Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The President Shouldn't Travel

Really?  I thought one of our head of state's duties was to travel and meet other heads of state, and receive them here.  Sure, it would be great if that travel were free.  The truth is that travel for our head of state is expensive.  And it is necessary.

Recent media hoopla about it is just another example of the fraud that these political commentary and politicians are perpetrating upon the citizens of the United States.  To publish such absolute lies and propaganda goes beyond responsible commentary and is more like fraud.

I am not for or against a particular politician or candidate.  I am for honesty and integrity in our process, and for improving government.

There is a number of folks of various parties who make it their focus to negatively attack whoever and whatever decisions are made by our leaders.  Negativity for the sake of negativity is a form of that fraud.  I hope that most of us can see through the rhetoric.  Although, sometimes I wonder.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Loud Commercials - Where can we turn?

I am frustrated on a daily basis with the lack of our government's responsiveness to the millions of physical assualt that are perpetrated upon us by loud commercial broadcasts over the television... broadcasts where the volume of the commercial is significantly louder than that of the programming.

The FCC, in true bureaucratic form has this to say: 

Loud Commercials. The FCC does not regulate the volume of broadcast programming, including commercials. Surveys and technical studies reveal that the perceived loudness of particular broadcast matter is a subjective judgment that varies with each viewer and listener and is influenced by many factors, such as the material’s content and style and the voice and tone of the person speaking. The FCC has found no evidence that stations deliberately raise audio and modulation levels to emphasize commercial messages.


Manually controlling the set’s volume level or using the “mute” button with a remote control constitutes the simplest approach to reducing volume levels deemed to be excessive. Many television receivers are equipped with circuits that are designed to stabilize the loudness between programs and commercials. These functions usually must be activated through the receiver’s “set up/audio” menu. Should these techniques fail to resolve the problem, you may consider addressing any complaint about broadcast volume levels to the licensee of the station involved. Additional information about loud commercials can be found at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/backgroundnoise.html.
 
Talk about Noise!
 
Have there been any criminal assualt charges placed against the tv stations for bombarding us with those unwanted sound waves?  Maybe there should be.  Somehow there has to be some relief!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Emily's Fight - Pizza Event!

Emily's Fight - a cancer fundraiser to help with Emily's medical expenses. 

Please support Emily Knorr as she battles brain cancer (Optic Glioma).

Sunday, November 7, 2010
10 am to 10 pm

RUDY’S PIZZA
612 PLAZA DRIVE
FOUR SEASONS PLAZA
NEWARK, DE 19702
302-737-4150

Just MENTION “Emily’s Fight” and
25% of your bill will be donated!!!
DINE-IN or CARRY OUT

Thank you to Rudy’s Pizza
http://www.rudyspizzaitalian.com
Rudy’s Pizza is also making a personal donation to this fundraising effort!!!

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Important Words that become Impotent

I have become saddened by the overuse of some words.... words that used to have meaning to me.... cool words like "elite".  I hear it so much now that by my understanding of the definition, it is by definition no longer elite.  Other words that I now tend to ignore as they seem to be more hype and background noise than actual information exchanging vehicles... are:  new; best.  I found this list of the 10 most overused words in metal journalism, and found it to be interesting.  I didn't know what "metal journalism" was until I checked out the site.  I guess that phrase isn't overused.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Amazon fights for First Amendment and customers’ privacy rights

In the latest episode of financially strapped states that are trying to capture sales tax on online purchases...

Amazon denies North Carolina’s request for tax-related information.

The online retail giant has already provided the State with customer order data; however, they are refusing to disclose more personal details. In a complaint filed in Federal District Court in Seattle, Amazon argues the audit violates the First Amendment and customers’ privacy rights.

Federal law prevents states from requiring out-of-state retailers to collect sales tax if the company does not have a physical presence in that state.

I guess that law was enacted during the era of fiscal responsibility?


Monday, May 03, 2010

What About Privacy?

Why is it that when a new surveillance camera is installed, there is a general outcry about our privacy being invaded? Yet…every teen and their mother, who have cell phones, think nothing of filming whatever or whomever they find of interest and making those recordings quite public, by posting them on the internet. Is that not an invasion of privacy?

The intent of surveillance cameras is not to invade one’s privacy, but to protect the victims of potential or actual wrongdoing. Due to public access to posted viewing materials, there are individuals who find themselves, explaining to various authorities, why at a specific place and time, they were engaged in an activity, which was not safe, lawful, sensible or which lead to adverse consequences. These individuals are explaining themselves, not because of surveillance cameras, but because they’ve experienced their 15 minutes of fame on the internet.

We may want to re-think before “coloring outside the lines” because someone, who is not concerned with your privacy, is sure to be watching…and maybe recording.

Monday, April 19, 2010

This blog has moved


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Monday, March 08, 2010

None Of The Above

Many folks, including myself, are sick and tired of the partisan politics that has stagnated our government.  I refer to both primary parties.  It seems that almost all we hear regarding the federal political process is bickering, fear mongering, and name calling.  Isn't it time that we sent our people in Washington a message, that they should get back to the work that we sent them to perform?

When I see international news stories about "radical" this and "radical extremist" that, I now for the first time see echoes of this type of behaviour within our own country.  I hear myself talking to the television, saying... "you can't really believe that.... right?".  We have a fair number of our own radical extremists.  We should learn to recognize them and keep their rhetoric out of the governmental process of this, our government.

I think we need two things:  first, we need to get at least one more political party, preferrably two more, significantly placed in national government.  We need to do this to bust up the dog and pony show that the two primary parties have placed on stage for us;  secondly, we need to vote the radical extremists out of office, and put people in there who are there to do a job.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Disorder or lacking order

In a human resource position or hiring position, there will be tinges of worry about current and prospective employees. Now pyshcological diorders may be included as a new battlefield in the future for companies. Already, the American Psychiatric Assocation is propsing to include binge eating and excess gambling to the list of psychiatric disorders that will be in the DSM-5 publishing 2013. If this occurs employers may have to redefine disabililty in their work place. My perspective is that these are problems but I do not believe they are to the point of a disability. This is going to be a significant legal issue because employers may have to look back into their employees' health and finacial history, to see if they have the new types of disabilities. There could be whole new costs to employers arising from the testing for these disorders and payments for accomodations. The new work setting will make it harder on employers to do the normal hiring of new staff and to evaluat their current staff if binge eating and excessive gambling become certifies as disorders.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Internet Sales Tax Debate 2010, Continued

No physical presence in the State of California.
- Check

No money in the California State coffers.
- Check

California Legislative Assembly Bill ABX8 8 (PDF)
- Check

Poor Amazon and Overstock.com!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Undercover Boss

The Harvard Business Review's article "Be an Undercover Boss" highlights the reasoning on why bosses should have a more intimate role in the daily work of staff. There is a possibility for a deeper understanding of each job and to have the ability to see an inside view of their employees' work with by a boss having this type of role. The tips involve the bosses to switch up their location, be the shadow of their workers, and to make each job work with them having a personal experience involving their employees. This article has allowed me to see the benefit in a boss allowing themselves to swept up in the workflow and observe. The issue is the boss cannot start off hands on. I feel staff will presume the boss is approaching and following them to critique the employees, not help. It seems that it will cause employees to feel uneasy and not vocalize or show the issues or problems they are having. This plan will not be a quick fix to the issue. If you doubt the possibility of this, the idea has been transformed into a television show called Undercover Boss, which recently aired after the Super Bowl. For further information view the article in whole.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Verizon phones

This is year is the year of smartphones. Verizon Wireless has two new phones for this year that show how promising mobile business is now. The Blackberry Storm2 is an all touch screen phone that allows business to be taken international with its mobile e-mail, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications on the phone, and ability to navigate any business person overseas. The Motorola Droid is the new competition for the IPhone will all of the applications that it offers, the ability to do multiple tasks at once, and Android 2.0 from Google that is on the phone. I have just recently gotten a Blackberry Tour as my new phone. This phone allows me to take pictures, write a report and send that report in an e-mail to a teacher. I have learned about applications in a phone through my new phone. As technology advances so does the ability for business.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Three W2

This year taxes are going to hit me hard. With my three jobs I will be paying the government some money. I do not really understand fully how taxes work but from what I have seen I think will be not be getting any money back this tax season.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Estate

Since the holidays are over, I have been doing some evaluations. I have found that my estate is little more than a bed, car, clothes, and some furniture. I have noticed I have a very small amount in savings and no degrees under my belt. All of this evaluating has shown I am a hard worker that does not care about material things. This new year I will become more materialistic and chose to obtain things that I need for my future.

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Internet Sales Tax Debate 2010

Since when did taxation become an accepted substitute for responsible government?

The internet sales tax debate is not new, but given the financial dire straights of many ineptly run State governments these days, it's expected to be hot topic (once again) this year.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Work

Work's definition encompasses different aspects of daily life. The usuage of the simple word work will encompass almost every aspect of a person's life. This is my word of this year. I want to made sure that I work hard through every little detail in the upcoming months. My own laziness will not allow this year to control me into having doubts or regrets. This word is now going to be me.