February 27, 2009 - Friday Funny - Jet Skis

We just got back from a trip to Orlando and we had coupons for Jet Ski rentals.

Sometimes, letting coupons expire is the smart move.

Sort of gives new meaning to the terms low rider, high tide, and full moon!

February 23, 2009 - PPM -Digital TV Transition

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is the Digital TV Transition.

The transition was planned in 1996 to free up bandwidth space. Media reports (paper, TV, radio) have been announcing the conversion for over 2 years.

It was due to happen last week, but it was delayed for another 4 months upon request of President Obama. It has already cost the government $1.34 BILLION. I have a few questions.

Why was it delayed?
Why is it Government financed?
Did we provide AM to FM radio conversion kits?
Did we provide B&W to Color TV conversion kits?
Why has the Government offered TWO $40 coupons per house?

If you can afford 2 TVs, maybe you should sell one and get cable. Ironically, people can download the $40 coupons. Again, if you have Internet access, converting to Digital TV should be an easy choice. Actually if you Cable Internet, a TV tuner on your PC is less than the $40 coupon.

I’m still waiting on my Betamax to VHS, to DVD, to Blue Ray conversion kits. Why does the Government choose to subsidize some technology transfers and not others?

The Government says there are still 6.5 Million people that have not converted. How do they know? They can’t do an accurate census. We don’t know how many illegal aliens are in the U.S. Hell, they just misplaced $350 Billion in TARP funds.

I have NO CONFIDENCE in the US Government’s math, projections, or estimates.

In Cincinnati, Channel 64 completed the analog to digital conversion on the original transition date last week. They supposedly received over 1000 complaints from technology-challenged viewers. I doubt that Channel 64 has over 1000 regular viewers. The complaint numbers were trumped up by the local media to draw attention.

The Saturday program guide for Channel 64 last Saturday was:

9:00 a.m. - Paid Program
9:30 a.m. - Paid Program
10:00 a.m. - Paid Program
10:30 a.m. - Paid Program
11:00 a.m. - Auto Shopper
11:30 a.m. - Paid Program
12:00 p.m. - Fresh Prince

Really. (Sarcasm font)

I think we are providing a great service to these folks by blacking out the infomercials and Will Smith. They can buy new TVs instead of spending money on infomercial Snuggles, transformer ladders, and weight loss miracle devices.

February 20, 2009 - Friday Funny - Global Warming

This week’s FRIDAY FUNNY was submitted by Jabberwocker, Kim.

This is the audience at Al Gore’s latest speech on Global Warming.

February 18, 2009 - Climb The Carew

This is my third year as a Team Captain in the Climb The Carew.

The Climb the Carew is a 45-floor stair climb at the Carew Tower in downtown Cincinnati. It is a fundraiser for the American Lung Association.

The American Lung Association is attempting to eradicate lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis), cystic fibrosis and many others. The proceeds from Climb the Carew will fund research for better treatments, education to reduce the impact of respiratory illness and support for people with lung disease and their loved ones.

I have been in the top ten fundraisers for the past three years.

Thanks to all of you that have donated this year. If you would like to still contribute, please click on this link.

Here is a picture of last year’s team of misfits and unfits.

I’ll post this year’s “Climb” results next week.

February 16, 2009 - PPM - Cabinet Tax Cheats

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is about the continued tax problems of President Obama’s cabinet nominees.

The list of cabinet appointees with tax problems keeps getting longer. The Labor Secretary nominee was put on hold the day I left for vacation.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner who is in charge of the IRS forgets to pay his taxes. Supposedly he is the only person to get us out of this economic malaise, yet he was a key player in the TARP funds last fall. How is that working out?

Putting a tax dodger in charge of the IRS is like appointing Dr. Jack Kevorkian as the Surgeon General.

Health and Human Services appointee Tom Daschle forgot to pay $128,000 in taxes. Forgot? $128,000? Sometimes I forget and find a five spot in my pants on laundry day. I would need to do it over 25,000 times or every Saturday for the next 512 years to accumulate $128,000.

Obama calls them “unintentional mistakes.” Most people call it criminal.

The person designated to be the Chief Performing Officer, the person to make sure “All Works Well in the Government” can’t pay her taxes either.

Obama came out with a big media blitz, in his first act as President saying lobbyists would not be allowed in his administration. He then granted waivers to 2 dozen appointees because they were the “Best of the Best”.

Hey Barack here is some advice. Lower your standards. Your “Best of the Best” can’t get confirmed. And by the way, maybe they aren’t the brightest because they can’t master Turbo Tax or Excel.

If these are the “Best of the Best”, what does that say about the rest of us tax paying, law abiding citizens?

Change. Did we get it? You bet.

We went from an ineffective administration to an incompetent administration.

The new President’s continued missteps have dulled the luster from the Obama commemorative plates, coins and figurines.

Tax evasion, as a Government employee, should be handled like theft or embezzlement in the private sector. These people should be fired, fined, and jailed immediately!!!

NOTE – The local paper printed my PET PEEVE while I was on vacation.

February 6, 2009 - Vacation

The snow and cold temperatures have finally got to me.

I will be on vacation south of the Mason Dixon line through February 16.

Cheers.

JJ

February 4, 2009 - Loser of the Week - Helen Thomas

This week’s LOSER OF THE WEEK is Helen Thomas.

Thomas is a White House press correspondent. Her time has come and gone.

She reminds me of Clara Peller of the “Where’s the Beef?” fame. The only difference is that Peller actually had a point to make. Thomas just rambles.

In a recent interview, Helen Thomas stated, "I’m a liberal, what else should a reporter be?” To see the interview click on the link at the bottom.

Helen Thomas reminds us that there is a time to work, and a time to retire, and a time to move to Oregon to take advantage of the local laws.


Helen Thomas on YouTube

February 2, 2009 - PPM - Super(-ficial) Bowl

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is the continued politicization of everything. It has now moved into the most sacred of all sporting events, THE SUPER BOWL.

I was trying to take my mind off of the Obama train wreck and watch the Super Bowl yesterday.

I was trying to forget that Obama made a major media splash (redundant for him) about not having lobbyist in his administration. He then granted two-dozen appointees a waiver, because they were the “best of the best.”

I was trying to forget that two of Obama’s cabinet level appointments had severe tax issues. Issues that would send normal Americans to jail. Instead, these law-breakers get keys to the Oval Office bathroom.

I was trying to forget that Obama’s first major piece of legislation is going to be an $800 Billion “stimulus” package. A package that has more fat than the waste bin at the #1 liposuction clinic in West Virginia.

However, I could not forget any of this because there was Obama on the NBC Super Bowl pre-game show doing an in-depth interview with Matt Lauer.

Even more painful was Pittsburgh Steelers owner, Dan Rooney, thanking President Obama as he accepted the Championship trophy.

THANKING HIM FOR WHAT? Pass Protection? He’s been in office 12 days.

I received my mortgage statement on Friday. Apparently, we do still have to pay our mortgages, even though a large percentage of Obama voters thought that those days were over.

Here is my PEEVE. Can’t we just enjoy a football game WITHOUT the interjection of politics?