Recalls Ugh

Has everyone else noticed the insane number of recalled toys lately?

Really, it's an insane amount of toys and kid products. The screwy thing is, many of these toys AREN'T DANGEROUS. No kidding.

Turbo's trike is on recall.

I'm sure you all have seen little trikes like his. The reason for the recall? The "key" is "dangerous".

The "key" mind you is a small yellow piece that is permanently attached to the front of the trike right below the handlebars. It doesn't poke out very much, in fact it's shaped like a cresent, so in effect it feels more like a little smooth bump when you run your hand from the body of the bike over the key to the handlebars.

The only way that key is "dangerous" is if the kid is jumping into the bike with all he's got, or if the child is standing on the trike and falls onto it (the bike itself is dangerous to fall on!). In both cases, it's a matter of the kid doing things that they should know are going to hurt them. If you know your kid is likely to do something like that... maybe you should keep a good eye on your kid? NOT sue the company for you or your kids stupidity.

Now, honestly, I don't think parents are suing companies over things like that. I think LAWYWERS are suing companies on behalf of the parents. ie class action lawsuits. And who is benefitting? Lawyers. Because with class action lawsuits the people hurt don't actually get much. But at least companies are held responsible when they do something wrong... especially when there is no way for an individual to have enough to funds to even get the companies attention... right?

Yeah, so what happens when the lawyers get greedy and start throwing leagal threats around like it's a free meal ticket?

Ya, the companies start recalling everything simply to try to keep their names clean... dangerous or no. Parents start ignoring many of the recalls because many of them are only there because people are blatantly using the product WRONG! Companies start refusing to make toys for certain age groups and the hardship of finding toys for a 2 year old becomes that much HARDER.

And what happens when a recall is actually done because the product really is dangerous? How much of a red flag is that recall going to elicit?

Grrrr.

Squeeeeee!!!

This was on the front page of the sports section today in our local paper... is it just me or does this guy look like he just saw an icky bug? Squeeeeeee!!!! ROFL

Apology for Prop 8

Elder Marlin Jensen apologized for Prop 8.

Interesting to say the least.

I'm sure it took a great deal of love and courage for him to say that... even if the apology was a personal one and not an institutional one. To seemingly step out of line with the opinion that the Church seems to be putting forward could cost him dearly, but I'm glad he did it. Even if all it accomplishes is showing people that holding your own opinion separate from the Church is not an indication that a person is "evil" in some way.

You may be surprised how many people are vilified, and their testimonies questioned (even if they are strong testimonies... I know a few liberal Mormons who are constantly having people question their faith) for being in disagreement on political issues.

Anyhow, thought some of the rest of you might be interested.

Prop 8

No one cares what I think so I won't go into it. LOL Everyone else has already hashed it out pretty well. I DO think that this provides a good counterpoint though... I thought that the argument was well thought out.

"...and Justice for all."

 I love my country. I love the people in it and the ideals it stands for. However I am really worried about it. Not because I think anyone specifically is taking us down the "wrong road" but more because I see ideological conflicts causing real damage.

My mom and I were talking the other morning about how being a citizen of this country should require your (the individuals) allegiance, not just happenstance. I understand the reason that the laws were made the way they were with having anyone born in the US be automatically a citizen. I almost wonder if the child should be required to have at least one of their parents be a documented citizen (not like that will ever happen) But I look at people protesting this immigration mess by turning the American Flag upside down (appropriately I might add, though they may not realize it as they do it... an upside down flag is a signal of distress).
 
This morning I was thinking about the Pledge of allegiance. You know, the one that I got to say in school every day growing up. It was written in 1982 and I think that what it stands for is admirable.

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which is stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all"

 Unfortunately I think it may be antiquated. Sad as that may sound.

I once heard a good explanation of the thoughts behind it by Red Skelton. It goes like this:

"I me, an individual, a committee of one. 

Pledge dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity. 

Allegiance my love and my devotion. 

To the flag our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job! 

of the United that means that we have all come together. 

States individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country. 

(Of America) and to the republic a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. 

For which it stands, one nation (under God) one nation, meaning "so blessed by God" 

Indivisible incapable of being divided. 

With liberty which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation. 

And Justice the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others. 

For all which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine. 

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...UNDER GOD"

 I like the way he put that! It's very patriotic. Unfortunately I think we are becoming very confused about what our country stands for. Here are the problems as I see them now (which may very easily be wrong or slanted because I am human!):

 "I pledge allegiance to the flag ..."

I have no issue with this part :)

 "of the United States of America..."

hmmmm, I honestly don't think we are very united anymore. I think that much of the reason that the states don't go off on their own is because of fear of having the military sic'd on them.

"and to the republic for which it stands..."

 Is that the government? or the country? If it's the country and the people in it I can fully get behind that. If it's the government I don't think I can... mostly because I'm starting to think that the leaders have forgotten that the government is supposed to be by the people and for the people. I get the impression increasingly that it is slowly morphing into the dreaded "for the leaders and by the leaders"... 

"one nation, under God..."

I don't have too much issue with this part. I see no harm in believing in a higher power (whatever you want to call it) or in thinking that it protects us... as long as we are acting accordingly morally in order to try to stay in that beings favor. As a nation, I'm not so sure we are...

  "Indivisible,..."

Honestly, I really do think we are pretty divided right now. Our politicians are making sure of this... implying that anyone who doesn't agree with them is somehow inferior. I'm sure you have all heard me refer to the "I'm open-minded... but you don't agree with me so you must be stupid" attitude... that many people are catching from our politicians and their vilification of anyone who doesn't agree with them. This particular attitude is very, very dangerous. I would think that this kind of thing (making other people seem less than human) is what starts some civil wars.

"With liberty, and justice..."

I'm not terribly sure we are free anymore. I think that the conflict between liberty and justice has robbed both of their value. In the name of justice we take away liberty, in the name of liberty we take away justice.

"For all."

Unfortunately I have seen evidence (personally mind you) that only those with a lot of money get a whole lot of liberty, if you can pay someone enough it seems you can get a lot higher likelihood of having "liberty" and you can almost get away with anything (OJ anyone?). Same thing goes with getting any "real" justice anymore... The rich seem to be the only ones that the lawyers and the politicians will fight for because there is something to be gained (campaign contributions and legal fees).

How is this any different than paying the police officer to arrest someone? Oh wait, it's different because it's the lawyers that we are paying to make sure that justice is served.... Does it really matter who we are paying if the little guy can no longer expect to have the criminal who stole his retirement prosecuted because the little guy doesn't have the money (that the criminal stole btw) to pay their lawyers with?

And speaking of lawyers... in 2008 the percentage of congress that had law degrees as 41.6 %... are these some of the same people that will only seek justice for a price? Is that warped or what?

So in the end I know I sound rather cynical... I love my country, I really do!!! I lament what is happening to it! The fact that companies are now "too big to fail" instead of properly termed a "monopoly" and split up. This whole mess with BP is a prime example of money and power taking away justice and buying liberty. The biggest environmental mess ever (that I can think of) and what is our government doing??? Standing by and watching and telling the company that caused the mess that "they had better clean it up" ... but the thing is, this same company didn't learn last time. They were involved with the Exxon Valdez spill (you know, that one that WAS the biggest spill before THIS happened), and people were charged and fines were given, but they didn't learn... and our government still lets them operate in our waters. Why? Because BP is a major supplier to our military for it's fuel... it's (dare I say) "too big to fail". We have put too many of our eggs in one basket... And the sad thing is, it's not just the oil industry... this seems to be the way our country is run in general anymore.

It is really disheartening.

Okay... so this immigration crap...

Everyone who is paying any kind of attention to the news at all knows about the immigration hubbub. But if that isn't you, here is what is going on:

Basically Arizona decided it has had enough of illegal immigrants being allowed to run rampant. They have no problem with the legal ones mind you. Soooo, because the federal government is not enforcing immigration laws and kicking people out who are not here legally (like the federal laws advocate) the state of Arizona decided that they would do it, because HEY HON! THE JOB AIN'T GETTING DONE!... and it ends up that the legal citizens are paying for the hospitals, roads, schools, ER bills etc of anyone who is here illegally (through taxes).

Well, since Arizona passed this bill saying that they were going to enforce federal law people are all up in arms about it. Loads screaming that the state just legalized profiling. Don't they use profiling in catching any kind of criminal? I know they do for serial killers.... (and before everyone gets up in a huff about me saying that illegal immigrants are serial killers... that is NOT what I just said. I just meant that I understand that sometimes profiling people is beneficial. Not when you are harassing innocent people, but still.)

So I think an easy way to get past the "profiling" complaint would be for AZ just to require the police to ask everyone to provide papers... no matter their race or their accent. I know I wouldn't mind producing papers if asked, since I can. Can I note that the people I see screaming about this bill are NOT people that live in states that have the Mexican Drug wars spilling into them? Sorry people from Maine... you have no idea. In fact, I doubt I have any idea and I'm a lot nearer to it. But at least I see the crime on the news etc. And how do the News Crews know that the police just took down a drop point for the "Mexican Cartel"? Did they see the papers of these people or are they profiling? hmmmm

While I might not agree with everything in the AZ bill, I do support the states need for it. They are going bankrupt taking care of people that don't pay into their system. In fact I hear that Texas and New Mexico are working on similar bills.

Oh, and it's interesting... I saw this article the other day. Basically, it looks like Mexico's immigration laws are tougher then ours! The kids can't even go to school unless they have citizenship....looks like the pot calling the kettle black. :P

Tiger..eh

Blah, blah…. blah stupid blah blah…. golf blah blah… meh, meh meh.

The End

Because it needs to be noted...

So, for anyone that was paying attention yesterday the Health Care Bill passed.

I'm the only person I know who is undecided on if this bill is a good thing or a bad thing.

While I feel that our politicians are mostly corrupt and mostly only out with only their own careers in mind I also feel that there are many unfortunate people that are dying because they can't afford the cost of medical care.

I do worry that the Health Care Bill is little more than a D.C. Power grab though...  a way for our politicians to make more money and have even more control over things that don't effect them. The fact that most high level politicians are lawyers is (in my mind) not a good thing. While I don't think all lawyers are bad people I do think that they have all been schooled in how to twist things, find loop holes, and sometimes put aside moral concerns to better do their jobs. Knowing how to "pull the wool over peoples eyes" in a politician can play out to be a very bad thing.

I worry that the pharmaceutical and insurance companies have effectively bought our elected officials. Why is nothing ever said about the price of what it take to make a pill vs the cost of that pill? Why don't we realize that insurance companies benefit from having everyone required to use them? Why is it that the supplies that are used in medicine are so outrageously expensive? These things aren't high priced because insurance is high priced... I believe these things are a big part of why insurance costs so much. Why is a plastic piece that costs pennies to make being sold to us for oh so much more?

Having a bill pass that is full of problems an loopholes pretty much guarantees that those problems and loopholes won't all be fixed...  if only because they benefit the politicians. Who has ever seen a bad government program dissolved? I haven't...

Besides the fact that our government is in over it's head as far as debt goes... and this isn't just our grandchildrens money we are talking about. Do you know who we borrow that debt from? That's right... China. A country that is the epitome of justice (can you feel the sarcasm?). What happens if we can no longer pay our debt? What happens if they decide NOT to be understanding when that happens? What is the collateral? This is a HUGE problem.

Now to the other side...

If you think that earlier when I said that people are dying because they can't pay for medical treatment that I'm exaggerating, think again. The poor in our country wait until things are to a dire state before they take  themselves to the Emergency Room and often by the time they get there it is too late to do anything... specifically when the "thing" that they were "waiting out" is diagnosed as cancer. It would cost us, the taxpayer, so much less if they went in to a regular doctors visit when they first noticed something is wrong and then we (the taxpayer) paid for that instead of the ER.

While I think that many social programs are too far reaching and that in many cases if the public was made directly responsible for taking care of their poor and downtrodden (no longer being able to just drive past that beggar on the corner thinking "he can go to a shelter" or "if she is really in that bad of shape then the government should be helping her all she has to do is fill out a couple of forms...") then they would give more, willingly, than what the taxes take by force. Just look at what happened with Hurricane Katrina with the amount the public willingly gave... just look at Haiti... when the public is made aware of major issues by the media they step up and help. The American people are some of the most caring people in the world as far as being willing to give of their time and their resources.

However, how does that work for medicine? I know that I, for one, don't know how to diagnose pneumonia, nor how to properly treat it... I don't know how to tell when someone is foregoing without medical treatment without them telling me. Why in this world does a child that is born to poor (or even middle class) parents and happens to need a tonsillectomy have to fight with the insurance company over if it was a "pre-existing" condition? Are you kidding me? btw, I have a friend who had exactly that happen to them.

The opposition to prioritizing who gets treatment based on need is a bit ridiculous in my book... be opposing it people are saying that their elderly terminally ill grandparent who is going to die of cancer anyway deserves a kidney transplant to live 2 months longer while the same cost and procedure could save a childs life... as of right now, the prioritization isn't by need... it's by social class. Those who see that as just... well, lets just say, they baffle me.

I have 2 sick kids at the moment... for me (with excellent insurance mind you) it will cost me $50 to take them both to see the pediatrician. $50 is minuscule compared to what the actual bill turns out to be... but it's still $50 that I need to go a buy Jer some shirts with...  And if I didn't have insurance? Ya... about $200 later....nope, the kids definitely wouldn't be going to the doctor until I was fearful for their lives or the long term effects of "whatever" upon them.

One side looks heartless and the other side looks careless... a choice between "the better of two evils".

So in the end something has to be done about all of it. As much as I hate to give more money to our smug and out of control politicians and hope it gets where it is needed... it looks like that is going to happen anyways. There is no way there is going to be anything bipartisan on this... I wish their were. The people that are for it, are for it, and the people that are against it are against it and they aren't going to vote for it even if it does have many of their ideas in it (which it wouldn't, because that would be like saying they supported it.)... because they are against the whole thing. There is no working together.

I guess it now becomes a "wait and see" situation... hopefully now that the thing has passed we will get some modifications to it from the people who were so dead set against it... because, lets face it, it's going to happen now... might as well tweak something you were against so that it isn't "so bad"... right?

Oh, how I wish there was a better solution.

Reflecting on 9/11 a little...

Yesterday on the CNN website they have some newly released pictures of the terror attacks on the World Trade Centers. As I was looking at them, These thoughts popped into my head:

Why don't we ever see these pictures anymore?

Is it because someone doesn't want us to remember?

Is it because it's heartbreaking and we don't want to feel that?

Why hasn't something been build there yet?

It has been almost nine years since it happened. And I don't know if any memorial has been completed. I know there were plans for one. Then I remember hearing that it fell through. Something with funding, or the company doing things wrong.

I suspect it probably had something to do with politics. Someone, or many someones feeling that THEY were the ones that needed to make it happen, that no one else should. So they cut down everyone else.

Too many people clamoring for political gain.

So many people willing to use others as stepping stones to "the top".

Even if those stepping stones are the dead or the memories of our dead.

What a shame it has all become.

Not only did the terrorists attack us, but many of our own continue to undermine us to gain "power" or "money".

Always the political mud-fight, felling anyone in their way.

The attitude of "I'm open-minded, but since you don't agree with me... you must be stupid (or bigoted, or any number of negative adjectives)."

Our nations competitiveness is having not so great consequences. Our political parties are calling each other all sorts of horrid things... and the saddest part?

It's bleeding down to the regular every day smo.

And what happens to those who truly stand in the middle, not claiming either parties stances? They are always seen as the "enemy" because their ideals don't fall into a neat little box. They are vilified by both sides of the battle.

Isn't the middle where we should all be standing? Willing to compromise to do what is best for all?

What is happening to the beautiful things our country should be standing for?
It's being divided.

Remember this next time you hear someone with a different point of view:

"United we stand, divided we fall."

---

P.S they are currently working on a memorial at Ground Zero. After scrapping the first plans for it they have agreed on another set. Hopefully these will be followed through to completion. We will see.

State of the Union....

I'll admit I didn't watch it. I refuse to anymore with the media pulling strings and the audience inturputions... however, I did read it. I suggest you do the same so that you can get a real feel for what was said and not just what the audience was reacting to.

here is a link to the full text on it.

What do you think? (That's NOT a question on what the pundits think or what the audience reaction was.)

A "new" thought on why they hate us so much.

Have you ever heard that the terrorists hate us so much because of our money? Or maybe our education?

What about our feminism?

I hadn't thought of it before, but it makes perfect sense. If your interested here is the article that brought this possibility to my attention.

What the President Said.

That I don't think Anyone can disagree with, be they Right or Left, Conservative or Liberal.

Kenye West is a "Jackass".

If you didn't see it, you have probably heard about it. At the MTV music awards while 19 yr old Taylor Swift was making her acceptance speech this butt head came up on stage, interrupted, took her mic, and promptly told everyone Beyonce should have won.

He has done this before. In Europe. At their music awards. He blamed it on the alcohol. And yes, he was drinking again this time. Don't you think that maybe he should lay off the booze if he is that out of control? The way I see it, is this guy is racist. If someone of a darker complexion than white wins he is okay with holding his tongue. If not then BAMMO... out comes the slime.

Talk About Bravery

May God (Or whomever you believe is in ultimate control of this universe) bless this man. I sincerely hope that he has a lasting impact on, not only his students, but his nation for a very long time.

If you didn't go to the link, it is about a man that lives in Afghanistan and runs a high school there where he not only allows boys, but girls to learn. It is a rare in that part of the world to have girls be allowed an education. He is getting death threats and such because he refuses to exclude the girls from his school. He is truly someone with foresight.

What a brave man.

Gotta love how people

pick and choose what information to share when it come to convincing the public that their standpoint is right.

You know the whole global warming debate? (Now, I'm not saying it's correct or incorrect for people to believe in global warming or don't believe in it, I'm just pointing out a lack of facts that are shared.)

Try this on for size. It's a report that basically says that Antarctica is FINE. Yes, one side of the continent is melting. But guess what? The other side is freezing! So basically the ice is just moving.

Gotta love people editing the facts eh? Grrrrr

How I Feel About Our Country Right Now....

This guy puts it into words.

I hope that those who don't like Glenn Beck can get past the fact that this is delivered by him, and see the picture that is being painted. Here is the clip, and yes it's from Fox News, again, if you don't like them please try to look past that.

Can We Say "Asinine"?

Yes, our newspaper here in Podunk Idaho is stupid. Very, very stupid.

I like to call it the COMpost Register...

Anywho, here is a picture from today's paper. Please take a moment to read.


Ummmm Yaaaaaaaah

And how exactly is a notice in today's paper going to inform those people who didn't receive today's paper that they can access the website FREE FOR TODAY?

Hmmmm....

Can anyone explain this to me? :D

Ahhh the joys of small town newspapers and the satisfaction I get when proved yet again why I'm not missing out by not paying for one. (This is my In-Laws paper I photoed, so meh!)

So What do You Think?

Are we still a capitalist society even though the government now has control of many of the main banking institutions and the biggest are no longer privately owned (aka stock)? This is the concern of some economists at the moment.

And if we are no longer capitalists what would that make us?

WOW

Well, the House of Representatives has voted down the $700 Billion plan to bail out the economy.

Personally, I'm conflicted on this issue....

Now what?

PS On the same topic. You know how all the media is trying to freak you out with the whole "Largest One Day Point Drop EVER!!! 777 down on DOW!" Well, make sure you understand that the stock market is a lot larger than in the past. It was NOT the largest percentage drop ever. It fell 7% today compaired to the drop in 87 that was 20.5%. Though the headlines are dire, be sure to check out the articles. Sometimes the headlines are misleading. My figures are from here.

WHY did we rebuild New Orleans again?

Cat 4 (at the moment... wonder if it will turn Cat 5) hurricane headed there again...

Can we please just MOVE that city? Please?

Race

Ok, so recently there has been a load of hubbub on the news about race. Racial terms and who can and who cannot use them.

I personally find it repulsive that just because I'm of a certain COMPLEXION I cannot use the N word (not that I would want to). That for some reason it is assumed that I would mean it in a harmful way if I were to use it. But if a dark complected person were to use it, then to many people that is ok. Personally I think the word needs to be done away with.

While many argue that that particular word is in the process of being given a new meaning, much like the words "Gay", "Lesbian", and even "Mormon" have been given new non offensive meaning when they all at one time were considered insults. My issue isn't that the word is being given new meaning. That would be wonderful! It's that it's only being given new meaning when certain people use it. This is NOT the case with the words I mentioned above. Both homosexuals an heterosexuals alike are allowed to use the words Gay and Lesbian without it automatically being assumed that they are being spit at someone. Heck, the word "Mormon" is used by everyone and anyone... and I don't know of any LDS person in my lifetime that has ever taken offense to the use of it.

Recently I was visiting a website for pregnant mothers and came a crossed another double standard as far as race. There was a post that was titled "Where all the mocha mommy's @?" meaning African-American or black ladies (I don't know which people are preferring be used this year). I don't mind so much if someone is looking for others with a similar background as they have... such as "Where are all the Vermont mommy's @", or "Where are all the older mommy's @". The thing that bugged me about this particular post.... is that If I did the same thing I would have been pounced on. Heaven forbid I use the term Aryan or white. If I asked where all the blue eyed mommy's were I would have been looked at as strange. If I asked about people with German ancestry they would have wondered if my immediate parent was from Germany, not 5 generations back or more. And when someone who had a parents from Germany asked who was German in my family and I didn't really know their name.... they probably would think I was nuts for bringing it up. Cause I know very little about my German ancestors.

Call me dazed and confused. I don't get it.