BellGab.com Archive

Quote from: fabucat on October 06, 2011, 08:05:02 PM

I cannot tell you how many IT workers I know who have lost their jobs because their employers prefer to ship 'em to India, where they work for pennies.

I can attest to that.  My hubby, a senior DBA, worked w/same corp for 13 yrs. They are 3rd largest in the industry.  I told him 2 yrs ago they're going to try leverage buyout or sale. I follow the co. stock, press releases, dial into stock holder conf. calls. They are now taking the entire operation to an office complex IN INDIA.  He'll be unemployed by end of next 2012 if not by end of 1st qtr 2012.

At my urging, he asked for a retention bonus & a raise when we learned of the India complex. He has a ton of proprietary knowledge that the new execs & managers don't.  He literally had them by the gonads & guess what -- they said no!  I was furious & sent his resume to head hunters & personally applied on his behalf for various dba positions online. 3 companies showed interest over an 8 month period.  He was offered a position for 3k less but his commute went from 2.5 hrs a day to 40 mins. I KNOW, SO WORTH IT RIGHT?  After he started his new job, w/in 2 wks the old company called & offered him everything we initially requested & some additional perks.  He went back to sellout co. & is literally training the people who will be taking his job from him.  Needless to say he's in the dog house at home. The point being: tech jobs are not bullet proof.

Quote from: Morgus on October 06, 2011, 02:45:25 PM

Dr. Doom (Major Ed Dames) is back on c2c tonight, probably with updates on his coming solar killshot... 

I've officially had my very first CoastGab schnarff! "0666 2012" on the file folder - priceless!

Quote from: Paper*Boy on October 06, 2011, 03:34:23 PM

A huge part of the problem is the amount of weath and power that is highly consentrated in Washington DC, and in some of the larger state capitals.  This has attracted the greedy and power hungry, the worst people in the world.  They will do and say whatever they need to to get elected or appointed.

Then dole out favors - cash and govt policies - to their friends and cronies.  And contributors.

The real answer is to massively reduce the power of the government and massively reduce the cash flowing to them. 

Paperboy, I agree they are greedy & concentrated in state capitals but I can't agree with that solution. Almost every state in the union is home to these tycoons or house corporations they own/operate. They are not exclusive to DC & select few state capitals.  Local & state politicians are as bought as DC politicians.  Hence the voter fraud laws being taken up en masse.   States are cutting oversight regulations instituted to keep citizens safe (TX cut hazardous waste regs & had an influx of chemical plants...now TX is #1 in airborne carcinogens). http://blog.chron.com/partisangridlock/2011/06/how-rick-perry-created-all-those-jobs/   

Quote from: Paper*Boy on October 06, 2011, 03:34:23 PM

And by the way, the huge international corporations love high taxes and regulations - they can usually get around them, but they serve as barriers to smaller companies that would like to compete with them.

You're preaching to the choir on this one my friend!  It's a dirty business that starts on the local level.  I'm not saying all politicians, or more importantly all who work in politics are dirty, just the ones who have the big offices & the closed door meetings in exclusive chow holes & private clubs. 

Quote from: Rico999 on October 04, 2011, 10:11:13 PM
Note regarding the Wall St protesters and the others like it in many other cities:  The way I see it is the protest isn't about people harassing people who happen to be ultra-wealthy just for the hell of it -- or because of jealousy.  That's a straw man argument that comes straight out of the Koch Bros. playbook.   Same deal with the "bootstrap" argument.   Rather, the dominant theme of this protest, insurrection, call it what you will, is to make the clear statement that when wealth becomes highly concentrated,  there is a direct correlation of greater authoritarian control and less democracy.  This isn't my opinion -- it's factual and the examples are many.  You won't hear that from FNC, CNN or MSNBC or any other corporate media source, however.  Unfortunately, because of legislation and favorable decisions from courts,  wealth, power, media, etc  have, over the last 30 years or so, become concentrated in a very tiny minority -- the latest figures I see are that the wealthiest 1% own 42% of the wealth in this country, by far the highest concentration in the history of this country.  This extreme concentration of wealth is one of the reasons for the erosion of the middle class, and the cause of the working class to become the working poor -- with much-reduced opportunity for upward mobility.

Because this wealth and power is so highly concentrated and worse, consolidated to an unprecedented degree (both major parties are a two-headed monster, owned by their corporate masters), the outlook for true democracy here in the US is pretty grim. 

So yeah, as an individual who values his freedom -- you know, the kind of freedom where it's not difficult to register to vote, where elections are honest, where there's a lot of truly independent media to choose from,  where we have oh hell, 5 or 6 major political parties, representing the entire spectrum of political thought in this country, with a wide variety of candidates who don't talk the same old shit year in and year out, to where a corporation isn't regarded as a "person," where trying to unionize a workplace isn't extremely difficult -- stuff like all that for starters -- then I'd say the people raising hell on Wall St. have a legitimate beef.   Right now, the playing field is so tilted that it's ridiculous.

Very well said!!!  Thanks for posting this. 

We've become an oligarchy. Think free speech, right to arms are at risk? Not true. Our democracy is the most at risk aspect of our society.  We're being manipulated & played by the most intelligent & psychologically savvy people in the world: rich American corps, industrial & banking giants. 

The top 1% of Americans take in nearly 1/4 of the nation's income every year & control 40% of the wealth. Hedge fund managers & CEOs hire teams of lawyers to negotiate their employment contracts which always contain golden parachutes. These parachutes cost the company many millions when the ceo/executive is terminated for not growing profits enough s/he walks away with a bundle & employee stocks (and subsequenlty 401k) is on a downward spiral.   

Bank & health reform is a joke...banks,  ins. & big pharma are benefiting.  Obama was voted in because he was suppose  to change the game in DC -- he's failed & should be made to realize he's on his way out if he doesn't do what he said he'd do.

Makes no difference if you're left, middle, right - politicans are not working for your best interests.  Congress is corrupt and this corruption is legal!  We must limit campaign financing - no CPACs, no contributions over $100 & every donor made public!  The fix really is this simple.   Maybe we change the voting method to a run-off vote system.  We're intelligent & viable people who have 'elected' officials who no longer work for our best interests.  I applaud the Wall St. Protestors (from all political parties), at least their trying to tame the beast.

I'll say it again, divide and conquer is working very well for the 2 political parties, industry elites & wealthy who control our nation. Right, middle & left leaning people  we should join hands & efforts to take back our gov't & force integrity into our politics.   

Quote from: b_dubb on October 05, 2011, 06:58:49 PM
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/jobs-apple-co-founder-is-dead/?hp

I don't think this belongs here as Jobs was not a celebrity but a tech visionary

Let's compromise: a tech visionary with celebrity status.   

Quote from: Morgus on October 04, 2011, 08:09:44 PM
i noticed several TV stations were playing the movie "The Green Mile" featuring Doug Hutchinson as Percy last weekend.
Merely a coincidence?

Makes me think it's all a big publicity stunt. Especially considering what Gen.JJ said -- the mother is the couple's manager. I hope it's some kind of stunt.  Fame seeking parents who live vicariously through their offspring are creepy - especially these parents. 

FG - Stodden's father is around.  He seems to like the situation.  He told lalate news “Every father can only pray to have such a man behind their daughter.” He adds that his daughter is “one of the most level headed girls out there and I’m not just saying that because she’s my daughter. Doug is the nicest man I’ve ever met in my life.”  :

I think she's destined for porn.  She did the bikini shoot to put to rest rumors about her breasts being fake!  Mmmmkay so in order to disspell rumors her body is not real, she dons a fake tan, fake abs sprayed on even darker than her fake tan & fake boobs.   Clearly implants. Note the huge gap between the one cup & the boob w/the abnormal bubble top.  We only get those bubbles when our bra is tight & pushing them into that position - or  we've got implants.  Not that there's anything wrong with fake boobs - I can see why some women would want them.  But she's so young. Oh well, whatever floats her...uhm....well since she has her own built-in floation devices I'm not sure she'd need a boat.  Nevermind.

This marriage is wrong on many levels. Her parents must be trying to cash in. 

A few years back a study demonstrated the prefrontal cortext (reasoning/judgment area) wasn't fully mature until 24/25.  Recently I saw a blurb stating it continues to mature into our 40s.  While it is claimed life experience speeds the process of neural connectivity I think we'd be hard pressed to find a 17 yr old with enough life experience to bring her reasoning skills to par with those of a 25 yr old. 

I agree 110% that Toddlers & Tiaras is disturbing.  I had no freaking idea. IMHO it's legalized child abuse & potential fodder for sickos.   

Quote from: EvB on July 24, 2011, 12:49:28 PM
I agree b_dubb. 

I do feel she was an enormous talent. I loved her humor, her honesty, her poetry, and her gritty contralto voice. Was she controversial? Hell yes.  But, IMO, most of the fussing about her was petty 'better than' bullshit.  Worse, much of it was misogynistic. While many male celebrities live outrageous lives, and live them more publicly than Winehouse, the way we criticize them seems somehow less hateful and hostile.  (There are exceptions, of course, there are always exceptions to generalizations.)

Was Amy Winehouse a beacon of strength and virtue?  NO!  But how many of us are?  How many of our lives could stand up to the scrutiny celebrites endure?  And, Winehouse was not the media whore so many celebrites are. She did nothing to attract the attention she received other than to be eccentric, and, when her inner demons were not driving her to drugs, an engaging performer.

I liked Edward Champion's blog post addressing those who loved to hate her.

Many will disagree. it goes without saying that that is their right. What i find distasteful are not the arguments over her talent, or the degree to which she brought her end upon herself.  What i find distasteful are the (thankfully few - and elsewhere - here people seem to well balanced) posts that actually celebrate her death, as if it is some cultural victory.

Thank you for this thoughtful post. You said it much better than I could have.
Old news but pertinent - she didn't die from illegal drug use. She was off drugs. Alcohol killed her.   

Apologies for not introducing myself beforehand, I just found this thread.  I've been posting for a few days and while I might not agree with everyone *sheepish grin* I certainly am enthused by the level of intelligence, generosity & originality I've found here!  I am a tad addicted to this site right now -- it's so nice to find people who enjoy the same topics I find so intriguing.

I was a long time listener of Art Bell and then Noory came into the picture & has become a near cure for my insomnia.

Many many many thanks to Vandeven & Simple Machines for making this forum possible. 

Quote from: 11angeleyes11 on October 02, 2011, 02:08:05 PM
George is quite the singer, too.  I heard him remark to a guest about it. 

He maybe working on a studio album now.  He will be singing a duet with Ga Ga and Pat Boone.  There will also be a rendition of Moon River.  He will do his own version of Listening to Coast to Coast with UFO Phil.  Finally, he is writing his own lyrics for Hanging with the Haters, heavy metal.

The cover will show  him after the Px90 training.  The Title, Ninety Nights with Noory.  It'll go gold!!!!  All of the fans will purchase it.  Amazon is selling advance copies before it is even being released.  Anticipated release date:  December 21, 2012.  SHHHHH, don't send this to TMZ, this is breaking first at Coast Gab.

It's great to be a fan!

Too freaking funny!

Thank you!!!

Quote from: The General on October 02, 2011, 12:34:25 PM
Not sure what you are saying here.  But I feel like I could be a lot more successful if the Fed Gov't would let me.  Red tape, taxes, restrictions, and all the hoops make running a business a real chore.  The Gov't could be a lot more pro business and still protect people without having this rat maze of codes and laws.  This is most of why we are losing jobs to overseas markets, big companies will go to where it is easier to run a business, and this will continue until we have no country left.

I think gov't should be more pro SMALL business & less pro BIG business.  Stop big corporate subsidies & sign a pledge they'll reform campaign finance laws.  Spend their time actually working for us instead of to get donations for their re-election. And cut the crap that corporations are people too.  But I'm pipe dreaming.

IMHO big corps have a stake in small business failing. They also have the means (hand over fist) to employ full time accountants, lawyers & lobbyists who are paid not only to navigate the maze but also advise in the form of legal & professional opinions to revise tax code & regulations.  Their lobbyists bring those opinions to congress & lobby for the changes.

What constitutes profits may be more nuanced than hard numbers. I have to wonder if big corps aren't banking on the fact that small businesses will pose little threat because they'll be bogged down paying for accountants & lawyers to navigate the maze.  The only major deregulation i can think of over the past 12 years is investment banking & oil & gas.  We don't see many small business threats to commercial banks and/or oil & gas industry corporations.  I just have to wonder.

Quote from: 11angeleyes11 on October 02, 2011, 11:51:52 AM


I will make a hypothesis on the issue of conference sex in general, the longer the conference, the more dishelved people appear at the next session.  In 2010, I attended the week long UFO Conference in Laughlin and found that to be the case.
   

Interesting observation!  I can see that being a likely scenario.

I giggled when I read the title of this topic!

Quote from: Frys Girl on October 02, 2011, 10:47:13 AM
My pleasure. Again, you've got a convincing way about you here as you did with that defense contractor spawn.

This has been a rather underwhelming exchange for me.  I'm going to stop posting as you have contradicted yourself so severely I've become apathetic.  I expect & hope you'll perform much better in future exchanges regarding other topics.

Ciao for now!

Quote from: The General on October 01, 2011, 09:20:01 PM
God, people are dumb.  Elect someone with no experience?  Sure!  He's "refreshing!"

Not to mention the fact that the repubs ran McCain last time.  Did they even want to win?  I guess not.

Another prime example of how little experience hasn't worked too well for us in the political arena: tea party candidates seated in congress today. 

I agree that republicans did not want to win the last presidential election - for various reasons.

I of the mindset that none of us achieved any real success on our own, federal gov't isn't necessarily all bad.  Could it be curtailed & more efficient? Absolutely.  Just my opinion & like assholes, we all have one.

Quote from: Frys Girl on October 02, 2011, 10:39:28 AM
I'm sure    you really got her and she's totally changed her party registration and everything. Good going!

Your certainty prompted my above post. Way to bring my point home. Thanks again 

You're very welcome. Roar.

Quote from: Flaxen Hegemony on October 02, 2011, 10:02:47 AM
Strange topic, but I'm bored on a Sunday and in a talkative mood.

Interesting topic!

QuoteHow much does a Coastgab user's avatar affect the way you read their posts?

Avatars do not sway me one way or another. Most likely because I didn't spend time selecting mine / the tag - basic association with the common phrase "a cat has nine lives" and the concept of reincarnation.   

Your turn: What made you choose your avatar?  Was it a quick decision or did you want to convey something to us about your personality?

Quote from: Flaxen Hegemony on October 02, 2011, 09:51:00 AM
Actually, that would be me.  Including the ass

My mind immediately jumped to the image of your superhero-self living incognito amongst we ordinary people of this earth & driving your car with personalized license plates "AssMan." 
lmAo

Quote from: Frys Girl on October 02, 2011, 07:27:36 AM
Being reactive isn't standard practice, but as I said, it's getting to be.

I would have said, "allah means God in Arabic. Bye." In today's cable news/ idiot debate culture, seems people think they need to one-up/win on those with whom they disagree since the monkeys on TV do it.

When you reference "people" above, it is obvious it is a very thinly veiled reference to me.  Your blanket accusations re my intellect, reasoning skills, gratefullness, and communication technique so easily fly off your fingertips on this forum it appears, to me at least, that YOU could be the reactionary (and uninformed) monkey.   Do you even recognize that you're chasting me for the precise one-upmanship strategy that you yourself herein & in other posts have demonstrated?

Do you think yourself the ambASSador of calm, cool, collective, non-reactionary reasoning? Perhaps you would be shocked to actually read some of your own inflammatory, rude and obnoxious posts wherein one could only ascertain that (a) you do not possess said ambASSador skill set or (b) you chose not to use said skill set when posting.

I anticipate you'll reply with the fact that my behavior had to do with our military - to which I'll reply BULLSHIT!   Perhaps your ego is bigger than your reasoning skills & you're riding that high horse so hard it has become unstable. However, I reserve making a final assessment until more time has passed & a more thorough assessment can be made.     

Best regards

Quote from: Flaxen Hegemony on October 01, 2011, 08:06:30 PM
I didn't find your opinion offensive at all, ECL.  It was your apparent delight in mocking your co-worker that undermined your post.

Flaxen, I thought it was comical & it was done after an hour of listening to someone drone on and on about how agnostics, aethists, liberals & muslims didn't belong in this country. How muslims shouldn't even be allowed to fly. How "In God We Trust" is on our $ not "In Allah" or any other. 

I'm pretty sure, given the same circumstances, I'd do the exact same thing.  If that makes me ungrateful or rude in some eyes, so be it.   

Quote from: Frys Girl on October 01, 2011, 02:38:14 PM
My opinion still holds. People who brag about being witty when it comes to insulting military families because of GWB are rude and ungrateful in my books. You have the freedom to do what you like, and I have the freedom to think its in poor taste.

The only things worth learning are the things you learn after you know it all.~Harry S Truman

Quote from: Frys Girl on October 01, 2011, 08:30:40 AM

I'm anti-war, but I find what you did offensive. These opportunities might seem bad to you, but people who enlist seek the opportunities both because they offer a better life and because it fulfills duty to one's country. I'm not sure if you are a lawyer, but I'm not sure you appreciate the jokes about lawyers being in it for the $$$. As much as we might hate lawyers, we need them too.

This country has no shortage of rude, ungrateful people.

I'm sorry that you're offended. It appears your are insinuating I'm rude & ungrateful. If that is the case, please read my below expanded post which hopefully addresses your concerns. 

1. I'm not a lawyer but the majority of lawyers I know actively give back to their communities via donating personal expertise in the form of pro bono work. Most firms honor their top 10 lawyers who work the most pro bono hours throughout the year.  The few firms I've been employed with over the past 25 yrs have always had regular coordinated volunteer projects such as Habitat for Humanity building projects, adopt a family for the holidays, food drives, etc. It's been my experience that there are more noble lawyers than the steriotypical ambulance chasers.

2. I've had generations of family members in every war since WWI.  My father's brother is MIA from WWII. We work to try to recover his remains until this day.  I have a 2nd cousin who has never been the same since Vietnam. Family deals with this right along with him.  The aftershock of that war on him is so horrific I won't post the details.  I have 2 1st cousins who serve in special forces in current wars & are of the opinion it isn't worth it. I have a neighbor who is in Afghanistan but not in active combat zone, he deals with the engineering projects & the Afghanistan citizens who are to 'protect' the troops and the new engineering projects. He advised me we should not be there, we're wasting our $, soldiers' minds, bodies & souls.  My husband's step father, now in Arlington Nt'l Cemetary, was captain of a navy vessel in WWII.  He landscaped his land to mimmick the islands & waters where he engaged in battle. He was hardcore & he had a hard time with the transition upon return - even the kids' chores were written in military time & he insisted on being called Captain.

3. I NEVER questioned our soldiers patriotism.  Patriotism comes in many forms. Active duty military who possibly will never return, those in the Reserves who go off to war & their family receive no med. coverage as they must leave their jobs to serve our country, those who return to find homes foreclosed upon, no work, coping w/hardship of active duty, knowledge of how hard it actually was on their family, AND their families  of course they are the ulimate patriots! What is lacking in the form of patriotism is our gov't - not our soldiers or our citizens, imho.  What's more I found it incredibly heartless & unpatriotic that the likes of Cheney (5 deferments), Bush, Wolfowitz, Dick Army, Tom Delay, Karl Rove etc. never served but so quickly sent our women & men into battel unprepared, w/out a winning strategy & w/out appropriate care when they returned. I'll end this thought now but I could go on for hours on this particular.

4. I am not anti-war. I'm anti-unnecessary & ill-planned war.  An article from 2004 that eloquently explains some of my (and many of the grunts) reasons for disgust:   http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2004/12/rumsfeld_vs_the_american_soldier.html

5. "Patriotism" has a broad definition. How about avoiding the ultimate request vs. instigating ill-planned wars.  Below is a link to "A National Strategic Narrative" published by the Woodrow Wilson Center. It is written under pseudonym of "Mr. Y," who was later identified to be written by two senior members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a "personal" capacity.  It is it clear if it didn't have a measure of official approval from the Jt. Chiefs of Staff, it wouldn't have been made public. Its revelatory & might be of interest to citizens as well politicans.  http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/A%20National%20Strategic%20Narrative.pdf

I am pro-troop, pro-America, pro-humanity. I have spent years developing my beliefs & have evolved them throughout those years. I hope this clears up any misconception you might have about my position & my above post. If this post results in your no longer being offended, all the better. 

Thanks & nice to meet you too Fabucat!  Brady has a cousin named Holly here on the East Coast!
PS: I spent many a nights 'chilling' while listening to Art back in the day. 

Quote from: Art Crow on July 31, 2011, 03:40:20 PM
...1993 - Area 2000 begins, on Sundays, with reports from Knapp and Howe
1994 - Area 2000 renamed Dreamland

Thank you for this timeline Art Crowe.

I am horrible with dates, years and conveniently, age.  I had NO IDEA I started listening to Art Bell way back in 93 but your timeline rung my bell! It use to be free back then too.  I'd be at work at 9am, get home at 6pm, nap & get up and listen all night, cat nap & go back to work.  That's just how GREAT Art Bell was.  Now as I'm a full blown insomniac Noory just doesn't do it for me. I guess I should be grateful for the snooze factor.
 

I'm so glad to have found c2cgab. When I started listening to Art over a decade ago, it was my guilty little pleasure.  My life is much better now but my guilty little pleasure has become a frustrating experience.  I keep hoping things will get better but...

Quote from: Eddie Coyle on September 29, 2011, 09:52:15 PM

    I must be psychic as well. For I foresee another awful show.

You ARE!  What amazing accuracy! 

Hmmm, brainstorming here ... we get you a FB page, toss up some b&w leather & chain pics of you (we can even crop in a Harley) and book you for the hour before my debut on c2c. BTW, I'm President of the Universe & will be elusive, giggly & utter tons of 'affiliations' with various high-profile names (that I've read / heard somewhere OUT THERE) in an effort to divert attention from the fact that I'm a 'real' phony.

Ok, I'll behave now. I promise.  No more sarcasim....until the next time.

Quote from: anagrammy on August 07, 2011, 10:23:04 AM
OR, we can spend some defense money on nation-building in America.   If we don't improve the schools here, our undereducated children will have no choice but to join the military.  Wait, maybe that's the whole point!  They've determined that the draft is what caused American objections to the war in Vietnam.  America won't need a draft and can avoid war protests as we continue our "efforts" (to further enrich the rich) overseas.

The American Dream:  American Imperialism Without End With Volunteer Army.  Our young people just won't be any other options:  can't afford college and no jobs available for those without a college education.

Of course, there is still the choice to move to China, and assemble iPhones, and be part of The Chinese Dream.

Anagrammy

I use to listen to Maddow on Air America. She's intelligent, well versed & reputable. If her show presents an untruth, after verification, it is corrected & apologized for in due course.

Anagrammy - right on! I presented this same argument to a woman in my firm who secured her position via her life-long military official father's defense contractor contacts. She has since ceased all social conversations with me.  She didn't like my saying the grunts  joined the service for opportunity not afforded them in their depressed & withering home towns. A promise of a GI Bill & a dream to get out.  Never did they anticipate losing life, limb, friends, sanity, and innocence for the sole benefit of lining the pockets of the industrialized military complex. She stopped eating lunch & sat red faced, steaming, after I did my impression of George W. Bush at the News Correspondents Dinner in DC.  Bending down under the table I mimmicked him: "Now where are those WMDs. I know there around here somewhere. Nope, no WMDs here." [picking up my purse & looking inside] "No WMDs here either."

The divide and conquer policy is thriving in our political, military & socio-economic arenas.  I have little hope we the people, we'll recover.   

Last night as she was incoherently bathering on, I went to her FB page & she had 162 friends.  What speaks mountains (or should I say bunny mounds ) is that she's only recv'd 767 additional FB friends from the entire c2c listener audience! Pretty sparse.

Re her looks, she was a NJ chick who had a great bod & looks in her youth which landed her Playboy.  That lifestyle gives one a much deeper desire to 'maintain' themselves through the years & many many many more means to do so than most women. Now she's up in age & apparently isn't going to make a breakthrough in the 'business' so it appears she's moved onto being a professional psychic.  IMHO, she's annoying to listen to, incorrect in most of her protection commentary as well as mostly everything she spoke of on a spiritual level & an overall 'real' phoney.   

I'm highly disheartened by c2c producers & Boory lately.