Recently our Senators, and Representatives voted to extend the INTRUSIVE Patriot Act. Doesn’t this “Patriot Act need a little scrutiny. Is it really necessary to give the government all the police power it now maintains? It’s “intent’ was to give the government the ability to seek out terrorists, But how do we “The People” know it isn’t being used to monitor the law abiding average citizen. We DON’T. But, what this post is about is the fact that our President Obama, was once again traveling/vacationing. Has anyone else been able to vacation as much as he does? Other Presidents traveled but mostly for our Country’s business. Most of Obama’s travel appear to me to be more vacation than business. An important issue which affects the average citizen’s rights deserve the full attention of our elected leader. But where is he? Not in our country. He could not even come home to SIGN this important bill. Does this give him a sense of “I am not responsible for this bill”. Instead of being here to sign the bill, it was signed with an AUTOPEN. Autopens are mechanical means of FORGERY. They are usually used by politicians and others to sign letters to give them a more authentic look. The Autopen uses a real pen to “forge” / copy a persons signature. So if you get a letter that in other days would have been signed by a secretary, or rubber stamp. In other words the sole purpose is to fool people into thinking the politician or celebrity has taken the time to actually sign their name and give a more personal connection. Definition of Forge: To imitate (handwriting, a Signature, etc.) fraudulently; fabricate a forgery. My question is this. Is this forged signature CONSTITUTIONALLY acceptable? Does our President take his obligation to “WE THE PEOPLE” so lightly. Let me know what you think. Better yet let our Government know. That Is How I See It have been Views: 180
Month: May 2011
Memorial Day
Formerly called DECORATION DAY. MEMORIAL DAY is a day set aside to honor our Military men and women who died in service of our country. Celebrated on the last Monday of May. Established to honor the fallen soldiers of our Civil War, both Union, and Confederate. Later extended to all honor all our soldiers killed in defense of our country, the United States of America. Now days we also take this time to remember all our loved ones. I think many Americans have forgotten the reason we have Memorial Day. To many it has become a day off with pay. A day of outdoor grilling, and party. A long weekend for a mini vacation. And to some The Greatest Spectacle In Racing, The Indy 500. It is great we can have all these things. But let’s at least take a moment of this day to remember our fallen soldiers who by their death gave us this opportunity. That Is How I See It. Views: 142
Indiana Pacer Economics
It seems the Indiana Pacers, who was in last place in attendance, despite a more successful season than in several years past. Have come up with their own Economic Theory. Actually it is not an original theory. And I have discussed this before so forgive me if I occasionally repeat myself. For some reason the Pacers have decided if you can’t sell more tickets just raise the cost per ticket. What is the effect of this? Apparently they subscribe to the theory that if you charge more it increases the value of your product. How about decreasing overhead. I know Indiana is a small market, and to compete with the larger market teams, You have to pay players more to keep them. But there is always the path taken by the Chicago Cubs. Player development. What kept the Cubs going through all these losing years. Developing players for other teams. How many top players in the last 30-40 years were brought up by the Cubs only to go on to other teams. Think about it, I remember the rumors always that Wrigley made more money by taking players other teams wanted to develop, doing just that and collecting his money. As I have stated before the way to increase profit is to decrease ticket prices, which will put more people in your seats. This serves three purposes. 1 IMAGE. It looks better if you have seats filled. It gives the impression that you are more successful. 2. Increased CONCESSION, and SOUVENIR sales. Souvenirs equal ADVERTISING. 3. Do the math. 50% seats filled with a 9% ticket increase. or 100% seats filled without a 9% ticket increase. If you are filled to capacity every night then you can experiment with raising prices. That Is How I See It. several years Views: 115
Foreclosures Down
Government reports FORECLOSURES are down for the seventh straight month. Well that makes sense. After all the foreclosures began, what, 3 years ago at extremely high rates. The wealthy bought these foreclosures for pennies on the dollar. Three years of foreclosures, eventually the supply of houses to foreclose on has to drop. After 3 years of foreclosures we are probably getting down the the last of the people who still have jobs, and are able to make their payments. Let me point out that not all foreclosures were due to the actual mortgage payment. Many were due to our government greed. Like my house the government raised my taxable property value to twice the actual market value. Which meant I was paying 12.85 times more than my neighbors. I was told the reason my taxes were so much higher is because my house is brick. Not a brick facade, but 3 brick thick. This raised my mortgage payments by over $250.00 a month. Now my Income did not match that kind of increase. Eventually my attorneys, advised me to spend the money for an independent appraisal. This showed the true market value. I took it to the clerks office for an appeal. I won and they finally lowered my tax value to my market value. I was still paying more than my neighbors. Then a year ago,, they finally reached the levels my neighbors were paying. But now with property values falling all around. (In fact our county government raised our tax rate because the property values had fallen so much. But my house remained the same as 3 years ago when they agreed to the independent appraisal value. So my property tax is on the rise. (good thing I always pay extra to my escrow account), But back to the foreclosures, the report said that ONLY 69,532 houses were foreclosed last month. Isn’t that still quite a few houses. Fewer houses to foreclose equals fewer foreclosures. Now that the wealthy have the foreclosed houses, they are more people are renting. According to the recent report I read RENTS, are rising more than the cost of owning a house which is finally falling. We’ll just have to see where this trend takes us. Sorry if this was hard to follow. BUT anyway That Is How I See It. more than Views: 100
Illegal Aliens Protest, But Not Deported
I admit I am getting farther behind the NEWS, than I would prefer. There is just so much happening right now that I can’t keep up. Just remember I am not a professional writer, and know little of the art of writing, I do not have at my disposal all the tools the professional has. This is just a way to get things off my chest. So here I go again. Dateline Indianapolis Indiana. Undocumented (ILLEGAL) students, slipped into Governor Mitch Daniels office to protest SB 590 (I think it is), which would penalize businesses who hire illegal immigrants. Also HB 1402 which would deny lowered in state tuition rates for undocumented aliens. One of the Illegal aliens said she could afford the $8,00.oo tuition. (Good for her, I can’t), but felt she would not be able to continue her education if she had to pay the usual out of state tuition. Also SB 590 could prevent her from obtaining gainful employment upon graduation. (I can’t find gainful employment either). However these law breakers will not be deported, as they should be. Why? According to Immigration and Custom agents. “It isn’t the best use of our agencies resources”. You can form your own conclusion. I have stated mine. That Is How I See It. find find find Views: 239
Dancing With The Stars
I usually don’t watch this show. It’s just not my type of entertainment. But I love Kirstie Alley. I think many people do, and that is why she is still dancing. Kirstie Louise Alley. The tall (5 foot 8 inch) high school cheerleader from Kansas. Who wanted to be an interior designer. Some will remember her from the sitcom Cheers, as Rebecca Howe. A role that won her 3 Emmy Award nominations, and finally a much deserved EMMY AWARD. as well as being a GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD winner. Others may remember her as Vulcan Lt. Saavik, (Star Trek II: Wrath of Kahn). Or who can forget Mikey’s single mother Molly, in Look Who’s Talking. Yes, Kirstie is a very talented person. But a dancer? Sorry, She is as good a dancer as I am, and that isn’t saying much. So what is her secret to staying alive on the TV show. PERSONALITY! Even with all her success she still exudes that girl next door aura. The everyday person, maybe a neighbor, or relative, whatever, she still retains that approachableness (?) Is that really a word? It should be. No matter you all know what I am saying. So if not her dancing ability, what keeps her on the show, other than the above mentioned traits, which will definitely get her the audience vote. But how about the judges and producers, and other involved in the decision. MARKETABLILITY! If Kirstie were to get the axe, HOWE, (a feeble attempt on word play here, forgive me), many of you would tune out Dancing With The Stars. I know I would. After all I have already told you I don’t particularly care for the show in the first place. Thus we must discern, her secret is PERSONALITY, and MARKETABILITY. Keep dancing Kirstie. That Is How I See It. high school involved Views: 128
IMPORTANT UPDATE FOURTH AMMENDMENT
I just read in USA Today an article which states our United States Supreme Court by a vote of 8 to 1 voted to support WARRANTLESS ENTRY. Essentially, from what I understand, the 8 justices voted to leave it up to the individual POLICE , THE PEOPLE, no claim to the 4th Amendment. We all know what that means. Now I can’t say about all Law Enforcement Officers, in the area I live our Police feel they are above the law, as it is. This disturbing ruling just gives them more power they aren’t equipped to handle. How many times have we recently read where our people sworn to “SERVE and PROTECT” have overstepped their boundaries, and above the law. I can’t tell you how many have been caught and punished. But more have not been caught. I have seen them make arrests for underage drinking, confiscating the beverages, the late saw them selling to underage drinkers from the trunk of their cruiser. I know of one Chief of Police who became a cop because he was arrested in Florida for drugs. His father just happened to be mayor of his home town and convinced the Florida Police his son was a member of our local police force and was working undercover. When he came back he was on the police force. We all know of his continued involvement in drugs, but are helpless to do anything about it. A member of our County Sheriff’s department was investigating him. He was STRONGLY advised to “back off”. Our county commissioners are pretty much in the same boat. When I asked them about it I was told this. “If we act, we cannot be sure that our children or other family members may not be arrested for drugs. He has a reputation of planting drugs, on innocent people. Or in their vehicles or homes. Only Ruth Bader Ginsburg voted against this action stating the it was an affront to our constitutional 4th Ammendment Right. That Is How I See It. have been became Views: 155
Fourth Ammendment Overturned?
MUNSTER, INDIANA. A small town approximately 29 miles SE of Chicago, Illinois. Court rules CITIZENS do not have the right to resist illegal entry of POLICE. Is this a violation of our Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. This amendment in our BILL OF RIGHTS, (The rights of people), reads. RIGHT OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE RESTRICTED The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. You may want to read this again just to be sure you read it the same as I do. Which I interpret to mean. People are to be SECURE in the knowledge that the GOVERNMENT, (police included) can not just enter your house, without either your invitation, or acquiring a warrant and undergoing the proper channels to secure the warrant. If these rules are not followed it is CONSTITUTIONALLY ILLEGAL entry. Just the same as if they were burglars. HOWEVER, the INDIANA SUPREME COURT ruled 3 to 2 against the 4th Amendment. Stating, “The Court is the place to resist”. In other words we will decide (after the fact),. No properly issued warrant is necessary for police to storm your house, and do whatever they please. Then if you survive, and are willing and can afford to fight in court The STATE, (essentially, the employer of the police, will decide if it was legal). The story behind this ruling is this. A man yelled at and blocked police entry to his home during an alleged DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE, call. (I say Alleged because I found no evidence to justify such a call in my investigation. I do not have access to the records, and did not travel the distance for further evidence. Therefore it may have been called in by someone). By the way the man was tasered. I don’t know if any other charges were filed or if they even found anything. This is one of those things the ACLU (American Civil liberties, Union) was created to protect. But most likely will not pursue. Because they are now the ANTI CHRISTIAN LAWYERS UNION, and will only get involved if it is a way to remove GOD from our country. Do we now live in a POLICE STATE? Let me know if you think I am wrong, Or express your opinion if you think I am right’ That Is How I See It. have been involved Views: 185
GAS Supply and Demand
There has been much said about the rising cost of gasoline. When I had my first gas station, gas was 32 cents a gallon. Diesel was a side product of gasoline production, and I sold it for 16 cents a gallon. Now this by product costs more than gasoline. WHY? You have heard the stories about the crazy people driving up the cost of oil. People who know nothing about the oil business paying more than the oil is worth (for future profits). This is what I have learned. Like all business, the oil companies are in it for the profit. PROFIT is what they are getting. Posting unusually high profit margins every quarter. Every quarter the profit margin gets higher. Why is this. We the consumer let them jab us at every turn. While it is true the uneducated oil buyer is doing his share to raise the cost of oil, the Oil companies, do their share too. What are the oil companies doing? A simple thing called SUPPLY AND DEMAND. They are controlling the supply end of it. Currently the big Oil Companies are operating at approximately 80% of capacity. (Artificially; as I see it; decreasing the supply). What else are they doing, you ask. They are exporting more oil products to foreign countries. Our American oil companies are supplying probably more diesel fuel to the African Continent than we use here in the USA. I don’t know what these other countries are paying. But I would bet it is like our medical companies, who sell medicine to other countries for less than we have to pay. Again USA pays other countries benefit. That Is How I See It. more than Views: 117
Nazi Death Camp Guard Convicted
John Demjanjuk (dem-YAHN’-yuk). A name most of you have heard, recently in the news. Mr. Demjanjuk was born 91 years ago in Ukrainian SSR (Russia). His given name at birth was Ivan Mykolaiovych Demianiuk. Was convicted as an accessory to murder of 28,060 people at Sobibar camp in Poland. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison. Pretty minor time for the number of people killed and the families affected. John Demjanjuk served as a Soviet soldier fighting the Germans. As the story goes, he was wounded, captured and held prisoner of war, before joining the Vlasov Army (an anti-communist group formed by Soviet POWs and others to fight with the Germans against the Soviets) This was near the end of the war. Not knowing all the facts, if he were tortured, or brainwashed. This would seem to be a treasonous act against the Soviet government. Demjanjuk served as a “Wachmann”, the lowest rank of volunteers subordinate to the German SS. from March, 27 1943 until mid September 1943. About 6 months. I personally find it appalling that the Nazis could kill that many people, so ruthlessly, in that amount of time. Demjanjuk came to the United States in 1952, was granted citizenship, and worked as an autoworker until his retirement. And now suffers a variety of ailments and needs medical attention daily. In the 1988 he was accused of being the guard called “Ivan the Terrible. Convicted and sentenced to death, until the conviction was overturned as a case of mistaken identity. Now the things that bother me in his case. 1. He was stripped of his US Citzenship before being convicted. As a US citizen you are innocent until proven guilty. Therefore no call for losing citizenship. But as we all know “INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY” is not the way it works, Just as in your workplace; The company makes a charge against you. You are guilty unless you can prove yourself innocent. A good example of this is in your place of employment. The company in most cases, (Unless you are a UNION member) Is the prosecutor, jury, and JUDGE). 2. If he was of the lowest rank, he probably had a choice (if he actually participated) KILL or be KILLED. I can relate this to an incident I had when I was a factory worker. The parts I was making were no good, we tried to everything we could to make good parts, but the machine just could not make them. I told my foreman, who said to run them anyway. Now my choices were run them, and get a write up. Ask if it were a ‘DIRECT ORDER, and if told it was a “DIRECT ORDER”, I could refuse it and be fired on the spot. Or run them, supposedly without the danger of a write up. I ran them. The next day I got a write up anyway. So I’m not saying anything on the verdicts. or the trials. I am just raising these questions in the interest of justice. There are other things to consider than whether a guard was stationed at a Death Camp. His superiors who made the decision should be the ones who paid the price unless he voluntarily did acts of this sort. Of course we all know the winner of wars write the history. Had the Nazis won he may have been considered a Hero. Feel free to reply with your comments, how you feel about this trial By the way according to German law he is free during the period from now until his appeal process is closed. That Is How I See It. have been find find find Views: 156
