Some Quick Thoughts

Well, I've been an MIA blogger for awhile...and may be for awhile more; accounting busy season is about to start, you know. Oh, how I dread the long hours...

I got a handheld GPS...I cannot wait to get out and do some geocaching. If you've never tried it, find someone with a GPS unit and try it out. Loads of fund, and it gets you outdoors!

I bought The Crane Wife by The Decemberists. Very good folky, indie rock album - I recommend to any who like indie rock and even those who like folk music and enjoy a little rock on the side.

That's all I have for now...the big holiday is over, traveling is done, and gifts are in...I have a lot of music to listen to, books to read, movies to watch, and games to play.

Peace,

Alphadork

Walmart Digs the Hole Deeper

I gave Walmart a fleeting chance this weekend. No, there was no chance the super-chain would get on my good side; going there was more a matter of situation. You see, the wife wanted to hit some softballs, and we only have two...one of which is a dead ball. We often go to the park, where I pitch to her, and she has all the room in the world to smack them around. We didn't have a lot of time until sundown, so I chose to run to Walmart because of its proximity to my home in relation to other retailers.

I found a reasonable parking space amongst the vast sea of SUVs and jalopies and speed-walked my way in to the store and back to the sporting goods department. There, I found an aisle of bicycling goods, and aisle of exercise stuff, and an aisle of traditional sporting goods (basketballs, footballs). "This should be the place," I thought. I looked through the aisle, finding only basketball and football items, and one of those loose ball bins with only one small basketball and a couple footballs. OK, this isn't the end of the sporting goods, maybe softballs are another aisle or two down...right? I continued to the remaining aisles to find guns, ammo, fishing, and camping supplies. I shuddered at the thought that guns and ammo were more well represented than even football in this store. After re-looking a couple times to be sure I hadn't overlooked a small bin of softballs, I approached the 400 lb camo-clad salesman at the gun counter to ask. He nicely informed me that softballs were available only in spring and summer. I thought to myself, "who is Walmart to say when I can and cannot play softball?" I thanked the gentleman and scurried my way back to my car.

I am amazed they couldn't simply give the equivalent of one basketball worth of space up to a bin of softballs to keep them out year-round. There was plenty of golf stuff, and I play softball later in the fall than I play golf. Blah. Moral of the story? Walmart is the softball Nazi.

Peace,

Alphadork

Now We're Just Getting Silly

Honestly? $89 million for a PS3? The funny thing is, I happened across this one when it was at $99,999,999, and then the seller started deleting bids because they didn't meet the minimum bidding requirements and seemed to be bogus. Funnier yet is that they did, in fact, meet the seller's minimum requirements, having 10+ feedback and 98% or so positive ratings. These bids have to be fake, but why would successful, positive eBayers put in fake bids? (One had over 2,000 feedback) I bet the seller's heart skipped a beat, thinking, "Oh my fucking god, I am rich, bitch!" Then, they come to reality, realized this cannot be real (I even question the $35,000 bids).

I also question eBay's rules for PS3 sellers...you must have 50+ feedback, etc. I know they are trying to protect people from bogus auctions, but it seems they are unfairly excluding legit sellers who usually sell off things they no longer need around their house and have only 10 positive feedback, in favor of the eBay scalpers that seem to make a living on opportunities like this...it's kinda like Bush tax policy...

Peace,

Alphadork

PS3...wtf??!?!??!

So, the long-anticipated release of the PS3 is tomorrow morning. Throughout this nation, there are thousands of anxious....entrepreneurs....lined up, camping out to buy one. Yes, I said entrepreneurs, not gamers. That's right, kids, hardly a one gamer has the chance at a new PS3 for its actual retail price. It seems that 90% of those buying them are going to turn around and sell them on eBay. Why is it that no one wants it bad enough to stand in line for two days, but they'll go on eBay and pay $10 grand, plus, to get a $700 machine?

Check out this listing.

It's bloody insane; I could pay off my credit cards by buying and reselling one of these. However, it would be hard for me to give it up if I managed to actually get my hands on one. But, then again, if I simply have the willpower to wait a little longer to play it, I can buy one later and still have money left over. Anyway, happy gaming; hope the 10 g's is worth it...

UPDATE: After my original posting above, I refreshed the eBay listing and the $10,000 changed to $5,700...not sure what happened, but I guarantee my screen said $10,000. $5,700 is still exorbitant.

UPDATE2: It was a "bogus bid"...so good luck to anyone trying to bid on one of these with 0 feedback, they might consider you a "bogus bid"!

Peace,

Alphadork

In the news...KFC & Bobby Knight

OK, so KFC has done something "impressive". They found something to spend money on rather than worker raises: they are now the first company to market to extraterrestrials by making a logo visible from space - makes you want some fried chicken, eh?

In other news...why is Bobby Knight still allowed to coach? Really, I don't give a shit how "good" a coach is or how many wins they have, actions such as his should not be tolerated. Assaulting players is under no circumstances an acceptable behavior. It seems to me that coaches in general are very angry people; nothing is ever good enough for them. That was something I seriously hated when playing basketball in high school...the constant yelling, demeaning, banging on things, stomping (you've never heard loafers stomp so frickin' loud), and throwing things. I don't care if it is your job or whatever, no matter which way you twist it, it will always just be a game. Games are for fun, and people always play better relaxed and comfortable than tense and fearful.

Peace...and safe gaming,

Alphadork

More Praise to the Wife

I have to take a moment to thank my wife once again for the magnificent gift. How many dorky guys like myself have a wife who will bring home something like FFXII???!?! I do (and she's mine, betches!)!!! She really wanted to get Mortal Kombat because it supports multiple players, so she could play as well (also cool!), but chose Final Fantasy because I wanted it so damn bad. Maybe I'll have to get her Mortal Kombat, or whatever game she wants...after I've gotten in some time and am willing to share the PS2 once again (I'm awful...).

I got some more play time in last night. I am *only* about 7 hours in to the game, still working through a few in-game tutorials (gambits was the latest one), but at this point I cannot explain how frickin' cool this game is.

Though I really, really want to, I doubt I will be playing much, if at all tonight. It's Election Day: the one time per year when politics becomes most like a sport, watching the results roll in to see what "team" will win. I am happy to report that every single one of my readers has reported they got out to vote [sadly I am the only person that looks at my blog - I voted, so turnout for Aimless Reality is 100%!]. I am also stoked to watch the Daily Show/Colbert Report live 1-hour report...should be some good stuff!

Peace,

Alphadork

I Loves Me Some Good Music

I've been enjoying a bit of good music lately. I bought some new CDs...got B.B. King & Friends and Beck - The Information. Both are very good albums. Oh, I also got The John Popper Project for the wife, also a very good (and very interesting) album.

I also went to a couple of concerts during the last week. B.B. King came to town, so I went to see that show and am very happy I did. He is an excellent performer, and also a fantastic story teller. Even if you are not a fan of the blues, if you appreciate good music and ever have the opportunity to see B.B. King in concert, do so...it is an experience you will not regret.

I also got to see Ben Folds. I think this was my third or fourth time...it's always a good show. I truly enjoy his music, and enjoy his performances even more. He had recently purchased a little red synthesizer and was having quite a bit of fun with it. "Hold on, I have to do some scientific shit that's over your head. This thing...wait, let me tell you,...[looks closely at synth, apparently counting something]...this thing has 25, 26 knobs on it...it cost roughly $2600, and it has 26 knobs, so I guess it's about $100 a knob".

On a final note, I recenly received Final Fantasy XII for my PS2 as a gift from my WONDERFUL wife. All I want to do right now is play it, the game is great, the storyline is fun, the graphics are quite good for the PS2, and the gameplay is even better than FFX was. If you are a fan of roleplaying/adventure/action games, this is a must-have!

Peace,

Alphadork

Control

I do not consider myself a 'control freak'. I am usually quite laid-back and often allow others to run the show. I am also usually incredibly patient. Therefore, I find it interesting how stressed and anxious I can become over certain things that are just beyond my control and require waiting. I am feeling particularly bad today because two such items that I feel to be significant have arisen.

I cannot explain how frustrated I have been with my health insurance...my company changed insurance at the beginning of this year to save us money on our premiums, which initially meant my deductible was going up; but this also meant my frustration would as well. From delays to denied claims because of their errors, it has been one thing after another. The latest is a situation in which my employer deposits some money to pay a portion of my deductible, for which I have filed a claim for reimbursement since I have paid the entire deductible myself. I received a denial letter because I am "not enrolled," so now I must wait for someone else to get this cleared up...

The second thing is a series of comments written and some body language that cause me extra concern for someone "in need of forgiveness." However, due to schedules, I must wait...

On another note about frustrations (is when I need to vent the only time I feel compelled to write??): I recently received notice from my auto insurance that subrogation for my accident exactly one year ago has finally been finalized through arbitration. The result: 50% paid by each company, thus I got a check for 50% of my deductible back. I really feel I should have received it all, but just about everything in the situation was working against me...you would think it to be a simple open and shut case when a person pulls out in front of another who has right-of-way and they collide, but I guess the fact that she was more attractive than me and had friends in tow, whereas I was alone, meant that all of the blame could not be hers. Oh well, what's done is done...I can close that chapter and consider it lesson learned.

On a happier note: the Cardinals won the fucking World Series, bitches!!! I went to a game, and it was one of the best things I have done in my life! Woohoo!

Peace,

Alphadork

Pope Benedict: Western Culture Too Secular

The pope spoke Thursday at a convention of the Italian Catholic Church, stating that modern Western culture is "unable to dialogue with religion" because we have become too secular and must return to our "Christian root".

From the story :

He identified "utilitarianism" - the philosophy that prescribes the maximization of personal happiness and pleasure - and "relativism" - a doctrine whereby all criteria of judgment are relative to the individuals and situations involved - among the ills of modern culture.

I don't know if it is the pope or the writer of this story, but someone has this wrong. Utilitarianism is putting the good of the many before the good of the few...maximum happiness and pleasure for the maximum number of people, not personal happiness and pleasure. And what is wrong with relativism? That is why half of the stories in the Bible don't make any sense...they are relative to the time in which they were written, relative to the culture and experiences of the writer.

He goes on to say that because we are radically and profoundly separated "not only from Christianity, but more generally from the religious and moral traditions of humanity," that we are "unable to undertake a real dialogue with other cultures in which the religious dimension is strongly present." Is being separated from the "moral traditions of humanity" the same as being immoral? ...maybe amoral? Either way, it seems to me many of the traditional morals are still the same, but maybe he's focused on the "big" issues, like abortion (which really is a personal distinction between moral and immoral, because that determination is based on a piece of information [is it life or no?] that really cannot be determined by fact).

I do agree that we are doing a worse job than ever of communicating with other nations, especially those in the Middle East, where religion is one of their main focuses of life, but isn't the leader of our nation a Christian appointed by God?

Peace,

Alphadork

Kudos to Claire

The Talent campaign is becomming desperate and sinking to new lows as he turns up the attacks on McCaskill. McCaskill, however, remains confident, witty, and willing to scrap...nicely.

In the recent Springfield debate, Talent attacked McCaskill relentlessly, questioning her integrity and whether or not she pays her taxes. McCaskill, however, refuses to follow him down that path.

"This is just about smear," McCaskill added. "I will not go there with Sen. Talent. I will never attack his family, and I think Missourians need to put their foot down and say if we're going to change Washington, we're going to change the way these campaigns are being run."

Talent said the election should be about changing Washington, and asserted: "I've done that." He cited legislation requiring greater use of renewable fuels and cracking down on methamphetamine ingredients, among other things.

Note that Talent's version of "changing Washington" has nothing to do with actually changing Washington; he just cites some legislation he was involved in that the general public would support.

During the debate, Talent's attacks used a method recently discussed on The Daily Show, in which one simply states something they want to present like it's fact in the form of a question. It therefore isn't incorrect if it's untrue because you are asking a question, but it still puts the question on everyone's mind. His was regarding whether or not McCaskill pays her taxes (actually, more along the lines of whether or not her husband pays his own), saying "We have reason to believe that maybe she and her husband haven't paid all of them".

Well, I have my own allegations of Talent. Does Jim Talent have a mind of his own, or is he just an unasking, brainwashed, robotic rubber stamp for the Bush Administration? We have reason to believe that he does not think for himself and is therefore not a good senator for the state of Missouri.

Peace,

Alphadork

Busy and Unproductive

OK, so I am incredibly busy...but, sadly, I am also incredibly unmotivated and unproductive. It is a sad situation. Now, on top of it all, Excel is screwing with me. I had been working in Excel and then brought another window to the front to use that program for a bit (my job is all about multitasking in more programs than my stinking Dell laptop can handle). When I came back to Excel, the group of cells that had been highlighted in an olive green are now a grass green. It doesn't really bother me that the shade of color changed; it bothers me that the shade of color CHANGED, and I don't know why or how.

Anyway, I had to get this off my mind to help me refocus..."yeah, good luck with that."

Peace,

Alphadork

...That's Why I Don't Listen to the Radio!

I really don't listen to the radio much. I know, I miss out on great new music that way (actually, that's why I have Allmusic.com), but I really hate commercials. CD players are great...I love a constant torrent of music of my choosing. Sometimes I carpool to a client's office and get to listen to the driver's radio station of choice. Right now is a really bad time with the onslaught of campaign ads, especially the attack ads.

Are people really swayed by those? They ALWAYS take things out of context, leaving out pertinant information about the other candidate, therefore unfairly representing their position on an issue and misleading potential voters. I heard a GOP-funded ad yesterday, and I pity the person who takes it at face value. Using a few more words than I, it said McCaskill will take away your guns and kill your babies, vote Talent. Another takes a factual mistake made by one of her campaign employees and represents it as McCaskill having a chronic lying problem, saying "typical McCaskill."

I am really ashamed that we are so set on attacking one another. When did the definition of "fair and balanced" become so skewed?

Wow, that was a tangent...back to CDs and radio: I recently purchased Live's new album, Songs From Black Mountain. I've always been a big fan, so I had to get it, despite the fact that their albums have felt a little less than 'their best' lately. It's a good album; mostly the same familiar musical formula, but far more laid-back, mellow, and mature than previous releases. It is an enjoyable album worth giving a listen. Read about it at Allmusic.com, or buy it at Amazon.

Peace,

Alphadork

More Hot Gas....

Alright, I feel as though I need to say a little more on the gas prices thing I discussed in my last post. I've seen a number of stories lately attempting to blame/praise the current administration for gas prices, as though Bush makes a call to the oil companies each morning to tell them what the price should be today. While that isn't entirely impossible, I don't think it is likely. I do think they can be LINKED, and here is how:

The administration may not control the prices, but the oil companies do. As previously stated, there are indications of intentional manipulation. Also quite obvious is the fact that gas and oil are closely linked with Republicans, especially the current administration, and more importantly to them in the next couple months, to the incumbents. As Republicans are Big Oil's greatest allies and the general public seems to see dropping prices as a positive reflection of the success of Republican incumbents, Big Oil sees a drop in prices (and thus a possible drop in profits) as a fine indirect method of campaigning for right-wing candidates. What better way to make a campaign contribution when corporations are limited as to how much cash they give a candidate...sacrifice some profits to make them "look good."

I think more legal loopholes are found in the heat of the election cycle than any other time of the year...

Peace,

Alphadork

Gas Prices & Midterms: The September Suprise

I received the following in a forwarded email that includes some information from a USA Today article...it's just what I've been thinking:

Will be interesting to see if the price of gas stays down after the election or if it slowly rises to then goes down again before the 2008 election.


(Sept. 21) - When it comes to President Bush's approval rating - the number that measures his political health - one factor seems more powerful than any Oval Office address or legislative initiative.

A statistical analysis found that 78 percent of changes in President Bush's approval ratings could be correlated with inverse changes in the price of gas.

It's the price of a gallon of gas.

Statisticians who have compared changes in gas prices and Bush's ratings through his presidency have found a steady relationship: As gas prices rise, his ratings fall. As gas prices fall, his ratings rise.

For some Americans, analysts speculate, gas prices provide a shorthand reading of the general state of the economy. Even though prices at the pump are largely outside the president's control, he gets credit when they fall - and blame when they rise.

"Gas prices are a price everybody knows because it hangs on the street in big letters," says Stuart Thiel, an economist at DePaul University in Chicago who has been tracking the trend for several years.

A statistical analysis by Doug Henwood, editor of the liberal newsletter Left Business Observer, found that an "uncanny" 78% of the movement in Bush's ratings could be correlated with changes in gas prices. Based on trends in crude oil prices, Henwood predicted last Thursday that it "wouldn't be surprising to see his approval numbers rise into the mid-40s."

In a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday, Bush's rating rose to 44%, his highest in a year. Average gas prices, which peaked at more than $3 a gallon in August, had dropped under $2.50, the lowest since March.

A renewed focus on terrorism contributed to Bush's turnaround, analysts say. "When they put the terror issue out there, they tend to get political points," says sociologist Robb Willer of the University of California, Berkeley.

Gas prices may be "a proxy for larger developments in the political economy," Henwood says. For instance, the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina, which drove up fuel costs, also eroded Bush's support.

The ratings of Bush's three immediate predecessors weren't closely tied to gas prices, Henwood found. Volatile prices and a supply crunch did contribute to President Jimmy Carter's political travails.

For Bush, too, prices have been volatile, and his background as an oilman may be a factor affecting public attitudes. In the USA TODAY poll, two in five said the administration has deliberately manipulated gas prices to decline before the fall elections.

Routine market forces are likely to deliver more good news to Bush, says Tom Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service. Absent an international crisis, he predicts gas prices will drop an additional 10 to 20 cents a gallon by Election Day.

09/21/2006 07:27

Copyright 2006 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved.

My own analysis: the ratio between the current price of oil and the current price of gas has dropped since mid-July (the markup has been reduced), indicating some deliberate actions to the decrease in the prices. Seems fishy anyway...

Peace,

Alphadork

This Man Never Fails to Impress Me

Former President Bill Clinton recently stated that he believesthe US should talk to Iran. My personal opinion: this is a good idea. Clinton also says don't send Bush to do it; also a good idea.

"If you think you might have trouble with somebody, and God forbid if you think it could lead to a military confrontation, then there needs to be the maximum amount of contact beforehand," Clinton said in an interview with NBC's "Today" show.

"The United States should not be afraid to talk to anyone. They should not be reluctant and shouldn't have too many conditions," said Clinton.

I guess you can call me dumb, because I just don't get it. When I hear Ahmadinejad speak, I hear pleas for independence and peace; when I hear Bush speak, I hear hypocritical demands (we can have nukes, but you cannot), followed by threats.

I am very afraid that war with Iran will be our "October Suprise." It's the wrong thing to do, but then again, we've become quite lost down the wrong deep dark path over the last six years...

Peace (it's gonna take a lot of work, but it's worth it),

Alphadork

Don't Be So Serious, Seriously

I have come to learn that way too many people take life (and themselves) far too seriously. Nothing can be fun for them, just serious. I am talking about people who do things like watching CSPAN "for fun," yell at the referee from their recliner when he doesn't throw the flag, or join in on a laid-back pickup game of Ultimate Frisbee and yell at others because they don't play defense right.

It's a shame, because life can be far more enjoyable.

I'm a Loser, Baby

So, I just wanted to get this out there, in case the one visitor I get per week hasn't figured it out: I'm a busy loser. I really intended on having more to offer, but I haven't posted since what, June? Well, things just keep heating up: work, extra curriculars, etc. Any time I have something to say, I'm too busy doing something else, like playing baseball on the PS2 (it really is important...how else will I ever become an All-Star shortstop for the Cardinals, or help the Royals franchise have a winning season?)

Well, mid-terms are almost upon us and the BS machines are going full-steam. Just keep your head down and try to wade through. It should be interesting...

Well, back to work; hopefully I'll make it back here soon.

Peace,

Alphadork

Baptists Consider Pulling Kids Because Schools Won't Do It Their Way

I recently read an article about a resolution presented at the Southern Baptist Convention urging Baptist parents to pull their children from public schools in favor of home schooling or Christian schools.

Yes, I have opinion about it, but I feel it unnecessary to articulate because it is ultimately their choice on what they do with their children. My view is also rather biased, as I think the Baptists (or at least the loudest ones) can often times be considered the religious extremists of the U.S.

However, reading this got me thinking about education in general. I heard on the radio recently a story about a school district adding a class on the bible and it's effect on history. That one actually bothered me more than the Baptist article because it seemed more like a ploy to force kids to read the bible (which was the primary textbook). The individual presenting the story discussed some textbooks written specifically for a class like this that discussed the positive and negative influences of the bible on history. Instead, for this class, they chose to use a textbook written by an organization devoted to getting the bible and christian prayer in schools that only focused on the positive influences. It just seems to me there are so many ways that we can incorporate these things in a more neutral and EDUCATIONAL way. ...and why is it that the bible and Christianity are the only religious topics anyone seems to want taught in schools?

The topic of religious education isn't the only issue, however. My honest opinion is that our primary and secondary educational system needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. This isn't something that can be done in one congressional session or with one No Child Left Behind Act, it is something that will take a lot of time, a lot of thought, discussion, debate, and open-mindedness, and a lot of serious effort, but it needs to be done. I have a lot of thoughts on this that I will, as I have time, try to put into words and share here, but that is for another time, because I could easily spend all day ranting.

In short, the improvements to the new school system would include such things as:
- College prep as a standard. I recently attended a graduation at my high school, at which 2 of approximately 40 students earned college prep certificates. At this school, the classes available & required to earn this certificate are the bare minimum needed to attend a public university, so if any of those kids want to go on to college later, they may have a difficult time being admitted.
- Desegregate our schools. Yes, they are still segregated, but it is now based on socio-economic status moreso than race.

I have many more less-refined thoughts regarding funding, extra-curriculars, course content, etc. I will try to bring some installments to expand on these things as I can get to it.

Until then,
Peace,

Alphadork

Bring 'Em In - A Must-Have

Lately, I have been wanting music, music, and more music. I have received a number of CDs and still haven't listened to them all enough to be familiar, yet I keep finding more and more that I want to get. Anyway, amidst this musical frenzy, one has stood out as one of the most excellent and enjoyable CDs I have ever requested, and it isn't even from the usual collection of alternative & punk:

Bring 'Em In by Buddy Guy. Seriously, give this album some consideration. If you like the Blues, Buddy Guy, or just good music, this is an album worth buying. It has some great new music, some great familiar songs ("Ain't No Sunshine"), and some enjoyable collaborations with Tracy Chapman, John Mayer, and Carlos Santana. It's a quality album that you really will listen to over and over, and has assured me that my blues collection is something I need to grow.

Enron Execs Found Guilty

Well, it's over (for now). Lay and Skilling have been found guilty. Now I am wondering how long the appeals are going to drag out and at what point they will actually serve their sentence. I'm curious...why don't people ever take responsibility for what [bad things] they have done and just say "yeah, I did something wrong and screwed a lot of people." Instead, those who blatantly harm others deny all culpability...it's like they have a sense of entitlement that makes them think "as long as it benefits me, there's nothing wrong with it." It's unfortunate.

Did you know that Mr. Lay made a large donation to the University of Missouri around the time the Enron story broke and now he has requested that they return it to him because he needs the money for lawyers? First of all, a donation is unconditional; he gave them the money and they don't have to give it back, and they won't. The other thing I am wondering is if MU will change the name of the endowed chair they set up with the money...I mean, wouldn't it be really weird to be the professor holding the Kenneth L. Lay endowed chair. Does that mean you are a quality professor deserving extinguished tenure, or one who has done everything just to get ahead without regard for ethics? ...just something to think about.

Using Terrorism to Sell Ethanol

Ethanol ads fuel controversy

Couldn't this be considered terrorism? It's inciting unnecessary fear (and racism) to encourage people to buy ethanol. I know what they're trying to say, but they are going about it in all the wrong ways.

Here's what I'm talking about, new billboards in MO:

About the picture: The top portion ("Who would you...") is the controversial ad (the questionmarked outline contains the photo of King Fahd on the actual billboards). The remainder is explanatory info. See the enlarged picture.

From the article linked above:

James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, called the billboards "offensive" and "nothing more than Arab baiting" and asked Marshall to take them down.

...

"The more legitimate target is Exxon Mobil and other major oil companies in America that are making huge windfall profits right now," Zogby said. "Make a case on sound facts and not based on bigotry."

I am incredibly embarrassed that people in my state go about things in such an offensive manner (though not surprised). On the other hand, the economics of the matter indicate that ethanol is certainly not a viable replacement for gasoline, so I guess it's OK if they shoot themselves in the foot...

Your $3/gallon Put to Good Use

The Raw Story | Democratic senator wants SEC investigation of ExxonMobil's $400m 'retirement package'

ExxonMobil has agreed to give their CEO, Lee Raymond, a $400 million retirement package, a simply outrageous amount. For comparison, David O'Reilly, CEO of Chevron has a $3.57 million long-term compensation package.

According to the Wall Street Journal, "Raymond's pay package amounted to $190,915 a day."

From the story linked above:

“These major oil companies have hooked their hose up to the pocketbooks of American citizens and are sucking money from ordinary Americans into the treasury of the giant oil companies," he said in a statement. "The result is that Exxon reported the highest profit in the history of corporate America last year. Today we read that while farmers struggle to pay the fuel bills and drivers are paying painful prices to fill their gas tanks the oil companies are rolling in cash and their retired executives are getting obscene retirement benefits.”

MLG Comes to TV

Professional Video Gaming Set for TV Debut

MLG (Major League Gaming) has struck a deal with USA Network to air seven hour-long episodes this fall featuring Halo 2 and Smash Brothers Melee pro video game tournaments. MLG has been around for a little while, but this will take their recognition beyond video game junkies and pseudo-junkies like myself.

I am intrigued and look forward to watching this pan out to see if it catches on as they hope it will. I really think that, if done right, this could catch on and garner the interest of even those who don't play video games all that much.

Honestly, I'm jealous...making money to play video games, that's always been a dream job that I never thought existed.

Morrissey Questioned as Security Threat

From Contactmusic.com through a headline on The Raw Story:

Singer Morrissey was quizzed by the FBI and British intelligence after speaking out against the American and British governments.

They always seem to be working on ways to chip away at our first amendment rights (or at least intimidate us out of using them). Morrissey's response:

"I don't belong to any political groups, I don't really say anything unless I'm asked directly and I don't even demonstrate in public. I always assume that so-called authoritarian figures just assume that pop/rock music is slightly insane and an untouchable platform for the working classes to stand up and say something noticeable.

"My view is that neither England or America are democratic societies. You can't really speak your mind and if you do you're investigated."

I honestly don't think of Morrissey when I think about threats to our national security. My first thought is usually that guy currently "running" this country. Also, when it comes to questioning musicians they don't like, why haven't they brought these guys in?:

Open Forum: Discussing Salaries at Work

I have been thinking lately about the ethics and legality of discussing salaries with coworkers. I have especially been thinking about it lately, as I recently received a less than expected raise and feel as though I am underpaid. I often wonder if my coworkers are getting the same treatment, and if not, why? I want to talk to them about it, but can I? Should I?

The truth is that I have never been sure. I could certainly argue one way or the other. Every employer I have worked under has made known, expressly or implicitly, that they frown upon such discussions amongst their staff. Well, I did a bit of research and found that there is precedent protecting coworkers' rights to such discussion: Silencing Salary Talk Can Lead to Trouble | workforce.com (free membership required to read.) From this article:

Answer: Salary discussions are concerted protected activity.
Both actions will likely be considered unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Wage discussions among coworkers are generally considered to be concerted and protected activity under the NLRA. So under most circumstances management cannot prohibit salary discussions, or threaten, discharge or discipline for revealing salaries.

The "both actions" referred to was a manager telling staff that discussion of salaries is forbidden and subjects them to discipline and drafting a policy stating such.

That is somewhat comforting to read. Part of the problem is that many employers do not realize this and will still fire you for discussing salaries. The good news is that you can sue for wrongful termination and likely win, but that's quite a hassle.

I feel that discussion of salaries is a good thing. When the company holds a monopoly on the information, they can pay people whatever they want to, which can lead to women being paid less that their male peers and similar improprieties. Discussing salaries allows one to know where they stand in relation to their peers. We are supposed to get raises based on our merit, right? So, why not discuss salaries so you know how your performance/merit rates compared to your coworkers. That helps to reinforce the need to improve oneself, or it lets you know when you are being screwed.

So, why not discuss? I guess some people may use the information in an unprofessional manner and/or not think rationally about it. It seems to me that if we were open and willing (both employees and employers) to communicate such things, individuals would handle it in a much more appropriate manner. Overall, I feel that it would lead to much more fair and equal salary standards, so I think the benefits far outweigh the cons.

So, I've said my piece. I open the floor to comments, opinions, suggestions. Am I wrong? Convince me...

Talent Drops Cosponsorship of Cloning Ban

Cloning shift by Talent upsets his supporters

His reasoning isn't too bad:

Talent yesterday cited the possibilities offered by a scientific procedure called "altered nuclear transfer," or ANT, which he said holds great promise for creating embryonic stem cells without producing cloned embryos. Talent argued that because the Brownback bill is vaguely written, it could forestall research using ANT.

I fear, however, that this is simply a political move to sway borderline voters (because even though he is "upsetting his base," it's not like ultra-conservative voters are going to vote for the other party over this). However, if he is reelected, I hope to be proven wrong and see him continue support ANT. However, just to be safe, let's vote for the better candidate (my opinion), McCaskill.

Campaign takes familiar turn

Campaign takes familiar turn

Frist said Saturday that if Democrats want to disagree with the president’s approach on wiretapping, "I think it is at their peril."

To paraphrase: Agree with Bush, or fall under the foot of our machine. OR: Either you are for us or you are against us. If you are against us, you are wrong and must die.

That's what they want to say.

Bush Defends Exxon/Mobil Profits

DenverPost.com - NATION/WORLD

How much money are his family and friends making off of this?

Bush:

"I think that basically the price is determined by the marketplace and that's the way it should be."

I understand the marketplace and economics, and it is hard to argue against that. However, isn't there a point, when you are making millions and millions of dollars, more than you can find a way to spend, that you find it more ethical to lower your margins, give up making that next few million dollars profit, and give the poor and neglected a chance to afford the things they need? Whatever happened to looking out for one another and helping your fellow man?

Alito Upholds MO Stay of Execution

Alito Opposes Mo. Execution

Overall, I've been opposed to Alito. From what I know of his record, he has proven to be a conservative activist moreso than a rational interpreter of the law. However, I will give him credit for breaking party lines on this one and supporting the stay of execution. Of course, it doesn't mean he opposes the execution, just that he supports the grounds for this stay. Nonetheless, he gets a point.

That brings up a more sad topic, though. That topic is the fact that the votes of our Supreme Court judges can (usually) be predicted based on party lines. That is not what the SC is meant for; how does that provide a check or balance? I don't care what side of the tracks you are from, the judges of our highest court are not supposed to make decisions based on their religious beliefs or the generalizations of their party. They are supposed to make those judgements based on the laws of our country and the nearly extinct rational thought that made our country what it is today.

I am extremely liberal. However, if I were president, my nominee would be much like Sandra Day O'Conner. I would nominate someone because they would apply rational thought to every decision and make their judgements and rulings based on how it applies within the constrains of our Constitution as a living document to our current society and best benefits the rights of ALL American citizens. I would not nominate someone just because they will oppose conservative views at every turn.

With the way we're going right now, the conservative & religious (ie: Christian) groups will be happy with what they get out of THEIR Supreme Court. However, they get that at the risk of taking away much from the other half of the country. I know it feels good to win every time, but if you stop and think about it, that means someone else is losing every time. Buck up and learn to compromise; that's far more patriotic because it will benefit our country in the long run.

WTF?!?!

Recently, thanks to the Google ads you see to the right and my own curiousity, I stumbled across a website by A World Ahead Publishing for their "Help!Mom!" book series. The particular book being advertised was Help! Mom! There are LIBERALS Under My Bed! The premise of this children's book for conservative parents is that there are two children who want to start a lemonade stand so they can earn enough money to buy a swing set. However, they encounter obstacles when liberal figureheads in their town try to "tax and regulate their dream away." Honestly, WTF?!?!?! Is their method for winning future elections to brainwash children? Seriously, what are they teaching? Taxes provide us with necessary public resources and regulations help prevent the corrupt from taking everything from us (though they still get away with too much...probably because of books like this teaching 'regulation bad, corruption good').

In response, I would like to offer a book idea: Help! Mom! Bush Jr. Sent My Big Brother Away to be Killed in Iraq to Avenge Bush Sr.! Perhaps this one would be better: Help! Mom! All My Lemonade Money is Going to Oil Company Profits and Rich Republican Tax Breaks!

Credit Card Minimums Increase & I'm Becoming a Sell-Out

As you may or may not have noticed, the minimum payments on credit cards are being increased this year. It's due to government crack-downs and an attempt to help consumers get out of credit card debt faster. Honestly, it's a good thing. It forces me to pay more on the principal balance of my card than I may have in the first place. Hopefully, this will help our nation reduce our nagging credit card debts since we'll be paying more than just the finance charges. The problem it has caused me is that the extra money I was putting toward the higher rate card is now used to meet the minimum on the lower rate card, causing me to be charge more interest than I would have under my payment plan.

My cards have always haunted me. I don't have a horrendous level of debt by any means, but it's there and it bugs me. Not to mention the fact that it seems to keep growing, though very slowly. The problem is these damn holidays; everything's good until they come around. You would think I would learn to be prepared. Now that minimums are increasing, I'm taking another look at that haunting debt and trying to think of ways to make it go away faster. Since my employer doesn't want to give me a reasonable raise, I am left to find ways to get a small supplement from the internet.

The best way to do this without getting sucked into some kind of scam? Why, sell-out, of course! My sell-out is to Google and Amazon, as you can see with the adds on the right. I thought I would be smart for the holidays and order my gifts at Amazon through the link on my page. However, I now have reason to believe that they were smarter than me and will reduce my earnings by the affiliate fee I earned off my own orders. Cunning! So, what is my response? I invite anyone that wants to place an order through Amazon to use my links. When you do so, send me an email telling me you have used my link and let me know on what page you have a link. The next time I make an order through Amazon, I will use your link.

I've also looked into paid surveys and the like, but they all want you to give them $30-$100 to use their database (scam alert!) or pay $1-$2 per 15-30 minute survey, which really isn't worth the effort when your available time is next to nothing. If anyone out there has suggestions or ideas (legitimate suggestions or ideas; no scam spam!), leave me a comment.