Shepard Smith Sick Of Covid

Ditto!
Every damn channel. Hour after hour after repetitive hour. Enough already. We get it. There will always be those who will take precautions. Others who never will. Why torment the both of us with this constant badgering?

It just could be newsrooms don't want to pay for real reporting. Instead rewriting the same hogwash teleprompter scripts every morning, afternoon, evening, day after day taking up most of the newscasts. How pathetic!

42 Musicians We Lost In 2021

You Don't Want To Piss Off This Judge

Not in Wayne County Courtroom 502. A drunk driver killed a young man. As the victim’s sister was speaking, the driver’s family began to laugh over the death and sister’s grief. This judge was not having it. Decency in 502. pic.twitter.com/vu6AQou4n2

— ᒪᗩᑎᑕᗴ 🏳️‍🌈 (@LanceUSA70) December 27, 2021

Christmas Videos

Merry Christmas and best wishes to everyone.



Here's to hoping everyone will enjoy my Christmas playlist.

Friday 24, 2021- Feast Of The 7 Fishes

Covid Booster Jab Incentives

Clap Back To Antivaxxers And Antimaskers.

Perhaps the best clap back to antivaxxers and antimaskers. pic.twitter.com/jZWDP0p0Yt

— Let's Go Darwin! (@g33kgurli) December 18, 2021

Mask/Distancing Now More Important Then Ever

Here's why..

upi.com
Flu vaccine may not protect against main flu strain, study says "This season's flu vaccine may do little to prevent infection with the main circulating virus strain because the strain has changed since the vaccine was developed, a new study suggests... Lab tests suggest a "major mismatch" between the vaccine and the new, mutated version of H3N2, study leader Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, told CNN.

Fox Sounds Like Screaming Woman

I saw this on one of the social media sites. A Allentown woman thought she heard a woman screaming in her yard at 3:30 AM. Before she reported this to the police she asked if anyone else heard it. One of the comments left pointed her in this direction...


Wow, I didn't know that.


Apparently I was misled..

Jimmy Carter Helped Prevent A Nuclear Disaster

newsweek.com
Fact Check: Did Jimmy Carter Stop a Nuclear Reactor From Destroying Ottawa? "28-year-old Carter, then a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, was put in charge of containing the disaster after hydrogen explosions caused hundreds of thousands of gallons of radioactive water to flood into the core... "

Do you remember the world’s very first nuclear meltdown? That time the US President, an expert in nuclear physics, heroically lowered himself into the reactor and saved Ottawa, Canada’s capital?

Sounds like schlocky action movie, but it actually happened! pic.twitter.com/LtAQYC79QZ

— Jeff Lundeen (@LundeenOttawa) December 15, 2021

Sanders Opposes Dr. Califf's Nomination For FDA

Here's why...

Check back often. Better yet subscribe. You never know what you'll find next on this blog. Entertainment, science, technology, humor, everything in between and more.

Before you leave check out my other posts.

All too many times people arrive here seeking out a single post from whatever link led them here never taking the time to look at my other stuff. Some of these other posts might interest you as well.

Here's Why I'd Never Dream Of Working On My Car

Even this guy gave up!

I've watched a dozen or so of this guy's videos. Most of the time I have little idea what he's doing. He must have a far larger IQ then I to remember all this stuff. Not to mention his patience. There's more crap stuffed under those hoods then I ever imagined.

Seems to me cars are almost becoming disposable after a few years because parts become increasingly  harder and harder to come by. Especially the computer modules.

If nothing else these videos go to show how we should appreciate a good mechanic in today's ever increasing complex world..

Is This Really What People Care About?

 

Look at all those comments.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Of all the topics I could choose to post on this blog none of these would be one of them. I see this every day time and again on Facebook and elsewhere. Doesn't take much to get their tongues wagging.

I sincerely try to introduce information that is less frequently found anywhere else. Maybe that's why  most of this information isn't commonly found elsewhere.. . because people don't give a rat's ass.

I may not have that many years left, but I intend on learning everything I'm able before I assume room temperature. As I do, my intention is to continue sharing what I discover here on this blog along the way.

It is my hope you'll take a look over the posts I made over many years and get something worthwhile out of my efforts. Perhaps a word or two of encouragement wouldn't hurt along the way.

Will GPT-3 AI Render Human Intelligence Obsolete?

wikipedia.org
Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3 (GPT-3) "The quality of the text generated by GPT-3 is so high that it can be difficult to determine whether or not it was written by a human, which has both benefits and risks...GPT-3's full version has a capacity of 175 billion machine learning parameters "

A conversation with Leta (a GPT-3 software program)


Elon Musk's take

These machines can write their own software code routines. In other words be able to exceed the abilities of the very people who create them. They certainly leave today's Siri and Google assistants in the dust. These will be the future 'apps' of tomorrow.

I said it before, we humans may be only another step along the ever evolving path of evolution. One far greater then we can ever imagine. Makes you wonder if other worlds are occupied by machines rather then carbon based intelligence such as ourselves. They would certainly have greater advantages over human flesh which needs oxygen, water, temperatures, etc. to sustain itself.

Warehouses Are Taking Over The Lehigh Valley

and elsewhere...

Here Is Why

If Smart TV Commercials Were Honest

Privacy
WHAT PRIVACY!

Automaker Charging A Fee To Use Their Remote Engine Start FOP

thedrive.com
Toyota Made Its Key Fob Remote Start Into a Subscription Service December 09, 2021: "A Toyota spokesperson confirmed to The Drive that if a 2018 or later Toyota is equipped with Toyota's Remote Connect functions, the vehicle must be enrolled in a valid subscription (whether it be a free trial period or otherwise) in order for the key fob to start the car. It's become more common in recent years for automakers to charge for apps that allow drivers to monitor, lock, or start their cars with their smartphones. But as far as we can tell, Toyota's the first company to charge for full use of your physical key fob—either $8 a month or $80 a year at the Remote Connect plan's current price."

Why stop there?
How about a fee to use the headlights, heater, AC etc.

Seems greed has no limits. So now cars can cost $15,000 on up after mostly phony dealer fees. Add insurance, repairs, inspection, registration, maintenance, fuels costs. Leasing is even worse with the deposits, upfront costs, other extra fees. All of this so someone can get to work. This on top of mortgage, rent, groceries, utilities, etc. No wonder people are no longer inclined to work. What's the point if it takes $2,000 or $3,000 a month just to break even.

LVHN- Says COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising

lvhn.org
Rates of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising Across our Region December 09, 2021: "“If you compare where we are to one month ago, hospitalizations are up 43 percent,” says Alex Benjamin, MD, Chief Infection Control Officer with Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG) Infectious Diseases. “The current number of hospitalizations is the highest we’ve seen since delta became the dominant variant locally at the beginning of July.”

With over 85 percent of those hospitalized statewide known to be unvaccinated, and more children hospitalized at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) due to COVID-19 than ever before, it is clear the pandemic continues to primarily affect the unvaccinated.

At LVHN facilities alone, 76.6 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated and only 0.4 percent are fully vaccinated and have received a booster."

People constantly argue over the science. However statistical evidence is entirely another matter. Does anyone really believe LVHN is making this stuff up? Wake up people! Don't be stupid.

I'm trying very hard to alert people via this blog. Little else I can do if people absolutely refuse to act on the information I'm presenting. Very frustrating to constantly read some of the crap going around on social media and elsewhere.

COVID Is Gaining Ground Again

Uploaded December 10, 2021

I can tell you one thing, my daughter isn't going to go through this again. She spent over 20 years as a critical care nurse. Enough is enough of you jerks refusing to even try taking some sort of prevention cautions. She transferred to another hospital where she won't be dealing directly with unvaccinated COVID patients. A position where she will even be paid more money. Something she said back in August she'd do. I warned you folks here on this blog back then. She is not the only one in her critical care unit from what I understand.

Look you thickheads, you can tell yourselves whatever you want but COVID isn't buying any of your illogical BS. I said this last year. COVID is just waiting people out till they become lackadaisical. That time is now.

While vaccines and masks may not protect people 100% it's sure beats the hell out of not even trying. Some people have to learn the hard way. For some not even "learning" then no matter how bad it gets before it takes their last breath away.

Idiots will tout how strong and healthy their body is. That's a good thing for COVID. It can live longer inside a body such as this feeding on it and wasting it away more slowly then a unhealthy person.

COVID fans rallying to support the disease 

COVID says, "Not for long".

Morning Call Drops The Ball

Subscriber Exclusive-

Are you kidding me!

Exclusive my butt. The NYT and WFMZ is all over this. This is information readably available and should be put out to their readers JUST LIKE WFMZ-TV HAS DONE..- "Data from the New York Times shows Pennsylvania has the highest number of hospitalizations in the U.S.

My problem is I've been seeing on social media sites and elsewhere people assuming the threat of Covid has passed here in Pennsylvania when instead it is the opposite. The TMC owes it to the community it serves, it's readers and others the threat exists now more then it did a few months ago. 

What's the point of restricting the information to it's paying customers only? Seems like a poor business decision to me.

By the way.. WALN (Jack Burns/Happy Jack) you aren't helping either. Here is one of the slides coming up in his rotation on SECTV.

Hertz Customers Arrested For Auto Theft

Sometimes buying a car from huge companies isn't a solution either.

I suppose the lesson here is dealing with local car lots may be a better option rather then huge corporations.

Civil Asset Forfeiture Should Be A Crime

JUSTICE SYSTEM: Rep. @AOC slams civil asset forfeiture practices by law enforcement, pointing out that, "We know that in the United States the our criminal system over-targets the poor and over-targets people of color particularly Black Americans." pic.twitter.com/up2VnX7CnH

— Forbes (@Forbes) December 8, 2021

Tons more examples HERE

"There I Ruined It" YouTube Videos

This creator is really good at making fake videos.

Christmas Videos

Since I can no longer log into my other three YouTube channels (without a mobile phone) here's a brand new list I just made. Shame because I used those channels for 14 years with no problems (up until now).

Currently there are dozens of videos. I assume most haven't seen. Hope you enjoy.

How Many Watch "The Equalizer" On CBS TV?

Well this is a real life "Equalizer" who goes after scammers.


Check out HIS MANY YOUTUBE VIDEOS.

I've been on the receiving end with a few of these attempted scams myself.

If Herd Immunity Worked

Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio, tuberculosis, influenza, STDs, Measles, mumps, rubella, Human papillomavirus, Meningococcal virus, the common cold and dozens of others would have been eradicated on their own. 36 million wouldn't have died from HIV infections.

In other words over these many centuries we would have been virus free by now. So the next time some idiot politician, social media pandemic expert wanna be, celebrity host or so-called medical expert claim variations of Covid virus infections will lead to herd humanity weigh that that against all scientific evidence that indicates it's impossible. 

Earth Lives Don't Mean Squat In The Big Picture

This is for all you religious types who think some old guy is sitting on a throne judging and worrying about happens on this single planet every hour compared to it's overall micro existence in time.


I may not know how this all works. I am certain however mankind is extremely egotistical thinking our existence matters one way or the other to the universe as a whole. We should focus all our energy on sustaining one another in every way possible rather then at each other's throats for whatever short time we have been allotted.

It's apparent the universe in the past has gotten (and will continue to get) along perfectly fine with or without us.

How Much Someone Can Earn Working On A Cruise Ship

Pretty good amount of pay if you ask me. I never earned his combined income. There's worse jobs for sure!

Crew Areas

LA Cargo Container Thieves Et al.

Uploaded: Nov 26, 2021


QFC Grocery- Seattle (11/10/2021)


“The more I learn about people,
the more I like my dog.”
~Mark Twain~

An estimated $20K worth of merchandise stolen from Ulta Beauty store in Lower Macungie, state police say https://t.co/o9dnmHKktH

— WFMZ-TV 69News (@69News) November 30, 2021

Time For Those School Christmas Concerts Again

The REAL Reason Prices Are Going Up

Always blame it on the saps trying to sustain themselves on substandard wages. Just pay them enough to keep them thinking if they work longer and harder everything will get better down the line. Give em a 3% raise. Inflate prices 5%. One big con I tell ya.

Morgan Freeman Solves The Race Problem

2008

"Stop taking about it." Makes sense to me.

Gas Pump Scheme

Must admit I never thought about this happening. Seems you have to be parnoid about almost everything thse days.

Solution To Poverty In USA

Peter Santenello creates some of the most informative videos I've seen.

  
Zaman organization: https://www.zamaninternational.org/
While main stream media, some people on internet social sites and the ass clowns in Washington D.C. perpetuate division, others are doing outstanding unsung work performing the very opposite. So many more like them need to be recognized for their efforts.

These people are the glue holding this world together despite the turmoil going on throughout it.

Hunting Season In Pennsylvania

DEER, REGULAR FIREARMS:
Nov. 27; Sunday, Nov. 28; and Nov. 29-Dec. 11.

One antlered deer per hunting license year.

An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Seasons and Bag Limits

Complete List for 2021-2022

Things That Piss Me Off

I'm pissed about a few things right now. Here are some of them. 

3 or 4 daily repeating robocalls to sue somebody. If I could sue anyone it would be these aholes.

Robocalls for car warranty. My van is 21 years old.. WTF you talking about!

The worst of all. Two or three emails a week from my bank accounts  pestering for my mobile cell number and to download their apps.  First of all I don't have a mobile phone. I don't want the damn thing. Have absolutely no need for one. Secondly if I did I'd sure as hell would not install any of their apps. I would think everyone should know by now these jerks take more information off your phone then anyone could imagine. They try to convince consumers their doing them a favor. I'm sure as hell not going to spent $30+ a month just to conduct business with the parking authorities, retailers, airports, public transportation, theater/concerts or anyone the hell else either. All of which will be tracking, snooping and doing all kinds of stuff which is none of their business. 

My pharmacy also pisses me off. Every month they wait till 3 days before I run out to let me order. Each and every time it says they are out of stock It takes at least 4 days to come in. The last time I had to call them on the 5th day (2 days without meds). It was there but they hadn't bothered to unpack the order!

The faked supply shortage. I'm convinced this is artificially created to drive up demand, Increased demand means price increases. A way of making up for lost sales during the pandemic. There's plenty of supplies. They're just not being delivered. Trucks are being turned away from the overloaded ports. Railroads are charging businesses for warehousing goods they are failing to deliver. One company complained they are being charged over $900,000 a month by the railroad it gets goods from for storage. In other words making lots of money off of him failing to do their job while he loses sales. Ship containers are now costing shippers at least 3x's more then last year. All of this will cost you and I while these wealthy conivers fleece everyone else down wind to line their pockets. I call bullshit on this legal thievery. Course it would help if we made these goods here instead of exploiting poverty wage workers in other countries. It's almost as though karma has came home to roost. Suck it up buttercup.

Don't get me started about all those politicians in Washington. What a sorry lot we have in the U.S. congress right now. The media isn't helping either. The media's job is to keep us agitated and devisive against one another. It's about the only they're good at anymore. It sure as hell ain't about journalism, that's for sure.

Stolen Cars In Shipping Containers

This has been going on for years. I spoke with one cop years ago who said thieves are given a shopping list. They then go mall to mall (where it's easier to find a greater selection). Especially those malls along the I78 corridor into New Jersey. Within two hours these cars are stripped for parts or placed in shipping containers never to be seen again.

My wife was a victim of one of those thefts several years ago. We were told one to three cars disappeared every week in that particular mall.

Meat Loaf- The Dan Rather Interview

The Big Interview (2016)

I've been watching this Dan Rather series of interviews for a while now. This one I found to be one of most interesting. I had no idea the 74 year old performer was this introspective. I've always thought Jim Steinman (great composer, arranger and producer as he may be) was nothing without Meat Loaf. And Meat Loaf nothing without he. Neither did I have any idea Michael Lee Aday (Meat Loaf) appeared in over 60 acting roles. One final thought: Dan Rather has got to be one of the greatest interviewers ever.

September 25, 2021
“Mercury Blues" | Jukebox | Huckabee​

Pandora Papers | FRONTLINE- A MUST SEE

This is why we need powerful media reporting. It might also explain why wealthy wheeler-dealers are buying media companies up so they can put them out of business.

In other news, 300-400 oil and gas lobbyists are at the climate summit in Glasgow. It's estimated about 400 jets have flown in out of the conference with they and politicians as well. So lets face reality. Until we're all choking and puking on poisoned water and air nothing is going to become of it. Rich people run this world (the devil's playground). Make no mistake about it.



WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE

There you have it folks. My mood for today

Gerrymandering- A Way Of Rigging Election Outcomes

Anybody have a better idea?

Spotlight On Kurt Hugo Schneider

I've been following this guy since 2009. It all began with this series he directed, wrote, help score and performed in a striped shirt back then along with a few great talents he discovered along the way while he was at Yale university.


The augmented movie he completed after graduation can be seen HERE
Since then he's written, produced and performed in hundreds more video clips. They all can be found HERE.

Two weeks ago he relocated to Nashville

In my opinion he is one of the most creative and talented indivuals ever. Even though few might have heard of him.

July 21, 2012

For Those Who Hate Technology

That pretty much describes the week we just went through. It's tough going when these internet code developers try to outwit peoples common sense.

Frankie The Dinosaur Message For Humanity

Created By: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Recovered in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Uploaded 10/26/2021


Uploaded 10/27/2021

The Problem With The Economy | Jon Stewart | Apple TV+

A lot to think about.

Allentown Looking To Get Into Broadband

mcall.com
Allentown is looking to close the ‘digital divide’ by getting in the broadband business "The program would make high speed fiber optic broadband available throughout Allentown and at a subsidized price or free for low-income residents. Lightner says the program could eventually become a revenue source for the city through the income generated from those paying full price, as well as attract jobs and companies to Allentown."

* Well I'll tell you what jobs it won't attract Those who presently work at SETV and RCN. The competition could very well drive up prices for whatever remaining customers would use their services. That is if it even meant cable companies could continue being squeezed from all sides.

* Subsidized or free for low-income residents: I don't see how they reason it will attract jobs or companies. Seems to me it will be another incentive for none working families to plant their roots here. So called poor people living in Allentown already have available subsidized housing, free school lunches and community church meals, daycare at schools, food stamps, grocery handouts, free backpacks and jackets, help with utilities, cell phones, reduced or free medical care, so on and so forth. This just adds another incentive for not going to work if they be losing their poor status. Seems to me these freebies could end up costing a couple thousand dollars or more for a family if they had to pay for them from their wages. Almost foolish for someone to even try getting off the public dole.

* No matter what the city does it will be paying a for-profit private contractor to do this. In other words force working people (through their taxes) to enrich whatever company the city so chooses. In so doing denying fair marketplace competition while encroaching on present providers. At the same time forcing those who are not "low-income" having to pay full price for services they won't be receiving through the use of their tax dollars.

~~~

Here's the strong message we're sending. If you're living off social programs and services, Allentown is the number one place you wanna be. If you're working and paying taxes... not so much since you'd have to then pay "full price" to the city for this broadband service of theirs.

Then there's the "NIZ" handouts only available in Allentown  No other one like it in the state. That's a whole other topic.

When it comes to Allentown we ought to change our logo to "Allentown where everyday is TRICK or TREAT".

Cancelled TV Shows For The 2021-22 Seasons

tvseriesfinale.com
30 Ending or Cancelled TV Shows for the 2021-22 Season "Here’s a list of TV shows that aired (or are expected to air) during the 2021-22 season (roughly September 2021 through August 2022) but won’t be back for the 2022-23 season."

I can honestly say except for 'Frankie Drake Mysteries' {PBS} we've not watched any of those anyway. I also see 'The Orville' season 3 returns unexpectedly on HULU in March 2022 after a two year absence.

Which brings me to another beef I have. Networks are starting to air 2 or 3 episodes then move them to their streaming services. Tell ya what it ain't gonna happen in this household. I used to complain cable should be able to afford offering channels à la carte. However networks made that impossible for them by requiring they buy all their channels or none at all. It's gotten even worse. Some of the networks now own the cable companies themselves.

Keep screwing around and they'll make a book reader out of me once again. This is such BS!

Fake Job Ads To Steal People’s Identities

propublica.org
Scammers Are Using Fake Job Ads to Steal People’s Identities "From Facebook to LinkedIn to Indeed, ads are popping up that promise well-paying jobs — if applicants provide their Social Security numbers and other details up front. Scammers then use the information to apply for unemployment benefits."

How long can a country survive with all this violence, lies and corruption?

Electric Light Orchestra- All Over The World

Flash mobs from all over the world synced up to this 1980 classic from ELO. Proving once again the 80's had some of the best music ever!



From 2013 Mr. Blue Sky (Live at Wembley Stadium)

It takes a super talent to create a masterpriece like this.
It puts many of today's recording artists to shame.

Pennsylvania Lingo Take The Test

Reposted from September 29, 2018

Never Argue With Stupid People

Need me to explain?

Death Threats Creating Exodus Of Election Officials

This can be blamed almost entirely on Donald Trump. He has a way of amplifying the intellectually challenged crazies among us. This makes him a dangerous threat to U.S. democracy. What's the matter with people that they can't see him for what he is?

Color Fun Fact From Neil deGrasse Tyson

Just another way at looking at things.

One Of The Most Significant Roles On Star Trek

Here's why


Nichelle Nichols discusses how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
who was a fan of Star Trek convinced her to remain on the series.

Sometimes we don't think about things that really should matter. This is one of those that did. I was quite surprised looking back they were right. Blacks were never featured in SciFi's up until that time.

Nichelle Nichols on filming the first interracial kiss on American television.

A really big deal at the time!

"Person Of Interest"

Another series we used to enjoy.

screenrant.com
Why The Show Was Cancelled "Here's why Person of Interest was cancelled after season 5 and what season 6's story could've been about. The action-thriller series was based on the concept of an artificial intelligence called The Machine that could predict murders before they happen."



Show Opening Season 1 (2011)

Knowing today there's facial recognition software, cellphone tracking, trojan virus malware, etc. this program was not as far fetched as some may believe it once was. Who knows what the government (and others) may have at their disposal.

Bring This Show Back!

It was more informative then watching what people now consider cable news. All of it based on real events at the time. They pointed out on many occassions what's wrong with main stream news many of us are deluded by.










As far as I'm concerned people could learn more from that show then on any of the cable news networks. Sure the show was biased. So is cable news but a whole lot less entertaining. Sometimes this show was more factual.

Best Congress Money Can Buy

motherjones.com
Senator Joe Manchin Wants the “Most Important Climate Policy” Out of Biden’s Budget "The program is designed to reward utilities that shut down their older coal and natural gas plants and switch to cleaner solar, wind or nuclear options—it would also punish utilities that don’t make the switch...

Manchin, like many powerful people in the state, is personally heavily invested in the industry. Before joining the Senate, Manchin founded a coal brokerage firm, which he has handed over control of but still profits from. By one estimate he has earned about $45 million from the business since joining the Senate."

The total number of coal miners in his state (14,000) represent only 2.4% the total number of 2018 voters. (Less then 1%  of the total population). And here you thought he was unselfishly worried about those coal workers in his state.

One thing I can say with certainty...

No U.S. congressional member comes out poorer then they went in.

realclearpolicy.com
Millionaire Members of Congress and Their Taxpayer-Funded Pensions March 16, 2021: "In 2018, the latest year available, 617 retired members of Congress received federal pensions: 318 at an average of $75,528, under the older (CSRS) retirement program, and 299 at an average of $41,208 under the current (FERS) system...

Last year, at Forbes, we calculated that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (with an estimated net worth of $114.7 million) earned $5.7 million in salary during her 35-year congressional career... Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (with an estimated net worth of $35 million) earned $5.5 million in salary over 37 years."

wikipedia.org
Top 50 U.S. millionaire congress members (in 2018)

Why the Dutch Wait Less at Traffic Lights

This more efficient flow not only creates improved  safety but so too benefits a city's economy. More deliveries can be made in a certain span of time. Less accidents means less costs for emergency services. Less stress for pedestrians, riders and drivers. Greater fuel efficiency. Less traffic of all kinds within a certain time span because many arrive at their destinations before things become backed up.

Every year the United States falls further behind other nations newest innovations.

Why is that?

Social Security Increase For 2022

ssa.gov
Social Security Announces 5.9 Percent Benefit Increase for 2022 "The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022... The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $147,000."

This is the first time I will be seeing a decent increase. Hopefully it will be enough to carry me through 2022's increasing costs of inflation.

Either Commit Perjury Or Get Fired

As if most cases aren't stacked against a defendant in the first place. DA's have at their disposal a team of lawyers, legal research assistants, detectives, forensic specialists, lab work and a budget not with their own money to spend. Most defendants have none of those. I've always said throughout my life, he who has the most money usually wins. Hence why the system is stacked against the least wealthy.

Hung juries can result in possibly several expensive retrials Even if someone feels wrongly convicted they can run out of money for appeals. Thus ending up on the losing end. This doesn't make "justice" necessarily fair does it?

Brush Up On Your Mandarin

nypost.com
Pentagon’s first software chief quit because China has already won global tech war "The Pentagon’s former software chief said he quit because China has already won the tech war guaranteeing global dominance — with some US government systems mere “kindergarten level” in comparison."

Given the fact..

Over 70% of our electronic chips used in the country are imported from China
76 cargo ships with 10,000's of containers await unloading Chinese imports. China is using those profits buying up U.S. companies (reducing their production).
Chinese military and land expansions are at a ever growing rate.

China is making inroads with foreign countries because the U.S. is losing it's economic leverage 

Pay Attention: 

We hardly make anything like we once did. When we do, we rely nearly 50% on the parts coming from other countries including much of the machinery to assemble those parts.

The majority of the vehicle brands sold here are owned by foreign corporations with parts largely made outside our borders. Same goes with importing pharmaceuticals, lumber, aluminum and dozens upon dozens of more items totaling $2.1 trillion of imported goods each year. In fact the United States runs a trade deficit with all its five major trading partners: China, Mexico, Japan, Germany, and Canada. China being the largest.

Congress and most of this country's people can't agree on most any damn thing. Too busy confronting one another to pay attention to the real threat. Companies looking to cut corners. Congress obsessed trying to take out their political opponents to the degree everything else gets ignored. Not to mention currently we have some of the least intelligent human beings to walk the planet filling those seats. Many of which couldn't hold a job more then a few weeks if they worked in the private sector. Quite a bunch of bullshitters actually. 

Pathetically there's little you or I can do about the situation Change has to come through federal legislation. Quite frankly I'm little confidant anything will change to make that happen. A nation cannot became a great world leader by relentlessly kicking each and other in the ass. This while other nations are getting their act together aligning themselves with other countries just  chomping at the bit to overtake us. This unfortunately is where things stand as I see it.

One Of My Pet Peeves

I remember very clearly in 9th grade when my English teacher lambasted a kid for saying it wrong. "What are you, a baby?... goo goo dada. You're in 9th grad now. Say it right!"

Roots Of Christianity

And you think the Talban are tough!
Not sure Bible study for kids would be a good thing in schools as some would have us believe. If it were, which parts should or should not be taught and who'd get to decide? 

How about none of it just to be on the safe side.

Disadvantages of Medicare Advantage Plans

I have a Medicare supplemental 'F' plan. Always did even though it's much more expensive. These so-called advantage plans are a nightmare in my opinion. Years ago our employer had one of these and it was one of the worst experiences the wife and I ever had. We had to navigate a complicated maze with a very limited amount of newly minted doctors available. The worse scenario being a visit to the ER. It would not be paid for unless we jumped through hoops. Even if approved there was no assurance every doctor in the ER was a in-network member. Horrible. Absolutely frightening.

Yes it costs the wife and I combined nearly $368 a month, but just one visit to the ER could cost multiple times that amount under one of these so-called advantage plans. Plus it picks up my very expensive prescription cost nearly equal to what I pay in. The plan covers the full 20% Medicare does not pay every time without question.

You'd be surprised how many times these advantage plans refuse a request to visit the ER without complicated prior approval from them. Or raise questions about  paying for certain medications that regular Medicare does for in-home medical treatment devices.

Medicare Supplemental 2020 Plans

The wife and I both have 'F Plans'

Allentown Circa 1828 to 1985 (Repost)

Reposted From Jan 17, 2013

"These postcards were from the private collection of the John Stopp family from Allentown, Pennsylvania, whose ancestors pioneered near the Jordan Creek prior to the Revolutionary War, later built civic and commercial buildings in Allentown, and were involved with several of the institutions depicted in the postcards."

Video Courtesy jmackel



"Sheila Evans of the Allentown Symphony Association gives the
history of Symphony Hall and its influence on the surrounding area."

History & Tour by ViaCastTV

A BRIEF TIMELINEMarch 12, 1867- Allentown was officially "incorporated".

July 4, 1828- The first documented performance by the "Allentown Band"

1832- M.S. Young & Co. 724 Hamilton Street (later 740 Hamilton) (Mark Young & Stephen Barber). Stephen died in 1860. The store was huge. It's 5 story building was connected by tunnels and an overhead bridge to it's other buildings at 11,13 & 15 S. 8th Street.

June 1, 1848- Allentown had a population of 3,700 people living in 619 houses (6 per home).Today 118,032 are living in 45,960 houses (2.56 per home)
1847- Appel Jewelry, originally opened on E. Hamilton street. It relocated to the 600 block on Hamilton in 1860. In 1930 Carl W. Appel then became owner after his father passed away. Carl passed away at 94 years old on June 24, 1997.

1850- Henry Leh (an Allentown native). At 20 years old started H. Leh & Co at 626 W. Hamilton St.

1887- Allentown Steam Heat Company (23 S. Hall Street) was founded by Harry C. Trexler (his 1st business venture). It ceased operations in 1968

July 1, 1891- Electric trolley car service began in Allentown on Hamilton Street by the Allentown and Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company.

February 19, 1897- Hess's (9th & Hamilton) founded by Charles and Max Hess. Max died in 1922. Charles ran the store between then and 1932. Max Hess, Jr., from 1932 through 1968.

Oct. 19, 1899- The Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Center Square in Allentown was unveiled

Sept. 17, 1908- The Bandshell in West Park was dedicated (The Allentown Band performed at the dedication)

1910- Zollinger-Harned replaced the hardware store (W.R. Lawfer & Co.) at 605 W. Hamilton St.

November 17, 1913- 8th Street toll bridge opened for traffic (5 cents). The plans for the bridge were started in 1911 by the "Allentown Bridge Company" (formed by the "The Lehigh Valley Transit Company"). In 1906 Harry C. Trexler bought the forerunner to what became the LVT.

1912- Benioff Furs opened. The store was later run by his son, Abraham J. Benioff who at 91 passed away on Nov. 27, 1997. The store at 10th & Hamilton along with it's storage locker at 410 N. 6th Street closed on Friday, Feb 2, 1996.

1914- Harry C. Trexler started "Romper Day"

1897- Harry J. Trexler (lumber dealer), George Ormrod (coal/iron-like in Ormrod, Pa.) and Col. Edward M. Young (hardware) formed the Lehigh Portland Cement Company. On April 23, 1919 Lehigh Portland Cement Company' became reincorporated.

1922- Yoccos (Liberty Grill) founded by Theodore Iacocca (uncle of Lee Iacocca). Currently being run by the 3rd & 4th generation.

1923- Kern's Restaurant (Stooges) founded by Charles and Arlene Kern.

1926 to 1928- The PPL building was built.

1931- The Brass Rail opened it's first stand. It was started by Philip Sorrentino. Later, in 1933 it's location moved to 1137 W. Hamilton Street (since then closed). In 1961 a second store was opened at 3015 Lehigh Street where it is now run by his grandson.

1933-1934- The Allentown post office was built.
Other misc. businesses:The Allentown National Bank
The Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Co.
The Second National Bank
Allentown Boiler Works
Shafer's Popular Book Store
Allentown Brewing Co.
Daufer & Co., 16 South 8th St.
Arbogast & Bastian, 7-23 Hamilton St.
Koch Bros (Clothiers) 7th & Hamilton
The Vulcan Brass Works, 716 N 4th St
Lehigh Knitting Mills, Court and Hall Sts.
Allen Steam Laundry, S 7th St.
Eastern Light
Allen Stamp and Stencil Co., 104-106 N 7th St.
Kramer's Music House, 544 Hamilton St.
Good's Pharmacy, 803 Hamilton St
Dolly Madison (soda/ice cream)
Adelaide Silk Mills
Wolfe Shoe Mfg. Co., Hall and Court Sts.,
McCrory's Five & Ten
Woolworths Five & Ten
A&P Food Store
Mohican Market
Movie Theaters:
The Boyd, The Towne, The Jeanette, The Rialto, The Colonial, The Earle, The Capri, The Eric, The Strand (12 N. 8th circa 1917), Orpheum Theatre (6th St. and Linden St.), Boulevard Drive-In, Westend Drive-In

The Rialto Theatre was built from 1918 to 1921.
Fire severely damaged it 1946.
It reopened and remained open till it's closure in 1979.

A List of mayors of Allentown, Pennsylvania (from 1867 to present)
Cemeteries and Memorial Sites of Politicians in Lehigh County

Detailed Past History Of Allentown (Repost)

Reposted From: June 16, 2011

Excerpts from the book "Past, Present And Future of the City of Allentown" published under the Auspices of the "Board Of Trade" in 1886. The book is housed at 'Columbia University's School of Business NY, NY.

Drawing some parallels from history

In Chapter 1, on the very first page, I found it interesting to note that in 1886, "All new industries are exempted from taxation for ten years." About all I can say the more things change, the more the stay the same. Today's city planners aren't doing anything more orginal then what Allentown was doing 125 years ago. Not exactly cutting edge is it?

Difference is, Allentown wasn't cutting NIZ checks to them !

Chapter 2 began with addressing urban sprawl. Course they were seeking farms back then rather then McMansions. "Every human tide, since the first human wave, began flowing westward, has followed the course of streams in search of fertile acres."

Originally in 1761 James Allen (son of William Allen) laid out plans for the town, "He laid it out from Fourth to Tenth streets, but concentrated nearly all his architectural efforts around the present Lehigh Street."

Chapter 3 discusses, amongst other things, the naming of the streets. "Hamilton Street was called after Governor Andrew Hamilton whose daughter you will remember, was James Allen's mother."

"The road from Easton to Reading.. Union and Jackson streets"

"The other ran from Bake-Oven Knob out through the present Seventh street past Helfrich's Springs." The rest of the chapter describes the calamities that befell Allentown, devastating fires and floods around 1848. The fires woke Allentown up for a need for a fire department as contributions poured in from as far a way as New Orleans to help Allentown rebuild.

Chapter 4 Begins by talking about Allentown's 'inns" (bars).. "the father crowding in a tavern in every nook and corner where one would fit. Indeed , in the morning of our civic existence tavern-keeping was the chief local industry.... six taverns of the early village with it's 350 inhabitants in 1776..."

The book spoke nothing of 'nuisance bars'. :-)

~~ At this point I'm going to just skip a whole lot ~~.

The first store traded in "miscellaneous wares" in 1794. By trade, I mean "trade". "It wasn't considered the correct thing to pay cash... The transaction usually was a ridged exchange."

The first Mayor of Allentown was elected May 1, 1867, a Republican candidate Samuel McHose. Chapter 6 goes into detail describing each of the first several Mayors.

Chapter 8 goes into length discussing the ethic makeup of Allentown in the 1800's.

"Prior to 1802 we used to be obliged to journey to Bethlehem for our mail." It turns out an enterprising tavern owner saw an opportunity. People would then come to his tavern (bar) to pick up their mail

It can be argued that Allentown's first newspaper was the "Unabhaengiger Republikaner" ("Adjudicator Republican") published July 1810. Chapter 14 details Allentown numerous early press journalists and other papers.

Chapter 16 says The city of Allentown owed on it's debt $385,990.04 on Jan. 1, 1886. In 1886 Lehigh County was 100% debt free. Allentown's tax rates on homes was 6.5 mills. Today Allentown's is 50.38 on the land your house sits on and 10.72 mills on your house.

The richest ward in 1886 was the 5th ward and the poorest was the 8th ward. Kind of like a flip flop over what it is today.

Today's 5th ward is around the 6th street area between Hamilton and Liberty streets. Today's 8th ward is one of the biggest. It's in the area to the West of Mauch Chunk Road to 17th street. Downward past Highland Cemetery to Gordon Street. Then East to 7th Street bordered by Sumner Ave.

Rent was about $7.50 a month for a two story 5 room house. Most residents paid rent no higher then $18 a month.Good for today's landlords that Allentown, unlike today's New York, didn't put rent control in at that time. :-)The homes themselves were worth between $2,000 and $4,000.

The Allentown Bank came into existence on August 27, 1855. It had $100,000 of capital on hand. By 1886 it had $500,000 with a contingency fund of $100,000. The 'Lehigh Valley Trust And Safe Deposit Company' opened for business on Sept. 20, 1886. It started out with a capital of $250,000.

It was from that point forward, because of these banks, that Allentown headed into it's glory years of manufacturing. This was a departure from depending entirely on farming and mining up until that time.

Chapter 14 begins the many manufacturing companies that followed after 1855 (establishment of the Allentown Bank) till Chapter 56 (the end of the book ). It extensively names them with a great many details up until 1886 (the date of the book's publication).

All 168 pages can be read here on Google books
Published in 1886 by the "Daily Chronicle And News", 638 Hamilton Street.

School Boards Across Country Request Federal Protection

crooksandliars.com
School Board Group Asks White House For Federal Protection[CNN video report] ""The National School Board Association is asking the White House and the Education Department to help ensure the security of its members"

Too many nuts attend public meetings.

My suggestion would be to host all public attendees in an adjoining room connected LIVE via big screen video and audio feeds in both directions. It would also eliminate those who refuse to give up their allotted time for public comment simply by disconnecting them. This would satisfy the requirement of public participation while at the same time insuring the safety of all concerned. This would apply to all public meetings. Not just those of school boards.

Shame it's come to this but I see little choice. Otherwise what rational person would ever want to become a government member knowing at any time they could be physically accosted.

How To Wreck Postal Service

Up the price

Slow the service

Sometimes no deliveries for days

In other words drive customers away.
Another example of government hardly at work for you.

Who's FOS, Trump Or Biden?

ANSWER: They both are.


Biden in 1988

Putin found it amusing

I had expressed my dismay with the choices we had in 2020 election back then on this blog. Voters were given only two choices.. dumb or dumber. You choose which.

I mean really, is this the best we could do?

Here's Where Rap Got It Roots From

Here's one of the early rappers- Jimmy Dean

Joe Casey died June 22, 2012.He was a square dance caller for 62 years throughout New England and New York.

Bet many of ya didn't know anything about the roots of rap did cha?

 :-)

Amish Auction For Their Kids Healthcare Costs

Uploaded September 26, 2021

Holmes County, Ohio
I don't think there could be better people in the country then these folks. They set a great example for us all. I found it rather surprising how much  Amish buggies cost.

Need Me Some MORE Bruuuuuuuce

The 'Hard Rock Calling' festival in London, 2013

Need Me Some Bruuuuuuuce

Live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2006

We're Losing The Economic War

This was the statement I made the other day. Here's more about that.

nypost.com
LA port backup grows to record 62 ships as supply chain crunch worsens "A record 62 cargo ships are waiting to dock at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and are stuck floating off the coast... The Port of Long Beach has broken monthly records for how much cargo has passed through for 12 of the last 13 months, with 32 percent more cargo processed this year than in 2020..."

Simple logic dictates every one of those incoming cargo ships are making other countries even richer. They then can use those profits to buy up more American farms and manufacturing companies. Then in turn shutting them down requiring us to buy even more crap from them. Thus creating a shortage will drive up profits even higher for them.

Duh !

U.S. leaders must be a special kind of stupid to continue allowing this to happen. There's very little consumers can do about this. Unfortunately Washington politicians are too busy trying to destroy one another to be bothered with what would be in the best interest of the country. 

Saudi Arabia Buying American Water Rights

There are no limits on the amount of water foreign governments can extract and export.








They're even buying the cargo ports themselves!

So while the ignorant damn fools down in Washington are playing political games we're being taken over through ownership. The countries that own our wealth are the ones that will control Washington (if they aren't already). This is some seriously alarming stuff in my book.