187 days to go

       The U.S. government wants to see all the correspondence concerning a faulty car part from a major auto company.  The government claims the company has not been truthful with the American people.  Did the company know something was wrong before the cars were put on the road?  Did someone know there was something wrong and do nothing before 35 people died?  The American people want answers.

      While we are waiting for the answers from the auto makers, could we get some answers from the drug companies as well?  How many drug companies have chosen to say nothing about  the deaths caused by their products?  How long  have the drug companies known their products cause problems?  Which researchers knew there was a problem and said nothing or, if they did question authority, why was nothing done to correct the problems?

      The above examples are just the tip of a very large iceberg.  As the FDA explains it, the government expects the drug companies to be honest with them and inform the FDA about any problems before they become major concerns.  With so much money, tax dollars and employment at stake, will a couple of deaths really trouble these powerful companies?

     Personally, I think the government would be crazy to fine any of the companies into the next century.  Congress is going to convene several committees which will find that someone knew something but that someone was  silenced or paid off to say nothing.  With so much at stake, a couple of deaths will be  considered the cost of doing business.  Someone's head will roll and they will be fired.  That someone will go into hiding for a year and come out with a new book about corruption in the business world. 

      Congress can threaten big companies all they want.  But in the end, each and every congressman knows what the economy would be without the big companies.  And without the big companies, there would be no political contributions.

    So guess who loses?

  
  

188 days to go

     Does anyone know where I can purchase a portable narrow beam electromagnetic force generator?   I just need a small one, nothing special, but a generator which will run off my car battery without running it down. I'll mount it on the dash in place of the GPS which I don't want or need.  I can get lost on my own and I don't require any help.
    About now you are asking yourself, 'What does he want with a electromagnetic force generator?' And my answer would be very simple, "I want to put a stop to the individuals who stand on their horns because they are behind me and don't see the pothole big enough to swallow an armored truck."
     During the last couple of days we have not had just a little snow which merely kisses the cars.  The Washington Area has had more snow than many northern states. And the flakes which have not buried the cars are out driving as though there was no snow at all.  Just because there are piles of snow which block the view of everyone, there always is someone who thinks they are the only one driving on the road. These individuals tailgate, honk, speed, try to hog the road, drive with one hand while balancing their checkbook and their laptop.
      "Attention all persons of interest, your time has come. No longer will you act like morons. Actually you are welcome to be an idiot.  But realize that if I see you drive like you own the road, I will just flip the switch and stop your car, dead in its tracks.  I hope you're wearing your seat belts because when your car or SUV stops, you're body will still be traveling the speed of your car.  Peeling bodies from the inside of the windshield is just messy."
    I have been told that the narrow beam from the generator might not be as narrow as I would like.  What this means is that  when activated, the beam could disrupt a couple of other cars or city blocks.  So in addition to warning the Other Persons on the road, I should mention that if your electricity suddenly goes out, don't blame the electric companies or the tree limbs on the wires, just blame the crazies who will know better after they have crossed Art Garroway.
    This is your final warning!
      
     
     
    
    

189 days to Go

     There is a saying, "You know you are getting older when the music which your kids listen to sounds like noise."  Some of this noise is played so loudly that the speakers in the trunks of cars sound as though they are going to rip apart.  I realize no one asked my opinion  but doesn't anyone care about their hearing anymore?  When  I was young and able to go to concerts, I would come away with a whooshing noise in my ears.  Sometimes the white noise would last until the next day.  Did I care? Well, yes and no.  Yes, I can say that.  I knew that loud noises were not  good for hearing.  But when a friend invites you to a concert, you don't always have the luxury of saying no.
     I grew up in the fifties and sixties.  We could understand what was said when something was sung.  The music was loud but the enucciation was clear. Country music was clear back then and is still clear today.  I can't say that about any other kind of music.  Some singers place their mouth right against the mike as though they don't want any sound to escape. I don't understand Rap music and don't care for it.  Loud and foul is what I think of Rap music.  I'm sure I just have not heard the right artists but cussing  in a song is just plain wrong.
      When the noise which accompanies the "Singing" is composed of a dozen beats which are repeated over and over again, then it is time to find another station.  If these Rap singers are as great as they say they are, then let them put words to the '1812' overture.  And none of the words can relate to killing, stealing, abusing or should be any curse word which has ever been uttered.
     And the Rapper will stand and listen to great music which will be something he probably never heard before.