, his basic premise that financial restraint equals governmental restraint is sound.

For instance, gold’s ability to protect against “harmful effects of the business cycle” is highly debatable. I disagree for a number of reasons based in economic theory. What a sound money system does do is ensure that the business cycle fluctuations are due to market conditions not fluctuations in the money supply.

Getting our politicians out of the banking business is a sound decision, politically, financially and morally.

Baby Got Back

Cause I can’t post on politics all the time.

Finally some government grant money wasted on useful scientific endeavors. Researchers in England wanted to find and answer to the question “Have you got the definitive derriere?”

The magical figures are (S+C)*(B+F)/T = V. Though the equation looks rather complicated, it is, according to the scientist, simple.

It assesses shape, bounce, firmness and symmetry – all factors that add up to the bottom line.

S is the overall shape or droopiness of the bottom,
C represents how spherical the buttocks are,
B measures muscular wobble or bounce, while
F records the firmness.
V is the hip to waist ratio, or symmetry of the bottom, and
T measures the skin texture and presence of cellulite.

Now if the Brits could master another scientific equation (B*V)+T=GOH

Where:

B=Toothbrush,
V=Velocity of brushing,
T=Teeth,
GOH=Good Oral Hygiene

They’d be all set.

What I want to know is, where do I apply for the research grant to determine the perfect boobies?

Bush Surrenders on the War on Drugs

Not really. I thought that since W’s new guiding philosophy is “if the problems is really big, were not going to enforce the law”, that maybe it would be applied equally to all executive branch functions.

Apparently that’s the way Bush feels about enforcing the immigration laws.

President Bush had a blunt message Monday for fellow Republicans focusing only on get-tough immigration policies: He said sending all the nation's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants back to their home countries is not the answer. "Massive deportation of the people here is unrealistic - it's just not going to work," Bush said. "You know, you can hear people out there hollering it's going to work. It's not going to work."

So, if the policy isn’t going to work because the problem is too big, can we count on the Pres to cut out the government program? What other ill-conceived federal make jobs programs will now go away under this new governing philosophy?

I was including a list of the unconstitutional and quasi-unconstitutional departments under the oversight of the Executive Branch, but it made my post run over 5 pages. You can go here to get the list, note some of the agencies are necessary and constitutionally proper but most aren’t.

When are we going to get small conservative government from the Republicans? Remember in the 80’s when it was vital we retake the Senate? I do. That wasn’t enough we had to retake the House. Thus the contract with America. We accomplished that goal. But the Stainmeister was President and we had to completely overthrow the powers of darkness to lead us into the Millennial Reign of Reagan. We elected GWB, ie the second coming of Reagan/Christ.

What did that get us? Instead of small government and a conservative agenda, we got the greatest expansion of government and debt in recent history. GWB isn’t the second coming of Reagan, he’s FDR and LBJ reincarnated and rolled into one.

Lest anyone think, and you know who you are Bill, that I’m some anti-conservative who’s PO’d because his guy didn’t get elected. I’m not. I’m like the guy who thought he married a virgin and found out after catching syphilis on his wedding night that his bride was really a crack whore, who’d say anything to get what she wanted.

Bush won’t enforce America’s boarders because the job is too hard. Does that mean he’s done fighting the war on drugs for the same reason?

Res Mail

This showed up in my email today. My answers follow. You can follow the link if you're interested in taking the survey.

You've heard from us. Now, we want to hear from you.

As we formulate our strategy to win in November, we need your opinion. Enclosed in this e-mail is your official Republican Grassroots Voices Survey. Please take a moment to share your opinion on...

The most important priority facing our nation... why it's important that we retain our Republican majorities in November... how you'd like to get involved online... where you get your news... and anything else - by sharing your thoughts at the end of the survey.

Please be sure to return the survey as soon as possible. We will be sharing your thoughts with our leaders in Congress for their action. Your answers will be used to formulate a blueprint for victory in 2006 and 2008.

Politics is changing - and new technology empowers you to connect with our Party's leaders and elected representatives at the click of a button. Take a moment to fill out this important survey and tell our Party's leaders what you think.

Sincerely,



Ken Mehlman
Chairman, Republican National Committee

P.S. With this survey, you'll have a chance to sign up for our Grassroots Voices Initiative. By signing up, you'll receive exclusive e-mail alerts about new online polls - and be the pulse of the Republican Party.

---

If you have trouble submitting this survey or would like to complete it online, click here.

1.) Which issues will be most important in determining your vote this November? (select up to three)

a. Return the US to a constitutional Republic

b. Pay off the national debt

c. insure individual liberty

2.) What is the most important reason for maintaining and expanding our Republican majorities in 2006? (select one)

A: There isn’t one. The Republican Party has squandered its voter mandate and has governed as badly as the Democrats.

3.) If the Democrats win control of the Congress in 2006, what is the one thing you would be most worried would happen?

A: They’d expand government as fast and thoughtlessly as GWB.

4.) As you know, President Bush has announced a bold reform agenda for 2006. Which of his initiatives is most important to you? (select one)

A: What reform agenda? More big government spending isn’t a reform.

6.) On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend voting Republican in the next election to a friend or a colleague?

A: ZERO. There is little discernable difference between the Rep’s and Dems.

7.) As an online activist, what features would you like to see on GOP.com? (select multiple)

A: Links to the Constitution and Libertarian Parties websites where we can find some options for real conservative candidates.

9.) Did you vote in the year 2004?

A: Yes and I don’t regret it, but I didn’t support the party blindly like the past.

The Perils Of Thinking

From Daniel Ben Gurion

It started out innocently enough. I began to think at parties now and then - just to loosen up.

Inevitably, though, one thought led to another; soon I was more than just a social thinker.

I began to think alone -- "to relax," I told myself -- but I knew it wasn't true. Thinking became more and more important to me, and finally I was thinking all the time.

That was when things began to sour at home. One evening I had turned off the TV and asked my wife about the meaning of life. She spent that night at her mother's.

I began to think on the job. I knew that thinking and employment don't mix, but I couldn't stop myself.

I began to avoid friends at lunchtime so I could read Thoreau and Kafka. I would return to the office dizzied and confused, asking, "What is it exactly we are doing here?"

One day the boss called me in. He said, "Listen, I like you, and it hurts me to say this, but your thinking has become a real problem. If you don't stop thinking on the job, you'll have to find another job."

This gave me a lot to think about. I came home early after my conversation with the boss. "Honey, " I confess, "I've been thinking..." "I know you've been thinking," She said, "and I want a divorce!" "But Honey, surely it's not that serious." "It is serious," she said, lower lip aquiver. "You think as much as college professors and college professors don't make any money, so if you keep on thinking, we won't have any money!"

"That's a faulty syllogism," I said impatiently. She exploded in tears of rage and frustration, but I was in no mood to deal with the emotional drama. "I'm going to the library," I snarled as I stomped out the door.

I headed for the library, in the mood for some Nietzsche. I roared into the parking lot with NPR on the radio and ran up to the big glass doors... They didn't open. The library was closed.

To this day, I believe that a Higher Power was looking out for me that night. Leaning on the unfeeling glass, whimpering for Zarathustra, a Poster caught my eye, "Friend, is heavy thinking ruining your life?" it asked.

You probably recognize that line. It comes from the standard Thinkers Anonymous poster. Which is why I am what I am today: a recovering thinker? I never miss a TA meeting. At each meeting we watch a non-educational video - last week it was "Porky's."

Then we share experiences about how we avoided thinking since the last meeting. I still have my job, and things are a lot better at home. Life just seemed...easier, somehow, as soon as I stopped thinking. I think the road to recovery is nearly complete for me.

Today, I made the final step - I registered to vote as a Democrat.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

If you guessed, “there’s not enough bullets in it”, go to the head of the class. When driving through Nebraska last month, I made it point to stop at every Cabalas in the state. While in Kearney I visited the “bargain cave” and picked up two boxes of Berry’s Preferred Plated Bullets from Berry’s Mfg. Inc.

The boxes the bullet’s were packaged in had been damaged in shipping and so they had taped them back together and knocked $2 off. Allegedly all 250 bullets were still in each box, or so the sales guy said.

After getting them home and reloaded I found that the fist box was short 39 bullets and the second box was short 16 bullets. A quick call to Cabalas and they mailed me the 55 missing bullets.

I’m quite pleased with the way Cabalas handled my call and fixed the problem. If I could make a suggestion to Berry’s Mfg, it would be to do a better job counting the product before you ship it out. You just cost your retailer their mark up on the first two boxes they sold me because of damage and now they’ve opened a third box to make up the difference because you didn’t package the product right the first time.

Dumb Investment Decisions

Sometimes working in a financial institution you come across investment opportunities.

In 95 I had an older lady in my office looking to settle up her husbands account after he passed away. As I was going through his records I noticed that he had purchased a credit life policy to cover his account balance. I told his widow that she didn’t need to worry about paying us off that day and if she would help me fill out the death claim paperwork and get me a copy of the death certificate I would take care of it for her.

She helped me by getting the paperwork together and stopped in a few days latter. After I processed everything and discharged the debt she told me how grateful she was. She was just about out of insurance money and would have been next to broke after paying us off. Then she asked me if I knew anything about coins and would I help her with some other financial details.

Latter that day she presented me with the contents of a safety deposit box. The container was about the size of a shoe box and it was filled with pre 1930 US gold coins and Sovereigns.

She was looking to get $225 an oz for the entire lot. She offered it all to me or any part that I wanted to buy. I however had recently passed my securities exams and knew how much better I could do in the stock market. I only had about $5,000 cash at the time so I couldn’t buy the whole lot if I wanted to, I declined.

Had I bought what I could, at today’s prices it would be worth $13,300 spot bullion price. The numismatic value would be much, much higher, somewhere in the $200,000 range. Her departed husband was something of a coin expert and had several pieces that were in above average condition. He had a thing for $1, $2 1/2, $3 and $5 coins from the mid 1800’s. I could have bought them for spot.

What happened to my $5,000? Funny you should ask. Part of it was spent on an engagement and wedding ring set. The rest disappeared when the company I invested in filed for bankruptcy in 2001.

Sometimes working in a financial institution you come across investment opportunities; and really blow it big time.

It’s a Baby

Monday I made my first trip ever to an obstetrician’s office. The occasion was an ultra sound of Mrs. Ipsa and Res Jr. Mom is doing great and baby Ipsa is developing normally. So far so good.

I’m thrilled. We weren’t expecting to become parents. After being married as long as we have and not having kids, we thought it wouldn’t happen. I’m thinking of starting a pool to see what will come first, my wife’s 40^th b-day or the baby. The delivery date is only five days different. Since due dates are plus or minus one week, it’s anyone’s guess.

This last week the in-laws came to visit and painted the baby’s room. Apparently such things cannot be left to my devices. MIL saw fit to give the house a top to bottom spring cleaning, the likes of which no house has ever had. That is one thing that I wouldn’t have done. I’m still looking for my stuff. They left yesterday.

We’re due in September. We decided not to find out the babies sex, we can wait. That’s not as important to me as I would have thought. Right now all I want is a healthy wife and baby. Due to her advanced maternal age complications are to be expected, but my wife is one of the healthiest and physically fit women you’ll meet so we're ahead of the game in that department.

Names, I never expected names to be such a problem. If it’s a boy, he’ll be named after my grandpa. If it’s a girl, we’ll come up with something. I think Mrs. Ipsa enjoys testing me in this department. At least I hope she’s teasing me. I’ve vetoed more girls names in the last two months than the president has vetoed spending bills in his two terms.

I'm liking being a dad to be.

Original Sin

Wait, keep reading, this isn’t another income tax rant. This came up as a tangent at Astro’s and I thought I’d expand on it. My response to the idea of original sin is: I don’t believe in it.

The way I understand the concept is: “Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden coveys the guilt and consequences of sin on all mankind for all time”. Meaning that because of Adam we will all go to hell without a savior. To which I say baloney.

I’m aware that Romans 5:12 says:

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

I don’t see how this verse, or any other proves that Adam’s sin = my spiritual death. I won’t argue the part about physical death at least as it applies to all mankind. There are two recorded instances where men didn’t die but were taken. Also, at the end of time we are told those living will be taken. I’m not trying to build an entire case about physical death here, just saying there seems to be exceptions to the rule.

What I believe: Every person bears the consequences for their own sin, and no one else’s. The consequences of sin is death, both physically and spiritual. Spiritual death means hell for all eternity. The only way we have to avoid that fate is to accept pardon thru obeying the Gospel of Christ.

I believe that “all have sinned”, but that doesn’t make it Adam's fault. We all have a choice to sin or not. If we didn’t choose sin but inherited it from someone else; God would be unjust in judging/punishing us. Sin may have entered the world by Adam but we embrace it and the consequences on our own.

BTW, I don’t believe in baptizing babies to “save them” from original sin either. Baptism is a faith response to the message of the gospel. It’s an act of obedience, a little baby has no sin to be forgiven of, and they don’t understand what’s going on, so they can’t be responding to anything. Babies that die are without sin, they go to heaven.

Readers Request: Fly-fishing

Fly fishing provides endless opportunities to buy expensive gadgets, costly cloths, and pricy rods to pursue a fish that seldom goes over 14 inches long and which you will promptly return to the water once you’ve landed him. It is second only to flying airplanes and yachting in terms of dollars spent per hour of enjoyment. The only more useless hobby is collecting/riding/working on Harley Davidson motorcycles.

If you’re wanting a hobby guaranteed to keep you away from the wife, kids and responsibilities of homeownership, that will satisfy urges closely associated with obsessive compulsive disorder, fly fishing might be right for you.

That said: I like it.

Stuff you need:

Rod. I built mine, but you can buy great rods for less than $125. Rods are classified by weight from 2 being lightest to 12 or more on the heavy end. 3 to 7 wt rods are the most common. I fish a 4wt most of the time a 4, 5, 6wt rods are good ones to start with.

Reel. For less than $50 bucks you can get a great reel.

Line. You buy line to match the rod so if you have a 4wt rod you get 4wt line. Here’s where it gets tricky. There are lots of different kinds of line to match different kinds of fishing. Floating line, sinking line, weight forward, double taper etc, you’re supposed to match the kind of fishing you’re doing to the line. Assuming you want to fish dry flies on top of the water, you need a floating weight forward or double taper.

Leader. A Leader is the see through mono filament that ties to the line which in turn ties on to your tippet.

Tippet. Tippet is the thin line that you tie the fly on to.

Fly. An artificial lure designed to look like a bug that a fish would eat. Like real bugs it prefers to spend its time in trees, bushes and other inconvenient places rather than fall into the water. The kind of flys you’ll need depends on what the local fish are eating. Ask at your local fly shop.

Orvis Catalog. Save time now by having you’re entire paycheck direct deposited to them. Seriously cool, if overpriced stuff, you soon won’t be able to live without.

Total cash if you try to buy reasonably good, but not high end stuff: rod, reel and lines $225, Flys $50. It's possible to wade streams without special waders, shoes and a fishing vest but you’re not going to do that, plan on dropping another $250. Budget another $100 for gadgets just to be safe. Let’s see that’s about $625 to chase a little trout.

Still interested?

Remember When?

Do you remember when people asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up? If you didn’t have an immediate answer did they offer up helpful suggestions? Like you needed to decide the rest of your life, and let them in on it. The next thing they wanted to know was “why”.

As a kid I couldn’t wait to “be grown up”. I wanted to be big, to be older, to have a job so I could make money, so I could buy what I wanted and do what I liked.

I never wanted to work in the yard, clean the garage, or tend the garden.

The subject of retirement came up the other day. Just like the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question did years ago.

I started thinking about my Granddaddy. He retired and bought himself a truck farm and a sporting goods store. Sporting goods store makes it sound grander than it was. Thats what he called it though. The store was a bait shop that sold a few guns and fishing poles. A truck farm raises vegetables and sells em off the back of a flat bed truck, mostly on the honor system.

The farm had a pond with a few fish in it. I caught my first one, a crappie on a cane pole. If Grandpa’s chest got any bigger it would have burst. I went on my first bird hunt when Grandpa said I could tag along. He hung back with me so we'd get the ones that sneaked by the dogs, cause that's what the best hunters do. I was five. He didn’t get any birds that day, everyone else did.

I can’t think of a better life. When I grow up: I want a truck farm with a pond, some pan-fish, and good bird hunt’n. I’d add a small orchard and a cider press to the deal if I could.

Granddaddy had all that for just a few years before the cancer got him. I’d like to have it a little longer if I could. If it's not too selfish of me, I’d like to have it sooner in life than he did.

Res Wanders

Hopefully this will become a semi regular feature. I travel a good deal. I like to take the back roads and two tracks when I can. Sometimes I find cool little places. Like I did today.

I was told this was a nice ride and it was. It was hinted that this is a good place to fish. I’m not sure I’m buying that. I’ve fished it further up stream and it’s so so with smallish cutthroats and brookies. I finally took the fishing rod and gear out of my pick up last month and forgot to put it back in. No fishing today.

It was a good day.

Bush Lied, People Died?

One of the sound bites bantered about in the media is that Bush lied us into invading Iraq. The Democrats are repeating the mantra as if it both excuses and exonerates them in their initial support of the war. Get real.

The truth is that Bush laid out the information as he had it. It was the same info the Brits had and the same info he shared with everyone who would listen. Human knowledge by its very nature is limited and fallible. Bush may have been wrong in his analysis of the data but that doesn’t mean he lied about it.

I’m not sure he was wrong. Several things could have happened to the WMD’s. They could have been exported to Syria as evidence suggests, they could have been destroyed prior to and during the invasion, as was reported. Saddam might have been trying to bluff. The idea being to tell the world he didn’t have them but at the same time hint that he did, as a deterrent to invasion. Either way its not Bush’s fault.

The reasons we got into Iraq may be debatable but Bush didn’t mislead Congress or the Dems. He laid out what he had for them to look at. Instead of examining the evidence, they looked at the polls that said Americans wanted retribution for 911. Then they voted for a war. The so called principals they have suddenly discovered never entered the picture. The political change of heart now, has nothing to do we are told, with the polls going against the war.

The Democrats and Congress lied, at least to themselves, and people died. The polls have changed, but not the nature of politicians. They are just using this as a reason for their position flip flop.

The things GWB lied about are too long for this post, but prewar intelligence isn’t one of them.

I Have No Idea if This is True

I got a good laugh when it showed up in my email.

Most Syrians struggle to even read Arabic - much less have a clue about English.

So, how does a group of Syrian protest leaders create the most impact with their signs by having the standard "Death To Americans"(etc.) slogans printed in English?

Answer: They simply hire an English-speaking civilian to translate and write their statements in English.

Unfortunately, they were unaware the "civilian" insurance company employee hired for the job was a retired US Army sergeant. Obviously, pictures of the protest rally never made their way through the Arab TV network, but the results were "Priceless".

Credit Where Credit is Due

The “Race Card Post” comes to us from LindaSoG and The Hip Hop Republicans. Check out the “Race Card” product testimonials They’re worth the time to click and read. Thanks for the laugh.

I Just Can't Let it Go

"Do I have to contact the police every time I change my hairstyle? How do we account for the fact that when I wore my braids every day for 11 years, I still faced this problem, primarily from certain white police officers,"

The Congresswomyn from Georgia forget to mention that this is her 5^th run in with capital police, but that’s just a small insignificant detail. There are racist cops and they’re all after her.

She is right about one thing.

The cop did “touch her inappropriately”. What he should have done when an unidentified person bypassed a security check point was tackle the suspect, handcuff her and haul her down to the security office till they could straighten things out. You know just like they would have done to any white person. If we’re still thinking the cop should have treated her like a white person, she might have got tasered or shot, but no sense dwelling on these things.

Note:
I discovered the "race card" pic yesterday I've submitted a request for contact info to the person I believe to be the author to request permission to use it.

Unsolicited Advice for Cynthia McKinney

Dear Congresswomyn,

God only knows why the people of Georgia sent you back to DC. Maybe it was because they don’t like you either. If you’re in congress they only see you when you’re home pimping votes.

I’m sorry did that sound racist? Apparently everything is racist to you, unless it’s about those dirty Jews your father hates so much. Did the apple fall far from the tree? Is that just political posturing to scam some cash from your Arab friends? Here’s some advice that is if you can put down your copy of “O” long enough to take it.

1. First call another press conference. Then admit on national TV that the cop did nothing wrong and that he was just trying to do his job. Apologize to him and the capital police. If you want, explain that you were gabbing on the cell and didn’t hear him trying to talk to you. You can even tell everyone that as a black person you’re genetically inclined to violence and hundreds of years of oppression by whitey caused you to hit a uniformed cop. Racist America will believe you.
2. Then ask everyone, including the cop to forgive you for being self-absorbed and inconsiderate.
3. Promise to start wearing your “Members Pin” so the cops can tell that despite your appearance and behavior that you’re not another DC crack whore, but a elected whore who’s supposed to bypass security. I’m sorry I should have said “hoe”. I’m trying to be racially sensitive.

America has a long history of forgiving people who own up to their mistakes and accept responsibility for their actions. If you fess up and then shut up, this whole thing will blow over in a week. If you keep running your gums about how racist cops are trying to profile based on your getto slut, homeless-nigga-style-fro, expect them to keep pushing for legal action.

You broke the law. You pissed off the cop. You pissed off the department. You’re in the process of pissing off the public. Stop while you’re behind. As it is now the only way the cop can save his career and save face is to have his day in court, and win.

As a oppressed womyn of color, beaten down by ages of prejudice, I would think you’d have learned how to say “I’m sorry officer”, by now.

Rafting Trip

It’s time to start planning the second annual, White Water Rendezvous. The trip is open to all regulars who are willing to make the trip to Colorado and have a fantastic time.

This year we are considering two trips. The first trip is tailored to those interested in something to get them started into rafting. We haven’t decided on a final itinerary, but it will likely include one or more of these runs on the Arkansas River: The Numbers, Browns Canon, or Royal Gorge. The trip is relaxed enough for newcomers but has enough action to kick start the adrenal gland.

For true adrenaline junkies we are looking at Gore Canon. Contentious Class V paddle or die action for the hardcore thrill-seeker. Last year we ran THE GAUNTLET at peek water levels and had a blast. This year we thought we’d turn it up a notch.

We are waiting to see what dates work for everybody, late May thru June has some good water. After we get an idea who and how many want to go we’ll contact outfitters to arrange a group discount. It may be possible to run Gore Canon the same weekend as the Arkansas, we’ll have to see. After we know who’s coming we can help coordinate accommodations.

WaterBoy has generously offered to host another cookout at his place. Use the comments for questions or email me with contact info.

Quote from Texas via Oz

"Again, I don't argue with liberals. It's like playing chess with a monkey. He's not capable of playing by the rules, but will just grab the king, bite you and jump all over the board. The only way to deal with these people is to not let them have any power or just kill them."

Who Said it?

Telemarketers

I hate em, you hate em, we all hate em.

Maybe you know this and maybe you don’t but the national DO NOT CALL list is operational now. It has been for awhile. You can get your phone number added by going to the website and registering. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s free. This little gem can make a ton of unwanted calls go away.

I was looking thru my bookmarks at websites that I’ve found useful and I thought I’d post some on the blog. They’re listed in the sidebar under “Sundry”. Another useful page is the Annual Credit Report. You’re entitled to one report free each year from all the repositories. Its always a good thing to know what they are saying about you. Go ahead and check it out. If you need help reading it, email me.

On Line Banking

Before we get to a post on investing I mentioned using an online bank as a way to stash away some cash. I’m a fan of using on line banks for a number of reasons. Normally there isn’t any minimum deposit amount. So you can get started with a small amount of money. They also pay a better interest rate for your money. Typically better than a savings or money market account at your local bank. The ones I’m highlighting are FDIC insured, just like your local bank. They are easy to use, all you have to do to make withdraws or deposits is link the account to your primary checking account and transfer money electronically via the website.

Things I like about online banking:

1. Higher interest rates, normally above inflation
2. No minimum deposit
3. Money is easily accessible via checking account
4. Cuts down on impulse purchases, money can take 3 or more days to transfer back into checking account
5. Security has vastly improved in the last 10 years

ING used to be the leader in on line banking. They had the best web site and they offered very competitive rates. They had some of, if not the best available in the business. Lately though they have fallen behind in what they’re paying in interest. I think this is because they invested in a lot of low yield bonds and low interest arms. As the market improves I suspect so will the rates. I have used ING DIRECT for sometime. Currently they are paying 4.00% for deposits with a teaser rate for new money.

An old bank with a new business model is Emigrant Direct. They are a long time New York Bank that decided to get into nation wide direct banking. They are paying 4.50% for your deposit. I had looked into Emigrant when they first started, and I have been following them. As a rule they have better rates then ING. My only complaint was when they first started their website was a little difficult to navigate and was sparse on info. I think they fixed those issues.

CitiBank Direct is offering a 4.50% interest rate. They are another big name banking conglomeration. I have no experience with them so if you’re interested you need to read the fine print. I think you may have to open a checking account with them to get the savings account.

HSBC Direct is the current market interest leader. They are offering 4.80% for deposits. My experience with HSBC is limited to persons in their off shore investment division in London. Based on my contacts there, I would feel confident depositing money with the company. American depositors are FDIC insured, for accounts opened in the USA.

So there you go. I know that there are other On Line banks out there but I think these four are the top ones right now. Several insurance companies offer online banking to, but I don’t have any experience with those. As always do your own due diligence Let us know what experiences you’ve had with any of the ones I’ve mentioned or suggestions for better companies.

They Once Made Men in America

Desmond T. Doss Sr., 87, died March 23 at his home in Piedmont, Alabama. He served as an Army medic on Okinawa during World War II saving more than 75 wounded soldiers at great personal peril. He was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.

His religious and moral convictions kept him from carrying a gun, his patriotism kept him from staying home, his sense of honor compelled him to do his best. His citation here. Some men find a way to do their duty to God and Country, without compromising their beliefs.

Once apon a time, men like this were common in America.

Tax Time Gripe

I’m going to skip the traditional tax complaining this year. We all know that the personal income tax is a fraud, never ratified, evil abuse of power, inspired by Satan to destroy America and only goes to pay interest on the national debt, etc, etc, etc. I agree. Having said that I also fully comply by paying the IRS every penny I owe.

As a consultant I work for several companies. Some of the work is interesting and a professional challenge, some is boring but it pays. One client (boring but pays) I’ve had for over 7 years is RQA inc. In that time they have generally been a decent, if small account.

Last year they became the customer from hell. A typical call for a project from RQA last year went something like this.

Late afternoon the day before they want the project started.

RQA: “Res save us you’re our only hope we need you to do a compliance check at 77 locations throughout the state of Wyoming and have the data Fed Ex’d back by Mon am. We’ll pay you $6 a location and 28 cents a mile”.

RES: “You’re out of your mind, do you know how big WY is? Send me your locations and I’ll quote the job”

RQA: “OK, its state wide”

Side note: The area covered the entire state of WY, get out your map start in Casper go east to Douglas north to Hulet west to Sheridan west to Cody south to Shoshone west to Jackson, southwest to Lander, Riverton, Green River, and back to Cheyenne, Lusk, Torrington and several other small towns on the way.

RES’s Quote: I need $35 an hour estimated time 40 to 55 hours, no cap if road conditions are bad. 38.5 cents per mile, estimated miles 1,800 no cap for actual miles driven $100 for hotels and $100 per diem plus a cash advance for repurchase of merchandise, 100% expense reimbursement.

RQA: “you’re our hero, we’ll send out the kit and your advance, just get the job done and returned by Monday.”

What happened. Staring 8 am Friday morning I made the run and covered the entire state of WY in less than 72 hours tracking down every location, including ones that were dude ranches 100 miles from town. All of this in spite of a major snow storm in the mountains. I submitted my bill, and receipts and I waited. And waited and waited.

Since I had a 7 year history with the client I performed 4 more jobs in the next 60 days even though I hadn't been paid. After my bill was 180 days old and I was sending nasty letters and threatening to sue, I got a check, for $6 per location and expenses.

Fast forward to Feb 2006. The 1099 from RQA shows up. Lets just say its wrong, way wrong. They 1099’d me on every dime that I ever saw from them, mileage money, expenses, the few bucks they actually did pay me, even the cash they advanced to repurchase product. In short, not only have they screwed me on payment, they reported earnings that never happened.

I almost forgot. Since I didn’t make quarterly payments on the alleged income from RQA, I’m going to be in trouble for non compliance and its going to cost me some penalties too. The reason I didn’t pay on it was simple: I didn’t see any cash till the end of Q3 and Q4 and at that point the money received wasn’t enough to pay my actual costs. It wasn’t enough to be a profit for the work preformed, therefore was non taxable.

So this year I’m blowing perfectly good money on tax advice to help me fix this. If you ever get a chance to work for RQA, don’t.

The Internet Will be Down Today

Important Notice re: Internet Cleaning!

As many of you know, each year the Internet must be shut down for 24 hours in order to allow us to clean it. The cleaning process, which eliminates dead email and inactive ftp, www and gopher sites, allows for a better working and faster Internet.

This year, the cleaning process will take place from 12:01 a.m.. GMT on April 1st until 12:01 a.m, GMT on April 2nd During that 24-hour period, five powerful Internet search engines situated around the world will search the Internet and delete any data that they find.

In order to protect your valuable data from deletion we ask that you do the following:

1. Disconnect all terminals and local area networks from their Internet connections.

2. Shut down all Internet servers, or disconnect them from the Internet.

3. Disconnect all disks and hardrives from any connections to the Internet.

4. Refrain from connecting any computer to the Internet in any way.

We understand the inconvenience that this may cause some Internet users, and we apologize. However, we are certain that any inconveniences will be more than made up for by the increased speed and efficiency of the Internet, once it has been cleared of electronic flotsam and jetsam.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Interconnected Network Maintenance staff, Main branch, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Please notify your friends relatives and business associates of this event so they too will be prepared. If you are reading this online today (4-1-2006) your computer will be cleaned automatically and your hard drive heartlessly deleted when you turn your computer off.
Thank You.