It's My Soapbox ....

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2010-09-08T23:45:00.001-05:00

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Author Simon Singh Puts Up a Fight in the War on Science

2010-09-04T16:11:00.000-05:00

Bravo Simon Singh on Winning the Lawsuit

Author Simon Singh Puts Up a Fight in the War on Science
By Robert Capps, Aug. 30, 2010, Wired Magazine

For a while there, things didn’t look too good for British writer Simon Singh. The best-selling author of the science histories Big Bang and Fermat’s Enigma knew he was heading into controversial territory when he switched tracks to cowrite a book investigating alternative medicine, Trick or Treatment? What Singh didn’t count on, however, was that writing a seemingly innocuous article for London’s The Guardian newspaper about especially outrageous chiropractic claims .... (Read More Here at Wired Magazine)

Verizon Not Shipping Droid X Until 9/10

2010-09-03T11:18:00.000-05:00

Having purchased a Droid X by Motorola from Verizon on August 26, 2010, the "nice young man" that sold me the phone said it would be on it's way by FedEx shortly. What he failed to impart was that his version of shortly involved a wait of 15 days before Verizon will ship it, due to lack of product availability.

I keep saying to myself, I should have gone for the iPhone. The I realize that would not have been very smart. With the iPhone via AT&T service, I would have to watch my data usage every month. With the Droid X via Verizon Service, I'm on the unlimited data plan for $25 bucks a month.

Well, in the meantime, I have not been idle. All the accessories that I purchased with the phone and will arrive with it, will be going back to the Verizon store. It seems that you can buy them all on Amazon.com for a fraction of the cost.

UPDATE: The items from Amazon are starting to come in now. All are Motorola original equipment (OEM). Top Quality.

TO VERIZON: Hello... Hello... Can you hear me know???? Oh, wait... I don't have my new phone YET!!!!

Philadelphia 'blogger fee' turns into blog fodder

2010-08-24T14:09:00.000-05:00

From the Washington Post Technology Section - Aug. 24, 2010

Philadelphia 'blogger fee' turns into blog fodder

Money is short and times are hard, so municipal governments have to look everywhere for the funds to keep cops on the beat and buses on the street. Or so one would think from the news out of Philadelphia, where the city has been asking bloggers with any sign of a business model to pay for a "business privilege license." --- Read the full article at the above link.

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In my not so humble opinion ...

Attention City of Philadelphia; Kiss My Ass

Ben Franklin is probably rolling over in his grave and wishing he was buried someplace else. No wonder he created an alias for the Silence Dogood letters, he didn't want to be taxed for his early form of blogging.

Ex-NSA Official Indicted For Leaks To Newspaper

2010-04-16T12:27:00.000-05:00

The Baltimore Sun reported this morning that an "Ex-NSA Official Indicted For Leaks To Newspaper". The paper then goes on to say "... Federal law prohibits government employees from disclosing classified information which could be 'expected to cause damage to national security... " Well who turn the light bulb on in Washington today?

It has been a crime all along, why hasn't the AG been prosecuting these traitorous scumbags from the beginning. Every time I hear or read the words, "informed sources' or some other bullshit phrase to cover these pricks, I just want to puke.

Let's make an example out of this guy and throw the book at him. If the punishment is death, so be it. He is putting our soldiers at risk and the citizens of this country at risk.

Rotisserie Chicken or Rotisserie Pigeon?

2009-12-09T16:19:00.000-06:00

So I go in to a Stop & Shop supermarket in New Jersey, and after dodging the pigeons crapping all over the sidewalk at the front entrance, I finally make it in the door unscathed, this time.

As I approach the deli counter, I can smell what I believe to be rotisserie chicken in little plastic boxes. I immediately notice the size of the birds, then the weight and the price. A two pound chicken, selling for $8.99; that is $4.49 a pound.

If you go to Costco right down the road, they also have rotisserie chicken. A three and a half pound bird will cost you $4.99; that is $1.42 a pound for a very delicious chicken.

One thing I have noticed in recent weeks is less pigeons at the Stop & Shop entrance. Hmmm, could they be selling Rotisserie Pigeon? Certainly has that appearance.

Comcast's Backdoor Rate Increase

2009-05-28T17:46:00.000-05:00

Comcast New Jersey Implements Backdoor Rate Increase - Alleges Channel Realignment

Comcast New Jersey is systematically removing channels from the lower ninety-nine channel lineup under the guise of high definition. There are now nine channels that are now in the higher range and REQUIRE a cable box to receive them.

So formerly, up until a few months ago, you were able to watch the following stations without the $8.40 cable box.

Comcast Network**
WHYY (PBS, PHILA.)**
Style**
History Channel* **
News 12 New Jersey**
Cartoon Network**
AMC**
TV Guide Network**
TCM**

And now the cable box is required to view these channels. Repeated calls to Comcast asking them to clarify the changes were not returned. Calls to their customer support people were met with the we would never do that attitude.

The cable industry needs to be more strictly regulated. The consumer is NOT being protected.

Below is Comcast's disclaimer on their website:

**This channel can only be received with a digital converter. IMPORTANT CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The listed programs, packages, services, channel numbers, content, format and other aspects of Comcast's service are its current offerings and are subject to change or discontinuance at any time in accordance with applicable law.

Why Radio is Looking Better These Days - Or Why Comcast Sucks Even More Now

2009-01-28T12:14:00.000-06:00

I have been watching News12-News Jersey for some time now to get the local news. This was one of two ONLY local New Jersey News shows broadcast on Comcast Cable. The other was CN8. So now both stations are ONLY available if you buy Comcast's premium digital service. Comcast has effectively place a stranglehold on the local news in their service area.

A call placed to Comcast was met with a drone citing the corporate mantra that you must buy digital service to get those stations as they have been moved. A call to News12-New Jersey was met with sympathy, but they basically stated the same solution. CN8 just echoed News12's sentiments. These solutions require giving Comcast more money every month. Screw them.

A call to the FCC resulted in redirection to their website to file a complaint.

Listening to the radio for news and reading a book for enjoyment will certainly be making a comeback.

Hey COSTCO ...

2008-12-20T15:09:00.000-06:00

Hey COSTCO!!! Tell me why I am a member again.

I just received an email advert that says, "Nikon Cameras, save up to $600 while supplies last."

A closer look at your ad never mentions the Nikon rebate. You claim that the savings is courtesy of COSTCO, nothing could be further from the truth.

That's NO BARGAIN AT ALL!!!

Nikon prices are not discounted ever; unless they are grey market. Nikon however offers rebates, which is what your pricing is. A look at one of the most reputable camera stores on the Internet and in brick and mortar is B&H Photo Video in Manhattan. They are offering the same package and spell out the $100 instant rebate.

This must be what everyone calls BS advertising.

COSTCO you ought to be ashamed of this practice.

The Birk Economic Recovery Plan

2008-09-29T18:34:00.000-05:00

The Concept Is Good, But His Math Is Seriously Flawed.... Hope He's Not A Banker!!!

The Birk Economic Recovery Plan:

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a “We Deserve It” dividend. To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a “We Deserve It” dividend. Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%. Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.

A husband and wife has $595,000.00. What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis20solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it’ll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
Pay for you r parent’s medical insurance - health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Moms and Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( ‘vote buy’ ) economic incentive that is being proposedby one of our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG - liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up. Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t. Sure it’s a crazy idea that can ‘never work.’

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party! How do you spell Economic Boom? I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion “We Deserve It”dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .
And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam. Ahhh…I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,

T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it’s either good for a laugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!

Michaelangelo's David Returns to Italy

2008-08-20T14:11:00.001-05:00

Sometimes one picture is worth a thousand pounds!

Gas Lines in New Jersey? - Only At COSTCO

2008-08-07T13:04:00.000-05:00

I have been to CostCo for gas and other things coast to coast. One of the things I always enjoyed was the exclusivity of going there; quite simply put, I paid to be a member, so I paid for the enjoyment of the discount. Sounds smug right; good it is supposed to.

Apparently the legislature in New Jersey does not think along the same lines. The discount clubs in this particular state are not permitted by law, to discount gasoline to members only, despite the fact that you are paying for that privilege. The gasoline must be sold to everyone at the same price, regardless of membership status.

A recent trip down Rt70 in Brick Township showed a small mob at the local CostCo. Regular gas was selling for $3.62 per gallon. Holy vapors Batman, we better get on line before it's gone!

You have to keep in mind that gas was selling down the road about a mile, in both directions, for $3.71 per gallon. A whopping 9 cents a gallon difference. One dollar and thirty-five cents on an average 15 gallon fill.

Now, you may say, why did I pick 15 gallons as the average. I was curious and decided to ask the gas jockey. Yes, in New Jersey (Oregon also) citizens are thought of as being too stupid to fill up their own tank. But I digress. The gas jockey says a great majority of the people filling up here, are waiting ten to fifteen minutes to gas up depending on the size of the line (that is queue for you Brits). Once at the pump the average sale is about 15 gallons of gas.

Okay... here's the bottom line of the story. You go to this CostCo gas station because you think you are saving money. You pull in and wait the 10-15 minutes. Waiting with the engine running and the air conditioning on, burns approximately 1/4 to 1/2 gallon of gas depending on the gas guzzler you own. At the $3.62 per gasllon you are about to spend, you just spent approximately $1.80 waiting to buy the gas. You could have driven, or maybe it was on the way, to the other station and paid the $3.71 a gallon.

Have An Accident? - Pay For The Response

2008-08-02T11:04:00.000-05:00

Accident in Howell Twp. - Route 33 & Colts Neck Road

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The accident that is played out in the video shown above, courtesy of the Asbury Park Press, is a common occurrence in any region of the USA. There are dozens of accidents nationally everyday, sometimes dozens just in one municipality. In this time of budget crunches in most of these municipalities, the following may prove to be a cash cow.

The time has finally come to have motorists pay directly for the emergency response to an accident. Yep, that's right, bill them directly. No insurance company, bill directly. If the motorist does not pay, garnish wages, or place a lean on their house if they own one.

Emergency service organizations and municipalities need to put a price tag on the cost of police, fire, EMS, and road crews, responding to the scene of an accident. Let's peg those costs directly to the drivers of the vehicles involved. If it's a three car accident, divide the cost of the response by three.

Let the insurance companies sort it out between them. I'm sure that the insurance industry will welcome this on two fronts. One, they may be able to sell optional Response Insurance to motorists. Secondly, this could actually have a significant impact on the accident rate. Maybe, just maybe, drivers may slow down, they may actually stop at a stop sign, they may actually signal a turn, they may actually yield to traffic, they may actually retract that middle finger and smile.

Standardized Logon / Logout Buttons

2008-02-26T19:51:00.001-06:00

I think it's high time someone came out with a standardized logon/logoff button for all websites. I am sick and tired of trying to find the little words that say 'logon' or 'logoff'. Most web developers it seems try to bury these words in obscure places on their web pages.

What is the friggin problem? I think it's a conspiracy among companies to keep people logged into these sites so they can spy on our browsing. Even the banks, who encourage you to logoff and close the browser, don't provide an easy method of spotting the little devils.

So all you people that like to hack code out there, let's get a flash script up and running. A red flashing LogOut button ought to do the trick.

American Solutions for Winning the Future

2007-10-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

This past weekend brought both sad news and good news on the nation's political front. The bad news - Newt Gingrich will not be tossing his hat into the presidential foray. The good news - American Solutions for Winning the Future, will have his almost undivided attention.

From my view, AmericanSolutions.com is, and will continue to be a resounding success story. I believe that this project just might change the face of American politics sometime before I kick the bucket.

American Solutions for Winning the Future is "... a unique non-partisan organization designed to rise above traditional gridlocked partisanship, to provide real, significant solutions to the most important issues facing our country." Yep, I took that right from their website. Why attempt to restate somethings that's already well said.

I think we will be seeing and hearing quite a bit from this project in the months before the election.