New Cell Phones - Maybe

In mid-January I canceled Hazel's and my cell phone account with Verizon. this was recommended to us by a Verizon rep since we wanted to have cell phones with local area codes. Went to Costco and had a rep handle it there. We opened a new account with new numbers and new phones - they are nice.

I assumed that our old numbers would be discontinued and I'd receive no further billing - that is what the Costco rep told me would happen. Wrong. Since Verizon was automatically debiting my checking account, I received their usual notice that they were going to take more money in a few days - the full amount. Oh oh. So on 2/18 I called Verizon and spoke with two different customer reps and it was presumably handled, my old account was now canceled. I was impressed how quickly and smoothly it was handled, I guess the Costco rep just didn't do it right so all is well. NO.

Checked this morning and discovered they were still going to debit my checking account for my old numbers - and in the full amount. Called the contact number listed on Verizon's website - it says they will take calls 6am to 11 pm Monday thru Sunday. This is Saturday around 7:30 am so no problem. Wrong, get a message about their hours of availability and then dumped back to automated voicemail menus. Apparently that is west coast time and they don't realize they have service in the east.

Waited until after 9 am and this time got a contact. Explained my situation and the rep told me I would just be billed for 4 days of the current cycle up to the day I contacted their customer service on 2/18. I said that was not acceptable since I had expected my account to be canceled in January and not as of 2/18 when I called Verizon. So, writing this while on hold, the Verizon contact is talking to his supervisor.

Well, the supervisor tells the charge will continue to go through in its full amount but next month I am supposed to get a credit. The only problem is the credit only starts from 2/18 (when I called about the problem) to the end of the billing cycle - March 12th.

Thus I am still going to be charged for 5 days of service on numbers which were supposed to have been canceled.

Here Comes Hillary

When Hillary Clinton has a weak showing in Ohio and Texas she will press to have the Florida and Michigan delegates seated. Even though the states defied Democratic party rules. This, to me, is but a small reflection of the type of person she is. And it won't end there. Expect her to stage a serious floor fight at the convention to win the nomination, doing anything within her power. Integrity, honesty, truth...what's that? I wish the Democrats had found a better woman.

This time I had some optimism that I could be for a candidate instead of against one I viewed as the poorest candidate. However, as this race goes on I find my thinking shifting again to the lesser of evils mode.

It would be nice if we could select some of the best qualities from the various candidates and meld them into a superhero. If so, what would you take from each? Either as a personal quality or as a position on an issue?

Mmmmmmmmm....which one likes dogs the most I wonder? Do any of them golf? Any like popcorn? What do they think about legalizing U-turns on I5 or I95 (you know, population control)?

By the way, traveling in New Jersey...watch your speed. A very serious push is on by the state - 5 mph over the limit may net you a ticket. Troopers are expected to issue a ticket every 10-20 minutes. They have added 30 brand new cruisers. Push is on for the next 30 days from 2/11 to around 3/11/08. The state expects to generate 9 million dollars with a million of that going toward trooper overtime.

Berkeley Non Grata

The recent declaration of the Berkeley City Council about military recruiters and particularly marines has earned my contempt. The Council stated that "If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders;" and goes on to applaud residents and organizations that "volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley."

It will color my actions and influence my future visits to that city in such a way to avoid, when possible, support to any business or organization that is resident in that city. No doubt there are many that disagree with the Council but it is incumbent upon them to make their voices heard and rescind the Council's action.

It was attitudes such as this that enabled the shameful treatment of Vietnam veterans. There are many today, myself included, that are embarrassed that we did not speak up then. I do now. May Berkeley go to Hell!

Relationship With God

A 75-year-old man goes in for his annual physical.

All of his tests come back with normal results. The doctor asks, "Bill, everything looks great. How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Are you at peace with God?"

Bill replies, "God and I are tight. He knows I have poor eyesight. God's fixed it so when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom 'poof' the light goes on!. When I'm done 'poof' the light goes off."

"Wow, that's incredible," the doctor says.

A little later in the day the doctor calls Bill's wife. "Ethel," he says, "Bill is doing fine! But I had to call you because I'm in awe of his relationship with God. Is it true that he gets up during the night and 'poof' the light goes on in the bathroom and when he's done 'poof' the light goes off?"

"Oh my goodness!" Ethel exclaims. "...he's peeing in the refrigerator again!"

Please Mr. President, NO!

I just finished reading a February 6, 2008 Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post by Robert J. Samuelson. Mr. Samuelson reflects the consensus of many economists that presidents have usually had serious negative consequences when they attempt to influence the economy.

I recall Nixon's wage and price freeze which screwed me out of a raise. It worked long enough to get him elected during a short term economic boom which subsequently led to 12 percent inflation (1974) when the controls were removed.

In 1933 Franklin Roosevelt imposed New Deal policies designed to end the depression. They had little impact, World War II ended the depression.

Kennedy and Johnson followed expansionary policies to reduce unemployment. They ultimately led to high inflation.

Ronald Reagan's tax cuts and spending restraints are thought by some to have reduced inflation (thanks Nixon) from 13 to 4 percent. The real hero was the Federal Reserve which, giving credit deserved, Reagan supported.

Clinton was one of the most successful presidents in matters of economics. He left things alone and didn't try to manipulate the economy.

So, when the public clamors for presidents and congress to improve the economy, watch out.

Kitchen Fire

I'd heard that you could use baking soda to extinguish a kitchen fire. This seems better if conditions permit.

A public service announcement.

Dream Office

Another step closer to my dream office. As you can see here, I have a new installation.



Now, I need to add a refrigerator for my beer and I will be content.