If anyone has anything on their mind drop me a line, but for now for one reason or another I haven't felt a compulsion to blog. I'm not sure if it's because I have one hell of a cold for the last week or some sort of shift in attitude over the last few days. It's not like I don't have a bunch of opinions. It just seems to me some of the ludicrous things that transpired and what was said in the news is so far out there it's not worth my time or effort to blog about them.
I will give you just two examplesThese are just two examples of pure political bullshit not worth my time blogging about because anyone with a half of brain are intelligent enough to already know this. Same goes with my posts on alternative energies.
My other interest is in philosophical discussion Apparently my posting seem too far out there for most peoples tastes. Take for example Neil deGrasse Tyson says aliens might find humans too stupid to bother making contact with them. I did consider a post about Jesus being actually an ambassador sent by aliens to Earth who's mission it was to determine whether humans were capable of being integrated into their culture. Yeah well, if that was the case we certainly screwed ourselves didn't we!
THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE There's no interactions on this blog. I'm just not connecting with others who are thinking beyond those things I consider common everyday bullshit nonsense. Topics that are outside-the-box of everyday items in the news.
At this point I assume most consider me and this blog too far ideologically out there worthy of interacting with. Hence my lack of enthusiasm (at least for the moment) to come up with a bunch of daily postings about everyday nonsense. Especially the kind of everyday bullshit that people throw at one another.
So for now, until something really inspires me, I'm laying low and will only post occasionally. Far less then before. There's already enough noise out there. Why should I add to it?
"What are words for when no one listens anymore What are words for when no one listens What are words for when no one listens it's no use talkin at all"
I've stated on this blog many times the reasons why we need to stop extracting and burning fossilized crud. Not when we already have the technology to generate electric in other ways. Here's one more example.
It's called a "solar wind energy tower". Permission has been granted to install this monster near the city of San Luis, Arizona. Although the tower is half a mile tall there are no spinning blades at the top. That pretty much eliminates the argument against wind turbines saying they are migratory bird meat grinders.
With each new evolution of a alternative energy device there are less and less reasons for continuing to drill, spill and burn carbon fuels.Those the three common major alternative energies sources. There are 100's of differently designed devices that can now provide not only useful energy, but in many cases get rid of our unwanted wastes. It's seems foolish to let the solar rays beating down on our homes or the winds slip past us when we can trap some of that and provide clean useful energy.
Solar Wind Energy, Inc. has been working on this for sometime. Technological development doesn't seem to be the problem delaying this project. The problem is (like everything) coming up with the estimated $1.5 billion to build the thing. Then on the other hand if it can produce the same power as the Hoover Dam (1,250 megawatts per hour) as promised, I'd be certain finding funding for ones after that would have clients banging at their doors.
About all there is left to say to anyone arguing against alternative energy is, just how uninformed are you?
It's cleaner, cheaper and technologically available now. No longer is there an argument against them by any reasonably intelligent person. Only those who are up to their ears with a stake in fossil fuels would make such a foolish argument against them. And even they be fools for not taking advantage of the wealth they made and converting their oil companies' investments over to the future in alternative energy devices.
Just as surely as the steam engine gave way to the combustion engine, it shall happen. Now even the combustion engine is threatened to be replaced by electrical motors. If large oil companies (which once replaced steam companies) can't read the tea leaves by now, they never will. Either run with the herd or get run over by it. It's coming whether they want it or not.
You see it's all a matter of economics. When alternatives to fossil fuels become cheaper then what big oil companies can offer their products for, what do you think will happen?
Journalist Sebastian Junger shares his experience embedded with American soldiers at Restrepo, an outpost in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley that saw heavy combat. Giving a look at the "altered state of mind" that comes with war, he shows how combat gives soldiers an intense experience of connection. In the end, could it actually be "the opposite of war" that soldiers miss?"
"Republicans in February blocked important legislation from Sen. Bernie Sanders to improve veterans' access to health care among other things. Only two Republicans, Sens. Dean Heller and Jerry Moran, voted for the veterans benefits bill, which was endorsed by every major veterans organization."
Ronnie Polaneczky, Daily News Columnist-- "On Sunday (05/25/2014), the Wise Guys - eight intellectually disabled adults who have been singing, dancing and rocking out almost as long as Aerosmith - will hold a farewell concert at the Cardinal Krol Center. Owned by the Philadelphia Archdiocese, it's a residential community in Springfield, Delaware County, where the Wise Guys live with more than 100 other men similarly impaired.
The center is closing, the men to be dispersed to small group homes. And the Wise Guys will be no more."
Currently college commencements are under way across the United States. Tens of thousands of students will soon be graduating more indebted than ever before. Right now total student debt stands around $1.2 trillion. And that only represents a tiny fraction of the money most parents pay upfront. Around here it's not unusual for a four year college degree to cost around a total $250,000.
Even more troubling is the fact that only about 17% of the graduates have a job lined up. Perhaps one of the reasons is kids today want white collar management and desk jobs. I've had my hands slapped more then a few times by today's recent graduates who said to me manufacturing jobs are "crappy jobs". Well good luck with that. This is the kind of attitude that explains why many recent college graduates end up back home living sponging off daddy and mommy in their old rooms.
USA Today published this article on May 16th, 2014 with the headline, "Selling manufacturing to a new generation". The article mentioned there are about 700,000 unfilled jobs in manufacturing that the average pay is around $77,505 a year as of 2012.
I don't know how many times I've said it here on this blog that not only colleges but trade schools are the way to go. They pay the most bang for the buck when it comes to investing money on education. Make no mistake about it. Education is an investment in which one hopes to make return on it. Not everybody can start out being in management. Even the failed Bethlehem Steel had only one boss for every seven workers. There can only be so many mangers. Someone actually has to do the work that "managers" manage..
United States companies need to compete globally at all levels. Graduates who haven't landed a job most likely were ones that companies felt couldn't fulfill that mission. Anyone trying to make themselves look a cut above the rest and failing to choose their course selections wisely have failed to convince companies of their worth. Otherwise they would have been hired. This is another reason why I'm against forgiveness against student debts.
Yes I do feel for them, but in the business world only the those who have taken courses that show they are attuned to the needs of business are those who demonstrated they're deserving of a job. If a student wants to take pottery making as a major rather then settle on something in the manufacturing sector or a blue collar job because they are prideful, then so-be-it. Just don't expect other taxpayers to pick up the tab for bad choices that may have been made.
Sorry that there's no nice way to say it. In this highly competitive world it's dog eat dog. Anyone willing to do what it takes (even if they prefer not to do certain jobs) will be the ones that will end up the winners over losers who refuse to concede. Anyone who feels they are more valuable then someone else needs to become just that. Otherwise plan on living with mommy and daddy or the in-laws for a good long time.
In short Someone needs to look into what jobs are most in demand and pay the most. If someone has further aspirations pursue them on the side after one finds a means to first provide for themselves. Dreams and aspirations are a good thing, but only one in a million ever are fortunate enough in having them become a reality. One has to first and foremost take care of business as a matter of practicality. If one feels they are too good for certain jobs, chances are they will be disappointed with how things turn out.
So far 21 days in May 2014 I have received only two comments from two different people. Quite frankly I was pleased and feeling content this blog has gone that long without someone leaving comments. You see they always seem to turn out to be a pain in the ass for me, as you shall see. The only reason I leave comments on is so that people will have a way of connecting with me (just in case).
My Comments Elsewhere I did a post about Urbanologists Without Cars. Two days later 'Publius' took me to task on his blog with a post entitiled Transportation Tuesday: the Rosegarden and LVCI Doubling Down on Stupidity. Which I absolutely have no problem with and never commented on it. Nor did I intend to. Here's what he/she/it posted...Just for the record here's the comment I left back...You see I made the mistake of leaving a remark on one of his prior post. Something I promised myself that I wouldn't do with most of these other local blogs (and haven't done in a long time). No matter how many times I tell myself, I seem to be slow learner when it comes expectations concerning mutual respect and unfounded accusations.
I replied, "I'll let this comment stand (for now) as a reminder personal attacks and comments that are not adding to the topic are not acceptable here on this blog "
Let me make this clear as possible for the umteenth time!
I never ever once left a comment in all these years that wasn't under my LVCI blogger profile which anyone can easily verify by clicking on the link above my comment(s).
Here's my firm commitment (especially going forward) to anyone coming across LVCI..
FINAL THOUGHTS No matter how many or few times I try to interact with the other bloggers or people who leave comments it always becomes a major pain the ass. Either I'm accused of being an anonymous coward or saying something I haven't said. In all cases after protracted discussion back and forth it ends up with name calling and character assassination the longer debate continues.
There are some followers of blogs and bloggers who deem themselves to be endowed with wisdom that somehow they bear more creditability then those they interact with. This is one guy who's never going to delude himself that I nor anyone else earns the right to disrespect someone who disagrees with them.
Most importantly I truly 100% don't care what others may think of me or my opinions. I REALLY DON'T!
What I do care about is not being accused of posting things I've never said. Nor that my character is anything less then honest in the things I've always said and done throughout my life, including this blog. I truly never misrepresented myself to being anything other then myself.
I simply don't care to compete in a battle of wits with other egos on these blogs. Therefore anyone who reads anything I supposedly said elsewhere ends today. I tried to interact with other blogs and it's never ever worked out once for me. Any and all responses will appear solely on this blog only going forward. If anyone reads something I've (LVCI) said other then here, it isn't me no matter what site (commercial or otherwise) the LVCI comment appears.
For some time I've read articles and comments by supporters of urban transformation who claim they don't own cars. Well la-di-da for you!
There are quite a few questions and issues I have for these cheerleaders, The way I figure it they either are full of horse feathers, some kind of hermit or sponging on someone else for a ride. Here's why I have my doubts.
These were a few examples of the questions I have for the carless. Furthermore, my wife and I also enjoy riding on the various trails throughout the Lehigh Valley. We also watch the daughters babies when she works and go up to her house to watch them on occasion. There is absolutely no bus service to these locations. The added expense of cab rides is out of the question.
I don't know who these carless advocates are. Nor ever want to emulate their lifestyle. Do they not understand even going back to 1792 in the days of James Allen folks used wheels to get where they needed to be in Allentown in the form of horse and wagons? Even before that Indians in this area used horses to get around!
No matter how much urban planning goes into making Allentown a one-stop for everything, it never did nor ever will happen. Neither is it possible to provide convenient public transportation to all the places one needs to go.
Anyone who claims they and their family can walk or ride public transportation for all their needs is flat out FOS. Either that or too cheap, broke, incompetent enough to drive or lost their driving privileges. There is only one other possible explanation. They are so obstinate in their beliefs they're not capable of being rational when it comes to practicality.
There's only one more thing that remains to be said. Less then 5% of the people in the United States live in large urban cities. If carless wonders want to hoof it in large urban cities, go for it.
Speaking for the rest of us, living in town or otherwise, don't expect to hitch a ride with us. That was your choice.. live with it!
There's been an argument made regarding how apartments are more efficient to heat then homes. Years ago (in the 70's) the wife & I helped manage and did maintenance involving four apartment complexes. One was in Salisbury Township, another in Catasauqua and two more in Bethlehem. These totaled about 400 units. All of them were either electric forced air or electric baseboard heating.
I'm here to tell you that in many ways (per square foot) these apartments were less efficient then many of the newer single homes of that day. The reason is they were designed knowing renters would be paying for their own electric. When the builders constructed the apartments they did so in the least expensive way.
The insulation, doors and windows used were far from the most efficient available at the time. In three of those complexes' buildings they didn't use insulation between the walls of adjacent units. This meant there was additional costs to someone living next to a empty or someone living next to an occupant who ran their heat (or air conditioning) at a lower setting then their own. Yes there were fire walls, but they were only installed on every other unit. In one case the firewalls didn't even extend beyond the units up to the commons attic roof. This created a draft (summer & winter) from one end of the building to the other end across the top of their ceilings.
It may be true that some apartment complexes may be more efficient then single homes, but that's not always the case per square foot. Some friends we had at the time owned homes several times larger who's heating bills ran lower then some of our single bedroom apartments. Not only because of the way the buildings were constructed, but also because the homes didn't rely on electric heat (which is the most expensive form of heat).
In my particular case the owners built these apartment complexes as cheap as possible then sold then right after to another group of investors. Then leased them from the new owners for the next 5 years (gaming the tax advantages). They were never built to last over the long haul for the new investors nor with tenants utility costs in mind. The point is, don't buy into what some promoters of urban growth tell you regarding apartments always being of greater efficiency.
What one should also keep in mind is the thermodynamics. It always cost more to cool upper level units more then lower ones. Heat rises. The higher the number of stories a apartment is located, the more it will cost to cool it. Which means sometimes it will cost more to cool a 4th floor apartment then it would to cool an average two story single home.
This is an example of another kind of myth that urban proponents constantly perpetuate against single home ownership which tends to aggravate me.
With this post I'm going to assume everyone by now is familiar with the billion dollar NIZ development going on in Allentown, Pa.
For those who need a quick primer, taxpayers will have loaned (when all is said and done) about $1 billion dollars to private developers in Allentown to make something of this city to try and turn it around.
I will expand on this after mentioning a few other of my prior posts concerning this matter.As you might have gathered I'm no fan of the plan. This is because I remain unconvinced of the outcomes.
Let's us suppose for one moment all the urban planners' dreams come true. A whole bunch of middle class workers in their prime age flock back into the city like moths to a flame. It has been estimated about 95,000 new residents over the next few years will be moving to the Lehigh Valley. Let suppose a majority of them do decide to live in Allentown. No doubt along with those dreams real estate prices will double (along with their taxes). I remain absolutely 100% convinced this won't happen, but let's go with that scenario for purposes of this discussion.
Here are the resultant questions that follow..Summarizing I truly believe when it comes right down to urban planners, there are mainly two kinds. One are those who are young idealists. The other who are paid or profit from this ideology.
What this all boils down to is a few things (1) How old you are. (2) Married with a family or not. (3) How much your able to afford. (4) Whether one profits from it.
In essence where one stands right now economically and family wise in their life depends on how one feels about it. Ideology is all fine and dandy but one has to look behind the scenes to see where these promoters actually choose to live for themselves and their own families. In most cases they are either young just starting out or making a living off the promotion of it.
Don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with making a city sparkle when residents take pride in their city and their residences. BUT.. the NIZ efforts are a far cry from a grassroots movement. It is forcibly taking money from peoples pockets to accommodate a certain number of well connected people to accomplish a agenda of their own.
Anyone disagreeing I offer this challenge. Will you put your own money and family behind your words by moving to downtown Allentown and it's public schools from outside the city? .. I didn't think so!
It was announced on Thursday, May 15, 2014 the major mobile cell phone carriers across the country are making 911 texting available in select cities. Allentown just happens to be one of only four cities here in Pennsylvania to now have it.
As of May 9, 2014 the FCC list about only 40 other cities in 16 states where this service is available. So it's rather fortunate we here in Allentown, Pa. are one of them.
The main purpose for this new emergency service is to provide for those who are hearing disabled or can't speak when having a medical emergency. It also should be useful if someone has a 911 emergency and doesn't want someone to hear them. Let's say like under a home invasion or hostage situation.
Keep in mind this service is not meant to replace regular 911 calls under any other circumstance. When texting it's important to provide the nature of the emergency.& location within the message. Also no videos, pictures or other attachments are acceptable.
There are several other things you may need to know. Further details can be found HERE on the mayor's site.
Why? Because they were set up only to serve patients with no healthcare coverage. Right after Obamacare kicked in their 150 or so patients were no longer uninsured. So in essence they no longer had any patients.
No, but there is cause for optimism when we read about some of the good things happening because of it. I tend to think of this as a work in progress. There's never been a piece of software, an invention nor first time idea that didn't start out rough around the edges.
Just because the first seed planted may not yield optimum results, there's no reason not to keep trying to perfect something. It was that way for the Wright brothers and Graham Bell. Just as it was for far too many governments to mention that were setup and failed throughout history.
Although the United States itself has been around for 238 years it too still remains far from perfect. It too is still a work in progress. For this reason I see no reason to scrap either the United States constitution nor the healthcare plan.
Speaking towards the future going forward. Both will do just fine with the right kind of tweaking and adapting laws to make things work better.
"A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying." ~ B. F. Skinner ~
The second concert coming to the soon to be completed PPL Center arena in Allentown, Pa. was announced. It's will be one of 14 cities in 2014 that Cher will perform her 'Dressed To Kill' concert series. Pat Benatar is also scheduled to make a guest appearance.
The date is set for Monday, September 15th, 2014. Just four days after the Eagles perform on the Friday before.
Prices range from $57.50 to $153.50 as of this UPDATED posting (09/13/2014). Plus ticket fees and taxes, which are about $24+. (Deck parking is around $10)
This is kind of weird. We have a Garmin GPS device for the van. Because I'm too cheap to buy a memory stick for it and spend additional money on top of that to update the maps, we haven't updated anything since 2010 when it was bought for us as a gift.
So yesterday the wife wanted to go to a friend's house out in the Breinigsville for her Yoga class.
I punched in the city, A-OK. I punched in the street number, A-OK.
But when I entered the street name it wasn't in it's database. I'm assuming this was because the home and street where she was going wasn't built until after 2010. OK I get that. So I returned to the map setting anyway.
As a alterative I Googled and printed out the map and instructions for her. The wife said leave the Garmin on anyway. Here's the strange part. Miss Garmin called out and echoed the directions perfectly.. huh?
How was that possible?
Kind of makes you wonder if Miss Garmin (these computers) aren't a lot smarter then they are leading us humans to believe, eh?
Gun supporters would have us believe we'd all be safer having more guns in the hands of the general public. Hell sometimes we're not even safe having this many in the hands of cops at this point. Here are a group of supposedly well trained professionals. They are not just trained in gun safety but (supposedly) also when and how to use them in all kinds of situations. If this is the kind of stuff happens already imagine what happens when a untrained individual gets involved!
I could go on and on listing many more unarmed shooting mistakes by police of unarmed individuals. Some cops can be already pretty quick on the trigger. Now imagine a cop gets a call for a armed situation. Two or more people have guns drawn when they get arrive. How are they suppose to know which is the good guy? If one thinks police were a little trigger happy in unarmed situations, you ain't seen nothing if a bunch of people are toting guns when they arrive on scene.
There's no way more guns on the street will make us safer. The more out there the more dangerous it becomes no matter who's behind the trigger, whether it be a cop, criminal or gun toting citizen. At this point I'm not sure which to fear the most.
Now comes along these loons... "Operation American Spring". They are hoping 10 million will show up for "as long as it takes to see Obama, Biden, Reid, McConnell, Boehner, Pelosi, and Attorney General Holder removed from office."
They claim they will come peaceful and unarmed to Washington on Friday May16th, 2014 and stay as long as it takes. Anyone want to take a bet how many militia members will show up armed with guns?
The operation named "American Spring" ought to tell you right there what their intentions are. It says on that site, "my knees will not touch the surface as a result of some piss ant occupant of the White House or a corrupt legislator, or outside element...I will fall to my death standing if necessary."
'Tea Party Nation' posted this gem, "Finally and very importantly, if all of these peaceful remedies fail to achieve our constitutional goals, then ALL other remedies sanctioned by our Founders and "natural law" must necessarily be relied upon by the American people."
This just gives me one more reason why I can't see guns making us any safer. Especially when they fall in the hands of clowns like these.
No one (not anyone) wants to see an 'American Spring' uprising like the revolutionary uprisings that came with the likes of 'Arab Spring' protestors. Well, except for maybe these militia assholes. Hopefully it's a lot of bluster. Nothing will come of it and this will be a bust.
There could be no one who could provide a greater reason for gun control legislation and supporters for it then these bozos. If they create a problem Friday down in our nation's capital they only have their own selves to blame for it.
"Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I wish mental health care was as easy to get as, say, a gun." ~Andy Borowitz~
Pennsylvania offers up to a $2,000 rebate. Couple that with a federal tax credit up to $7,500 and you might save not only on fuel, but on the cost for the vehicle itself. Here's the pdf rebate form for Pennsylvania
To even buy a Tesla in Texas here's what it takes to buy one. Seems to me if Texas wants to be chosen over Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico for Tesla's future $4 billion factory this isn't exactly a swell way to lobby for it. Just another reason why I think Texas has more horses asses running around in it then any other Southwestern state.
This isn't just about some leftwing wacko greenies as some would have you to believe. It makes good economic sense for high end car purchasers since there are less parts to repair. Plus other then the initial purchase cost the ride is almost free!
According to 'Edmunds' the MSRP for a Tesla S is $71,070. After Pennsylvania's $2,000 rebate and assuming the maximum federal tax credit of $7,500 is taken off the MSRP, the final cost for a Tesla S would be $61,570. Far less then some of the mainstream gasoline powered upper end vehicles currently on the market.
I don't care whether you are a denier of global warming or not, solar panels are absolutely the best way of meeting our energy needs going forward. Couple that with electric cars and we'll all be better off.
A Quick Primer On Global Warming If we go back millions of years ago (through the study of geology) there was a time almost all of Earth's life forms disappeared. It wasn't due to mankind's endeavors but rather through volcanic actions. What both today's global warming and then have in common are the gases that form which then create unsafe conditions for human habitation to continue in existence. Fortunately for us there was far more ocean water and vegetation around that once could absorb and trap these gases.
These gases never disappeared. Instead are now buried beneath the ground and under glaciers. What we are doing today is drilling deep down into the decomposed vegetation extracting what we commonly refer to as fossilized fuels. These are both the gases and semisolids which make up today's petroleum products (crude oil). We are doing this not only on land but also under our oceans.
Earth has tried it's best to absorb these dangerous materials and shield them from us. What we are doing is reintroducing them to the atmosphere by burning them while at the same time risking accidental releases of them.
There is yet another component buried beneath us. It's the radioactive materials which too have been absorbed by the dirt and rock below. Why would anyone with sound reasoning want to disturb these when there are alternatives?
When scientist caution that humans can cause global warming they are not blowing smoke. As you can see it's not just about smoke stacks.
Even if someone is thick headed enough to blow off the whole idea of global warming, why wouldn't they support a cheaper, cleaner and easier way to make electric is beyond my understanding. It seems to me to beyond stupid to go to all the trouble of drilling holes everywhere in the Earth. Moving fossil fuels to the generating plants (which have an average 10% loss in their transmission lines to point of delivery). All-the-while risking the release of these toxic components unnecessarily.
Rooftop Solar Panel AdvantagesWho the hell cares whether global warming is a fact or not. Solar energy makes more sense at all levels no matter which side of the fence one argues.
Can't afford installation? RENT THEM... "The program’s only upfront charge is a security deposit of roughly US $500, which is paid back with interest at the end of the contract."
This post is regarding our research into creating futuristic machines that are said to one day be capable of possessing "artificial intelligence".
Unfortunately this is only a superficial explanation regarding the matter of intelligence. One day machines may be developed to simulate or even exceed mankind's ability to process information. In essence mimicking or even exceeding the human brain's capabilities.
It can be said we as a biological unit can process information that currently non-biological machines can't. Egotistically we assume intelligence starts with us humans. Let's take a look at this from another point of view.
Are we the originators of information or just processing the information we are capable of understanding?
How do you go about defining intelligence? We're assuming a machine isn't capable of exceeding our capacity for understanding and processing information. Therefore the machine lacks intelligence as we define it. However what if the machine one day knows more then we and is capable of processing it much faster? Would we not then be of less intelligence?
Which bring us right back to trying to understand what we consider intelligence to be. If you think about it, intelligence is not exclusive to either human beings or machines. It's unto itself. There is the known & the (as of yet) unknown. Neither which makes machines or ourselves originators of it.
Therefore since intelligence exists outside we both (in the nature of all things).. THERE CAN BE NO SUCH THING AS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
There exists nothing but processors (either biological or otherwise) to observe and possibly understand aspects of it. The question then becomes, does this intelligence favor one or the other over the ever evolving universe?
As a fellow biological unit this concerns me when we so easily dismiss so-called artificial intelligence as inferior to that of our own species.
I'm not quite sure I'd use the word artificial to describe it. I think 'The Daily Mail' has a more accurate headline-- "'Alien' life form is grown in a lab". Not only do I feel it was a more appropriate headline but 'The daily Mail' provided far more details how scientist accomplished this.
Not that I understand all this complicated DNA razzmatazz but from what I gather they added RNA molecules to double helix DNA strands. This is something not found occurring naturally on it's own. In doing so created a new form of E. coli bacteria..
The whole thing kind of reminds me of Frankenstein It makes one wonder why after millions of years of evolution by the life forms on Earth this hasn't occurred in nature.
Scientist hope it might lead to Nanomaterials which may lead to health benefits for humans. However there are safety concerns when messing with this kind of stuff. It also makes me think of giving a chemical set to a kid too young to own one. Your never quite sure how things will turn out, do you?
See also THIS ARTICLE which cautions, "Some experts are worried that scientists could create artificial life forms which might escape from a laboratory and cause an environmental or health disaster."
I'm not sure if this a good or bad thing for the U.S. postal workers. I did feel kind of guilty making them work straight time on a Sunday. Then on the other hand I suppose some of those employees would rather have off on a weekday for one reason or another. It certainly does seem like the cash strapped postal service can benefit, no?
The interesting thing is all three came within two or three days even though I'm neither one of their 'Prime' members nor opted for anything other then the free shipping. Maybe it has something to do with one of their warehouses only being 10 miles away?
Now that was a cute video warning us much of the same thing. However, here is a documentary video (not so cute) on how the United States is building robot Armies...
Regarding my original post. I had concerns in mind that robots don't need water, air or food to survive. Also that time meant little to them as it does for us humans. What's 60 or 70 years to a machine that can be upgraded unlike us humans. As long as we humans control the kill switch we have nothing to fear. But what should happen if these machines found a way to circumvent our abilities to shut them down if they should become aggressive towards us?
Humorously speaking, it's rather interesting to note that Stephen Hawking & I seem to be in agreement within days apart regarding this same line of reasoning. Does that make me a genius too :-)
Oh here's one more video from U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
COMMENTARY Believe me when I say there's no stronger advocate for someone taking personal responsibility then I. However when someone's involved in an accident it is not time to make such a statement. It's best to remain with lips sealed until such a time as they have legal representation. Save the honesty and offers of restitution for the court room under advice from an attorney.
No one's saying someone shouldn't clear their conscience and be honest, but that's best left to a time when any such statement won't be able to be used against them to the max.
Let me explain. I was friends with a fella who started out on his destiny to become a lawyer at Temple University Law school. The question was presented, suppose you were sitting at a red light waiting to make a left turn. Someone driving a ratty old pickup without a license comes up behind you and rams into you. Your car is then propelled across the intersection into a double parked private limousine. Who do you sue?
The answer is the limousine. Why? Because he's the one most likely to have money.
A lawyer can argue that if the limo wasn't parked illegally in the first place you injuries may never have occurred. The defendant's attorney on the other hand could counter sue arguing if your vehicle's wheels weren't cocked in the limos direction none of this would have happened in the first place. In the end you (the victim) could be found guilty as well as the person who hit you from behind irregardless of what charges were filed by the police when it comes to civil liability claims.
I bring this up because according to the article "Police said the impact pushed the minivan into southbound traffic." Which direction were the wheels pointed on the minivan that might have caused it to veer into southbound traffic?
So no matter how well intended, by stating "It's all my fault", this guy made it nearly impossible for a lawyer to defend him. I am in no way trying to look for a way to get this guy off the hook, but he's made things so much worse for himself then need be. As you see he's been locked up without bail. He could end up owing multimillions dollars in lawsuits, paying for highway cleanup, traffic fines and/or even spend decades behind bars. Quite possibly he won't be able to get commercial motor vehicle insurance ever again either.
I'm sure when this 56 year tractor trailer driver woke up that morning he had no intention of killing someone. He seems to be a honest guy. His honesty will not be rewarded. It would have been so much better for him to 'zip-it' until such a time where it would be more legally appropriate to do so.
I urge anyone who ever gets involved in an accident provide only the minimal details required for police to file their accident report. Save the explanations, apologizes and confessions no matter how compelled or well intended. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Besides all the admissions in the world will not change what happened.
There's nothing barring someone from rendering aide and comfort, but don't necessarily expect that to be a consideration by a jury in a court of law after admitting total responsibility. The sad fact is, no matter how well someone may feel inside about coming clean, it matters little to others when meting out punishment.
It's really becoming tougher and tougher for this blogger not to take the bait and refute the claims made in the media by so many. There's just too many of them that it's become overwhelming so I've been trying to ignore them. However I'll slap together a few of them for the purpose demonstrating why I haven't spoken of them over the last few days.
Prayer Before Public Meetings The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday by 5-4 local officials can open public meetings with Christian prayers. Just goes to show that the U.S. Supreme is not perfect nor above playing politics. One would think if the framers of the constitution intended for 'Christianity' they would have used the word specifically. No where is it either mentioned nor implied.
Hitler used Christianity as a means to con the German people which led to atrocities unimaginable. Our forefathers had the insight based on their understanding of previous history far earlier then Germany's rise to include protections in the constitution that apparently our brain dead Supremes and current crop of politicos are no longer capable.
There are far too many assholes that shouldn't be receiving anymore attention then I've already given them in this post. It isn't that I'm not aware of these stooges. It just that I've chosen to mostly ignore them. I only brought this up as a matter of pointing out a few examples of the stories I'm trying not to concentrate my efforts on. By even mentioning them it is giving them the attention they don't deserve.
I just wanted to make people aware that I am familiar with the kind of fools that walk this Earth. I also wanted to point out how hard it is to resist taking the bait of the low hanging fruit these wingnuts provide.
Enough said Unless someone wants to discuss these further, most of this kind of stuff I'm not usually prone to blog about. Any thoughts?
FireRock Productions quickly welcomed Emmy® Award-winning Countess Communications to the production team, and, in partnership with Discover Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, it was fast realized that everyone shared a common goal: collaborate locally to be recognized nationally..."
On the downside... Bordentown, NJ (where they came from) may be looking at sewer rate hikes after Ocean Spray's departure. About 138 employees were displaced by the shutdown. 100 of which are expected to make the move to the new Lehigh Valley faculties. SOURCE: 'Central Jersey.com'
On September 11, 2012, terrorists attacked our embassy in Benghazi, Libya which resulted in only four Americans being killed. So here's my questions...Face it, Fox News sets the agenda that Republicans follow in lock-step. Right now these guys are living in their own bubble and beating the drum 24/7 focusing only on Benghazi for one reason only... out of fear of Hillary getting elected in 2016.
In the world of reality the vast majority of average Americans are far more concerned about what affects them directly. They could care less about politics. Why should they when things like their job opportunities, income and who wins the next American Idol mean more to them. At the most Fox News generates about 5+ million viewers. American Idol 11+ million. About 143+ million watched the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile congress's approval ratings are around 6%. If Republicans in the House & Fox News want to hang their hats on Benghazi 24/7 while ignoring what most Americans are concerned about in their daily lives I suggest neither get their hopes up too high. Frankly most average Americans are fed up with their BS over Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi!
After the 9/11 attack in NYC we had 2.6 million service members sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. 4,486 US soldiers were killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2012. Over 2,319 in Afghanistan. About 10x's that many were wounded or are currently suffering from PTSD in addition to the nearly 3,000 civilians killed in NYC on 9/11... And all FOX News and Republicans in congress want to talk about is Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi ..
YOU "DUDES" ARE WHACK !!!
Cenk Goes Off About Bengazi (Caution Bad Language)
Schools have become out of control on two levels. One concerns the learning environment. The other concerns how we pay for education.
'Lehigh Valley Live reports, "At least two students are under police investigation after recording and posting onto Facebook a video of themselves hitting, taunting and cursing at other kids on school grounds."
COMMENTARY
Bullies Have The Advantage There are a few things that make it hard for schools to weed out these troublemakers. Troublemakers are less likely to suffer then those who they bully. Here's why. In fact the Pennsylvania chapter of the ACLU put out this handy booklet for students entitled "Know Your Rights" It explains in greater detail more about the laws under the heading "Discipline of Students with Disabilities".
Did you know the school can't suspend a "disabled" student more then 15 days over a school year?
Compounding the problem for schools is their dependency on state and federal funding for around 2/3rds of their budget. These monies are handed out based on their schools' performance scores which are directly impacted by the percentage of students in attendance.
As you can see the problem goes far beyond the local school districts. Legislators in Harrisburg and Washington have gummed up the works. Parents & taxpayer complaints shouldn't fall squarely on the laps of local administrators and it's unpaid elected board members. Not when their hands have been tied by politicos. Most who have neither the background, the education nor the experience of ever having worked in a school.
Face it bullies get more protections under law then the adults who are suppose to be in charge. One screw up and it can cost a teacher not only their job, but their pension as well. Why should any of them want to risk their future earnings, pensions and risk lawsuits from parents by confronting student bullies? Would you?
"State Senate supporters of a plan to replace school property taxes with higher personal income and sales levies are shopping their proposal around to colleagues."
COMMENTARY
When it comes to funding education property taxes are the least fair taxes of them all. It matters not whether one single person (who never had kids) owns the same house or whether a dozen kids live in that home, the tax would be the same. Owning real estate no more equates then someone owning a vehicle or a boat having to pay towards education. One has nothing to do with the other.
In fact the more kids someone has, the less they pay in taxes. That was all fine and dandy when we wanted to encourage population growth in the early days of this country. These days in many cities we are already overpopulated and now have the direct opposite problem.
In some homes there may be several wage earners whereas in another there may be only one. It makes absolutely no sense to tax both homeowners the same.
When someone buys something, they paid a once and done sales tax on that item. Real estate holders on the other hand pay taxes year after year over a lifetime for their purchase of a home.
Most cities have row homes that look like rat holes. We should be encouraging nice looking homes. Rather then rewarding those who made improvements we punish them by increasing their assessments. Bass ackwards if you ask me!
If we're going to stand by the age old argument that we all benefit from education let's carry through on that thought. Houses don't benefit, people do. They benefit with higher earnings and being able to buy things. Why then not derive taxes from those?
Those who argue against this proposal cite there can be too many fluctuations from year to year. Damn straight there is. Where is it written that homeowners receive the same guarantee theirs won't either? Why should schools be prioritized (to it's own detriment) if too many homeowners should then lose their homes resulting in them coming off the tax rolls?
The bottom line is this We can either tax people causing many to lose their homes in which they and their families need to live or find another way to pay for education. While education is important, having a roof over one's head is far more important to my way of thinking. Especially for those who are retired on fixed incomes and already paid their debt to society many times over for decades.
In short, both education and funding for it in the U.S. are a total mess. The whole point of education is to make society a better place in which to live. Students who are bullied and taxpayers both are receiving the short end of the stick. America has failed in both areas. Those who disagree are deluding themselves. It's time to change both the laws for the funding of it and educational responsibilities for districts regarding students behaving like assholes. To do otherwise puts our future in grave jeopardy.
