November 5th, 2009
Sorry but I’m not going to give an inch on this one. Can you say S T U P I D ?
If you haven’t figured it out right now, I’m talking about the “new” FTC blogger guidelines on disclosure.
THEY (the FTC) says “they aren’t “really” new”. My take in this is they are saying they are just expanding and revising the “old” guidelines. Uh, care to disclose that guys?
Okay first off. Get this. IF I, RECOMMEND. COMMENT ON, OR OTHERWISE STEER YOU TOWARDS A PRODUCT OR SERVICE YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR I STAND TO MAKE SOMETHING IF YOU BUY FROM MY LINK.
Betcha never figgered that out on your own did you? Get real.
If you read my posts you’ll find where this is not always true. You’ll also find places where I tell you how to buy without my getting paid. I don’t remember if I’ve ever done this in this blog but I know I do this now and then. Most of the time I don’t bother.
In any case most of us understand it costs money to maintain a website. It takes time. If I take the time to write here I can’t get paid to write someplace else. Most of the folks who read my stuff never spend a dime. No one is required to spend anything to read most of what I write. I can’t say this is or will always be true. So there you have it. I am now “officially” a paid endorser.
So what’s the big deal? You probably are too. And your mother, your brother, and your cousin Ted, whom you can’t stand (or was the Emily?)
We might just as well all go out and have “PAID ENDORSER” tattooed on our forehead. And that is stoopid.
I hate to break this to those g’vment folks but without us out there making money, they’d soon have to start dumpster diving for lunch. By the way, my “newest car” came off the assembly line about 7 years ago. I bought it second hand. I suspect anyone from the g’vment reading this drives a better car than I do - so maybe I’m the fool.
Try this: search on any subject - go to any website - use the box below if you like - be careful! I might get paid if you follow these instructions!
Now look on the site you find - do you see advertising? REALLY?! How dare they? Are actual PRODUCTS or SERVICES offered? Oh NO! RUN RUN RUN!
Good grief! It would be a lot harder to find sites and or pages where someone does NOT make a buck. That’s what capitalism is all about folks.
Do you think those FTC guys would go to work every day if they didn’t get a paycheck? What about that disclosure?
What about the “expert” who volunteers her/his time to babble on about the administration’s newest program? Who’s paying her/him? Nobody? So what about that book they are writing that comes out next week? What about the influence they’ve built in their own private practices?
What about non-capitalists? Don’t they “profit” buy reporting favorably on developments reinforcing their views? Of course, they would never distort the facts to promote their agenda… would they?
What about politicians? Why exactly would someone give up a $250,000 a year job to “serve” in congress?
The fact is nobody does nothin unless it serves a self-interest in some way. Even those times when I offer links that do NOT in any way pay me - I stand to increase my credibility.
So how did the FTC shoot itself in the foot?
1) They cannot possibly enforce this. One could interpret the new definitions to include everyone. Like I said we’d have to start every sentence with “I may profit from saying this but…” I’m not a lawyer but it seems I read somewhere where it said something like if you can’t enforce a law (regulation, etc.) on everyone equally, then it ain’t no good nohow.
2) Even if they could enforce it - universal enforcement will deaden our senses to disclosure. Eventually every site will have to carry a disclosure statement. So if everyone has one - what good will that do?
Sharp shootin there sherlock.
Andy
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May 12th, 2011
This morning a charted “Dorsey Bus” overturned trying to avoid another vehicle that apparently pulled in front of it. The bus was filled with elementary students and chaperones headed for a field trip to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Read the rest of this entry »
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March 22nd, 2011
It seems like Japan’s troubles will never end. Earthquake. Tsunami. Nuclear disasters. While my personal connection with Japan is thin (My late Aunt Sue - Sumiko - was Japanese) my heart goes out to this country. We have a long history with them. And, yes, not all of it is good, but the past is past us now.
In any case, among all the disasters the world has faced lately, Japan’s woes weigh heavily on me so I decided to do something.
What I wanted to do is find an organization providing relief and add a donation button to my sites so folks could donate directly. How hard can that be? Let me tell ya…
It ain’t easy!
I mean, really the technical part isn’t hard. I whip up paypal buttons several times a week. How hard would it be to post the actual code someplace (or a widget) so folks could add the button to their sites and the money would flood in.
That said, I’m sure there are all sorts of reasons why this isn’t happening. Mostly they are probably afraid some guy named “Fuzzy” would get all teary-eyed and add a button to his porn site and well, there goes the neighborhood.
Of course, I’m sure others would find ways to scam this idea, like using the button but having the money go to their own site. Seems like an easy way to buy a ticket to Hotel Fed to me but maybe I’m just paranoid.
In any case I did find a couple of ways. If you just want to give an easy $10 to the American Red Cross you can just
“Text REDCROSS to 90999 to Give $10 Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami ”
right from your cell phone. If you want more info on this you can find it on their web site: http://american.redcross.org - and click on the “Giving and Getting Involved” tab - go to “Donate” from there. (seems like since they are trying to make giving easy they could find a way to find a way to give easier. 
The other way I found is almost as easy. I set up a fund for Japan Disaster Relief at Operation Blessing International. They are a non-denominational organization providing direct relief to stricken areas as well as support for other organizations such as the International Red Cross and UNICEF.
What impressed me even more was that the director, Bill Horan, looks like someone who might sit next to you at the coffee shop instead of some high and mighty suit-type executive.
And what impressed me even more than that was what I read on their blog:
http://www.myowneyes.org/
The entry I read had their Director of International Disaster Relief and Special Projects, David Darg, taking food and water into a disaster area himself. I like hands-on people.
If you’d like to make a donation click on the link below.
Japan Disaster Relief Fund
God bless,
Andy
P.S. Please be patient with these folks. I set my fund up on March 16th and it just got approved today. I’m not sure if this is because they are swamped or what but I still think the work they are doing is worth the effort.
P.P.S. If you want to set up your own fund, you’ll find a link to do so on the page. You do not have to donate to my fund to set up your own. Be aware that their links like like ordinary text. I’ve brought this to their attention but who knows what will happen?
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November 2nd, 2009
This 1948 cartoon, produced by the Extension Department of Harding College offers an eerie prediction of what our country is today and where it could be heading. Read the rest of this entry »
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October 21st, 2009
It’s time to change your mobile Ringtone!
More details later but think about this… you are in a massive crowd of people and you hear your phone ring… or is it yours?
Don’t know about you but I’ve been using Verizon’s default ringtone for far too long now. And more than once I’ve thought my phone was ringing when it was someone else’s. The solution is really simple - change your ringtone silly! It’s easy and it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either. Get a free ringtone here…
It’s time to change your mobile Ringtone! or click on the banner below.
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October 5th, 2009
1st Sgt Bradley Boley will be laid to rest today, 5 October 2009. My wife will attend, I am not able for family reasons.
My wife went to Brad’s viewing yesterday. His brother Joe set up a photo presentation. She thought it was quite moving. Also there was a contingent of veterans outside honoring Brad. It evoked strong emotions.
The Notice is below…
Flags at Half Staff Tuesday. And on it goes.
This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, from sunrise to sunset.
In honor of Army Sergeant First Class Bradley S. Bohle, who died on September 16, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Rest in Peace 1st Sergeant. May God be with your family and loved ones.
God bless,
Andy
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September 25th, 2009
Don’t we all.
I got looking through my stuff the other day and came across 999 Great Business Ideas
It’s a really neat book. (Yeah, yeah, I know, my age is showing again.) Cheap too.
Some of the ideas are a bit corny - like selling sea-shell trays, but others are really rather clever - like the mail-order game idea.
Some would take a major investment while others could be started on a shoestring.
If you’re at all “business minded” - if you consider yourself even a little bit “entrepreneurial” - you owe to yourself to check out the site and at least peek at the 20 freebie ideas on the page.
It’s fun to read and let your imagination fly.
Check out 999 Great Business Ideas here.
God bless,
Andy
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September 22nd, 2009
From what I understand the postings on Bradley have been of some help and comfort to some. Thank you for your kind words.
Two others died with Bradley:
Sgt. 1st Class Shawn P. McCloskey, 33, native of Hudson, N.Y., a Special Forces intelligence sergeant.
Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Mills, 24, native of El Paso, Texas, a Special Forces communications sergeant.
Sgt. 1st Class Bohle was a medical sergeant.
As far as I know these three Sergeants were the only people in the vehicle.
Bradley was from Glen Burnie MD - where services and viewings will be held. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The details are posted below:
Viewings will be held at Singleton Funeral Home in Glen Burnie, MD
1 2nd Ave, SW
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Times:
Saturday 10/03 and Sunday 10/04 from 3:00 - 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 (1500 – 1700 and 1900 – 2100)
Church Service will be held Monday 10/05 at St. Bernadette’s Parish in Severn, MD at 10:00am
801 Stevenson Rd.
Severn, MD 21144
He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on 10/06
Finally here is the press release from the Army:
PRESS RELEASE: Special Forces Group Soldiers killed in IED Strike
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 17, 2009) — Three U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers died on Sept. 16, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The following Soldiers, all assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Bragg, N.C., died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device Sept. 15, while conducting a mounted patrol:
Sgt. 1st Class Bradley S. Bohle, 29, native of Baltimore, Md., was a Special Forces medical sergeant.
Sgt. 1st Class Shawn P. McCloskey, 33, native of Hudson, N.Y., was a Special Forces intelligence sergeant.
Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Mills, 24, native of El Paso, Texas, was a Special Forces communications sergeant.
Bohle is survived by his wife Elizabeth and three daughters Breanna, Jocelyn and Braelyn of Sanford, N.C. and parents Donald and Linda Bohle, of Marydel, Md.
McCloskey is survived by his wife Jessica, daughter Katie and son Collin of Raeford, N.C. and parents Patrick and Kathryn McCloskey of Fayetteville, Ga.
Mills is survived by his wife Magen and son Malaki of Raeford, N.C. and parents Tommy and Celeste Mills of El Paso, Texas.
Gentlemen, you will be missed.
God bless,
Andy
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September 17th, 2009
His name was Bradley Bohle, Sergeant First Class, US Army. He served our nation as a Green Beret (officially “Special Forces”, I think).
He was killed when a roadside bomb exploded - ripping into the HumVee he was riding in. I don’t know the status of anyone else in the vehicle.
From what I can see on Bradley’s photo - he was awarded the Bronze Star, among others. These are not handed out for promptness.
I’ll post more when I know more. His picture is below. Rest in Peace Bradley.
God bless,
Andy
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September 16th, 2009
My wife sent me an email with this subject line. Joe is my wife’s co-worker. Joe’s brother served our country in Afghanistan… and died there yesterday.
There are no details. If and when I get some I’ll post them here. Right now I feel a deep sense of loss for a man I never knew. I’m not sure why.
My wife did relate this incident…
When Joe last saw his brother they went out to play pool. I’m sure Joe is now glad he did and will treasure that last evening for the rest of his life.
I know this man served his country and gave his life for our freedoms. He’s certainly not the first, nor will he be the last.
Yesterday, Joe’s brother emailed a photo to him “so they would have a picture of him for the paper in case anything happened”.
It looks like he knew he was moving into a dangerous situation.
Don’t click away with the wrong idea here. This post is not about war or what anyone thinks about the current administration or the last one or anything else.
This post is about a man I did not know and never met who, for whatever reason, put his life on the line for his country and lost it.
My heart goes out to all the brothers and sisters and parents and loved ones who feel the pain of losing someone.
God bless,
Andy
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