Wednesday, July 13, 2016

'Pokemon Go' More Proof People Are Goofy

Although the download is free the company made an estimated $14 million by those purchasing extra add-ins to date.

So What's The Prize?
NOTHING.

Players can only earn some free add-ins which will allow them to capture more imaginary characters or create super ones.. Although most players are underage and cannot buy lottery tickets it doesn't explain all those other brain dead individuals who could.

Most add-ins for Pokemon cost around a buck. The same price as a lottery ticket. Ok so your chance of winning big is about the same as getting hit by lightening, but at least there's a chance someone could actually win real world money.

The game eats up lots of data. Therefore players need to buy expensive unlimited data plans from carriers. I wonder how many of these same doofuses whining about the rich on wall street are lining these very same peoples pockets while receiving absolutely zilch in return.


Yeah Al, it looks like you called it

We've transitioned from the days it cost people nothing to wander about trying to spot birds, rare plants or the like. Now all too many people walk around like zombies glued to what's become the devil's tool spending their money and lives in a world of non-reality. I fail to see where this is healthy for the future mentality of human beings.






Yeah, we're becoming like that!


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

There's No Real Fix For Allentown

The Way It Once Was
A partial list of significant jobs within the city limits which no longer exist
     A&B & Swift meats
     Western Electric
     Mack Trucks
     Bell Telephone
     Allen Laundry
     Dozens of textile mills
     Several large department stores
     General Electric
     Numerous repair shops (we don't repair things anymore)
     Gas station attendants & repair bays
     Dairy, beer & soda makers
     Home delivery & huckster jobs
     Metal and large machinery repair shops

I'm sure old timers can think of many more. What each had in common was a kid could get out of high school and land one of these jobs without additional education. Most employers provided their own onsite training.

Here's The Pickle We're In
There are tons of people who graduate each year who will have none these same opportunities Few will become rocket scientists, world famous physicians or entertainment superstars. There are all kinds of reasons why these jobs no longer exist. Still the fact remains these kind of job opportunities remain a relic of the past for the average schmuck. The vast majority will be relegated to finding a warehouse, service or burger flipping job being unable to support families. Far more feeling left out in the cold and frustrated from even landing these kind of jobs.

How Do We Fix This?
One thing I can tell ya jobs scraping the ice, bartending and flipping burgers at the arena on event nights a couple of nights a month isn't going to cut it. Neither is being on call to clean hotel rooms and offices. Frankly I wouldn't wait for a political hack to come up with solutions at either the federal, state or local levels. Everything's changed.

If I were graduating high school today here's a few things I might consider* Two years will get someone a ticket in the fields of radiology or nursing
* 6-24 months earns one a ticket to become an EMT or Paramedic
* Cops get paid well requiring minimal education for some departments
* Join the Navy or Air Force (where you're not likely to get your butt shot)
* Plumbing or electrical work
* Apply everywhere for city or park work
* Run unopposed for state office (not silly as it sounds)
I'm sure there's plenty more I haven't thought of. What each has in common they require the least investment in both time and money. One thing's for sure it beats waiting around for some politician's promises. None of them are ever going to bring back manufacturing or the job opportunities of the 60's.

Political Gamesmanship In Harrisburg

Pennsylvania state budget goes into effect
Jim Vasil , Reporter WFMZ-TV
"Democratic Governor Tom Wolf will not be vetoing the budget bill before midnight on Monday, despite questions about how the state will fund all $31 billion of it... Senate Republican leaders... have pledged to put together a $1.3 billion revenue package. Governor Wolf is taking their word for it."


My Comments About The Article Above
The Democratic governor seems to like the budget alright, but doesn't want to put his name to it. Instead he's leaving it up Republicans to figure out how to pay for it. So when inevitably taxes go up he'll say hey it wasn't me. Sounds like a future campaign strategy he might plan on using for himself in the next election.

One thing voters can always count on from either party after the elections is more of the same tomfoolery as was the last.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Yin Yang And Everything In-Between

The opposites of Yin/Yang could be defined in several ways. In science as electrons/protons. In politics conservatives/liberals. In biblical terms good/evil. The colors of black/white. However in this world nothing is simple. One force that does remain constant between the two is balance. Newton's 3rd law states "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." This is the premise I will build on.

Since the beginning evil or goodness has tried to overcome the other. For every steadfast believer in liberalism there is another who will match them on the conservative side. All mankind's problems begin when one becomes radicalized into disbelieving components can coexist in-between I'll give you a few examples.* None of our programs like Social Security, unemployment and labor laws could have never come about without the conservatives cooperation. Radical liberals constantly try to play conservatives as the boogiemen. When things go wrong or the programs have flaws radical conservatives paint a target on liberals.

* Radical Christians want to make war with Muslims. Radical Muslims the same against Christians & Jews.

* Some radical cops blame the public for the uptick in what we're seeing. Others believe cops are instigating it.
What each have in common is intolerance of the other as if this world only consisted two dimensionally. All problems arise when one extreme force meets the other. Scientifically speaking if we took the electrical energy on one side of a generator and crossed it with the other the resultant force would create a damaging short circuit. However when passing the current through an intelligently designed device it then produces something useful. In other words by eliminating the extremes to either side a good outcome can be produced.

Unfortunately there will always extremists in this world. It's just the way this world is and always has been at it's core. The question we each need ask ourselves are we the Yin, the Yang or somewhere in-between composed of both? Do we want to live our lives as extremists or doing something useful in-between the two?

Nothing Is Just A or B
Not all cops or those interrogated are innocent.
Not all religious beliefs are righteous.
Neither political party can completely represent their members views..
There are women/men and those in between.



Ancient religion describes life's travel through karma as a circle (much like the Yin/Yang symbol you see here) . You leave at the top. Travel through the circle ending up on the opposite side from which you started. That religion is trying to tell people not to pick up too much karma (Yin or Yang) on the way back to the beginning of our journey. At the same time warning us if we cut our life short (because of extremism) along the way we've not completed life's journey. Whether someone wishes to believe or not, it's still good advice.


Maybe they were on to something. Ever notice how all the galaxies, planets and suns are all circular?

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Should LC Water Users Be On The Hook?

Cost for fixing sewer overflows in
western Lehigh County to exceed $200 million

By Andrew Wagaman Contact Reporter Of The Morning Call
"The Environmental Protection Agency named the non-profit authority and its municipal signatories in a 2009 administrative order, forcing them to eliminate sewer overflows by the end of 2014 or face daily, five-figure fines."

My Comments About The Article Above
First off "them" is us. Secondly is it we the toilet flushers or the highly profitable corporate users of millions of gallons more water out at the industrial park who should be held accountable ?

Although we've been aware of this problem for years the powers that be still went ahead and approved 10's of thousands of gallons more water usage for various companies at the industrial park. It is for this reason residential water users shouldn't be on the hook for one thin dime. Of course that's not how things workout, is it?


Instead we'll blame downspouts and developments.

Since the low hanging fruit has neither the money or resources to oppose large increases I suspect us residential users will be left holding the short end of the stick.

What else is new !

Saturday, July 9, 2016

My Favorite Music Videos (Updated 07/09/2016)


I've updated my favorite YouTube music videos. Currently there's over 1,300 videos in my various playlists. Many are amateur musical performers. It's my hope you'll enjoy them as I do. Out of all I do on the internet this is one of my favorite things to do.

Feel free to visit ALL MY PLAYLISTS at anytime for my latest additions.
https://www.youtube.com/user/KabulaIsTrying/playlists

Previously I provided links to each list. Trouble was every time I added a video or changed the order of play the link would break & I needed to recode it. Instead it is much easier for me to ask anyone who's interested to simply click on the link above because I add videos to the lists every few days. Thanks.

Friday, July 8, 2016

South Whitehall Wehr's Dam Controversy



On July 7th, 2016 WFMZ reported Wehr's Dam could cost South Whitehall taxpayers at least $600K-- "The Nov. 8 referendum will ask voters to authorize borrowing up to $600,000 for the maintenance and preservation of the dam over a five-year period."



Looking At The Whole Picture
I fail to see why this is such a controversy. According to South Whitehall's own website-- "The proposed budget calls for $13.6 million in operating expenses and $15 million in revenue." in 2016 with a " Unappropriated Reserve $912,788."

If this is so the estimated $120,000 per year would represent less then 13.2% of the 2016 "Unappropriated Reserve" in of itself. Looking at those numbers the need for borrowing may not even be necessary,

According to the 2010 census 19,180 people live in South Whitehall Township. Instead of asking the question the way they plan, why not ask people if their willing to spend $6.26 apiece per year for the next 5 years to keep it?

Ya can't buy a pizza for that price!

If you study the 2016 budget $19,400 will be spent on park signage. Another $33,000 for kitchen upgrades at one firehouse and floor coating at another . Alongside $25,000 for police office renovations this adds up to $77,400. Should we put these up for a public referendum too?

To the average wage earner $120,000 annually sounds like a lot of money but when you're dealing with a $15 million annual budget .8% is minuscule.




If taxpayers wish to believe political officials are truly concerned about the financial welfare of constituents over the dam enjoy the half a pizza it will save you.