This now brings Allentown to a total of
16 homicides so far this year, more than the entirety of 2022.
Perhaps redirecting these funds instead to the police department might be better spent.
A Blog About Anything & Everything.
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Allentown Has Total Of 16 Homicides So Far This Year,
This now brings Allentown to a total of
16 homicides so far this year, more than the entirety of 2022.
Perhaps redirecting these funds instead to the police department might be better spent.
Friday, September 29, 2023
AOC Taking Care Of Business
Now that we got that crapola out of the way, start working on the budget!
Speaking of the budget. House Republicans introduced 78 amendments on Thursday. Many which included reducing the salaries of the secretary of defense among dozens of other department heads to $1 per year. The speaker of the house even refused to allow a vote on the bipartisan Senate budget approved bill. A lot of bullshit if you ask me.
Senator Warren Taking Care Of Business
Senator Warren's exchange at a September 28, 2023, Senate Finance Committee Hearing entitled: To Consider the Nomination of Demetrios L. Kouzoukas, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical, Hospital Insurance, Old-Age and Survivors Insurance,, and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds.
I have no idea why the Biden adminstration would have nominated this guy.
I have no idea why the Biden adminstration would have nominated this guy.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Phila. Store Looting: Bad News/Good News
The bad news is...
A bunch of stores were looted.
The good news..
As far as I can tell no work shoes were stolen.
A bunch of stores were looted.
The good news..
As far as I can tell no work shoes were stolen.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Pete Buttigieg, The Man Who Should Have Become President
First off Pete made it clear this past weekend he has no intention what-so-ever of campaigning for either president or senator.
I always favored Pete over Biden. He has everything it takes to be a great leader. Most importantly, THE SMARTS! It breaks my heart to see what could have been. Imagine where things would stand today if he had won.
Pete's Best 2020 Debate Moments (Debates 2-6)
Sunday, September 24, 2023
It really upsets me that either Trump or Biden should once again hold office a second time. The future looks bleak. We can and should do better then either of these two who past their expiration dates years ago.
I always favored Pete over Biden. He has everything it takes to be a great leader. Most importantly, THE SMARTS! It breaks my heart to see what could have been. Imagine where things would stand today if he had won.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
It really upsets me that either Trump or Biden should once again hold office a second time. The future looks bleak. We can and should do better then either of these two who past their expiration dates years ago.
Monday, September 25, 2023
Great Idea? Let's Build 186 Apts. W/O Parking At 10th And Hamilton
Hamilton Street apartment plan lacks parking
Hey I got a great idea,
let's build an entertainment venue and hotel in this same area too!
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Friday, September 22, 2023
Imagine Being Paid $2,596,153 A Week
Anyone wonder why their medications are so crazy expensive? If you read the article you no doubt would be enraged. Is anyone in congress going to stop it? Most likely not!
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Solution To End Our National Debt? (Repost From 2021)
"The Onion" came up with this in 2009. It shouldn't be giving people any more screwy ideas then they already have. There's almost a blur between the crazy ideas politicians are coming up with and satirical comedy. So much so it is almost putting The Onion out of business :-)
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Select Recent Headline Links 09/20/2023
South Whitehall Trash Hauler Charges Going Up 62.5%
Potentially the world's largest lithium deposit has been found in a US volcano
Express-Times to end publication of Saturday print edition
Doctors in the U. K. admit they can't tell Covid apart from allergies or the common cold anymore - highlighting how mild virus has become
Dr. Kelly Victory: The new COVID-9 boosters
09/18/2023: Social Security agency demands money back from overpayments
Potentially the world's largest lithium deposit has been found in a US volcano
Express-Times to end publication of Saturday print edition
Doctors in the U. K. admit they can't tell Covid apart from allergies or the common cold anymore - highlighting how mild virus has become
09/18/2023: Social Security agency demands money back from overpayments
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
How Congress Works
Repost
Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.
Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.
Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.
Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So they created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.
Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.
Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."
So they laid off the night watchman.
Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.Then Congress said, "How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.
Then Congress said, "How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.
Then Congress said, "How are these people going to get paid?" So they created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.
Then Congress said, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.
Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost."
So they laid off the night watchman.
Monday, September 18, 2023
I Received A Settlement Offer From Nigeria In My Email
Repost
OH BOY. It looks like I hit the jackpot!
:-)
I have to admit this fraudster is finally thinking outside-the-box. It sure beats the same old repetitive line of crock they've been sending my way over the last decade.
As Larry the Cable Guy would say...
"Now that's funny right there, I don't care who ya are".
:-)
I have to admit this fraudster is finally thinking outside-the-box. It sure beats the same old repetitive line of crock they've been sending my way over the last decade.
As Larry the Cable Guy would say...
"Now that's funny right there, I don't care who ya are".
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Who's Left To Do The Work (HUMOR)
Repost
Population of the USA-300 million.
160 million are retired.
That leaves 140 million to work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 55 million to work.
Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government.
Leaving 15 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces.
Which leaves 12.2 million to do the work.
10.8 million people who work for state and city governments.
And that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 188, 000 people in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You & me.
Well it ain't going to be me... I just decided to retire.
:-)
And here you are, sitting on your ass,
at your computer, reading jokes.
Better Get Busy!
~
Population of the USA-300 million.
160 million are retired.
That leaves 140 million to work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 55 million to work.
Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government.
Leaving 15 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces.
Which leaves 12.2 million to do the work.
10.8 million people who work for state and city governments.
And that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 188, 000 people in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You & me.
Well it ain't going to be me... I just decided to retire.
:-)
at your computer, reading jokes.
Better Get Busy!
~
Friday, September 15, 2023
Where Our Expressions Came From
Repost
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery.If you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot. They "didnt have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low.
Here are some facts about the 1500s:
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell . .. . brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat.
They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old..
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave.
When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive.
So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery.If you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot. They "didnt have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low.
Here are some facts about the 1500s:
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June. However, since they were starting to smell . .. . brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat.
They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old..
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave.
When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive.
So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
Even if only 1/2 of this is true, makes for good reading
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Speaking Of "Urban Sprawl"...
Repost
Some theorists would have you believe this is a new phenomena. One that has just been around for the last few decades. Not true!
The Truth About "Urban Sprawl"
Let's begin right in our own backyard with Allentown. William Allen way back in the early 1700's was credited with the development of Allentown. You might even say he was the town's first outside developer.
William Allen was both the former mayor of Philadelphia and a one of the powerful & richest men from Philadelphia. To make a long story short, Allentown's very existence came about as a result of Philadelphia's urban sprawl.
Now let's take a look at the nation as a whole. From the very beginning of the United States people began leaving Eastern cities heading West. Cities started being born everywhere to the West. Small towns grew into ever expanding cities. As railroads began connecting Eastern cities together in the early 1800's. They too then began to expand ever Westward. By 1869 the first transcontinental links were made. Talk about urban sprawl!
Railroads were the modern means of transportation at the time. Railroads allowed people living in the outskirts to receive supplies and transportation to and from the bigger cities. You might even say they were forerunners to what this nation's modern high speed highways are to us today.
As some urban theorists get all bent out of shape complaining about today's ever expanding highway network and the cars on them, the railroads had their ownnimby's detractors. I'm sure the Wells Fargo Stagecoach aficionados were just as nimby with the encroaching railroads as today's mass transit enthusiasts are with the cars and highways of today. Therefore, those who opine for urban density and mass transit have been losing the battle for over 300 years.
Hess's isn't coming back. The railroads aren't coming back and neither are the urban economic centers the way they once were. I may be accused of being old fashioned and stubborn, but even I can see the nose in front of my face. No one can change historical facts.
Proponents who argue for urban density and mass transit should reevaluate their positions given the history of the United States. Americans love urban sprawl since the early 1700's. No amount of subsidies or grants are ever going to change the historically based behavior of Americans.
These philosophers tell us that we've been wrongly subsidizing the suburban areas. Could it just be the other way around?
If you took every one of the surrounding townships and small municipalities. Added up every dime of state and federal grants and subsidies. Combine them all together, they still wouldn't equal what just any one of the three major cities alone received in Lehigh County last year.
We've built taxpayer subsidized arts centers, offices, gambling casinos, sports complexes, transit systems, restaurants and dozens of other ventures in attempt to lure suburbanites back into town. When is it time to review the outcome of these many failed attempts over the last decade?
Like it or not, cities everywhere in the U.S. are withering on the vine. If it were not for the heavy burden of tax supported subsides, would cities even exist?
I used the term wither on the vine" as a metaphor for what I'm about to say. Had cities been left on their own, they would have withered. No matter how much fertilizer or water is applied, once a plant has come to the end of it's cycle they're usefulness has come to an end. Much the same with large cities no matter how disagreeable that may sound to some. Crumbling pipes, buildings and infrastructure should be heeded as a sure sign that they too have come to the end of their useful life.
Not All Is Doom & Gloom
We see examples all around us of vacated properties where manufacturing and empty homes now stand. Had the land been cleared, planted with grass, trees and left empty, we'd not only have a greener environment, but one less dense. The very thing that draws more affluent suburban dwellers throughout America's history. Instead we heavily subsidize these to re-urbanize them once again. This is the very thing that caused problems in the first place. Had we instead exercised patience through time to allow the natural order of things, these urban areas would eventually become suburbanized much like the sought after areas by the middle and wealthy.
We can continue to channel mass amounts of taxpayers' money into bus and train transportation. Funnel unspeakable amounts of taxpayers' money chasing after some social urban idealistic venture. Or we can acknowledge historically Americans always had preferences that run counter to this.
Allentown's citizens, who lived here all their lives, lament subsidized housing has led to this city's woes. How much more so the problem has now been compounded when we do the very same thing yet again. This time with millions taxpayer dollars used to subsidize wealthy commercial developers instead. Have we learned nothing from history?
Everyone needs to step back and take a deep breath. The time is long overdue to revaluate what works and what doesn't?
Some theorists would have you believe this is a new phenomena. One that has just been around for the last few decades. Not true!The Truth About "Urban Sprawl"
Let's begin right in our own backyard with Allentown. William Allen way back in the early 1700's was credited with the development of Allentown. You might even say he was the town's first outside developer.
William Allen was both the former mayor of Philadelphia and a one of the powerful & richest men from Philadelphia. To make a long story short, Allentown's very existence came about as a result of Philadelphia's urban sprawl.
Now let's take a look at the nation as a whole. From the very beginning of the United States people began leaving Eastern cities heading West. Cities started being born everywhere to the West. Small towns grew into ever expanding cities. As railroads began connecting Eastern cities together in the early 1800's. They too then began to expand ever Westward. By 1869 the first transcontinental links were made. Talk about urban sprawl!
Railroads were the modern means of transportation at the time. Railroads allowed people living in the outskirts to receive supplies and transportation to and from the bigger cities. You might even say they were forerunners to what this nation's modern high speed highways are to us today.
As some urban theorists get all bent out of shape complaining about today's ever expanding highway network and the cars on them, the railroads had their own
Hess's isn't coming back. The railroads aren't coming back and neither are the urban economic centers the way they once were. I may be accused of being old fashioned and stubborn, but even I can see the nose in front of my face. No one can change historical facts.
Proponents who argue for urban density and mass transit should reevaluate their positions given the history of the United States. Americans love urban sprawl since the early 1700's. No amount of subsidies or grants are ever going to change the historically based behavior of Americans.
These philosophers tell us that we've been wrongly subsidizing the suburban areas. Could it just be the other way around?
If you took every one of the surrounding townships and small municipalities. Added up every dime of state and federal grants and subsidies. Combine them all together, they still wouldn't equal what just any one of the three major cities alone received in Lehigh County last year.
We've built taxpayer subsidized arts centers, offices, gambling casinos, sports complexes, transit systems, restaurants and dozens of other ventures in attempt to lure suburbanites back into town. When is it time to review the outcome of these many failed attempts over the last decade?
Like it or not, cities everywhere in the U.S. are withering on the vine. If it were not for the heavy burden of tax supported subsides, would cities even exist?
I used the term wither on the vine" as a metaphor for what I'm about to say. Had cities been left on their own, they would have withered. No matter how much fertilizer or water is applied, once a plant has come to the end of it's cycle they're usefulness has come to an end. Much the same with large cities no matter how disagreeable that may sound to some. Crumbling pipes, buildings and infrastructure should be heeded as a sure sign that they too have come to the end of their useful life.
Not All Is Doom & Gloom
We see examples all around us of vacated properties where manufacturing and empty homes now stand. Had the land been cleared, planted with grass, trees and left empty, we'd not only have a greener environment, but one less dense. The very thing that draws more affluent suburban dwellers throughout America's history. Instead we heavily subsidize these to re-urbanize them once again. This is the very thing that caused problems in the first place. Had we instead exercised patience through time to allow the natural order of things, these urban areas would eventually become suburbanized much like the sought after areas by the middle and wealthy.
We can continue to channel mass amounts of taxpayers' money into bus and train transportation. Funnel unspeakable amounts of taxpayers' money chasing after some social urban idealistic venture. Or we can acknowledge historically Americans always had preferences that run counter to this.
Allentown's citizens, who lived here all their lives, lament subsidized housing has led to this city's woes. How much more so the problem has now been compounded when we do the very same thing yet again. This time with millions taxpayer dollars used to subsidize wealthy commercial developers instead. Have we learned nothing from history?
Everyone needs to step back and take a deep breath. The time is long overdue to revaluate what works and what doesn't?
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
INTERNET WARNING: (Humor)
Repost
If you get an email titled "Nude photo of Nancy Pelosi,"
don't open it...
It contains a nude photo of Nancy Pelosi.
If you get an email titled "Nude photo of Nancy Pelosi,"
don't open it...
It contains a nude photo of Nancy Pelosi.
Monday, September 11, 2023
The Universe Drives Me Crazy
Repost
Whenever I indulge myself on scientific reasoning when it comes to the universe three thoughts comes to mind. (1) Whatever the craziest thing is you can imagine, it is possible. (2) No human is capable of visualizing just how large or how old the universe is scientifically or otherwise. (3) When it comes to the universe, science can be a faux game of math.
My Mental Masturbations On this Subject Let's start with number (3). Mathematical formulas can be fudged to make them work out. Take for example 'dark matter'. No one has ever physically been able to find it. Quantum physicists have made this math expression up and used it in their mathematical formulas to make their final results work.
It's sort of like incorrectly stating 2x3 equals 5. So someone (in error) rewrites the formula to (2x3)+1= 6 to make things come out right based on their limited math skills.
Moving on to number (2), the age of the universe. I believe that science has incorrectly dated the age of the universe. Today's present scientists have pretty much agreed that the universe is 14 billion years old. Here's my problem with that. That number has constantly evolved over the years as optical instruments have improved. To date our instruments are capable of seeing nearly all there is to see going back 14 billion light years. Emphasis on 'light years'.
This number may be correct in-so-much as dating "our" universe because of our own solar system's current location. To my way of reasoning this is not an absolute regarding the actual age of the universe. Here's why. This age was derived by the farthest observable light reaching us. In this case, 14 billion light years. Just suppose for a moment that we lived elsewhere in another planetary system. One that was older then 14 billion years.
Logic dictates that if that planetary system was around longer then 14 billion years, they'd observe things differently. Suppose they existed 40 billion years before us. That would mean light would have 40 billion more light years to reach their location. Hence they'd be convinced the universe was 54 billion years old. Why not 100 billion or even 1 trillion depending on their point of reference ? Who's to say there is even a limit on how old the universe is!
Now, speaking to number (1). When it comes to the universe and our understanding of it. I relate to it to Carlos Castaneda words in his series of books, 'Sorcerer's Apprentice'. In one of his books he described the 'tonal' world as one in which everything is known. On the other side of the coin there is the 'Nagal'. Defined as all things unknown. The 'Tonal' being a infinitesimally small fraction of all that is possible. In short the manifested and what has yet to be manifested (the unlimited infinite possibilities).
Whenever I indulge myself on scientific reasoning when it comes to the universe three thoughts comes to mind. (1) Whatever the craziest thing is you can imagine, it is possible. (2) No human is capable of visualizing just how large or how old the universe is scientifically or otherwise. (3) When it comes to the universe, science can be a faux game of math.
It's sort of like incorrectly stating 2x3 equals 5. So someone (in error) rewrites the formula to (2x3)+1= 6 to make things come out right based on their limited math skills.
Moving on to number (2), the age of the universe. I believe that science has incorrectly dated the age of the universe. Today's present scientists have pretty much agreed that the universe is 14 billion years old. Here's my problem with that. That number has constantly evolved over the years as optical instruments have improved. To date our instruments are capable of seeing nearly all there is to see going back 14 billion light years. Emphasis on 'light years'.
This number may be correct in-so-much as dating "our" universe because of our own solar system's current location. To my way of reasoning this is not an absolute regarding the actual age of the universe. Here's why. This age was derived by the farthest observable light reaching us. In this case, 14 billion light years. Just suppose for a moment that we lived elsewhere in another planetary system. One that was older then 14 billion years.
Logic dictates that if that planetary system was around longer then 14 billion years, they'd observe things differently. Suppose they existed 40 billion years before us. That would mean light would have 40 billion more light years to reach their location. Hence they'd be convinced the universe was 54 billion years old. Why not 100 billion or even 1 trillion depending on their point of reference ? Who's to say there is even a limit on how old the universe is!
Now, speaking to number (1). When it comes to the universe and our understanding of it. I relate to it to Carlos Castaneda words in his series of books, 'Sorcerer's Apprentice'. In one of his books he described the 'tonal' world as one in which everything is known. On the other side of the coin there is the 'Nagal'. Defined as all things unknown. The 'Tonal' being a infinitesimally small fraction of all that is possible. In short the manifested and what has yet to be manifested (the unlimited infinite possibilities).
Friday, September 8, 2023
U.S. Attempt At Interdiction Of Fentanyl
As I see it the problem isn't with government. Rather the users themselves who create a demand almost impossible to contain. While politicians from both sides toss the blame back and forth like a football the problem is getting worse. If there is a solution I sure as hell don't know what it would be. One thing I do know, whatever solutions might come about it won't come from finger pointing politicos nor any amount of policing.
Uploaded 01/23/2023
This is absolutely real.
Seriously scary stuff !
Good Idea To Invest In Lawsuits?
Repost
Just a quick post about something I came across. Ever notice all those advertisements on TV looking for victims so they can sue some company?
Ever wonder who pays for all those expensive advertisements?
Seems there's a new burgeoning investment industry growing. Investors put money into an investment group along with other investors who's sole purpose it is to recruit victims of some disease or another.
When they get enough people to sign up, a lawyer's group then can begin a class action lawsuit.
Sometimes the victims receive as little as 10% of the settlement if the legal action is successful.
Ever wonder who pays for all those expensive advertisements?
Seems there's a new burgeoning investment industry growing. Investors put money into an investment group along with other investors who's sole purpose it is to recruit victims of some disease or another.
When they get enough people to sign up, a lawyer's group then can begin a class action lawsuit.
Sometimes the victims receive as little as 10% of the settlement if the legal action is successful.
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Entitlement Propaganda
Repost
I wasn't sure how to title this post nor how in depth I should go. For those with a short attention span I will begin by summarizing.
Currently there is an enormous effort being made to confuse the difference between what citizens are entitled to versus what could be considered discretionary spending. First of all entitlements are just that. It means you pay into something, therefore your entitled to it.
I will highlight this discussion to Social Security versus defense spending since they are the largest two budget items although the two are separate. Defense spending comes from a completely different budget. The budget for the defense department is not entitlement spending. While there is still an argument for spending on our defense needs being necessary, it still doesn't make it an entitlement. No one has a separate tax deduction on their paycheck to pay for it. Therefore I consider the Defense Department budget something entirely separate and consider it discretionary spending.
Social Security expenses in 2012 were $773.247 Billion . Social Security took in $837.827 Billion. In other words S.S. took in $64.58 Billion more then it spent. S.S. assets for 2011 were $ 2.653336 trillion. In 2012 it's assets were $2.717916 Trillion. In short S.S. currently has almost $3 trillion more it took in from taxpayers then what is has spent thus far. I do realize this scenario will change in the coming years, but let's confine this discussion to the current moment.
SOURCE:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/ProgData/fyOps.html
In short, people are making payments to Social Security which has a current surplus of nearly $3 trillion. The defense department on the other hand is draining the general budget of the United States nearly $600 billion this year. Why are we even talking about two separate budget items? One which Social Security produced a multi trillion dollar surplus. The other, the general budget which has nearly a trillion dollar deficit for 2013?
If one is looking to make cuts shouldn't it be on the budget that's dragging taxpayers down and not the one that pays for itself and even generates a surplus? How on God's green Earth can anyone call entitlements such as Social Security something that folks should feel guilt about receiving? Hence why I named this post 'Entitlement Propaganda'.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Now for the unabridged details....
How much do we spend on defense?
It depends who you ask. The annual budget requests for defense was: However there were additional funding requests made to Congress that totaled a near $672 billion after all was said and done. Granted sequestration will require cutting $50 billion a year from the Pentagon budget for the next 10 years. However Congress can enacted special funding requests that could offset that for many years to come.
Here are a few items to consider. We currently have 10 Nimitz class aircraft carriers. We're supposed to have 11. In 2015 a new class of carriers, the Gerald R. Ford class will be added to bring the fleet up to the level of 11. It and each of the Nimitz class cost about $13.5 billion each. It costs about $6.5 million per day to operate each carrier strike group. Which consists of five surface combatants, and one fast-attack submarine, plus the nearly 6,700 men and women to crew them.
Each carrier has about 90 aircraft which consist of helicopters and primarily F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F/A-18C Hornets. Introduced in 1999 the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets cost $66.9 million apiece (about 500 were built). Introduced in 1983 the F/A-18C Hornets: cost $29–57 million (2006 figures). About 1,480 of them were built.
Each carrier is expected to be in service for 50 years. However they need to dock in port for maintenance every 6 to 11 months. They also require a complex overhaul about every 25 years which can last up to 44 months. This cost between $750 to $900 million. Recently some Congressional members have questioned, considering today's satellite and missile technology, that they may vulnerable.
Lest you think I'm singling out carriers alone when it comes to defense spending...
25 More Things The Government Waste Money On
FINAL WORDS
Everyone should clearly see, before we even consider cuts to entitlements (things we already paid for with a surplus in advance), there are a ton of other things that could be reduced. I find it unconscionable that these items should not be considered long before we even think about reductions to our 'paid for' safety net to spend on what I consider discretionary items. While Social Security will need to be adjusted to make it work, it shouldn't be slashed to pay for things it was never intended. If someone can't see that, there's little else that can be said.
I wasn't sure how to title this post nor how in depth I should go. For those with a short attention span I will begin by summarizing. Currently there is an enormous effort being made to confuse the difference between what citizens are entitled to versus what could be considered discretionary spending. First of all entitlements are just that. It means you pay into something, therefore your entitled to it.
I will highlight this discussion to Social Security versus defense spending since they are the largest two budget items although the two are separate. Defense spending comes from a completely different budget. The budget for the defense department is not entitlement spending. While there is still an argument for spending on our defense needs being necessary, it still doesn't make it an entitlement. No one has a separate tax deduction on their paycheck to pay for it. Therefore I consider the Defense Department budget something entirely separate and consider it discretionary spending.
Social Security expenses in 2012 were $773.247 Billion . Social Security took in $837.827 Billion. In other words S.S. took in $64.58 Billion more then it spent. S.S. assets for 2011 were $ 2.653336 trillion. In 2012 it's assets were $2.717916 Trillion. In short S.S. currently has almost $3 trillion more it took in from taxpayers then what is has spent thus far. I do realize this scenario will change in the coming years, but let's confine this discussion to the current moment.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/ProgData/fyOps.html
In short, people are making payments to Social Security which has a current surplus of nearly $3 trillion. The defense department on the other hand is draining the general budget of the United States nearly $600 billion this year. Why are we even talking about two separate budget items? One which Social Security produced a multi trillion dollar surplus. The other, the general budget which has nearly a trillion dollar deficit for 2013?
If one is looking to make cuts shouldn't it be on the budget that's dragging taxpayers down and not the one that pays for itself and even generates a surplus? How on God's green Earth can anyone call entitlements such as Social Security something that folks should feel guilt about receiving? Hence why I named this post 'Entitlement Propaganda'.
How much do we spend on defense?
It depends who you ask. The annual budget requests for defense was: However there were additional funding requests made to Congress that totaled a near $672 billion after all was said and done. Granted sequestration will require cutting $50 billion a year from the Pentagon budget for the next 10 years. However Congress can enacted special funding requests that could offset that for many years to come.
Here are a few items to consider. We currently have 10 Nimitz class aircraft carriers. We're supposed to have 11. In 2015 a new class of carriers, the Gerald R. Ford class will be added to bring the fleet up to the level of 11. It and each of the Nimitz class cost about $13.5 billion each. It costs about $6.5 million per day to operate each carrier strike group. Which consists of five surface combatants, and one fast-attack submarine, plus the nearly 6,700 men and women to crew them.
Each carrier has about 90 aircraft which consist of helicopters and primarily F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F/A-18C Hornets. Introduced in 1999 the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets cost $66.9 million apiece (about 500 were built). Introduced in 1983 the F/A-18C Hornets: cost $29–57 million (2006 figures). About 1,480 of them were built.
Each carrier is expected to be in service for 50 years. However they need to dock in port for maintenance every 6 to 11 months. They also require a complex overhaul about every 25 years which can last up to 44 months. This cost between $750 to $900 million. Recently some Congressional members have questioned, considering today's satellite and missile technology, that they may vulnerable.
Lest you think I'm singling out carriers alone when it comes to defense spending...
FINAL WORDS
Everyone should clearly see, before we even consider cuts to entitlements (things we already paid for with a surplus in advance), there are a ton of other things that could be reduced. I find it unconscionable that these items should not be considered long before we even think about reductions to our 'paid for' safety net to spend on what I consider discretionary items. While Social Security will need to be adjusted to make it work, it shouldn't be slashed to pay for things it was never intended. If someone can't see that, there's little else that can be said.
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
The Rich Live In We$t End Allentown
Reposted From: August 25, 2011
It's one of my hot-buttons that gets tweaked every once and awhile. I've long endured a heaping helping of these bull patties for years. Even at work they constantly talked about the rich in Allentown's West End.
Define "rich", compared to what?
Yeah West End Allentown is better off then downtown, but compared to what?
Many suburbs surrounding this Allentown neighborhood have greater household incomes.
This nonsense has gone on for long enough. TIME TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!
Here's the Breakdown. Those that are in red are the ones that have greater income then Allentown's folks living in the West End.
It's one of my hot-buttons that gets tweaked every once and awhile. I've long endured a heaping helping of these bull patties for years. Even at work they constantly talked about the rich in Allentown's West End.
Define "rich", compared to what?
Yeah West End Allentown is better off then downtown, but compared to what?
Many suburbs surrounding this Allentown neighborhood have greater household incomes.
This nonsense has gone on for long enough. TIME TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!
Here's the Breakdown. Those that are in red are the ones that have greater income then Allentown's folks living in the West End.
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Select Recent Headline Links 09/05/2023
VIDEO Chicago EMTs Forced to Pay Red Light Camera Tickets Incurred While in Ambulances
A disorienting and blinding fog connected to a store's alarm is a relatively new security measure to stop would-be thieves
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Days after then-City Councilman Joshua Siegel fought to give the Lehigh Valley IronPigs $1.5 million of city funding, he attended a World Series game in Philadelphia with two tickets gifted to him by the minor league franchise.
VIDEO: Benjamin Does A Walk Around in Bangladesh [I can't believe this country exists on this planet]
Monday, September 4, 2023
Historical Video: Regulation Will Destroy Capitalism
Repost
Richard Whitney, President of the N.Y Stock Exchange, warns the risks to capitalism by government regulators because of the the National Securities Exchange Act.
Almost 4 years before he was sent to Sing Sing for embezzlement.
Richard Whitney, President of the N.Y Stock Exchange, warns the risks to capitalism by government regulators because of the the National Securities Exchange Act.
Almost 4 years before he was sent to Sing Sing for embezzlement.
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Phrases You Don't Hear Anymore
Repost
Be sure to refill the ice trays, we're going to have company.
Watch for the postman, I want to get this letter in the mail today.
Quit slamming the screen door when you go out !
Don't forget to wind your clock before bed.
Don't you go outside with your school clothes on.
Take that empty bottle to the store so you won't have to pay deposit.
Quit jumping on the floor, I have a cake in the oven.
Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by.
Don't lose that button; I won't be able to sew it back on.
Soak your foot in this pan of kerosene so it doesn't get infected.
Hurry up and finish drying the dishes.
I'm going out and compression start the car.
I have to take the wash off the line before we leave.
I'm running out of fresh boiled diapers.
Why would I need a phone in my bedroom?
Don't forget to leave a note for the milkman.
The car needs to get it's points adjusted.
Isn't a skateboard nothing more then a scooter with a broken handle?
I just met the cutest 'soda jerk'.
Got to go and boil some baby bottles.
Socks need darning.
TV's acting up. I'm going down to the store's tube tester.
The coal bin is almost empty.
The record player needs a new needle.
I ran out of carbon paper.
The 8 track mangled the tape.. AGAIN !
I got that information on my 'rolodex'.
The Mimeograph needs more stencils
The handle is broke on the office adding machine.
Encyclopedia salesman is at the door.
Insurance man is here for this month's payment.
Check the oil. Give me $2 worth of gas.
I'm taking the toaster down to the fix-it shop.
What's 'revolving credit'?
Hospital says there's no smoking near the oxygen tent.
When cigarettes go to 35¢ I'm quitting!
Try pumping it & pull the choke out.
Use the electric plug in the floor.
Where's the # key on my rotary?
Beer delivery man is here !
Did you hear, the soda's machine is going up to 25¢?
With cable TV you can now get 12 channels !
HiFi Stereo.. wow !
Which should I buy.. VHS or Betamax?
Why should I put 'siding' on my house?
Triple track windows are the way to go !
The push mower needs sharpening
The ash man comes on Tuesdays.
The wringers are shot on my washing machine.
My dungarees need patching.
Doctor says we can pay him next time he comes to the house.
Be sure to refill the ice trays, we're going to have company.
Watch for the postman, I want to get this letter in the mail today.
Quit slamming the screen door when you go out !
Don't forget to wind your clock before bed.
Don't you go outside with your school clothes on.
Take that empty bottle to the store so you won't have to pay deposit.
Quit jumping on the floor, I have a cake in the oven.
Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by.
Don't lose that button; I won't be able to sew it back on.
Soak your foot in this pan of kerosene so it doesn't get infected.
Hurry up and finish drying the dishes.
I'm going out and compression start the car.
I have to take the wash off the line before we leave.
I'm running out of fresh boiled diapers.
Why would I need a phone in my bedroom?
Don't forget to leave a note for the milkman.
The car needs to get it's points adjusted.
Isn't a skateboard nothing more then a scooter with a broken handle?
I just met the cutest 'soda jerk'.
Got to go and boil some baby bottles.
Socks need darning.
TV's acting up. I'm going down to the store's tube tester.
The coal bin is almost empty.
The record player needs a new needle.
I ran out of carbon paper.
The 8 track mangled the tape.. AGAIN !
I got that information on my 'rolodex'.
The Mimeograph needs more stencils
The handle is broke on the office adding machine.
Encyclopedia salesman is at the door.
Insurance man is here for this month's payment.
Check the oil. Give me $2 worth of gas.
I'm taking the toaster down to the fix-it shop.
What's 'revolving credit'?
Hospital says there's no smoking near the oxygen tent.
When cigarettes go to 35¢ I'm quitting!
Try pumping it & pull the choke out.
Use the electric plug in the floor.
Where's the # key on my rotary?
Beer delivery man is here !
Did you hear, the soda's machine is going up to 25¢?
With cable TV you can now get 12 channels !
HiFi Stereo.. wow !
Which should I buy.. VHS or Betamax?
Why should I put 'siding' on my house?
Triple track windows are the way to go !
The push mower needs sharpening
The ash man comes on Tuesdays.
The wringers are shot on my washing machine.
My dungarees need patching.
Doctor says we can pay him next time he comes to the house.
Robot Sophia: Talks To Al Jazeera
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Friday, September 1, 2023
My Very First Computer
Repost
The very first computer I ever owned was a Radio Shack TRS-80 MC-10. I was quite pleased someone (not me) posted the video that follows about it.
I even bought the extra 16k ram module you see sticking up in the back of this picture.
I self taught myself to work with what was called "Microsoft Level III BASIC". A computer language to create small programs. I even managed to create for myself a small ledger program. It took days and days to define arrays, create counters, correctly call out multiple nested loops, etc.
The computer used a standard TV for a monitor. Unlike today's hard drives, a audio cassette tape recorder was used to store your own unique original program commands.
I quickly learned the FREAKIN' hard way to ALWAYS backup four or five copies. That was because 9 out of 10 times at least two of them would never load back into the computer. The reason being, tape speeds were not always reliable enough to reproduce the precise pitch of the audio signals. Believe me, there's nothing greater for testing one's patience then to experience a couple hundred hours of work going poof !
Talk about tedious.. Here's an example;Here's what a run of that program looked like on the screen...You wanted something fancier on the screen you could spend hours defining colors, positions on the screen, drawing lines, etc.
After that I did a bit of self taught C+ & C++ compiling, COBOL and Visual Basic before I decided to bag the idea that I'm not a programmer by any means. These were just four of around 50 major languages with about 2,500 sub language categories throughout history of computers.
By the way, I didn't buy a 'dot matrix' printer till a few years later
While I go for a aspirin for my headache, in just thinking back on this endeavor, have a look at the video that got me started down this 'Hobbit Hole' in the first place.
Radio Shack TRS-80 MC-10 Micro Color Computer review
I couldn't wait for Windows 1 to finally come out in 1985.
What an UPGRADE!
We've Come A Long Way Since Then...
For you young guppies, here's a video from the 'land down under' :-)
The very first computer I ever owned was a Radio Shack TRS-80 MC-10. I was quite pleased someone (not me) posted the video that follows about it. I even bought the extra 16k ram module you see sticking up in the back of this picture.
I self taught myself to work with what was called "Microsoft Level III BASIC". A computer language to create small programs. I even managed to create for myself a small ledger program. It took days and days to define arrays, create counters, correctly call out multiple nested loops, etc.
The computer used a standard TV for a monitor. Unlike today's hard drives, a audio cassette tape recorder was used to store your own unique original program commands.
I quickly learned the FREAKIN' hard way to ALWAYS backup four or five copies. That was because 9 out of 10 times at least two of them would never load back into the computer. The reason being, tape speeds were not always reliable enough to reproduce the precise pitch of the audio signals. Believe me, there's nothing greater for testing one's patience then to experience a couple hundred hours of work going poof !
Talk about tedious.. Here's an example;Here's what a run of that program looked like on the screen...You wanted something fancier on the screen you could spend hours defining colors, positions on the screen, drawing lines, etc.
After that I did a bit of self taught C+ & C++ compiling, COBOL and Visual Basic before I decided to bag the idea that I'm not a programmer by any means. These were just four of around 50 major languages with about 2,500 sub language categories throughout history of computers.
While I go for a aspirin for my headache, in just thinking back on this endeavor, have a look at the video that got me started down this 'Hobbit Hole' in the first place.
What an UPGRADE!
We've Come A Long Way Since Then...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)