LD Dialing To Begin Here Aug. 19 (1962)
EL PASO HERALD-POST. Monday, June 25, 1962—
'New Equipment Being Installed To Handle Calls
D i r e c t distance dialing, which enables a telephone user to dial his own long distance calls, will arrive in El Paso at 12:01 a. m. Sunday, Aug. 19.
Equipment to provide the new telephone service is almost completely installed at the main buildings of Mountain States Telephone Co. at 510 Texas street, and testing has begun. ISS his own station-to-station long distance call. To place a call a customer dials "1," the access code in El Paso, to enter the direct distance dialing equipment.
He then dials the area code of the section of the country he is calling. For example, El Paso's area code is 915. After dialing these numbers he then dials the number of the station he is calling. Calling The El Paso Herald-Post from out-of-town would require dialing the access code to the equipment, then 915-532-1662. Person-to-person calls will still have to be made by the operator under the direct distance dialing system. However, use of the area code and knowledge of the person's number will greatly speed this operation.
Among preparations for direct distance dialing has been the shifting to new telephone numbers. The shift, to be gradual over the next few years, eliminates
letters and uses seven numbers. The reason for all-number calling number calling
is to facilitate the new kinds of telephone service and because the number of usable prefixes is rapidly being diminished. EI Faso's entrance into direct distance dialing has required a multi-million dollar expansion program...
2010-06-25
High Court Bans Prayer In Schools
High Court Bans Prayer in Schools
6 to 1 Majority Rules Recital Violates Freedom
WASHINGTON, June 25, 1962—
The Supreme Court ruled today that daily recital of an official state prayer in public schools, even though non-compulsory, offends the religious freedom guarantees in the Constitution.
The 6-1 decision came in a New York case but will affec; many thousands of schools throughout
the country. Justice Hugo L. Black wrote the court's decision. The dissenter was Justice Potter Stewart. Black said "it has been argued that to apply the Constitution in : such a way as to prohibit state laws respecting an establishment of religious services in public schools is to indicate a hostility toward religion or toward prayer. 'Not Sacrilegious' "Nothing, of course, could be more wrong." he said. But, he added: "It is neither sacrilegious nor anti-religious to say that each separate government in this country should stay out of the business of writing or sanctioning official prayers and leave that purely religious function to the people themselves .and to those the people choose to look to for religious guidance."
The decision came as the court' cleared out a backlog of cases on the final day of its 1961-62 term.
6 to 1 Majority Rules Recital Violates Freedom
WASHINGTON, June 25, 1962—
The Supreme Court ruled today that daily recital of an official state prayer in public schools, even though non-compulsory, offends the religious freedom guarantees in the Constitution.
The 6-1 decision came in a New York case but will affec; many thousands of schools throughout
the country. Justice Hugo L. Black wrote the court's decision. The dissenter was Justice Potter Stewart. Black said "it has been argued that to apply the Constitution in : such a way as to prohibit state laws respecting an establishment of religious services in public schools is to indicate a hostility toward religion or toward prayer. 'Not Sacrilegious' "Nothing, of course, could be more wrong." he said. But, he added: "It is neither sacrilegious nor anti-religious to say that each separate government in this country should stay out of the business of writing or sanctioning official prayers and leave that purely religious function to the people themselves .and to those the people choose to look to for religious guidance."
The decision came as the court' cleared out a backlog of cases on the final day of its 1961-62 term.
2010-01-10
THE BLASPHEMING ATHEISTS OF IRELAND -- AND WHY THEIR COURAGEOUS FIGHT DESERVES OUR SUPPORT!
* The blasphemous Atheists of Ireland *
Reprinted from:
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
A A N E W S
#1300~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 01/06/2010
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org
http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv
WE begin this, the 1300th edition of AANEWS with a story about the
civil rights of Atheists.
"Across the pond," our comrades in Ireland are vigorously protesting
a new blasphemy statute designed to muzzle free speech under the
rubric of protecting the sanctity and image of religion. The law
took effect on News Year's Day, and punishes those who utter or
print statements deemed "grossly abusive or insulting in relation
to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage
among a substantial number of the adherents to that religion."
Such actions could result in a fine of euro 25,000, the equivalent
of about $38,500 in U.S. currency.
Supporters of the measure justify this high-handed censorship by
declaring that anyone accused of blasphemy may defend themselves
through a "reasonable person" test, one that clearly demonstrates
that the offending declarations have artistic, political, literary
or academic value. This appears to provide a useful exemption from
the blasphemy prosecution; but it ignores more fundamental issues,
like the question of whether government should be intervening in
the free speech "marketplace" to begin with! Yes, yes, yes, we've
heard the pabulum that "One is not free to cry 'fire!' in a crowded
theater, or use "fighting words" against individuals or group
("Burn down that house!"). More often that not, these fictional
cases do not match the reality of how blasphemy statutes have been
employed throughout history, nor can they serve as a compelling
and rational argument for enacting these types of laws today.
The statutes also endow religion with a "special right" that
clearly Atheists and other speakers do not have. Defenders of
vegetarianism, animal rights, gay marriage or opinions about UFOs
-- and everything else in the realm of human discourse -- do not
enjoy such protections. What if, say, believers in a "flat earth"
are "offended" by critiques from academics? What if creationists
take umbrage when paleontologists, geologists and other academics
savage their ill-founded options? Indeed, fans of the Dallas Cowboys
may surely be offended when, say, supporters of the Philadelphia
Eagles describe their team with an abundance of expletives and
exaggerations. So what?
The religious, however, get a free pass on all of this.
Atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have rightly
pointed out that when matters of faith are raised, such opinions --
including those which assert the most preposterous of claims like the
"virgin birth" or the Rapture -- are to be treated gingerly and "with
respect," no matter how overwhelming evidence may be to the contrary.
We employ the methods of science to launch human beings into space,
grow food, or fly from New York to Los Angeles. This same kind of
intellectual rigor, however, is rarely used in evaluating matters
of faith; and thanks to blasphemy laws, even TALKING in a way that
may offend or insult believers is now elevated to a new and higher
legal standard.
In response, the Atheists of Ireland have taken up the battle cry
to protest that nation's blasphemy statutes. On its web site at
http://www.atheist.ie/ , they pull no punches, and have now posted
a battery of "blasphemous" quotations by leading figure such as
Mark Twain. Their site proudly declares:
"Despite these quotes being abusive and insulting in relation to
matters held sacred by various religions, we unreservedly support
the right of these people to have published or uttered them.
We unreservedly support the right of any Irish citizen to make
comparable statements about matters held sacred by any religion
without fear of being criminalized, and without having to prove to
a court that a reasonable person would find any particular value
in the statement."
Bravo!
While Ireland is a predominantly Roman Catholic country, we may
expect that among the first to try and exploit the blasphemy
statutes will be Muslims who rightly see nearly any criticism
or comment about their religion as a threat. This has been the
excuse for blasphemy statutes in South Asia and the Middle East,
and increasingly in Europe where Islam is clamoring for special
protections and immunity from any defamatory or critical statements.
In this case, the Atheists of Ireland have taken on an issue with
national and global repercussions; and they have weighed-in to a
debate that rages at the United Nations and elsewhere, one that
tests the limits of civil discourse and intellectual inquiry/
For this, they are to be congratulated.
So, enjoy the 25 blasphemous quotations reproduced in this
issue of AANEWS, and visit the Atheists or Ireland web site at
http://www.atheist.ie/ . We suggest that you show your support
--before it is too late!
-- Conrad Goeringer
Editor, AANEWS
25 BLASPHEMOUS QUOTATIONS
By Atheist Ireland | Published: January 2, 2010
Published by Atheist Ireland on 1 January 2010
<http://www.atheist.ie/2010/01/25-blasphemous-quotations/>
Reprinted from:
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
A A N E W S
#1300~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 01/06/2010
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org
http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv
WE begin this, the 1300th edition of AANEWS with a story about the
civil rights of Atheists.
"Across the pond," our comrades in Ireland are vigorously protesting
a new blasphemy statute designed to muzzle free speech under the
rubric of protecting the sanctity and image of religion. The law
took effect on News Year's Day, and punishes those who utter or
print statements deemed "grossly abusive or insulting in relation
to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage
among a substantial number of the adherents to that religion."
Such actions could result in a fine of euro 25,000, the equivalent
of about $38,500 in U.S. currency.
Supporters of the measure justify this high-handed censorship by
declaring that anyone accused of blasphemy may defend themselves
through a "reasonable person" test, one that clearly demonstrates
that the offending declarations have artistic, political, literary
or academic value. This appears to provide a useful exemption from
the blasphemy prosecution; but it ignores more fundamental issues,
like the question of whether government should be intervening in
the free speech "marketplace" to begin with! Yes, yes, yes, we've
heard the pabulum that "One is not free to cry 'fire!' in a crowded
theater, or use "fighting words" against individuals or group
("Burn down that house!"). More often that not, these fictional
cases do not match the reality of how blasphemy statutes have been
employed throughout history, nor can they serve as a compelling
and rational argument for enacting these types of laws today.
The statutes also endow religion with a "special right" that
clearly Atheists and other speakers do not have. Defenders of
vegetarianism, animal rights, gay marriage or opinions about UFOs
-- and everything else in the realm of human discourse -- do not
enjoy such protections. What if, say, believers in a "flat earth"
are "offended" by critiques from academics? What if creationists
take umbrage when paleontologists, geologists and other academics
savage their ill-founded options? Indeed, fans of the Dallas Cowboys
may surely be offended when, say, supporters of the Philadelphia
Eagles describe their team with an abundance of expletives and
exaggerations. So what?
The religious, however, get a free pass on all of this.
Atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have rightly
pointed out that when matters of faith are raised, such opinions --
including those which assert the most preposterous of claims like the
"virgin birth" or the Rapture -- are to be treated gingerly and "with
respect," no matter how overwhelming evidence may be to the contrary.
We employ the methods of science to launch human beings into space,
grow food, or fly from New York to Los Angeles. This same kind of
intellectual rigor, however, is rarely used in evaluating matters
of faith; and thanks to blasphemy laws, even TALKING in a way that
may offend or insult believers is now elevated to a new and higher
legal standard.
In response, the Atheists of Ireland have taken up the battle cry
to protest that nation's blasphemy statutes. On its web site at
http://www.atheist.ie/ , they pull no punches, and have now posted
a battery of "blasphemous" quotations by leading figure such as
Mark Twain. Their site proudly declares:
"Despite these quotes being abusive and insulting in relation to
matters held sacred by various religions, we unreservedly support
the right of these people to have published or uttered them.
We unreservedly support the right of any Irish citizen to make
comparable statements about matters held sacred by any religion
without fear of being criminalized, and without having to prove to
a court that a reasonable person would find any particular value
in the statement."
Bravo!
While Ireland is a predominantly Roman Catholic country, we may
expect that among the first to try and exploit the blasphemy
statutes will be Muslims who rightly see nearly any criticism
or comment about their religion as a threat. This has been the
excuse for blasphemy statutes in South Asia and the Middle East,
and increasingly in Europe where Islam is clamoring for special
protections and immunity from any defamatory or critical statements.
In this case, the Atheists of Ireland have taken on an issue with
national and global repercussions; and they have weighed-in to a
debate that rages at the United Nations and elsewhere, one that
tests the limits of civil discourse and intellectual inquiry/
For this, they are to be congratulated.
So, enjoy the 25 blasphemous quotations reproduced in this
issue of AANEWS, and visit the Atheists or Ireland web site at
http://www.atheist.ie/ . We suggest that you show your support
--before it is too late!
-- Conrad Goeringer
Editor, AANEWS
25 BLASPHEMOUS QUOTATIONS
By Atheist Ireland | Published: January 2, 2010
Published by Atheist Ireland on 1 January 2010
<http://www.atheist.ie/2010/01/25-blasphemous-quotations/>
2010-01-02
Those silly christians are at it again
Why do christians always adopt and transmogrify (transitive verb : to change or alter greatly and often with grotesque or humorous effect) everything to try to relate to or justify their phony story of virgin birth of jesus? Here we go - a recent newsletter from our friends at Christian Anti-Communism Crusade http://www.schwarzreport.org/:
"The main body of testimony concerning the virgin birth occurs in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. However, the Old Testament predicted the Messiah’s unusual conception hundreds of years before Matthew and Luke ever wrote their Gospels.
The concept of the virgin birth of Jesus must concur with the prescribed mode of entrance granted the Messiah in the Old Testament.
The key Old Testament text is Isaiah 7:14. There may also be an allusion to the virgin conception in Genesis 3:15."
Note the use "predicted the Messiah's ... " as an absolute certainty as if no controversy exists over the original scripture's meaning.
For further reading about this supposed prediction, read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah_7:14. It is clear from that article that once again, those silly christians are stretching to make links that really aren't there. But then again, who started this whole monotheistic thing in the first place? Isn't it their fault that somehow it was bastardized into another major religion? Not really.... but Nobody Really Knows.
And furthermore, what the heck is it with old groups that never die. I found this group from a 1962 newspaper article and wondered if they were still around... and this is what I found. I wonder if this is like a government program - once it starts you can never get rid of it?
"The main body of testimony concerning the virgin birth occurs in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. However, the Old Testament predicted the Messiah’s unusual conception hundreds of years before Matthew and Luke ever wrote their Gospels.
The concept of the virgin birth of Jesus must concur with the prescribed mode of entrance granted the Messiah in the Old Testament.
The key Old Testament text is Isaiah 7:14. There may also be an allusion to the virgin conception in Genesis 3:15."
Note the use "predicted the Messiah's ... " as an absolute certainty as if no controversy exists over the original scripture's meaning.
For further reading about this supposed prediction, read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah_7:14. It is clear from that article that once again, those silly christians are stretching to make links that really aren't there. But then again, who started this whole monotheistic thing in the first place? Isn't it their fault that somehow it was bastardized into another major religion? Not really.... but Nobody Really Knows.
And furthermore, what the heck is it with old groups that never die. I found this group from a 1962 newspaper article and wondered if they were still around... and this is what I found. I wonder if this is like a government program - once it starts you can never get rid of it?
2010-01-01
Jan 1, 1962 Continued
The more things change, the they seem the same - was this written in 1962 or perhaps 2009?
Republicans Accused By Demo Leader
WASHINGTON— ••?• —Democratic National Chairman John M Railey has accused Republicans of making an alliance with conservative fringe groups.
"The Republicans are more; and more taking their ideas' from the reckless radicals of the far right and echoing the efforts of these extremist agitators to breed fear and suspicion in our society." Bailey said yesterday. His remarks were in an annual report to Democratic committee members and state chairmen. Bailey said "It would seem that a new political axis is in
the process of formation. "It is a strange alliance of Republicans and the fringe groups of self-appointed patriots who prey upon ignorance
and prejudice. This curious union of Republicans and right-wing fanatics can best be described as fanatican party."
01/01/1962 Oakland Tribune
Republicans Accused By Demo Leader
WASHINGTON— ••?• —Democratic National Chairman John M Railey has accused Republicans of making an alliance with conservative fringe groups.
"The Republicans are more; and more taking their ideas' from the reckless radicals of the far right and echoing the efforts of these extremist agitators to breed fear and suspicion in our society." Bailey said yesterday. His remarks were in an annual report to Democratic committee members and state chairmen. Bailey said "It would seem that a new political axis is in
the process of formation. "It is a strange alliance of Republicans and the fringe groups of self-appointed patriots who prey upon ignorance
and prejudice. This curious union of Republicans and right-wing fanatics can best be described as fanatican party."
01/01/1962 Oakland Tribune
MONDAY.. JANUARY 1, 1962
Now featuring 1962.... From the Oakland Tribune, Monday, January 1, 1962
MONDAY.. JANUARY 1, 1962
DAY'S MAJOR NEWS EVENTS AT A GLANCE
Peace Hopes—Little fellows world over hope leaders can implement peace pledges —Page 1.
Busy Year — Domestic programs, international situation nromise eventful year for President Kennedy.—Page 1.
Celebration—-President Kennedy attends New Year's Eve party, exchanges peace pledges with Khrushchev.—Page 1
Death Toll on nation's highways runs behind Safety Council estimates.—Page 1.
Reno Riot quelled" by tear gas and streams from fire hoses.—Page 1.
Huge Haul — Burglars ransack mansion of Joseph C. Ihckingbotham in ISan Rafael, get furs, jewels valued at SI million. —Page 1. ;
Career h n d s — Jerry Giesler, f a m e d defense lawyer for movie stars and underworld characters, dies of heart ailment at age 75.—Page 1.
Highway Toll Runs Behind Past Years
The nation's highway death toll appeared headed for a new record today, the lowest
number of traffic fatalities ever recorded on a three-day New Year's weekend. The National Safety Council, which had predicted 330 deaths, said 241 persons have
died in automobile mishaps. But the period doesn't end until midnight tonight. Millions will still be on the road. The lowest previous death toll was 269 in the three-day holiday of 1949-50, and the The Safety Council reported that 56 persons died in fires throughout the nation during the New Year's weekend, and
41 perished in miscellaneous accidents.
Little Man Hopes '62 Brings Peace
By PIERCE LEHMBECK
Associated Press Staff Writer
The new year dawned in an air of guarded optimism today with the little fellow the world over sharing in a common hope that the leaders can implement their pledges towards lasting peace.
For many, however, the road to that long-sought end appeared about as cloudy as the eves of millions who celebrated the birth of 1962 with mirth and drink. For Westerners, the major hope was that Soviet Premier Khrushchev meant it when he pledged that his country would “do everything possible to avoid the threat of war in 1962."
TIME NAMES PRESIDENT MAN OF YEAR
NEW YORK—P—President Kennedy is Time Magazine's man of the year for 1961.
\\
10,000 Invited to Anti-Red Crusade
, About 10.000 Bay Area business leaders have been invited to hear a talk in San Francisco Thursday by Dr. Fred C. Schwarz, executive director of the Christian Anti- Communist Crusade. The invitations were' issued by Patrick J. Frawley Jr., chairman of the board of the corporations and a vice chairman of the crusade. Frawley invited the executives to be his guests in the Sheraton-Palace Hotel at noon Thursday. Dr. Schwarz's topic will be '"The Responsibility of the Businessman in the Battle Against Communism."
01/01/2010 Nobody Knows Editor Note: If you search the web for the "Christian Anti-Communist Crusade", just to see if it is still around, yes - it sure is - http://www.schwarzreport.org/
FAMOUS BRAND TVs
$64. THE IDEAL SECOND SET!
Ca-lt •!<••••-t'.ur+ -J p.V.«' Tht» TV t ar» fn'.'y fiuy«r?««cuaran;»« en p,c''jr* tub*, 90 rfayt on »'-\ parti. Yei, they »r« r*pc»5«isici», but w«'v» put rti*m In (xiffect irmr«— t« >.n »M you•:<>a quality TV /or only HI!
THIS WEEK - OPEN TUES., THURS. and FRI. NITES 'til 9 GROSS BROS. 537 12th St. at Clay GL 1-9380
~~~
MONTGOMERY WARD OAKLAND
E. 14th St. 429th Ave. AN 1-9300
9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., TueJ., Thurs.,
RICHMOND
Macdonild at the Freeway BE 3-9220
Open every night till 9:30 p.m.
BE OUR GUEST OF BEAUTYREST
USE IT FREE FOR 30 DAYS
OAKLAND
TE 2-2770
QUILT TOP
mattress or box spring twin or full
• Be kind to your back with 837 individually pocketett
coil springs that provide "Floating Action"
• Chsc-o smooth quilt-top or precision button-tufting
.. . neither will sag, shift, nor lump!
Wards is inviting you to try this world-famous Simmons Beautyrest
in your own home for a whole month. Sleep on it, and if you're
not convinced that this is the finest mnitress you've owned, your
money will be refunded in full. Be kind to your back as well as
to your budget, independent springs provide buoyant, balanced
support for every inch of the body. The Beautyrest lasts 3 times
longer, as reported by the United States Testing Co.
NO MONEY DOWN WHEN YOU BUY ON CREDIT
MONDAY.. JANUARY 1, 1962
DAY'S MAJOR NEWS EVENTS AT A GLANCE
Peace Hopes—Little fellows world over hope leaders can implement peace pledges —Page 1.
Busy Year — Domestic programs, international situation nromise eventful year for President Kennedy.—Page 1.
Celebration—-President Kennedy attends New Year's Eve party, exchanges peace pledges with Khrushchev.—Page 1
Death Toll on nation's highways runs behind Safety Council estimates.—Page 1.
Reno Riot quelled" by tear gas and streams from fire hoses.—Page 1.
Huge Haul — Burglars ransack mansion of Joseph C. Ihckingbotham in ISan Rafael, get furs, jewels valued at SI million. —Page 1. ;
Career h n d s — Jerry Giesler, f a m e d defense lawyer for movie stars and underworld characters, dies of heart ailment at age 75.—Page 1.
Highway Toll Runs Behind Past Years
The nation's highway death toll appeared headed for a new record today, the lowest
number of traffic fatalities ever recorded on a three-day New Year's weekend. The National Safety Council, which had predicted 330 deaths, said 241 persons have
died in automobile mishaps. But the period doesn't end until midnight tonight. Millions will still be on the road. The lowest previous death toll was 269 in the three-day holiday of 1949-50, and the The Safety Council reported that 56 persons died in fires throughout the nation during the New Year's weekend, and
41 perished in miscellaneous accidents.
Little Man Hopes '62 Brings Peace
By PIERCE LEHMBECK
Associated Press Staff Writer
The new year dawned in an air of guarded optimism today with the little fellow the world over sharing in a common hope that the leaders can implement their pledges towards lasting peace.
For many, however, the road to that long-sought end appeared about as cloudy as the eves of millions who celebrated the birth of 1962 with mirth and drink. For Westerners, the major hope was that Soviet Premier Khrushchev meant it when he pledged that his country would “do everything possible to avoid the threat of war in 1962."
TIME NAMES PRESIDENT MAN OF YEAR
NEW YORK—P—President Kennedy is Time Magazine's man of the year for 1961.
\\
10,000 Invited to Anti-Red Crusade
, About 10.000 Bay Area business leaders have been invited to hear a talk in San Francisco Thursday by Dr. Fred C. Schwarz, executive director of the Christian Anti- Communist Crusade. The invitations were' issued by Patrick J. Frawley Jr., chairman of the board of the corporations and a vice chairman of the crusade. Frawley invited the executives to be his guests in the Sheraton-Palace Hotel at noon Thursday. Dr. Schwarz's topic will be '"The Responsibility of the Businessman in the Battle Against Communism."
01/01/2010 Nobody Knows Editor Note: If you search the web for the "Christian Anti-Communist Crusade", just to see if it is still around, yes - it sure is - http://www.schwarzreport.org/
FAMOUS BRAND TVs
$64. THE IDEAL SECOND SET!
Ca-lt •!<••••-t'.ur+ -J p.V.«' Tht» TV t ar» fn'.'y fiuy«r?««cuaran;»« en p,c''jr* tub*, 90 rfayt on »'-\ parti. Yei, they »r« r*pc»5«isici», but w«'v» put rti*m In (xiffect irmr«— t« >.n »M you•:<>a quality TV /or only HI!
THIS WEEK - OPEN TUES., THURS. and FRI. NITES 'til 9 GROSS BROS. 537 12th St. at Clay GL 1-9380
~~~
MONTGOMERY WARD OAKLAND
E. 14th St. 429th Ave. AN 1-9300
9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., TueJ., Thurs.,
RICHMOND
Macdonild at the Freeway BE 3-9220
Open every night till 9:30 p.m.
BE OUR GUEST OF BEAUTYREST
USE IT FREE FOR 30 DAYS
OAKLAND
TE 2-2770
QUILT TOP
mattress or box spring twin or full
• Be kind to your back with 837 individually pocketett
coil springs that provide "Floating Action"
• Chsc-o smooth quilt-top or precision button-tufting
.. . neither will sag, shift, nor lump!
Wards is inviting you to try this world-famous Simmons Beautyrest
in your own home for a whole month. Sleep on it, and if you're
not convinced that this is the finest mnitress you've owned, your
money will be refunded in full. Be kind to your back as well as
to your budget, independent springs provide buoyant, balanced
support for every inch of the body. The Beautyrest lasts 3 times
longer, as reported by the United States Testing Co.
NO MONEY DOWN WHEN YOU BUY ON CREDIT
2009-07-05
July 5, 1961 - Oakland Tribue
Top Stories on July 5, 1961 -
ALGIERS — Algerian rebels stage violent mob attacks
in protest against French partition plan.
WASHINGTON — Serious dispute between Russia and
red China studied by U.S. officials.
MANILA—General MacArthur tells Philippine Congress
big question now is prevention of global war.
TEL AVIV — Israel fires first rocket for meteorological
research.
FOURTH OF JULY highway slaughter worst in history.
***
I have not yet found statistics on the number of highway deaths for 2009.
I did find a Google News story from 1966 that exceeded 1961's record number.
2004 study:
ALGIERS — Algerian rebels stage violent mob attacks
in protest against French partition plan.
WASHINGTON — Serious dispute between Russia and
red China studied by U.S. officials.
MANILA—General MacArthur tells Philippine Congress
big question now is prevention of global war.
TEL AVIV — Israel fires first rocket for meteorological
research.
FOURTH OF JULY highway slaughter worst in history.
***
I have not yet found statistics on the number of highway deaths for 2009.
I did find a Google News story from 1966 that exceeded 1961's record number.
2004 study:
New Study Reveals July 4th Deadliest Day on America's Roads; July 3rd is the Second Deadliest
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2004_July_1/ai_n6091753/2009-06-13
June 13, 1961
Today in History: June 13, 1961 was a Tuesday.
***
TODAY'S TOP NEWS EVENTS AT A GLANCE
WASHINGTON —Foreign Service officer, formerly in San Francisco, arrested on charges of passing secrets to Polish communists.
HAVANA—U.S. farm experts arrive in' attempt' to arrange details of Castro's prisoners-for-tractors deal.
WASHINGTON-President cancels speech to mayors because of back ailment.
SACRAMENTO — Un-American Activities subcommittee charges reds gaining strength in college recruitment.
SOVIET UNION sends two virtual ultimatums to United States on Berlin and nuclear test ban.
SACRAMENTO — Assembly passes reapportionment bills for Congressional and Assembly districts, sending measures to Governor.
***
Probers Rap Red Inroads at U.C. Senate Group Charges Communists Succeeding In Campus Recruitment
SACRAMENTO, June 13 — A resurgent communist party, with recruitment of youth as its primary objective, is gaining strength on California college campuses, the State Senate Fact-Finding Subcommittee on Un-American Activities reported today.
***
U.S. Tractor Experts Visit Cuban Prisoners in Havana
HAVANA. June 13 - Four American farm machinery experts today confrontedsome of the captive Cuban invaders they are attempting to barter out of Prime Minister Fidel Castro's prisons with tractors....
***
Kennedy Asks Expansion of Jobless Aid
WASHINGTON. June 13 - President Kennedy proposed to congress today a broad expansion of the unemployment compensation system to increase the amount and duration of benefits and the payroll taxes to pay for them.
Major League Attendance Down
NEW YORK (AP) — Major league baseball attendance for 1961 continues 10 per cent under
last season despite the addition of the two new American League teams, the latest figures disclosed today. Through Sunday's games, this season's total was 5,845,453 compared
with 6,501,438 for the 16 teams in 1960. The National League, which has played to 2,892,682 customers, is 693,000 behind last year. The American League's aggregate of 2,952,771 is 36,000 ahead of 1960, but includes the combined 548,000 gate of the new franchises, Minnesota (340,000) and Los Angeles (208,000). Cincinnati and Washington are the only clubs showing increases. The Reds are up 29,000 and the Senators a mere 239. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who
lead both leagues, moved close to the 800,000 mark over the week-end. But they are 158,000 under last year.
***
TODAY'S TOP NEWS EVENTS AT A GLANCE
WASHINGTON —Foreign Service officer, formerly in San Francisco, arrested on charges of passing secrets to Polish communists.
HAVANA—U.S. farm experts arrive in' attempt' to arrange details of Castro's prisoners-for-tractors deal.
WASHINGTON-President cancels speech to mayors because of back ailment.
SACRAMENTO — Un-American Activities subcommittee charges reds gaining strength in college recruitment.
SOVIET UNION sends two virtual ultimatums to United States on Berlin and nuclear test ban.
SACRAMENTO — Assembly passes reapportionment bills for Congressional and Assembly districts, sending measures to Governor.
***
Probers Rap Red Inroads at U.C. Senate Group Charges Communists Succeeding In Campus Recruitment
SACRAMENTO, June 13 — A resurgent communist party, with recruitment of youth as its primary objective, is gaining strength on California college campuses, the State Senate Fact-Finding Subcommittee on Un-American Activities reported today.
***
U.S. Tractor Experts Visit Cuban Prisoners in Havana
HAVANA. June 13 - Four American farm machinery experts today confrontedsome of the captive Cuban invaders they are attempting to barter out of Prime Minister Fidel Castro's prisons with tractors....
***
Kennedy Asks Expansion of Jobless Aid
WASHINGTON. June 13 - President Kennedy proposed to congress today a broad expansion of the unemployment compensation system to increase the amount and duration of benefits and the payroll taxes to pay for them.
Major League Attendance Down
NEW YORK (AP) — Major league baseball attendance for 1961 continues 10 per cent under
last season despite the addition of the two new American League teams, the latest figures disclosed today. Through Sunday's games, this season's total was 5,845,453 compared
with 6,501,438 for the 16 teams in 1960. The National League, which has played to 2,892,682 customers, is 693,000 behind last year. The American League's aggregate of 2,952,771 is 36,000 ahead of 1960, but includes the combined 548,000 gate of the new franchises, Minnesota (340,000) and Los Angeles (208,000). Cincinnati and Washington are the only clubs showing increases. The Reds are up 29,000 and the Senators a mere 239. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who
lead both leagues, moved close to the 800,000 mark over the week-end. But they are 158,000 under last year.
2009-06-12
History of 1961
I have been embarking on a new thing for a few weeks. I am now on Twitter and am practicing my 140 character posting prowess by posting the day by day history of 1961. One or more posts for each day in 1961, corresponding to the same day of the year it is in 2009.
I don't know if I will continue this - but what has been fun about it has been the awareness I am getting about that year, on a day by day basis. It is like reading my daily newspaper now, only I am reading 48 year old news. Kennedy was president and had back problems, the Freedom Riders & racial integration, Maris' 61 home runs that year, TV Repairs cost $1.75 for a service call in El Paso Texas, dress pants were $10.95, My Day by Eleanor Roosevelt, we were sending rockets off Cape Canaveral to test accuracy of nuclear warheads and Laos was in the news a lot. Reading the front pages of old newspaper archives (http://www.newspaperarchive.com/) brings more context than blurbs in a history book or a simple "this day in history" does. Although much of what is in the paper is mundane news, some of it has real value in learning what was really going on then.
This fascination all started because I have in my possession a 1962 Information Please Almanac. It has a chronological posting of news events and legislative news for the year 1961. This intrigued me enough to search online about the subjects summarized in the almanac.
NEWS EVENTS AT A GLANCE - 06/12/61 - Oakland Tribune
GENEVA—West, communists agree to send appeal to both sides in Laos for cooperation on truce.
WASHINGTON-—Senate passes Administration's $6.16 billion housing bill after bitter opposition speeches.
WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court upsets a New York State decision barring the U.S. communist party from unemployment insurance benefits.
WASHINGTON — President, using crutches, hoisted aboard plane at Palm Beach, Fla., and returns to White House.
WASHINGTON — Army rebukes General Walker for labeling as pinks or communists ex-President Truman and other notables.
SACRAMENTO—Bills to give Californians $2.3 million tax cuts headed for Governor's desk.
JERUSALEM — Eichmann's defense attacks memoirs, charging they are in effect a forgery.
From 06/02/61:
I don't know if I will continue this - but what has been fun about it has been the awareness I am getting about that year, on a day by day basis. It is like reading my daily newspaper now, only I am reading 48 year old news. Kennedy was president and had back problems, the Freedom Riders & racial integration, Maris' 61 home runs that year, TV Repairs cost $1.75 for a service call in El Paso Texas, dress pants were $10.95, My Day by Eleanor Roosevelt, we were sending rockets off Cape Canaveral to test accuracy of nuclear warheads and Laos was in the news a lot. Reading the front pages of old newspaper archives (http://www.newspaperarchive.com/) brings more context than blurbs in a history book or a simple "this day in history" does. Although much of what is in the paper is mundane news, some of it has real value in learning what was really going on then.
This fascination all started because I have in my possession a 1962 Information Please Almanac. It has a chronological posting of news events and legislative news for the year 1961. This intrigued me enough to search online about the subjects summarized in the almanac.
NEWS EVENTS AT A GLANCE - 06/12/61 - Oakland Tribune
GENEVA—West, communists agree to send appeal to both sides in Laos for cooperation on truce.
WASHINGTON-—Senate passes Administration's $6.16 billion housing bill after bitter opposition speeches.
WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court upsets a New York State decision barring the U.S. communist party from unemployment insurance benefits.
WASHINGTON — President, using crutches, hoisted aboard plane at Palm Beach, Fla., and returns to White House.
WASHINGTON — Army rebukes General Walker for labeling as pinks or communists ex-President Truman and other notables.
SACRAMENTO—Bills to give Californians $2.3 million tax cuts headed for Governor's desk.
JERUSALEM — Eichmann's defense attacks memoirs, charging they are in effect a forgery.
From 06/02/61:
1961 History: As MAD Magazine pointed out on its cover for the March 1961 issue, this was the first "upside-up" year—i.e., one in which the
|
2008-12-17
Our "False" Economy
Let me start by saying I am no economist. I am an average person of reasonable intelligence who does listen to news, politics, business news, etc.
I have said for quite a while that I believe our economy over the last couple of decades is increasingly based less and less on "real" money fueling the growth and instead on "borrowed" money or put another way, not real money. Our savings rate in this country (U.S.) has plummeted in that same time period. Everything we do on credit ends up costing us more than if we saved first and then spent our money.
Our whole financial infrastructure is based so much more on credit today that our current situation is exacerbated by our mentality of "buy now, pay later".
Perhaps the simpler days of "layaway" (when was the last time you put something on layaway?), paid cash or only used your credit cards or small credit accounts occasionally and not as a "tide me over because I am overextended and owe more than I earn each month?" How about putting away $100 per month for a year and plunking down cold hard cash when you go out to buy that big screen TV? No free interest period to worry with, no piddly "incentives" to cash in later, but the peace of mind that that new HDTV is really yours, no strings attached.
Credit card companies and more recently banks, loosened their credit standards to the point that allowed the free wheeling real estate market to rise fast and high, only to come down like a lead balloon, and with it, a lot of people are now being stung by others misguided enthusiasm to make a buck, or live in more house than they could afford.
I see a silver lining in this economic downturn. It should be tougher to get a car loan or a house loan. No one deserves a house or a car loan. Maybe this event will help garner a new era of frugality. I don't have my hopes up to high because where there is money to be made, there is the temptation. And without the basic core value of "live below your means", we are doomed to repeat a lot of this again.
I don't want it to get so bad that we have double-digit unemployment or sustained deflation, but it has to get bad enough to make banks, credit card companies and consumers wise up. Just like $4.25 per gallon gas finally jolted people to drive less. This pain might be good for us.
If you have lost your job and you are reading this, you are part of the larger and larger statistic of those affected by the downturn and probably want things back to normal real quick.
So, let's set a new bar and build a sustained reasonable growth in our economy over the long haul based on real money. Let's cheer for small increases in our GDP and let's reduce our government's debt and our own debt. If we can accomplish those things, we will have a stronger foundation based on a real economy, not a false one based on your future earnings.
http://bewley.virtualave.net/credit.html
I have said for quite a while that I believe our economy over the last couple of decades is increasingly based less and less on "real" money fueling the growth and instead on "borrowed" money or put another way, not real money. Our savings rate in this country (U.S.) has plummeted in that same time period. Everything we do on credit ends up costing us more than if we saved first and then spent our money.
Our whole financial infrastructure is based so much more on credit today that our current situation is exacerbated by our mentality of "buy now, pay later".
Perhaps the simpler days of "layaway" (when was the last time you put something on layaway?), paid cash or only used your credit cards or small credit accounts occasionally and not as a "tide me over because I am overextended and owe more than I earn each month?" How about putting away $100 per month for a year and plunking down cold hard cash when you go out to buy that big screen TV? No free interest period to worry with, no piddly "incentives" to cash in later, but the peace of mind that that new HDTV is really yours, no strings attached.
Credit card companies and more recently banks, loosened their credit standards to the point that allowed the free wheeling real estate market to rise fast and high, only to come down like a lead balloon, and with it, a lot of people are now being stung by others misguided enthusiasm to make a buck, or live in more house than they could afford.
I see a silver lining in this economic downturn. It should be tougher to get a car loan or a house loan. No one deserves a house or a car loan. Maybe this event will help garner a new era of frugality. I don't have my hopes up to high because where there is money to be made, there is the temptation. And without the basic core value of "live below your means", we are doomed to repeat a lot of this again.
I don't want it to get so bad that we have double-digit unemployment or sustained deflation, but it has to get bad enough to make banks, credit card companies and consumers wise up. Just like $4.25 per gallon gas finally jolted people to drive less. This pain might be good for us.
If you have lost your job and you are reading this, you are part of the larger and larger statistic of those affected by the downturn and probably want things back to normal real quick.
So, let's set a new bar and build a sustained reasonable growth in our economy over the long haul based on real money. Let's cheer for small increases in our GDP and let's reduce our government's debt and our own debt. If we can accomplish those things, we will have a stronger foundation based on a real economy, not a false one based on your future earnings.
http://bewley.virtualave.net/credit.html
2008-11-30
The Economy and responsibility
I have an ingenious plan to fix the mortgage mess. For everyone who benefited during the boom, bankers, investors, mortgage brokers, real estate agents, homeowners, etc. - they should be on the hook to help out all the troubled people and institutions now.
How can that be fair? You ask? Well, here is the reasoning. Right now, all of us taxpayers are footing the bill with the bailouts to help corporations through the troubled times, and somehow, this might help beleaguered homeowners also by encouraging banks to modify loans. Kind of a trickle down way of managing the crisis.
So, why is it fair that all of us hard working Americans (or the people who actually pay taxes that is) bail out corporations and indirectly, homeowners?
So, under my plan, a list can be developed of all those who benefited with wild profits from the run up in prices. The gov can use that list to start sending notices to them that they need to share those profits with the less fortunate caught after the boom with upside down mortgages and mortgages they can't afford.
Does that make any more sense than what is being done?
No.
In a market, you have peaks and valleys, and sometimes mountains and gorges as we have now. If you want to make this all "fair", then a fund should be set up and when the boom is on, everyone has to contribute to the fund to support the inevitable bust. It would be like a boom/bust insurance socialization program. Share the wealth so to speak.
Or, we could do it the way it makes the most sense. Let the chips fall where they may. If you profited during the boom, great. (that is status quo) If you are losing now, you lose. Losing is always easier than winning. How else will the bankers and homeowners learn their lesson of not loaning or borrowing more than you can afford?
If we try to soften the blow, we are essentially saying that your bad behavior is going to be rewarded. But, how is it fair that they take all the profits but share none of the losses?
Sure there are innocent people who bought at the height of the boom with mortgages exceeding their current home value. There are innocent people caught up in the downturn who have lost their jobs and can't pay their mortgage now. This is the unfortunate cyclical nature of things, coupled with the unbridled greed and loosening of standards that contributed to the mess we find ourselves in.
IF we let the chips fall where they may, a lot of people are going to lose out and things could get very ugly. (As if they aren't already, for many anyway.) And banks are paying the price of their misguided behavior dearly. And there are innocent banks that "had" to be in the mortgage market during the peak and are caught up in it by association. But still, if a bank never lessened their standards, and did not go hog wild during the boom, they should be fine.
The government bailing out the likes of Citigroup really burns me though. Citigroup along with many others are the worst of the worst. They peddle their credit cards relentlessly and increase people's credit limits to ridiculous amounts, then are demons to deal with when people can't pay them back, and they charge outrageous fees when you fall behind. And now, we all bail them out? Let them fail or figure out themselves how to get out of the mess of their own making.
Then there are the three big automakers at the teet of congress this week. So, due to legacy costs and not being nimble in a competitive market, we are going to reward them for their bad behavior? Sure, many fine people work for these companies, but are we a socialist country or a free market country? I don't want these people to suffer any more than anyone else, but who else would be bailed out if their was a downturn in their industry? If you study to be a auto tool maker and your job is not needed where you live anymore, then you have two choices: Retrain yourself for something in your area or move to where there is a job in your field. That isn't easy, I know. But, do you hang on for years and years to an old school way of doing things and never change? American spirit is about seeking out a new challenge, a new way to do things, not about babying those who have become complacent and thought that nothing will ever change.
Bailout or let the chips fall. Either way there will be pain. The question is do we learn what we need to learn if we don't suffer through the pain of our mistakes?
How can that be fair? You ask? Well, here is the reasoning. Right now, all of us taxpayers are footing the bill with the bailouts to help corporations through the troubled times, and somehow, this might help beleaguered homeowners also by encouraging banks to modify loans. Kind of a trickle down way of managing the crisis.
So, why is it fair that all of us hard working Americans (or the people who actually pay taxes that is) bail out corporations and indirectly, homeowners?
So, under my plan, a list can be developed of all those who benefited with wild profits from the run up in prices. The gov can use that list to start sending notices to them that they need to share those profits with the less fortunate caught after the boom with upside down mortgages and mortgages they can't afford.
Does that make any more sense than what is being done?
No.
In a market, you have peaks and valleys, and sometimes mountains and gorges as we have now. If you want to make this all "fair", then a fund should be set up and when the boom is on, everyone has to contribute to the fund to support the inevitable bust. It would be like a boom/bust insurance socialization program. Share the wealth so to speak.
Or, we could do it the way it makes the most sense. Let the chips fall where they may. If you profited during the boom, great. (that is status quo) If you are losing now, you lose. Losing is always easier than winning. How else will the bankers and homeowners learn their lesson of not loaning or borrowing more than you can afford?
If we try to soften the blow, we are essentially saying that your bad behavior is going to be rewarded. But, how is it fair that they take all the profits but share none of the losses?
Sure there are innocent people who bought at the height of the boom with mortgages exceeding their current home value. There are innocent people caught up in the downturn who have lost their jobs and can't pay their mortgage now. This is the unfortunate cyclical nature of things, coupled with the unbridled greed and loosening of standards that contributed to the mess we find ourselves in.
IF we let the chips fall where they may, a lot of people are going to lose out and things could get very ugly. (As if they aren't already, for many anyway.) And banks are paying the price of their misguided behavior dearly. And there are innocent banks that "had" to be in the mortgage market during the peak and are caught up in it by association. But still, if a bank never lessened their standards, and did not go hog wild during the boom, they should be fine.
The government bailing out the likes of Citigroup really burns me though. Citigroup along with many others are the worst of the worst. They peddle their credit cards relentlessly and increase people's credit limits to ridiculous amounts, then are demons to deal with when people can't pay them back, and they charge outrageous fees when you fall behind. And now, we all bail them out? Let them fail or figure out themselves how to get out of the mess of their own making.
Then there are the three big automakers at the teet of congress this week. So, due to legacy costs and not being nimble in a competitive market, we are going to reward them for their bad behavior? Sure, many fine people work for these companies, but are we a socialist country or a free market country? I don't want these people to suffer any more than anyone else, but who else would be bailed out if their was a downturn in their industry? If you study to be a auto tool maker and your job is not needed where you live anymore, then you have two choices: Retrain yourself for something in your area or move to where there is a job in your field. That isn't easy, I know. But, do you hang on for years and years to an old school way of doing things and never change? American spirit is about seeking out a new challenge, a new way to do things, not about babying those who have become complacent and thought that nothing will ever change.
Bailout or let the chips fall. Either way there will be pain. The question is do we learn what we need to learn if we don't suffer through the pain of our mistakes?
2008-11-27
Spending and consumerism
I have been on hiatus with the blog - wow, since April 2008! Unbelievable.
I got to thinking about all the consumerism and how my morning paper is chock full of ads for all the retail places luring us into their "Black Friday" sales events, all the while we blissfully go along with the whole ritual. Not me. Am I special, certainly not. A lot of people probably ignore/avoid the madness and stay home. But, those deals are irresistible, aren't they? Perhaps, but are they really worth the wait and hassle of dealing with Black Friday crowds and lines? I think my time is also valuable.
More importantly, since when did we all lose our dignity to worship this annual ritual? And how could we as a people succumb to such a materialistic and empty existence, to base our shopping on the whims of retailers and their gimmicks to get us in with the promise of great deals, all the while they know that if we get out there we will also buy the normal priced items along with those terrific deals. And to think that the whole economy is based on our robust purchasing during this materialistic holiday hijacked by consumerism and retailers and the "I gotta have the latest gadget" generations of people.
I know I am rambling and probably not making much coherent sense in making my argument against all this madness. Am I immune? Certainly not! I want the latest and greatest items as much as the next person. I want that 40" 1080P HDTV. But, the price isn't quite low enough, and now that I switched to an all cash basis of doing my purchases, I can buy nothing without saving for it first. And I just don't have $1,000-$1,500 laying around right now. So, it will have to wait. But, then again, do I really need that HDTV? Is it really necessary? Probably not. My old Sony WEGA 27" SDTV from 2001 is perfectly fine. And I don't have to pay $10-15/month for the HD programming from my cable company either. So, think about it - when you commit to HDTV, then the DVD won't look as good, the standard def 4/3 shows won't look as good and you buy into a $120-$180 more each year going to the cable co., and a new Blu-Ray disk player, and now you have to start buying all those DVD's again in Blu-Ray format - which is more expensive than DVD format. So, add it up - it isn't a simple TV purchase. It lures you into more and more expense to do what? Watch TV. Plain and simple. Oh, did I mention that you will need the HD camcorder, because even with Mini-DV recordings being a little better than the old VHS-C, they still suck when viewed on an HDTV, right?
Okay - enough rambling about the HDTV lust I feel, and all the pitfalls - but how do we avoid it - the hyper technology based consumerism to keep up with the jones' syndrome. Do we really need a phone that will play music, search the web and whatever else they do? Do we really need 8GB flash drives? (They sure beat the old floppies, remember them?)
So, gone are all those cassette tapes, vinyl records, laser disks, VHS tapes, and now DVD's (soon enough), and in February, our old TV's won't even do what they were made to do - pick up FREE TV! not without that converter box. (Did you get your rebate coupon from the Gov yet?)
So, budgeting and frugality - will they win out this year? Well, we shall see.
I got to thinking about all the consumerism and how my morning paper is chock full of ads for all the retail places luring us into their "Black Friday" sales events, all the while we blissfully go along with the whole ritual. Not me. Am I special, certainly not. A lot of people probably ignore/avoid the madness and stay home. But, those deals are irresistible, aren't they? Perhaps, but are they really worth the wait and hassle of dealing with Black Friday crowds and lines? I think my time is also valuable.
More importantly, since when did we all lose our dignity to worship this annual ritual? And how could we as a people succumb to such a materialistic and empty existence, to base our shopping on the whims of retailers and their gimmicks to get us in with the promise of great deals, all the while they know that if we get out there we will also buy the normal priced items along with those terrific deals. And to think that the whole economy is based on our robust purchasing during this materialistic holiday hijacked by consumerism and retailers and the "I gotta have the latest gadget" generations of people.
I know I am rambling and probably not making much coherent sense in making my argument against all this madness. Am I immune? Certainly not! I want the latest and greatest items as much as the next person. I want that 40" 1080P HDTV. But, the price isn't quite low enough, and now that I switched to an all cash basis of doing my purchases, I can buy nothing without saving for it first. And I just don't have $1,000-$1,500 laying around right now. So, it will have to wait. But, then again, do I really need that HDTV? Is it really necessary? Probably not. My old Sony WEGA 27" SDTV from 2001 is perfectly fine. And I don't have to pay $10-15/month for the HD programming from my cable company either. So, think about it - when you commit to HDTV, then the DVD won't look as good, the standard def 4/3 shows won't look as good and you buy into a $120-$180 more each year going to the cable co., and a new Blu-Ray disk player, and now you have to start buying all those DVD's again in Blu-Ray format - which is more expensive than DVD format. So, add it up - it isn't a simple TV purchase. It lures you into more and more expense to do what? Watch TV. Plain and simple. Oh, did I mention that you will need the HD camcorder, because even with Mini-DV recordings being a little better than the old VHS-C, they still suck when viewed on an HDTV, right?
Okay - enough rambling about the HDTV lust I feel, and all the pitfalls - but how do we avoid it - the hyper technology based consumerism to keep up with the jones' syndrome. Do we really need a phone that will play music, search the web and whatever else they do? Do we really need 8GB flash drives? (They sure beat the old floppies, remember them?)
So, gone are all those cassette tapes, vinyl records, laser disks, VHS tapes, and now DVD's (soon enough), and in February, our old TV's won't even do what they were made to do - pick up FREE TV! not without that converter box. (Did you get your rebate coupon from the Gov yet?)
So, budgeting and frugality - will they win out this year? Well, we shall see.
2008-04-09
Observations - Real Simple
Under the category of oxy-morons, how many of you have seen the magazine Real Simple? Real Simple is anything but. The magazine is HUGE. A recent issue (I peruse the magazine leftovers in the bathroom at work) had 288 pages. Many books don't have that many pages. Not only that - it was about 12 pages into the darn thing before I could find the table of contents. From what I can tell, it is about 80% advertisement and 20% content - supposedly helpful tips to make your life simpler. If you could only find the tips while wading through all the ads.
Here is simple: Reason magazine. Simple in design, about 70 pages and sparse advertising. Put Real Simple in a format like that and perhaps a few more people would be able to actually find what is supposedly simple in it. I guess I just don't get it. Then again, I don't get most magazine's appeal to the general public.
REAL SIMPLE ISSN: 1528-1701 - published by Time, Inc.
www.realsimple.com
Here is simple: Reason magazine. Simple in design, about 70 pages and sparse advertising. Put Real Simple in a format like that and perhaps a few more people would be able to actually find what is supposedly simple in it. I guess I just don't get it. Then again, I don't get most magazine's appeal to the general public.
REAL SIMPLE ISSN: 1528-1701 - published by Time, Inc.
www.realsimple.com
2006-07-10
The Carioca: BIBLE WARNING LABEL
The Carioca: BIBLE WARNING LABEL
This is probably old news, but it does make a good point. The people in everyone else's business see fit to require warning labels on everything (who is going to protect me from myself) - so the tables turned: A warming label for the bible. I think "Mature Audiences only" or an MA warning in TV rating terms.
I need to get hold of some of those stickers.
This is probably old news, but it does make a good point. The people in everyone else's business see fit to require warning labels on everything (who is going to protect me from myself) - so the tables turned: A warming label for the bible. I think "Mature Audiences only" or an MA warning in TV rating terms.
I need to get hold of some of those stickers.
2006-07-09
The God Nobody Knows
The God Nobody Knows
It is interesting to see this collection of things "nobody knows" or few people "know" about their God. (this is the monotheistic God of the judeo-christian type I am talking about.)
The first question is "Does all this warrant discussion?" If we agree it does, then:
This interesting list. The author states right up front that "God has every right to do as he pleases and is not answerable to any man". I beg to differ.
You see, I hear all the time that God provides this or that good thing. Rarely do we look at a list of things like this:
3. wounds, afflicts, strikes, bruises, smites, makes sore, heals, kills, makes alive, declaring: "there is no god with me" (Deut. 32:39, 1Sam. 2:6, Jer. 31:28, Job 5:18, Isa. 53:10)
or this gem:
10. heaps mischief upon people (Deut. 32:23)
or
12. turns men to destruction (Psalms 90:3)
I guess you could chock it all up to this:
If God creates everything, then of course he creates EVIL, wickedness, pestulence, and heaps mischief upon people.
But there in lies the problem. Why would he do this? And why would we put up with a higher power that does this to us? And the whole "god works in mysterious ways" argument is baseless and a copout.
I just don't understand it. Stuff happens - the Universe, the planets, and yes us. We happened. If you want to say that a god or gods created us, then great - even if that is true, then do you really think the gods stuck around and are heaping stuff upon us now? I think not.
It makes perfect sense that we are on our own. The planet is indifferent to us. The one thing that causes humans more pain than any natural thing is OTHER HUMANS.
Okay - I am not putting out some cogent argument against god - I just found this list of "negative" things god does to us. It reminds me why I reject it all. And it reminds me that people who do believe, often don't take the bad with the supposed good that their god does for them.
It is interesting to see this collection of things "nobody knows" or few people "know" about their God. (this is the monotheistic God of the judeo-christian type I am talking about.)
The first question is "Does all this warrant discussion?" If we agree it does, then:
This interesting list. The author states right up front that "God has every right to do as he pleases and is not answerable to any man". I beg to differ.
You see, I hear all the time that God provides this or that good thing. Rarely do we look at a list of things like this:
3. wounds, afflicts, strikes, bruises, smites, makes sore, heals, kills, makes alive, declaring: "there is no god with me" (Deut. 32:39, 1Sam. 2:6, Jer. 31:28, Job 5:18, Isa. 53:10)
or this gem:
10. heaps mischief upon people (Deut. 32:23)
or
12. turns men to destruction (Psalms 90:3)
I guess you could chock it all up to this:
If God creates everything, then of course he creates EVIL, wickedness, pestulence, and heaps mischief upon people.
But there in lies the problem. Why would he do this? And why would we put up with a higher power that does this to us? And the whole "god works in mysterious ways" argument is baseless and a copout.
I just don't understand it. Stuff happens - the Universe, the planets, and yes us. We happened. If you want to say that a god or gods created us, then great - even if that is true, then do you really think the gods stuck around and are heaping stuff upon us now? I think not.
It makes perfect sense that we are on our own. The planet is indifferent to us. The one thing that causes humans more pain than any natural thing is OTHER HUMANS.
Okay - I am not putting out some cogent argument against god - I just found this list of "negative" things god does to us. It reminds me why I reject it all. And it reminds me that people who do believe, often don't take the bad with the supposed good that their god does for them.
2006-07-08
New Look
I haven't been posting much lately. Went on a road trip in April and lost interest in the whole blogging thing for a few months. Then, one day recently, I sat at my computer and thought "It has been months since I posted on my blog or read any blogs." Then, I found an interesting blog template by clicking next blog - and now, two hours or so later, I have what is the new look. But, some of the gibberish content still exists on the middle part and the previous links I had are not all available. So, as my last post stated, pardon my reconstruction and the unfinished look.
Until later.
Until later.
Pardon My Dust
Pardon my dust during reconstruction - a new template/new look.
Nobody Knows how it will turn out though.
Nobody Knows how it will turn out though.
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