I am adjusting to my new medications so excuse me if my writing is brief.
Yahoo - CNBC - Wall Street is missing money (and you may be too!). Just a reminder that the state may have money from old inactive bank accounts that you are entitled to.
Yahoo - CNN Money - Just How Generous Are Detroit's Worker Pensions for Retirees?. Not that generous to be sure. George Carlin said that they are coming for our pensions and 401k's and he was right.
NBC News - NTSB calls for wireless technology to let all vehicles 'talk' to each other. Here is a line from the article, "Federal safety authorities Tuesday called for all U.S. cars, trucks and buses to come equipped with technology that would allow them to "talk" to one another to help avoid accidents." Here is another line, "With those standards in place, "NHTSA can then require this technology to be installed on all highway vehicles," Deborah Hersman, chairman of the NTSB, said at the board's meeting Tuesday. "This technology more than anything else holds great promise to protect lives and prevent injuries."
Here is what they are saying. They want to make sure that NO car is allowed on the state highway system unless it has a tracking device that can easily be accessed by the government. That is the bottom line. And remember when I posted about how now local right of ways are considered part of the National Highway System even though they should not be, guess why they made that change? Your freedom to travel is being squeezed and it is only going to get worse.
Yahoo - MoneyTalks News - Postal Service Wants to Get Rid of Your Mailbox. No matter what the Postal Service does, the federal government wants them gone and they are going to go away and it is a tragedy because your communications will cease having any legal protection.
Pension Pulse - CalPERS Indictment the Tip of the Iceberg? This blogger appears very knowledgeable about some thing; but, I have only read a couple of his articles and can see that he too missed the fact that the public pensions are not in trouble and that having to show that you have all the money you will pay out over the next 30 years in your account today is simply insane.
Perhaps what he says in another article might shed light on how they are going to steal our public pensions. "Worse still, Bloomberg reports that under a Senate bill that seeks to diminish public-pension deficits, state and local governments in the U.S. would be permitted to turn their retirement systems over to life insurers:" Why should a state or municipality be able to "sell" their public pension to an insurance company? It is not the states money, it is owned by the pensioners and is not a state asset to be sold at a manufactured discount to put money in the hands of politicians friends.
Lets consider who will benefit by selling off public pensions to insurance companies. I know, the insurance companies and Wall Street. You know why? Because the insurance companies can make investments in companies and other financial instruments that state and local government pension boards cannot. Oh year and if the insurance company goes bankrupt, they don't have to pay.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Pimpernel is Still Kicking and Messed Up
After having dodged my doctors for 6 years, I saw them today. Actually, I saw a new doctor because my old doctor is in a different town as I moved a little over 3 years ago. Being over 50 with high blood pressure, amazingly high triglycerides and an overall unwillingness to do as I am told, it has been a very long day. I was given an EKG, extensive blood work and even a chest X-Ray. The doctor also informed me that I had a heart attack within the last 6 years (the last time I had been checked back then proved that I had not had a heart attack as of then). This was not news to Pimpernel as I remember when I had the heart attack and where I was, I was in my car in Baker, California.
The doctor was very good and very responsible making sure to lecture me about smoking and taking my pills. He also told me that I was not a cat and should not expect to have nine lives. Having been told more than 9 times that I should be dead, he is wrong. After all the testing and another lecture by the doctor, I was off to the pharmacy. I met the pharmacist and we talked about my medications. I told her my blood pressure and she looked in shock at me and told me that I looked great. LOL, that is what I tell doctors when they take my blood pressure.
The bottom line is that the Pimpernel is well and is working with his doctor to stay that way, he told me nothing that I did not already know and I know what they expect me to do. As I adjust to my new pills, I may feel weak and not post much, we shall see how it goes, last time it took a month to adjust. Take care and I will be checking the news.
UPDATE: Be kind and do not lecture the Pimpernel on what he should do. I have many people who read this blog that know me personally and the doctor told me I had the heart attack 5 years ago (he didn't give the time-frame; but I knew when it happened). This should not surprise people who knew how bad off I was before. I went through a period where I looked like death warmed over, my health is so much better now and if you could see me and compare it to how I looked for awhile it would be obvious to you.
When I stopped my car in Baker, I knew what was going on and didn't expect to survive. My friends kept me alive and supported me in ways I cannot begin to explain. It was their concern that kept me going and I send my love to all of them. Since that time, my life has changed so much. The stress has gone away, I am comfortable and quite happy. When I had the heart attack, I thought I was a goner. I was alone in my car in the middle of the desert and there was no hospital for at least 65 miles. I sat in my car and waited to die because I didn't want to be on the road and injure anyone, seems like common courtesy to me.
I had to confirm to some of my family and friends what the doctor told me today. I had told them all previously what had happened to me in Baker; but, one of my kids said it best. They said that it was different hearing it, that the doctor confirmed it. It really wasn't for me; but, I can understand how people might feel that way. I shall now tell a little more of the story.
I was in the middle of my divorce, I was losing everything I worked my life for. I was losing my hope that I couldn't fix things by my own hand. Control is an illusion. I had failed to take care of myself for decades working more than I should have and pushing myself to my limits to care for my family and my ego, I tried to be the best at my job and was pretty successful. Then, everything began to fail including my health. As hard I tried, I could not control others, get them to make good decisions or fix things. We all have free will.
I have to say, I don't have my time frames down quite right, I lost all track of time years ago. I remember things by the events surrounding them. I believe I had the heart attack while my ex was still living in the house with me, I used to go away for the weekends because I really didn't want to see her leave to see her boyfriend for the weekend while we were separated and living in the same house. As I was driving to Nevada I had an event (that is what medical doctors call it - an event). Yeah, I had chest pains, my arm went numb and my blood pressure had spiked. A spike in blood pressure for me would kill most people, today, calm and relaxed, my blood pressure was 208 over 144, it is now officially in my record.
All during the exams today the doctor kept asking me if I was having chest pains and I wasn't and am not. I told the nurse that topping 200 meant I was like a race car. I always wanted to go faster than 200; preferably, in a Lamborghini Countach, it is the gear-head in me. By the way, I did 145 in my old Benz and loved it.
So, why is my doctor shocked that I live? LOL. My blood pressure for one, my triglycerides for another (5 times deadly), my red blood cells are about 70% higher than normal people. I should be dead, of course I should, by every stat the doctors fear, I should be dead and yet, I am here and according to the Pharmacist, look darn good. I cannot tell you everything that happened in my car as I waited to die and there is no reason you should believe me, my medical records speak for themselves. I will tell you some of what happened.
As I waited to die, I forgave everyone that I ever believed had did me wrong and asked God that I could take care of a couple of things. I believe I have done that and within the year that I asked to see it happen, they did. After that, things got really weird. I had a spiritual experience and the last person in the world I could ever imagine asked me to preach. You know, when you make a deal with God things just get really bizarre and they did for me. I cannot imagine if I had never begun this blog, I cannot imagine if I had never preached, I cannot imagine if I had not kept my word to others in business.
Today was a long day. Lots of hard decisions to make. I decided to stick around for a bit, if God so chooses; but, I was ready to go years ago. I do not fear death and do not fear life even if I have another heart attack or even a stroke. God is in charge and I choose not to tempt him. I will work with the doctors; but, in the end we all die and I do not fear it in the least. I asked for a year and have had many more and have been given the opportunity and ability to help others. That is what life is about, loving one another and helping one another, it is not about being right or "successful". It is about what you do with your life.
When I was really bad off, I considered going off on a disability retirement and chose not to. I figured if I was going to get paid anyways, I might as well try and teach my institutional knowledge to others. I don't watch television anyways and it is good to have a reason to get up in the morning. I have the greatest people working for me that I can imagine and the best friends and siblings.
UPDATE 2: It is about 3 in the morning, I took the pills and stuff about 5 or 6 hours ago. It is definitely having an effect on me. I woke up about 5 minutes ago. I think I shall listen to some music.
YouTube - Hold On Forever- Hospital Songs
YouTube - Let It Be Me- Everly Brothers Cover
YouTube - It Was You- Hospital Songs
YouTube - Paul McCartney - My Love
YouTube - Paul McCartney - Another Day (1971)
I remember when this album came out, I was a kid. There were not two digits to my age. It was the first Christmas present I ever remember asking for. Funny isn't it, the first present I remember asking for and being thrilled about getting was music. YouTube - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ( Full Album Remastered 2009) - The Beatles.
Have a great week.
The doctor was very good and very responsible making sure to lecture me about smoking and taking my pills. He also told me that I was not a cat and should not expect to have nine lives. Having been told more than 9 times that I should be dead, he is wrong. After all the testing and another lecture by the doctor, I was off to the pharmacy. I met the pharmacist and we talked about my medications. I told her my blood pressure and she looked in shock at me and told me that I looked great. LOL, that is what I tell doctors when they take my blood pressure.
The bottom line is that the Pimpernel is well and is working with his doctor to stay that way, he told me nothing that I did not already know and I know what they expect me to do. As I adjust to my new pills, I may feel weak and not post much, we shall see how it goes, last time it took a month to adjust. Take care and I will be checking the news.
UPDATE: Be kind and do not lecture the Pimpernel on what he should do. I have many people who read this blog that know me personally and the doctor told me I had the heart attack 5 years ago (he didn't give the time-frame; but I knew when it happened). This should not surprise people who knew how bad off I was before. I went through a period where I looked like death warmed over, my health is so much better now and if you could see me and compare it to how I looked for awhile it would be obvious to you.
When I stopped my car in Baker, I knew what was going on and didn't expect to survive. My friends kept me alive and supported me in ways I cannot begin to explain. It was their concern that kept me going and I send my love to all of them. Since that time, my life has changed so much. The stress has gone away, I am comfortable and quite happy. When I had the heart attack, I thought I was a goner. I was alone in my car in the middle of the desert and there was no hospital for at least 65 miles. I sat in my car and waited to die because I didn't want to be on the road and injure anyone, seems like common courtesy to me.
I had to confirm to some of my family and friends what the doctor told me today. I had told them all previously what had happened to me in Baker; but, one of my kids said it best. They said that it was different hearing it, that the doctor confirmed it. It really wasn't for me; but, I can understand how people might feel that way. I shall now tell a little more of the story.
I was in the middle of my divorce, I was losing everything I worked my life for. I was losing my hope that I couldn't fix things by my own hand. Control is an illusion. I had failed to take care of myself for decades working more than I should have and pushing myself to my limits to care for my family and my ego, I tried to be the best at my job and was pretty successful. Then, everything began to fail including my health. As hard I tried, I could not control others, get them to make good decisions or fix things. We all have free will.
I have to say, I don't have my time frames down quite right, I lost all track of time years ago. I remember things by the events surrounding them. I believe I had the heart attack while my ex was still living in the house with me, I used to go away for the weekends because I really didn't want to see her leave to see her boyfriend for the weekend while we were separated and living in the same house. As I was driving to Nevada I had an event (that is what medical doctors call it - an event). Yeah, I had chest pains, my arm went numb and my blood pressure had spiked. A spike in blood pressure for me would kill most people, today, calm and relaxed, my blood pressure was 208 over 144, it is now officially in my record.
All during the exams today the doctor kept asking me if I was having chest pains and I wasn't and am not. I told the nurse that topping 200 meant I was like a race car. I always wanted to go faster than 200; preferably, in a Lamborghini Countach, it is the gear-head in me. By the way, I did 145 in my old Benz and loved it.
So, why is my doctor shocked that I live? LOL. My blood pressure for one, my triglycerides for another (5 times deadly), my red blood cells are about 70% higher than normal people. I should be dead, of course I should, by every stat the doctors fear, I should be dead and yet, I am here and according to the Pharmacist, look darn good. I cannot tell you everything that happened in my car as I waited to die and there is no reason you should believe me, my medical records speak for themselves. I will tell you some of what happened.
As I waited to die, I forgave everyone that I ever believed had did me wrong and asked God that I could take care of a couple of things. I believe I have done that and within the year that I asked to see it happen, they did. After that, things got really weird. I had a spiritual experience and the last person in the world I could ever imagine asked me to preach. You know, when you make a deal with God things just get really bizarre and they did for me. I cannot imagine if I had never begun this blog, I cannot imagine if I had never preached, I cannot imagine if I had not kept my word to others in business.
Today was a long day. Lots of hard decisions to make. I decided to stick around for a bit, if God so chooses; but, I was ready to go years ago. I do not fear death and do not fear life even if I have another heart attack or even a stroke. God is in charge and I choose not to tempt him. I will work with the doctors; but, in the end we all die and I do not fear it in the least. I asked for a year and have had many more and have been given the opportunity and ability to help others. That is what life is about, loving one another and helping one another, it is not about being right or "successful". It is about what you do with your life.
When I was really bad off, I considered going off on a disability retirement and chose not to. I figured if I was going to get paid anyways, I might as well try and teach my institutional knowledge to others. I don't watch television anyways and it is good to have a reason to get up in the morning. I have the greatest people working for me that I can imagine and the best friends and siblings.
UPDATE 2: It is about 3 in the morning, I took the pills and stuff about 5 or 6 hours ago. It is definitely having an effect on me. I woke up about 5 minutes ago. I think I shall listen to some music.
YouTube - Hold On Forever- Hospital Songs
YouTube - Let It Be Me- Everly Brothers Cover
YouTube - It Was You- Hospital Songs
YouTube - Paul McCartney - My Love
YouTube - Paul McCartney - Another Day (1971)
I remember when this album came out, I was a kid. There were not two digits to my age. It was the first Christmas present I ever remember asking for. Funny isn't it, the first present I remember asking for and being thrilled about getting was music. YouTube - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ( Full Album Remastered 2009) - The Beatles.
Have a great week.
Ted Nugent is a Douche bag
I am going to bed and going to a Doctor tomorrow. I now have a doctor assigned to me by my healthcare providers. There is nothing life threatening wrong with me, I am having my first physical in over three years and having a minor medical issue looked at. I don't like doctors and am having a hard time going to sleep. I read some news and watched some online movies. I saw a video with Ted Nugent, I liked some of his music; but, I do not respect him at all. Lets talk about Ted.
Firstly, Ted is a prostitute. He might like to come off as a God fearing Christian; but, he is not, he is a douche bag. He used to sleep with every woman he could. He is proud that he did not take drugs; but, treating women like pieces of meat is worse. Treating people as objects is the worst we can do and he did that thing. He used to be proud of it and I even met one of the women he slept with.
When I first got married, I went to a restaurant with a friend. We met a waitress, she was very pretty and very young. She was proud of the fact that she had slept with Ted Nugent, she would have slept with me; but, that didn't happen. She showed me pictures of her with him at his house. She told me about him. She was proud of the fact that she had slept with him. Now the little sleazebag is talking about Trayvon Martin and saying that things worked out well. What a sad and awful man he is. He praised Zimmerman for defending his life and killing Mr. Martin. I don't praise killing and am a pacifist (I didn't used to be).
Mr. Nugent is a self absorbed, selfish and stupid individual with no love in his heart. I pray to God that he learns that everyone matters and that we are here to learn love because he really needs to learn that. He seeks to be his own God and that is the worst that any of us can seek because none are good but God. I see what happened to Mr. Martin and Mr. Zimmerman as a tragedy with no winners. There is no evidence or claim that Mr. Martin was committing any crime. He was a kid walking home, he may have smoked weed and may have been headed in the wrong direction in life. I don't know that answer, only God knows what is in heart; but, the cops would not have shot him because there is no allegation that he was in the process of committing a crime.
Let me throw out a question to the Douche bag, Mr. Nugent. What if, Mr. Martin had been on neighborhood watch and he saw a Hispanic walking down the street wearing a hoodie. What if the situation had been reversed and Mr. Martin had killed some "wetback" (fyi, the love of my life was half Mexican and I preach to Hispanics). He would have been just as okay with the outcome. I am not okay with the outcome and the racist moron called Ted Nugent deserves no respect.
I shall ask a very simple question. Someone once said to me that God believe in war because he told the Israelites to kill their neighbor and take their land. He did and he also told Abraham to kill his son; but, he stopped him from doing such. Why? Why tell someone to do something you believe is wrong? That is the real question. We are told that God wants us to obey him; but, then why give us free will? At what point in time would you say no to God? At what point in time would you take responsibility for your actions and say you will not do what you believe is wrong because you would only be doing it to save yourself?
I have a simple question for the douche. How many single young ladies did he sleep with? Now, how many would allow to sleep with his daughter and feel okay with it? Finally, would he in his self-righteous attitude feel good with one of their fathers killing him? My guess is not. If he thinks it is about ability, he already lost. Even a complete fool with no training can another with a gun.
Firstly, Ted is a prostitute. He might like to come off as a God fearing Christian; but, he is not, he is a douche bag. He used to sleep with every woman he could. He is proud that he did not take drugs; but, treating women like pieces of meat is worse. Treating people as objects is the worst we can do and he did that thing. He used to be proud of it and I even met one of the women he slept with.
When I first got married, I went to a restaurant with a friend. We met a waitress, she was very pretty and very young. She was proud of the fact that she had slept with Ted Nugent, she would have slept with me; but, that didn't happen. She showed me pictures of her with him at his house. She told me about him. She was proud of the fact that she had slept with him. Now the little sleazebag is talking about Trayvon Martin and saying that things worked out well. What a sad and awful man he is. He praised Zimmerman for defending his life and killing Mr. Martin. I don't praise killing and am a pacifist (I didn't used to be).
Mr. Nugent is a self absorbed, selfish and stupid individual with no love in his heart. I pray to God that he learns that everyone matters and that we are here to learn love because he really needs to learn that. He seeks to be his own God and that is the worst that any of us can seek because none are good but God. I see what happened to Mr. Martin and Mr. Zimmerman as a tragedy with no winners. There is no evidence or claim that Mr. Martin was committing any crime. He was a kid walking home, he may have smoked weed and may have been headed in the wrong direction in life. I don't know that answer, only God knows what is in heart; but, the cops would not have shot him because there is no allegation that he was in the process of committing a crime.
Let me throw out a question to the Douche bag, Mr. Nugent. What if, Mr. Martin had been on neighborhood watch and he saw a Hispanic walking down the street wearing a hoodie. What if the situation had been reversed and Mr. Martin had killed some "wetback" (fyi, the love of my life was half Mexican and I preach to Hispanics). He would have been just as okay with the outcome. I am not okay with the outcome and the racist moron called Ted Nugent deserves no respect.
I shall ask a very simple question. Someone once said to me that God believe in war because he told the Israelites to kill their neighbor and take their land. He did and he also told Abraham to kill his son; but, he stopped him from doing such. Why? Why tell someone to do something you believe is wrong? That is the real question. We are told that God wants us to obey him; but, then why give us free will? At what point in time would you say no to God? At what point in time would you take responsibility for your actions and say you will not do what you believe is wrong because you would only be doing it to save yourself?
I have a simple question for the douche. How many single young ladies did he sleep with? Now, how many would allow to sleep with his daughter and feel okay with it? Finally, would he in his self-righteous attitude feel good with one of their fathers killing him? My guess is not. If he thinks it is about ability, he already lost. Even a complete fool with no training can another with a gun.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
July 20th, 2013, lots of news stories at once.
I now officially have a doctor assigned to me and I see shall them soon enough. All the minor problems I am facing will be dealt with at once because I am a lazy btard and don't like to go to see doctors, they tend to poke you with needles and I don't like that. There is my health update and it should be good enough for you. Now lets punish my readers with multiple news stories.
Yahoo - AP - Online course will let students give money away. There is now a college course in how to give away your money, Mr. Warren Buffet is supporting it and it is being given by the University I graduated from. Here is what I find interesting, Mr. Buffet is an Atheist or at best an Agnostic; but, still he cares about others. He is the greatest investor and possibly businessman in history, he cares about others; but, if he makes a mistake it is his believing that there is right and wrong outside of there being a God. I pray that he knows God before he passes because he sure acts out of love, he just doesn't know the truth yet. I bet he will because he has a heart of love.
Fox News - Physical crimes that won’t be possible in 2025. Read what the six are and understand where the technology is going.
Wired - Yahoo’s ID Land Rush Begins Today With Updated Security Measures. Prove you are you or no access to e-mail and the post office is going bye bye.
ProPublica - Finally, Bank Regulators Have Had Enough. Here is a simple question, how can the world support the current system when if flagrantly exposes how corrupt and dismissive of everyone else it is? They are destroying themselves by being too greedy.
NPR - Clever Hacks Give Google Glass Many Unintended Powers. It does not matter the garbage you have been told, the truth is how things can be used; because, if you can use a technology in a certain way, someone will find a way to do it when nobody has a real morality.
myfoxny - License plate scanners controversy. Oh, no, the cops can read your license plate and take a picture of it, no kidding. That is why cars have license plates, so they can identify you. How is this news.
silverdoctors - Second Dutch Bank to Follow ABN Amro, Close Gold Accounts! Gold will not save you in the future, put your trust in God or give up.
CBS - SF BayArea - California May Issue Digital License Plates, Privacy Groups Concerned. I am shocked and amazed or bored. Nope, sounds about right, I am bored.
The New York Times - G-20 Backs Plan to Curb Tax Avoidance by Large Corporations. What a shock, international law controlling international businesses and making sure they pay their taxes.
Yahoo - Daily Ticker - Does It Matter That Americans Are ‘Subsidizing’ Astronomical CEO Pay?. What? This is a ridiculous article. This is classical misdirection. I don't care how much a CEO makes if he earns it. Base their pay on the profitability of the company, long term. Base it on how much they grew the company, the number of stores, employees and profit.
Gizmodo - You Won't Need a PIN When You Pay for Everything with Your Face. I just don't feel like repeating myself right now.
Yahoo - Conde Nost Traveller - TSA PreCheck to offer cheaper, easier way to cut lines at airports. I wonder what freedom you have to give up to get an easy pass.
CNBC - Reuters - SEC charges city of Miami with fraud. The only way that you can promote good behavior is by punishing bad behavior. The worst behavior in the world is selfishness and trying to force others to be like you. Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.
Yahoo - AP - Online course will let students give money away. There is now a college course in how to give away your money, Mr. Warren Buffet is supporting it and it is being given by the University I graduated from. Here is what I find interesting, Mr. Buffet is an Atheist or at best an Agnostic; but, still he cares about others. He is the greatest investor and possibly businessman in history, he cares about others; but, if he makes a mistake it is his believing that there is right and wrong outside of there being a God. I pray that he knows God before he passes because he sure acts out of love, he just doesn't know the truth yet. I bet he will because he has a heart of love.
Fox News - Physical crimes that won’t be possible in 2025. Read what the six are and understand where the technology is going.
Wired - Yahoo’s ID Land Rush Begins Today With Updated Security Measures. Prove you are you or no access to e-mail and the post office is going bye bye.
ProPublica - Finally, Bank Regulators Have Had Enough. Here is a simple question, how can the world support the current system when if flagrantly exposes how corrupt and dismissive of everyone else it is? They are destroying themselves by being too greedy.
NPR - Clever Hacks Give Google Glass Many Unintended Powers. It does not matter the garbage you have been told, the truth is how things can be used; because, if you can use a technology in a certain way, someone will find a way to do it when nobody has a real morality.
myfoxny - License plate scanners controversy. Oh, no, the cops can read your license plate and take a picture of it, no kidding. That is why cars have license plates, so they can identify you. How is this news.
silverdoctors - Second Dutch Bank to Follow ABN Amro, Close Gold Accounts! Gold will not save you in the future, put your trust in God or give up.
CBS - SF BayArea - California May Issue Digital License Plates, Privacy Groups Concerned. I am shocked and amazed or bored. Nope, sounds about right, I am bored.
The New York Times - G-20 Backs Plan to Curb Tax Avoidance by Large Corporations. What a shock, international law controlling international businesses and making sure they pay their taxes.
Yahoo - Daily Ticker - Does It Matter That Americans Are ‘Subsidizing’ Astronomical CEO Pay?. What? This is a ridiculous article. This is classical misdirection. I don't care how much a CEO makes if he earns it. Base their pay on the profitability of the company, long term. Base it on how much they grew the company, the number of stores, employees and profit.
Gizmodo - You Won't Need a PIN When You Pay for Everything with Your Face. I just don't feel like repeating myself right now.
Yahoo - Conde Nost Traveller - TSA PreCheck to offer cheaper, easier way to cut lines at airports. I wonder what freedom you have to give up to get an easy pass.
CNBC - Reuters - SEC charges city of Miami with fraud. The only way that you can promote good behavior is by punishing bad behavior. The worst behavior in the world is selfishness and trying to force others to be like you. Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.
Friday, July 19, 2013
More Media Lies, this Time About Satanists
A few days back I was going to write about different "religious" secret societies and symbolism; but, I didn't feel I got it quite right and then I came across this.
ABC News - Satanists Perform ‘Gay Ritual’ at Westboro Gravesite. The newsman talks about these "Devil Worshipers". Well, they are not Devil Worshipers because they do not believe in a literal Devil. If ABC had bothered reading what they have posted on their website they would have understood that or, just maybe, they did know and were looking for a sexy story.
Here is a quote and a link to their website. "Satanism is not mindless abandon and depravity, but a philosophy that drives us to lead fruitful and dignified, epicurean lives. Satan, the symbolic force of design that would urge humanity toward refined pleasures of the Arts and Sciences." The Satanic Temple. Another quote from them, "The Satanic Temple seeks to separate Religion from Superstition by acknowledging religious belief as a metaphorical framework with which we construct a narrative context for our goals and works. Satan stands as the ultimate icon for the selfless revolt against tyranny, free & rational inquiry, and the responsible pursuit of happiness." The fact is that this particular group sees Satan and God as myth and metaphor, not real live beings.
You might ask yourself why all the ritual. It is nothing more than performance art meant to challenge believers. The "Church of Satan" (founded by Anton LaVey, the author of "The Satanic Bible) is also run by an Atheist. Here is the difference between these two groups, "The Church of Satan" doesn't do public protests. The "Satanic Temple" which is doing these protests is using the imagery to protest religion's influence on society.
The so called "Pink Mass" that they performed is not a Satanic Ritual, it is a protest. They supposedly held a mass where two men kissed above the grave of a Westboro Baptist Church founder's mother to turn her gay. THERE IS NO SUCH RITUAL IN SATANISM. This is all just more media deception to get people angry and they know that these people are just putting on a show. Christians with any insight (and we are told to be discerning) need to understand that this is ridicule by Atheists and not by true believers in Satan.
Groups claiming to be Satanists or Luciferians are often not in the literal sense. Many are collections of Atheists and Agnostics who do not like having fundamentalist Christianity forced upon them and use the imagery to upset and ridicule. People who actually believe in a literal and real person to be Satan or Lucifer and actually believe that their rituals have supernatural powers would not be allowed in these groups and are often small groups of young men and women who feel powerless, these are the ones that commit animal sacrifices and on occasion other horrible acts in secret. These type of people would not be allowed to be members of either of the Church of Satan or The Satanic Temple.
I do not consider members of the Westboro Baptist Church to be Christians as they show no true love for others and rather than helping people to see God's love, seek to condemn others who do not believe as they do and that is not what we are told to do. Westboro is not meaningful; but, because of their media stunts gets publicity. They are more dangerous to the church than the so called Satanists.
Do not expect the media to be forthcoming about the truth, expect them to exploit people's fears and bigotry and blame it on religion, that is the real attack to the church. Anyone who has read this blog for a long time or my writings on other websites knows that I am a Christian. I am primarily concerned with apologetics which is the defense of the faith. It should also be clear from my writings that I detest willful ignorance and knee jerk reactions. If you truly believe in God then you will love others, forgive others and help others, that is what Jesus told us to do. Anyone who truly believes that if Jesus were alive today he would be protesting at someone's funeral is a fool, he would be comforting the family.
ABC News - Satanists Perform ‘Gay Ritual’ at Westboro Gravesite. The newsman talks about these "Devil Worshipers". Well, they are not Devil Worshipers because they do not believe in a literal Devil. If ABC had bothered reading what they have posted on their website they would have understood that or, just maybe, they did know and were looking for a sexy story.
Here is a quote and a link to their website. "Satanism is not mindless abandon and depravity, but a philosophy that drives us to lead fruitful and dignified, epicurean lives. Satan, the symbolic force of design that would urge humanity toward refined pleasures of the Arts and Sciences." The Satanic Temple. Another quote from them, "The Satanic Temple seeks to separate Religion from Superstition by acknowledging religious belief as a metaphorical framework with which we construct a narrative context for our goals and works. Satan stands as the ultimate icon for the selfless revolt against tyranny, free & rational inquiry, and the responsible pursuit of happiness." The fact is that this particular group sees Satan and God as myth and metaphor, not real live beings.
You might ask yourself why all the ritual. It is nothing more than performance art meant to challenge believers. The "Church of Satan" (founded by Anton LaVey, the author of "The Satanic Bible) is also run by an Atheist. Here is the difference between these two groups, "The Church of Satan" doesn't do public protests. The "Satanic Temple" which is doing these protests is using the imagery to protest religion's influence on society.
The so called "Pink Mass" that they performed is not a Satanic Ritual, it is a protest. They supposedly held a mass where two men kissed above the grave of a Westboro Baptist Church founder's mother to turn her gay. THERE IS NO SUCH RITUAL IN SATANISM. This is all just more media deception to get people angry and they know that these people are just putting on a show. Christians with any insight (and we are told to be discerning) need to understand that this is ridicule by Atheists and not by true believers in Satan.
Groups claiming to be Satanists or Luciferians are often not in the literal sense. Many are collections of Atheists and Agnostics who do not like having fundamentalist Christianity forced upon them and use the imagery to upset and ridicule. People who actually believe in a literal and real person to be Satan or Lucifer and actually believe that their rituals have supernatural powers would not be allowed in these groups and are often small groups of young men and women who feel powerless, these are the ones that commit animal sacrifices and on occasion other horrible acts in secret. These type of people would not be allowed to be members of either of the Church of Satan or The Satanic Temple.
I do not consider members of the Westboro Baptist Church to be Christians as they show no true love for others and rather than helping people to see God's love, seek to condemn others who do not believe as they do and that is not what we are told to do. Westboro is not meaningful; but, because of their media stunts gets publicity. They are more dangerous to the church than the so called Satanists.
Do not expect the media to be forthcoming about the truth, expect them to exploit people's fears and bigotry and blame it on religion, that is the real attack to the church. Anyone who has read this blog for a long time or my writings on other websites knows that I am a Christian. I am primarily concerned with apologetics which is the defense of the faith. It should also be clear from my writings that I detest willful ignorance and knee jerk reactions. If you truly believe in God then you will love others, forgive others and help others, that is what Jesus told us to do. Anyone who truly believes that if Jesus were alive today he would be protesting at someone's funeral is a fool, he would be comforting the family.
The Deceit in Detroit's Bankruptcy Regarding Pensions
Detroit Free Press - How a Chapter 9 bankruptcy could affect Detroit pensions, health care. Detroit is in trouble, Detroit has been in trouble for awhile and now it is declaring Bankruptcy. Detroit had attempted to blame their situation on their pension costs; but, it is a lie. Detroit lost half it's population, it's tax base and property taxes are abysmal and every municipality has been hurt by the economy.
Here is how a public pension works. For most employees they make a contribution and the municipality makes a contribution. This money is put in a bank account that is owned by the employees, not by the municipality although it may help manage it or assign people to it's board overseeing the pension. The question was raised and continues to be raised as to whether or not the pension fund can be raided to help pay the cities debt. It cannot, the money ceased being the municipalities the minute it was put into the pension account, same as if it had been paid directly to the employee and the employee had invested it in a retirement account themselves.
The next trick Detroit wants to try is slashing pensions for people who have already retired even though the money is already in the pension fund. Well, that seems odd doesn't it? It does until you understand the effect it would have, it would allow Detroit to turn that money over to new hires to fund their pension even though they did not work for it. Remember how San Bernardino declared bankruptcy and blamed it on it's pension obligations and then it turned out that CalPers caught them hiding the money that would have more than paid their obligations. I bet they would have found it later.
You might have noticed that municipalities are not going after Police and Fire pensions, have you wondered why when the biggest costs in most cities is for police and fire? Lets consider what happens when you change your pension rules. Many municipalities are cutting benefits for new hires and making them work more years. Instead of being able to retire after 30 years of service, new hires might have to work 40 years. Okay, lets say you worked 4 years with half of them in government, because you will get a pension, you do not get Social Security or it is so reduced as to be ludicrous even though you put my money in social security. Because a government pension seems secure many people choose to enter government.
Now, what happens if you don't have benefits for new people who go into government? You don't get any good people. Maybe you are a young engineer and want to build libraries, you could go into private industry or government. A good engineer who who just wanted security and to know what to expect (most engineers are very conservative), you go into government. Now, if you don't get a pension, why would you go into government unless you couldn't get hired anywhere else. If you don't think the government has any good engineers you should look at the Public Works projects of the last 100 years and you might find they were some of the best construction projects in the world.
A pension is used as handcuffs in the government. You hire them young and hold out the pension as a giant carrot. Once they have sufficient institutional knowledge and experience they won't leave you because by then they have too much invested in their retirement. In private industry the average employee changes companies every 6 years (this may have changed since 2008 with all the layoffs). With a 401k, you have no long term commitment to the company so you jump around as you will. You gain skills from one company and then sell them at a higher price to another company if you are any good. What happens when the average government employee spends six years and then goes into private industry because it no longer benefits them to stay for 30 years? I know this answer, they will sell you out if they can, they will give your inner workings and decision working away to private industry at least the ones who can will and the ones who cannot don't really matter anyways.
You may think generals may make a lot of money and have a great pension, they do not. They live the life of the wealthy; but, do not make the money and don't have to. When they retire if they wish to continue that lifestyle, they have to prostitute themselves out to industry and it pays well, more than they ever made in government. They use their respect from people who used to work for them to sell them on whatever company they work for.
Now lets get back to the article. Now here is the kicker, from the article, "But Orr says the city will stop making additional payments to its pension funds, which would total $200 million to $350 million annually. This could trigger a recalculation of future monthly pension checks." So, his solution to the problem is not have any government contribution to pensions. Wow. That is a disincentive to even consider working for Detroit. Even most companies offer a 401k and kick in something. This is a game, the offer is to have existing employees go into a 401k and the City will contribute something or offer new hires a 401k with no matching contribution. It is a negotiating ploy and a show for the residents of Detroit.
So how will it end. People who are retired and have already made their payments into the system are not going to accept losing what they have paid in and will be paid their pensions. New blood will not be found and the civilian workforce will be contracted out or at least a great majority of it. This reduces the pension obligation of the municipality; but, costs do not go down. This will not happen immediately, it will be a slow painful death.
It begins with municipalities being able to hire anyone and lots of good talent, people who lost their jobs in private industry, people who were raised in private industry. Right now nobody is hiring except in the service industry. Right now you can hire people from private industry at a quarter of what they used to make with 20 years experience. They will do well for government if they can adjust and then, because they get no benefits as new hires, will leave as soon as they can sell your municipality out because that is what they learned in private industry.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is the best financial minds in government. They have said that there is no public pension crisis, the pensions are funded and can continue as currently configured. There was a change in how these pensions are reported. It used to be that you showed current expenditures and income and assets. Now you show future expenditures. It is as if you bought a house today for $100,000 and over the course of the 30 year loan would spend $300,000. Now would you show your current costs as the yearly mortgage ($7,000), your total owed if you paid off today ($100,000) or what you expect to pay over the next 30 years, the life of the loan ($300,000). It is an apple to orange question. Municipalities are showing their pension life-cycle debt ($300,000) compared to their annual income rather than what they expect to take in over 30 years.
It is actually quite simple. There is more than enough funds to pay off people's public pensions if we cease giving pensions to new hires. There is no pension problem. New hires can cut their own deals, that is true for every generation. The problem is that it will be real hard long term to get or keep good talent in government if they are not offered some retirement and the politicians don't trust having a workforce that doesn't owe them something and is willing to switch back to private industry and give them up in a heart beat. They lose all leverage.
Here is how a public pension works. For most employees they make a contribution and the municipality makes a contribution. This money is put in a bank account that is owned by the employees, not by the municipality although it may help manage it or assign people to it's board overseeing the pension. The question was raised and continues to be raised as to whether or not the pension fund can be raided to help pay the cities debt. It cannot, the money ceased being the municipalities the minute it was put into the pension account, same as if it had been paid directly to the employee and the employee had invested it in a retirement account themselves.
The next trick Detroit wants to try is slashing pensions for people who have already retired even though the money is already in the pension fund. Well, that seems odd doesn't it? It does until you understand the effect it would have, it would allow Detroit to turn that money over to new hires to fund their pension even though they did not work for it. Remember how San Bernardino declared bankruptcy and blamed it on it's pension obligations and then it turned out that CalPers caught them hiding the money that would have more than paid their obligations. I bet they would have found it later.
You might have noticed that municipalities are not going after Police and Fire pensions, have you wondered why when the biggest costs in most cities is for police and fire? Lets consider what happens when you change your pension rules. Many municipalities are cutting benefits for new hires and making them work more years. Instead of being able to retire after 30 years of service, new hires might have to work 40 years. Okay, lets say you worked 4 years with half of them in government, because you will get a pension, you do not get Social Security or it is so reduced as to be ludicrous even though you put my money in social security. Because a government pension seems secure many people choose to enter government.
Now, what happens if you don't have benefits for new people who go into government? You don't get any good people. Maybe you are a young engineer and want to build libraries, you could go into private industry or government. A good engineer who who just wanted security and to know what to expect (most engineers are very conservative), you go into government. Now, if you don't get a pension, why would you go into government unless you couldn't get hired anywhere else. If you don't think the government has any good engineers you should look at the Public Works projects of the last 100 years and you might find they were some of the best construction projects in the world.
A pension is used as handcuffs in the government. You hire them young and hold out the pension as a giant carrot. Once they have sufficient institutional knowledge and experience they won't leave you because by then they have too much invested in their retirement. In private industry the average employee changes companies every 6 years (this may have changed since 2008 with all the layoffs). With a 401k, you have no long term commitment to the company so you jump around as you will. You gain skills from one company and then sell them at a higher price to another company if you are any good. What happens when the average government employee spends six years and then goes into private industry because it no longer benefits them to stay for 30 years? I know this answer, they will sell you out if they can, they will give your inner workings and decision working away to private industry at least the ones who can will and the ones who cannot don't really matter anyways.
You may think generals may make a lot of money and have a great pension, they do not. They live the life of the wealthy; but, do not make the money and don't have to. When they retire if they wish to continue that lifestyle, they have to prostitute themselves out to industry and it pays well, more than they ever made in government. They use their respect from people who used to work for them to sell them on whatever company they work for.
Now lets get back to the article. Now here is the kicker, from the article, "But Orr says the city will stop making additional payments to its pension funds, which would total $200 million to $350 million annually. This could trigger a recalculation of future monthly pension checks." So, his solution to the problem is not have any government contribution to pensions. Wow. That is a disincentive to even consider working for Detroit. Even most companies offer a 401k and kick in something. This is a game, the offer is to have existing employees go into a 401k and the City will contribute something or offer new hires a 401k with no matching contribution. It is a negotiating ploy and a show for the residents of Detroit.
So how will it end. People who are retired and have already made their payments into the system are not going to accept losing what they have paid in and will be paid their pensions. New blood will not be found and the civilian workforce will be contracted out or at least a great majority of it. This reduces the pension obligation of the municipality; but, costs do not go down. This will not happen immediately, it will be a slow painful death.
It begins with municipalities being able to hire anyone and lots of good talent, people who lost their jobs in private industry, people who were raised in private industry. Right now nobody is hiring except in the service industry. Right now you can hire people from private industry at a quarter of what they used to make with 20 years experience. They will do well for government if they can adjust and then, because they get no benefits as new hires, will leave as soon as they can sell your municipality out because that is what they learned in private industry.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is the best financial minds in government. They have said that there is no public pension crisis, the pensions are funded and can continue as currently configured. There was a change in how these pensions are reported. It used to be that you showed current expenditures and income and assets. Now you show future expenditures. It is as if you bought a house today for $100,000 and over the course of the 30 year loan would spend $300,000. Now would you show your current costs as the yearly mortgage ($7,000), your total owed if you paid off today ($100,000) or what you expect to pay over the next 30 years, the life of the loan ($300,000). It is an apple to orange question. Municipalities are showing their pension life-cycle debt ($300,000) compared to their annual income rather than what they expect to take in over 30 years.
It is actually quite simple. There is more than enough funds to pay off people's public pensions if we cease giving pensions to new hires. There is no pension problem. New hires can cut their own deals, that is true for every generation. The problem is that it will be real hard long term to get or keep good talent in government if they are not offered some retirement and the politicians don't trust having a workforce that doesn't owe them something and is willing to switch back to private industry and give them up in a heart beat. They lose all leverage.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Addicted to Talent Shows and Some Music
The Pimpernel has been facing some MINOR medical challenges. LOL, really, they are minor; but, must be dealt with and hate seeing doctors and am a very bad patient. I am nice enough; but, I am not very cooperative and there are some things I just won't do. I have an excellent medical plan and had a great doctor who actually cared about me, I think. He tossed me off his list of patients because I would not do anything he told me. Anyways, I am getting ready to see a new doctor and some of the people I work with know this. I told them it is nothing worrisome and it is not, so to all my dear readers believe me when I say it is not a big deal, just something I need to take care of. Here is the bottom line, I may be offline for a few days and it is absolutely not life threatening, more embarrassing.
Now, on to what matters, music. I have been watching more and more YouTube videos of talent shows. I understand that they are really about pulling at your heart strings, that is the genre. Not long ago I came across a singer from Britain. She had gone on the Voice UK and was not picked up. Then she went on Britain's Got Talent and made it to the semi-finals. She should have lost on the Voice UK, she didn't pick the right song. She should have gone further on Britain's Got Talent because she found the right songs, Torch Songs, my favorite. I want to post some torch songs for you. At heart, I love jazz the best, it just feels right to me.
Jazz is, wow, I don't know what to say. Jazz is freedom of the heart. I took my wife, now my ex, to a restaurant once a very long time ago. We were poor at the time, I had just graduated and was working two two full time jobs at minimum wage. I won a contest at work, I couldn't tell you what it was if I had to. I got dinner for two at a very nice local restaurant, what a treat it was. There was a piano player at the restaurant, he played some accessible jazz, things everyone would like. I gave him a very big tip and asked him to play what he felt in his heart and not what the people might expect, he did and loved it as did we. Jazz has to be from the heart to be great or it is just music.
Jazz must effect your heart on the deepest level. Opera is the hardest to sing and classical music is the hardest to play; but, technical skills can get you buy. It is not like that with jazz, it has to be from the heart or it is just music. Rock is about attitude (and I know at least one of the people that reads this blog is in a rock band), jazz is about heart. You don't learn jazz, you feel it or you do not. You do not appreciate jazz, you live it, you feel it, you absorb it and share with it. It is the most intimate of all music genres.
Rock is a celebration of the joy within us. Classical is the celebration of what we are capable of. Jazz is the turning of pain into the sweetest of feelings, it is the nexus between pain and pleasure. If you do not hurt, you cannot understand the joy. The lack of pain can be the greatest pleasure. Anyone who has ever suffered from Cluster or Migraine headaches can understand that. Now for some jazz.
YouTube - Alice Fredenham singing 'My Funny Valentine' - Week 1 Auditions.
YouTube - Linda Ronstadt - Down So Low.
YouTube - Judy Garland - "The Man That Got Away" from "A Star Is Born"
YouTube - Ella Fitzgerald - Misty
YouTube - Dusty Springfield - The Look of Love
YouTube - Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song. I may have said this before; but, Ms. Flack wrote this song about having seen Don McLean sing in Los Angeles. He is the guy that wrote and sang American Pie and this song. YouTube - Vincent (Starry Starry Night) Don McLean.
YouTube - Bee Gees- How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
YouTube - Harry Chapin - Taxi.
YouTube - i don't know how to love him- helen reddy.
YouTube - Phantom of the Paradise - Old Souls.
Now I will tie this all together and it is really stupid. My bottom hurts, lets leave it at that. It is not life threatening and I just have to have the doctors make it not hurt. ROFL. If the Pimpernel was in any possible danger, I would make sure that I left a final post or gave access to my blog to make such a post. This is not it. I had notify some of the people that work with me about my situation. I am devastated by their responses. I was at work today and the love I was shown purely blew me away. Wow, so many people worried about me, people who wanted to visit me in the hospital. You name it.
Ever since my father passed away and I got divorced, my friends have been so amazing to me that words escape me and I write a lot. To know that the people who work for me actually care about me is the greatest achievement I have ever made in my life. If you are ever blessed with people to be responsible for, make them matter to you because you are responsible for them. Hope you enjoy the music.
Now, on to what matters, music. I have been watching more and more YouTube videos of talent shows. I understand that they are really about pulling at your heart strings, that is the genre. Not long ago I came across a singer from Britain. She had gone on the Voice UK and was not picked up. Then she went on Britain's Got Talent and made it to the semi-finals. She should have lost on the Voice UK, she didn't pick the right song. She should have gone further on Britain's Got Talent because she found the right songs, Torch Songs, my favorite. I want to post some torch songs for you. At heart, I love jazz the best, it just feels right to me.
Jazz is, wow, I don't know what to say. Jazz is freedom of the heart. I took my wife, now my ex, to a restaurant once a very long time ago. We were poor at the time, I had just graduated and was working two two full time jobs at minimum wage. I won a contest at work, I couldn't tell you what it was if I had to. I got dinner for two at a very nice local restaurant, what a treat it was. There was a piano player at the restaurant, he played some accessible jazz, things everyone would like. I gave him a very big tip and asked him to play what he felt in his heart and not what the people might expect, he did and loved it as did we. Jazz has to be from the heart to be great or it is just music.
Jazz must effect your heart on the deepest level. Opera is the hardest to sing and classical music is the hardest to play; but, technical skills can get you buy. It is not like that with jazz, it has to be from the heart or it is just music. Rock is about attitude (and I know at least one of the people that reads this blog is in a rock band), jazz is about heart. You don't learn jazz, you feel it or you do not. You do not appreciate jazz, you live it, you feel it, you absorb it and share with it. It is the most intimate of all music genres.
Rock is a celebration of the joy within us. Classical is the celebration of what we are capable of. Jazz is the turning of pain into the sweetest of feelings, it is the nexus between pain and pleasure. If you do not hurt, you cannot understand the joy. The lack of pain can be the greatest pleasure. Anyone who has ever suffered from Cluster or Migraine headaches can understand that. Now for some jazz.
YouTube - Alice Fredenham singing 'My Funny Valentine' - Week 1 Auditions.
YouTube - Linda Ronstadt - Down So Low.
YouTube - Judy Garland - "The Man That Got Away" from "A Star Is Born"
YouTube - Ella Fitzgerald - Misty
YouTube - Dusty Springfield - The Look of Love
YouTube - Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song. I may have said this before; but, Ms. Flack wrote this song about having seen Don McLean sing in Los Angeles. He is the guy that wrote and sang American Pie and this song. YouTube - Vincent (Starry Starry Night) Don McLean.
YouTube - Bee Gees- How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
YouTube - Harry Chapin - Taxi.
YouTube - i don't know how to love him- helen reddy.
YouTube - Phantom of the Paradise - Old Souls.
Now I will tie this all together and it is really stupid. My bottom hurts, lets leave it at that. It is not life threatening and I just have to have the doctors make it not hurt. ROFL. If the Pimpernel was in any possible danger, I would make sure that I left a final post or gave access to my blog to make such a post. This is not it. I had notify some of the people that work with me about my situation. I am devastated by their responses. I was at work today and the love I was shown purely blew me away. Wow, so many people worried about me, people who wanted to visit me in the hospital. You name it.
Ever since my father passed away and I got divorced, my friends have been so amazing to me that words escape me and I write a lot. To know that the people who work for me actually care about me is the greatest achievement I have ever made in my life. If you are ever blessed with people to be responsible for, make them matter to you because you are responsible for them. Hope you enjoy the music.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)