SPK Random Blogs

Rant: Are We Asking Too Much From Our Government?

2011-08-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Over the years, especially when it comes close to election time, I will hear a lot of noise around why our economy sucks. Complaints about our current government not doing their job and how we should replace them with someone more polish that promises reforms, tax breaks, and many other nice things. Every time thing happens it really pisses me off about us, as individual, and less about our government. We were the one who voted the guys in there, who to say the next guy we vote in is any better or worst?

John F. Kennedy said it best "As not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country....". In today society, we want our government to help us in so many different ways. You see group of people demand better health care, another group demand better environmental control, and another group demand lower taxes. While all of this demanding is going on, they all agree on a few things: smaller government, not having to pay taxes, and not in my back yard. The American society is like a bunch of spoiled children who used to have all of the toys and glory, now no longer can affording it, still demands it.

The math is simple: Take a county for an example. A large portion of their income comes from property taxes. As US population grows and economy doing well, American becomes reckless. Buy homes they can't afford, buying TV they don't need, and buying cars they want to show off. Living the good life of credit debt. Over 90% of American falls into this category and guilty of it. As the result of the population growth, they demand their government to keep up with demand. Thus more police officers, more firemen, more nurses and teachers. As the economy starting too suffer, American people decide to be irresponsible and not pay for the TV they bought. Not paying for the house they had and just walk away with a simple paper filing of bankruptcy. The population didn't get smaller, it still continue to grow. Income to the government decrease at a huge rapid rate as more and more homes are being foreclosed. So what to do next? Increase taxes to keep up with supporting demand..we cried NOOOOO. Let see, we have to fire our teacher and close down school to cut cost...we cried NOOOOO! How about letting go some police officers to cut cost.. we again cried NOOOO.

What the government should do is turn the table back to the American people. OK genius, I can't cut cost and can't raise taxes, but demand to maintain service, what is the formula to turn lead into gold so I can accomplish this????

We as American people are a bunch of selfish whiners. When we screw up, we expect the government to care for us, we compare our system with Canada and other country a like, demand our government care for us. When our government starts to, we complain and pull out the "democracy" card. Demanding we are not and should not become a socialist country. Bad Canada, Bad other nation.

So what the FUCK do we want our government to do? Why don't we get off our lazy asses, and get a job. Maybe if we get a job, pay our taxes on time, and maybe the economy won't go to shit. It is not that there is NO job out there. There is NO job "good enough" for me out there. There plenty of jobs, but we rather stay at home to get the unemployment check, file for disability, and live off Medicare system rather than working for the same pay as we are getting with unemployment. Simple right? Why am I stupid enough to go work at McDonald at $6.75 per hour and be a responsible tax paying American, when I can do absolutely nothing and get paid $6.75 per hour in unemployment? I can catch up on all those TV shows I wanted.

What the FUCK? Each day on the news seeing complaint about our government not doing their job, all while at the same time seeing the lazy American we are sitting on our coach doing the complaint on TV with a bag of chips with unemployment benefit, just pisses me off!

A simple fix: Get off our lazy ass, go find a job, any job that paid you decent wages, rebuild your skill in a new direction, pay taxes. If every American will do just that, maybe..just maybe we will have the rights to complain about our government not doing their job. Can't really do that if we are not doing our part.

To Give Or Not To Give, That Is The Question....

2011-04-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Every year, I am alway faced with the question of to give or not to give to charity organization. In the past, I've given money to several charity organizations, such as Michael J. Fox Foundation, Red Cross, various Buddhist Temple, and other type or help organizations. Early in life, we were taught giving is a good thing. It will make us feel good to help others in need. In our society of corruptions, thief, and scams, it makes me think twice about giving or helping people these days.

I am fortunate enough to have a job and able to feed my family, there are those who are less fortunate than I, especially in times of major disaster like Japan's recent earthquake or the devastating disaster of Haiti not too long ago. When such an un-fortunate event like this occurs, it is usually followed by swarm of organizations asking to help people in needs. We have celebrities such as George Clooney using is star power to do a telethon to raise money for hope. Former President George W. Bush and Bill Clinton created a Haiti Funds. Each time a disaster event occurs, hundreds of millions are raised to help the victim in need.

Aside from disaster, annually there are causes around the world helping people in needs. Annually world leaders meet together to talk about how to end world hunger. Billions of dollars have been pour into Africa and other countries a like. United States offers Africa $1 Billion a year to help fight AIDS.

Annually billions upon billions of dollars are raised, funded, and gathered to help people in need. At the end of the day, why I am asking myself to give or not to give. Why am I hesitant on giving each time I walk by a Red Cross booth at the local supermarket? Why am I hesitant on giving each time I see a telethon occurs on TV? Even more simple, why do I walk pass a hungry man on the street asking for food so he could feed his children? (Note: Reminds me of the song by Phil Collins Another Day In Paradise) It is the corruption I see going on each and every day. There are legal fraud and illegal fraud. I can't help to wonder how much of my $1.00 donation really goes to the hand of people in need. How much of so call "administrative fees" are being buffered. I see on the news and sometime do see charity people driving nice BMW and Mercedes. It makes me wonder is that part of my money they are driving with or did they honestly earn that from a real day job? If I hand the guy I see on the street asking for money to help feed his children, will he? Or will he go to the nearest liquor store and buy a pack of smoke or alcohol? Why are we annually as a country giving billions upon billions to Africa to help people in needs, when are are millions of people here in the United States who are really in needs. People who does contribute to the tax systems and really need help.

With the hundreds and thousands of charity organizations out there, wouldn't they make more of an impact if they all unite and focus the money towards a single cause? Why do we have thousands of charity organizations raising money on individual hope to fund a cure for some disease such as cancer. Wouldn't research be 100x more effective and efficient if we all focus our money, time, and resources trying to a cure to one disease at a time?

Each day, hundreds of questions flow through my head. Not one answer seems logical. Not one answer seems reasonable. It has gotten to a point that I am numb to what's going on and turn a blind eye on things. Be like any typical American, just walk on by and one day before I go from this world looking back at what I have done or lack there of in regret.

Microsoft Windows 7 - GOD Mode

2010-01-28T20:41:00.001-08:00

For those who uses Microsoft Windows 7, there is an easter egg hidden in there called "God Mode", which is pretty cool. You can gain access to alot of cool functionality through this method.

First start by creating a folder on your desktop.
Give the folder a name "GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}". It has to be exactly as such.

Once you are done, you will notice the folder changed icon to something else like a dashboard. Double click on it will open up a panel of cool stuff.

ENjoy!

Fact Check: Decoding Obama's Prescription for Health Care - ABC News

2009-08-14T07:56:00.001-07:00

Fact Check: Decoding Obama's Prescription for Health Care - ABC News

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Verizon Data Plan for Smartphone

2008-05-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, the BIG RED (Verizon) released a new competitive data plan for personal usage. They call it "Email & Web for Smartphone". At the moment, only 3 smartphones qualify for this plan, but more will be included down the road.

Unlike the traditional 44.99 unlimited data plan previously, this plan is only 29.99 a month. You won't have access to verizon push email functionality and it is not intended to work with Outlook Exchange Server. Neitherless it is a cheaper plan with the same limit of data as the more expensive plan.

You can see more detail on it on the Verizon sheet.

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/Documents/VZWSmartphone.pdf

Apple iTune Music vs Alternative

2008-05-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I decided to burn a collection of music in MP3 format so I could listen in my car, since it is MP3 compatible. To my amazement, that couldn't be done through the Apple iTune on music purchased through the Apple iTune Store. All of the music you've purchased, legally paid for, and in a sense have the right to use it all you want and whatever way you want, can't be done. Apple's iTune add a lock security DRM to each of the music file and can not be removed (at least not in a legal fashion). A person or group of people contributed to a freeware application to allow people who purchased these music remove the DRM (QTFairUse and myFairTunes) have been sue and forced to abandon the cause.

Now I have to think twice about purchasing music through Apple iTune as I can't use it for any other devices except Apple iPOD series. These days, you have devices to listen to MP3 all over the place. From cellphones, cars, and even kitchen frig. With that, the need to have a more portable music file is more important. The world does not evolve around iPODs.

I think I will be purchasing my music from Amazon from now on. All of their music are equal or lesser price than Apple iTune and it is DRM FREE. Meaning I can put it in whatever music device I wish, such as Apple iPOD, Microsoft Zune, or burn it on a MP3 CD to listen in my car! To add a bonus to it, the quality it is released with is better than Apple iTune. Of course there are negative things to say about Amazon MP3 Music Store. The purchasing interface isn't as easy to use when compared to the Apple iTune. Neither less, for an average computer users and the newer generation who can manage maintaining facebook, myspace, blogspot, and a tons of other websites at once, I doubt that is a problem.

You can read other people options on the new Amazon MP3 Music Store here:
http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2007-09/amazon-mp3-music-store-im-having-so-much-fun/
http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2007/09/26/amazon_store/index.html
http://gigaom.com/2007/09/25/amazon-mp3-vs-apple-itunes-whos-better-now/
http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/2007/09/amazons_mp3_store_fails_to_suc.html

While I greatly enjoy the simple usage of the Apple iTune, making the music I purchased versatile isn't their best. I have give some credit to Apple for taking steps toward DRM free, but compared from DRM vs DRM free library they have now, it is like day and night. It is less than 1% of their entire library collection.

I suppose until Apple makes their music DRM free or I find a way to convert these easily, I'll be purchasing my music from Amazon.COM from now on. I'll definitely still use Apple iTune to manage my music collection and sync with my Apple iPOD Touch, but it won't be a place for me to purchase my music.

Michael Buble Music Video

2008-05-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here are a few good Michael Buble Music Video.

http://www.michaelbuble.com/

Amazon.com Widgets

Michael Buble - Lost

Michael Buble - Home

Michael Buble - Everything

Classic Nintendo Comeback!

2008-05-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Now this is taking the old TV series Silver Spoon to new level. Apparently a guy was able to rig up a full size working Nintendo contoller. Sheesh! another thing I have to add on my list of cool thing to have!

HTC Diamond - New Touch Technology!

2008-05-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

Today in London, HTC annouced the new HTC Diamond cellphone. Taking the HTC Touch line to a whole new level. It follow the current Touch tradition by keeping it slim. However it features the new 3D Touch Flo interface technology sitting on top of Window Mobile 6.1. The high point of this new device it the fact it is a 2.8 VGA resolution screen. Giving it an outstanding crisp image.

http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=46286
Processor: Qualcomm® MSM7201A™ 528 MHz
Operating System: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
Memory ROM: 256 MB
RAM: 192 MB DDR SDRAM
Internal storage: 4 GB
Dimensions: 102 mm (L) X 51 mm (W) X 11.5 mm (T)
Weight: 110 g (with battery)
Display:2.8-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with VGA resolution
Network HSDPA/WCDMA:
Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
Up to 384 kbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds

Now when will it hit US and who will carry it, no one knows. There is also another one rumor to be part of this line is the HTC Touch Pro, or known as HTC Raphael. This will be the CDMA version of the Diamond, however comes with a keyboard! Speculation saying it will host similar technology as the Sony X1, since HTC is the maker of that!

Nintendo Wii Mario Kart

2008-04-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while browsing around at Bestbuy, I picked up the newly released Nintendo Wii Mario Kart and an extra Wheel. The game is absoluately outstanding. I had picked up the Nintendo Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii a few weeks ago. In comparison, the Mario Kart blows it away.

The package comes with one Wheel and the game itself. You basically stick in your Wii stick into this wheel and use it as a steering wheel. The control is fairly responsive. What makes this game stand out and fun is the fact it is "Wi-Fi" compatible. Meaning you can play with other people online, giving that extra boost of fun.

While playing the game with the wheel giving it a fun factor, you can in fact still control the game fine using the Wiimote / nunchuck combo or the classic controller. Spending the extra money on the wheel is optional, but not required. Of course the package itself already comes with one.

Be warn, like most Wii games, this game will definitely leave your shoulder soring for a few days! =)

You can read on a few review by people who purchased this by clicking Mario Kart Review (HERE).

A few other reviews:

Gaming Heaven: http://www.driverheaven.net/gamingreviews.php?reviewid=581

CNet Review: http://reviews.cnet.com/wii-games/mario-kart-wii-wii/4505-9993_7-32513028.html?tag=bubbl_1

Verizon XV6900 - aka HTC Touch CDMA (HTC Vogue)

2008-04-23T16:23:00.000-07:00

Finally after a long delay, many speculations, and endless sleep for a lot of people, the HTC Touch has been officially released to Verizon as XV6900. It had been launched via http://www.vzw.com website as of 04/16/2008 and might show up in stores around 04/30/2008.

The Verizon XV6900 is the cousin of the HTC Touch released in GSM for T-Mobile in the past. The CDMA version had been released to Sprint as Spring Touch in 2007 with a black rubber cover. Verizon, as always wants to be special and different, decided to release this in an all white shinny plastic cover. It comes standard with Windows Mobile Professional 6.0 (also known as Windows Pocket PC version)

This phone tout a nice 65000 color LCD screen, EVDO Rev A ready (not active), and a nice thin design. It would be nice to have wi-fi on this as well, for poor soul who can't afford to pay the unlimited data plan. A common comments you will find about this device is the fact why Verizon went with the white shinny cover instead of the nice rubber version Sprint had released. Another comment would be the lack of multimedia offering on this device. Sprint came with Sprint TV. VZ Navigation isn't available on this device yet.

To make this phone even better is the fact Verizon annouced a new data plan for Smartphone. The Web and Email data plan for Smartphone is only 29.99 unlimited per month. While it currently cover the XV6800 and other smartphones at the moment, it is only time until the XV6900 gets added to the eligiblity list.

Below are some reviews and information on this new device.

HTC Touch Specification
http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=362

Compare XV6900 vs XV6800
http://www.xv6900.com/Compare-the-XV6900-to-the-SMT5800-and-XV6800-Verizon-Phones

User Interface Screenshot
http://www.xv6900.com/XV6900-User-Interface-Screenshots

Interactive E-Learning
http://www.htc.com/uploadedFiles/Common/Training_Guides/HTC_Touch/e-Learning/htctouch.htm

User Guide / Manual
http://www.htc.com/uploadedFiles/Common/Training_Guides/HTC_Touch/Manual/HTC_Touch_English_Manual.pdf
HTC Touch CDMA FAQ
http://www.htc.com/www/FAQ_Detail.aspx?p_id=1&act=faq

HTC Touch CDMA Read Me First Doc
http://www.htc.com/uploadedFiles/Common/Training_Guides/HTC_Touch/QSG/HTC_Touch_English_RMF.pdf
XV6900 Unbox
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLpfWy6tXM0

Verizon XV6900 Internet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhcWVLdbITo

Sling Player Mobile on XV6900
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o56Oaf4-BmA

Verizon Wireless XV-6900
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LXNUK9q6o8

Verizon Wireless XV6900 Browsing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzPN6XlG_6U

HTC Commerical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sLZiwzNsFQ

CNET XV6900 Review
http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/verizon-wireless-xv6900/4505-6452_7-32954256.html?tag=prod.txt.1

A dedicate XV69000 website
http://www.xv6900.com/

SNL - Celebrity Jeopardy

2008-04-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

I have to say this is a classic! You could watch it tons of time and still find it's funny!

Little Crazy Dancing Machine!

2008-04-10T17:16:00.001-07:00

Watch this pretty funny kid bust a move...he got skillz!

The "Truth" about Sushi

2008-04-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Came across this interesting explanation about sushi. Answer why sometime we get wierd looks when ordering them at a Japanese Restaurant.