The COSTCO Racist Doll

In Greensboro, North Carolina, John Taylor and his wife Donna recently visited a COSTCO and couldn't  believe what they saw perched on the shelf for sale. 

A baby doll being hugged by a monkey with the doll's cap stating, "lil monkey!" The Taylor's have recently launched complaints with COSTCO corporate headquarters and although their efforts succeeded in getting the doll pulled from the Greensboro store, the doll is still for sale in Winston Salem and likely other locations within the state.

Why would a well known corporation like Costco jeopardize their reputation to sell such a product? How was this particular item even approved for sale? 

This product clearly sends the wrong message and should be discontinued immediately. Call the COSTCO headquarters and demand that this product be removed from their shelves without delay 1-800-774-2678. It's the "Cuddle Baby" product #404860.

The things that make you go hmmmm...

2009 LA

What About God's Grief?

Going in and out of one of my deep thoughts, I began to think of all the crime and corruption that takes place in the world. All the mass murders, robberies, discrimination issues, and so on and so forth. 

Just thinking about every episode that takes place breaks my heart. There are so many people that claim to believe in God, but then go out and shoot someone the next day. 

Hurting people is never okay, whether you do it physically, mentally or verbally.

Then I thought and what about God's Grief? We only see and hear a portion of the negativity that goes on in the world, but God sees everything, EV-ER-Y-THING!

Just knowing that should make most people stop, and second guess the nature of what they do before they do it. 

Knowing that you'd be hurting yourself and others is bad, but knowing that you'd also be hurting God should make it worse.

Can you imagine watching all the suffering, illnesses, deaths and corruption happening in every single person's life? 

It'd be enough to drive you crazy -- well if you have a heart it'd be enough to drive you crazy. 

But what about God's Grief? 

God has to endure every single thing, every single day! And although I'm grateful that God can endure all the pain for us, it still makes me feel bad that it even has to be that way.

To all out there that believe in God but continue to be vicious, evil, and hateful; STOP! Think before you lash out, and above all always remember that God is watching you.
 

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Does Passing a Drug Test Define You?

When hired for corporate positions drug tests aren't administered however, if you're hired at a McDonald's, a Target, or Walmart, drug tests are mandatory. Why?

Are drug tests only given to hourly workers because minorities make up the majority of the workforce? Wouldn't it make sense to drug test a person that handles huge merger deals, or a vice president that runs a banking institution, or what about our elected government officials? 

For years there were stories swirling that former president George W. Bush had abused serious alcohol and drugs -- specifically cocaine, but of course we'd never know because he didn't have to take a drug test after landing the most powerful position in the world! I think it's fair for a president to take a drug test. As a matter of fact, the harder the job the more it makes sense to take a drug test. 

Even former president Bill Clinton was known for smoking marijuana while in office, but that fact was widely overlooked and instead he was pinned for cheating on his wife!

Comedian D.L. Hughley (seen-r) once commented in his stand up comedy show that, "The more fu**ed up your job is, the harsher drug you should be able to use!" 

Hughley also stated that if you're a janitor you should be able to tie off every now and again. Now of course those are just jokes and no one is expected to take him seriously, but his point is taken.

If you're a cashier at a fast food restaurant there isn't to many things you can mess up, but being the president of a corporation you can bankrupt an entire company while causing thousands of people to lose their jobs behind a serious drug addiction. 

I've surveyed people in "hourly rate" positions or who had what is deemed "regular jobs," and asked them if they used drugs and if so, what kind and why? The response was overwhelmingly the same; marijuana was widely used and they either hated their jobs, or they were stressed from financial instability and depression which smoking for them helped to release their anxiety. 

Knowing the latter made me wonder if their financial and job situations were different, would this make them stop using drugs? And when affluent people use drugs are they only doing it for recreational activity, as they often bare no financial concerns?

Who knows but either way the argument still stands that corporate and government officials, should be drug tested just as hourly workers are; them being rich shouldn't be an excuse as it distinctly defines drug users as being your average Joe, and that isn't fair.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Do Wedding Coordinators Overcharge?

Have you seen the reality show on VH1 called, "My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding"?

In my search for something interesting to watch this is what I found. Basically, the show is geared towards really rich people who have incredibly lavish weddings. Dina (seen above) from the reality show 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey', had a wedding extravaganza so I watched because I was familiar with who she is. 

Dina's wedding was huge, I mean HUGE! There were 602 guests on her list and she admitted that she only knew about 20 people there. A buffet of food and deserts adorned the hall where she had her reception, and she even had the music group 'The Stylistics' personally perform for them.

This entire event didn't have a wedding party; not one bridesmaid, flower girl, groomsman, nada. However, Dina did have her daughter by her side. The wedding was well over one million dollars. 

The second hour of lavish weddings introduced a Japanese bride named Mina, who was marrying Leroy an African American medical sales associate. 

Although Mina was adorable, it was obvious that material things were the center of her world. She had to have the absolute best of everything, nothing more, nothing less. But I guess when you have a wealthy father you can afford to have anything you want. 

This bride wanted a wedding coordinator to the stars, she wanted an eight foot wedding cake designed by famous cake baker Sylvia Weinstock worth fifteen thousand dollars, and the cake was being flown in from New York City -- with two first class seats of its own!

She only wanted a gown by celebrity designer Vera Wang, and throughout the whole show she bragged to everybody about how much she paid for everything. Talk about not eating enough of humble pie.

After the bride paid a retainer fee of $20,000 dollars to meet with celebrity wedding coordinator Preston Bailey, she was charged a little over $500,000 dollars and that total didn't even include the flowers! My mouth dropped open for about three minutes.

The price included special pink screens, lighting, crystal chandeliers, table linens, twenty-four centerpieces (which were $50,000 dollars a piece), and extra decor and labor.

If you pay a wedding coordinator over half a million dollars for your wedding, basically everything you paid for you bought, right? After the wedding is over everything you paid for you should own, correct? 

Because after paying that much money I'd be walking out with those crystal chandeliers, linens, centerpieces, and the lighting! The crazy part is, people actually spend that kind of money to rent these items. 

But if you spend that much money you're not renting, you paid for those items and if not, the wedding coordinator is allowed to keep everything only to charge the next client a lot of money for something the previous client already paid for!? All I can say is WOW!

At the end of the show, Mina was disappointed that her dear wedding coordinator Preston Bailey, wouldn't be able to attend her wedding personally due to a "family emergency." Ha! I guess she didn't have enough celebrity status to get him there in the flesh?

The grand total for Mina's wedding was two million dollars! My mouth dropped open again for another three minutes. For that much money they better stay married FOREVER!

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

New Credit Card Regulations Thanks to President Obama

Did you know new credit card regulations are currently in full effect? Below are three key important factors about the new rules.

1. When you sign-up for a credit card, the interest rates will never change.

2. When your signing up for a credit card be aware of how much your monthly payments will be, and you should receive monthly statements showing how long it will take you to pay it off, like a car note or mortgage payment.

3. The last and my personal favorite, if a person is under the age of 21, you must have a co-signer before you are allowed to receive a credit card.

When I was 18 years old and in college I was given all type of credit card applications, which later added to my future debt.  

President Obama believes a teenager should have a co-signer because at the age of 18, you're not mature enough to handle debt. 

Since it's obvious that credit card companies prey on young college students, I wonder if student credit card debt can be forgiven since it's considered predatory lending? 

Can you imagine if Obama's new policy was in full effect from the time you were 18 up until 20 years of age? That sure would've helped a lot of young people not fall into debt at an early age.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Why Is Killing So Easy?

Why is it that human life means nothing to some people? 

An innocent taxi driver was shot in the head, than robbed of the few dollars he had in his pocket. An innocent bartender was killed and robbed. A woman going for a morning jog was shot in the back, but wasn't robbed. Three people were killed in a movie theater. A mother suffocated her one year old son, brought him back to life using CPR and then suffocated him again until he died, then buried his body at a playground.

Two Georgia Tech students were shot and robbed, but luckily they survived to tell their stories. A mother picking up her son was allegedly shot by her mother-in-law. A doctor who was selling her condo invited the wrong person in to look at her home and was shot to death and robbed.

All day everyday killing is indeed a fact of life. It's something that's guaranteed to happen whether we want it to or not. It's a constant routine, much like us waking up every morning and brushing our teeth is routine. No one knows how to stop it and there are never enough eyes to properly protect people from harm. Everyday you walk out the door you have no clue if it will be your last day on earth. All you can do is hope and pray for the best.

Most people assume that killers are cold-hearted individuals either born crazy or raised evil. 

But what happened to these people that caused them to snap? What pushed their buttons to the point of no return? Does no feeling of empathy reside within them, from the moment they point the gun to the moment they pull the trigger, releasing death in a capsule and ending a life that had no right to be taken? 

I wish weapons weren't so easy to purchase. There should be restrictions put in place and thorough background checks issued. Like comedian Chris Rock once said, "Charge $5000 dollars for one bullet, that way there won't be anymore innocent bystanders." 

That sure makes sense doesn't it?

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Why Are Certain Men Praised Like God?

I have an honest question. I'm not trying to offend anyone or be disrespectful. This question is out of sheer curiosity. 

For those that believe in God we all know that God is love, God is perfect, God is the creator, and ruler of all things. No one can compare to God because God is the highest of the high; are you with me so far?

If you agree with the latter, then why do we praise the Pope as if he's God? The Pope is a mortal man just like any other man, so what is it about the Pope that makes him holier than others? I'm not comparing the Pope to pastors, ministers, rabbi's, or reverends, but many of these same "holy people" have proven themselves to not be as holy as we thought.

I've seen priests and pastors on the news pleading guilty to child molestation charges, fornication, and even the siphoning of church funds for their own personal gain. And only when they're caught do they cry out that they're "only human," and human beings make mistakes when most of them lived as if they were above all men. And as we all know, God doesn't make mistakes.

All I'm saying is we need to be mindful of who we put on pedestals, and make sure not to confuse men with the creator of all. We also need to take more responsibility in seeking truths that are kept from us, other wise we stand to be brainwashed forever.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Where Do Drugs Go After Confiscation?

When drug dealers are busted by police or the FBI, after everything is confiscated where do the drugs go?

If drugs are illegal and harmful why would the government want to hold on to illegal and harmful products? Why not take pictures of the evidence as well as the perpetrators for proof, and then discard the goods by burning them? 

Where are the drugs stored after confiscation and what happens to it afterwards? Does it just sit in storage forever? Or is there some kind of corrupt activity involved that takes place within the government to redistribute the drugs for a price?

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Where Do Movies Come From?

Have you ever had a dream and woke up saying to yourself, "Damn that would've been a great movie!?"

I believe great movies come from real life situations and weird dreams. Only in your dreams can you imagine the impossible happening.

When you look at films such as 'I Am Legend' by Will Smith, or 'Kill Bill' by Quentin Tarantino, there had to be some kind of twisted dreaming going on for these guys to even think of writing stories such as these. Or maybe they took from real life situations as "art" usually imitates "life."

If you find yourself having a "movie dream," it may help to keep a pad and pen by your bedside so you can jump up and write down what you saw before it goes away. 

For a screenwriter dreams could be the next big thing. You could literally make your dreams a reality!

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

 2009 LA

CEO Paul Levy Takes an "Obama" Approach

CEO Paul Levy (seen above) of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, has recently stepped up to the plate.

Understanding the repercussions of the failing economy Levy realized his low wage workers, would be hit the hardest which prompted him to try a new idea. He gathered all his employees in the medical center auditorium and said, "I want to run an idea by you that I think is important, and I'd like to get your reaction to it," Levy began. 

"I'd like to do what we can to protect the lower-wage earners, the transporters, the housekeepers, the food service people. A lot of these people work really hard, and I don't want to put an additional burden on them. Now, if we protect these workers, it means the rest of us will have to make a bigger sacrifice, he continued. "It means that others will have to give up more of their salary or benefits." 

Mr. Levy had barely gotten the words out of his mouth, when Sherman Auditorium erupted in applause. Thunderous and heartfelt applause.

This is the kind of heartfelt and generous approach that President Obama speaks of, and with so many arguments taking place about Obama wanting to redistribute the wealth to help the less fortunate, when you think about it -- what Obama wants to do is no different from what Paul Levy is doing. 

Those who are more fortunate should help thy neighbor; it's called having a heart. I commend Mr. Levy for his actions, and if more CEO's and other fortunate people did more of the same thing the world would be a better place to live in.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

  2009 LA

To read more on Paul Levy click here.

Japanese Scientist Creates First Teacher Robot

This is the type of thing I've only seen in movies, but apparently the movies is playing out across the world!

It took Japanese scientists fifteen years of research to develop a woman robot that speaks different languages, organizes tasks, disciplines students, and makes several facial expressions. The robot was designed to replace office workers in order to cut costs.

I think these creations are pretty cool however, I don't agree with robots replacing humans when it comes to the classroom. I feel strongly about children having someone they can relate to, and you can't relate to a robot. 

If robots are going to replace human beings in the work place, then where does that leave humans? Unemployed indefinitely?

Robots can be created to do other things useful like building machines but in the end, robots simply can not offer what a human being can offer; a heart.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

New Japanese Video Game Rapes Women

Have you heard of Japan's newest video game called, RapeLay?
  
A simulation video which was created by Japan-based company 'Illusion', invented this new video game that teaches people how to prey on females and rape them. Amazon and eBay have already banned the sale of RapeLay.

The game starts with a man standing on a subway platform stalking a girl in a blue sundress. On the platform you can click "prayer", to summon a wind that lifts her skirt and she blushes. Once she's on the train the assault begins. Inside the subway car you can use the mouse to grope your victim, as you stand within a crowd of mute and translucent commuters. 

Eventually, your character corners the victim in a station bathroom, or in a park with the help of male friends, and a series of interactive rape scenes begin. Aside from the “gang rape” aspect of the game, the goal is to make women sex slaves without getting them pregnant and if a player fails, he must force the woman to have an abortion or risk being thrown under a train and killed!

Personally, I feel this game is disgusting, offensive, demented, and the person that created it must be a rapist. Who else would think to make such a game but a person that has either experienced the situations, or has fantasized about them!? 

This game is poison to our society and should be permanently banned everywhere. If it doesn't make money then it can't exist, right? Thanks but no thanks Japan, our crime rate doesn't need to be increased because some kid who played your game wanted to turn their actions into reality.

Moreover, I believe this game was also created as a form of medicine for rapists who have impulses to rape, or to those who have considered trying it. Maybe this game is a way to curve the insatiable rape appetite? 

If by playing this game it decreases rape crimes that's a positive thing, but the fact that a person has to play such a game in order to feed this thrill is unnerving. Because let's face it the video game isn't fixing the problem that rapists have, it's just helping them get off in a different way. 

Can you imagine dating someone, going to their home, and seeing this game on their DVD stand?! What would you do? Would you stay or would you leave immediately? If your first reaction is a negative one than that's just proof that this kind of game should be non-existent. What are your thoughts?

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

  2009 LA

Are Hospitals Overcharging?

Are hospitals overcharging patients? 

After my experience with one I'd say yes! Last month I needed to visit a hospital in the state of Georgia due to having excruciating chest pains, and I'm going to give you a play-by-play of what exactly happened. 

I entered the Emergency room and spoke with woman #1 who gave me paperwork and a pen to write down my information, the information was then entered into the computer. This woman then directed me to woman #2 who sat me in a small room and asked me more questions and I'm thinking, "Okay going good so far." 

Then woman #2 lead me to a bed area where I met woman #3, who asked me the same questions that woman #2 asked me. So now I'm thinking, "Couldn't she just pull it up on the computer, because I was just asked these questions?" 

Then woman #4 came in to ask me the same questions again but this time -- with three new questions thrown in. No tests were done on me as yet, just notes taken on paper.

After still being confused over my symptoms the final decision was to give me Maalox, and keep in mind that a bottle of Maalox from the store costs between $5.50 cents and $15.50 cents.

When woman #4 left the room I thought to myself, "How many different faces will I see today?" 

Then the familiar face of woman #3 came back in to give me the Maalox while she added more data to the computer. When woman #3 finished adding her data she stepped out of the room. Woman #5 came into the room with a cart and computer atop it and proceeded to ask me the same questions that I thought had died almost forty-five minutes prior, UGH! 

Then woman #5 left and woman #6 walked in smiling with a pad and pen in her hand and for some reason, I felt this conversation was about to turn my smile upside down.

Woman #6 greeted me with a "hello" and calmly asked me, "How will you pay your bill, in full or monthly payments?" While mulling this over in my head she interrupted my thoughts and asked, "How much money do you gross a month?" After I gave the information to woman #6, she then gave me a price tag of $500 dollars and more paperwork to sign my name on. 

My initial response to woman #6 was, "Whoooaaaa! Five hundred dollars?! For what?!" 

I walked into the ER myself, saw six different people that asked me redundant questions, and I never even saw the doctor whose name is printed on my paperwork. I also received two prescriptions that would run me another $20-$30 dollars.

Woman #3 appeared back in the room and walked over to enter more information in the computer. Apparently, woman #3 was annoyed by my question of, "Why is my bill $500 dollars?" 

She knew she had to give me an answer so she proceeded to explain that emergency room prices, are different from regular admittance prices in which the care is different. 

But I never received a straight answer for a diagnosis because whenever I asked it was always, "I don't know but if the pain comes back, come back and see us." 

Oh yea I'm so sure, I'll come back so I can give more of my money for no answers to my problem?! 

And how can they write prescriptions if they don't even know what's wrong with me? My point is, talking to six different people about the same thing and drinking Maalox shouldn't cost an individual five hundred dollars! With that amount of money my prescription should've been free, I mean hook a sista up! 

Surprisingly, when my hospital bill was mailed to me it wasn't for five hundred dollars, but instead three hundred and seventy-three dollars. I thought to myself, "Why the change in price?" 

Was it because I questioned woman #3 about the bill and it made her nervous? Or was it because I told them that I'm a writer which I'm sure made them even more nervous (smiles). Lucky for them I decided against using the hospital and staff names in this article, and although I still think $373 dollars is a bit to much to pay for a few conversations and Maalox, I'm still glad the price was lowered. 

By the way, the name of the medical billing company is, 'Plantation Billing Center'. I hate that name.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...
 

UPDATE 2/10/08: It turns out I WAS in fact charged more than $373 dollars! I received another bill in the mail for $230 dollars! So all together I have to pay $603 dollars for receiving over the counter Maalox from the emergency room! WHAT A RIP-OFF! This is WAR! 

 

Maybe if there weren't so many people doing the same jobs, it could save the hospital more money as well as the patients.

 

 2009 LA

Are Internet Carriers Rip-offs?

Have you ever wondered why Internet carriers give you the option of choosing between DSL (a faster Internet service) and dial-up? 

Using dial-up Internet is like converting back to using beepers instead of cell phones. Obviously, everyone wants a more efficient service because the slower the Internet is the more you'll hate to use it, and then you'll be stuck paying for a slow service that you barely use.

Does it make sense to offer a low grade product when it isn't good? 

I'm assuming the high grade more expensive product is made more attractive, when you compare it to the low grade version; almost like a mind game. However, I say cut through the bs and give people what they want at an affordable rate. If a person pays twenty dollars for the Internet within a phone and cable bundled package, don't make the Internet service between $60-$70 dollars if we choose to not get the bundled package! That's such a rip-off! If you can give us the Internet for twenty bucks in a bundled package, then you can give us the Internet for twenty bucks without the bundled package, hint Comcast.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA

New Devices That Pry Into Your Privacy

Have you heard of the new GPS device called, Car Tracker Pro?

This device can be attached to the bottom of a persons car so if someone is trying to follow you, they can pinpoint exactly where you are at all times. What the hell! This product makes me just as nervous as the other product, where you can eavesdrop on someones conversation just being a few feet away.

Why was this device made let alone sold in stores?

Making it easier for crime to take place isn't cool. Records or some kind of registration should be obtained on every person that purchases this gadget, just in case police need to back track to figure out a crime.

Is this new technology being created to purposely harm Americans?

Pretty soon Americans will long to live in another country, especially if they don't feel safe and fear for their lives in this one. I encourage random checks on your vehicles because nowadays you just never know.

The The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Update on Salmonella Outbreaks

Did you hear about the poisoned peanut butter?

Investigators reported that after inspectors discovered traces of salmonella in batches of peanut butter, that they hid the results and allowed for the peanut butter to be shipped out to stores anyway. Shouldn't  purposely poisoning Americans be a crime?

These poisonous peanut butter plants in the state of Georgia, have had numerous violations for years in which they've never corrected them. Other hazards identified at the plants were dirty equipment, the use of dirty utensils, and a hole in the warehouse where rodents came in. 

If these plants had numerous violations why wasn't this matter ever investigated? 

Where were the authority figures whose job it is to check, that the plants are to be clean at all times? Currently all peanut plants in Georgia are still under investigation, but the culprits that allowed contaminated peanut butter to make its way into retail stores should lose their jobs, and be charged with the crime of killing the people that died as a result of being poisoned.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

Update: Four have been accused in salmonella coverup.

2009 LA

Are Minorities Conditioned by Servitude and Obedience?

If you had it your way would you choose to be an employee, or would you choose to be the boss? 

There are those that are conditioned to work for others, there are those that like working for others, and there are entrepreneurs who'd rather work for themselves.

Slavery in the United States of America, definitely taught black people about servitude and obedience to their owners, so it'd make sense that one would think that in order to survive you'd need to look to your owners for work.

How many times have your parents told you to make sure you get good grades so that you can get a good "government" job? 

Furthermore, parents reinforced getting a government job because of the benefits and unions that come along with it. But how many Black parents actually tell their children to get good grades in school, so that one day they can own their own business? 

Personally, I was never taught that I could be my own boss and now that I'm older and wiser -- I understand why.

People teach what they know about and if your parents didn't know that it was possible to be an entrepreneur, then how could they make their children aware? If parents aren't given the necessary resources to develop this knowledge or if they're not looking for the resources, it'll be difficult to teach your children about it. 

I'm sure many of us have ambition to work for ourselves but when you work 1-2 jobs just to make ends meet, by the time you get home you would have already exerted all of your energy. The last thing you'd want to do is work on a plan for your own business, because you've just dedicated 8 or 12 hours of your life to another persons company.

However, if you are determined and passionate to be your own boss than don't beat yourself up over slow progress due to having other obligations, because every bit of progress helps you get to a next level. Just don't ever give up and eventually you'll achieve your goals.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA

Does President Obama Validate the Worthiness of Black People?

On CNN news a modeling agent stated that because we now have our first African American first family, that Black models are sure to find more work than ever before. 

Although I immediately jumped to defense when hearing what this agent had to say, the fact of the matter is that she made sense even if the truth made me angry.

It's been said that 2009 will be the year for Black people because it has never been before, almost like having a Black president suddenly validates the worthiness of Black people.

So if Senator McCain had won the presidency would Black people's worthiness still be non-existent? And why? 

The truth is that Black people have always been worthy, but have never been rightfully acknowledged for being so.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA

Casinos and High Rise Hotels to Hit Georgia

Did you know that the state of Georgia plans to implement high rise hotels and casinos? 

People are losing jobs, funds for educational programs are being cut, and the country is on its way to a Great Depression greater than the first; but the greed continues.

Casinos and high rise hotels will soon adorn the heart of Atlanta, but how are these projects being funded?

Allegedly, one source that's helping to fund this major project is the Georgia lottery division. I guess it makes sense that the Georgia lottery would invest in more gambling opportunities, as a way of increasing their chances of higher revenues. But if the Georgia lottery can help fund a project to increase more gambling, why can't they also help to fund educational programs that are being cut due to the recession?

People need jobs, homes, food, clothes, protection from violent acts, new infrastructure etc. Does it makes sense to promote projects which will further put people in debt? And when this project is completed who ultimately reaps the benefits of all new revenue rolling in? Certainly not the residents of Georgia.

The state of Georgia has laid-off over twenty thousand employees and counting so to put money into a gambling project, instead of a project that helps to put people back to work reeks of sheer selfishness and ignorance.

Yes this project can and will create jobs within the casino/hotel industry, but gambling and domestic jobs taking the place of career type positions isn't necessarily improving economic conditions as most employers have been offering only low wage jobs lately.

I often wonder who were the people running the lottery systems. Maybe I'll do research into that and make it my next article.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Tax Fraud by Georgia Corporate Investors?

Home properties are selling for huge prices but smaller tax amounts are being paid. Why? 

In local Georgia news, this has been an ongoing investigation. Por ejemplo: a townhouse in Decatur, Georgia, was sold for $624 thousand dollars, but the tax amount being paid on the home is as if it sold for $75 thousand dollars! Of course the tax payment would be considerably lower on a $75 thousand dollar home, verses a $624 thousand dollar home. 

Another home in Georgia sold for $554 thousand dollars, but taxes are being paid on the home as if it sold for $105 thousand dollars! Does this not strike anyone as odd?

The assessors should investigate the personal investments and the living locations and/or addresses, of family and friends of the people who are in charge of making these huge "so-called" tax mistakes. 

Obviously, I don't believe these are mistakes but I do believe this situation happened due to greed and personal gain, if not directly than definitely indirectly. The value of the homes should be checked along with the actual prices paid.

Kudos to local Georgia news reporters for jumping on this matter. 

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA

Salmonella Outbreaks in our Peanut Butter

Sudden outbreaks of salmonella keep popping up in our food supply. Why? 

A couple of weeks ago King Nut peanut butter was recalled for traces of salmonella, and then a few days later all products with peanut butter were recalled for traces of salmonella. Now the government is telling us to not buy products with peanut butter in it, but that it's safe to buy whole jars of peanut butter. What!?

This is reminiscent of when traces of salmonella were found in our tomatoes and jalapeno peppers, and then afterwards the government said it was safe to eat tomatoes and peppers again. 

Where does salmonella come from and how does it get into our food? 

Allegedly, the peanut butter products were traced back to a few Georgia peanut butter factories, but what are these factories doing to poison whole batches of peanut butter? Are they not cleaning the machines properly, are people not wearing plastic gloves and not washing their hands? Salmonella doesn't sound like something that's by accident, it sounds like something done on purpose. 

Recently there was an article on the country China, and how people were purposely tainting milk that babies drink everyday. Fortunately, these culprits were caught and locked up but not without killing off a few hundred innocent babies first. So it wouldn't surprise me if we had similar culprits of our own purposely poisoning Americans to kill us off. Can somebody say "population control?"

The peanut butter plants in Georgia should be investigated immediately, and someone needs to get to the bottom of this matter without delay. People have a right to their lives and we have the right to not have our lives taken, due to the mistakes and/or ignorance of certain individuals.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

To Cold for School?

Have you ever been told to stay home from school because it was to cold outside?

In the South whenever snow is predicted in the forecast, schools are ready to shut down. I'm a Northern girl and know all to well about bad snow days, but even during the bad snow days in the North school still remained in session. There may have been a delayed opening but we still had to go to school.

However, snow flurries and it being a bit to cold outside constitutes a school closing in Georgia. 

But isn't that why we wear jackets, sweaters, gloves, scarfs, hats and boots; the things that help us combat bad weather? You can still drive in the cold -- hell, you can still drive with snow flurries! If the heating systems in schools aren't working and the classrooms are freezing than that's a different story. But if children are bundled up outside and there's heat in the schools, then classes should proceed.

Being a child from "yankee land" it's definitely noticeable that children in the South, miss way more school than those in the North. Local parents have said that children in the South can afford to miss school, because they don't have as many snow days. But shouldn't that be more the reason to keep schools open and children learning?

This past Christmas holiday children in Southern Georgia were let out of school an entire week before the holiday, and these same children didn't return to school until almost a week after New Years Day. Should children have almost a month vacation for two holidays? 

With single parent households or a household where both parents work, I assume it'd be hard to find somewhere to keep your children. And for latchkey kids the additional time off can lead to trouble, or for trouble to find them.

Who calls the shots on whether or not to close the schools down? 

Whoever it is they must not hear the parents I hear complaining about where to put their kids, and wondering how they will feed them for the entire day.

I discovered that most struggling single parents really count on schools to give their children breakfast and lunch, so all they have to worry about is dinner. But when children are home for almost a month that's three meals a day plus snacks -- depending on how many children you have. That can take a toll on parents' pockets.

In short, unnecessary closings should be forbidden and when schools are closed, there should be free extra-curricular activities for children. It would lighten the load on parents, keep children active, learning, and out of trouble.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA