If the American economy is so bad, why are the malls packed? Why are millions of iPods, iPhones, iPads, Xboxes, and every new electronic device sold? All of which are made in other countries.
If we are in a crisis then these items should be boycotted until they are made in the USA, Instead, we would rather moan & groan about the economy and lack of jobs while we continue to spend our money overseas. After all, it is more important that we own the newest device immediately than actually worry about the impact on our unemployed neighbors. Words without action are simply hot air.
For an interesting discussion about the deficit, check out:
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, July 25, 2011
Bill Maher on Pledges in Congress
He is rude and crude about it but the basic rant about idiotic pledges is right on point:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/25/bill-maher-pledge_n_909000.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/25/bill-maher-pledge_n_909000.html
Thursday, September 2, 2010
It's on the Internet - It's got to be true
Did you know that Fred Savage is dead? He's not but the internet says he is so it has to be true - right?
Sunday night during the Emmy Show they ran the section memorializing the actors who died last year. A picture of Corey Haim popped up WITH HIS NAME ON IT. It was a picture of him as a young boy and someone thought it was Fred Savage (I think he was in something called Boy Meets World). They Tweeted about Fred being dead and suddenly it went viral. By Monday hundreds of thousands were mourning Fred.
A fact I want to repeat - Corey's name was on the picture. I happened to flip the TV on and caught that section of the show. I later saw the clip re-run on the Tues early ABC news show. The correct name was there. So, could the yo-yo that started the rumor not read or did they just see dollar signs with all the hits their site would get?
Sunday night during the Emmy Show they ran the section memorializing the actors who died last year. A picture of Corey Haim popped up WITH HIS NAME ON IT. It was a picture of him as a young boy and someone thought it was Fred Savage (I think he was in something called Boy Meets World). They Tweeted about Fred being dead and suddenly it went viral. By Monday hundreds of thousands were mourning Fred.
A fact I want to repeat - Corey's name was on the picture. I happened to flip the TV on and caught that section of the show. I later saw the clip re-run on the Tues early ABC news show. The correct name was there. So, could the yo-yo that started the rumor not read or did they just see dollar signs with all the hits their site would get?
So there you have another moment on the internet where, even when presented with the facts, one person starts a lie, others pic it up as truth and suddenly the world is sure it is fact.
I have investigated so many things sent to me over the past 11 years on the net and 99.9% turn out to be manipulated lies or bold faced lies. If it comes to you swearing it is true, DON"T BELIEVE IT!! Anyone can buy a computer or use one free at the library. Anyone can type anything they want into that computer.
Over the past few years I have threatened to start a rumor. I think I should say that Elvis had a sex change operation and was pregnant when he died. That is why he had gained so much weight. Maybe the change wasn't finished and he had a tubular pregnancy and the drug OD was just a red herring. Or maybe he died during a C section and the child's identity has been hidden all these years.
Half the people would dismiss me as a crackpot and rightly so. However a large number of people would insist on carrying on long and rambling arguments and demanding to know my references. Of course, I would insist that my resources had all died and could not be confirmed but I KNOW it for a fact. I mean I was there, how dare they question the integrity of my honor.
I could blog about it, write a book and maybe even make some money off of screen rights. I might even get a reality show hunting for Elvis impersonators across the USA. I could make some serious bucks.
At the end of it all I would be written off as colorful old biddy with pixie dust on the brain but there would always be a group that still insisted there was a possibility it was true and the late night comedians would drag it out for a few tired jokes once a year. I could live out my years making a few thousand here and there attending conventions and signing autographs LOL.
It is how the system works because we let it. We don't shame people for lying. Our society applauds underhanded business men, sleazy men and women that trade sex for fame, alcoholics, druggies and more - as long as they are on top. Americans shamelessly honor and reward winners regardless of how they got there.
I have investigated so many things sent to me over the past 11 years on the net and 99.9% turn out to be manipulated lies or bold faced lies. If it comes to you swearing it is true, DON"T BELIEVE IT!! Anyone can buy a computer or use one free at the library. Anyone can type anything they want into that computer.
Over the past few years I have threatened to start a rumor. I think I should say that Elvis had a sex change operation and was pregnant when he died. That is why he had gained so much weight. Maybe the change wasn't finished and he had a tubular pregnancy and the drug OD was just a red herring. Or maybe he died during a C section and the child's identity has been hidden all these years.
Half the people would dismiss me as a crackpot and rightly so. However a large number of people would insist on carrying on long and rambling arguments and demanding to know my references. Of course, I would insist that my resources had all died and could not be confirmed but I KNOW it for a fact. I mean I was there, how dare they question the integrity of my honor.
I could blog about it, write a book and maybe even make some money off of screen rights. I might even get a reality show hunting for Elvis impersonators across the USA. I could make some serious bucks.
At the end of it all I would be written off as colorful old biddy with pixie dust on the brain but there would always be a group that still insisted there was a possibility it was true and the late night comedians would drag it out for a few tired jokes once a year. I could live out my years making a few thousand here and there attending conventions and signing autographs LOL.
It is how the system works because we let it. We don't shame people for lying. Our society applauds underhanded business men, sleazy men and women that trade sex for fame, alcoholics, druggies and more - as long as they are on top. Americans shamelessly honor and reward winners regardless of how they got there.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Obama's Feet on the Desk
This one is making the rounds again. It started just months into the Obama administration, a pic showing him with his feet on the desk in the Oval Office. Some versions take offense at the use of the over 100 year old desk, most talk about his arrogance, all make a nasty attack on Obama.
The problem - this same cluster of accusations made the rounds about halfway through the Bush years with a pic of him with his feet on the same desk. They talked about the "arrogant hick" in charge etc.
The Obama round of this email was immediately followed with the Bush pic which were immediately accused of being PhotoShopped (although I can't find a valid back up to that yet). There is also a pic of Ford with his feet up in the Oval Office in the mix but he used a different desk.
These things just keep running through the mills. Just change the name and the pic and the spin, spin, spin goes on and on. It can make you dizzy. All I can say is pick your favorite bandwagon and jump on it LOL.
On a personal note:
The problem - this same cluster of accusations made the rounds about halfway through the Bush years with a pic of him with his feet on the same desk. They talked about the "arrogant hick" in charge etc.
The Obama round of this email was immediately followed with the Bush pic which were immediately accused of being PhotoShopped (although I can't find a valid back up to that yet). There is also a pic of Ford with his feet up in the Oval Office in the mix but he used a different desk.
See the Obama and Bush emails and pics here
Pic of Bush only
Pic of Ford only - in the Oval Office but a different desk
this one really gets nasty and uses the race card
this one talks about it from a political point - soles of the shoe aimed at others insult to Israel etc
this one says the difference is Obama was conducting business while Bush & Ford were relaxing
this one says the Bush photo is a fake
These things just keep running through the mills. Just change the name and the pic and the spin, spin, spin goes on and on. It can make you dizzy. All I can say is pick your favorite bandwagon and jump on it LOL.
On a personal note:
Over the years I worked as a secretary, hotel clerk and tool room mechanic. I have to also tell you that every single man I have ever worked for or with that had his own private desk at some point talked to me while putting his feet on the desk. I don't care if it was low gov metal or high quality mahogany, fancy office or workbench in the toolroom, they all did it. It seems to be something men like to do and I can't for the life of me figure out why LOLOL.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Politics and My Opinions
Most of my friends work, have families and are busy with everyday life. I have lots of time on my hands so I tell them to send me these fake emails that are filling up their Inboxes and giving them heartburn and I will research them and try to let them know what is true and what isn't.
I go through the emails, search out links to corroborate or dispute the data and return everything with factual information so they can make an informed decision. I am amazed at how many there are and each year it gets worse. Around 99.9% of them are either total lies or twisted facts presented with just enough half-truth to seem plausible. I don't take sides. I have trashed as many Rep as Dem emails. Right now it is running more towards the Dems but that is simply because they are in power. Just a few years ago I was tearing apart anti Bush emails.
Of course it is not the politicians putting these out and I do not blame them. How do these things start? Money, pure and simple. These lies begin on websites just like this one where people are trying to make money. The more people who look at their site, the more money they make.
Have you heard of Perez Hilton? He was an insider wannabe in CA that set up a blog. He was able to weasel a fake relationship with Paris Hilton (the heiress famous for her sex tape) and they built this cutesy "pairing" into bigger fame for both. He was able to increase interest in his website and now even has a web show that includes semi B & C list celebs.He is well-known on the celeb gossip shows.
A few weeks ago he posted a pic of Mylie Cyrus. She was filming a video and getting out of a car when her skirt hiked up a little and you could see her panties. Hilton posted a close-up picture with something pasted over the panty area to give the impression that she had none on and he was saving her modesty.
When corned and told the girl was 17 and he could go to jail for child pornography he quickly backtracked, showed police the original photo and admitted she had panties on. However he had made big money by that time. It had been about 48 hours since he had posted the picture. Mylie had been raked over the coals by everyone from the Today Show to Showbiz and Extra. All of them mentioned the picture was on Perez Hilton's website which drove people there by the thousands. For every person that visited, the counter was ringing up revenue.
Get the picture? This is exactly how these fake political emails work. They are created strictly because they are provocative and will incite arguments. Talk show hosts with hours and hours to fill find them and try to present them as fact. This will drive people to the website and raise revenue for the original writers. The problem is they move through the system so fast that it is nearly impossible to track down the original composer. Most of them are posted as "from a friend" and the chain begins. Eventually, instead of sending links some people will just copy the text into an email and that is what gets sent. There is no way of tracking it after that. I am stunned at how many that have been disproved make the rounds over and over. I received 3 this week that had been shot down by a number of websites last Sep.
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."
— Mark Twain
A lie is a lie. We cannot vote and maintain the democratic process if we do not understand the facts and have responsible conversations to discuss the pros and cons of each side. This insidious name calling and "I'm right and you are stupid" attitude that has prevailed and worsened over the last 30 years or so will lead this country to another civil war. Keep on and we will implode and destroy ourselves. There will be no democracy left for our children and grandchildren.
Anyway, I like to keep my groups and other blogs light and just for fun, music and Christian shares. Sometimes I spend 12-14 hours researching these emails. I was going to send them to my friends and groups but I have decided I will just post them here and send out a link now and then to remind people where they are. Anyone who wants to check in to see what I have been researching can find the results of my digging on this blog. Most pieces will have detailed links in rebuttal or concurrence with the information in the original email. There will be an occasional piece that is strictly opinion and I will make a note of that at the top of the post.
Hugs,
LindaB in TN:)
I go through the emails, search out links to corroborate or dispute the data and return everything with factual information so they can make an informed decision. I am amazed at how many there are and each year it gets worse. Around 99.9% of them are either total lies or twisted facts presented with just enough half-truth to seem plausible. I don't take sides. I have trashed as many Rep as Dem emails. Right now it is running more towards the Dems but that is simply because they are in power. Just a few years ago I was tearing apart anti Bush emails.
Of course it is not the politicians putting these out and I do not blame them. How do these things start? Money, pure and simple. These lies begin on websites just like this one where people are trying to make money. The more people who look at their site, the more money they make.
Have you heard of Perez Hilton? He was an insider wannabe in CA that set up a blog. He was able to weasel a fake relationship with Paris Hilton (the heiress famous for her sex tape) and they built this cutesy "pairing" into bigger fame for both. He was able to increase interest in his website and now even has a web show that includes semi B & C list celebs.He is well-known on the celeb gossip shows.
A few weeks ago he posted a pic of Mylie Cyrus. She was filming a video and getting out of a car when her skirt hiked up a little and you could see her panties. Hilton posted a close-up picture with something pasted over the panty area to give the impression that she had none on and he was saving her modesty.
When corned and told the girl was 17 and he could go to jail for child pornography he quickly backtracked, showed police the original photo and admitted she had panties on. However he had made big money by that time. It had been about 48 hours since he had posted the picture. Mylie had been raked over the coals by everyone from the Today Show to Showbiz and Extra. All of them mentioned the picture was on Perez Hilton's website which drove people there by the thousands. For every person that visited, the counter was ringing up revenue.
Get the picture? This is exactly how these fake political emails work. They are created strictly because they are provocative and will incite arguments. Talk show hosts with hours and hours to fill find them and try to present them as fact. This will drive people to the website and raise revenue for the original writers. The problem is they move through the system so fast that it is nearly impossible to track down the original composer. Most of them are posted as "from a friend" and the chain begins. Eventually, instead of sending links some people will just copy the text into an email and that is what gets sent. There is no way of tracking it after that. I am stunned at how many that have been disproved make the rounds over and over. I received 3 this week that had been shot down by a number of websites last Sep.
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."
— Mark Twain
A lie is a lie. We cannot vote and maintain the democratic process if we do not understand the facts and have responsible conversations to discuss the pros and cons of each side. This insidious name calling and "I'm right and you are stupid" attitude that has prevailed and worsened over the last 30 years or so will lead this country to another civil war. Keep on and we will implode and destroy ourselves. There will be no democracy left for our children and grandchildren.
Anyway, I like to keep my groups and other blogs light and just for fun, music and Christian shares. Sometimes I spend 12-14 hours researching these emails. I was going to send them to my friends and groups but I have decided I will just post them here and send out a link now and then to remind people where they are. Anyone who wants to check in to see what I have been researching can find the results of my digging on this blog. Most pieces will have detailed links in rebuttal or concurrence with the information in the original email. There will be an occasional piece that is strictly opinion and I will make a note of that at the top of the post.
Hugs,
LindaB in TN:)
I'm Baaaack:)
First I was happy and feeling better and not in the mood to rant and rave. Then I got sick and was too weak to bother. These days I am still sick but I am also getting crankier and crankier. The out and out lies spread around the internet between fake history and politics coupled with the blatant stupidity of people is really jacking my jaw.
Since I have been too sick to attend church for a while my fair weather friends there have abandoned me. I still can't drive GRRRRRRRR!!!! WebMD assured me my ripped Achilles tendon would heal in one to two years. Here it is over two years later and half my leg is still numb and I still lose my balance if I am not holding on to something. Yep I fall and I can get up but I scream while I am doing it because my knees are in so much pain I nearly pass out.
I hire a cab once a month to take me to town for groceries and misc errands otherwise it is just me and the fuzzy butts out here in the boondocks. Soooooo, I need someone to talk to. Maybe no one is out there anymore but I had quite a few followers so maybe somebody will read my ramblings and grumps. If not, oh well, at least I got a chance to vent LOL.
Hugs,
Linda B in TN:)
PS This sets off a mini rant in me - usually emails and blogs are not all that personal and they are definitely informal. I am fine with the cliche net closing of "hugs" for the hundreds I share with friends and people I barely know each week. It is a genial way of saying everything above is meant in the nicest way. There are various simple endings that various people use, sure they may be bland and informal but that is all that is needed on most emails.
I do put "Hugs and love" or "love 'ya" on private emails to people I am very close with - long time correspondents, family and people I actually have a close person to person relationship with.
What burns my biscuits is seeing emails from women in their 50's closed with "huggles" or "huggie boo" or some other lame and simple minded made up baby talk type closing. We are grown ups on all the lists I am on. I really don't see the need for cutie pie made up kid talk. Grow Up!!!!!!!
Since I have been too sick to attend church for a while my fair weather friends there have abandoned me. I still can't drive GRRRRRRRR!!!! WebMD assured me my ripped Achilles tendon would heal in one to two years. Here it is over two years later and half my leg is still numb and I still lose my balance if I am not holding on to something. Yep I fall and I can get up but I scream while I am doing it because my knees are in so much pain I nearly pass out.
I hire a cab once a month to take me to town for groceries and misc errands otherwise it is just me and the fuzzy butts out here in the boondocks. Soooooo, I need someone to talk to. Maybe no one is out there anymore but I had quite a few followers so maybe somebody will read my ramblings and grumps. If not, oh well, at least I got a chance to vent LOL.
Hugs,
Linda B in TN:)
PS This sets off a mini rant in me - usually emails and blogs are not all that personal and they are definitely informal. I am fine with the cliche net closing of "hugs" for the hundreds I share with friends and people I barely know each week. It is a genial way of saying everything above is meant in the nicest way. There are various simple endings that various people use, sure they may be bland and informal but that is all that is needed on most emails.
I do put "Hugs and love" or "love 'ya" on private emails to people I am very close with - long time correspondents, family and people I actually have a close person to person relationship with.
What burns my biscuits is seeing emails from women in their 50's closed with "huggles" or "huggie boo" or some other lame and simple minded made up baby talk type closing. We are grown ups on all the lists I am on. I really don't see the need for cutie pie made up kid talk. Grow Up!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
CBS Must Have Lost Their Writer's
Moved from Village Ramblings - - -
Anyone else ticked off about the CBS finales? After about 7 years away, I was lured back to TV with CSI then CSI Miami, CSI NY, NCIS and ended up adding Criminal Minds, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Without a Trace.
We suffered through the writer's strike, watching reruns of last season over and over. We finally got a shortened season and what did we get for our suffering? To begin with some really crappy jump the shark type writing on CSI. The whole Grissom/Sarah has sucked from the beginning. I watch these shows to see a mystery, to be intrigued by interesting forensics and clues and then to find out who did it. I could care less about the detectives except that I do like them and kind of want them to stay around but I am not big on wanting to know their personal lives. Sort of like Poirot, it is nice to have a few quirks added in but I don't want to see a love life evolve. Stick to the story you are there to tell. (Talk about jumping the shark, a few years ago the opening love scene with panting and popping neck veins on Without a Trace was way too much.)
Anyway, over the last week I have suddenly been sucked back to the 80's and will be walking around all summer saying "who shot J.R.?" I don't watch any of the ABC shows because I refuse to be held hostage by continuing story type soap operas. Lost and Desperate Housewives are nothing more than soap operas with faster writers than the daytime series. Evidently the CBS writers hung out with the ABC writers and ended their seasons with cliffhangers. The only other possibility is they forgot how to write an ending. Either way I resent being the butt of their tired tricks to substitute a lack of skills or a lack of negotiated contracts with no endings to the shows.
So over it.........
Anyone else ticked off about the CBS finales? After about 7 years away, I was lured back to TV with CSI then CSI Miami, CSI NY, NCIS and ended up adding Criminal Minds, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Without a Trace.
We suffered through the writer's strike, watching reruns of last season over and over. We finally got a shortened season and what did we get for our suffering? To begin with some really crappy jump the shark type writing on CSI. The whole Grissom/Sarah has sucked from the beginning. I watch these shows to see a mystery, to be intrigued by interesting forensics and clues and then to find out who did it. I could care less about the detectives except that I do like them and kind of want them to stay around but I am not big on wanting to know their personal lives. Sort of like Poirot, it is nice to have a few quirks added in but I don't want to see a love life evolve. Stick to the story you are there to tell. (Talk about jumping the shark, a few years ago the opening love scene with panting and popping neck veins on Without a Trace was way too much.)
Anyway, over the last week I have suddenly been sucked back to the 80's and will be walking around all summer saying "who shot J.R.?" I don't watch any of the ABC shows because I refuse to be held hostage by continuing story type soap operas. Lost and Desperate Housewives are nothing more than soap operas with faster writers than the daytime series. Evidently the CBS writers hung out with the ABC writers and ended their seasons with cliffhangers. The only other possibility is they forgot how to write an ending. Either way I resent being the butt of their tired tricks to substitute a lack of skills or a lack of negotiated contracts with no endings to the shows.
So over it.........
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