Monday, September 04, 2006
An answer without blind faith please
Here is a question I would like any christian to answer without saying the term "gods will" I mean I want a REAL answer not a blind faith answer. Why does someone like Steve Irwin die at 44 when he is doing such good things for animals and the environment, and we still have drug dealers and mean people running around on this earth polluting it and making good people miserable? Why?
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Illegal means Illegal
Illegal means Illegal.
Loved a response I heard when some whiney boy was saying "what happened to give me your tired, your Poor?"
The Response: What happened to people waiting in line at Ellis Island with DOCUMENTATION?
Amen!
Yes, my Ancestors were immigrants. But they were DOCUMENTED and LEGAL!!!
Loved a response I heard when some whiney boy was saying "what happened to give me your tired, your Poor?"
The Response: What happened to people waiting in line at Ellis Island with DOCUMENTATION?
Amen!
Yes, my Ancestors were immigrants. But they were DOCUMENTED and LEGAL!!!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Calif. bill would bar toxins in cell phones, iPods on Yahoo! News
Calif. bill would bar toxins in cell phones, iPods 2 hours, 23 minutes ago
California would require manufacturers to phase out the use of hazardous materials in making cell phones, iPods and other electronic devices under a bill introduced by a state lawmaker.
The bill unveiled on Thursday by Assembly Member Lori Saldana, a Democrat from San Diego, would apply to any electronic or battery-operated device. The bill, which was introduced on Wednesday, would require manufacturers to stop using the substances in devices sold in California by 2008.
"We know that the manufacturers of these products are able to produce them without including harmful toxic materials," Saldana said in a written statement. "California deserves to be included among the markets that receive this cleaner stream of consumer electronics."
California already requires manufacturers of video displays in devices to phase out the use of toxic materials.
Environmental groups with clout in the state's Democrat-led legislature support the bill.
They are concerned about pollution from electronic devices discarded in landfills and want California to follow the example of the European Union, which has called for phasing out the use of toxic materials in making consumer electronics.
"Cell phones, iPods, computers and many other modern electronic devices have a useful life of maybe a year or two before they become obsolete," said Mark Murray, executive director of the group Californians Against Waste. "It doesn't make sense to use hazardous materials in these disposable devices."
About 70 percent of toxic heavy metals found in landfills come from electronic products, which may contain lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury, according to Californians Against Waste.
"This brew of toxic substances can damage nervous, kidney and reproductive systems, while some of the metals contain carcinogens," according a statement released by the group.
Apple Computer Inc. last year started a program at its retail stores to encourage consumers to recycle their iPod music- and video-playing devices in exchange for a discount on new devices.
Copyright © 2006 Reuters Limited.
California would require manufacturers to phase out the use of hazardous materials in making cell phones, iPods and other electronic devices under a bill introduced by a state lawmaker.
The bill unveiled on Thursday by Assembly Member Lori Saldana, a Democrat from San Diego, would apply to any electronic or battery-operated device. The bill, which was introduced on Wednesday, would require manufacturers to stop using the substances in devices sold in California by 2008.
"We know that the manufacturers of these products are able to produce them without including harmful toxic materials," Saldana said in a written statement. "California deserves to be included among the markets that receive this cleaner stream of consumer electronics."
California already requires manufacturers of video displays in devices to phase out the use of toxic materials.
Environmental groups with clout in the state's Democrat-led legislature support the bill.
They are concerned about pollution from electronic devices discarded in landfills and want California to follow the example of the European Union, which has called for phasing out the use of toxic materials in making consumer electronics.
"Cell phones, iPods, computers and many other modern electronic devices have a useful life of maybe a year or two before they become obsolete," said Mark Murray, executive director of the group Californians Against Waste. "It doesn't make sense to use hazardous materials in these disposable devices."
About 70 percent of toxic heavy metals found in landfills come from electronic products, which may contain lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury, according to Californians Against Waste.
"This brew of toxic substances can damage nervous, kidney and reproductive systems, while some of the metals contain carcinogens," according a statement released by the group.
Apple Computer Inc. last year started a program at its retail stores to encourage consumers to recycle their iPod music- and video-playing devices in exchange for a discount on new devices.
Copyright © 2006 Reuters Limited.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Port Authority suing to halt sale
Port Authority suing to halt sale
February 23, 2006
BY KAREN MATTHEWS ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK-- The Port Authority said Thursday it will file suit to block a Dubai-based firm from taking over operations at a Port Newark container terminal, saying the federal government has not given them assurances about security issues.
Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said the agency would file a lawsuit later Thursday or Friday in New Jersey's Essex County state court.
"We as owners of that facility should be made comfortable that whoever operates it is capable of it," Coscia said.
Coscia wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff asking for details about how the federal government determined it was safe to allow Dubai Ports World, a state-run firm out of the United Arab Emirates, to buy a British company now doing business at the terminal.
The agency said it is not filing suit because of specific concerns about the Dubai company, but based on concerns that the government's secret vetting process was now thorough enough.
Many in Congress, including New York lawmakers, have complained the government did not do a comprehensive security review of the port operations purchase.
"To compare pre-9/11 reviews with post-9/11 reviews is difficult because we are in a very different environment," Coscia said.
The British firm, P&O, signed a 30-year lease with the Port Authority, and that lease would be assumed by DP World on March 2 unless Congress intervenes. President Bush has promised to veto any legislation blocking the sale.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press.
February 23, 2006
BY KAREN MATTHEWS ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK-- The Port Authority said Thursday it will file suit to block a Dubai-based firm from taking over operations at a Port Newark container terminal, saying the federal government has not given them assurances about security issues.
Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said the agency would file a lawsuit later Thursday or Friday in New Jersey's Essex County state court.
"We as owners of that facility should be made comfortable that whoever operates it is capable of it," Coscia said.
Coscia wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff asking for details about how the federal government determined it was safe to allow Dubai Ports World, a state-run firm out of the United Arab Emirates, to buy a British company now doing business at the terminal.
The agency said it is not filing suit because of specific concerns about the Dubai company, but based on concerns that the government's secret vetting process was now thorough enough.
Many in Congress, including New York lawmakers, have complained the government did not do a comprehensive security review of the port operations purchase.
"To compare pre-9/11 reviews with post-9/11 reviews is difficult because we are in a very different environment," Coscia said.
The British firm, P&O, signed a 30-year lease with the Port Authority, and that lease would be assumed by DP World on March 2 unless Congress intervenes. President Bush has promised to veto any legislation blocking the sale.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
BMW falls foul of Google ‘web spam’ rules
Blogger's Note: If Google really cracked down on web spam most of their content would be gone. MSN is a far superior search engine and delivers MUCH MORE relevant results.
BMW falls foul of Google ‘web spam’ rules
By Kate Mackenzie in London
Published: February 6 2006 16:10 | Last updated: February 6 2006 17:02
The German website of BMW, the carmaker, has been removed from Google’s search results as part of the web company’s crack down on the manipulation of its search engine.
Google confirmed on Monday that BMW.de had been removed from all search engine results. A spokeswoman said the company could not comment on specific cases but said: “We cannot tolerate websites trying to manipulate search results as we aim to provide users with the relevant and objective search results”.
The website used “doorway” pages, which can be employed to trick search engines into leading their users to websites that are not directly related to the search terms.
Marc Hassinger, spokesperson for business and finance communications at BMW Deutschland, said the BMW.de doorway pages only redirected users to relevant pages - for example, one doorway page that frequently used the German word for “used car” redirected users to a page about BMW used car sales. He said this was done so that German web users searching for a second-hand BMW car dealership would find an index of dealerships around the country.
“We can’t see a ‘manipulation’ which they said was happening regarding those websites,” Mr Hassinger said.
Matt Cutts, a software engineer at Google, wrote last month in his weblog that the company would begin to take a tougher line on web spamming by non-English language websites.
On Saturday Mr Cutts wrote that BMW.de had been removed, for violating the guideline: “Don’t deceive your users or present different content to search engines than you display to users.”
However Mr Hassinger said the “doorway” pages had been removed last Thursday after BMW noticed criticism on some blogs.
“Nevertheless Google has decided to spread this information which has created this, I’d almost say, media hype,” he said. “They spread it on Saturday, a few days after the pages had been taken off. They hadn’t talked to us beforehand which we found a bit surprising.”
He said there had been talks between BMW and Google and that he was confident the website would soon be re-included by Google.
Mr Hassinger added that only 0.4 per cent of BMW.de’s traffic came from search engines such as Google, because most people wanting to visit the site either knew or could guess the correct address.
Mr Cutts also wrote on his blog that Ricoh.de, the German website of the Japanese electronics and office equipment company, would be removed from Google for similar reasons. The website could not be found on a Google search on Monday, but Google’s spokeswoman said she could not comment on whether that site had also
BMW falls foul of Google ‘web spam’ rules
By Kate Mackenzie in London
Published: February 6 2006 16:10 | Last updated: February 6 2006 17:02
The German website of BMW, the carmaker, has been removed from Google’s search results as part of the web company’s crack down on the manipulation of its search engine.
Google confirmed on Monday that BMW.de had been removed from all search engine results. A spokeswoman said the company could not comment on specific cases but said: “We cannot tolerate websites trying to manipulate search results as we aim to provide users with the relevant and objective search results”.
The website used “doorway” pages, which can be employed to trick search engines into leading their users to websites that are not directly related to the search terms.
Marc Hassinger, spokesperson for business and finance communications at BMW Deutschland, said the BMW.de doorway pages only redirected users to relevant pages - for example, one doorway page that frequently used the German word for “used car” redirected users to a page about BMW used car sales. He said this was done so that German web users searching for a second-hand BMW car dealership would find an index of dealerships around the country.
“We can’t see a ‘manipulation’ which they said was happening regarding those websites,” Mr Hassinger said.
Matt Cutts, a software engineer at Google, wrote last month in his weblog that the company would begin to take a tougher line on web spamming by non-English language websites.
On Saturday Mr Cutts wrote that BMW.de had been removed, for violating the guideline: “Don’t deceive your users or present different content to search engines than you display to users.”
However Mr Hassinger said the “doorway” pages had been removed last Thursday after BMW noticed criticism on some blogs.
“Nevertheless Google has decided to spread this information which has created this, I’d almost say, media hype,” he said. “They spread it on Saturday, a few days after the pages had been taken off. They hadn’t talked to us beforehand which we found a bit surprising.”
He said there had been talks between BMW and Google and that he was confident the website would soon be re-included by Google.
Mr Hassinger added that only 0.4 per cent of BMW.de’s traffic came from search engines such as Google, because most people wanting to visit the site either knew or could guess the correct address.
Mr Cutts also wrote on his blog that Ricoh.de, the German website of the Japanese electronics and office equipment company, would be removed from Google for similar reasons. The website could not be found on a Google search on Monday, but Google’s spokeswoman said she could not comment on whether that site had also
Friday, February 03, 2006
Groundhog Day quote:
Groundhog Day quote:
This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union address occur in the same week. It is an ironic juxtaposition of events: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication while the other involves a groundhog.
This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union address occur in the same week. It is an ironic juxtaposition of events: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication while the other involves a groundhog.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
BREITBART.COM - Chevron's 4Q Profit Soars to Record High
BREITBART.COM - Chevron's 4Q Profit Soars to Record High
Blogger's Note: So if PROFITS are up this much and the average american is struggling with uel costs, shouldn't PRICE GOUGING in the oil industry be investigated?
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE
AP Business Writer
SAN RAMON, Calif.
Chevron Corp.'s fourth-quarter profit climbed 20 percent to $4.14 billion, a company record that continued the most prosperous stretch in the oil company's 126-year history as it capitalizes on high fuel prices that are squeezing consumers and ruffling politicians.
Its profit of $14.1 billion for the full year was also a company record.
Blogger's Note: So if PROFITS are up this much and the average american is struggling with uel costs, shouldn't PRICE GOUGING in the oil industry be investigated?
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE
AP Business Writer
SAN RAMON, Calif.
Chevron Corp.'s fourth-quarter profit climbed 20 percent to $4.14 billion, a company record that continued the most prosperous stretch in the oil company's 126-year history as it capitalizes on high fuel prices that are squeezing consumers and ruffling politicians.
Its profit of $14.1 billion for the full year was also a company record.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Avoid Chase Credit Cards!
Just heard from a friend about a balance transfer situation involving CHASE, CITICARD, and DISCOVER.
Balances were transferred from these three cards. DISCOVER and CITICARD both had superior customer service. They were very willing to waive the residual interest charges on the accounts.
Not only did CHASE have the worst interest fees, but they also refused to waive the residual charges. When asked why their customer service level was not up to the quality of CITICARD and DISCOVER the supervisor basically said they are in it to make make money. When asked why they were not willing to rise to the customer service of the other cards they said WE ARE NOT CITICARD or DISCOVER.
NO THEY ARE CERTAINLY NOT!!!
Moral of the story: CHASE Credit Card services are in it for the money and not to help the customer AT ALL .
While ALL credit card companies are in it for the money. CHASE has proven a few dollars in residual fees is more important than good customer relations. After hearing this story I will be doing any business I have with CITICARD and DISCOVER. The only call I will be making to CHASE it to CANCEL my card with them.
amauvecoffeecup at gmail. com
Balances were transferred from these three cards. DISCOVER and CITICARD both had superior customer service. They were very willing to waive the residual interest charges on the accounts.
Not only did CHASE have the worst interest fees, but they also refused to waive the residual charges. When asked why their customer service level was not up to the quality of CITICARD and DISCOVER the supervisor basically said they are in it to make make money. When asked why they were not willing to rise to the customer service of the other cards they said WE ARE NOT CITICARD or DISCOVER.
NO THEY ARE CERTAINLY NOT!!!
Moral of the story: CHASE Credit Card services are in it for the money and not to help the customer AT ALL .
While ALL credit card companies are in it for the money. CHASE has proven a few dollars in residual fees is more important than good customer relations. After hearing this story I will be doing any business I have with CITICARD and DISCOVER. The only call I will be making to CHASE it to CANCEL my card with them.
amauvecoffeecup at gmail. com
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
New Orleans Mayor Says God Mad at U.S.
Bloggers Note: Stop trying to second guess God you twit. If anyone was mad at anyone they should be mad at YOU Mayor Nagin. Why? One for being too unprepared to have the buses running to evacuate people. And two for using the phrase "chocolate town" and helping to keep racism alive. You are not a Stupid Black Man. You are just a stupid man who happens to be black.
By BRETT MARTEL
Associated Press Writer
NEW ORLEANS
Mayor Ray Nagin suggested Monday that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and other storms were a sign that "God is mad at America" and at black communities, too, for tearing themselves apart with violence and political infighting.
"Surely God is mad at America. He sent us hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it's destroyed and put stress on this country," Nagin, who is black, said as he and other city leaders marked Martin Luther King Day.
"Surely he doesn't approve of us being in Iraq under false pretenses. But surely he is upset at black America also. We're not taking care of ourselves."
Nagin also promised that New Orleans will be a "chocolate" city again. Many of the city's black neighborhoods were heavily damaged by Katrina.
"It's time for us to come together. It's time for us to rebuild New Orleans _ the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans," the mayor said. "This city will be a majority African American city. It's the way God wants it to be. You can't have New Orleans no other way. It wouldn't be New Orleans."
Nagin described an imaginary conversation with King, the late civil rights leader.
"I said, `What is it going to take for us to move on and live your dream and make it a reality?' He said, `I don't think that we need to pay attention any more as much about other folks and racists on the other side.' He said, `The thing we need to focus on as a community _ black folks I'm talking about _ is ourselves.'"
Nagin said he also asked: "Why is black-on-black crime such an issue? Why do our young men hate each other so much that they look their brother in the face and they will take a gun and kill him in cold blood?"
The reply, Nagin said, was: "We as a people need to fix ourselves first."
Nagin also said King would have been dismayed with black leaders who are "most of the time tearing each other down publicly for the delight of many."
A day earlier, gunfire erupted at a parade to commemorate King's birthday. Three people were wounded in the daylight shooting amid a throng of mostly black spectators, but police said there were no immediate suspects or witnesses.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press.
By BRETT MARTEL
Associated Press Writer
NEW ORLEANS
Mayor Ray Nagin suggested Monday that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and other storms were a sign that "God is mad at America" and at black communities, too, for tearing themselves apart with violence and political infighting.
"Surely God is mad at America. He sent us hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it's destroyed and put stress on this country," Nagin, who is black, said as he and other city leaders marked Martin Luther King Day.
"Surely he doesn't approve of us being in Iraq under false pretenses. But surely he is upset at black America also. We're not taking care of ourselves."
Nagin also promised that New Orleans will be a "chocolate" city again. Many of the city's black neighborhoods were heavily damaged by Katrina.
"It's time for us to come together. It's time for us to rebuild New Orleans _ the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans," the mayor said. "This city will be a majority African American city. It's the way God wants it to be. You can't have New Orleans no other way. It wouldn't be New Orleans."
Nagin described an imaginary conversation with King, the late civil rights leader.
"I said, `What is it going to take for us to move on and live your dream and make it a reality?' He said, `I don't think that we need to pay attention any more as much about other folks and racists on the other side.' He said, `The thing we need to focus on as a community _ black folks I'm talking about _ is ourselves.'"
Nagin said he also asked: "Why is black-on-black crime such an issue? Why do our young men hate each other so much that they look their brother in the face and they will take a gun and kill him in cold blood?"
The reply, Nagin said, was: "We as a people need to fix ourselves first."
Nagin also said King would have been dismayed with black leaders who are "most of the time tearing each other down publicly for the delight of many."
A day earlier, gunfire erupted at a parade to commemorate King's birthday. Three people were wounded in the daylight shooting amid a throng of mostly black spectators, but police said there were no immediate suspects or witnesses.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Tax credit for hybrid cars
From whatistheword.com
DETROIT - The U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow has announced far reaching tax breaks for people who opt to buy hybrid cars. These gasoline-electric vehicles could end up saving as much as $3,400 for consumers.
'Development and use of hybrid vehicles is a key step toward reducing gasoline consumption, emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions,' Snow said. He was speaking at a Ford Motor research center in Detroit. This tax credit scheme also applies to vehicles that use 'green' or alternative fuel systems.
Under the bill, which was signed into a law in August, if a person or a business has more than one hybrid car, each of these would be eligible for the tax credit. The rule applies to vehicles that were brought into service after January 1. These tax breaks are sure to be welcomed since they are designed to boost sales. Companies like Ford and General Motors, which are struggling against competition by Asian carmakers would be relieved with these tax concessions."
"I commend the manufacturers who are making these energy-efficient and environment-friendly vehicles and hope that the President's energy bill proves to be an important step in their rising prominence on American roads," said Snow. "We're hopeful that with these credits we'll see a burst of interest in the hybrid vehicles."
In the US, hybrid cars are manufactured by Toyota Corp, Ford Motors and Honda Motor Co. Ford is determined to push through its hybrid car segment and has targeted a production of 250,000 cars by 2010. It has two models namely the Escape and the Mercury Mariner on the market at present, but the winner in the hybrid stakes has been Toyota Motor's Prius.
DETROIT - The U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow has announced far reaching tax breaks for people who opt to buy hybrid cars. These gasoline-electric vehicles could end up saving as much as $3,400 for consumers.
'Development and use of hybrid vehicles is a key step toward reducing gasoline consumption, emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions,' Snow said. He was speaking at a Ford Motor research center in Detroit. This tax credit scheme also applies to vehicles that use 'green' or alternative fuel systems.
Under the bill, which was signed into a law in August, if a person or a business has more than one hybrid car, each of these would be eligible for the tax credit. The rule applies to vehicles that were brought into service after January 1. These tax breaks are sure to be welcomed since they are designed to boost sales. Companies like Ford and General Motors, which are struggling against competition by Asian carmakers would be relieved with these tax concessions."
"I commend the manufacturers who are making these energy-efficient and environment-friendly vehicles and hope that the President's energy bill proves to be an important step in their rising prominence on American roads," said Snow. "We're hopeful that with these credits we'll see a burst of interest in the hybrid vehicles."
In the US, hybrid cars are manufactured by Toyota Corp, Ford Motors and Honda Motor Co. Ford is determined to push through its hybrid car segment and has targeted a production of 250,000 cars by 2010. It has two models namely the Escape and the Mercury Mariner on the market at present, but the winner in the hybrid stakes has been Toyota Motor's Prius.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Police shoot teen in school standoff: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Blogger's Note: See, this is where the system is failing. It's not the fault of the deputy who shot this kid. The blame lies in the people who aren't teaching our youth that video games are not real. Consequenses are much more serious in real life.
Police shoot teen in school standoff
Student pointed pellet gun at deputy
Gary Taylor and Rene Stutzman
Sentinel Staff Writers
January 13, 2006, 11:26 PM EST
LONGWOOD -- A Milwee Middle School eighth-grader, who last year threatened to blow up a school bus, showed up for class Friday with a pistol in his backpack.
However, classmates of Chris Penley, 15, didn't know it was a pellet gun.
Neither did a veteran Seminole County deputy sheriff, who made a split-second decision to open fire when Chris pointed the weapon at him.
The deputy's single shot gravely wounded the boy, who was on life support Friday at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
The midmorning incident plunged the Longwood-area school into chaos, as frightened and weeping students gathered outside, awaiting anxious parents or school buses to take them home.
Police shoot teen in school standoff
Student pointed pellet gun at deputy
Gary Taylor and Rene Stutzman
Sentinel Staff Writers
January 13, 2006, 11:26 PM EST
LONGWOOD -- A Milwee Middle School eighth-grader, who last year threatened to blow up a school bus, showed up for class Friday with a pistol in his backpack.
However, classmates of Chris Penley, 15, didn't know it was a pellet gun.
Neither did a veteran Seminole County deputy sheriff, who made a split-second decision to open fire when Chris pointed the weapon at him.
The deputy's single shot gravely wounded the boy, who was on life support Friday at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
The midmorning incident plunged the Longwood-area school into chaos, as frightened and weeping students gathered outside, awaiting anxious parents or school buses to take them home.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Mining and Solar possibilities
The mine tragedy in WV is extremely sad. If these people had been building solar panels instead of mining for coal this tragedy would not have happened. It's time we let mining become a historical job. Solar energy won't cause black lung, and won't run out.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
A Note To Pat Robertson
So, do you realize you are doing more to hurt the Christian Religion than help it? You say that Sharon's illness is "God's punishment?" Do you have any clue as to how that sounds? That is a "my daddy's going to beat you up" attitude if I have ever heard one. What is it when an innocent person is hurt? God's will? The people that make up the "Christian rules" as they go along are exposing the long kept secrets of the smoke and mirrors portion of the modern day religion known as "Christianity".
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Why Kmart Deserves To Be Bankrupt
Blogger's Note: Apparently Kmart WANTS to fail. Now they are trying to blantantly steal from customers. Kmart Execs LISTEN UP!!! Setting Policies that cheat customers are a really bad idea. Wal-Mart has it's draw backs, but you would never catch them trying this!
A friend had received a pair of sleep pants as a Christmas gift.
They were a size too large. After Christmas I was going to KMart so
he
asked me if I would take the sleep pants back to K-Mart where they
had
been purchased. All I wanted to do was exchange them for an identical
pair but just a size smaller. I left the pair to be exchanged with
the
clerk at the customer service desk while I found a pair a size
smaller. When I returned, she informed me it would cost me $2.69. I
said, "But I'm making an even exchange. It's just a size difference."
She told me she understood that but KMart would only allow me credit
for the lowest price the sleep pants I was returning had ever sold
for.
I told her that made no sense to charge me extra when I was only
exhanging one size for another. She informed me that is KMart's
policy.
I told her I would just keep the larger size and that I would give
them
to someone who could use them rather than give KMart any more money.
This incident has colored my opinion of KMart. I know they can't hold
a
candle to Target or Kohls or most any department type store. But I
always felt a little sorry for them and tried to give them some
business. Not any more. I don't need them and I will no longer
patronize them.
A friend had received a pair of sleep pants as a Christmas gift.
They were a size too large. After Christmas I was going to KMart so
he
asked me if I would take the sleep pants back to K-Mart where they
had
been purchased. All I wanted to do was exchange them for an identical
pair but just a size smaller. I left the pair to be exchanged with
the
clerk at the customer service desk while I found a pair a size
smaller. When I returned, she informed me it would cost me $2.69. I
said, "But I'm making an even exchange. It's just a size difference."
She told me she understood that but KMart would only allow me credit
for the lowest price the sleep pants I was returning had ever sold
for.
I told her that made no sense to charge me extra when I was only
exhanging one size for another. She informed me that is KMart's
policy.
I told her I would just keep the larger size and that I would give
them
to someone who could use them rather than give KMart any more money.
This incident has colored my opinion of KMart. I know they can't hold
a
candle to Target or Kohls or most any department type store. But I
always felt a little sorry for them and tried to give them some
business. Not any more. I don't need them and I will no longer
patronize them.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Protect your ears: limit iPod use
Blogger's Note - I was waiting for this. It doesn't suprise me. Luckily I prefer the bigger earphones.
Thu Dec 29, 2:23 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The ever-popular earbuds used with many iPods and other MP3 players may be more stylish than the bigger and bulkier earmuff-type headphones, but they may also be more damaging to one's hearing, according to a Northwestern professor.
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Thu Dec 29, 2:23 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The ever-popular earbuds used with many iPods and other MP3 players may be more stylish than the bigger and bulkier earmuff-type headphones, but they may also be more damaging to one's hearing, according to a Northwestern professor.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Russia starts cutting off Ukraine gas on Yahoo! News
Blogger's Note: How long will it take? This is EXACTLY the reason we need to become less dependent on fossil fuels. The countries with oil have other countries over an oil barrel and it gives them bully power.
Russia starts cutting off Ukraine gas
By Christian Lowe1 hour, 38 minutes ago
Russia started cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine on Sunday, a move that could hit deliveries to a winter-bound Europe on the day Moscow makes its debut as chairman of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.
Russian Gazprom said it would turn off the taps to Ukraine at 10 a.m. (0700 GMT) after Kiev refused to pay the increased amount Moscow was demanding for its gas and last-ditch efforts to resolve the price row failed.
Russian news agencies said the state-controlled company had already started reducing pressure in the gas pipeline to its ex-Soviet neighbor before the deadline.
Gazprom supplies 25 percent of western Europe's gas -- much of it via Ukraine. It said deliveries to western Europe would not be affected but Italy's gas importer said Gazprom had warned it disruption was possible.
Ukraine's Western-leaning government has complained Moscow was using its control over massive energy resources as a political weapon.
Russia rejects the allegation but it is a suggestion that is being viewed with concern from Berlin to Washington.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin had offered late on Saturday to postpone the price increases until April if Ukraine agreed to the new terms, but a Gazprom spokesman said that offer was rejected.
"The plan to cut supplies from ... 10 o'clock is still in force," spokesman Sergei Kuprianov told Reuters.
West European states, drawing 80 percent of their Russian deliveries from the same pipeline network crossing Ukraine, have expressed concern over the dispute, as has Washington.
Moscow insists it can cut Ukrainian gas while safeguarding supply to others. The danger, in theory, was that Ukraine could nonetheless tap off gas to which it feels it was entitled, thus effectively reducing the flow onwards to western Europe.
Moscow took over the rotating G8 chairmanship from Britain on Sunday, the first time it has held the role and one of the main themes of its tenure will be security of energy supply.
Moscow is seeking a rise in the price of gas it sells to Ukraine to $230 per 1,000 cubic meters from the current $50 -- a level that reflects Soviet-era subsidized rates.
Ukraine agrees in principle but wants a transitional period.
Ukrainian officials accuse Moscow of using the issue to punish Kiev for its drive to join both the European Union and NATO a year after mass protests helped propel Viktor Yushchenko to a presidential election victory -- beating a Kremlin-backed candidate.
Italian oil and gas firm Eni said it had been warned by Gazprom that supplies could be disrupted. Central European states set up contingency plans. Poland said it had at least a week's reserves of gas to guard against supply interruptions.
The EU has called a January 4 meeting of energy officials from its member states to work out a common approach.
Putin's period in office has been marked by an increasingly assertive foreign policy that appears aimed at regaining some of the influence Moscow has lost in former Soviet republics since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
(Additional reporting by Meg Clothier in Moscow, Olena Horodetska in Kiev)
Copyright © 2006 Reuters Limited.
Russia starts cutting off Ukraine gas
By Christian Lowe1 hour, 38 minutes ago
Russia started cutting off gas supplies to Ukraine on Sunday, a move that could hit deliveries to a winter-bound Europe on the day Moscow makes its debut as chairman of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.
Russian Gazprom said it would turn off the taps to Ukraine at 10 a.m. (0700 GMT) after Kiev refused to pay the increased amount Moscow was demanding for its gas and last-ditch efforts to resolve the price row failed.
Russian news agencies said the state-controlled company had already started reducing pressure in the gas pipeline to its ex-Soviet neighbor before the deadline.
Gazprom supplies 25 percent of western Europe's gas -- much of it via Ukraine. It said deliveries to western Europe would not be affected but Italy's gas importer said Gazprom had warned it disruption was possible.
Ukraine's Western-leaning government has complained Moscow was using its control over massive energy resources as a political weapon.
Russia rejects the allegation but it is a suggestion that is being viewed with concern from Berlin to Washington.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin had offered late on Saturday to postpone the price increases until April if Ukraine agreed to the new terms, but a Gazprom spokesman said that offer was rejected.
"The plan to cut supplies from ... 10 o'clock is still in force," spokesman Sergei Kuprianov told Reuters.
West European states, drawing 80 percent of their Russian deliveries from the same pipeline network crossing Ukraine, have expressed concern over the dispute, as has Washington.
Moscow insists it can cut Ukrainian gas while safeguarding supply to others. The danger, in theory, was that Ukraine could nonetheless tap off gas to which it feels it was entitled, thus effectively reducing the flow onwards to western Europe.
Moscow took over the rotating G8 chairmanship from Britain on Sunday, the first time it has held the role and one of the main themes of its tenure will be security of energy supply.
Moscow is seeking a rise in the price of gas it sells to Ukraine to $230 per 1,000 cubic meters from the current $50 -- a level that reflects Soviet-era subsidized rates.
Ukraine agrees in principle but wants a transitional period.
Ukrainian officials accuse Moscow of using the issue to punish Kiev for its drive to join both the European Union and NATO a year after mass protests helped propel Viktor Yushchenko to a presidential election victory -- beating a Kremlin-backed candidate.
Italian oil and gas firm Eni said it had been warned by Gazprom that supplies could be disrupted. Central European states set up contingency plans. Poland said it had at least a week's reserves of gas to guard against supply interruptions.
The EU has called a January 4 meeting of energy officials from its member states to work out a common approach.
Putin's period in office has been marked by an increasingly assertive foreign policy that appears aimed at regaining some of the influence Moscow has lost in former Soviet republics since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
(Additional reporting by Meg Clothier in Moscow, Olena Horodetska in Kiev)
Copyright © 2006 Reuters Limited.
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