Jul 31, 2010
When Mark Twain came to Janesville, WI
Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.
Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable.
Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of the other person.
--Mark Twain
125 years ago, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York, the Washington Monument was dedicated, and Ulysses S. Grant died after winning the Civil War as military commander and serving as President of the United States.
It was also the year that Mark Twain came to Janesville and lectured at Myers Opera House (which later become a movie theater and was torn down in 1977).
Mark Twain is as relevant today as he was 100 years ago. Like many of us, he loved the latest gadgets and inventions. For example, he was one of the first adopters of the typewriter and telephone. And like us, he had the feeling that life was getting too complicated when he wrote: “Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities.”
Twain could be gently humorous and uproariously funny. But as the Chicago Sun Times noted he also could be “raw, jeering, and pulverizing.” The New York Times added: “the attitude is that of Swift, the intellectual contempt is that of Voltaire, and the imagination is that of one of the great masters of American writing.”
Jul 30, 2010
Is Reiki's hands on healing "nonsense?"
Steven Barrett, M.D.Here's what the National Institutes of Health says, "If you are thinking about using Reiki:
- Do not use Reiki as a replacement for proven conventional care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem.
- Find out about the Reiki practitioner's background, including training and experience treating clients.
- Be aware that Reiki has not been well studied scientifically, but research on whether and how Reiki may work is under way."
Here is a scam e-mail I received from some skunk
Apologies for having to reach out to you like this, but I made a quick trip to the UK and had my bag stolen from me with my passport and credit cards in it. The embassy is willing to help by letting me fly without my passport, I just have to pay for a ticket and settle Hotel bills. Unfortunately for me, I can't have access to funds without my credit card, I've made contact with my bank but the best they could do was to send me a new card in the mail which will take 2-3 working days to arrive here.I was thinking of asking you to lend me some quick funds that I can give back as soon as I get in. I really need to be on a last minute flight that leaves in a few hours.
I can forward you details on how you can get the funds to me. You can reach me via....
Jul 24, 2010
The steam airplane
(From my video blog on the Janesville Gazette web page)
What really blows me away is that natives of Wisconsin and neighboring Iowa were responsible for the first steam-powered, self-propelled vehicle in the United States and the first practical steam airplane!
In 1873, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the car was designed and operated by John W. Carhart of Racine.
And down river from Rock County at the turn of the century, a Davenport, Iowa couple had little George and William, the Besler brothers who grew up to power an airplane with steam.
They developed the airplane in California and demonstrated it for Popular Science magazine and a large gathering of newspaper reporters and newsreelers. Popular Science noted the plane made little noise and you could hear pilot William Besler shout a greeting from the sky.
Jul 23, 2010
Parents stealing kids' Identities (for things like credit) in alarming trend
Adult children steal the indentities of parents and grandparents, too.
Jul 16, 2010
Jul 9, 2010
Money in the Bank? No, Sandwich in a Can
Is putting a sandwich in a can and calling it a “Candwich” the next can’t-miss billion-dollar idea?
NYTimes.com
Bully Landlord?
The Consumerist
Failure to return security deposits is a common problem in Wisconsin. If you are having trouble getting your security deposit back in Wisconsin, fill out this complaint form.
Jul 3, 2010
New Company Helps Fraud Victims For Free
Have you ever been ripped off by a business? When you become a victim of fraud, where do you go for help? A private company has been formed to help assist victims of consumer fraud recover their losses for free.
This new company, Eye To Eye Detective Agency, was created by David Tatar, a former Consumer Protection Manager. Mr. Tatar recently retired from state service where he managed investigators in Wisconsin’s State Consumer Protection Agency. Tatar, a former police officer, has over 30 years experience in enforcing Wisconsin laws.
Many private attorneys often hire investigation firms to gather evidence and compile consumer cases for legal action. Tatar’s goal is to provide consumers that fall victim to fraud with that bridge to the legal services they so desperately need to recover their losses.
“Unknown to many, some private law firms will represent victims for free, Tatar says. If I can present them with a solid case of fraud provable in court, they may consider pursuing recovery on behalf of the victim free of charge. And since I also do not charge consumers for my services,” Tatar says, “people may be able to get all of their money back without bearing the extra costs.”
If you are a victim of fraud and would like assistance in recovering your losses, you can contact Mr. Tatar at 608-635-8831 or by email at eyetoeye@centurytel.net. All consultations are confidential.