This is profits from their online division over the years. Microsoft will have to keep pumping money into this division because it is the future, but this is pathetic.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Not the right direction for Microsoft
This is profits from their online division over the years. Microsoft will have to keep pumping money into this division because it is the future, but this is pathetic.
Friday, April 29, 2011
GSP vs Shields
GSP fights Jake Shields this weekend. Probably one of St. Pierre's toughest fights but I predict he will win. Probably a unanimous decision. To see why GSP dominates, check out these stats.
Kate Moulene on Poker
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-moulene/how-poker-can-save_b_854134.html
One of the best op-eds I have read on the recent poker developments. Moulene makes many great points, most of them common sense which of course is contrary to what our government does.
One of the best op-eds I have read on the recent poker developments. Moulene makes many great points, most of them common sense which of course is contrary to what our government does.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Bil Simmon's on the Maloof's and the Kings
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/110425&sportCat=nba
Bill Simmons once again makes many good points, especially how the Maloof's over leveraged themselves in Vegas and Sacramento and the ineptness of the NBA and their owners and commissioner.
Bill Simmons once again makes many good points, especially how the Maloof's over leveraged themselves in Vegas and Sacramento and the ineptness of the NBA and their owners and commissioner.
Gary Loveman on Internet Poker
http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/26/news/companies/gary_loveman_poker.fortune/index.htm
Caesar's entertainment CEO Gary Loveman's editorial on online poker.
Hey Gary, I agree with you on your opinions but you get the biggest part of it factually wrong, Online Poker is not illegal in the US. Also, don't be fooled by his stance either. Of course he wants it regulated because when it is, Caesar's entertainment may well become the next Poker Star's.
Caesar's entertainment CEO Gary Loveman's editorial on online poker.
Hey Gary, I agree with you on your opinions but you get the biggest part of it factually wrong, Online Poker is not illegal in the US. Also, don't be fooled by his stance either. Of course he wants it regulated because when it is, Caesar's entertainment may well become the next Poker Star's.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Edward Reid - Britain's Got Talent 2011 Audition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySey8kbOiO4&feature=player_detailpage
Well done Sir. Funny and entertaining.
Well done Sir. Funny and entertaining.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
At least we still have Wall St...
http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com/2011/04/19/keeping-us-safe-from-poker/
Sorry haven't blogged much besides poker stuff. Been busy at work and other stuff and not much time to peruse the Internet for other stuff. The little I've read has been on poker.
Sorry haven't blogged much besides poker stuff. Been busy at work and other stuff and not much time to peruse the Internet for other stuff. The little I've read has been on poker.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
The blackout Period Has Begun
Black Friday has hit the on-line poker world. This is only good for the brick & mortar casinos who must be rejoicing right now. Sucks for everyone else.
Good piece by pokernews on the day's events and what will happen going forward.
http://www.pokernews.com/news/2011/04/a-closer-look-at-online-poker-black-friday-indictment-10224.htm
Good piece by pokernews on the day's events and what will happen going forward.
http://www.pokernews.com/news/2011/04/a-closer-look-at-online-poker-black-friday-indictment-10224.htm
Does this really surprise anyone?
No Sex U and their hypocrisy coming to light
http://deadspin.com/#!5791461/the-truth-about-race-religion-and-the-honor-code-at-byu
http://deadspin.com/#!5791461/the-truth-about-race-religion-and-the-honor-code-at-byu
D-Day has arrived. Is this the end of On-line poker in America?
http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/April11/scheinbergetalindictmentpr.pdf
In a word, WOW. This is huge. We knew this day would come and I for one thought it would be much earlier than today. I'll have to see if I can login tonight on the poker sites. Not sure if those domains were the ones seized. This is such a joke. On-line poker is no different than the stock market which many more people partake in and much more money is "gambled" every second than what is gambled in on-line poker. This government needs to regulate and tax this instead of indicting people. Even the companies and players want this. When was the last time a industry was begging to be regulated and taxed.
EDIT:
From Pokerati.com
12:20 PM - Pokerstars is starting to block US players from their cash games, and its hard to think the others won’t follow suit.
12:00 PM - News orgs both in and out of poker are starting to come together with their releases. Pokernews is the first (and so far only) poker news site to release something on the subject, whereas the WSJ, Fox Business, and Forbes all have releases as well. At this point I’ll refrain from posting a story unless it reveals any new information, as now the story is gaining traction, but needless to say here is where we stand:
The download IPs to Full Tilt Poker, Pokerstars, and the Cereus Network are reported to have been seized by the US Government.
The charges are widely varied and include bank fraud, illegal gambling, money laundering, and UIGEA violations.
The owners of the three sites have been targets, but so far none of them have been apprehended. Some other defendants related to the banking end of the accusations have been arrested and are due for arraignment in the coming days.
About 75 bank accounts in 14 countries have been seized or are in the process of being seized by the US Gov’t in connection with the indictment
As of 12:05 PM PST, UB.com is still seized by the DoJ. fulltiltpoker.com and pokerstars.com are still up and running. All three clients are reported to be up as well.
11:45 AM - Gary Wise (of former Poker Beat and current Pokerstatic & ESPN fame) posted a short blog on the subject. I agree with both things he has said. The sites are in trouble, the DoJ did this for a reason, but poker will go on….it may be much more live-based than online-based after this, but it will go on.
11:30 AM - Just after taking a quick glance at the DoJ’s statement, this is definitely the real deal and likely the result of years of investigation. In other words, they aren’t messing around. The fact that SDNY is asking for $3 BILLION dollars in damages certainly suggests they plan on bankrupting the companies involved and shut them down. Of course in any civil case you generally don’t get as much money as you ask for….but the repercussions for online poker in the US now that the Department of Justice has definitively said “what these sites do is ILLEGAL” could be massive.
11:20 AM – Marketwatch has the first story on this. The indictment is against the founders of the three sites and includes the seizure of 75 bank accounts used by the sites and payment processors. The DoJ has also released the necessary information about the indictment on their website. Looks like its definitely serious.
11:06 AM – This is a fast moving story, so its worth just getting something up now and elaborating later, but it appears that the three biggest US-facing poker rooms, Pokerstars, Full Tilt, and the Cereus Network, have all been hit with illegal gambling charges. Right now UB.com is the only page that I can see that has the “official DOJ notice” of a site seizure, but FTP and Stars are currently still up. If this is true this could mean a world of hurt for US poker players, depending on how things go down.
Wow on-line poker in America will never be the same. Pokerstars already blocking players. Once FTP follows suit, no more on-line poker in America.
Gary Wise with screenshots of the home pages.
update:
Statement from the useless PPA which I am a member of
PPA Comments on Federal Action Against Online Poker Companies
WASHINGTON, DC. (April 15, 2011) – Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, issued the comment below on today’s announcement on federal action taken against online poker companies.
“On behalf of the millions of poker players across the country, we are shocked at the action taken by the U.S. Department of Justice today against online poker companies and will continue to fight for Americans’ right to participate in the game they enjoy. Online poker is not a crime and should not be treated as such. We are currently gathering all of the information around today’s announcement and will offer detailed analysis when the full facts become available.”
In a word, WOW. This is huge. We knew this day would come and I for one thought it would be much earlier than today. I'll have to see if I can login tonight on the poker sites. Not sure if those domains were the ones seized. This is such a joke. On-line poker is no different than the stock market which many more people partake in and much more money is "gambled" every second than what is gambled in on-line poker. This government needs to regulate and tax this instead of indicting people. Even the companies and players want this. When was the last time a industry was begging to be regulated and taxed.
EDIT:
From Pokerati.com
12:20 PM - Pokerstars is starting to block US players from their cash games, and its hard to think the others won’t follow suit.
12:00 PM - News orgs both in and out of poker are starting to come together with their releases. Pokernews is the first (and so far only) poker news site to release something on the subject, whereas the WSJ, Fox Business, and Forbes all have releases as well. At this point I’ll refrain from posting a story unless it reveals any new information, as now the story is gaining traction, but needless to say here is where we stand:
The download IPs to Full Tilt Poker, Pokerstars, and the Cereus Network are reported to have been seized by the US Government.
The charges are widely varied and include bank fraud, illegal gambling, money laundering, and UIGEA violations.
The owners of the three sites have been targets, but so far none of them have been apprehended. Some other defendants related to the banking end of the accusations have been arrested and are due for arraignment in the coming days.
About 75 bank accounts in 14 countries have been seized or are in the process of being seized by the US Gov’t in connection with the indictment
As of 12:05 PM PST, UB.com is still seized by the DoJ. fulltiltpoker.com and pokerstars.com are still up and running. All three clients are reported to be up as well.
11:45 AM - Gary Wise (of former Poker Beat and current Pokerstatic & ESPN fame) posted a short blog on the subject. I agree with both things he has said. The sites are in trouble, the DoJ did this for a reason, but poker will go on….it may be much more live-based than online-based after this, but it will go on.
11:30 AM - Just after taking a quick glance at the DoJ’s statement, this is definitely the real deal and likely the result of years of investigation. In other words, they aren’t messing around. The fact that SDNY is asking for $3 BILLION dollars in damages certainly suggests they plan on bankrupting the companies involved and shut them down. Of course in any civil case you generally don’t get as much money as you ask for….but the repercussions for online poker in the US now that the Department of Justice has definitively said “what these sites do is ILLEGAL” could be massive.
11:20 AM – Marketwatch has the first story on this. The indictment is against the founders of the three sites and includes the seizure of 75 bank accounts used by the sites and payment processors. The DoJ has also released the necessary information about the indictment on their website. Looks like its definitely serious.
11:06 AM – This is a fast moving story, so its worth just getting something up now and elaborating later, but it appears that the three biggest US-facing poker rooms, Pokerstars, Full Tilt, and the Cereus Network, have all been hit with illegal gambling charges. Right now UB.com is the only page that I can see that has the “official DOJ notice” of a site seizure, but FTP and Stars are currently still up. If this is true this could mean a world of hurt for US poker players, depending on how things go down.
Wow on-line poker in America will never be the same. Pokerstars already blocking players. Once FTP follows suit, no more on-line poker in America.
Gary Wise with screenshots of the home pages.
update:
Statement from the useless PPA which I am a member of
PPA Comments on Federal Action Against Online Poker Companies
WASHINGTON, DC. (April 15, 2011) – Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, issued the comment below on today’s announcement on federal action taken against online poker companies.
“On behalf of the millions of poker players across the country, we are shocked at the action taken by the U.S. Department of Justice today against online poker companies and will continue to fight for Americans’ right to participate in the game they enjoy. Online poker is not a crime and should not be treated as such. We are currently gathering all of the information around today’s announcement and will offer detailed analysis when the full facts become available.”
AZ State Legislature is making the state look worse and worse
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13380432
Man one thing after another. Bad enough the state has to deal with the corrupt Sheriff Arpaio. This body of legislatures is awful. From the Governor down, just awful. Wasting time on crap like this. Arizona is quickly becoming the laughing stock of the nation. Just one thing after another.
Man one thing after another. Bad enough the state has to deal with the corrupt Sheriff Arpaio. This body of legislatures is awful. From the Governor down, just awful. Wasting time on crap like this. Arizona is quickly becoming the laughing stock of the nation. Just one thing after another.
Split or Steal
Popular game show in England. Not sure how it is played but the ending is simple and suspenseful.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Rooting for your home team
http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/steigstory/04-10-2011-Steigerwald
Got angered reading this editorial about why grown men shouldn't wear their favorite teams gear to a game. The only part I agree with somewhat is if for example you are sitting in the dog pound at Cleveland dressed in Steelers gear, that may not be a smart move...but it doesn't mean you should be beaten to death or made to be a vegetable for the rest of your life like Bryan Stow in LA on opening day of this years baseball season. I hope they find the bastards that beat him up and beat them to a pulp.
I don't wear my favorite teams gear, mainly because I don't own any except for maybe a hat, but if I did you better bet I would wear it.
Got angered reading this editorial about why grown men shouldn't wear their favorite teams gear to a game. The only part I agree with somewhat is if for example you are sitting in the dog pound at Cleveland dressed in Steelers gear, that may not be a smart move...but it doesn't mean you should be beaten to death or made to be a vegetable for the rest of your life like Bryan Stow in LA on opening day of this years baseball season. I hope they find the bastards that beat him up and beat them to a pulp.
I don't wear my favorite teams gear, mainly because I don't own any except for maybe a hat, but if I did you better bet I would wear it.
Bill Simmons on Tiger Woods
Excellent piece by Bill Simmon's about Tiger Woods echoing Charles Barkley's famous commercial that "I am not a role model"
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Hanna - Movie Review
"I just missed your heart" are the first and last lines of the fast paced, hypnotically sounding and splendid movie title 'Hanna.' I caught the movie yesterday and all I can say is wow. By far the best movie I have seen this year so far. To be fair I haven't seen many movies this year but this so far stands out. Saoirse Ronan, the academy award nominee for 'Atonement' was absolutely amazing in this flick. She should be nominated for a best actress award but will probably be bypassed as this movie is early in the year and this is not your typical Academy Award film. She teams up with 'Atonement' director Joe Wright once again and they have created a great movie detailing a 16 year old girl who has been living 60 miles south of the arctic circle being raised and trained by her father played by Eric Bana. You come to find out Bana is a former European spy who worked with the CIA and was being sought by Marissa Veigler played by Cate Blanchett. I won't give away any big plot lines but go and see it. Besides the great acting by Ronan, the other two things that impressed me about this movie was the cinematography by Alwin H. Kuchler and the amazing music and scores done by the Chemical Brothers. I would advise people to check out the soundtrack. It adds a vital piece to the movie.
Friday, April 8, 2011
This is why Phil Ivey is the greatest poker player in the world
I never get tired of watching this. I was watching this back in 2005 and every now and again I view it again thanks to You Tube. Ivey is the man. He went on to win this of course.
Title X and Republican Lies
John Kyl cannot retire fast enough. Today he stated that 90% of Planned Parenthood's services are performing abortions. Such a blatant lie. The Republican crusade to end funding for Title X dumbfounds me since it was started by Richard Nixon, a republican president. However, as we all know republican's prior to 1996 would not be republicans today.
This link will tell you what Title X is all about.
The Title X Family Planning program ["Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs" (Public Law 91-572)], was enacted in 1970 as Title X of the Public Health Service Act. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services. The Title X program is designed to provide access to contraceptive services, supplies and information to all who want and need them. By law, priority is given to persons from low-income families.
In fiscal year 2010, Congress appropriated approximately $317,491 million for family planning activities supported under Title X. At least 90 percent of the appropriation is used for clinical family planning services as described in the statute and regulations (45 CFR Part 59). $70 million of this is allocated to Planned Parenthood. Now the republicans will have you believe that Planned Parenthood needs to be wiped off the face of the earth because all they do is perform abortions. This is far from the truth and further more none of the funding from the government is used to fund abortions because this is against the law. Find more below.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/planned-parenthood-center-budget-shutdown-threat/story?id=13328750
Wake up America. When will we revolt against the the untruths spouted by the Republican party?
Alan Simpson letter
Got this in an email today. Can't vouch for the authenticity but I'm sure this is true.
Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming, Co-Chair of Obama's deficit
commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he
compared "Social Security" to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.
Here's a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana...
I think he is a little ticked off! He also tells it like it is !
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey Alan, let's get a few things straight..
1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY
YEARS.
2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15
years old. I am now 63).
3 My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other
Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for
decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give
OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus
bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme
that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.
4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the
proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing
retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to
age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the
goalposts YET AGAIN.
5 I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare
from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the
game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy
to such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay
the bills.
6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our
entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why?
Because you incompetent bastards spent our money so profligately that
you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come
to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To add insult to injury, you label us "greedy" for calling "bullshit" on
your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullshit, I have a few questions for
YOU.
1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during
your pathetic 50-year political career?
2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and
how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the
American taxpayers?
3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?
4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you
proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual,
have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?
It is you, Captain Bullshit, and your political co-conspirators called
Congress who are the "greedy" ones. It is you and your fellow nutcases
who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from
millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers. And for what? Votes. That's right,
sir. You and yours have bankrupted America for the sole purpose of
advancing your pathetic political careers. You know it, we know it, and
you know that we know it.
And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a bitch.
Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming, Co-Chair of Obama's deficit
commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he
compared "Social Security" to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.
Here's a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana...
I think he is a little ticked off! He also tells it like it is !
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey Alan, let's get a few things straight..
1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY
YEARS.
2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15
years old. I am now 63).
3 My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other
Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for
decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give
OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus
bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme
that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.
4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the
proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing
retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to
age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the
goalposts YET AGAIN.
5 I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare
from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the
game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy
to such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay
the bills.
6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our
entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why?
Because you incompetent bastards spent our money so profligately that
you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come
to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To add insult to injury, you label us "greedy" for calling "bullshit" on
your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullshit, I have a few questions for
YOU.
1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during
your pathetic 50-year political career?
2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and
how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the
American taxpayers?
3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?
4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you
proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual,
have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?
It is you, Captain Bullshit, and your political co-conspirators called
Congress who are the "greedy" ones. It is you and your fellow nutcases
who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from
millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers. And for what? Votes. That's right,
sir. You and yours have bankrupted America for the sole purpose of
advancing your pathetic political careers. You know it, we know it, and
you know that we know it.
And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a bitch.
Obama to the rescue...yeah right
Great Blog piece by Michael Lewis
http://michaeljlewis.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/a-government-will-shut-down-because-of-planned-parenthood-the-effing-hypocrisy-of-the-gop-and-the-worst-fiancee-maybe-ever/
Let's see, what is causing this shutdown to happen:
1. Republicans refuse to compromise
2. President Obama refuses to lead and force a deal.
Republicans weant $60 billion in cuts. Democrats want $30 Billion. Why not just make $45 Billion in cuts. Simply and sensical right? Even former president George W. Bush could do that math!
Also, Planned Parenthood has been a great service for generations in this country. Abortions are a very small part of the services they provide. Trying to get rid of them would do way more harm then continuing their existence.
Question to Republicans: You want to make abortions illegal. You also want to cut programs that help low-income families and mothers. Who will support the kids that will be born who come from very little and will have very little?
Obama's weakness, bat-shit republicanism and ignorant and greedy masses will cause this economic depression to linger on longer than it should.
At LEAST Charlie Sheen is back to WINNING!
Honeymoon from Hell
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/japan-earthquake-tsunami-australian-cyclone-zealand-earthquake-swedish/story?id=13322822
At what point do you just say, time to go home. For me, it would have been after the earthquake in Christchurch.
At what point do you just say, time to go home. For me, it would have been after the earthquake in Christchurch.
American Idol Shocker
So this morning I watched the results show and after fast forwarding through all of it, I stopped at the final three. I admit I was surprised to see Pia in the bottom three but once I saw her there, I knew she would be going home. American usually get's it wrong on this show. In my opinion they really only got it right with Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. In the past, great singers such as Latoya London, Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson have left prematurely. This year we add Pia Toscano to the list. She was by far the best singer in the group but maybe not the best performer. She wasn't bad but she lacked the pizazz of James Durbin. My first reaction after hearing her name, I said I'm done watching. Of course I'd like to be done watching but I'll continue to watch but with less interest. I think James and Lauren are the front runners right now. Stefano, Paul and Haley have not shot. Jacob won't win because he is gay, just a fact. James and Lauren will battle it out for the title.
I still think with the right team behind her, Pia has the voice and looks to be a big star. I don't see her as a pop queen like Clarkson but she could be like a Celine....only time will tell.
I still think with the right team behind her, Pia has the voice and looks to be a big star. I don't see her as a pop queen like Clarkson but she could be like a Celine....only time will tell.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Quick Idol top 9 recap
All the performances were not that bad. Even the performers who I don't care much did fine. I thought Lauren (who took my advice and appeared very mature) and Pia did the best and enjoyed Scotty's also. I'd say in the bottom 2 are Haley and Paul with Paul going home. He did perform last which is a positive so he may not. I also thinks he has picked the best songs this season so far but not enough to save him. I'm probably wrong in my picks but this year is going to be really hard to pick a clear winner.
What are Entitlement Programs?
Editor’s Note: This is another guest post by Two Clubs. This is the first of a possible series on government and politics. This first one is on entitlement programs and what they mean. This is a stellar beginning.
As we arrive on the eve of the much talked about shutdown of the federal government, we have to wonder what is to become of this country? Not because a bunch of egomaniacal politicians, bought and sold by corporate interests, have decided to hold hostage the citizens of the country in a game of ideological chicken over budgetary table scraps, but because of the sheer stupidity that the common person displays when trying to discuss the details of the issues. All too often people are easily deceived into believing the bullshit floated in the mass media simply because they are confused (no, baffled is the better term) by the terminology dreamed up by spinmeisters like Republican pollster, Frank Luntz. Until people can cut through the obfuscation and understand the language being used against them this country is heading in the wrong direction.
Thomas Jefferson believed that government was a direct reflection of the people, and if the people were ignorant of the issues the government would not be representative of the common need. With this reason in mind, and Stewman’s permission, I’m going to begin a series in which important terms, repeated in the media and used to frame issues, are fully explored and explained in way to help people understand the issues that much better.
Today’s term is Entitlement Program, and is brought to you by Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Education spending (Pell Grants), and programs that supplement the poorest in our nation.
Republicans and Democrats are having a very public hair-pulling session over budgetary cuts. They try and tell you that these are important to the future of the country, but they aren’t being honest. The Republicrats are arguing over what amounts to somewhere between a .8% to 1.7% cut in spending, and much of that scheduled to come from entitlement programs. The politicians argue that cutting in these areas is important because it is spending we can’t afford. On the surface this makes sense, until you actually start to drill down into what they are saying and begin to see what their real motivation is. We need to cut through their bullshit and really see what they are proposing.
First, what are entitlement programs? We hear so much about them, but the average guy on the street doesn’t know what they are. Entitlement programs are those institutions of government which provide personal benefits, either through financial or social means, to each and every taxpaying citizen of the country. Unfortunately, the context used to describe these programs has changed over the years and taken on a whole new meaning. The term has become a euphemism for giving benefits to the undeserved, completely altering the meaning altogether.
As previously mentioned, entitlement programs come in many shapes and forms. The big ones are Medicare, Social Security and Unemployment Insurance. These are the ones that Americans really need to get their head wrapped around because these are the ones that should hit home the hardest. These programs are not a giveaway of taxpayer money. They have a specific purpose and provide specific long term benefits. These are mandatory programs that taxpayers have contributed toward for generations. These are entitlements that you and I are currently paying into. When you get your paycheck stub there are line items which outline how much is taken out for each of these programs. This tells you the amount you contribute to this pool every two weeks. These are long term benefit programs, underwritten by the government, guaranteed to payout in the future when you need them. The only “entitlement” I see in these programs is that we are all entitled to receive benefits because we have paid into them our whole lives. I will repeat this, because it is the money shot.
We are entitled to these benefits because we have paid into them our whole lives!
This is like being forced to carry automobile insurance. You pay into the pool knowing that if unfortunate circumstances arise you will have access to the resources to pay for damages to your car or the property of others you may have damaged through your negligence. The major difference is that you may never use your automobile insurance and may never gain benefit from that coverage. With these entitlement programs you will, unless you die prematurely, receive benefits in the future. The money you pay into these programs will be returned to you in your later years through Social Security payments and Medicare benefits. You will be getting back the money you paid into the program as long as you live long enough to collect!
So why are politicians attacking entitlement programs? Because there is a massive pool of money there to be exploited! Think about it. Every working stiff in the country has been paying into these programs since the 30s. That is a lot of coin. That much money can buy a lot of power and influence.
There currently are two streams of thought focusing on limiting these entitlement programs. One is to restrict payments while the other is to privatize. Both are nothing but pure power plays and a way to allow corporate interests to dip into that big pool of money.
If politicians can delay or reduce payment of benefits it gives them an incredible reserve of free money to play with. This liquid capital can then be moved around to where it can influence and buy greater power, or just siphoned off into corporate welfare programs. The money that the likes of GE, Exxon, Boeing, Bank of America, Microsoft, CitiGroup and Google get back in tax rebates (all of these companies paid less taxes than you did last year, and most of them paid none) have to come from somewhere, and it is most likely coming from the pool of entitlement programs you and I pay into every two weeks. This is why the age and requirements keep changing, and not to our benefit.
The other popular entitlement elimination strategy bounced around is privatization. Some of the deep thinkers in our political world actually think that Americans should be given private accounts where their retirement savings are gambled in the stock market. Yeah, we’ve seen how that has turned out, time-and-time again. How many Wall Street scandals and collapses of investment firms do we need to see to know that this has disaster written all over it? Now, this doesn’t stop these pointy headed idiots in Washington from pushing this concept forward. Why? Because they get grotesque amounts of money from Wall Street lobbyists who want nothing more than to get their hands on the trillions of dollars in these systems. These parasites make money by gambling yours, and they make money whether they win or lose. To them, it doesn’t matter if they lose your life savings, because the money isn’t theirs to begin with. The only thing this idea proves is that politicians don’t give a shit about you or I and they are only in the public sector because it provides access to power and money.
You know, the reason why Social Security is such an important and successful program is because it is government run and underwritten. Once you pay into the system your money is guaranteed. There is no potential to lose it because the government has a social contract to pay these funds back to you in your retirement years. There is oversight and regulation in place to safeguard these monies. This is as safe an investment you can make, as long you continue to hold your representative’s feet to the fire and make him protect your money!
So as we ponder the shutdown of the federal government, we need to better understand the issues these so called representatives are using against us. Only by understanding the language and how it is framing the issue will we be better prepared to protect our individual investment in our country and protect ourselves from the real transfer of wealth that is taking place. The money you pay in taxes should be going to help people like you and me through the long established entitlement programs and not to aid corporations who make billions in profits. We are entitled to these programs we pay into because it is our money and we have the pay stubs to prove it!
As we arrive on the eve of the much talked about shutdown of the federal government, we have to wonder what is to become of this country? Not because a bunch of egomaniacal politicians, bought and sold by corporate interests, have decided to hold hostage the citizens of the country in a game of ideological chicken over budgetary table scraps, but because of the sheer stupidity that the common person displays when trying to discuss the details of the issues. All too often people are easily deceived into believing the bullshit floated in the mass media simply because they are confused (no, baffled is the better term) by the terminology dreamed up by spinmeisters like Republican pollster, Frank Luntz. Until people can cut through the obfuscation and understand the language being used against them this country is heading in the wrong direction.
Thomas Jefferson believed that government was a direct reflection of the people, and if the people were ignorant of the issues the government would not be representative of the common need. With this reason in mind, and Stewman’s permission, I’m going to begin a series in which important terms, repeated in the media and used to frame issues, are fully explored and explained in way to help people understand the issues that much better.
Today’s term is Entitlement Program, and is brought to you by Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Education spending (Pell Grants), and programs that supplement the poorest in our nation.
Republicans and Democrats are having a very public hair-pulling session over budgetary cuts. They try and tell you that these are important to the future of the country, but they aren’t being honest. The Republicrats are arguing over what amounts to somewhere between a .8% to 1.7% cut in spending, and much of that scheduled to come from entitlement programs. The politicians argue that cutting in these areas is important because it is spending we can’t afford. On the surface this makes sense, until you actually start to drill down into what they are saying and begin to see what their real motivation is. We need to cut through their bullshit and really see what they are proposing.
First, what are entitlement programs? We hear so much about them, but the average guy on the street doesn’t know what they are. Entitlement programs are those institutions of government which provide personal benefits, either through financial or social means, to each and every taxpaying citizen of the country. Unfortunately, the context used to describe these programs has changed over the years and taken on a whole new meaning. The term has become a euphemism for giving benefits to the undeserved, completely altering the meaning altogether.
As previously mentioned, entitlement programs come in many shapes and forms. The big ones are Medicare, Social Security and Unemployment Insurance. These are the ones that Americans really need to get their head wrapped around because these are the ones that should hit home the hardest. These programs are not a giveaway of taxpayer money. They have a specific purpose and provide specific long term benefits. These are mandatory programs that taxpayers have contributed toward for generations. These are entitlements that you and I are currently paying into. When you get your paycheck stub there are line items which outline how much is taken out for each of these programs. This tells you the amount you contribute to this pool every two weeks. These are long term benefit programs, underwritten by the government, guaranteed to payout in the future when you need them. The only “entitlement” I see in these programs is that we are all entitled to receive benefits because we have paid into them our whole lives. I will repeat this, because it is the money shot.
We are entitled to these benefits because we have paid into them our whole lives!
This is like being forced to carry automobile insurance. You pay into the pool knowing that if unfortunate circumstances arise you will have access to the resources to pay for damages to your car or the property of others you may have damaged through your negligence. The major difference is that you may never use your automobile insurance and may never gain benefit from that coverage. With these entitlement programs you will, unless you die prematurely, receive benefits in the future. The money you pay into these programs will be returned to you in your later years through Social Security payments and Medicare benefits. You will be getting back the money you paid into the program as long as you live long enough to collect!
So why are politicians attacking entitlement programs? Because there is a massive pool of money there to be exploited! Think about it. Every working stiff in the country has been paying into these programs since the 30s. That is a lot of coin. That much money can buy a lot of power and influence.
There currently are two streams of thought focusing on limiting these entitlement programs. One is to restrict payments while the other is to privatize. Both are nothing but pure power plays and a way to allow corporate interests to dip into that big pool of money.
If politicians can delay or reduce payment of benefits it gives them an incredible reserve of free money to play with. This liquid capital can then be moved around to where it can influence and buy greater power, or just siphoned off into corporate welfare programs. The money that the likes of GE, Exxon, Boeing, Bank of America, Microsoft, CitiGroup and Google get back in tax rebates (all of these companies paid less taxes than you did last year, and most of them paid none) have to come from somewhere, and it is most likely coming from the pool of entitlement programs you and I pay into every two weeks. This is why the age and requirements keep changing, and not to our benefit.
The other popular entitlement elimination strategy bounced around is privatization. Some of the deep thinkers in our political world actually think that Americans should be given private accounts where their retirement savings are gambled in the stock market. Yeah, we’ve seen how that has turned out, time-and-time again. How many Wall Street scandals and collapses of investment firms do we need to see to know that this has disaster written all over it? Now, this doesn’t stop these pointy headed idiots in Washington from pushing this concept forward. Why? Because they get grotesque amounts of money from Wall Street lobbyists who want nothing more than to get their hands on the trillions of dollars in these systems. These parasites make money by gambling yours, and they make money whether they win or lose. To them, it doesn’t matter if they lose your life savings, because the money isn’t theirs to begin with. The only thing this idea proves is that politicians don’t give a shit about you or I and they are only in the public sector because it provides access to power and money.
You know, the reason why Social Security is such an important and successful program is because it is government run and underwritten. Once you pay into the system your money is guaranteed. There is no potential to lose it because the government has a social contract to pay these funds back to you in your retirement years. There is oversight and regulation in place to safeguard these monies. This is as safe an investment you can make, as long you continue to hold your representative’s feet to the fire and make him protect your money!
So as we ponder the shutdown of the federal government, we need to better understand the issues these so called representatives are using against us. Only by understanding the language and how it is framing the issue will we be better prepared to protect our individual investment in our country and protect ourselves from the real transfer of wealth that is taking place. The money you pay in taxes should be going to help people like you and me through the long established entitlement programs and not to aid corporations who make billions in profits. We are entitled to these programs we pay into because it is our money and we have the pay stubs to prove it!
Thank You Baby Jesus
For the first time in my life I can recall, my prayers have been answered. Glenn Beck will be leaving the Fox airwaves full time later this year. This guy is one of the worst things to have ever been put on the airwaves. He is a fear monger, liar and extreme whacko. This has made my day. I am smiling while typing this. Bye bye douchebag!
SF Gate says it best " Beck, a hyper-conservative given to wild and hard-to-substantiate claims, and the occasionally crazy rant (to where the blog Gawker's called him an "unhinged crybaby"), has lost a slew of advertisers (like Geico and Proctor & Gamble), so it's no surprise that his daily TV show's coming to an end.
Glenn just plain does stupid things on his show and on Fox. From calling President Obama racist, then taking back the statement, to the consistent use of Nazi and Holocaust imagery, upsetting not just Jewish groups, but anyone who has at least half-a-brain to be aware of what's decent and acceptable to do on television."
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Supreme court has become so partisian
9 people, 4 dems, 4 republicans and one moderate who is the swing vote. Every decision is usually voted down party lines. So disgusting. Not sure how this decision is overturned by them. What a joke. Accountability needs to be given some where and this gentleman deserves the punitive damages.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jury-gave-john-thompson-14-million-wrongly-spent/story?id=13269542
Props to Pawlenty
This whole birther movement is a joke. The President was born in America, is and always has been an American citizen and is not Muslim. So the majority of Americans who believe contrary to this need to STFU and get with reality and stop living in teapartylandia and stop listening and believing 100% the foxnewsphobia that is pervading their brains.
Props to Pawlenty for saying the truth
BTW, alert the media, I have his birth certificate...OMG look at that!
Props to Pawlenty for saying the truth
BTW, alert the media, I have his birth certificate...OMG look at that!
Rome: Two Against One (MP3) @ Antiquiet
Check out 2 songs off the upcoming Danger Mouse and Daniel Lupi's album "Rome"
Rome: Two Against One (MP3) @ Antiquiet
Rome: Two Against One (MP3) @ Antiquiet
View this blog and other in dynamic ways
Google has made enhancements as to how you can view any blog on the blogger platform.
Go to http://stewmansworld.blogspot.com/view/sidebar and you can see the blog in five different ways. Really neat stuff. On the top right is the drop down list to change between dynamic views.
Go to http://stewmansworld.blogspot.com/view/sidebar and you can see the blog in five different ways. Really neat stuff. On the top right is the drop down list to change between dynamic views.
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