I once had a boss who preached that business is a game and you play it to win, no matter what the cost. To him all of life was a game and you had to learn to play the game in order to make it in this world. To them it was throw ethics to the wind. To an extent, this practice worked for him but it never seemed quite right for me, my conscience could not get used to that type of business. Maybe that is why I still struggle to make a living daily, at least I feel good about what i do. Business is a game, but a game played with ethics.

Along comes a company like Google. A company started by two men, Larry Page, Sergey Brin in 1998. They had a vision and an idea and they went with it. No one thought at the time that a search engine such as this would become such a big corporation and money maker. These two had an idea and they let it grow and grow - it grew quickly. By June of 2000 they were the worlds largest search engine. The searches were much more accurate than previous search engines. They have fought many battles along the way and one thing I always noticed is they operated with a set of ethics, standards they held the company to. They have stood their ground and have become more successful than even they had imagined.

Now, they take a big stand and pull the plug on China. A country with well over a billion people, a virtual money pit for a company like Google. They shocked many in the business and technology field with this move. They did it in the sake of ethics - showing the world they understand and know right from wrong. There is no room for censorship of the web and a country controlling what can or can not be seen on the web.

So now I wonder, will other companies follow suit? Will they put ethics over profits? Or - will companies like Microsoft's 'Bing" try and capitalize on this move by Google. Will other companies remove themselves from an oppressive society? I applaud the actions of Google. I applaud them many times over. They have proved my point - Ethics are a core part of any business - doing what is right and forsaking profits. So will others follow suit?

Senator Reid and Nevada

In the state of Nevada - Sen. Harry Reid's overall approval rating has fallen from 35 percent in January to 29 percent. Among Democrats in Nevada, it has slipped from 57 percent to 45 percent. Reid is facing a stiff challenge in his reelection bid, approval in his home region has dipped to 23 percent. His state has seen staggering unemployment rates, steep declines in home prices, one of the highest percentages of foreclosure rates in the country and near zero jobs creation. This is not a slide that has happened overnight, it has been going on for a few years now. As a Senator wielding as much influence as he has in Congress, he has done little to help bolster the economy of his state. He has done little for education in his state. The overall graduation rate in Nevada is one of the lowest in the in the nation with approximately 55% of students graduating. He has been tied up with pushing a very unpopular Health Care Reform bill through the Senate and has virtually abandoned his home state.

It is widely thought that he has planted a candidate as the “The Tea Party candidate” in order to help siphon off some of the Republican vote this November. The Tea Party candidate, Las Vegas businessman Jon Scott Ashjian, a former Republican, came out of the blue to announce his candidacy. A Democratic lawyer is handling the paperwork for the candidate. This was somewhat of a surprise to the national movement of The Tea Party, they never heard of this person and have not even endorsed him as their candidate. The Republican GOP was taken aback also, it has been wooing The Tea Party group, a conservative, anti-tax, anti-big government group.

Currently the Polls show that Reid is slightly ahead in the running. But Sen. Reid is winning against nameless, faceless people," said Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon. "It's easier to win against nameless, faceless people than real people."

Sen. Reid has been in hot water for more than his States’ economy lately. He moved quickly to show remorse after a book, "Game Change" by journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin revealed that he made comments in 2008 suggesting that Barack Obama could be elected president because he is “light skinned” and lacks “Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.” Somewhat of a racist remark if I ever heard one. Nevada has not been known for it’s welcoming of African Americans over the years, Sammy Davis Junior was not even allowed to enter through the front doors of a Casino, although in the last 10 years the relationship has improved. Still Nevada’s population of African Americans is only at 7% compared to 19% for Hispanics and 72% White. Now what is disparaging is the fact that about 30% of Nevada’s prisoners are African American. African Americans in Nevada are incarcerated almost 4 times more than whites in that state. Most drug offenders are white, yet African Americans as well as other minorities are much more likely to serve time for their offenses.

For Nevada, I would say that now is a time for change. Now is a time to find a new candidate with fresh ideas, one who cares about the state. I am not saying who you should vote for, that is something to decide for yourself, but examine the record and listen to all that are running, make your choice and go out and vote. Remember the person you vote for should represent you, your ideas and your state. This is only my Explosion of Thought!

Chile Earthquake relief

An 8.8 earthquake hit just off the coast of Chile early on Saturday morning 2/27/2010, killing at least 802 people and injuring many more. Many thousands of people have been left homeless due to the widespread destruction of buildings. While this may not be a humanitarian crisis similar to what was seen in Haiti, a great amount of money and charity will still be needed to rebuild damaged builds, roads, and return Chile back to normalcy. Please do what you can to help in this relief effort.

Here is how you can help:

•Save The Children -- https://secure.savethechildren.org/01/2007_match?source=hp_tab_donate&WT.mc_id=1109_hp_tab_donate Save The Children is sending an emergency assessment team to Chile, and they are asking for contributions to their Children's Emergency Fund to aid these efforts.

•Habitat for Humanity -- https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/donate.aspx?link=1&r=r Habitat for Humanity has a continual presence in Chile, where they've helped construct over 1,300 homes. They will be essential element in reconstruction efforts, especially in hard-hit rural areas. Donate to Habitat For Humanity or text CHILE to 25383 to donate $10.

•AmeriCares -- https://secure.americares.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5820&5820.donation=form1 Vice President of Emergency Response, Christoph Gorder, says AmeriCares is sending medical supplies and humanitarian aid to Chile. Make a direct contribution to AmeriCares' Chilean earthquake fund.

•Direct Relief International -- https://secure2.convio.net/dri/site/Donation2?idb=1593451692&1170.donation=form1&df_id=1170 Direct Relief International has offered to provide assistance in the form of medical aid to Chilean authorities and to emergency relief organizations in the area. Give to Direct Relief International and type "Chile" in the "Designation" field if you wish to specify your donation.

•International Medical Corps -- https://www.imcworldwide.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=878 IMC has a presence in dozens of countries around the globe, providing immediate medical care to those affected by natural disasters. They are currently deploying resources to Chile. Contribute to their emergency response fund. SMS text “CHILE” to 85944 to donate $10 to International Medical Corps

•Unicef -- http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/chile_52926.html
SMS text “YOUTH” to 20222 to donate $10 to UNICEF

•Un Techo para Chile - http://www.untechoparachile.cl/?page_id=999 With a cadre of more than 15,000 volunteers, Un Techo para Chile works with families living in slum communities as they struggle to improve their lives. In the aftermath of the earthquake, their struggle now includes rebuilding — and your donation can help make this happen.

Health Care reform forced down American's throats

President Obama’s enjoyed a victory on health care reform Sunday night — but the win was a split decision for Democrats, not a knockout. House Democrats, who have endured months of draining debate and attacks from tea party activists, including a deriding jeers from a group of protesters outside the chamber Sunday, were more relieved than overjoyed — and many may have been casting votes, for their own political extinction. Out of regard to the very possible consequences for House Democrats, the White House publicly refrained from expressions of jubilation or even relief.

President Obama commented: It's a victory for the American people, and it's a victory for common sense." How is it a victory for the American people when many independent polls showed that most American’s were against it. A “victory for common sense” what a phrase, who’s common sense does this refer to? They say this will not incur any cost to the Federal Government – that is very true. Guess who is paying for it – the American Middle Class – the same group of people who always get beat down. Now when I say middle class, I am not speaking about those families who make over $200,000/year. In my mind, that is not the true middle class. The true middle class getting hurt here are those with a family of 4 or 5 that make between $45,000 - $90,000 per year. That is the group that continually gets beat down and struggles to move up the ladder. Number one is that in my book, if you have a family of 4 and make under $55,000 per year, you should be in the poverty class.

Now the Senate must now pass a set of complicated reconciliation packages to defuse political fallout from the "Cornhusker Kickback” ($100 million in Medicaid funds for Nebraska which was removed from the bill after so much bad publicity) and other controversial deals made to get the bill passed there — and postpone an excise tax on high-end “Cadillac” health plans (this tax hits many middle class American who currently have good insurance through their employer). Still alive is special spending for Connecticut and Montana that was included in the health care bill that the Senate approved in December. The projects from Montana and Connecticut were items President Barack Obama wanted removed. There was push back from two influential committee chairmen, Democratic Sens. Max Baucus of Montana and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, and to guarantee their votes, their projects have survived. Many democrats in the House went along with the vote in hopes that the Senate will follow through and reconcile some of the provisions. If they do not accomplish this in the Senate, the law still takes effect with all the current provisions intact.

Attorneys general in 11 states have warned that lawsuits will be filed to stop the federal government overstepping its constitutional powers and usurping states' sovereignty. States are concerned that the burden of providing health care will fall on them without enough support from the federal government. Ten of the attorneys general have plans to band together in a collective lawsuit on behalf of Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington.

In Virginia, Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli, is formulating plans to file a lawsuit in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. He stated that Congress lacks authority under its constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce to force people to buy insurance. The bill also conflicts with a state law that says Virginians cannot be required to buy insurance, he added. "If a person decides not to buy health insurance, that person by definition is not engaging in commerce," Cuccinelli said in recorded comments. "If you are not engaging in commerce, how can the federal government regulate you?"

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, many pending lawsuits, bills and resolutions have been introduced in at least 36 state legislatures that seek to limit or oppose various aspects of the reform plan through laws or state constitutional amendments.

I do not understand all of the provisions of this Bill, but I do sense that some of them will be quite costly to the American Middle Class. What will the effects of this Bill passage be in 2 years, 5 years and 10 years down the road? It does not look good for the stability of our children and of our children’s children. Out grandchildren will most likely take the brunt of the fallout. Change for changes sake is not a good way to proceed.

Brown wins in Massachusetts

Republican Scott Brown executed one of the largest U.S. political upsets in modern history when he defeated Democrat Martha Coakley to fill out the Senate term of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. He was a viable candidate who actually listened tot he voice of the people and heard it. He wants to do what is right not only for the people of Massachusetts, but for all the people of this country. The health care bill they wanted to shove down the throats of the American People was not the best thought out and not the best plan for the people. Brown's win in Massachusetts will help prevent this bill form going through. A good thing for all Americans.

President Obama had promised that he would not raise taxes on the American Middle Class(Remember Bush #1 making a similar promise he could not keep, cost him a re-election), yet he caved in to placing a tax on those Americans who were paying for their own health care, taxing their health care plan. A slap in the face to all middle class Americans. Then all the jobs that were supposed to be created with all this stimulus money - what jobs. All that resulted is that some corporations and banking institutions were allowed to be dug out of their own mess and profit from it. Some are still taking even more money. Seems like Ford did just fine without a bailout, they figured it out themselves and are on the right track now. How come the others could not do this?

Now back to Brown. What made me sick was that after now Senator Brown won the election, the media immediately started bashing him and the people of Massachusetts. I listed to several news programs that were basically asking how the people of Massachusetts could be so naive to elect this man. What a slap in the face to the people of Massachusetts. They actually went out of their way to put down the people for voting for a "Republican". some of the media is just sick, this man won fair and square and the people put him in office. Now congratulate the man and move on. What ever happened to good sportmanship, I guess the media does not play by those rules.

I congratulate Mr. Brown for his win. I do not congratulate the Republicans or the Democrats, I congratulate a man who knows how to listen to the people he is representing and pays heed.

Haiti Emergency Relief

The terrible tragedy in Haiti has left an already impoverished country in horrible shape. The earthquake the occurred here has devastated them. Aid of every type is needed from people around the world. This is a time for all countries to put aside their differences and work together to help people in desperate need. They need food, water, medical supplies and assistance, clothing, housing and so much more. Here is a short list of charities that are active in the country who can supply quick emergency aid, your donations to them can greatly help these people in need. Please keep these people in your prayers and God Bless all of those who can help. If you can not donate, please keep them in your prayers! Even a donation of $10 can go a long way.

If you are interested in donating to Charities that are active in Haiti here is a short list:
http://www.habitat.org
http://www.beyondborders.net/index.php
http://www.care.org
http://www.uusc.org
http://www.internationalchildcare.org
http://www.fmsc.org/Page.aspx?pid=398
http://www.savethechildren.org
http://community.ob.org/site/PageServer

Happy New Year

Wishing all of my followers and readers a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year. I will soon be posting my predictions for the New Year. I will have to say, many of my predictions for the past year were right on the mark. The past year had many somber times especially with the economy. I had predicted an unemployment rate of over 10% before the end of the year even though most of the economist and government officials did not believe we would reach that level. Sty tuned for my outlook for the upcoming year. In the meantime - Enjoy your families and again Happy New Year!

Twas The Night Jesus Came

Now that the night before Christmas has arrived, I am reminded of a poem that I first heard of about a few years ago. It is a take on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The poem relates to the theology that says Jesus Christ will return for all true Believers one day in an event called the Rapture of the Church. Here is that poem and the credit to the Author, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ people and dust off those Bibles and read them -

'Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bibles were left on the shelf without care,
For no one thought that Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker with baby in her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
The light of His face made me cover my head--
It was Jesus returning, just as He said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I'd known that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all.

--AUDRY PATRICIA WOOLVERTON

Driving - People Must Feel Guilty

I was driving into work today and traffic was moving along just below the speed limit at 50 mph (posted speed was 60 mph)and things were moving smoothly. Then all of the sudden everyone slammed on thier breaks (not a good thing on roads that are wet and could have icy spots). I was thinking something must have happened, but them I realized that there was apolice car on the shoulder of the road with someone pulled over. Trafic then moved up the road at just under 40 mph - 20 mph under the posted speed. Why?

Now if the speed limit is 60 and you are traveling at 50, you are well below the posted speed. Why would you think you have to slow down just because a policeman in present. You can do the speed limit and maybe get away with a few MPH over the limit. Then to travel at even a slower speed for about the next 1/2 mile or more just because you saw a policeman. Is it a guilty conscience for all the times you may have been speeding in the past, you are trying to make it up now? I don't understand. When I see a policeman and I am doing the speed limit or less, I stay on pace. Why should I slow down unless he has his lights on and s trying to get to an emergency, I am obeying the law and do not feel guilty about it.

Slamming on the brakes can be more dangerous and you could cause an accident. That is what you should feel guilty about. Maybe if you have a guilty conscience that is causing you to slow down so much, you should try to travel within the speed limit in the first place.It just frustrates me when all of a sudden there is a traffic back-up because people see a policeman on the side of the road. Retrain yourself - if you travel the speed limit and are driving within the law, no need to slow down of slam on your brakes.

Tribulation - A poem by David Reiner

Am I drowning like a dark romance?
Have I slipped beneath the waves with billowy layers of petticoats?
My heart is aching and pounding.
A tight pressure within my chest.
Is my heart muscle struggling and dying?
Is the oxygen deprived from my soul?
So short of breath and cold.

Have I been electrocuted?
The current surging through me.
The arrhythmia, stopping my heart dead.
Unconsciousness to the world.
No feeling left in my soul.
The wave of energy passing through.
Tearing my soul from within.

I have been robbed of my energy.
Happiness and enthusiasm evading me.
Frustration, sadness and grief consuming me.
Have I become hopeless to this world?
The worry and anxiety tunneling through my heart.
What is happening to the world around me?
The wars are intensifying castrating the souls.

Where is my lost love?
The one I live for and care for daily.
The one who consumed my heart with happiness and love.
The children who engulfed me with joy.
My soul has been ripped from me.
I gladly give myself for their happiness now.
I pass through to an unknown place.

Abandoned in a place called nowhere.
My heart aches eternally.
Where is this place where no love exists?
No feeling for each other.
Has the world gone mad?
The tribulation has approached us.
I am here alone now.

I hear a voice within the darkness.
Telling me to journey back, I don’t belong.
I hear the cries from thousands of souls as the towers came down.
I feel the pain of the world upon me.
I look to the heavens and a faint light appears.
A voice so thunderous saying “I Am”
I feel my body energize with thousands of volts.

The cries of the souls pass through me wave after wave.
Split between the now and then.
I feel the love of my family pulling me to a new place.
The love of my children and my one true love, my wife.
The love of my Father in Heaven guiding me.
Where does this journey go?
I follow the footsteps, the ones He left for me.