Category Archives: Opinion
Social In-Security
For many years, the Social Security Administration has been in need of reform. The most notorious part of the Social Security Administration is that of which insures that senior citizens will not be without some means of income when they reach retirement; however, the short-term projections of Social Security places it on the liabilities of the national budget.
How did this happen? The simplest way to look at the problem is to realize that more people are drawing from the coffers of Social Security than are depositing.
As an 18-year-old who is entering college, I am very concerned about the continuity of this program. Every month, I deposit money into a Roth IRA that is the foundation of my long-term savings. I would be much happier giving money to a privately funded retirement fund than a government program that is predicted to fail long before I ever reach retirement age.
Although serious problems are not projected until 2042, I expect the government to fulfill their contracts with each of those citizens who have paid into Social Security (for a few years or a lifetime) and for as long as the program is compulsory for all Americans. In the future, I hope that the Social Security Administration gives citizens the option to put at least some money, that would otherwise go into Social Security, into private funds.
National Do Not Call Registry
Many years ago, companies found that calling consumers at home to sell products and services was easy and inexpensive. Many consumers began to complain about harassing and frequent phone calls from telemarketers, yet had little protection from phone soliciting. The National Do Not Call Registry was formed to give consumers the choice of whether to receive telemarketing calls.
In March 11, 2003, President George W. Bush signed the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act of 2003 which led to the formation of the Do Not Call Registry. Through this legislation and the supplemental Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, anyone may submit their home or mobile phone numbers for free to the Do Not Call Registry. By law, telemarketers covered by the registry have up to 31 days to stop calling numbers entered on the registry.
There are two ways to enter your phone numbers into the Do Not Call Registry:
- The first and original way is to call 1-888-382-1222.
- The second and most recent way is to visit www.donotcall.gov.
By using one of the two methods listed above, you will never hear from most telemarketers ever again. For more information, visit www.donotcall.gov.
Computer Security: A Second Opinion
Viruses, malware, spyware, and other computer vulnerabilities can wreak havic on a computer and its owner. Even when one has armored a computer with anti-virus software, vulnerabilities may still exhist.
Every few months, I always seek a second opinion to see if my computer is really clear of malware. The main reason for seeking a second opinion is the fact that some sneaky viruses can hide themselves from an installed computer security program.
When it comes to these second opinions, I often seek online virus scanners. It is very important when selecting a online virus scanner; however, because hackers use this popular means of testing computers to their advantage. In fact, some sites claiming to have a “free online virus scanner” may actually place viruses on your computer and force you to buy their remedy to remove them.
The online virus scanner that I have used most commonly is Trend Micro’s HouseCall. Other safe online scanners include, but are not limited to Kapersky Online Scanner and Norton Security Scan. Although these scanners may not catch every threat, they are great to crosscheck your current security software. When you do finally settle on an online virus scanner, be sure to research the web site and company to insure that they have a good track record. Be safe out there!
Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
For the past few days, a couple of beautiful birds have been around my house. When I pulled in the driveway this evening, I happened to see the two birds on the same tree I had seen them countless other times. I took a quick picture and later discovered that it was a pileated woodpecker.
I have never taken a special interest in birds, but these were some beauties. Here are some fun facts about the pileated woodpecker:
- The pileated woodpecker is found throughout much of Canada and many parts of the United States, including West Virginia.
- The pileated woodpecker claims territory by drumming on trees.
- A group of pileated woodpecker is called a “crest.”
- The pileated woodpecker drums to find ants and drum extra holes in case they need to make a quick escape from a predator.
Visualizing the BP Oil Disaster: Day 49
Day 49 of the BP Oil Spill if the epicenter was Beckley, West Virginia
Visualizing natural disasters that do not directly affect us can be difficult. Someone once told me that watching a flood on television does not compare to actually seeing the flood on sight. This is very true. I had the opportunity to see first hand the Mullens, West Virginia flood of 2001. It was almost surreal to see the damage that nature can cause.
The BP Oil Disaster is a bit different; however, mainly because it is not a natural disaster, yet the soruce of distraction is native to Earth. The media is doing a great job of filming each state’s “Ground Zero” as oil reaches their coastlines. Nevertheless, it can never hurt to see how a tragedy of this proportion would affect our own homes. Above is a picture of where the oil would be located if the epicenter was in the heart of Beckley, West Virginia.
When I first saw this picture, I was awed that the oil spill is about the size of West Virginia. To me, all that I can ponder is why the source of this disaster has not been alleviated.
If you would like to see how the BP Oil Disaster would look if it was over your town, visit www.ifitwasmyhome.com. You may even want to check to see how Beckley would look as the spill progresses.
Touchless Direction
For my birthday a couple of years ago, I received a Nextar GPS. Surprising to me, it has been one gadget that I am very happy that I own. The only downside to any GPS is the fact it doesn’t have a sense for knowing when roads disappear.
With that in mind, I considered purchasing a newer GPS model, but decided to go online to try to update the maps for my Nextar M3. I expected to dish out between $50 and $70 for the updated maps. When I visited the Nextar site, I found a happy surprise. Although they do not offer map updates to my Nextar model, they do offer the Nextar Product Exchange program. Long story short, I send them my Nextar M3 and a $90 check and they send me the new Q4-MD, Nextar’s newest feature-packed GPS model retailed at $299.99.
Nextar is not the first (or even second) company I think of for a GPS, but I urge anyone who already has an elderly Nextar to consider this new program.
USPS Five-Day Delivery
If you haven’t heard, the United States Postal Service is in a money crunch with a projected $238 billion shortfall over the next ten years. The Postmaster General has proposed a controversial plan to save money: deliver mail only five days a week to home addresses while continuing six-day delivery to Post Offices and P.O. Boxes.
The Postal Service lists the major changes on its Web site. The main difference is that mail will not be picked up from collection boxes or processed at retail counters until the following Monday. This plan will not become in effect until at least October 2010, but Congress has the opportunity to prevent the proposal through new legislation.
What do you think?
Turning over a new LEAF in energy independence
In 1996, General Motors released the EV1, an electric vehicle with a range of up to 150 miles per charge. Many consumers jumped on the opportunity to lease the EV1 and loved the vehicle with a passion. Cities began creating an electric vehicle infrastructure with signs pointing drivers to many “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.” Not only did the cars outperform many of the vehicles already on the road, but it met the needs of nearly all Americans. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, the EV1 program ended many years ago.
What is surprising is how far this car would have gone in helping America to break its dependence on foreign oil. The reason that the EV1 is not see on the road has been speculated for years. The documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car? (sold on Amazon, among other sites) shows the many possible suspects. It could be the GM executives who had ties to oil companies or California politicians who made it more of a burden than a benefit to drivers of the electric vehicle or even a popular petroleum company who bought the rights to the EV1′s fuel cell. Nonetheless, the EV1 faded out just as quickly as it faded into the marketplace.
There is hope for the electric car, however. Nissan has developed the “Nissan Leaf,” a zero-emission vehicle powered solely by battery. The Nissan Leaf has 100 miles per charge city. Of course, there have been critics that say the Nissan Leaf does not have enough range. In reality, most Americans never drive over 30 miles per day, let alone 100.
Although the price is still too expensive to save money over the life of the vehicle on fuel, many have high hopes that the Nissan Leaf will be a pioneer in the new age of electronic vehicles. Once the Nissan Leaf comes down in price, it can be safely assumed that this is the first of many steps to cut back the dependence on foreign oil, but however ironic, the one American car company who had already created a worthy electric car, ended its program despite outcries from the public.
As America becomes more energy-independent, I hope that manufacturers of all types of goods continue to create products that help consumers not only curb carbon emissions but also save money.
An Uncertain Step
The past few days have been very interesting for Americans. Democrats and Republicans have fought for and against, respectively, a more government-controlled health care system.
Although I believe that the health of Americans are vitally important, I am convinced that policy could have been created that was more straightforward to all Americans. Nevertheless, some very controversial and interesting events have occurred.
From the GOP leader passionately convincing Congress to vote nay to Vice-President Biden passionately speaking to President Obama before a speach about health care is given, one cannot help but to find the situation engaging. Below, I’ve placed a couple a couple of videos featuring the preceding events and a poll on your take of health care reform.
