I just read an article about Punxsutawny Phil and how PETA wants to replace him with a robot. WTF? here is the link to the article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100127/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_peta_punxsutawney_phil
Now I know know PETA's mission is admirable, but this is a bit much. I mean, what is the point? The groundhog is well treated, not abused and only put on public display once a year. Now if we sacrificed him to the gods after his display, depending on whether or not he performed as we liked, that would be different.
I have a suggestion though, lets replace all the PETA people with robots. that way they would not consume any animal products and we could shut them off when we don't want to hear from them, like now!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Have you ever heard of Freecycle?
Say what? What is Freecycle? Freecycle is a non-profit organization and a movement of people to keep good stuff out of the landfill. Here's how it works. Lets say you have a coffeemaker sitting under your cabinet in the kitchen. Nothing wrong with it, but you use the Super Espresso/Latte/Green Tea/Soda machine your Aunt Tilly gave you for Flag Day last year. She's so thoughtful that way. Anyway, there it sits, the old coffeemaker, looking sad and dusty. You don't want to just throw it out, there's nothing wrong with it. So what do you do? Give it to your third cousin as a wedding present? You could, if you never want to be invited to a family gathering again (now there's a thought). List it on Craigslist? Right and it will be buried at the bottom of the page in about 2 seconds. You could take it to the dump, if you have one where you live, put it on the freebie table, if they have one, and hope somebody picks it up before it rains and shorts out the whole thing and the dump people throw it in the dumpster anyway. Well that's where Freecycle comes in. You can post it in the group, and guaranteed (well not really, but almost) someone will want it, come to your house or will meet you somewhere convenient and take it off your hands. No muss, no fuss! It's gone to a new home where it will be loved and used for a long time.
The process also works in reverse. Maybe you would like to have a Super Espresso/Latte/Green Tea/Soda machine. You know, the one that Uncle Bob said he was going to get you but instead got you one of those blankets with arm holes that makes you look like a monk, not to mention the free book light that he kept for himself. You can post your desire in the group and maybe someone has one that they don't want or use or even know how to load the soda into and just wants it out of the house (they really don't like their Aunt Tilly). You arrange to pick it up and it's yours. The best thing is you do not need to explain why you want something, most groups don't allow 'back stories' or 'sob stories' anyway.
So how does one go about getting in on this? Actually it pretty easy.
First, go to www.freecycle.org
In the box below where it says Find A Group Near You, enter where you live, say Chicago, IL
Hit Go and you will be presented with a list of groups in your area. Pick the one closest to you, and depending on where you live there might be a lot of choices.
You will then be directed to the group home page where you can sign up and begin to participate in keeping stuff out of the landfills. Easy as that.
There are a few constraints, every thing posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages. There is no borrowing or trading allowed, and absolutely no buying or selling, no mention of money at all.
I have been running a group in New Hampshire for 4 years now. We have over 1,000 members with over 6,600 posts so far. I have seen offers from baby clothes to cars to mobile homes, wants from old lumber to double strollers to Super Espresso/Latte/Green Tea/Soda machines (just kidding). My point is, it is an easy way to "gift" someone with something that you no longer need or want and know that it will continue to be useful and not just tossed in the trash pile. It's also a good way of letting people know that you would like to have something that is maybe just taking up space in their home and that you have a use for it.
Anyway, check it out and let me know what you think.
'Til next time.
The process also works in reverse. Maybe you would like to have a Super Espresso/Latte/Green Tea/Soda machine. You know, the one that Uncle Bob said he was going to get you but instead got you one of those blankets with arm holes that makes you look like a monk, not to mention the free book light that he kept for himself. You can post your desire in the group and maybe someone has one that they don't want or use or even know how to load the soda into and just wants it out of the house (they really don't like their Aunt Tilly). You arrange to pick it up and it's yours. The best thing is you do not need to explain why you want something, most groups don't allow 'back stories' or 'sob stories' anyway.
So how does one go about getting in on this? Actually it pretty easy.
First, go to www.freecycle.org
In the box below where it says Find A Group Near You, enter where you live, say Chicago, IL
Hit Go and you will be presented with a list of groups in your area. Pick the one closest to you, and depending on where you live there might be a lot of choices.
You will then be directed to the group home page where you can sign up and begin to participate in keeping stuff out of the landfills. Easy as that.
There are a few constraints, every thing posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages. There is no borrowing or trading allowed, and absolutely no buying or selling, no mention of money at all.
I have been running a group in New Hampshire for 4 years now. We have over 1,000 members with over 6,600 posts so far. I have seen offers from baby clothes to cars to mobile homes, wants from old lumber to double strollers to Super Espresso/Latte/Green Tea/Soda machines (just kidding). My point is, it is an easy way to "gift" someone with something that you no longer need or want and know that it will continue to be useful and not just tossed in the trash pile. It's also a good way of letting people know that you would like to have something that is maybe just taking up space in their home and that you have a use for it.
Anyway, check it out and let me know what you think.
'Til next time.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Stories and Followers
OK, so I started this to express my random thoughts and opinions on just about anything. So far I have written 2 posts, one about motorcycle noise and the other about medical marijuana. I can see why the first was not a big hit, some people actually like loud bikes, go figure. The second about pot for medicinal purposes I thought would drawn at least some response. Again, go figure.
So what could or should I write about to inflame or excite or maybe even wake up some readers, develop some followers, get people to read what I write. Now I'm not talking about discussing religion (way to volatile) or politics (had enough of that during the 2 year presidential election process) or the weather. Everyone I know has had enough winter and is ready for black fly season. See we here in New Hampshire don't usually get spring. We go from winter to mud season to black fly season to summer to fall (way to short) then right back to winter. WOW we get 5 seasons!!!
So what will it be. Shall I compare cars; Ford vs Chevy; Toyota vs the world? Way to docile. How about different places to live; New Hampshire vs Massachusetts (sorry, no real comparison there) or maybe the East Coast vs the West Coast (which may radically change geographically if the earth quakes in CA keep up). Or how about music; country vs rock, jazz vs classical. Naw, I don't like jazz and don't really enjoy classical, and I dig rock and roll music and country is ok as long as they don't whine and keep it on the rockin' side.
I know, why not let the people who read this decide what the next topic should be. Here's the deal; you can all send me your suggestions for a topic to write about and I'll pick the one I want and every one can read it. Now you will never know who submitted the winning topic unless it happens to be yours, but then again it could have been sent by someone else and I totally disregarded your idea, but hey that's the blogging game.
So let me have your ideas, your suggestions, your hopes and dreams (clean only please) and we will see what happens.
'Til next time
So what could or should I write about to inflame or excite or maybe even wake up some readers, develop some followers, get people to read what I write. Now I'm not talking about discussing religion (way to volatile) or politics (had enough of that during the 2 year presidential election process) or the weather. Everyone I know has had enough winter and is ready for black fly season. See we here in New Hampshire don't usually get spring. We go from winter to mud season to black fly season to summer to fall (way to short) then right back to winter. WOW we get 5 seasons!!!
So what will it be. Shall I compare cars; Ford vs Chevy; Toyota vs the world? Way to docile. How about different places to live; New Hampshire vs Massachusetts (sorry, no real comparison there) or maybe the East Coast vs the West Coast (which may radically change geographically if the earth quakes in CA keep up). Or how about music; country vs rock, jazz vs classical. Naw, I don't like jazz and don't really enjoy classical, and I dig rock and roll music and country is ok as long as they don't whine and keep it on the rockin' side.
I know, why not let the people who read this decide what the next topic should be. Here's the deal; you can all send me your suggestions for a topic to write about and I'll pick the one I want and every one can read it. Now you will never know who submitted the winning topic unless it happens to be yours, but then again it could have been sent by someone else and I totally disregarded your idea, but hey that's the blogging game.
So let me have your ideas, your suggestions, your hopes and dreams (clean only please) and we will see what happens.
'Til next time
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Medical Marijuana
Ok, so, the NH house has passed a bill allowing for the medicinal use of marijuana. A patient could possess 6 plants or 2 oz. of pot. A doctor would have to certify that the patient has a debilitating illness and would benefit from the medicinal properties of marijuana.
I can see it now, patient enters the doctors office, complains about lack of appetite, poor vision and slight depression. No problem, have some pot. These are not debilitating illnesses you say. Well lets look at it his way:
Lack of appetite could lead to severe weight loss, resulting in a possible eating disorder, scurvy, rickets and/or general malaise.
Poor vision could result in serious debilitating accidents and injury to not only the patient but any one in society.
And don't get me started on depression. Does the phrase 'going postal' ring any bells?
So, into the doctors office we go, and the doctor, realizing the serious nature of the complaints, and in true preventative, mode issues a prescription for 2 oz of pot. Great. Now down the pharmacy. What, no pot on hand, but my script! Oh, too bad, guess you'll just have to suffer.
Anyway, the feds don't allow possession of marijuana for any reasons, not since prohibition anyway. So allowing medical marijuana is really a moot point. A patient would still be breaking federal law by possessing it.
But wait, what if, no would never happen, but it might, not a chance, but maybe just maybe, what if pot were legalized. Hmmmm, no need for specials laws, lots more tax money too. If pot were legalized, regulated like cigarettes or alcohol, and taxed to death, we could probably end the recession almost overnight. From growers to truckers to sellers, money would be selling flowing like champagne at a celebrity wedding.
My only problem with legalization would be the enforcement of DUI laws, and I mean severely enforced, with extreme penalties for violation. As far as I know, there is no field sobriety test for marijuana use. It can be detected in a urine test but I don't see that happening on the side of the road.
So heads up all you scientists and wanna be pot heads. We need a field sobriety test with the same reliability as a breathalyzer so that we can end the recession and move on to prosperity. And the side affects: we'll all eat better, see better and be very happy. Who could ask for more.
"Til next time!
I can see it now, patient enters the doctors office, complains about lack of appetite, poor vision and slight depression. No problem, have some pot. These are not debilitating illnesses you say. Well lets look at it his way:
Lack of appetite could lead to severe weight loss, resulting in a possible eating disorder, scurvy, rickets and/or general malaise.
Poor vision could result in serious debilitating accidents and injury to not only the patient but any one in society.
And don't get me started on depression. Does the phrase 'going postal' ring any bells?
So, into the doctors office we go, and the doctor, realizing the serious nature of the complaints, and in true preventative, mode issues a prescription for 2 oz of pot. Great. Now down the pharmacy. What, no pot on hand, but my script! Oh, too bad, guess you'll just have to suffer.
Anyway, the feds don't allow possession of marijuana for any reasons, not since prohibition anyway. So allowing medical marijuana is really a moot point. A patient would still be breaking federal law by possessing it.
But wait, what if, no would never happen, but it might, not a chance, but maybe just maybe, what if pot were legalized. Hmmmm, no need for specials laws, lots more tax money too. If pot were legalized, regulated like cigarettes or alcohol, and taxed to death, we could probably end the recession almost overnight. From growers to truckers to sellers, money would be selling flowing like champagne at a celebrity wedding.
My only problem with legalization would be the enforcement of DUI laws, and I mean severely enforced, with extreme penalties for violation. As far as I know, there is no field sobriety test for marijuana use. It can be detected in a urine test but I don't see that happening on the side of the road.
So heads up all you scientists and wanna be pot heads. We need a field sobriety test with the same reliability as a breathalyzer so that we can end the recession and move on to prosperity. And the side affects: we'll all eat better, see better and be very happy. Who could ask for more.
"Til next time!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
My first post
Recently in the news was a subject near and dear to me. Motorcycle Noise. The NH House wanted to pass a bill limiting the amount of noise from motorcycles. HB 95 would have required no modifications to the exhaust, required a tachometer, and would have lowered the decibel level from 106 db to 95 db, when measured at 20" from the exhaust at a 45degree angle with the bike running at 2800 rpm for 1 and 2 cylinder models and at 3500 rpm for 3 or more cylinders (could they have made it more difficult) complete text of the bill here:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0095.html
With spring coming soon, I was hopeful that the House would have the courage to pass such a bill since the noise is sometimes so loud that you need to stop talking to someone while they go buy or loud enough so that you can not hear your television or radio until they are a quarter mile down the road. Not to mention you can't hear the birdies sing.
Well needless to say, not one person on the committee voted to approve this legislation.
"HB 95, relative to motorcycle equipment and noise levels. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Paul H. Ingersoll for Transportation: This bill would create an economic hardship on motorcycle riders and also on the State of New Hampshire with loss of millions on this summer event in the Lakes Region. Also, the bill prohibits adding after market equipment in one place and in another place it mandates adding the after market equipment. Vote 19-0."
And what's with the economic hardship? Not modifying the exhaust or adding a tach? I remember having a beat up piece of crap bike and it had a tach. I guess we can all take our mufflers off our cars since the race track in Loudon brings in millions too, and we wouldn't want to do anything to discourage people from going to that event!
Also, New Hamshire is considering requiring all passengers in cars to be restrained, either with a seat belt or in an approved child seat. And you could be stopped for not wearing it. Heck, we don't even require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet and they are far more likely to receive a head injury in a crash than if they were in a car.
I guess motorcycles are the sacred cow of New Hampshire: Live Free or Die
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0095.html
With spring coming soon, I was hopeful that the House would have the courage to pass such a bill since the noise is sometimes so loud that you need to stop talking to someone while they go buy or loud enough so that you can not hear your television or radio until they are a quarter mile down the road. Not to mention you can't hear the birdies sing.
Well needless to say, not one person on the committee voted to approve this legislation.
"HB 95, relative to motorcycle equipment and noise levels. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.
Rep. Paul H. Ingersoll for Transportation: This bill would create an economic hardship on motorcycle riders and also on the State of New Hampshire with loss of millions on this summer event in the Lakes Region. Also, the bill prohibits adding after market equipment in one place and in another place it mandates adding the after market equipment. Vote 19-0."
And what's with the economic hardship? Not modifying the exhaust or adding a tach? I remember having a beat up piece of crap bike and it had a tach. I guess we can all take our mufflers off our cars since the race track in Loudon brings in millions too, and we wouldn't want to do anything to discourage people from going to that event!
Also, New Hamshire is considering requiring all passengers in cars to be restrained, either with a seat belt or in an approved child seat. And you could be stopped for not wearing it. Heck, we don't even require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet and they are far more likely to receive a head injury in a crash than if they were in a car.
I guess motorcycles are the sacred cow of New Hampshire: Live Free or Die
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)