One great thing about living in California is that we're big enough to do our own thing. One not so great thing about living in California is that we're big enough to do our own thing. The California Energy Commission has passed (unanimously) new energy efficiency requirements on all televisions up to 58 inches that are sold in the state of California. This does not apply to companies such as Amazon shipping into California or prohibit consumers buying out of state. The effect they hope to have? Efficiency in what accounts for 2% of electricity use across the state. Combined with the highest sales tax rate, look to see more California retailers struggling and closing their doors as they have to sell more expensive televisions or have less selection to sell. The real kicker will be if 59 inch televisions become cheaper than their energy efficient counterparts.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Reid fails to thread the needle on Abortion
The Health Care Reform effort is again at risk due to the contentious abortion issue. Not satisfied with the House's ban on abortion coverage for any public option, Majority Leader Harry Reid has attempted to craft language that maintains the status quo on abortion (i.e. no Federal funds, but states can offer and individual premiums can cover). But Catholic Bishops view the bill as completely unacceptable to the Pro-Life side.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091120/D9C39JS81.html
This is only a minor preview to the next decade of morality debates as part of the Health Care debate. Once the government controls heath care - and individuals view it as a "right" rather than a product - everything becomes a moral/philosophical issue.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
T-Mobile staff sold customer data
Identity theft is a major problem of the modern age. We are all scared of the prospects of unknown criminals using our personal information to impersonate us. But what happens when the identity theft is done by the very people we trust to protect it? Watch for some serious repercussions here.
Staff at mobile phone company T-Mobile passed on millions of records from thousands of customers to third party brokers, the firm has confirmed...
Christopher Graham said brokers had sold the data to other phone firms, who then cold-called the customers as their contracts were due to expire.
Amazing!
Thanks to @spdean for pointing out this amazing video. My back hurts just looking at some of these moves, and I am greatly humbled. But also inspired to see what is possible for a true master of the bicycle.
Only single men buy underwear
There are some facts strange enough to be entirely unforeseen, but also seem obvious once stated. I think a new department store study of men falls into that category.
According to a department store, men buy pants for a mere 17 years of their lives, with the women in their life shopping for male underwear most of the time...Do my married friends find this to be one of the great advantages of wedded bliss? I will admit that it is not one of the aspects that makes me look forward to it for myself.
A survey of Debenham shoppers suggested that throughout their childhood and teenage years boys rely on their mothers to pick out their underwear. After a brief period of independence between the ages of 19 and 36 when men chose their own boxers or briefs, they then settle down and hand over the responsibilities to their girlfriends or wives.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
More on the Mysterious Ukraine Epidemic
Guaranteed to Make You Smile (and maybe cry)
Want to see true unadulterated joy? Check out this site which has videos of soldiers coming home from war and see how happy their dogs are to see them. You'll be guaranteed to smile and you might even cry a little bit. The is a reason why dogs are called "Man's best friend". Here is a sample.
Conference Bike?!
This is amazing. Looks great for a business meeting, but can't imagine trying to ride a straight line on it.
Senate explores taxes, taxes, and more taxes to pay for Health Care Reform
The Obama administration keeps pledging that Health Care Reform will wind up saving Americans money. But every time we hear back from Congress, the tax bill for it keeps going up. Now, the Senate is exploring new and interesting ways to tax hiring in the middle of the Great Recession.
The versions leaked so far would add as much as 0.5% on workers who earn more than $200,000. If assessed on both the worker and employer, this would increase the Medicare tax rate to 3.9% from 2.9% today. It would also create the first progressive payroll tax in American history, with wealthier workers paying a higher Medicare payroll tax rate than lower income workers...For those keeping score at home, that includes both taxes that punish investing (which creates jobs) and hiring (which gets people into jobs). Anyone out there think that will have a positive effect on Unemployment?
In another trial balloon, Mr. Reid would impose the payroll tax on all income, not just wages and salaries. This means applying the tax to capital gains, dividends and other investment income. This would convert the Medicare levy into a de facto version of the income tax.
I am still amazed that the Democrats seem to think Unemployment is unimportant compared to all of their other priorities.
Monday, November 16, 2009
"Eye-Scorching" Winter Jersey
Biking in the summer is easy. There is plenty of light, the weather is forgiving, and most drivers on the roads are looking for people on the roads. Winter biking is a whole different thing. The days are short and clouds are plentiful, so you are likely to be riding in twilight or darkness. The weather tears at any exposed areas with harsh cold and snow/ice. And drivers are so encased into their vehicles that they have little awareness of anything but other automobiles. If you do plan to brave the winter months on two wheels, you may want to consider a jersey like this one which is thermally-lined, highly reflective, and colored in a way is impossible to ignore.
Government encourages donations to pay down National Debt
No, really. While many Americans are looking for more reasons to avoid paying taxes, the Treasury has set up a special fund to take donations to ease the National Debt. Of course, at $7.6 trillion, it will take more than a penny drive to make a difference.
The U.S. Treasury Department accepts gifts, payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt. Just mail them to the attention of Department G, Post Office Box 2188, Parkersburg, West Virginia, 26106-2188. Make a note in the memo section that it is a gift to reduce the debt held by the public...One wonders how long the donations will be truly voluntary.
According to Treasury spokesman Kim Treat, people do send checks. In the last fiscal year they added up to a little over $3 million, which was the highest total since at least 1996.
Some include notes. Common reasons for donating include a sense of patriotism and immigrants expressing their thanks to the United States for giving them an opportunity, he said.
