is...trading (occasionally), trying to improve our political system (persistently) and just hangin' out.
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And I totally agree with you --- as long as an option is available.
But how long will that be????
They're sure pumping the "cloud". Soon, even your thoughts won't be your own.
Hell, once in the dear dead days beyond recall there was even an alternative to Microsoft.
Fred
Yeah, Doug
Where'd ya get our Senator's picture? He usually uses more makeup than that.
Fred
Good Morning, Roguedolphin
Re: "Where we stand today as Americans has been a LONG LONG time in the making."
You're right --- and, although few see it, we reached this state by electing the most deceitful of our people to represent us in our government. They pass the best laws money can buy.
Our course won't change until we learn to seek out and elect intelligent, honorable people. As long as we're willing to let political parties pick the candidates, our continued deterioration is inevitable.
Fred Gohlke
Got it!
Thanks, Susie
Fred
Susie
Is Advanced Search available anymore?
I went to "Home", but didn't find it.
I want to search a specific board, for a message from a specific person to a specific person, in 2010
Can you give me a hint, please
Fred
Glass-Steagall protected us for a long time. I was a kid when it passed, and have watched as it was gutted and then repealed. We needed it when it was first passed --- and we need it now!!!
Fred
Nah. I didn't say that --- I just implied it.
'Course, you probably can't catch me. I'm up there with "My Grandfather's clock" and the "Wonderful One-Hoss Shay". Sorta like the Night Before Christmas --- not much stirring.
But I got two things lotsa folks lack --- the ability to think and a willingness to laugh (at myself).
Whatever you done seen, I hope you get to see lots more.
Fred
See that, Miss Poetess, it's fun.
Keep foolin' with words. It's amazing what you can put together --- and have fun doing it.
(I mean, after all, when you get old, your fun options recede somewhat, don't they?)
Fred
I have been tardy in expressing my appreciation for the daily updates by nlightn and basserdan.
Like the work of BullWinkle, your efforts are a boon to us all.
Thank you, very much.
Fred
Not to put too fine a point on it, but "Poppycock".
The folks who are making these gratuitous changes should learn it's a good idea to "Dance wit da one whut brung ya!"
Your design of Investors Hub was a stroke of genius --- and that includes the wisdom of bringing Bob Zumbrunnen on board, with his incredible talent for making your ideas work, quickly and easily.
This is much more than, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.", it's a case of replacing brilliance with inept management.
Changes necessary for attracting paying customers are justified and important. Cosmetic changes to demonstrate management control are destructive.
Me?
I'm just a bystander --- but that doesn't stop me from having opinions.
Fred
I'm with you, kid.
Cutesy Pie don' get it.
It's information we want, not pictures --- except for Paulie's occasional pictorial description of the passing scene.
Fred
Well said, Bob
I imagine these conditions will continue until the threat of further dilution is actualized. Goodness knows what we'll be left with then.
Haven't they sold the real estate and leased it back?
Fred
'Taint funny, McGee
Fred
Thanks very much, Castle.
Since Microsoft Essentials may not work, I think I'll give Avast a try.
Fred
I agree with your evaluation of "NJ Office Solutions, LLC." The situation is actually worse than I described. They also tried to tell me I'd had a hard disc failure when I knew --- and told them --- it was a RAM failure.
Still, it was a cheap lesson ...
I'm thinking of buying myself a Christmas present, and you can bet it won't be from there. There's another fellow in town that has helped me before with decent results. I didn't go to him yesterday because he doesn't come in until the afternoon and I was anxious to get something done.
Ahhh, well. Live and learn - Haste makes waste - and so forth.
The Verizon software was installed when I switched from dial-up to that faster whatchamacallit thing. It's been on there ever since. I don't particularly care for it, but it hasn't been too intrusive.
Thanks very much for the Microsoft Essentials suggestion.
Fred
Good Morning,
Yesterday, I had my local computer store put memory in my Dell machine.
At the same time, they convinced me I should replace the Verizon Security Suite on my machine with their 'new and improved' program. They deleted the Verizon, but their software would not install. Then they tried to install a different 'free' security product. It wouldn't install, either, so I left the store with no security on my machine.
When I got home, I tried to reinstall the Verizon Security Suite.
Bad News.
It requires Windows 7 and I'm running Windows 2000, so it wouldn't install.
I don't browse much; just go to iHub and a couple of other sites. Even so, running bare is a bit more risk than I enjoy. Do you know where I can get a decent security package that will run on my Windows 2000 machine?
Fred
I keep tryin', Doug, I keep tryin'
#msg-52078385
#msg-54994279
#msg-53895512
#board-3734 (Created 03/31/2005 --- that's how long ago you and I discussed it, Doug.)
and, this: http://participedia.net/wiki/Practical_Democracy
Fred
Thanks. That's about what I thought --- and the move from CF to Conway was pretty much a sham, wasn't it? The whole point was to get rid of the unions.
Unions may be destructive with their greed, their high labor costs and work-limiting 'past practices', but big money is worse --- much worse --- and I fear they're manipulating the game with YRCW.
We should be breaking up big money: #msg-54994279
Unfortunately, our Congress won't pass such a law --- big money put them in office. It was our Congress that made it legal to 'lease' employees, so the employer has no exposure to unions and no obligation for retirement.
Crayola --- that makes its money off our kids --- doesn't hire people, it 'leases' them. That's sick, but I never hear anyone complaining about it.
Until we select and elect principled people to represent us in our government, our homeland will keep crumbling. That's a shame.
Fred
You're right, and it's far too common.
Of course, there are always counter-stories, but from where I sit, it looked like the unions closed most of New York City's newspapers, the steelworkers forced steel out of the country. The autoworkers got away with it, almost forever, before the chickens came home to roost. Haven't the Teamsters been bounced out of most of the large carriers? Didn't Consolidated Freightways just move next door and take over the same business without the union.
The problem here is, you can't be sure whether money is trying to break the union or the union is being unreasonable. If you don't know what the so-called 'past practices' are --- and how much they cost, it's pretty hard to get a clean handle on the situation.
I'm in, more through carelessness than good sense, and I'm going to ride it out. But I ain't thrilled that I put myself in this position.
As they say,
We'll see
Fred
I'd feel better about a Second American Revolution if I saw greater evidence that people are seriously studying why --- exactly why --- this one went wrong.
Those who don't understand that the main purpose of political parties is to "Divide and Conquer" will not help us build a government by the people. If you think financiers contribute to both parties because they are patriotic, you should think again. They know, "He who pays the piper, calls the tune".
There are better ways to select the people who represent us in our government than to put up with the deceit and obfuscation that characterize our political campaigns, but who among us has the wit and wisdom to conceive one?
Fred
You're welcome!
Perhaps I'm Unum E Pluribus --- (one out of many. It may not be good Latin, but it makes sense to me.)
Fred
I haven't thanked you for your updates --- but I should have.
Thanks,
Fred
And, again,
Thanks, BD
Fred
Thanks for that one, BD
Fred
National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
Washington, D. C.
To Whom It May Concern:
Reducing our national debt requires a new source of revenue --- a new tax. The tax must be substantial without being stifling, it must encourage recovery and long-term economic growth and it must enlist broad public support. This paper describes a tax that will produce the necessary revenue, stimulate small business and gladden the people.
Companies thrive in the United States because we provide the physical and human resources, markets, and stable business environment that let them grow to eminence. Their efforts provide the employment and produce the goods that improve our lives. We grant them the right to conduct their operations in our country and seek profit under our laws so they can enrich our society. Unfortunately, not all companies are good citizens.
As we are painfully reminded by recent events, unfettered growth is destructive. Some companies grow beyond their value to society. They reach such immense size that their excesses threaten the economic well-being of our country --- in fact, of the entire world.
We must harness such companies in a way that retains their value while preventing the excesses that can destroy us. We must encourage them to focus on their responsibility, not only to themselves but to the society that hosts them. The most effective way to prevent cancerous growth is to make excessive size a burden, and that can only be done through taxation.
There is a rational basis for such taxation. We open our markets and provide the infrastructure that encourages corporate growth, but some companies become too large. To protect ourselves from their destructive acts, it is wise and appropriate to use a tax to maintain balance in our economy --- An Economic Equilibrium (EE) Tax.
The Economic Equilibrium Tax is a progressive tax on annual gross receipts, without reserve or allowance, less amounts paid to external vendors in which the corporation and its principles have no managerial, directorial or financial interest of any amount or kind, and less amounts paid to full-time domestic employees.
The EE Tax does not concern itself with the source of an enterprise's revenue. It applies whether the revenue results from its operations or the sale of its assets. If a corporation has extensive assets in cash, real estate, equity, or in any other form, the tax does not concern itself with the value of those assets. However, when an asset is sold, transferred or disposed of, in whatever manner or form, the value of the asset is part of the entity's revenue for the period.
The EE Tax is not concerned with the profitability of the enterprise. It is a fee we levy for providing hospitable business conditions. The charge is for the use of our assets, not for the degree of success an entity has in using them. Whether or not the enterprise is profitable does not change the amount of resources it exploits in its operation.
The Economic Equilibrium (or Level Playing Field) Tax targets entities that grow beyond an economically justifiable size. If, by the nature of its business, an enterprise must be large, it is not injured by The EE Tax because all competitors must attain a similar size and pay a comparable tax. However, when a rogue company grows too large, the tax protects the public interest without additional regulation. It increases the rogue's cost of operation and gives its competitors a cost advantage that prevents their suffocation. Such a tax enhances competition, immeasurably, and encourages the founding of smaller businesses that grow in harmony with society.
THE ECONOMIC EQUILIBRIUM TAX
The EE Tax is levied on the absolute gross receipts of an entity, from all sources and for all amounts received in its name by entities it controls (i.e., franchises and subsidiaries). The tax is progressive. Assuming a threshold of $1,000,000 and a base rate of 2%, 2% is added to the tax rate each time the receipts increase by one decimal position, thus:
Annual Gross Receipts Tax Rate
$1,000,000 2%
$10,000,000 4%
$100,000,000 6%
$1,000,000,000 8%
$10,000,000,000 10%
$100,000,000,000 12%
$1,000,000,000,000 14%
$10,000,000,000,000 16%
$100,000,000,000,000 18%
$1,000,000,000,000,000 20%
$10,000,000,000,000,000 22%
$100,000,000,000,000,000 24%
$1,000,000,000,000,000,000 26%
$10,000,000,000,000,000,000 28%
$100,000,000,000,000,000,000 30%
Shoot!
I can't remember when I had teeth.
Fred
Thanks for the Dow Jones/Gold chart, BW
(and you for remembering it, Ayock)
Fred
That is, indeed, a gruesome sight
I'm glad that I don't share his plight
It seems you, too, will use a verse
To gentle Churak's name asperse
It's nice to see I'm not alone
Sticking pins in his comfort zone
And, now, I will be on my way
For I have nothing else to say
Fred
Oh, my goodness, what I could do
With a line like that, coming from you
But I won't do it, 'cause Susie's kool
Alongside of you, she's a perfect jewel.
Fred
Ohhh, the sadness, Ohhh, the pain
I've lost my privileged status again
What must I do, Who must I pay
To have it reinstated, right away?
Fred
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Whut's goin' on?
What happened to my privileged status where I never encounter delays on Web 3???
Fred
Hi, Chu
Seldom around, but never a stranger
Fred
Hoist am I, with my own petard
Slashed about with Hash' glass shard
But I would never be so weak
As ill of him myself to speak
When, old as I, a new day dawns
And the rest of you are stifling yawns
I'm grateful for another day
It doesn't matter what you say
So Hasher have a grand old time
Seeking out another rhyme
Now, before my effort Admin bores
I'm off to tend to my daily chores
Fred
Fred is flaky, that's a fact
But he still knows just how to act
He don't put on no 'countant airs
And sometimes he will draw to pairs
He don't come here much, anymore
But it ain't 'cause Churak made him sore
He just found better things to do
Like savin' the world, and lovin', too
So if you must my name asperse
Why climb aboard and gouge your spurs
But you won't be the first to find
When I rear up, you've a sore behind
Fred
Losing is like some personal activities.
Everyone does it, but most folks like about it.
Fred
Good Morning,
The long pause on my first entry into iHub (that I mentioned to you a few days ago) seems to have been replaced by a momentary pause on the display of every new message. The new page, including the message header is displayed immediately, then there's a brief pause before the message itself is displayed.
Dunno what's goin' on, but thought I'd mention it.
Fred
Do you have any idea what's causing the pause?
It's something new, for me.
Fred
I learned it in a one-room schoolhouse --- for I, too, am fourscore and more.
And, now, not from a failing memory, but through the grace of the internet, here it is ...
BARBARA FRIETCHIE
John Greenleaf Whittier
Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,
The clustered spires of Frederick stand
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.
Round about them orchards sweep,
Apple and peach tree fruited deep,
Fair as the garden of the Lord
To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,
On that pleasant morn of early fall
When Lee marched over the mountain wall;
Over the mountains winding down,
Horse and foot, into Frederick town.
Forty flags with their silver stars
Forty flag with their crimson bars,
Flapped in the morning wind; the sun
Of noon looked down, and saw not one.
Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then,
Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;
Bravest of all in Frederick town,
She took up the flag the men hauled down;
In her attic window the staff she set,
To show that one heart was loyal yet.
Up the street came the rebel tread,
Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.
Under his slouched hat left and right
He glanced; the old flag met his sight.
"Halt!" - the dust-brown ranks stood fast.
"Fire!" - out blazed the rifle-blast.
It shivered the window, pane and sash;
It rent the banner with seam and gash.
Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff
Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf.
She leaned far out on the window-sill,
And shook it forth with a royal will.
"Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country's flag," she said.
A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,
Over the face of the leader came;
The nobler nature within him stirred
To life at that woman's deed and word;
"Who touches a hair of yon gray head
Dies like a dog! March on!" he said.
All day long through Frederick street
Sounded the tread of marching feet;
All day long that free flag tost
Over the heads of the rebel host.
Ever its torn folds rose and fell
On the loyal winds that loved it well;
And through the hill-gaps sunset light
Shone over it with a warm good-night.
Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er,
And the Rebel rides on his raids no more.
Honor to her! and let a tear
Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier.
Over Barbara Frietchie's grave,
Flag of Freedom and Union, wave!
Peace and order and beauty draw
Round thy symbol of light and law;
And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below in Frederick town!
(It still brings tears to my eyes, and I'm proud of it. Would that I had such power with words.)
Fred
Yo!, Dave
For the past couple of days, the first screen I encounter on iHub partially displays, then hangs up for a few seconds before completing the display. The hesitation doesn't (normally) repeat (once, it locked up everything for a noticeable length of time. I was on the verge of resetting when it finally released. It's only done that trick once.)
Should I assume you folks are loading some l'il ol' piece of display software onto my system?
Fred
Like I said, I don't like change ...
It ain't that my connection's slow
It's my mind and fingers, don't ya know
But I keep pluggin', in my own way
Though I don't have a lot to say
I can't compete with Churak and you
Who pick on folks just to make a stew
For me, it's like Barbara Fritchie said,
"Shoot if you must, this old gray head."
Fred