My "Politically Incorrect" Opinions- & - Your Opposing Viewpoints???
My "Politically Incorrect" Opinions
Email: MADAV1@HOTMAIL.COM _________________________________________________ 1. Bill to "Eliminate" Smoking Bans? 2. Hedge Fund Bailouts 3. How Secure is Social Security 4. SPEAK OUT: (MISC EMAIL ADDRESSES) 5. Veteran's Day
6. Election Campaign Reform 7. The Internet "Something for Nothing?" 8. John Silber (& Education in General) 9. MASS Auto Insurance 10.FLAT Tax, Trickle Down Economics* MUST READ *
11. Who are some of my "Role Models"? 12. "What in Heck" is going into Our Foods? 13. Mass Audobon Society 14. UFO-Comet & Other Strange Cults 15. Happy Family & Happy Marriage? 16. ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union 17. Who Will Defend the IRS? 18. In God We Trust 19. Downsize, Downsize, Downsize!!! 20. 21st Century Technology? 21. Is "INTEL" INSIDE OF THE BOX? 22. Are We Financially Secure? 23. Computer Privacy? 24. UFO Report 25. Criminal Behavior
26. Life & Common Sense 27. Separation of Church & State
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Issue #1: Bill to Eliminate Smoking Bans ???
Update: Hoo-ray for the new Boston Smoking Ban !!!! Q: Will Springfield ever have enough initiative & concern for it's citizens to do the same?
Rep Mary Jane Simmons, Leominster MA: Proposed legislation to mandate restaurants designate "at least 40% of their seating" as smoking sections. Whatever regulation authority exists today is to be moved from public health authorities, and left in the hands of local politicians.
Note:The smoking industry has not been without strong allies, and strange partners in promoting itself. Eric Solberg of "Doctors Ought to Care" is building a museum at the Texas Medical Center. One of the exhibits will be showing tobacco company advertisements which were made in major medical journals - over a period of many years! You bet, the medical journals themselves accepted those advertisments... Yikes?
Now, lets return to Mary Jane's proposal;
Although restaurants are legally required to possess
equipment able to change
air at a certain rate, I don't believe there is any real enforcement of quality
standards.
Mary Jane argued there is an inconsistent set of regulations across the state, so
why
not ban the non-smoking sections across the state? Because we don't see testing,
stiff fines to violations, or revoking of licences to perennial violators - it is
clearly
in the majority interest to keep smoking - outside of public buildings.
Many times I've been at a "non-smoking" table, which was directly between
two
tables filled with smokers. Or just seen smoke saturate the air, no matter where
you try to sit... This is wrong!
Write: Gov. Cellucci, Senator Kennedy, the American Cancer Society, Board of Health, your local newspaper, OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) - and try to remember "to pull "the other election lever next time..."
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Issue #2: Hedge Fund Bailouts? Do you remember the (1986?) 500 Billion S&L dolar bailout, primarily benefitting Texas & California Banks? Serious lack of regulation, control - and criminal punishment lead to disaster. That system was never really corrected...
Presidental election candidates could not have gone against that political bailout scheme, and collected enough electoral votes to win. (I'm a advocate of dismantling both the electoral college, as well as the State Caucases).
No doubt some action was needed, but not a "unconditional" bailout, which did not require major law changes. This bailout also greatly increased profits of banks who were not needing any form of assistance... at taxpayer expense, of course!
Note: Texas bankruptcy law allows within bankruptcy one to keep a house (which can have 200 acres and be worth 40 million), one car (which can be a silver Rolls Royce), and enough other loopholes so that most of those responsible for the problem got to keep money which was, in many cases, the equivalent of fraud and theft.
Whatever we do, those Hedge Funds need a little discipline and control. New rules, new CEO, new board of directors, etc... New laws should prevent someone from hoarding obscene amounts of money, exploiting their ability to line their associates pockets with money borrowed - not owned. The word jail seems to come to mind, to me, for such behavior...
Can we accomplish something in some non election year? I tend to believe much of the system is the way it is because greedy people are making lots of money, and able to take advantaget. There is no incentive to fairness - unless the public demands it!
So, the bailout problem is not as much the fault of those who were finacally irresponsible - but the voters, who had influence and power all along - but didn't care to exercise it, to change the system...
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Issue #3: How Secure is Social Security? At at time when we have a 5.4 Trillion dollar debt, we are arguing "how healthy" the economy is, and schemes to divert money which s/b going against a severe national debt into pockets (token amounts to the little people, and large amounts to the priviliged society).
We don't want to factor in the current fears of a possible global recession ahead. We don't want to factor in a possible global recession which may occur as a direct result of Year 2000 problems. Even more to the point, we don't want to include within our projections a known shift in the percent of retired elderly to working age public.
Three people right now are working for every retired senior citizen. That number is going to become two people working for every retired senior citizen. That is a major change.
Worse yet, the generation retiring has suffered through downsizing, pay freezes, trickel down schemes, and tax law changes. We used to tax excess profits highly, now Contracts On America are trying to use every means at hand to subsidise those who are most able to pay, because they have been most fortunate - and have the most to spare.
The plans are to keep reducing payouts and benefits, and to keep increasing retirement age. If the fund totally collapsed, that would not hurt the wealthy - they have absolutely no vested interest in whether Social Security survives the next decades.
We need to save extra now for lean times ahead, and we also need to shrink that 5.4 Trillion dollar liability. The interest on that alone is staggering, it raises the price of all goods.
I'm not convinced this is a big enough issue to the public to feel angered over - and, that is sad!!!
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Just what is a Veteran? A
person, just like you or me who found himself in extrordinary
circumstances he likely didn't ask for, or want to be in. He may
have been responding to a
clear evil threat, such as Hitler. He may have been involuntarily
drafted into a Vietnam
War - a war he may not have been sure we had good reason to be
involved in?
No matter what reason brought got there, he was in a position
which may have been life
threatening, many times. He may have been hungry, cold, over
tired, lonely for home. He
may have been extremely frightened and maybe injured. Maybe very
close friends and
and family were lost in battles. The food may have been horribly
bad!
He may have returned from a World War II and been treated to a
parade, or returned from
Vietnam, called names, and denied employment! He may have had bad
dreams for years,
and not fit into circles of people who had not been there with
him.
Maybe now, our veterans can simply be people, like you or me.
Whatever they faced in
their past, they are still the same human beings - with extra
baggage to cary.
Whether today they meet in organizations to discuss their
common experiences,
or just want to live in the present and forget those days existed
- they merit
Veteran's Day and Memorial Day to commemerate their time of
sacrifices.
The Gulf war reminded us once again, they are heros, sent on a
job to do, which
most of them (and us) would not wish anyone to need to do.
Whether you
applaud the political reason why they were thrust into that role,
the point
is, most of them served well, and did what was needed - when
there. They did not
gain from that experience - hopefully the world did & the
losses were justified?
Regardless, all Veterans deserve the special recognition days,
and appreciation
for exceptional demands sometimes asked of "regular
people" - - again, no
different than you or myself. Hate the wars, if that is right,
but please,
never again those men who were asked to contribute something
which fortunately
most of us will never be asked to do. They had that extra hard
mile to travel, and
are clearly deserving of a warm welcoming home, when their
assignment was finally
over. Whether a war is "won", or simply ended - their
sacrifices cost the same...
Rep Mary Jane Simmons, Leominster MA: Proposed
legislation
Issue #6: Political
Campaign Reforms
I'm in favor of some free advertising for politicians. Have
the FCC require stations
to allocate a reasonable amount of
free air time for elections - to lessen influence
peddling & back room deals needed to get into office.
I'm in favor of a reasonable cap
on how much both an individual and a corporation can
donate. All are entitled to a voice, but not necessarily to
"monopolize" conversations!
I would love to see the Ethics Committee eliminate $25,000
dinners and like - and
actually enforce that with suspension
of office and real fines. Same for Democratic and
National Republican Parties. Have one standard apply to everyone
- equally.
Finally, I'd love to see the end of the Electoral College.
At best, it provides jobs for
some politician's family & friends. At worst, it takes away
the power from you, the
voters, to directly vote for the person of your choosing. One
high school senior's vote
can count more than voters of an entire State? This is rotten,
and we all realize that
deals get made, because of that manufactured environment. Toto,
this is not Kansas!!!
Issue #7: The Internet - "Something for Nothing" - is Bad?
Q: How come so much of the web is "free" today?
Q: Who is paying for all of the "free" stuff & why?
According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development)
studies is, cost directly relates to how much the web is used.
Free is certainly the right
price to attract high volumes of traffic.
Additionally, you obviously need content which will attract
people - and get them to
return. Obviously, a great many people have figured out how to
make attractive sites
and where/how to advertise, to bring in very high volumes of
their targeted audience.
The abundance of FREE COMMERCIAL sites leads you to believe this is not a fluke,
but a clear pattern. The cost of building a site is relatively
inexpensive, and yet, can
advertise to rather large audiences. If done right, the
advertising on the web is subtle,
leads to far more information sources than on any other media,
and frankly, is far more
effective than any other media. You
are limited only by your imagination as to how to
apply techniques that make this work.
I believe the "Nothing is Free" advocates are
missing the bigger boat. There is a
benefit which dramatically outweighs any costs. Things without
"an up front charge"
charge is "immoral" to some! As you start to charge up
front, you stop getting the type
of traffic more visionary individuals are getting. There are
always good market for paid
services. There is a far bigger one for "free"
services, that is the bigger side of the
Web & will continue to be so. If money is your objective for
a web site, then consider
carefully whether you should be - at least partially - providing
free services, to attract
the audience you seek? People are
not as willing, as some engineered surveys suggest,
to pursue the same content - if a visible charge is associated
with it. Only if they know
it clearly is important to them, will they pay to view. Am I
wrong?
Issue #8: John Silber (& Education in General)
"I would love to have Cellucci spend a week in the
classroom to notice all the
other factors that go into getting kids to
learn". - Larry Saex, Teacher
<> <> <>
01/20/1999 update
John R. Silber,
Chairman of the Mass State Board of Education - one of
many
(sometimes insulting) remarks he made about "his
exam" - which failed the
majority of test takers; "not demanding by anybody's standards".
Selected Comments from Winter 1998, Westfield State College "FOCUS"
- The test takes about eight hours to complete
both sections.
- I think it was designed for people to fail (I
totally agree !!!)
- Students understood the test would not count -
until just a few days before
it was administered... There were no study guides
available...
- Mistrust remains regarding the test's construction and its usefulness
- Rather than give... (courses) equal weight, many departments will
recommend (taking courses) covering information included in
the test.
<> <> <>
Quick insert: Technology in
the Classrooms
"We need a well education work
force that understands how to use technology.
Students will face major hurdles if they don't know how
to use technology...".
- Author, Unknown
Please note, technology is "not a solution", it is a
"tool"! That tool is only as good as
the intellegent programming put into it, and the abilities of those who use it
as an
instructional tool.
There is absolutely no doubt as to the potential value of such a tool today. How
well
it gets realized depends upon the vision of those administiring, and given the
remarks
of Mr. Silber about technology - one has to question how useful those tools
will be
- - in current hands?
I followed John Silber news reports with open mind. While I
believed the man had
demonstrated a fair level of arrogance, and also appeared highly
egotistical, I still
thought he had promise to be a strong influence towards positive
change....?
Following his unwarranted attacks on teachers, and the highly
unprofessional comment of how "teachers
should not earn more than
garbage collecters", this
confirmed to me he does not belong in that
position. He seemss to ever gloat and "bully" others to
get his
way. Many are predicting a severe teach shortage in just
a few years - if true, is he attracting more talent into the
profession?
The English exam (which he was a large contributor, called it
a bare
minimum "stone age" requirement), caused something like
60% of
those taking it to fail. Charges were that his teachers at Boston
college had inside information about the contents of the exam,
and
even a loophole so their students could take the exam more times
than at other colleges. It has been reported that there is more
than
one correct punctuation for the "Federalist
Papers", which was a odd
segment of the exam. Only the original punctuation scored
correct.
It further has been suggested that if teachers need
communication skills,
then what about our Legislators
(begin with Speaker Tom Finneran...)?
Don't legislators read tons of legalease they have to vote into
laws,
which impact all of us? Should
they not take that same test, first - if it is
truly a critical measure to performance on the job?
A few of the skills which are "really" relevant to
Teachers are;
1. Expertise in your own area.
2. Enthusiasm about the job.
3. Interest in student's success.
4. Ability to organize instruction in a manner which
students can readily absorb.
5. Ability to know what is "truly" important to their
future.
High levels of English would not have made any of my college
instructors
better - - in my personal opinion.
What does education really need?
Inspired
vision - originating at the NATIONAL level. Do we bother to show our
teachers and students what the best are doing, to serve as an
example and model?
Certification of good curriculum at that NATIONAL level. Maybe
NCATE
(National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) can do
this well? If not,
someone should be defining & approving a solid curriculum,
providing good
instructional materials, etc... This does not appear to be SILBER
!
Granted, there is diversity in style, but achievement of
excellence is a common
thread among the very best. Should we not attempt to emulate some
of what they
are doing well? Learn from it?
Leadership. Not only could (and should) books and computer
programs be getting
written for National use, written by the best talents available -
but films can and
should be made (I don't mean like the horridly amature
productions I viewed in
my school years), with resources simply not available at the
local levels.
In addition to topical films geared to different grades in
subjects like History,
Science, Government - why not create quality topical films on;
- How to Study Effectively?
- How to succeed?
- What is the importance of an Education to your future?
- Striving for Excellence (with examples of those who have)
(Note: Early grades might learn more from well known Animated friends!)
I'm sure some of the best oratory talents, as well as
entertainers would be honored
to participate in some of those topical tapes;
- Paul Harvey
- James Earl Jones
- Robin Williams
- Arnold Swartznaeger
So, if it is so easy and obvious a thing to do - why doesn't
someone actually do
it ???? The Federal Government blows money on many foolish items,
the cost
of doing something of genuine value here would hardly be a drop
in that large bucket!
I went through our educational system (did just "a
little" teaching in it). There
was an extraordinary wide range in the quality of learning
passing from one class
to another. Some classes proved highly relevant, interesting, and
provided us well
organized, well presented lessons. A few others on a
scale of 1 thru 10 rated 0.
Even in my best classes,
often the texts we used were - horrible. Teachers
often didn't even use them, for that very reason...
I don't believe my experience is even close to unique...
The big question is - why???
A company is as good as its management, the tools the
workers have to work with,
the vision and direction, the supervision.Why are schools any different? I've gone
through plenty of abstract nonsense - without a shred of
practical advice or relevance
to the real audience this is supposed to motivate and educate.
The students are often
being cheated, their futures jeopardized by a half-baked plan.
They deserve more!
The product we are putting out often does not match the real
world needs very well!
First, most of the text books s/b burned: We should be able to come up with really
high quality information for students to work with. The best, in
fact? For the rest,
let me simply take ("out of context") some of the
quotes in the March 14th Wall Street
Journal, which all pointed to something which should be done
better than it is!!!
1. David Rockefeller, Jr: "There
should be a much improved national program for
teacher training, much more use of technology......
"..."so they are mentored and not
left alone".
2. Lawrence Rosenfeld - CEO of
Concentra Corp: "Even in affluent communities, public
schools don't have enough money for great education"....
3. Alfred Zeien, CEO of Gillette
- Boston: "...teachers would say you couldn't play"...
(Must meet academic standards, be on good behavior to participate
in various extra-
curricular activities - that used to be understood...).
4. John Ong - BF Goodrich:
"The system needs to be measured by its output: What
does a student know when he gets out, as measured by
testing?"...
5. Walter Annenberg - Annenberg
Foundation: "Smaller classes....", "...increased
parental interest...".
6. Albert Gamper Jr - CIT Group: "A longer school year...".
7. Paul Chellgren: CEO of Ashland
Inc: "...and stop promoting and graduating
unqualified students".
8. John Clendenin - CEO of
BellSouth: "....we have to agree upon standards, train to
those standards and hold people's feet to the fire.".
Don't we all, in fact, know all of above is true? Then, why doesn't something change -
asap? Do we need to change many of the people who have been in
charge of this? Make
more noise than we have done? Make this more of a priority for
all & back whatever
is needed - to make those changes? We need all of above solutions vs. a
"pick one off
this list" approach!
So - what reforms are being discussed & what is being
acted on - today?
Education Reform Topics
Department of Education Documents (DOE)
Extra remark(s): We are able to
fund and build the new F-22 Jets, at $71 million each.
Why? Because that is "priority" to us! OK, why not say
for each of those planes we
build, we also put an equal amount of money towards Education -
because that is of
equal importance to the future of this Nation! (....I know, that
won't fly in Washington)!
Computer Skills: I have to
disagree with John Silber, in that exposing children to
computers at the age of 5 is "non-productive"? A study
a while back showed that
babies exposed to swimming at the age of only 6 months learned
immediate, and
became far better than counterparts who started at later ages
in life. It was far
more natural to them, almost instinctual. Computers are ever
becoming a bigger
part of everyone's lives. Those skills are crucial. Much more so
than the "formal"
skills which were historically stressed.
If our teaching is ineffective, then we should improve
our methods & make learning
of all subjects more interesting, as well. Provide more rewards for doing something right!
A recent study placed MASS close to dead last, in terms of
the number of computer
erminals per student. That is not a record to take pride in,
especially in a State that
wants to be known for its High Technology applications!
That statistic does not surprise
me, one bit.
Here are several organizations (As found in 07/10/98 Investors
Business Daily);
1. Center for Education Reform (202) 822-9000
2. Education Excellence Network
3. Parents Raising Education Standards in
Schools
4. National Right to Read Foundation (800) 468-8911
5. Mathematically Correct
6. Textbook League
7. Education Consumers Clearing-House
8. Core Knowledge Foundation (804) 977-7550
...John Silber, are you listening?
Issue #9: Auto Insurance in MASS (Who or What is to Blame ???)
I've read many times that MASS has one of the highest Auto
Insurance rates, without
matching policy coverage of many other states. Why? Insurance often suggests they
make less profit here than in most states - the state is charging more than other
states do, to them. I've also read that Insurance rates in Western Mass are a lot
higher than in Boston - if this is all true, the why???
The real question is, who is a good champion for reform? We have "lots of
them", we got
No Fault Insurance and more, which didn't seem to make my rates go lower (they may
be even worse yet, as a result of each reform).
Can we get some honest answers? From who? Some honest
proposals?
Do we need to change some of our politicians and Insurance Commissioners? What?
Do you know any great web sites / other sources of quality information & have any
viable action plans to suggest? Time goes on, and many things remain the same! Is
it only me, or do most people in this State feel the same way?
Issue #10: "F L A T" TAX, Trickle Down Economics & Other Scams
Edward N. Wolff "How the Pie
is Sliced"
A "Wealth Tax?"
Still the Land of Opportunity?
Economic Inequity is Growing
Top Heavy: Study of Inequality
of Wealth
Update: Let me begin with two quotes (and my response to
them);
1. "One myth is that the minimum wage is a wonderful way of
helping poor people..."
-
Elimination of minimum working standards is exactly what exists in 3rd world
nations.
There is a large spot "in hell", reserved for those who preach such gospels
of zero
conscience - pure avarice!
2. "One of the biggest myths... is that the economy is
consumer-driven... the economy is
investment driven".
-
Read my lips, "I hate Reaganomics - with a passion"!
Years
ago I read 2% of the public owned 50% of the Wealth of this nation. Well, I
suspect things are far worse, today. Reaganomics began a
unprecedented era of greed which
lead to massive downsizing, moving work overseas - and pursuit of
obscene amounts of
profits by individuals who had far more money all ready than
could be spend in several
lifetimes. "Let them eat the crumbs"...
The era of "Ask what is good for your County" died
hard. Ralph Nader recently said we
have 360 Billionaires in the world at this time. The wealth of
Bill Gates alone is greater
than the combined assets of the bottom 40% of this Nation - and
the disparity is
growing worse, all the time.
In the meantime, our Congress feels it important to spend 40
million to prove President
Clinton has affairs, while totally ignorning far more serious
realities millions live with,
every day - and generations to come will have to deal with. The
public has yet to realize
it is the majority, and would have the ability to vote our of
office those who are selling
us out. We have elected to ignore this, and not protest
inequities through the polls.
Shortly after writing the following opinion, I read in the New York Times a few
interesting statistics, which are not unlike many I've read
before; "Nearly 2,400 of the
Americans with the highest incomes paid no federal income taxes
in 1993, up from just
85 individuals and couples in 1977"..... "While the
number of Americans who make
$200,000 or more grew more than 15-fold from 1977 to 1993, the
number of people in
that income category who paid no income taxes grew
28-fold....". "... another 18,000
Americans with high incomes paid less than 5 percent of their
incomes in taxes".
We all know above is fact, but disagree on "if anything
should change", or if so, what
would be better? Should we establish
a "minimum tax" for those earning over a
certain dollar amount? Might that be one step in the right
direction, possibly???
My Opinion:
The flat tax sounds fair and equal to everyone - on the surface. However, the burden
it places on individuals is far from equivalent.
Clothing, gas for the car, heat for the
home, food, auto insurance, health insurance - those costs are not that different
whether
you earn $10,000 or $200,000. The person at the bottom of the scale has little, if any
extra money to save, put into education, invest, enjoy a vacation with, spend on
whatever luxury - or cover medical emergencies, or put towards retirement! He lives on
virtually every dime he makes. He does not get the cheapest interest rates, cannot
borrow against property he owns, etc... His total income does not buy much for him!
On the other hand, the individual who is earning $100,000 (or maybe lots more)
has lots of expendable income after taxes for -
whatever purpose!
Well, what about proposals to tax goods? Food,
clothing, gas, home fuel and like? The
low incomes get hurt more, worse, the elderly who have no new income are going to
feel that type of tax the most. Food, fuel, basic living expenses are what gets taxed!
We don't want the insane set of regulations & loopholes which lawyers built into
the tax
system. You can have a simple graduated tax, which has minimal and needed exceptions.
Work to take out the greed, corruption, and wasteful spending from the system. Also
modernize clear inefficiencies (Social Security Admin, IRS, etc... !!!)
Have you ever asked: Who audits the IRS? The
Congress? How good a job are
they doing of auditing? Who are our "Watchdogs"? Or do we care?
Q: What does today's military actually need (& not need)? Begin with painless
type cuts. Provide new jobs & skills to balance cutting of unemployment/welfare
benefits. Raise the minimum wage, and don't import goods where slave labor wages are in
effect.
Time to revisit NAFTA?
We really don't need (or want) a flat tax, what we need is a little more common
sense
and monitoring of the political system. Then you could build an intelligent, productive
reform direction. Now, If we could eliminate the lobbyists,
lawyers, and like - this may
even have a chance!
Thomas Jefferson: "I am
conscious that an equal distribution of property is impractical. But the
consequences of this enormous inequality producing so much
misery to the bulk of mankind,
legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing
property...." - 1785.
Issue 11: Who are (some of) my "Role Models"?
The list of people who have been the most influential to me is
- interesting, but even
more interesting is the "why". I don't necessarily view
anyone on this list as being
who I am or want to be, I follow my own directions. Nor do I see
these as anything
more than human like myself - but with a certain special quality I wish I could
emulate better!
Robert F. Kennedy: Conviction,
and Willingness to Not Abandon Uphill Battles.
Wonder what he might have accomplished? Someone, sometime was
going to shoot
him for his positions.
Martin Luthor King: He had a
dream, gave his life for that dream, and brought
inspiration to many. He made many things change & will not be
forgotten.
Jimmy Carter:Q: Why Not
"the Best"? Jimmy is still is out there today
for
the betterment of mankind. He had many noble ideas, only failed
to
understand politicians, and their motivations. Too often their
question is,
"What's in it for me or my friends?". "What do you
want to trade for it?".
Jimmy thought plans for the betterment of mankind would interest
all - but,
sadly, the world does not typically work that way.
"If" there is a real oil crisis, could we not decide
on one of the abundant
alternative fuels, and mandate every gas station dedicate
"at least" one pump
for it, within a year? Would not cars be made overnight to run on
any new fuel, if
at enough pumps? There are many simple answers out there. Lots of
resistance
due to special interests, to implementing them. Having a vision
does not insure
anyone will agree to follow it.... A fine man, we could learn a
lot from.
John Delorian?: No, this is not
April 1st! Those who read his dumbly titled "On a
Clear Day You Can See General Motors" will appreciate just
how many knew in
advance American Industry was clearly heading towards major
failures - and their
frustrations at being unable to alter that course.
Billy Graham: "Just As I
Am"
A man of Strong Belief, Integrity, Principles, Character, and
with a extraordinary gift of
inspiring millions with his belief of a much better place. With
so many scandals and
charlatan's - he is the genuine article.
Who can fill his shoes? The first Preacher invited to Russia -
how fitting a tribute!
Wouldn't it be great if more of our Politicians, World Leaders,
Lawyers, Judges and
Corporate Leaders - had his sense of values?
Update: Billy's biography is named after his favorite
hymn "Just As I Am", which
was really his "Theme Song" over the years (usually sung by George Beverly
Shea).
His history is fascinating, but simply want to include an extract from a conversation
with Martin Luthor King Jr; "You stay in the
stadiums.... you have a constituency
that will listen to you... who may not listen much to me.".
1987 Age 78, Parkison's or not, he continues to be a unique individual, a man who
admits to mistakes - but who's intent has always been admirable. This is one man I
wish I could have met - as much as Robert Kennedy - and Martin Luthor King. I
think all three would have been fascinating to converse with!
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: "I
am a Berliner", "We will put a man on the moon".
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can
do for your country".
You wanted to join the Peace Corps - or do something to help!!!
Lee Iacocca:- Did you read his
book? He knew what John Delorian (once) knew.
He was given the opportunity to make things happen, and he worked
without salary -
with a profit sharing, stock sharing deal - no one knew how good
a deal that would be,
and he never felt he had earned that much for what he caused to
happen. In the end,
he explains circumstances (not unlike World War II), pulled
everyone together in a
United and common purpose. As soon as the crisis was over - he
knew things that
type of magical co-operation would not be sustained. He had a
window with which to
take advantage of that common, united spirit.
Bill Gates: The devil himself?
Many people believe so! I feel he was someone with
extraordinary vision, and built an extraordinary plan to make it
happen. While I don't
aspire to someday have a house like his, I do find much of his
approach - something
to learn from. His entire empire was built upon finding out what
people wanted, and
insuring he delivered something which addressed those needs - at a price people
were willing to pay for it!
David Wilkerson: Man of modest beginnings. Small town
preacher drawn to
"the big city of New York", lived with drug lords, eventually they build
International
rehabilitation centers. David found success more than he could manage, he let others
take over, returning to being a small town preacher. For a very short period in his
otherwise not exceptional life, he built something extraordinary. Skip the film with
Pat
Boone (before becoming the rock star)! The book is a lot more interesting, and
detailed.
A Class Act & Good Friend: Mr. William
("Billy") Arnold.
I've worked with Billy musically, also admired his talents with other groups. He was a
studio drummer at Motown Records in it's Heyday, and has toured with dozens of big
name musicians. I've seen him on Television, could not go to any concerns - without
him winding on stage with virtually every Artist, following mid show breaks!
What makes him exceptional is not his talent or even extraordinary hard work. He is
ever young, everyone is immediately "like a close friend or family", and he
has great
advice to everyone's problems! He remains one of the most down to earth and
genuinely humble people I've met. (This tribute will ruin those attitudes - for sure!).
The Bionic Man: Phil G. is a drummer. He admittedly
lived in excess in every way, a
most unlikely event radically changed his life - for the better. He had a major
accident
right outside of a hospital, where doctors from all over the world were giving lectures
about new medical procedures not yet in practice. Phil was
declared dead on arrival, a
death certificate was given
to his wife. Then, specialists stepped in, and Phil went into
unplanned surgery (at least once a day for two weeks), initially to simply keep him
alive.
Later, to repair!
The doctors rebuilt him with nylon vocal cords, and dozens of other unheard of
techniques. Visiting him one day with another friend, he told me how his doctors
told him he would never walk again - but they are wrong! Then he related the hospital
was upset because his wife refused to return the death certificate. She knew he would
want to put it into a frame - to hang in his living room as a trophy!
About three weeks later, guess who is walking into a band job of mine? Had a pair of
drumsticks in his hand, limping towards the stage with them. I asked him, are you
able to play? He said "he never could before, and that
has never stopped him" - so, on
stage he went, to the amazement of a room full of musicians (jazz club), and sat in
with
the players on stage, played one number, and happily left! He told me after, he felt he
was the luckiest man on earth. He destroyed his life, but was given a chance to do
things
all over again - differently. He wanted to pay every cent back to his doctors, for what
did for him. Quite a exceptional attitude - towards those
events?
Misc Lessons: Start with "Matthew" (no last
name being listed here...).
I'm uncertain of Matt's title today, he has been a President of his own company, which
took on sizable Corporate Network Contracts, Director of Information Services to one
or more International Security Firms, etc... Still down to earth & good friend.
The point being, Matthew started out as a student of mine in a 120 day Computer
Business School program, and worked and worked and worked to learn all he could,
and has never stopped - as far as I can tell! He was once
bonded for $500 million to test
Pentagon Security Systems ... need I go on?
I've received lots of excellent technology insights & advice from this person.
I've seen
him with several LANS running in his home, with a BBS and an (800) number - so he
could bring his BBS on the road, when traveling. Always in training for this or that
new
technology, and in touch with various friends of exceptional skills & abilities -
no
matter where he moves.
You may not be able to equal what someone like this accomplishes, but you can always
learn from what they have done (and are doing). My family knows
someone else well
who came over from Italy, learned most of his English here - never got through High
School, but made himself a millionaire with something he believed
in - in about 2 years.
Another story entirely, but again, there is something to be learned from the people
around you. What they did - and how! Something anyone "might" have done, as
well!
My parents & myself were once invited to the home of a work associate of my
father.
Followed his directions, and pulled up to something which was multiple city blocks with
a
high metal fence around it? Inside saw various antique cars. It
didn't seem possible
he could live inside of that place, but did. To work he
drove a Volkswagen and had just
one tie he always wore. The rest of the time, he lived in a small section of this place
he
inherited - with 100 or so rooms! You never know...?
Another: Working at an Army/Navy store where street people
often hung out. On a
really cold day, one such person came in the door with no shoes and a T-shirt on one of
the coldest days of the year. The store owner would not let him out without taking a
pair
of inexpensive boots and a coat. Could not believe what we saw. He said he would
"pay
him back". Well, someone came by with a check for the goods and left, same day. He
would come in and buy things for people, say "someone would come in with a check,
and
leave". We kept getting the checks, and were puzzled as heck
about who this person was?
It turns out, he had been a doctor! Many of those street people were other
professionals
who had too much pressure and lost it, like him. Well, there were few days he could
give
a coherent sentence. That day, he spoke perfectly and told us about the trust fund he
had
the bank setup for himself and his family. After whatever stresses, they preferred a
world of no responsibility at all. He said himself, and others on
the street thanked us for
our consideration of them - and then left! What more can I
possibly say - about this experience?
I guess, could be anyone - so don't jump to any fast conclusions about people!
Issue 12: What is in our Foods?
Do we really need the thousands of allowed preservatives and
chemicals going into our
foods, or could we limit this list to perhaps "a reasonably
safe" 1,000? Is it ok to XRAY
and spray vegetables to extend shelf life's? Why do we not insist on a LABEL if such
practice is being done? Let people elect what they will, and will not eat - provide the
information to them, what is being done! Could we live without MSG, DES, and like?
I will provide some good links in the future on this topic. For now, feel free to
contact
the FDA with your opinions about such policies!
Center for
Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - reminder to insert
link here !!!
My opinion? This agency should be rebuilt from the
ground up, everyone high up
in the chain of command - replaced. I feel this agency is totally compromised by Big
Money concerns and does not well represent our public health interests. Where it is
content to allow food processors to label MSG as a "flavor" vs. preservative
(so MSG
does not even need to appear on the label) - that is criminal negligence. If you saw
some
of 60 Minutes shows - entirely dedicated to food inspections, you must wonder as do I
why no change resulted from those shows? The answer, we really must not care enough
to demand changes. Maybe we do not deserve to get them, then?
I wish I could have a dollar for every time I've read "only a insignificant
number of people
actually die each year" - from this or that additive, and those with problems
"it only lasts 3 or 4 minutes, typically" - I think there is a special place
in HELL
reserved for Tobacco Industry Spokesmen, and some of the FDA, as well!!!
Speaking of Tobacco - check out: Tobacco Free Kids Org
Notable Quotes
"The secret of patience is doing something else in the
meantime"
Origin: Salada Tea Bag / Thanks to Gary Archambault!
"With the 21st century fast approaching, you've finally decided
to enter the 20th!
Origin: Investor's Business Daily (03/26/97)
Issue #13: Mass Audobon Society & the Laughing Brook Animal Sanctuary
I've greatly enjoyed the serenity of this Sanctuary in Hampden
Ma for injured exotic
animals. Giant Owls, Tree Owls, Deer, and so much more you otherwise would never
get to see. It disturbs me that Director Douglas W. Kimball has
consistently feed us
with reasons why he wants to remove the bobcats, vultures, and everything which took
years to build up there. To see the hundreds of acres - donated by Hampden for the
expressed purpose of building that sanctuary? The Friends of
Laughing Brook
Society "may" be fighting a losing battle (but
then I thought the organization at
Forest Park was fabulously intended, but facing politics they could not win against).
I would like to see the Town of Hampden get the land back, and run that site, as
before (or another organization, who would preserve that heritage for the future).
If I get contact information for the Society opposing those plans, I will post them
here
and any information I get on best place to lodge a protest! This is a sad loss of
something the Audobon Society once stood for, and built up.
Q: If Mass Audobon does not represent theAnimals at Laughing Brook - what does it
stand for - today???
Issue #14: Why Does Anyone Join a Extreme Cult?
We have all watched with confusion Charles Manson Clan, Jim Jones, Waco Texas,
Soon Ming Moon, and more recently - the Hale-Bopp Comet Suicide group. The last
were a group of extremely successful individuals who had known each other for 20+
years (Heaven's Gate). Apparently they felt they were monks in some sort of
communion with Aliens & the universe & felt that ritual had spiritual meaning?
In 1975, Founders Applewhite & Nettles convinced
members to sell all their
belongings, abandon families - to come and wait for a UFO.
Apparently Applewhite
had some "near death" experience, and Nettles was his Nurse. This is not
really
meant to explain any of this, or bring a whole lot of send and meaning to that
sorry misadventure impacting 39 people. One member was the brother of Nicholle
Nichols (lt. Uhura), of Star Trek (Tom Nichols). No doubt drugs played some role
in this mass Insanity...
I've run into a few "extremely weird ancient Gods" mythology sites. I have
absolutely no intention of building bridges to some
of those pages - ever !!!
Were you aware of the 1994 Order of the Solar Temple, where 48
killed themselves
in Switzerland? Other such happenings? People are worried
of what is going to occur
when the "spiritual time frame" of Year 2000 is upon us - by other such fringe elements!
And some are "only" concerned with their programs & system crashes...
I'm going to relate an entirely different story, which might shed a little light on
whatever mass delusions may be at work. For those familiar with Freddie Kruger
and Nightmare on Elm Street, there was a real world case study
which was the
inspiration behind the movie character & story line. "Real life story"...
In England, early 19th Century - in an insane asylum - one
inmate dreamed of a
supernatural being invading his dreams. The story was
gripping enough, and real
enough to almost every inmate he told it to, that they also believed this being was
coming after them - if they fell asleep. The story became more and more elaborate,
the details more and more elaborate. As things were getting out of hand, they sent
all of the patients to different hospitals, thinking that would end the mass hysteria.
Instead, each patient the inmates came in contact with also started telling others
about this being who invades dreams - they finally had to
isolate every single one
of those individuals !!!
Finally, they isolated every such individual, to not let them come in contact with
any further mentally disturbed individuals. Why do we have Devil Worshippers or
Klu Klux Klan - or Hitler's? How do they get followers?
I don't know how your
values get that twisted, but it happens - there is a lot of history, past &
present.
I've stopped trying to figure out the why, and accepted the reality. People like
this
harmed just themselves, someone else goes on a tower and shoots harmless people.
In answer to some inquiries if I would be adding those 2 links - no. I don't
think links like that add to my web site. They are sad mistakes, much better places
exist to visit & learn from, and enjoy. I've not provided various links of bad
taste which I
have seen - I'd like my site to stay above that level!
An Art Bell page I link to had linked to both Heaven's Gate sites. I still
list a few
entertaining Alien links - which are not meant to be taken
seriously!!! Have no
reason to believe anyone viewing my site is anything like Heaven's Gate. thinking a
Comet hides a spaceship from God & you need to commit suicide to get on board.
I don't think God works in quite as mysterious a way as that... The person who
first reported a larger object behind the comet, apparently had a reflection and -
was not a hoaxster. Rumors grew, where nearly all of that was show business vs. science
or
religion. Sad to see this lose entertainment focus, for the families of those
individuals,
and others like them. Some other event likely would have lead to that same end
results. They believed that to be their "destiny"...
Issue #15: Happy Family & Happy Marriage
What makes foran especially
happy home? I'm not going to begin to claim to be any
type of expert, or even suggest who is. Only pass along a few ideas which might point
in a positive direction. I think the following ideas apply to almost any situation, no?
1. Look at people doing things better & just what is
different there?
2. Respect each others views, feelings, needs, and interests.
3. Be considerate, kind, courteous, understanding, and
supportive.
4. Listen to what the other says, two way dialogue is important.
5. No one is right about everything & no one is wrong about
everything!
6. Compromise, find the right common ground all are happy
with.
7. Do things together, make the time and the plans.
8. Don't take each other for granted. Compliment each other, for
what you do.
9. Don't expect anything in life to be "perfect", you
will be disappointed if you do.
10. Remember why you were attracted, to begin with! Must be some
special reasons?
What can I do better? Many things!!! Until I'm perfect, I don't think I can expect
any more of anyone else... (OK, so I'm "almost" perfect !!! Aren't we all?)
Issue #16: The ACLU - Fighting for "Our Rights" ???
The American Civil Liberties Union is an organization who's prime purpose seems to
be to insure the law is not "Interpreted", but followed to its "exact
letter". If man was
wise enough to write perfect laws which covered every situation perfectly, then
I'd be behind that organization - I'm not.
Often they may be upholding an idealistic principle, defending the laws from any
use of common sense and judgment. Did we really need to permit Nazi's to march
through a Skokie, Ill, a town with Holocaust survivors? If there is no flexibility, no
give & take in the laws, what are they going to protect?
One example, the case of a 5 year old who's dad was is in jail for 1st degree murder
- for
stabbing her mother 24 times - in front of her. State Rep. Paul Caron was one of the
Mass representatives who (successfully) created new legislation which denies the father
visitation rights. The child did not wish to see this sick father, nor did her
guardians
approve. The child's analyst testified that was traumatic to her, and damaging.
Clearly a 5 year old had no rights of any kind under existing law, more to the point
-
her father her father has not lost his! This is exactly the type of case you would
expect
to see the ACLU "anxiously stepping into" - to insure
procedures are followed "to the
letter of the law", vs. to the intent of those
who wrote the laws! Is interpretation "irrelevant"
- should it be? What would the courts have done 50 years ago, long before the ACLU
arrived on the scene? I'll bet you can answer that one & so can members
of this sadly misguided & strongly motivated group. Call them "a cult",
possibly?
Their God & leader is a set of principles - more important than true justice,
compassion,
common sense, and individual merits and circumstances. They are rigid and want the
law to adhere mindlessly to whatever flaws they can find in its logic. If they weren't
interested in Legal issues, they might be equally well suited as hackers, finding ways to
cause flaws in Microsoft & Netscape products...?
Clearly we need better judges, more common sense in the legal system - not less.
Professional juries, and stronger penalties for repeat offenders. We don't need a
"college professor world", where we have theories to live by, ignoring what
is
happening in the real world, believing some "absolute principal" matters
more!
People matter more than ideology, and that any theory we can dream up. Sorry, but
I feel we would be far better off if we had never heard of that Organization.
Issue 17: Who Will Defend the IRS?
You don't seriously think that is my purpose here? Guess again! I'm not terribly
thrilled with the Social Security's recent attempt to put all our records online,
either! A quote from 04/16/97 Investor's Business Daily: "If taxpayers managed
books as the Internal Revenue Service does, they'd wind up in jail".
Quote from the General Accounting Office (GEO): "Historically, IRS has not
been highly responsive in fixing business operation problems and implementing
our recommendations".
We have read with some amusement the ongoing misadventures they have had in
trying to upgrade computer systems, and reorganize how they do their business.
In a 1995 audit, the GAO found differences of hundreds of millions of dollars in
records the IRS could not reconcile. The Treasury estimated requiring businesses to
file electronic returns could save 3.3 Billion, in a few years. That shows just how
little automation is in their current processing. Congress established a National
Commission for Restructuring the IRS, it would be nice if one of those commissions
could really come up with a decent, working plan?
I tend to agree with those who feel outsiders must be introduced, new blood, and
impartial auditing of the processes. The status quo does not seem capable, or
motivated enough to make for real change. It has to come from outside, not within.
It is suggested that part of the problem is, insiders don't want outsiders
"peeking in",
well, I don't believe there should be any choice given about this! You have to wonder
if privatization of that organization might bring in good & competent management
and
computerized accounting techniques? The IRS should be as cutting edge as anyone,
with the volume business they need to process. They have a very long ways yet to go,
to be a Viable Year 2000 Government Agency. Disagreement?
Please note, I strongly feel there are things our Taxes can and should be doing for
people. I agree with Welfare Reform, but not elimination of support for those who
are sick, needy. I just don't believe the system as we built it is doing the job well.
I could suggest dozens of ways to alter the system - and have, to politicians who
ignore, and keep the status quo! Maybe winds of change are upon us?
Here are a series of interesting links. I don't expect to agree with every idea,
some
I may be strongly opposed to - but, we should listen to every proposal, and judge
each according to its merits - and fairness to those it impacts. The elderly,
especially,
have needs & no new income. It is one thing if they have $950,000 in savings,
another
thing entirely if all they had is gone! Q: Do you turn you back on that?
GAO (General Accounting Office)
CLW ORG "Follies" Page
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) / Campaign.com
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) / Organization
I've never understood the need for "controversies"
here? When our Nation was
formed, I've read more that one of our Founding Fathers was
agnostic (a
Agnostic is one who doesn't
believe in a God, but unlike an Atheist, does not have
"a personal religion" of trying to discourage anyone
else who does).
What our Founding Fathers universally agreed on was the need for principles,
higher ethical standards, hope for making a better world. If you
believed that had
religious implications, fine. If not, the same spirit was held
important. This was
understood and accepted. They did not define God, except in the
most general of
of terms as being someone good, and someone to look up to as a
right example to
admire and follow. Your beliefs were your own to practice in
whatever fashion you
chose to, or chose not to.
Our dollar bill has had "In
God We Trust" on it, our pledge of Allegiance has
had
references to a God. When you testify in court, you swear an oath
of truth on a Bible!
Those are same same founders who insisted on a separation of
Church and State in
Government - meaning,
religious leaders do not rule, not that religious principals
are forbidden. We are guided (but not ruled) by higher
principals, in public office.
One of my all time favorite Red Skelton bits was his doing the
pledge of allegiance,
and talking at the end of when we temporarily removed "under
God", for fear of
offending anyone. How much meaning was lost, and how wonderful
when that line
came back again.
My particular preference is on our National Anthem. I've always hated the Star
Spangled Banner, and wished
America could replace it. Not because the latter
has a passing reference to God, but because it is musically, and
text wise a vastly
superior piece of music. I used to love the Ray Charles
commercial he sang that
song in, with Choir and Hammond Organ. I've heard many others
sing it, and it
sounded like something I would want to associate my Nation with.
Ray Charles
actually performed it with the same orchestration - for the
Congress. They asked
not even to replace the other song, but make a provision for a
2nd, alternate choice.
The reporting feedback I heard was, "cannot do",
because it has a reference to
God in it. So what?
To put this in more simplistic terms, "how
childish"! There are so many things we
have a real reason to be against. A very small, but very vocal minority feels a sense
accomplishment - for doing what? Whether I believe in a God or
not is irrelevant.
I am happy to see people believe in some religion, I feel it
makes for better people,
less wars, less hate, and so on. I believe that was the unified
belief of our Founding
Fathers, and why so many references to God appeared in their
documents. Why they
opened and closed with a prayer - and why the signing of the
President into his office
is done on a Bible. It is symbolic of truth, conviction, and
honesty. Why do people
even dedicate their lives to attacking that? That, I fail to
understand!
I suspect some of above is the same spirit which makes for a
hacker. It is there, see if
you can be the one to break it, and collect a little fame for
doing so? There are also
some who had a very bad experience with someone
"religious". Well, there are
extremes of all kinds. Too conservative, too liberal, too
talkative, etc.. Judge all by
one example? Find your fault with
those truly deserving - but not all the rest!
Issue #19: Downsize, Downsize, Downsize!
It always fascinates me how fast and easy trends develop, and
how a single mindset
carries - until the next trendy answer comes along. There has
always been a valid
need for business to try to be efficient in the things it needs
to do. That's not news.
But somehow, that concept got promoted as a way of life, and
answer to all the ills
of life. Everyone needed to do this, and keep doing this.
However, you don't grow by down sizing, cutting research &
development, and cutting
back on quality control and customer service. You need to do
better with what you
do, to win more of the market. Cutbacks provide short term cash
which can be
reinvested (or used to pay off debt). It seemed as though many of
the "gains" were
used to increase salaries at the top, and provide dividends to
stockholders - improve
the appearance of success. This is one tool, but not a permanent
way of life!
Companies found less loyalty, loss of expertise - doing more
with less. Unemployed
workers do not help the economy, they do not buy goods companies
sell. Lots of
people companies used to own at salary are coming back - as much
higher paid
consultants. They would not return to their old jobs & pay,
today.
The New York Times Special Report (Soft cover book) "The
Downswing of America"
looks at the personal damage done to people during that trendy
period, and asks
what were the long term results of this?
The same goes for Government. The government is too large for
some of what it does,
and whether too large or not, ineffective in many things it is
doing. Better organization,
modernization, training, leadership, vision, direction,
technology - all part of the
right answer. "Some things" should be smaller, but some
services are needed, and
adequate staffing levels is needed for those services.
I think of the 1996 Presidential Election and "What would
you be willing to give up if
you never had to pay a tax again?". I will respond with just
a few ideas, the list could
be very, very lengthy if you devote a little intelligent time to
considering this!
1. Education
2. Unemployment Insurance
3. National Defense
4. Local Police, Jails & Court System
5. The Internet (Funded largely by the government)
6. National Parks
7. Public Roads & Plowing of Roads & Traffic
Lights
8. Trash collection
9. Attorney General
10. Emergency Funds for Floods, Storms, Etc.
Above is enough of a start to appreciate while government is
not perfect, and taxes
are not a favorite thing - there are some functions "we
might not be willing to do
away with" here? No taxes means - eliminate 100% of
the above!
How well are we using technologies which are available, today?
How well did we
design with any technologies, old or new? Did we have a strong
overall plan which
made it simple to modify, enhance, maintain? Did we document it
well, and make
it easy for someone unfamiliar with the system to pick up &
use?
How well are we using technology to educate our youth - at all
ages? Do they have
the best of information to work with? Good resources? Interesting
lessons designed
to provide necessary skill sets and growth into the next century
of employment?
Lets discuss Bill Gate's Technology Summit (open his new
"demo" home). 100 CEO's
of the largest companies assembled - and, how many CEO's brought
a laptop?
According to news reports, few even took a Notepad, and many were
clue less
about what was being discussed. This is not surprising.
We need enough leaders to also be sharp and informed about
technology. It does not
write or maintain itself. It does not build itself, you still
need a smart plan to use it
effectively. You still should know exactly what you want to do,
before you do it!
More real analysts are needed in Education, as well as Corporate
Management
Levels, to know what technology best can do for the business
needs. We can build
grand schemes which are tributes to complex code, or smart
schemes which deliver
what the technology can best do for us.
Yes, we need to train our people, and invest in technologies.
I recall one CEO who
said his company had no standards, every platform under the sun -
not talking to
multiple other platforms, systems designed to do nothing but
track discrepancies
between other systems - they elected to standardize and rewrite
the mess! There
is one smart man! I wish there were more who delivered master
plans for all the
pieces to fit together intelligently, and coherently. Such people
need authority to
make final decisions. Where all have a voice, the final product
may be an elephant with
multiple trunks - and three feet!
I think we need to look at who makes technology decisions, and
empower those we
believe should - and insure that each piece of the puzzle is
talking with the other
pieces, to make something in harmony. Otherwise, it really does
not matter what
platform you build on, it won't do all you want...
Bill Gates called workers "knowledge workers",
"not cogs". Almost everyone in a
company should be more than a "cog", but someone who
has an important role, and
has some empowerment to use his/her skills and abilities, and
provide feedback.
(Note, the term "knowledge worker" is sometimes
misused, to describe non tech people -
creating entire programming systems. You get what you deserve,
if you don't also employ
fully trained professionals for areas which require a higher
level of expertise in design
coding! Although some tasks are simple, do not underestimate
the complexity of a
well integrated collection of programs. That is not for
amatures, still!).
I believe our best future is in those directions. Training of
workers will again be a
smart function of companies - as it was when they first built
information systems.
Tech support today has to be smarter and better trained than
before. The software
is more sophisticated and varied, and the solutions far more
powerful.
Mastery of the tools at hand is the key to future success.
Vision and planning still
important. As smart as the computer may seem to be, we still need
good mechanics
and architects to build good designs - based on a realistic
appraisal of hardware,
software, manpower, and other capabilities. May our leaders be of
the right skills
and practical mind frame. A happy merger of business needs with
practical technology
designs. Whether mainframe, client, or other - that same wisdom
is required.
Issue #21:Who's Inside of the Box?
Until recently, when we saw the label, we assumed the
technology was
INTEL's. It will be up to the courts to determine if it is all
INTEL, or part DIGITAL,
part CYRIX!!!
For my last CPU, I intentionally purchased AMD - people
thought I was nuts!
Well, my CPU was 40% the cost of a comparable INTEL, all
benchmarks I've
seen didn't justify the cost difference to me.... There are other
shows in town!
I think it is highly likely my next CPU will also be other
than INTEL. Years ago,
many stayed with IBM PS/2 architecture, because of IBM's hype -
yet it was all
proprietary and delivered less for the dollar than most of the
clones - which all
had the same INTEL 386 Chips inside, the same RAM, the same Hard
Drives!!!
The charge today is that 10 Digital Patents were infringed,
and the lawsuit is for
Billions of dollars of profits. I'm
not qualified as an Engineer, or as a Lawyer to
determine the validity of such claims, but do recognize Digital
had power solutions
well ahead of INTEL, and apparently had tried to interested INTEL
in purchasing
rights to that technology. The
allegation appears to be INTEL simply took it, and
didn't pay for it: True, or False?
The implications could be major, here. Stay tuned, and check
out my tech tips page
for potential updates on that story, as it develops:
Topic #22: Are We Financially Secure?
Statistics are not surprisingly showing about 1/3 of our population is having
struggles keeping up with their bills (despite the fact that vast majority
has two people working to make a living). At the same time, we are cutting
back Medicaid, charging more for less benefits, and Social Security is a
question without answer - while we are approaching a year when more baby
boomers will be retired - than the number of individuals working!
Does this appear to be the makings of a problem - for the near future elderly?
Obviously that 33% mark is unable to put any savings aside for the future.
This is not the topic where I plan to analyze why this is so, or what might
we do today? This is where I want to include whatever help I can find, to
help that 33% cope better with problems today - and ahead.
1. Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) can help you get the most mileage
out of whatever situation you are in. (Reminder to me: Insert their 800 number!!!).
One Excellent Consumer Credit Online Site
2. Credit Histories - For now, let me just list the three main numbers you
no doubt want to know about, to see what is reported against your name;
TRW (800) 682-7654
Equifax (800) 658-1111
Trans Union (216) 779-7200
I've created a new topic category - watch for future development of it.
3. Consumer Federation of America (Reminder to me to add a link!).
4. Manage Your Debts Flyer (Provide: Stamped Envelope with Return Address)
Consumer Help
1424 16th Street
Washington, DC 20036
5. Hot!!!! - Victim of Credit Reporting? (VCR)
"If information exists anywhere, no matter how carefully
guarded, it exists
somewhere else, where virtually anyone can gain access to
it" - Lane's First
Law of Information - by Carole A. Lane.
Does Computer Privacy seem a contradiction in terms? There is a major effort to
collect as much information about you as is possible - and sell it to businesses
Like Cyber Promotions, Banks, Employers, etc... What goes into profiles need
not always be fact, or be used for appropriate purposes. Removal of such
information can be difficult to impossible. Q: Who Can Help?
I intend to insert links shortly to;
1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
2. Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
3. Privacy Times Newsletter
4 .CERN
And more... - Stay Tuned!
About 20 years ago, probably 4AM on Mt. Monadnock, I watched a light show.
There was a single moving light in the sky I first thought was a plane, then
when
it hovered, a helicopter. When it started darting all over the sky with very jagged
movements, I assumed it must be military. When it finally shot from one side of
the sky to another - then went out of sight, I was uncertain what I had watched.
I enjoy science fiction, but generally do not speculate whether anyone on any
other planet is visiting us. Usually very low profile, "if true". On March 13, 1997
in Phoenix Arizona was the most interesting exception, ever. Those
who have an
active interest in such phenomenon equate that to "Roswell" significance.
Thousands of people watched something "more than a mile wide" in
the sky -
including police, pilots, and professionals of all kind - dozens filmed
"something",
then city, state, federal, military - all refuse to investigate, the question does
arise, do they know something they haven't shared? Is there a cover-up, and if
so, why would they?
There have been several very elaborate hoaxes documented, usually by
military pilots. One has to wonder if that one went beyond their ability to pull
it off? This event lasted 106 minutes, was close to Luke Air
Force Base.
No one knows anything, nor do they plan to research. Does this not seem a
little strange? Hollywood special effects people indicated they would be
incapable of duplicating that live. Were highly impressed....
I believe if 100% of sightings are not a hoax, it is more than 99%. I don't
subscribe that 95% of sightings are hoaxes, that suggests 5% are not. I
find those who suggest 5% are not are wrapped up in the hype, not being
analytical. They want to find something, see something in the "evidence"!
In the future, I will insert a few links here, for those who
want to investigate this
particular event. Something clearly transpired on a large
scale - whether it be ET
or Military Hi-Jinks, it would be interesting to be certain about! I don't claim any
"research" group is not biased or is scientific in nature. But, you have to
start
"some place" for whatever information is available. Seeing what I saw, I've
always
been left with an unanswered question. I suspect military experimental craft, but
clearly can say it was not something any private citizen could be
flying!
National UFO Reporting Center
UFO Magazine
I'm not waging a "Get Soft on Crime" Campaign. There
are places where
rehabilitation efforts and leniency make sense - but places where
they are
just plain wrong.
1. Repeat Offenders:
Why should someone get the same sentence 2nd time around or 3rd,
or 50th as
first time? That is not a impulsive mistake in judgment, it is a
pattern of behavior.
Where we are told 99% of all crimes get committed by less than 1%
of our population,
it seems important to identify who that 1% is, and insure they
are not in a position
to keep repeating that behavior. Are we more interested in
treating them as victims,
or the public who is preyed upon?
Repeaters likely commit hundreds of offenses, before they are
invariably caught. I'm
told most crimes are committed by people who have been caught
before, and will be
again. We spend a fortune on a trial to insure we have the right
individual, and we
are far too quick to return him back to the same occupation. Lets
put a little more
common sense into our laws.
2. Battering Women
I don't have any insights into men's behavior who repeatedly live
that lifestyle. I am
told few ever change. Whether you feel sympathy or anger at them, they are a
menace to society. They are sick. They may need help, but so do
their victims. You
can be compassionate, yet fair. They can't control what they do.
They will do it again,
and again.
On the women's side, you have 411
to call a shelter, you have 911 to report a crime.
I don't care what rationale you want to apply for not doing both,
that's no life to live.
Your idea of the "good
times" is when you are treated with civility. That
should be
all of the time. You are sick, as well, and need to seek help out
to stop your pattern
of allowing this to happen to you. You have all the power to stop
it. Call above numbers,
and move if need be. Oddly many women when they do leave once
such person are
able to locate another, and start all over again. Is that the
life you want to live? There
are far better options, far better people to meet.
Why anyone would think they "deserve" this, or that
is the best relationship they can
ever have - is sad. You have to take the steps and the action.
What you are going to
be doing the rest of your life is very much in your hands to
decide. No action is a wrong
decision, and the worst of all possible courses for your life. If you have children, you
are really messing them up for future life. What type of relationship do you think they
will get into? Whether you think you deserve better or not, they
clearly do. They don't
have that same choice which you do. You are exercising their
decision, as well.
Don't "think" about this. Just as the smoker comes
up with reasons to not quit, you
need to just do it, and don't look backward - but forward. Now - not "tomorrow". We
all know tomorrow is just like yesterday, and last week, and last
month.... Today is
the only day which counts!
3. Vandals;
Need to do lots of charity work, to pay back for malicious
actions, and understand
what the real world is like for so many others. Many are not
bored, trying to impress
friends with immature behavior - just trying to exist. That
behavior should not be
excused or condoned as "youth". It is a attitude which
can stay and grow worse.
Need to show consequences and responsibility for actions. Try to
instill some new
values, while young. They don't value what someone else built,
paid for, is using.
Building a selfish monument to their whims, to show themselves as
"important".
Hopefully can change their concept of what makes them important?
"Eventually" will insert more related topics, and various helpful web links...
Life is to, a great extent, what you make it. It is not
your past, it is what you are going
to do with your life this moment, and what you will be doing - tomorrow.
Life is a journey of experience and (hopefully growth)! You
may not have control over
every card which is dealt to you, but you can decide on how you
will react to those
experiences - both positive, and negative. This defines who you
are.
Common sense says, you are not going to wind up where you want, unless you
have decided where that place is, and have worked to get closer to it!
Being happy is mostly your frame of mind. One of my
best band jobs of all time, both
myself and the drummer showed up with a severe case of the flu. Most of the
night, someone was missing on that stage - but we were having a great time, and
so was the crowd. As illogical as that was, something might be learned from it!
You can have lots of money, success - and be bored,
unhappy, whatever. I'm not
saying poverty is the key to happiness, but that money alone clearly is not a answer!
Friends, family, hobbies - find things which you really want to do & do them!
Understand you cannot make the world conform to whatever
vision you may have
for it, nor any other person. Keep seeking whatever it is you want, and know if
you are not there yet. Don't makeover anyone or anything into the image you want
them to be. Only do that with yourself!
Change may take time. It may take a lot of effort, and
feel discouraging. That is
life, that is reality. Things worthing having are worth waiting on, and working for.
Live more in the future. In that perfect world you wish
to build. Maybe in time
you will alter that vision, but you should have one for yourself - your own,
personal wishes. Have you made a list, and worked on a plan to achieve
those goals? Why not??? If you are religious, then this world may be just a
proving ground to take you to higher places. No matter how you analyze it, the
view of the world you hold has everything to do with how happy you can be
within it!
Issue 27: Separation of Church & State
There are some important history lessons which explain the reason for this
provision. Please note that the
founding fathers ended all their meetings with a Prayer,
and had no issue with seasonal Christmas music or manger
displays. That is a modern
"reinvention" of what the framers of our laws intended.
People who came over here suffered religious persecutions.
There was a powerful, "official"
Church/State relationship, which persecuted people who did not
follow their dictates. What the
founding fathers sought was an
environment of tolerance and freedom of choice.
I don't believe they could ever have envisioned modern day
mis-interpretations of that intent,
to the extent of prohibiting religious music in schools, or
preventing of seasonal Christmas displays.
The idea of tolerance is, a respect for the traditions of all.
Let each embrace and celebrate their
own holidays. In a gentle Spirit of
mutual respect - co-exist! Some of the founding fathers were
known to be Athiest. Yet phrases like "In God We Trust"
were understood to be applauding a
generic God of higher values, higher purpose in our lives. Not
Catholic, not Protestant, not
Methodist, not Jewish. Whether you personally had a religion or
not, you shared in the honoring
of those individual beliefs.
What we have done is stolen part of the one season away, which
teaches "Good Will to Men",
and replaced it with - "not here!". This is progress? Are we creating "freedoms" by this, or
taking away some which had been previously guaranteed to us?
President Clinton Vice President Gore
Springfield Newspaper (Pioneer) Valley Advocate USA TODAY
Newsweek Magazine Time Magazine Worcester Telegram
Boston Herald Channel 40 TV WBZ in Boston
Boston Globe WHYN 560 Radio WWLP Channel 22
ABC NEWS NBC NEWS WGBY Channel 57
CBS NEWS: (212) 975-3247.
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Mark G. Davis 