Michael Jackson, the icon of generations of people around the world has died. He was the true "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity music has known. He was only 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. The circumstances surrounding Jackson's death were not immediately clear. He was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m. Paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:26pm PST.
Jackson's death brings a sad and tragic end to a long, bizarre decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer. He united black and white music and he shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled millions more on stage.
I remember when Thriller came out. Thriller made music videos popular. With out it, the music industry would not be where it is today. The red jacket he originally wore was a fashion icon and many people around the world had to have one. He created the moonwalk and showed the world what music and dance could do together. Here was a man/child. A boy never given the opportunity to be a child, who became a child in adulthood. Dispite all the scandals, he was still immensley popular as seen by the minutes it took to sell out 50 shows in London. It would have been music's biggest comeback. So today is the day the music died. The child of music is now able to rest and be the child he never could be in life.
I offer my sincere condolences to his children, parents, siblings, all of his family and friends. Michael you will be missed.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Iranian Protest
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told President Barack Obama on Thursday to stop meddling in Iran’s affairs. He has also blasted Britain and some other European nations, saying they were run by “politically retarded people.” Is this really a person who ever even considered wanting a real relationship with the outside world. He insults most of Europe calling their leaders retarded.
After all President Obama was actually lenient in his words to them. All he said was that there were significant questions about the election results and that he was “appalled and outraged” by the violent suppression of the protests. The Iranian government's threats and the violence against their own people. Harming and killing people of their own nation who just ask for truth and justice? The awful images and video of the young woman Neda Soltani during her last breaths who was so brutally murdered by the Basij. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocRYSkgESCc and –warning this one is gruesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nydailynews.com%2Fnews%2Fus_world%2F2009%2F06%2F21%2F2009-06-21_neda_young_girl_killed_in_iran.html&feature=player_embedded&v=OjQxq5N--Kc )Appalled and outraged are somewhat weak.
If you ask me, Obama did not speak loud enough. He did not significantly show enough of his outrage and anger in his speech. He needs to puff up his chest, show more emotion in his voice, slam his fist on the podium. Ahmadinejad warned that Obama’s comments were similar to those of his predecessor George W. Bush—who took a hard line against the Islamic republic—and could ruin any possible dialogue between the two countries. Lie he ever gave a thought to this in the first place.
Ahmadinejad asked: “Do you think this behavior will solve the problem for you? This will not have any result except that the people will consider you somebody similar to Bush.” Does this man not look at the behavior of his own government? Obama only used words, look at what his government has done and continues to do to their own people. What amazes me more is the brainwashing they have done within their own government that they can actually go out and kill their own people. Put this government and the North Korean government together and you have two of the most retarded governments in the world. Both fanatical, both psycho.
Obama has made diplomatic overtures toward Iran, after three decades of severed ties since the Islamic revolution. I believe in the back of his mind he knew this would never work. The same with North Korea. Obama tried his way and he failed. A more hard line stance is all the Irianian Government seems to understand. The soft approach only caused them to look at this country as weak.
Iran has also expelled a correspondent for the BBC in Tehran. They have accused him of “supporting the rioters”. They arrested a British-Greek and an Iranian-Canadian journalist working for US publications. This country is ruled by a fanatical religious sect and they put the puppets in office that they know they can control. The presidency of Iran is just a figure head, a puppet to be dangled and made to do what they are commanded. There is no room in their government for those who do not believe as the Supreme Ayatollah commands.
Obama will now see why the conservatives in Congress have responded over the years they way they have. He will learn from them the way he needs to proceed. He should take their knowledge and use it. He is a smart man, he will take the right stance. So to Iran – I speak this for the rest of the civilized world – please stop being so “retarded” and do the right thing. Investigate your sham election and get this right. I know my words may be useless, but as I always say – this is my opinion – my explosion of thought!
After all President Obama was actually lenient in his words to them. All he said was that there were significant questions about the election results and that he was “appalled and outraged” by the violent suppression of the protests. The Iranian government's threats and the violence against their own people. Harming and killing people of their own nation who just ask for truth and justice? The awful images and video of the young woman Neda Soltani during her last breaths who was so brutally murdered by the Basij. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocRYSkgESCc and –warning this one is gruesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nydailynews.com%2Fnews%2Fus_world%2F2009%2F06%2F21%2F2009-06-21_neda_young_girl_killed_in_iran.html&feature=player_embedded&v=OjQxq5N--Kc )Appalled and outraged are somewhat weak.
If you ask me, Obama did not speak loud enough. He did not significantly show enough of his outrage and anger in his speech. He needs to puff up his chest, show more emotion in his voice, slam his fist on the podium. Ahmadinejad warned that Obama’s comments were similar to those of his predecessor George W. Bush—who took a hard line against the Islamic republic—and could ruin any possible dialogue between the two countries. Lie he ever gave a thought to this in the first place.
Ahmadinejad asked: “Do you think this behavior will solve the problem for you? This will not have any result except that the people will consider you somebody similar to Bush.” Does this man not look at the behavior of his own government? Obama only used words, look at what his government has done and continues to do to their own people. What amazes me more is the brainwashing they have done within their own government that they can actually go out and kill their own people. Put this government and the North Korean government together and you have two of the most retarded governments in the world. Both fanatical, both psycho.
Obama has made diplomatic overtures toward Iran, after three decades of severed ties since the Islamic revolution. I believe in the back of his mind he knew this would never work. The same with North Korea. Obama tried his way and he failed. A more hard line stance is all the Irianian Government seems to understand. The soft approach only caused them to look at this country as weak.
Iran has also expelled a correspondent for the BBC in Tehran. They have accused him of “supporting the rioters”. They arrested a British-Greek and an Iranian-Canadian journalist working for US publications. This country is ruled by a fanatical religious sect and they put the puppets in office that they know they can control. The presidency of Iran is just a figure head, a puppet to be dangled and made to do what they are commanded. There is no room in their government for those who do not believe as the Supreme Ayatollah commands.
Obama will now see why the conservatives in Congress have responded over the years they way they have. He will learn from them the way he needs to proceed. He should take their knowledge and use it. He is a smart man, he will take the right stance. So to Iran – I speak this for the rest of the civilized world – please stop being so “retarded” and do the right thing. Investigate your sham election and get this right. I know my words may be useless, but as I always say – this is my opinion – my explosion of thought!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Metro Subway Crash in Washington DC
My thoughts, prayers and condolences goes out to the families of the 9 people who lost their lives and the many injured in yesterdays crash on the subway in Washington DC. This was such a tragic event on one of the most busiest transportation systems in our country.
It is my hope that they discover the cause of this incident quickly and take the necessary steps to fix what ever caused this tragic event so it never happens again. I have traveled on the subway many times putting the safty of my family and myself into the hands of the operators of this system as have many millions of others and thank God we always traveled the system safely. A big thanks and appreciation goes out to all those involved in the crash that stayed to help and to console the injured. It shows that there are still caring people in this world. They should be commended!
To those who had family members injured and killed yesterday in this tragic accident, my prayers are with you. May God bless you!
It is my hope that they discover the cause of this incident quickly and take the necessary steps to fix what ever caused this tragic event so it never happens again. I have traveled on the subway many times putting the safty of my family and myself into the hands of the operators of this system as have many millions of others and thank God we always traveled the system safely. A big thanks and appreciation goes out to all those involved in the crash that stayed to help and to console the injured. It shows that there are still caring people in this world. They should be commended!
To those who had family members injured and killed yesterday in this tragic accident, my prayers are with you. May God bless you!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
McDonalds 2
Well I received an e-mail back from the corporate office. They said they passed it on to the owner and the district manager and someone would be in touch. Never heard from anyone, so I guess they really don't care about my service. So I have effectively ended my relationship with McDonald's. I have told several others about my experience and quite a few of them are not going back either.
Last night I went to Popeye's, I spent a little more due to the higher cost there, but I had a wonderful experience. The employees were very friendly, the store was much cleaner, they were running a little behind, but all the employees came up to me and appoligized including the manager who came up twice. They got my order right and they even gave me all the sauces I wanted. For there short delay (only about 5 minutes) they gave me an extra chicken breast and an extra order of nuggets and appoligized again.
In a down economy, there are many capable workers looking for any type of work. Many of them have customer service backgrounds. I would suggest to McDonald's that they seek out these people, pay them just a little more and hire them. The worst that can happen is the economy gets better and these people leave - or - now they have qualified people and they can use them elsewhere as supervisors and managers. They should remeber that employees are one of their greatest assets but some can becoe liabilities also. The stores would all get a boost from more qualified people's experience. It appears that Popeye's seems to attract better qualified people. The staff at this McDonald's just does not seem to care. Now this is not all McDonald's locations, in fact the one by my office runs extremely efficient and the store is always clean and the employees friendly. Stores like the one down where I live give the other bad reputations. They should remember give one person good service and they tell 10 people about it, give one person bad service and they tell hundreds. Again - my opinion - my explosion of thought!
Last night I went to Popeye's, I spent a little more due to the higher cost there, but I had a wonderful experience. The employees were very friendly, the store was much cleaner, they were running a little behind, but all the employees came up to me and appoligized including the manager who came up twice. They got my order right and they even gave me all the sauces I wanted. For there short delay (only about 5 minutes) they gave me an extra chicken breast and an extra order of nuggets and appoligized again.
In a down economy, there are many capable workers looking for any type of work. Many of them have customer service backgrounds. I would suggest to McDonald's that they seek out these people, pay them just a little more and hire them. The worst that can happen is the economy gets better and these people leave - or - now they have qualified people and they can use them elsewhere as supervisors and managers. They should remeber that employees are one of their greatest assets but some can becoe liabilities also. The stores would all get a boost from more qualified people's experience. It appears that Popeye's seems to attract better qualified people. The staff at this McDonald's just does not seem to care. Now this is not all McDonald's locations, in fact the one by my office runs extremely efficient and the store is always clean and the employees friendly. Stores like the one down where I live give the other bad reputations. They should remember give one person good service and they tell 10 people about it, give one person bad service and they tell hundreds. Again - my opinion - my explosion of thought!
Friday, June 12, 2009
McDonald's Experiences
I am usually not a big complainer, but the McDonald's Restaurant by my house has to be on the list of one of the worst in the chain. I am a vertern in terms of feasting at McDonald's. I Have been going there since I was just a young child. I had been buying lunch at McDonalds about twice a week and buying dinners there for my family almost twice a week for the past year. It appears my relationship with McDonald's may be now ending due to one restaurant.
A few weeks back I visited this store and bought 6 meals, all with french fries of various sizes. There were only about 4 customers in the store. I waited patiently for my meal. After about 10 minutes one of the others waiting inside commented how slow the service was. All 4 of us had not received our orders. After 20 minutes went by, I asked the cashier where my order was, she commented that they were busy at the Drive Through and the Drive Through was more of a priority. I made a comment to her - Are you saying me, standing here in front of you is not an important customer. She backed away from the counter and went to the back of the store. After about 10 minutes, she finally reappeared at the front, I asked what the hold up was, she said no one was making the french fries. I said can you get the manager - she said " She is busy in the office and won't come out". I was more upset now and said why can't someone make the fricking fries. Just put them in the bin, drop them in the fryer and set the timer. I then asked for my money back ont he Fries - she said we do not give refunds, you need to wait for the fries. Someone finally made the fries and she went to get them. My food in the meantime was sitting on the counter for at least 15 minutes. I said i wanted a new order filled, I did not want cold food. I was told they could not do that. I took my food in disgust after a full 40 minutes of waiting. The next week when I went in I told the manager on duty about it and the response was he could not control what other managers did not manage. I ordered my food, 2 of the orders were wrong - a constant issue with this location.
Now to the other night. I worked late and stopped to pick-up dinner for my family again ( I gues I am a gliutten for punishment). I typically spend $25 or more on dinner here for the family. I waited for my food and then asked if I could have 2 hot mustard sauces and 6 sweet and sour sauces - the kids like to dip fries in the sweet and sour instead of ketchup. I get these sauces everytime I go in to order food, had the same order just 2 nights before. Iw as told I had to pay for the 6 sauces - What! - never paid for them before. I asked for the manager. One of the employees went back to get her, they had to bang on the door and beg her to come out. It sounded like she did not want to in the beginning. She came to the front after about 5 minutes, and said I have to pay for the sauces that they have been doing this for over a month - news to me since this is the first time I was ever charged. I told her I come here on a regular basis and spend $50 a week at minimum. I can go next door to BUrger King and get all the sauces I want, or the other way to Wendy's and get all the sauces I want. Even Popeyes gives sauces out. I asked her - I am not worth 64 cents as a customer. She bluntly responded "No". So for 64 cents she was willing to lose my service, not only mine but my family's and several friends that I mentioned this to. Has McDonald's fallen so low? To top it off they made one of my sanwhiches wrong not once but twice - they trashed both wrong orders -how much did that cost them? I was leaving in disgust and stopped to ask for some ketchup, two of the people rolled thier eyes and look toward the manager - I just left.
Last night I went to Burger King - I asked for six sauces and they actually gave me eight - no charge. I asked if they charged for sauces - they laughed. I told them McDonald's does - they laughed harder. They also got my order right, seems they have things more together. I wrote the McDonalds on their website, I will see if I get a response and report back here to you on what they say.
A few weeks back I visited this store and bought 6 meals, all with french fries of various sizes. There were only about 4 customers in the store. I waited patiently for my meal. After about 10 minutes one of the others waiting inside commented how slow the service was. All 4 of us had not received our orders. After 20 minutes went by, I asked the cashier where my order was, she commented that they were busy at the Drive Through and the Drive Through was more of a priority. I made a comment to her - Are you saying me, standing here in front of you is not an important customer. She backed away from the counter and went to the back of the store. After about 10 minutes, she finally reappeared at the front, I asked what the hold up was, she said no one was making the french fries. I said can you get the manager - she said " She is busy in the office and won't come out". I was more upset now and said why can't someone make the fricking fries. Just put them in the bin, drop them in the fryer and set the timer. I then asked for my money back ont he Fries - she said we do not give refunds, you need to wait for the fries. Someone finally made the fries and she went to get them. My food in the meantime was sitting on the counter for at least 15 minutes. I said i wanted a new order filled, I did not want cold food. I was told they could not do that. I took my food in disgust after a full 40 minutes of waiting. The next week when I went in I told the manager on duty about it and the response was he could not control what other managers did not manage. I ordered my food, 2 of the orders were wrong - a constant issue with this location.
Now to the other night. I worked late and stopped to pick-up dinner for my family again ( I gues I am a gliutten for punishment). I typically spend $25 or more on dinner here for the family. I waited for my food and then asked if I could have 2 hot mustard sauces and 6 sweet and sour sauces - the kids like to dip fries in the sweet and sour instead of ketchup. I get these sauces everytime I go in to order food, had the same order just 2 nights before. Iw as told I had to pay for the 6 sauces - What! - never paid for them before. I asked for the manager. One of the employees went back to get her, they had to bang on the door and beg her to come out. It sounded like she did not want to in the beginning. She came to the front after about 5 minutes, and said I have to pay for the sauces that they have been doing this for over a month - news to me since this is the first time I was ever charged. I told her I come here on a regular basis and spend $50 a week at minimum. I can go next door to BUrger King and get all the sauces I want, or the other way to Wendy's and get all the sauces I want. Even Popeyes gives sauces out. I asked her - I am not worth 64 cents as a customer. She bluntly responded "No". So for 64 cents she was willing to lose my service, not only mine but my family's and several friends that I mentioned this to. Has McDonald's fallen so low? To top it off they made one of my sanwhiches wrong not once but twice - they trashed both wrong orders -how much did that cost them? I was leaving in disgust and stopped to ask for some ketchup, two of the people rolled thier eyes and look toward the manager - I just left.
Last night I went to Burger King - I asked for six sauces and they actually gave me eight - no charge. I asked if they charged for sauces - they laughed. I told them McDonald's does - they laughed harder. They also got my order right, seems they have things more together. I wrote the McDonalds on their website, I will see if I get a response and report back here to you on what they say.
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