Around two years ago I proposed in a blog post that citizens and non-citizens of the State of California donate their unused gift cards to balance California's budget. Yes, I know others have … [Read more...]
Social Issues and Debatable Topics
Are Retailers Killing Off their Customers?
The news in this morning’s paper–front page–is the same. Retailers are hysterically worried about another “bad Christmas.” Consumers have tightened their belts, hidden their credit cards and won’t even walk into a retail store unless there’s a big “70% off” sign in the window. What’s going on? I think retailers need to step back mentally [...]
Health Care Reform for the Good of All
Well, the 2010 mid-term elections are over. And it’s still clear to me that democracies are wonderful but they suck when it comes to reaching consensus on critical issues like health care reform. Once again, the Wall Street Journal, reiterates tired, trendy phrases for many of its readers. In today’s editorial–”the ObamaCare Crossroads–we read: “In [...]
Reality In a Land of Dreams and Nightmares
I awakened the other morning while still in REM dream sleep. Although I don’t recall if my eyes opened into reality from a dream or nightmare (it could have been a mix of both), I was uncomfortable with the experience. You’ve probably experienced a similar occurrence as your alarm clock went off. You’re in a [...]
Tribute to a Choral Director: Jean Dargis of St. Victor’s Church
They say you only meet a few people in your life who change you as a person. Jean Dargis, former Choral Director and Administrator of St. Victor’s Catholic Church in San Jose, CA, was one of them. Jean passed away this week. While I lived in San Jose, my home town, I sang in Jean’s [...]
Technology Gadgets Outsell Furniture and Apparel
Hot off the press. U.S. consumers, during our economic doldrums, are buying technology gadgets rather than washers, apparel and furniture that last a few years. Apparently the lure of a smartphone or blu-ray DVD player is more appealing than the five-year old toaster that…well, makes toast. One 28 year-old guy was quoted: “Who cares about [...]
Sometime – a Tribute to Parents Everywhere
Parents and Love of Children During our lives, we meet many people. Some we admire, others not. Some bring us joy; others, sorrow. But no people form us more as human beings than our parents. I’m fortunate to have had two caring, loving parents who helped me and my sister grow up with integrity. In [...]
Internet Privacy in a Sea of Web Cookies
Worried about Internet privacy, web monitoring, flash cookies and who’s watching your website activity? Need better privacy protection in your life? Read on. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal published the first article in a series called “The Web’s New Gold Mine: Your Secrets,” a comprehensive piece describing how ad networks and Internet tracking companies are [...]
How We Spend Our Time as Unemployment Rises
Once again, the researchers are at work with their computer models and statistical flukes. In this case, the Labor Department recently released its 2009 American Time Use Survey telling us how people spend their time. According to the experts, here’s how we’re using our time in hours and minutes (2009/2007): Sleeping (8:40/8:34) Watching TV (2:49/2:37) [...]