Easy Money

Nigerian Scam
Scam: A wealthy foreigner who needs help moving millions of dollars from his homeland promises a hefty percentage of this fortune as a reward for assisting him.

I'm sure most of you have heard of this, but once again the local news is warning viewers to be cautious and avoid falling for this scam.

People have to be warned about this? The following is an actual excerpt from an email from Nigeria requesting help in removing $21,000,000 from the country.

WE ARE TOP OFFICIAL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IMPORATION OF GOODS INTO OUR COUNTRY WITH FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY TRAPPED IN NIGERIA. IN ORDER TO COMMENCE THIS BUSINESS WE SOLICIT YOUR ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE US TRANSFER INTO YOUR ACCOUNT THE SAID TRAPPED FUNDS.

Well, that certainly sounds official and trustworthy to me. What's amazing is that the scam keeps coming back around (its been going on since the late 80's). That means there are people out there who believe that they have received an unsolicited email offering to share millions of dollars with them if they'll just send a couple of thousand to Nigeria to help cover transporting fees etc. Happens all the time!

Of course, we all want easy money. The silliest thing I ever tried for some easy cash was oil futures in the commodity market. Didn't make a dime but did get to show a loss on the capital gains portion of my taxes which helped me get a larger refund (which didn't even come close to offsetting what I lost.)

So have any of you ever been scamed or tried to make a little extra cash the quick way? I don't think I'd fall for any get rich quick scheme (of course if you know of one that works email me).

Would you?

It's your choice, as long as you do what I want.

Judge Orders Teen to Cancer treatment 21 7:49 PM US/Eastern

By SONJA BARISIC Associated Press Writer

NORFOLK, Va.

A judge ruled Friday that a 16-year-old boy fighting to use alternative treatment for his cancer must report to a hospital by Tuesday and accept treatment that doctors deem necessary, the family's attorney said.
The judge also found Starchild Abraham Cherrix's parents were neglectful for allowing him to pursue alternative treatment of a sugar-free, organic diet and herbal supplements supervised by a clinic in Mexico, lawyer John Stepanovich said.
Jay and Rose Cherrix of Chincoteague on Virginia's Eastern Shore must continue to share custody of their son with the Accomack County Department of Social Services, as the judge had previously ordered, Stepanovich said.
The parents were devastated by the new order and planned to appeal, the lawyer said.

Is freedom real, or is it an allusion? How much freedom does or should the state allow. We live in a "free" society yet when it comes to many of our personal choices, that freedom is being curtailed. Examples:

Seatbelt laws: Why is it the states place to force me to wear a seatbelt in my car? We are told our safety is enhanced by wearing belts, but what if I don't want to be safe? Personal choice?

Smoking: Only a moron doesn't know that smoking is bad for your health, but so is falling off a cliff. It is conceivable that in some places smoking may be banned in your car or house. What makes me mad about this one, and I don't smoke, is that the state wouldn't dream of banning the product. They need the tax revenue. If I were the tobacco companies when a state sued for damages, I would pull my product completely from the shelves then run it on sale across the border. The drop in revenue would drop the suit.

Yet, despite these "do gooder" laws we often contradict ourselves. We won't allow the boy above to choose his own treatment, but we'll allow abortion. Aren't we told abortion is a personal choice? Well, so is smoking, seatbelts, medical treatments, what you eat etc.

The question is then, how much freedom is too much freedom? What would you allow or ban? And, are we really free or do we just live with an illusion of freedom?

The Utter Strangeness of it All

The night before last went to the funeral home to say goodbye to a friend. The line was huge weaving in and out through the entire building with an hour to 2 hour wait. As I waited in line, I began watching the people around me and I came to a startling conclusion. Waiting in line for a funeral is exactly the same as waiting in line at an amusement park for, perhaps, a roller coaster.

The human mind is a strange organ indeed, but consider:

The people behave the same. They peer around the line trying to see how close they're getting. The watch closely to assure no one breaks ahead of them. The talk, laugh and sit or lean on any object available. As the approach the end they become more animated standing on their tip toes in anticipation. You can almost hear the sigh when they finally enter the room to view the coffin.

Of course, the emotional content is different. Sorrow at the funeral, exhilaration at the roller coaster but both are a type of release. Strange to see the similarities I know perhaps I was having an avoidance reaction causing me to ponder this, but the similarities were eerie.

found out this morning that one of my coworkers and friends died last night in a motorcycle accident. Funny how we get to feeling insulated from death. We see it on tv in Isreal and thank God we don't live there, but theres no getting away from it. You have plans, dreams and hopes then your gone. I'm sure as he was riding his bike, a harley by god, he had no idea that he would be gone. He left behind a wife and a little girl, who yesterday afternoon had no idea that their world was about to end. Tomorrow ight I'll have to face them and their family. What can I say? That theres a reason for everything. I'm sure that will be a great comfort. All that girl knows is that her daddy isnt coming home.

Rest easy Chris. I'll miss you.

Yet More CSIs

Well, it is almost time for the new television season and my friend at the studio that makes CSI has sent me a list of the new ones for the year. So here, without further ado, they are:

1. CSI Australia: Two detectives from down under, Steve and Mick investigate a rash of kangaroo killings. Chaos ensues when the only witness, a talkative Asian girl, refuses to admit that a kangaroo could kill anyone. Trouble brews when Mick is trampled by a herd of water buffalo. (Special guest appearance by Skippy the amazing Roo)

2. CSI Atlanta: Two southern detectives, Bubba and Jerry, investigate reports that unsuspecting women are being held in a cellar. Chaos ensues when their prime suspect turns out to be a 59 year old transgendered man who never leaves his mother's basement. Trouble brews when Bubba is strangely attracted to the suspect.

3. CSI World Cup: Two detectives Pat and Tommy investigate why anyone would watch the world cup. Chaos ensues when they discover there is absolutely no reason to watch the world cup. Trouble brews when Pat headbutts Tommy as they argue about the superiority of American sports.

Why Americans have a problem with Australians

Australia, you know that country near New Zealand, a thorn in our side. Here are the top five reasons:

5. Steve Irwin. What did we ever do to deserve 24 hours of Irwin on Animal Planet. I swear if I hear "Crikey" one more time, I will put a bullet in my skull.

4. Poisonous snakes. Australia has the worse poisonous snakes in the world. You can't take a walk or swim in the pool without being bit by one and dying. Crikey!

3. Kangaroos. The most dangerous creature in the world (after snakes). Don't tell me they're harmless. I just watched "When Kangaroos Attack" on the National Geographic Channel.

2. Down Under. Down Under what? The table? The bed? We don't say we're from the land "up over". C'mon enough already.

1. Vegamite sandwich. 'Nough said. And what ever happened to "Men at Work?" Probably got bit by a snake while being attacked by a kangaroo. Crikey!!

A little time off

Went to the Smokey Mountains for a couple of days. Didn't get that many pics but here is one of Laurel Falls. Not a bad hike maybe two miles. A storm was rolling in as I climbed so I din't get a lot of time at the falls but enjoyed it anyway.















More of the falls.















Did a little rock scrambling along the canyon river. I really enjoy falls and streams etc. Flowing water looks the same but is always changing. I should probably make some comparison between life and water, but maybe I just like water.
















I find great peace and solace in the mountain. Nature has a way of recharging your batteries. Work tomorrow. Ye and haw.

For the working man

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms [of government] those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.-Thomas Jefferson

Over two hundred years ago, the founding fathers worked to establish a country based on individual freedoms. Freedom from oppression, freedom of religion, freedom from the "state". This Fourth of July, I wonder what they would think of their grand experiment?

In many ways America has been everything they dreamed and more. No other country in the history of the world has created more wealth, opportunity and freedom. Yet we find, slowly, our freedoms slipping away taken by career Republicrats, a political class that is loosing touch with the very people they claim to represent. They are not what makes America work.

Who does make America work?

The teachers, police and firemen, the factory worker, the sales clerk. Anyone who gets up every morning and goes out hoping that there is still a part of the American dream left for them and their children.

And the dream is still obtainable.

Harder to get perhaps, but there is still no other place on earth where a person with no background or even education can become so successful. America still is, with all its problems, conflicts and issues, the single greatest country the world has ever seen or may see again. I am thankful I was born American and it is my hope and prayer that we as a people, will not let the dream slip away.

God bless all of you, and God bless America. Happy Fourth of July.

DWO working for a living in the good ol USA.