The Supreme Court heard arguments this week over whether or not a new documentary about Hillary Clinton violated campaign laws. The argument for the documentary being an ad was that its distribution was financed by a conservative group.
At risk is our freedom of speech and our freedom of opinion. The film is extremely critical of Clinton. It looks into many of her claims of experience. It questions her involvement in document events involving her husband. In other words the picture it paints ain't so pretty. It is this fact that has liberals and dems up in arms.
Of course these same liberals and dems were all for Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, a documentary (barely) that was exremely critical of former President George W. Bush. In their eyes criticizing the opposition is fair but criticizing one of their own violates the law.
Unfortunately a panel of Federal Judges did agree with them which is why this case is now before the Supreme Court.
People wake up. This is your world that is changing. It may seem like a small thing but most things start small. It is the easiest way to take something away from someone with their ever-loving consent. Do not support this. Whether the film is critical of Bush or Clinton we have a right to decide whether to see it or not.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
out of the darkness
daylight savings time has returned. it has taken me a little time to readjust to it but i'm getting there. the best part is the extra daylight at the end of the day. i don't think most people realize the effect of the darkness of winter on their moods. for me it is horrible. once the days begin getting shorter the dread begins building. and when time falls back it is even worse. instant darkness. and the days grow shorter and shorter until the solstice. my body feels the solstice. it knows when the longest day of darkness occurs. after that the darkness (and my winter blues) slowly begin to recede.
so the past couple of weeks have been spent absorbing as much of this extra light as i can. i love it.
so the past couple of weeks have been spent absorbing as much of this extra light as i can. i love it.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
HP Mini - A Non-Technical Review for the Non-Technical User
For the past week I have been using a HP Mini -basically a netbook. A netbook is a laptop notebook that is about the size of a large Day Planner - only thinner and lighter. Generally netbooks do not come with a cd/dvd drive of any kind. They do have multiple USB ports. This model is no different. There are two USB ports and a serial port. There's another area for hookup but it doesn't open when pushed and I just haven't been in the mood to mess with it. It's probably hookups for media (ie flash cards).
The hard drive is sufficently large (102 gigs) and the installed memory is 2 gigs. The system has built in Wi-Fi (love it). The OS is Vista.
The system can be a little slow loading at start up but if you put it into sleep or hibernate it loads very quickly.
Productivity includes a trial version of MS Office. I opted to install Open Office instead. It's free (they do ask for a donation and will be getting one) and will open MS Office docs. The catch is sending Open Office docs to others. You have to make certain you save it in the right format for others to be able to open.
I also opted not to use Outlook or IE and installed Thunderbird and Firefox. I am quite happy with both of these. They are similar enough to MS products to make using them very easy.
The biggest adjustments with the Mini are the keyboard and the screen. The keys are actually spaced perfectly for my hands...except for the space bar. I'm used to have a lot of space for my thumbs at the space bar and the confined thumb space takes some getting used to.
The screen is small and if you have bad vision you will need to use the accessibility options in order to increase the size of objects on the screen. Even with good vision the screen can be challenging if you are tired.
The whole system fits easily within a normal woman's purse but I'd still recommend getting a carrier of some sort. It also heats up a lot on the side with the power button so I purchased a cooling pad (would recommend you do the same).
I'm not going into specs any more than I have. Unless youare really into computers the specs will basically mean nothing to you but I will post the link to the HP site at the bottom of this review. My review is basically for people looking for a "laptop" that is easy to use and convenient to carry and this is it.
Overall I'm loving this HP Mini better than my old laptop.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/mini/
The hard drive is sufficently large (102 gigs) and the installed memory is 2 gigs. The system has built in Wi-Fi (love it). The OS is Vista.
The system can be a little slow loading at start up but if you put it into sleep or hibernate it loads very quickly.
Productivity includes a trial version of MS Office. I opted to install Open Office instead. It's free (they do ask for a donation and will be getting one) and will open MS Office docs. The catch is sending Open Office docs to others. You have to make certain you save it in the right format for others to be able to open.
I also opted not to use Outlook or IE and installed Thunderbird and Firefox. I am quite happy with both of these. They are similar enough to MS products to make using them very easy.
The biggest adjustments with the Mini are the keyboard and the screen. The keys are actually spaced perfectly for my hands...except for the space bar. I'm used to have a lot of space for my thumbs at the space bar and the confined thumb space takes some getting used to.
The screen is small and if you have bad vision you will need to use the accessibility options in order to increase the size of objects on the screen. Even with good vision the screen can be challenging if you are tired.
The whole system fits easily within a normal woman's purse but I'd still recommend getting a carrier of some sort. It also heats up a lot on the side with the power button so I purchased a cooling pad (would recommend you do the same).
I'm not going into specs any more than I have. Unless youare really into computers the specs will basically mean nothing to you but I will post the link to the HP site at the bottom of this review. My review is basically for people looking for a "laptop" that is easy to use and convenient to carry and this is it.
Overall I'm loving this HP Mini better than my old laptop.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/mini/
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
AIG Bonuses Face Possible 100% Tax
So today's congressional and presidential tirades involve the bonuses paid to AIG employees, bonuses that were to be paid according to contractual agreements reached before the government bailout. Now our whiny leaders want that money back (money that was accounted for before the bailout) and have decided if those receiving the bonuses do not give it back then they will take it by passing retroactive laws that collect 100% of the bonuses for taxes.
People this is not rocket science. The government is taking money they are not entitled to and are using the cry of "it belongs to the taxpayer" to drum up support. The problem is no taxpayer will receive any of the money that is returned.
People wake up. Your rights are being stripped. Your freedom of choice is being stripped. Your ability to take care of yourself...well the government would prefer that you allow them to do that.
People this is not rocket science. The government is taking money they are not entitled to and are using the cry of "it belongs to the taxpayer" to drum up support. The problem is no taxpayer will receive any of the money that is returned.
People wake up. Your rights are being stripped. Your freedom of choice is being stripped. Your ability to take care of yourself...well the government would prefer that you allow them to do that.
Monday, March 16, 2009
What the F#@k?
This is a story I first heard about on the Dominick Bracia Show on 960AM WERC. Our fearless leader is proposing that our military men and women pay for injuries sustained in war with their own private insurance.
The link below is a blog entry I found referencing this same story:
http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2009/03/proposal-to-have-soldiers-pay-for-war.html
Does this moron not realize that our military is made up of volunteers who believe in this country and what it stands for? Does he not realize the sacrifices made daily by each of these men and women, along with their husbands, wives, and children?
Does he expect a soldier who has been shot or hit my shrapnel to pull out an insurance card IN THE FIELD and sign documentation verifying the insurance coverage or does he expect them to pull out a credit card and have a credit check run before being treated? Will they be turned awayu from field hospitals if they have no means to pay?
The absurdity of this plan is beyond comprehension.
The link below is a blog entry I found referencing this same story:
http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2009/03/proposal-to-have-soldiers-pay-for-war.html
Does this moron not realize that our military is made up of volunteers who believe in this country and what it stands for? Does he not realize the sacrifices made daily by each of these men and women, along with their husbands, wives, and children?
Does he expect a soldier who has been shot or hit my shrapnel to pull out an insurance card IN THE FIELD and sign documentation verifying the insurance coverage or does he expect them to pull out a credit card and have a credit check run before being treated? Will they be turned awayu from field hospitals if they have no means to pay?
The absurdity of this plan is beyond comprehension.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Product Review - Net10 Prepaid Phone Service
I hate contracts, especially cell phone contracts. The offers look so great: get a free (or reduced cost) phone at some wonderful rate IF you sign up for two years of service. Then you get your bill and there are all the added fees which easily amount to a 20% increase in the total cost of your bill. That wonderful rate begins to look like a trap.
This is why I have primarily stuck with prepaid phones. I am always careful in researching my plans. Many prepaids offer unlimited calling of some sort but their daily access charges will run your costs up just like any regular plan. Coverage can be limited.
Then there is Net10. I found Net10 a little over three years ago. There plan is simple...$.10/minute for any call and $.05/minute for texts. The coverage map looked ok. No catches on the outside of the packaging. I bought it. It didn't take long to activate the phone (minutes really). I quickly found I had service where others didn't. Net10 runs off of any tower anywhere. This translates into great coverage, better than the big players.
My original phone was a nice flip phone that, while not latest and greatest, had enough bells and whistles to satisfy me. It was also very sturdy (surviving many drops and falls). My second phone was not as advanced as the first BUT the cost of the phone was absolutely nothing due to the phone coming with a package of minutes that equaled the cost of the phone. This phone also survived rough treatment.
I recently upgraded to my third phone. I wanted the camera and calendar functions and web access is an option (but I haven't used it). I'm liking the phone. I hate the preloaded ringtones but am too cheap to buy new ringtones. This upgrade was the first time that I was disappointed in the activation time of Net10. The phone was activated within the 72 hour window but I was accustomed to immediate activations. Two days without access was hell.
Customer service is sketchy. Their line is overseas and even with a well-trained staff there is a cultural barrier when talking. Americans use lots of euphamisms that do not translate well. The service reps are good as long as the call goes according to their guide pages. Anything said outside of the guides will throw them.
Rather new to Net10 is the unlimited text/calling plan. At $80/month it is a great deal if you use more than 800 minutes a month. Net10 has also added month to month prepay plans that deduct the monthly fee from an account or credit card automatically-still with no contract.
The phones are still a couple of years behind the newest phones on the market but who cares. The data plan is about the same. Given a little time I am sure Net10 will find a way to be more competitive in these areas.
Other than a few customer service issues and gadget envy this is the best prepaid (actually one of the best all around) plans out there.
This is why I have primarily stuck with prepaid phones. I am always careful in researching my plans. Many prepaids offer unlimited calling of some sort but their daily access charges will run your costs up just like any regular plan. Coverage can be limited.
Then there is Net10. I found Net10 a little over three years ago. There plan is simple...$.10/minute for any call and $.05/minute for texts. The coverage map looked ok. No catches on the outside of the packaging. I bought it. It didn't take long to activate the phone (minutes really). I quickly found I had service where others didn't. Net10 runs off of any tower anywhere. This translates into great coverage, better than the big players.
My original phone was a nice flip phone that, while not latest and greatest, had enough bells and whistles to satisfy me. It was also very sturdy (surviving many drops and falls). My second phone was not as advanced as the first BUT the cost of the phone was absolutely nothing due to the phone coming with a package of minutes that equaled the cost of the phone. This phone also survived rough treatment.
I recently upgraded to my third phone. I wanted the camera and calendar functions and web access is an option (but I haven't used it). I'm liking the phone. I hate the preloaded ringtones but am too cheap to buy new ringtones. This upgrade was the first time that I was disappointed in the activation time of Net10. The phone was activated within the 72 hour window but I was accustomed to immediate activations. Two days without access was hell.
Customer service is sketchy. Their line is overseas and even with a well-trained staff there is a cultural barrier when talking. Americans use lots of euphamisms that do not translate well. The service reps are good as long as the call goes according to their guide pages. Anything said outside of the guides will throw them.
Rather new to Net10 is the unlimited text/calling plan. At $80/month it is a great deal if you use more than 800 minutes a month. Net10 has also added month to month prepay plans that deduct the monthly fee from an account or credit card automatically-still with no contract.
The phones are still a couple of years behind the newest phones on the market but who cares. The data plan is about the same. Given a little time I am sure Net10 will find a way to be more competitive in these areas.
Other than a few customer service issues and gadget envy this is the best prepaid (actually one of the best all around) plans out there.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Stupid Medicial "Professionals"
I had a visit with a specialist today. I was excited because the reason I was going needed tending to. Friends and coworkers had recommended this office and seemed to be pleased with the service they received. I guess I went to the alternate universe office.
You walk in and no one greets you, says hello or even asks what you want. Approximately 10 minutes later it was time to be acknowledged...still no hello just "do you have your paperwork?" My appointment time came and went. And went. Well, it just left the building.
Over an hour later I was escorted back by the triage nurse. She did ask my symptoms, stuffed a paper thermometer into my mouth before I could reply and started to take my blood pressure. I told her through the thermometer that the cuff would not work because of the size of my arm but the idiot insisted it would. I said that it would be too tight and give a false reading. She proceeded with it anyway. The cuff grew tighter and tighter and tighter, cutting off circulation and creating an intense pain in my arm. I told her it was doing that and she said it was ok. It grew tighter then finally started letting off. I've had my blood pressure taken many time and I know what it sounds like when the machine is done. The machine was done. I shook my arm and the bitch told me that I screwed it up. She became very short with me from that point on.
Flash forward to the end of the appointment. I'm setting up a followup visit and they put the paperwork in front of me and this bitch had written on it that "patient refused to have blood pressure taken." I grabbed someone and pointed out that was not what had happened. I explained what happened. They didn't seem too concerned.
My point? If you are a medical "professional" and a patient tells you something you should listen. You do not know everything. You are not a god because you have some kind of degree. In fact, when a patient tells you something and you summarily dismiss it you show a lack of training, education and intelligence (not mention a total lack of human decency). Your books will not tell you everything you need to know. Much of what you need to know comes from paying attention.
A comment will be sent to the office stating the above. The nurse needs further training or else she needs a different career.
You walk in and no one greets you, says hello or even asks what you want. Approximately 10 minutes later it was time to be acknowledged...still no hello just "do you have your paperwork?" My appointment time came and went. And went. Well, it just left the building.
Over an hour later I was escorted back by the triage nurse. She did ask my symptoms, stuffed a paper thermometer into my mouth before I could reply and started to take my blood pressure. I told her through the thermometer that the cuff would not work because of the size of my arm but the idiot insisted it would. I said that it would be too tight and give a false reading. She proceeded with it anyway. The cuff grew tighter and tighter and tighter, cutting off circulation and creating an intense pain in my arm. I told her it was doing that and she said it was ok. It grew tighter then finally started letting off. I've had my blood pressure taken many time and I know what it sounds like when the machine is done. The machine was done. I shook my arm and the bitch told me that I screwed it up. She became very short with me from that point on.
Flash forward to the end of the appointment. I'm setting up a followup visit and they put the paperwork in front of me and this bitch had written on it that "patient refused to have blood pressure taken." I grabbed someone and pointed out that was not what had happened. I explained what happened. They didn't seem too concerned.
My point? If you are a medical "professional" and a patient tells you something you should listen. You do not know everything. You are not a god because you have some kind of degree. In fact, when a patient tells you something and you summarily dismiss it you show a lack of training, education and intelligence (not mention a total lack of human decency). Your books will not tell you everything you need to know. Much of what you need to know comes from paying attention.
A comment will be sent to the office stating the above. The nurse needs further training or else she needs a different career.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)