call a rose by a rose...it is now gov't property
GM Bankruptcy to Bring Taxpayer Ownership, Less Debt (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
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Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Bias Case Looms Large in Debate Over Sotomayor - washingtonpost.com
This is why quotas are an issue. Each person who took this test was an experienced firefighter. It wasn't a matter of upbringing or background that affected the outcome but of preparation. To have someone sitting on the Supreme Court who sees this as a valid ruling is detrimental to our national.
Equal opportunity means just that...equal opportunity. The opportunity was the same for all who took the test.
Bias Case Looms Large in Debate Over Sotomayor - washingtonpost.com
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Equal opportunity means just that...equal opportunity. The opportunity was the same for all who took the test.
Bias Case Looms Large in Debate Over Sotomayor - washingtonpost.com
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Selling Bin -- sell your used items
Got electronic equipment you need to get rid of? Then check this out:
Selling Bin -- sell your used items
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Selling Bin -- sell your used items
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How Much Extra Do Uninsured Americans Pay Because of the Insured?
In the past week there has been a lot of news coverage regarding the cost of the uninsured on the insured Americans. All of these articles (and the studies they site) base their information on a theoretical “invisible” tax that results from uninsured patients. These so called “invisible” taxes are increased premiums to cover what the uninsured do not pay. What this study has not taken into account is the cost of the insured on uninsured Americans.
For most Americans with insurance there is a deduction of premiums from each paycheck. Then, when making an office visit, they will pay a small copay per visit. The doctor's office then files the insurance and the rest is magically taken care of. You receive a statement showing what the office charged, what you paid, what the insurance company paid and what, if any, you owe. Examine the statements closely and you will find that the insurance company pays only 40-60% of what the physician charges, claiming the remaining amount was more than the usual and customer charge for the service. Chances are the statement will also say that you owe nothing. This means that the physician is taking a 40-60% loss on a visit by someone who is insured.
For those who are uninsured the visit must be paid at 100%. That means no drastic discount for the charges that insurance companies deem above the usual and customary charges. In addition, these charges are often required to be paid upfront.
The uninsured must also deal with the inability to get a straight answer on charges for a service. For example, about three years ago it took ten calls to find a facility that could quote charges for a standard visit and strep test. Nine facilities quoted only a flat rate to just come in and refused to quote the requested charges. These same facilities can, however, provide quotes to an insurance company if they are seeking approval on a procedure.
The answer to this issue is not in requiring all Americans to be insured but in providing a market where charges are available upfront and are the same for all customers. To force those with lower incomes to buy insurance is wrong. Many can afford an office vist. Many can afford the premiums. What they cannot afford are the premiums plus the copays and deductibles. Forcing insurance upon people benefits no one but the insurance companies.
ID-theft ruling: Set your own fraud alerts by AP: Yahoo! Tech
i have a serious problem with this ruling. have you ever tried to deal with the credit agencies? you cannot talk to a person. it takes months for them to even acknowledge you are who you say you are. then add to that the fact that it is estimated that 75% + credit reports contain errors that take excessive amounts of time and money to correct AND that three agencies who collect information on you without your direct consent control your access to everything financial...well it's bullshit!
ID-theft ruling: Set your own fraud alerts by AP: Yahoo! Tech
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ID-theft ruling: Set your own fraud alerts by AP: Yahoo! Tech
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
spring and life
spring is warming up nicely...in a literal sense. i love warm weather. i feel so much more alive than i do during the winter months - all that darkness is bad for the soul. of course this spring also brought with it a sinus infection that went from bad to worse and i've had vertigo for three weeks. today was the first day i wasn't dizzy. i still had to limit myself when i felt weak but overall great progress.
i am working on updating the blog more often. i just can't decide what i want to update it with. there are so many things that interest me but still...
rehearsals are going well. i'm loving this show. the director and the actress who is alternating with me are incredible and i am learning so much just by being there.
anyway...hoping for some sun this weekend at the beach and a winning lottery ticket. hey, you never know.
i am working on updating the blog more often. i just can't decide what i want to update it with. there are so many things that interest me but still...
rehearsals are going well. i'm loving this show. the director and the actress who is alternating with me are incredible and i am learning so much just by being there.
anyway...hoping for some sun this weekend at the beach and a winning lottery ticket. hey, you never know.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Digital TV Nightmares
June 12, 2009 marks the day that all public broadcasting channels nation-wide must convert from analog to digital transmission signals. For many the transition will not even be noticeable. If you have satellite or cable you will notice nothing. But for those who receive their reception through a traditional antenna (whether or not they have a digital television) the quality of their reception will drastically decrease or completely disappear.
For over a year now broadcasters have been advertising the conversion along with the Federal Government's DTV Coupon Program (https://www.dtv2009.gov/) to assist with the cost of converter boxes for those with analog televisions. But it has only been since February that these advertisements have included information about possibly needing an additional outdoor digital antenna in order to pick up a signal. People who must purchase the additional antenna will need to know what direction to aim/align the antenna in order to pick up reception.
AntennaWeb provides a handy dandy system for determining the type of digitial antenna you will need. It is very informative-breaking down the types of antennas and their strength. The selection guide let's you put in your individual information and returns the best recommendations.
In order for your antenna to get the best reception you will need a clear line of sight for the digital signal. Check out www.dtv.com/maps to see what stations you should be able to pick up and where to angle the antenna in order to pick up the most broadcast channels with the strongest possible signal. Not all stations will be in the same general direction. In these instances viewers must pick a direction in which to align the antenna by making a choice as to which network is most valuable. Once you have your angle you will need to take a look at your surroundings to see if anything will block the signal – limbs, houses, high fences. Eliminate limbs that are too long (this may need to be done annually). Permanent structures such as houses present a different problem. Try to find a location for your antenna that will reduce their effect.
Those who have never had satellite or digital cable will quickly discover pixeling. Pixels are the tiny little squares that make up a digital signal. When a signal is weak your picture will break up into these tiny squares (pixeling). With analog signals weak reception only resulted in fuzzy pictures and you often would still receive the audio signal. With digital signals the pixeling also interrupts the audio signal. A weak signal can be caused by distance from antenna, rain, leaves, solar spots and debris on your antenna.
Storms will cause pixeling/loss of signal. This means during times when you most need access to weather information you will not have it. Plan ahead if you live in areas known for violent weather conditions. Make sure you have a battery operated weather radio,flashlights and backup batteries on hand because you will not have television reception during heavy storms. If the pixeling is caused by debris on your antenna (snow, leaves, etc) you will need to remove it but be careful. Touching the dish can move it out of alignment.
Digital reception does provide better pictures on the screen but the current systems are not ready for mass use (at least in my experience) You can live 50 miles or 5 miles from an antenna and still not receive reception. Hopefully this information will help you in your own transition.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Troy's celebrated solar house left in dark | detnews.com | The Detroit News
call me silly but a $900K home that only has 800sq ft. is not very green or economical.
Troy's celebrated solar house left in dark | detnews.com | The Detroit News
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Troy's celebrated solar house left in dark | detnews.com | The Detroit News
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Friday, May 15, 2009
Judge Issues Restraining Order to Halt 'Robo-Calls' Selling Auto Warranties - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com
Judge Issues Restraining Order to Halt 'Robo-Calls' Selling Auto Warranties - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com
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this explains the decrease in calls today! hallalujah!
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this explains the decrease in calls today! hallalujah!
Hoax: Ericsson Free Laptop Promotion - Urban Legends
Hoax: Ericsson Free Laptop Promotion - Urban Legends
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i really wish people would think before forwarding chain emails
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i really wish people would think before forwarding chain emails
Great Article on Eppie Lederer (Ann Landers)
I found this article while digging for info on Eppie as research for a role. It's long but a great read.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2003/Dear-Ann/
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2003/Dear-Ann/
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
University of Missouri Requires Students Buy iPhone or iPod
University of Missouri Requires Students Buy iPhone or iPod
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can you believe this? a university dean is promoting using student LOANS to finance your iPhone and iPhone service. buy now and pay for the next 20 years.
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can you believe this? a university dean is promoting using student LOANS to finance your iPhone and iPhone service. buy now and pay for the next 20 years.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
My Car Warranty Is Expiring and I Can't Stop the Calls
I know I am not alone in this one. There is a telemarketing company that is scamming "car warranties." They call at any and all hours of the day and night. They call my home number. They call my work number. They even call my cell number. There is no live person to speak with unless you listen to the message. If you stay on the line long enough to get a live person they hang up when you say you want to be put on a Do Not Call List. If you wait for the call to end and call back the number on Caller ID you find the number is not a valid number.
I have tried filing complaints with the FCC and they always come back as not a valid complaint. I do not understand this...no way to opt out, calling cell phones, calling after hours allowed by law - all illegal.
So now I will begin posting all the numbers they call from. I will post dates and times. I will post results when trying to opt out and when filing FCC complaints. If you are having the same issues I urge you to post the same.
From: 0-1-989-637-1044
Time: 3:04PM
FCC Complaint Filed: Yes
Results of dial-back: Invalid number
Other Info: I'm not the only one who has problems with this number: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-989-637-1044
I have tried filing complaints with the FCC and they always come back as not a valid complaint. I do not understand this...no way to opt out, calling cell phones, calling after hours allowed by law - all illegal.
So now I will begin posting all the numbers they call from. I will post dates and times. I will post results when trying to opt out and when filing FCC complaints. If you are having the same issues I urge you to post the same.
From: 0-1-989-637-1044
Time: 3:04PM
FCC Complaint Filed: Yes
Results of dial-back: Invalid number
Other Info: I'm not the only one who has problems with this number: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-989-637-1044
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Major Lotteries
Powerball $92 million
Next drawing: Wednesday, May 6
MegaMillions: $12 million
Next Drawing: Sunday, May 10
Next drawing: Wednesday, May 6
MegaMillions: $12 million
Next Drawing: Sunday, May 10
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Hilarious Videos: Bus Pirates
http://www.buspirates.com/
Awesome web series. Funny, quirky, different!
Awesome web series. Funny, quirky, different!
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