One thing that has always bothered me about presidential election years is the endorsements. Now, some endorsements I can understand are important; justice departments, judges, high ranking politicians, etc. But why in the world does anyone care about who Bruce Springsteen (or whatever his name is) endorses. Who cares about what ex-politican, what celebrity, or even what sports figure supports Hillary or Obama for presidency. Not only are they not really all that connected with America, their positions in the world, when you get down to it, are not all that important.
I love is ex-politicians. Now, they do have some expertise and knowledge in the world of politics, but they are supposed to be somewhat private citizens now. One extreme example is former president Carter. I have trouble caring about what ex-presidents think in terms of current politics, because I think their thoughts should now have the same weight as every other citizen because they don't hold public office anymore. And with Carter, I have an bigger problem because of his repeated attempts at diplomacy with the STATED ENEMIES of our country and allies. In addition, he has NO diplomatic power behind his 'negotiations'. Why should I care who he endorses for president especially given his ideas right now? An ex-politician is just that, an ex-politician and a private citizen, just like you and me.
Singers. What do they do for a living? They sing, make music videos, etc. What does any of that have to do with the presidency, much less any political subject.
Now granted, they have a perfect right to their opinions, but their opinions matter precisely as much as yours or mine. And do you have reporters hanging out on your doorstep wondering who you're going to endorse?
The presidency is an extremely important position, and we need to vote for who we think will do the job the best. Do we really need Oprah to tell us who we should support? In the end, their votes count just the same as ours do----1.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Interpetations and Horoscopes
During a recent class assignment we were required to do a physc evaluation on a classmate that we had never talked to based off of a drawing by the said classmate.
Her evaluation of me was rather perceptive in many different ways. She mentioned that I was a person who was detail-oriented and driven to acheive. At first thought, that was extremely accurate. I actually tend to get bogged down in the details in the projects that I work on, and I always want to be the best I can be.
Then I noticed that everyone in the class pretty much agreed that their partner had completely nailed their personalities. And I thought about that. Every single person in the class of 16 people had their personalities by the other person--are we really that perceptive?
So I thought about that. And I came up with this-we can apply any mental statement to almost anything. I stated that my partner was a perfectionist, she might be a perfectionist in some areas and really laid back in another. So my statement was true if we thought about it long enough. She stated that I was driven to achieve. I am driven to do well in school and always have been. But I am have a hard time driving myself in my job and cleaning my apartment. Again, the interpetation was both true and false, it simply depended on how I thought about it.
Open up any local newpaper and look up the horoscope page. Read your own horoscope and think about how it is true-and also how it is false. Now pick another sign, way different from your own. Read it. Again, think on how it is both true and false.
Notice anything. If you think about it, any one of those predictions in the local paper could be true. I especially like the ones that read: "If today is your birthday..." In addition to the vagueness of the predictions, those paragraphs have an entire year to occur in some way, shape or form-either real or imagined.
Am I reading too deep into an English assignment? Perhaps. But when you listen to almost any prediction, reading, or other such statement, notice how it could be true and false at the same time. When you think about it you'll probably notice just how vague anything can be.
Her evaluation of me was rather perceptive in many different ways. She mentioned that I was a person who was detail-oriented and driven to acheive. At first thought, that was extremely accurate. I actually tend to get bogged down in the details in the projects that I work on, and I always want to be the best I can be.
Then I noticed that everyone in the class pretty much agreed that their partner had completely nailed their personalities. And I thought about that. Every single person in the class of 16 people had their personalities by the other person--are we really that perceptive?
So I thought about that. And I came up with this-we can apply any mental statement to almost anything. I stated that my partner was a perfectionist, she might be a perfectionist in some areas and really laid back in another. So my statement was true if we thought about it long enough. She stated that I was driven to achieve. I am driven to do well in school and always have been. But I am have a hard time driving myself in my job and cleaning my apartment. Again, the interpetation was both true and false, it simply depended on how I thought about it.
Open up any local newpaper and look up the horoscope page. Read your own horoscope and think about how it is true-and also how it is false. Now pick another sign, way different from your own. Read it. Again, think on how it is both true and false.
Notice anything. If you think about it, any one of those predictions in the local paper could be true. I especially like the ones that read: "If today is your birthday..." In addition to the vagueness of the predictions, those paragraphs have an entire year to occur in some way, shape or form-either real or imagined.
Am I reading too deep into an English assignment? Perhaps. But when you listen to almost any prediction, reading, or other such statement, notice how it could be true and false at the same time. When you think about it you'll probably notice just how vague anything can be.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sit-coms and Star Wars.
Anybody ever notice just how much people get involved in their sit-coms. They can recite word for word every line from the last two seasons. They can diagnos instantly every plot twist and come up with a complete doctorate-quality thesis. They spend hours per day pondering what will happen in the next episode. They can comment on every single comment that their favorite character makes.
My brother and sister-in-law are hugely into 'Y and R', which I didn't know stands for the Young and the Restless. As I sit here typing this, I listen to "rachel" and her father "joe" discussing every single nuance and possibility. As best as I can understand, someone has either shot and tried to shoot somebody else. I can't really understand this, having never really watched much TV. But I can understand this fanatical devotion to the happenings of a completely fictional universe.
I read Star Wars novels. Actually, I addictively devour Star Wars novels. I can recite many of the ship classes from both the books and the movies. I can give you a quick biography from anyone in the books. I am currently enjoying the Legacy series, which takes place around 50 years after 'Return of the Jedi'. I am anticipating the release of the newest book in May.
The similarities are remarkable. Rachel and Joe can really break down everything. They attempted to explain the plotlines as an episode was running. They were attempting to tell me each character's history was as they appeared and disappeared rapidly on the screen. As anyone who has ever watched Y and R knows, this resulted in a confused blogger very quickly.
I also know, however, that if I try to explain a summary of all the Star Wars books that have been written, I could completely confuse them as well.
We all have our obsessions. Some are healthy, some are bad, and of course, some are just our own preferences. We each have different things we are addicted to, that's what makes us human and unique. It's part of life. On the other hand, trying to explain these things to anyone who doesn't understand in definitely impossible. After all, how does one explain how Luke marries an Imperial assasin who becomes a Jedi and.........
My brother and sister-in-law are hugely into 'Y and R', which I didn't know stands for the Young and the Restless. As I sit here typing this, I listen to "rachel" and her father "joe" discussing every single nuance and possibility. As best as I can understand, someone has either shot and tried to shoot somebody else. I can't really understand this, having never really watched much TV. But I can understand this fanatical devotion to the happenings of a completely fictional universe.
I read Star Wars novels. Actually, I addictively devour Star Wars novels. I can recite many of the ship classes from both the books and the movies. I can give you a quick biography from anyone in the books. I am currently enjoying the Legacy series, which takes place around 50 years after 'Return of the Jedi'. I am anticipating the release of the newest book in May.
The similarities are remarkable. Rachel and Joe can really break down everything. They attempted to explain the plotlines as an episode was running. They were attempting to tell me each character's history was as they appeared and disappeared rapidly on the screen. As anyone who has ever watched Y and R knows, this resulted in a confused blogger very quickly.
I also know, however, that if I try to explain a summary of all the Star Wars books that have been written, I could completely confuse them as well.
We all have our obsessions. Some are healthy, some are bad, and of course, some are just our own preferences. We each have different things we are addicted to, that's what makes us human and unique. It's part of life. On the other hand, trying to explain these things to anyone who doesn't understand in definitely impossible. After all, how does one explain how Luke marries an Imperial assasin who becomes a Jedi and.........
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Old Glory
I was driving in Sheboygan county the other day when I noticed the flag. For those who don't live around here, the 'flag' is one of the largest flying in country and resides on the property of an insurance company. And I don't mean to say that I only just noticed it, but I really realized what it symbolized. Old Glory is everywhere, military uniforms, front porches, bumper stickers....
Our flag is the symbol of America. It represents our country to the entire world. People in other countries see our flag and instantly think-USA. And now when I think about that flag, I think more about it. What has that flag seen? Our nation made it through two revolutionary wars, a civil war, two world wars, and numerous other regional conflicts throughout the world.
No matter what we think of where our country is headed today, no matter what we think of the current leadership, no matter who we think will be the next president, even where what we think of our own culture-We are Americans. We are citizens of the greatest country on earth. I read stories of people turning their backs on the flag in disgust. They are not Americans. True Americans stand by their flag, even if they disagree.
Our flag is a symbol of hope to some who hope to someday have the freedom we have. Our friends know the flag means we are here. Our enemies hate the flag enough that they are reduced to burning a piece of cloth.
I am proud to be an American citizen. I am proud of the men and women who wear our flag into battle. I wish that I was allowed to stand beside them to defend our nation. After September 11th, what did we rally around? A flag hung from the wreckage of the worst attack on our country in decades. During World War II, what image do we associate with the military? A flag being raised by U.S. marines on an island in the Pacific.
The Stars and Stripes is the symbol of us. It is us. It embodies all that America stands for-every right and privilege. We should be proud of our country. Think on this, whenever you see that flag.
Our flag is the symbol of America. It represents our country to the entire world. People in other countries see our flag and instantly think-USA. And now when I think about that flag, I think more about it. What has that flag seen? Our nation made it through two revolutionary wars, a civil war, two world wars, and numerous other regional conflicts throughout the world.
No matter what we think of where our country is headed today, no matter what we think of the current leadership, no matter who we think will be the next president, even where what we think of our own culture-We are Americans. We are citizens of the greatest country on earth. I read stories of people turning their backs on the flag in disgust. They are not Americans. True Americans stand by their flag, even if they disagree.
Our flag is a symbol of hope to some who hope to someday have the freedom we have. Our friends know the flag means we are here. Our enemies hate the flag enough that they are reduced to burning a piece of cloth.
I am proud to be an American citizen. I am proud of the men and women who wear our flag into battle. I wish that I was allowed to stand beside them to defend our nation. After September 11th, what did we rally around? A flag hung from the wreckage of the worst attack on our country in decades. During World War II, what image do we associate with the military? A flag being raised by U.S. marines on an island in the Pacific.
The Stars and Stripes is the symbol of us. It is us. It embodies all that America stands for-every right and privilege. We should be proud of our country. Think on this, whenever you see that flag.
The image is courtesy of (http://www.september11news.com/) and copyrighted by AP and Rueters
Sunday, March 9, 2008
The Fine Print
Yes, that little tiny type that is in almost every contract you will ever sign. You ever notice notice how well someTV commercials do them? They put up two entire paragraphs of terms and legal obligations of font .002 size for approximately three seconds.
As annoying as it is, the fine print is put there for a reason. If you are able to read it, you'll find out exactly what you are signing. Believe it or not, the fine print usually explains the terms quite well. And by doing so, you'll be able to avoid looking back and saying 'I didn't know that I signed that!' Whenever I have to sign a contract of any type-be it a credit card or a lease-I take the time to read it extremely thoroughly. I want to know exactly what I am getting myself into.
And it doesn't just apply to contracts. If you look in advertisements or flyers for stores, you'll find quite a bit of it. And again, it's put there for a reason!
Just yesterday, I had to deal with an irate customer who insisted that our store ad was "intentionally misleading'. The advertisement had print that read 'selected 12-oz. varieties' directly below the sale price, and the customer didn't like the variety that had been selected. He blamed me for not being able to do anything about it, and he blamed my manager for not doing anything about it. And in the end, we found out that the customer had put 11-oz. and 10-oz. in his cart-not 12-oz.
Dealing with this customer took up quite a bit of time. That time could've been spent helping the lines that developed as we were talking. Instead, a scene was made at the front of the store-all because of the print that wasn't read.
The other side of reading the fine print is that you know what is not in the contract. If the store tries to charge you for things that truly are in the ad, you will know.
The end result is that I really urge you to read the fine print, no matter how annoying it may be. You'll know what you can and can't do, and you probably won't end up making a scene in the grocery store.
As annoying as it is, the fine print is put there for a reason. If you are able to read it, you'll find out exactly what you are signing. Believe it or not, the fine print usually explains the terms quite well. And by doing so, you'll be able to avoid looking back and saying 'I didn't know that I signed that!' Whenever I have to sign a contract of any type-be it a credit card or a lease-I take the time to read it extremely thoroughly. I want to know exactly what I am getting myself into.
And it doesn't just apply to contracts. If you look in advertisements or flyers for stores, you'll find quite a bit of it. And again, it's put there for a reason!
Just yesterday, I had to deal with an irate customer who insisted that our store ad was "intentionally misleading'. The advertisement had print that read 'selected 12-oz. varieties' directly below the sale price, and the customer didn't like the variety that had been selected. He blamed me for not being able to do anything about it, and he blamed my manager for not doing anything about it. And in the end, we found out that the customer had put 11-oz. and 10-oz. in his cart-not 12-oz.
Dealing with this customer took up quite a bit of time. That time could've been spent helping the lines that developed as we were talking. Instead, a scene was made at the front of the store-all because of the print that wasn't read.
The other side of reading the fine print is that you know what is not in the contract. If the store tries to charge you for things that truly are in the ad, you will know.
The end result is that I really urge you to read the fine print, no matter how annoying it may be. You'll know what you can and can't do, and you probably won't end up making a scene in the grocery store.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
What would you do with 160 mil?
What would you do with 160 million dollars? If you happened to look in the paper a few days ago, you might have noticed the story of the couple who won a huge jackpot down south. They opted for a lump sum payout of 160 million dollars. Wow.
Now, like all people, I began to think about what I would do with that sort of money. Then I started thinking more. Why opt for the lump sum? The annuity payout would have been 10 million a year for 26 years. I am not sure how the taxes work in this sort of situation, maybe it works out that the taxes on 10 million go upwards as our government raises taxes. But I might want the annuity. Here's why. Say you take out 5 million out of your first payment for what you want-you know- the car, the house, college, the kids, the boat, the vacation......and so on and so forth. Then you take whatever is left after taxes-figure only one million is left of that ten million. Invest in a good broker and a mutual fund at a measly 8% (measly for many mutual funds). After the first year-you now have an extra 80,000 dollars sitting there. So you have to pay taxes on that money, but you probably still end up with 65,000 or so. For one year. The next year, you get another ten million (again, six after taxes). You spend another 5 million, and invest another million. Now you have a yearly income (in interest) of 130,000 dollars (after taxes) What a deal!?!?!? Okay, you hire an accountant, but still, you are making over one hundred thousand dollars after the first two year, and you have twenty four years to go!?!
My dad really taught me well about investing and saving. But, of course, you never know until you're in a similar situation. Maybe money blinds people and instant gratification kicks in? Or maybe the tax situation is better in the lump sum. But the point still stands. Invest as much as you can bring yourself to. Whether you win the lottery or not. I am putting away just 20 dollars per month towards retirement-I'm 18. And no, I definitely wouldn't mind winning the lottery.
I mean, come on, who wouldn't love being financially independent in two short year, plus spending 5 million per year on yourself? Again, I don't play the lottery, and probably won't unless work starts a pool on a huge one. But it is really fun to think about.
Now, like all people, I began to think about what I would do with that sort of money. Then I started thinking more. Why opt for the lump sum? The annuity payout would have been 10 million a year for 26 years. I am not sure how the taxes work in this sort of situation, maybe it works out that the taxes on 10 million go upwards as our government raises taxes. But I might want the annuity. Here's why. Say you take out 5 million out of your first payment for what you want-you know- the car, the house, college, the kids, the boat, the vacation......and so on and so forth. Then you take whatever is left after taxes-figure only one million is left of that ten million. Invest in a good broker and a mutual fund at a measly 8% (measly for many mutual funds). After the first year-you now have an extra 80,000 dollars sitting there. So you have to pay taxes on that money, but you probably still end up with 65,000 or so. For one year. The next year, you get another ten million (again, six after taxes). You spend another 5 million, and invest another million. Now you have a yearly income (in interest) of 130,000 dollars (after taxes) What a deal!?!?!? Okay, you hire an accountant, but still, you are making over one hundred thousand dollars after the first two year, and you have twenty four years to go!?!
My dad really taught me well about investing and saving. But, of course, you never know until you're in a similar situation. Maybe money blinds people and instant gratification kicks in? Or maybe the tax situation is better in the lump sum. But the point still stands. Invest as much as you can bring yourself to. Whether you win the lottery or not. I am putting away just 20 dollars per month towards retirement-I'm 18. And no, I definitely wouldn't mind winning the lottery.
I mean, come on, who wouldn't love being financially independent in two short year, plus spending 5 million per year on yourself? Again, I don't play the lottery, and probably won't unless work starts a pool on a huge one. But it is really fun to think about.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Numb...Columbine, VT, NIU......
Anyone notice? Or is it just me?
School shooting in NIU. Front page story-for two days. That's it. That's all the coverage we wanted. A couple of shots showing sobbing students, a couple of memorial crosses. That's all we needed. We got our fix.
I wasn't young enough to understand Columbine, though I did see the coverage. In fact, I wasn't even mature enough to understand what was really going on with 9-11. But I've read. I know what happened. I know what significance it had.
The only reason VT was in the news for as long as it was my have been the high death toll. NIU had single digits. But does that really matter? There was a shooting at a school. In the USA. The fact is, it can happen anywhere. But that's not my point.
Are we to the point that we don't really care? Just another school shooting. Just another few murders. Just another few people off the planet??!? Are we going to consider it another bimonthly 'normal' occurence like we view suicide bombings in Israel or genocides in Africa. We as Americans HAVE become numb. We don't care. We get on with our lives. And I really don't have any ideas on how to change that, except as individuals. But then again, who cares?
School shooting in NIU. Front page story-for two days. That's it. That's all the coverage we wanted. A couple of shots showing sobbing students, a couple of memorial crosses. That's all we needed. We got our fix.
I wasn't young enough to understand Columbine, though I did see the coverage. In fact, I wasn't even mature enough to understand what was really going on with 9-11. But I've read. I know what happened. I know what significance it had.
The only reason VT was in the news for as long as it was my have been the high death toll. NIU had single digits. But does that really matter? There was a shooting at a school. In the USA. The fact is, it can happen anywhere. But that's not my point.
Are we to the point that we don't really care? Just another school shooting. Just another few murders. Just another few people off the planet??!? Are we going to consider it another bimonthly 'normal' occurence like we view suicide bombings in Israel or genocides in Africa. We as Americans HAVE become numb. We don't care. We get on with our lives. And I really don't have any ideas on how to change that, except as individuals. But then again, who cares?
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