The New Toy

I just got this recumbent bike for home. So far, it's great! In one hour I work up a good sweat plus it is super-quiet so you can watch TV and DVD's. That eliminates the boredom factor bigtime.

This blogger may watch way more movies and become a movie critic. That will help me with this blogging crap because I am required to do 176 blog posts a year on this blog (per my probation officer) and so far this year, I am way off that pace.

Things You Will Never Hear In America........

The headline is "Putin Tells Russians To Stop Drinking & Gambling". Click the link if you actually want to read the story...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6612860.ece

But my point is............Due to the ginormous tax revenues the United States gets from these two legal activities, you will never hear an American politician say that to American boozers or gamblers.

$51,000 Per Year

I am referring to the cost of one year's tuition, room and board at a well-respected college, Drexel University, in the Philly area. I don't know if this includes the cost of books which can run you $1,000 per semester if you major in a science (I mean a "real" science major not a "psuedo" science major like political science or sociology).

Someone I know mentioned this price tag to me. It was for her oldest kid who has been accepted at Drexel and will try to get a science degree and go on to a career in health services.

This is way too much money even for a great school like Drexel. Something is out of whack and I do not blame it on the govt or Bush or Obama.

Obama says he has to fix health care because it is eating up more and more of our GDP. I have a sneaking suspicion we have been dishing out larger and larger amounts for education if you include the costs of K-12 with all post secondary schools.

That is one reason "for profit" education schools are appealing to private equity firms. If you own one, let me know, I'd like to find you a buyer.

Govt Will Cut Cost of Health Care.....

...Not in my world.

Let's see. Today, the govt annoounced it would cost $1 Trillion over the next ten years to cover those without insurance. When asked about this, the new HHS Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius,, estimated however that would only cover about 15,000,000 of the estimated 45,000,000 million who are currently uninsured.

Hmm is Sebelius innumerate? Is the entire Obama administration innumerate? Cause where I come from this $1 Trillion cost is $100 Billion per year. If it covers 15 million people, that translates to a cost per person per year of $6,667!!! [ or more than $26,000 per year for a family of four].

Christ - why don' t they just request a quote from a bunch of insurance companies to provide insurance? Do we really need some big, new govt bureaucracy? If the numbers are accurate, we now have the dumbest presidential group in history. If the numbers are not accurate, why didn't Sebelius correct them when asked?

Rendell Misled Us ....Once More

In January, Fat Eddie Rendell said he would not increase taxes.

Today, he announced a 16% increase in the personal income tax rate. The tax rate will increase from 3.07% to 3.57%. That represents a tax increase during a recession of about $2 Billion per year!

During his six years in office, Fat Eddie has increased state spending by an average of 7% per year or a total of 42% over the six years.

Question for Pennsylvania taxpayers: Did your pay increase by 42% in the last six years?

Universal Health Insurance

Thought for the day.

I hear the proposed universal health care plan may require every American to buy their own healthcare. Of course, there will be huge taxpayer funded subsidies for those who can't afford to buy it.

I wonder how they will find and identify every American ? Afterall, most politicians are oposed to a national ID card syetem and the Obama administartion has put the kubosh on the employer E-verify system.

So how the heck will the guvmint even determine who is an American? and who has purchased and who hasn't purchased the required insurance?

Hoosier Daddy Explains Health Care Debate

I copied the paragraphs below from a comment by Hoosier Daddy on the Althouse blog. He nails the crux of the problem is how some folks view health insurance. Read it because it is close to brilliant and a clear, crisp analysis!

"The problem with health insurance is that it isn’t treated as insurance like life or property and casualty insurance. You don’t file a claim with your car insurance for your oil changes, tire rotations or tune ups. You don’t file (or should not) file a claim for basic home maintenance like replacing the furnace, air condition, water heater, re-roofing. With health insurance people expect to pay a $10 or $20 co-pay every time they walk into the physician’s office and that’s it. If auto or homeowner's insurance worked in the same manner as health insurance, they would be unaffordable.

If Medicare or private health insurance scaled back to simply providing catastrophic care and left the basic ‘maintenance’ up to the consumer, you’d see insurance costs plummet and probably physician costs come down as well. But they won't because most people refuse to pay for care that they 'expect' a third party to cover."

Bugs Bunny Chuckle

Click on the post to see a funny you-tube Bugs Bunny video.

Hattip to MCG, a commenter at Althouse.

Memorial Day

Advice To New Graduates (recycled)

[I wrote this a few years and now I re-cycle it annually around graduaion time]

Dear Michele, Christine & Gabe:

Before I wrote this, I looked in a dictionary for the definition of the word "commencement". The dictionary states commencement refers to "the act or process of bringing or being brought into existence; inauguration, inception, incipience, initiation, leadoff, birth, dawn, genesis, start".

Therefore, commencement suggests your lives are just beginning (and that is true in some respects). And by calling graduation ceremonies a "commencement", our institutions of higher learning have sorta decreed you can't really take that first step until they have conferred a degree on you. That's somewhat presumptuous but I guess by promoting the necessity and value of a degree, the schools can make a buck too. And there is no law against that.

Essentially, I wish you two things: interesting people and interesting places. By that, I hope you find, see and keep both of those close to you for all your years. If you do that, you will lead rich, rewarding and fulfilling lives. And try very hard to understand the primary goal in life is to get very old. I know you won't agree with that statement right now but believe me you will one day. Put more simply, it is exhilarating to be both available and sufficiently lucid to give the eulogy at a friend's funeral.

I know it is hard to resist the urge to follow the crowd. But do try to be your own person- so don't routinely and rigidly adopt all of the latest fads and trends. Find music, books and other hobbies you enjoy and make time for them. Endeavor to be a leader to others. Christine, you are a born leader. And there is much evidence you were born with the ringleader gene. That's the mischievous cousin of the leader gene. And that is a good thing- you love life and you show it.

Each of you should try to stand up for what you believe is right even:
· When your opinion is unpopular
· When it's not the easiest path to take and
· When you have not been right about anything in a very long time (cause the law of averages says everyone is right sooner or later).

You will be a part of many groups and organizations in the next 60-70 years. Don't just go along for the ride. Give your best effort. Develop a reputation as an impact player. You can do that by making a strong personal impression and offering your support to the group's goals (i.e unforgettable PARTAYS, improve annual sales, beat the Villa Gorillas every other year).

Never stop learning and never stop asking questions (there are almost no dumb questions). Set out to identify mentors and role models from whom you can learn valuable life and career lessons. A good mentor will be happy to freely give you career and life advice for years to come. Strive to be a role model yourself. Be generous to others with your time and knowledge. No one can leave much of true value in this world except those gifts you plant in the hearts and minds of those you leave behind.

Be open-minded and learn to think for yourself. Don't be afraid to question the prevailing wisdom or latest news story. For example, a national news program recently ran a story that "the exercise done on Infomercials accounted for more than 50% of the total exercise done in America". That "news" story first originated as a spoof in a satirical magazine. The news network picked it up as "real news". I cringed and laughed when I heard it and wondered if any of you (had you worked on that program) would have thought to question the ridiculous premise. I believe each of you would have (Especially Gabe since he reads the magazine though until now he probably thought its "news" stories were legit).

Take very good care of yourself both physically and mentally. There is a time to party and a time to "not party". Try to learn the difference way before you turn forty (so you can still run for President).

You only get one chance in this world and life is much better when you are fit and ready to take advantage of all it offers. Make strenuous exercise a regular part of your routine and add a large helping of mental exercise and challenges to keep the mind in top shape. If you smoke, quit.

With regards to your career, as you know there is a secret to success. Unfortunately, it is a secret so I can't share it with you. So, you will have to settle for my own priceless advice:

1-NO MARKETABLE SKILL= ZERO JOB OPPORTUNITIES= NO MONEY
2- MARKETABLE SKILL = JOB OPPORTUNITIES= PAYCHECK= REGULAR PARTAY
3- LOTTA MARKETABLE SKILLS= MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES= MORE MONEY= REALLY BIG PARTAY

So what does that mean you ask? Just this. Be smart and work hard. Pick some marketable skills and develop those skills. Regularly polish, hone and improve those skills with practice and repetition. Enhance your skills with regular study and learning and MAYBE you will always have a job and make money. Ideally you will choose skills (as I said that are marketable) in jobs and professions where:
· You enjoy the work (i.e. barfly, world philosopher, expert recounter of Seinfeld episodes, social director for former dorm mates)
· It is in demand by employers and customers and
· You are good at it and like it.


It would be great if you could find a career that has all three of the above criteria, But you will survive and likely thrive even if you choose skills that only have two of the above criteria. And remember, there are no guarantees in life and life can be unfair. That's just the way it is. Bitching about bad breaks won't help. It will just make you very unpleasant to be around.

Be confident in your abilities and self-worth. Be persistent in pursuing what you want.

Michele- with your focus and drive you could achieve anything you set your sights on. So set your sights high!

Gabe, you could do anything. You just have to convince yourself you CAN do anything instead of finding reasons for why you can't do something.

Remember you are most fortunate to have been born in this country. Though not without its faults, it is the greatest country on Earth. Always honor and respect the elderly though I know it is especially hard when they don't wear their hearing aids. Always value and cherish your family even when they ask a bazillion questions about your latest escapade.

Remember where you came from, respect traditions, and perhaps start your own traditions. Stay informed about current events - it makes you a more interesting person and give you a big edge on your peers. Be faithful to your core values and beliefs, your religion, your lover and one day your spouse.

You will make mistakes. Most mistakes are minor and can be fixed. However, try to avoid the really big mistakes (i.e always wear your seat belt). Observe other people and try to learn (and maybe get a good laugh) from their big mistakes.

But you also have to take risks in life. Without risk, there is little reward. Just do your homework before you take those risks.

Set priorities and establish goals and objectives- it makes life a bit more interesting to look back and see how you did. And try to recognize the difference between what is important and what is not.

You each have what it takes to be very happy and very successful. Keep that in mind and let the fun begin. Just know I'll be watching you. Love and all the best to each of you,

U.T.

Happy Mother's Day To.......

To all the wonderful, strong women I know and love. Like you know who and my two sisters and my nieces and my late mother and my father's mother and my favorite blogger, Ann Althouse, and many more.

I rode my bike past this statue about 500 times I bet. But today, it was Mother's Day, and I noticed this statue - really noticed it for the first time. It shows a colonial era pioneer (?) , perhaps she is an Indian woman, and she is brandishing an ax while protecting two children. She may be standing on a wolf she has killed in battle (it is hard to say exactly).

Anyhow, the statue spoke to me today or maybe I was just looking for a reason to rest after after taking a spill on my bike (damn women cyclists heh) and ripping a half-dollar piece of skin from my knee. The statue said here is a tough independent American woman. That is the way I like them and IMO that is the way the best American woman prefer to be seen! [she ain't bragging about doing 120% at her job].

FYI -the sculptor was John Joseph Boyle (1852-1917) He did this piece around 1877. Here is more info about him:

Raised in Philadelphia and born in New York City, sculptor John Boyle was descended from Irish stonecutters. When his father died, he quit school and worked as a stone carver and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy with Thomas Eakins. With money that he had saved, he then went to Paris from 1877 to 1880, and enrolled in the Ecole des Beaux Arts. During this time, to support himself, he painted portraits in Paris and also took decorative commissions in London.

Make Congress Critters Pay

With regard to the Chrysler and the GM deals, many say the administration has set a new precedent for government by disregarding contracts.

If so, why don't we penalize Congress members who have been in office for years and played a part in destroying the economy and our federal treasury?

I suggest we reduce their pensions by 2% for every year they have been in Congress. For example, Arlen Specter has been in Congress for 29 years. Under my plan, if he retired today, Specter's pension would be cut by 58% (29 years x 2%).

Sounds reasonable to me!

Hit Bottom Yet? No Way

The MSM meme seems to be that the recession is bottoming out. Hmm. I read yesterday the US Postal service volume was down almost 15% in the 1st quarter of 2009.

That tells me we have a long way to go before we hit the bottom of the recession. My overriding observation is the Obama administration has not done much to restore the confidence of the average American and especially the small business owner.

Very few are planning to expand their business and evn fewer are starting new businesses.

Goodbye To Our Family Hero

May God Bless Michael Gullotti!

Dr. Michael J. Gullotti, M.D., died on Tuesday, after a long illness with Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Gullotti was sixty years and is survived by his beloved wife, Judith Ann (nee Lynch), his daughters, Michele (Christopher) Jeffries, Christine Gullotti, Stephanie Gullotti , his son David Gullotti, one granddaughter Danielle, a brother Glenn (Joan) Gullotti, and a sister Sandra Costantino. He will live on in the world through the patience, humility, and most importantly, unconditional love he instilled in his family.

He was the son of Vincent and Elvera Gullotti and was born and raised in a rowhome in South Philadelphia. As the edlest child, Dr. Gullotti learned life lessons from his father, who started out as a tailor and went to school at night to become an accountant.

Dr. Gullotti was a graduate of the class of 1966 of Bishop Neumann High School. He worked his way through Villanova University, which he attended on scholarship, and then attended Thomas Jefferson Medical School and graduated in the class of 1974. He paid for both his undergraduate and medical degree by working jobs at the Bellevue Stratford on Broad Street and for Greyhound bus services. To this day, he could quote exact traveling distances and times to various U.S. cities.

Dr. Gullotti went on to become a highly respected cardiologist, treated patients in his private practice and also at Methodist Hospital and Thomas Jefferson Hospital. He met his wife at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, who also worked there as a nurse.

He was devoted to his family, friends, patients and community and was always viewed as the family hero. There was no favor or request that Dr. Gullotti would refuse. Whether making a house call to a sick & elderly person or driving twenty miles after a long shift at the hospital to personally deliver a congratulatory gift basket , Dr. Gullotti was always available and happy to serve.

Dr. Gullotti's promising medical career and his cherished role as family hero was cut short due to Multiple Sclerosis. He retired from medicine in 1993. He was an avid fan of Star Trek movies, collecting Nutcrackers, and ensuring that his kids never left home without some cookies as a travel snack.

The family requests Mass cards or a donation to the National MS Society or to the Thomas Jefferson Medical College.

Separated At Birth

Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter and a doctored up Osama Bin Laden picture. I had never noticed the resemblance before. It helps explain why the mayor is trying to destroy the city.

Best Graph Ever!

Click on my post title to see the best graph ever. It depicts the $100 Million Obama wants his cabinet to cut from govt spending and compares that to total spending. Too too funny. FYI to my Obamabot friends: Obama is an innumerate which I think means he sucks bad at math and arithmetic.

Little Big Horn in The Bronx!

The Indians slaughtered the Yankee dogs the other night. And they did it after sneaking into the Yankee's own compound. The Yankee women, children and old men watched helplessly as the Indians methodically annihilated the Yankees. There is no word yet if Trooper York, the great great great illegitimate grandson of General Custer, survived the bloodshed.

There is an unconfirmed rumor York may have survived but then drank himself to death as he was so despondent and embarrassed at the poor Yankee performance.

Back In The Saddle

Yeehah! Winter is gone and bike weather is back! Did about 25 miles this morning and am still breathing - I view that as a good sign.

Harry Kalas

Harry Kalas, the longtime Phillies announcer, Notre Dame football announcer, and voice of NFL Films died suddenly today. He lived the American dream which was his childhood dream to be a bigtime sports announcer.

Read the news from one of my favorite local bloggers:

http://supportyourlocalgunfighter.com/2009/04/legendary-phillies-voice-harry-kalas-dies/

TEA PARTY SIGN

TEA PARTY PHILADELPHIA, PA APRIL 15, 2009

AMERICA MUST GET BACK TO THE BASICS:

THE BEST GOVERNMENT IS A SMALL GOVERNMENT PROVIDE A SECURE DEFENSE Never forget SEPTEMBER 11TH ENFORCE OUR CURRENT LAWS ENSURE THIS CONTINUES TO BE THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY ASSIST THE INFIRM MAINTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE & Stop squandering our tax money on other stuff RESPECT & HELP OUR SENIOR CITIZENS FUND A MANHATTAN PROJECT TO FIND NEW ENERGY SOURCES & TECHNOLOGIES And drill now for American oil STOP WITH THE NEW SOCIAL PROGRAMS AT LEAST UNTIL: We Fix Medicare or End it We Fix Social Security or End it