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Environmental Damage

Via: Al Gore's website

2.2 Trillion (US) Dollars

Every year the world’s largest companies cause $2.2 trillion in environmental damage to the planet and most of the time pick up none of the tab.

According to the Guardian:

“The cost of pollution and other damage to the natural environment caused by the world’s biggest companies would wipe out more than one-third of their profits if they were held financially accountable, a major unpublished study for the United Nations has found.”

“The report comes amid growing concern that no one is made to pay for most of the use, loss and damage of the environment, which is reaching crisis proportions in the form of pollution and the rapid loss of freshwater, fisheries and fertile soils.”

“Later this year, another huge UN study - dubbed the “Stern for nature” after the influential report on the economics of climate change by Sir Nicholas Stern - will attempt to put a price on such global environmental damage, and suggest ways to prevent it. The report, led by economist Pavan Sukhdev, is likely to argue for abolition of billions of dollars of subsidies to harmful industries like agriculture, energy and transport, tougher regulations and more taxes on companies that cause the damage.”

More than half of this damage is caused by the emissions of greenhouse gasses. The longer we delay, the more it will cost future generations to clean up our mess.

That is why it is vital that you call your Senator this week and demand they “support a strong clean energy and climate bill that will create more jobs and less pollution.”

Take action today by clicking here.

Via: Wikipedia

Corporate social responsibility

Critics concerned with corporate hypocrisy and insincerity generally suggest that better governmental and international regulation and enforcement, rather than voluntary measures, are necessary to ensure that companies behave in a socially responsible manner.

Others, such as Patricia Werhane argue that CSR should be looked more upon as a Corporate Moral Responsibility, and limit the reach of CSR by focusing more on direct impacts of the organization as viewed through a systems perspective to identify stakeholders.

See:

• algore.com
• Wikipedia.org

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• Tags: Paltalk_Widget

Paltalk Widget

Gee.. I don’t know.. I went to paltalk tonight.. The audio was shocking on my crappy 31.2 kbps dialup. So I tried a few things.. But nothing seemed to work.. So in desperation I hooked up my mobile phone to the pc and connected to the net using Telstra pre-paid wireless. (Bloody ripoff datapacks cost $10 for 100MB)

Well that fixed paltalk. It was perfect after that. But sheeesh didnt the data flow. I’d used up 20MB of the 100MB allocation in a very short time.

I then compared Indline. Indline gave me nerly perfect audio on my crappy dialup. I was amazed. Compared to paltalk. So.. Looks to me like paltalk have pretty well deserted dialup or low bandwidth users.

I will have to support Indline more in future.

Anyway.. for what its worth.. Here is the widget for my chat room on paltalk.

Please note: YOU MUST HAVE AN EXISTING PALTALK NICKNAME TO USE THIS WIDGET

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• Tags: ACCC Resellers Ozdirect

ACCC failing?

Ozdirect miss-represented its operation to consumers. Here is a small summary of how Ozdirect worked, based on information gathered:

• They don’t actually handle any goods and don’t have a stock. If you order anything, they will attempt to find a cheapest supplier worldwide and will order things in your name from that supplier.
• Their official address is a virtual office, nobody works there.
• They don’t actually do any work just because it’s due. You need to push them. For example, just because you’re waiting for a refund doesn’t mean they even know you exist, you have to contact them and inform them you want your money back.
• You usually can’t contact them and Office of Fair Trading often can’t contact them either. They have a ticket system but they are free to ignore anything you write there.

Scanning Whirlpool postings about Ozdirect.com..

If you find yourself in a similar position:

• Contact ACCC (If its a Company)
• Contact your State Office of Fair Trading
• Send a letter of demand to the Business/Company
• Small Claims Court

Seems after years? of complaints in this particular case the ACCC finally acted. Here are some comments about “resellers” that I agree with reposted from Whirlpool:

Posting

• User #272663 685 posts
• Here2Help
• Whirlpool Enthusiast

Barry Dawson writes…

“The trouble with online retailers is they have nothing to lose. Any dickhead can start a drop-shipping online retail business for minimal capital outlay. It’s not like a shop-front retail business where you need rent money, shop fitout money, staff and stock. All you need is a trading name, a couple of hosted servers, some eShop code and a supplier agreement are you are ready to solicit customers and trade.”

Resellers

100% correct! And there are now a LOT of such “skinny margin” on-line resellers touting for our hard-earned cash now … some boasting turnovers of $500,000 a month, but oprating on 1% margin on cost of goods … that is a monthly “profit” of less than $5,000 BEFORE paying any business operating expenses … BUT … they also boast “OVER 30,000 PRODUCTS IN STOCK” (but do not actually hold ANY stock) … and have ZERO technical knowledge about ANY of the products that they “sell”.

And then there are a few on-line drop shippers who have been operating at reasonable commercial margins for many years who have made substantial investments in training their support staff with technical knowledge of the products that they sell, so that customers can receive knowledgeable pre-sales and post-sales support … BUT … every day, customers ask them to BETTER the price offered by the “skinny margin” drop shippers.

And now we see overseas operators advertising products on price comparison sites such as www.getprice.com.au … giving them an immediate 10% “saving” as GST does not apply … and sourcing products in markets that are substantialy larger than Australia, thus their cost of goods is significantly less than products sourced from the official Australian importer or distributor (Canon digital cameras is a good example of this).

SO … if you want the CHEAPEST PRICE … be prepared to take a substantial risk.

My recommendation is to ask some TECHNICAL questions of the on-line shop from whom you are about to make a purchase. If they are CHEAP, but say something like “We sell over 30,000 products … you cannot expect us to know much about a single product … phone the manufacturer!” … AVOID THEM … they are a drop shipper of the worst kind.

However, if they actually CAN give you technical advice AND are sourcing the item from the AUTHORISED AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR … BUY FROM THEM, even IF they are DEARER … you will be supporting an on-line drop shipper who is actually adding value … and will still BE in business in a few years.

Conclusion

The ACCC should act much faster is cases like this. Much fraud could have been avoided. Many, many, complaints were made to the authorities. Yet the ACCC are happy to “sell” you the information about a company that you are trying to complain about? By doing this isnt the ACCC placing itself in a position to be accused of having a vested interest in making information harder to access? Either way, the ACCC needs more manpower or funding or legislation so that similar problems like this are stopped quickly.

See:

• Whirlpool Forums
• ACCC hearing on July 24 2009

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Relationships

The changing dynamic of the relationship? We are sad. We are happy. Depending on our emotional outlook, the world may look grim and bleak. Or fulfilling and bright…

Having said that..

Being made to feel like a “guest” in a house can really wear you down too I guess.

The fundamental issue here is the day to day “grind” of the relationship where both people eventually “take issue” with persceived “infractions” of territory or feelings.

How Committed?

Depending on how really committed each person is to the relationship will determine the length of time they will “run the course” or “see it through”. Because I think we all know by now that circumstances change over time. Unfortunately It seems that most issues revolve around cash.. Or the lack of it.

I have this issue as well in my current relationship. But to be honest. It seems to me that I have always had this issue in my life. No matter how much money I have earned over time. I have always lived “on edge”. (Perhaps thats the “Danger Mouse” coming out in me?..All of us?)

Heal Thyself?

One of the best things I ever did for myself was to take one of those “Myer Briggs Personality Tests”. After reading the disclaimers about having the results “explained” to you by a “trained professional”. I set out to read as much as I could on the subject and compare what I found. In this way I was able to “understand” the personality “type” I had been allocated.

One of the Free Myers Briggs Tests

I undertook quite a few different “Myers Briggs” type of tests on the net. All of them returned the same “type”. When I read the definition of my “type” I can totally and utterly relate to it. The suggestions on how to “improve” my “type” particularly annoy me. Because they are the very things that I have “issues” with. :(

I would recomend that everyone takes some of these free “tests” to determine your personality “type”. Sit down and really read and understand what “type” you and your partner are. Understand what “triggers” you and your partners insecuritys.

These tests could be used as a double edged sword depending on the kind of personalities your dealing with. Basically, the information could be used for good or evil.

One INFP says..

As a personality type “INFP” I would always suggest re-igniting the “lurve spark” back into your life. But thats probably just a male thing.. (You know how it is..) To most males.. Sex and intimacy seems to cure most minor (major?) infractions.

But without the intimacy. (Or after a few days of curt conversation) As an INFP I will internalise the anguish to the point of “giving up” on the relationship. Whereupon I eventually explode into an irrational outpouring of pure emotion. (It kinda sux to be an INFP btw)

But.. The personality tests helped me to understand “why” I feel this way. The understanding of it has allowed me to control my emotions “better”.

Relationships: Past and Present

My parents stayed together all of my life. At 52 I now understand what a monumental feat that was. Maybe they were well suited to each other. Maybe they never let the “spark of lurve” die. I really dont know the answer to that.

In 2010 the internet has made it very easy to “pick and choose” from literally thousands of people who are alone and lonely. It is too easy to “find lurve” in 2010. My parents believed they had found something “special” and so they nurtured it and never let it die. They trusted each other with everything. They never let each other down enough to “break” the bond.

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we find unworkable. This is where you must sit down and vocalise exactly what is annoying you. Try to remain calm. But be relentless. If the situation is indeed unworkable. Then something must change. Or you will just go back to the same and the grudge will just get bigger and bigger.

But remember…

The grass is rarely greener on the other side. Rather the devil that you know than the demon that you dont. Dont jump out of the fyingpan and into the fire. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. etc etc etc

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Sometimes little things can really get to me.

Being an INFP, I am an idealist, and as a result, find myself constantly leaping to defend my perception of “the underdog”.

My years of riding motorcycles (avoiding death by impact with car drivers/battling the endless unjust traffic fines)have impressed a somewhat militant survivalistic attitude upon my mentally.

After a few years representing a multi-national company in various customer service roles. (A job I totally enjoyed)

I now find that I can become extremely caustic with employees/politicians that I consider are performing in an inferior manner.

Mostly the poor politician/employee is just “holding the political party/company line”. But with such a rude/bored/uncaring attitude. That it leaves no doubt about the political partys/companies bad intentions toward their electorate/clients.

I always attempt to report their behaviour to their superiors. However, I have noticed that many of the largest of the political partys/companies have little or no interest in being notified of politicians/employees that are unacceptable to the people.

So looks to me like the representative democtratic process and customer service have almost dissapeared in 2010.

All of the largest politicians/corporations have replaced staff with an “Electronic Interuption/Telephone Routing/Advertising/Time Waster” service. Which eventually passes you to an “offshore helpdesk sweat factory”. Where you battle with thick accents and a system where one department has no authority over another department.

After all that. If you really need to complain. (or find representation) You will probably find out that you will need to make a formal written application.

Many companies (and politicians) still do not accept emails as a valid form of communications.

Thus forcing you to go through the whole “Post office” scenario.

If you are still sufficiently annoyed to go to the trouble of battling the system futher that is. Unfortunatly most people (myself included) seem to loose momentum at that final stage.

It becomes “too much trouble” to obtain representation/complain properly.

Well it occurs to me that these scumbags know that many people get angry. But a much lower percentage will go to all the “trouble” of writing an official letter to them.

It seems that the most vital of the Government Departments have adopted this proceedure.

Trying to make a complaint about the Police is an endless chore…

Trying to make a complaint about the Health System is the same…

Making a complaint about Centrelink is a multi-tiered maze that must be negotiated…

and getting nowhere fast…

However.. A somewhat unknown option is to PETITION the Governor-General..

Especially when the politicians ignore the laws that supposedly “protect us” from the endless corruptions in the system. (cough)

Or ramrod their “pet” policies against public opinion? (Sale of Telstra? GST? Filter the Internet?)

But hang-on.. Isn’t that illegal?

If a politician fails to represent the will of the people. They are failing to perform their primary function. That is to “represent the will of the people in their electorate to parliament”. A function that they have accepted money to perform. To obtain money for a service that wasn’t performed adaquetly could be considered quite fraudulent. Some politicians seem to consistantly ignore the wishes of their electorate. Under those conditions politicians have broken the law. If a politician breaks the law they can be removed by the Governor-General. (with or without the request of the voting public)

“THE POWER, PEROGATIVES AND AUTHORITIES OF THE MONARCHY, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL, AND STATE GOVERNORS, ARE THE BRAKES WHICH THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE CAN APPLY AT ANY HOUR (without having to wait for any general election) TO BRING MINISTERS AND POLITICIANS TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP, SO AS TO RECEIVE FROM THEM, THE ELECTORS, EITHER FRESH INSTRUCTION, REPRIMAND, OR DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE.“

Petition anyone?

Email: governor-general@gg.gov.au

See Also: Quentin Bryce

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Jack Cashill

See: http://www.cashill.com

Jack Cashill (born December 15, 1947) is an American author and journalist. Cashill is a weekly contributor to the WorldNetDaily? website and executive editor of Ingram’s Magazine in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cashill was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to William and Frances Cashill. He graduated from Regis High School (New York City) and Siena College in Loudonville, NY. Cashill received his Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue University in 1982.

Cashill has written at least seven books including Ron Brown’s Body: How One Man’s Death Saved the Clinton Presidency and Hillary’s Future; 2006: The Chautauqua Rising; Hoodwinked: How Intellectual Hucksters Have Hijacked American Culture; Sucker Punch: The Left Hook that Dazed Ali and Killed King’s Dream; and, with James Sanders, First Strike: TWA Flight 800 and the Attack on America. His newest book, What’s The Matter With California? a reference to Thomas Frank’s What’s the Matter with Kansas? was released on October 2, 2007. He has also written and produced several documentaries, such as Silenced: TWA Flight 800, Mega Fix and the The Royal Years.

He has written for Fortune (magazine), The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Weekly Standard.

Cashill hosted a daily talk radio show for KMBZ for four years. He has taught media and literature at Purdue University

Cashill has written a series of essays concerning his theory that Barack Obama’s autobiography Dreams From My Father was ghostwritten by former Weather Underground leader Bill Ayers.

Bibliography

• Snake Handling in Mid-America – Westport Pubns – 1991
• 2006: The Chautauqua Rising – Olin Frederick – 2000
• First Strike: TWA Flight 800 and the Attack on America – WND Books – 2003
• Ron Brown's Body: How One Man's Death Saved the Clinton Presidency and Hillary's Future – Nelson Current – 2004
• Hoodwinked: How Intellectual Hucksters Have Hijacked American Culture – Nelson Current – 2005
• Sucker Punch: The Left Hook that Dazed Ali and Killed King's Dream – Nelson Current – 2006
• What's the Matter with California?: Cultural Rumbles from the Golden State and Why the Rest of Us Should Be Shaking – Threshold Editions – 2007

See : Wikipedia

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• Tags: Email_to_Senator_Conroy

Email: senator.conroy@aph.gov.au

Senator Conroy.

I want you to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on your program to filter the internet.

The system you are proposing is so full of holes that I find it objectionable that you continue to push it against obvious public disapproval.

I am going to get other people, who feel the same as I do, to petition the Governor General to “bring you into line” on this issue. The “twitter” is alive with people who feel the same as I do on this issue.

It is totally unacceptable for a Government to determine what should be restricted content! (Governments cannot be trusted to act in the public will - you provide the perfect example of it..)

The public elected you to represent the majority decision. You have instead thrown your weight behind your morally destitute party politics. While attempting to hide yourself in your disguise of morals protector.

You need to let whoever cares in the labor party know that MUCH civil disobedience will be the outcome. If you continuing with the current plan to filter the internet.

I am not going to waste any more of my time with you. Many others have undoubtedly wasted their words on you.

But actions speak louder than words Mr Conroy. The civil disobedience will be historic. Your name will forever be linked to it.

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