"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. "
Thomas Paine

Thursday, December 26, 2013

There Is A Sadness In Amerika

It’s the day before Christmas Eve 2013.

    There is a sadness in Amerika, I hear it in the voices and see it in the faces of the people, everywhere I go. Christmas has become a burden inits commercialization. Everyone is so bombarded by store ads and the latest gadgets, that the expectations have been raised so high, simply giving someone a hug, telling them you love them and that you will be there in times of need, maybe some small handmade gift from the heart is not enough. Santa no longer gives little girls and boys’ dolls and Lincoln logs but the newest and biggest car and truck. People are stressed to buy, buy, buy, borrow from tomorrow to fill those expectations built buy corporate pitch men. The spirit and the smile and love of giving is not there. Its Zombie land in the faces of the shoppers of the mega malls and Walmarts of Amerika.
      It makes me very sad for all of us, as individuals, as a society and as a country. Very sad indeed!  

Friday, December 20, 2013

John Lennon - Happy Xmas [War Is Over] Lyrics HD

Christmas Movies

           I've noticed over the last 20 years the growth in popularity of putting out movies at Christmas.           I think it is bad enough that more and more we skip right over Thanksgiving. The Christmas shopping season gets closer and closer to starting just after Halloween.One daay we will see a "Black" Nov. 1. This year we saw the first major push to make Thanksgiving Day a shopping day instead of a time for families to feast and make merry. I guess the only people who make money on thanksgiving are the turkey farmers. If gift giving were big on thanksgiving it would be a much more important holiday.
    NOW! Its Christmas afternoon all the gifts are given out, screw the family time.... how else can we make money??????....... lets put out big blockbuster films that the kids will beg to go see..........who wants to ACTUALLY spend time interacting with family???????? Who needs that crap???..... it doesn't make money..... and they talk about keeping Christ in Christmas.
      Our monetary system is failing, it may be to late but there needs to be a major change before there is revolution in the streets. It is coming. It is real.
          Our financial system is nothing but a Ponzie scheme.
I urge everyone to check out the Zeitgeist movement~ The Zeitgeist Movement describes itself as a sustainability advocacy group based on the belief that the monetary-market economy can be replaced with a system to "base all decisions initially on resources and learning to maximize their efficiency."[4] Members of the group believe in the elimination of money and private property.[5] Movement members say the current socioeconomic system is structurally corrupt and needs to be replaced with a system based on efficient and careful use of resources through the technological potential of sustainable development.[6][7][8] The Zeitgeist Movement advocates the implementation of renewable energy and computerized, automatic systems world wide in order to collect, process, and distribute equally the necessities of life, such as food and shelter, transportation, recreation, and so forth.[5][8]
  and the Venus Project ~ This idea uses a version of sustainable cities, energy efficiencynatural resource management and advanced automation with a global socio-economic system based on social cooperation and scientific methodology.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Giving Tuesday

       Its the Tuesday after "Black Friday" where people got trampled and fought in the precious act of getting that love one a special gift at the lowest possible cost. Then there was "Ciber Monday" yesterday, whatever that is. Now they have come up with "Giving Tuesday";  its sad we have to have a special day, but that is actually something I can get my head around. Today; I'm giving away 3 coats, 2 are super warm and practically brand new , also a pair of boots and a fleece blanket.
      So, what about it...... what are you doing to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas? What are you doing to help the poor in your own community?

Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Tradition Continues





EVENT DATE: JAN 01, 2014
- See more at: http://www.crowdrise.com/TheTraditionContinues/fundraiser/eddieallen#sthash.AOKrb58n.dpuf
Eddie's Photo
Eddie's Photo
Eddie's Photo
Eddie's Photo
Eddie's Photo

EVENT DATE: JAN 01, 2014
DAYS TO GO: 32

THE STORY:
This is the third year in a row that I've left my little
 Colorado Mountain town and come to visit my 76 yr old
 mom in Brooklyn .
 On New Years Eve we go to the 5 hr govt Mule show
 with a good friend. On New Years Day we get up and
 friends who come down from Connecticut either support
 or join me in this very worthwhile cause. Make my trip 
worth it for the kids and give generously! 
Thanks
Eddie Allen
 http://www.crowdrise.com/TheTraditionContinues/fundraiser/eddieallen#sthash.AOKrb58n.dpuf
Eddie's Photo

Here Is A Guide To The Best Christmas Gifts

   If your going to buy Christmas gifts, why not buy gifts that make a positive difference in the world? Why not make this Christmas extra special by giving gifts to your loved ones and helping improve the world at the same time? The following is a guide I copied from The Rainforest Alliance Blog. You don't have to shop any where  special, even Walmart has some of the products.

Your Guide to Green Holiday Gifts and Gatherings

With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s time to start planning your holiday meals, picking out the perfect presents and decking the halls with boughs of sustainable greenery. This year, ensure that your celebration is joyous in spirit and gentle on the environment. By looking for the Rainforest Alliance Certified™seal and the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)  logo on products, you can give back to the planet while supporting forest communities around the world.
Need suggestions? We’ve put together a list of a few of our favorite things to get you started.
christmas_earth_iStock_000018170726Large
Green your holiday gifts
  • For the pampered. Spoil them with luxurious bath and body products. Pangea Organics® andMrs. Meyer’s Clean Day® offer indulgent soaps featuring palm oil from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms and Alba Botanicals offers skin and hair care products made with Rainforest Alliance Certified Andiroba and Brazil nut oil.
  • For the technophile.  Consider the sustainable and stylish range of iPhone cases from Twig, made with FSC/Rainforest Alliance Certified paper composite.
  • For the romantic. Pick up one of Harlequin’s many titles printed on FSC-certified paper. (Currently, 15 percent of Harlequin’s paper supply is FSC-certified and the company has committed to scaling up.)
Green your holiday feast
  • Sustainable foods.  When planning your holiday feast, look for sustainable and local ingredients. Visit Shop the Frog to find a list of food items featuring the green frog seal including chocolate, coffee, tea and fruit.
  • Eco-friendly kitchenware. Epicurean offers a gorgeous range of cutting boards made with FSC-certified wood.
Green your holiday decor
  • Beautiful bouquets.  Choose blooms grown on farms that protect people and the planet–just look for the green frog seal at Costco, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods Market and Walmart.
  • Outdoors inside. Use pine cones, acorns, leaves and other festive foliage to make one-of-a-kind decorations.
Visit Shop the Frog, our online database of products featuring the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, for more sustainable suggestions.


Friday, November 29, 2013

The Zombie Apocalypse Is Upon Us!.

  YES! YES!!!! I see it everywhere I go! A virus that IS taking over the population and making Zombies out of everyone. I see the zombies in stores, restaurants and walking down the streets! Walking around with vacant looks on their faces. Everyone staring into these little black boxes, not seeing whats going on around them, living in these little black boxes. Texting someone when you could yell across the room at them. The virus is the so called "Smart Phone"! Its smart all right its controlling your life! Its thinking for you and distracting you from the real world. Herding the sheep.
Beware of any devices that look like this! Use sparingly! Just put the phone down and breath deep. Really???? Are you SOOOOOOOOO important that you have to use the phone while in the check out line paying for your groceries??????  Have our manners gotten so poor that you can't leave your phone in the car while dinning out?????  In a Homer Simpson voice~ "OOOOOHHHHH Look at the important  person with his important phone. He must be as important as the president!!!"

Best Buy Response to Better Business Bureau Complaint

                At one last stab to see if"Best Buy"would do the right thing, I filed a complaint with the "Better Business Bureau". I knew by this time the Toshiba piece of shit lap top was out of warranty, but what the hell, we've taken it this far.
        The following is "Best Buys" response.
11/26/2013 Receive Business Response 
Since there was no Geek Squad Protection plan purchased on the unit, we would not be able to replace it. Best Buy does not administer the manufacturers warranty, which is now expired. Any repairs would be COD.
    This is telling me that if you don't buy "Best Buys" extra insurance, they do not stand behind the products they sale.  How can anybody sale something and not stand behind it??? A faceless corporation that is who! A local artisan/craftsman would stand behind their product and make it right because they are part of the community. Faceless corporations don't care about community, everything revolves around numbers adding up.
       Boycott Best Buy and Toshiba!
  The "Better Business Bureau was satisfied with the response, even after I told them the lap top didn't work right from day one.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

          I really like to complain and hate on faceless corporations. There are a few, that no matter how I want to hate them, they try to do the right thing.
        Flying the friendly skies used to be fun. you got a free adult beverage, you were treated courteously, if a plane was late for any reason, the airlines bent over backwards to try to make you happy. Now days with all the security, it's more like your cattle being lead to slaughter and you have no room in your seat, even when I flew first class from ATL - GSP the seat was very uncomfortable. Two of my last three flights with Delta have been nightmares. Both were for funerals. #1~ Airlines don't do bereavement flights anymore. $800 round trip from DEN - GSP for the last trip. A couple of year ago, my flight out of Denver was late. I was told I would miss my connecting flight out of Atlanta but that they would have a hotel room.  In Atlanta there were no hotel rooms. They were passing out $50 vouchers for future flights. I was so pissed that I told the lady "a lot of good it was doing me right then and after this who says I'll ever fly with Delta again." Delta does have the cheapest airfares.....the next flight went according to plan. Then this last year. My first flight out of GSP was late and the stewards were nasty rude, yelling at people. I missed my connecting flight out of Detroit. I was stuck in Detroit for 5 hours. Delta gave me a $6 voucher. $6 wont buy you hardly anything in an airport. It was the weather, I know it wasn't really Deltas fault. The thing is; I think part of what is wrong with our society is that no one wants to take responsibility for anything that goes wrong. There is NO where that "The Buck Stops."    Airlines used to take responsibility no matter the fault.  Because of my frustration with all the fun being taken out of flying and my two very bad flights with Delta, I love to make Delta my whipping boy. I keep saying that I'm never going to fly with Delta again. There again they usually have the lowest priced flights. I plan to fly with them one more time, we will see how it goes.
      Over the years, I've flown a good bit. When I first asked about my sky miles account, when you still bought your ticket at a counter and not on-line the ticket people told me the miles would be added automatically. I have a card and the other day I got curious and went on-line to check my account. I don't know, maybe you had to register and I never did, maybe I have another account. I'm a dumb-ass when it comes to this kind of stuff...... all right! I registered the card I had and the only miles on there were for my up coming trip. You can enter flights from 9 months before. When I tried to add the trip from July, the site wouldn't let me. So, of course they had a place to file a question, I was really only going to inquire about the sky miles, I didn't mean to complain..... uh, then they used the words... or complaint.  I started about the miles and then quickly went into my diatribe on my frustrations with the previous flights. They were very apologetic After digging up some information for them, they gave me 5000 miles and someone else is supposed to contact me about my flight in July.  That is a nice gesture. It probably covers most of my miles I've flown, but you see, it takes 10,000 miles to get a discounted ticket and as little as I fly, that will take forever.  Maybe its greedy of me, but I want something tangible, something that makes me feel good right now about what happened during a terrible situation. If they want me to think of them in the way I think of North Face, it would be nice if I got some upgrades or free stuff on my upcoming flights.
   At least they were apologetic, timely in their response and made an effort to correct something that wasn't really all their fault. Very unlike Toshiba and Best Buy who take no responsibility for the products they make or sale.

     

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Best Buy and Toshiba Boycott

     I bet Best buy and Toshiba was thinking they were never going to hear from me again! ha,ha!!!!!
    As a last gasp effort to get this settled in my favor. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. After filing a complaint with the Consumer Agency and not getting a response I don't expect much but maybe it will send a message and my complaint is now posted on the Better Business Bureau  web site for the whole world to see.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Reincarnated

             I watched the documentary "Reincarnated" last night. Its about Snoop Dog going to Jamaica to do a Reggae CD and his conversion from a Gangland Rapper to all about peace,love, struggle, Reggae singer.
          Its a very entertaining video. Its filled with Snoop going on about his history of gang violence and how he wants to change all that and be a man of love and peace. UHHHH,  there is a LOT of weed smoking in this video.
      Now I don't want to say that Snoop Dog isn't sincere in his desires, but he is a hustler and when he shows up to a funeral in a Rolls Royce and patent leather shoes or what ever those ridicules things were, I just think he has a ways to go. He hangs out with Rastafarians in Jamaica, some of the poorest people in possessions there are. When I was in Jamaica, years ago, there were people living in tents. Its a very poor country. He hangs out like he is one of them. If they saw his Rolls and some of his suits, I'm just not sure they would feel the same way.
   All I'm saying is maybe if Snoop dog is sincere, then maybe he should help out the community more instead of making a video to support his new CD, which is really what this is, in my opinion. If he wants to be a man of peace, then just maybe he needs to go hang out and talk to people like Michael Franti who is building play grounds in war torn countries, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Widespread Panic and Further who give tons back to the communities. It seems like Govt Mule is always doing a benefit of some sort. Widespread Panic holds food drives at their shows all over the country. Further is involved in the Further Foundation and the Rex Foundation was started to support the arts. Snoop Dog could join 1 % for the planet, Jack Johnson does and then gives out info at his shows.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A Loss Of Style

                    I've been looking at old pictures this morning on the net. Pictures that have been colorized, some pretty amazing affects for sure. There is just one more thing I noticed in this picture, a sense of style. In our corporate attempt to homogenize everything, to make everything politically correct and the same from "sea to  shinning sea" I think we have lost our sense of style. Sure there are fashion crazies and everybody jumps on the band wagon of the newest latest craze, Doesn't matter if its wearing lingerie where people can see it or wearing your pants so low, all gangsta to where half your underwear is sticking out or big beards. People jump on it. What I'm talking about is not how much you spend but how you wear it. An attitude of looking good and being your own person.
            You can really see this in buildings and cars. You look at some of the mills and factories from the 30's that were built when brick laying was a craft and there were no minimum wage laws. No, you went and worked as an apprentice and you learned and earned a trade, a craft and that became in many places, works of art, really, if you look at them. They have style! They are not pre-poured, pre-molded put together like legos. I've seen many beautiful buildings torn down to make way for a parking lot of mall. Our cars are the worst, yea they can drive themselves almost and have every safety feature going, video for the kids, heated seats, but no style what so ever. look at this 1956 Cadillac compared to a 2013. Sure the 2013 is all aerodynamic and all but look at the lines and frill of the 1956. the 56 is a thing of beauty and STYLE!!!! Ha,ha!!!!
          Don't follow the corporatized crowd! Put your own personal spin on the way you dress and the way you lead your life. Express yourself! Ha,ha!!!

     

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Settle The Argument This Way

              There are a lot of good arguments on both sides of the Marijuana legalization issue. It now seems to be legal or nearly legal in two states and it seems more states are legalizing it for its medical benefits all the time. I think we need to look at it in a totally rational and scientific way.
             I think this is the question a scientist would ask; Is Marijuana unhealthy and a menace to society?
       We know with out a doubt that too much nicotine and alcohol will kill you. But what about Marijuana?
          Here is what I think a doctor or scientist should do;
  Marijuana has been illegal for over 70 years. I know for a fact there are people out there that have smoked marijuana regularly for at least 30 years or more. We should find 100 of them and compare them with 100 people who have never smoked pot, same age group, same income level. How they treat their families, jobs, mental health, physical health every aspect of their lives should be compared.
    I think this would give us some great statistics to compare and see how dangerous marijuana really is.
                                                                                   

Monday, October 7, 2013

Dark Days Ahead

    The National Parks are closed because of a Government shut down.
            Today, I thought; the roads may be shut down to traffic but what would stop the average person from riding his bike into the park. I drove the hour to the entrance, actually just before the entrance. I thought that if there wasn't a car at the guard house I would ride on in. Turns out there was a car and multiple gates.

Talking to one couple they saw mounted rangers at an entrance that is a popular hike but not well marked as National Park. I was told by someone else that some of the same people getting paid to keep  us out were the same people that let us in.
  WAIT a minute!!!!!
      Here we are paying out tax dollars to keep us out of a place that we protect with our tax dollars for our enjoyment. A PARK FOR THE PEOPLE! Its our money and our park, but our government says we can't enter!!!!!!  
Excuse me!!!!!
   Can any body not think about this and NOT go stark raving mad!
        Over the years I've listened to and entertained many, many crazy crack pots and conspiracy theories. Each, for the most part I held a little tongue in cheek. Now at the risk of sounding like one of these crack pots, you can not tell me something is going on that is not being told. Its not the democrats, its not the republicans, its not the president or congress. But I guarantee you, I can feel it to the marrow of my bones. some one or more likely a group of some ones are changing the way America works, some where some one or a group of some ones are making another dirty billion dollars because of all this mess. They use smoke and mirrors by making huge spectacles of  "Dancing With The Stars", "The Voice"," The Next American Idol" and Sporting Events that spend more money than some third world countries NGP on one game.
       DOES ANYONE SMELL ROME BURNING ???  
  Its time to do what ever can be done to fight this force that is chipping away at our personal freedoms, this force that is trying to make us into one huge automaton homogenized nation. It has always been Americas diversity and individuals coming together that has made this a great nation. Our forefathers in 1776 would not stand for this. If you consider your self a patriot, if you believe in the constitution as our forefathers wrote it. Then it is time to get active; write letters to your local politicians about things that upset you in your community. Don't vote a straight party ticket. Until things improve vote out the incumbent no matter what party they fall under. Ideally vote Libertarian. 
   Get active in your community or get prepared for the worst.
   

Our Two Party System

  Lewis Black is a very intelligent and a VERY funny man. He says it best; "Our two party system is a bowl of shit looking in the mirror at itself."
   It is time for a real change. It is time the people of this country took back the country from the faceless corporations, lawyers and professional politicians. I urge everyone to look into the Libertarian Party and vote Libertarian!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Ain't It Funny


           Isn't it funny how many of the protest songs of the 60's and 70's still remain relevant today?

Monday, April 29, 2013

Aristotle said it best

No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.
―Aristotle

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Toshiba and Best Buy ( the next step)

   I'm am so appalled at the lack of response from Toshiba and Best Buy that I'm taking this boycott nation wide and I'm going to do my best to make it go viral.
 It may take a month or two but I plan to take out a full page ad in USA Today and tell my story. I seem to have lost 5 years of pictures, countless writings and music, the lap top is constantly typing double letters and I had to restart it three times yesterday while trying to write a post.  At this point I don't care about the cost. I just think this is a big part of what is wrong in America. I'm mad as HELL and i'm not going to take it any more.
          Join me in a boycott of all Toshiba products and Best Buy!
Share my story and lets show faceless corporations that they can no longer treat the little guy any way they feel like.

Toshiba/ Best Buy Consumer Complaint Response

     I think this just proves that Toshiba and Best Buy does not care about customer satisfaction!
            Apr 25, 2013 - Case #2041131933 Successfully Archived. The party/organization has been officially censured by the CCA and a negative designation has been filed in permanent CCA records. After this point, it is still possible that the organization may contact you to resolve this complaint. We regret that a more favorable outcome could not be reached, but be aware that your complaint will remain on record and will serve as a stern warning to others to avoid all dealings with the party in quesiton. Please inform us if the business/entity in question approaches you with an acceptable resolution from this point forward. A resolution can still very likely be achieved, but the organization will retain its negative designation due to the lack of a more timely response.
                             BOYCOTT these faceless Corporations that only care about your money
 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Is Labeled Organic Truly Organic?

          When it comes to organic produce there has always been a disconnect between Edeye the consumer and Edeye the gardener. I came to age in the mid 70's. the back to the earth movement was big with the people I identified with. I remember and participated in the first earth day, I read "The Last Whole Earth Catalog" it was my bible. I read "Mother Earth News"  and believed in the J. I. Rodale notion that organic gardening was part of an ecosystem that we were all a part of and that we need to live with-in that ecosystem. I have loved growing things since I was a young boy and I have used organic practices in my gardening fully believing that not only was I growing healthier food but I was also leaving behind the earth in better shape then when I started.
           When I go to the grocery store as a consumer and I see the organic produce and meats, I often times wonder if the price is justifiable. Often times you will pay twice as much for organic as you would conventional grown food. A lot of times it just comes down to economics and what I can afford. Which is unfortunate because food has to be the number one source of good health.
         It has come to my attention through articles I've read and through personal observation some interesting facts. First; since "High Fructose Corn Syrup" was added to our foods in the mid 60's the rise of Diabetes has become epidemic. Secondly; the first "Mad Cow" disease didn't show up until the early 1980's when huge feed lots became established as the way to raise cattle. Thirdly; I don't know the facts on this but it seems that I read more and more about the recalls of produce and meats because of salmonella and the listeria virus. From what I read in the news it seems almost epidemic. A few years ago I started trying to eliminate "High Fructose Corn Syrup" from my diet. Partly because of this I'm constantly reading and comparing food labels and HFCS is in everything! From highly processed foods to even foods you think are healthy like yogurt and even whole wheat bread. It takes a real effort to eliminate it completely. Then a year or so ago I saw a documentary named "Food Inc" this video will really open your eyes to how our food supply has been turned into a giant corporate run business that is fully manipulated and only cares about the bottom line. I started thinking that maybe organics was best. Even when not using organics in my commercial kitchen I have tried to look at ways of cooking that is more healthy for my guest. I use essential oils and use less fat and more fruits and vegetables. I buy as much as possible from local sources and Colorado grown and raised. Still the price of the organics is an issue for me, especially in a commercial setting. the ranch I've worked at the past several years has a fixed price and the price of meals has to conform, just as in any restaurant you can only charge so much for a salad whether its organic or not.
        The real problem I see with organics  though is not price but if it is really organic. Sure the USDA has standards set for growing organic foods, free range chickens and "naturally" raised beef and pork.  Think about it though. What we put in the air and the ground that is not organic stays there. If it is in the ground it will eventually leach down into the water. The pollutants we put into the air come down in the rain and snow. This has been my thinking; if we don't treat the earth as a whole, as one huge ecosystem that we must live in and protect. Then we can grow things organically but the things we grow wont be truly organic because of the pollutants that we put in the water and air that nourishes our plants and animals. Now with GMO's and the further manipulations to our food supply by Big Corporations, I'm back to thinking that well maybe we should go organic.
          Then along comes a book called The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. Turns out he supports some of my questions about organics. He goes through the evolution of corn and how it has become such a large part of our diet and how it is really just another extension for our thirst for big oil. When he turns his eyes to organics he seems to support some of my misgivings with organics. First if you go to the grocery store you will see milk with cows grazing on idyllic farms, you will see frozen packaged foods with pictures of fresh beautiful veggies. this is far from the truth. Many of the same large farms grow fields of organically grown tomatoes in fields next to  fields of "conventionally" grown tomatoes. I believe, and this is just conjecture on my part, that chemicals don't know boundaries and the chemicals will leach into other fields. Also how organic is something that is packaged in plastic and transported thousands of miles using fossil fuels? Same way is it really healthy to eat foods out of season, organic or not? How organic is something grown in Argentina and then shipped thousands of miles out of season here? If you look at free range chickens, which is all the rage, the guide lines set by the USDA says that the chickens must have access to grass areas. The chickens are raised by the thousands in long houses, at the end is a small door that they can go in and out of to a small grassy area that could never accommodate all the chickens at one time. The first few weeks of the chickens lives they are raised in a closed in building. Their food and water is in this building, the outside is totally foreign to them. They have no inkling of going outside but because the guidelines are met these chickens are classified as free range. Sure they, just like the cows, are not raised on antibiotics and growth hormones but  the bulk of there diet is still organic corn and the cows are still raised in feed lots. Organic food is more nutritious, I just don't know if in large supermarkets like "Whole Foods" if what we are calling organic is truly organic when you consider the fossil fuels and the distance some of these foods travel. Read the labels on packaged organic foods, some of those things on the labels while maybe come from organic sources don't sound so organic to me. I think if you truly want to go organic  then you have to either  grow it your self or support your local farmers market or food co-op. Then you still have to consider our polluted water and skies.
          It just seems like when I look at food, organic or not, all I see is a plate full of corn and oil.
    I urge you to watch "Food Inc" and read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and make up your own mind and take action where ever possible for your own sake and for generations to come.
 Seventh generation, for everything we do, how will effect the next seven generations.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Violent America

        I detest violence of any kind. War, hatred and violence are never justifiably in my eyes. Yet we DO live in a violent society. It is a common fact of life that there are people who are so twisted that they will find a way to do harm to the innocent.
      Part of the cost of living in a FREE society is to let people go about their business lawfully and peacefully, unobstructed , to let people have free will, even when we are all not bent on leaving this world a beautiful, peaceful place.  99% of the time the people of this country and the world go about their business and voice their opinions in a peaceful manner.
      It is the alarmist, the power hungry, the knee jerk reactionist that would have you believe other wise and use it to infringe upon your constitutional freedoms in the name of "Public Safety".  Guess what? you can out law guns, knives, put every one who buys fertilizer and electrical wire on a bomb makers list. You can out- law public gatherings and walking down the streets. But ya know, only the law abiding citizens will follow along, the sheep. People with the notion, the intent of doing harm, they don't pay attention to laws and will find a way to circumvent the law and carry out their destruction, the wolves.
     I don't mean to make light of recent events. But there will be people pounding their chest and nashing their teeth and some with all good intent to try to legislate in the name of  "protection".
    9/11; the government would have you believe that all the terrorist were caught and justice was done. Guess what? The terrorist won! Because of what they did, our society changed. Thanks to the "Patriot Act" ( an oxymoron if there ever was one)  we are not as free as we once were. Now these same people want to limit our rights to gun ownership. They chip away at our freedoms little by little in the name of "Public Safety". Don't be fooled by this.
       Our fore fathers didn't need big government to protect them. They believed and created this country so a man that worked in his community free from government intervention could also be free enough to take up arms and protect his community from threats, big or small.
         I don't believe in guns but I'm a dreamer and believe in a Utopian, educated, peaceful, free society.
It would be more realistic if every one of an adult age were required to take a gun/shooting class and then were required to carry a shot gun at all times. If the sheep are armed and observant the wolves of the world will dissipate. Wolves are pack animals, they don't think for themselves and are rarely up for an armed resistance. They are motivated by ideology, fanaticism, greed and power. When they see this scared reaction-ism, it makes them  more powerful. The best thing to do in the face of a bully is to brush yourself off and carry on as usual. If we change and cower behind and increasingly intrusively government, we are truly lost!  

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Is Our food Supply Safe

      I've been in the food industry for more then 20 years. The kitchens I work in are regularly inspected by health officials and there has never been a problem. Ever since my grandfathers small diner I've seen health regulations get tighter and tighter. Now it is to a point where it almost seems like they are trying to make kitchens sterile and more regulations then a small business can keep up with. Some of the regulations are beyond common sense. However, on the other hand it seems more and more there are problems with disease and things like salmonella and listeria virus before the food ever gets to my back door. I think the food recalls and the virus outbreaks are becoming epidemic. I can only point my finger at how different our food is produced from when my grandfather had his diner 50 years ago. Back then most things were raised, at least regionally if not locally. I remember the old guy at our corner market, who also lived in the neighborhood, killing his own chickens behind the store. Now everything is mass produced packaged, factory, corporate food. Just like every thing in our society we are being separated from nature and it is causing health problems. The more factories, the more corporations, the more we and our food are separated from the natural process, the more illness and disease we will have.
     One foot note to this is, while trying hard to not ruffle feathers, I have asked state health officials about the food that is delivered to my back door and was blown off, with great assurance to the safety of our food supply .  

Friday, April 12, 2013

Responsiblility

  "No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."
                                                              Voltaire

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Republicrats

        If there need to be any more proof that the lines separating the Democrats and Republicans had become blurred. The recent announcement that President Obama in his most recent budget; seeks to cut health care benefits is proof positive
     WHAT? Did President Obama think the American people would forget that he bailed out the banks and big corporations? Now he is cutting health care???? With the cost of health care in this country ANY benefits we can get from any where is a god send.
     How about this! We cut benefits and salaries of career politicians until this country gets back on the right track. I know if I did my job like congress, the house of representatives ( an oxymoron if there was ever one), and the president I wouldn't have a job. Neither should they! I say until things start improving vote out the people who are in office now.
       "If pro is the opposite of con is congress the opposite of progress?"

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Action against Toshiba and Best Buy

      The lap top is still hanging up, it looks like I've lost all my work from my previous computer, the key board is getting really screwy. The Best Buy CEO group wont return my emails or phone calls. That shit company Toshiba has yet to respond.
         I have filed a complaint with the consumer complaint agency but it requires a $25 processing fee which is hard for me to come up with at this time but I will have it in the near future and hopefully they will  handle this and get this resolved.
          BOYCOTT TOSHIBA AND BEST BUY
    ***** further~ I went ahead and spent my last $25 to send this complaint in. Hopefully it will do some good. All I want is a computer that works and it is hard for me to understand why this hasn't been resolved to my satisfaction, being in the service industry it is hard for me to fathom how companies can function in such a manner. I haven't been pushing for this but since this has been such an ordeal, if they can not recover all my pictures and writings that seem to be lost, I am asking for $500 in compensation. The pictures and writings are worth a LOT more to me then that but maybe I'll receive some kind of compensation.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

I Refuse to Be Dumbed Down and So Should You

      I think there is in general a dumbing down of america. It insults me that they try to make a tv show like "American Idol" news worthy. REALLY, your going to tell me there is nothing more important going on in the world???????
   In the past few years it seems like this dumbing down has focused on the south and the term "Red Neck".
The powers at be are trying to tell us a "red neck" is some one with a southern accent who is uneducated and only cares about drinking, hunting, fishing, fast cars and loose women. This could be further from the truth and as a proud southern I'm HIGHLY annoyed and insulted. Do you want to know the true meaning of a red neck? It is someone who has worked hard all his life trying to provide a decent life for the family while sweating under the hot humid sun and the yoke of an over imposing government until his neck is blistered red.
        THAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF A RED NECK!
     If your from the south and your as proud of your deep culture and history as I am. Then you should be insulted by any other definition and not participate in ANYTHING that shows other wise.
     These shows they are trying to pass off as reality shows, I believe most of it is scripted especially Duck Dynasty. In fact, that guy that plays the CEO doesn't even have a real Louisiana accent at least none that I've ever heard and I've spent a fair amount of time in Louisiana.
      I was raised a proud southern, taught manners and southern chivalry. The south has a long rich history deep in culture. I, to this day hold doors for ladies, it doesn't matter if they are 8 or 80. Funny, I actually made a girl irritated because I would open the car door for her. I believe deeply in equality for every one but that doesn't stop me from being a gentleman.
      I don't know where all this they are trying to shove down our throats is coming from, what is passed off today as entertainment and news, but I refuse to buy into it and you should also. Its degrading, insulting and just wrong.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Toshiba laptop and Best Buy Geek Squad

             My Toshiba laptop continues to lock up and need restarting. the cursor moves around and all of a sudden I'm typing in a new place and it even types extra letters. I have had no response from Best Buy or Toshiba.
          In the mean while, it would seem I've lost some music, writings and all my pictures from the past. The Geek Squad was supposed to back all my stuff up on the storage device. I can't find it anywhere. I've opened file after file. I'm no computer techno person, I could have screwed up, but here again is just another example of  the customer service you get from a faceless corporation vs what you would get from a mom and pop operation. After the sale Best Buy has left it up to me to solve this whole issue. A Mom and Pop operation usually has a helping hand out and will bend over backwards to make things right. At this point I don't think this can be made right.
       BOYCOTT; BEST BUY AND TOSHIBA and other faceless corporations!!!!!!
The bottom line is all a corporation understands. Back in the 70's I was part of a boycott that stopped the unnecessary killings of dolphins. We can change America. We can change the way business is being done. Find the Mom and Pop stores in your town and support them before they are forced out of business.

GPS vs "Dead Reckoning"

      Back when hell was a campfire, before cell phones and gps. I would kind of scan a map, get an idea of where I was going and head out. I and who ever was with me often time saw some interesting places and sights that were off the beaten path.
       I added a gps app to my new smart phone and on a long road trip on the east coast tried it out. It worked great when I had an address and needed directions. But, like a lot of people the gps on this phone thinks that the interstate is the best way to go. When it came time to leave Orlando and go over  to Panama City beach It wanted me to go north on I-75 until I hit I-10. I didn't like this so much and looked at a map and picked out another route that took me along a beautiful two lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit. It was a beautiful drive through the Apalachicola National Forest. Very little traffic, Florida before condos . Just a beautiful drive and at 55 mph that is where my jeep gets the best gas mileage. There was one little hick-up and I didn't really realize it until I noticed something wasn't right. I was using "Map Quest" but also "Google Maps" and they were not giving me the same directions. I got kind of off course, but quickly realized it and got back on the right track. If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't have made any better time on the interstate. In this case the gps is what got me turned around.
         When I left Panama City, I don't know, maybe it was the only way to go but the gps took me by back roads to Memphis a beautiful drive through the Alabama country side.
         Is it possible that the gps has a brain and it has figured out I
like the back roads better? I doubt it! LMAO! But it was funny that it took me through the back roads when before it wanted to stick to the interstate.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

A Very Common Sense Way To Solve Our National Debt Problem

                Our countries financial crises is unimaginable! I've seen charts and comparisons to how much a trillion dollars is, but it is really unimaginable. Our countries debt will be its down fall if something major is not done. While all the folks up in Washington DC are debating and posturing trying to keep the folks back home pleased while groveling and prostrating themselves before their corporate sponsors and owners.
           I offer this very sane, very common sense way to balance the nation and the states budgets.
    Legalize Marijuana!~
          Now before you huff up and quit reading consider the following facts;
                 We spend 42 billion dollars a year trying to enforce drug laws.
                      40% of all drug cases are marijuana. We have been fighting this drug war with little or no success for decades while our streets become more and more unsafe. If marijuana was legalized not only would we save all that money but our court systems would be some what cleared up and our police could concentrate on violent criminals.
                  Around 100 million people have used marijuana in some form in the U.S.- some 25 million Americans smoked pot in the last year -  around 14 million Americans smoke pot on a regular basis.
    In Colorado there is a 14% tax on medical marijuana. Lets say each of these people spend a $100 a month on pot. ( From personal knowledge I think this is a VERY conservative number for a regular toker) That is $14 a month in taxes per person which multiplied out is 196 million dollars or 2 billion 352 million dollars in taxes to the US budget.
             Not only that..... your creating a whole new industry creating thousands of jobs which further stimulates the economy.
           There are no known cases of Marijuana  being unhealthy or harmful in any way in fact it might be useful in medicine, industry and might inspire and improve some peoples lives.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

An Update on Toshiba and Best Buy or A look at What Has Gone Wrong with This Country

         If you have been following along then you know of my continuing troubles with a Toshiba computer that I bought from Best Buy in June of last year. If not see my earlier blogs for a full view of what I've been going through with these corporations.
           At first it seemed Best Buy was going to work with me and get this straightened out. they sent me a $100 gift card, but I still had to make the 5 hr round trip to Boulder and send the Toshiba computer off.  I did state at this time that if I had any more problems that I thought the only right thing to do would be to replace the Toshiba computer.
         This all happened at the end of November. I took off on an extended trip that took me to South Carolina and then to New York City. Shortly before leaving for New York the durn thing started hanging up again. I've had to restart it to finish this blog post. While in New York I took the Toshiba Lap top to Best Buy, I think its on 23rd street, anyway, they told me the key board needed to be replaced. I called the lady I had been talking to a couple of times. this was just after new years so I figure she may be on vacation. I called her and emailed her. I hadn't heard from her. I gave her one more chance and emailed her last week. Not a word!
       My Mom contacted both Best Buy and Toshiba earlier on. Best Buy at least initially corresponded with me. As of today I have NOT HEARD ONE WORD FROM TOSHIBA!
      Now I will admit that if Best Buy was around the corner it would not be such a big deal.... maybe! Even at that they have had three chances to fix the thing, at this point I would want it replaced if I lived next door.
       I went to Best Buy instead of buying a computer on line and having delivered to my door because 5 years ago when I bought my last lap top the service was impeccable and I' not a computer geek. This was in South Carolina, but with a big corporation it shouldn't matter. That is what is supposed to be so great about big corporations no matter where you go the service and merchandise is supposed to be the same. Here is what you get. A faceless entity that thinks it can  treat anybody anyway they want  because of what they are and what they have and you will take it and be glad.
          NOT ME! This is exactly one of the things that is wrong with this country! If this had been a mom and pop store, it would have been replaced the first time, no questions asked. IF their name was on it and it wasn't right; They would give you another one and give you your money back! People used to be proud of what they produced and sold. You don't have to be that way when your working and buying from a faceless entity, no one to take the blame, pass the buck, its up to the great and powerful oz behind the curtain. AND its all the emperor's new clothes and everybody is going along!
     NOT in these pages. I will holler from the rafters like a crazy Don Quixote tilting at the wind mills of injustice both in the corporate world and political.. Toshiba and Best Buy think they have heard the last from me. ITS NOW the principle of the way I've been treated both at the stores; when I requested a new computer no one seemed to be able to take authority and make it happen and at this time  the not caring by the upper management.
   Whats next;
                      THE BOYCOTT IS ON
            I also plan to tell my story to as many consumer rating and consumer advocate agencies I can find.
      I'm just crazy enough to spend ten times the effort and money to tell my story as it would to simply go out and buy a new computer.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

A Look at Modern Addiction

     Addiction is serious business!
Yes it is and this addiction is especially insidious because most people don't even know they have it and each day there is more and more put out here to draw us in.
      Its there staring you in the face. That computer we can no longer do with out, although there are many of us who lived half our lives or more with out them. Now we can't go a day with out checking our emails. Then came social net working. Facebook and Twitter. Everyone putting there most recent life story out there for everybody to see. We have to be constantly attached, not talking to the person next to you but texting somebody a world away. We don't have a garden in our back yard but we have virtual farms and cites we have to tend hourly and daily. Then there is pinterest and stumbleupon. I could spend days on stumbleupon! There is an endless array of information out there on any subject you could be interested in and you could spend years tied to your computer discovering information that stumbleupon and pinterest throws out for you just by clicking a button. I have to limit myself to the time I spend on stumbleupon, but my real addiction is On line shopping. especially with sierra trading post and campmore. Sierra Trading Post really knows how to pull me in. I buy so much stuff they are giving me special discounts and free shipping, etc, etc. Its SUCH a DEAL,  how can I refuse!!!!! I told my self NO MORE! I delete their emails and don't open their catalogs and vow not to buy anything over the coming summer........ then I discover uncrate, gear junkie and nomorerack! arrrggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
          I'm telling you its a conspiracy to keep us tied to the computer, distracted and not outside where we belong so we can see whats really going on!!!!!

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