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November 5th, 2009
Sorry but I’m not going to give an inch on this one. Can you say S T U P I D ?
If you haven’t figured it out right now, I’m talking about the “new” FTC blogger guidelines on disclosure.
THEY (the FTC) says “they aren’t “really” new”. My take in this is they are saying they are just expanding and revising the “old” guidelines. Uh, care to disclose that guys?
Okay first off. Get this. IF I, RECOMMEND. COMMENT ON, OR OTHERWISE STEER YOU TOWARDS A PRODUCT OR SERVICE YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR I STAND TO MAKE SOMETHING IF YOU BUY FROM MY LINK.
Betcha never figgered that out on your own did you? Get real.
If you read my posts you’ll find where this is not always true. You’ll also find places where I tell you how to buy without my getting paid. I don’t remember if I’ve ever done this in this blog but I know I do this now and then. Most of the time I don’t bother.
In any case most of us understand it costs money to maintain a website. It takes time. If I take the time to write here I can’t get paid to write someplace else. Most of the folks who read my stuff never spend a dime. No one is required to spend anything to read most of what I write. I can’t say this is or will always be true. So there you have it. I am now “officially” a paid endorser.
So what’s the big deal? You probably are too. And your mother, your brother, and your cousin Ted, whom you can’t stand (or was the Emily?)
We might just as well all go out and have “PAID ENDORSER” tattooed on our forehead. And that is stoopid.
I hate to break this to those g’vment folks but without us out there making money, they’d soon have to start dumpster diving for lunch. By the way, my “newest car” came off the assembly line about 7 years ago. I bought it second hand. I suspect anyone from the g’vment reading this drives a better car than I do - so maybe I’m the fool.
Try this: search on any subject - go to any website - use the box below if you like - be careful! I might get paid if you follow these instructions!
Now look on the site you find - do you see advertising? REALLY?! How dare they? Are actual PRODUCTS or SERVICES offered? Oh NO! RUN RUN RUN!
Good grief! It would be a lot harder to find sites and or pages where someone does NOT make a buck. That’s what capitalism is all about folks.
Do you think those FTC guys would go to work every day if they didn’t get a paycheck? What about that disclosure?
What about the “expert” who volunteers her/his time to babble on about the administration’s newest program? Who’s paying her/him? Nobody? So what about that book they are writing that comes out next week? What about the influence they’ve built in their own private practices?
What about non-capitalists? Don’t they “profit” buy reporting favorably on developments reinforcing their views? Of course, they would never distort the facts to promote their agenda… would they?
What about politicians? Why exactly would someone give up a $250,000 a year job to “serve” in congress?
The fact is nobody does nothin unless it serves a self-interest in some way. Even those times when I offer links that do NOT in any way pay me - I stand to increase my credibility.
So how did the FTC shoot itself in the foot?
1) They cannot possibly enforce this. One could interpret the new definitions to include everyone. Like I said we’d have to start every sentence with “I may profit from saying this but…” I’m not a lawyer but it seems I read somewhere where it said something like if you can’t enforce a law (regulation, etc.) on everyone equally, then it ain’t no good nohow.
2) Even if they could enforce it - universal enforcement will deaden our senses to disclosure. Eventually every site will have to carry a disclosure statement. So if everyone has one - what good will that do?
Sharp shootin there sherlock.
Andy
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November 2nd, 2009
This 1948 cartoon, produced by the Extension Department of Harding College offers an eerie prediction of what our country is today and where it could be heading. Read the rest of this entry »
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October 21st, 2009
It’s time to change your mobile Ringtone!
More details later but think about this… you are in a massive crowd of people and you hear your phone ring… or is it yours?
Don’t know about you but I’ve been using Verizon’s default ringtone for far too long now. And more than once I’ve thought my phone was ringing when it was someone else’s. The solution is really simple - change your ringtone silly! It’s easy and it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either. Get a free ringtone here…
It’s time to change your mobile Ringtone! or click on the banner below.
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October 5th, 2009
1st Sgt Bradley Boley will be laid to rest today, 5 October 2009. My wife will attend, I am not able for family reasons.
My wife went to Brad’s viewing yesterday. His brother Joe set up a photo presentation. She thought it was quite moving. Also there was a contingent of veterans outside honoring Brad. It evoked strong emotions.
The Notice is below…
Flags at Half Staff Tuesday. And on it goes.
This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, from sunrise to sunset.
In honor of Army Sergeant First Class Bradley S. Bohle, who died on September 16, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Rest in Peace 1st Sergeant. May God be with your family and loved ones.
God bless,
Andy
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September 25th, 2009
Don’t we all.
I got looking through my stuff the other day and came across 999 Great Business Ideas
It’s a really neat book. (Yeah, yeah, I know, my age is showing again.) Cheap too.
Some of the ideas are a bit corny - like selling sea-shell trays, but others are really rather clever - like the mail-order game idea.
Some would take a major investment while others could be started on a shoestring.
If you’re at all “business minded” - if you consider yourself even a little bit “entrepreneurial” - you owe to yourself to check out the site and at least peek at the 20 freebie ideas on the page.
It’s fun to read and let your imagination fly.
Check out 999 Great Business Ideas here.
God bless,
Andy
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September 22nd, 2009
From what I understand the postings on Bradley have been of some help and comfort to some. Thank you for your kind words.
Two others died with Bradley:
Sgt. 1st Class Shawn P. McCloskey, 33, native of Hudson, N.Y., a Special Forces intelligence sergeant.
Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Mills, 24, native of El Paso, Texas, a Special Forces communications sergeant.
Sgt. 1st Class Bohle was a medical sergeant.
As far as I know these three Sergeants were the only people in the vehicle.
Bradley was from Glen Burnie MD - where services and viewings will be held. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The details are posted below:
Viewings will be held at Singleton Funeral Home in Glen Burnie, MD
1 2nd Ave, SW
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Times:
Saturday 10/03 and Sunday 10/04 from 3:00 - 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 (1500 – 1700 and 1900 – 2100)
Church Service will be held Monday 10/05 at St. Bernadette’s Parish in Severn, MD at 10:00am
801 Stevenson Rd.
Severn, MD 21144
He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on 10/06
Finally here is the press release from the Army:
PRESS RELEASE: Special Forces Group Soldiers killed in IED Strike
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 17, 2009) — Three U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers died on Sept. 16, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The following Soldiers, all assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Bragg, N.C., died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device Sept. 15, while conducting a mounted patrol:
Sgt. 1st Class Bradley S. Bohle, 29, native of Baltimore, Md., was a Special Forces medical sergeant.
Sgt. 1st Class Shawn P. McCloskey, 33, native of Hudson, N.Y., was a Special Forces intelligence sergeant.
Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Mills, 24, native of El Paso, Texas, was a Special Forces communications sergeant.
Bohle is survived by his wife Elizabeth and three daughters Breanna, Jocelyn and Braelyn of Sanford, N.C. and parents Donald and Linda Bohle, of Marydel, Md.
McCloskey is survived by his wife Jessica, daughter Katie and son Collin of Raeford, N.C. and parents Patrick and Kathryn McCloskey of Fayetteville, Ga.
Mills is survived by his wife Magen and son Malaki of Raeford, N.C. and parents Tommy and Celeste Mills of El Paso, Texas.
Gentlemen, you will be missed.
God bless,
Andy
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September 17th, 2009
His name was Bradley Bohle, Sergeant First Class, US Army. He served our nation as a Green Beret (officially “Special Forces”, I think).
He was killed when a roadside bomb exploded - ripping into the HumVee he was riding in. I don’t know the status of anyone else in the vehicle.
From what I can see on Bradley’s photo - he was awarded the Bronze Star, among others. These are not handed out for promptness.
I’ll post more when I know more. His picture is below. Rest in Peace Bradley.
God bless,
Andy
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September 16th, 2009
My wife sent me an email with this subject line. Joe is my wife’s co-worker. Joe’s brother served our country in Afghanistan… and died there yesterday.
There are no details. If and when I get some I’ll post them here. Right now I feel a deep sense of loss for a man I never knew. I’m not sure why.
My wife did relate this incident…
When Joe last saw his brother they went out to play pool. I’m sure Joe is now glad he did and will treasure that last evening for the rest of his life.
I know this man served his country and gave his life for our freedoms. He’s certainly not the first, nor will he be the last.
Yesterday, Joe’s brother emailed a photo to him “so they would have a picture of him for the paper in case anything happened”.
It looks like he knew he was moving into a dangerous situation.
Don’t click away with the wrong idea here. This post is not about war or what anyone thinks about the current administration or the last one or anything else.
This post is about a man I did not know and never met who, for whatever reason, put his life on the line for his country and lost it.
My heart goes out to all the brothers and sisters and parents and loved ones who feel the pain of losing someone.
God bless,
Andy
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July 25th, 2009
If you ever need a reason NOT to go into politics - think Sarah Palin.
Let her be a lesson to anyone who DARES do think for themselves and refuses to bow to party lines.
I’m nearly as disgusted with the GOP as I am with Liberalland. What a stinking mess.
Do you think for one moment if Sarah Palin was a Liberal Democrat that she would have these problems? Let’s see… Hilary is Secretary of State. Nancy Pelosi (D) is the Speaker of the House of Representatives while Michele Bachman (R) barely made it back to the House.
The list goes on. What happened to Geraldine Ferraro? She’s in the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Sarah Palin is scheduled to be inducted… never. Okay Geraldine was first US VP nominee by a major party. And maybe Sarah will be admitted some day but let me ask you…
Was Ferraro dragged through the dirt? Was Pelosi?
I’ll give you Clinton may have, all told, as much bad press as Sarah Palin, maybe more. But she’s been in the public eye for HOW long? And this writer thinks at least some of her bad press is WELL deserved.
Remember how she was “under fire” during a trip to Boznia as First Lady? She recounted her courage during that time publicly during her run for President. And the facts suggest she was, well, less than truthful?
And there are other stories, more damming yet not proven, about her abusing power multiple times - possibly starting as early as during her husband’s (you remember Bill, don’t you?) time as Governor of Arkansas. As I said, she has been convicted of nothing.
What has Sarah Palin been convicted of? Well, nothing.
Let’s get something straight: I don’t think either woman would pass the “white glove test”. Yet I’ve read time and time again how “evil” Sarah Palin is. Clinton? Not so much.
Mention Palin’s name in certain circles and you’ll see a feeding frenzy like throwing bloody meat into a pool of ravenous sharks. So what’s my point?
I’m tired of the double standard. I’m sick of conservatives being treated as second-class citizens. Get off it folks. We’re people too. We have feelings - yes even for others. We are not perfect. We do wrong things too. We make mistakes. We are not immune from having affairs, addiction to drugs or otherwise being hypocritical. Contrary to popular perception we ARE human. And here’s a surprise for you liberals…
We care. We care about the poor. We care about the environment. We care about those who are hurting. We care about many of the things you care about. Many of us just think there’s a better way of dealing with these things than just throwing taxpayer money at them and hoping they will just go away.
And I’ll admit, my perspective of liberals tends to be a bit skewed too. Sorry but even I am somewhat affected by your own propaganda, er, press.
Back to former Governor Palin - I just did a search on her and now I realize why she is still under attack. You liberals are terrified of her. You want to be absolutely certain she has ZERO chance of coming back and running for President. Well, I think you’ve done it. Congratulations.
I’m not so sure there will be a country left after the current gang gets done. For those of you who have yet to learn the lesson our own history taught us… we cannot spend our way back to prosperity.
Personal note to Sarah Palin: Mrs. Palin (I guess that’s appropriate now, if not, my apologies) thank you for your stand and your courage. I know it doesn’t feel like you’ve accomplished anything but you have. History will blunt the edge of your accusers while highlighting the good you’ve done.
I only hope you carefully and seriously consider running for the next President of the United States. If your enemies have made one mistake, it’s they’ve shot everything they’ve got already. Once you get past this they will have nothing left.
Even so the road will not be easy. Certain parties in this nation will want the death penalty should you be found guilty of parking illegally. Yes, I’m sure they would make a moral exception in your case.
And yet, what if you don’t pres on? What message will be broadcast to those who still have a glimmer of hope for our country?
It’s no use. They will destroy anyone who dares to express an original thought or acts on convictions not agreeable to those in power.
Don’t bother standing for what’s right, they will crucify you just like they did Sarah Palin.
Can we really afford to let them get away with this?
What if we failed to stand up to Adolf Hitler? We almost did.
What if we’d simply surrendered to Japan?
What if we caved in to King George?
This country needs people like you Sarah Palin. We need you.
God bless,
Andy
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June 18th, 2009
Let’s see…
Pros: England has national health care. So does Canada. A lot of other countries do too. Gee, isn’t that reason enough? Seems like the same argument kids have made forever… “Everybody else is doing it.” Read the rest of this entry »
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