OK, I will admit it - I have a couple of older TVs in my house, not hooked up to cable or satellite, so they can't receive digital signals.
Voila - here comes the US government to the rescue - NOT!
I sent off for, and received the limit of 2 cards, giving me $40 each off the purchase of the Digital to Analog converters which were needed for my TVs.
I really didn't have the time to get them, when I recieved them, so I tacked the entire letter, including the cards on my bulletin board.
Then, when I decided it was time to use them, I found out that there was a 90 day limit. They were not valid after 90 days from the time they were received! And, of course, by the time I decided to do it, the 90 days had ellapsed.
So, I went back to the website and tried again. I was told that I had already received my limit and couldn't receive any more. However, I was given the option to appeal this decision, and I did. I told them that the 90 days had unfortunately lapsed and that since I didn't actually use them, I should get 2 new ones.
But - they didn't think that was good enough and they denied me the option of getting 2 more.
I think, if the government is going to give you a certain option, they should just give you the option, without a time limit (like this one). This is a ripoff, in my opinion, and I'm spreading the word.
Especially this most recent presidential campaign!
Why can't the people running just tell us what they want to do, instead of telling us why the other one is wrong or what they did (wrong)?
Both sides (AND I DO MEAN BOTH SIDES) stretch the truth to make it sound like the other guy is bad and their side is good. It's totally ridiculous. In the infamous "he voted against the troops" debacle, they were both totally right! The other side voted against the troops.
In McCain's view, he voted against supporting the troops because there was a timeline for departure set in the bill. In Obama's view - he voted against supporting the troops because there was NOT a timeline.
Give me a break!!
And, the deal about talking with Iran-- they were both saying almost the same exact things - it was just semantics - their words were different!
If you tell me what you're FOR and what you want to accomplish, I can more understand whether or not I want to vote for you. I know this won't stop in my life time, but it really should stop SOON!
The Dallas Cowboys - most of the time, that's all you need to say, but after their last losing game against the Rams - it even means more.
The press is all up in arms across TV and Radio, saying someone in the locker room has got to 'step up' and take a leadership role, to get them out of this 'funk'.
WHAT!!!!
First, isn't that what the coaches are for?
Second, shouldn't a multimillion dollar contract be good enough for this?
Quit whining and start playing - or else they need to get replaced on the field - no matter what their financial package is.
IMHO (In my humble opinion), the gasoline companies are in collusion, price-gouging again.
I happen to live in a city called Garland, TX. A week before hurricane Gustav, prices for gas, which had been steadily going down, had reached the point of around $3.27 per gallon, in a few gas stations which were on the major thoroughfare. Down a few miles further, in Mesquite, but on the same road, prices had gone down to around $3.35 per gallon.
Enter hurricane Gustav. The TV and radio said that prices were rising due the anticipation of bad news concerning the hurricane. Before the hurricane even made landfall, prices at just about every station down the road (in both towns) went up to $3.45 (some even higher), even though the price of a barrel of oil fell drastically (over $5).
There was no shipment of new gas, the 'future' hadn't arrived (referring to gasoline futures market) - but the price skyrocketed almost 20 cents!
It's now almost a week later and prices are still in the same range.
Something is wrong here and something's got to change - period!
First off, this is not about both political parties moving to the 'middle'. I believe they would both just mess it up that way, but I do think the people running and/or the parties themselves need a big overhaul.
Here are the thoughts I have at this point
I don't agree with Obama's stance, though it has nothing to do with his possible early Muslim influence - But I don't think John McCain is the right choice either.
His stances are 'closer' to mine, but certainly not exactly there.
I do think the gas/oil situation will get better, no matter who is elected, due to the world's general 'hate' of George Bush, but I'm not sure whether these things alone, without finding economic plans to strengthen the dollar, will be enough for our economy.
Frankly, neither candidate, in my opinion, has shown me anything that makes me think he can definitely make our economy better.
I also can't stand the 'Democrats are for the working man/Republicans are for the rich' viewpoint either.
They both have some (not all) good ideas, which, if the right man were elected, and if that man took the best from both sides, I think this could have a great influence on our economy.
Ideas I think could be useful:
-
Keep the Bush tax cuts - there are a lot of us living paycheck to paycheck who make a good amount above minimum wage, but we're not rich, by any standard.
-
I do believe business stimulus DOES trickle down to the rest of us, but we truly must pick the stimulus plans more thoughtfully
-
Lowering income tax/and/or removing it, for the people making very little money/minimum wage, but working, for sure
-
I don't mind taxing the rich at a higher tax bracket, or at least removing a lot of the loop holes which keep them from paying taxes (includes big business)
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I don't believe we should be subsidizing oil as it is today.
-
However, I believe we should be drilling much more off-shore, along with paying great prizes for anyone who finds great break-throughs in alternative energy, which can be implemented with very little trouble.
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Tax breaks for companies implementing large-scale alternative energy useage (like hydrogen/electricity hookups at existing gas stations
These thoughts are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are others, but it's not a situation in which only the only two sides are the very poor and the very rich. The middle class is quite large and it better not be overlooked.
This is one man's opinion - naturally.
What's up with the Democratic Party?
First off - they decide, because of the timing, that the results of the primaries in two states can't be counted. I don't know - but to me that sounds pretty un-American to me.
Then, now, they completely refuse to acknowledge the actual votes in those states? What? We have only 48 states now?
So, since this is happening, the popular vote, then switches from Hillary to Obama, while, if the votes were actually counted, the popular votes would be in Hillary's favor. Put that together with the fact that they have people waiting in the wings, just in case (the Super Delegates).
So there's only one thing I can deduce from this - the fix is in to make Obama the candidate in the election, no matter what. It seems like there's some muckedy mucks, high up in the ranks of the Democratic Party who want the final presidential candidate to be Obama, no matter what.
Call me a conspiracy nut, but based on the facts, that's the way I see it. I could be wrong, but I don't think so, and anyway, like I said at the beginning, "This is one man's opinion....".
OK - this whole primary/caucus thing has gotten me in a real turmoil. I'm going to hit several points that I believe are points for change here. (and don't try reading any sexist attitude into the 'One man/One vote' subject, either. If you do, you're wrong, too)
In Texas (I don't know about other states), but people were allowed to go to the primaries and also to the caucuses. That is totally ridiculous, in my opinion. If our votes truely count for something, there should only be one way to vote, and only one path for each person!! If a person wins the popular vote, he should win the election. There shouldn't be a back-door way for some other way in. Also, if they're going to allow people to go to caucuses AFTER the polls close, maybe they should just let the polls stay open until 10 pm, so EVERYONE can get a chance for his ONE vote, and let that be that.
Also - this whole super-delegate thing is a bunch of rubbish. I don't care whether someone has 'paid his dues', as some say, his vote is no different than mine - super-delegates should not be able to change the decision of the people.
And, though I've touched on it before, here, the whole popular vote thing is the basis for my whole rant - maybe it's time for the Electoral college to be retired. I don't care that it's been the 'way we've done things forever'. If one candidate gets more votes than the other, then that person should be the one who is put in office!
I think this whole process we have here is garbage - if a person's vote doesn't count in getting someone elected, then, for what does it count?
This was actually received by me, in one of those emails everyone forwards, but I thought this one was really poignant, so here it is:
THE LAW IS THE LAW
So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words 'under God' to be on our money, then, so be it.
And if that same government decides that the 'Ten Commandments' are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.
I say,' so be it,' because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.
I say, 'so be it,' because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions.
I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart.
BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?
Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.
I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, Easter & Sundays. After all, it's just another day.
I'd like the' US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays.' After all, it's just another day.
I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the'Christmas Break.' After all it's just another day.
I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday, Easter & Sunday. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be 'politically correct.'
In fact....
I think that our government should work on Sundays(initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....
What do you all think????
If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the 'minority opinions' and begin, once again, to represent the 'majority' of ALL of the American people.
SO BE IT...........
You might want to start questioning your elected officials about these matters. Our government still works, but we have to do our part to make it so.
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST, IS OF COURSE, ONLY ONE MAN'S OPINION.
(but if you agree - send a link to every football lover you know)
Here's a Jerry Jones quote from an Iwon.com story:
"I am frustrated that we've got literally several million fans that won't get to see that game because Time Warner won't be carrying it," Jones said in the locker room after the Cowboys' 34-3 victory over the New York Jets. "I'm hot about that. I hope those fans will go to AT&T satellite or go over to a competing cable company."
Is nobody seeing the hidden message here? These are crocodile tears to deflect the blame away from him and somewhere else.
He's the chairman of the league's NFL Network committee! I guarantee you, in the back of his mind, he'd like (if not already aiming that direction) for all NFL games to come through the NFL network, and not be on normal television. That way, the NFL (and Jerry Jones) would profit enormously, by getting ALL the profit from all games on television, because they'll be able to control all the aspects of all the NFL games, and they would charge US directly.
If you don't believe me, check out how they're charging for season tickets at the new stadium, with 'licensing' the seats first, before then being able to purchase season tickets. The price tag is enormous. Yes, for now, it's the lower seats - but just you watch.......see this story:
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa071120_kd_cowboystix.21c9e70d.html
$16,000 license and $340 per game, per seat!!! Please!!
I know the new stadium needs to be paid for, but it was his choice to move, taking advantage of the people who have lived in that area for years, and to build this new stadium.
Added 11/25/2007 (Quote from Dallas Morning News on 11/21/2007):
Greg McElroy, the Cowboys' senior vice president of sales and marketing said he wasn't worried about pricing out longtime fans.
With this direction, Jerry Jones' dream (in my opinion) of only the super rich being able to go to a football game will become a reality!. As overheard someone recently, this is going to change the face of who goes to live football games. The average 10 or 12 year old fan will be locked out, due to the cost. I'm by no means poor. I make a pretty good living, but I can't afford to take my family to Texas Stadium even now - with the parking costs, and the ridiculously over-inflated, price gouging costs of food there. I guess that now I'll never be able to go to another live Cowboy football game. When it gets right down to it, we're the real fans that keep all this going for them and we're the ones getting shafted.
IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY - - - so, by deferring blame away from the real cause, he's making him and the NFL sound like the victim here. DO NOT BE FOOLED - it is us who are the victims!!!!
Not me, really, but what I see is that a growing number of people out there in the whole world are thinking it about themselves. There is absolutely no thought of the fact that there are others here, around them.
1. Is it too much to go into a restaurant or grocery store and have the person be friendly? Can't they just pretend they appreciate it that people like me make it possible for them to have a paycheck? No - all they think about is that they are stuck in a job they may or may not want and all they thiink about is their paycheck at the end of the week. At least that's how I see what's happening. I don't care if it's genuine, but please - at least pretend you appreciate me being there.
2. If a guy on the highway uses his turn signal, please, someone, let them in. If they are courteous enough to use the signal, try to get along and be courteous back to them. They're trying to do it correctly, so, knowing there are other people besides yourself on the road that deserve to be there also, let them in. If we all would just chill out, and let someone in to the lane when they signaled (especially those trying to get on the highway), there would be far fewer accidents.
3. And speaking of turn signals - You Have One - Use It!!! I have seen so many accidents and near accidents happen due to someone just butting in, when there was no room for them, causing all the people in the lane to slam on their breaks, it's just ridiculous. It's not all just about you! And, getting on the freeway, or in another lane - if there's room behind someone, or none to very little behind them, please, get in the lane BEHIND them. Stop thinking about just yourself.
4. Pedestrians - when you walk out into the street, or cross a driveway at a restaurant, please look to see if someone's about to come in at the same time. If everyone on the street has to slam on their breaks to avoid an accident because you don't pay any attention to your surroundings, then you're one of the 'It's all about me' people.
It all boils down to respect for the other guy - this is a big world and respect seems to be leaking out of it at an alarming rate. Just realize that you're not the only person in the world that matters. Others have feelings and others have problems - some might even be more pressing than yours. Just have a little respect and we could all get along a lot better!
But maybe that's just me.
- If they start their email "my dear Friend" - they're not
- It's not just scammers in Nigeria that want to scam you
- Never automatically click on a link because you think it's ok
- Even if you ARE SURE the link you are about to click (from an email) is real, hover over it to make sure that the actual URL, before the first 'slash' ends in what you would think it should - for instance, Ebay.com, Paypal.com, Bankofamerica.com, etc
- People who say they want to give you money actually want yours
OK - why hasn't anyone noticed what I noticed right away??
For those guys who have beards, you may or may not have noticed, that, for each person, the growing pattern is totally different - places hair does or does not grow, direction, etc.
That being said, in walks a new video from the infamous Osama Bin-Laden. We all noticed that his beard did not have any gray in it.
Well - here's what I really believe. First of all - he's been practically invisible now for years. I believe that when he went into hiding the last time, he shaved off his beard (is this ok for his level of orthodoxy in Islam?). Therefore, when this new video was about to be recorded, he needed to conceal that point, so he obtained a 'store-bought' beard to work in place, so people would recognize him, the way he wanted people to recognize him.
The new fake beard he has contains a very different growing pattern and is quite different from his natural beard.
(And besides, wouldn't the process of dying his beard to cover the gray hair fall under 'pride'?)
Anyway - that's why the beard looks so different. It's probably very hard to come by an exact replica beard, up there in the mountains.
:)
And that's my opinion - take it or leave it!
How is it that Christmas, a religious holiday, pretty much supported by the US government for the last (over) 200 years, is off limits to advertising folks?
They have no problem doing anything they can to lure us into their stores, so we can buy -
WHAT???
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!
And yes, they know the presents are for Christmas - however, they won't admit that Christmas exists. "Happy Holidays" - not "Merry Christmas"
When I was growing up, at least cards would say both, understanding that there were some people who were non-Christians, in the world. There are other religious holidays this time of the year for sure, but there are not large numbers of people bursting down the doors of Target and Penney's, etc, to buy toys for their kids for their holiday.
In school, we got a Christmas break during this time of the year, and it was supported by a large majority of Americans. We still have a majority - right? And I'm talking about Christians, in this case. Businesses wait all year long, depending on this time of the year - yes,
CHRISTMAS
for their companies to make a killing, profit-wise. Congress gets a big vacation this time of the year - originally called a 'Christmas' break.
Whatever happened to 'majority rules'?
Why can't they just say "Merry Christmas"?
Did You Know:
As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view .. it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.
James Madison, the fourth president, known as "The Father of Our Constitution" made the following statement:
"We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said:
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ".
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law an oligarchy
The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said:
"Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers."
How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?
I find it very ironic that the Book which provides the moral basis for most of our existing laws today, cannot be referred to, or quoted from in schools and court rooms. However, we as a society, are intent on keeping those same laws on the books.
It seems to me, that, if you remove the basis for the laws from schools and court rooms, then, you're telling children, along with the rest of society, that it is wrong. Then, you require those children, and as adults, when they grow up, to follow the rules laid down in law, saying the tenants in the Book are right.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like this could actually create permanent damage to society as a whole.