Just about everybody who favors the Republican Party was stunned by the 2008 national and local election results. However, the victory in favor of the Democratic Party brings to mind the effects of majority rule: when the majority is trampled by one or another party, and that is discovered, it will be trampled in the elections.
Since Ronald Reagan, people were used to hearing that we should not be so strongly against homelessness because those who choose to be homeless have a right to be homeless. We heard anti-abortion rhetoric joining forces with gun rights advocates; meanwhile, "right to life" resources were slowly drained from the poorest of the poor. Then, the socially stingy policies started to affect even the large middle class, most of whom could no longer afford to stay at home and watch their children. Gun owner rights were constantly touted, until soon, the prisons were so full it was clear that at least 1% of the public were currently in prison, for one thing or another. Soon, most people realized that deregulation meant deregulating only where it benefited the classes perceived by the far-right administration as those whose crumbs might eventually trickle down to the masses of the public.
The far-right success was so complete with all these ideologists they managed to bring to the alliance, that none of their own was completely immune to having friends or family who were failing to get crumbs, or losing the crumbs that used to trickle down to them. The assurance that the non-philanthropic wealthy should not be "forced" to contribute to the well-being of society by paying taxes and that "regulations" and laws should not get in the way of business was all too successful. The more enlightened of business and the wealthy could see that if you continue to deprive the consumers of everything that helps them, soon there will be nobody who can afford to buy or consume goods and services.
We need to get back to a Great Society that offers a New Deal for everyone. These programs put in place by insightful Democratic Party majorities at decisive times in history were great successes in bringing society back together. Naturally, corporations continued to push for lower corporate taxes, and lobbyists for other classes of people continued to push for their own tax breaks. What is surprising is how successful the coalition of otherwise unrelated interests was, and how poorly the Democratic Party put its bids forth before the 2008 elections and those of 2006, which together, swept the ideologues of trickle-down economics out of power. Things come and go, and no doubt, the Democratic Party and current government must think seriously about how to put programs in place that took more than two decades to erode.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Video Gaming and other Toys
You may have enough experience with all these things to have made a good, sound judgment. Back a long time ago, I used to notice that the avid fans playing pinball machines the most often were not the ones I hoped to copy from. I wanted to discuss with any one of them, how they could spend so much time and money at it, was it really going to help anything? But that was their own choice, and questions like that could have lead to trouble. I was in the same age peer group, not some police officer or other authority who might have been able to ask anything they wanted to ask. To this day, I am glad that other than trying pinball a few times - I still enjoy plopping a few quarters in whenever I see a table, or trying a couple on the internet or from a disk, if I see one - it never really appealed to me on a repetitive basis.
We all have our weaknesses, though, and so certainly I had my share of them. For instance, out of desperation from lack of meaning in my life due to a combination of circumstances, I swung towards the far-too-fanatical or serious allegiance to and practicing of a religious group of would-be Christians, during my teen years. Perhaps that was my substitute for what the other kids were doing. In the end, it's a wash. After all my time spent with that, and leaving that behind, most those kids already had cars, homes and families. I started the same things a decade after they did.
Anyway, in the context of today, this is the time of wondering what best combinations of internet gaming, online activity, and sports and just plan old, regular, healthy, wholesome stuff like arts, crafts, and friends are just right. I would put forth that the kids who either have parents who strictly limit their time checking emails, playing computer games, and things like that, are lucky, in a way - all other things being equal. On the other hand, for some kids it's a fair escape - better than breaking school windows, ask the one who caught me, back when I was searching for something to do in the inner city - from other hard realities of life. Let's just pray for every kid to have some amount of self-restraint and be able to divide their time up and pull off from gaming, when they've spent an hour at it already.
As I write this, I believe the Wii is one of the greatest things for people wanting to play games, in a long time. The PSP-based and computer-based game consoles, even though the users connect to other users through the internet, it's part of the group who "matured" to age 10 by the early-2000's. (Now, a lot of them are struggling with occupations and getting loans for schools because some were so pre-occupied with gaming they did not get very interested in school). The group that is 8's and up now is looking at the Wii as the big thing. Yet I can see my gamer acquaintances active on time-wasting but apparently very exciting and engaging (to them) DVD-based games against players all over the world vis-a-vis their online connection. So, it looks like everything will be passe, some day - remember, all those things were passe when they first came out, to people who were most serious about other things, i.e., camping, school, hobbies of other types.
We all have our weaknesses, though, and so certainly I had my share of them. For instance, out of desperation from lack of meaning in my life due to a combination of circumstances, I swung towards the far-too-fanatical or serious allegiance to and practicing of a religious group of would-be Christians, during my teen years. Perhaps that was my substitute for what the other kids were doing. In the end, it's a wash. After all my time spent with that, and leaving that behind, most those kids already had cars, homes and families. I started the same things a decade after they did.
Anyway, in the context of today, this is the time of wondering what best combinations of internet gaming, online activity, and sports and just plan old, regular, healthy, wholesome stuff like arts, crafts, and friends are just right. I would put forth that the kids who either have parents who strictly limit their time checking emails, playing computer games, and things like that, are lucky, in a way - all other things being equal. On the other hand, for some kids it's a fair escape - better than breaking school windows, ask the one who caught me, back when I was searching for something to do in the inner city - from other hard realities of life. Let's just pray for every kid to have some amount of self-restraint and be able to divide their time up and pull off from gaming, when they've spent an hour at it already.
As I write this, I believe the Wii is one of the greatest things for people wanting to play games, in a long time. The PSP-based and computer-based game consoles, even though the users connect to other users through the internet, it's part of the group who "matured" to age 10 by the early-2000's. (Now, a lot of them are struggling with occupations and getting loans for schools because some were so pre-occupied with gaming they did not get very interested in school). The group that is 8's and up now is looking at the Wii as the big thing. Yet I can see my gamer acquaintances active on time-wasting but apparently very exciting and engaging (to them) DVD-based games against players all over the world vis-a-vis their online connection. So, it looks like everything will be passe, some day - remember, all those things were passe when they first came out, to people who were most serious about other things, i.e., camping, school, hobbies of other types.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Financial Rescue Plan for the Economy: Things Take Time
The government's primary purpose isn't necessarily to prop up the most-propertied of socioeconomic classes. Something should be built into this that guarantees that the government will assure that some form of universal health care insurance program is put into place to assist the 46 million people in this country who can't even see a doctor when they need to. In addition, provision should be made to prop up the retirement system, since the financial shenanigans did so much to hurt that system. QUESTION: What companies are well-positioned to benefit and increase their earnings explosively, once a rescue plan of some type comes into place?
Wars are sometimes needed. Will we continue to spend lots of money in Iraq, or will we start spending lots of money in Afghanistan? Either way, will we cut down the amount that is spent per month, overall? Iraq, like our effort in Vietnam, certainly gave our enemies a run for their money; I wouldn't characterize the whole effort in Vietnam as a loss, since it was part of making the enemy spend itself into breakdown. There were some atrocities that left a bad taste, like carpet-bombing and relocations, but on the whole, that effort and our covert work in Afghanistan made the "commies" give up.
Here, it looks like we are exacting a toll, but the toll is even higher on the U.S., since it has meanwhile alienated not just "students" (as did Vietnam when the draft was extended to students), but the entire working class, which has had its stake in the U.S. reduced through loss of social programs and props disguised as tax-cuts. Aside from not listening to his own father, Bush Sr., I wonder how many experienced people and potential advisors George Jr turned away in deciding on his entire foreign policy. That brings to mind the current rescue plan, which was suddenly sprung upon Congress 5 weeks before the elections.
The House and Senate have a critical role of advice and consent. Many of the representatives on those bodies have intelligent advisors whose counsel they seek, before making important decisions. The current president's closest advisors are somewhat tainted by having advised him for the past 4 to 8 years. Things like 700 billion dollar deals can take time to work out.
So after taking whatever time is needed to "get it right," Congress will pass something. The administration releasing this plan just before the elections and then trying to insist on immediate passage was too obviously a political ploy, from the very start. It just begged for advice and consent, which just may delay it until after the elections.
I wonder what companies are well positioned for the post-election, and post-rescue plan, time period?
Wars are sometimes needed. Will we continue to spend lots of money in Iraq, or will we start spending lots of money in Afghanistan? Either way, will we cut down the amount that is spent per month, overall? Iraq, like our effort in Vietnam, certainly gave our enemies a run for their money; I wouldn't characterize the whole effort in Vietnam as a loss, since it was part of making the enemy spend itself into breakdown. There were some atrocities that left a bad taste, like carpet-bombing and relocations, but on the whole, that effort and our covert work in Afghanistan made the "commies" give up.
Here, it looks like we are exacting a toll, but the toll is even higher on the U.S., since it has meanwhile alienated not just "students" (as did Vietnam when the draft was extended to students), but the entire working class, which has had its stake in the U.S. reduced through loss of social programs and props disguised as tax-cuts. Aside from not listening to his own father, Bush Sr., I wonder how many experienced people and potential advisors George Jr turned away in deciding on his entire foreign policy. That brings to mind the current rescue plan, which was suddenly sprung upon Congress 5 weeks before the elections.
The House and Senate have a critical role of advice and consent. Many of the representatives on those bodies have intelligent advisors whose counsel they seek, before making important decisions. The current president's closest advisors are somewhat tainted by having advised him for the past 4 to 8 years. Things like 700 billion dollar deals can take time to work out.
So after taking whatever time is needed to "get it right," Congress will pass something. The administration releasing this plan just before the elections and then trying to insist on immediate passage was too obviously a political ploy, from the very start. It just begged for advice and consent, which just may delay it until after the elections.
I wonder what companies are well positioned for the post-election, and post-rescue plan, time period?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Fast cockroaches and centipedes
Today I tried to step on a 3" cockroach that was running past me and someone else outside; I missed and it got up my pants leg, then scurried to my back and my hair. The other person help me scare it away. Man, that was aggressive! I think it was just a dumb cockroach, really, it was kind of like some monster.
When I first got to my van in the parking ramp this trip, some super-fast little critter that was either a rare 1" centipede (most of them here are 4") or a cockroach whipped under the van and I was left wondering whether it would be in / on the van, or went past the van on the back.
One thing I like about places with winter is the winter kill for insects. Did you have any great experiences with insects, any places where you've lived?
When I first got to my van in the parking ramp this trip, some super-fast little critter that was either a rare 1" centipede (most of them here are 4") or a cockroach whipped under the van and I was left wondering whether it would be in / on the van, or went past the van on the back.
One thing I like about places with winter is the winter kill for insects. Did you have any great experiences with insects, any places where you've lived?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
More septic tanks of older times
Septic Tank for Viewing Opening
in the 1930's, most likely from a Sear block kit.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Reuters.com - Microsoft's Gates not ruling out deals post-Yahoo
| Rich (richardcmonks@yahoo.com) has sent you this article. |
| Personal Message: |
| Yeah! So relieved, that Microsoft does not dilute itself with Yahoo. Microsoft can develop all of the tools needed to make a full-service EVERYTHING. They did not need Yahoo; it was a little hyperactive to offer them the amount that was offered, in the first place. I could see a billion, maybe, but not the stratospheric figures that were being talked about. Is there no possibility at all of getting "aol" for a billion or less. They are bleeding customers by the thousands with their adds attached to emails that crash half the computers that try to open, send or forward emails from "aol." By doing that, Microsoft could get "aol" off Time-Warner's back, unite with "the other" early mass-internet pioneer, and move the management of "aol" to the pasture, so to speak. Just a thought. I am not an expert, just a compatriot baby-boomer, Bill. The world would benefit if "aol's" email users and readers could see it revived instead of slowly crashing into the ground. |
 |
| Microsoft's Gates not ruling out deals post-Yahoo | ||
| Tue May 06 15:55:46 UTC 2008 SEOUL (Reuters) -Microsoft Corp does not rule out partnerships with other companies but has nothing imminent, Chairman Bill Gates said on Tuesday, after the software company pulled a $47.5 billion bid for Yahoo Inc. Microsoft walked away from its bid to buy Yahoo on Saturday, after the Internet company turned down its $33-per-share offer. "The key decisions on that will be made by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who took a look at Yahoo and decided that, on our own, he likes the stuff that we're doing," Gates said in response to a reporter's question about Microsoft's plans. "I wouldn't rule out some partnerships but we don't have anything imminent there," he added. Gates' comments were part of a media pool report. He spoke after meeting South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to discuss cooperation with South Korean companies. Microsoft courted Yahoo to capitalize on the rapidly growing market for Internet advertising, which has long been served by Yahoo's search, e-mail and Web communities. It is also trying to fend off the expansion of Google, which has made inroads into Microsoft's home turf with a portfolio of Web based-applications. Microsoft now needs to convince investors it has a viable alternative to fix an online business that has racked up nine straight quarters of losses. (Reporting by Marie-France Han and Rhee So-eui; Editing by Derek Caney) | ||
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Friday, April 4, 2008
MachoBacho wanted to share this with you
MachoBacho wanted to share this with you:
"If you want to watch the car races in full living color so you can see the unsafe driving practices involved, try it in IMAX when it comes to the races. You will see ever careless and wreckless driving postion that sometimes brings innocent victims to ending up on the wrong end of a careless driver's bumper."
http://community.tradeking.com/members/machobacho/trade_notes/7163-bought-to-open-imq-ia-at-2-35
Review of the Photo Book "Hawaii"
Regular Camera photographs came to life and I still own the book., March 19, 2007
| By | Richard C. Monks "Monks, Richard C." (Shoreview, Honolulu, Waimanalo) - See all my reviews |
This book of Hawaii-related photography by Greg Larson was published in Japan by First Choice Publishers in 1985. I still have it on my shelf in the library. It is not for sale... thanks, anyway. Now and then, I like looking at the 72 pages of color photographs. Sometimes, I like to practice reading it in the five languages used side-by-side throughout the book: English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese. You certainly don't want to miss this, if you speak and read one of those.
In the end, you may have a hard time finding a spot for this book on your coffee table. The book does not contain many "people-pictures." The need for model releases was completely avoided. Or it just may be that aspect -- lack of recognizable people-pictures -- is what caught your eye.
In the end, you may have a hard time finding a spot for this book on your coffee table. The book does not contain many "people-pictures." The need for model releases was completely avoided. Or it just may be that aspect -- lack of recognizable people-pictures -- is what caught your eye.
| Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?   |
Richard C. Monks | Attorney | It's Always a Good Day for Car Safety | 1088 Bishop Street, # 1607 | Honolulu, HI 96813
tel: 808.537.1958 | fax: 808.356.0751 | email: richardcmonks@abanet.org | web: www.richardmonks.com
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Report any car accident where there's injury or damage
A written or in-person police report is required any time there is an accident that looks like about $3,000.00 or more in any one person's property damage, or where anyone is killed in the accident or is known to be injured, as stated in Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), Chapter 287-4. If somebody is not sure they are injured at the scene because they are confused, in shock, or some other uncertainty clouds the issue -- assuming there is less than $3,000.00 in apparent damage to any one vehicle -- they should still report it once they are experiencing any symptoms from injuries that came from the accident.
There's more law about accident reports in HRS Chapter 291C: Section 12, the driver has to stop at or near the scene and give their name, address, registration information, and show their driver's license or permit to the owner or anybody else in a vehicle damaged in the accident, and has to render reasonable aid to any injured people. Failure to stop, furnish identification or render aide can be prosecuted as a felony. Failure to stop and furnish identification is a misdemeanor where there is property damage but no apparent injury (Section 13). Even if a driver hits an unattended vehicle, the driver has to leave this full identification information somewhere conspicuously on or in the damaged vehicle and call the police. In either case -- an attended or unattended vehicle -- the safest thing is to right away call 911 and to stay there until the police can arrive; just fleeing the scene without doing anything at all can be prosecuted as a felony. Garages and repair shops are obligated under Section 19 to report full information to the police department concerning any vehicles they get which show evidence of being in an accident. Call the police, get a police report, and you'll be pretty well covered.
It's okay to move the vehicles somewhat in order to avoid obstructing traffic any more than necessary -- assuming it's possible and safe to move the vehicles. If you have an accident on the freeway, you have to use your good judgment as a driver or passenger. Staying in a vehicle standing still on the freeway is not safe -- even the shoulder of the road is not necessarily safe, but it's better than being stopped in a freeway lane. It may be either more, or less, safe to get out of the car clear away from traffic, in case someone comes along and hits the stopped car again; that happens all the time. On the other hand, if you get out of the car, you could get hit, too; that could be a lot worse, so you might want to make sure there's a safe place to get out to. A lot of good judgment is called for, so hopefully at least the driver of any car makes the right decision, there.
There's more law about accident reports in HRS Chapter 291C: Section 12, the driver has to stop at or near the scene and give their name, address, registration information, and show their driver's license or permit to the owner or anybody else in a vehicle damaged in the accident, and has to render reasonable aid to any injured people. Failure to stop, furnish identification or render aide can be prosecuted as a felony. Failure to stop and furnish identification is a misdemeanor where there is property damage but no apparent injury (Section 13). Even if a driver hits an unattended vehicle, the driver has to leave this full identification information somewhere conspicuously on or in the damaged vehicle and call the police. In either case -- an attended or unattended vehicle -- the safest thing is to right away call 911 and to stay there until the police can arrive; just fleeing the scene without doing anything at all can be prosecuted as a felony. Garages and repair shops are obligated under Section 19 to report full information to the police department concerning any vehicles they get which show evidence of being in an accident. Call the police, get a police report, and you'll be pretty well covered.
It's okay to move the vehicles somewhat in order to avoid obstructing traffic any more than necessary -- assuming it's possible and safe to move the vehicles. If you have an accident on the freeway, you have to use your good judgment as a driver or passenger. Staying in a vehicle standing still on the freeway is not safe -- even the shoulder of the road is not necessarily safe, but it's better than being stopped in a freeway lane. It may be either more, or less, safe to get out of the car clear away from traffic, in case someone comes along and hits the stopped car again; that happens all the time. On the other hand, if you get out of the car, you could get hit, too; that could be a lot worse, so you might want to make sure there's a safe place to get out to. A lot of good judgment is called for, so hopefully at least the driver of any car makes the right decision, there.
NOT LEGAL ADVICE ~ Nothing in these comments or this "blog" constitutes legal advice to any one individual, as the facts, circumstances, and law vary from occurrence to occurrence and person to person. Further, the above laws cited are deemed to be the law as of the date of publication, but laws are changed frequently and you are advised that you must consult the current law or your lawyer in order to know what the current law is. It is not safe to rely on a publication alone, say, in the event you have a legal accident or injury case or are under prosecution for a violation of law; in such cases, you may and probably will need the services of an attorney. Attorney Richard C. Monks handles car accident cases in the State of Hawai'i as a plaintiff's lawyer only, and does not take telephone calls merely inquiring about laws in general. The publication of the above "blog" and any comments replying to it, or subsequent "blog" entries, does not in any way obligate this attorney to return a call to any writer or responder within this blog; return calls are for the clients of Richard C. Monks and things or people directly related or pertaining to such clients or cases arising from same. This "blog" is a self-contained information and interest-related publication, and Richard C. Monks retains the rights to articles or comments published and authored by Richard C. Monks, but claims no right to the comments of others that may be posted herein. Copyright, 2008.
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