Love this story. It is perhaps one of the most ingenious methods of bringing back good old fashioned police work to the seen.
How many times have you been frustrated by the moron driving in front of you, swerving, going slow, braking suddenly, all because they were talking on their cell? How many times have you been that person? Be honest.
In the US, most states have banned the use of cellphones while driving, and texting while driving, but how to collar the crook who is talking on their cell without a hands free device? Sure, they are easy to spot, but as a policeman/woman will tell you, they are looking for so many things while sitting in their car that they are liable to miss a caller here and there. Or even worse, what of the states where the cell use is not a primary offense? This leads police to pull over a commuter for something as simple as their license plate bieng covered by the plate holder the dealership sends you home with, or perhaps because you have alittle pine forest dangling from your rear-view mirror obstructing your vision ever so slightly.
Now he can nab you for the cell use as well, but this takes more time for him to write and longer in the courts as they tend to throw out the PRIMARY in this case and charge you with the secondary cell phone usage.
So how can the force better use some agents of the law? In Canada, they have resorted to using police dressed like vagrants, homeless to visually get a nab on the digital commuter. These constables stand on the side of the road, appearing as though they are begging for money, but really they are out there watching for the unfortunate cell user. Standing there in all their tattered clothing, they are holding a sign stating their intentions, telling the people their name and that if they are talking on a cell phone they are about to get a ticket. This is the greatest means of police work I have seen in a while.
Just an old Soldier Ranting.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
To be a Politician
Oh where will the voters side this November? I don't think anyone can predict this Presidential election outcome based on the current occurrences in our news.
First notable instance, we are over halfway through the primaries and not even the front runner has even half the necessary votes to become the official Republican Candidate. While it is extremely clear that those like Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich have NO chance of winning the nod, yet none of them will bow out. And, while it may seem that Mitt Romney is the absolute front runner, understand that if Gingrich and the others bow out and throw their support towards Santorum, then we have a virtual deadlock, especially if Santorum keeps winning key states. However, it is likely that Santorum will ultimately bow out and Romney will win the nod for the candidacy, which is ironic.
The irony behind it is, one of the key things most republicans seem to want is to repeal Obamacare, which is almost completely modeled after Romneycare. So if the biggest fight the Republicans have is to repeal the new law, the likelihood that it will occur seems completely improbable. Funny, considering that Romney does in fact attack the President over the issue.
And, currently the High Court is addressing certain key components of the new Health Care Law to rule on the constitutionality of it. This is a three-way argument, one-it is perfectly legal, two- making someone buy insurance or pay a penalty they are trying to call a tax is unconstitutional, three-it is completely illegal to make someone buy insurance, I mean, health insurance.
This is Ironic too, as the argument is you cannot force someone to buy insurance they may never need...
Folks, I have never been in an automobile accident, yet I am required to have insurance, in fact I am required to have uninsured motorists insurance to make sure that if some jack-ass hits me and DOESN'T have the insurance he is supposed to have, I am still covered.
So then, if the argument is that They cannot force me to have health insurance, then I shouldn't be required to have automobile insurance. Or, for that fact, homeowners insurance, or renters insurance, yet these are also required for other reasons, not federal necessarily.
To say you cannot be "taxed" for disobeying the law, well I can argue that the fines or penalties for running a red light or speeding or Driving While Intoxicated are taxes and cannot be levied in this manner. What hurts the most is the fact that A-this has become a political arena for something that was passed in Congress, it just seems like the Republicans are butt-hurt because they couldn't come up with a plan that would work. The idea of nationwide health care reform is not new, President Obama is just the first to get it passed.
So while it is still any ones victory in the White House, before the Republicans can stand up and say "We Will Win!" they first have to have someone who can win.
My Predictions? The republicans will nominate Mitt Romney after much more in-fighting which will further undermine the efforts of the Republican Party, ultimately ending up with the reelection of the current President, who will then change about 30% of his cabinet citing political differences.
The Health care bill will be deferred back to the congress until such time as the fines are actually levied and people start filing suits, as to the constitutionality of the law, it is fully within Congress's ability to create such laws. The only issue is the definition of the fines for not getting the insurance.
Just the Rantings of an Old Soldier.
First notable instance, we are over halfway through the primaries and not even the front runner has even half the necessary votes to become the official Republican Candidate. While it is extremely clear that those like Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich have NO chance of winning the nod, yet none of them will bow out. And, while it may seem that Mitt Romney is the absolute front runner, understand that if Gingrich and the others bow out and throw their support towards Santorum, then we have a virtual deadlock, especially if Santorum keeps winning key states. However, it is likely that Santorum will ultimately bow out and Romney will win the nod for the candidacy, which is ironic.
The irony behind it is, one of the key things most republicans seem to want is to repeal Obamacare, which is almost completely modeled after Romneycare. So if the biggest fight the Republicans have is to repeal the new law, the likelihood that it will occur seems completely improbable. Funny, considering that Romney does in fact attack the President over the issue.
And, currently the High Court is addressing certain key components of the new Health Care Law to rule on the constitutionality of it. This is a three-way argument, one-it is perfectly legal, two- making someone buy insurance or pay a penalty they are trying to call a tax is unconstitutional, three-it is completely illegal to make someone buy insurance, I mean, health insurance.
This is Ironic too, as the argument is you cannot force someone to buy insurance they may never need...
Folks, I have never been in an automobile accident, yet I am required to have insurance, in fact I am required to have uninsured motorists insurance to make sure that if some jack-ass hits me and DOESN'T have the insurance he is supposed to have, I am still covered.
So then, if the argument is that They cannot force me to have health insurance, then I shouldn't be required to have automobile insurance. Or, for that fact, homeowners insurance, or renters insurance, yet these are also required for other reasons, not federal necessarily.
To say you cannot be "taxed" for disobeying the law, well I can argue that the fines or penalties for running a red light or speeding or Driving While Intoxicated are taxes and cannot be levied in this manner. What hurts the most is the fact that A-this has become a political arena for something that was passed in Congress, it just seems like the Republicans are butt-hurt because they couldn't come up with a plan that would work. The idea of nationwide health care reform is not new, President Obama is just the first to get it passed.
So while it is still any ones victory in the White House, before the Republicans can stand up and say "We Will Win!" they first have to have someone who can win.
My Predictions? The republicans will nominate Mitt Romney after much more in-fighting which will further undermine the efforts of the Republican Party, ultimately ending up with the reelection of the current President, who will then change about 30% of his cabinet citing political differences.
The Health care bill will be deferred back to the congress until such time as the fines are actually levied and people start filing suits, as to the constitutionality of the law, it is fully within Congress's ability to create such laws. The only issue is the definition of the fines for not getting the insurance.
Just the Rantings of an Old Soldier.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Support for Cancer
Being one of the Cancer Profound, it lightens my heart to hear of creative means people go through to raise money in support of those who need assistance fighting the terrible disease in its hundreds of forms. Just recently I was made aware of this wonderful website that is raising funds to help those woman who need help getting around or need meals brought in.
The wonderful part of it is this, the MAN who is putting himself out there is doing so in his wife's honor. No, she hasn't passed, however she too is one of the profound, having defeated Breast Cancer twice. The husband dons a pink tutu and takes self portraits of himself in whatever location he decides to travel to.
The website, http://www.thetutuproject.com/ , tells their whole story. There will be available soon a book with many of the pictures and the stories of his adventures, as well as other means to donate, or sponsor the event, whose overall goal is to raise 75 thousand dollars.
It has already managed to raise 8000 bucks and has only been up since March 12th.
I cannot applaud this man enough to have the courage to perform this deed for his wife. It is incredible what a family member will do to honor those who are suffering from any of the cancers that we know of. Mine was in a tumultuous position, and still managed to stay by my side for thirty days in the hospital (except the three days I made her go home for a break only to have her go through more stress at home than anyone should ever have to deal with). My beautiful wife maintained a strong and fairly stress free look about her, just to keep me calm, put up with my abuse (verbal) and the abuse of those who were close to her all in the name of keeping me safe. And the terrible summer my daughter had to endure?
So to hear what this man did, is doing, I know he had to have gone through some terrible times and still comes out on top. Amazing, as I have said before, those who survive, those who are with their family members who did suffer, we are all profound, and this unselfish act proves it.
Just the Rantings of an Old Soldier
The wonderful part of it is this, the MAN who is putting himself out there is doing so in his wife's honor. No, she hasn't passed, however she too is one of the profound, having defeated Breast Cancer twice. The husband dons a pink tutu and takes self portraits of himself in whatever location he decides to travel to.
The website, http://www.thetutuproject.com/ , tells their whole story. There will be available soon a book with many of the pictures and the stories of his adventures, as well as other means to donate, or sponsor the event, whose overall goal is to raise 75 thousand dollars.
It has already managed to raise 8000 bucks and has only been up since March 12th.
I cannot applaud this man enough to have the courage to perform this deed for his wife. It is incredible what a family member will do to honor those who are suffering from any of the cancers that we know of. Mine was in a tumultuous position, and still managed to stay by my side for thirty days in the hospital (except the three days I made her go home for a break only to have her go through more stress at home than anyone should ever have to deal with). My beautiful wife maintained a strong and fairly stress free look about her, just to keep me calm, put up with my abuse (verbal) and the abuse of those who were close to her all in the name of keeping me safe. And the terrible summer my daughter had to endure?
So to hear what this man did, is doing, I know he had to have gone through some terrible times and still comes out on top. Amazing, as I have said before, those who survive, those who are with their family members who did suffer, we are all profound, and this unselfish act proves it.
Just the Rantings of an Old Soldier
Friday, March 23, 2012
Feed those in Need
Okay, so here's the thing. If I purchase something from a company whose label tells me they will feed this or donate to this cause, I would expect that they would do just that. But lately I have been inundated with products whos packaging leads me to believe just that, yet in the fine print I must log onto this website and enter a code.
The thought that I must further take my time isn't necessarily irritating so much as it is inconvenient and a rediculous attempt at the company to further embelish their products into my mind with their advertising.
It only takes a moment for me to enter the code, but I don't always have the time and many times I am not thinking about it as I am getting ready to throw something into the bin.
Whatever the cause, be it cleaning up oil spill animals, feeding the American Children, feeding the rest of the world, donating to breast cancer, lung cancer, or any other numerous causes, just donate the damned money. The company knows how many were purchased and have set aside the money, just donate it out.
I cannot fathom why a company would make the consumer enter codes for donations other than as I stated earlier that they can further advertise their products, unless it is so they can CLAIM to have intended to donate said amount of money, even they they predicted that not even half of it would be used. This would allow them to temporarily look good in the public eye, "We have set aside three million dollars for donation to blank charity!" but never advertise that it was not even three hundred thousand they actually gave.
Now, Yoplait! with their marketing scheme actually requested to get their aluminum lids back, and while just as arduous, serves a small purpose (recycling makes money).
It comes down to this, you, as a company, want to give money to charity, either just give it, period, or simply tie it to sales, don't expect the consumer, many of whom already give to charities of their own any ways, to do further leg work.
Just an Old Soldier Ranting.
The thought that I must further take my time isn't necessarily irritating so much as it is inconvenient and a rediculous attempt at the company to further embelish their products into my mind with their advertising.
It only takes a moment for me to enter the code, but I don't always have the time and many times I am not thinking about it as I am getting ready to throw something into the bin.
Whatever the cause, be it cleaning up oil spill animals, feeding the American Children, feeding the rest of the world, donating to breast cancer, lung cancer, or any other numerous causes, just donate the damned money. The company knows how many were purchased and have set aside the money, just donate it out.
I cannot fathom why a company would make the consumer enter codes for donations other than as I stated earlier that they can further advertise their products, unless it is so they can CLAIM to have intended to donate said amount of money, even they they predicted that not even half of it would be used. This would allow them to temporarily look good in the public eye, "We have set aside three million dollars for donation to blank charity!" but never advertise that it was not even three hundred thousand they actually gave.
Now, Yoplait! with their marketing scheme actually requested to get their aluminum lids back, and while just as arduous, serves a small purpose (recycling makes money).
It comes down to this, you, as a company, want to give money to charity, either just give it, period, or simply tie it to sales, don't expect the consumer, many of whom already give to charities of their own any ways, to do further leg work.
Just an Old Soldier Ranting.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Mitt Romney uses "I Didn't Know Defense"
Seriously? The news digs around every single candidate they can to find information that could be publicly damaging simply to see them squirm. Many will come out with this reason or that for the findings buried within their history, but every so often some of them come out and just say "I didn't know!" emphatically through one of their spokepersons until they are cornered and have to say it for themselves.
Mitt Romney was just tied to a Chinese security firm contracted to place cameras pretty much everywhere there could be potential gatherings in protest against the Communist giant. Of course, the official reasoning is to keep things safe and catch criminals, but with China's history of human rights violations the definition of criminal is a little fluid.
The firm in question was purchased by Bain Capital, a firm which Romney started. Further, some of his capital is actually tied up in the moneys used to purchase the firm. Albeit, Romney might not have technically known how the funds were used, it is his responsibility to know what his mass riches are tied up in. Thereby, the infamous "I didn't know" line is invalid.
I mean, think about it, is this a value you want in your next president? Shouldn't the man know exactly what his money is tied up in? It would have been better to come out and say, "yes, I own stake in this company, however, I do not function in its day to day business and thereby was not aware of the potential for HR violations" or some facsimlie thereof. He could easily spin it to one of awareness and revulsion and then publicly seperate himself from the company. Instead he just throws up his hands in a childish manner, looking up at his mommy and says "I didn't know that was bad"
These potential nominees need to get a grip. Realize that we need strong leadership, not 50 year old children. But instead, they are ALL so damned defensive that even if the Republicans had a strong candidate, their would still be question as to their value and worth because they have all done the shoulder shrugging technique.
Ironic, this candidate has accused the President of placing the dollar over chinese human rights, yet that is EXACTLY what he does when he just turns a blind eye and says "I Didn't Know!"
Just an Old Soldier Ranting.
Forgot to mention, the article was a NYtimes article as posted through MSNBC
Mitt Romney was just tied to a Chinese security firm contracted to place cameras pretty much everywhere there could be potential gatherings in protest against the Communist giant. Of course, the official reasoning is to keep things safe and catch criminals, but with China's history of human rights violations the definition of criminal is a little fluid.
The firm in question was purchased by Bain Capital, a firm which Romney started. Further, some of his capital is actually tied up in the moneys used to purchase the firm. Albeit, Romney might not have technically known how the funds were used, it is his responsibility to know what his mass riches are tied up in. Thereby, the infamous "I didn't know" line is invalid.
I mean, think about it, is this a value you want in your next president? Shouldn't the man know exactly what his money is tied up in? It would have been better to come out and say, "yes, I own stake in this company, however, I do not function in its day to day business and thereby was not aware of the potential for HR violations" or some facsimlie thereof. He could easily spin it to one of awareness and revulsion and then publicly seperate himself from the company. Instead he just throws up his hands in a childish manner, looking up at his mommy and says "I didn't know that was bad"
These potential nominees need to get a grip. Realize that we need strong leadership, not 50 year old children. But instead, they are ALL so damned defensive that even if the Republicans had a strong candidate, their would still be question as to their value and worth because they have all done the shoulder shrugging technique.
Ironic, this candidate has accused the President of placing the dollar over chinese human rights, yet that is EXACTLY what he does when he just turns a blind eye and says "I Didn't Know!"
Just an Old Soldier Ranting.
Forgot to mention, the article was a NYtimes article as posted through MSNBC
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Republican Party seems to be in trouble
Here it is, the middle of March in an election year and there seems to be no clear cut winner in the Republican Party for nomination to President. In fact, it seems to be even less clear after the last weeks worth of primaries, where Romney was expected to continue his sweeping victories, he failed to attain so many of the delegate votes, earning only a pittance of the potential numbers and not even reaching half of the required amount.
You have Newt Gingrich saying he will not bow out for Romney and you even have Ron Paul, clearly a man with no chance of winning, still hanging around. So with it being March and no available time for the potential nominees to actually start focusing on the national salesmanship that could result in a presidency, do the Republicans even stand a chance? Oh, I know, they are already touting that President Obama is the cause for this or failed to do that, but the American People as a whole are not stupid. In fact, we are more in tune now than we have ever been. We have so much access to information that we basically have to weed out the bad information. Unfortunately, this leads to some being misled, but for the most part people will vote based upon history before they will vote for promises. And we already know it doesn't matter what you did as a congressperson, rather what you will do as President. Bush showed us this, as his actions as governor didn't really translate to President.
So, President Obama has a few things going for him that will continue to hamper the Republicans efforts. Number one, no matter how you look at it, we are still in war. Sure, Iraq is mostly over, we are trying to talk with the Taliban, but then a Soldier goes all independent and starts massacring innocents allegedly. As I stated earlier in the post, the Republicans cannot focus on national campaigns yet because they are doing in-fighting still. The people realize that the Tea Party and the republican involvement has hampered much of the political actions over the last year. Like it or lump it, we all know that forcing us to carry insurance is actually a good thing, perhaps in a different fashion, but insurance regulation will work. His overall popularity by the masses. This president has remained popular amongst the voters throughout his term. Remember, he was voted into office by the largest voting percentage in decades. He did what Clinton and Bush tried to do, incite the young voters.
So in the end, it is up to the voters who will win, but if this Republican drama carries on much further, it is a forgone conclusion that the only way there will be a Republican in office in 2013 is if Obama just bows out.
Just an old Soldier Ranting.
You have Newt Gingrich saying he will not bow out for Romney and you even have Ron Paul, clearly a man with no chance of winning, still hanging around. So with it being March and no available time for the potential nominees to actually start focusing on the national salesmanship that could result in a presidency, do the Republicans even stand a chance? Oh, I know, they are already touting that President Obama is the cause for this or failed to do that, but the American People as a whole are not stupid. In fact, we are more in tune now than we have ever been. We have so much access to information that we basically have to weed out the bad information. Unfortunately, this leads to some being misled, but for the most part people will vote based upon history before they will vote for promises. And we already know it doesn't matter what you did as a congressperson, rather what you will do as President. Bush showed us this, as his actions as governor didn't really translate to President.
So, President Obama has a few things going for him that will continue to hamper the Republicans efforts. Number one, no matter how you look at it, we are still in war. Sure, Iraq is mostly over, we are trying to talk with the Taliban, but then a Soldier goes all independent and starts massacring innocents allegedly. As I stated earlier in the post, the Republicans cannot focus on national campaigns yet because they are doing in-fighting still. The people realize that the Tea Party and the republican involvement has hampered much of the political actions over the last year. Like it or lump it, we all know that forcing us to carry insurance is actually a good thing, perhaps in a different fashion, but insurance regulation will work. His overall popularity by the masses. This president has remained popular amongst the voters throughout his term. Remember, he was voted into office by the largest voting percentage in decades. He did what Clinton and Bush tried to do, incite the young voters.
So in the end, it is up to the voters who will win, but if this Republican drama carries on much further, it is a forgone conclusion that the only way there will be a Republican in office in 2013 is if Obama just bows out.
Just an old Soldier Ranting.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
To Kill the National Symbol
Okay, I am one who has always touted religious freedom and the freedom for anyone to follow their spiritual practices. I have always deadened my personal feelings towards what I think is misgivings and hypocrisy, wait, that isn't necessarily true, but I always remain respectful.
I think that if religions call for peyote or other specific drugs for ritualistic purposes, then so be it, go enjoy the higher plain, get your message. I have always thought that as long as someone believed in something, even if it meant they didn't believe in anything (i.e. pure atheist) then they should have their freedoms and be left alone. Let those who are lost or confused come and seek help, don't give it to them obnoxiously.
But I draw the line at being respectful when religions draw the line at common sense.
In a move that should violate every sense of national pride, The US Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a permit for a tribe in Wyoming to slaughter for their religious purposes two beautiful Bald Eagles. Birds that are so majestic in their appearance, so powerful in flight, so unlike most other eagles, that they are rightly held up high on pedestals, crowing the tops of totems, rightly a part of Native American tradition.
I object not to the religious aspect, rather to the needless slaughter when in the US repositories there are plenty of feathers and carcasses for the tribes to apply for.
I don't care if the symbol is no longer endangered. Allowing even the occasional permit is wrong. This is a bird who we have thought for decades was a solitary hunter, basically hatch the eggs, raise them, and let them fend for themselves.
But for many who have seen the numbers increase, like myself and my family, we have come to realize that they are a familial bird, they hunt together, the talk amongst each other, they teach their young where the best places are. I have two families that perch in an around my yard, depending on the time of year, and their numbers are increasing. I am learning more and more from watching them and to think that someone could just blatantly kill them because it is their religious rite, this sounds more like ritualistic killing or using excuses for the murder of our National Symbol.
Have I said it is needless slaughter?
I am a Native American by blood, I am an American through and through, and I am a Soldier who has fought under this symbol for twenty years. This disgusts me.
This is an Old Soldier Ranting
I think that if religions call for peyote or other specific drugs for ritualistic purposes, then so be it, go enjoy the higher plain, get your message. I have always thought that as long as someone believed in something, even if it meant they didn't believe in anything (i.e. pure atheist) then they should have their freedoms and be left alone. Let those who are lost or confused come and seek help, don't give it to them obnoxiously.
But I draw the line at being respectful when religions draw the line at common sense.
In a move that should violate every sense of national pride, The US Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a permit for a tribe in Wyoming to slaughter for their religious purposes two beautiful Bald Eagles. Birds that are so majestic in their appearance, so powerful in flight, so unlike most other eagles, that they are rightly held up high on pedestals, crowing the tops of totems, rightly a part of Native American tradition.
I object not to the religious aspect, rather to the needless slaughter when in the US repositories there are plenty of feathers and carcasses for the tribes to apply for.
I don't care if the symbol is no longer endangered. Allowing even the occasional permit is wrong. This is a bird who we have thought for decades was a solitary hunter, basically hatch the eggs, raise them, and let them fend for themselves.
But for many who have seen the numbers increase, like myself and my family, we have come to realize that they are a familial bird, they hunt together, the talk amongst each other, they teach their young where the best places are. I have two families that perch in an around my yard, depending on the time of year, and their numbers are increasing. I am learning more and more from watching them and to think that someone could just blatantly kill them because it is their religious rite, this sounds more like ritualistic killing or using excuses for the murder of our National Symbol.
Have I said it is needless slaughter?
I am a Native American by blood, I am an American through and through, and I am a Soldier who has fought under this symbol for twenty years. This disgusts me.
This is an Old Soldier Ranting
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