Is It Just Numbers
For the past six months, when you tune in the evening news or scan the newspapers, you hear all of our politicians throwing out numbers from millions, to billions, and now it has escalated to the trillions. If you are like me, you have difficulty in relating any number over thousands let alone trillions. Recently, I did discover the difference. One million dollars is relatively simple, it is written $1,000,000. One billion dollars, you just add a few extra zeros, $1,000,000,000. To reach that one trillion mark, just add a few more zeros, $1,000,000,000,000. That is simple enough but what is the difference, to hear the politicians that have our best interest at heart, it is just money that will go onto our national debt.
Today, I discovered the difference and something that I can easily equate to. Surprisingly it is in a children's book titled "How Much Is A Million?" by David Schwartz. In this book it breaks it down so that even our politicians should be able to grasp the concept of the amount of the economic stimulus package. According to the author of this kids book, "One million seconds come out to be about 11.5 days". A billion seconds is 32 years. However, a trillion seconds is 32,000 years. Now, I have a good idea what I will be doing in a million seconds. I can even relate to a billion seconds, I will only be 95 years old. My oldest grandson will still be younger than I am right now. But, in a trillion seconds, I cannot comprehend that far into the future. I wonder if Senator Edward Kennedy will still be in office?
Today, I discovered the difference and something that I can easily equate to. Surprisingly it is in a children's book titled "How Much Is A Million?" by David Schwartz. In this book it breaks it down so that even our politicians should be able to grasp the concept of the amount of the economic stimulus package. According to the author of this kids book, "One million seconds come out to be about 11.5 days". A billion seconds is 32 years. However, a trillion seconds is 32,000 years. Now, I have a good idea what I will be doing in a million seconds. I can even relate to a billion seconds, I will only be 95 years old. My oldest grandson will still be younger than I am right now. But, in a trillion seconds, I cannot comprehend that far into the future. I wonder if Senator Edward Kennedy will still be in office?
Double Standard
This past year, Mark Phelps made U.S. Olympic history in winning eight Gold Medals in swimming. Making him the first Olympian athlete to achieve this milestone. He dedicated himself and worked to achieve this honor. Immediately, the corporate world lavished huge endorsements on him to sponsor their products. I have no problem with this, he is deserving of being awarded compensation for his efforts in a sport that is not professional and non paying. His endorsements are reported to be worth millions but less than the amount that professional ball players make as an annual salary.
Let me be the first to condone the use of any type of drug or narcotic that is not prescribed by a licensed doctor. Very recently, Mark Phelps made the news again when a photo was snapped of him while he was taking a hit off of a bong. Within hours a clamour arose in the news media, his picture was flashed across the news several times a day showing him taking a hit on this bong. Mark Phelps, immediately admitted to being guilty and apologized for his actions and the message it would send to younger athletes. One of his largest sponsors which is the largest cereal maker in the world. Kellogg Corporation, announced that when his endorsement contract expires on February 28th, they will not renew his contract because of poor example he set. Although the contact amount was not mentioned, one can assume it was in the million(s) dollar bracket. A second company that has contracted Mark Phelps is also reviewing their contract and will possibly cancel it. The County Sheriff in South Carolina where the incident occurred is pursuing filing charges on Phelps, a misdemeanor in his county. His only evidence is the picture that was taken by an unknown individual. USA Swimming has banned Mark Phelps from any swimming competitions for the next 90 days commencing February 6th, which is justifiable.
A number of years ago, a Governor from Arkansas decided to run for President of the United States. During his campaign, under scrutiny of the press he admitted that he had smoked marijuana (but never inhaled). He received bushel baskets full of money from all sources, including corporate America to run his campaign. A political contribution is the same as an endorsement. He was elected to our highest office, President of the United States for two terms. Since his retirement he has made millions of dollars based on his Presidency. This past electoral year, a Presidential candidate admitted to a room of elementary students that he had smoked marijuana and even tried cocaine. He raised more money for his campaign from corporate America than any candidate in the history of our nation. Ultimately, Barrack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States. I can only assume that this means a young man that worked long hours and sacrificed to excel in a sport has to set an example, where as the President of the United States is immune to guiding our youth.
Let me be the first to condone the use of any type of drug or narcotic that is not prescribed by a licensed doctor. Very recently, Mark Phelps made the news again when a photo was snapped of him while he was taking a hit off of a bong. Within hours a clamour arose in the news media, his picture was flashed across the news several times a day showing him taking a hit on this bong. Mark Phelps, immediately admitted to being guilty and apologized for his actions and the message it would send to younger athletes. One of his largest sponsors which is the largest cereal maker in the world. Kellogg Corporation, announced that when his endorsement contract expires on February 28th, they will not renew his contract because of poor example he set. Although the contact amount was not mentioned, one can assume it was in the million(s) dollar bracket. A second company that has contracted Mark Phelps is also reviewing their contract and will possibly cancel it. The County Sheriff in South Carolina where the incident occurred is pursuing filing charges on Phelps, a misdemeanor in his county. His only evidence is the picture that was taken by an unknown individual. USA Swimming has banned Mark Phelps from any swimming competitions for the next 90 days commencing February 6th, which is justifiable.
A number of years ago, a Governor from Arkansas decided to run for President of the United States. During his campaign, under scrutiny of the press he admitted that he had smoked marijuana (but never inhaled). He received bushel baskets full of money from all sources, including corporate America to run his campaign. A political contribution is the same as an endorsement. He was elected to our highest office, President of the United States for two terms. Since his retirement he has made millions of dollars based on his Presidency. This past electoral year, a Presidential candidate admitted to a room of elementary students that he had smoked marijuana and even tried cocaine. He raised more money for his campaign from corporate America than any candidate in the history of our nation. Ultimately, Barrack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States. I can only assume that this means a young man that worked long hours and sacrificed to excel in a sport has to set an example, where as the President of the United States is immune to guiding our youth.
Stimulus Package
Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed their version of the Economic Stimulus of $838 Billion Dollars. The passage was approved by one vote, with the final vote being 61-36. Passage in the Senate requires that for a bill to pass it requires at least 60 votes. Unlike the House of Representatives where a similar bill was passed on party lines, three Republicans moved to the Democrat side of the isle and voted with them. These Senators were Susan Collins and Olympia Snow, both from the State of Maine. Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania also crossed party lines. What is in that stimulus packaged for Maine and Pennsylvania?
However, even with the crossover the bill would have failed if it had not been for one Democrat Senator. I do not mean to make light of a very serious illness or to be unkind. However, to get this bill passed, the Democrat party insured that Senator Ted Kennedy was in attendance to vote. Senator Kennedy is battling a brain tumor and has not been in attendance in the Senate for many months. The last time he was in Washington D.C. was for the Presidential Inauguration. Following the inauguration he had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance after going into convulsions. He has not been present for any of the committee meetings or the floor debate concerning the Economic Stimulus Bill. However, our Senatorial Democrats needing that one vote to pass the bill brought him back to the Senate for his vote. Politics as usual in Washington D.C., I am still waiting to see the "change".
However, even with the crossover the bill would have failed if it had not been for one Democrat Senator. I do not mean to make light of a very serious illness or to be unkind. However, to get this bill passed, the Democrat party insured that Senator Ted Kennedy was in attendance to vote. Senator Kennedy is battling a brain tumor and has not been in attendance in the Senate for many months. The last time he was in Washington D.C. was for the Presidential Inauguration. Following the inauguration he had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance after going into convulsions. He has not been present for any of the committee meetings or the floor debate concerning the Economic Stimulus Bill. However, our Senatorial Democrats needing that one vote to pass the bill brought him back to the Senate for his vote. Politics as usual in Washington D.C., I am still waiting to see the "change".
New Football League
Recently, our Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-California) was holding a press conference. Her topic of discussion was the Economic Stimulus Package and the reason that there was such a rush to get it passed through both the House and Senate for the signature of President Obama. Time was of essence because just that same day, the unemployment figures came out and she announced that 500 Million Americans were now unemployed. Although she never corrected her statement, the media did it for her. It seems that our current population is only 300 Million Americans (refer back to first article in this posting). Now what does this have to do with a New Football League? I thought you would never ask.
Today, February 9th, Mr. Paul Pelosi, who just happens to be the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) divvied up a portion of $30 Million dollars to start the budget minded professional football league, which will be called the United Football League. This new league is scheduled to commence playing in the fall of 2009. His partner and founder of the new league is the best friend of Nancy Pelosi and political benefactor. This new league will be comprised of four teams sharing six cities. These host cities will be Las Vegas / Los Angles; New York / Hartford, CT; and Orlando, FL / San Francisco. Guess we should take a look at that Economic Stimulus Bill and see what cities are scheduled to have new football stadiums built to stimulate the economy. Come to think of it, didn't each of these states vote Democrat this last election? Just asking?
Today, February 9th, Mr. Paul Pelosi, who just happens to be the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) divvied up a portion of $30 Million dollars to start the budget minded professional football league, which will be called the United Football League. This new league is scheduled to commence playing in the fall of 2009. His partner and founder of the new league is the best friend of Nancy Pelosi and political benefactor. This new league will be comprised of four teams sharing six cities. These host cities will be Las Vegas / Los Angles; New York / Hartford, CT; and Orlando, FL / San Francisco. Guess we should take a look at that Economic Stimulus Bill and see what cities are scheduled to have new football stadiums built to stimulate the economy. Come to think of it, didn't each of these states vote Democrat this last election? Just asking?
Van For Sale Cheap
If you want to bid on this one owner van, I am sure that you could purchase it very cheap. Currently it is parked slightly below the rim of the canyon in the Colorado National Monument out of Grand Junction, Colorado. I am sure their park service would like to get rid of it before the tourist season, as it does distract from the natural beauty of the area.
For those that often complain about the verboseness on my postings, I want you to know that I have cut this posting to curtail any criticism. They say "a picture is worth a thousand words" so I inserted the above picture and deleted one thousand words.
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