Not A Happy Camper, October 16, 2006

WELL, I CAME ON THIS AFTERNOON AFTER enjoying a rare day off from work. After the optometrist visit early this morning, I spent the rest of the day with my wife gathering materials for her halloween costume that she'll be wearing at work this year.

Then I made the mistake of coming on 360 and checking my messages. Imagine my suprise when I discovered almost 100 new messages. Now don't get me wrong, I love hearing from my 360 pals and look forward to doing so each day. The problem today was that all of them except for three of four were from total strangers using that worthless "reply all" button.

One in particular that raised my ire came from a man named Tim. It seems that Tim isn't bright enough to know the difference between reply and reply all when responding to his messages. I have brought this up before and I'm doing so again today because quite frankly, it irritates me to no end. And in Tim's case, not only was he stupid about how he sent his reply, but his one line message was a peach too! I wonder if he kisses his wife or girfriend with that mouth?

I reported him to Yahoo via the abuse report and sent him a message to let him know that I had. Here's a copy of the message I sent to Yahoo (if you're interested).

In addition to the obscenity at the beginning of the attached email, I would also like to complain about the stupidity of some 360 users and their inability to tell the difference between reply(to sender) and reply all. Is it possible to remove the reply all button from the 360 email message service? Or maybe place the block button on the email beside the reply all button? It's sad that not everyone on 360 is intellegent enough to know the difference between reply and reply all. Bottom line, people like Tim who aren't smart enough to know how to use email are becoming rather tiresome and my block list isn't long enough to hold them all.

Bottom line: From here on out......total strangers using the reply all button to send messages to me will be reported for abuse and then blocked. If that doesn't work, I'll have to think about blocking sources of the original messages. I hate doing that to friends and potential new friends, but I'm tired of dealing with stupid people like Tim and I'm tired missing legit email because stupid people who don't know how to use email are clogging up my inbox.

Now that I have gotten that off my chest, I should probably stop before I begin hyperventilating LOL........I hope the rest of you have had a great start to the week. We'll talk again soon!

Til Next Time...................

Originally posted 10-16-06 on Yahoo360

It's Your Ship & BTW, Book Tag You're It! October 15, 2006

As many of you have heard me say it the past, I'm really not into this "internet tag" phenonenom that seems to be impossible to avoid. As a general rule I don't participate, but this week I received a tag that was a bit different and could be cool for all involved if you choose your "victims" properly. LOL That said.....here we go.

I've been Book Tagged by Ditsy Daisy. So here goes...

The "rules"

1. Grab the nearest book. If you are currently reading something, that'll be fine too.

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your Blog along with these instructions.

5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet I know that is what you were thinking!

6. Tag 5 people

"It's Your Ship" by Capt. D. Michael Abrashoff, USN

Actually I didn't consider it rivalry; I didn't have any rivals. I was in competition only with myself, to have the best ship we possibly could. Inevitably, however, other commanders chaffed when the Benfold kept topping them, and whether I wanted it or not, rivalries emerged. To be honest, I enjoyed winning and I wasn't sensitive enough to avoid gloating, but I will return to discuss that further.

I am tagging David, Missy, Jenny, Rich, and Perry

If any of you guys are interested in the book, here's a little more coherent description...

Against the backdrop of today's U.S. Navy, Captain Abrashoff took over command of the USS Benfold, a key player in our Navy's Persian Gulf/Middle East operations. It was a ship armed with every cutting edge system available, but only some of the productivity. Capt Abrashoff realized that responsibility for improving performance rested with him. But first, he had to improve his own leadership skills. Within mere months he created a crew of confident and inspired problem solvers that were eager to take the initiative AND responsibility for their actions. From achieving amazing budgetary cost savings to holding SAT Exams 40 miles off the Iraqi coast to winning the highest gunnery scores in the Pacific Fleet, Capt Abrashoff's extrodinary tenure as CO of the Benfold not only sent shockwaves throughout the Navy, but also changed the business practices of many Fortune 500 companies. If you're a business owner, in management, or contemplating starting a business, this is a book that is not only entertaining, but very educational and well worth reading.

And with that.........I have a football game to go watch. You guys have a great weekend and we'll visit again soon!

TIL NEXT TIME.........

Friends, October 14, 2006

Friends come in all sizes............

Your friends will support you.......

And respect your creativity when you think outside the box........

They'll be there when you need a shoulder to lean on........

Or a great big hug...................

A true friend take takes interest in what you're all about........

They see beyond the black and white to learn your true colors....

And accept you just the way you are, even when you just wake up in the morning.....

So make your own kind of music.........

Follow your heart wherever it takes you....

And when someone reaches out to you, don't be afraid to reach back.....

They just might end up being a friend for life!

And for all my friends......I wish you a good night!

Til Next Time!

originally posted 10/14/06 on Yahoo 360

My Biggest Pet Peeve! , October 11, 2006

PLEASE INDULGE ME FOR A MOMENT.......If you are a used car salesman and you own or work for a lot whose name starts with the word "HONEST" don't even attempt to speak to me. Anytime Bill, Joe, or John feels the need to use the word Honest as part of the name of their business, it is usually means that there is also an underlying need to convince you of their honesty. Most of the time they are anything but honest and the red flags should go up immediately. In my line of work, I've had to deal with these type of people from time to time. Ninety percent of the time, these guys are about as honest as defense lawyers and politicans. Bottom line....If Honest Bill tries to sell you a used car, please... for the love of god and all that is right in this world, run the other way as fast as you can! If you don't, chances are you WILL get ripped off and Honest Bill fire up a stogie as he takes your money and waddles off to the bank or the nearest bar to celebrate another duped consumer.

Ditto for anyone who ends a sentence with the phrase "Honest Injun." It was cute when Tom Sawyer said it and remotely funny when you hear it on Ren & Stimpy reruns, but that's as far as it goes. Today, if anybody uses that phrase in a conversation with you.....it usually means they are blowing smoke up your backside. BE CAREFUL!

Now some of you may be saying, "Good Grief! Where in the world did this rant come from?" Well here in Northern California, there is a television commercial (not one I had anything to do with, thank god!) running for a real estate company that used a female pastor to hawk their services. I'm not sure if it was a paid endorsement or if she was doing a testimonial for the company. Not that it really matters, but the commercial was kinda vauge in that regard. The part that really got me wound up came at the end of the commercial when she said proudly proclaimed...."I'm a pastor and I don't lie!" I just about came unglued!

To me, a pastor hawking services for an industry that has had more than it's fair share of ugly stories is something that should raise eyebrows, especially for those who attend this pastor's church. But more importantly, a real estate agency that resorts to promoting themselves by using a religious person who is overtly flaunting her posistion in an attempt to convince the public of the agency's honesty is just plain working too hard to convince everyone of their honesty and should be looked at with a critical eye.

Like I said earlier, anytime a business has to try that hard to convince you of their honesty, more times than not, there is a reason for it. Be careful! In the case of the pastor using her posistion as a religious leader to sway potential future real estate deals.....well, lets just say, if I were a member of her congregation, her credibility would be taking a huge hit with me.

Maybe that's just the cynic in me coming out. Or maybe it's a result of my years in the advertising and marketing industry and my experience with the b.s. that goes on from time to time. Either way, it's one of my biggest pet peeves that absolutely drives me up a wall.

Now Mark shall climb down off his soapbox and wish you all good night.

Til Next Time..........

How would you approach a business that tries too hard to convince you of their honesty? (closed poll)

No Worries! Shop On!!! 0

Avoid Them Like the Plague!!! 9

Approach with Caution!!! 4

originally posted 10/11/06 on Yahoo 360

Even Extremists Have A Price, October 09, 2006

WE'VE ALL HEARD THE old saying, "Everybody Has A Price." Examples are all around us everyday and come in many different forms. Probably the most visible comes in the form of reality TV shows like Jerry Springer, Fear Factor, Cheaters, and Blind Date. On these shows people are either paid (or agree to participate in hopes of winning ) varying amounts of money to reveal secrets about their lives or perform stunts that much of America will gladly watch in grand voyueristic style.

This week however, we found out that even the most extreme among us who profess that nothing will deter them from their ideology or mission have a price. It all happened in the aftermath of the shooting deaths of the young Amish school girls in Lancaster County Pennsylvannia.

While the rest of America was mourning the deaths of these young girls, The Reverend Fred Phelps and his minions were quietly planning a hideous protest at the funerals of these children. Fortunately one national radio talk show host was keeping his eye on the ball. Nationally syndicated talk show host Mike Gallagher saw news reports about the Phelps clan planning one of their evil hideous military funeral style protests for these slain amish girls. Gallagher interviewed Shirley Phelps-Roper on his show in an attempt to convince them not to protest. This hideous excuse for a human being actually said in that interview that these little girls, some as young as six years old, were nothing more than "whorish little souls" who "deserved to die" and that they were "burning in hell" as she spoke. After hearing this, Gallagher immediately offered to write her a check for 50,000 dollars if she would agree that there would be no protests at the Amish funerals. She promptly and rudely refused.

Gallagher then asked her what it would take to get them not to protest. She refused to answer. You could tell he was getting frustrated.......then he shocked the world (and educated us too) by offering these evil people an hour of free radio air time.......no strings attached. After a brief pause........she accepted. With that we learned that even people who claim to speak for God and that they will not be deterred from their mission have a price. Bought off with a mere hour of radio air time. Yes even extremists have a price and in the end showed themselves for the evil hideous frauds we've always known they were.

Oh.......in case you're wondering about their hour on national radio, I can say listening to that hour of the Mike Gallagher show made me very proud to part of an industry that, when needed, can rise to the occasion and make a difference. As for the broadcast itself, it was the most disgusting piece of broadcasting I have ever heard. But I applaud Mike Gallagher for doing it and for saving that Amish community in Pennsylvannia from the grief and pain known as the "Westboro Baptist Church."

One last footnote: Mike has taken a huge amount criticism over this from people who just don't get it. Read his column about it HERE! If you agree with and appreciate what he did, why not send him an email and let him know? The link is at the top of the article. I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

originally posted 10/9/06 on Yahoo 360

Saying Goodbye to An Old Friend, October 08, 2006

SINCE THE DAYS OF THOMAS PAINE'S famous address of 1791, our old friend known as "Common Sense" has been under almost constant attack. In the beginning those perpetrating said attacks were almost universally considered as "the lunatic fringe." These elements were, for years, easy to pick out in a crowd for their unwillingness to conform to the accepted standards of society at any given time. Today though, those lines of distinction are becoming more and more blurred. This past week gave us two excellent examples of this.

The first example was the page situation in Washington. Seemingly smart politicians are taking an incident that rises way above party lines and politics and trying to turn it into a political issue. Any politician who would take potential abuse of an underage house page and use that potential abuse to further her political career (yes I'm talking about Nancy Pelosi) is an abomination and there is no punishment severe enough for that lack of common sense.

Secondly we saw the senseless slaughter of Ammish children in a Pennsylvania schoolhouse by a seemingly normal run of the mill guy who seemed to think it was ok to kill children as a means of solving his own personal issues that he had been hiding for years. Then on top of that, the daughter and wife of the "so-called Reverend" Fred Phelps (military funeral protesters) came on a national radio program and called those dead little girls, whorish souls that are burning in hell. A lack of common sense is just the tip of the iceberg here. There's so much going on with this one, I don't even where to start. Maybe I'll save it for a later blog.

In the meantime, with everything going on in the world and here in the United States....I thought it might be a good time to pull this one out of my "stack of stuff." Most of you may have seen this, or some version of it before. After recent events though, it seemed appropriate to dust it off and toss it out there for everyone once again!

EULOGY FOR OUR OLD FRIEND COMMON SENSE

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend by the name of Common Sense.

Common Sense lived a long life but died in the United States from heart failure on the brink of the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, and factories helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws, and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second. A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language, and "new math."

But sadly, his health declined when he became infected with the "if-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it" virus.

In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well-intentioned but overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero-tolerance policies.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports. Finally, when a woman too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs, and stepladders.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights, and Ima Whiner.

His funeral was poorly attended because so few realized he was gone...

Originally posted 10/8/06 on Yahoo 360

Absolutely Nothing To Say, September 30, 2006

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE RARE days when I have absolutely nothing to say! No politics today, no rant and raves, silly pictures or goofy jokes. Even the chore list around the house was put on hold. The day was reserved for time with Kat, my wonderful better half! This morning we went out to breakfast and then for a nice stroll through the park. They just built a new park here on the river that is really nice. It's still a work in progress, but so far it looks awesome. It has the usual picnic and playground areas. In addition to that is also has a beach, boat launch, 18 "hole" frisbee golf course, and several miles of bike and hiking trails. Yes it was a great morning and we'll probably do it again tomorrow.

We got home just in time to see the second half of the Tennessee game on ESPN. The final count was Tenn 41 Memphis 7. Navy beat UCONN today too 41-17. The Cadets are having a pretty good year so far with a 4-1 record. Florida smacked Alabama today too....awwwww! I'll shed some "Gator Tears" later......pun is intended! LOL Ole Miss is looking pretty good tonight against Georgia. Kinda suprising to say the least. That sets the stage for next weeks "Battle Between the Hedges" as the Vols take on the Dawgs! Sorry Sassy and G-Diddy! I gotta stay true to the "Orange Nation" on this one!

Well, for someone who had absolutely nothing to say, I've managed to find a way to do jus tthe opposite! Go figure! I think I'll answer some of the messages I've received since yesterday and then head back to the Georgia-Ole Miss game on tv. Kat's at work now, so I get to hold the remote! LOL!!! You guys have a great Saturday night and maybe I'll have something useful to write about tomorrow!!!!!

Til Next Time!

Originally posted 9/30/06 on Yahoo 360

Picture Of The Week!, September 29, 2006

OK! BEFORE ANYBODY SENDS ME AN EMAIL...........I know this is photoshop! There's no way commanders from any branch of service would allow this. But it sure would be nice if they would though.....don't you think? JUST FOR THE RECORD....the flags underneath the "Doing the Work Of" patch in descending order are...Russia, Germany, and France. Even though the photo was doctored, the concept alone makes it worthy of being my Picture of the Week!

Originally posted 9/29/06 on Yahoo 360

Legalized Loan Sharking In California, September 28, 2006

ONCE AGAIN MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES are coming under fire from the enemy. This time though it's not from terrorists or insurgents in a foreign land. This enemy is homegrown and known as the banking industry. In particular, the shady side of the banking industry known as "payday lenders." These thieves are targeting young inexperienced servicemembers around the country and some of our nation's finest are paying a dear price for it. Some "worst case" scenarios have played out here in California with unsuspecting servicemembers paying up to 400% in interest according to the Center for Responsible Lending.

Read the story below and at the end of it, learn how you can help by clicking on the link for the Center for Responsible Lending. These men and women defend us around the world on a daily basis. One way we can help them is by strongly and loudly making our voices heard and helping to put an end to this obscene practice by payday lenders.

Payday Lenders Sabotage Military in CA

PR Newswire

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Predatory payday lenders will continue to gouge soldiers, sailors and aviators in California with more than 400 percent interest on loans thanks to the payday-lending industry's intense lobbying of state legislators.

High-ranking Navy and Marine officers, consumer groups and their allies in the legislature tried to ban this sort of predatory lending, but it looks like they will fall short as the legislative session ends this week.

"We may have missed a chance to keep our service people out of the clutches of predators," said Paul Leonard, director of the California office of the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit that goes after predatory lenders.

"Our legislators could give them some financial body armor, but it doesn't look like that will happen."

Payday lenders make borrowers sign a postdated check for, say, $300 to borrow $255 for two weeks. When borrowers can't repay the principal, they roll the loan over for another two weeks -- and another $45. In California, the average payday borrower winds up paying $660 on a $255 loan.

These predators cluster around the nation's military bases seeking to hook young, cash-strapped, financially inexperienced soldiers and sailors on this expensive kind of debt. Military people are three or four times more likely to be victims of payday lenders, the Pentagon says. And as the industry grows fat on loans to soldiers and sailors, the problem gets worse.

"We're hearing more and more stories from sailors who get themselves in a cycle of debt," says Navy Capt. Mark Patton, who testified for the military at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee.

Fed up with these predations, the Pentagon issued a report earlier this month saying these predators bankrupt and ruin young soldiers. And that wasn't all. Payday lenders are hurting the military's ability to defend the country.

"Predatory lending," the report said, "undermines military readiness, harms the morale of troops and their families, and adds to the cost of fielding an all volunteer fighting force."

It called for a 36-percent ceiling on interest on payday loans to members of the military -- the same cap many states impose in their usury laws to ban loan sharks.

Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) then added the 36-percent cap to a bill he introduced that had already passed the lower house of the legislature.

The bill was about to go to the floor of the Senate for a vote when the banking committee called it back. At this point the committee had a chance to help the people who protect this country. Instead they went AWOL: They stripped the 36-percent interest-rate cap.

The military, hoping to get at least some protection for service members, is supporting the watered-down bill, but still wants the 36-percent cap.

It may get that, instead, from Congress. U.S. Senators Jim Talent, a Missouri Republican, and Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, got the 36-percent cap passed in an amendment to a defense bill. While the payday lobbyists stalk Capitol Hill, the amendment awaits its fate in a House-Senate conference committee.

"We're hoping Congress will stand up to the payday industry if California legislators will not," said the Center for Responsible Lending's Paul Leonard. "Our service people deserve far better than financial ruin --or trying to survive in a war zone while they're fretting about how they'll pay next month's bills."

For more information: Michael Flagg, (202) 349-1862 or mike.flagg@responsiblelending.org ; or Sharon Reuss, (919) 313-8527, sharon.ruess@responsiblelending.org

About the Center for Responsible Lending

The Center for Responsible Lending www.responsiblelending.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to protecting homeownership and family wealth by working to eliminate abusive financial practices. CRL is affiliated with Self-Help www.selfhelp.org one of the nation's largest community development financial institutions.

Til Next Time.........
Originally posted 9/28/06 on Yahoo 360

Not A Talent Of Mine, September 27, 2006

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT I do and do well. I will be the first to admit though, writing poetry is not one of them. Since I've been on 360, I have read a lot of really cool stuff in the realm of poetry. Two people in particular have been really impressive with their writing.

The first is Jenny. Jenny is a Navy Diver currently stationed somewhere in harms way. Despite the kaos that surrounds her every day, she still find the time and the energy to write some of the most amazingly creative stuff. It is sprinkled amongst her other postings, all of which are well worth reading.

Find it here: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-pKn08oo_erCx0NR7jX1GVr0ZOA8-?cq=1

The other is a young lady that goes by the online name Emerald Dreams. She's a 21 year old attending the University of Toronto with dreams of becoming a lawyer. If there is any emotion in your soul at all, her writing will definitely get your attention. Go here to read Emerald's stuff. http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog- hAe8XlM0dqP_9z_gvyqw2IWdzXb8PKWJgonqLr3lJ7MQR...

As for me, well, like I said before....I have no talent when it comes to the poetry thing. But I did find this while surfing. After I read it, I realized that in many ways it describes most of my 360 friends. So I thought I'd share it with all of you. Enjoy!

How Many Friends?

The old man turned to me and asked
"How many friends have you?"
Why 10 or 20 friends have I,
And named off just a few...

He rose quite slow with effort
And sadly shook his head
"A lucky child you are
To have so many friends," he said

But think of what you're saying
There is so much you do not know
A friend is just not someone
To whom you say "Hello"

A friends a tender shoulder
On which to softly cry
A well to pour your troubles down
And raise your spirits high

A friend is a hand to pull you up
From darkness and despair...
When all your other "so called" friends
Have helped to put you there

A true friend is an ally
Who can't be moved or bought
A voice to keep your name alive
When others have forgot

But most of all a friend is a heart
A strong and sturdy wall
For from the hearts of friends
There comes the greatest love of all!!!

So think of what I've spoken
For every word is true
And answer once again my child
How many friends have you???

And then he stood and faced me
Awaiting my reply
Softly I answered
"If lucky...... one have "I"

"You!!!!"

Author Unknown

Til Next Time............

Originally posted 9/27/06 on Yahoo 360