The Reason To Vote In November

The more stories I see on Facebook and Twitter about the +GOP's constant acts of sheer malice and unadulterated corruption, the more I realize that in order to keep the far-right from doing more damage is to vote +The Democrats back in complete control of Congress. We don't have time or money to waste dealing with continual Republican sideshows.

Take the latest example of +John Boehner launching a lawsuit against President +Barack Obama for seemingly not enforcing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as the +Affordable Care Act, or +Obamacare) . Let me say this, it has no basis in fact and is unmeritted to say the least. At most, there is no standing due to the fact that no one in Congress is seemingly injured by Obama's decision to delay certain aspects of the ACA until after the election and have shown absolutely no proof that the President is willingly ignoring it, altogether. This is a classic example of constitutional checks and balances, and who has authority in which area. In this case, implementing and enforcing laws is within the sole hands of President Obama, who along with his administration, have wide discretion as to how they seek to put the law into effect. Speaker Boehner and the +House Republicans have no standing in this case, as they have failed to enact even one piece of legislation to enable faster implementation.

The example above is one such reason why we need to head to the polls in November. If anything +Reince Priebus and the +GOP are hoping we sit this election out, this way they can continue to sell our nation to the billionaire who makes the best offer, in addition to implementing a theocratic state on us. We can't let this happen.
This is +jgsf1987 telling you to go vote this year.

Endless Bloodshed

I write this in part to the ongoing bloodshed between Israel and Hamas. I don't condone the killing of 4 teenagers (3 Israelis and 1 Palestinian), as I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families. One important note to put out there: 2 of the teens (1 of the Israelis and the sole Palestinian) were US Citizens, which in my mind makes it even more infuriating. A group of extremists from Gaza kidnapped the 3 Israelis and brutally murdered them, and the response by Israeli settlers in the West Bank was just as vile, where they abducted a Palestinian boy and lit him on fire upon arriving in a forest outside Jerusalem. It was only a matter of time before the Palestinian teenager would die from his burns, which covered 90% of his body.

Even though I understand the motivation of +Benjamin Netanyahu and the +Israel Defense Forces to end the terror caused by Hamas, collective punishment of the people of Gaza is not the way to do it. The fact is that the people of Gaza have nowhere to hide and most are not even affiliated with Hamas, or other extremist networks, such as the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade. Even so, Hamas must abandon the practice of using Gazans as human shields. So in this case, both sides are to blame. But most of the blame, in my eyes, falls on Israel. Here's why: for too long Israel has retained its illegal occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, only pulling out of Gaza in 2005. Moreover, Israel continues to build settlements in areas Palestinians hope to use for a state. I understand that demographics will need to shape how final borders will look, but for there to be a final determination of such factors, there needs to be a permanent freeze on settlement construction. Not to mention, it violates the laws of war, which I believe I made clear in a previous post. In no way does Israel have the right to demand recognition and simultaneously demand the right to deny recognition to the Palestinians and to settle their land.

A number of Israeli policies are perpetuating this endless cycle of violence. So until the extreme zionists and ultra-orthdox lose their grip on Israeli society, this cycle will continue. The same goes for Wahabists and Salafis in the Palestinian territories, mostly the Wahabis. Once their grip loosens, as well as those who express extreme Arab nationalism, can moderates from the Palestinian side be able to move the process forward, as well as on the Israeli side.

Comcast's Gameplaying And The Need To End It. The Narration Of A Pissed Off Customer.

There's a lot to be desired about +Comcast, and its services, but when it comes to customer service, let me say this. What customer service? What caring about the inconviences the customer faces on a constant basis? That's the point, they don't care in the least, just happy to take the customer's money, but not do anything to help them when things break down.

But it's worse than that, they will actually hold onto a customer's monthly payment, and charge them double the next.

On my end, I found out that +Comcast killed our internet/tv service due to catching them double billing. Needless to say, I was pissed as heck. And to have them playing games with someone's money, be it mine or another's, should be downright prosecutable. I'd like to see either the +Federal communication Commission fine +Comcast, or have the +Federal Bureau of Investigation, in tandem with the +United States Attorneys, prosecute it under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act).

I think that this story from Addicting Info explains the case along with this meme below.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/07/15/mans-attempt-to-cancel-his-comcast-service-is-infuriating-hilarious-audio/

Independence Day

As today is the 4th of July, being America's 238th birthday, I think it's a good time to reflect and see about what opportuities were given to us from the Founding Fathers. The real meaning behind this is to show why we need to keep fighting to keeping our democratic republic open as much as we can. This is not to say that we can't make some kind of life or death decision, far from it. We're not at that stage as we were back in April 1861, with the start of the Civil War. However, we need to remember that there's always that one force trying to make its way into gaining power in this great country of ours, and it is the force of religious fanaticism/extremism. Don't underestimate the power of the megachurches, or for that matter, those looking to inject religion into state affairs. This has been a long quest for them to, as they've always wanted to combine church and state, not keep them separate as the Founding Fathers fought to do.

However, on a happier note, take this as a day to remember why you are independent of anyone telling you how to live your lives. That is the other aspect about this day, as it shows us that at some point we need to throw off the yoke of some outside authority and gain some autonomy for ourselves, just like our Founding Fathers did with America, separating out of the hold of Great Britain and its empire in 1776.

Interesting Scenarios Taking Root

If I had to be glad for something, it'd be that we haven't had a boring week in the news. 3 main reasons that pop out for this assessment comes from stories on Ukraine and Syria, +U.S. Soccer in the World Cup, and the recent ruling by the US Supreme Court concerning cell phone searches by the cops.

First off in Syria and Ukraine, there's a reason these two countries are lumped together, they both involve movements by the USA and Russia to try and lower tensions. In Syria, all chemical weapons have been declared accounted for and removed. This is good news, as now there's no more means of setting off more weaponry that could cause unabashedly ghastly civilian casualties. In addition, it also leaves the christened Islamic Republic of Iraq and Syria (aka Islamic Republic of Iraq and the Levant) with no WMD's to use for terrorist attacks. In addition, in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has made the indication that he's willing to work for peace. The Ukraine scenario, as it's now unfolding, has Putin making conciliatory gestures and statements to Ukraine and is calling on all pro-Russia militias to accept and abide by the recently declared cease-fire. There's a couple of reasons behind this. The first is that the USA and the EU were prepared to throw the heaviest crippling sanctions on Russia's energy sector, and upon implementation would have completely brought the Russian economy to a full standstill. Putin might have taken that into consideration, since that happens to be the majority of where Russia's gas exports go (the EU). The other reason is that more bloodshed would have killed off a major supply route for Russian gas exports, had there been continued attacks on Ukrainian gas pipelines in the east.

Another source of contentment is that +U.S. Soccer has done very well this year in the +FIFA WORLD CUP. What's not surprising is the closeness of the game yesterday between USA and Germany. The reason is simple unlike Soccer/Football pitches (fields) in Europe, which tend to be fairly flat, pitches in the Americas tend to have an incline. This is mostly from the geography of where people play the game. For the most part, Europeans are not used to playing on an incline, which is why they play fairly poorly in the Americas. USA, from being in the Americas, is not as deeply affected by this, as we're used to having a bit of an incline. The inverse is also true, where many American countries, are not as used to playing on a flat surface, which is why countries like Brazil or Argentina, won't do as well in Europe. Now on the part of USA, I think that we'll advance pretty far this time, the only troublesome nation to take on would be Argentina, who I think will make short work of Switzerland. If USA miraculously defeats Argentina, then the only tough game ahead would be the final, and seeing the way things are going in the Cup, Brazil will make it there and will meet up with whomever the other champion is. My guess is that USA will be that other one, and that will be interesting to see.

On a final note, there was a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court yesterday that has fully barred cops from searching your smartphones without a warrant. This unanimous ruling was a no-brainer, Liberal or Conservative, as these devices are practically miniature computers with SIM cards in them. To access anyone's meta-data, cops need to use the same constitutional provisions that they had for searching people's homes and other belongings, get a warrant. This at least shows, at the most basic level, that the 4th Amendment against unwarranted searches and seizures is still relevant at this present time. The ruling is 100% necessary given the previous overreach of spying on ordinary Americans by George W. Bush's administration.

Sideshows

How often is it that whenever we're trying to get anything done, there's always some curveball thrown at us? It's weird how life can be sometimes. Not that anyone should try to fight it at all.

That is, of course, if it's not done intentionally, so that someone can get an unfair advnatage. Yep, it's +Darrell Issa again. When is he ever going to learn that all of these sideshows are doing nothing but costing us time and money? Seriously, the +GOP does more to waste time until an election comes up to do everything possible to return us to the awful days of Jim Crow, than they do actually governing.

It's about time we said enough already! It's bad enough in some cases that we need Executive Action from President +Barack Obama in order to move this country forward. This is the exact opposite of what the Founding Fathers opted for. If anything these sideshows only prove one thing, the Republicans have failed us. It just sickens me to think that there's calls for investigating the spread of Sharia throughout America, and calls for Congress to investigate this. I'm also sickened by the fact that the Republicans have called for more overt measures to keep people they see unfit to vote (i.e., people of color, youth, etc.) since they believe only conservative Whites are the only ones allowed to take part in the electoral process (elderly conservative Whites). This kind of racism does nothing for us.

And about Benghazi? Come on, we all know that was a stunt intentionally done by Christian extremists to evoke a violent response from Muslims. The inhabitants of Benghazi, like those in Cairo, did what the extremists wanted them to do, mob together in large riotous crowds and storm American diplomatic installations. I would say that their actions are directly responsible for the deaths of 4 American diplomats, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. What did they think would happen? I don't get this about religious extremists, they have no sense of regard for human life when it comes to advancing their goals of imposing a very literal theocracy.

Tracy Morgan and Jimmy Mack

The whole situation with +Tracy Morgan  and James McNair (aka Jimmy Mack) is tragic and infuriatingly senseless at the same time. I'll say a large RIP to Jimmy Mack, as it was too soon for this to have happened. At the same time, I wish +Tracy Morgan a speedy recovery, and hope that he'll be able to hold on. What's so senseless is why the driver, Kevin Roper, had to be out on the road, if fatigue was getting to him, but it also speaks less to Roper's responsibility, than it does about +Walmart's. +Walmart is the chief responsible party for this, in my eyes, knowing its consistant flouting of labor laws and other safety regulations. While I'm heartened that +Walmart is taking responsibility for Roper causing the crash, I believe the police, specifically the FBI, and in some cases the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, should be looking at whether this is a common practice. If this is, then +Walmart ought to be charged with vehicular murder in the 1st degree of Jimmy Mack. Not to mention, it should be forced to suspend any and all operations in America because, it's becoming apparent in my eyes that they have absolutely no regard for public safety if they're going to be making their drivers stay on the road fatigued. This is why it's so senseless, a major American company seems to put now be putting profits above public (both labor and potential customer) safety, and this is just flat-out absurd.

Just a little note:
I do not have the facts, and this post will be revised as the facts come out. I encourage everyone not to take my words as the literal truth of the matter, and to do some independent research. I'm going to do some myself, on +Google and on Bing. I encourage all to do so, too. We need to get the facts and make our judgments off of them.

Update:
By looking on +Google, apparently it proved my point that the driver, Kevin Roper, was facing driver-fatigue from going over 24 hours without any sleep. My only concern now is whether this is a pattern on +Walmart's part, and if it is, it needs to end.

100th Post, But With A Twist.

Huh, who’d’ve thought? 100 posts on this blog. Anyway, not a time for me to gloat since there’s a more pressing message I need to deliver.

There’s a piece of malware floating around that claims to be the FBI, and intimidates computer users with the threat of arrest and prosecution for violating the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Basically 5-20 years in Federal Prison with a $100,000 fine. This is a scam as it demands a ransom payment of $100-$1,000 to free up a locked computer paid by MoneyPack or some other money-order service. Basically, it’s ransomware. But what I find troubling about this is that it comes as a form of two pieces of malicious software: Reveton & Citadel. This isn’t new as this has been going on since 2012.

Here’s a couple of links that will explain the whole story:

http://guides.yoosecurity.com/how-remove-fbi-moneypak-virus-malware-that-blocked-pc-asks-for-payment-100-dollars/

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/august/new-internet-scam/

New Bout Of Racism & Racial Discrimination Courtesy Of The South

Honestly, this again? How am I not surprised that it's coming out of the South of all places, specifically Tennessee? No, this should not raise many eyebrows at all, considering the history of some of the most violent expressions of racism coming out the South, and the mandating of Jim Crow from 1877-1964.

Anyway, this story is coming out of a cotton gin factory in Tennessee, just outside of Memphis. The company in question, Atkinson Cotton Warehouse, has a lead supervisor with a history of making racist statements and engaging in racial discrimination against black employees. I applaud both of them for recording their boss' racist commentary and using it to file charges with the +U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This is 2014 for crying out loud, not 1954! Just because the South wants nothing to do with Civil Rights legislation, and everything to do with White Supremacy, is not a reason to bring back Jim Crow and all of its violence.

Here's the video, take a look.

VA Troubles

After hearing that Gen. Rick Shinseki resigned as VA Secretary, it saddened me to think that a man of such valor would have to walk away from the post that he worked so hard to restore some sense of honesty. However, such valiant efforts went out the window, as there's still some lingering problems that predate the Obama Administration that are a lasting confirmation of the sheer incompetence of the Bush Administration (2001-9) in even provinding our nation's veterans with the very medical care that they need. It's so infuriating to think that  many administrators in the +Veterans Health Adminstration and other senior staff in that agency could be that careless about the very people they're supposed to serve, and that they ordered their subordinates to simply falsify figures to increase their ever increasing bonuses. I have to say that is the most bogus directive I've heard of. It does hearten me that President +Barack Obama is fully on this issue, and is about to try to tackle this so that it disappears permanently. Yet at the same time, Obama is ultimately responsible for this as +President Of The United States. He needs to get this out of the way and at least give our vets the benefits they've earned fighting for our freedom.