CABO SAN LUCAS
Lover's beach, (Playa del Amante), or Love Beach, (Playa del Amor), is at the tip of the Cape at San Lucas. Behind the rocks is a little beach, however swimming near the arch or the Pacific side of the beach is very dangerous. As you flow around the point you can take in a beautiful view where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. The picture above was taken from the restaurant at the luxurious Pueblo Bonito Rose Hotel.
WORLD WATER DAY IS MARCH 22
If you are reading this it is because you have just joined the HP 7410 printer stuck on stupid club! Your printer is on an endless start up cycle where you just watch the screen bar continuously doing the same thing and you can not use your 7410 printer. You may have already tried rebooting it to no avail, and you may also have tried resetting it with the same stuck on stupid results. And perhaps like some, you may have gone to the HP website for technical assistance, went through a set of printer troubleshooting annoyances only to end up with HP offering you a refurbished HP 7410 all in one printer for $200! I wonder is HP offering to sell us a unit that they repaired, that has the same defective flaw as the printer that we already have? Could this be a means where they are attempting to capitalize on their failure by charging people two hundred dollars for something that they know has lemon like behavior?
There is one drawback to this work around fix, and that is that your 7410 all in one printer will not have wireless functionality. So if you are able to use the USB or Network connections to connect your printer, (or if you already are), then this little trick will relief some undue stress for you. Should you decide to do this yourself, make sure for your own SAFETY that you UNPLUG the printer unit before attempting to do any servicing.
1. Turn the 7410 all in one printer unit around so it is facing you.
2. Remove the black paper feeder from the back of the printing machine by pressing in on the tabs on either side and pulling away from the machine. See the figure below of the back of the 7410 printer:
3. Remove the two silver screws, (circled in neon green, in the figure below), holding this back panel piece on. Then with the two screws removed, push upwards on the piece to unlock it from the printer and then remove it.
4. With this back panel piece removed, look to the upper left side of this diagram below:
5. Zoom your focus into the area in the illustration below, pay attention to the area where the green arrow is pointing. The wire you want to unplug is the one nearest the TOP of the board and SECOND in from the back of the printer. (I actually used a pair of needle nose pliers to grab the white portion of the connector and pulled it outward to remove it from the main board.)
6. If you have some question as to what wire it is, look a the picture below, the wire’s connector head is rather small, has 6 wires, covered with black plastic sheath, located BEHIND the first (larger) plug in the upper left hand corner, as you look at it from the back.
7. Once you have removed the wire simply tuck it away from any electrical connections, you could also choose to tape it up with some electrical tape before doing so. Reinstall the HP 7410 all in one printer parts in reverse order. Plug in all your printer connections and then power up the 7410 printer again. I gave my printer about a minute before I started to hear some life coming out of it, and in short order it fully booted up to the normal software booted printing position. In testing it I found that all the functions, (printing, copies, scanning, and faxing), where once again working.
If you tried this printer work around fix, please leave your feedback!
Topics: Kick It To The Curb | No Comments »
Below are fifty ways to know a selfish, greedy business, however we would like some of your suggestions. Please feel free to make your suggestions, for inclusion to this list, in the comments form below.
1. You have lost your job and you are 5 months behind in your mortgage payments, and after numerous calls to the bank, they still will not work with you on a resolution or on a restructuring of your loan.
2. The sandwich you just bought is really a salad with 2 pieces of bread.
3. When you buy a book they want to sell you a bookcase.
4. When the prices of crude oil are going down, and the gas prices are going up!
5. The peanut butter you are eating is contaminated, even after the recall.
6. A small soft drink costs $4.50, or more!
7. Your debt reconciliation assistance wants to charge you $5000.
8. When you’re late on your payment, they charge you a late fee. (As if that is really going to help anything.)
9. The bank that gave you a loan for a house, knowing in advance that it was overpriced, forecloses on the house, collects the insurance, then gives your credit a bad name, and sells the house yet again!
10. A car dealer sells you a car that you can’t afford to put gas in, and then they fly by lear jet to ask the government for financial assistance.
11. Your free credit report requires you to supply your credit card information for a 7 day trial of an advantage service that is of no advantage, (except to them, if you forget to cancel it).
12. Any company that manipulates supply, in order to say that oil demand is high.
13. A rental deposit of 1000 dollars is used to paint the walls that were not painted before you moved in, and to repair the bathroom sub floor pet urine damage, even though you did not have a pet.
14. The person you are dealing with believes that making money is the most important thing in life.
15. A property management firm wants to charge you $100 for fixing the closet doors that have already fallen off the hinges 3 times since the last repair they made.
16. The fire safe you bought won’t open anymore without a rubber mallet!
17. The fire safe company offers you 10% off on a new safe instead of making good on their product.
18. The potato chip bag itself is worth more than it’s contents.
19. The cheese you are eating is made out of edible plastic.
20. The fountain drink is 80% ice cubes and they charge for refills.
21. The so-safe insurance company declines your medical benefits, but pays to put it’s name on a stadium.
22. The gas station closest to the freeway is 15 cents higher per gallon than the one 3 blocks away.
23. The no-fuss daby business opportunity you payed $50 for now wants to charge you $2000 of no fuss classroom instruction.
24. A financial advisor tells you to buy his book so you can learn how to get rid of debt, inside the book it tells you to work 6 jobs!
25. The store you are working for gives you quota’s to reach, even when nobody is coming in the store.
26. The slot machine you just pulled the lever on flushed like a toilet.
27. The company says to improve your love life you need to flaunt your assets more, and then they show you some provocative attire from $100 and up.
28. In the mail you receive a letter from Yakmo clearing house telling you that you may have won, even when you have not even entered anything yet.
29. In your email you get an email on how to get rich quick in 7 easy steps. You pay $100 for each step and now you have learned the formula, (the hard way).
30. You sign up to get your internet for $15 a month for the first 6 months thru the bundle package. During this time your telephone costs $35. After the 6 months expires your internet now costs $35 and your telephone $15.
31. You decide to add a line to your existing cell phone, thinking you could do it easily for $10 more a month. Your next bill reflects the additional $10 charge and the brand new 2 year contract that you knew nothing about!
32. Any drug company that promises relief for your existing medical symptoms, but adds in 20 new side effects such as loss of hearing, kidney disease, blindness, profuse vomiting, heart palpitations, and brain damage.
33. Any grocery store that offers 5 cents off gas, but first jacks up their prices 10 cents to make up for it.
34. The brand new printer you just bought cleans itself out of printer ink weekly.
35. Any plumber who tries to sell you some miracle liquid that is supposed to keep your pipes together.
36. A company that makes imperfect software and then tries to sell you upgrades of imperfection every 3 years instead offering free fixes, (also known as upgrades).
37. Any gym that says you owe money, after you have already cancelled your membership, threatens to give your credit a bad name, but has no documentation on hand to show their accuracy. (Make sure you keep your cancelled membership reciepts)
38. Any so called Christian service that does not know who their savor is.
39. If a doctor scheduals you for weekly appointments, charges you for your visits, spends five minutes with you and says; "it’s nice to see you, come again in 1 week.
40. When a new appliance requires you to purchase an extension to a 90 day warranty.
41. The second pizza, on the 2 for 1 pizza deal, has 3 pieces of pepperoni.
42. When the big hamburger has twice as much bread as it does hamburger.
43. When you’re laying on your death bed and the credit card company calls you at the hospital to collect.
44. The taco you have ordered is comprised of 95% lettuce.
45. Did I mention when the CEO of a company flies by lear jet to ask the government for financial assistance?
46. Any person who goes around adding comments to sites like this one with the sole intention of financial gain.
47. A peanut butter maker who takes the fifth amendment instead of taking ownership and being responsible.
48. A property management firm, or bank, that does not yet realize that poor fico scores may be the result of a poor economy.
49. Anyone who is unwilling to realize that bad things happen to good people and that everyone needs a second chance, even the stigy self-centered ones who are running businesses and have not learned the lesson yet.
50. Any business that suggests that investing your money into their slot machines will pay you dividends.
51. When you order a hamburger at a drive-thru, and your wife takes the wrapped hamburger out of the bag with her finger and thumb, and asks you if you ordered a cookie!
52. When the Postal service you used, (PUS), calls you to tell you that your package has been returned due to a wrong address, instead of calling you before they shipped it back, so they can charge you to ship it again.
53. Your flat tire requires 4 brand new rims, a brake job, and a new muffler.
54. When you are looking for a jewelry gift expecting to pay about $700, the salesperson shows you the 5000 dollar jewelry, and tells you how easy it is to get credit with their company.
55. Companies who require money for services not yet rendered, and never return to complete the job.
56. Your doctor prescribes a medication for you to take 5 times daily, but your insurance will only pay for 3.
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Colossians 3:5
Greed is dangerous because it leaves no room for God. When we are satisfied with our possessions, we don’t have any need to be satisfied with God. That’s a very dangerous place to be.
Topics: Business | No Comments »
The Pope said it not long ago; "businesses need to change the way they are doing business". But before business can change, the people running the businesses need to change. Far too many businesses focus on one thing, and that one thing is money. When you look at the economic upheaval it is clear that due to selfish greed, many businesses have committed "more money suicide". The love of money will eat people up and leave them in there own pit of destruction. Life is not about the acquisition of things, or materialism, or of a selfish bank account. Life is about learning to love people, it’s all about relationships.
Here is a question for all businesses; is your business driven by the love of money or the love of people? If you are in a business, you need to be honest with yourself, the future of your business depends on it. Is it all about how much money you can suck in for yourself? Do you attempt to manipulate your customers to obtain your own selfish desires? Do you try to brain wash your employees with the more is better mentality? You know the more for your business, the less for the customer, and the least for your employees? Just in case this article has already offended something in you, you need to know that’s because a truth has hit home in your heart.
Just today I had two experiences of business extreme. I walked into a jewelry store, walked up to the counter and this kind lady asked me if she could help me. Because I have a bit of a silly nature, I started to point at different rings saying that I like to have one of those, two of them, one of these, and six of those. This other lady decided to get in on the conversation by saying; "ok I can help you with that". The lady who initially greeted me just gave me this look like; "can you believe her". Unfortunately, yes I could believe her, she was so focused on herself and on her own commissions that she did not care about anything else. So I said to her; "you would really like that wouldn’t you". With exuberance she says "oh yes". I looked at her, straight in the eyes and said; "imagine that", and then turned my head in disgust. It was quite clear that she did not care about the customer or the customers needs, she only cared about her precious commission.
My next stop was at a tire shop, I had a tire that was slowly loosing air. As I walked in I was greeted in a kind fashion by one gentleman, while another store salesman was looking to outfit another customer with a new set of trick wheels. The other customer was probably about 45 years old, he was driving a compact car that was in fair shape. The young salesman tells him that what he needs to do is put on a new set of wheels, trying to make a sale, the gentlemen gives him this look that said; "do I really look that stupid", and said, "no I do not need any wheels". The point here is that all too often businesses are trying to get over on their customers, not trying to take care of them. What are you saying to the customers when you treat them as objects of your selfishness? You are saying to them that you don’t care, and that you can not be trusted. You ever wonder why some people walk out the door without purchasing anything? Sometimes it’s the way you make your customers feel.
Far too many businesses look to squeeze their customers like sponges. Businesses have this once their in the door mentality, where they proceed to rake their customers over the coals any way they can. They push their customers, they sell them things they don’t need, and then they selfishly say thank you at the register. Businesses scam their customers because their greedy thinking leads them to believe that the customer will never come back anyway. So, let’s rip off our customers while we have the chance to! By the measure you measure to others, it will so be measured unto you.
Business owners take heed of this! Stop being so selfish in your business, lower your prices to make more sales. The more sales you make the more revenue you obtain. Start treating your customers like you appreciate them, show them respect, offer to be of assistance without trying to shove things down their throats. Create a new business mentality and thus a new customers experience. Relate to your customers needs, put your customers first, change the entire atmosphere by removing the typical self centered business approach. Treat your customers like they are your friends, because without your customers you do not have any business. Change your business prospectives, start treating your customers like they are the only ones you have. You want your customers to come back, and you want a relationship with them that they can trust. Know that your customers are going to tell others about their experiences with your business. Make caring impressions, be kind, show some love, relate to them at their levels, not at the levels of your bankrolls!
Stop thinking that you are fooling anyone, people are getting wiser to the greedy business ploys of the past. Recently I went to a neighborhood grocery store that had a large banner on the front of the building. It was supposively offering methods to save on gasoline costs. Well I went in, and the people were friendly, (that’s a plus), however the savings appeared to be eaten up by the costs of the groceries. The gasoline savings offer was not even as good as their nearby competitors, they were offering 5 cents off for every 50 dollars purchased. Whoopee Do! There is another grocery store around the corner that offers 5 cents off for 50 dollars, 10 cents off for 75 dollars, and 15 cents off for a hundred dollars. Besides that, they had their own gas station on site, (unlike the whoopee do place), and the costs of their groceries were less.
How do you relate to them? Realize that people are looking for deals, understand that many of them do not have much money to spend. And realize that like myself, so many of them are tired of paying 4 dollars for 2 dollar items! The old greedy business mentalities are on the way out, move past yourselves and look to help out your customers, they are your neighbors, treat them with value. If your gas station is selling gas that is 20 cents less than the rest, you are going to be serving the needs of people and are going to have the most business. In this manner less is better, because the volume will far exceed any loss and the customers are going to return. Now in thinking relationally, your employees are also customers, you squeeze your employees with mediocre wages trying to get the most profit and don’t realize that all employees are customers. Perhaps not for your business, they know your business practices, and so do their friends!
A whole bunch of stingy employers equals a whole lot of money strapped customers. If the customers do not have any money to make purchases, then the businesses do not have any customers. Everyone is in this together, businesses need to look at the whole picture, every person who works is a potential customer somewhere. Your business practices not only affect you, those practices affect your employees and all the other businesses as well, which in turn effects everyone. It’s all connected, all tied together, everybody and every business plays a intricate role of the whole. Take care of your customers and your customers will take care of you.
Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. Proverbs 3:27-28
Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Colossians 3:14
Anyone watching the price of gasoline lately? After dropping well below 2 dollars per galloon, just prior to Christmas, it’s now on the rise again. Why did it drop so low just before Christmas? Was it finally understood that burning the customers, was burning the economy and the potential Christmas time sales? Seems it may have been far too little, far too late. It’s January of 2009, it’s going to be interesting to see what the gas prices are like in 6 to 8 months.
| Area | Average Price |
| Wyoming | 1.417 |
| Montana | 1.422 |
| Colorado | 1.538 |
| Utah | 1.592 |
| NewJersey | 1.593 |
| Idaho | 1.622 |
| Texas | 1.638 |
| SouthCarolina | 1.642 |
| Tennessee | 1.652 |
| Louisiana | 1.656 |
| Missouri | 1.672 |
| Virginia | 1.675 |
| Georgia | 1.676 |
| Alabama | 1.676 |
| Delaware | 1.677 |
| Oklahoma | 1.680 |
| Arkansas | 1.682 |
| Mississippi | 1.682 |
| NewHampshire | 1.686 |
| Massachusetts | 1.714 |
| Maryland | 1.721 |
| NewMexico | 1.722 |
| NorthCarolina | 1.732 |
| Arizona | 1.739 |
| Kansas | 1.765 |
| Kentucky | 1.767 |
| Vermont | 1.767 |
| Pennsylvania | 1.771 |
| RhodeIsland | 1.799 |
| SouthDakota | 1.805 |
| Minnesota | 1.806 |
| FloridaState | 1.820 |
| IowaState | 1.830 |
| Connecticut | 1.837 |
| Maine | 1.838 |
| Nebraska | 1.847 |
| NorthDakota | 1.861 |
| Ohio | 1.869 |
| NewYorkState | 1.880 |
| Indiana | 1.886 |
| WestVirginia | 1.898 |
| Oregon | 1.911 |
| Nevada | 1.917 |
| Michigan | 1.917 |
| Illinois | 1.931 |
| Wisconsin | 1.939 |
| Washington | 1.955 |
| California | 2.014 |
| Hawaii | 2.321 |
| Alaska | 2.402 |
Topics: Business | No Comments »
The source of the economic collapse in America does not stem from one leader, but rather from the greed that consumes people through their own selfishness. Greedy people run greedy businesses, they pursue money and then they wonder what happened when their own greed eats them up. Rapacity is the reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth, it is extreme gluttony. One worldly leader can not control the greed that devours America, nor will a new leader be able to make change without addressing the corporate greed in America. The source of the economic upheaval is greed coupled with irresponsibility.
There are many instances that one could point out with regards to the greed that consumes people. However, I would like to start on a more general, wide scope hypothesis. This is intended to explain certain facts and observations on the greedy behavior that I am eluding to. Businesses are in business to make money, so they focus on making the most money they can. Their greed makes them cut corners, rake customers over the coals, and dribble out incomes to their employees. All the while this is happening, there is often one person or perhaps a few that are benefiting from the covetousness. Many corporation leaders overload their pockets with gluttony while watching their employees struggle financially. Since this is the typical business mentality, many businesses follow with the same greedy approach.
Consider how the issue can mushroom when many businesses take the same approach and leave their employees to scrape up crumbs. Squeezing employees to obtain more out of them for less is like choking ones own neck. How? Those same employees are the ones that go to stores and purchase items. When all the employees are strapped for income, due to greed filled businesses, they don’t purchase as they may have previously done. Now an overwhelming amount of businesses aren’t making necessary revenue, so they start cutting back more. The greed of the business itself inwardly implodes upon itself, next thing you know they are crying for help.
Although there are some other factors involved, greed is the center of the turmoil. Greed is what caused banks to make loans that they knew, (in advance), would cause people significant problems. Presidents do not control businesses, people control businesses. Greedy people who run irresponsible businesses and make the cash stashes for themselves, and then go to the government asking for financial aid. There is one CEO of an american auto dealer who goes to congress for help and tells them he made some 9 million dollars the year before. When asked if he would take a pay cut, he said that his wage is ok where it’s at. That CEO has a responsibility, and that responsibility is not to himself.
No matter where you look greed is all around you. By the way, did you know that I have recently created a medication that will help you to better control your anger. Yep, you should ask your doctor about the new medication called tame greed. Don’t worry it has been well tested by many irresponsible people who want to fill their pocket books. Not to worry, there are only a few side effects, such as extreme convulsions, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, upset stomach, decreased appetite, lack of oxygen to the brain, double vision, loss of hearing, insomnia, and paralyzation on one side. For those who are pregnant, it has been shown by lab rats, that premature pregnancies are fairly common among adults who use this prescription while also taking antibiotics.
Now your insurance provider probably will not cover the costs of your medical necessities, because quite frankly, that costs them money. I could be wrong here, but I think insurance companies are out to make money as well, not to necessarily provide you with the necessary health care that they promised you. You know you can always depend on a little green lizard to be there for you when you have had an auto accident as well. Surely they are not more interested in selling you something so they can accumulate wealth right? A salesman once told me, I can sell anybody on anything. So I said, so you manipulate others with falsehoods in order to attain for yourself right? I would like to take a picture of dumbfounded, but I missed my opportunity there, sorry!
Just sign here, I will bring a microscope with me so you can read all the ways that we will attempt to weasel out of our commitments and take full advantage of the free money you send to us responsibly every month. Don’t worry it comes with a full tail light guarantee! Once I collect mine, it does not matter what you need, thanks for fulfilling my greed! Let me show you this vehicle, it’s fully loaded, it comes with two 50 gallon gas tanks so you can go farther in between fill ups. The mileage rating, um…..it’s seems they did not include that information with this model, but I tell you it’s really pretty good with those two gas tanks! Heck, we’ll even fill up one of those tanks up for free before you drive off, just to make sure you can make it home safely. You do live within five miles right?
In the summer of 2008 gas prices skyrocket above $4 dollars a gallon. It seems they always attributed the increase of gas prices to the level of demand. In other words, the greater the demand the more their greed would allow them to jack up the prices. How does one substantiate higher costs of fuel due to increase of demand? They only need to go to the well more times, which is covered in the costs already. The more they pump, the more they sell, the more money they will make irregardless. That is greed by way of deception, but dishonest money dwindles away. In the midst of the economic turmoil we see that in November of 2008 that the gas prices are plummeting, (below $2 dollars a galloon in some places). When I look on the freeways I still see cars, and I still see traffic jams, so what gives? What now the demand is much less? Come on now! No, it’s the fact that people wait until it’s already too late to change what consumes them. Interestingly enough they seem to be gently lowering the prices, does that make you wonder if they are hiding something? People don’t like to be embarrassed by their selfishness or the greed that they have played a part in.
Injured at work, no problem, just fill out these papers, go to our doctors who will readily diagnose you as healthy and we will set you up with a insurance adjuster who will surely take care of you! Surely our doctors will patch you up with some medication that will surely cover up the problem, (as long as you take it for life). Don’t be worried, we won’t need to raise your employers insurance rates because we know how to take care of this issue as inexpensively as possible. We take pride in the work we do, intimidation is the name of our game! By the time you get home from the physical therapist we are sure that the pain you are experiencing by your newly deformed back will have elevated itself.
Greed….. those who are not content will never be content, and greedy people are seldom honest about the inward issues that consume them, and the people that they manipulate for personal gain. The pursuit of money will never bring happiness, there are no rewards in greed, unless you consider a reward to be self consuming. What is going to overcome the greed in businesses and corporations? Humility, because with humility people will grow wiser to the selfishness that eats them up from within. Last time I looked there was a place for all the pigs, it seems that all pigs wallow in the same mud.
Topics: Quote It Said | No Comments »
To truly care about our homeland is to put aside the tendencies of siding democrat or republican, forgetting about the political parties and voting for what is best for the United States. On Saturday August 16th the presidential candidates, Barrack Obama and John McCain, were questioned by Pastor Rick Warren in Saddlebacks civil forum. It was televised on major media networks such as the Fox network and CNN for all Americans to see. The questions that were posed to the presidential candidates would certainly reveal their leadership abilities by exposing their character qualities, values, belief systems, and their wisdom. These prime factors should be the most significant factors among the United States citizens for determining the most capable president to lead the nation.
The categories of questions included leadership, stewardship, personal life, worldviews, domestic issues, education, taxes, international issues, religious persecution, human trafficking, and presidential viewpoints. These questions where well thought out, there was input from thousands of people, and they were asked in an intelligent specific order that would reveal truths. Careful examination of the questions would show how a candidate could perpetually expose flaws in themselves by virtue of their own answers. The questions were designed not only to reveal their positions on significant issues, but also their underlying character. Contained within their own answers was their level of character, and thus their capability to lead the nation as president. Contradictive answers would reveal honesty issues and indecisive responses would show a lack of leadership qualities.
Pastor Warren began by stating that they would be using the interview format, asking the same questions in order to compare apples to apples. Prior to asking the first question Pastor Warren set the stage by quoting a bible verse that says; Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to other people. He then followed that statement with a question on leadership, asking the candidates to name 3 people whom they would seek guidance from. No man is an island, wisdom and wise counsel are necessary in making significant decisions. Consider the significance of Tiger Wood’s successes, and then consider his surrounding personal coaches and trainers.
Again Pastor Warren referenced the bible before beginning the questions on personal life, by stating that the bible says that integrity and love are the basis of leadership. That is not only sound wisdom, but sound advice as well. The next question is not only a personal one, but one that would disclose honesty and could show humility as well. He asked the candidates to name their greatest moral failures in their lives and the greatest moral failures of America. Pastor Rick followed that up by asking the candidates to give an example of where they went against there own best interests, or political parities interests, for the good of America. Before reaching a level of integrity one must first be able to be honest and be able to sacrifice themselves, out of love, for the goodness of others.
Pastor Warren’s remaining questions;
At what point does a baby get human rights in your view?
Would you support a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman?
If no, why not?
Do we still need funding for stem cell research?
Does evil exist? And if it does, do we ignore it, do we negotiate with it, do we contain it, or do we defeat it?
What is the most significant position you held 10 years ago that you no longer hold today?
What is the most gut wrenching decision you have ever had to make and how did you process it to come to the decision?
What does it mean to you to trust in Christ? What does that mean on a daily basis? What does that look like?
Do you think better teachers should be paid better? Should they be paid better than poor teachers?
On taxes, Define rich? Give a number on how we are going to define that?
What’s worth dying for? What’s worth sacrificing American lives for?
Which existing supreme court justice would you not have nominated?
Recent poles say that 80% of faith based organizations do a better job than government relief systems. Would you insist that faith based organizations forfeit the right to have like minded believers in order to access federal funds for relief efforts?
What would be the criteria that you would commit troops to end a genocide? For instance like what’s going on in Darth 4 or could happen in Georgia or anywhere else?
Most people don’t know that there are 148 million orphans in the world. Would you be willing to consider and even commit to doing some kind of emergency plan for orphans like President Bush did for Aids? Almost a presidential emergency plan for orphans to deal with this issue?
What do you think the United States should do to end religious persecution, for instance in China, in Iraq and in many of our supposed allies? I’m not just talking about the persecution of Christianity, but there’s religious persecution around the world that persecutes millions of people?
How do you speak out and do something about human trafficking?
Tell me in a minute why you want to be President?
What do you say to people who oppose me asking these questions?
What would you tell the American public if you knew there wouldn’t be and repercussions?
It’s not so important what the republicans will think, or what the democrats will think, or what your friends might think. What matters most is voting for the president who can best lead the United States Of America. The media is going to be out to influence your choices, be aware of that. Lot’s of people are going to be saying lots of stuff in order to support their political party. This is not a party, this is the United States Of America we are talking about!
Topics: Republicans Democrats | 1 Comment »
John McCain and Barack Obama have agreed to make their first ever appearance together as presidential candidates at the next Saddleback Church Civil Forum. Pastor Rick Warren has been working with them and their staffs behind the scenes for a few weeks, and last Wednesday they both committed to participate on Saturday evening, August 16th.
On July 2nd, Pastor Warren got involved directly and discovered what the candidates wanted to change: 1) They wanted a different format. 2) They wanted a broader agenda than just compassion issues. 3) They wanted him to be the only questioner, and 4) They wanted all the networks and national media to be allowed to use a live video feed from Saddleback. Pastor Warren agreed to these requests so both candidates will be at Saddleback’s Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion, Saturday, August 16, from 5 pm to 7 pm. He’ll interview each candidate for one hour. A flip of a coin has determined that Barack Obama will be interviewed first.
Both men have been friends of Pastor Warren’s since before either decided to run for president. (You don’t have to agree on everything to be friends with someone.) Both have taped video messages to our Global AIDS Summit last November. Both have supported the PEACE plan, both have written endorsements for the PEACE Coalition, and both have supported Saddleback’s effort to restore civility to civil discourse in America. During the primaries, several candidates (actually 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats) occasionally contacted Saddleback through calls, emails, and private meetings. Pastor Warren has stated that he will never endorse, nor campaign for, political candidates. Neither is it his role to give political advice. But as a pastor and a cultural observer and he does understand the unique stresses and responsibilities of public leadership, so he will try to help leaders when asked.
Most debate, town hall, and media questions tend to be about hot political issues, or attempts to play "gotcha" for partisan points. In contrast, Pastor Warren intends to ask questions about factors that have historically determined presidential effectiveness. He’ll ask about their understanding of the constitution, personal leadership convictions and style, philosophy of the role of government, America’s role in the world, competence and character issues. They certainly won’t be softball questions.
Topics: Praise It On High | No Comments »
Save Money On Prescriptions Wholesale Drugs
By lighthouse
The following comes from a circulated email and is confirmed to be accurate.
On Monday night, Steve Wilson, an investigative reporter for Channel 7 News in Detroit , did a story on generic drug prices gouging by pharmacies. He found in his investigation that some of these generic drugs were marked up as much as 3,000% or more. So often we blame the drug companies for the high cost of drugs, and usually rightfully so. But in this case, the fault clearly lies with the pharmacies themselves. For example if you had to buy a prescription drug, and bought the name brand, you might pay $100 for 100 pills.
The pharmacists might tell you that if you get the generic equivalent, they would only cost $80, making you think you are saving $20. What the pharmacist is not telling you is that those 100 generic pills may have only cost him $10!
At the end of the report, one of the anchors asked Mr. Wilson whether or not there were any pharmacies that did not adhere to this practice, and he said that Costco consistently charged little over their cost for the generic drugs.
I went to the Costco site, where you can look up any drug, and get its online price. It says that the in-store prices are consistent with the online prices. I was appalled. Just to give you one example from my own experience I had to use the drug Compazine which helps prevent nausea in chemo patients.
I used the generic equivalent, which cost $54.99 for 60 pills at CVS. I checked the price at Costco, and I could have bought 100 pills for $19.89. For 145 of my pain pills, I paid $72.57. I could have got 150 at Costco for $28.08.
I would like to mention, that although Costco is a ‘membership’ type store, you do NOT have to be a member to buy prescriptions there as it is a federally regulated substance. You just tell them at the door that you wish to use
the pharmacy, and they will let you in.
You are invited to view Steve Wilson’s drug pricing comparison prescriptions chart findings analysis here
The following was added to the original email and has not been confirmed:
Did you ever wonder how much it costs a drug company for the active ingredient in prescription medications? Some people think it must cost a lot, since many drugs sell for more than $2.00 per tablet. We did a search of offshore chemical synthesizers that supply the active ingredients found in drugs approved by the FDA. As we have revealed in past issues of Life Extension a significant percentage of drugs sold in the United States contain active
ingredients made in other countries. In our independent investigation of how much profit drug companies really make, we obtained the actual price of active ingredients used in some of the most popular drugs sold in America .
Celebrex: 100 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $130.27
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.60
Percent markup: 21,712%
Claritin: 10 mg
Consumer Price (100 tablets): $215.17
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.71
Percent markup: 30,306%
Keflex: 250 mg
Consumer Price (100 tablets): $157.39
Cost of general active ingredients: $1.88
Percent markup: 8,372%
Lipitor: 20 mg
Consumer Price (100 tablets): $272.37
Cost of general active ingredients: $5.80
Percent markup: 4,696%
Norvasc: 10 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $188.29
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.14
Percent markup: 134,493%
Paxil: 20 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $220.27
Cost of general active ingredients: $7.60
Percent markup: 2,898%
Prevacid: 30 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $44.77
Cost of general active ingredients: $1.01
Percent markup: 34,136%
Prilosec: 20 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $360.97
Cost of general active ingredients $0.52
Percent markup: 69,417%
Prozac: 20 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets) : $247.47
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.11
Percent markup: 224,973%
Tenormin: 50 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $104.47
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.13
Percent markup: 80,362%
Vasotec: 10 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $102.37
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.20
Percent markup: 51,185%
Xanax: 1 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets) : $136.79
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.024
Percent markup: 569,958%
Zestril: 20 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets) $89.89
Cost of general active ingredients $3.20
Percent markup: 2,809
Zithromax: 600 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $1,482.19
Cost of general active ingredients: $18.78
Percent markup: 7,892%
Zocor: 40 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $350.27
Cost of general active ingredients: $8.63
Percent markup: 4,059%
Zoloft: 50 mg
Consumer price: $206.87
Cost of general active ingredients: $1.75
Percent markup: 11,821%
Topics: Drugs Pharmacies | No Comments »
Pictured above, a sentry safe that failed to open after the combination numbers were pushed and the little plastic piece that disabled it.
So I called the sentry safe company, (800-828-1438), and waited for about 10 minutes to speak to a representive, (that was alright since I have a speaker phone). The first thing they asked me was about the condition of the batteries. I told them that they were brand new. The person then asked about the brand name and expiration date of the batteries. They were generic batteries, but the expiration date was fine. They suggested a new set of batteries, and mentioned that I could bypass the battery pack, (which sometimes fails), by unplugging the pack and using a regular 9 volt battery.. So just to cover the base, I went down to the store and obtained a brand new 9 volt duracell battery. I unplugged the battery pack and plugged in my new battery. I then pushed the combination numbers and my safe again failed to open.
I called the sentry company back using my speakerphone feature again while waiting to speak with a technician. The tech asked me about the batteries and I told him it had a new 9 volt at the last technician’s recommendation. The person began to talk about the actuator cylinder inside the safe, stating that it did not sound like it was actuating. Then they told me something that really made me wonder about the quality of this safe. They told me I would need to hit the safe with a rubber mallet in an attempt to get the actuator to engage so I could open the sentry safe. OK, so the safe is supposively built to keep my belongings safe from thieves and fire, but now I am going to fix it with a rubber mallet? Good thing my sentry safe was inside, somebody might have wondered about my mental state if they had seen me beating this fireproof safe with a rubber mallet! (PS: If you use the rubber mallet option or any other suggestions that sentry’s customer assistance supplied, and have firearms or dynamite in your safe, you do so at your own risk, use wise judgement for your own safety)
Well it just so happens that I had a rubber mallet and did not need to once again go to the store to get something to personally fix my great sentry fireproof safe. So I begin beating the sentry safe with this mallet and then tried the combination again. Woolah, It opened! I stopped for a moment and began to ponder how many other things I could fix with this magical rubber mallet. I mean, what about the TV, the computer, my fridgerator and that cell phone that always drops calls? Could it be that I have discovered the fix all to all mechanical issues? As I began to look at my belongings in my fireproof safe that I have just opened with a rubber mallet, I thought "so if I close the safes door will I need a sledge hammer next time"?
Time for another phone call, back to the speakerphone. The technician this time listened to my issue and asked me if I had some lubricant like WD-40 with a small tube that attaches to nozzle. I thought, "well of course I do, I was just using that to fix the broken water pipe in the garage." The phone tech tells me where to spray the lubricant on the inside of the sentry safe door. He has me do this in the open and closed combination positions, and it’s now opening when I press the combination numbers with the door open, hurray! The only problem is that after working in the lubricant a few times the handle on the door does not lock into the locked position. I no longer need the combination to unlock my safe, I only need a can of lubricant! OK, this is one really tough safe, what thief would ever think that they would need a rubber mallet and a can of silicon lubricant to open up a safe?
Back to the speakerphone, this time a lady technician. She wants me to get a screwdriver and pry off the plastic piece on the back side of the door. At this point I said to her, you have built a product that I need to have a rubber mallet, a can of 3 in 1 spray lubricant, and a screwdriver to open? She stated that she was doing all she could to help me fix my safe and asked me how long I had owned the safe. I told her about 2 years and she stated that it was out of warranty. I thought, well who needs a warranty when they have a magical mallet, a can of black led, and a screwdriver? Anyway she directs me to pry the plastic backing off of the door and when I do this little piece of plastic falls out onto the floor. I look at this little plastic piece pondering in my mind, what’s it’s part in all of this. Well the technician is directing me to look at the arms and gears and some arrows that line up between the metal arms and plastic gears. What’s wrong with that picture? Metal and plastic don’t really work together long before the plastic breaks. I had to wonder for a moment, is this some really expensive fireproof plastic? The arrows line up and with that information she directs me to the area of the actuator again, she says "you see the circuit board" and a little white button that sticks out from it?" I said well yes, I see the circuit board and the little white button you are talking about seems to be laying on the floor broken off. So I picked it up and said, "this little broken piece of plastic that connects to the metal arm on the safe is why the safe does not work right?" She tells me yes that’s the problem, that i have broken it and since it’s out of warranty that there is nothing she can do to help me. But she then asks me to hold on for a moment…..
She comes back to the phone sounding sincere, like she has just solved all my problems, and tells me that she has spoke to her supervisor and that they can offer me 10% off on any safe that I would like to purchase. I thought what great customer service, now they want to sell me another safe with metal and plastic pieces that break and give me a huge discount of 10%, and I bet it comes with a free maintenance kit which includes a polo stick, some lard oil, and a screwdriver on the rocks! Needless to say I declined their gracious offer.
I will say that all the organizations personnel, (that I spoke with), were courteous and trying to be helpful, (that was within the realm of authority they were given). With a product such as this, and the great customer service I experienced, I thought it was probably best to find a safe that was free of little plastic pieces that break off, cause those plastic pieces won’t save you 10% !
Topics: Kick It To The Curb | 41 Comments »
How many times have you had to change your internet provider and then go through the hassle of letting all your contacts know your new email address?
Wouldn’t it be simpler to have an email account that you would not have to bother with making changes because of internet provider changes? What
about also having one that you can always access from any internet connected computer no matter where in the world you are?
Something else you might want to consider, do you receive the emails you
want to get in your inbox? Some of those wonderful spam filters are blocking
or moving your emails to junk email folders. Ever have friends tell you that
they did not get your email? There are a couple places you can get free email
accounts, that are accessible from any computer, (with your username and password), that do a good job of blocking real spam, but also let the legitimate email get to you at a high percentage rate.
You might also consider that some email services are using the "spam" excuses to block out some email in order to keep you at their site, (where they can show you their advertising). There is more to this than meets the eye. Was it oops we blocked it cause we thought it was spam, or was it oops we blocked it, so we could keep you at our site, so we could make more money?
You will experience unwanted email no matter where you have an email account, but you might like the assurance of getting the email you prefer to receive. Our top picks for free online email are, (hands down), Yahoo and Gmail.
Topics: Where's The Email | No Comments »
Ways To Save Your Shopping Bucks Victoria’s Secrets
By lighthouse
Use this great printable coupon at Victoria’s Secret for $10 off any bra AND a free cotton panty. Print out the entire page and take it to your nearest Victoria’s Secret. This is a great value for any coupon, especially great for Victoria’s Secret!
There didn’t appear to be an expiration date on this coupon. However, limit one offer per customer per day while quantities last. $10 off discount applies only to full-priced bras. Cannot be used with any other coupon, discount or introductory offer.
Make sure you get the best prices on Hotels, Get The Best Rate Price Guarantee!
Topics: Suggest It Today | No Comments »