MarsAlive

No Child Left Behind - Another Vew

2009-06-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

“if it can be tested, it can be measured”

I believe that is what the former education secretary under the Bush administration had stated was the intrinsic success of standardized testing. It was a success in the great state of Texas, and former President Bush saw it as being standardized across the country. Texas is a big state and so is the United States.

However, just as most large corporations use the same logic, “if it works in one subsidiary, we can use it across the entire corporation.” A logic that is prone to fallacy, as in the example of the movie industry with its number of sequels, is there a Saw VII out yet.?

The larger issue that needs to be examined is in the classroom. The student is to be tested using a standard test, meaning the same, across the school district for that grade level. The results tabulated, and if improvement is being made excellent, if not remedial steps in the district with sanctions approaching withholding of federal funds etc. Of course that is not necessarily stated, but it is a simple fact that federal funds were increased for education and those funds would be distributed to the schools that did comply.

Granted there had been challenges to the rule, and the funds would be given from federal to the states. The major drive for change is simple money. In the most simplistic case the students would be taught to the standardized test. The test manufacturer would be responsible to make up a test. Of course what does that truly mean? Responsibility would go from the education district to the test company. The test company would be the responsible party to test the student, with the implication the federal government would set up the parameters for testing. Granted there are a number of testing companies, however, they need to make money and whatever appears the best for the testing companies will of course be the best for the school districts as well.

Money will be the prime motivation for the school districts. If a school district is considered a problem district of course children may be removed to the school to go to another school as well in the ultimate case closure of a school. With most school districts being supported by property taxes, the effect is negligible, except in the case with state grants, which may be supported by federal monies. The need to succeed in the No Child Left Behind Act is even more evident. Succeed, money flows in, do not succeed money flows out.

The larger intent was to educate children and measure their progress. What the lowest common denominator result would be is a system where proof of progress, through increasing test scores, guarantees funds coming into a school district. Test companies would set up the criteria of what to test for and comprehension.

Wall Street Shakes on Financial Black Hole.. NJ sees blue skies

2008-10-03T02:18:00.000-07:00

Do you wonder why most politcos in New Jersey seem totally clueless about financial restraint? Do you wonder if the New Jersey Supreme Court seems as if they are out of touch and out of their minds when they add billions of dollars of cost to New Jersey?

It makes the common working person in New Jersey say why can't I have what they have? Why is it the cost of living adjustment will go to the teachers and of course state workers, but you and I get that a cost of living increase above the inflation rate? Won't happen in the real world but it will happen in New Jersey byzantine beauracracy.

Your world deals with a financial meltdown. Your world deals with a company that you own or work for that is facing this credit crunch, that if not alleviated, will may cause you to have a depression, as in layoff.

The statehouse? The various directors are just totally clueless about anything around them. Governor Corzine? Oh he is just gone on his own and wants to BOND away your life savings. Remember the budget that was all approved by those legislators? Remember they all voted for it two weeks before the closing date? Oh yes, they voted yes to get to their vacations. A few weeks later, they wanted to tax you by a $40 fee added onto tickets. The great departure of people who were going to take early retirement? Well it never happened. Oh and those that did leave? Are their positions being filled? Who were they?

A lot of questions can come out from the public, and if it gets to Trenton, or even you locally legisislative representatives, well now that will be a real special surprise. Afterall, are you really paying them or the lobbyists or the party big wigs. It seems the common sense in Trenton has left, and what remains are greedy self-serving politicians. Their goal? Take as much of your savings and wages they can get away with.

AOL and now no FTP

2008-10-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Okay so its a bit technical. Its the Geek in me coming out.
Seems like the free ride on AOL for FTP hosting is gone. Long gone are the communities we had at AOL Yes, AOL since it has made its service free sees no need to hog the bandwidth with blogs and of course web pages made by us crude users. Good bye dear Webpage of yore...

Now of course if you are paying for AOL, why ask about technical issues since not a single person can answer it. Even at the premium rate there is no need to keep it online since well they are only interested in the rather expensive insurance that is not worth a thing.

Did you know AOL 9 and above can easily corrupt your computer if you are not running Windows XP? Quite true.... happened to me with AOL 9.0. Of course they are always saying how great their service is.. that is if they can tell anyone who still wants to pay for a call center in India.

Three Do Nothing Senators Run for US Presidency

2008-05-19T05:57:00.002-07:00

US Senators
It’s interesting to note that we have running for office, three sitting United States Senators. All supposedly active in the Senate and of course all being paid by your and my dollars to be United State Senators. Well so what are they doing for your and my hard-earned dollar? Well you can see it every day you open a newspaper, watch television news or a webcast, these three US Senators are all over the place scrambling for delgates for their presidential campaigns. Of course the obvious question I ask “why are they not working to help you?” Every state they arrive at, they make their campaign promises today so that you can bank on that promise in the future.

It’s almost like a fishing story. Each US Senator tells you how great of a fisherman they are and how they are going to catch the biggest fish you ever saw, and this time around it will be different; the line won’t break, they will not fall off the boat etc. They pull you in close and say this can only work, if you, the American public buy them a boat. They will be the best fishermen ever, if you buy them a boat. Of course, they are working a fishing boat right now, and have never caught a big fish. Mostly what they have caught can be considered small to well maybe medium size. Nothing of any distinction compared to the other fishing people on the boat. But they insist once you buy them a boat, and let them be captain of their boat, only and that is ONLY then can they catch the big fish.

Good story US Senators, and we all heard it all before. There are a few more pressing things for us than listening to a good fishing story. The recession is now. Gas prices are increasing now. Our food prices are increasing now. So get off the campaign trail now, and play a part in fixing the country now. Unless of course, your contribution in the senate does not matter much now, this leads me to believe better for all, if you resign today.

As an update.. has gasoline prices still gone up? Has there been any new plans to get us out of this fiscal mess?

Camden Diocese Consolidation - Another thought

2008-05-19T05:57:00.001-07:00

I have read quite a few of the letters regarding the parish consolidation in the Camden Diocese. This same effort of consolidation is occurring across the country, Massachusetts to New Orleans. The usual reasons priests, parishioners and payouts due to lawsuits. Though this time, in our diocese, it is because the current make up of our parishioners is changing.

I know many of my fellow parishioners are very depressed and feel a sense of loss, that their parish will no longer be open. Some of these same parishioners Of course there are many who have said how beneficent Bishop Galante has been to allow a democratic process to proceed under his auspices.

What I find amazing, is that my fellow parishioners are not looking ahead, what will be the process after the parishes are closed. Let’s be real, parishes were going to be closed to make it more manageable for the Bishop. Removing all these parishes means priests, which we do have a shortage of, will now be requested to resign from their present churches. Under the new re-organization, the new pastor or the current pastor would decide, along with the consent of the Bishop, if the displaced priests would be hired or perhaps retire.

Paid professionals would be hired by each parish, and again how many paid professionals are we talking about? In turn, these paid professionals would be supervised by the new parish council and, of course, the Bishop. Note, I am sure the closed parishes real estate would be sold, and the promise would be the professionals would be paid by the sale of the real estate or some financial device funded by the sold real estate. The parish council would be forced to do this, because of the mandate by Bishop Galante.

The other matter would be if the new parishes would be able to handle the new congregations? Could they handle the number of people now going to these new parishes? On one hand, the argument would be simply yes, since there is such a low attendance to start, the newly formed parishes would now be filled.

Perhaps my projections are a bit bleak perhaps even unfair to Bishop Galante, however, I have gone through enough mergers and consolidations to know one thing is true. Reductions in manpower and assets are made for tighter control. The question is, do you as a parishioner think you will be part of the new view of how your parish is to operate?

Colin Powell... Do you really know the tech industry

2008-04-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well Colin Powell along with his wife are now the spokespersons for literacy in America, especially the innner cities.

How nice, to say the least that we have two responsible individuals who have come up to tell us what is wrong with inner city children who do not want to graduate from school and may impact our national security. Same droaning I had heard before. However this is what really ticks me off...

Colin Powell stated that "the best software engineers are in India". What planet is Colin Powell on. I can see he has been hooked by major software companies to beleive this sort of drivel. He has been stuffed with the fine pablum from these very fine and respected software industries to believe what they would like to push through our very well paid and bribed for Congress in hiring more H1-B visa people.

Well Mr. Powell, wake up and smell the coffee. Its not that we have a talent shortage here, its because you and others who have been paid for by my tax dollars can now pontificate on the fact that these fine software companies cannot find native talent. Hah!!!! The reality these fine software companies have no need to pay software engineers and coders 20 to 30 USD an hour. Rather they would pay 5 to 10 USD for coders who have no problem receieving those amounts and do not have to pay 30 to 40% of their wages to a bloated government.

Yes, Mr. Powell a bloated government that keeps taking my tax dollars for little or no performance. The same government that made a trillion dollar mistake by going to Iraq. The same government that pays pork barrell politics with my hard dollars. But of course Mr. Powell you fail to see that, since you do believe these software companies are trying to find workers in the US, really now? I think you should check out your own contemporaries in the military and see if they are serving the government os sub-contractors.

A T & T - A good company gone bad

2007-08-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Its funny how a very successful company like AT & T seems to have gone bad.

A former leader in telecommunications its more like a fat old man who once was the quarterback for his old almer mater. Now only a call center, riding on the back of the local telephone companies with little or no interest in its founding country.

Yes, AT & T has lost a lot of its luster. Recently, it came to light how bad its gotten. AT & T call center is in India with people like "Jim" and "Jane" manning the phones. They one thing they know how to do is push to get sales. Regardless of what misrepresentation they have to tell a potential client. In my case, I simply wanted to go back to using their long distance service. Well as it turned out, long distance was not a go. They also signed me up for the toll calling package. The same package I get from Verizon. How did they do that when I said NO to toll JUST LONG DISTANCE. Well now they blame it on my responses to the third party questioner. Now mind you, they had told me that I could not question the third party questioner, no I could not, and say YES to all questions. If they understood that I did not want toll service, then why the question? Why even was it asked? Did they not wonder, he said yes to one and no to the other? Nope never crossed these nimrods.

Long story short, I have a bill for $170 that is wrong wrong wrong. Sure, I called the numbers now I have to pay. Even their billing department is antiquated and makes the state of New Jersey Tax Office like a modern day super office. These guys told me if I pay it before the eighth of September, to call them for the additional amount. Of course if I do not pay in full them my long distance service will be cut? Really now? Its a good thing I have T-Mobile a service provider I would say run to pick up as soon as possible , since these people have a clue on what is going on. Infact they can add previous billing amounts to current bills. Will rocket science ever cease? But lo, AT & T for them I have to call after the due date and talk to them on how I plan to pay off the rest of the balance less I have no long distance service? Geez what a shame, oh well bye AT & T.

Oh on a special note, if you have AT & T, leave the plan as soon as you can. The company is clueless on anything. They are not even clear in what they are saying. I even had the AT & T supervisor tell me he could adjust my bill if I was not calling my internet provider. Then when I said if I was not, he then changed his tune to say well no he could not do that as well. Oh so this is the clear communication I am expecting from this internet/wireless/phone company, where all of the call center people are simply hello my name is Jim nimrods?

So if you have Cingular... leave when you can, AT & T owns it. Soon all your wireless calls willl go to India, where no one will know the product, services, or let alone care about your concern. Just to protect their skinny butts.

SEE YA AT & T...

Oh as a follow up I want to see my high paid enforcement officials handle my complaint as well.

Dateline - Axalto- Owens Mills No more..

2006-09-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Well according to the press, the Owens Mills Axalto State of the Art Card facility, formerly known as MALCO, will be closing its doors soon. 100 employees will be losing their jobs, and its a shame. A shame that the investment made by Axalto for the best and new facility that would lead Axalto to the higher plane of Smart Card Preminence.

Yeah right. MALCO fell under the wheels of incompetent merger mania. The same thing it felt when taken over by Schlumberger and as the names changed to protect the incompetent innocents Axalto. Even Axalto was combined with the real Smart Card company, called Gemplus.

Many would say MALCO was working hard to continue under the adverse evoomy. Well, half truth in my opinion. In the last decade, MALCO was actually surviving because of Lou Bisasky. Through his leadership, the company had done well, even though he sold out to an oil compnay called Schlumberger.

Bisasky had been able to shine his star constantly as an indespensible part of the Schlumberger MALCO family of high tech companies. Around 1999 or so, with the Y2K threat looming, her "resigned" and was transferred from his part time duties as GM for DANYL-Schlumberger to full time duties as GM for MALCO. However, the tale does not end there.

Around 2001 or so, Bisasky returns back to his digs in DANYL-Schlumberger to mainstream this bastion of unahppy folks to Schlumberger High Tech Color Office colors. With a massive paint job throught the interior of the offices this bastion of never do wells, according to Bisasky, has now been mainstreamed. Of course in classic Schlumberger Bisasky standard of doing things, they never check to make sure the walls are fully painted. Rather, most of the walls are painted around, moveable bookcases are not moved, just painted around.

The purpose of the entire paint job, and snow job to the employees at DANYL-Schlumberger, is mainstream them to be part of Schlumberger. The reality is to SELL DANYL-Schlumberger as welll as the Schlumberger-Sema empire in a few short months. What is interesting, the manufacturing parts servers were moved to Owens-Mills for the DANYL-Schlumberger group and the parts lists junked because of "too much" disk space. This at a time when 10 GB would have cost $60.

So I am glad Lou Bisasky's shinning star has been set. He may have really believed he would continue to go forward in the Axalto world. The reality is, he was too far away from his masters. Or perhaps his masters finally realized they had a white elephant that was not really their own.

Schlumberger 2

2006-06-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well seems like the subsidary Western-Geco was caught with a little Visa tampering. Oh well, the usual denials and suspects came trotting out. Its a shame the media does not look into the matter a little more closely. Who were the participants? Were they pressued to doctor visas?

Well one thing is for sure, its under the Andy Gould watch.

My Days at Schlumberger...

2006-05-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

How well I remember the first few days when the Big Tech professional company Schlumberger bought our humble small company. A company that maybe was on the order of a few million dollars. Pocket change if not travel expenses to this French based company with multi-national offices. There was great promise that out own small company's frentic and manic pace would be replaced by processes repeatable, and a calmer environment. Where complete planning and execution, was a standard and standards and procedures would be the norm to carry out product development.

The Emperor Has No Clothes

Well it turned out what we thought were changes, there were no changes. The mantra for a good 6 months was a wait and see as to how our small company operated. Well the wait and see, became the encroachment and WE are better. You see we were innundated by their group from the south. A group that we thought they had their act together and at the same time, were versed in product development. As we got to know them, those originating with Schlumberger, we found they did not have product develpment experience, they NEVER created a product. We also found out, those who we thought had decades of experience with Schlumberger, really had only a few years with Schlumberger. The management team brought up from the South, had great credentials with Schlumberger, but had no real experience with product development. In fact, out management was superceded by an upperlevel of management brought in by Schlumberger.

One thing that was true, the new management did not last for long. Two years, and a new management team was brought in. What was interesting about the new management team, they had no clue what our company produced, did or even the products. They listened to our sales group for projected sales in the up coming year. Now, anyone who knew out sales department knew how they predicted future sales. Take the client out to an expensive dinner, ply them with wine and liquor, and ask them how much they would by in the up coming year. Of course, our sales force never presssured the custome to a commitment, but just assured them for a ball park guess. Oh let me not forget, our sales force was a little nervous when it came to using numbers. Well, they had no problem in calculating their commissions, buit when it came to using basic statistics or probability, that was an ugly thought. Also, you can't take numbers out to a swanky restraunt our BS them with drivel.

Schlumberger Human Resources

It was always amusing to see how the Schlumberger HR team came in and again tried to influence well run things their way as being the best way. They loved playing chicken crap gestapo techniques. They would look at "offensive" photos and penalize the offending person. While allowing harrassment of employees by Schlumberger management and were chicken to do anything about it. There was never an unhappy employee in the HR world of Schlumberger, but the reality was there were so many at our plant. Because of the simple face we could not make changes and management refused to listen to a single thing. Of course, HR was the happy place, kind of like a group of people who are on heroin, smoking it, injecting it, and drinkng it. A group of people that never saw a cloud in the sky. A group of people who wore coke rose colored glasses. Ah yes, how wonderous... to ignore anything, say nothing, but spy on employees every day.

Corzine Governor of New Jersey...at least once

2006-04-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

Its funny why so many political punduits are worried about whether or not Governor Corzine will have a second term. Personally I don't care if he is only a one term governor. The real issue is, he has forgotten his promises and gone for the standard way all our governing officials have gone. More interested in cronies and contributors than the people who have elected him.

He seems to think that increasing taxes and a light reduction in force in New Jersey seems the best way for the budget. Of course Senator Menendez has said how brave Governor Corzine is for creating such a hard but realistic budget. Perhaps Senator Menendez should go back to Washington DC and get New Jersey more money rather than clapping his hands like one of those mechanical chimpanzees.

So why has there not been cuts across all departments?

Now he is still pushing the thoughts of more taxation. Of course he is increasing spending as well. Why increase spending? I mean the budget is supposedly tight, and he is not cutting, but putting money into stem cell research. Why would he put a gamble on stem cell research? Maybe he has fogotten the stupidity of the School Construction Corporation funding. Why has he forgotten? Because it was not his problem. So how will he know the monies spent on stem cell research will be going to effective lines of research? He won't. He will trust in Boss Norcross and other political punduits to tell him what to do with the money, but not oversee how the money is spent.

Oh well, we are again screwed in NJ with our political cronnies..

Hurricane Katrina... My truth

2006-02-25T16:31:00.000-08:00

I will be quoting from LC for reference..

"the Hurricane "disaster". Yes, its an unfortunate circumstance, but there's more to it than the "tragedy of helpless victimization" that's so prevalent in our society today. Hurrican Katrine is a prime example of the deterioration of self-reliance and SELF-GOVERNMENT in our country. Whatever happened to people taking responsibility for themselves? Think about it:avalanche is coming, do you stand still or do you try to run?"

Valid point LC, but if you are in a city your entire life, can you get a car to run somewhere? Can you also pay the hotel bill? That is why the city was supposed to have the busses organized and bus the residents. However, because of the beuracratic morass of New Orleans, no one beleived anything that catastrophic could happen to New Orleans. The mayor in this case probably was notified, but let us not forget the New Orleans police were considered on of the most corrupt municipal police in the nation.

But anyway, back to my fellow filipinos - What do the people do? They GET AWAY from the disaster, come back and WORK to rebuild their lives... people have legs and arms, people should use them. God knows, there's plenty of jobs out there.Furthermore, what about those on the local and state levels?

The case with the Filipinos is tragic as well as the tragedy with the Tsunami a year ago as well. Tragic in the case, and with so much less notice by the media as to the blame factor. George Bush did not creat Katrina nor did he aim Katrina to New Orleans. Rather, it was nature's laws that were enacted, and that is what hapened. As to getting away from the disaster, please see above again for SOME of the population that could not leave. As to the people rebuilding their lives, I have to say, its perhaps FEMA and the local government that is hampering people from returning. The people would want to return but can't because they have not been cleared to do so. Next, let us not forget as well, the real issue that no one seems to ask. Why would people not leave with this disaster? Well could it be perhaps it was the New Orleans police that people did not trust? Maybe on another issue the LC did not go into was the other fact that local towns did not want the denizens of New Orleans to come to their clean suburban towns.

These are the primary responders - FEMA's job is only to coordinate with them. We haven't seen this sort of chaos in Florida - which has been hit with hurricanes, how many times?

Actually we have LC, its just not covered as well. For example, the FEMA people have actually been very dilligent in colletgin loans and the like from the people of FL. Also, a few months ago, there was a questionable issue when it came to FEMA's emergency relief. Also, most of the state of FL already expects to see a disaster with a hurricane. So the state was the prime mover for relief, FEMA was a federal backup.

I lost count. But in New Orleans, What were all those school buses doing standing idle when they could have been transporting people out of New Orleans.What about locking all the people inside the superdome? Why were people just going to the bathroom wherever they felt and raping young women? What about all the killing?

Ah do we listen to the hype of the news media or the rantings of people whoe do not trust the New Orleans police and the New Orleans government? I think it was the collective malaise and paranoia of the people the citizens of New Orleans who did not trust their municipal government nor did they trust the police. The same police department known for corruption and lawlessness.

As to the school busses being parked and idle. Well blame it on the city of New Orleans. What was not mentioned by the press as well were the number of churches that wanted to send buses to New Orleans and the surrounding area. However, who did not come through? The state of Louisiana AND the City of New Orleans.

Thank you LC for some of your insights as well.

War, Hurricanes and Ports Oh My ...

2006-02-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

In the latest presidential, I can't believe I was not there, shocker, the administrtation has fallen to prey to Enronism. That slight behavior pattern of receiving the responsibility of running a corporation, but having no knowledge of the actions of subordinates. Oh for equal time, Senator Hillary Rodam-Clinton had the same problem with the White House Travel office as well.

So with the Ports being sold to a United Arab Emirates, a group of countries that trades as one, the people of the United States are saying huh? I mean, looking at it in the pre-wararguements from this administration, if there is a link, with Terrorism, thenthey are at war with us. So now there is no slight link? Just as Saddam Hussainwas supposedly linked with Al Queda, a link done indirectly with Saddam's Generals in one meeting with Osama Bin Laden's own lieutenents. The arguement is now that the United Arab Emirates is a good and loyal ally of the United States. I am sure George W. Bush believes Isreal is a good and loyal ally of the United States, but Isreal didspy on the United States as well. Just another thing to make one go hmmm.

Of course we have assurances from the administration, there has been an adequate review of the security concerns, the review of the port security and whatever else the media wants to add as port security.
Here is where I believe there is a credibility gap as large as the state of Texas. The first, is the Iraq War. The administration started by saying Saddam Husseinhad weapons of mass destruction. Then it went to nuclear capabilities with an immenentnuclear weapon. Now, its the nation building argument. So where is the credibility of the weapons of mass destruction?

Second let us look at the compentency to disaster domestically, with the devastation of hurricane Katrina. A part of Homeland Security, FEMA, led by a paying into the office lawyer, was warnedweeks in advance of an impending storm, what would need to be done, and to plan ahead.The final effect, total disarray from the office of Homeland Security. To which I may add, has also approved of the sellig of the Ports to the United Arab Emirates. How lovely is this picture? Well if they could not get their act together at that time, what makes anyone belive theywill now?

So I add thirdly, I add one very important note to the credibilty gap of the administration. Has the War on Drugs stopped? Have we, the United States government been able to STOP illegaldrugs coming through our ports? Consider your answer carefully, since if you believe the administrationhas made any and all assurances when it comes to the War on Drugs, why do we still have drugs coming in through our borders? Why do we constantly get illegal immigrants through our borders as well?If the assurance of security is coming from this administration when common sense deems it otherwise, thenthe track record of the GW Bush administration is failure.

Incomptency Paid in New Jersey

2006-02-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

I find it amazing how the United States Attorney never charge our former incompetant Attorney General Pete Harvey. His last comment about the JCA case and corrruption linking George Norcross, was the standard in New Jersey. So much incompetance, enough to botch up any clear legal case. When was the announcement made by US Attorney Chris Christopher? Well Pete Harvey left the building when the announcement was made.

Oh when former State Police Commissioner Santiago was playing a shell game with tax payer money for his new and improved office, Pete Harvey did not convict him or bring any charges. Why? Well Mr. Santiago left so there was no need to prosecute him.

What a pitiful tale in New Jersey. I am sure both great citizens in the McGreevey Administration will still get their state pension. That is right, my money will be used to pay for these incompetents.

Looking at incompetancy in New Jersey, specifically in state government, let's review the New Jersey tax department. The same department that used a service to collect unpaid taxes, that was now being prosecuted for poor record keeping and methods of extortion that would make most organized crime members cringe. Is there anyone to blame there? Of course not, this is New Jersey government we are talking about.

Oh isn't it great we have the School Construction Corp. and not a single person or group can explain to anyone in New Jersey what in heck has happened. There is 6 billion dollars lost, and does anyone in Trenton know who to blame or remove? Nope. Seems like there is no one at home to blame and therefore is another oops in New Jersey.

But I think we have a bigger problem in New Jersey, is the addicts in the Assembly and Senate. Yes they are shaking with need to take in their fix. They are screaming they need their fix. They want money. They want MY money again to pay for their stupid mistakes, their lazy brother and sister in laws who can't even get a real job and to pay off any and every small interest group. Of course they will always say how important anything and everything is, but the reality is, wake up. I truly think each NJ assemblyman and state senator should only work with 10% of their pay then talk about living in NJ. I know its hard for these honorable people to be cut cold turkey, but its far more than fair. Since these addicts get an automatic cost of living increase.

State of the Union: Forgotten America

2006-02-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Well not that I needed to listen to the State of the Union Speech. Most news organizations can highlight the main topics rather well. Not that most news organizations cover anything in depth, well since the advertising dollars are not there. No money, no video feed to that particular story.

There are two sticky points which the Administration of President Bush highlighted, the need for more math and science courses. Now that is a brilliant thought. According to the President, as prefaced by many CEO's which the president has spoken with in the last number of weeks. They are telling him we need to have more scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in our work force. Citizens who can understand the complicated math, to operatate the newest equipment and protocols in our very high tech environment.

Well, how well said President GW Bush. Now of course you have that little memory problem don't you. Your first memory loss problem occurring when there was a massive layoff announcement by Ford Motor company. Laying off all those engineers, because well of the economy. How encouraging to hear industry want more scientists and engineers, but alas no jobs. Well, there are jobs, just at much lower wages. Wages more akin to the wages in India and China.

But then, what does this Administration do instead? Well instead of decreasing the overhead of government, more spending is spent on the government. Tax decreases in special rarefied tax brackets, but no change for the day to day wage earner. Congress still gets their $10,000 a year increase because of cost of living. Their increase in some cases is the wage of an American citizen.

So President Bush, let me ask you a difficult question, did your daughters graduate with a Science or Math Degree? If not what are they doing now?

NJ Attorney General is not the real Attorney General

2006-01-27T16:02:00.000-08:00

Its interesting the talk about town, is the new Attorney General is really not going to be prosecuting cases, since she does not have the prosecutor chops to do the work. Rather, it will be the second in command who will be doing the real prosecution. Now this philosphy comes back from former AG Peter Harvey. There was supposed to be a tough prosecutor who was to handle political corruption in our fair state.

However, what happened was we had, through Peter Harvey's office a person who let the former state police superintendent, Santiago free from a fine, since he had left the office of State Police Superintendent. Of course Harvey could not prosecute Santiago, because he was one of Jim McGreevey's boys. Let alone the simple favt it was fraud, well you know how it goes in Trenton, its a boys club.

So going back to our brand spanking new Attorney General, why hire her when you she is not going to actually do the heavy prosecution. Why waste my tax money, on TWO people when only ONE will do any real work? Why is my money being wasted on a figure head in the attorney general's position. Ah yes, now I know why, its New Jersey and we have to waste the tax payer's money as many times as possible.

If We Can Outsource Jobs...

2006-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

I have been pondering this idea for quite sometime. Since there has been a huge migration of jobs from the United States to cheaper labor in India and China, all of course to increase company profit. We as consumers recieve the benfit of cheaper goods and services.

So why don't we do the same thing with the legal community; yes, I mean lawyers. Why not simply have attorneys in India or China work for us here in the United States. Most attorneys in the United States have ridiculous wages. For example, most lawyers are charging anywhere from $150 to $300 an hour for the work they do. Of course we never see the work they do, just if we win or not. Of course there are the contingency attorneys as well, and supposedly we don't pay them unless we win. Oft times that does not occur very often.

So why not hire an attorney from India to try our case here in the US. In that way, we may be paying him or her, abotu $10 to $20 an hours. Not bad if you can consider how much out of pocket money expenses were saving if we go that route. Think of the increased number of cases going to court. Also, think how easy it would be if we do get afoul of the law to go through this wonderful route. There would have to be more judges to be hired, which in turn we could even get more Indians and Chineese to work for our benefit as well. Think of the tremendous cost savings, in my state as well. No more political connected judges in New Jersey, we could actually have new judges of course trying cases in India or China, and since our new outsourced attorneys could be closer where the judges are presiding.

So economically we can benefit in the long run. Yes, I know you may be worried about all these judges and lawyers finding work. But fear not, they can all become lobbyists or even State Senators and Assemblymen. In that way, they would still get their money, as in salary and their cut when it comes when they get elected. Since in the great state of New Jersey we have the best Assembly and State Senate money can buy. We have our wonderful State Senator Wayne "I'll take any job" Bryant, who had a seminar at UMDNJ a few years ago and got $30,000. I have not heard what the seminar was about, but I do know there was a piece of legislation that did benefit UMDNJ quite well. Of course Senator Bryant filed the necessary letter saying his voting record for UMDNJ was not influenced by any payment or monetary consideration. Well I wonder if we poor plebians can also write the same letter as well with the New Jersey Department of Taxation? I kinda doubt it, since well if you ever did try to call that office, its usually "busy" or no one knows how to answer the phone.

Nice Blue Trucks

2005-12-29T13:05:00.000-08:00

Its interesting how a large corporation can use the Rosanne View of Truth. Oh I am sure most of you have forgotten RVT, its pretty simple, since Congress has been using it for years now. There really is no such thing as truth, but if you want to promote a "truth" simply repeat the "truth" loudly and as many times as possible. So eventually, people believe this braying truth as that, the real "truth".

So when I worked for this unnamed company, I worked on the jettisoned tech half of the business. Yes, my very small company didn't have all the wonderful controls of the parent company. This very wise company would surely lead our own limited resources company to business Nirvana. Ah one would dream and think. Well after aquisition, it appeared as if all would be well. Except the new management didn't exactly know how our business was run. Eventually, the management readily agreed, they were clueless about our business.

Now mind you, it eventually was interesting to hear how our small division, was considered the ornary and dissatisfied division. The unhappy campers was another name our division was called. In fact, some of the upper management even had the gall to say, they were hoodwinked by our accounting, painting a rosier picture than the reality. What the management forgot was, a very important accounting firm was working for weeks pouring over financial records and the like, so maybe they should have checked with their accounting company they hired. What is so funny you are dealing with a company that has a worth of at least 1000 times my original company.

Re-Arrange the Deck Chairs Please
Before our assests were sold to another company locally to us, what was amusing, was months before how we were given a link to look at the standard office environment. Funnt, our office environment did not fit the standard. Also, the new standard colors were painted througout the offices. Again, to emphasize the importance of employees could be anywhere and have the same colors, and standards. Well at this point we asked if we were going to be sold, and of course management was clueless. Funny how they could be clueless, oh sorry, that was a standard for them to always be clueless, except for the next position hop.

So once our company was sold, what was amusing was to see, all the painting that had been done, well was not completely done. All the bookcases that were now moved, could be seen framed with the new painting done a few months before.

The symbolism was amusing for me, painting not completely, but enough to make it look nice. The standard of the company policies and procedures... make it look nice, but don't be thorough.

Iraq - Time to go like Now !

2005-11-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Actually the answer is no.
If the United States leaves now, it will be the same situation that Afghanistan was left with the Taliban.
So we need not leave until there is a true semblance of a government, that can guarantee its citizens no violent death.

That being said, the administration and Congress have been short sighted and simple minded in their way to bring a true governmernt back to Iraq. So the problem is how to do this? Force is not the way, and it can't be the only way.

This administration has been slow to adopt a positive PR campaign in Iraq. They don't seem to understand or don't want to understand the idea to make alliances with the Suni muslims. The Suni's have been more likely to accept a democracy than the other faction. Remember it was the Shiites that captured our embassy in Iran. In turn, the Shiites are the majority in Iraq. They are also the ones who have tortured some Sunni muslims as well and in this case, the prisoners perfer having the Americans there.

Oh let us not forget, why hasn't Congress pressed fast and hard on putting more armored vehicles for our troops? Are they too worried about collecting their cost of living increase? Its strange listening to all these Congressmen getting on the political bandwagon, when these same Congressmen were the ones who decided to vote FOR invading Iraq. So can we really trust Congress doing the right thing? Unlikely, since they have yet to make sure our troops are safe in Iraq.

George W. Bush - President or CEO

2005-11-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

Its quite interesting to see how many people are so gung-ho about George W. Bush and his policies concerning Iraq and even his plan to overhaul Social Security. It appears to me, he seems to feel he is not running a country, a governmental entitiy, but rather a corporation.

Most corporations do not want to hear bad news. Bad news is the bane of he CEO, so they make up a bulletin board or a suggestion box for changes to be implemented. Well, what normally happens is the policy is made the workers feel good and management does not act on the suggestions or on any negative criticism.

Ah seems like we heard this before, from the Bush administration. What is even more amusing in what I have given you, is the government is the PEOPLE's servant, not the people are government's servant. This is where the Bush adminsitration seems to believe they can dictate what we are supposed to support. They do not want to hear anything negative about their administration, and if there is anything said, then they shoot the messenger.

Don't you think its strange you have a political strategist in the White House, next to the President's Office. Reminds me a little about Himmler in Hitler's Third Reich, in oder to continue the message at all and any costs.

Just a few things that make you wonder.

After Politics..

2005-11-27T13:03:00.000-08:00

Funny in New Jersey we have a new Governor, and of course we won't be able to pin him to the promises he has made. No we won't do that, why can't we? Beacuse years ago a New Jersey court, determined politicians are not bound to the political promises they have made...

Funny, that you and I are bound by the words we say to an officer during a traffic stop...