The Economy, Good or Bad? That is the Question

OK, we know the recent statistics say that the unemployment rate is somewhere around 8.36%.  Though, there are many, many sources that give a much bleaker picture of somewhere above 20 percent.  I'd be inclined to agree with the latter because there are aspects that of this statistic that aren't considered when coming up with this skewed number.  Here they are.  This statistic doesn't take into account folks that have just gotten laid off and haven't applied for unemployment benefits or who have applied for benefits and haven't been approved yet.  It also doesn't take into account the people that have exhausted their benefits and who still aren't working.  The other issue, some of whom may think doesn't matter, is that this statistic counts part time workers and even full time workers with no benefits as being fully and gainfully employed.  This in my estimation does not constitute full time employment of the kind that the American people should be able to engage in.  I mean lets face it, with the Federal Reserve creating money out of thin are in a fractional reserve system, we have a currency that has debt attached to it from it's initial printing.  Then when the IRS charges a tax on wages and salary which it calls income, we have a twisting of the definition of what income really is.  Income was always defined as profits made by a corporation.  Wages and salary were never meant to be taxed in this way; or at least not federally.  This puts anyone who is working presently, in a form of servitude, and that is the problem.  Now, all this being said, this article gives an alternative clearer picture of what may really be happening with our economy.  Check it out and see what you think...

  http://theintelhub.com/2012/03/30/japan-will-take-the-worlds-breath-away-part-ii/

Waking Up and the affects on the Main Stream Media

In a day and age where it is becoming increasingly more difficult to get the straight truth, people are turning to alternative media.  There is a wide range of sources available when one considers pod casts, written, audio, and video blogs, online alternative newspaper's, etc... and they aren't owned by media corporate giants.  Let's face it, the main stream media spins the news and creates some drama where there is none or at least very little.  There are misdirects everywhere we look and it is now affecting the ratings of some of the main stream media companies.  The focus of this short piece is on CNN.  It's very interesting to note that with the near economic crash in 2009, various bills and executive orders being passed and signed etc... people are becoming more and more aware of the impact the Internet is having our ability to know the real facts of what is happening in our world.

http://theintelhub.com/2012/03/30/cnn-loses-half-its-viewers-corporate-media-downhill-plunge-continues-as-alternative-media-explodes/

Daddy Jamz and the Fat BarStudz: Fear of Love

This spoken word piece comes from the mind that drives the concept of Daddy Jamz and the Fat BarStudz.  Many, many, years of experience as a club DJ, voice over artist, and production specialist are the what has gone into this piece of reflective words and captivating sounds of pleasure for your ears.  Take the time and let your mind delve into the next few moments of this journey into the "Fear of Love".

 http://vibedeck.com/daddyjamz-thefatbarstudz/fear-of-love-allnall-funk-mix

Heads up, D.C. pedestrians! Better hang up before crossing street

This article caught my eye and it caused me think about why we are so willing to use this electronic contraption called the "Cell phone" no matter WHAT is going on.  I'm sure you all remember the big huge bulky cell phones of the seventies and even eighties of which I've included a link to see below.  In this video it will show the original cell phone and it's Inventor Martin Cooper.  This is when it was a technology that was for the very select few that really were the movers and shakers in the business world.  Convenient, yes, though because of it's mere size it was intrusive in many ways.  Now, we have so many variations of the original product and it's available to the masses.  We have become so dependent in so many ways on these devices and I'd venture to say it's bordering addiction.  This article delves into the fact that so many of us are willing to use these electronic communications devices at any cost.  I realize the convenience factor and I do take advantage of that.  That being said, I am having a difficult time understanding how this little electronic device has infringed on our common sense.  I mean, aren't WE the ones who make the decisions in our everyday lives?  Have we truly relinquished our control to an electronic device.  It's not the devices that are detrimental, it's how and when we use them.  I remember an old adage many older people would tell me when I was young.  "There is a time and place for everything."  Are cell phones excluded from this wise old adage?  We are letting go of wisdom and letting the technology rule how we think and act.  While I don't agree with legislating something that should be common sense, it appears that legislation could take hold in Washington D.C. on how and when cell phones can be used while walking.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-distracted-walking-20120315,0,6993989.story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPOzjFDbIKc&feature=related

A new target for tech patent trolls: cash-strapped American cities

People have been suing over patent violations since the first patent was applied for and accepted.  People or inventors have ideas or inventions and when they want to sell the invention and/or product that came from the idea, they need to protect themselves.  These people or inventors do this by applying for a patent.  Until the patent is approved you will see the invention or product being sold at time with the designation "Patent Pending".  When the entire patent application process is approved, then the product or idea or invention is patented.  If someone tries to use that idea, product, or idea without permission of the patent holder, they are in violation of the patent laws.

Now that the market is virtually flooded with ideas, products, and inventions there has been an increased amount of patent law suits.  Some of them can be borderline frivolous and many think that patent owners will file a law suit over virtually anything.  This link will take you to an article that puts a whole new twist on patent law suits.  Check this story at the Digg news link below.
  http://digg.com/newsbar/story/a_new_target_for_tech_patent_trolls_cash_strapped_american_cities

All red meat is bad for you, new study says

I'm not saying it is; and I'm not saying it isn't.   Though, check out this Harvard study that monitored over 110,000 people over more than a twenty year period.  I cannot tell a lie.  I really, really, like a good burger now and again and a good steak.  Though in recent years having those two items is further and fewer between as I find myself trying to be healthier.  So, is it healthier to not eat red meat or not; that is the question.  According to this study the answer seriously leans towards no.

I suppose like most things we eat, it's a person choice and a matter of taste; no pun intended.  That being said, we are finding out things about food that we've never known before.  It can border on the fanatical when trying to determine just what it is that is good for us and what is bad.  I mean, seriously, it can get to be a science with the calorie counting, reading labels, trying to be more alkaline, and seeing what is acceptable to our palates.  Then there is the issue of cost.  It costs considerably more to eat what is considered to be the "Healthy" diet than it does to do the conventional grocery shopping these days.  We see all the ads, coupons, and commercials that tell us what tastes good and what we should be buying as good consumers.  In this day and age of a virtual myriad of advertising methods to get us to eat what the manufacturers want us to, isn't it time we pay just a little more attention?  Though this particular study is definitely leaning towards denouncing red meat completely, will there be another study that counters this one?  I guess we just have to use a little common sense without getting obsessive about it.

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-red-meat-20120313,0,565423.story

KONY 2012 is a SCAM?!

Even with the video that is made available on YouTube by Invisible Children and the original maker of the film KONY 2012, IT IS, most likely, ALL A SCAM!!! It's all about getting U.S. military advisers in Africa so they can get African resources like COLTAN. If you think that is far fetched, read about COLTAN at the link below and understand it is used in virtually every electronic device we use in our everyday lives as I type this. Also, take a listen to No Agenda with Adam Curry to get the rub on this KONY 2012 thing.  You will have to go to iTunes and subscribe through the pod cast directory and the iTunes store.  Just type in No Agenda Show and hit the subscribe button.  The show about KONY 2012 is dated March 8th, 2012.  This does not mean that children AREN'T being abused and prostituted. Though, it is probably and more likely the official Ugandan government that is behind much of the atrocities that are and have been happening. This has been going on for decades. The U.S. sees the opportunity to seize upon these resources and is using a misdirect with the KONY 2012 video. They play upon our humanity, sympathy, and our heart strings to cause us to miss the bigger picture. If you don't know what PSYOPS is see the fourth and final link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_Operations_(United_States)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltan

March Madness Bracket

Well as we all know, March is an exciting month for basketball as the teams of the NCAA fight it out to see who is the best of the best.  I have no predictions but I always like watching these games during March and they are some of the best college basketball you will see.  Take the time and go check out the link below to see the 2012 bracket for this years tournament.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/11/ncaa-tournament-bracket-2012-printable_n_1337645.html

South Africa Wins Backing for Square Kilometer Array Scope

Yes, you heard it right.  Africa narrowly beat out Australia for the placement of the proposed SKA (Square Kilometer Array) which is a huge radio scope. This is very significant because the placement of this telescope, no matter where it is, is going to give us a glimpse at the beginnings of the universe.  The whole idea of getting a look through science at where this all started is an exciting thing indeed.  I'm sure we'll be hearing news on this as things get constructed and ready for the actual firing up of these huge radio scopes.

http://digg.com/newsbar/topnews/south_africa_wins_panel_s_backing_to_host_square_kilometer_array_scope_scientific_american

John Carter playing at a theater near you

John Carter, a former military Captain is transported to Mars where he encounters a world that is on the brink of collapse.  This looks to be every bit as epic as the previews have indicated.  It's sure to be  a thrill ride and while I'm not a huge fan of 3D, I'm sure it's showing in all the 3D theaters.  So, if your looking for a little break and something to do with the family (The film is rated PG13) this may just fit the bill.  This film is also showing in IMAX 3D, though the tickets will most likely be expensive.  Look for a price around $17 for adults and $13 for the children below the age of twelve.  I for one will be seeing it this weekend and may be posting a review on my experience.
http://youtu.be/l8I9eZGzNhM

Vatican Website brought down by ANONYMOUS

Well, well, well, Anonymous is at it again!  In case you haven't heard of Anonymous or were wondering who or what Anonymous is, lets look at the Wikipedia answer to this question.  According to Wikipedia, Anonymous is:  (used as a mass noun) is an Internet meme that originated in 2003 on the image board 4chan, representing the concept of many online and offline community users simultaneously existing as an anarchic, digitized global brain. [2] It is also generally considered to be a blanket term for members of certain Internet subcultures, a way to refer to the actions of people in an environment where their actual identities are not known.[3]

Well, the title of my little article is pretty self explanatory in that this group of people, whoever they are, have taken down the Vatican's website.  Instead of telling the story or giving any details myself, I'll just refer you to the link below to The Digg News site and blog.

http://digg.com/newsbar/story/hacking_group_anonymous_brings_down_vatican_website

TSA Scanners One of the Biggest Frauds Going

By now, everyone has at least heard of the billion dollar body scanners TSA has implemented in airports around the country if not the world.  This little video posted on the Digg News site gives an alternative perspective.  It also gives us cause to think again about why we are giving up rights, liberties, and freedoms to have a false sense of security.  Since the Patriot Act was implemented almost immediately after the twin towers fell, there has been a constant trade off going on.  We are consistently being led to believe that we must give up right after right and many of our liberties, including more and more of our privacy, so our government can protect us.  Take a gander and see what you think.

http://digg.com/newsbar/story/1b_of_tsa_nude_body_scanners_made_worthless_by_blog 

The World According To Monsanto

While this documentary is biased against Monsanto, there is still much truth to consider and learn about from a consumer standpoint.  If scientists involved with the creation of genetically modified organisms won't feed it to their families; why should we?!  That is the REAL questions isn't it?!  Seriously, how are we as consumers who are suppose to trust these corporations and our government suppose to believe that GMO food is safe when they won't feed it to their own families.  Take the time to watch the documentary and conduct some of your own research.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0uls507hvM

Bill Gates: One of the World's Most Destructive Do-Gooders?

Bill Gates is virtually a household name if only based on his success with Microsoft.  Well, I should say, that and being a multi-billionaire.  Though he has many other areas of interest and just one of are exploring his ability and decisions to make charitable contributions.  This is of course an admirable activity for anyone to be involved in.  Though, based on this article, there are other opinions of Gates endeavors and insights as they relate to his affiliations with the corporation Monsanto.

Take the time and read this informative article, that takes a look at the other side of what Bill Gates is doing, and how it can and is affecting the foods you and I eat.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/04/clueless-fabrication-on-gmo.aspx?e_cid=20120304_SNL_Art_1

How Sleeping Can Affect Your Immune System

It's something we do every day and probably take the most for granted.  It's maybe not as vital as eating and getting our daily recommended amounts of nutrition but it is extremely important.  So much so that without it, our bodies can suffer in ways we're not fully aware of.   Sleep isn't just something do to pass the time at the days end so we can wake up and do it all over again.  It is vital for the human body to function properly.  This article by Dr. Mercola gives some insight into how important our sleep really is; especially for our immune systems to function properly.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2099/12/31/can-sleeping-affect-immune-system.aspx?e_cid=20120302_DNL_artTest_B6