Tag: Money

Media Control and Public Opinion: Fairness Doctrine and Its Impact

Media Control and Public Opinion: Fairness Doctrine and Its Impact

Is the News Fake?

Be sure to read the late-breaking news at the end of this column.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”

I quote George Santayana as history is rife with people attempting to assert the power of the pen and how it shapes a culture.

The quote emphasizes the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating mistakes.

Stalin knew this.

Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1953, recognized the power of the pen as a tool for propaganda and control. He used the written word to shape public opinion, promote his political agenda, and suppress dissenting voices. Stalin widely disseminated his speeches, articles, and books, playing a significant role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of the Soviet Union.

Stalin often focused his writings on promoting the ideals of communism and the Soviet Union’s role in the global struggle against capitalism and imperialism. He used the pen to justify his policies, such as the forced collectivization of agriculture and the rapid industrialization of the Soviet economy. Stalin’s writings also significantly promoted the cult of personality that surrounded him, with his image and words being ubiquitous in Soviet media and propaganda.

Besides promoting his agenda, Stalin also used the pen to suppress dissenting voices and opposition to his rule. He established a vast network of secret police and censorship agencies that monitored and controlled the flow of information within the Soviet Union. Widespread censorship marked Stalin’s regime, with writers and journalists being arrested, imprisoned, or executed for expressing views that were deemed critical of the government or the Communist Party.

Stalin’s recognition of the power of the pen was also evident in his efforts to control the education system and advocate for a specific version of history that highlighted the role of the Communist Party and its leaders in forming the Soviet Union. He established a system of political education that instilled loyalty to the Communist Party and its ideals in the minds of young people.

There have been many historical figures who controlled the public through propaganda. Some of these figures include:

  1. Julius Caesar: Caesar used propaganda to maintain power and control over the Roman Empire. He wrote extensively about his military campaigns and presented himself as a heroic figure essential for Rome’s stability and prosperity.
  2. Genghis Khan: Khan used propaganda to create a sense of loyalty and obedience among his followers. He presented himself as a divine figure who was chosen by the gods to lead his people to greatness.
  3. Napoleon Bonaparte: Bonaparte used propaganda to promote his image as a heroic figure who was essential for the stability and prosperity of France. He presented himself as a military genius who would conquer Europe and spread the ideals of the French Revolution.
  4. Adolf Hitler: Hitler used propaganda extensively to promote his vision of a pure Aryan race and to justify his aggressive foreign policy. He presented himself as a charismatic leader who was destined to lead Germany to greatness and to restore its place as a dominant power in Europe.
  5. Joseph Goebbels: Goebbels was the head of propaganda for the Nazi party and played a key role in promoting Hitler’s image and policies. He used propaganda to create a sense of fear and paranoia among the German people and to justify the persecution of Jews and other minorities.
  6. Mao Zedong: Mao utilized propaganda to promote his vision of a communist society and to justify his brutal policies. He presented himself as a heroic figure who was essential for the stability and prosperity of China.

The Sheepdogs

A few major corporations control the bulk of the media worldwide. Some of the largest media conglomerates include:

  1. Comcast: Comcast is a global telecommunications conglomerate that owns NBCUniversal, Sky, and Xfinity. It is the largest cable TV and home internet service provider in the United States and Europe.
  2. The Walt Disney Company: Disney is a multinational entertainment and media conglomerate that owns several film studios, including Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. It also owns several cable networks, including ESPN and Disney Channel.
  3. National Amusements: National Amusements is a privately held American entertainment company that owns ViacomCBS, Paramount Pictures, and Simon & Schuster.
  4. AT&T: AT&T is a multinational telecommunications conglomerate that owns WarnerMedia, which includes HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros.
  5. Sony: Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate that owns several film and music studios, including Columbia Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment.
  6. Bertelsmann: Bertelsmann is a German multinational conglomerate that owns several publishing houses, including Penguin Random House, and several radio and television stations.
  7. News Corp: News Corp is an American multinational mass media company that owns several newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post, as well as several cable networks, including Fox News.
  8. Time Warner: Time Warner is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate that owns several film and television studios, including Warner Bros. and HBO.
  9. ViacomCBS: ViacomCBS is an American multinational mass media conglomerate that owns several cable networks, including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central.
  10. Tencent: Tencent is a Chinese multinational conglomerate that owns several social media and gaming platforms, including WeChat and Tencent Games.

How do they control our minds?

Public opinion is shaped by the media through a variety of mechanisms, including agenda-setting, framing, priming, and gatekeeping. These mechanisms work together to influence how people think about political issues, leaders, and events.

  1. Agenda-setting: The media plays a central role in determining which issues and events are considered important and newsworthy. By choosing which stories to cover and how much attention to give them, the media can shape the public’s perception of what is happening in the world. This is known as agenda-setting, and it can have a significant impact on public opinion.
  2. Framing: The media also shapes public opinion by framing issues and events in a particular way. Framing refers to the way in which the media presents information, and it can have a powerful influence on how people think about an issue. For example, the media can frame an issue as a matter of national security or as a social justice issue, which can influence how people view the issue and what actions they are willing to take.
  3. The media has the power to shape public opinion by highlighting specific matters or events, priming them in people’s minds. Through priming, the media effectively prompts individuals to focus on particular issues, ultimately molding their thoughts and impacting their actions.
  4. Gatekeeping: The media’s responsibility in selecting which stories to prioritize and which to disregard is referred to as gatekeeping. The media’s influence on public perception is evident through their decisions on which stories to prioritize and which ones to omit.

Besides these mechanisms, the media can also shape public opinion through the use of propaganda, which is the deliberate use of false or misleading information to influence public opinion. Propaganda can promote a particular political agenda or to discredit opposing viewpoints.

Another more powerful way the media mis represents the facts is through Yellow Journalism.

Yellow journalism is a form of media that uses sensationalism, exaggeration, and misrepresentation to attract readers or viewers. The use of dramatic headlines, colorful illustrations, and emotional appeals to appeal to the public’s emotions and fears characterizes it.

While yellow journalism was most prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it continues to be used in various forms of media today.

One example of yellow journalism in modern media is the use of clickbait headlines. These headlines are designed to be attention-grabbing and often misrepresent the content of the article they are promoting. Another example is the use of sensationalized news stories that play on the public’s fears and anxieties. These stories are often presented as objective truth, but in reality, they may be based on unverified or incomplete information.

In addition to traditional media outlets, yellow journalism can also be found on social media platforms. These platforms allow for the rapid dissemination of sensationalized news stories and misinformation, which can be amplified by users who share and promote these stories.

All of these form the public opinion that sway voters. Those who pay little attention to what is going on and only watch anchors that are paid millions to spew half-truths or downright lies through NLP or other emotional triggers shape the world.

If the government were truly working for us, they would put a stop to it.

The true peril lies in the limited ownership of media by influential individuals who undoubtedly hold a specific agenda.

Therefore, The Fairness Doctrine was concocted in 1949.

Originally devised by Democrats, it aimed to suppress the emergence of right-wing radio stations that dared to discuss or report on falsehoods.

The Fairness Doctrine

The Fairness Doctrine, a policy that required broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on issues of public importance, was in effect from 1949 to 1987. The policy aimed to ensure that the public could access diverse perspectives and accurate information, enabling them to make informed decisions in a democratic society.

The Origins and Rationale of the Fairness Doctrine

The Fairness Doctrine stemmed from the recognition that radio and later television stations were granted licenses to use public airwaves. As a result, these broadcasters were seen as trustees, responsible for informing and educating the public. The policy was rooted in the belief that the free flow of information is vital for a functioning democracy, and that broadcasters should not abuse their power by promoting one-sided viewpoints.

The Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters to present diverse viewpoints on issues of public importance, and it held them accountable for airing misleading information. This accountability extended to providing equal opportunities for opposing viewpoints to respond to attacks or misrepresentations, as well as airing opposing viewpoints on political candidates during election seasons.

The Benefits of the Fairness Doctrine

  1. Promoting Informational Democracy

The Fairness Doctrine helped to create a more informed citizenry by exposing listeners and viewers to a variety of perspectives on important issues. This exposure is crucial for fostering informed decision-making and promoting a more engaged and active citizenry. In a democratic society, it is vital for citizens to have access to accurate, diverse, and balanced information in order to participate effectively in public discourse.

  1. Encouraging Responsible Broadcasting

By holding broadcasters accountable for the content they aired, the Fairness Doctrine encouraged responsible broadcasting. This responsibility included not only presenting various viewpoints but also ensuring that the information presented was accurate and not misleading. This accountability helped to prevent broadcasters from becoming echo chambers for certain ideas or political viewpoints, promoting a more balanced and diverse media landscape.

  1. Providing a Check on Corporate Influence

The Fairness Doctrine served as a check on the influence of corporations and powerful interests in the media. By mandating that broadcasters present diverse viewpoints, the policy helped to prevent the consolidation of media power and the domination of the airwaves by a small number of influential voices. This, in turn, helped to ensure that citizens had access to a wider range of information and perspectives, free from the undue influence of powerful interests.

It seemed like a good idea, why was it repealed?

Some of the opponents of the Fairness Doctrine included President Ronald Reagan, who was a strong advocate for free market principles and limited government intervention. Reagan’s FCC panel voted to repeal the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, with a 4-0 vote.

Members of Congress who said the FCC had tried to “flout the will of Congress” opposed the decision and the decision was “wrongheaded, misguided and illogical.”

In addition to Reagan, other opponents of the Fairness Doctrine included conservative media outlets such as Fox News, which argued that the policy stifled free speech and limited the diversity of viewpoints on the airwaves. Critics of the policy also argued that it was used by both the Kennedy and Nixon Administrations to limit political opposition.

Overall, the Fairness Doctrine was controversial and was opposed by many journalists, politicians, and media outlets who argued that it violated the First Amendment rights of free speech and press. The policy was ultimately repealed in 1987, and its legacy continues to be debated to this day.

The doctrine was created as a political cudgel against conservative media. Some politicians who were in favor of the Fairness Doctrine include Bill Ruder, Assistant Secretary of Commerce during the Kennedy administration, and Martin Firestone, who presented political strategies to combat small, rural radio stations unfriendly to Democrat politicians. Other politicians who supported the doctrine include those who sought to use it to challenge and harass right-wing broadcasters and hoped that the legal challenges would be so costly to them they would be inhibited and decide it was too expensive to continue.

Once more, the history of media manipulation reveals the use of the judicial system to suppress opposing viewpoints.

Since the fairness doctrine was repealed, how should you react to contentious news stories?

  1. Diversify your news sources: Use a variety of news sources to get a well-rounded view of the news. This will help you to avoid being exposed to only one perspective or bias.
  2. Check the credibility of the news source: Look for news sources that have a reputation for accuracy and impartiality. You can use media bias charts, such as the All Sides Media Bias Chart or the Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart, to help you determine the credibility of a news source.
  3. Look for evidence: When reading a news story, look for evidence that supports the claims being made. If the story is based on opinion or speculation, be skeptical of its accuracy.
  4. Consider the source: Be aware of the political affiliations or biases of the news source. This will help you to understand how the news source may be influencing the coverage of a particular story.
  5. Check multiple sources: If a story is particularly important or contentious, check multiple sources to see if they are reporting the same facts. This will help you to identify any inconsistencies or biases in the coverage.
  6. Be aware of your own biases: Everyone has biases, and it is important to be aware of them when reading the news. This will help you to avoid being influenced by your own biases when evaluating the accuracy of a news story.
  7. Use fact-checking websites: There are many fact-checking websites, such as Snopes or FactCheck.org, that can help you to verify the accuracy of a news story.

But what if the ‘multiple sources’ are all owned by a few people with an agenda?

There are several fact-checking organizations that strive to be non-biased and impartial. Be wary of them and triple check what they report as we see today that we are not to believe our lying eyes regarding the economy, the state of the world or overwhelming preponderance of evidence that the swamp in DC is alive and well. Some of these organizations you can evaluate include:

  1. FactCheck.org: This is a non-partisan, nonprofit website that describes itself as a “‘consumer advocate’ for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.” It is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
  2. PolitiFact: This fact-checking website rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. It is a project of the Tampa Bay Times and its fact-checking partners.
  3. Snopes: This fact-checking website debunks urban legends, hoaxes, and other viral misinformation. It is a privately held company owned by liberal folks who often get it wrong. Typically, they will attempt to debunk something they don’t like by saying it is partially false. That is an easy claim to make.
  4. Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC): This independent online media outlet is dedicated to educating the public on media bias and deceptive news practices. It is a project of Dave Van Zandt.
  5. OpenSecrets.org: This is the Center for Responsive Politics’ nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. It is a nonprofit organization.
  6. Logically: This fact-checking website uses artificial intelligence to analyze and debunk fake news. It is a privately held company.
  7. Check Your Fact: This is a fact-checking website that is a subsidiary of the Daily Caller. It is a privately held company.
  8. The Reporters’ Lab at Duke University: This is a fact-checking project of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy that maintains a database of fact-checking organizations worldwide.
  9. International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN): This is a non-partisan organization that sets a code of ethics for fact-checking organizations. It is a project of the Poynter Institute.
  10. Dubawa: This is a West African independent verification and fact-checking project. It is a project of the Premium Times Center for Investigative Journalism.
  11. Facebook’s fact checking is questionable at best, often leaning towards subjective opinions, according to a group I’ve dubbed the “man bun mafia.”The man bun mafia form a collective of individuals who struggle to secure employment with their liberal arts degree from an educational institution that prioritizes indoctrination over historical accuracy and the teaching of how to implement critical thinking abilities. Conservative media dubbed them useful idiots.

Like guns for hire, many useful idiots can be easily manipulated and used for someone else’s agenda. No matter the cause, they will promote the flag of the highest bidder, without hesitation.

Although no fact-checking organization can be entirely impartial, it’s important to acknowledge inherent biases. When fact-checking information, it is crucial to consult multiple sources, as this helps ensure accuracy and minimize the chance of bias.

While Jack Nicholson might have a point in the movie A Few Good Men, perhaps we are not ready for the truth. However, I would rather confront it than be fed biased information by wealthy news anchors or scripted talking heads.

We need some Walter Cronkite’s and not the liberal sycophants and obvious racists on MSNBC.

Can video games alter the way people think?

While conventional media parrots talking points of the elite, I often wondered if they are also using video games to target audiences that are rife for mind control. The answer is yes, video games can sway people’s political opinions in various ways. Here are some examples:

  1. Storyline and characters: The storyline and characters in a game can influence people’s political opinions. For example, a game that portrays a particular political party or leader in a positive light may sway players to adopt a more favorable opinion of that party or leader. Conversely, a game that portrays a particular political party or leader in a negative light may sway players to adopt a more unfavorable opinion of that party or leader.
  2. Game mechanics: The game mechanics, such as the controls, user interface, and gameplay mechanics, can also influence people’s political opinions. For example, a game that requires players to make decisions that align with a particular political ideology may sway players to adopt that ideology. Conversely, a game that requires players to make decisions that align with an opposing political ideology may sway players to adopt that ideology.
  3. Social influence: People may adopt the political opinions of others who play the same game or share similar interests. This can happen through online gaming communities, forums, or social media groups where players discuss their experiences and opinions about the game.
  4. Personal experiences: People’s political opinions can be influenced by their personal experiences with the game. For example, if a player finds the game’s storyline or characters engaging and relatable, they may develop a positive opinion about the game’s political message. Conversely, if a player finds the game’s storyline or characters uninteresting or unlikable, they may develop a negative opinion about the game’s political message.
  5. Media coverage: Media coverage of video games can also influence people’s political opinions. If a game receives positive reviews and coverage in the media, people may develop a positive opinion about the game’s political message. Conversely, if a game receives negative reviews and coverage in the media, people may develop a negative opinion about the game’s political message.

Video games are being used as propaganda. Governments and political organizations have recognized the potential of video games as a tool for propaganda and have used them to spread their beliefs and promote their ideologies.

For example, Iran has produced propaganda games that promote its political agenda, while North Korea has released a game that portrays the United States as an aggressive and hostile power.

In addition to government-sponsored propaganda games, private organizations and individuals have also used video games to promote their beliefs. For example, the game “IS Defense” puts players in the role of defending Europe against waves of Islamic attackers, while the game “Quest for Bush” satirizes former President George W. Bush.

The use of video games as propaganda is not limited to political ideologies. The game “Spec Ops: The Line” uses the medium of video games to explore themes of war, morality, and the consequences of violence. The game’s creators have stated that they intended to use the game as a form of anti-war propaganda.

Other unsettling evidence of the Israel-Palestinian conflict can be seen in various ways.

There are several video games that explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Palestinian perspective. Some of these games include “Fursan Al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” “Under Siege,” “PeaceMaker,” and “Raid Gaza!”

These games allow players to take on the role of Palestinian fighters and engage in combat against Israeli soldiers.

Some of these games have faced criticism for promoting violence and terrorism, while others have garnered praise for offering a unique perspective on the conflict and increasing awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people. Notably, game creators may possess varying motivations and intentions, leaving it to individual players to judge the educational or offensive nature of these games.

Many of these players are deeply entangled in the political aspects of the game, making it difficult for them to objectively analyze the facts without being influenced by their emotions and preconceived notions.

There is zero rationale for cruel treatment of anyone. Laws exist to deal with the transgressions of individuals, and no one should ever tolerate the rape and murder of innocent people.

Society should remove any game that promotes this type of behavior. IMO…

While future stories might include more research on video games and the mental health of those who play them, the scope of this paper on Fake News is to find out how people digest the news of the day and process it. Are we being brainwashed by the media?

It’s difficult to determine the exact amount of media people can handle before tuning out, as it differs from person to person based on their preferences and tolerance levels.

However, studies have shown that people tend to consume media for several hours a day, with some estimates suggesting that the average American spends around 8 hours a day on media consumption.

For example, a study by Nielsen found that adults in the United States spent an average of 11 hours and 27 minutes per day interacting with media in 2018. Another study by eMarketer estimated that U.S. adults spent an average of 4 hours and 43 minutes per day on digital media in 2020.

It is important to note that excessive media consumption can have negative effects on mental health and well-being, such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is recommended to limit media consumption and engage in other activities that promote mental health and well-being.

In conclusion, it is evident from this blog post that the media operates with a clear agenda. The media you consume is controlled by a select few, while deliberate detractors and bots on all platforms aim to divert you from the truth.

Neuro Linguistic Programming is frequently used to manipulate your emotions and convince you to adopt the desired narrative and take action.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts entirely. From the days of the Mafia and Al Capone to those who walk the hallowed halls of congress, many are corrupt and need to be fired. Money and power loom as formidable adversaries for those who venture to DC to advocate for the people. It is evident that their sole focus is on their bank accounts, raising suspicions about their actions.

To address the issue, term limits should be implemented, and policies should be changed to prohibit former officials from becoming lobbyists.

In my opinion, the removal of the fairness doctrine was a deliberate move to grant politicians unrestricted control over the American people. The removal of it might also have been to stop the left from attempting to cancel opinions not favorable to the liberal agenda.

The media, once vigilant guardians, now appear muzzled or compromised by the powerful ruling class in Washington, DC and corporate giants.

Do you know what a journalist is or is supposed to be?

A journalist is a professional who gathers, writes, and reports news and information to the public through various media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online platforms. Journalists inform the public about current events, issues, and developments, serving as watchdogs of government and institutions and facilitating democratic discourse.

  1. Truth and Accuracy: Journalists should strive for truth and accuracy in their reporting. They should verify information from multiple sources and correct any errors promptly and prominently.
  2. Fairness and Impartiality: Journalists should be fair and impartial in their reporting, presenting all sides of a story and avoiding bias. They should not distort or misrepresent facts to promote a particular viewpoint.
  3. Honesty and Transparency: Journalists should be honest and transparent in their reporting, disclosing any conflicts of interest or sources of funding that may influence their coverage.
  4. Respect for Privacy and Dignity: Journalists should respect the privacy and dignity of individuals, avoiding intrusive or sensationalized reporting that may cause harm or distress.
  5. Accountability and Responsibility: Journalists should be accountable and responsible for their reporting, responding to criticism and correcting any mistakes promptly and prominently.
  6. Public Interest and Service: Journalists should serve the public interest by providing accurate, relevant, and timely information that informs and educates citizens.
  7. Professional Conduct and Independence: Journalists should adhere to high standards of professional conduct and maintain their independence from political, economic, or other external influences.

See how many of the talking heads on TV, radio, and cable news that you can apply these standards to.

It is my belief that mental health is at a breaking point in this, and other countries. Stress, anxiety, fear, and the misery index caused by this administration and world tensions will lead to more atrocities before it gets better.

I have listed some ways that your opinion is formed, such as taking into account your personal biases and being open to examining them for a more informed perspective. Your mental health should always be your top concern.

There is far too much fake news, propaganda, and downright lies passed around for political purposes. Lawfare is a real problem, and we must stop it. Jan 6th was a red flag to the world and this administration, instead of lowering the fire under the pressure cooker, they have raised it.

You are not…

  1. Deplorables: This term was popularized by Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign when she referred to some of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables.” It is often used to describe those who hold conservative or right-wing views and are perceived as intolerant or bigoted.
  2. MAGAts: This term is derived from the acronym “MAGA,” which stands for “Make America Great Again,” a slogan used by Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. It is often used to describe Trump supporters who are perceived as fanatical or blindly loyal to the former president.
  3. Trumpsters: This term is a play on the word “deadheads,” which refers to fans of the Grateful Dead rock band. It is often used to describe Trump supporters who are perceived as fanatical or blindly loyal to the former president.
  4. Trumpanzees: This term is a play on the word “chimpanzees” and is often used to describe Trump supporters who are perceived as unintelligent or irrational.
  5. Smelly Walmart Shoppers: The phrase “smelly Walmart shoppers” was coined by former FBI agent Peter Strzok in a text message to his girlfriend, FBI Attorney Lisa Page. In the text, Strzok wrote, “Just went to a southern Virginia Walmart. I could SMELL the Trump support.” The phrase gained attention during a congressional hearing in 2018, where Republican representatives questioned Strzok about his personal views on President Trump’s supporters.

You are Americans, no better or no worse, than those who think Biden is the next Messiah. You, like they are victims of a dishonest media bought and paid for by corporate giants, looking for more ways to take your money as taxes, fees, fines, and through inflation or even wars. They do this by buying politicians. Their path to victory began with secretive contributions, known as dark money, that helped fund their campaign.

Yes, wars are big business, and the profits outweigh the cost of human life as long as the humans lost are the peasants, and not a part of the ruling class.

If the rulers of the opposing factions were forced into a death match, you would quickly see an end to the foolishness of war.

America is not a racist country.

There are the haves, and the have nots, and that is by design of the government to keep you as livestock on the government tax farm.

They do this by propaganda to dumb down society and use emotional triggers through NLP to have you aim your hostility towards your fellow American vs those who are pulling the strings.

Education or knowledge is power. The less you know, the better they like it. So, visit a library and educate yourself. Information on the internet is mailable and not to be trusted as the gospel.

  • That is why they hired the useful idiots to rip down statues and create absurd diversions and distractions.
  • This is why the democrats bailed out the useful idiots who burned down cities.
  • This is why swing states are implementing ways to cheat at the election by implementing drop boxes that are not secure and most certainly will allow dead folks to vote.
  • This is why they are giving illegal immigrants voter registration forms while fact checkers are assuring you it is illegal for them to vote, so nothing to see here. Really?

These are the folks who already thumbed their noses at us, Mexico’s laws, our laws and so forth and you expect us to believe that they will have a red line at voting for their savior? You really don’t have any respect for the working people of this country, do you?

You would have to be really stupid to believe that. The Dems are in panic mode and will do anything to stay in power. IMO the dems need to come up with another candidate, and Neusom is not it. He might have nice hair, but his state is a disaster, and it is his doing. If those celebrities and other elites were forced out of their gated communities, they would quickly become Trump voters.

Whether you are on the left or the right, you don’t want the current administration to stay in office, from the Senate to the House, and absolutely the White House. They all need to be fired.

So, how do you protect your mental health through this overload of propaganda?

There are several activities that can promote mental health and well-being. Some of these activities include:

  1. Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve mood, increase self-esteem.
  2. Mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment and observing thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  3. Socializing: Spending time with friends and family can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  4. Creative expression: Engaging in creative activities such as painting, writing, or playing music can help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental health.
  5. Volunteering: Helping others can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
  6. Spending time in nature: Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  7. Getting enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for good mental health. Getting enough sleep can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  8. Practicing gratitude: Practicing gratitude involves focusing on the positive aspects of life and expressing gratitude for them. This practice can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  9. Engaging in hobbies: Engaging in hobbies that you enjoy can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  10. Seeking professional help: If you are struggling with mental health issues, seeking professional help can be an important step in improving your mental health and well-being.

The portal to propaganda that lives in your back pocket is the first thing you should leave behind when you focus on your health. I believe the smartphone is arguably one of the largest viruses employed by the people of this planet today.

Although smartphones or tablets may appear harmless, they are far from it. The flashing lights and funny sounds of media can easily captivate a child’s reward center, leading to potential indoctrination and brainwashing from a very early age. We see it today in a restaurant, just about any public venue and of course, walking down the street. People addict themselves to the mindless content streamed from all over the world, including a reel of some woman using a bidet for the first time. “Really, is that the content you want floating around your head?”

It is my belief that the smartphone has made us more dependent on media, that is most probably being used to change the way we think, act and vote.

It is my prayer that I didn’t spend hours creating this blog post to have it ignored by you. Share it, repost it, and feel free to comment.

LATE BREAKING NEWS….!

George Soros is pressuring the FCC to allow him to purchase a controlling interest in coast-to-coast radio stations.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/feb/14/george-soros-scoops-220-us-radio-stations-ahead-20/

Why would someone possibly be doing this during such a politically charged time?

I think he and Stalin would have been good friends. IMO

-Best

The Lies we come to believe. (TIPS and other charges)

The Lies we come to believe. (TIPS and other charges)

To insure prompt service…TIPS

Between inflation, shrinkflation, and the price of energy, most people have very little discretionary income.

Yes, this is a direct result of BIDONOMICS.

Like him or not, when Trump was in office, America was energy independent. Trump was working to secure our border and appeared to look out for this country’s citizens first.

This election cycle will be one to watch.

The truth of the matter is we don’t know who is running this country. We can bet that it is not the current occupant of the West Wing.

Under this administration, Americans are forced to use their savings accounts and withdraw from their 401s to make ends meet. Those who have saved money have shockingly depleted the reserve amount.

The alarming statistic is that many Americans have relied on credit cards to survive. Using credit cards, payday loans, or other forms of predatory lending will create a crisis soon if these trends don’t reverse.

Inflation must be controlled so we stop spending money we don’t have.

Those talking heads are paid to tell you everything is fine; don’t look at the man behind the curtain. Unlike politicians and other swamp monsters, they are paid handsomely to lie convincingly to you.

If you follow these articles, you will see that the climate change hoax is just one more lie to ‘nudge’ you into behavioral changes that benefit the rich and powerful.

Media giants are practicing what Stalin knew when he massacred millions of his own people. The Pen is Mightier than the sword.

Since fewer and fewer people read and have the attention span of Count Chockula, Pravda-like lies are spread by talking heads using emotional tags, usually hate.

For the manipulation of the masses to work, they need a villain. Why not some uber-rich guy with a big mouth and an orange complexion?

Why not serve up the savior of the American people as a pariah?

If you bothered to learn history, it is rife with examples of how it all works. Show the masses what is wrong in the world and then pin the tail on the donkey or, in this case, their most prominent adversary.

When Lincoln worked to free the slaves, the Democrats had him killed.

When Kennedy, much like Trump… a populist for the people and against the deep state, stepped over the line, they killed him.

No single bullet did all that damage; you have been lied to.

I’m not comparing Jesus to Trump, but…when his popularity threatened that of those who were rich and powerful, they made him the Pariah. Even his people released a thief vs. Jesus, serving him to the thugs in charge.

One last example which parallels what we are living through today. Hyperinflation is one step away. Like Hitler, Biden or his proxies will blame White supremacists or Trump or, as some Gen Z podcasters are lamenting…those fucking boomers.

Yes, they have found yet another way to divide the country by selling the least informed among us that somehow it is not only white men but white men born in the baby boomer era as the newest fall guy.

Only an idiot with a capital I would buy that nonsense, but…there was a country of them that sacrificed 6 million Jews to a megalomaniac under the guise that all their problems were because of the Jews.

Now, the only way those jackasses can make such statements is because of the boomers and their parents, who sacrificed so much that they have the freedom to spew such moronic nonsense. It gets them clicks, which is what they are after, right?

Read the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire or…watch another ANTIFA or BLM riot burn down more cities and learn to play the violin while you watch.

Yes, history is cyclical, and that is why those mentioned in the last sentence want to remove all mention of it. Those are the same dumbasses that say Socialism works. We can make it work this time.

So, what about TIPS and other nonsense? Why is that in the sub-title of this article?

As I mentioned earlier, there is inflation and something called shrinkflation. That latter is selling less of the product for the same amount as before Bidonomics screwed the entire world up.

For those of you who took art or woman studies or perhaps philosophy in college, there is something known as a P&L or profit and loss.

For companies to stay in business, they must make a profit. The books should be in the black at the end of the day or ‘fiscal year.’ In the black is business jargon for ‘show a profit.’

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is called Black Friday because, at that time of year, certain businesses depend on shoppers to purchase enough of whatever they sell to push their end-of-year P&L from red to black.

How many of you thought about holidays as mechanisms for business economic prosperity?

Back to TIPS

I am convinced that wait staff are modern-day slaves.

Everyone attempts to extract more money from the consumer regardless of where you eat out. POS (point of sale) devices conveniently make it easy to tip and give extra money for services or goods rendered.

One business that made the news added an extra charge after the TIP for Employee Mental Wellness.

That expense is already substantial by the time you pay for your meal, the tax on that meal, and a reasonable tip. Due to inflation and minimum wage, employees mistaking those jobs for careers and demanding more money than our soldiers make; eating out is expensive.

In this economy, most people should see the inside of a restaurant only if they work there. Groceries have already reached the price point of unaffordable for many. Shopping for day-old bread, dented cans, and food near its expiration date is becoming increasingly popular.

That is part of the self-behavioral modifications that I am referring to.  

I know people who would never darken the door of a Dollar General or Family Dollar who now frequent those stores. Big Box stores are much more popular than ever, and the trend will continue as more and more people are forced to pinch pennies.

While the pandemic devastated the restaurant business and our way of life, the downward trend continues.

It’s a slow spiral downward as personal wealth dwindles, and the banks can charge exorbitant fees for debt incurred by the masses.

Again, if you look at history while you fiddle, Rome is on fire!

What can you do about it?

Vote the Bastards out!

Established politicians need to leave DC not only as elected or appointed rulers but also be outlawed from serving the needs of companies as lobbyists or specialists/advisors that have anything to do with the ruling class.

Term Limits should be a mandate from We the People.

Puppets are serving as our elected leaders who are incapable of stringing a noun and a verb together in the same sentence!

  • How is it that you don’t know this?
  • These are all distractions presented to you by the propagandists.
  • How many believe a man in a woman’s dressing room is okay?
  • How many of you think a child should be able to change their sex without talking to their guardians?
  • How many of you cannot define a woman?
  • How many of you really think that America is racist?
  • How many of you really think that there are suddenly UFO’s
  • How many of you believe that there are more than two genders?
  • How many of you give a shit what a small minority of mentally challenged individuals think or feel?
  • How many of you really think we are getting the truth about Ukraine?
  • How many want to sacrifice your or your kid’s life to fight someone else’s war?
  • How many of you think the world’s end is coming because of climate change?

Keep fiddling, my friends. These are all distractions while the megalomaniacs fleece your futures, your children’s and their children’s futures.

When the Boomers die off, the next generation will blame you for all their woes, and they might be right: you fiddled. Playing video games is not a career choice unless you design them.

As a science fiction author, I must think outside the box. My personal take on life, this country, or politics are opinions. While open to debate, I do not engage in feelings as they are irrelevant to the status quo. That, my friend, is how you sort the wheat from the chaff. We are controlled by emotions, not facts.

The truth will set you free; the lies will cloud the facts, creating a hostile environment for everyone, and ‘they’ count on it.

-Best

Please consider purchasing my latest novel… Earth’s Last Hope.

Thanks!

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE

 

Needs no explanation…and is a fun read no matter your gender.

 

What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them. New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.

 

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Two pairs of shoes are more than enough.. You almost never have strap problems in public You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color.. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

 

You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes — one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.. You can ‘do’ your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives On December 24 in 25 minutes. No wonder men are happier.

 

NICKNAMES

� If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.

� If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman.

 

EATING OUT

� When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it’s only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.

� When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

 

MONEY

� A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.

� A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need but it’s on sale.

 

BATHROOMS

� A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.

� The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

 

ARGUMENTS

� A woman has the last word in any argument.

� Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

 

FUTURE

� A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

� A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

 

MARRIAGE

� A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t.

� A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does.

 

DRESSING UP

� A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.

� A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

 

NATURAL

� Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.

� Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

 

OFFSPRING

� Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.

� A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

 

THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY

 

A married man should forget his mistakes. There’s no use in two people
remembering the same thing!

SO,
send this to the women who have a sense of humor…. and to the men who will enjoy reading

You are allowed to follow me…. Just saying… 🙂

Trump is not perfect, so I cannot vote for him! @realdonaldtrump

Trump is not perfect, so I cannot vote for him! @realdonaldtrump

 

 

Many on the extreme right saw Cruz as the model of their idea of the perfect candidate.

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He said all the right things to woo the evangelicals and of course hid his dirty work under the covers so the “perfect” voters could feel good about casting their vote for a man that held their ideals and worshiped the same Jesus that they worship.

This person won Iowa by cheating and pulling Lawyer tricks.

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This person took delegates that should have belonged to Trump again through Lawyer tricks, and when accosted by Trump his response was, “all is fair in love and politics” paraphrasing.

To garner his win in Utah “he” sent out a nude photo of Trump’s wife advertising to the UBER right wing Mormon class, that this was going to be their new first lady!

 

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Back in the day, she was a model… 

 

Twenty-Six million evangelicals stayed home in 2012 because they could not stomach a Mormon in the White House.  We got Obama for a second term. How did that work out for you?

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Here we are in 2016.

A self-made business man who has had ample opportunity to screw up his life, has managed to not only not screw it up but raise a family that manages to deal with wealth and not be totally rotten to the core.

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This is a man that does not drink, smoke or do drugs yet he could easily afford the best, like many celebrities, athletes, etc. and he does not.  His vice is a milkshake at the ballgame with friends.

 

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If I remember correctly Oreilly bought them!

 

I see many evangelical posts on social media saying that they cannot vote for Trump.  Alas, he is not perfect!

“No Christian should bow their knee to Trump; his past is questionable.”

Trump is not running for a theological leader of anyone.  Trump is running because he wants to give back to a country that has been good to him.

Self-funded the primary, handily beat 16 qualified candidates and now he has to survive $1.5 Billion dollars of negative ads, social engineering and right wing nut jobs who think that the next president should be Jesus himself!

Jesus is not going to run to save you from yourself!  He gave you a brain and reasoning skills and expects you to use them!

This next election is so important you have no idea.

The progressive agenda will utterly destroy what is left of this country after this last 8 years.

 

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He never inhaled or learned what the meaning of “is is…” 

 

We will be $20T in debt because of this administration and have many more problems than answers for the next president to deal with.

National-Debt

I am not an apologist for Trump.

I know who he is. He is not perfect  Folks, we could do one hell of a lot worse than him.  If you stay home, you are voting for Hillary.  If you are willingly voting for her, you need to stop drinking the kool-aid.

 

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If you can’t chuckle at this your not trying!

 

Isn’t it a good thing that God does not judge you as harshly as you judge Trump?

Vote to “Make America Great Again!” It’s the right thing to do!

download

 

-Best

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Billions @realdonaldtrump

Billions @realdonaldtrump

 

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This guy thinks we need more taxes to pay for more entitlements.                                                                                                    

 

 

 

This is too true to be funny.

 

The next time you hear a politician use the
Word ‘billion’ in a casual manner, think  about
whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending
YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend,
But one advertising agency did a good job of
Putting that figure into some perspective in
One of its releases.

 

A.     
A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

 

B.     
A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

 

C.     
A billion hours ago our ancestors were
living in the Stone Age.

 

D.     
A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

 

E.
A billion dollars ago was only
8 hours and 20 minutes,
at the rate our government
is spending it.

 

While this thought is still fresh in our brain…
let’s take a look at New Orleans …
It’s amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

 

Louisiana Senator,
Mary Landrieu (D)
was asking Congress for
    
250
  BILLION DOLLARS
To
  rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number…
What does it mean?

 

A.     
Well .. If you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans
(every man, woman and child)
You each get
     $516,528

 

B.     
Or… If you have one of the 188,251 homes in
New Orleans , your home gets
   $1,329,787.

 

C.     
Or… If you are a family of four…
Your family gets
    $2,066,012.

 

Washington , D.C     

HELLO!
    
Are all your calculators broken??

 

Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax (Fed)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FU TA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
(And to think, we left British Rule to avoid so many taxes)

 

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

 

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago…
And our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

 

We had absolutely no national debt…
We had the largest middle class in the world…
And Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

 

What happened?
Can you spell

 

‘politicians’!

 

And I still have to
Press ‘1’
For English.

 

I hope this goes around   the     
U
     S      A     
At           least 100 times

 

What the heck has happened to our country?????

 

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Enter a caption

Mary Landrieu Takes Heat for Spending Public Money on Private Flights – ABC News

 

 

 

 

Dear #CEO #Recruiter #LinkedIn

Dear #CEO #Recruiter #LinkedIn

 

I find myself between contracts on occasion. If there were something, that is a good match for my skills and talents, I would love the opportunity to speak with them or you about it.

As a seasoned professional, I bring many things to the table.

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If I had a nickel for every time someone would ask me, “I got this C:\> on my screen, what do I do now?”  Family is the worst, you cant charge them!

I started working with computers when DOS was in its infancy; nobody knew who Bill Gates was and  Wang, IBM and Xerox were the major players with Atari, Tandy and the Commodore PET was in vogue for the affluent home user.

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Early hard drive which had to be in a really cool room.  The media was removable, the heads would stay inside the machine. 

Steve Jobs had just stopped being a criminal with his phone freaking hardware, but still was a nobody, while building the first apple in his garage.

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Alex Gibney’s newest documentary, “Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine,” chronicles the famed Apple founder. Courtesy photo

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Blue Box

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BBS’s or Bulletin Boards hanging off a POTS line at 300baud were the standard.  1200 baud was certainly not common as some were still using acoustical modems.

Al Gore had not invented the internet yet…

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Truthfully I think he had something to do with legislation allowing the public access to it. Somehow it got conflated with him as the inventor.

Main Frames were what most companies used complete with water-cooling.

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Networks went from different coaxial types for the physical layer.  Arc net was the least expensive, Ethernet was still in the works, and Token ring, IBM’s idea was the standard; but few could afford it.

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Starting on the ground floor of this industry, leaving a rather successful career in electronics was a valuable experience for me.

Witnessing the demise of the typewriter, dictation equipment, Gregg Shorthand and the secretarial pool replaced with high-powered laptops and smartphones has been quite the thing to see.

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Yes, I actually worked on these…Mylar belts were the media.

The cost of one business letter in the 70’s was well over $100 in 1970’s dollars.  Today a quick e-mail re-defined the way we communicate. In today’s 2016 dollar, that is $627.38…

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Before my time but not by much!

If you do not believe me about the price of a business letter, ask me about it.  I was there.

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Gregg shorthand

 

The first virus I fought was before there was anti-virus software.  The cleverest virus I fought was the “pong” virus.  Modeled after the Pong game, one would be working in some program and a ball resembling the ball in pong would appear.  As it struck a character, the character would fall to the bottom of the screen.  This of course was destroying your document but at least you had some entertainment while it did it.

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Pong or “ping pong virus”

Moving from the XT Based 8086 systems in the late 70’s up to the recent, has been a nice ride and I have enjoyed being part of that evolution.  As hardware hits the brick walls of physics and bigger better faster slows down, software must carry the advancements forward until such a time that chip manufacturers figure out how to get more speed and throughput maximizing everything from RAM to video and disc performance.  Embracing advancements while constantly positioning the company strategically ahead of the curve, but not on the bleeding edge is my long-standing history.

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These were great!

Once included in your world, seamlessly; I will become part of that world knowing your business and how technology fits.

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Every part works in concert to fulfill its intended purpose. Employees must necessarily “fit.” 

While focusing more on business applications vs wiz bang hardware, I specialize in providing an ROI to the people who have to pay for it.  Is this technology necessary? How will it help?  Will it prepare me to transition in the future?

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Spending much of my life with technology, I have run a business now for the last 10 years providing ad-hoc IT services, while performing disaster recovery services.

My specialties include, but are not are limited to:

  • Over 30 years hands-on IT projects.
  • Over 15 years in Management.
  • Data Center design and installation
  • Power
  • Placement
  • Controls
  • HVAC
  • Fire retardant
  • ADA compliance
  • Security design and audits
  • Physical security design
  • Disaster Recovery
  • Best Practice
  • Business Acumen
  • Compliance issues with SOX or other regulations, as the need requires.
  • Visionary and forward “out of the box” thinker.
  • Troubleshooter

From the desktop to the cloud, I have it covered.

Some of the typical calls I receive while on site. 

  • The internet is slow.
  • The server crashes.
  • We think we might have a virus.
  • This computer cant “see” the printer.
  • I don’t know what we have?
  • I thought we paid for that software?
  • Somehow this computer got hacked.
  • Cant get on the Internet..

If these sound familiar the underlying causes may surprise you.

Through best practice, a complete inventory of your hardware and software it usually does not take long to figure out why?

Lack of documentation is generally the common denominator.

From a startup that just needs things set up right the first time, to a company that let some family member set it up, and now needs help, I am your person. No sugar coating…

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This letter is meant for those of you who see my profile on Linked in and wonder if I am available. Drop me a note, I might be!

Unlike others who will blow smoke, I will not.  If you are seeking a trip to the moon with funding for the carnival, I will tell you. If I cannot help you, I will not waste your time.  I know many people in the industry, I might simply refer you.

As someone who has written many job descriptions, hired and let go more than I care to think about, I am a tried and tested realist.   I find options for you, and then you decide.

-Best

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Arches, Take II @Reachout_mcd @Arbys @BurgerKing @ChickFilA @awrestaurants

Golden Arches, Take II @Reachout_mcd @Arbys @BurgerKing @ChickFilA @awrestaurants

Golden Arches, Take II

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The golden arches have forever been a small source of satisfaction for millions of folks.  As a young person… I was introduced to A&W drive trough’s until I moved south in the early 60’s.

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They had the different burger sizes by baby, teen, mama and father I think burger… Same with the size of the ice cold Mug of Root beer!

On the way south there were the famous Burma Shave signs to keep one entertained on long car trips and finally the Golden Arches.

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These were awesome marketing..

Before Trans-fats became evil …. Their French Fries were the Best!

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Doesn’t this make you want to go right now and get some fries?

Second to McDonald’s, later in life a place called Arbys.   It was not until the early 70’s do I remember them as being a staple on the fast food fast track of life. Their fries were awesome! They screwed that up by the way, with those hideous curly seasoned things…Yuck!

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Bring back regular fries and I will patronize you again.

They would serve them in cups back then, much like the cups that the drinks came in.  It was a toss-up really, if I were going after the sandwich or the fries.

As a young person, I worked for the King of Burgers or Burger King.  There for $2.10 an hour I slaved away with a team of my peers making and selling burgers.

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Wearing that nylon polyester orange and yellow zip up shirt, that would more than likely com busts if I got too close to the flames, I made countless burgers.   We had good fries as well but here is the thing.  We were taught customer service.  For $2.10 an hour, we worked until after one in the morning where I would finish by putting the food up and cleaning up the place. Then I would ride my bicycle home in any kind of weather.  It was about 2 miles and oh by the way, I still was expected to go to school the next day and if my grades suffered, the job went away.

Before I talk about the “Golden Arches”, I would like to say … I appreciated that job and I think that every child should work in the food services industry while going to school.

Why?

Firstly, you learn what an entry-level job is and what it is about.  You learn some skills even if it is simply getting somewhere at an appointed time and doing something for your shift.

If you are fortunate like I was, you learn what customer service is and, you might even learn some remedial cooking skills.  Most certainly, you will learn some skills regarding sanitation and cleanliness. You get more out of it if you will put something into it.

Burger King paid more than minimum wage.  When I worked there, minimum wage was $1.80.  .30 cents an hour to the entitled class seems like nothing but when gas was .50 cents a gallon guess what….thirty cents added up.

Working in this industry really makes you appreciate a real job when you get one and by the way, it will drive you to secure one.  Cleaning those damned walk-ins every Sunday was a bloody nightmare, but I did it and never complained.

Many things happen when you get your first job.

You actually learn time management as you have to juggle school and work and oh yes, sleep.  The schedule is tough, I am not going to sugar coat it, and there is little time for play.

Riding a bike home in the snow, at 1 in the morning actually builds character if you can fathom that…

I could have asked my parents to come get me. What would that do?  What would I learn in that deal, how to guilt my parents?  I knew that this was about me…It was about learning who I was.

The first paycheck is a revelation as well.  When you get your first check for $200 for two long ass weeks work and you see that $35 of it was taken out for taxes…What a kick in the gut!  What was this Fica and other taxes on there.  “This is not even a real job, can they do that!?   I learned some basic economics.”

Well, it is a real job and those are real dollars being taken from you for the beginnings of a socialistic society, which has been going on since Woodrow Wilson.

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Fast-forward 30 years….

A few (18) months ago, I stopped into a McDonalds in East Texas.  I was traveling and had little time so truthfully, fast food was called for.

As many know, the bathroom is a critical part of any visit to a fast food place for a number of reasons.

The most obvious is that you are traveling. I hope that in a restaurant the bathroom will be clean.  I have never ever stopped into a place and just used their facilities and not patronized them, never!  All of that cost money and to me doing that would be “theft of service.”

The visit to East Texas was a bad experience.  The bathroom was a wreck.

If the bathroom is not kept up, you can guess what the kitchen will look like or at the very least, they may not be paying attention to how the take care of the food.  This is the second and I would argue more important reason to visit the bathroom, in any place you intend to eat.

There were many things wrong with this restaurant, so much so that I took notes, pictures and contacted the corporate office.  For all of my time and effort they sent me a form letter business card coupon for a free quarter pounder…I tossed it into the bin… I was not looking for anything other than for them to fix the problem.

Years, well 18 months or so have passed and I finally broke with tradition and went back to the Golden Arches this week leaving the well-established Whataburger and Chick filet habit for a Quarter pounder, fries and a Doctor Pepper.

This was after 2 in the afternoon, there were three cars in total in the line, one in front of me ordering.   After waiting over 5 minutes, the person in front of me finally pulled ahead.  I am a patient person but had someone not pulled in behind me, I might have headed back to Whataburger, as they are very predictable.  “Keep that in mind, I want to get back to that fact.”

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Pulling up to place my order, there was nothing.  Saying hello several times, a person in a very low voice said “just a minute.” I think that is what they said.  A van behind me full of a family started to get impatient, looking at me like I was the holdup.  He then started yelling at me “what is the problem!”

Pointing at the box, then raising my hands while making eye contact with him was the universal language for “cool your jets!” It is not me holding this up.

Finally, she took my order and on the screen, she indeed got it correct.

Pulling forward to the “first window,” a young woman took my card and charged close to $8.00 for this meager meal…ok…just get the food and I will leave.

At the second window, it takes another several minutes with the guy in the van giving me the stink eye once again, thinking that I am the holdup…nope…just waiting on my food.  #3…Dr.Pepper…simple.

The folks behind the counter have a robot that makes the drinks now.

Instead of what I remember as a K-Way, they have a robot where they put in the proper cup and hit a button.  A set amount of ice fills the cup and a set amount of sugary drink fills the cup the rest of the way.  Sweet…right?

Grabbing my food, I thanked her and left, before the person in the van became agitated further and did something stupid. “Can you imagine having to get into a fight with some hot head in line at a fast food place because the people inside have something very wrong?”

The meal was two thirds correct.  I got Diet Coke instead of Dr.Pepper.   People, diet drinks are evil!  I would rather drink tap water than that crap.  I have no idea what chemicals are in diet drinks. I was not going back and probably will not go back.

Remember what I said about consistent?

The secret to Ray Kroc success was in large part, no matter where in the world that you went, if you went to eat at the golden arches the food was consistent in taste and quality.  

Another secret to his wealth was real estate. That is another story.

In this day of different fast food places, an Icon like McDonalds needs to get back to what made it great.  Consistent food quality, at a good price, with quality customer service.  McDonalds hires and trains many first time workers.  I do not know what has changed in their management, but something is amiss.

With more and more robots, there will be fewer people needed as the idiots in government seek to put their nose in the business of business’s trying to tell them how to run their company, and order them to pay a certain wage.   Fast food places are not, and were never meant to be careers! They pretty much idiot proof the process, so they can hire kids and hopefully teach them some remedial skills along the way.

More and more companies will go overseas and, more and more companies will replace people with automation.

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We see it in the stores everyday with self-checkout and fewer checkers.   I just wonder when I am going to be asked to go up and self-stock the shelves.

Would it be too much to pull into a gas station, look out the window and say “fill er up?”

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-Best

 

© All Rights Reserved 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are but Pawns on the chessboard of life. @oann

We are but Pawns on the chessboard of life. @oann

We are but Pawns on the chessboard of life.  @oann

Today’s news regarding the slide of oil prices brings back the memories of the volatile world in which we live and just how much of it centers around our lack of energy independence.

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Still fresh in my mind are the long lines at the gas pumps of the “world coming to an end” oil shortage of 1973.

Much like the world ending “Global Warming Hoax,” I do not trust any of them.  (with good reason…they lie!)

If you really want to know what it means…follow the money… Who gets rich if we stop using coal, or we all use sunshine and unicorn magic instead of fossil fuel?  If Al gets to sell you his carbon credits that he already has printed, who gets the money for them, and what do they do with that money?

Many of my readers are too young to remember or know about the oil shortage hoax, so for those of you that were not driving in the 70’s here is the deal. 

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In 1972 Gas was about .50 a gallon.  $5 dollars would fill my car…The price per barrel of crude was $14.00.  Minimum wage was $1.85. I made minimum wage for a while until I went to work flipping burgers making $2.10. “I was of course in school; this was popcorn, gas and movie money.”

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All of the sudden there was this “Energy Crisis!” We had gas lines and limited supplies. According to Carter, we were going dry and in a few years’ time, there would be no more gas…ever!

 

70070-full.jpgThere were oil tankers crashing into each other as well as running in to under water obstructions spilling millions of gallons of oil into the ocean.  The shipping lanes, which they had navigated safely for years prior and years since; all of the sudden became more dangerous…?

My contention is that those ships were sitting off shore waiting for orders to make their delivery and ran into things because they were in places that they should not have been.

As Americans went from paying .50 cents a gallon and allowed to purchase all the gas that they wanted, that changed overnight. Suddenly it was mandated as to how much and when we could purchase gas.  No more than 10 gallons on odd or even days depending upon your license plate, and of course, the price jumped. Like sheep, we fell in line because our leader was someone we could trust, and if he told us this, we would do it.

President Carter responded to the crises thusly…. This is part of his speech…

“The oil and natural gas that we rely on for 75 percent of our energy are simply running out.… World oil production can probably keep going up for another 6 or 8 years. But sometime in the 1980’s, it can’t go up any more. Demand will overtake production. We have no choice about that.”

“To some degree, the sacrifices will be painful—but so is any meaningful sacrifice. It will lead to some higher costs and to some greater inconvenience for everyone. But the sacrifices can be gradual, realistic, and they are necessary.”

“We must not be selfish or timid if we hope to have a decent world for our children and our grandchildren.”

This is not the first time a sitting president has lied to us….Nor will it be the last.

Oil production during this period was steady with a slight linear progression all except one…The Middle East.

In 1970, The Middle East topped the oil production of North America, continuing its production to 21.894,000 and in 1974 to finally peak in to 22,020,550 in 1979.  At which time they cut production back to a low 10,645.400 1984.

There were other players in the market, but make no mistake, the Middle East was the driving force.

During this time, Asia Pacific was ramping up its use of Oil… In 1979, they peaked usage to 10,917,244 barrels a day.  At this same time, North America was sitting at 21,483,623 with the largest consumer of oil being Europe and Eurasia coming in at 25,117,430 barrels a day.

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The problem was the OPEC Embargo.  Egypt and Syria announced that they were no longer selling oil to countries that supported Israel. Less supply of oil caused prices to rise 134%.  In response to this Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Qatar unilaterally raised prices by 17 percent.

These events caused issues with our markets and eventually negatively affected our GDP.

Once again, we were held hostage over oil in the 1979 Iranian Revolution.  OPEC once again raised prices by another 14.5%.  The US then halted Imports from IRAN and Kuwait, Iran and Libya cut production.  Saudi Arabia eventually raised the prices of crude to $24 a barrel. These factors brought an increase of oil up another 118% in one year. The Gulf War precipitated another increase of 113% in 1990… This adversely effected the strength of the US dollar as the feds started to lower interests’ rates.

Lines

 

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We had long lines at the gas pumps because the Middle East who we now relied upon for oil.     Years of negotiations finally eased supply but the price was no longer .50 a gallon. Today the barrel of oil dropped below $30 a barrel.  If things were equal that should make a gallon of gas about a dollar.

These are the scant few facts that history tells but… I would really like to know the rest of the story.  Who profited? Why did Carter fill our heads with lies?  Who was pulling his strings?

 

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The Embargo that inconvenienced millions was a political play. Today we have a glut of oil on the market bringing the prices down to record lows taking the world stock markets with it.  They are blaming the glut on less demand … are you trying to tell me that there are less cars?

The Middle East for some reason, “economics” is crushing its competition by making oil supplies more abundant.  This adversely effects the other oil companies, as now exploration…fracking… and other sources of obtaining oil is no longer profitable.  With oil at $30.00 a barrel, all of the oil producing countries of the world will be effected, with Russia, amongst one of the countries hardest hit.

Enjoy your cheap fill-ups as your 401K is adversely suffering because of this.  

  • “Do they still teach economics in school?”
  • “Have they common cored our people into actual stupidity?”

 

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Now she is pretty…This is far more important than your survival…look at that pretty dress…that bracelet is stunning…I wonder who did her hair… Sarcasm..yep!

If the kids of today understood anything other than who got an award in Hollywood or who was sleeping with whom,  or…what video game is great and why…they might actually protest our out of control politicians.  These overpaid bags of hot air who paint with unicorn blood and fairy dust, create rosy pictures for those of you who watch passively the greatest president that we ever had…ever…give the greatest State of the Union address ever!  If you do not believe me…ask him….he will tell you that himself if, he can pull himself away from his selfie stick or mirror!  “Yes, that is sarcasm.”  If the only politics you followed are on MSNBC or CNN and then watched the State of the Union Address you would buy the lies.

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There is some sort of scandal with her and mean girls but that really does not interests me…She is attractive … but completely not germane to anything that I am talking about.

“Folks, they are lies…. People such as myself are not going to be able to keep this fight up forever…you had best engage and smarten up, unless you want to go the way of Greece.”

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Protest in Greece turns violent… Out of free money…

I will take this opportunity to put a plug in for a news network that is strictly news.  No opinions, just the facts. http://www.oann.com/

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I actually think she is great!  I think she went to the Blaze …

Their reporters at time are sophomoric, but I find that part of the charm.  Just the facts, no spin.  They are currently in a battle with the major news networks, as the multi media giants are pulling strings to keep them off cable networks.  Verizon still has them but Time Warner and Charter who seem to be under the thumb of certain people in the administration, do not want them. The FCC is going to have to get involved with this one but I am certain that they “the multi media giants” can drag this out until after the election, as to keep the left wing loons influencing politics as they have been doing forever.

Seek the truth my friends!

-Best

© All rights reserved 2016

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My Shameless plug for the Blaze…

 

 

To Insure Prompt Service T.I.P.S.

To Insure Prompt Service T.I.P.S.

 

A recent article about tipping brings to the forefront of our “things to talk about;” tipping.

Europe has simply raised the cost of goods and services 20% to 30% in their restaurants and stopped tipping. The money “supposedly” used to increase the wages of the employees as well as pay for things like health care. I do not see any issues here, do you?

In theory, it sounds great but what accountability is there on the shop owners that they will use that money for those reasons?  The answer is none.

I would prefer to TIP my server, as his or her service can be quantifiably assessed by his or her clients. They get immediate feedback.

Speaking of jobs if I could choose, I would like to be a restaurant critic.  I already am a foodie and know something about food.  I used to travel a lot, when on an expense account one of my companies allowed generous benefits in that area.   Taking clients out to dinner often times I went to 5 star places and came to know the difference between good, mediocre and bad.

If I could have dinner with one celebrity, it would be Gordon Ramsey.  In the world of IT, I am just like him, other than I can choose my vernacular better than he…I still have that style and appreciate an honest person.

Life is not fair.

Not everyone will have the same skills and talents.  When you as a younger person piss off your opportunities afforded to you in school, you relegate yourself to jobs that are currently being taken by others from other countries that think those jobs are sweet; you limit your possibilities!

In the food services industry, servers that are good, earn more money than those that work in the back room. 

I would point out that the kitchen helper position is not exactly a career choice that anyone should aspire to.  Much like working in the mailroom in a large corporation, those are entry points into the job market.  They are minimum wage jobs because they require little talent to perform.

Retail sales is not a career choice, it is an entry point.  The problem is that managers that work there will tell their people anything to encourage them to keep their nose to the grindstone and work hard as they see management potential in them.   Most of the time they are lying in an effort to placate you into giving them more of your time in return for part time minimum wage dollars.

“Time is expensive.”

When you boil it all down, what you are selling is bits and pieces of yourself through the time you invest.  We are all whores if you think about it; we will do almost anything for money.

“Money truly is the root of all evil!” 

People that find a way to live comfortably, without killing themselves to earn more money, are probably the true winners of the game of life.

Higher paying jobs are inherently more stressful, and stress kills.  Stress produces a hormone known as cortisol.  This hormone is the “fight or flight” hormone, released when danger is present.  When we stay in a stressed out situation, that hormone is released in copious amounts, and often…that takes a toll on your body and your health suffers.

If corporations had a brain in their collective heads, they would look into ways to reduce the stress on their employees; as stress leads to job burnout, sick time and turnover.  Those are costly!

If you can live on minimum wage, work your 8 hours and whistle while you work, your life might be sweet.

Those who chase the dollar their whole life, typically die young and leave their life’s work to their spouse or their greedy progeny to fight over, allowing attorneys to swoop in like vultures, and acquire the bulk of it.

Tips for success.

  • Get a good education.
  • Find a trade or skill that cannot be outsourced, and master it.
  • Discover all of your talents and skills.  What are they? Take an inventory of them.
  • Are any of them marketable?
  • Figure out what you like to do…what makes you happy?
  • Can you find a job doing that?

 

Keep toxicity out of your life.

If you have toxic friends, develop boundaries and keep them outside of them.  If your job is toxic, find something else as soon as possible.  We all have worked around toxic people who bitch and moan incessantly.  That is their own toxic cesspool, which they most likely have created.  Stay out of their sphere of influence.  Do not add to it and certainly do not marry into it.  You cannot fix stupid and you cannot help someone that does not know either that they need help or that they do not want it.  Some people actually enjoy being miserable.  They like to be the victim.  You cannot help them.

As a manager, identify those employees and try to work with them through HR, or get rid of them,  that BS is contagious.

Tomorrow is never coming back.  The time you spent reading this is gone, forever.  The time I spent elucidating my thoughts on these subjects is gone as well.  I hope that I spent that time wisely. I am optimistic in thinking that you got something out of it.

Time is your stock in trade. Time can be measure in heartbeats as you only have so many.  There is a finite number of times that your heart will pump that life force around your body. Do not waste it.

Now go take on the day!

 

-Best

© All Rights Reserved 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Published #writer #author

Getting Published #writer #author

 

I write the following from what I have learned thus far on this subject.  I would appreciate input from those of you that have made this trip successfully.

Write Well 

It cannot be overemphasized enough to write well.  I have read many books written by people who were self-published. They wrote their story that they wanted to tell.  Not being able to make their fortune from their manuscript, they self-published. They spent the next several months trying to sell enough of their books to re-coop their investment.  Not everyone was meant to be a writer or published.  If they had read their work more carefully they would have discovered that it was not written well.  This leads me to my next thought.

Write for your enjoyment. 

The passion that most writers have is not to sell millions of books, just to write.  It has been said that if you want to get to know the author, read their book.  Take this one-step further.  If you want to get to know yourself, who you are…, write a book.  When you are reading your story, if you are listening, you will find yourself in your characters.  Insight as to who you actually are will come out in their actions and feelings.

If your characters do not have feelings, you need to go back and try again.  Sell the story through their actions or feelings.

Which reminds me, do not try to do this for a living, until you are famous.  Your sanity might depend upon you being in this world with a day job. We are social creatures, being around people and not in your world of your story all of the time is important.   Of this… I speak from experience…

Start out with a bang!

The first few pages sell your book, especially for an unknown. The prologue is a good place to entice the reader to want to know more, than you can build the story after the prologue. Once you become a JK Rowling, than you can let your name (or brand) sell your product.

Be well read

Most successful writers read a lot.  While I have read some “flash in the pan” books that were not well written, nor were the authors “well read,” that actually made it.  Statistics show that more often than not, books that get published, are from people who were well read.

Have a story that is unique and interesting

Your story should be unique.  If it is a rehash of a common situation, there is a good chance it will sit on the circular file cabinet of some publisher, until the janitor makes his or her rounds.

Expect rejection

You must have thick skin to be in this vocation.  Your own family may not like what you have written.  Do not expect everyone to love it as much as you do. This is your baby, your passion not theirs. As soon as you send it off to someone, start working on something else. One of the publishers that I have been talking with might take a year before they get back to you simply telling you, no thanks!

A Good Agent

First off, agents are about as hard to sell as are publishers themselves.  Many folks take up writing as a get rich scheme instead of for the pure passion of writing or telling a story.  Agents get a commission for what they do.  Never pay someone up front…If the agent is a true agent worth their salt, they will know from your synopsis if this is something that they can sell.

Do lots of research on your agent before signing.

Good agents are available. Locating them through a writers league might be a good idea as the others in the league might have an experience to share.

Finish your work before you think about getting it published

I have spoken with many who get some idea for a book and immediately approach an agent or publisher.  You have nothing to sell, until there is a manuscript of 120,000 words or so in your hands.” 

When writing your manuscript do not get hung up on the word count!  After the editing process, your 135,000 words might be around 95,000.  Somewhere between 100,000 and 120,000 seems to be optimal.

Check your work well before you send it off…

As alluded to in the last point, editing your work is paramount.  When you decide to send it off, it should be as good as you could possibly make it.  I like to read it aloud although one trick that I found is to have something like “Nuance’s Naturally Speaking” full edition; read it back to me, one paragraph at a time.  Your mind will skip over clumsy sentences or bad grammar.   The program only reads what it sees so the “you instead of the your” will pop out at you!

Try to get something published in a magazine prior to getting your book published.

This is a great idea for first time writers.  Write a short story or several, 5000 words or so and submit it to magazines.  If they publish it, they might pay around $500 for the story (one time) but you then can write on your cover sheet…published in….  That is a great way for your manuscript to get more of a look than 3 seconds, of some agent or publishers time.

“What magazine you ask?”  What do you write?  Sci-Fi… Pick a science fiction magazine and approach them with a story…

Submission guidelines are critical…

Everyone has some idea of what they expect to see when they open your manuscript.  I have found double-spaced block type, cover sheet etc… They should have guidelines to follow…follow them not just a little bit, to the letter.

Have a well-written synopsis keeping it to two pages.

This is a problem for writers.  You need to tell the complete story, with the ending in 500 words or so…2 pages…  Look for guidelines online… Oh yes, it must be written well…

Purchase The Writer’s Market published by Writer’s Digest

Query Letter

Send a query letter even if they say they are currently not accepting. The worst thing that will happen is you wasted a stamp.  (One page)  Many publishers may say that they do not accept unsolicited manuscripts but truth be told, they all want best sellers.  A query letter cost you .50 cents and it might perk their interests.

Sending your manuscript to agents and or publishers should not be with a lot of fanfare.  Simply box it “if it fits its ships” or padded envelope and let the post office do it for you.  No FED EX nothing like that…Media Mail in fact… Anything else gives the appearance of desperation.  “They should be lucky that you have chosen them to publish…”  Ok, maybe not but, you get the gist.

Now go back to writing and tell a story….

-Best

Below are a few links that I have found while digging.

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/

http://agentquery.com/publishing_mp.aspx

https://querytracker.net/whatisqt.php

http://www.writersmarket.com/

https://duotrope.com/

As a favor to me, many of you read and like my posts, which I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.  Follow me; share what you see.  Thanks!