MasonM

Reply to Socialized healthcare collapses in Israel in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Daiwa" reply="27" id="2558858"] Every major industry in this country is better regulated than insurance. While I agree that mostly, every regulation requires an enforcement bureaucracy the size of which bears a direct relationship to the granularity of the regulation. Highly granular, complex regulation begets big bureaucracy, a bureaucracy which siphons capital from the real economy, contributing nothing, and spawns ancillary private industry devoted, not to wealt

Reply to Socialized healthcare collapses in Israel in Politics JoeUser Forums

Energy futures, or any futures trading for that matter, isn't an industry. It's just a part of an industry. Let's try and stick to facts here folks. The stock market isn't actually an industry at all, although it is a major part of the economy. Let's not start mixing apples and koala bears.

Call Me Mr. Blue in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I've been in this motel for over two weeks now waiting for my truck to be fixed. One of the housekeepers here, a black lady, has been calling me either "Mr Blue" or "Mr B" since I've been here. Tonight that housekeeper happened into the motel lounge after her shift. I asked her why the hell she referred to me as Mr Blue. She told me the first time she saw me I was smoking a pipe and wearing a royal blue dress shirt and after that every shirt she saw me wearing was some shade of blue,

Reply to Orlando - Selling My Sony Reader in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I got to talking to the owner of the motel bar while I was having a beer. She wanted an e-reader for her mother and she wound up buying the one I wanted to sell. Sometimes it pays to go to a bar and talk about such things.

Reply to Orlando - Selling My Sony Reader in Blogging JoeUser Forums

LOL it figures. Now that I have taken the advance and gotten myself some groceries I received an offer for the reader. The fellow will be meeting me in the motel lobby after church tomorrow. Oh well, the extra cash may well come in handy. edit: *sigh* the guy has already changed his mind and backed out it.

Reply to Orlando - Selling My Sony Reader in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I broke down and called the office for a small advance even though I was trying to avoid doing so. One has to eat. I took the bus, I know I said I wouldn't do that again, down to Publix. I'm glad I did. The Hormel Completes non-refrigerated microwave dinners were on sale buy-one-get-one-free. That's a good deal so I bought a good assortment of them to last me for several days. They aren't bad really, but for an average guy it really takes two of them to make a decent meal. I n

Reply to Socialized healthcare collapses in Israel in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Cikomyr" reply="11" id="2556863"] To the democrats, all private companies are the worst Waiiiiiit.. Isn't that a little harsh? Come on. I know there are some Democrats that are that level of socialists, but they aren't the majority of their party, not by a long shot.[/quote] I agree with you here. If all Democrats thought that way their bill(s) would have passed a long time ago as they do have a majority capable of ramming through anything they want. A

Reply to Orlando - Selling My Sony Reader in Blogging JoeUser Forums

So far the only thing the online ads have provided is a few spammers, most from Craig's List, no surprise there.

Reply to Orlando - Selling My Sony Reader in Blogging JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Leinad0033" reply="1" id="2557713"]Sorry to hear about that. At this point is there anything to do to get those guys at the shop to start getting there act together? I mean don't they realize how much this delay is costing you? [/quote] Nope, it's just a wait until it's finished situation.

Orlando - Selling My Sony Reader in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I've placed a couple of free online classifieds trying to sell my Sony Pocket Edition eReader with hard cover for $150. This extended stay here while the truck is broke down has strained my wallet and I am trying to raise food money. Obviously it'll have to be someone local who can come to the motel and pick it up as it needs to be cash and shipping isn't really an option. Anyone down this way in the market for one, let me know. Hopefully something will come of it. I really do

Reply to INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW in Misc JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Big Fat Daddy" reply="4" id="2557404"]Mason: I know just how you feel. The really amazing ones were the guys who played GI Joe in the woods during field problems but when we got to the real deal they folded like a cheap card table. Sigh.[/quote] Yep, knew a few of those.

Reply to PADDLING in Misc JoeUser Forums

I have to disagree. I was paddled many times in school and look how I turned out...well, ok, never mind, maybe a bad example.

Reply to Not Worth Inhaling in Cooking JoeUser Forums

Making noodles is fun...once. I stick to store bought these days. :D

Reply to INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW in Misc JoeUser Forums

I was always amazed at the weenies who joined the military for the benefits (which are actually pretty pathetic) but had no clue they might actually have to fight a war. What the hell do they think a military is for anyway? Assholes one and all. I was in during the Cold War but we saw more action than most people realize. Those guys were always a burden. I recall a few times I felt like shooting one or two of them myself.

Reply to What do you watch? in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

History Channel or Discovery Channel when in a hotel. Beyond that, nothing. TV sucks.

Reply to On And On It Goes in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I spoke with the garage today. It seems they received the wrong cylinder sleeves and had to order the right ones. They said they were "shooting for Tuesday" to have the truck ready. ARGH!!!! If I could have jumped through the phone I would have strangled the guy. Unreal. I was pretty pissed off and told him that he should have a man or two work the weekend to get my truck ready. He didn't comment on that suggestion as it was just one of many of my suggestions, many of which involved l

Reply to On And On It Goes in Blogging JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Dr Guy" reply="6" id="2556434"] It would be nice to spend some time at a place called Home, but it's not necessary. I can always come spend a few days at your house You are always welcome! My wife has it fixed up now to accomodate an army! An Army of her relatives that will probably never visit (they are in California), so we have plenty of space. [/quote] Thanks. You never know, I might take you up on it some time. Can't beat a home cooked meal onc

Reply to On And On It Goes in Blogging JoeUser Forums

[quote who="notronaj" reply="5" id="2556238"]I would feel bad if you had to give up your home. From the pictures we saw from the cam it looked very nice and it was a warm location. And you had your flowers and such beautiful pictures you posted. BUT in these times we do what we have to do. just thinking about you. crap. j[/quote] Thanks. Life goes on.

Reply to On And On It Goes in Blogging JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Dr Guy" reply="3" id="2555776"]The first time I was laidoff, a friend told me not to say "it could not get worse". She was right. [/quote] Your friend was right, it can ALWAYS get worse. [quote]I do hope your luck improves. 14 months on the road is a long time. I guess if you have not missed a homestead by now, you will not.[/quote] Thanks, my friend, and I agree, over a year without means I didn't really need it in the first place. Whi

Reply to On And On It Goes in Blogging JoeUser Forums

[quote who="ChuckCS" reply="1" id="2555700"]It would be sad to let go of the house but times are hard and it may do you well in the end. I lost my car to the repo man in December and as much as I miss it and as bad as it was being without a car for a little over a month, today I have a used car and don't have to worry about the $700 I paid between the car and the insurance. I hope all goes well for you Mason. If I may ask, would you benefit financial from the sale or will you break

On And On It Goes in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I am still sitting in a motel in Orlando waiting for the garage to finish the repairs to my truck. When I spoke with them on Monday they told me it would be ready tomorrow, Thursday. I called them a few minutes ago and now they say Friday. On and on it goes. It's been two weeks now and I am wondering now if it will be ready this week at all. Delay after delay has dragged this thing out to an aburdity. My friend called me and said there was a woman who was interested in buying

Reply to A Small Adventure in Blogging JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Dr Guy" reply="2" id="2553499"]What idiot planner numbers 2 different bus routes with the same bus number? Geez! Unlike you, I have availed myself of city transporation on several occassions. Just none in the last 30 years. But I was also in some great areas for it (San fran and Frankfurt). I am not thrilled with it, but if I have to again, I hope I can find my way around. At least in this city,they number buses going different places

Reply to A Small Adventure in Blogging JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Leinad0033" reply="1" id="2551822"]Yeah I have an aversion to buses as well. It seems that they always attract lets just say the most interesting people. Unfortunently as a college student without a car if I ever need to go off campus they are pretty much my only option unless I can mooch off of my roommate and borrow his car. [/quote] They are good for people who need them.

Reply to Opensource is damaging intellectual property rights in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote who="Nitro Cruiser" reply="8" id="2552805"] Just because something costs a lot of money and is covered by thousands of patents doesn't make it the best. I agree 100%. Our government costs a ton of money, gives lousy support and doesn't function correctly when it is supposed to be working. Yet we get the same old thing every election year. I'm ready for some open-source here as well. [/quote] Open source politics, now there's a damn

Reply to Climate Change science should be The Sci Fi Channels next TV show. in Current Events JoeUser Forums

[quote]Is honesty, truth and actually doing your job no longer a necesity or a requirement to hold such an important position in this or any other country? Does anyone tell the truth anymore? Does anyone check to make sure things are done the right way? Does anyone even care anymore?[/quote] I guess you haven't read much history. Please tell me when in history these things were common? Human history is all about greed, lies, and pushing whatever agenda you believe will satisfy your