Blackberry vs iPhone

During my trip to Detroit I had an epiphany. The Blackberry / iPhone debate has been around a long time. It has just been argued with different products. Take cars for example. In my younger days I would have never bought a Japanese car. I was an American made guy. Why? You can fix them.
When my sisters ’62 Lancer broke down and needed an alternator what did we do? We headed down to Duluth Auto Wrecking and climbed through their pile of Mopar parts until we found a close enough match. When I busted the cluch plate on my ’70 Dodge Dart what was my best option? Head to the pile of Mopar parts and start digging. When the engine went out on my ’74 Dodge Challenger what was the fix? You guessed it. Repairs were cheap because parts were readily available.
My friends with Japanese cars? They would never be able to find parts for those frickin’ “Rice Burners”. But then, they never had to.
They never burned the clutch up. They never had to replace the voltage regulator. They never had to drop their trany. But I was confident, if they needed to, it would be impossible or expensive.
That brings me back to the smart phones.
My wife loves her iPhone. It always works, never freezes, has no moving parts. But if it ever did screw up she couldn’t even remove the battery to reboot it.
Me, I’m a Blackberry guy. I’ve got the Blackberry I’m using, another just like it for parts, and a working spare just in case.
Yup, I’m a Blackberry guy and…
IGTBM

$61,000 in Forfeitures

I recall, while at the Rochesterfest Parade a year or two ago, seeing a truck with “This Truck was Seized…” painted on the side being “paraded” out for all to see. It brought to my mind the image of a government official marching down the street with a bullhorn proclaiming, “CITIZEN! Get your chairs, blankets and strollers back onto the curb or they shall be confiscated.”
Government officials seizing personal property, selling it, then using the funds to finance the program that seized the property gives me an icky feeling inside. I see images of the wife whose only vehicle was taken from her family or the kids whose dad lost their family finances to his meth or gambling addiction.
If we the people find value in this program, then maybe we should agree to fund it and if the program generates some type of revenue, that revenue should go back to helping the victims of these situations. If that were the case, I wonder how much that $61k number would change.

Paul W Cameron

Print – www.postbulletin.com_news_stories

“I’m Not Listening, I’m Not Listening, I’m Not Listening…”

What a day!  Over the weekend I was looking forward to attending Congressman Walz - Town Hall Mtg on the Federal Budget, Monday.  I look forward to any opportunity when I can manage “face time” with my elected Representatives.  I arranged my schedule so as to be able to attend at least 1 hour (my lunch) in between commuting between Dodge Center to Riceville, IA.  (RCTC isn’t exactly on the way).

Rep Walz and I haven’t exactly had a smooth relationship.  During several opportunities to talk with him on the radio he seemed far less interested in hearing what I had to say, and far more interested in holding some type of radio filibuster.  He would fill up the air waves with so much chatter one could easily forget what the question was.  Emails, written letters (yes, in pencil) and phone calls were usually answered with some “cookie-cutter” response that let me know all the good works he was doing for me and my fellow citizens of Southeast Minnesota. 

But this time there was something different.  I RSVP’ed by phone to say I would be attending and looked forward to speaking with him.  This time a real voice returned my call to say, “Rep. Walz is looking forward to hearing from you.”  Wow!  A real voice.  How refreshing.

I arrived just before the Congressman took the podium.  I was given a handout from an orginization called “The Concord Coalition“.  I’d heard of them.  I recalled reading an article about their take on Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget plan.  It was positive.  They were impressed that someone was getting serious about our countries finances.  They had some concerns about the plan, but considered it a good start.

After a short introduction, Congressman Walz stepped up and assured the room that they were not here to listen to him, he was here to hear from them.  I believe he made the comment [paraphrasing], “…I have one mouth, but two ears.”  (Ha, ha, ha, oh, that is funny)  He displayed several slides, showing the seriousness of the Federal budget problems.  He let the room know that getting out of this mess was going to take hard work and sacrifice.

After about 5-7 minutes the Congressman turned the room over to a representative from The Concord Coalition.  She spoke of her organization and helped guide us though the workbooks we all held in front of us Principles & Priorities.  An excellent work book.  It helped us understand the decisions that needed to be made and their impact in the deficit and our country.  What a fantastic tool.  The intention was to work through the book in groups of 4-6, with people you most likely don’t know, and come to an agreement on budget decisions.  Data from the workbooks would surely show the priorities of this group of citizens from SE MN.

I couldn’t wait to get started, but I was running out of time.  By the time we were to get with our groups an hour had passed, and I had to go.  Damn!  This was going to be interesting, and Rep. Walz was going to gather a treasure trove of data from the Rochester area folks of MN-1st.  All I could do was pickup my things and quietly slide out.

All the way to Riceville (1-1/2hrs) I thought, “Maybe I’m wrong about the Congressman. Maybe our past encounters were just a series of unfortunate events.”  Maybe?  While working, I began to believe maybe things were changing.  I couldn’t wait to read how the event had gone.  I wished I could have stayed.

Before I left Riceville I checked the KTTC web-site for a story.  Sure enough, there it was.  “Federal Budget Town Hall“.  It was just like I thought.  Rep. Walz was serious about listening and hearing what his constituents had to say.

The story talks of the Concord Coalition, the workbooks, the inter action and the data the workbooks would provide.  The last line of the story: “Walz says he will take the worksheets back to Washington with him to help him as budget talks continue.”

I couldn’t wait to write this blog.  I thought about it the whole ride back to Rochester.

Then, once my phone got back into its service area (yes, I know AT&T covers 98% of the US, but the remaining 2% is in NE IA) I received a message from a fellow Tea Party Patriot…

Cindy M.  ”… When we finished, several tables were asked to stand up and say what was the easiest question and what was the hardest?…  (PWC- That was the end of the questions)
…When we were finished Rep Walz again took the stage and said they were going to Winona, Austin and all over the district to gather information from district 1 members. When they collected our pens we asked them if they wanted our questionnaires they said “NO” we don’t need them. When I confronted Rep Walz about this he said he went around to the tables and listened to people and took notes and that was all he needed. He never visited our table. 2 1/2 hours to tell 4 other citizens what I thought. The whole thing was a joke. He never took one question from the audience.
He actually told me “when you become a Representative you can run your town halls the way you want to”

I was able to verify Cindy’s story.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.  PWC

Thanks P-BO!

Driving home from Mpls last night, David blurted out from the back seat, “Usama Bin Ladin is dead.”  The car fell silent.  We got home around 10:30 and turned on the news.  I wasn’t sure how I felt… I don’t think Dave knew how he felt either.  I went to bed but got up 3 times because the TV was left on. Each time I came out to turn it off I found David sitting on the couch watching the news reports.  I didn’t disturb him.

About 4:00 am I woke up crying in my sleep.  I couldn’t figure out why.  I knew I felt thankful.  I knew I was glad Bin Ladin was killed and not taken alive.  I suspect my parents or Grandparents had similar feelings when Hitler was dead.  I don’t know.  I felt an ordeal that, for me, started one workday in Florence, SC, had finally come to a close.

On my way home from work today I heard a tape of George Bush, he was on the pile of rubble and someone shouted, “We can’t hear you!”.  The tape continued, I burst into tears.  I felt relieved.  I felt happy.  I was grateful.  I find myself rarely agreeing with my President, but today, I’ve never been happier that he was there and he made that call.  I thanked God for putting in place a president that had the balls to say, “Shoot!”, and Riflemen skilled enough to kill him.

Seems weird to celebrate someone’s death, but today I do.  Tomorrow… Well tomorrow could get ruff, but today I feel it is OK to celebrate.

Workin’ for the Man -vs- Workin’ for Yourself

One of the best pieces of advice I didn’t follow before going into business for myself was “Before your leave your regular job, save up $10k and put it in an account you can access immediately.” Right! My first thought was, “I’m going into business for myself because I couldn’t save $10k while workin’ for the man”. “If I could safe $10k at the drop of a hat I wouldn’t bother workin’ for myself”.

Looking back, it was the best advice I’d received and should have followed.

Stepping off the dock of “The Man” employment and into the boat of “Self-Employment” was certainly exciting.

While standing on the dock and looking out at the calm water, life was sure to be full of good times and adventure. I didn’t realized that once I untied the boat from the dock and “pushed off”, my footing would be incredibly unstable.

I also wasn’t alone in the boat. With me was my wife and kids, our home, our dreams, college educations, dreams after high school, retirement. When the waves would pickup and crash against the boat there was no way to secure it and it was difficult to guide. The boat may crash against the rocks. It may take on water and sink. It was me against whatever the waters could through at us. Enough with the boat analogy…

In the 3 years that I worked for myself we almost lost our home 3 times. Summer vacations were less about relaxing and more about creative financing to get through the week without income (Thank God for my family, who always knew how to divert my attention and make me laugh). Always being attached to the phone. Dealing with frustrated clients while out of town.

During the winter business was slow. This meant finding contract work to “get through”. New Orleans, Wilminton NC, Beloit WI… Contract work was Never close to home. Work was every day as long as there was sunlight (and often when there was not). Money was good, but we were one more missed payment away from loosing the house. So the money was designated. Keeping expenses low meant living in $30-a-night hotels and living with the “riff-raff” they attract. Trying to help out with Teens at home but knowing that giving that help over the phone was a big part of the problem. In 2007 I lived over 6 months out of the state. Living the dream wasn’t supposed to look like this.

Getting the opportunity to go back to working-for-the-man was the lifeline I needed. The phone call to workout the details was like a big Coast Guard spot light hitting me in the face as I clung to the boats remains, cold, tired, scared. (Alright, no more boat analogies… I promise)

A deposit in the checking account, religiously, every other Friday… paid time off… vacations without a cell phone… I admire those who build their business on their own. There is also a lot to be said for Workin’-for-The-Man.

Now when I stand on the edge of the dock and stare out at the water things look different.

It’s Good to be Me!

PWC

 

Prayer on Election Day (the prayer of a Teabagger)

Father, on this Tuesday, Election Day, I want to thank You for those with the courage to run for political office in this, the freest country in the world.  Thank You for allowing me the privilege of being in this country, at this time.

I recognize that since You’ve blessed us with the gift of this nation we have stumbled. We’ve made terrible mistakes.  For those, I ask Your forgiveness.

I also recognize that because You’ve blessed us, we’ve seen the incredible good that men, living free, can bring to this world. For that, I give You my thanks.

As we head to the polls today, open my eyes, my heart and my mind. Grant all of us clarity to place in positions of leadership, those who share our passion for this country, love of freedom, commitment to life, desire for liberty and ambition to pursue happiness.

Tomorrow, after our leaders are chosen, guide those elected to heal our nation and get her back on track.

…and Lord, while I got Your ear, as for those who oppose Teabaggers like myself, those who fight for these same core principles but believe there achievement requires a different path, provide them consolation. Lord, plant in their hearts and minds solace and a willingness to forgive us for the ass whoopin’ we inflicted today.

Can I get an AMEN?

Beck askin’ Tea Partiers to change? WTF?

I thought the advice was well thought out.

Here in Rochester, when a Tea Party event is reported, of all the folks in attendance, there is one dude, dressed like Uncle Sam and carrying Ol’ Glory.  That always ends up on the news .  The folks sittin’ at home watching the news, see and hear this guy and may conclude, “Hey, he’s kind of a D-bag.” He doesn’t speak for the group, but on the news, he seems to.

At “Restoring Honor” the vast, vast, vast majority of the folks I saw and met wore something Red, something White or something Blue (or a combination there of). Except me, I was in my capitalist/defense contractor, Oshkosh mode… and my son?  Well, he was just “Proud to be Awesome”.  But many of the folks in the news footage were wearing shirts with the Stupidest sayings on them.  Folks watching at home see that and think, “Well, that’s disrespectful of the President. I’m not like that”.

Enough with the signs, shirts and costumes!

Beck’s not asking folks to change.  He’s asking them not to.

When “Uncle Sam carrying Ol’ Glory” dude takes his kids to the park he doesn’t wear the whole outfit.

I don’t typically see Tea-Baggers walkin’ the Mall as Lady Liberty.

I haven’t actually seen someone dressed as Betsy Ross at the Pick-n-Save.

The message: Be yourself.

If, as yourself, you typically wear a white curly wig and a 3 pointed hat, you’re always welcome.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car

Gotta’ give an opinion on the FB Group (I just can’t shut the pie hole!):

“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.”

That would also apply to…
Going to college doesn’t make you a scholar…
Serving your country doesn’t make you a patriot…
Feeding the hungry doesn’t make you a humanitarian…

The act isn’t the soul factor, but participation in that act may help illuminate the path.

Go to church.  Serve your country.  Feed the poor.  Look for the path.  It’ll be there.

IGTBM

Boycott Who?

All this talk about a boycott on BP.  Who do you suspect that will hurt?  What will it help?

I have a friend and fellow KC who owns a local BP conviniance store.  He’s just started to believe, after costly compliance to new regulations, he was coming off the worst of this recession .  Now this.

The oil leak in the gulf is tragic.  Being outraged and wanting to take action is normal.  What can each of us do?

Boycotting your local BP will have no affect on British Patrolium but it will have a huge affect on 1000′s of small businessmen across this country.  Plus, think long and hard, is this a BP problem or is this a problem within the oil drilling industry?  This isn’t the first well to dump raw crued for months and months.  We’ve been here before.

I don’t agree with industry experts who state, “This is a 1 in a million occurance”.  Earthquakes, other acts of nature, material defects and man-made occurrences damage piping every day.  To believe it’ll never happen at 5000 feet below sea level is turning your head in ignorance.

Eventually this leak will be stopped.  Eventually the mess will be cleaned up.  Eventually the root cause will be understood.  Eventually someone will have to answer for BP, the government regulators and the industry.  In the meantime, what can you do?

A boycott on BP convinience stores will surely put many out of business.  Seeing the vacent building on the corner will give a “warm fuzzy” to some (as they drive past, alone, in there ’98 LaSabre, while taking their morning, 4 mile, commute).  Time will pass.  Super America will find the location ideal.  They will probably sell Hot Dogs, 2 for $1 and a 44 oz  Icee at the grand opening.  You’ll probably be happy to have a place to fill up on the way to work.  I hope the new business will be owned by my friend.  By then, I’m sure he could use the money, if he still lives in the area.

Want to make a difference?  Don’t boycott BP.  Cut back on consumption.  Come up with, use and promote alturnatives to petrolium products.  Push for natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, hydro and solar energy.  Encourage drilling on land.  Get oil out of ships and into controlled, cross country piping systems.  Focus on getting us off foreign oil. Work toward energy independance.

One day, somebodies stroke of genius will stop this leak (I have to believe).  Until then, let’s focus on taking action that will correct the problem, not just make us feel good.

The BP oil spill

The BP oil spill.  What a sad situation.

When this first happened my thoughts were, “This is an American Hero moment.”  Somewhere out there was a group of relatively unknown Engineers, Techs and Craftsmen who were going to rise over the Gulf horizon and show America and the world how incredibly creative and innovative they were.  They would show up on scene and shut this down.

Where are the Hero’s?

The explosion was most likely unpredictable but are you telling me it never occurred to those in the industry that, at those depths, a pipe may fail?  C’mon!  What a sad situation.  Politicizing it just as payback for the vilification of Geo. W is equally sad.

I’ll keep looking out over the horizon, hoping and praying the Hero’s are coming.  I worry that they may not be.