I received this as an email a few minutes ago. I have heard rumors of such a thing; but I have not had time to verify the accuracy of several of the points contained in it.
I have long been upset that our congress has established itself as an elite group that is largely above the laws that apply to us. I'm also upset that we have this elected group of individuals that can determine their own salaries and give themselves raises as their constituents fall farther and farther behind.
Read the following. If you validate that this material is correct and feel compelled (as I am likely to do) to pursue it further, please do so.
Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.
This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, then please pass it on.
This is an idea that we should address.
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that passed... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We should not have an elite group that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.
If each person that receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States .."
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
It's Hard To Believe
It seems like it was only yesterday that I was hectically trying to get things done so that I could focus not only web development and client computers gone awry but on the real meaning of this time of year. On this day last year, our entire workforce (and a couple more thrown in for good measure) were trying to clean a client's computers of a rootkit that had managed to install itself and wreck absolute havoc.
This is the time of year when our focus should be on the birth of one who in his short 33 years changed the world more than any man before or since.
Regardless of how busy you THINK you should be take time during this season to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Don't greet clients and friends with Happy Holiday. Whether you've chosen to be Christian or one of the many other religions available today, remember the following:
Jesus was a real man -- history has recorded his life
This is the time of year when our focus should be on the birth of one who in his short 33 years changed the world more than any man before or since.
Regardless of how busy you THINK you should be take time during this season to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Don't greet clients and friends with Happy Holiday. Whether you've chosen to be Christian or one of the many other religions available today, remember the following:
Jesus was a real man -- history has recorded his life
- Whether you believe him to be God or not, Jesus' influence on the world was significant
- Jesus' presence and influence is recognized by many organized religions including 97 times in the Koran
- His birth was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah -- read by Christians and Jews alike
Monday, December 20, 2010
RARE CHRISTMAS PRESENT
The three hour show will begin Tuesday morning at 1:33, with totality at 2:41. During the hour required for the shadow to cover the complete moon, you'll see the moon revealed in regal splendor not often seen.
Now let's just hope that the weather cooperates!
In the picture at left, the moon appears totally covered by shadow as the earth passes between the moon and the sun, during the lunar eclipse in this Jan. 9, 2001 file photo taken in Kiel, Germany. On Tuesday Dec. 21, 2010 the first day of northern winter, the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. The eclipse begins at 1:33 am EST. At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the "bite" to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 2:41 am EST and lasts for 72 minutes. According to NASA the last total lunar eclipse that happened on the winter solstice was Dec. 21, 1638. The next one will Dec. 21, 2094. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
I don't normally stay up that late; but tonight will likely be the exception. It's been a long time since December 21, 1638 and it's very unlikely that I'll be around for the next one on December 21, 2094.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/20/2531791/lunar-eclipse-at-solstice-a-rare.html#ixzz18esozR8c
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thanksgiving - What Has It Become?
We went through the routine last week. The wife decided who would bring what and got agreement from the kids. We welcomed the out-of-town contingent (our former daughter in law, her husband, THEIR daughter and OUR grandkids). Some of our guests (mainly our kids and their families) came early. Others got here barely in time to eat.
Some ate and then helped clean up. Others ate and then dropped into comfortable seating in the family room to watch football. Others ate and left!
But it was still fun -- and one of those rare occasions when the entire family sits at table for a meal and when the entire family eats a meal over a single grace being prayed.
The kitchen table was cleared after the meal and all the girls gathered round -- advertisements in one hand and lists in the other. It was now time to decide about "Black Friday".
But things changed this year -- it was no longer "Black Friday" but "Black Thanksgiving". Store doors did not open at 5AM as in past years. Some store doors were open even as they pined about who was going to buy what.
The mass of female flesh piled into the van at 10:45 Thanksgiving evening just to wait in line at their first target -- yes, Target was their first stop. And they were gung ho until they approached collapse for lack of sleep at a little before noon on Friday.
I went to bed shortly after they left, adding a few sentences to my nightly prayer -- praying that the insane would regain a little sense and that they would have fun during their foolish frivolity.
Those of us -- especially Bobby, Ben and me -- who stayed at home arose the next more to the wafting aroma of fresh brewed coffee. After a couple of cups each, we dressed and went to a local eatery for Western Omelettes, hash browns (with onions), sliced tomatos, biscuits and buttered toast. Then we went home and awaited the return of the girls -- sore feet, tired eyes, frayed tempers et al.
They will never admit the reality of the situation. During all this, I kept thinking that Thanksgiving has lost its real meaning. It has morphed into Black Friday Eve. What a shame!
Some ate and then helped clean up. Others ate and then dropped into comfortable seating in the family room to watch football. Others ate and left!
But it was still fun -- and one of those rare occasions when the entire family sits at table for a meal and when the entire family eats a meal over a single grace being prayed.
The kitchen table was cleared after the meal and all the girls gathered round -- advertisements in one hand and lists in the other. It was now time to decide about "Black Friday".
But things changed this year -- it was no longer "Black Friday" but "Black Thanksgiving". Store doors did not open at 5AM as in past years. Some store doors were open even as they pined about who was going to buy what.
The mass of female flesh piled into the van at 10:45 Thanksgiving evening just to wait in line at their first target -- yes, Target was their first stop. And they were gung ho until they approached collapse for lack of sleep at a little before noon on Friday.
I went to bed shortly after they left, adding a few sentences to my nightly prayer -- praying that the insane would regain a little sense and that they would have fun during their foolish frivolity.
Those of us -- especially Bobby, Ben and me -- who stayed at home arose the next more to the wafting aroma of fresh brewed coffee. After a couple of cups each, we dressed and went to a local eatery for Western Omelettes, hash browns (with onions), sliced tomatos, biscuits and buttered toast. Then we went home and awaited the return of the girls -- sore feet, tired eyes, frayed tempers et al.
They will never admit the reality of the situation. During all this, I kept thinking that Thanksgiving has lost its real meaning. It has morphed into Black Friday Eve. What a shame!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Christmas Is Coming
Are you like me -- salivating over some of the new "necessities" that didn't exist last year. Are you leaving hints around the house? Does every other sentence end with "...you know I could do that with a ..."?
The iPad is the one that's piqued my imagination this year. My mind says "...you can't live another day without one of those"; and the logical side of my brain says "...if you had one what would you do with it".
The left and right sides of my brain wage war for a while, with the arguement ending with "...I sure would love to have one of those...".
What's my assessment of the iPad? One side of my brain argues it's the best thing since sliced bread -- something you'll continuously use. The other side responds that I'll get it, use it for a week and then relegate it to the stack of devices I've gotten every year for the last "n" years.
My granddaughter got an iPod Touch for her birthday earlier this month. She spent the weekend with us this past weekend and I spent more than a little bit of time with the iPod in my hands. My reaction to the device was that it's a great device that can almost replace a computer. It's great for sending and receiving email, accessing the Internet and playing games. It's powerful and fast.
Another reality -- it's too darned small or my eyes are too darned bad! The other thing that bothered me was that it has WiFi but can't send and receive notes or access the Internet unless you're in a hotspot. Kudos to my Blackberry.
The iPad solves the major size problem -- it's big enough to read and can be used as a book reader. But which makes more sense for a lightweight device -- the iPad or a Netbook? That's a full function computer, excepting the excellent book reader component, that's been shrunk in size to the point where the keyboard can be cumbersome. It's also considerably less expensive than the iPad.
This is only one of the "toys". I heard this morning that there are going to be some really good prices on devices this year -- like WalMart having a 32" flat screen TV for $200.00. And it's not a Black Friday special where each store has exactly .6 devices on sale.
I'm learning to keep my wishlist realistic and then to analyze whether my "want" is a kneejerk reaction or for a device that I'll really find useful for more than a week!
The iPad is the one that's piqued my imagination this year. My mind says "...you can't live another day without one of those"; and the logical side of my brain says "...if you had one what would you do with it".
The left and right sides of my brain wage war for a while, with the arguement ending with "...I sure would love to have one of those...".
What's my assessment of the iPad? One side of my brain argues it's the best thing since sliced bread -- something you'll continuously use. The other side responds that I'll get it, use it for a week and then relegate it to the stack of devices I've gotten every year for the last "n" years.
My granddaughter got an iPod Touch for her birthday earlier this month. She spent the weekend with us this past weekend and I spent more than a little bit of time with the iPod in my hands. My reaction to the device was that it's a great device that can almost replace a computer. It's great for sending and receiving email, accessing the Internet and playing games. It's powerful and fast.
Another reality -- it's too darned small or my eyes are too darned bad! The other thing that bothered me was that it has WiFi but can't send and receive notes or access the Internet unless you're in a hotspot. Kudos to my Blackberry.
The iPad solves the major size problem -- it's big enough to read and can be used as a book reader. But which makes more sense for a lightweight device -- the iPad or a Netbook? That's a full function computer, excepting the excellent book reader component, that's been shrunk in size to the point where the keyboard can be cumbersome. It's also considerably less expensive than the iPad.
This is only one of the "toys". I heard this morning that there are going to be some really good prices on devices this year -- like WalMart having a 32" flat screen TV for $200.00. And it's not a Black Friday special where each store has exactly .6 devices on sale.
I'm learning to keep my wishlist realistic and then to analyze whether my "want" is a kneejerk reaction or for a device that I'll really find useful for more than a week!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Happy Birthday To US Marines
November 10th is the 235th birthday of the US Marines. Join me on this special day in wishing these brave men and women a happy birthday. Be sure to thank them for their service and their willingness to put themselves in harm's way in order that we may be free.
I extend a "special birthday wish" to Taylor, our grandson and all of the men and women in the current class. He's about half way through basic training at Paris Island -- preparing himself to continue the brave tradition of the Marines. He'll make himself (and all of us) proud because of his career choice at this point in his life.
Happy Birthday Marines!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I extend a "special birthday wish" to Taylor, our grandson and all of the men and women in the current class. He's about half way through basic training at Paris Island -- preparing himself to continue the brave tradition of the Marines. He'll make himself (and all of us) proud because of his career choice at this point in his life.
Happy Birthday Marines!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, November 01, 2010
Special / Important Day
Today is the eve of what I truly believe will likely be the most important day of 2010 -- the eve of our nation's mid-term election.
I remind you of something my father repeatedly told me -- "Son, if you don't vote you have no right to bitch about the results." Nothing he ever told me was more truthful than that simple statement.
My dad contended that voting is neither a right nor a priviledge. He saw it as a responsibility -- and I agree with him.
Years ago, I went to vote in a presidential election and found the line to be over 1 mile long -- that's right one mile, 5,280 feet long. I was tempted; but I did it. And after the fact I was proud.
I also remember two other things. I was reminded of this only in one of last night's newscasts -- the margin of Jimmy Carter's victory was less than ONE VOTE PER PRECINCT. Another from an acquaintance a good many years ago. He felt terrible afterwards because of what happened. He decided to drop out of line figuring that he represented only ONE VOTE. He really felt bad after election results were in and he found that his candidate lost by ONE VOTE!
I remind you of something my father repeatedly told me -- "Son, if you don't vote you have no right to bitch about the results." Nothing he ever told me was more truthful than that simple statement.
My dad contended that voting is neither a right nor a priviledge. He saw it as a responsibility -- and I agree with him.
Years ago, I went to vote in a presidential election and found the line to be over 1 mile long -- that's right one mile, 5,280 feet long. I was tempted; but I did it. And after the fact I was proud.
I also remember two other things. I was reminded of this only in one of last night's newscasts -- the margin of Jimmy Carter's victory was less than ONE VOTE PER PRECINCT. Another from an acquaintance a good many years ago. He felt terrible afterwards because of what happened. He decided to drop out of line figuring that he represented only ONE VOTE. He really felt bad after election results were in and he found that his candidate lost by ONE VOTE!
Friday, October 29, 2010
An Historic Moment
My policy is to reserve religious and political discussions for the dinner table and, even then, to limit the discussions to a very small audience.
If you know me, it's likely that you know my religious and political affiliation and alliance(s). Whether you know me or not, I am via this post violating my own position -- I'm taking a moment to say how important I think the mid-term election is to the future of this country.
From my perspective, selection for this mid-term are easy! We have had two years of radical agenda and "constitution trampling," and it's time for changes in Washington.
My dad had a priceless philosophy -- vote or you have no rigth to bitch about the outcome of the election. I'm leaving that quote with you -- go to the polls on Tuesday and vote.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Moment To Ponder
A friend passed the following link to me in an email earlier today. My first reaction was to delete the message; but I clicked the link and viewed the resulting video. And I was so glad that I decided to take a minute to see what my friend apparently thought was important enough to pass on to me.
I was deeply moved by what I saw; and I hope that you will be too.
I'd like you to do 2 things for me. I'd like you to click the link and view the video and then send me an email to let me know if it moved you as much as it did me.
Click Here To View Video
Click Here to Send an Email To Let Me Know What You Think
I was deeply moved by what I saw; and I hope that you will be too.
I'd like you to do 2 things for me. I'd like you to click the link and view the video and then send me an email to let me know if it moved you as much as it did me.
Click Here To View Video
Click Here to Send an Email To Let Me Know What You Think
Monday, October 04, 2010
Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! !
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees... I don't feel threatened.. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu ... If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about.. And we said okay..
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben S
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees... I don't feel threatened.. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu ... If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about.. And we said okay..
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben S
Thursday, June 24, 2010
JFSI Welcomes New Client
JFSI is proud to welcome Auto Choice Select, LLC as a recent client. Auto Choice specializes in providing high quality used vehicles to people living in the Triad of North Carolina. Their web site AutoChoiceSelectLLC.com is in development and will be available soon.
Mark Stafford, the dealership's General Manager will be proud to show you any of the cars on the lot. He'll also show you a high quality -- manufactured by Holiday Rambler -- motor home. If you're in the market for a motor home, this is a "must see"Wednesday, January 13, 2010
HP Image Zone Software
We have found that HP's Image Zone software neither installs nor works under Windows 7. Users of this program that intend to migrate to Windows 7 should find an alternative before upgrading or purchasing a new machine with the new O/S.
2010 Census Warning
WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau
(BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
- If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.
Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.
The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the
Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
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