We've all heard the term PTSD..Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Most people never really heard much about it until about quite a few years following the Vietnam War, although it's nothing really new. It's been around under different names since time immemorial, I guess, and in different vestments and colors. In other wars, people became "shell shocked" or simply traumatized or suffered "combat fatigue" but nobody took into account what happens when the horrors of war. or anything else that befalls a human being, for that matter, is bottled up inside and comes back to haunt you again and again.
As for Vietnam veterans, it just seems that it became more widespread, as they tried to cope with a society that for the most part, hardly welcomed them home with open arms, and who had little mental health services, or others to talk to about their experiences, and were thrust back into and tried to assimilate "normal" societal behavior once again.
PTSD comes in many forms and shapes and isn't limited to combat vets. It happens to crime victims, accident victims, and people from all walks of life. Some people say it sneaks up on you when you least expect it, with nightmares and visions of the past, and others say it's a living thing that you walk with every living hour. Everyone handles it differently, and nobody can tell another exactly what or how to feel when it comes along, since it, unfortunately, is one of those personal things each one experiences differently. Like pain, each has some different degree of tolerance, a level that can bury some, or all, of that experience in the subconscious, most or all of the time, but unfortunately again, not forever.
I once wondered why the veteran suicide rate was so high, and then started thinking whether anyone ever looked at an overall PTSD rate rather than just a combat veteran rate as a total? It's easy to look at numbers when you have a figure that is in hand, such as vets, as you know the numbers who were exposed. But how about others who have had episodes and experiences in civilian life, that rival the trauma of war? What is the rate of alcoholism, drug use and suicide among that group? I don't think anyone has ever done a study to see how that fits into the total equation! Plus, we see the numbers used by the VA may be more or less skewed, as they have been deemed unreliable for many years, while they denied many of the PTSD cases as factual, which were really true cases. Many more await in the wings.
So, how long does PTSD take to manifest itself? In some cases, it's almost instant. In some cases, years. In some cases, it just jumps out at no specific time, and in a very few cases, it remains dormant for decades, and then manifests itself and nobody can understand why the person acts as they do. Strange thing for sure. Remembering like it was yesterday yet wishing it was tomorrow.
Is it really POST? Or is it simply a reliving of the stress and trauma every day, in a mind that simply rewinds to that time or event over and over again? In your mind it reoccurs and it's now, moments ago, today. But even if you think it was yesterday, I guess that would mean it was in the past, but just how far is POST. Yesterday, last week, last month or for some of us, forty or fifty years or more ago? Or more? And for the returning veterans of today, it's likely going to be a lot sooner than later that they will see the effects of PTSD if they are prone to it at all. Maybe it should be Personal Traumatic Stress Disorder...as that's what it seems to be..very personal indeed.
So, it's a personal thing. I know many times I and others have said, just get over it. Move on, the war or the event is over. But frankly, it's like an ugly tattoo. Once it's there , it's forever. You don't have to look at it every minute, but it's not going anywhere. The best you can do is focus on the good things in life and try to filter out the bad. Find love and someone who loves and cares about you, and love and care about them. Find your soulmate if you can, and you'll find an inner peace you've never known before. Stress is a demon that takes a lot to tame and it isn't an easy fight. Kind of like St. George and the dragon I guess. But as I recall, St. George did win in the end.
Oh, yeah. Would you do me a great favor? Next time you see a veteran, especially one from the Vietnam era, tell him or her "Welcome Home." You might see a tear in their eye, or a grin, or smile, or even a shocked look. You see, we were never given a welcome when we returned home, and it's become a tradition for us to welcome each other home, even now, as a way to honor the service each has rendered to our country, and to say that welcome we never received when we returned. Of course welcome every service person you meet and thank them for their service. Because without dedicated men and women willing to lay down their life for this country, you wouldn't be reading this, nor would I have the opportunity to write it either.
God Bless America and keep safe our warriors!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Gouging and Then Gouging Again and Again
Remember when fuel prices went sky-high earlier this year? (How could you forget!) The airlines increased their fares dramatically, then started adding baggage charges for the second bag, then added charges for heavier luggage too. Why are the charges still in place?
UPS added a fuel surcharge to their delivery services about a year or more ago because the fuel costs were increasing. I shipped a package Monday..the charge is still there!
Costs for groceries skyrocketed because suppliers were saddled with additional costs for fuel for delivering the goods, and those costs were allegedly reflected in the costs of the products on the shelves and in the freezers, coolers, dairy and meat cases, etc. Why isn't the price lower?
Now that fuel has dropped to a price that is lower than it was 18 months ago, you're still getting charged for all of the items above. In short, you're getting screwed!
The explanation I heard the other day is ludicrous at best. One company stated they pay for their fuel ahead of time so their underground tanks are full of expensive fuel so they have to keep their prices up until they recoup the cost of it. Well, let me say this. bulls**t! I know they have twenty trucks with 100 gallon tanks which equates to 2,000 gallons rolling capacity. They have 10,000 gallons underground capacity which means only 5 complete fill ups or so and the tanks would be empty. Based on their radius of operations, I'd say that would be about two weeks or less of use, so they would be putting less expensive fuel in the tanks in about 7 days or so since they never let the tanks run dry. (If they do, that would be rather moronic as any mechanic would tell you!)
So, they're keeping the rather large profit they're now making until and unless they reduce the price to the stores, and the stores will keep the profit until they reduce the price to you. Strangely enough, it didn't take all that long for the prices to go UP, but it sure will take a long time for them to go down, if they ever do! The stores tell you they don't mark up until current shelf inventory is gone, but we all know that's a crock of bull, since they all use computerized checkouts, and the UPC is the same on new and old stock. They change the price in the computers and the computer can't tell what's old or new. Years ago it was true; your mother likely looked on the shelf for the can or package with the lower stamped price or label, as grocery stores actually priced up or down based on their cost, and profit margin. When computerized checkstands came into use, that went away.
As for fuel, sure, some companies thought they could beat the fuel price increases by buying huge quantities of oil at a fixed price in what is known as "key card" operations. They paid ahead for thousands of gallons of fuel at a set price on the day they paid for it. If the price increases, they still pay the same set price regardless of how high the price goes. Operations like this were featured on television news as innovative ways companies were keeping their costs in check a few months ago, when fuel prices were headed towards $5.00 per gallon. All well and good, except that fuel prices took a precipitous drop! So people who locked in fifty thousand gallons of $4.00 a gallon regular unleaded, were left holding the bag as fuel is now $2.00 or less in some places. But, they still want you to pay the difference in their product price, because they screwed up in their guesstimates!
It's no different than the futures buyers and speculators who caused the fuel prices to skyrocket in the first place. They made a ton of money when fuel went through the roof, and it was the skin off our backsides that made it for them. But hear them cry when the prices dropped and they lost their market accounts. Same with the Middle Eastern oil producing countries and their emergency meetings. My God, (or in their case My Allah, I guess) the price of oil is falling..how can we screw the world a bit more. After all, all we have to sell is sand if they don't buy oil! We need more luxury hotels and Mercedes cars..quick..help us..we're becoming underprivileged. If oil goes below $50 a barrel, can we ask Obama for a bailout too?
Once again, America, quit having such a short damned memory! Remember who screwed you, and quit being quite so forgiving! I believe it is Christian-like to turn the other cheek, to people. But NOT to corporate entities who do not care about people. Humans should have love and compassion for other humans. But not to corporations. Corporations are greedy, self-centered predatory entities that feed off people, and when the bones are picked clean, the person is discarded like trash. Don't believe it? Ask any of the workers being dumped by their long term employers. Downsizing, smart-sizing, right-sizing, or whatever they want to call it, it was caused by corporate greed, and the executives and CEO's at the top are to blame. Corporate executives who get fat paychecks while the others get laid off. One executive bonus that could employ many workers over the year. In my opinion, when a company has a layoff, there should be a law that any executive bonus or perks be distributed to the laid off employees and not to any company employees. And that the State or Federal government audit the company books to be sure it is done! Why should some stuffed shirt company brass profit from the layoff of a worker? If you can't afford to pay the worker you can't afford a damned bonus or deferred compensation, stock options, or phantom stock or anything else.
Of course, this is America. I guess it's okay to lay off a worker while the COO of a company gets a big bonus as he drives a nice car and lives in a big house after he lays off workers who end up living in a cardboard box. Hmm, I did say America, didn't I? This does point out my title for the blog...read it again....What's Really Wrong In America!
UPS added a fuel surcharge to their delivery services about a year or more ago because the fuel costs were increasing. I shipped a package Monday..the charge is still there!
Costs for groceries skyrocketed because suppliers were saddled with additional costs for fuel for delivering the goods, and those costs were allegedly reflected in the costs of the products on the shelves and in the freezers, coolers, dairy and meat cases, etc. Why isn't the price lower?
Now that fuel has dropped to a price that is lower than it was 18 months ago, you're still getting charged for all of the items above. In short, you're getting screwed!
The explanation I heard the other day is ludicrous at best. One company stated they pay for their fuel ahead of time so their underground tanks are full of expensive fuel so they have to keep their prices up until they recoup the cost of it. Well, let me say this. bulls**t! I know they have twenty trucks with 100 gallon tanks which equates to 2,000 gallons rolling capacity. They have 10,000 gallons underground capacity which means only 5 complete fill ups or so and the tanks would be empty. Based on their radius of operations, I'd say that would be about two weeks or less of use, so they would be putting less expensive fuel in the tanks in about 7 days or so since they never let the tanks run dry. (If they do, that would be rather moronic as any mechanic would tell you!)
So, they're keeping the rather large profit they're now making until and unless they reduce the price to the stores, and the stores will keep the profit until they reduce the price to you. Strangely enough, it didn't take all that long for the prices to go UP, but it sure will take a long time for them to go down, if they ever do! The stores tell you they don't mark up until current shelf inventory is gone, but we all know that's a crock of bull, since they all use computerized checkouts, and the UPC is the same on new and old stock. They change the price in the computers and the computer can't tell what's old or new. Years ago it was true; your mother likely looked on the shelf for the can or package with the lower stamped price or label, as grocery stores actually priced up or down based on their cost, and profit margin. When computerized checkstands came into use, that went away.
As for fuel, sure, some companies thought they could beat the fuel price increases by buying huge quantities of oil at a fixed price in what is known as "key card" operations. They paid ahead for thousands of gallons of fuel at a set price on the day they paid for it. If the price increases, they still pay the same set price regardless of how high the price goes. Operations like this were featured on television news as innovative ways companies were keeping their costs in check a few months ago, when fuel prices were headed towards $5.00 per gallon. All well and good, except that fuel prices took a precipitous drop! So people who locked in fifty thousand gallons of $4.00 a gallon regular unleaded, were left holding the bag as fuel is now $2.00 or less in some places. But, they still want you to pay the difference in their product price, because they screwed up in their guesstimates!
It's no different than the futures buyers and speculators who caused the fuel prices to skyrocket in the first place. They made a ton of money when fuel went through the roof, and it was the skin off our backsides that made it for them. But hear them cry when the prices dropped and they lost their market accounts. Same with the Middle Eastern oil producing countries and their emergency meetings. My God, (or in their case My Allah, I guess) the price of oil is falling..how can we screw the world a bit more. After all, all we have to sell is sand if they don't buy oil! We need more luxury hotels and Mercedes cars..quick..help us..we're becoming underprivileged. If oil goes below $50 a barrel, can we ask Obama for a bailout too?
Once again, America, quit having such a short damned memory! Remember who screwed you, and quit being quite so forgiving! I believe it is Christian-like to turn the other cheek, to people. But NOT to corporate entities who do not care about people. Humans should have love and compassion for other humans. But not to corporations. Corporations are greedy, self-centered predatory entities that feed off people, and when the bones are picked clean, the person is discarded like trash. Don't believe it? Ask any of the workers being dumped by their long term employers. Downsizing, smart-sizing, right-sizing, or whatever they want to call it, it was caused by corporate greed, and the executives and CEO's at the top are to blame. Corporate executives who get fat paychecks while the others get laid off. One executive bonus that could employ many workers over the year. In my opinion, when a company has a layoff, there should be a law that any executive bonus or perks be distributed to the laid off employees and not to any company employees. And that the State or Federal government audit the company books to be sure it is done! Why should some stuffed shirt company brass profit from the layoff of a worker? If you can't afford to pay the worker you can't afford a damned bonus or deferred compensation, stock options, or phantom stock or anything else.
Of course, this is America. I guess it's okay to lay off a worker while the COO of a company gets a big bonus as he drives a nice car and lives in a big house after he lays off workers who end up living in a cardboard box. Hmm, I did say America, didn't I? This does point out my title for the blog...read it again....What's Really Wrong In America!
You Heard it Here...First!
Ever wonder why some companies tank? Why they slide head first into the toilet and then reach for the self-flush lever and pull it? Then close the lid on themselves, sealing their own fate?
Go back to my very first post, and it starts the litany of errors, or perhaps idiotic moves, that helped a giant like Washington Mutual run down the tube head-first. No, not the main reason perhaps, but just look at the number of companies who use offshore call centers and then look at those who tanked. Hmm...anyone else see a correlation here. AMERICA is starting to wake the hell up! We don't like dialing 1 for English, and we don't like talking to some freaking pidgin-english speaking asshole who can't help us one iota while our money, computer, appliance or whatever is a problem to us. U.S. Companies, are you listening? Get USA call centers before you end up with the same fate as those who have already fallen prey to the offshore lunacy. If I want to speak to Chandu or Rashid or anyone else who doesn't speak English, I'll do it on my terms and when I need to, not when I have an issue that requires technical assistance. And I'm not going to Press 1 to do it in some broken damned dialect either! If I find a need to speak a foreign tongue, I can go to a local ethnic restaurant or convenience store and have a nice conversation about the curry menu, or the merchandise, not about my bank account, thank you!
As for General Motors...as Carlos Mencia would say...Dee Dee Dee. Once again, if they only listened to the consumers, it would have been a smoother ride to profitability. But oh, no, like the rest, they decided to give the consumer what they wanted to give them, rather than what they really wanted. It's like giving a person one food one day, and then expecting him to eat the same thing every day of his life! It just doesn't happen. You can change the color, blend the shape and make it smell and look different, and raise the price, but it's the same old thing, and pretty soon it becomes unpalatable. Yet, when you can't feed it to the public any more, you just dress it up in a new manner, and continue to produce it and try and jam it down their throats. If you'll recall, it didn't work with broccoli and squash when you were a kid, and it didn't work for cars either.
GM screwed up when they decided that muscle cars like the real GTO and Olds 442 were out. They dumped the Camaro and the Firebird, and decided later on to revive the GTO with an Australian Holden type. Great car; I had a 2005. But it wasn't the original "Goat" and it wasn't really American iron anymore. They lost the kids and the muscle car addicts to the "Pony Car" people at Ford, who, incidentally, are also on their ass by trying to sell too many big cars and trucks and pay huge wages and benefits. Kids moved to the "Rice Burners or Rice Rockets" and all sort of tuner kits became available, that let tiny Hondas and Subarus run like the wind. They soon were punishing Mustangs on the street, and the tiny engines were good for 300+ horsepower and up. Yet the US car makers were still shoving the heavy bodied monsters on the market, with fewer and fewer buyers, all while paying the unions huge premium wages and benefits. (See another blog of mine on that!)
Pontiac will probably go the way of Oldsmobile. Sad? Yes, definitely. I've had Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles, all of which were muscle cars. But when GM decided that they knew better than the public what we wanted, I quit buying their cars. When their dealers couldn't fix a car properly and took 28 tries at repairing a convertible top, then couldn't repair the brakes on another brand new car after many repeated tries, I quit buying GM cars. The last was the 2005 GTO and I bought that solely because I knew then that Pontiac was in deep trouble, that the molds for that car were wearing out and there would be precious few built in the future. 2006 was the last year for the car and no more will ever be built. Strangely enough, the GTO built in Australia was built better and with closer tolerances than any GM made in America. The car magazines, and all reviews, set that car as the mark GM should be striving for in fit, finish and excellence in all its vehicles. Alas, that never happened. I guess the Aussies just take a lot more pride in their work or something, or maybe just care more about what they give the consumer, as they know they won't come back for more if they get a crappy product?
Time to wake up, American companies. The oil companies screwed us every chance they got and now that oil is less than half the price it was a few months back, we're still driving lots less. The airlines upped their fares, started charging for second bags and now that fuel is way down, even less than 18 months ago, those same airlines are still charging for the second bag. What goes?
Time for another blog on gouging!
Go back to my very first post, and it starts the litany of errors, or perhaps idiotic moves, that helped a giant like Washington Mutual run down the tube head-first. No, not the main reason perhaps, but just look at the number of companies who use offshore call centers and then look at those who tanked. Hmm...anyone else see a correlation here. AMERICA is starting to wake the hell up! We don't like dialing 1 for English, and we don't like talking to some freaking pidgin-english speaking asshole who can't help us one iota while our money, computer, appliance or whatever is a problem to us. U.S. Companies, are you listening? Get USA call centers before you end up with the same fate as those who have already fallen prey to the offshore lunacy. If I want to speak to Chandu or Rashid or anyone else who doesn't speak English, I'll do it on my terms and when I need to, not when I have an issue that requires technical assistance. And I'm not going to Press 1 to do it in some broken damned dialect either! If I find a need to speak a foreign tongue, I can go to a local ethnic restaurant or convenience store and have a nice conversation about the curry menu, or the merchandise, not about my bank account, thank you!
As for General Motors...as Carlos Mencia would say...Dee Dee Dee. Once again, if they only listened to the consumers, it would have been a smoother ride to profitability. But oh, no, like the rest, they decided to give the consumer what they wanted to give them, rather than what they really wanted. It's like giving a person one food one day, and then expecting him to eat the same thing every day of his life! It just doesn't happen. You can change the color, blend the shape and make it smell and look different, and raise the price, but it's the same old thing, and pretty soon it becomes unpalatable. Yet, when you can't feed it to the public any more, you just dress it up in a new manner, and continue to produce it and try and jam it down their throats. If you'll recall, it didn't work with broccoli and squash when you were a kid, and it didn't work for cars either.
GM screwed up when they decided that muscle cars like the real GTO and Olds 442 were out. They dumped the Camaro and the Firebird, and decided later on to revive the GTO with an Australian Holden type. Great car; I had a 2005. But it wasn't the original "Goat" and it wasn't really American iron anymore. They lost the kids and the muscle car addicts to the "Pony Car" people at Ford, who, incidentally, are also on their ass by trying to sell too many big cars and trucks and pay huge wages and benefits. Kids moved to the "Rice Burners or Rice Rockets" and all sort of tuner kits became available, that let tiny Hondas and Subarus run like the wind. They soon were punishing Mustangs on the street, and the tiny engines were good for 300+ horsepower and up. Yet the US car makers were still shoving the heavy bodied monsters on the market, with fewer and fewer buyers, all while paying the unions huge premium wages and benefits. (See another blog of mine on that!)
Pontiac will probably go the way of Oldsmobile. Sad? Yes, definitely. I've had Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles, all of which were muscle cars. But when GM decided that they knew better than the public what we wanted, I quit buying their cars. When their dealers couldn't fix a car properly and took 28 tries at repairing a convertible top, then couldn't repair the brakes on another brand new car after many repeated tries, I quit buying GM cars. The last was the 2005 GTO and I bought that solely because I knew then that Pontiac was in deep trouble, that the molds for that car were wearing out and there would be precious few built in the future. 2006 was the last year for the car and no more will ever be built. Strangely enough, the GTO built in Australia was built better and with closer tolerances than any GM made in America. The car magazines, and all reviews, set that car as the mark GM should be striving for in fit, finish and excellence in all its vehicles. Alas, that never happened. I guess the Aussies just take a lot more pride in their work or something, or maybe just care more about what they give the consumer, as they know they won't come back for more if they get a crappy product?
Time to wake up, American companies. The oil companies screwed us every chance they got and now that oil is less than half the price it was a few months back, we're still driving lots less. The airlines upped their fares, started charging for second bags and now that fuel is way down, even less than 18 months ago, those same airlines are still charging for the second bag. What goes?
Time for another blog on gouging!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Stand Up Companies..and those that Fall!
I got to thinking about companies and how the way they treat their customers, and how that might equate to how they'll survive the economic slowdown, or..damned recession we're in today. Will those companies who told me, and others to "get lost" or worse when we had a problem over the past years weather the storm, or sink like rocks. Just from my experience, I'd like to nominate some companies that I believe treat the consumer well and some that should have an albatross tied around the CEO's neck and weighed down with concrete for good measure.
The List of Stars:
The List of Stars:
- First is Hewlett-Packard. An all-star company if I ever saw one. Took several repair tries but they then replaced a notebook computer with a better model, and added an extended warranty to boot. First class service all the way. I can't pile on enough accolades about the quality of services received from HP.
- Duraflame Logs. Provided replacement coupons for some difficult to burn logs, and they even sent a label for UPS to pick up a case of unused product for lab testing, and let me know the results! Then sent more coupons thanking us for helping them make a better product when they found the outer wrapper was over waxed a bit. A five star company!
- OPPO Digital, makers of up-converting DVD players. When I purchased one of their players and found I had no way to connect it to my DVI equipped HDTV, I called to purchase a HDMI to DVI cable. They don't sell them, but did send, at no cost, an adapter that does the same thing, so I could hook up and enjoy the player within a day! Great save, OPPO and great customer service, thank you!
- Duracell, part of Proctor & Gamble, makes things right when you have a problem with their products. Once again, no hassle, no haggle, just doing what's right for the consumer.
- SC Johnson, makers of Scrubbing Bubbles, Glade and many other household products. Have a problem and they'll take care of it post haste. Another quality operation you can count on with fine products that are 100% backed up.
- Colgate-Palmolive and Speed Stick. Once again, a problem is no problem to them. Fast replacement of ant defective product and even additional coupons. Nice company to do business with.
- Ken Grody Ford. This dealer has always stepped up to the plate on repairs and done so intelligently and honestly over many years. Whether it was police vehicles or personal SUV's, they have always been great, provided excellent service and have gone "above and beyone" in helping get vehicles back quickly and done right. Special kudos to Mike Stevenson, Service Advisor who helps keep this machine running so well.
- Price-Pfister. The pfaucet with the pfunny name. Takes awhile and they do fumble the ball sometimes, but they do go the extra mile to get the parts out to you to correct problems with their products. Quality products and good customer service. A big thumbs up!
- Logitech. Computer gurus who want to help but seem to have problems understanding their product line. However, all comes out fine in the end, although it takes awhile and tests your patience to get your parts delivered. All in all, a good company.
Hall of Shame:
- Pontiac. Bought a new GTO and the dealer told me I was eligible for the $500 military bonus discount. I signed all the papers and when i went back to pick up the car the next day, he said he had to re-do all the papers because he was wrong and I wasn't eligible; active only. He lied to meet Ford's current bonus then reneged. Pontiac Motor Division VP offered me a free oil change. I'd have left the car but it was the last black on black available. They even scratched the car "detailing it " when I told them not to; it was still filthy when I picked it up, that's how good a job they did on the car. So, I guess this thumbs down goes to North County Pontiac-GMC and Pontiac Division of GMC. But I've never bought another GM product and now they're headed down the tubes. Thumbs down!
- Applebee's Restaurants. Made a big splash about offering a free dinner to military and veterans on Veterans' Day and then you had to dig through "participating locations." Although there are many locations in the area, the only participating one in all of California was a couple of hundred miles away. Applebees reply to an e-mail was basically it was a test but thanks for eating here. No more will we eat there. It will be Chili's! Thumbs Down!
- Albertson's Supermarkets. When a Marine just back from Iraq couldn't buy a 6 pack of beer to go with the food he bought to go home and make dinner because he didn't have a valid driver's license, they wouldn't sell it to him. He had a license that expired while he was in Iraq (most vets have that happen and all states make the license valid as long as you're in active service without renewal and are in another state) and a current Military ID as well...but no, no beer. They wouldn't allow my spouse to purchase the beer for him either. Manager was no help at all. We've not shopped at Albertson's in about four or five years after that flagrant slap in the face to our troops. BIG thumbs down!
- Chevrolet. Bought two new Camaros, and Chevrolet repaired the convertible top on one 28 times before declaring it was a lemon and deciding to replace it. Sadly, I traded it in for a brand new Z-28 Coupe with the G-92 competition package, and then, they couldn't repair the brakes so it would stop straight! It took then 6 tries to repair the drivers seat before they finally ordered a new seat cushion, preferring instead to constantly send it out to a local upholstery shop to mess with! After about a dozen tries with the brakes and no suvccess, I finally took it to a little shop where a mechanic fixed it in one afternoon, albeit at a cost of $300 to me, which was wholesale. You could then stop from 140 with hands off the wheel. 5 thumbs down to Chevrolet, but 5 thumbs up to Dara at C&D Auto Care!
- Smart Solar and QVC. Smart Solar because they lied about replacing parts under their warranty several times and never did, and QVC because their stance was too bad, so sad, it's the manufacturers problem. That was until I blogged about the issue, and then they offered to refund if I would send the fountain back and they would credit $6.95 toward shipping. Pack it all up in the "original packaging" like that would be available, and ship it back for a refund and a stupid shipping credit. When the damned fountain weighs about 50 lbs waterlogged! It's cast resin and not supposed to water log I suppose, but then again, it was made by Stupid Solar. Instead, we've cut down our shopping by about 90% from QVC, won't buy anything from Stupid Solar, and passed the word around, so let's see how their bottom line looks next year.
- Anden Homes and Warmington Homes. They won't care that they made the list, as they both went belly up right after building the last few homes I lived in. But they do deserve to be on the list as grab and run developers anyway.
- Verizon Wireless. They spend so much money on commercials and the idiots who follow one or two people around, it's no wonder the rest of us get such crappy service. After a year of a really bad operating phone, that wouldn't ring, receive calls, couldn't hear the other party, etc. they finally replaced it piece-by-piece and it still wasn't right. I was with Verizon and their predecessors for over 20 years, and now I'm with AT&T and am very happy with the switch. Because I truly can say that I HEAR YOU NOW! Before all I could say was HUH?
- Washington Mutual: You'd think after being a failed bank and being bailed out by JP Morgan/Chase, these people would learn something by now. No, not even that, but hell, no! Their primates closed an entire online account when requested to cancel a single transaction, and nobody in their offshore call center in the Philippines or India, or wherever the hell it is, could rectify the problem. Nor could anyone in any other place that was called. Even the local branch was useless since they are totally unable to handle any banking issue that might have to do with the Internet! Thus, an online business languishes while they screw up and tell you they need three or more days to try and correct a situation they, caused and maybe it will be fixed by then, and than again, maybe not. So, they just lost two more accounts. That makes 5 accounts they lost from us in the past three months ,and two more to go that are time deposits. Frankly, they are destined to fail again, and you can say you read it here in November 2008. Wasted Moo will fail again!
- Car Companies, et al: I guess this is no surprise, but auto dealerships are going out of business all over the country. Some dealers that have been in business for 66 years, such as Bigelow Motors in Belleville, NJ are closing their doors. That's a shame. But wait, before we cry over the 700 dealers expected to go belly up in 2008 (up from 430 in 2007 according to the National Automobile Dealers Assn.) listen up. Some dealers who have laid off employees and cut hours are still holding out for top, over-inflated prices on specialty models that have become showroom queens for months. One dealer has a Mustang that they want way over 30K over the sticker price as a "Market Adjustment" on! And every other high performance vehicle has an upcharge that they just don't want to negotiate. Im that case, I wish them well as they sink to the bottom of the septic tank and wonder how they got there. Like Carlos Mencia says: Dee Dee Dee!! Stock your showrooms with super high dollar specialty cars and jack the price when America can't afford the economy cars!
- There will be more as time permits...but as they say at the show...that's all folks!
Incidentally, I've highlighted the Best of the Best in Green and the Worst of the Worst in Red.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Veterans’ Day 2008
Once again, American families will spend the Veteran's Day holiday weekend enjoying the freedom to walk on the beach, hike in the mountains, picnic, take a drive in the country, watch a football game, relax in their home, secure in the knowledge they are relatively safe from the ravages of war in their homeland.
Yes, there will even be parades, with people marching, flags waving, and lots of military men and women waving at the crowd as they pass by. Some of them will be young, and perhaps not yet scarred from battle, and some will be old, having seen the worst that can be endured by a person and survived. Some will be wearing clothing with patches that signify battles that are from long ago, uniforms that you don’t recognize. Some will wear hats of organizations that signify they are veterans, a title they wear proudly, And some will wear clothing that seems strangely out of place, clothing with many patches sewn to the garments that signify their ties to brothers and sisters that may not have come home, or have died in some strange foreign land in the quest to keep your homeland free.
So, what is Veteran’s Day? As I look around, it appears so many Americans have forgotten what this day is really all about. It’s not just about the men and women who served in the Armed Forces of this great country. It’s about their sacrifices, heroism, dedication and unselfish dedication to the principles upon which this country was founded. It’s their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, if need be, for the ideals they hold so high, so that each and every American can enjoy a life of freedom from tyranny and hostility and live in peace. It’s about sacrificing life to save others you don’t even know, so they might live in freedom and democracy.
Some years ago I wrote about what I believe Veterans’ Day symbolizes to me, and some of the difficulties faced by our warriors, and maybe it’s well to repeat it again. This won’t ever give you a picture of what it’s really like to be there, but maybe it will help you think about how much these veterans, those now in service, and those who have served, sacrificed for each of us so we can enjoy not only this Veterans’ Day, but each day of the year:
It's about giving their all that others may have freedom. It's about fighting in the mountains, jungles and deserts in a foreign land, in the hope the same battles will never have to be fought in their homeland.
It's about fighting oppression to allow others the power to express their opinions and views, without fear of reprisal and sanction.
It's about vowing to "leave no one behind" and carrying a comrade in arms from the battlefield on your shoulders in the hopes he will live, but knowing that at the very least, he will be buried in his beloved country.
It's about enduring the horror of war in the hopes your children will never have to do the same.
It's about lying in the mud, or sand or in a hole, and praying that the shelling will end. And looking at your buddies alongside you, and whispering words of hope and encouragement.
It's about being dead tired and still finding the strength to go on, sometimes when the odds are so heavily against you that it almost appears hopeless.
It's about the doctors and nurses who endure hell with you and work tirelessly tending the wounded. It's about visiting a buddy in the hospital and reassuring him that he'll be OK.
It's about writing a letter home for someone who will never return home.
It's about writing that letter for yourself, just in case you are one of the unlucky ones, and putting it in your pack where it would be found.
It's about cursing and swearing and praying and hoping. It's about crying and smiling, sometimes at the same time.
It's about working and fighting side by side.
It's about a common goal, where personal wants and needs are forgotten.
It's about the sharing of a smoke or a candy bar, or cookies sent from home.
It's about the looks on the face of a serviceman when he sees death and carnage for the first time.
And it's about the face and smile of a child, who has been rescued from the ravages of war, even if only for a while.
It's about the fields of white crosses and rows of simple bronze markers in cemeteries throughout the country, marking the graves of brave men and women.
It's about the graves on foreign shores where many died in the name of freedom, but who never were able to come home.
It's for the veteran shedding a tear while remembering friends and comrades from long ago.
It's for the prisoners of war who endured the misery and torture of captivity in enemy hands.
It's for the Missing in Action whom we will never forget and will never stop waiting for their return.
It's for those who venture out in storms because the book says they have to, but the book doesn't say they have to return.
And it's for the families of those brave men and women, who fight a personal battle every day their loved ones are gone.
And, It’s for the family standing at the grave of the recently fallen veteran, or perhaps the veteran from another war, remembering the unsung hero he or she was, and always will be.
It’s for the tear running down the cheek of the elderly man or woman, remembering the son or daughter, father or mother, brother or other family member who gave their all so that they might live in freedom.
It’s for those of us visiting the Wall, remembering our lost friends, touching the Wall and feeling the kinship, and almost feeling them touching us back. Yes, the bond was, and is, that close.
It’s for the disabled veterans, who endure pain and suffering for their sacrifice, whether that sacrifice was yesterday or over 50 years ago, who go forward one day at a time, with a vision that tomorrow will be better than today, and never regret their service to their country.
It’s the camaraderie felt by those in our Armed Forces; The Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, all coming together to defend and protect the country we love, knowing we will sacrifice to whatever degree necessary, to assure our country is safe from not only enemy aggression, but terrorism as well.
So when you enjoy the 2008 Veterans’ Day weekend, take time to reflect why we celebrate Veterans’ Day. It’s not just another day in time, or just another holiday. It truly is a day of freedom, a day to honor those men and women without whom your ability to enjoy doing what you love to do most, with those you love, would likely not be possible. Give them thanks for all they do and have done.
Yes, there will even be parades, with people marching, flags waving, and lots of military men and women waving at the crowd as they pass by. Some of them will be young, and perhaps not yet scarred from battle, and some will be old, having seen the worst that can be endured by a person and survived. Some will be wearing clothing with patches that signify battles that are from long ago, uniforms that you don’t recognize. Some will wear hats of organizations that signify they are veterans, a title they wear proudly, And some will wear clothing that seems strangely out of place, clothing with many patches sewn to the garments that signify their ties to brothers and sisters that may not have come home, or have died in some strange foreign land in the quest to keep your homeland free.
So, what is Veteran’s Day? As I look around, it appears so many Americans have forgotten what this day is really all about. It’s not just about the men and women who served in the Armed Forces of this great country. It’s about their sacrifices, heroism, dedication and unselfish dedication to the principles upon which this country was founded. It’s their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, if need be, for the ideals they hold so high, so that each and every American can enjoy a life of freedom from tyranny and hostility and live in peace. It’s about sacrificing life to save others you don’t even know, so they might live in freedom and democracy.
Some years ago I wrote about what I believe Veterans’ Day symbolizes to me, and some of the difficulties faced by our warriors, and maybe it’s well to repeat it again. This won’t ever give you a picture of what it’s really like to be there, but maybe it will help you think about how much these veterans, those now in service, and those who have served, sacrificed for each of us so we can enjoy not only this Veterans’ Day, but each day of the year:
It's about giving their all that others may have freedom. It's about fighting in the mountains, jungles and deserts in a foreign land, in the hope the same battles will never have to be fought in their homeland.
It's about fighting oppression to allow others the power to express their opinions and views, without fear of reprisal and sanction.
It's about vowing to "leave no one behind" and carrying a comrade in arms from the battlefield on your shoulders in the hopes he will live, but knowing that at the very least, he will be buried in his beloved country.
It's about enduring the horror of war in the hopes your children will never have to do the same.
It's about lying in the mud, or sand or in a hole, and praying that the shelling will end. And looking at your buddies alongside you, and whispering words of hope and encouragement.
It's about being dead tired and still finding the strength to go on, sometimes when the odds are so heavily against you that it almost appears hopeless.
It's about the doctors and nurses who endure hell with you and work tirelessly tending the wounded. It's about visiting a buddy in the hospital and reassuring him that he'll be OK.
It's about writing a letter home for someone who will never return home.
It's about writing that letter for yourself, just in case you are one of the unlucky ones, and putting it in your pack where it would be found.
It's about cursing and swearing and praying and hoping. It's about crying and smiling, sometimes at the same time.
It's about working and fighting side by side.
It's about a common goal, where personal wants and needs are forgotten.
It's about the sharing of a smoke or a candy bar, or cookies sent from home.
It's about the looks on the face of a serviceman when he sees death and carnage for the first time.
And it's about the face and smile of a child, who has been rescued from the ravages of war, even if only for a while.
It's about the fields of white crosses and rows of simple bronze markers in cemeteries throughout the country, marking the graves of brave men and women.
It's about the graves on foreign shores where many died in the name of freedom, but who never were able to come home.
It's for the veteran shedding a tear while remembering friends and comrades from long ago.
It's for the prisoners of war who endured the misery and torture of captivity in enemy hands.
It's for the Missing in Action whom we will never forget and will never stop waiting for their return.
It's for those who venture out in storms because the book says they have to, but the book doesn't say they have to return.
And it's for the families of those brave men and women, who fight a personal battle every day their loved ones are gone.
And, It’s for the family standing at the grave of the recently fallen veteran, or perhaps the veteran from another war, remembering the unsung hero he or she was, and always will be.
It’s for the tear running down the cheek of the elderly man or woman, remembering the son or daughter, father or mother, brother or other family member who gave their all so that they might live in freedom.
It’s for those of us visiting the Wall, remembering our lost friends, touching the Wall and feeling the kinship, and almost feeling them touching us back. Yes, the bond was, and is, that close.
It’s for the disabled veterans, who endure pain and suffering for their sacrifice, whether that sacrifice was yesterday or over 50 years ago, who go forward one day at a time, with a vision that tomorrow will be better than today, and never regret their service to their country.
It’s the camaraderie felt by those in our Armed Forces; The Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, all coming together to defend and protect the country we love, knowing we will sacrifice to whatever degree necessary, to assure our country is safe from not only enemy aggression, but terrorism as well.
So when you enjoy the 2008 Veterans’ Day weekend, take time to reflect why we celebrate Veterans’ Day. It’s not just another day in time, or just another holiday. It truly is a day of freedom, a day to honor those men and women without whom your ability to enjoy doing what you love to do most, with those you love, would likely not be possible. Give them thanks for all they do and have done.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Obama Wins the Presidency....
What can I say on the subject. We now have the first African-American president-elect and I wish him the best. Frankly, I didn't vote for him, but that's neither here nor there. He was elected by the American people, and whether anyone agrees with that or not, it behooves us to now unite, and stand behind him as Americans, to get the country up and running and strong once again.
No, I probably will not agree with many of his policies, and I didn't agree with some of the current administration policies either. I think the Democrats are too liberal with our money, and too willing to give it away to people who sit on their asses, while the rest of us have had to work our entire lifetime to scratch out a decent living. What worries me is the statements of "spreading the wealth" that were made during the campaign, and just how "wealth" is determined. To a millionaire, a wealthy man is a billionaire. To a beggar, it's a man with a dollar. To a man who's cold and homeless, it's a man with a warm coat and a cardboard box. The figure of $42,000 was bantered about and if anyone thinks that's "wealthy" especially in California or the west coast, they're an idiot..or a Pelosi or a Feinstein follower....
Maybe that will change. We can hope so. If it gets worse, those who didn't vote for Senator Obama can tell those who did that "we told you so" and curse till the cows come home. But, if things actually get better, we'll have learned a lesson that change does come hard, and sometimes surprises even those who believe it will never happen.
The bottom line for most Americans will be counting the folding green in their wallets now, and in four years, to see how much better or worse they are at that time. Maybe they would do well to count it often to take stock of how they are staying afloat or ahead, as the case may be, over the period.
The old adage...time will tell...certainly applies in this case. And, that's about all we have as we sit and watch the events unfold.
No, I probably will not agree with many of his policies, and I didn't agree with some of the current administration policies either. I think the Democrats are too liberal with our money, and too willing to give it away to people who sit on their asses, while the rest of us have had to work our entire lifetime to scratch out a decent living. What worries me is the statements of "spreading the wealth" that were made during the campaign, and just how "wealth" is determined. To a millionaire, a wealthy man is a billionaire. To a beggar, it's a man with a dollar. To a man who's cold and homeless, it's a man with a warm coat and a cardboard box. The figure of $42,000 was bantered about and if anyone thinks that's "wealthy" especially in California or the west coast, they're an idiot..or a Pelosi or a Feinstein follower....
Maybe that will change. We can hope so. If it gets worse, those who didn't vote for Senator Obama can tell those who did that "we told you so" and curse till the cows come home. But, if things actually get better, we'll have learned a lesson that change does come hard, and sometimes surprises even those who believe it will never happen.
The bottom line for most Americans will be counting the folding green in their wallets now, and in four years, to see how much better or worse they are at that time. Maybe they would do well to count it often to take stock of how they are staying afloat or ahead, as the case may be, over the period.
The old adage...time will tell...certainly applies in this case. And, that's about all we have as we sit and watch the events unfold.
Annie Get Your Gun..and Extra Ammunition!
I was in a gun shop last week and business was brisk, to say the least. It seems the potential for a Democratic presidential victory is having more than a ripple effect on the populace, especially where firearms are concerned.
People have been more than a little concerned that the Democrats are anti-gun, which is pretty right on target, if you'll forgive the pun. Most of the anti-gun bills have been introduced, sponsored and pushed by the Democrats and it's expected that under an Obama presidency more gun control laws will likely be introduced, and possible passed.
Once again, guns do not kill people; people kill people! We don't take away cars because of all the carnage on the highways, we just build more and more. If every time a person died as a result of a 3500 pound missile hitting them on the highway being handled by a misguided idiot, an anti-automobile lobby screamed, we'd all be walking or riding skateboards. Except we'd be so restricted in our skateboard choices, and where we could ride, that we'd just be walking, thank you.
Do the naysayers have it right? Will there be so many restrictions that it makes sense to run out and fill up the cabinets with new guns and ammunition while you still can? I don't know the real answer, but I do know the gun dealers aren't frowning at the sales figures. They are one faction of American commerce that is smiling all the way to the bank as a result of the Democrats, even if just for a few months. Maybe not next year, but for now, the grins are ear to ear!
People have been more than a little concerned that the Democrats are anti-gun, which is pretty right on target, if you'll forgive the pun. Most of the anti-gun bills have been introduced, sponsored and pushed by the Democrats and it's expected that under an Obama presidency more gun control laws will likely be introduced, and possible passed.
Once again, guns do not kill people; people kill people! We don't take away cars because of all the carnage on the highways, we just build more and more. If every time a person died as a result of a 3500 pound missile hitting them on the highway being handled by a misguided idiot, an anti-automobile lobby screamed, we'd all be walking or riding skateboards. Except we'd be so restricted in our skateboard choices, and where we could ride, that we'd just be walking, thank you.
Do the naysayers have it right? Will there be so many restrictions that it makes sense to run out and fill up the cabinets with new guns and ammunition while you still can? I don't know the real answer, but I do know the gun dealers aren't frowning at the sales figures. They are one faction of American commerce that is smiling all the way to the bank as a result of the Democrats, even if just for a few months. Maybe not next year, but for now, the grins are ear to ear!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Apartment Rent - Hard Times for The Real Working Class
WTF?? When did apartment rents become so unaffordable that a full time working person could hardly afford to put a roof over their head? Oh, wait, that excludes the illegals and the unmentioned families who stuff eight and ten people in an apartment, and each chips in a couple of hundred for the rent, while they collect welfare and live on the dole! Forget about those losers!
I'm talking about the single income man or woman, or single parent, who works their tail off, full time, and maybe overtime, at a decent job, and tries to live in a decent place. They go to an apartment complex and are told the rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1200 a month! Plus they pay for their own gas and electric as well.
Lets do the math here. A person makes $14 an hour times 40 hours is $560 a week. After taxes, Social Security, health insurance (they don't get it free like the losers do!) it's probably around $475. That comes to $1900 a month and when you soak them for $1200 for rent, they now have $700 to live on the rest of the month. Subtract utilities ($50) gasoline ($100 at least!) car insurance ($60) laundry and cleaning ($20) Medical and Prescriptions ($30) it leaves them with $440 or less than $110 each week. That's with no credit card bills, no car repairs, no car payments, no doctor bills that are not covered by insurance, nothing else. They have to eat, pay all their other bills, and survive on a hundred and ten bucks a week. Folks, three meals a day at Carls or Mickey D's will blow most of that money, and that's junk food! You won't see the people from the apartment complex owners families living on the cheap!
We lived in a condo rental in Carlsbad, California about ten years ago and in the sixteen months we lived there, the rents went from $1200 to $1500 a month; we moved out as they were increasing to $1800 a month, and I understand they are now $2200 per month for the same 2 bedroom unit. That's insanity!
I believe the apartment complex owners are preying on those who cannot afford home ownership, and that it will continue to get worse. They all decry rent control, but I believe it will come. Those who have lost homes are now renting and have no choice but to move into apartments. The number of available, decent apartments is just not that great, and the owners are getting a premium price for the units. It seems to be whatever the traffic will bear.
Same with rental homes that can't be sold, yet are renting for obscene prices. I understand some might be high, as the owners need to make the high mortgage payments. But what about the speculators who buy homes simply to rent? In Harbor Pointe in Carlsbad, homes that originally sold for less than $200K are renting for over $2000 per month. Why? Because many of the homes in what is known as the Village were apparently purchased simply to rent as income properties; the owners are able to rent for that amount to people who can't afford the down payment to purchase a house, where their monthly payment would possibly be less than rent.
The shame is that a good portion of Harbor Pointe is turning into a community of renters with a significant turnover. Not good for the resident owners. Nor for the renters who move in and out trying to find the ideal place to live, moving children from school to school, and losing friends along the way. Were housing more affordable, regardless of apartment or single family homes, maybe people would settle and find roots in a community.
I'm talking about the single income man or woman, or single parent, who works their tail off, full time, and maybe overtime, at a decent job, and tries to live in a decent place. They go to an apartment complex and are told the rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1200 a month! Plus they pay for their own gas and electric as well.
Lets do the math here. A person makes $14 an hour times 40 hours is $560 a week. After taxes, Social Security, health insurance (they don't get it free like the losers do!) it's probably around $475. That comes to $1900 a month and when you soak them for $1200 for rent, they now have $700 to live on the rest of the month. Subtract utilities ($50) gasoline ($100 at least!) car insurance ($60) laundry and cleaning ($20) Medical and Prescriptions ($30) it leaves them with $440 or less than $110 each week. That's with no credit card bills, no car repairs, no car payments, no doctor bills that are not covered by insurance, nothing else. They have to eat, pay all their other bills, and survive on a hundred and ten bucks a week. Folks, three meals a day at Carls or Mickey D's will blow most of that money, and that's junk food! You won't see the people from the apartment complex owners families living on the cheap!
We lived in a condo rental in Carlsbad, California about ten years ago and in the sixteen months we lived there, the rents went from $1200 to $1500 a month; we moved out as they were increasing to $1800 a month, and I understand they are now $2200 per month for the same 2 bedroom unit. That's insanity!
I believe the apartment complex owners are preying on those who cannot afford home ownership, and that it will continue to get worse. They all decry rent control, but I believe it will come. Those who have lost homes are now renting and have no choice but to move into apartments. The number of available, decent apartments is just not that great, and the owners are getting a premium price for the units. It seems to be whatever the traffic will bear.
Same with rental homes that can't be sold, yet are renting for obscene prices. I understand some might be high, as the owners need to make the high mortgage payments. But what about the speculators who buy homes simply to rent? In Harbor Pointe in Carlsbad, homes that originally sold for less than $200K are renting for over $2000 per month. Why? Because many of the homes in what is known as the Village were apparently purchased simply to rent as income properties; the owners are able to rent for that amount to people who can't afford the down payment to purchase a house, where their monthly payment would possibly be less than rent.
The shame is that a good portion of Harbor Pointe is turning into a community of renters with a significant turnover. Not good for the resident owners. Nor for the renters who move in and out trying to find the ideal place to live, moving children from school to school, and losing friends along the way. Were housing more affordable, regardless of apartment or single family homes, maybe people would settle and find roots in a community.
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