Polls

Yes to this, no to that, yes to this, no to that

A recent poll shows a good percentage of the military favors President Obama.  Uh oh, this reminded me of the Bush vs Gore shame in Florida.  If you remember, during the investigation of improprieties it was discovered that two poll workers, who were entrusted with counting absentee ballots, admitted signing unsigned absentee ballots from the military, but . . . only if they were for Bush.  The arrogant, total disregard for ethics, in Florida, during the last presidential election, was down right disgusting.

It stills bugs me that, to my knowledge, the two ballot counters  were never separated, never offered immunity, and then asked this question, ."What else did you do while you were alone with all those ballots?"
Anyone believe 2 guys signing unsigned Republican ballots and not Democrat ballots didn't do anything else when they they were alone with all the other absentee ballots.
Be easier for the Republicans this this time if polls show Obama with a military majority favoring him.  They can just lose them, like Bush's military record.  Or some other creative shit. Like the governor and his intent to use new onerous and obviously restrictive voting procedures.   This guys a pro at this kinda stuff.   Florida is going Republican come hell or high water.
Hey gov, I have another question or two bothering me about those pee  bottles.  Did the State buy any?  And if we did, were they all the same kind?  Or do women need special bottles to pee into?  And if we did buy them, what are we going to do with the leftovers? 

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Men & Women.



What's her name?

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In a conversation with 3 other guys, one said the country doesn't need a black president.  So I said,
"Well its a good thing our president is white."  He then said,
"I'm talking about Obama."  So I said,
"Me too.  Well he's white isn't he? Why do you say he's black?"
He says, "C'mon you know his father was black as well as I do. Just look at  him"

I say, "His mother is white isn't she?  Oh, I forgot, you're against women's rights." 
He is.

Mitt the job maker (Liar liar pants on fire!)

As you may know, Bain bought a company named Baxter, a medical related tech company, and changed the name to Dade International. With the help of Goldman Sachs they used  $30 million borrowed dollars and they made Mitt president.  Under Mitt, in the first year, the company paid fees and stuff to Bain to the tune of about $100 million dollars. Nice huh?  Pretty good return for 1 year? 


Romney & Bain  (Justine Schiavo/Boston Globe)

   Then Dade  acquired their two biggest competitors, mostly using stock in Dade, and with unified statements they  became the biggest company  in their field. If you're not an accountant, and even if you are, its hard to understand this stuff.  After all Willard (Mitts first name) did go to Harvard. Some years later, with Bain still in control, and Mitt now president of Bain, they continued sucking out money and firing employees.  The company's debt soared and over 1,700 employees  were let go or in the process of losing their jobs. Mitt and his partners, including Goldman Sachs, arranged to sell 50% of their  stock in Dade, with Bain getting $242 million and Goldman Sachs about $130 million. What?  unbeluevably that still left them with 50% of their stock and a note due them for $68 million dollaireos. What?   This ain't Mittanese stuff, this stuff is true.
When a company files for bankruptcy, before the judge rules, creditors, the people who gave the company credit, have to be notified why they are not going to be paid.  Whooooo Ooo, wait a minute.  What?  We are not going to be paid ? And Bain and Goldman Sachs split $360 million dollars by sucking the blood out of our company?  They started screaming.  They charged Mitt with unjust enrichment, threatened to sue and file criminal charges. This got through to Bain and they settled.  With other stuff, Bain gave back to the company all the stock they still had and  the $68 million in notes. 
The ownership of the company then went to the remaining stockholders and the creditors.  The creditors  extended a little more credit and together they put new officers and people on the board.  Starting with a quadruped debt, guess what?  With new leaders the company started to prosper once again and after a few more years it was sold to Siemans for $7 Billion dollars..
Since we know how much Bain likes to make money, the only reason the didn't do it was, they didn't know how.  Firing employees and sucking money out is their game.
There are only two ways to look at this.

One, unlike real vultures who feast on things dead, money vultures from Wall Street look for an operating company with lots of assets (blood). If they they can get control and suck the blood (assets) out,they think its much better than a feast on the dead. And then, for all they care, the company can die. That way they become worthy of  the name Wall Street 'Vulture' Capitalists. 
Or . . .
Two,  Mitt (Bain) and partners were too stupid as investors to see that Dade International could remain operating and  eventually be sold for $ billions. So they didn't participate when the company was sold for $7 billion dollars. And this guy tells people he's smart because Bain made over 340 million?   When they didn't make a couple of billion?  Shame on you.

Mitt is now protesting as unfair the allegations made by Obama supporters, that he did, just what he did.  He actually claims credit for the later success (and new jobs) of the company because: 'He forced them into bankruptcy.'   Chutzpah?   What do you think?


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Pinocchios galore!!!

College students, do you want a guaranteed political career?.  Simple. Just 3 steps.

1. Major in Lying.

2. Run as a Republican.

3. Buy a rubber stamp.





Shhh Jiminy, Mitt & Joe are 'Standard bearers'.

 This does not mean ALL politicians don't tell listeners what they will do. And then  not do it,  You don't need a college course for that. Just big balls. It does mean you have to go in front of people, even nationally.  Then, lie like hell.  Even though you know nearly 90% of the people watching or listening know you are lying.  Just watch Mitt or 'Joe the Plumber' on Youtube.

There once was a plumber named Joe.

Who learned to say stuff not so.

Got very good at that game!!

Though others think its a shame . . .

With the GOP, its a go!

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Two

Front row: Juan, Victor, Paul, HGK,
Back: Herman, Anthony, Aquilas

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His real name was Juan but I called him Two because at the park there were a couple of other Juans.
"Why are you doing that Howard?"
"What do you mean, why am I doing this?"
"Well I  heard Richard trying to get Robert to do it for him and now you're doing it?"
"So?"
"Well, Richard would never do it for you."
"Two, are you saying you want me to be like Richard?"

Whores and Pimps ?

I have a question for J. R. McCulloch, (1789-1864)  the first professor of political economy of the University College London. He astonishingly, wrote this,180 years ago; 

Statue of a Pimp.  (Wikipeida)



Taxation of Income Impractical
"The tax would fall with its full weight upon men of integrity, while the millionaire of “easy virtue” would well nigh escape it altogether. It would, in fact, be a tax on honesty, and a bounty on perjury and fraud; and, if carried to any considerable height—to such a height as to render it a prominent source of income—it would undoubtedly generate the most barefaced prostitution of principle, and would do much to obliterate that nice sense of honour which is the very foundation of national probity and virtue."   
(Economist 04/28/2012 and Wikipeida)

My question is, "If you were alive today would this mean you think the Governor of Florida, the candidates for president and a great many similar politicians and/or wealthy people on Wall Street, etc., are prostitutes?  And if you do, would this mean that  the oil industry, the insurance companies, the pharmaceutical companies and our other great companies who are able to flourish in our democracy. should care more for our country?  And, along with their lobbyists, would they fit into a category of pimps?

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New Cancer Treatment

Targeted nanoparticles show success in clinical trials  Targeting Lung, Breast, Prostate and other tumors.

Tiny particles designed to home in on cancer cells achieve tumor shrinkage at lower doses than traditional chemotherapy.

 

An artist's rendering of BIND-014.
Image: Digizyme, Inc.



In the study, which appears April 4 in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the researchers demonstrate the particles’ ability to target a receptor found on cancer cells and accumulate at tumor sites. The particles were also shown to be safe and effective: Many of the patients’ tumors shrank as a result of the treatment, even when they received lower doses than those usually administered.

This information is from the MIT information services. 
To read the full article, click link below;
  http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/cancer-particle-0404.html

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Old PIB (Pee ina Bottle) wrong again???

Proposed Rapid Treansit (Brazil)

One of the early acts of the governor of Florida was to refuse federal money intended for use in the development of a rapid transit train.  In this case, from Tampa to Orlando, with studies for a continuation to Miami..  When former governor Charlie Christ was confronted with a similar rapid transit plan he said,
  ”We are very excited about the potential for passenger rail service in the state. We believe these projects will enhance the transportation choices of our growing resident and visitor populations.”  Both These guys,  governors, both these guys Republicans, so what gives?  Why the difference?
It now appears that the Florida East coast Railway co, a private company,. is in a feasibility study for rapid transit between Miami and Orlando. They say they own or have access to existing rail lines which are available and which makes  going forward very likely.  Old PIB (pee ina bottle) Scott seems to be whistling his own tune which indicates he doesn't know what the purpose of being a governor is. 
We don't need the governor  to use his position to tell us how to run our lives, or intrude into our privacy, or collect our body waste, (at government expense), or consider ways to keep voters from voting,  These are things Republicans say they are against with their mouths..
What PIB may need is a surgical procedure to put his mouth on the same side of his head as his ass. That way the the horse poop can be coming out of the same side as the regular poop..

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Splatt !!!!

Incredible!

Listen all men.  You better watch this.  Forget sending jobs overseas.   The 1% will not need us at all  in the future.  And as soon as robots can sync with automatic lawn mowers Romney won't even have to hire illegals to cut  his grass. Maybe women wont need us either. They already can make babies from a lab dish, if these things can take the garbage out, that's it.. 

We must organize before its too late.  Lay in a supply of fly swatters and  . . .good luck.  Don't click the link or you will see the first step in a future without men.

:  http://www.ted.com/talks/vijay_kumar_robots_that_fly_and_cooperate.html

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Immigration

Hugo at a school meeting

A high School senior named Daniela Peleaz, came to this country at age 4 with her parents.  She lived here since then and at age 18, is Valedictorian at North Miami High School.  So far she has been accepted for admission by Yale University.  And now a federal judge has ruled she should be returned to Columbia. 
On February 12, 2011, I wrote a post about Hugo.  Unfortunately, in Hugo's case, the immigration ruling came months after Hugo graduated.  At the time he was employed by the Nieman Marcus Department Store near Miami Beach,

This is a repost.

Raz played #1 (tennis) for Miami Beach Hi.  He introduced me to Hugo.  Hugo asked would I help him with his tennis.  Which I did.  He heard about the ‘Dwight’s Computers for Kids’ program, volunteered to help, and we became friends.  Hugo’s schedule.  After school he practiced tennis and then went to his apartment to change.  At 5:30 he went to work at a Chinese restaurant.  After that he parked cars {valet}.  Every day. On weekends he also helped his girlfriend sell sandwiches from a pushcart and after work at the restaurant he valet(ed)  until  3 in the morning.  He picked up and delivered 'day old' bread for the congregation at his church.  With computers from Dwight's Kids program he set up a lab at his and other churches in Dade County.  He never refused to help anyone.  His use of time amazed his teachers and when he graduated a friend recommended him for the job he was vacating for college.  The job, asst. mgr. of the shoe department at Macys.  A few months later the shoe dept. mgr. of another store, closer to his apartment, offered him a similar job.  He said 'yes' and  gave 2 week notice.  He asked his new boss if he could sell shoes when he had extra time.  Soon he became #2  in shoe sales. With commission and salary his income soared to almost $1,000.00 a week. Only months out of high school.  Unbelievable.

He had a green card but wanted permanent residency so he hired a lawyer on a high floor in a Miami building.  He asked me to accompany him to the hearing.  On the floor of the hearing I met a friend who asked what I was doing there and when I told him he asked the judge's name.  He said, "If he’s a friend, get him out of here right now. Say he’s sick or whatever."  I tried. His lawyer did not know anything negative about the judge.  Hugo was so excited he wanted the hearing now. 
The judge refused his request and ruled he had to return to Columbia.  The manager of the store, one of this country’s most prestigious chains, his boss’s boss, offered to help "in any way I can” 
(Two years later his application for a tourist visa was refused because of the ‘denial’ for permanent residency.)

In Columbia with the help of a tennis scholarship he graduated from college.

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Bank Mortgage Fraud??

During the Cheney Regime,  some rules and regulations preventing banks and investment companies from being able to operate under the same corporate umbrella, were overturned.  What did  that happening mean?  Well for one thing, you know that making money from granting mortgages was a bank's business. The made money from ample fees and the interest they charged. Of making profits on mortgages depends on people making payments. But if the payments stopped, . . they could lose money.. You already know this..
But now the same  people in banks were working with the people who controlled investment companies, as a partner company., And talk about coming up with ideas to make money. The one about mortgages was a sure winner.
The investment side would buy the mortgages from the banks.  This meant little or no risk to the bank from a bad mortgage.  Then they would use them (mortgages) as collateral for investments and sell them to their customers. Wow oh WOW!  This was now legal.  They could make their own investment instruments to sell to their customers. One of them was called derivatives.  What the hell is that?  If you were one of their customers asking that question, they did not tell you this answer,  "a way for your investment adviser to make lots of money."
The whole world saw them as investments in US real estate. Who wouldn't want to invest in real estate in the US.  But, where were they going to get enough mortgages?  Mortgages are not like cars, or soda pop.  So they told their banks, "Get us more mortgages!!!" And The game began.  No matter what the applicant said,  commission making, mortgagesalesman filled in answers making the applicants eligible. And the banks issued the mortgages without investigation.  As fast as a developer built condos or homes, they were sold. People who knew they couldn't make payments on a $2,000.00 loan, were buying homes worth tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands.  After all, the salesman told them, "This is real estate, it always goes up.  Just hold the property for a few months and you'll be able to sell it and make a ton."  A friend hears about it from a friend and says, "What, you did what?  Shit, you don't even have a job.. And I got a regular job. (Even bagging for the super market.)  I 'm gonna buy a home and make some money." 
A book is published about what is happening in real estate.  The author uses a big word.  Book says, " Its, 'unsustainable'."
The guys under the corporate umbrella didn't have to read it.  They knew what was what and told each other to wait until the right time and then sell their personal investments before saying 'sell' to their customers.

Bhh. Bhh. Bhh. Bhh. BOOM!!!
P.S.  And now some banks are using the same people who sold mortgages, to handle the foreclosures.Using  federal government money, which is intended to help people, and not to cover the bank's costs.  Very recently, the government obtained a large settlement from the banks for helping to cause the problem. They are paying hundreds of millions, and this money is supposed to help those unfortunate people.  (And the federal settlement does not release the banks from any responsibility from personal suits filed against them.  Nor from any culpability for illegal actions.)   Like those people who, after the Cheney & Co. bust in 2008,  found their mortgage was now for more than the vlaue of their home.  And then they lost their job.  People who just got caught in the debris of the mess,.   The banks that helped cause the mess, by fraudulently issuing mortgages, are saying ,to hell with those who lost their jobs and got stuck..  The government has allocated the money obtained from the banks, for their complicity, to the states so they can help these unfortunate citizens. So naturally the governor of the State of  Wisconsin  (Classy typical Republican) got his allocation and immediately used the money for present state obligations. What?? And again, the game goes on.  Ever play ring around the rosy as a kid?
Here is something for everyone to know:  To legally foreclose on a property the bank must physically have the mortgage in their possession.   (Like you cannot sell your car without having the title.)  And most banks do NOT have the mortgages in their physical possession because they sold them.  Then they were, in some case cut up,  so that they could be used to make into investments, for their suckers, ehh, I mean investment customers..  The Attorney Generals in many states are investigating and looking for any illegal acts committed by the banks when issuing mortgages.  Some foreclosures could also illegal.

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Howard

Who ARE these three guys with Howard??


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ANSWERS???

Saturday.  At the Pizza Bar eating pizza in front of a big TV.  There is a sports interview on the TV, its before the game ..  The TV Sound is turned down.  But you can hear the music from the Pizza Bar CD..  Two players are sitting with big flash cards in their laps.. The MC asks a question, then the player holds up a card that says, 'Me.'   The MC asks another question, player holds up card says, 'E. Johnson.'  People are jumping up and applauding after each card and it continues like this until all the flash cards are gone.  Wow, this is neat.  I got more answers.  I don't know the questions, couldn't hear them, but it doesn't matter.  Its hits me.  As I get older people stop asking me questions anyway.  So, if I don't have to know the  questions, my brain has more room for answers. Makes me feel sorry for all those volumes of the encyclopedia in my bookcase.
But how great this is!

The answer is - -?

Watching the TV Republican debates has helped me figure it out.  The only time these clowns tell the truth is when they are talking about one another.When I was younger I worked for an Insurance Company and attended the annual convention.  The featured speaker, George Fields, was 1 or 2 in sales, in the country.  George had finished his remarks and his rear was just about to hit the chair.  Throughout his message was, how important sincerity was to his overall sales' results.  While the applause was still building,  George, rose up, retook the mike and added.  "and besides, if they don't think you're sincere,  they won't sign on the dotted line."  This made the intensity of the ovation reach a staggering crescendo. I hadn't listened too closely to George because I knew him and his sincerity.
Until I heard the Republican responder to Obama's Jan-2012 State of the Union address I thought all  thinking people, with even small amounts of brains,  had left the Republican party, and no longer call themselves conservative.  Or maybe they joined the Independents, or the Libertarians or maybe just became apolitical   But back to the speaker and the response line he used,  about . . .'all people in this country are either wealthy or becoming wealthy'  made me think he must of heard the president's address, which made him hopeful for our future and it sounded like he was going to vote for him...
But realistically, Republicans think their base voters are like dope addicts. They can't kick the  habit.  So why bother them with factual truths?.  That's why, even late in life, you can hear a senior citizen say to his/her Republican representative,'now take care of my Social Security for me,'  or  'protect my medicare for me' or,    But for Social Security and Medicare, Democrats had to fight Republicans (and it was a difficult fight) to make Social Security and Medicare a reality.  Right from the start and the fight goes on.  They have never stopped the fight.against Social Security since the early 1930s and against Medicare since the mid 1960s.. And here is this senior women saying to a Republican about what makes her fearful for her future and the Republican's mouth saying that he will, when in reality he is a just a rubber stamp Republican voter in congress, Watching the debates, I noticed some frightening for our country.  The Republicans who want to be our president are LIARS.  So what?  Everybody knows this.  But it use to be unusual for politicians to lie to the people with out apologizing when they get caught.  And these Republicans don't even care when they know all tv viewers know they are lying . In a world of Republican's like these nobody would even notice Pinocchio's nose.


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Gambling



Black Jack

 Jerry loved to play cards, he was my best friend since we were in high school together, god love him, and black jack was one of  his favorites.  He also loved his boat which he kept docked at the home he and Delores had just outside of Atlantic City..  Weekends he was always on his boat or in the casino.  Don't ask me why but I  never got seasick when I went sailing with him,  Anyway after the gambling issue won he couldn't be happier.

He lost so much money, when Rae and I went to Atlantic City to visit them, the casino sent a limo to pick us up at the Philadelphia airport, and transport us the 60 miles to Atlantic City.  Then they put us up at the hotel, in the best accommodations, and fed us the finest food.  All 'comped' as they called it.  Meaning, no cost to me. Rae kept asking, "Are you sure you're  not paying for any of this?"

the Donald

I did pay for my sub sandwich (I had two) from the Whitehouse.  The water in Atlantic City is perfect for making sub (or Hero) rolls.  And the Whitehouse is greatly responsible for that reputation because they make the best steak and cheese or submarine sandwiches. If you ever go to Atlantic City, make sure you get one.  But the rest of my expenses were paid by the casino because Jerry was such a good customer and lost so much money..

Anyway, about a year or so later, during one of my regular calls to Jerry,  he tells me Trump Tower is going to open in a couple-a weeks.  And then in a later call he tells he went to the 'opening'  and they 'threw him out.'    "You're kidding?"   He's laughing,  "Nope, I was playing and I was up $4800.00.   This guy comes over and says, Get all of your chips and follow me to the cashier."  I get my money and he escorts me to the front door and says, "We have your picture, don't come back.  You're not welcome here."

I'm laughing. but Jerry is boasting.  I say "I think the Donald should get out of the gambling business.  He's in over his head."

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BONANZA ! ! !

What a fantastic time for a politician to be in the Florida legislature.
Its a dream come true. . There are so many lobbyists with bulging pockets on both sides of this issue. Manna from Heaven.
When I was a kid I asked my father why the circus didn't stay in town for more days?   He explained that the money taken out of the community by the circus, did  not return, and the only thing that took more money out of a community, was gambling.  Its one of the reasons I was on the 'NO' Casinos Speakers Bureau the last time we had a gambling issue in Florida.  At that time I was pretty confident we would prevail. And we did. But now, I think more gambling is inevitable. Especially now when no one can accuse Florida voters of voting their best interests. Here, the voters do stuff their own way.   And any candidate who can push the right religious or bias button can win, regardless of his/her qualification.  At the moment Republicans have the upper  hand.  If  Florida Republicans  found out a Democrat, running for dogcatcher, had taken the 5th in a minor matter, they would have a field day. On the other hand if he was Republican and had taken the 5th 75 times in a billion dollar fraud matter, live involving stealing from Medicare and Medicaid they would elect him governor.  So, who knows?
The fact that Nevada is suffering financially from the amount of money being sucked out of their economy is not even a factor. And Las Vegas?   Not the ideal place to raise a family.   Atlantic City was a dump to live in before gambling ,and today?  Still a dump.

'Texas Holdem'

And politicians will say anything.   Get a crowd to listen to a politician and the aroma from the horse poop fills the air. Need an example?
All the glowing promises, to upgrade the living conditions in Atlantic City, were made to garner votes, just political rhetoric.  They got the senior citizens who overwhelming support Social Security, to vote for a Republican when Republicans have NEVER, from its beginning, supported Social Security.  Just feed them coffee and doughnuts and smile.
At the time, in Atlantic City there where few high rise apartment buildings.  One was located where Atlantic City meets Ventnor, it was fairly new and just off the boardwalk.    During the election it was a hot spot for volunteers and almost all of the senior citizens became workers in the campaign.  After the election they danced and sang on the boardwalk."We won, We won."  The joy lasted a couple of days. Then  . . . . .
 Reality.  A resident of the mostly seniors building, who's lease was up at the end of the month, received a notice, her lease would only be renewed on a month - to month basis.  The building was now going to become a condo. . . . . . . .
As for employees, they were mostly imported from Vegas and other places.
And neighborhood improvement?   What the hell is that?  Not in Atlantic City.  And like Social Security, when politicians are.talking to seniors, they say they are for it, but when they  vote, well . . . . . that's different.  And this is Florida.  Our gov thinks peeing in a bottle is so necessary the State should pay for buying the bottles and testing the pee.  Hey gov,, can't you figure out how to charge this stuff  to Medicaid or Medicare?.

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Be fair Lord

The following is the twit to the Almighty by Steve Johnson who dropped what would have been the winning pass in the Buffalo vs Pittsburg football game on Sunday 11/28/10, just over a year ago, but too good not to post again:

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7 ! ! ! ! ! !  

AND THIS IS HOW YOU DO ME ! ! ! ! !   

YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS? ? ?  

HOW? ? ? ! ! !  

I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS ! !  

EVER ! ! !   THX THO..."

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Herbie

Rat

Herbie and I are friends and we worked as field agents for the same insurance company.. We both lived in Philadelphia but our territories  were in different sections of upstate Pennsylvania.  Then he and his family moved upstate, near Mauch Chunk, so he could be closer to his territory.. They lived there for a couple of years when Herbie decided to move the family to Florida.  He asked me to work with him during his last week so it would be easier for him make the move.  But the real reason was for me to drive his girlfriend back to Philadelphia while he took his family to the Philadelphia airport.  Then he would drive their car down to Florida, with his girlfriend.
Its his last day at the office and Herbie asks me to loan him a few hundred bucks.   I tell him I'm stretched and just cant do it, while he persists in his pleas, he says, "Here I'll give you a check, but don't deposit it until Thursday", pulling out a check as he is talking.  I say,
"What the hell is wrong with you?"  And a few other things.. "I was with you yesterday at the bank ,when you closed your account."  Then herb  drives down to Florida, with his girlfriend.
My wife Rae, and his wife Flossie, were friends and Flossie had many friends, including one special one, Bess, who still lived in upstate Pennsylvania.  She was always mentioning Bess in favorable and glowing terms.  Eventually someone from Mauch Chunk comes to Miami Beach for a vacation.  She accidentally finds out that not only does Herbie have a girlfriend, but they also have a couple of kids.  When she gets back home, she tells the 'girls' what she found out. Bess makes them all promise not to say anything to Flossie because, quote, "it will kill her".
Much later Bess goes to a family function in Philadelphia, its far from Mauch Chunk, and while dining and conversing with the  other quests at her table, Herbie's name comes up.  Bess refers to him as that 'rat'.
As happens when the weather gets colder people want to vacation in Miami Beach and one of Flossie's old friends while dining with Flossie, tells her that Bess called Herbie a rat.  So, Flossie calls Bess.  Bess makes all kinds of excuses but does not tell her why..
The result . . . . to this day as far as I know,  they never see each other again.

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99% -Saving Money!!!

Shannon Medical Center           Texas

Warren (Buffet), I hope you have a sizable investment in Pharmaceuticals.  Unless a doctor prescribed it, while growing up I never took any kind of medication. Recently my doc said I should get a tube of antibiotic ointment to help with an infection.  So I went to the drug store.  The box was so small I had trouble finding it.  And the tube, $7.00 or $8.00, was so small a team of ants could carry it back to their nest.  I think to myself, for some families this is awful.. Anyway when my wife got a serious ailment, her doctor said he would treat her as if she was in a new experimental program.  She just missed the required profile to participate in the new program..  He checked the findings on  her condition and said, if we agreed,  "I think this is the way to go."  Among other stuff, it involved using a new medication which cost over $13.00 dollars for a pill the size of a pin head,. Over $400.00 a month. The pill, Arimidex, was worth it.
Her treatment seemed to be working and then I learn the California State Legislature investigated reliable drug stores in Canada and provided Californians with a list of reliable Canadian pharmacies.  I got the list and called one with an easy to remember name.  The pin head size drug in Canada was $7.00 for the same pill.(not a generic)  Do the math. About $210.00. a month instead of  $400.00  And with all the other medication she was taking at that time, serious money..  I asked my doc about it and he said he thinks its a good idea but don't quote him.   In the meantime I started getting up twice a nite to go to the bathroom. And not for a bath.  I thought it was nerves caused by my concern for my wife, but an exam results in more prescription drugs.  Which thankfully, do work.
Somebody must have told powerful people in the Pharmaceutical industry because  all of a sudden I start hearing sound bites about counterfeit drugs from Canada. I have visited Canada.  I like Canada. So my opinion  if  I were a drug counterfeiter, where would I try to sell my phony drugs.  In Canada where prices are low or the United States, where prices are high?   Counterfeiters go where the money is.
P.S.  I recently ran out of the medication that helps me not get up at night.  The timing was before a prescription could be delivered from Canada by mail.  So I purchased a month's supply locally, cost;  $93,00.  Over $3.00 per pill. Then I ordered a 3 month supply from Canada, cost; $72.00.  I'll do the math.80 cents a pill,   Both generics. Then in March 2012 I reordered 90 pills, new cost $49.50. just over $.50 per pill. About $15.25 a months,  From $92,00 to $15.25,.  This is serious savings..

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Fireman

Marty with Daughter

Marty Horbach was  part of  the week day pool of  golfers from which we made up our afternoon foursome.  He was married, a fireman, a great guy and a  very good golfer.  Deadly on the green and from just off the green.  But mostly he had a fantastic sense of humor which came out from time to time.  
We were on Bayshore's  12th hole and Marty teed up first.  He slices a long ball into the 13th fairway.  An out of sight player from the foursome in front of us comes into view from the 13th fairway. He must have sliced too.  He was way in front of Marty's ball, not even close, but he must  have seen it. He  turns, looks back at us, and yells,
"Why the hell didn't you yell fore?" 
So, Marty yells back,
"OK . . . . FORE!!!. . . . . And if you want to do something else about it, see me on the  19th hole.  My name is 'BEN KARN'!
Oh my goodness, Ben was next up and waiting to tee off and Marty was still on the tee,  I thought Ben was going to hit Marty with his driver..  Dick was on the ground laughing.  With me.

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Chicken Soup

This was more than a few years ago, Dr. Stanley Jonas, a friend and a great doctor says,
"Howard you need to have your colon examined." 
"Does it hurt?  "
"Nah, They have this new scope that shows the colon on a TV.  The colon has no nerve endings.You wont feel anything, its quick and painless ."   He recommends a doctor and  has his secretary call for an appointment. I call that doctor's office and his assistant gives me a date, a time, and a room number at Mt. Sinai hospital..
Despite my protests Rae insists, so she goes with me.  We are on the third floor on a hallway with the entrances of most rooms covered with heavy plastic.  White wall plaster all over the plastic.The hospital is renovating.  We find this  narrow hallway with a few chairs against the wall on one side, and letter numbered rooms on the other.  Rae takes a seat and I go to the floor reception desk.  I tell the nurse who I am and she says go wait in the hall  and she will tell the doctor I'm here.  After about 10 minutes the doctor arrives, we all say hello, he leads me to one of the rooms and we go in.  Its a very small room.  Maybe seven and half feet wide and at best ten feet long.
When you enter, at the near end of the room there is a 12" TV on a table, against the wall, with about  a foot or two between it and the  exam table. The TV is on and showing snow. 
Another table alongside the side wall has about a foot or so clearance from the the exam table. Doc is sitting against the wall, beside it and behind the exam table lengthwise, where he can easily reach a patient. He says, " Take off your pants and shorts, get on the table and lay on your right side.  "On the table to his left , is a hi fi tuner look-alike gadget.  He is  holding something attached to one end of it..  Its black  and looks a like a skinny cattle prong.  On the other end of the gadget are some knobs and a switch. The extendable prong has  2 black wires running along the bottom.  At the end of the wires,  is a very small solid glass bulb  and what looks like the shiny half of a large BB type pellet. He flips the switch,  the bulb lights up and the TV gets brighter.   He smothers the entire, about 14" prong, with some goo, looks like Vaseline, and says,
"This will be over in a minute"
WOOOOOOOOPs.  I feel something cold.
The TV shows something entering what looks like a cave and resembles the inside of a very fat red worm. The probe works its way further and further into the cave until we see a little stalactite hanging from the roof just before the end of the cave..  Doc says,
"Ahaa"  What  looks like a small see thru  strainer basket, on one wire, just under the light,  pops out and works its way entirely around the stalactite, like a snare, until its  flush with the wall, and then a small blade comes out and cuts it off.  Plop, its in the basket.  The prong  starts to move backwards, slowly, until its removed completely.  Doc shows me what's in the basket.and says, 
"There's the little 'bugger (pun I guess)."  It doesn't look big.  A very soft gooey glob of internal flesh. We'll just send him up to the lab to make sure everything is ok.  He hands me some Kleenex which I use and throw into a lift up top, container, lined with a plastic bag. ..
Doc now turns the basket on the wire so its cargo falls into a glass tube filled with some liquid. He says,
"That's it.  Put your shorts and pants on and you can  leave."  I look at him, the whole episode didn't take more than ten minutes.  I say, very loud, OHHHHHH!!!  OHHHHHHHHH!!!
"Whats the matter? Whats the matter?"
"WOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"  Even louder.
Mr. Kaufman.  What is it Mr. Kaufman??  What is it??   I say,
"Listen Doc.  My wife is just outside the door, waiting.  If I go out this fast she might think it was not a big deal.  But if she heard me, and I think she did, that's different.   I'll get some TLC, some chicken soup and other goodies.  And she happens to be a good cook, I may even get some key lime pie,.  Please, let me take an extra minute or two."

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Below what?

(Born too soon?) I'm walking slowly along Washington near Second Street when a very pretty,  curvacious girl overtakes and walks right in front of me.  On the bare portion of  her back is a tattoo.  I have to quicken my pace to read what the tattoo says.  Its located in the lower center of her back. 'Two words', above a prominent downward pointing red arrow in the exact middle of her back.  The two words are below her upper garment, and above the arrow whose point is in the center and above  her  low cut jeans,  The words read: 
'Fire Below'    


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You're FIRED!!!

Roger Federer

Darlene, a Miami Beach City staff member at North Shore tennis Park, says,
'Mr. Irvine (head of the  recreation Dept.) called and left a message for you to see him in his office today, after 2 and before 4."
"Thank you Darlene."
"Hey Bill, whats up?"
"Bad news Howard, we have to terminate your contract with the City." (authorization to run a  city kids tennis program for $0.00 per year.)
"Whats the reason Bill?"
"We received a letter about you and its signed by about 50 people."
"Can I see the letter?"
"I suppose so, come into my office I'll get it."
I'm sitting in a chair facing his desk while he gets a manilla folder and takes out of it a letter on tablet paper , which he hands  to me..Its not signed but there are signatures from top to bottom on the other side.
After a minute or two Bill says. "What are you smiling about? "   
"Bill, This letter is complimentary to me,  You can't use this to terminate me"  
"What?"
"Let me read it to you.  There are 4 numbered items. #1 says, 'Howard is not a very good tennis player and he should not be trying to teach tennis to kids.'  #2 Says, "Howard is not a nice person and should be kept away from kids."
"That's complimentary?"
" Wait a minute, . . . .#3 says 'He spends a lot of time on the court with Victor, much more time with him than what he spends with my son Mike and the other kids."
"Bill, very frankly that's the reason for the letter.  His job lets him off early enough for him to pick his kid up from school every day , and get him to the park before any of the other kids. Then he puts him on the court where I work with the kids.  Every single day. There are too many kids.  I have time for about one lesson a week for each kid. .  plus I  monitor them when they are on the court playing,  As for Victor, his mother has three jobs and I do help him a little more. I explained that to Mike and told him, I'll work with you once a week, maybe twice if I have time. He understands, but I guess his dad is not happy about it.   There are  . . . . ."
"OK, I get your point.  Forget it."  He takes the letter from me, starts to leave the office and says, " I have a meeting in the manager's conference room in five minutes."

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Dog story

I hit a grounder off the 12th tee.  It goes over by Bayshore's maintenance shack and I ask a workman if he saw a ball come thisaway..  He says no, but do you want a dog.  He has 2 puppies that can walk and were at that stage when puppies are their adorablist. They were mostly Labrador Retrievers, he said..

When I was about 6 or 7 we got a mostly chow dog, Mitzi.  My mother and dad liked that dog. My brother and sister liked and had fun with the dog.  But Mitzi and I, it was love at first sight. It was one of those special happenings.  After Mitzi was with us for about 2 years my aunt Ella rented a half of a house for the summer in Atlantic City.  She invited us to stay for a couple of weeks.  But, no dog.  I tried everything, I even said I didn't want to go. When we came back from the shore Mitzi had a huge flea problem and the house had so many fleas I could describe a flea in full detail..  Mom and dad did try everything within reason to rid the house of the fleas.  Finally one day my father came home and announced that Mitzi was now living with a friend of his who had a farm in New Jersey.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It happened while Rae was on her way home from elementary school, a dog attacked and bit her.  She had to be treated and after that she would go out of her way to keep a distance the  size of a 'lengthwise' bus between her and any dog. Once we went into a store where a nicely dressed woman was carrying a little Mexican dog that looked like a not too large mouse with big ears.  It was shying away from anyone big or small.  But, as soon as this shaking shrimp saw Rae he started barking as if he thought he was Leo the Lion..  Rae ran out of  the store and would not come back in until the women left.


One of the dogs had a short tail. About an inch an a half.  The worker said he had dropped a tool box on it and had to remove the rest of her tail..  Her name was Samantha and if he didn't find a home for the dogs he would have to take them both to the dog pound.  So, I put  Samantha in the cart and she became our 5th while we finished the round.  It was as if someone had told her exactly what to do to charm the foursome, except of course, for Ben.   Unless you were a pigeon like me, if you even coughed while Ben was walking toward his ball, he would swear never to play with you again.  Once when, Ben and I were riding together, and I thought the cart was in his line of sight, I put the gear in reverse, intending to back away, When Ben heard the cart's reverse sound he stormed over, took his bag off of the cart, put it on his shoulder and walked back to the clubhouse.  Naturally I was up at the time.

Rae never yelled at me.  When I came into the house with the dog, her voice reached a volume I had never heard.  I promised I would take Samantha back to the course and I could hear Rae lock the door after she pushed me out..  I did not go to the golf course.  I waited until it was a little dark and then left Samantha in the car while I went back into the house. I lied.  I said I had returned to the course but it was too late and I couldn't find anyone who would take the dog.  And now it was so late, we just couldn't put her outside at  nite.  And with  the kids, who were home, and for once on my side, Rae weakened, just a tad.. She said,
"You put that dog in the bathroom and after we have dinner I'm going into the bedroom and I'm not coming out while that animal is in the house."  

Again it was if  someone was talking to Sam and telling her exactly what to do.  Even if you didn't like dogs, watch her for just a few minutes, and you knew why other people did.  Somehow an agreement between Rae and the kids was worked out.  Samantha had to stay in one of the kids' rooms at all times and they would take complete care of her.

Samantha and I would go for walks around the block.  There were only a few other dogs in the neighborhood but there were many kids, and most of them were afraid of dogs.  We were getting new New York transplants all the time.  They all had a few kids and every one of them was afraid of dogs. In the beginning,  during our walk,  Samantha would follow behind me.  When I saw a kid, I would say,
"Please, please don't scare my dog. She's very afraid of kids.  Please don't scare her."  And then she would come into view. giving them a wide birth.  It wasn't long before Sam was walking ahead of me and would run up to the kids who now were actually waiting to play with her.  They would pull her tail, pull her ears and even try to ride on her.  And Samantha just loved the kids.  And when she saw a new kid she would lag behind, until I prepared the way.  I think Samantha and I knew the best thing about kids.  They are not adults.

Go sniff some place else.

And whenever another dog came up, she knew exactly how to handle them.  If they persisted in sniffing and getting fresh, she simply sat down.  Unbelievable to see. 
A new dog came on the block, a German Shepard, 4 or 5 months old already bigger than Samantha.  Right away they nuzzled each other and then they would go side by side and this continued until we reached our house.  When I opened the door Samantha went in and the other guy went around me and just followed her into the kitchen where he ate her entire dinner.  With Sam watching.  Good thing Rae wasn't home and, the new guy lived around and on the other side of the block.

Another trait Sam had, she never crossed the street.  Except this one time when a cat came from out of nowhere on our side and crossed to the other side.  Sam followed and then went slowly up to the cat who promptly smacked her right in the face.  Sam didn't make a sound, she jumped at impact landing a few feet away, turned and looked at that cat with a look that I can only describe as complete amazement.  I never saw her cross a street after that.  She would come to the end of a pavement, where the street began, we don't have curbs, and sit down and wait for me to pick her up and carry her to the other side.  I always was very confident in her and even in a strange area she would always do the same thing, whether the street had curbs or not.  She would go up to the street, sit down, and wait for me.

You enter our house to the living room which is one side of a rectangular area leading to the Florida room. The rectangular area ends a couple of feet  before the small step down to enter the Florida room. The other side of the living room wall is divided into 2 rooms.

No bus here

Making a right turn at the front door leads to a sliding door entrance to a windowed den and if you continue there is a door to the master bedroom and bath. If you do not open the bedroom door but turn left thru another sliding door, you're in the dining room which is open and ends just short of  the Florida room. At the end of the dining room, if you make a right turn, this leads to the kitchen area.  The entire area, living room, den and dining room has marble floors. Both sliding doors, to the den and dining room remain open, so you can walk an unbroken loop around and around. 
Samantha and I would play a game that I called 'Wild Animule.'  I would continuously shout 'wild animule, wild animule' ' and start running around the loop,living room, den, dining room or vice-verso.  When I  had a big lead I would stop and go left (or right) after going thru one of the doors and Samantha barking and barking, her legs slip sliding on the floor, when suddenly, I was behind her and now going in the opposite direction.  She never got tired before I did.  And then she would jump up on me and I would fall to the floor and we would play soft wrestle.  What a terrific memory.

Rae would  never go on any trip or vacation without Sam.  She just wouldn't go, except when her uncle Dave, who loved Sam,  would house sit and watch over her.  Samantha was with us for 17  HEA years .


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Jackie Gleason Theater

"And away we go"

 Some time ago Rae and I went to a show at the Gleason Theater.  I see a guy in the lobby that I know very well, but Rae had never met him.  So we go over and I say, "Rae this is . . . . .",
I couldn't remember his  name.  He says,
"What the hell is the matter with you Howard?"
I say, "I don't know.  This is the first time I got old.  Maybe next time I will be able to answer your question".




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A piece of ass.

Donkey or Ass          Wikipedia


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Last year my granddaughter, Milinda, received an email before the Thanksgiving day holiday which said the following;
"When the the Pilgrims  prepared the meal for their 'feast of thanks', if they had used a donkey, instead of a cow or turkey, we could all be having a piece of ass to celebrate Thanksgiving"

Never do that again dept.

I told Dr. Fernando-Sende, my doctor, that all my health problems are his fault.

"What?"
"Well if you weren't taking such good care of me, my bus would have hit me long ago"
And I believe that because I keep doing some very dumb things.  Like when he sent me to Dr Lilenbaum because tests showed I don't have very many platelets.
Lilenbaum says, "We have to get to the bottom of this."  So I get on a table, face down, with my back bare, and most of my butt showing.  Then he gets this big  #*@*ing  needle that he is going to use to suck out some marrow stuff to analyze ..

So, naturally, I tell him my best lawyer joke to lighten the atmosphere.  Seemed like a good idea to me..  Well anyway I get to the punch line just as he has the needle entering  a serious spot, and . . . he busts out laughing. . . . .

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Rae and more of HEA

hgk & Rae

I help kids learn to play tennis and its almost time  for me to leave for Moore Park.  Rae says,
"Why do you always disagree with me?"
"What are you talking about? I always agree with you."
"Well last night you agreed with Marilyn when she said Alicia lived in Atlantic City, after I said she lived in Vineland"
"That's not disagreeing with you, she does live in Atlantic City"  Too late, she gave me one of her better pinches."
I'm working with this 12 year old at the park and I'm at the net. A big kid on the adjoining court takes a wild swing  and belts a ball which comes directly at me, and WHACKS me in the ribs. BANG!!!
Its late and we're getting ready for bed, the TV is on.  I make sure Rae can see me as I take off my shirt.
"What in the world is that??"
"This? Its nothing, I can hardly feel it?
"But how . . . .I mean. . . .
"Well I don't want to say anything,  Don't you remember pinching me?"
"I did that?"
"The body makes bruises look much worse as we get older."
"Ohhhhh, Howard . . . .
The rest of the evening was very pleasant, and that beautiful, very ugly bruise mark remained visible for almost two months. 

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Social Security, Oil, Jon Stewart

(In a DC enclave sometime before 2008)

"We are going to privatize Social Security."
"C’mon." 
"Well the public swallowed giving the surplus to our people, didn't they?. And we killed the death tax, didn't we?. I think we can do whatever we want.
"Don’t exaggerate." 
"Exaggerate??   With so many radio stations repeating our sound bites, controlling media is a cinch.  Do you watch Jon Stewart?"

"Yeah, I hate to admit it,  But, he is clever and funny."

"Right, well he had the head of an oil company on and never asked him the key question."

"Which was?"

Jon Stewart

"Well they were talking about how oil companies had just earned their highest annual profits ever.  I kept expecting him to ask,  'How much profit would your company have earned if the price of gas never rose over $2.00  or $3.00 a gallon'?  Gas was close to $4.00 at the time. That he didn’t ask that question doesn’t mean he is stupid.  Well, the public is the same.  If someone is not fully grounded in a subject its easy for them to miss key questions.  But as Republicans we need to anticipate what's in the voter's mind and sound bite to their prejudices, hatred and fears.  Over and over and over. You know how we do.   And also, before we do anything that is questionable to the public, we have to first,say, "The "Democrats are doing it".  Look, we have the whole country thinking the smartest people in the country, including scientists and professors, only say  things that are factual because they are liberal.  But, back to the point. If we could privatize Social Security the profits would be enormous.  I mean its so much money its ridiculous.  We could even put it where it is now and charge commissions. Oh. man, the commissions would be really enormous.  But we would have to guard against the public realization that, .Social Security is already ‘effectively’ privatized. 

"Hey Soose!!  You’re right.  So how would we handle it?   How could we do it?   Wow, its so much money..  Trillions. You're right."
"The reason Social Security is such  a good deal, when compared to private insurance pensions, is that there is no cost added for administering, and no commissions charged and the funds are government securities..
Yep, and, far as I know, nobody is overseeing whether or not the money in the Social Security fund, is receiving maximum interest and getting compounded correctly."
"Wait a minute, what?" 

"Well there are government bonds and there are government bonds. And they all don’t pay the same rate of interest.  So maybe we did and are maximizing the SS fund." And then again, 'maybe not'.
"Ok, the hell with that, get back to what we were talking about. What was your idea?"

"Well, the only people, like financial experts who wrote abut it, buried it in statistics and then never verbalized that SS is effectively privatized. But our sound bites have people talking as if they know something bad. "Like young voters.  We have them thinking the money they pay in is used in real time, for current Social Security payments..  Actually the money does not go into the general fund.  But we use it as if it is.so we politicians can have a crack at it.  Social Security, is just like any other pension. like what you get from any pension fund or buy from an insurance company.   And one of its real strengths is, it starts when people are young, and would  rather spend money without  thinking of the future.  A natural for our sound bites.”
”So what's wrong with it.”
”Social Security?  Are you kidding, nothing.  But it started in 1932 and rates were based on the mortality and cost of living at that time. At the time the average longevity  was age 65,   We are living longer.  If it started today, the rates would be based on the correct mortality and nobody would say anything.   You can't get 10-20 year ago annuity rates from private companies.   Yes, it has to be tweaked every 20  years or so and it has been, almost routinely, to take into account our new longevity.  Especially for young people just coming in..  We did just that in the past and we will have to keep doing it in the future.  What the young don't realize is, their money is for themselves. So, because they will live the pension money for a  longer time and they also will need to receive higher amounts than what is paid out today.  What they pay in, has to match the present mortality rate.  This will enable Social Security to continue to be actuarially sound.  The problem is for the future seniors, who will live longer and need higher benefits, not the present seniors.  The money they have paid and don't forget the money their employers paid-in,  has guaranteed their Social Security payments.   You don't hear any seniors of today who are getting social security payments complaining about how the money was taken out of their paychecks when they were younger do you?  Well they were not any more eager to pay in at that time than the youngsters of today.  But the sound bites are great and it motivates them, and some seniors too to vote against their interests..  Can can you believe how many seniors vote our way?.”
"What do you mean by that?" 

"See, its even hard for you to understand,  Now, my idea.  Regulations require some pension funds to only invest in triple A ('AAA') bonds.  Like government pensions, its required." 
"What was that crap you were telling me the last time we spoke?" 

"Well, now that we have removed regulations preventing it, we are allowing banks and investment firms to be under the same corporate umbrella.  With that help bankers are making obscene amounts of money on mortgages.  Mostly because home buyers are not complaining about extra points and other stuff being added on to their mortgages.  And that's because property values are going up so fast.  So here it is, . What if we could make an investment instrument that could buy mortgages from the banks, meaning instant profits for them and freeing them from any chance of loss.  We get the money to do it by selling creative instruments, such as say bonds or derivatives, to investors."

"Stop.  You cant do that.  The bond rating would be too low." 

"Suppose we could raise the rating."

"How could we do that?" 
"Well I know some guys at Moodys and they were talking about raising money by taking in investors."

"From where?  Aint that a sick bird?"
"Sick bird?"

"You know, 'ill eagle'."
"Stop being cute will ya,   Sure, but now we have so much control, we can change that rule or work a go around." 

"C’mon, its  a conflict of interest." 

"Do me a favor, start thinking of what we have already done, and use your imagination."  

"Sorry"
"If we can eliminate the regulations that keep Moodys from  having investors, they might cooperate with the ratings on  the mortgage bonds."
"Holy shit I’m drooling.  I’m already thinking about a new page in the tax code. .I’m calling my lobbyists as soon as I get back to my office."
(And so the bubble grew)


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