Cruisin’ in the Popemobile

The Pope and his “new mobile throne” is back on the streets, dishing out blessings and prayers to all!

Educate Yourself on Social Security

Now that’s an issue – an issue I call a form of theft – theft by deception – theft due to John Q Citizens ignorance / lack of initiative to think – whatever you want to call it – but this is something worth educating the public on. Spread the word! [thanks Jimmy]

Interesting Facts on Social Security
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and will be (if not already) receiving a Social Security check every month — and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the federal government to “put away,” you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.

Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?
A: The Democratic party.

Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?
A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.

Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?
A: That’s right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it.

Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security. And the worst part about it is, people believe it!

This will be an election issue in “04.” Please! Keep it going.

SOCIAL SECURITY:
(This is worth the read. It’s short and to the point.)
Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years. Our Senators and Congress men & women do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.

You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan.

In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan.

For all practical purposes their plan works like this: When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments.

For example, former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that’s Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives. This is calculated on an average life span for each.

Their cost for this excellent plan is $00.00. Nada. Zilch. This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Fund — our tax dollars at work!

From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into every pay check until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer) we can expect to get an average $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator Bill Bradley’s benefits!

Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made.

That change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us… then sit back and watch how fast they would fix it.

If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve.

How many people can YOU send this to?

I Tease Because I Care

Just remember that this French-bashing is all in good fun. Really it is. Why don’t you believe me? ;^)

From the same site comes this piece. American Leaders vs. Celebrity Entertainers: Background Check

Joy in Baghdad

There is euphoria in Baghdad for the Iraqi people who’ve long be under the foot of the tyrant, Saddam Hussein. The war is not over, but it’s clear that the people of Iraq are truly grateful for what the coalition forces have done for them. If you don’t believe it, you probably have a hard time believing that the world is (in fact) round.

Bees, Bees and More Bees

Whatever you do, DON’T wreck your truck on I95 carrying a load of over 80 million bees. You’ve been warned.

MS Uses Tough Interview Questions

We all know that Microsoft wants to take over the world, and now we know how they’re doing it.

Hail to the Thief

Radiohead’s 6th album, Hail to the Thief won’t be released in the US until June 10, but it’s already getting great reviews.

Sue-Happy America

Spammer sues anti-spammer for too much spam!

Syracuse Beats FT Inept Kansas

Syracuse won the NCAA tournament (81-78) last night as Kansas shot a miserable 12-30 from the foul line. I guess a couple of those might have helped, huh?

Women’s Basketball Dynasties

<sarcasm>Tennessee and UConn in the finals?!? No way. I’m totally surprised.</sarcasm>

The two most dominant woman’s programs in recent years are set to once again battle it out. Tennessee has won 6 in the last 16 years, UConn 3 of the last 8. I think I speak for America when I say, “Yawn.”

REbranding Humor

Hollow and typical. That’s the kind of inaccurate language being used all over the country by business. These folks are trying to set a new direction by REbranding. Of course, these brands mock as they teach.

Unreal 2 Just So-So

It turned out that Unreal II was just decent. Now I’m jonesin’ for some new video game excitement. Doom 3 won’t be out ’til October, November or later? Enter the Matrix looks promising, but it’s a couple of months away. NoLF2 just wouldn’t run on my computer. That sucked because the first episode was quite good. So which one of the best-selling games should I be looking at? I’m going to have to go with Icewind Dale 2 because with that $20 rebate, it’s only $8.99… whattadeal!

Media Bias Example

Now here’s a good idea—Iraqi-Americans who want to fight Hussein and work towards an Iraqi democracy. Three cheers! How come you don’t see this news on ABC, CNN or MSNBC? I imagine that’d be too “pro-war” for their tastes. Remember, despite what Edward R. Murrow wanted, the purpose of news is to be comprehensive, accurate and timely; not select only certain stories to run and how to run them.

Strife in the Middle East

Amnesty International is hardly a conservative organization. But the mainstream media has conveniently forgotten their liberal ally, since Amnesty voiced outrage at the significant human rights violations that are taking place in Iraq. Even before the war, Amnesty put together a dossier citing evidence of these offenses. Other reports are widespread.

The problem I have with our government is not that we’re going in to Iraq to hopefully create a true democratic state and thereby ease tensions in the Middle East, but why did it take so long?

Hussein and his conspirators have used fear, like any other dictator, to quell any potential opposition to his power. And the techniques? Oh, the typical stuff like arrests, torture, rape and murder. I’ll only guess that the reason we waited so long to start a war to remove Hussein was because we were trying to diplomatically build global support for effort. How did we know there’d be so few countries with a moral compass that would help them understand the truly evil nature of this regime

No Wonder No One Likes the French

I don’t want to merely pile on, but having 1 in 3 French desire Saddam Hussein to win against the coalition, means I’m not spending money on: Car & Driver magazine, Dannon Yogurt (Yoplait is General Mills), Evian, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Michelin Tires, Motel 6, RCA, T-Fal, or Universal Studios. [full list] It’s one thing to be against the war, but it’s quite another to hope the evil dictator kills your neighboring countries soldiers.