The Real Question

   Like every one I'm horrified at the recent shooting at schools, malls and other places.  If your a sane person you can not fathom how a person could carry out such atrocities.
     I'm also amazed at how our government officials and news media focus on the guns and the bullets. Some of my friends advocate a conspiracy theory that our government is brain washing people to kill people with guns so our government has a reason to disarm us and make us more docile. This rabid attention to guns and bullets and not motives or how these people reach such depths makes me wonder if there is not some validity to these claims.
   I think the real thing we need to ask is at how has our society failed the mad man and the victims.
         What turns a baby and that's what everyone starts out as. How does a baby who is born with out hatred, prejudice, political or religious beliefs turn into such a being that would kill and maim innocent people. What influences and how was this once innocent person turned into such a being. How has our society failed, that we are turning out such people.
   I think that is the real questions we need to be asking.            

a Vote for personal liberties and State Rights

   I was in hunting camp during the elections and the consensus among that group was that the election was going to be a landslide in Romney's favor, I think everyone else thought it was going to be close and in the end I think it was.
    I think the biggest thing that came out of the election was the legalization of marijuana by the states of Washington and Colorado. In fact at this writing, Washington has already cleared the court docket of all possession charges. Colorado's Governor is proceeding with a little more caution, not wanting to upset the feds.
    The point remains that the voters of these two states sent a clear message to our electorate in D.C, for states rights and personal freedom and a clear mandate to change a policy that has not been working for more than thirty years . The current way we fight drug abuse and addiction is costing us billions both in spending and tax revenues, plus it clogs up our courts, many times with cases of people who's only crime is smoking a joint or two.
       Other states have already decriminalized and set up medical marijuana. I look to other states following Washington and Colorado's lead in the near future.   

Another update from Best Buy and the official response from North face!

          Two days ago I sent the rep from Best Buy an email. In it I stated, that with my location and time restraints I thought the best thing to do was to send the computer back to Toshiba. That way it would be at my house when I got back from hunting camp. I also explained my experience with North Face in which they replaced a ten year old coat.
        Yesterday I got a response. The reply stated that the rep had worked for Vanity Fare, which to my surprise owns North Face. She stated that she was aware of the liberal nature of the North Face guarantee. She also stated that she too thought that I should send the computer back to Toshiba and that she would send me a flash drive to back up my files, at this point she also added a hundred dollar gift card and as soon as I find out what the charges are Best Buy will refund my shipping charges.
         At this point I don't think I have a beef with Best Buy any more. They have responded and are at least trying to help. If there was a Best Buy just down the road, would I be having the problems I'm having?  Not sure, I'm thinking maybe not. Really, I think, when I sent the computer to Toshiba instead of making the two and a half hour trip to Best Buy it took it out of Best Buys hands, so I am not really upset with them any more, not really.
          My Mom sent the same letter to the CEO of Toshiba and we have not heard a word in response.
                   The BOYCOTT goes on but with TOSHIBA  and not Best Buy.
   The thing is that my original thinking was that Toshiba's name is on the darn thing. I thought that by sending it back to them they would be more likely to make sure it was right than some kid at Best Buy making minimum wage. I might have been wrong, I'm just saying.
         I hope you read my other blog about a company that stands behind its product.
                 Anyway,  when I got my coat back and the bill stated that there was no charge, they had been so nice. I contacted Abe, which is my contact at North Face, and told him about the receipt. I got a quick reply in it and I quote " We show a charge for a $189 to your account and if there's not, than enjoy your new coat and thank you for being a loyal North Face customer."
                                         I checked my account, there is no charge.
              I am the new North Face poster boy! ha,ha!

A Company That Knows How To Stand Behind Its Product

     I bought a North Face "Mountain Parka" up on Mackinaw Isl back in 2002. The second year I had it the lining came out of the sleeve. I had read/heard about North Face"s life time warranty and i had planned to send the coat into them several times. I promise! MAN I LOVED THAT COAT! 
     A couple of years passed. I learned that "life time warranty" meant the life of the materials of the coat. The coat is starting to look shabby, the bright yellow has turned black in places, its not failed me but you can tell its losing the "Gortex" and the material is getting thin. Last winter I started looking for a replacement. I found a "Woolrich" that's pretty nice, I caught it at a good price but the hood closure just isn't the same. Not the same protection. I really haven't seen anything close to that coat. Winter is fast approaching here in Colorado. The snow will fly soon. There is already snow on the higher peaks. So.....
       A little over a month ago I sent the coat along with a letter explaining all this to the warranty dept.. It was a shot in the dark. I really was hoping they could fix the coat and give me a good deal on the repair.
       About two weeks ago I got a letter from the warranty dept telling me due to UV damage, etc there was nothing they could do. I was disappointed. Did I tell you "MAN I LOVE THAT COAT"!
              The next day I got a letter from an Abe at the North Face warranty dept.. He told me he was sorry they couldn't fix my coat and the style had gone through considerable changes over the past few years. Then he told me he would give me half off of any coat, my choice! I couldn't believe it. Stick with me it gets better! I looked through their on line catalog. Sure enough there wasn't a coat like mine. I picked a $400 one out of the "Summit Series" which is what mine was. Abe took my info and four days later it was at my door. It is a beautiful coat. Its supposed to be fully wind and rain proof. The hood closes up like mine. Its fit is a little more snug.  The weather has been beautiful and mild here so far, so I haven't fully tested it out. Its nice.... but not the same. I think about going back and looking at the catalog again...... then I look at the receipt. It has a charge for the coat at $399. next line, discount; $399, next line shipping $7.99. total due $7.99. They had not charged me at all for the coat!!!!!!! I called my bank to see if there had been a charge to my account. No there had been no charge from North Face! I was shocked at my good fortune.
        After about a week of contemplation, I emailed Abe and told him of the mistake. He told me not to worry about it, that it was their mistake.
        Since this has happened, purely by accident I have bought several things from North Face. I was up in Breckenridge and found a great deal on a pair of North Face winter boots and a North Face hoodie. Then campmore, an online camping store, had a fleece jacket on sale I've wanted for a couple of years. Now, not really meaning to, I'm a North Face poster boy. I'd say karma is working in north face favor.
   I'd also say that if more companies had this kind of attitude this world would be a lot better. Do you hear me Toshiba!!!
         

Update on Toshiba and Best Buy Boycott

      If you read my other blog at www.edeyethetravelingchef , then you know I've had some issues with both of these companies.
                 Here's whats happening!
           My Mom, being a good mom, sent letters to the CEO of both companies. I filled out the surveys on line, that so many companies send you, and explained the situation. I haven't heard from Toshiba. But a very nice lady from the  CEO group of Best Buy has contacted me. I explained the situation. Best Buy is willing to pay the shipping to send the computer to the Toshiba warranty center. They are also willing to send me a flash drive to store all my pictures, music, writings and other misc files from my computer.
     Thats a very nice gesture. but at this point I'm so aggravated at a new computer that sounds like a  B-52 taking off everytime I start it up. Then there is the freezing up at random times and the little arrow thingy that shakes and blinks on and off making it harder for me to use it then it already is. I don't know ...... read my next blog for a company that really stands behind its product 

New years eve 2013

REALLY? 2013? ha,ha
"What A long strange trip its been"GD
      Who would have thought it! I remember sitting in grammar school when we all figured how old we would be when we went into the 21st century.
            Once again I'm heading to NY city for new years to see Govt Mule at the Beacon Theatre on new years eve and once again on new years day I'm going to try to start the New Years off on the right foot by helping out those in need by doing the Coney Island Polar Plunge!
    I'm "Freezin For A Reason"! It wont be long until the pledge forms come out and I hope all my friends and readers will support me in this worth while cause to support "Camp Sunshine". A free camp with a full medical facility and mostly volunteer staff for sick kids and there families.
    Lets Do this thing for the kids! 
If all my friend on facebook and twitter would give two dollars we could possibly make some terminally ill sick kids life a little brighter

Eating well and Staying Healthy??????

           My question is this; why does it cost so much to eat and be healthy in America?  I try to do the right things for my body and the environment by my purchases at the local grocery. I am constantly shocked at how much more organic produce is compared to chemically treated produce. I am amazed at how much lower in price things are that have High Fructose Corn Syrup in them than things that do not. Especially when it has been proven medically at the rise of Type 2 diabetes since high fructose corn syrup has been added to our diet, especially in our young people. Why hasn't this been taken out of our food stuff and outlawed? Just like cigarettes  and other drugs versus marijuana, its not what drugs you do but whos, thanks for that line Tom Snider. But I digress. I believe in the free market system and  regularly try to have an effect on things other than my health by my purchases. I try to buy "Free Trade" items and look for the "Rainforest Action Network" seal of approval. Unfortunately at times my pocket book can't afford my social and healthy alternatives.
       I usually buy Caribou Coffee its organic, free trade and has the seal of approval from the
Rainforest Action Network, but its two dollars more a bag and less in a bag than say Maxwell house. Recently because of economic reasons I had to buy the Maxwell House. Never Again! I will do with out first! First, I missed the earthy taste of my regular coffee and then I notice a distinct bitter,chemical taste and have a burnt taste on my tongue the rest of the day from the Maxwell House brand of coffee. Both are French roast and I grew up drinking Maxwell House
       This is a disgrace and a direct insult to the American people that things that are good for you cost more than things that are bad. Not only that,but if you take it a step forward,  If you are a person with limited economical means, than you probably can't afford health care and buy buying these items made with the less unhealthy ingredients like the aforementioned high fructose corn syrup. you are surly going to be putting yourself at risk of major health problems, more so than if you were buying organic products and helping the environment and indigenous people by buying free trade products. So, you would be looking at health care that you can't already afford! This is just one more instance where America has let big business and corporations really screw the public interest.