Do you think that maybe we have not yet decided on a firm layout and theme for our new site on WordPress? We’ll get there eventually.
GOP boil pops off on Jackson
Back in the day when people had manners even the most vile of humanity — quite possibly with notable exceptions such as Hitler and Mussolini — were due a modicum of respect in the event of their deaths.
But some people today such as GOP Rep. Peter King of New York who not only lack manners but apparently possess an inbred hatred of those who fail to believe as he does sees nothing wrong with lambasting the dead.
King, who was best described by Slate media critic Jack Shafer as “an exploding carbuncle masquerading as a member of Congress,” exhibited his lack of compassion most recently by saying Michael Jackson’s death should not be glorified by the media.
“Let’s knock out the psychobabble,” King said in a two-minute You Tube video, which was posted by his campaign. “He was a pervert, a child molester; he was a pedophile. And to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country? I just think we’re too politically correct.”
Jackson was never convicted of child molestation.
No matter what one thinks about Jackson personally — and in my mind he was certainly an odd bird to phrase it while maintaining good manners — he was a cultural icon beyond the everyday celebrity.
The oozing of hatred which flows from Congressman Carbuncle is just one more example that this nation is in short supply of real statesmen while overflowing with misguided and demigogic politicians.
Sarah Palin calls governor's job quits
Sarah Palin, who was part of the losing Republican general election ticket fronting Sen. John McCain, announced she is resigning as governor of Alaska.
Palin said during a rambling speech Friday that she could take the lame duck route which would finish out her first term, but sees that move as “politics as usual.”
“My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment, Palin said. “Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.”
Several TV talking heads on cable news this afternoon saw the move as “odd” and “flaky.”
CNN contributor and veteran Republican operative Ed Rollins viewed the resignation with suspicion. He pointed to the timing of the announcement — the Friday of the July 4 weekend. While many suspect Palin’s leaving as a prelude to a campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, Rollins said the move sounds as if there is more to it. For instance, in the perpetual debate during presidential election over experience, Palin would now find herself as having not fully served out one term as governor.
Who knows what fate has in store for Sarah Palin? Perhaps she will move to Texas in order to hook up with our pretty boy Gov. Goodhair Perry and push for secession from the union. Uh, Sarah how about going to some other state to do that?
Bank of America ATM ate my cash
As many folks already know and companies — Coca-Cola? — have learned new hardly equates with better. Hopefully, Bank of Ameica is finding that out.
The company is replacing thousands of ATMs nationwide, touting these new machines which require no envelopes or deposit slips as some sort of space-aged miracle. But after my experience with one of these new machines today I realized this new technology was more like a nightmare. To put it bluntly, the ATM ate my cash.
I stopped at the ATM at lunch to deposit $160 in cash. Now I have deposited a check in this new machine once before. At that time I had no problem. One can get a scanned copy of the check from the machine after it is deposited, and I think I did just to see if it worked. But today was my first time to feed the machine cash without benefit of an envelope. So I slipped my money in but it wouldn’t all go down into the bowels of the ATM. Most of the money finally came out at the bottom of the machine. At least, $100 did. However, $60 did not. I also didn’t get a receipt.
Next, I sat in my truck for the next 30 minutes either on hold between talking to Bank of America “customer service” — an oxymoron if there ever was one — people and those who take claims for misplaced money. I learned that the deposit had not gone through. Then someone else told me it had. All $160. But that couldn’t be because I still had $100 of it. Who’s on first?
The bank has a drive-through around the corner, so I drove into a lane and pushed a button to ask the teller a question before I deposited the $100 that came back to me. No one answered. I pushed again. The teller began speaking to a guy who pulled up in the lane next to me.
So I drove across the street to the walk-in bank. This time I was able to successfully deposit my remaining $100 although by then I thought about just keeping the money in my pocket.
The idea of the “improved” ATMs, according to the bank, is to make banking easier and quicker. I figure that transaction took me almost an hour. Oh well at least I can take comfort in knowing I am not the only problem who has had problems with the new BOA ATMs.
One new machine in Connecticut at a large banking center chewed up nearly a dozen ATM cards belonging to Bank of America employees. That same machine reportedly broke down at least six times during the month.
When the new machine was first installed I noticed immediately something I disliked: The machine no longer serves up “fast cash” in the amount of $10, the lowest amount is now $20. That day, Bank of America stationed an employee at the ATM to answer questions. Perhaps they should place a maintenance person next to the machine as well.
Trouble with a capital "C"
It seems I have been having more than my share of computer problems. Perhaps it is just circumstances beyond my control. Or maybe it’s just something I ate dreamed. Who knows what it is but it has been happening too much to me lately.
Last night I did something while working on my blog, what I am not certain, but I ended up with a blank screen and unable to access said blog. Thankfully, Paul who has been helping set me up on Word Press from Japan was able get everything back on track albeit it was not without first seeing my blog minus an archive. Thank goodness that’s back to normal.
Anyway, we will figure it all out eventually. You might say this is a work in progress.
Speaking of Michael Jackson (who was?) it certainly seems if the tumultuous after-death phase in this saga is off to as raucous a start as I could have predicted. It will be interesting to see how many lawsuits are filed in Jackson’s wake over money, debt, the children and the ultimate custody of Bubbles the Chimp. I suppose Bubbles is still alive. Maybe not. I guess I should have found that out before I wrote it. No biggie.
Jackson’s post-life celebration certainly seems tamer than one might imagine. I figure he would do something really trippy such as freezing his head, or whole body for that matter, for the afterlife as did baseball great Ted Williams. And really, wouldn’t Ted Williams’ Frozen Head be a kick-ass band name?