INTERESTING TIMES

Even those too lazy to vote feel it their birthright to blast our elected representatives from every direction.  We complain bitterly when we do not get all we want as if it were possible to have more services with lower taxes, broader health care coverage with no federal involvement, a cleaner environment without regulations, security from terrorists with no infringement on privacy, and cheaper consumer goods made locally by workers with higher wages.  In short, we crave all the benefits of change without the costs.  When we are disappointed, our response is to retreat into cynicism, then start thinking about whether there might be a quicker, easier, and less democratic way to satisfy our wants.

--Madeline Albright on page 116 of Fascism, A Warning.  This quote comes on the heels of a section about globalism and about the manipulation of public opinion using the internet.  The first part of this book was the best short history of Europe I have ever read--for once it made sense.  Excellent read: recommend.

Journalism is printing
what someone else doesn't want printed.
Everything else
is public relations.
--George Orwell

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/urizenus-sklar/understanding-conspiracy-_b_793463.html
Understanding Conspiracy: The Political Philosophy of Julian Assange
by Urizenus Sklar

thanks to skyojos for leading me to this

en·thy·meme   [en-thuh-meem]
–noun, Logic.
= a syllogism or other argument in which a premise or the conclusion is unexpressed

I knew he'd be hard at work. I had no idea he had such an elegant solution worked out! My favorite clear thinker Congressman Ron Paul has introduced several pieces of legislation in Congress to bring true change to health care. Imagine the impact if congress were to stop legislating as if they worked for big business, and begin legislating as if they actually had the health and best interests of private citizens at heart. The result would be something like what Ron Paul proposes.

H.R. 2629, the Coercion is Not Health Care Act
The intent of this bill is to stop government from railroading us into a scheme that requires us to buy health insurance, or makes the purchase of insurance a precondition for any government benefit or program.

H.R. 1495, the Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act of 2009
Allows us to pay health care bills as we choose. Provides a tax credit for all Americans for 100% of healthcare expenses (refundable against both income and payroll taxes). This bill also lets us roll over unused money in cafeteria plans and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA), gives tax credits for premiums on high deductible insurance policies connected with Health Savings Accounts (HSA), lets seniors use their HSA moneys to cover the donuthole in medicare coverage, and repeals the 7.5% threshhold for the deduction of medical expenses, making ALL medical expenses tax deductible. This would lighten the burden on regular people, allowing us to seek care when we really need care.
( Several more bills worth supporting )

OK, here I will begin to list the nuts and bolts of the housemate contract that I will have my new housemate sign when she arrives on Saturday. Please comment and let me know what you think is essential to specify when allowing a stranger to move into your homespace. Thanks.
( notes )

I just got a phone call from a guy who said his name was John Leskey, and who claimed he works for URSLP. When I asked him to explain what URSLP is, he was unwilling to explain. Googling those letters doesn't get me anywhere. John was looking for a guy (C) that I used to work on the river with some 15 years ago. C is out of the country, last I heard, through a friend of a friend. When I asked John how he got my number he said that I was listed as a "possible associate" of my former raft guide co-worker. When I asked him if he was with a collection agency, there was a long pause before he answered that it was personal business. So I'm guessing that he is trying to collect from C. And considering his tactics, I don't blame C if he blows this guy and whatever debt off. I offered John the hotmail address that I have for C, and he said he doesn't have email! What bullshit. He calls me because he knows I used to work with C, but he doesn't have email. There is something completely wrong about this.

Because this guy was after an old friend of mine, I invite you and everyone to call him up.
Let him know that "possible associates" don't welcome his inquiries.
Here are his numbers:
713-266-9876 extension 3084
800-891-5035 x3084 (I called this number without the extension and the message said "the number you have called is currently not assigned" WTF?)
The number he was calling FROM is 866-891-6939. He called just before 9am on 5/30/07.

Whoever he is, and whatever he is after, I do not like his methods. And I do not like getting collections calls for a person that I worked with 15 years ago. If that counts as an "associate" then I have a billion associates! And I am not responsible for their financial issues.

Amended 3/14/08: Just got a comment (on another entry) that another person by the name of Lisa Reynolds is harassing people using the same phone numbers.

Amended 4/16/09: New comment reveals Leskey hasn't changed his approach. Googling his name today yields these:

Googling his name yields this today:
http://www.callercomplaints.com/SearchResult.aspx?Phone=866-582-4084

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-582-4084

Amended 2/18/10: New commenter just filed a complaint with ftc.gov after a call from one Charlene S. Smith looking for a neighbor. Charlene contact: 866-516-6961 x4138. Prior FTC charges against her company: Civil Action No.: H-02-1410 (sl), FTC File No.: 002-3133.