Personal Settings

My analysis on the GOP debates

2007-11-28T21:08:00.000-05:00

The GOP debates I watched had great topics, such as immigration, taxes, spending, and abortion.

Also, I enjoy this video clip of John McCain and Ron Paul debating about non-interventionism and isolationism, the difference between the two.

I really enjoyed this video, but my next post is going to be about a very important topic that really concerns me, which is about cutting spending. Sure all the presidential candidates talked about cutting taxes, but only one spoke about cutting spending.

The Youtube/CNN-GOP debates

2007-11-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

The youtube/cnn debates are on CNN tonight at 8pm EST

Funny, poignant questions pour in for GOP debate

Devaulating Dollar

2007-11-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

This movie is about the weakening dollar, which we all know that is causing inflation. The film above Dr. Ron Paul is explaining on how we could improve the value of the dollar.
The film goes into brief discussions about the ever weakening dollar, which is at the beginning of the film. It makes the ecomony weaker and high interest rates.
The film continues on with other clips from Ron Paul on solutions on how we can stop the weakening of the dollar.

Submit Your Questions for You Tube

2007-11-23T20:15:00.000-05:00

Republicans Debates

The Youtube/CNN Republican Debates. The debates are sceduled on November 28,2007, but you only have until Midnight on November 25, 2007, to upload your video questions to youtube. Below is a video sample of what people submitted.
I really found this of interest and thought people who decided to submit these videos had some really good questions.

I really liked the question the submitter asked about the national debt. He made a prime example of how spending is way out of control. That is one of the most important issues we are facing in this election year.

Thanksgiving Wishes

2007-11-22T23:59:00.000-05:00

Ron Paul Supporters Video and his Debate on CNN

2007-11-20T20:34:00.000-05:00

This video is old, back from June 5,2007, but I love the beginning of it and the supporters of Dr. Paul for president.
I really enjoy the clips in the video of the CNN debate. It is all around an excellent video.
Please watch it and make your own opinion.

Upcoming Republican Debate by CNN & You Tube

2007-11-19T17:06:00.000-05:00

On November 25, 2007, You Tube and CNN have combined forces for a Presidential debate of the Republican candidates for 2008.
You Tube has even given an opporutnity to broadcast yourself and ask a question by video to the presidential candidate of your choice. You may
click here to find out more information on it.
The Democrats had a simular debate back in the early summer on CNN. I think this is a great idea for potential voter and a once in a lifetime chance to ask the presdiential candidate a question that you are the most interested in voting for.

A Picture from the Democratic CNN/Youtube debate

I will be watching this debate on Novemeber 25 with much interest. I will be interested to see all the Republican candidates debate on CNN. Eventually I will be posting my opinion of the candidates and how well I felt they did on the debate.

College Students Support Grows for Support of Ron Paul

2007-11-18T21:58:00.000-05:00

"U.S. Representative Paul (R-Texas) is running for the Republican presidential nomination on a platform of restoring the country to the values of the Constitution and founding fathers. Specifically, he wants to pull troops out of Iraq, repeal the income tax, abolish the Federal Reserve and put America back on the gold standard.
"It's those views that make him the Republican Party's most radical candidate; they are also beliefs that have made Paul an icon for many college-aged voters."

from CBS News.

It won't be much longer until the Mainstream Media will not be able to ignore Dr. Ron Paul.

Ron Paul Video I would like to share

2007-11-16T20:02:00.001-05:00

Below is a Video I found to be quite interesting. Out of all the countless videos I found on You Tube, this video strikes me as the one of being of the most interest that I found so far.

"Deficits mean future tax increases, pure and simple. Deficit spending should be viewed as a tax on future generations, and politicians who create deficits should be exposed as tax hikers.
- Congressman Ron Paul

My Bass Guitar

2007-11-16T18:23:00.000-05:00

This is a Fender 5 string Jazz Bass aka J-Bass

This is why I haven't been blogging for awhile. I have been playing with my band from high school that I had temporarily reunified for a few months over the summer. Although it wasn't the same spirit and aura that was felt during my high school years, it did bring back a ton of memories.

Although we are no longer playing as a band, the memories of our misfourtunes, defeats, hardships, and disagreements will remain fresh in my memory. There were also alot of good times traveling in a 1981 GMC Vandura with a band playing a variety of 1990's alternative covers and some of our own music.

Those days are long and gone. Now with a family, a mortage, and other micellaneous bills, it is no longer a feasible option to just travel about the east coast of the United States, primarily the Mid-Atlantic states, showing off our talents in civic centers, festivals, music festivals, and even bars.

Back in the late spring/early summer and while drinking a few beers my former bandmates and I came up with the idea of reunifying the band. One thing lead to another and eventually we were scheduling gigs. We did this until September.

I will talk more about the adventures of the reunification on an upcoming post that I am drafting. The post will include more of the hardship and the great times that we're encountered.

Ron Paul Radio Ads

2007-11-14T20:49:00.001-05:00

Today is just a simple post, I just posted links to a few radio ads for Ron Paul

Ron Paul Radio Ad

Ron Paul Radio Ad #2

Ron Paul Radio #3

Encouraging News

2007-11-14T15:41:00.000-05:00

Two national polls released last week by CNN and Rassmussen Reports reveal Congressman Paul to be polling at or above 5% nationwide. Rassmussen Reports shows Dr. Paul's support at 6%, and CNN's data shows it is at 5% nationwide.

This is proof that this campaign is going quite a bit of momentum. This is really encouraging news.

Why I am supporting a Republican Candidate for 2008

2007-11-13T17:20:00.001-05:00

As you can tell by my blog I am supporting Ron Paul for 2008. There are many reasons I am supporting him and believing he will make a great president, but one thing in mind sticks out in my mind about him.
He is a huge advocate in Personal Freedoms, the man who would restore our constitutional rights as our forefather would have wanted.
Myself I am quite impressed with his voting record.

Ron Paul has never voted to

raise taxes

an unbalanced budget

regulate the internet

And he never particpated in the Congressional Pension Plan.

Veterans Day 2007

2007-11-12T15:28:00.000-05:00

Remembering those who served

The 16th Amendment

2007-05-29T16:36:00.000-04:00

The 16th amendment is quite a controversial amendment. Recently I have been doing quite a bit of research on this topic. The controversy goes from the amendment not being ratified by the states to the actual law including the requirement to file a 1040.
I am going to write about this topic in several different posts. I am going to go in depth of how constitutional or unconsitiutional this amendment really is.

Name Change

2007-05-27T21:39:00.000-04:00

I decided once again to change the name of my blog. I have decided to make this blog a more Libertarian leaning blog. I am not a registered Libertarian, but I do agree with their small government and many other platforms of the Libertarian party.
I do not endorse any candidiate from any party as well. This is just my explanation of my opinions on these topics.

Yes, I am getting back into blogging

2007-05-27T18:04:00.000-04:00

Yes I am getting back into blogging very soon. I am fully recovered and obtaining plus gathering new information to blog about.

Car Accident

2007-04-29T01:05:00.000-04:00

I haven't been blogging because on April 23, 2007, my wife and I were in an automobile accident. Luckily our young daughter was not along with us, because of the severity of the accident.
I will talk of more details of this event as time progresses.

........More Coming Soon

2007-04-19T16:34:00.000-04:00

I have not forgot about my blog, but rather I took a hiatus from blogging. There is more to come, possibly another name change for my blog.

Mania's Terror

2007-03-26T19:32:00.000-04:00

Today I am posting about an adventure that took place back in the early summer of 2000.
Today I look back at this time with a smile, although at the time it caused my family (namely, mother and grandmother) alot a grief.
This is a prime example of how a mental illness can effect family.

Back in 2000 after a heated argument with my mother because I was intentionally missing doctor's appointments and did not really want to seek any type of mental health treatment. I didn't care about the therapists or anything. I didn't even want to be on medication, so I stopped taking it.
My mother knew I was clearly manic, because I have been sleeping less than four hours a night and was always on the go. I also was an egomaniac at the time, in short a total prick.
Out of a my clouded judgement and out of impulse I decided I was going to visit my cousin in California. I guess I was very pissed off at everyone.
I never told anyone about my plans to go to California. I only planned for the trip less than six hours before leaving.
I woke up the following morning around 2:30am, pack up clothes and a few other belongings, and hopped into my 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier.
I had directions that I'd printed from mapquest.com. I had check the oil in my car, although I did change the oil in the car three days prior to my trip.
I hit the open road. California or bust. The trip was very uneventful. Only had a few traffic jams in major cities like Cleveland, Chicago, and Denver.

After about forty-two hours and change I was at my destination. I did not stop except to fuel my vehicle. This is disgusting, but I used a bottle to urinate in so I would not have to stop. I did not sleep the entire time.

When I arrived, it was quite a surprise visit, but more than welcomed. My cousin greeted me with a huge hug and asked me what I was doing there. She had also said it was a great and unexpected surpise, but I was welcomed there anytime.

My cousin unknowingly called my mother(which also her cousin) and my mother was quite distraught because she didn't know where I was.

I explained everything to her and what happened.
My grandmother(this is her niece) was on the verge of another heart attack because I basically worried her to death.

After it was all said and done my mom and grandmother breathed a huge sigh of relief. They knew I was safe and was in a safe place where I would not harm myself or someone else.
My cousin's daughter is a R.N.(who is my 3rd cousin) wanted to take me to the hospital where she works and have me placed inpatient in the hospital's psych unit immediately.
I was not placed inpatient because I had made a promise if my grandmother sent my meds by Fed-Ex and took them I would not be placed there.

I stayed at my cousin's home for 2 1/2 weeks. It turned out to be one of the most exciting times of my life. My grandmother also send a check (she didn't know I had over $2500 in my savings account. LOL) so I would have enough money to return and could get hotel rooms on the way back. She did not want me to drive straight through.

While I was in California, my cousin(the R.N.) had a psychiatrist speak to me about my mental stability. I told her everything. I guess I was more open because it was the first female psychiatrist I had ever met. She was the most comforting and understanding one I had as well. She was not pre-judgmental.

As I look back on this experience there is only one thing I really seriously regret. I wished I would have told my mother and grandmother so I would have not scared them to death.

Stigmas of Mental Illness

2007-03-22T14:44:00.000-04:00

This is a post that I have been working on for a few weeks. I did my own investigation online and did some research from credible resources. Also, I checked out many forums to get opinions and different ideas of the stigmas and prejudices they may have faced.
This post come from my own wondering thoughts and my own experiences. I wanted to make sure I was not alone in my endeavours as a person.
It is a far cry from many decades back, when a mental illness diagnosis almost ment a terminal stigma that will folow you forever. You were treated differently and almost inhumane.

Definition- Stigma- #1 a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation. #2 a mental or physical mark that is characteristic of a defect or disease.

Most mental illness are chemical imbalances in the brain. Those imbalances have been treated successfully in the age of modern medicine. Usually a mental illness is treated by a "treatment plan." A treatment plan can be set up by a doctor or psychiatrist, possibly even a therapist. A treatment plan is a plan to treat your mental illness in the most effective way.

It sounds perfect, right? Not always. It seems like once you get the treatment plan in order things should turn around for the better. Not always.

My own personal experience with treatment plans have been mediocre at best. Some of them worked well, but had to stop treatment either due to financial or insurance issues. Other plans did not work as well. I felt on occassion that people felt that I was looking only for attention. I was not serious from the start. I just got a bad vibe from the psychologists. The idea that I was only making everything up. Not something that is productive in a treatment plan.

I am going to be going back to a psychiatrist that works on sliding scale fees. It is going to be through a local hospitals outpatient program. They are going to try to get my insurance to pay for some of the costs, but my insurance company did not get rich by writing out checks.

I am going to be developing a treatment plan with the mental health program and use it effectively. I am going to use it to be best of my ability.

This was kind of inspired by a post that I wrote a few weeks back about becoming my own advocate. the blog of ljg: Becoming My Own Advocate
I decided to actually practice what I preached on my blog and do what I wrote. I did reasearch on what I could do without having an insurance plan that would not pay a huge amount towards my care. I discovered that I could apply for free services or sliding scale services that I actually qualified for through charity care programs. I am hoping that I find a successful treatment plan through the outpatient program and be involved within my treatment.

The Samaritans/Befrienders

2007-03-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

The Samaritans are a charity based in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, which provides awareness for people that are in crisis at risk for suicide.
They are primarily based in the UK and Ireland, with resources such as a telephone helpline. For the world outside of the UK and Ireland, befrienders.org is also a great online resources for help and crisis intervention numbers.
Since 1994 the charity has provided support for people worldwide in crisis by e-mail, but do not give advise and do not consider themselves a counseling service. They are a "listening needs" for those who just simply need to express their frustrations and what their crisis may be.
They have a code of confidentiality except in rare cases where other types of intervention may be needed.
Due to the rise and use of the internet, their work has extended beyond the UK and now are found in over 400 countries worldwide providing awareness for those that may be in crisis.
Personally, I have used the e-mail service they provide and usually try to respond within 24 hours. They provided a wonderful, confidential service when I was in need.

"A society in which: fewer people die by suicide; people are able to explore their feelings; people are able to acknowledge and respect the feelings of others."

What I Have Been Reading Online.

2007-03-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Recently, I have been reading and researching about bipolar disorder. This is a disorder that I have been diagnosed with for the past 7 years.
It is usually a genetic disorder, which is the case with me.
It is something that can be treated with therapy and medication, although some choose not to do it this way.

The site is called bipolar.com, and the specific link to what I have been reading is here.
Some of these people that are mentioned are very inspiring and can be a resource.

Winter Has Returned

2007-03-18T14:54:00.000-04:00

As predicted last week when I posted how nice of a day it was, old man winter has returned.
About 3-6 inches of new snow fell on Thursday Night in most part of the Commonwealth.
Once again, it will become a muddy mess when temperatures rise above 50 degrees later on this week.

Spring is Coming

2007-03-14T20:26:00.000-04:00

Today(March 14, 2007, the date of this post) the temperature was up to 73 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a pretty nice day in the Susquehanna Valley and Central Pennsylvania today.
Too bad the weather will not remain like this. Saturday and Sunday the highs are only going to be around 42 degrees Fahrenheit.
I will be posting more later on next week. I will not be posting anymore until Sunday or Monday.

Links at the Side of my Blog

2007-03-12T17:20:00.000-04:00

There is a first set of links on the right side of my blog above the Save Our Blogs icon. I have reserved those section of links specifically for mental health related issues.
I do plan on adding more links in the weeks to come. If anyone has any links or info they would like to recommend to me, please post it here in the comments.

DBSA alliance
NAMI
Real Mental Health
bipolar.com

A Body Full of Infections

2007-03-11T16:33:00.001-04:00

On Friday, March 9, 2007, I had a scheduled appointment with my PCP to check on the status of my qualifying for a patient assistance programs.
Although I did not find out anything on my patient assistance programs, I did go to the doctor's office feeling a little under the weather.
The nurse noticed I was having sinus problems, by the sound of my voice. My blood pressure was normal as well as my temperature.
The nurse left the room and about fifteen minutes later the doctor arrived in the room. He examined my sinuses and my throat. He examined my ears as well. The doctor noticed I had a slight ear infection. He also noticed my sinuses and throat were moderatly infected as well.
Because of my history of Urinary Tract Infections, the doctor had me do a urine sample as well.
It turned out I have a Urinary Tract Infection, which would be the sixth infection in two years. I had tests done for this in the past and nothing wrong was to be found.
I am now taking Amoxicillin 500mg three times daily for ten days.
If all goes well the infections should be gone. That is why I named this post a body full of infections.

Never Again, Is What You Swore, The Time Before

2007-03-08T14:52:00.000-05:00

The picture above is the British band Depeche Mode. I remember listening to this group in my pre-teen years as they were my favorite at one time. They were very popular in the 1980's and a small part of the early 1990's.
Depeche Mode had a few popular songs such as People are People, Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus, and my favorite Policy of Truth.

You had something to hide
Should have hidden it, shouldn't you
Now you're not satisfied
With what you're being put through
It's just time to pay the price
For not listening to advice
And deciding in your youth
On the policy of truth
Things could be so different now
It used to be so civilised
You will always wonder how
It could have been if you'd only lied
It's too late to change events
It's time to face the consequence
For delivering the proof
In the policy of truth

Never again
Is what you swore
The time before
Never again
Is what you swore
The time before

Now you're standing there tongue tied
You'd better learn your lesson well
Hide what you have to hide
And tell what you have to tell
You'll see your problems multiplied
If you continually decide
To faithfully pursue
The policy of truth

Never again...

I Still Enjoy Taking These Tests

2007-03-05T21:30:00.000-05:00

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Ethics: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

I have always enjoyed taking these tests, although they may not always be accurate.
This test is pretty accurate on how "liberal" or "conservative" that I am. However I must say it isn't 100% accurate.
I did post it at the top of my blog. It will only be there for a few days.

The Self Injury Bill of Rights

2007-03-05T14:55:00.000-05:00

WARNING-The following content may be offensive and sensitive to some.

This is something that may sound drastic and manipulative, but for some with a severe mental illness, this is their only way to cope. It is often a last ditch effort before committing suicide.

1) The right to caring, humane medical treatment;

Self injurers should receive the same level and quality of care that a person with an identical but accidental injury would receive. Procedures should be done gently as they would for others. If stitches are required, local anesthesia should be used. Treatment of accidental injury and self-inflicted injury should be identical.

2)The right to participate fully in decisions about emergency psychiatric treatment (so long as no one's life is in immediate danger);

When a person presents at the emergency room with a self-inflicted injury, his or her opinion about the need for a psychological assessment should be considered. If the person is not in obvious distress and is not suicidal, he or she should not be subjected to an arduous psych evaluation. Doctors should be trained to assess suicidally/homicidal and should realize that although referral for outpatient follow-up may be advisable, hospitalization for self-injurious behavior is rarely warranted.

3) The right to body privacy;

Visual examinations to determine the extent of injury should be performed only when absolutely necessary and done in a way that maintains the patients dignity. Many who SI have been abused; the humiliation of strip-search is likely to increase the amount and intensity of future self-injury while making the person subject to the searches look for better ways to hide the marks.

4) The right to have the feelings behind the SI validated;

Self-injury doesn't occur in a vacuum. The person who self-injures usually does so in response to distressing feelings, and those feelings should be recognized and validated. Although the care provider might not understand why a particular situation is extremely is upsetting, she or he can at least understand that it *is* distressing and respect the self-injurer's right to be upset about it.

5) The right to disclose to whom they choose only what they choose;

No care provider should disclose to others that injuries are self-inflicted without obtaining the permission of the person involved. Exceptions can be made in the case of a team-based hospital treatment or other medical care providers when the information that the injuries were self-inflicted is essential knowledge for proper medical care. Gossiping about any patient is unprofessional.

6) The right to choose what coping mechanisms they will use;

No person should be forced to choose between self-injury and treatment. Outpatient therapists should never demand that clients sign a no-harm contract; instead, client and provider should develop a plan for dealing with self-injurious impulses and acts during the treatment. No client should feel like they must lie about SI or be kicked out of outpatient therapy. Exceptions to this may be made in hospital or ER treatment, when a contract may be required by hospital legal policies.

7) The right to have care providers who are not afraid of SI;

Those who work with clients who self-injure should keep their own personal fear, revulsion, anger, anxiety, etc. out of the therapeutic setting. This crucial for basic medical care of self-inflicted wounds but holds for therapists as well. A person who is struggling with self-injury has enough baggage without taking on the prejudices and biases of their care providers.

8) The right to have the role of SI has played as a coping mechanism validated;

No one should be shamed, admonished or chastised for having self-injured. Self-injury works as a coping mechanism, sometimes for people who have no other way to cope. They may use SI as a last-ditch effort to avoid suicide. The self-injurer should be taught to honor positive the positive things that self-injury has done for them, while recognizing that the negatives of SI far outweigh those positives and that it is possible to learn methods of coping that aren't as destructive and life-interfering.

9) The right not to be automatically considered a dangerous person simply because of self-inflicted injury;

No one should be put in restraints or lockedin a treatment room in an emergency room soley because his or her injuries are self-inflicted. No one should involuntarily committed because of SI; physicians should make the decision to commit based on presence of psychosis, suicidiality, or homicidiality.

10) The right to have self-injury regarded as an attempt to communicate, not manipulate.

Most people who hurt themsleves are trying to express things they can say in no other way. Although sometimes these attempts to communicate seem manipulative, treating them as manipulative only makes the situation worse. Providers should respect the communicative function of SI and assume it is not manipulative behavior until there is clear evidence to the contrary.

I know there are alot of people with a mental illness that do self injure to a point where medical attention is required. I know first hand the stereotype and the judgments from others when self-injury is applied as a coping tool.
I found this info at realmentalhealth.com. I posted this because of the relevance of this topic and the topic of mental illness.
There are alot of moral, emotional, psychological, and physical issues when dealing with the matter. Especially for the family of a self injurer. Sometimes family members have moral obligations to see their loved one will not injure themselves. Other times it is used as a curtain to ignore the family member and to isolate the person doing the self injury.
I recommend anyone that is self injuring themselves to seek counseling. If insurance is an issue, there are always hospitals that can place you with crisis intervention.
I feel that self injury is a huge sign an intervention needs to take place.

Does Health Insurance Ever Create a Sense of False Security?

2007-03-04T18:02:00.000-05:00

Please don't let me be the one to ask this, does your health insurance give you a false sense of security?

Mine does.

The reason being I always have to cross my fingers and hope that my insurance will cover a doctors visit.

It has been several months since I have seen a doctor and have been avoiding the doctor because I don't want surprises. The last "surprise" left me with $125 that I owed my doctor.
The $125 I owed the doctor has since been paid, but it leaves this question, why should I pay $50 a month for an insurance policy. Especially one that fails to deliver on its promises.
From doing various research, I have learned if your insurance has failed to pay for your bill, you are ultimately responsible for it.
It is happened before, I just simply pay the bill and life moves on.

This is my 100th post

2007-02-27T22:05:00.000-05:00

This post celebrates my one-hundreth post. I never thought of this as a milestone until a few weeks ago my number of posts were in the 90's.
The unique thing about a blog is you're not 100% completed. It is a project that never ends.
Another unique quality of a blog, although templates may be the same, they can be indivualized to a persons like. In reality no two blog are 100% alike.
The age of the internet is a wonderful thing, although it may be humankind's demise to an extent.
I have completed all major renovations, although I didn't do what I didn't finish all that I wanted to do.
I want to thank everyone who has stopped by and commented or even just browsed though my nonsense and sometimes boring posts.

Learning From Mistakes (Sometimes Learning From Others' Mistakes)

2007-02-27T20:54:00.000-05:00

This post reflects back to something I was told by a department manager when I employed by a grocery store back in the late 1990's. The grocery store was my job from my senior year in high school until two years after I graduated high school.
You always hear the stories of "getting a good education" in your school years. This is such a story, but has been lived in real life.
I was employed by a grocery store and for a short time a manager had been transferred to the store I was working at.
He was not my "reporting supervisor," but I did speak with the man quite a bit on many occasions. He had been employed by the company for nearly forty years. He had raised a family while working for the company.
Mike will be the name I will use to refer to him beyond this point, instead of calling him "the manager."
Mike had started his career with the company about forty years prior to from the point where I had met him. Mike was a very articulate, very outgoing, and somewhat eccentric. He was such a wonderful personality, I am unsure if I ever heard him raise his voice to anyone.
Mike had started with the company while he was in college. I am unsure what he majored in, but he had a great education, and could have excelled in his selected field. I know for sure he did not go to college to become a manager of a grocery store.
He was a man in his early twenties at the time and he started with the company with in intention of leaving once he graduated college. Mike had told me throughout his short tenure at the store I worked at that I needed to do something with my life. He stressed the need of a college education, but was very strong in his opinion not to make the same mistakes that he had made.
He had kept saying to himself over the years, that he was going to leave the company and find a job in the field in which he had studied. He never did.
When Mike first started with the company he was a "stock boy", where he stocked shelves, eventually going to the dairy department, before settling as a produce manager.
Mike had drifted from store to store, and on a few occasions, uprooting his family and relocating to other areas.
By the time I was hired by the company, Mike was not working at the store where I was working. He came along about a year after I was hired. The first day I seen Mike, I basically thought he was just an old man who may have possibly dropped out of high school and was basically stuck for he rest of his life at the grocery company.
I had later learned Mike had a four-year degree from a very highly respected and very famous school. I had the opportunity to start a conversation with Mike one day and I never realized how much the first conversation with him would change dramatically how my outlook on life would be.
He had told me how long he was with the company and his stories of when he was earning his college degree. Now after nearly forty years he was in the process of retiring from the company.
Mike always had a good story to tell about the company, whether it was busting a customer for shoplifting or hearing the latest scandals from department managers and employees.

Mike had said to me one day while passing by me "You know something, Levi?"
I replied "What's that?"
"Please don't make the same mistake I did. I worked for this company for many years and although I was promoted several times, this was only suppost to be a job until I got out of college."
Mike had sent his children to college as well and hoped that they did not make a huge mistake, like he did.
"I stayed with this company for too many years." Mike said. "I was here for nearly forty years and now that I am approaching retirement I have a huge regret."
"What's that?" I replied.
"I never pursued what I had went to college for, because it was a huge passion for me, but I failed myself by not pursuing it."

I will never forget that conversation. It was a very short one, however it had forver changed on how I perceive things. It has effected every aspect of my life and how I think about everything.
Before I started with the company that I worked for now, that same conversation popped into my mind again. "Is this somewhere I want to retire from?"
I actually ask myself that question everyday I go to work.
I haven't seen Mike for several years now. About three months after the conversation above, he had transferred to another store.
I had learned he since retired from the company, but his whereabouts or what he is doing in retirement are unknown to me. I can honestly say I never met anyone like him since.
By posting this I am not trying to inspire anyone. If I thought the same thing, it probably would have depressed me. Mike never seemed depressed, but rather disappointed. I believe he had accepted the fact he could not change what he did when he was a younger man.
If that were me, I know the disappointment would turn to depression. That is what made him stronger than me.

Looking California and Feeling Minnesota

2007-02-22T14:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday as part of my blog reconstruction, I decided to add audio to my blog. Bestaudiocodes.com was the sight where I found the code to the song.

The song is Soundgarden's Outshined, from their 1991 album Badmotorfinger. This was the album that launched Soundgarden into the mainstream.
I really have no explaination for the reason I added this particular song. The best explaination I have is lyrically, personally I can relate in some way to the lyrics.

I got up feeling so down
I got off being sold out
I've kept the movie rolling
But the story's getting old now
I just looked in the mirror
Things aren't looking so good
I'm looking California
And feeling Minnesota
So now you know, who gets mystified
Show me the power child
I'd like to say
That I'm down on my knees today
It gives me the butterflies
Gives me away
Till I'm up on my feet again
I'm feeling outshined
Someone let the dogs out
They'll show you where the truth is
The grass is always greener
Where the dogs are shedding
I'm feeling that I'm sober
Even though I'm drinking
I can't get any lower
Still I feel I'm sinking
So now you know who gets mystified
Show me the power child
I'd like to say
That I'm down on my knees today
It gives me the butterflies
Gives me away
Till I'm up on my feet again
I'm feeling outshined

Becoming My Own Advocate

2007-02-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

Recently, I decided to cease all of my medicines for bipolar disorder. The primary reason being is my insurance will not cover very many of them.
Mental illness is a legitimate illness, just like any other chronic illness. I have been struggling with Bipolar disorder since I was diagnosed in 2000. Even longer of you count the time before I was diagnosed.
I have decided I would have to become my own advocate if I were to decide to return to medication. I realize that I must come up with the resources for help. Yeah, there are government programs as well as private charity programs. Many people rely on government programs to find themselves in the cold after they realize the bureaucratic nightmare they face to continue their treatment.
There are many negative backlashes for people who do not know or not familiar with bipolar disorder. They may have heard of it, but refer to it as a "crazy person's disease."
This is another way I must become my own advocate. To try to educate those who would like to learn more to the best of my ability. The Internet is full of resources, but someone with the illness can translate and interpretate, to be more precise in describing what people can accomplish with a mental illness.
Many people with a mental illness have become productive members of society.

Making Some Changes to the Blog

2007-02-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

You may notice that a "under construction" label is at the top of my blog. I am in the process of changing things. I already upgraded to the New Blogger, but decided I would make some additional changes.

I am changing the format and look of the blog. I will have some posts while I am doing this transformation.

I haven't been discussing politics and will explain why in a later post. it isn't I have a lack of ideas, it is I am not happy in which way our elected leaders are performing their duties.

Working on New Ideas

2007-02-06T16:50:00.000-05:00

A few days ago I decided to upgrade to the "new blogger" with new features. I was skeptical of the new blogger. I had heard of several horror stories, which made me wonder if I should update or not.

It scared me. I thought that I may lose my blog like several other that I know that did.
In the end it worked out. I really like the new feature the new blooger has. I like being able to choose the color of my text and the type of font I choose.

An Interesting Situation

2007-01-29T19:43:00.000-05:00

Recently, two Canadian citizens have been arrested while changing planes in New
York City, for doing something that is not illegal in Canada, Their business in based in the Isle of Man. They allowed Americans to use their
financial services company, to transfer money to online
poker sites. The name of their company was NETeller.
It is an American law that prohibits this. It was Americans who used
NETeller for this purpose.
Two Canadians, with an international
business based in the Isle of Man, have been arrested because of it.
I have posted about this in the past about online poker sites.

Imagine travelling in a foreign country, for doing something in your home coutry that is illegal there. You have not committed "the crime" in this country.You are there long enough to get onto another plane, but later surrounded by police officers and arrest you.
You are now on your way to a foreign prison and to be tried in foreign courts.
I have a prior post reguarding the ban on online casinos and that can be found here

Out of Control

2007-01-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

Recently, I feel my life is totally out of control. I feel I have no control over it. I have had severe mood swings that have affected every aspect of my life. I have trouble concentrating on daily tasks. This why I have not been posting as much. I usually start on a post and lose interest, save it and never post it.
My mind has been a wondering and travelling maze on wonderful, horrifying, and delusional thoughts.
Sometimes it comes to mind, that someone is intentionally doing this to me, but them come to realize that I am mostly doing it to myself.
My family and my wife's family, especially in my wife family, wonder if I am stable enough to continue on. Sometime I ask that question myself, but I continue and move on.
It has become to a point with my family, is they have their own issues and have heard all of mine over and over again
Some of what I have been sharing with my wife, usually gets passed on to her family, which in return becomes a great concern. I guess I make up my own conspiracy theories of how medication and how the mental health industry work. Sometimes I don't feel it is true, but other times I often wonder if my mind of fertile irrational thoughts warrant more investigation.
It is just beginning to a point where I am slamming my head into the wall over and over again.

No Blogging for a Few Days

2007-01-25T14:56:00.000-05:00

I haven't got around to blogging for a few days because I have been sick or busy at work.

I have been busy at work because a few things have changed in my job description and now involves other frustrating and confusing things. To make it short, it is a basic requirement to do my job with one hand tied behind my back. It is enough to make me want to tear and rip my own hair out. It has been effecting my mental health as well.
In the next week, I will start blogging on a regular basis.

Lobbying Reform by Congress

2007-01-15T20:17:00.000-05:00

Once again, Congress is blocking the voices and opinions it does not want to hear. Their lobbying reforms will target grassroot political organizations like downsizedc.org. The bill, which the link is below, will force small grassroots organizations additional costs by forcing them to comply with reporting requirements. The groups that cannot afford this expenditure will either go out of business, or the ones that survive will spend more money and time on paperwork to comply with new regulations. This would slow down the presence of the organizations, making your representive more likely to ignore your voice.
What a sad day it will be if this bill does pass. Congress knows it is not doing its job when it wants to silence its critics. This defeats the purpose of the United States Constitution.
We think we elect people to congress that wants to hear from its people, when in fact it is silencing them. This is a shame. The "new" congress is doing the same thing as the "old" congress.
The exemptions would include "special interest groups".
I have a link which will take you to the webpage. This has much more detailed information.

Minimum Wage Increases-Part Two

2007-01-10T19:37:00.000-05:00

Here are some mixed links on the pros and cons of Minimum Wage Increases

http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/issueguides_minwage
http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm
http://www.freemarketnews.com/Analysis/120/1746/March-24-2005.asp?nid=1746&wid=120

Minimum Wage Increases

2007-01-09T19:41:00.000-05:00

January 1, 2007, was not only the beginning of a new year, but several states increased their state minimum wage. Pennsylvania was included in those states and now has a minimum wage of $6.25 an hour.
Personally, I do not oppose minimum wage, but I feel it is in need of drastic reform. Minimum wage was established in the United States back in the 1930's.
The Federal minimum wage should be abolished, but states should be allowed to set their own minimum wages. I absolutely feel that it belongs in the hands of the states and not the Federal Government to enforce a minimum wage.

Minimum wages do have their benefits and disadvantages. The major benefit is it establishes a standard of what a business should pay their employees. I am for employee rights. It is to ensure that businesses that employ citizens receive a minimum wage, altogether it may not always be a livable wage. It prevents scrupulous employers of taking advantage by paying a "sub-standard wage."
The biggest disadvantage is that it isn't always "business friendly." Many small businesses, also known as "Mom and Pop stores" and "Mom and Pop businesses" take the hardest blunt force of a minimum increase. It occasionally forces employees out of a job, but it is rare.
That was another point I was going to make that minimum wages increases put people out of jobs, which I find that hard to believe because I can name a lot of "low wage" entry level jobs that are hiring.
They mostly consist of those working in the food industry, primarily fast food workers and waitresses. Although I understand waitresses and waiters can make excellent money with their tips, their minimum wage is around $3 an hour. I have nothing against people working in those fields, because someone has to do it. Some people enjoy working in those environments. On a personal level it is not something for me. I know I would hate it.
Minimum wages do have advantages and disadvantages, but I feel it should be in the hands of the states and not the work of the Federal Government to decide what that determined amount should be.

Personal Reflection

2007-01-06T18:04:00.000-05:00

This post has much to do on why I walked out on conventional treatment. I know this is a huge step and may have serious consequences, but it is a risk I will be required to take.
I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and for those that are not familiar with what it is you may click here to find exactly what it is.
After having much heated discussion with my doctor and speaking to several organizations about the problems I have had with the treatment options, I decided it would be best to find alternative treatment options. It has been nothing short of a war with my insurance company and my doctors on which type of treatment and medication would be covered with my insurance. My insurance is very strict on what type of therapies can be sought and which medications will be paid for by the insurance. It seems like the forumulary changes on a weekly basis.
I was on medication, Depakote and Celexa, which eventually the insurance stopped covering the depakote. My insurance would cover lithium, but I have had not had much success with it in the past. I gave lithium another shot, but eventually the insurance stopped covering the lithium. Then they decided to stop covering the Celexa. My insurance company highly recommended suggestion Prozac to my doctor and I had advised them that it has triggered migraines in the past. They kept stressing the Prozac over and over and I got so frustrated that I decided just to hang up.
Eventually, I had a heated argument with my doctor over the medications and my treatment options. Apparently my insurance refused to pay for a doctors visit from a few months ago and it seemed the doctor was only focused on the past balance I owed. I wanted to make payment arrgements with the Doctor, but since it was way overdue and I never knew about it until that day, the doctor wanted payment in full. I did not have $115 to give my doctor that day. If I were still a single man, it would be no problem to come up with that much money, but I have a family to support now.
I know there are probably other options. Wal-Mart and a few other drug stores have started a program with drastically reduced generic medications, but the medicines that are on the list include very very few medications for mental illness, which are mostly anti-depressants. Only a small amount are covered.
I am still weighing options of what to do next, but I am probably going to give alternative treatments another look.
I am not one for giving up easily, but you will never win against mammoth corporations and insurance companies. It is like putting you hand on a hot stove burner, every time you touch it you will get burned.

Why I Will Never Modify the Suspention of a Vehicle

2007-01-03T19:23:00.000-05:00

Everyone has seen a vehicle that has been modified in some way. Vehicles can be modified to many specifications ranging from tinted windows, a customized stereo system, and lowered suspension.
First of all putting a ton of money into a car is a waste of money considering it is unlikely that you will own the vehicle in 10 years. I have personally seen a stereo system installed into a vehicle, in which the system was worth more than the vehicle itself. I have installed aftermarket parts into previous vehicles, such as stereos, but I never placed so much money into one. I never got anything so fancy, just the basic AM/FM with a CD player.
Lowered vehicles are a nightmare. The are usually more expensive to tow, because they need special equipment.
Don't get me wrong I like the look of modified vehicles, but when it comes down to it they are more of a show car than a vehicle to drive for everyday usage.

Alot of News While I Was Not Posting

2007-01-02T20:03:00.000-05:00

In the past week, everyone knows that Former President Ford has died.
Everyone knows that Saddam Hussein was executed.
James Brown had died on Christmas day.
Those things are old news now and probably would have posted something on them if i were posting at the time.
It would have been quite a busy week for me to post, but I did not have much time to do so. I only placed a few brief posts in the last week or so. I am also going to be working on new banners for my site as well, because I changed the name of my blog. I already went through the motions and explanations why I changed the name of it.
I plan on writing more of what I did before, but maybe add a few more personal thoughts and revelations to my blog.

01.01.07 New Year, New Title

2007-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have decided to change the name of my blog, because I feel that the current name is just way too political and does not always fit into the genre of politics. I wanted something that will personalize my blog in such a manner that it is not so much political, but as a journal to express my opinions on news, politics, personal agendas, and my fascinations.
The day to do so I felt would be today, January 1, 2007, because a new year seems to bring new things to life.
So I present to you the new name of "The Blog of LJG."

txt2pic.com

Countdown to 2007

2006-12-31T23:59:00.000-05:00

I wish everyone the best in 2007. I won't be posting much until after the new year. I am currently working on new ideas to post.

Happy Holidays

2006-12-31T00:59:00.000-05:00

I wish everyone the best of the holiday season. I wish everyone those a Merry Christmas for everyone who celebrates Christmas. Hannakah just ended, but belated wishes for those nwho celebrated Hannakah.
Have a safe and wonderful New Year. I will probably not post again until after the new year

Not Winning or Losing

2006-12-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

President Bush admitted today that the war in Iraq, we're not winning or losing. I do not post much on the War in Iraq, because it is very sensitive to me. I always hear a varied amount of opinons on the war, but recently I have been hearing more and more people staing the oppose the war. I know of former servicemen and women that agree with one thing, we got in over our heads. It was poorly planned.
"We're not winning, we're not losing." according to President Bush during an interview. The President also order Secretary of Defense Rober Gates to develope a stronger and increase the troop strength. This has stretched troops towards a breaking point.
This expansion will take years to complete. The Democratic victory in both houses in November probably has quite a bit with President Bush's change in opinion. Before he had opposed sending more troops, but now wants to send more. This also prompted the President to look at new options on the situation in Iraq.

My opinion on this is what I have been telling others that I encountered when involved in talking about the topic. A new direction is needed. A new plan is needed to be concievevd in order for the U.S. and its allies to succeed in this war. I do not support an immediate pullout, but I would like to see a timeline to get the affairs competed that need to be finished. The United States cannot be the world's police force, but it does need to protect itself from enemy forces. I do not ever see a government that the U.S. has created working in Iraq. I would like to be proved wrong, but on the other hand it is only reality.

ATTENTION-Under Construction/Destruction

2006-12-20T11:59:00.000-05:00

(post for 11-19-2006 is below)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Once again I am doing some changes to the blog and it may not look normal for a few days.
As of 20-December-2006 at 7:32 pm(19:32) all modifcations are complete

Making the Pennsylvania Turnpike Private

2006-12-19T14:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I posted about privatization of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Today I am going to post more specific details of the privatization process.
Governor Rendell is thinking about placing the Pennsylvania Turnpike up for bid. Either it would be sold or leased, that answer has yet to be determined. Governor Rendell's idea is to invest the money from the lease to fund transportation needs. The deal would need to be approved by Pennsylvania Legislation in order for the provision to take effect.
The major issue that will probably be debated is to allow foreign firms to maintain the roads or only allow it to be exclusively for Domestic or even Pennsylvanian owned firms only.
This plan is only in its early stages and may only turn out to be just an idea. It may turn into a major issue in time to come. I will be keeping an eye on this topic and will post my opinions and suggestions when more information is available.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike

2006-12-18T19:47:00.000-05:00

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a series of toll roads. The primary Turnpike highway is also know as I-76 which runs from the west end to the east end of the Commonwealth. There is also the Northeast Extention that goes from Philadelphia to Scranton, also known as I-476 (formerly PA 9). There is also a series of small state numbered roads that also make up the turnpike system. The roads combined are over 500 miles in length.

Governor Rendell has proposed privatizing the entire Turnpike system. This would mean private industry would maintain and repair the roads, tunnel and bridges of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
This will be faced with much opposition, just like privatized the wine and spirit shops. Former Governors Thornburgh and Ridge were blocked from taking that action. Today the Wine and spirit shops are still owned by the state, which is a liquor store to non-Pennsylvanians. Many Pennsylvanians call them "state stores" for that reason. The liquor stores are owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The reason for a "privatized" Pennsylvania Turnpike system is cost cutting.
There are other factors to consider, because many people will oppose it if Foreign based contractors are accepted to do the job. It costs the state $29 million a year, which is what the state contributes to the turnpike commission for state patrols.
I do have a .link to read more on this proposal. I would also like to post other topics on the pros and cons of privatized government services.

HR 4682-"Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2006."

2006-12-15T01:38:00.000-05:00

I am a subscriber to an E-letter from downsizedc.org and occasionally share some thoughts and ideas on my blog from those E-letters.
This is totally pathetic. This shows to prove that taking away freedoms is a bi-partisan agenda. HR 4682 is an effort by Nancy Pelosi to weaken all grassroots organizations. Along with Ralph Nader, who I though supported grassroots venues, is also supporting this legislation.
This is something unbelievable and out of the pages of an urban myth.
The bill is HR 4682. It's called the supported by Public Citizen "Honest Leadership and Open
Government Act of 2006." It was co-written by Nancy Pelosi. This is legislation that would limit small grassroots organizations like downsizedc.org
but leave big special interest lobbying firms exempt.
The legislation will be re-introduced through Congress as part of an ethics reform campaign. You can look at it by going to
www.thomas.loc.gov and typing in 4682 which is the bill number.
Section 204(b)(2) serves no other purpose than to regulate small
grassroots organizations, while leaving the direct lobbying
of big special interests exempt from these regulations.
This is the sign of intrusive government to regulate the "grassroots organizations" of American citizens.

My opinion this is legislation to turn people to zombies and just go along with big government and their intrusive decisions. This is you tax dollars at work and it is just restricting people rights, just because these grassroots organizations are "annoying" to the lawmakers in congress.
This relates to something I watched on Glenn Beck's show on CNN Headline News a few months back. I do not always agree with Glenn Beck or his political stances, but when he stated that "Politicians only want to serve their party." Mr. Beck was 100% on the money. This is just another example of proof! Ms. Pelosi is an example, by not listening to the people who elected her and only listening to large lobbying to promote their personal agendas. I used to actually support some of the things Public Citizen used to promote, but I am re-thinking this stance because of this bill. I encourage everyone to write to Public Citizen and express their disapproval of this bill.

Possible Explanations of the Dropa Stones

2006-12-14T14:52:00.000-05:00

There have been some possible explanations for the Dropa Stones, which I have been posting about for the last few days.
A possible interpretation on one of the Dropa Stones read something similar to this: The Dropas came down from the clouds in their aircraft. Our men, women and children hid in the caves ten times before sunrise. When at last they understood the sign language of the Dropas, they realized that the newcomers had peaceful intentions." There is no proof whether if the encoded message actually read this.
Some skeptics have written this off as a hoax and the stones can be explained. It is widely believe they are of a terrestrial origins.
Russian scientists have examined the stones and it was reported they are made of cobalt and have an unusual rhythm if a electrical charge were going through them.
Skeptics have claimed the Dropa disks are actually "bi discs", which were made between the Neolithic Period and were made up to the time of the Shang Dynasty. The "bi-discs" range just from a few inches in diameter up to several feet across. They are made out of jade or nephrite and also have a hole carved in the center.
A "bi-disc" was a discs that ranged in different sizes with a hole in the center, usually depicting dragons or other mythical creatures.
This is one possible explanation to the mystery surrounding the Dropa stones.
The man who supposedly translated the discs was named Tsum Um Nui, but no records show that the man actually existed, except when examining the Dropa Stones.
The Dropa Stone incident is often referred to "China's Roswell", because the same circumstances regarding extraterrestrial life landing on earth in New Mexico back in the 1940's.

Whatever the origin of the Dropa Stones are, skeptics have possible explanations of the discs. Whether the discs are of terrestrial or extraterrestrial, it has been in the extreme imaginations of skeptics and believes alike. Whether it is a hoax or an actual contact with another world, until the true answer is found it will remain a true mystery.

The Dropa Stones Part II-The Mysterious Graves

2006-12-13T15:37:00.000-05:00

Along with the discs found at in the caves in the isolated mountain in China, there were graves found. The graves found at the drop Caves in China contained a specimen of an unknown species. It were thought to be an undiscovered species or extinct breed of ape, but was rules out when the remains were actually buried.
The specimens inside were only about four feet tall with oversized heads. Very similar to what UFO researchers refer to as "Grays."
Also there were painting found inside depicting some type of species wearing helmets.
A legend in China by the local inhabitants stated that a mysterious race of beings crash landed on in mysterious ship. The referred to themselves as the "drop."
The legend had stated that these beings crash landed in their space ship near the isolated mountains along the China/Tibet border nearly twelve thousand years ago. It was reported that the beings were gaunt and thin. They had Yellow faces and only about four feet tall, according to accounts.

Who were these "beings" found in the graves? Were they truly of a extraterrestrial origin? Did humans actually have contact with these beings 12,000 years ago? Did they really come from a different planet? Is there a possible explanation to the mysterious graves found in the caves? If so, who and what were these beings? Were they in fact a terrestrial human race that is now extinct? Are they an unknown species of ape?
One thing is for sure it has many unexplained circumstances surrounding the mystery. A mystery that may always haunt us with one question, what really happened in that area of China 12,000 years ago?

The Dropa Stones

2006-12-12T20:45:00.000-05:00

I was watching The History Channel on Monday night and a television show feature the mysterious Dropa Stones or Discs of China.
I haven't written anything about the paranormal or the unexplained for awhile, I guess because I had better ideas to post on my blog. I came into a little writers block and needed to come up with ideas. So I decided to post something on the Dropa Stones in China.
This has been referred to as China's Roswell. In the deep and isolated mountains near the China/Tibet border, there were several discs uncovered by a Chinese archaeological team in 1938. These were found in a cave in the mountains. They were carbon-dated to be approximately ten to twelve thousand years old.
Also, found in the cave were graves of a strange species with oversized heads and about four feet tall. It was speculated that the remains may be of those from an extinct type of ape, but apes are not known for burying the dead. I am doing additional research on what the being may have been and will post that later. I will dedicate an entire post to what the beings that could have been that were found in the cave.
There were over seven-hundred discs found in the cave. The strange discs ranging from just a few inches to a few feet in diameter, had a carved out circle in the center of the discs. Strange hierographic writing were observed on the discs as well. It is unknown what the "writings" on the discs may have meant, but speculation may have unearth that it is a written record of an alien species that may have visited and even had contact with people.
There are many questions raised. Were these discs of an extraterrestrial origins or were made by an ancient civilization. What ever the case may be, one thing is for certain, there is an incredible story and a deep mystery behind these discs. This is one of the most mysterious archeological finds of present time. A mystery that has one question. What or who made these discs and what is the true meaning of the writings found on the discs?

Here is a yahoo.com search on the Dropa Stones. I welcome all opinions and possible explantions to the story above.

Not as Many Pennsylvanians Hunting

2006-12-11T14:57:00.000-05:00

I read an interesting article in the newspaper that also coincides with a post that I posted a few weeks ago.
I had posted that Pennsylvania had the highest incidents deer-vehicle collisions. That post from Wednesday November 15, 2006, and can be seen here and scrolling down to the post with a "Deer Warning" sign. I am not a hunter myself, but found this to be an interesting topic because of what I posted a month ago.
Sale of hunting licenses in Pennsylvania have decreased since 1981. 1981 was a record setting year by the sale of 1.3 million licenses. In 2005 few than one million were sold, with the number at 964,000. The number decreased by 336,000 in a span of twenty-five years.
One explanation of the decline in hunting is urban spawl. People are leaving the cities and expanding suburban areas. I know of countless upon countless new homes going up in my area, including my own home. The open areas that were prime hunting areas are no longer available to hunt in because of safety zone restrictions.
Some people don't hunt anymore because they simply don't have the available time to do so.
As a result Pennsylvania leads the state in deer-vehicle accidents.
There are no easy solutions to the problem of deer-vehicle accidents.

Two Stories of Interest Over the Weekend

2006-12-10T21:26:00.000-05:00

This post is about two different news articles that caught my attention.
The First one is the United States leads the world in the incarcerated. The second is the ban of trans-fats from restaurants' menus in New York City.
I am going to begin with the ban in NYC. Yes, trans-fats are horrible for you. No one is going to deny that. Everyone knows that they will kill you in excess. The government does not need to play "nanny" to its people.
The government of NYC is stating that it will help the restaurants find alternatives to trans-fatty acids. They also stated that they are not looking for easy money from restaurants when it comes to the penalties. Everyone knows that is a lie. You may click here for an article that relates to the ban.
The second news article is the primary reason for today's post. The United States leads the world in the highest incarcerated prison population. I agree 100% that is the best place for people who decide to commit violent crimes such as robberies and murders.
I have never discussed this issue before on my blog, but it is something that has been known to everyone that knows me personally, that I am against the "War on Drugs." I do not support the usage of drugs what so ever. Drugs are a horrible thing. They do degrade lives. They are destructive in every way imaginable. They destroy families. I will never deny that. Alcohol, the most abused drug, does the same. Everyone knows what alcohol and how it impacts everything and anything. I really see no difference between alcohol and drug usage. They are both equally destructive. The "War on Drugs" has done nothing more than damper and hinder law-abiding citizens constitutional rights. I could write a book on the advantages and disadvantages of drug prohibition.
The United States incarcerates more people in drug offences that any other country. This adds to the contribution to the increasing numbers of incarcerated. This also goes into the discussion of how much it costs to incarcerate someone for these charges. Federal taxes may have increased, but have your local and state taxes increased. I know mine have and the higher taxes partially contribute to increased incarceration.

The Justice Department report shows that one out of every thirty-two people have been incarcerated or on probation/parole in the past year. The number shows that approximately seven million are incarcerated now.

America need a sensible drug policy. Not prohibition. Look at the time when alcohol was banned. Crime skyrocketed because of bootlegged alcohol. The murder rate skyrocketed as well, which led to the 21st amendment repealing the 18th amendment, which banned alcohol.

Why I do not Trust Government Officials or Politicians

2006-12-06T19:43:00.000-05:00

This question should be self-explanatory. I know many Pennsylvanians, even Americans, that are discouraged to a point where they do not even bother to vote.
Mr. Donald Rumsfeld's predecessor, Dr Robert Gates, has stated that the we are not winning in the war in Iraq.
A few weeks ago I watched 60 Minutes on CBS General Abizaid said that there are high hope for an Iraqi stabilization.
In short who are we to believe?
This is exactly why anytime, especially during an election season I do not believe anything a politicians states. I almost never trust anything a Government official states.
This is exactly why I do not belong to any political party. I am not going to support two parties that create lies and propaganda to shortchange the other side. Manipulation and fears. One side will point to the other side and state the fear and propaganda to intimidate those who agree or disagree. If you aren't apart of one side, you are wrong. The same goes for the other. It happens on both sides.
The difference between the Democratic and Republican Parties are the Donkey and the Elephant. You might as well replace them with this,

or this!

Most people know that Chrysler and Dodge are the same company as well as Ford and Mercury.
That is what I think of when it comes to Democrats and Republicans. Same company, different name.

Contradicting Stories

2006-12-05T16:23:00.000-05:00

Today I found this piece of news I found at Reuters, USA Today, and Yahoo.com.
Robert Gates, the man that President Bush to be Defense Secretary, has said the US is not winning the War in Iraq. gates had claimed there were not enough troops when they were deployed in 2003. He also has stated that leaving Iraq would create furtehr turmoil in Iraq.
Dr. Robert Gates was the man selected by President Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld. I am hoping this man will give a new direction for America's troops in Iraq. It looks like America will probably do most of this on their own.
I feel that it should have had better planning before jumping into the war. USA Today also reported that more troops were needed in Afganistan.
Keith Ellison, the first Muslim American to be elected to congress has chosen to take his oath on the Quran. This has caused some public outcry because of his choice. I feel it should be his choice on the book to take his oath on. The voters knew he was a Muslim when they elected him and Mr. Ellison should be able to take his oath and be sworn in on the Quran if he chooses.
I have no idea why people are making such an issue out of it. The voters have spoken, let the man take his oath on what ever book he chooses, and let him do his job.

Article IV of the United States Constitution reads:
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

Random Posting and Thoughts

2006-12-04T14:38:00.000-05:00

Today I am posting some random thoughts and things I should be grateful for. This comes at a week or so late from thanksgiving, but this is a season to be grateful for.
Everyday I hear other people's pessimism. I have a fair share of it myself. Matter of fact my entire world used to revolve around pessimism. My entire world was one of despair and hopelessness. It would boil over to a point where I was constantly angry at everyone and everything. Most of it was self-induced and self-inflicted.
Eventually I realized I must get over my own self-inflicted harm because it can and will cause other medical problems. I knew I had to stop being so hard on myself. I knew there was a way to do it and had to find it. I realized that this is not the way to live.
I have found other outlets such as my blog to deal with myself. I know now how to effectivetly communicate with other people and to discuss how I feel. This is no easy task. It is a learned behavior and to use it effectively you must develope your own techinque once you lean how to do it.
I have learned to enjoy the things around me. I have learned to enjoy my life and live as fullfilling as possible. I look at the beauty of Mother Nature and realize it is still a beautiful thing, even when the trees are bare at this time of year.
I am not perfect. There are time when everything I written above is thrown out the window. I still get frustrated with my life such as my job, but I don't let things get the very best of me. I have learned that things do not always go the way I planned, but 99% of the time they work themselves out.
I see some people at their very worst and they feel it is something they cannot get out of. Especially at my workplace the worst can come out of the nicest, most courteous, and patient people. Sometimes, I may give them a piece of advice and other times I am at a loss for words. Most of the time I can picture myself getting that frustrated as well. I know I have been there before.
There are things that present a challenge. Those challenges, when the demands are met and the job is complete, it only makes a person stronger.

Americans are Driving Less

2006-12-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

Higher fuel prices are causing Americans to drive less. The American driving average dropped from 13,711 miles to 13,657 miles. This is not that sigificant. However, Americans are driving less.
Black Friday sales have increased from last year, although Wal-Mart did not recieve as high of sales as expected. Was it due to the boycott crititzing Wal-Mart as a "gay" agenda because they donated $60,000 to a gay rights group? I am not going into detail because I am not going to get excited over an extremist Christian group opposing their donation.
Overall, sales have been quite well for other retailers than Wal-Mart. Sales have increased over 3.4% from last year. It isn't looking too bleak afterall.

Opponents of the Fair Tax

2006-11-30T14:37:00.000-05:00

Some economists are predicting that the fair tax (HR25/S25) would place the burden of the tax to the poor and retirees.
There have been speculations that it will create new taxes, such as sales on the internet would be subject to the tax. Some also speculate that it gives the Federal Government easier access to raise taxes.
It would also put additional burden on companies, big or small, to become the tax collector for the Federal Government. In return the Businesses would get a 1% of the taxes they collect for the government.
Other opponents claim that it could also cause consumer debt to skyrocket. I have posted a link to a website that explains pesonal opinions of the drawback to the fair tax. You may also click here for more info on the opposition to the fair tax.

My opinion

Whether the S-25HR-25 will cripple or excel the economy, my prediction that the economy would grow. The bottom line is since the ratification of the 16th amendment, new and rising taxes have gone out of control. Most states have implemented a sales tax, most states have a state income tax. Pennsylvania has both sales tax and income tax. There is also the occupational tax in Pennsylvania which is $52 a year.
Tax reform is needed. The entire system indeed due for a complete overhaul. It would not be a bad idea to audit the entire government and cut wasteful spending.
The entire taxpayer roll just seems to be a complete unsigned paycheck for those who have access to the funds. Whether it would be politicians themselves or bureaucrats, your guess is as good as mine. The waste must stop.
No tax reform, no matter of you cut or raise, is going to help unless the waste and spending are under control. That is the bottom line.

U.S. Ban of iPods to North Korea

2006-11-29T16:50:00.000-05:00

This is very unique. The U.S. is going to make it tougher on Kim Jong-Il to get his items of luxury. This is the first time the United States has made an trade sanctions of this kind.
This is in cooperation with the United Nations and is the first time ever to include goods such as iPods and and cognac. It would be the first time also that the goods are not things like military buildups or weapon design.
I am in support of anything that may defer development of nuclear weapons by a nation that can use them on innocent people. My opinion is Kim Jong-Il will find an alternative to getting the things he enjoys.
He enjoys many luxuries such as French wines, American movies and luxury vehicles. . Kim Jong Il enjoys gourmet meals and many North Koreans cannot afford to feed themselves.
It seems like a double standard when he enjoys the cognac, the French wines, and Television when he supports a "system" that is meant for economic equality for all. Most North Koreans are very poor so that matches his standard of "economic quality," everyone is destitute. He also supposedly supports a government system where the needy are to be helped by the government. He sure left his people down by staving how many to death.
North Korea is one of the few Communist countries left in the world. It is also a country where you need permits to leave your own village or neighborhood. A country where the people show a great fear of criticizing their leaders. North Korea is notorious for its prison camps. The prison camps have been reported to torture people, to the point where people are in severe disbelief when it is observed.
Are economic sanctions like this helpful? I would have to say the U.S. won't be helping Kim Jong-Il get his cognac and sports cars any longer. I feel other nations as well should support these sanctions.
Kim Jong-Il should be forced to live like his citizens for two years. No cognac or sports cars. Just the terrible conditions most North Koreans live in. Maybe he would understand the agony and despair that they endure.

The Benefits of the Fair Tax

2006-11-29T14:44:00.000-05:00

The benefits of the fair tax are as follows.

Abolishes the IRS. (Less Government)
Closes all loopholes and brings fairness to taxation. (Much needed)
Ensures Social Security and Medicare funding. (Better Security for those programs)
Brings transparency and accountability to tax policy. (Much needed)
Allows American products to compete fairly. (Promotes Free Enterprise)
Reimburses the tax on purchases of basic necessities. (Reduces tax burden on the poor)
Enables retirees to keep their entire pension. (Good for consumer and economy alike)
Enables workers to keep their entire paycheck. (Good for consumer and economy alike).

Some of the benefits are that retailers would have a zero corporate tax rate.
Economist estimate as well an "underground economy" or black market would be taxed fairly instead of going untaxed. An estimated 1 trillion dollars a year are spent in an "underground economy."
Some economists speculate that the Fair Tax would drop the price of consumer goods because corproations would have no tax liability. It would make American made products more competitive and give Americans much more spending and consumer power.
So far this sounds like a good idea. I am beginning to like this fair tax the more I read about it. I read alot of good information on the website, more than I could post here. I do have links scattered all over my blog, linking to fairtax.org.
Here is another link to good information.

The Fair Tax

2006-11-28T14:39:00.000-05:00

This post is about HR25/S25, which is legislation to enact the "fair tax." I ventured onto this link, fairtax.org, which is a grassroots and non-partisan group that wants to elimiate the current tax code. Instead, the tax would be replaced by a national sales tax. It provides a "prebate" to ensure no American would over pay their fair share. They also favor repealing the 16th amendment.
The Fair Tax would place a sales tax of 23% on items of sale. Taxes would no longer be income based, but on how much you spend. This tax would replace all current federal taxes, such as federal Income, Social Security,and Medicare.
The fair tax would also eliminate the IRS. That would not make me lose sleep.
There are also provisions for people in Federal Poverty Guidelines to exempt or refund their money they paid into the tax.
I am going to do some more research on pros and cons of the fair tax. I will post on the benefits followed by the negatives of the fair tax.

The Preamble of the Constitution

2006-11-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

The Preamble of the United States Constitution.

THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

The 16th Amendment

2006-11-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

The 16th amendment authorizes congress to collect a Federal Income Tax.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

This amendment has been an amendment of much controversy. Through interpretations and scrutiny, the 16th amendment has been challenge in the court of law.
Others have claimed the amendment was never ratified legally.
The amendment was passed by the 61st congress and was declared ratified by three-quarters of the states on February 25, 1913. It was ratified in 42 states.
Something I have been studying recently is the fair tax law. The link is can be found at fairtax.org.
The basics of fair tax is to abolish all federal income taxes and replacing with a single sales tax.
I do have a draft written for a post on it and will be sharing that in the days to come.
I will be investigating and researching the theory the 16th amendment was never properly ratified as well.

The 13th Amendment and the Draft

2006-11-26T18:48:00.000-05:00

The thirteen amendment of the United States Constitution abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude. As stated the amendment reads this:

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Many have speculated that a military draft falls under this amendment as well. This sparked my interest recently because of representative Rangel of New York to re-instate the draft.
Everyone knows that conscription has occurred before. The first draft took place with the War of 1812. It was imposed during the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Military conscription did take effects, however without opposition and controversy.
The Draft Riots of 1863 in New York and Vietnam protests in the 1960's and 1970's proves that. Even today men still must register with Selective Service.
Some have questioned whether the draft is constitutional. Some have argued that it coincides with the 13th amendment.
In 1918, the Supreme Court did uphold that the draft was in fact constitutional and did not violate the 13th amendment. During the Vietnam War, a court of appeals concluded the U.S. government had the power to initiate the draft.
As I said before, I oppose military conscription. People are volunteering for military service. It should be a matter of choice whether one chooses to serve or not. It is set to be brought before Congress in early 2007.
Rangel is only trying this as a political stunt.
I always hate to bring race up as an issues, this is making my stomach turn now, but Rep. Charles Rangel feels that minorities are disadvataged when they are recruited into the military.

According to Rep. Rangel 30% of the military are minorities. His bill would include both men and women ages 18 to 26. high school students would get deferments and exemptions. College student would not be able to seek a deferment for college attendance.
Anyone that is ineligible for military service would be required to do some type of community service for little or no pay.
According to Rangel, this would force President Bush and other lawmakers less likely to go to war. It would make a lot of legislators less eager to send troops overseas.

My opinion is that, it would not make our lawmakers think twice about deploying troops. It would not prevent "forcing minorities" into military service. There are exceptions as stated above. People of high class could find a way around the "exceptions."
Rangel's plan is horrible. The government does not own people. The government should not force anyone into the military or perform community service for free, just because they are young. That job belongs in the hands that have committed a tort against society.

Forcing people for no reason to perform community service is a huge violation of the 13th amendment.
I can't stress enough to tell you elected leaders what you think of this legislation. You elected them now tell them how you feel about involutary service.

~Final Adjustments to the Blog~

2006-11-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

As you may have noticed, there were some creative changes to the blog. I will be done with these changes very soon. The blog should load properly now.
I am re-learning HTML gradually and learning the tricks and techniques to make the blog stand out.

Thanksgiving Day 2006

2006-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

~Making More Adjustments to the Blog~

2006-11-22T16:54:00.000-05:00

Once again I am doing some changes to the blog and once again this blog may not show properly. Things may be off-center. I will be doing some experiments to the blog. The blog may not load properly until the bugs get worked out.

Return of the Draft?

2006-11-21T02:49:00.000-05:00

As most of America knows, Representative Rangel a Democrat from New York is going to introduce legislation to re-instate the draft. He tried this before and failed. He even voted against it.
Mr. Rangel feels the draft would make the Bush Administration think before sending troops to war. Here is what he quoted.
"There's no question in my mind that this President and this administration would never have invaded Iraq ... If, indeed, we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way."

How would conscription solve that problem? I do not see how forcing people into service is going to deter wars and sending of troops overseas.

I am open to all questions and comments regarding that.
The US military is all volunteer and has the best technology of any other armed forces in the world.

President Bush and the military oppose conscription.
I do not think the draft is a good idea. The military has made its quotas. Plenty of people are enlisting on their own. The men and women who enlist are doing it voluntarily. No draft card or lottery is needed.

Many people oppose this legislation and I predict this will never pass.
Also, contact your congressmen/women and senators and tell them you do not support this legislation!
Let your voice be heard!!!!

The Legend of Bigfoot

2006-11-20T17:07:00.000-05:00

Bigfoot, Sasquatch, the Yeti.
Everyone knows of those names. A mystical creature that has baffled scientists and people alike. Scientists are skeptical over its existence
All over the world reports of people sighting an "ape-man" type of creature.
There are many reports of Bigfoot in isolated forested areas all over the United States.
Most reports are from the Pacific Northwest in the U.S., but have been reported in nearly every state, including Pennsylvania.
There have been many hoaxes in association with Bigfoot or Sasquatch. In order to gain fame and possibly fortune people have put on a number a schemes claiming to have hard core evidence of such an unknown creature.
Tonight (Nov 20, 2006,) at 8pm EST there is an episode on National Geographic channel's "Is It Real" featuring an ape-like creature in Russia. I hope to catch this episode at a later date, because I won't be able to watch it myself at that time.
Last but not least, my personal opinion. I am quite skeptical. I believe as much knowledge as humans have, they would have found solid evidence of such a creature. There is always that chance the creature has hidden under our noses for all of these centuries as well. There are many many many acres of woodland in isolated area, such as British Columbia that have never been explored by people. I find this quite amazing in the 21st century, thinking all places have seen human contact at some point.
However there is the odd case of Oliver that baffled scientists for many years. Scientist may have speculated that Oliver was the "missing link" between humans and apes. He displayed human like behaviors, such as walking upright. It was later determined that he was in fact a chimpanzee.

~Part II-Making Adjustments to the Blog~

2006-11-20T15:35:00.000-05:00

I am just letting everyone know, that my blog is back in working order. There shouldn't have been many inconvenience, but just wanted to let everyone that comes here know that my blog may look funny when it is loading or has loaded.
The slight changes I made are complete and back up to my standards. I felt my blog needed to be upgraded and did it in a manner that suits my expectations.
You may have noticed I use little icons to my posts now to identify what kind of posts that I may have made.

What To Expect From the Next Congress

2006-11-19T16:56:00.000-05:00

The excitement of the Democrats taking over both houses is dwindling. Republicans are getting over their losses and Democrats are geared to promote their particular agenda.
Both leader from both houses are promoting a "new" congress, free of scandal, accountabilty, and transparency. They want the American people to believe that it will be different.
Personally I am not buying it. It will only be a matter of time of see the promises they break and keep.
What ever the circumstance may be, and myself have my own political views and agendas, these are some ideas I got from downsizedc.org. I did subscribe their newsletter severeal months ago. I have ideas for other to promote if they choose.
Promote the new (and old) leaders to pass bills such as the online gambling ban and read every bill act. All info can be found at downsizedc.org.
The Democrats fought tooth and nail to keep the national ID card from passing. They have a chance to promote real liberty by repealing it. The real ID act sounds like a good idea to protect Americans, but when you read the fine print, it does sound quite draconian and like a police state.
It would also put additional financial burdens on cash strapped states. That would fund it by increased price for your driver license and increased taxes. Increased taxes, good news for all of us! Wrong!!!!
You may go to the downsizedc.org and read more about the laws above.
That is how the "new" Congress may earn its keep. Maybe, maybe not. Without inaction nothing gets done. Without contacting our legislators they do not know what the voters want. All of our lawmakers have websites and way to contact them.

Historical UFO Sightings

2006-11-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

Today's post focuses on UFO sightings of earlier times. UFO's have been reported since biblical times and continue to be reported today.
Around 1450 BC, Pharaoh Thutmose III reported multiple "circles of fire" in the sky.
These objects in the sky were much brighter than the sun. The phenomenon lasted for a few days before retreating into the sky.
Reports from Germany in 1561 showed an appearance of objects in some type of apparent battle. It was observed that small discs and spheres were coming out of larger cylinders in the sky.
This was before the time of modern aviation and probably were seen as omens from above.
I am unsure how accoutable if these accounts because I found them on various places on the internet.
Also, these incidences took place many centuries ago. I do not doubt the credibility, and it was before the dawn of aviation.

~Making Adjustments to the Blog~

2006-11-18T02:22:00.000-05:00

You may have noticed a few slight changes to my blog.The next few hours, possibly for a few days, this blog may not show properly. I will be doing some expeimentaations to the blog. The blog may not load properly until the bugs get worked out.

Hoaxes and Pranks of the Unexplained

2006-11-16T19:50:00.001-05:00

Everyone knows that many things have been pranked. Anything from UFO sightings, to a fake picture of the Loch Ness Monster and people in costume pretending to be Bigfoot.
A simple hubcap being tossed into the air to fool people into believing it was a UFO sighting, to double exposing a picture to make others think they are seeing a ghost. Even the Loch Ness monster has had its share of pranks and hoaxes.
Photography is great. Although it is usually proof positive of an event or object, it can be perceivable in an abstract way to fool the eye.
A picture is worth one-thousand words.
As I posted in other posts, I enjoy things of the unexplained. The mystery of the unknown intrigues me.

Deer Accidents in Pennsylvania

2006-11-15T14:41:00.000-05:00

This is something that has to interest every Pennsylvanian, which is hitting a deer. I know many Pennsylvanians that have, myself including. I was watching CNN this morning and found that Pennsylvania was number one in accidents involving deer.
I found this link from cnn.com.
Posted in order are the states with the most accidents

1.Pennsylvania
2.Michigan
3.Illinois
4.Ohio
5.Georgia
6.Virginia
7.Minnesota
8.Texas
9.Indiana
10.South Carolina

My beliefs on UFO's

2006-11-15T14:39:00.000-05:00

One of the "unexplained" topics I like to read about are UFO's or Unexplained Flying Object.
I enjoy reading about the Roswell incident as well as television shows that host UFO sightings shows.
I am what they would call a skeptical believer. I believe that alien life forms may have ventured to our planet, but I do not see every light that I cannot identify as a UFO.
UFO's have been reported for thousands of years. One of the first known reported was by a Roman and reported flying ships over the sky, of what is now modern-day Italy.
There is also a belief that a recorded UFO sighting is found in Ezekiel, in the Tanakh/Old Testament.
Eventually I am going to post about UFO incidents/sightings that interest me. I am unsure if any are true or to take with a grain of salt.

Other Interests of Mine

2006-11-14T15:22:00.000-05:00

Other things I do like to research are things of the unexplained. I enjoy watch specials on TV of the supernatural and the unknown. I enjoy reading about conspiracy theories, some that do make sense, other that don't.
I enjoy listening to Coast to Coast AM. It is a show that comes on many talk radio formats in the very late hours of the night and wee hours of the morning.
I can only listen for a short period of time because, like most people I sleep at night. I have always enjoyed the topics.
I will probably focus on certain topic or may come random as I post.
Coast to Coast AM's website

Gasoline Adventure

2006-11-13T14:40:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend while pulling up to a nearby fueling station to get some much needed gasoline for my vehicle.
I placed my bank card into the card reader, when I was not paying attention I pushed the 89 octane and placed the fueling nozzle in my vehicle's gas tank openning.
While I was pumping my fuel I realized what I had did. I hit the 89 octane button.
Usually I purchase the 87 octane for my 2003 Chrysler Town and Country, but in a state of confusion or accident, I pressed the button for the 10-15 cents more a gallon.
It was too late when realized i was putting 89 in my vehicle. I was pumping the fuel.
To be honest with you I did not see any change in gas mileage. I know some Volkswagens and other luxury vehicles require the higher octane fuel, but I never seen it in my owners manual that it was required.

Sunday Post #7

2006-11-12T14:43:00.000-05:00

The Future of my Blog
This will be the last post that deals with primarily politics. Looking back at the last election cycle and mid-term elections, I am glad to see that it is over.
You see signs that have been along roadsides voting for a certain candidate.
They have been up since later summer or even sooner in some cases. Slowly the billboards and the signs are slowly disappearing. Money spent by political campaigns either paid off or have been wasted.
Long gone will be the attack ads by political candidates trash talking and spreading gossip. Television and radio will return to regular commercial promoting residential and commercial products that are available.
My blog, however, probably won't change much in the sense of looks. I do not plan on changing my name or the name of the blog. I will only be changing its format slightly to include personal tidbits that I may want to write about. They will not all be political. I did post that in certain posts in my blog, but now I will go into specifics. It may turn into a depressing blog. It may turn into a funny blog. It may have abstract posts. Only the future will tell.
I may included a little more about my personal life, my occupation, as long as I break no confidentiality of my employer. It may include musings of things in Pennsylvania and its unique majesty.
I am going to cover topics that interest me, such as the unexplained and the paranormal. One of my favorite radio shows is coast to coast am. I try to listen to a few hours of a few shows each week, but it is on at nighttime. I do need to sleep during that time.
This will probably be the last posts titled "Sunday Post" because the election is over.

Veterans Day

2006-11-11T17:19:00.000-05:00

Remembering those who served in the armed forces.

Update on my Fantasy Congress

2006-11-09T19:32:00.001-05:00

I never posted who I chose for my fantasy congress. I have the link to the side of my blog as well as here.
I posted earlier how the game works and can be found in my archives for October 22nd. I started out in 30th place, with a score of 85, but got booted to 49th place, with 85 points because other competitors picked better candidates than myself. Scores are set to zero right now because Congress is in recess. Once Congress reconviens, the battle will begin.
I belong to Public League 8 and my team is simply named "paindepedent's team."
The members I picked(which was before election day 2006) are as follows

Members of the House
Paul Kanjorski (D) PA-11
Jim Kolbe (R) AZ-08
Tim Holden (D) PA-17
Barney Frank (D) MA-04
Melissa Hart (R) PA-04
Loretta Sanchez (D) CA-47
Ron Paul (R) TX-14
Dennis Kucinich (D) OH-10
Michael Fitzpatrick (R) PA-08
Tim Murphy (R) PA-18
Rahm Emanuel (D) IL-05
Stephanie Herseth (D) SD
Members of the Senate
Joe Lieberman (I/D) CT
Arlen Specter (R) PA
Lincoln Chafee (R) RI
Evan Bayh (D) IN

You pick twelve Represenatives and four Senators
It really looks as if I need to pick some new members LOL.
That time will come in January.

The Votes Have Been Counted

2006-11-09T18:41:00.000-05:00

The votes are counted and the results are in. The Democrats have control of both houses. Some people are very excited, while others are very upset about the results.
In reality, Americans decide who will be representing them. America's voice has been heard.
Am I optimistic about the Democrats taking over? I will be much more optimistic when the ticker with the national debt starts to decrease. Will I think it will happen? Probably not.
The GOP had twelve years to promote their agenda such as abortion. Abortion is still legal. Did they promote fiscal responsibility? Smaller government? Again look at my counter for the nation debt.
Do I do believe that Democrats will solve the problem. Again, probably not. I am willing to bet the ticker on my right hand side of the blog will decrease.
If the Democrats do not solve any problems, elections are in two years. They can be voted out!
The economy is showing signs of slowing down. Consumer spending dropped slightly, in spite of the holiday season. Does it mean Americans aren't spending as much? Probably so.
The economy is something I will be keeping an eye on.

The Day After the Election

2006-11-08T15:53:00.000-05:00

This election day was very exciting, but most of my predictions came true.
I expected that Ed Rendell would be re-elected Governor of Pennsylvania.
I expected Bob Casey, Jr to defeat Rick Santorum.
I predicted that the House would be Democratic controlled.
However, as it looks now, I did not expect the Democrats to take over the Senate. I thought it would remain a dead tie.
There were some upsets in the state level which I am not going into. I could go on all day and night plus next week about that.
I may have some politics based posts on my blog, but not as many as I used to post. I am going to direct the format of my blog to include events that I may have an opinion on, things about my personal life I may want to share, and possibly include topics about other things I enjoy.
I am not going to frown over the GOP's losses and the Democrats victories. I am not going to elaborate at voter fraud and the stories I heard about dead voters that voted yesterday and the people who were harassed by telephone, by repeatedly calling registered voters claiming to be one candidate, when in fact it was a lie to enhance a competing candidate chances of winning the election.
What really surprised me is Rick Santorum's speech when he learned of his loss to Bob Casey. I was not a supporter of Rick Santorum in anyway, but my opinion of changed slightly, that he said nothing negative about the loss. I am sure he was devastated by the loss, but he cut his losses, and gave a speech of encouragement for his successor.
I really hope for the best for Rick Santorum and his future endeavors. I give my best wishes for Bob Casey, Jr and hopefully he is successful in what he does.
Same for any other candidate that may have won or lost in yesterday's election, I hope the best for them in their endeavors and can make the country more optimistic and succeed.

And the Adventure Begins

2006-11-07T15:04:00.000-05:00

Today is the day.

Millions of Americans will be heading to the polls, but not without some chaos mixed in.
It varies from the voting machine malfunctions to the incident in Virginia. Are the dead voting for Democrats today? Are the Republicans putting registered voters on the felons list? Can you think of both sides manipulating to get their results?
I did my part by casting my ballot. Just like President Bush encouraged all Americans to vote. I encourage all others to do the same.

For those who didn't vote yet, I highly encourage everyone to have their voice heard. It is a shame that many European countries beat the US in voter turnout, but always remember this. Countries that have democracies elections are in the minority. People in any countries have no voice and cannot choose or select the people that run their government. Sometimes they are punished for doing so.

I have a few last minute links to add like
www.vote-smart.org and another site that keeps track of the officials you have elected into office. This site www.govtrack.us keeps the record of every politicians voting record.

24 Hours

2006-11-06T18:52:00.000-05:00

It is less than 24 hours from election day. It will be one of the most interesting mid-term elections and voter turnout is expeted to be high. At least for mid-term election.

I have read several newspapers from around the state and many people are not happy with the performance of the house and senate.

Both parties have lawyer waiting to settle any possible complications during the close and tight elections.

I will as well as most Americans will be keeping a close eye on news websites and television to keep up with the election results.

Especially with the Pennsylvania elections. They will be given quite a bit of attention. The GOP took over the House in 1994. Those races that are affected will be watched as well.

It will be a tough challenge for the GOP. The Democrats are hoping to regain control of both houses for the next session of Congress.

I am not making any predictions myself. Most of you know how I feel about the current two party system. If you don't you should know I don't care for either Democrats and Republicans. Both parties have their saints and black sheep.

I am quite sure this will be an interesting election.For those interested in polls check out galluppole.com.

Also, I wish I would have found this sooner, but there is a new ticker on the right giving national and state by state average gas prices.

Sunday Post #7

2006-11-05T15:25:00.000-05:00

I was not going to originally write about this, but I may not be posting for awhile because I have fallen into a great depression. I am going admit I have a severe issue with depression and bipolar disorder. It has been to a severe point where hospital admissions were required.
Maybe someday I will share what happened, but now it is not the time to do so.
It may be just a day or two, a few weeks, possibly a month. When you get into deep depressions, it becomes more than mental. It become emotional and physical as well. I want to thank all of you that have visited my blog and hopefully I will get back to myself again someday.

VOTE
My Original post was going to include more about this, but see comment above.
Election day is only 2 days away. I encourage all Americans that are registered to get out and vote. I am not endorsing any candidates.
If you do not vote there is a 100% change your voice will not be heard.

Even More Voter Information

2006-11-02T19:08:00.000-05:00

I am adding another link called rockthecapital.org. It is similar to rockthevote.com and is aimed at younger voters. Rock the vote is encouraging to get younger voters to exercise their right.
Rock the capital is primarily aimed at Pennsylvania youth, discussing topics such how the state level legislators use taxpayer money for their own personal use and of course the pay hike.

New Voter Information Website

2006-11-01T15:54:00.000-05:00

I found a useful website for Pennsylvania Voters named votespa.com and
votepa.us. It is just a single digit number of days until the election. I feel it is a great resource to Pennsylvania voters and the issues that may concern others.

Halloween

2006-10-31T21:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween

Another post on Michael Badnarik

2006-10-31T21:20:00.000-05:00

I usually do not post on a topic twice unless I have updated information. I decided I would post the link to youtube.com (you may have to re-load the page once you click on the link)featuring all of Michael Badnarik's videos. Some of them are way dated because some are from his 2004 Presidential cadidacy. I am not going to post the video, but I will give you the name of it. The one titled An American revolution, featuring Mr. Badnarik during his Presidential campaign makes some vaild points about the U.S> Constituion. It is almost thirty-five minutes long, but I really enjoyed watch it.

I enjoy listening to this man speak

2006-10-30T21:27:00.000-05:00

Michael Badnarik

He was the 2004 Libertarian candidate for President. If I had to do it all over again I would have probably voted for him instead of leaving the presidential part blank.
Currently Mr. Badnarik is running for Congress in Texas as a Libertarian.
Youtube.com has more clips on his political campaigns. Mr. Badnarik also has constitution classes where he interprets the constitution, those clips can be found on youtube.com as well. I seen a clip of it and really enjoyed the presentation.
You can also get more info at badnarik.org

Sunday Post #6

2006-10-29T00:47:00.000-04:00

Ben Franklin

An American Icon, perhaps one of the most famous Americans besides George Washington. He was a man of many trades, including an inventor, scientist and diplomat.
A man of many famous quotes that hold strong today. Once an owner of two slaves, only to set them free and become a supporter of abolition.
As an inventor he invented a bifocals, swimfins, and the legendary lightning rod.
As I said before he was noted for famous quotes. Below are a few of his quotes. Also, I have one listed above at the very top of my blog.

He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?
He that can have patience can have what he will.
At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment.

Quotes of Benjamin Franklin
More information on Ben Franklin

This Brings Back Memories

2006-10-27T07:41:00.000-04:00

This morning, my daughter was watching The Snorks on Boomerang. Boomerang is a cable channel by Cartoon Network. It features classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry, the Flinstones, and even fairly recent cartoons like Baby Looney Toons and Pokemon.
The Snorks were on this morning and it brought back memories of when I was a young child. I was amazed to see my own daughter watch a cartoon that was around when I was her age.

From downsizedc.org

2006-10-26T16:28:00.000-04:00

Government is trying to be a parent again. This is why read the bills act must be passed.
The reason why I support reading the bills before you pass it. The Port Security bill was passed recently, with a provision in the bill that prohibits online gambling.
What does security at ports have to do with online gambling. You may click here to downsizedc.org to find out all of the details of online gambling ban.
This is outrageous to add something that has nothing to do with American security. There are several links in the post that will give information.

Personal Settings

My analysis on the GOP debates

The Youtube/CNN-GOP debates

Devaulating Dollar

Submit Your Questions for You Tube

Thanksgiving Wishes

Ron Paul Supporters Video and his Debate on CNN

Upcoming Republican Debate by CNN & You Tube

College Students Support Grows for Support of Ron Paul

Ron Paul Video I would like to share

My Bass Guitar

Ron Paul Radio Ads

Encouraging News

Why I am supporting a Republican Candidate for 2008

Veterans Day 2007

The 16th Amendment

Name Change

Yes, I am getting back into blogging

Car Accident

........More Coming Soon

Mania's Terror

Stigmas of Mental Illness

The Samaritans/Befrienders

What I Have Been Reading Online.

Winter Has Returned

Spring is Coming

Links at the Side of my Blog

A Body Full of Infections

Never Again, Is What You Swore, The Time Before

I Still Enjoy Taking These Tests

The Self Injury Bill of Rights

Does Health Insurance Ever Create a Sense of False Security?

This is my 100th post

Learning From Mistakes (Sometimes Learning From Others' Mistakes)

Looking California and Feeling Minnesota

Becoming My Own Advocate

Making Some Changes to the Blog

Working on New Ideas

An Interesting Situation

Out of Control

No Blogging for a Few Days

Lobbying Reform by Congress

Minimum Wage Increases-Part Two

Minimum Wage Increases

Personal Reflection

Why I Will Never Modify the Suspention of a Vehicle

Alot of News While I Was Not Posting

01.01.07 New Year, New Title

Countdown to 2007

Happy Holidays

Not Winning or Losing

ATTENTION-Under Construction/Destruction

Making the Pennsylvania Turnpike Private

The Pennsylvania Turnpike

HR 4682-"Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2006."

Possible Explanations of the Dropa Stones

The Dropa Stones Part II-The Mysterious Graves

The Dropa Stones

Not as Many Pennsylvanians Hunting

Two Stories of Interest Over the Weekend

Why I do not Trust Government Officials or Politicians

Contradicting Stories

Random Posting and Thoughts

Americans are Driving Less

Opponents of the Fair Tax

U.S. Ban of iPods to North Korea

The Benefits of the Fair Tax

The Fair Tax

The Preamble of the Constitution

The 16th Amendment

The 13th Amendment and the Draft

~~~Final Adjustments to the Blog~~~

Thanksgiving Day 2006

~~~Making More Adjustments to the Blog~~~

Return of the Draft?

The Legend of Bigfoot

~~~Part II-Making Adjustments to the Blog~~~

What To Expect From the Next Congress

Historical UFO Sightings

~~~Making Adjustments to the Blog~~~

~Final Adjustments to the Blog~

~Making More Adjustments to the Blog~

~Part II-Making Adjustments to the Blog~

~Making Adjustments to the Blog~