I know it sounds crazy but there is a certain hypocrisy here that makes me simply furious and almost nauseous.
These “high and mighty” supporters of “selectively having their cake and eating it too” are making me sick.  Their defense of defeating the SOPA and PIPA is a prime example of “internet elitism”, when it serves YOUR wallet.

Why is child porn illegal on the web and removed or blocked from their searches and content?  Why are drug sites blocked from Google’s advertising?  Because they are crimes and not considered “free speech”.  Get it?

(By the way… if you don’t see any Google Ads on this page, it’s because Google “sensors” certain pages and blocks their ads from running. WOW… freedom of speech?)

When someone puts years of work into developing a “product” and within months it is pirated (stolen) and sold at 10% of the normal price, it is a crime.  However, it is TRULY IMPOSSIBLE for the average person or business to stop these predators. It multiplies by the 1000’s and hence the need for some regulations and action. Trust me, it’s not the “big boys” that are being hurt, it’s the little guy, independent businessman that has no recourse to battle these overseas PIRATES. (May they burn in hell.)

Here’s where it gets to be hypercritical…
Try using Google’s and Wikipedia’s logos on your website and call them “your” property. Guess what, they will go after you with a forceful vengeance.  Teams of lawyers will send you “cease and desist letters” and the GATES  of legal hell will be open.  Yes, by LAW, they must enforce their ownership of their trademarks or they risk losing them.  Hmmmm…  they didn’t mention all that.  When it suits THEIR needs, they want the laws of the land enforced and DEMAND justice.  Pathetic!

Having fought for freedom in this country I know the difference between “free speech” and crimes.  When I see a U.S. flag burned, I harbor no anger. I feel joy in the fact that we have the freedom to express our thoughts, even if they are anger at our government.

However, “FREEDOM” is not raping my 8 year old daughter and then selling the video online. That is a crime and is banned.  Taking my products, copying them / stealing them, when they are copyrighted, and selling them as yours, that is a crime as well.

If you have nothing to hide, have done nothing wrong, you have no worries.  The internet is free and open. However commit a crime and use the web to gain from it…. You MUST be banned and blocked. My only hope is that they go AFTER the end users as well.  You KNOW what is wrong, do the right thing.

Listen closely and you’ll hear it… the cries, cheers, rants, screams, signs and more.  “Stop the corporate greed that is killing us!” Yes, those ‘evil’ corporations that make huge profits off the backs of working middle class and poor people then send jobs overseas.  Did you hear it? …the cheers for the death of a hated and despised Steve Jobs. If you embrace the “message”, corporate greed and profits, then SURELY you must be cheering his death; one of the country’s biggest offenders.

Now we (OWS) will be marching to the homes of the EVIL , rich CEOs.  Surely we should do this by “rank” of wealth.  This filthy pig,  ranked 39^th richest man in the U.S.,  should be one of our top priorities.  Just behind people like Warren Buffet, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill gates, Michael Bloomberg, George Soros, and more.  Anything less would be hypocritical.

Let’s take a look at why this ‘capitalist pig’, as he is now known by the OWS crowd, has earned this title.  First, to gain his wealth, career and fame, he used tax payer back loans and grants to go to college, then to Harvard law school. Wait a minute, wrong person.  Jobs dropped out of college because he couldn’t afford it. Often he would sleep on the floor in friends’ rooms, returning Coke bottles for food money, and get weekly free meals at the local temple.  However, he never graduated.  Figures, this guy was too dumb to learn how to work the “system” for free money.

Maybe it was the fact he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and lived the life of luxury from birth. Using “daddy’s money” to start his business and not having to get a “real job”.  Wait a minute… that’s wrong too. He was given up for adoption.  Hmmm…

Anyway, you still have to “hate” this guy with a true passion if you are an OWS protester and here’s why.

A few points…

• Apple has enormous sales, about $60 billion plus and growing.  It is one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world by market capitalization. (Capitalists pigs)
  
• Apple “manufactures” the majority of its products overseas using poor country “slave labor”. (OWS term) Sending U.S. jobs overseas.
  
• Apple has one of the highest “profit margins” for a company its size.  Roughly 20% these capitalist pigs make every year.
  
• Apple “takes” most of its profits from hard working Americans.  Even the “poorest” of OWS protesters were ‘tweeting’ on their I-Phones that put over $2 billion into this capitalist pig’s back pocket.  Requiring these people to carry I-Phones, I-Pads, and MACs should be illegal. (I think it’s the law.)
  
• Apple cut deals with other murderous corporations to distribute these products in ways that enslaved them to corporate profits. Yes, you could buy the I-Phone for $600, but why not sign this “little contract” for 24 months and it’s only $99.  Truly the actions of a crack dealer.

I’m sorry, I’m disgusted and angry, such an evil man and company.  I agree with the OWS crowd.  We need to take this man’s money, ALL OF IT, and divide it up and share it with EVERY American.  Surely we could all pay off our student loans and put a deposit on a decent home with that money.  Let’s see, $5.5 billion dollars estimated worth on a good day…. divided by 300 million Americans…. I’ll make out the deposit ticket for…   what? $18.33 ?  Eighteen lousy dollars???   Stupid I-Phone calculator, broken again.

Maybe you’re starting to get my point by now?  If you “take the pulpit” your message better be true and your soul must be transparent and pure.  If you condemn “corporate greed and profits”, then do it with blind justice, and across the board.  Look at the books and go after the worst offenders.   Not doing so is simply wrong and lacks integrity.  It’s kind of like showing up at a PETA rally with leather shoes, calf skin belt, and an alligator purse. Of course you drove there in your Volvo S-80 with the wonderful dead animal skin interior.

If you truly are going to “scream” at corporate greed, then LIVE your message.  It’s time to throw away that I-Phone, I-Pad, MAC and break out the “Made in USA” white paper notebooks.  Wait a minute, those paper notebooks are made from murdered trees….  Man, I’m really starting to get a headache.

Commentary editorial above submitted from one of readers.

Why Herman Cain Can Be the Next US President?

(Article submitted by a local independent for opinion.)

You might not know him and honestly, I wasn’t that familiar with him as well. I’ve heard him on the radio off and on for a few years and seen a few interviews he has done. However, I now truly believe that Herman Cain has the best chance of being the next President of the US.  I will tell you why and do so without “political correctness”.  Once you read this article you’ll either GET IT and your eyes will open widely, or you’re not too bright and you’ll miss my point.

A political outsider…
If you ‘hate politicians’ and feel that most are corrupted by the system, then why would you vote for one and trust one?  You shouldn’t…  Herman Cain has not held political office.  If you’ve watched any “candidate” make promises and statements, then make a 180 turn once they got into office, you are just as sick and tired as the rest of us. Cain can focus like a laser beam on the differences between Obama the “candidate” vs. Obama the President.   He should hold these examples on high and pledge to do in office what he says on campaign.  He can stand on his “word” and people will now have something to believe in.

The ultimate power of the “reverse race card”…
This past election and ever since, any questioning of the current president often led to allegations of racism. Let’s face it, Cain is “more black” than Obama and grew up in the south in the 50s and 60s.  He faced challenges and fears growing up that that few of us have ever had to deal with.  When was the last time the “Republicans” could pull out the race card? Herman Cain is the REAL Black America and many blacks will relate to him more than Obama.  This is a man that black parents can point to and HONESTLY tell their children, “That could be you one day.”

Race and the media…
How many ‘stupid’ interviews did you see over the past few years or round tables loaded with progressives, liberals and “admitted socialists” that always brought up this one question, “Do you think RACE plays an issue here?”   Say good bye to your “crutch” biased media.  Without that option, where do they go? Real issues and facts? That would scare the hell out of the left and the media. Imagine one of the “left leaning” media interviewers being called out on the air as being a racist by the candidate himself.

Let’s give an example of this…
During an interview this statement is made about blacks and others on welfare, “Programs today are designed to make people more dependent rather than less dependent.”  If that was made by a white, well off, Ivy League educated candidate, the media and the left would call the remarks racists, insensitive, and coming from someone that knew nothing of the black Americans’ struggle.  However, coming from the mouth of a black man born into poverty, that later became the CEO of God Father’s Pizza, they sound very true and heartfelt.  Both whites and blacks would sit and nod their heads yes.

Core American Values…
The “average” American still has basic, core beliefs that mirror Cain’s beliefs.  Sure there are a few issues that one might differ on slightly, but America at its core, is still a traditional nation. Work hard, do the right thing, believe in God, and understand that being “free”, is the most valuable right we have as a nation.  You can see some of his positions HERE When it comes to all the main issues, 80% of Americans believe the same.

Cain’s the one Obama, and his political machine, fear the most… or will.
In 2012 America, ALL of America , will be looking for CHANGE.  In my mind they will find REAL change in one man. Herman Cain.  A man whose life reads like a book called, “The American Dream”. A man that has nothing to gain from this run, except a chance to help the country he so passionately loves.  I have always said that America is in need of one person, a George Washington.  A man that will lead this nation back into greatness not based on himself, but what is best for the nation.  A man that runs because he feels that it is his duty and not seeking political power.

What the media is missing…
Look back at recent elections and you find that the Tea Party was a powerful force.  The media made it sound like a “small group” of Americans, sitting on their front porch drinking “sweet tea” and beer. However, they are missing one thing; the hidden / underground members.  There are MILLIONS and MILLIONS of Americans that hold the same values of the Tea Party, but to be honest, would not “claim that name” in membership.  They believe in smaller government, less regulation, lower taxes, stopping Washington’s corruption, lowering our national debt, and the belief that we ALL are ready to make sacrifices if EVERYONE is “on board” and held accountable.
Herman Cain can kill the media’s number one tool / claim of the Tea Party. “They are racists.”  How would a news caster possibly be able to call the Tea Party racists if their leader and candidate was a black man from the south?  Remove that one powerful tool of the media left, and you will see a MAJOR uplifting of the Tea Party.  A wave that not only hits the nation, but is more like a tsunami that SWEEPS the nation in a massive powerful source.

If the Tea Party and Americans find this one connect, it is probably the only chance a candidate will have against defeating Obama.

(The above post is an editorial / opinion submitted to StopTheJunk from a reader.)

Google Search Results Look Different?

There’s nothing like someone that loves to innovate, but when you decide YOUR way is the better way, you better be prepared to lose customers.
This week Google started rolling out its new “lighter and brighter” search results page.  The search results have a lighter color to them, and they are more “spaced out”.  Many are saying that it looks a lot like BING search results page and I have to agree.
When I did a search this morning, I WAS SHOCKED.

Not only are the new results hard to read but there are fewer of them.  The new layout actually hurts my eyes and I can’t stay on the page long.  NEVER, in my LONG web career have I seen SUCH a bad move by a “normally smart company”.

Here’s my message to Google.
If you want to change something that is quite personal to people, ASK THEM NEXT TIME.

Post a link on your page that says, “See the New Search Look” and leave it up for a week, or give people the option to revert back to “Classic”. That will let you know that your “brilliant programmers” and research people were wrong.

I am encouraging people to email Google, post on their forum, and those that have Adwords accounts to make your voice heard as well. DON’T sit back and take it. YOU’RE THE CONSUMER, and you have the right to leave them.

Google’s motto is “Don’t be evil”, but they should change it to something that works a little better like, “Listen to your customer, because you’re not always right.”

After searching further, the answer seems to be “clear your cache and cookies”.
So, was this a test? I short glimpse of things to come?
After going into my “cookies folder” and deleting the Google file, the search returned to normal.
We’ll have to wait and see.

I Tortured Them, but We Are the Cowards

Some things just never leave your mind. Some are images or even “video like” that can be played over and over with great detail. Torturing these soldiers is one of those that sticks in my mind.  I’ll admit it openly; I tortured the soldiers all night long. However it’s not my fault that we have become a weak nation.

My small team had been chasing these idiots all day. It was hot, dry and they gave us a pretty good run. I can’t say how many miles we covered, but by the time we rounded them up, the sun had started to set.  Each of these soldiers was bound with zip ties, a bag put over their heads, and they were placed under a small shelter.  I told the Captain I was going to take my guys back for a shower and chow and we would be returning around 2100. (9pm)

We ate like pigs after washing off the red dust that covered our bodies. We were tired, sore and somewhat dehydrated from an all day chase in the heat.  We had a K-9 with us, Jake, so he was taken care of first. After he ate, he fell sound asleep within minutes.

We returned to the compound and met with the others to relieve them. The temperature had dropped quickly and it was in the lower 50’s. I remember thinking to myself I wished I had brought my dam field jacket.   By then each of the prisoners had been stripped to their skivvies, still hands bound and heads covered,  and each placed in their own “kennel box”; a small white wood box that looked like a dog crate. The boxes were about a 4 feet square with a few small holes near the top. Each box had a number on the side of it and the prisoners now became that number.  They were referred to as #9 or #6, depending on the box number they were in.

The boxes were arranged in a semi –circle under the shelter. In the middle was small “pond” as we called it; a 4 foot circle of dirty, cold water.  One of my guys would slowly walk by the boxes and knock on the side. He would shout “number”. The prisoner inside would have to shout out his number. This went on for hours and hours and you just knew one would fall asleep.

Sure enough one did. We opened his box, dragged him out, and stood him in the pond.  2 – 3 of us would shout questions at him. He would answer only with his name and serial number.  After a few minutes of this, you could see he was getting cold. His body started to shake and shiver.

Being the caring and thoughtful hosts we were, we then proceeded to pour small cups of the freezing water over his body.  All the while repeating the questions and shouting. This went on for a good 20 minutes. Keep in mind the other 16 prisoners listening to this.  By the end of this session, his body was shaking violently from the cold. We pulled him out and threw him back in his box.

I remember shouting, “Who’s next? We started pounding on the boxes again and all night long pulled them out one by one and introduced them to the pond.  Trust me; none of them fell asleep again.  I was pretty satisfied, and we managed to break down several and get information about their missions.

The sun started to come up, and the Captain and his team returned from a night’s rest and chow. He hopped out the truck, came up to the shelter. “Good morning Sarge, how are the kids doing?” he asked. I replied, “I think 4 and 10 shit themselves, but we had pretty fun night.”  He chuckled a bit and then ordered the boxes opened.

All the prisoners were brought out; hands cut free, hoods taken off. Each was given clothes and we helped some get dressed.  Some had trouble moving being cold and in the cramped box all night. They were led over to the large fire now burning outside the shelter and we brought them a warm meal, and drinks.  I walked around to each man and asked if he was physically OK. With silent nods and a quick inspection, I shook each one’s hand.

They knew who I was and I’ll never forget the look in their eyes. I could see into their souls and emotions. With some I could see hate, anger and resentment; with others I could see relief.  It wasn’t until the last man, who was their leader, that something hit me.  He actually spoke. He looked into my eyes and leaned towards me. I thought he might take a swing. He quietly whispered, “Thanks for caring about my men.”

What I failed to mention earlier is that these were “our guys”.  Most were combat pilots; a few were DNI’s. (Do not identify)  They came to an evasion / survival training center deep in the woods.  There were classrooms full of live poisonous snakes and other related training materials. I volunteered often for this work, giving up a few days off to train them on K-9 evasion / facts.  Then chase them through the woods, capture them, and torture them all night long.

While the training exercise was planned and carefully monitored, the whole thing took on a very REAL feeling. Late at night we were all tired and I have to admit that we would play the roles well.  Trust me, these guys TRULY felt they were in danger and felt real fear after close to 48 hours of running, hiding, capture, and torture.  They, the prisoners left the training feeling proud and as though they had accomplished something.  I however, left feeling rather empty.   I often struggled with the emotions of these training days.  I can still see clearly in my mind their unclothed bodies, standing in the pond, shaking violently.

This leads me to our choices in the United States. We have chosen, via the President’s orders, not to use many interrogation techniques on terrorists.  Personally, I’m fine with that decision.  I think while it makes us less safe, we must hold to a higher ground. Otherwise we become “like them”.  However, understand this clearly. We will not be able to stop attacks in the future that may have been avoided or stopped if we did use them.  They WILL come. Whether on the small scale, such as individuals blowing themselves up in subways, or on a larger scale like 9-11, they will happen.

We however, are a weak, lazy and unprepared nation and must deal with the fact that many, if not most, in our country are not prepared for it.  If we are going to be open and honest, let’s look in the mirror first and ask ourselves, “Are we prepared?”   Are we prepared and strong enough to deal with what lies ahead. I think not. A “former Miss America” gets searched at the airport and breaks down sobbing?

We have a bad habit in this nation of seeing ourselves as “better people”, but not preparing for those who don’t hold to those same values.

The problem? We currently feel safe and in a way suffer from Normalcy Bias.
Once the attacks start again on our soil, I think the public outcry will be “water-board them!”.
Here is a small quote from someone that recently visited Israel.

“You can’t go anywhere in Israel without being searched – your bag, your car, your body. Security guards lurk everywhere – coffee shops, shopping malls, schools, buses, businesses. Their metal detecting machines are ready to slide down your body ever so slowly, revealing those hidden secrets in the folds of your dress.”

So, get ready America. The price we pay for being “moral” is a very high one that most are not willing to pay.

With the death of Osama Bin Laden the controversy roared about the release of his photo. However, we have a new guess at why the White house and others, don’t want it released.  Information was released from the administration describing the photo. From CNN ” the most recognizable image of bin Laden’s face has been described as extremely gruesome and graphic. It reportedly shows a massive open bullet wound across both of his eyes.”
We believe that the wound on the front of his face will appear to be an “exit wound” to many. Thus leading to a whole new set of “deathers” coming up with theories that he was executed after he was wounded in the chest.
Soon the claims will rise that once he was wounded in the chest, one of the “U.S. personnel on the ground then walked up to him and shot him in the back of the head.”
Remember, that bullet “entry holes” are usually very small, about the size of the bullet itself. However, due to the energy, bullet expansion, and bone matter, the exit wound can be very large.
Trust me, if they can play the “birther thing” for 2 years, this will not “die” for years and years.  I warn the U.S., DON’T release the photo unless you want millions of his fans on a death march against America.

If you thought the government was getting a little too much information on you, hold on to your hats.
The new proposed passport paperwork is truly one for the records.  Yes line after line of private information that you are required to list and now in the hands of your “friendly” government officials.
Can you list ALL your address since birth? You have to on these new forms.
Can you  “List your mother’s residence one year before your birth”?

We know you think we’re kidding, right?

Nope see them HERE

The government estimates the new forms can be completed in under 45 minutes.  I give a wager that not ONE government employee you find on the street can complete them in less than 2 days.  The HUGE amount of private information is not only amazing, but scary as well.  This is BIG BROTHER in its purest form.

Bad Economy, World Crisis, and Fear Impacting Emergency Food Supplies

No matter what you believe, many Americans are suffering from fear of the unknown. Political concerns, economic downturns, inflation, world unrest, rising gas prices, and a US dollar being inflated, are just some of the issues causing it. The reaction to all of this has led many to start preparing for the unknown.

Many Americans are now just not sure what lies ahead and this fear, has led them to prepare for either the worst, or at least some tough times ahead. Part of this is having enough food on hand to feed their families.  It has been said before that our society is “nine meals away from anarchy”, meaning that most average Americans have enough food and supplies for 2 – 5 days.

If you don’t believe that figure, just take a look at any recent disaster, such as hurricane Katrina. After only a few days, average citizens took to the streets looting and stealing.  Food and water was not to found.  Hence, we had fairly “normal” people turning into traveling gangs tearing into homes, shops and anything that held supplies.

Many companies sell long term storage food, or “emergency food”.  These foods come in military style rations, or in larger bulk storable forms. One site Emergency-Foods.org has even started to review these companies and their products.  The consumer can get honest reviews of the foods including ease of storage, nutritional value and taste.

They also warn consumers that the wait times for these foods is growing longer and longer.  Many items that a year ago would ship in 48 hours are now on 8 – 10 week back orders.  So, if you think you can wait to prepare, you just might find a LONG and growing line.

Keep in mind that if another “crisis” hits, such as major earthquake in California, these companies will have their ENTIRE inventory wiped out in a matter of days. This happened back during the hurricane when a few organizations came in and bought everything they had. Yes, everything.

The message is quite clear; preparing means taking action BEFORE hand, not after.

Also, make sure you visit Emergency-Foods to learn about restrictions and laws on Military MREs as well how some companies are selling “old food” that has been sitting on the shelves for years already.

Once again a new internet virus is on the loose.

The scary part about this one is that it has hit over 1,500,000 (yes that’s millions) websites and there seems to be no end in site.  This one is bad, and we mean bad to the point that you CAN’T avoid it. According to New Internet Virus website, this new bug is being loaded into the back end of normal websites. Neither the website owner or visitor knows it’s there.  Once infected, it’s pretty much too late. It takes over your PC and there’s nothing you can do.
This one is not making too much press however. While this is one of the largest and widespread attacks ever, little seems to said with “news sources”.  We have a feeling that many “main stream” news websites don’t want to scare people from browsing the net. Kind of a “catch 22″.

Many companies have alerted customers or admitted to being affected also include Barclays Bank, US Bancorp, Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Best Buy, L.L. Bean, Home Shopping Network and TiVo.

Internet users face regular “brownouts” that will freeze their computers as capacity runs out in cyberspace, according to research to be published later this year.

Experts predict that consumer demand, already growing at 60 percent a year, will start to exceed supply as early as 2010 because of more people working online and the soaring popularity of bandwidth-hungry Web sites such as YouTube and services such as the BBC’s iPlayer.

It will initially lead to computers being disrupted and going offline for several minutes at a time. Beginning in 2012, however, PCs and laptops are likely to operate at a much reduced speed, rendering the Internet an “unreliable toy.”

When Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the British scientist, wrote the code that transformed a private computer network into the World Wide Web in 1991, the Internet appeared to be a limitless resource.

However, a report being compiled by Nemertes Research, a respected American think-tank, will warn that the Web has reached a critical point and that even the recession has failed to stave off impending problems.