A-- HOLES
Johann Wagener 7-30-13
Everybody has one. And, when it comes to cable "news" (I use the word loosely) it's a tsunami of BS that is constantly flowing over the airwaves; 24/7 of non-stop vomiting of trivia referred to as opinions coming from people referred to as "consultants" for who-ever -what-ever network will have them.
A simple, insignificant event is transformed into a mega-spectacular. Facts are replaced with flowery rhetoric; much of which is completely out of context. And, all of that is ground up in commercials that flash in and out of the blabber-fests. This is a classic example of why "more is not better."
Real news, containing actual facts, is limited to a small island of publicly funded programs found only on PBS and sometimes mavericks like the BBC or Aljezeera.
Here's an example:
http://www.salon.com/2013/07/30/10_worst_fox_news_interviews_of_the_decade/
If a single move could restore civility to politics, that is it. Get rid of the left-vs.-right commentators who are just out scoring points for their team. This sort of opinion-mongering is not only boring and predictable, it is destructive of the truth. If your only credentials are "GOP shill" or "Democratic hack," you've no business cluttering up the airwaves or the op-ed pages. My momma always told me that if you don't know what you're talking about, it's best to keep your mouth shut. That's good advice.
A simple, insignificant event is transformed into a mega-spectacular. Facts are replaced with flowery rhetoric; much of which is completely out of context. And, all of that is ground up in commercials that flash in and out of the blabber-fests. This is a classic example of why "more is not better."
Real news, containing actual facts, is limited to a small island of publicly funded programs found only on PBS and sometimes mavericks like the BBC or Aljezeera.
Spring cleaning -- 12 things the world should toss out (washingtonpost.com)
If a single move could restore civility to politics, that is it. Get rid of the left-vs.-right commentators who are just out scoring points for their team. This sort of opinion-mongering is not only boring and predictable, it is destructive of the truth. If your only credentials are "GOP shill" or "Democratic hack," you've no business cluttering up the airwaves or the op-ed pages. My momma always told me that if you don't know what you're talking about, it's best to keep your mouth shut. That's good advice.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
NRA POSTER BOY FOR JULY
FROM THE SUNSHINE STATE
Johann Wagener 7-27-13
Went to a gun show and then stood his ground
A man living with his mother in a South Florida apartment complex set their unit on fire and went on a shooting rampage throughout the building, killing six people before being shot to death by police. As the eight-hour standoff unfolded, horrified residents hunkered down in their homes, at times so close to the action they could feel the gunfire or hear negotiations between the gunman and police, authorities and witnesses said Saturday.
PCHFrontpage | Local and National News, Search and Daily Instant Win Opportunities! - News
Johann Wagener 7-27-13
Went to a gun show and then stood his ground
A man living with his mother in a South Florida apartment complex set their unit on fire and went on a shooting rampage throughout the building, killing six people before being shot to death by police. As the eight-hour standoff unfolded, horrified residents hunkered down in their homes, at times so close to the action they could feel the gunfire or hear negotiations between the gunman and police, authorities and witnesses said Saturday.
PCHFrontpage | Local and National News, Search and Daily Instant Win Opportunities! - News
Friday, July 26, 2013
PROFILING POLITICIANS
POLITICAL MENTAL HEALTH
Johann Wagener 7-26-13
As an old saying goes; The only honest, mentally healthy politician is a dead politician, or something to that effect. Being a politician requires a penchant for being off the charts on psych exams in certain personality traits. First and foremost you must be suffering from "narcissistic personality disorder" followed by a high score on the "sociopath behavior" scale.
How else could you look at someone straight in the eyes and swear that; "I'm not a crook", or "I did not have sex with that woman" to use a few memorable quotes as an example. Most politicians today are bought and paid for with bribes from special interest groups (better known as the 1%) but get away with it because they call it "lobbying." They refer to pandering as servicing their constituents.
Yet, we act surprised when a few get caught misbehaving as if it's unusual or extraordinary behavior? Surprise! That's how sociopaths behave. Nothing new here.
Worse yet; and much more dangerous, is how they (the other smarter politicians) throw a few of their own to the crowd to distract us from what is really going on in the halls of Congress. That's where the really sick one's do their best work while we "ooooh" and "aaaah" about some clown flash his junk on the internet or having a little r&r with a well paid (and consenting) hooker. You got to hand it to these politicians. They are good at what they do. The stupid one's here are us.
It's Not the Sex, It's the Stupidity
Forget the disgusting character of New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner's sexting. Ignore the maddening hypocrisies attending New York City comptroller candidate Eliot Spitzer's "Client 9" moniker. Dismiss the arrogance revealed in San Diego Mayor Bob Filner's alleged sexual harassment.
Clearly, these men seem to have behaved deplorably – possibly even criminally. It's perfectly fine to be angry, repulsed, and even transfixed by these outrageous scandals. Public servants are not supposed to do these types of things.
And while the media are not wrong for focusing on the shock-value side of these elected officials' transgressions, the most relevant question to the public tends not to get answered: are these politicians just too dumb to be good at their jobs?
Johann Wagener 7-26-13
As an old saying goes; The only honest, mentally healthy politician is a dead politician, or something to that effect. Being a politician requires a penchant for being off the charts on psych exams in certain personality traits. First and foremost you must be suffering from "narcissistic personality disorder" followed by a high score on the "sociopath behavior" scale.
How else could you look at someone straight in the eyes and swear that; "I'm not a crook", or "I did not have sex with that woman" to use a few memorable quotes as an example. Most politicians today are bought and paid for with bribes from special interest groups (better known as the 1%) but get away with it because they call it "lobbying." They refer to pandering as servicing their constituents.
Yet, we act surprised when a few get caught misbehaving as if it's unusual or extraordinary behavior? Surprise! That's how sociopaths behave. Nothing new here.
Worse yet; and much more dangerous, is how they (the other smarter politicians) throw a few of their own to the crowd to distract us from what is really going on in the halls of Congress. That's where the really sick one's do their best work while we "ooooh" and "aaaah" about some clown flash his junk on the internet or having a little r&r with a well paid (and consenting) hooker. You got to hand it to these politicians. They are good at what they do. The stupid one's here are us.
It's Not the Sex, It's the Stupidity
Forget the disgusting character of New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner's sexting. Ignore the maddening hypocrisies attending New York City comptroller candidate Eliot Spitzer's "Client 9" moniker. Dismiss the arrogance revealed in San Diego Mayor Bob Filner's alleged sexual harassment.
Clearly, these men seem to have behaved deplorably – possibly even criminally. It's perfectly fine to be angry, repulsed, and even transfixed by these outrageous scandals. Public servants are not supposed to do these types of things.
And while the media are not wrong for focusing on the shock-value side of these elected officials' transgressions, the most relevant question to the public tends not to get answered: are these politicians just too dumb to be good at their jobs?
CORPORATIONS ARE PEOPLE!
PA-LEEZE!
Johann Wagener 7-26-13
Are they kidding? No! This is not the Mad Hatters Tea Party out of Alice In Wonderland, or a scene from the movie, "Idiocracy", but straight from DOJ, the nations law keeper. A corporation (which is nothing more than a notarized bunch of paper) has been indicted and pleaded guilty to committing a crime! Furthermore they are going to pay a fine and be put on "probation" How's that for doling out justice? I was hoping that Halliburton would get some jail time, but they couldn't find an orange jump suit or prison big enough to hold them; I guessing here, but it's less scary than thinking about the crazies running our government.
Halliburton Pleads Guilty to Destroying Evidence After Gulf Spill
Halliburton has agreed to plead guilty to destruction of critical evidence after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010, the Justice Department announced on Thursday.
The oil services company said it would pay the maximum allowable fine of $200,000 and will be subject to three years of probation. It will also continue its cooperation in the government’s criminal investigation. Separately, Halliburton made a voluntary contribution of $55 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The Justice Department filed one criminal charge against the company. In a statement, Halliburton said that the violation was a misdemeanor associated with the deletion of records created after the accident. Additionally, the company said, “The Department of Justice has agreed that it will not pursue further criminal prosecution of the company.”
Johann Wagener 7-26-13
Are they kidding? No! This is not the Mad Hatters Tea Party out of Alice In Wonderland, or a scene from the movie, "Idiocracy", but straight from DOJ, the nations law keeper. A corporation (which is nothing more than a notarized bunch of paper) has been indicted and pleaded guilty to committing a crime! Furthermore they are going to pay a fine and be put on "probation" How's that for doling out justice? I was hoping that Halliburton would get some jail time, but they couldn't find an orange jump suit or prison big enough to hold them; I guessing here, but it's less scary than thinking about the crazies running our government.
Halliburton Pleads Guilty to Destroying Evidence After Gulf Spill
Halliburton has agreed to plead guilty to destruction of critical evidence after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010, the Justice Department announced on Thursday.
The oil services company said it would pay the maximum allowable fine of $200,000 and will be subject to three years of probation. It will also continue its cooperation in the government’s criminal investigation. Separately, Halliburton made a voluntary contribution of $55 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The Justice Department filed one criminal charge against the company. In a statement, Halliburton said that the violation was a misdemeanor associated with the deletion of records created after the accident. Additionally, the company said, “The Department of Justice has agreed that it will not pursue further criminal prosecution of the company.”
FRANCIS POINTS HIS FINGER
AT THE RICH
Johann Wagener 7-26-13
And hit a wall. The one the rich hide behind so they can't be singled out and held accountable for their sinful-irresponsible behavior. Are they listening? Highly doubtful since they spend most of their time franticly looking for ways to hoard the wealth they worship so faithfully.
It's not hard to understand why Pope Francis is speaking out. All one needs to do is visit the slums of Brazil and it's plain as day. What is even more ironic is that Francis made his speech from one of the most famous hang-outs of the rich.
“Everything that is shared is multiplied,” the pope said. “Only when we are able to share do we become truly rich. The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.”
Crowd of up to a million cheers Pope on Brazil's Copacabana beach | Reuters
During a visit to a Rio slum on Thursday morning, the first Latin American pope called for a "culture of solidarity" to replace the "selfishness and individualism" in modern society.
"No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world," he told residents of Manguinhos, a sprawling shantytown, or favela, of ramshackle brick dwellings that until recently was overrun by violence and controlled by drug lords.
Johann Wagener 7-26-13
And hit a wall. The one the rich hide behind so they can't be singled out and held accountable for their sinful-irresponsible behavior. Are they listening? Highly doubtful since they spend most of their time franticly looking for ways to hoard the wealth they worship so faithfully.
It's not hard to understand why Pope Francis is speaking out. All one needs to do is visit the slums of Brazil and it's plain as day. What is even more ironic is that Francis made his speech from one of the most famous hang-outs of the rich.
“Everything that is shared is multiplied,” the pope said. “Only when we are able to share do we become truly rich. The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.”
Crowd of up to a million cheers Pope on Brazil's Copacabana beach | Reuters
During a visit to a Rio slum on Thursday morning, the first Latin American pope called for a "culture of solidarity" to replace the "selfishness and individualism" in modern society.
"No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world," he told residents of Manguinhos, a sprawling shantytown, or favela, of ramshackle brick dwellings that until recently was overrun by violence and controlled by drug lords.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
DEVIL'S ISLAND SOUTH
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP
Johann Wagener 7-25-13
We can be thankful that most of these tormented souls find their way to one place where they can't hurt the rest of us. Maybe, as global warming progresses, Florida will become an island where we can send crazies to.
Why Is Florida So Weird? A Zillion Examples and 5 Theories
“A Florida man shot himself in his penis and testicles while claiming to be cleaning his gun,” blared one ABC-TV affiliate. “A Florida man whose hand was bitten off by a nine-foot alligator now faces charges of feeding the animal,” blared another. And state wildlife officials also were not too thrilled with a company whose business is bringing alligators with their mouths taped shut to kids’ birthday pool parties (for a $175 fee).
But then the local news goes gothic. A Florida man was upset that his wife didn’t thaw the frozen pizza and shoved her face into a dog bowl, police said. Another man forced his wife to swallow her diamond engagement ring after she announced that she was leaving. In another bad pizza story, a man punched the delivery boy after he forget garlic knots.
And then comes cannibalism. Another man “chopped off his victim’s head, removed part of the brain and an eyeball, put them in a plastic bag, walked 12 blocks to this cemetery, Lakeview Cemetery, and then ate them,” WTHH-TV reported.
Johann Wagener 7-25-13
We can be thankful that most of these tormented souls find their way to one place where they can't hurt the rest of us. Maybe, as global warming progresses, Florida will become an island where we can send crazies to.
Why Is Florida So Weird? A Zillion Examples and 5 Theories
“A Florida man shot himself in his penis and testicles while claiming to be cleaning his gun,” blared one ABC-TV affiliate. “A Florida man whose hand was bitten off by a nine-foot alligator now faces charges of feeding the animal,” blared another. And state wildlife officials also were not too thrilled with a company whose business is bringing alligators with their mouths taped shut to kids’ birthday pool parties (for a $175 fee).
But then the local news goes gothic. A Florida man was upset that his wife didn’t thaw the frozen pizza and shoved her face into a dog bowl, police said. Another man forced his wife to swallow her diamond engagement ring after she announced that she was leaving. In another bad pizza story, a man punched the delivery boy after he forget garlic knots.
And then comes cannibalism. Another man “chopped off his victim’s head, removed part of the brain and an eyeball, put them in a plastic bag, walked 12 blocks to this cemetery, Lakeview Cemetery, and then ate them,” WTHH-TV reported.
Monday, July 22, 2013
ROYAL GRIDLOCK
THE ROYAL UNEMPLOYMENT LINE
Johann Wagener 7-22-13
Is getting longer. Charles is in his 60's and still hasn't had the job. Now comes one more royal who will spend his time parading around the world waiting for a family member to "pass" and hoping it's sooner than later. In the meantime the Brits will go on carrying the tab and doing without in order to keep a fairy tale alive.
PCHFrontpage | Local and National News, Search and Daily Instant Win Opportunities! - News
Johann Wagener 7-22-13
Is getting longer. Charles is in his 60's and still hasn't had the job. Now comes one more royal who will spend his time parading around the world waiting for a family member to "pass" and hoping it's sooner than later. In the meantime the Brits will go on carrying the tab and doing without in order to keep a fairy tale alive.
PCHFrontpage | Local and National News, Search and Daily Instant Win Opportunities! - News
Saturday, July 20, 2013
WHAT IS IT ABOUT BALLS?
A UNIVERSAL OBSESSION
Johann Wagener 7-20-13
In which humans will devote countless hours, spending billions, just to sit in stadiums or their living room couches watching a bunch of overgrown (and overpaid) clowns running around (or up and down) fields chasing balls. What is even more absurd is the amount of time wasted to participate in this mindless exercise. For example, we spend 3 hours or more to get about 17 minutes of actual game time in baseball. Football comes in at 14 minutes of play per 3 hours of wasted time. Go figure? Say what?
Even monkeys manage their time more efficiently than that. Can you imagine what a different planet this would be if people utilized all that time and money doing something somewhat more productive? Parks would fill up with families on picnics. Libraries would have standing room only. Town hall meetings would actually be more than just a gathering of the extreme fringe of our society. Those billions spent on playing games could actually amount something worthwhile like rebuilding our cities and neighborhoods, educating our kids, helping our sick and homeless, saving the environment, or even just doing nothing which is a far cry more productive that playing with balls.
Johann Wagener 7-20-13
In which humans will devote countless hours, spending billions, just to sit in stadiums or their living room couches watching a bunch of overgrown (and overpaid) clowns running around (or up and down) fields chasing balls. What is even more absurd is the amount of time wasted to participate in this mindless exercise. For example, we spend 3 hours or more to get about 17 minutes of actual game time in baseball. Football comes in at 14 minutes of play per 3 hours of wasted time. Go figure? Say what?
Even monkeys manage their time more efficiently than that. Can you imagine what a different planet this would be if people utilized all that time and money doing something somewhat more productive? Parks would fill up with families on picnics. Libraries would have standing room only. Town hall meetings would actually be more than just a gathering of the extreme fringe of our society. Those billions spent on playing games could actually amount something worthwhile like rebuilding our cities and neighborhoods, educating our kids, helping our sick and homeless, saving the environment, or even just doing nothing which is a far cry more productive that playing with balls.
Monday, July 15, 2013
CRONY CAPITALISM
CAPITALISM SUCKS!
Johann Wagener 7-15-13
At least the way it's practiced in the USA. Why? Because a very small but powerful group of individuals have been able to immunize themselves from playing by the rules by buying off the politicians that pander to them. What made it worse is when the US Supreme Court sanctioned this kind of behavior by anointing corporate entities with personhood.
We the people put the cherry on top of it by acquiescing to the line of BS they fed us about being "too big" to fail or jail, and went ahead with bailing them out on our dime.
This is what we got for our money.
The 5 Biggest Obscenities of Capitalism Today
Committed capitalists fail to recognize that individual success is a result of collaborative effort.
Johann Wagener 7-15-13
At least the way it's practiced in the USA. Why? Because a very small but powerful group of individuals have been able to immunize themselves from playing by the rules by buying off the politicians that pander to them. What made it worse is when the US Supreme Court sanctioned this kind of behavior by anointing corporate entities with personhood.
We the people put the cherry on top of it by acquiescing to the line of BS they fed us about being "too big" to fail or jail, and went ahead with bailing them out on our dime.
This is what we got for our money.
The 5 Biggest Obscenities of Capitalism Today
Committed capitalists fail to recognize that individual success is a result of collaborative effort.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
A ROTTEN APPLE
CAVEAT EMPTOR
Johann Wagener 7-13-13
There's nothing more disgusting than to learn that some of the largest, wealthiest, and powerful companies are the biggest offenders when it comes to ripping off the public. When it comes to making money it supersedes everything else; laws, fairness, honesty, integrity, and just plain ethics. Left to their own devices these greed addicts will suck the lifeblood out of anyone that get in their sights.
Apple loses eBook price fixing lawsuit: Court finds tech giant conspired with publishers
Overnight, US District Judge Denise Cote found there was “compelling evidence” Apple violated antitrust law as a result, and played a “central role” in the plan to essentially erase retail price competition.
“Apple chose to join forces with the publisher defendants to raise eBook prices and equipped them with the means to do so," Cote found in her decision. "Without Apple's orchestration of this conspiracy, it would not have succeeded as it did.”
Johann Wagener 7-13-13
There's nothing more disgusting than to learn that some of the largest, wealthiest, and powerful companies are the biggest offenders when it comes to ripping off the public. When it comes to making money it supersedes everything else; laws, fairness, honesty, integrity, and just plain ethics. Left to their own devices these greed addicts will suck the lifeblood out of anyone that get in their sights.
Apple loses eBook price fixing lawsuit: Court finds tech giant conspired with publishers
Overnight, US District Judge Denise Cote found there was “compelling evidence” Apple violated antitrust law as a result, and played a “central role” in the plan to essentially erase retail price competition.
“Apple chose to join forces with the publisher defendants to raise eBook prices and equipped them with the means to do so," Cote found in her decision. "Without Apple's orchestration of this conspiracy, it would not have succeeded as it did.”
Friday, July 12, 2013
The Watching Dead
IDIOCRACY REDUX
Johann Wagener 7-12-13
Here's another example of why this culture is in the fast lane of self-destruction. Not only do we waste billions on games we now find out that most of the time we devote to it is completely wasted on watching these clowns doing nothing.
How much action does a baseball game have? Almost 18 minutes
In any given year, roughly 70 million people will attend major-league baseball games. A lucky handful will be treated to something unforgettable: a no-hitter, a walk-off grand slam, a player stealing home. Many more fans will see towering home runs, late-inning rallies and diving catches. But there is one thing every single fan who buys a ticket is 100% guaranteed to see: a bunch of grown men standing in a field, doing absolutely nothing.
A similar WSJ study on NFL games in January 2010 found that the average action time for a football game was 11 minutes. So MLB does pack more punch in a battle of the two biggest stop-and-start sports. By seven minutes.
Johann Wagener 7-12-13
Here's another example of why this culture is in the fast lane of self-destruction. Not only do we waste billions on games we now find out that most of the time we devote to it is completely wasted on watching these clowns doing nothing.
How much action does a baseball game have? Almost 18 minutes
In any given year, roughly 70 million people will attend major-league baseball games. A lucky handful will be treated to something unforgettable: a no-hitter, a walk-off grand slam, a player stealing home. Many more fans will see towering home runs, late-inning rallies and diving catches. But there is one thing every single fan who buys a ticket is 100% guaranteed to see: a bunch of grown men standing in a field, doing absolutely nothing.
A similar WSJ study on NFL games in January 2010 found that the average action time for a football game was 11 minutes. So MLB does pack more punch in a battle of the two biggest stop-and-start sports. By seven minutes.
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