Google's GMail product sucks

Hi,

Guess what? I used to think GMail was awesome... then yesterday it went out of service for me... So I tired on other computers/web browsers/OSes, even from my cell phone, and it is down for me... SO I sent them an email after an hour or so. Nothing happened. I sent them another email at 6 hours without service, another at 12 hours, then another at 24. Got a canned response back saying to try later, or use a link instead of a bookmark (I don't use a bookmark, I type it into the url bar). Still nothing. I was reading online and it turns out I am not the only one. There are at least about 20 of us, maybe more. We are located geographically distant from each other, but one of us has been out for over 48 hours!. 

And phone calls others have sent to Google HQ have basically been told use the email link for help.... You know, the same one that yields nothing but stupid canned responses.

So, my advice to you, dump Google.

Google HQ, any comments from you as to why your service has suddenly developed a massive case of the "IT SUCKS!"?

Euro Trash

Okay, so I was reading reviews online of movies I had seen and I discovered something which probably everyone else in the world has seen before... Europeans seem to automatically trash American movies, made in America, about some issue in America... I mean, it isn't like French movies ever are made about America, star Americans, and are made in America, so why is it that they feel that if we make a movie, in order for it to be any good, it must have a European cast and be filmed in Europe about some European issue, as well as only portraying the European viewpoint? 

When I read the book The Ugly American back in the 70's I really took it to heart, but my travels abroad have taught me that the title is misleading, any person who is from a distant land, traveling to a new land, behaves like that. I have seen Ugly Argentines, Ugly Uruguayans, Ugly Brits, Ugly French, and Ugly Chileans so far. 

I think the main difference is that here in the USA we wrote the book mentioned above, I don't think any other culture in the world (based upon my limited sampling, see above) could be so honest in self-criticism! 

So far my travels (which I do intend to continue) have taught me that here in the USA we are more self-critical than any other culture on the planet. We also seem to be the only culture on the planet that thinks Nationalism is bad. Oh, sure the Brits rail at how nationalistic we Americans are, but have you seen their displays of Nationalism? For a little shite-hole of a country, their 65 million or so inhabitants probably own more British Flags than all of the United States owns American Flags! 

So, comments? And if there are any European readers, think please before you respond and display your ignorance of all things American... Just because Sky News reported it doesn't make it true.

Driving

Well, today as I was driving I couldn't help but notice that so many people seem completely unable to focus on driving when they are driving! 

I know this is not a new topic for discussion, it has been mentioned many times in the various media outlets available to us, from bumper stickers (Hang up and drive!) to the legislature (for example the current law in Washington, DC banning cell phone use while driving). However it is not just cell phone use! It is reading the newspaper, talking with your kids in the back seat, today I actually saw a guy with his dog in the front seat and he was petting it and talking to it when he should have been looking to the front so that he would not have hit the guy in front of him!

When I am driving, I am focused. Driving is serious, that 3200 pound thing you are in control of could become a 60 mph murder weapon inadvertently if you do not pay sufficient attention!

So, what do you think? Post a comment and tell me...

So, Congress, continued

Well, it appears to me that the American People are ignorant of how their government runs.

I say this because I constantly read in the papers and see on the tv that some or other Congressional hearing is taking place damning the Department of Defense (as an example) for their spending or contracts or what-have-you...

Did you know that Congress dictates how contracts will be set up? Did you know that Insider Trading as defined by law does not apply to Congress-weasels? If the Navy (for example) awards a contract to Raytheon (for example) congress most likely dictated who the Navy could consider for the contract, knew about it in advance and probably invested heavily... Then if the contract doesn't go well they convene something and it is shown on tv and some admiral is being taken to task by the congressional idiots, and that admiral doesn't stand up and say, "Because that is what you told us to do and passed a law requiring us to do it." because he wants his next promotion and knows saying anything like that would stop his career dead in the water...

Me, I don't worry about my career. No congress-weasel cares about what I say and you, the American Public, you probably wouldn't believe it even if you did read this blog!

Congress-weasels

Good Day! If you happen to be reading my blog, well, then you are the only one!

So, today I am going to rant about Congress. The Senate and House of Representatives. You know, those elected idiots. 

The other day I was reading an inflammatory article in the New York Times about some freshmen elected officials that seemed upset because in their opinions they had been sent to congress with a 'mandate' from the constituencies to change 'business as usual' and in their fervor to get this done they were being stymied by those congress-weasels already in pace and how the Senate contained "49 puppets of the President"

Okay, so, there is no such thing as a 'mandate' in the sense these idiots use it. You run on a platform and get elected or not based upon the electorate feeling that the goals of your platform represent their needs, but that does not mean that once you are elected your constituency sent you there with an mandate. Next, those other guys and gals, the other elected officials? Well their constituencies elected them too, you can't just go and do what you think is good for your constituents, you must also consider that perhaps the whole rest of the country has an opinion and a right to representation as well.  Lastly, as a freshmen law maker you probably have a lot to learn, because negotiation and bipartisan trust building are the only way to get the other couple of hundred weasels to vote for your pet project, this is not wrong! This is because their constituents want them to represent them! Not to just do what you say because you think that is what is best for your constituents!

So, bottom line, all you freshmen senate - weasels out there, grow up! Life is not about telling everyone else what to do, it is about forming relationships, negotiating, compromising and getting other people on board with your program. Only an immature bully thinks they can just force everyone to do what they want without the above listed negotiation, compromise and work to get others to agree with you.

Former President Clinton's book, Giving

Have you read this? I downloaded a copy via iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes)  and listened to it. I was not a fan of President Clinton because of a couple of his actions, but I am a very big fan of this book! I recommend it heartily! This book is completely non-partisan, there are examples of givers from all walks of life, political parties, religions, whatever. 

I am a big fan of charitable giving, helping those less fortunate than ourselves. I am a member of Kiva (http://www.kiva.org) and suggest strongly that should you be in a giving mood you may wish to join as well. 

I also recommend the Spirit of America as well as Treats for Troops. 

In any case, I would hope that everyone who is of the means, help others in whatever way you can, volunteer, give charitably, anyway you can. Not only because it will make the world a better place, but just to have the feeling within yourself of being a giver. It is a wonderful feeling. I can't get enough of it myself!

If you do not have the means, the time, or the ability, well then perhaps you need a hand. Let someone know, ask for help, there will be someone who will hear you and who will help you. Maybe it wouldn't be the help you want, but it will be the help you need. Just be open minded and accept it.

Senator Clinton

Of the democrats currently running I like Senator Clinton the most... Not that I will vote for her, unless her opponent I like less. Not that I am a republican, far from it! I hate all political parties equally... at least I try to be fair and hate them all!

One reason why I dislike Senator Clinton is that she made a famous statement concerning the intelligence that many countries had stating that there were WMDs in Iraq... She said something like fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me, and suggested that the President lied... Well, Senator Clinton is on the Intelligence oversight committee. Thus she had (presuming she was doing her job, which I fully believe she was by the way) and attending her committee meetings, she had access to the same information given the President. Thus if she voted along with him the first time, logically no one 'fooled' her because she had the same data and must have logically drawn the same conclusion he did. That is why I believe she is a hypocrite and is trying to make political mileage out of this issue.

Of course, any politician can not  be blamed really for trying to make political mileage wherever possible, but I dislike hypocrisy in myself and in others.

So, shall we discuss this? I would love to hear other viewpoints!

McCain

Well, just so you know, I support Senator McCain's bid for the presidency... This is not to say that there aren't other worthy opponents, merely that when I listen to Senator McCain speak he seems to be the most reasonable, I do not agree with all of his standpoints, however I believe that firstly he has the courage of his convictions and will do what he thinks is necessary without promising the moon then not delivering... Senator Clinton for example, when asked directly if she could guarantee the troops withdrawal fro Iraq by the end of her Presidential term, shoudl she be elected, she responded that she could not, however she continually faults President Bush for not having a timetable for their withdrawal... While I am not a fan of President Bush... she is being a hypocrite if she can not have a timetable but expects him to.... 

Anyway, in this uncertain world we live in there need to be people willing to make the tough choices, I believe of Senator McCain is the best man of those running.

What do you think? Why? I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Newbie Blogger!

Hi!

Well this is my first blog and I am not really sure how to start, but you know, I will start just the same... You will find I tend to run on, have a bunch of opinions, am very stubborn, and truly enjoy intellectual discourse and a good argument by reasoned individuals who argue logically rather than emotionally... Though I can get emotional on occasion!