Sandy Hook shooting and another gun debate

After the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 young children and 7 adults (6 teachers and killer’s mother), were killed by the gunman Adam Lanza, the gun control debate is taking over the mass media – yet again.

Sandy Hook is different.  The killer had some major mental issues recognized by his mother who, as reported recently, was trying to commit his to a mental institution.  Mother’s plans prompted Adam Lanza to kill his mother and the other 26 innocent people.

Unfortunately, the guns used in this horrific crime came from the mother’s firearm collection.  She was a legal and licensed gun owner in Connecticut.  However, the law, and apparently the common sense, couldn’t prevent this disturbed 20-year-old from using the guns to kill.

Could this tragedy be prevented?  Obviously, the mother knew about her son’s condition and totally ignored the fact that her son had access to firearms.  Could the law be changed to screen for households with mental patients?
If they had been register somewhere – yes.  Knowing the lack of true mental screening net in the United States, those laws are ineffective.

The other side of the coin is the subject of the taboo.  We can’t pretend that guns don’t exist.  Perhaps high school students should receive a hands on training in a ROTC or police-like class?  After seeing a deadly effect of the gun, safety training, and satisfied curiosity, most of the young people would just move on to another subject.

What can be done in the mean time?
On Roe & Roeper show, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy, brought up a very interesting idea used in New York City already.  Since most shooting are still committed with the illegal guns,  registering each gun sale, would put pressure on the legal gun owners to follow the background check laws.  Even with private sales.  In other words, guns would be treated like cars or motorcycles with title changing hands in the open.

Besides the stringent laws, banning all assault rifles is again on the table.  Can well regulated militia use shotguns instead?  I’m sure that would be fine.

We all know that one law will never change.  It’s the right to posses a firearm.  I have a feeling that in a very near future, a handgun will become the only firearm available for self defense.  It’s time to put that .50 cal sniper rifle away.

121212 hurricane Sandy relief concert from Madison Square Garden

www.121212concert.org

If you haven’t noticed, my question about which country will offer some help to the victims of hurricane Sandy, was pretty much qualified as rhetorical.  Yes, rest of the World doesn’t give a shiznit about our people.  Considering, the United States jumps in to help with every major disaster around the globe,  the lack of interest is just ungrateful.

Here’s a grand idea.  The money extorted from the United States every year to fund the United Nations, $7.691 billion in 2010, should be redirected toward the relief efforts in New York and New Jersey.  After all, it’s our money, and we want some return on the investment.

So here we are.  12-12-12 concert  with an amazing group of celebrity stars performing on stage to raise funds to benefit the Robin Hood Relief Fund for the Sandy relief.  Yes, Americans are like onions.  Under the yellow skin, we’re all tearjerkers who help others.  Of course, with the exception of Pamela Anderson Lee and other unfortunate folks with Hepatitis C that would cause the yellowish skin.

Tony Soprano himself, James Gandolfini, is making the phone calls during the concert.  My favorites took the stage: Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Chris Rock, John Bon Jovi, Jimmy Fallon, Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarantino, and Steve Buscemi.  Although, Buscemi’s interest in rebuilding the Jersey Shore might be vested in a new boardwalk for his upcoming season of  HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”.

The collection of the performers was quite impressive.  Among others: Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Eric Clapton, Kanye West, The Who, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, and The Rolling Stones.  I have to admit, Alicia Keys was awesome, but Billy Joel just brought down the house.  The Piano Man still got it.

As a surprise bonus, it was great to see Michael Stipe from R.E.M. singing with Chris Martin from Coldplay.  You have to appreciate the skill of these guys.  Man, Lady Gaga looks bleak in comparison.

The real heroes of the hurricane were not forgotten.  Police, firefighters, emergency medics, doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, and many more that assisted thousands of residents before and after the storm, were recognized by all.  I officially change my position on privatization of the fire stations, keep them public, we need those guys to stay.

Unfortunately, the Atlantic City mogul was no show, still recovering from the hurricane Sandy damaged comb over.  Mirror mirror, on the wall, where’s Donnie Trump after all???

Above all, it’s a righteous cause and one would hope for a great response.

Revolutionary ideas to deal with the fiscal cliff

Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas are upon us, but instead of joyous atmosphere, Americans are faced with an infamous fiscal cliff.  How steep is the fiscal cliff?  About.com explains the fiscal cliff in a short and sweet manner.  Read on, if you dare!

Even though the media blankets us with the daily serving of panic-ridden fiscal cliff news, the citizens outrage is not visible.  How do we make the American people to care more about the cliff?

Public relations and proper advertisement are the key, hence the top 8 list of the fiscal cliff substitute names:

8. Pistol Biff - Do you feel lucky? Lets knock off that tax rate already.
7. Fiasco Tiff - Can't we just get along?  No, we can't.
6. Dismal Whiff - Do you smell those disappearing tax cuts?
5. Facial Ziff - Shave off some of that spending before it gets hairy.
4. Distal Riff - Hands off approach to taxes, over and over again.
3. Crystal Reef - Clear view of the mounting debt problems.
2. Frontal sniff - Yes, it's definitely a rotten tax increase deal.
1. Fiscal Queef - Budget agreement?  It's all in the air.

Another idea is to push the Clifford aka Cliff to the top of the newborn names rankings.  For the last couple of years, Cliff has been doing poorly.  See the stats.  Using the fluffy, Clifford the Big Red Dog, to ease the name shock among the populous, did not work out too well.  Kids love the name; adults, not so much.

Stats by ssa.gov

It doesn't matter which side has better ideas to avoid the fiscal cliff.  On January 1st, 2012, all Americans will have less money in their pockets.  And that's that.

NASA had spoken - no end of the World in 2012

To put everyone at ease, NASA released a video to let us know that there will be no end of the World on December 21st, 2012.  In short, Mayan calendar just resets and the party goes on.  There.

If you want to track same asteroids, visit NASA's asteroid watch website.

Powerball lottery jackpot up to $550 million

Here we go again.  Another giant jackpot coming my way, this time it’s Powerball.  The latest estimates put the jackpot at about $550 million.  What will I do with my winnings?  I’ve posted my list here, after the Mega Millions hit its record at the time.

Forbes magazine published the 11 biggest lottery winners list.  The stories are great.

I find Twitter to have the best lines when it comes to a public frenzy over pretty much anything. Check out the hashtags #powerball and #lottery.  My selections are below.

Uber Nibbler ‏@UberNibbler
Building an orphanage in my home town after I collect my #powerball #lottery winnings. Yes, it’s like that.
Hannah Johnson ‏@hannahLjohnson
My dad told me that he hopes I win the lottery so I can pave his driveway.. #hahahah #onlymydad #lottery
Justin Zukowski ‏@JZ_HOVA
Were all gonna wake up and drag our broke asses to school and work tomorrow #lottery #dreams
Amy Freeze ‏@AmyFreeze
Who’s Playing? Or Maybe Who Isn’t? Powerball is selling at an average rate of 105,000 tickets per minute. #Lottery #JackPot
Social Studs ‏@socialstuds
The odds of winning Powerball are 1 in 175,223,510. The odds of being in a history rock band are 1 in 180,243,098. I like my odds. #lottery
John Orosz ‏@iGottaUseDaJOHN
To who ever is playing the lottery tonight…May the odds be ever in your favor!!:) #lottery #TheHungerGames
Judy Baar Topinka ‏@JudyBaarTopinka
In order to pay off its debt, #Illinois would have to win the #powerball 198 times! #SGP #ILisBroke

Paula Broadwell’s top 10 list of new bestsellers after Petraeus resigns

The best political thriller and Harlequin authors could not come up with this scenario.  One of the highest intelligence officers of the land, CIA Director David H. Petraeus, resigned from his post because of the extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.  The relationship was exposed by FBI, alerted by a possible contender, Jill Kelley, after she was threatened by Broadwell.

The story gets better.  Top military commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, is not under scrutiny for horny emails exchanged with Jill Kelley.  Between 20,000 and 30,000 of them!  Americans want their money back.

Wait, wait.  One of the FBI agents conducting the investigation is now suspended for emailing his shirtless pictures to Jill Kelley.  What a relief.  No boner exchange.  Obviously, Anthony Weiner is missing on some hot, textile-less action here.

The top 10 list of Paula Broadwell’s new bestsellers of 2012

• 10. “Pearl Hambone”
• 9. “Tank tops and turrets”
• 8. “Foreskin-star general: David H. Petraeus”
• 7. “Is this bayonet in your pocket?”
• 6. “Balls Deep”
• 5. “Short barrel howitzer”
• 4. “Fire is the glory hole!”
• 3. “Kneel and gimme 50″
• 2. “Don’t shoot! I’m coming!”
• 1. “History of a hummer”

Christina Pazsitzky performs at Chicago Improv

Christina Pazsitzky was the headliner of the Chicago Improv tonight.  She's known from the Chelsea Lately show. 

Before Christina, the featured comic, Chicago native Brian Aldridge, delivered an outstanding performance.  You can check out his website here.  His style reminded me of Daniel Tosh, bar the megaton of vulgarities.
 
Right from the start, Pazsitzky tried to shock when she exposed her belly displaying the results of wine and mozzarella sticks diet from her recent tour.  Yes, it was funny. 

I think the story about her Hindu stepfather taking a number two standing up on the toilet was true given a fact that  toilets in India are just squatting holes.  Yes, you can learn about important cultural differences at the comedy club.

The closer, however, was the best.  Pazsitzky actually invited a young couple on the stage in order to make fun of a guy and ask him to perform a fake proposal.  But wait, that wasn't a joke.  The guy actually took a knee and proposed to his girlfriend with a ring.  She couldn't believe it, but she said yes.  Yes, the guy expected some action tonight.  Naturally. 

Election 2012: Who do you side with?

My friends just sent me this great quiz from isidewith.com to check on your political and social views.  The quiz is interesting and results may surprise you.  

Who knew: I found out that Gary Johnson is my guy.

Alonzo Bodden at the Chicago Improv

Last Friday, Chicago Improv comedy club hosted Alonzo Bodden, the third season winner of the Last Comic Standing.  First of all, the guy is tall.  6' 4" to be exact. 

Check out the video on The Kevin Nealon Show when Bodden talks about Google.  Yes, he was still in the process of writing that piece.  And why is Kevin Nealon uncomfortable in his little director's chair? 

About half way through the gig, some girl from the first row decided that some of the jokes were too much, and she asked Bodden to take a notch or two down.  I haven't seen that before at the comedy club.  Yes, the disapproving reaction of the crowd happens but a single person?  Anyone else had seen that? 

I have to admit, Bodden handled that criticism skillfully.  The girl was happy, and the comic could move on to the sport jokes.  Crown just went along with the jokes and laughs. 

Although, I prefer a more physical stand-up, he's material was decent.  Add a glass of wine, plate of hummus, and gorgeous date, and my evening was complete.

Hurricane Sandy aftermath: What country will offer assistance first?

Hurricane Sandy left a huge path of destruction.  Estimating the damages will be almost impossible, since the effects of the hurricane will be felt for years to come.  Stock market, tourism, casinos, tax revenues, jobs, insurance costs, infrastructure, and human factor.  First careful estimates are in already.  The Huffington Post reports:

As a wide swath of the eastern seaboard begins to recover from what's estimated to be at least $20 billion in hurricane-related damages, the help is pouring in. Federal recovery dollars are being funneled to state agencies, nonprofits are accepting donations, first responders are caring for the injured and neighbors are helping neighbors.

One burning question comes to mind: which countries will jump in first to offer any form of help to the United States?

United States provides tons of assistance after every major disaster all over the world.  We all know that.  This is a payback time.  Who's first?  Going once, going twice...

The coldest Six Flags Fright Fest 2012 in Chicago

Last Sunday, October 28th, it was the last day of the Six Flags Fright Fest 2012.  Chicago's Six Flags, located about an hour north of Chicago in Gurnee, IL, was probably the coldest venue out of the 13 parks with temps around 40s.  Speak up Montreal if you dare! 

The Zombie

The People

The Scarecow

The Pond

Regardless of the temperature and chilling wind, the place was packed. Getting to the parking’s lot took 30 min.  Inside, all the pre-teens and teens with light jackets, no hats or gloves, looked like red popsicles.  All the rides were open but the lines were just ridiculous.   At least the Halloween costumes were decent.  And yes, those dressed up guys really scared a lot of people.  Haven't stayed for the evening parade but people were still pouring in around 6 PM. 

I'll visit again.  This time when it's nice and warm.

Chicagoland Barnes & Nobles among hacked stores

Major Chicago newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times, report the latest hacking scandal, this time at the popular bookstore chain, Barnes & Noble. Read about it here.

Barnes & Noble Inc. said Tuesday that devices used by customers to swipe credit and debit cards have been tampered with in 63 of its stores in nine states, including seven in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Photo by tnimalan at sxc.hu

Card swipers were outfitted to steal the credit and debit card numbers with pin combinations.  Obvious question is, who and how installed those devices?  You cannot trust your own employees these days?  Why do I care so much?  Because, I've purchased books and magazines in of those stores on several occasions!

But more pressing question is: why it took Barnes & Noble 5 weeks to release that information to the public?   They disconnected the swipers on September 14th, but knew about even earlier.  So much for letting loyal customers double check their statements and switch their cards in a timely manner.

Is convenience trumping the awareness and danger of the cashless society?  Not likely.  The crooks are just getting better at their game.  With a wide access to the latest online technology and sophisticated electronics, scamming people became an easy income source.

 Remember the Subway stores hacking scandal?  Fortunately, the black hats were caught.  Ars Technica reports about the investigation:

Two Romanian men have admitted to participating in an international conspiracy that hacked into credit-card payment terminals at more than 150 Subway restaurant franchises and stole data for more than 146,000 accounts. The heist, which spanned the years 2009 to 2011, racked up more than $10 million in losses, federal prosecutors said.

What can you do to protect your online activities and your credit/debit car info?
The big 4 include:

• Use stronger online passwords. Use my tips here.
• Use credit cards instead of debit cards whenever possible.  By law, you are only responsible for $50 or fraudulent purchases. 
• Replace your debit card if you think it was compromised.  I was able to replace my debit card in one of the Chicagoland Chase bank branches the same day the news broke out.  It took literally 5 minutes to print the card and setup new PIN.  On Chase website, look for a branch that "Offers Instant Debit Card Replacement".
• Use Radio-frequency identification (RFID) shield to protect your credit cards with RFID chips and the new RFID passports.  Even the simple credit card shield sleeve will protect you from the electronic pickpocket.  

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming up, following by the Kwanzaa-Hanukkah-Christmas shopping spree.  Stay aware you laptop Jedi knights with your plastic swords.  We don't want Luke to overcharge his father.

Mitt Romney and Obama Style YouTube Gangnam spoofs

If you haven't seen the Mitt Romney Style and Obama Style spoofs of the Gangnam Style by Psy, prepare yourself for a treat.  The videos are hilarious!

Lessons from the second 2012 presidential debate

What valuable lessons have we learned from the second presidential debate?

The Town Hall debate style blows.

Watching the debate, I had a urgent feeling of wasted time. Why? Staging together some random people, aka undecided voters, in front of Obama and Romney with their whining gluteus maximus questions was just unbearable to watch.  Perfect example, question from Jeremy Epstein aka Jeremy the College Kid:

Mr. President, Governor Romney, as a 20-year-old college student, all I hear from professors, neighbors and others is that when I graduate, I will have little chance to get employment. What can you say to reassure me, but more importantly my parents, that I will be able to sufficiently support myself after I graduate?

Guy, you are 20 years old, still in college, having fun, possibly binge drinking, although I highly doubt it, and you’re asking the government officials about how to get your first real job?

The real question should be: have either of you ever had munchies after a wild frat party?

But really, how about showing some initiative and getting your face out there to get an internship or work-study job? What is this? A college student version of the lady in 2008 yelling that Obama will pay for her gas and mortgage? Whatever happened to that lady anyway?  That would be a great follow up story for this election.

I’m sure with the national exposure, Jeremy will be employed soon. Perhaps a syndicated reality show called “I Epstein Your Honor” dealing with courtroom hardship of a rookie attorney trying to make it right in the wrong reality.

Did I mention that Town Hall debate style blows?

The other gem question from Michael Jones, just reassured my thesis about houses built before 1978 containing way too much lead paint and affecting nervous system of an average American: 

Mr. President, I voted for you in 2008. What have you done or accomplished to earn my vote in 2012?  I’m not that optimistic as I was in 2012. Most things I need for everyday living are very expensive.

Really Mike? Really? What gave you that idea?

Yes, we realize that the cost of living went up. The price of gasoline pretty much dictates the cost of our existence. Food, common goods, utilities, services, daycare – everything is going up with the salaries being stagnant. We all know that. We also realize that the President of the United States doesn’t directly control the cost of gasoline. The government might influence the cost but the speculators set the final price.  

The bickering between the candidates and the weak moderator.

CNN’s, Candy Crowley, shamelessly lost the control of the debate giving in to the bickering of both Obama and Romney.  No, not because she’s a woman but because we need Barbra Walters to the rescue.  United States is not Turkey and live stage with 65 million Americans watching is a Turkish bazaar.  We’re lucky they didn't start a brawl with all that finger pointing in close proximity.

By the way, Candy Crowley is a woman? Just wait when Arnold Schwarzenegger finds out – enter Conan.  At least she doesn't have to worry about the green card.

Lack of clear points and a strong message.

Yes, President Obama came through more aggressive this time around but neither he, nor Romney, made any clear points about their agenda for the next four years. There was a lot of blame and false numbers going around but no strong substance.

I ask: where’s the beef?  Give me your clear plan.  Herman Cain’s 999 tax plan was questionable but everyone remembers his idea. Though, not so much in Germany.  You would think that a month before the election, both guys would bedazzle the voters with clever ideas about the future of our country.  Financing of Planned Parenthood is not my idea of a plan for a whole country.  We are still waiting meatless here.

One must hope that the 3rd time’s the charm and we’ll finally see some classy statesmen debating the hot issues at hand. People want real answers to real problems.  Meow Mix Meow Mix please deliver! 

St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship for sale marketed by a Dubai based Range Developments

What’s the easiest way for a person from a questionable country to infiltrate the United States or the European Union countries?  Change and the identity and nationality.

St. Kitts & Nevis, the two-island Caribbean state, must be in really bad financial shape since its citizenship is for sale by a Dubai based Range Development group.  According to its website:

Founded by Mohammed Asaria and Munaf Ali, Range Holdings seeks to develop hospitality complexes in areas that enjoy unique tourism dynamics.

The tourism dynamics must be great since for “only” $400,000, one can receive a St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship within 3-4 months!  Yes, they make you jump through some hoops but overall, if you have cash, things will move forward quickly.  Read about the details here.

Photo by Urlik at sxc

Since Range Developments is building the “finest 5 star luxury resort on Banana Bay, part of the Christophe Harbour on the Eastern Caribbean island of St. Kitts”, they have the leverage to invite the investors from the Middle East with added bonus – the citizenship.

So what’s the big deal?  Some wealthy person spends some cash and in return has the open access to over 139 countries.  The deal is: who really screens those people?  Will this become a back door access for some shady businesses or some radicals?   Although the program started in 1984, the actions of this little country are very disturbing.

However, there is more to the story.  On the legitimate St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship-by-Investment Program website, there is an official disclosure stating:

Be advised that any advertising concerning the Citizenship by Investment Programme of St Kitts and Nevis is strictly prohibited. Developers and Service Providers are restricted to only stating that they are approved under the Citizenship by Investment Programme and by the provision of a link to the website ciu.gov.kn.Failure to comply would result in either immediate revocation of the status of the Approved Project or of the License to operate under the Citizenship by Investment Programme.The Citizenship by Investment Unit advises the public that the only entity authorised to promote, market or advertise the investment programme in any manner whatsoever is the Citizenship by Investment Unit.  No information, promotion, advertisement  or publication in relation to Citizenship by Investment shall be published or disseminated publicly by any media or by any person unless in compliance with the guidelines issued by the Unit or specifically mandated by the government.
Further, there are persons who claim to be capable of submitting applications to the Unit on behalf of persons seeking citizenship of St. Kitts and Nevis via the investment option.  The only persons authorised to submit applications under the investment programme appear on this list of authorised persons.  There are no exceptions.  The requirements and procedures of the programme are available for review here.

Once again, the financial incentives bend the rules and government seems to be fine with that.

Bagel-head Japanese sport a new freaky saline style

Only in Japan!  The new craze with the forehead saline injections is taking off among "self indulged indie elitists".  If you dare, watch the video from the National Geographic.  After injecting the saline, you press the bubble bulging from your forehead with your finger to create a bagel-like shape.

Is this the continuation of the horn implants and extreme piercing?  So what happens when the saline wears off and the loose flap of skin just skirts over person's eyes?  Luckily, when taking Shinkansen, no driving is required.

Perhaps the Einstein Bros Bagels will find this extreme body modification worthy of a bagel commercial.

British Snooki – Lorna Bliss at the UK X Factor 2012

Who says Brits don’t have a sense of humor?  Watch this hilarious video of the Britney Spears impersonator, Lorna Bliss, taking the X Factor UK 2012 by a storm – or a string.  Do we have a British Snooki debuting overseas?  Yes!





That's not all.  She tried the same stunt last year on the same show.  David Hasselhoff was delighted!

Comedian Rob Schneider at Chicago Improv of Schaumburg

Chicago Improv of Schaumburg

Comedian Rob Schneider performed last Friday night at the Chicago Improv of Schaumburg.  Who doesn’t remember him from movies like: Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, The Animal, or Grown Ups.  He was a cast member at the Saturday Night Live where he became good friends with Adam Sandler.

Schneider was funny – as expected.  He talked about his family, his new wife, his mom and dad.  Good material.  He got a little spooked when the lights went off for about 3 minutes.  Then, he got jumpy when a waiter approached the tables at the first row.

Funny thing, couple months ago at Improv, Tommy Davidson got spooked the same way when a guy from the first table tried to shake his hand.  When you are big-time star, the paranoia sets in.  Kim Kardashian, take a note.  It might save you from becoming a snowman next time some crazy fan throws a bag of flour in your direction.

Chicago Improv of Schaumburg: 5 Woodfield Rd., Schaumburg IL 60173 (inside the Woodfield Mall).

Madonna in Chicago on MDNA tour

Backed by a popular demand, we went to see Madonna's concert on Wednesday at the United Center in Chicago.  And yes, it was quite a show.

Concert supposed to start at 8 PM.  20 min. later, Paul Oakenfold started it off with about an hour of house/electronica music.  The guy sitting next to us, told us that the Material Girl is usually late to her performance about 2.5 hours - every time.  

He was right.  She didn't come up on the stage until 10:20 PM.  The famous girl is getting too tardy for the regular folks.  It was worth the wait, though.

The concert itself was very well put together.  Even then checkerboard stage with elevating cubes creating different shapes, was one of a kind.  The opener with the AK-47 machine gun and then shooting the dancers with the pistol, was kind of disturbing being so close to the south side with all that violence going on in the neighborhood.  After she got her anger out, the show went down with her greatest hits.  

For a 54 years old, Madonna can move!  She was doing splits, jumps, wall climbing, and all kinds of dance moves.  To prove that her butt is still firm, she even pulled down her pants as well.  And yes, it's firm.  Lady Gaga - you have a lot to learn!

The crew was awesome.  The dancers, the band, the backup singers - all top notch and very diverse.  After all, Madonna is an equal opportunity employer.  As for the the political flavor, no surprise here, she's against Romney. 

So the show, in the words of Will Ferrel: It's not great....IT'S FANTASTIC, you totally under sold it!  The pageantry, the costumes.  WOW.  What a musical.

Chicago Teachers Union strike is still not resolved

The Chicago Teachers Union strike supposed to end on Monday but the contract is still not approved.  About 26,000 teachers and paraprofessionals will go over the contract and decide if it satisfies their demands.  Both sides, CTU and CPS, simply cannot agree on the basics and the arguments seem to point to a power struggle between Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.  What’s the issue?  NYT has a great list of the issues and how the CPS compares to other major school districts in U.S.

Photo by igoghost at sxc

For now, 350,000 Chicago students are waiting for the school year to begin.  If it’s truly all about the kids, both sides handle the situation is the worst kind of way. 

Remember Reverend James Meeks and the stunt he pulled in 2008?  He bused 1,500 students from the poor neighborhoods of Chicago to the affluent, suburban school district of New Trier to show the discrepancy is the school founding.  Of course, non-district kids failed to enroll in the New Trier schools due to residency requirements.

What did he accomplish?  Absolutely nothing, besides some disappointed kids and one day out of school.  He’s career hasn’t flourished after that stunt either.  Nothing, except high income, prevents anyone from renting or buying in New Trier district but how the schools are being founded, that’s a totally different issue.

So who’s the loosing side during the strike?  Kids and families.

Kids, since they cannot move on with their education.  Families, since they have to take off work or find another place for the kids outside of school.  How will family making below average pay stay afloat without the paycheck or overtime?  What about single moms having to pay for a sitter or some temporary care service?  Not cool CTU.  Not cool.

If nobody knows what is the real issue, the issue if money.  You can use kids as paws but everybody knows that the money is behind CPU’s actions.  Never mind the $750 million CPS budget gap.  The union “deserves” higher raises and “job security” based not on the performance but on some vague standards.  I wonder what the property owners will think when their property taxes go up again and again to cover the budget gap.

There is no simple or quick solution to the Chicago schools poor performance debacle but the problem haven’t materialized itself overnight.  It’s been known for years.  Nobody seems to have large enough cojones to tackle that issue head on.  Well, maybe Emanuel.  But the core of the poor test scores and lack of attendance is simple: broken families and lack of higher income.  My friend Michael brought up and excellent point: doesn’t matter how much money you throw at the educational system if the majority of the kids in the district are homeless or from broken families living in homeless shelters or on the street.  Fix the social fabric of the society and the rest will follow.  Teaching the kids blackmailing is not in the curriculum.

The true reason of the Islamic radicalism

With the news of the attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya, and the sudden death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other U.S. officials, the whole country salutes and thanks all four for their service.  This pointless violence proves again that the Islamic countries are not ready for a true democratic self-governance.

Photo by fauno_25 at sxc

With the anti-American demonstrations in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, the question is raised again: why do we help to overthrow dictators, allow for some bloodthirsty idiots to take over, and then reinstate new pro-American dictators again to fix the mess? 

In the words of George Santayana:

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Perhaps, by not helping Syrians to overthrow President Bashar al-Asad, President Obama makes a calculated decision to leave that mess for others to clean up.  Russians?  Chinese?

For the United States, it doesn't matter who wins in Syria.  Both sides dislike the Western culture, religion, and Christian values.  Why do you think large Islamic communities in Europe are trying to force a Sharia Law to control the population?  Obviously, they do not recognize laws of the land, government, or the Western social norms.  

Riots on the streets because of some movie that portraits Islam in a bad light?  Didn't we go through this with all the fatwas?  Danish cartoons and so on?  Islamic wars in Africa?  Genocide in Darfur?  Anti-Chrisitan conflict in Indonesia.  The list goes on.  

Maybe, the Islam religion, especially the Saudi Arabia Wahhabi style, is just not flexible to coexist with other religions and points of view in the 21 century?

No, there is a simpler explanation.  The one that goes to the core of all societies throughout the World's history.  

Whoever controls women, controls the society.  

Why such a bold statement?  Simple.  Who bears children?  Who teaches a child a first word?  Who take care of the basic mammal necessities of a male human?  If Sigmund Freud was right, and we know he was, the sexual impulses affect a major part of our life, women have an unequivocal power over men.

My wife mentioned an Oprah Show, we need you back Oprah, where some impoverish women started their businesses with the help of some cheap loan organization started in the United States.  The $5 or $20 loans helped many to grow very successful businesses in India, Pakistan, and some other please-do-not-drink-the-tap-water-or-spend-three-days-on-the-crapper-stan countries.  The husbands featured in the show were pathetic.  Blaming their wives for the family failures, by the same time not doing a thing to find a steady source of income.  

And that's just it.  Western culture exposes the pathetic men of Islam who are scared shitless of loosing the control of what's the most important to them: women.

My advise to the U.S. government: emancipate the females of the Middle East and you will free the Islam of radicals.   

Underestimating Jersey Shore Snooki?

Even though, I had a doubtful privilege of watching the "Jersey Shore" about twice, I've already made up my opinion about the whole cast and the people who produced that skunky show.  Feeding America, and the rest of the World, with the images of "fun loving" individuals from New Jersey, made me realize how low the entertainment industry have stooped down for the mighty buck.

For years, the "Jerry Springer Show" was the crown princess of the television garbage.  Amazingly, viewers in Europe gobbled up those stories like French baguettes, believing in a twisted image of this country.  I still remember the look of disbelief on my Danish host family when I argued that even if people on that show are real, they are a true and minuscule minority of the U.S. population.

So why is everyone despising Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi?  Is it her language, promiscuous behaviour, bitchy attitude, body image, limited vocabulary, or stupidity?  It might be that Snooki encapsulates everything what's wrong with America these days.  Is being a shallow idiot a new norm for a majority of young twenty-something?  Not so fast.  I dare to say that America is underestimating Snooki - big time.

We are being taken for a ride with all those "reality shows" but only few participants emerged as true winners.  Snooki is one of them.  She's designing and promoting her own bling-bling and clothes, slippers, selling books, cashing on appearances and Team Snooki Boxing.  Not surprisingly, Snooki is already capitalizing on her newborn son.  Being worth $2 million is a decent accomplishment for a 24-year old girl.

So, how do we explain to the next generation that garbage-foul-mouth behaviour is a less desirable line of entrepreneurship?  It falls on the parents to sift through the media landfill to curb the trash that is being served.  Eventually, our kids will grow up and make up their own choices.  As for Snooki, we can all learn that being business-minded, aggressive, and confident, bar the garbage, can lead to a success.  Is success without respect for you?  It all depends on the situation.

Haiti mess with a golden twist - episode 2

Wyclef Jean, thank you for your input about how badly Haiti needs help but perhaps you should direct your love for your country to the people of your country.  Haiti mountains hold over $20 billion worth of gold, not counting silver, copper and other precious metals.  Canadian companies are already paying off the whole corrupted Haitian government to drill and keep 90% of the profits.  So stop whining.  Your country has the resources, has the power, but has absolutely no will to change anything.
Simply put, decades of corruption, crime, and lack of honest government made it's mark on the whole population. 

They have to start with the basics.  What about the piles of trash left by the people who lived in the tent cities?  Piles of trash in the river?  Who will clean that up?  UN, UNESCO, or maybe some Christian organization?  But wait, why clean up after yourself when the aid workers will do it for the Haitians.  They have to "rebuild" their country after all. 

2.5 years later and "300,000 Haitians still living in temporary homes -- primarily tents"?  Media reports show aid workers carrying water and food to schools and large brick buildings, where are the natives?  In their tents?  Who took away their will to do something about their conditions?  If all unemployed Haitians got together, they would build safer houses in no time.  

You don't hear about Dominican Republic whining about their issues?  Same island, same area, same climate.  Why do Americans fly over to Dominican Republic to enjoy the weather and beaches?  The world governments who provide aid, forget about UN, should strongly suggest to setup vocational schools for adults to teach them everything.  From taking care of the family, cooking, getting a job, managing the money, to thinking about a future and taking care of their county.  Don't want to hear about how bad they had under all the regimes and all that.  The credit for that time already passed.

But wait, we cannot criticize those people because they are poor and helpless.  Where did all that money collected after the earthquake go?  What can they show for?  Show me pictures of new homes, schools, roads build by the government, any government.

And then, show me the secret bank accounts of Haitian officials before and after the earthquake.  I'll tell you where that money went.

And btw, the gold story is true and I'm surprised that the US media haven't jumped on it yet.  Ah, yes, Americans would know the truth so let's keep them in the dark.  Thank you Al Gore, thank you or the Internet.

Let the good times roll with Prince Harry

So the 27-year-old Prince Harry had some fun in Las Vegas.  Drinks, nude girls, and partying.  The TMZ got the pictures and the net is blowing up.  Is this really a front page news these days?  Some drunk dude partying?  Send the Redcoats to the rescue!

Not surprisingly, Prince Charles is already threatening to sue all the British news media if they publish any of that shiznit.  Queen Victoria would trip over her tight corset seeing this decadence.  

But who can blame a rich twenty-something for being just plainly horny and immature.  It's not like he was streaking on the Las Vegas Strip.  Although the street name would imply that nudity is encouraged.  

I wonder who sold the photos to TMZ?  At first, I felt that gutter muncher would perfectly describe the douchebag or douchette who sold the pics.  Then, I realized that making money of stupidity of others is perfectly legit business.  

So this is my top 10 list of the lucrative pictures in disgraced positions:

10.  Jack Black - eating organic carrots

9.  Joe Biden - giving a backrub to a man

8.  Paris Hilton - giving a commencement speech at a university

7. Rod Blagojevich - without his wig

6. Arnold Schwarzenegger - doing a cow yoga pose

5. Chris Rock - getting a backrub from Joe Biden

4. Joan Rivers - discreetly removing laundry clips from the back of her head

3. George Clooney - getting married in Cancun

2. Kim Kardashian - getting butt collagen injection

1. Taylor Swift - being spanked by a femdom

Happy hunting you paparazzi you!

Car dealers bait-and-switch technique

The most annoying sale tactic is the infamous bait-and-switch technique.  Most of us, customers, came across this sneaky way of selling goods and services in one form or another. 

Wiki defines the bait-and-switch as:

The goal of the bait-and-switch is to persuade buyers to purchase the substitute goods as a means of avoiding disappointment over not getting the bait, or as a way to recover sunk costs expended to try to obtain the bait. It suggests that the seller will not show the original product or service advertised but instead will demonstrate a more expensive product or a similar product with a higher margin

Although bait-and-switch seems harmless when it comes to buying a cell phone service or grocery item, one group, the car dealers, takes it to another level.  Exuberant prices of new cars are a fact of life but why the dishonesty when selling them?   

Photo by dragon_art at sxc

The multiple quotes for new cars available through sites like edmunds.com, car.com, or kbb.com, allow savvy customers to receive the lowest bids without the need to hassle the price on the lot.  Checking the actual price at truecar.com gives us another tool to make an informed decision about the fair price of the car.

So here's the world's first and shortest car buying play:

The exposition.

Yes, I'm on the market for a new, awesome car.  I do my research, request the quotes, wait for the prices to roll in.  Of course, I use google voice, those dealers are very persuasive.

The bait.

I think the dealers learned that providing the actual price too quickly is not in their best interest.  They want you at the dealership with other happy customers.  Lately, getting a straight answer from different dealers, and brands, has been a bit challenging.  Knowing your exact model is the key to success.  Why?  Because as we all know, it doesn't matter what the customer wants, it's what customer buys.  

The reveal.

Finally, I get clear answers regarding models, prices, taxes, plate/registration fees, destination, and document fees.  Who came up with the destination and document fees anyway?  This is such scam.  Aren't those fees part of the operational and administrative costs?  In order to sell a car, it has to arrive on the lot.  Wouldn't be cheaper if the customer just drive up to the factory to pick up the car?  And the document fees.  Common.  Dealership pays the salesmen and office clerks for their time already.  It's double dipping; end of argument. 

The switch.

Since one of the price quotes was so low, about $1,000 less than the other dealers, against my better judgment, I allowed the web manager to lure me in for a test drive.  The fact that he didn't remember my name and the time of the appointment upon my arrival is small potatoes comparing to the fact that the car he advertised was simply, the stripped down version of the requested model.  And guess what?  Yes, the car was a stick with no AC.  The only person I blame for wasting my time is me.  Because, in the back of my mind, I knew that the price was just too unrealistic.  

The exit. 

So, I left without test driving the car.  Among many dealerships I dealt with, the Chevy one just made me realize that GM won't cut it for my next car choice.  Even though, my very first new car, that I loved for years, was 1997 Pontiac Sunfire.  And that's how, ladies and gentlemen, people make their decisions about the brands they buy.  To be fair, Kia is off the list as well.

The conclusion.

The search continues.  And the good, old phrase, caveat emptor, has even stronger meaning today.  Buying a new car is the second, most expensive purchase, an average American will make at least once in his or her lifetime.  Which brand and dealer will prove to be the most honest deal maker?  I will let you know.