A friend wrote something striking in a recent email. In a world that views suicide as a form of freedom and genocide against the unborn as an inalienable right, it means very little to call anything a right or a freedom.
If this thought seems crazy then maybe I don’t want to be sane.
On another topic, dear to our hearts, I was the only one who showed up for the Vigil yesterday (a bit late, others may have been there and left.) Darkly humorous thing happened. Guy came by and called me a “&*%$#^ retard” for holding up my pro-life sign. Then he walked away saying (I think seriously) that we should abort all of China and India. Whoa. Sure glad I’m a retard if smart people think like that!
Posted on August 19th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: Faith, Abortion, Politics, suicide | No Comments »
If you’re thinking about getting clearwire… Don’t! It’s not worth it, unless you enjoy customer service hell.
A year ago, June, I was on the market for a new internet connection. Tired of paying an arm and a leg to comcast I thought clearwire sounded tempting. Easy setup, cheap… Sounds like a great deal right?
WRONG!
Clearwire is barely broadband. It provides a faster browsing experience than dialup, but if you actually want to do anything on the internet (games, tv, youtube) or if there is more than one user on at a time, forget about it.
They also force their customers into a cell phone style contract, so you’re stuck for a year. One year + of crappy internet later I’m going to get rid of it and their support system for closing an account is worse than AOL used to be. It starts with offers and information about “exciting upcoming” changes . Then when I insisted I really wanted to cancel my account I was told to hold on “just a sec” after which point I waited on hold for 15 minutes.
Frustrated I hopped on chat support and was reassured that everything was in place and I was to receive instructions on how to return the modem so my account could be closed. 14 hours later, I’ve seen no such email. I just hopped back onto chat and was told that the only way to get the email “re”-sent is to call back into their nightmare of a support line.
I got a little over-excited and wrote the following email:
I spoke to 3 people this morning this morning for all of 3 minutes. The last fellow told me he would help me close my account in “just a moment” while he took care of something, and then I sat on hold for 15 minutes, after which I gave up. I was told by a chat rep that an email had been sent out with instructions on how to return your equipment. I’ve been watching and waiting for this email all day, without seeing such an email. This evening I hopped back on chat support and was told a chat rep cannot resend the email. My standing instructions are to get a phone rep again and re-request the information.
I’m not going through your phone support hell again. I’m not going to burn 20 minutes of my morning waiting for someone to send me the information I need to cancel my account. I have to work like everyone else. Here’s what I propose. Tell me how to send your equipment back so my account can be canceled, or have someone swing by and pick it up. I think that’s reasonable, but if for some reason its not and you insist on torturing good customers I’ll be more than happy to cancel all future automated transaction on this account that I am, for all intents and purposes, considering closed, and if it comes to that I’ll probably end up filing a complaint with the better business bureau.
I don’t need to speak with anyone else. You know what I want. You know I want to be compliant. I’m just missing the details contained in one magic email…. Cut the crap and send me this email so I can forget about this whole ordeal and move on with my life. Canceling an account I’m in no way obligated to keep open should not take 45 minutes out of my day.
Aaron
I get that since I don’t want to be their customer anymore they feel like they can treat me like crap, but I sure hope they aren’t expecting me to recommend them to my friends or buy their future services… Part of a good product is good customer support, which includes folks who are leaving your service.
Posted on August 11th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: General, Technology | No Comments »
I got my iPhone 5 days ago. With the discount I figure I should give mobile me a try. $69 for a year is pretty reasonable.
I registered 3 days ago and it told me I had to update everything to current (from Leopord 10.4.2 to 10.4.4). This took 2 hours (time I don’t really have) so I set it to download and install overnight.
After doing this it was finally time to log in.. Except every time I try it tells me a have a bad user name/password combo… I just filled this form out 2 days ago and I use the same passwords everywhere, my memory isn’t that bad is it? Nothing works… So I reset the password. Which resets my main apple password (read iTunes) even though the logins aren’t the same. iTunes clicks over to the new password no problem… Still no dice on MobileMe.
So this morning I hop on their support chat thinking hey, I’ve had good experience with Apple support in the past, lets see if someone can help me. After waiting 40 minutes (Plenty of shower and prepare/eat breakfast) I got a hold of Dan…
Dan had me clear my browser’s private data and check some settings. He was about to help me reset my password when he cut out and I was presented with a lovely message telling me I had been disconnected from the Apple support representative (there was no interruption in my internet service).
So at this point I’m thinking this is Apple, they’re professionals at customer service, right? I’m gonna get an email, or a phone call (it’s their phone after all) or if I put myself back in the cue maybe they’ll pick me out and put me back in contact with Dan so we can continue.
So I hop back into the cue and am informed I have a 50 minute wait. I sit back and work through some email while I wait hopeful that I’ll be reconnected so I can finally get access to the MobileMe account I paid for. After 10 minutes I give up and head off to work.
It occurs to me on my lunch break I could try my luck again, so I go checkout the chat support service and am met with:
Overwhelming interest my ass. They’re agents are all currently busy because they launched an unfinished product and support can’t handle the load of all. Maybe they should have all their apple store reps stop selling this product to their new iPhone clients. Do they really want new customers having this as their first Apple experience.
MobileMe is crap and by launching it Apple is telling their clientele that they’re doing everything in their power to be the next HP. Lets hope when Jobs is finished patting himself on the back for a job well done launching the iPhone he can revamp support and get back to keeping his customers happy rather than simply enamored.
Posted on August 1st, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: Technology | No Comments »
What is freedom anyway? So I agree that some things should be illegal, but since when is it the governments business to tell educated professionals how to do their jobs? While it should be illegal to do harm to another human being, I was under the impression that the right to refuse service (for any reason) was a time honored tradition in this beautiful country of ours. Today I got a letter from a friend requesting we support doctors who are fighting for their right to practice medicine without being required to provide contraception, sterilization and even abortion to those who request it. It is sick that a person have their livelihood threatened because they stand by their morals. Lets support these folks!
Rachel writes:
A college friend of mine is now an OB MD and is concerned about the possibility of all health care providers being forced to provide or refer to abortion, sterilization and contraception. He wrote a letter to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists protesting this and would like to add as many signatures as possible. If you are interested in adding your signature to his letter, his email is below and you can read his letter and instructions. Thanks!! Feel free to send it on to other friends as well!
Rachel
To all concerned,
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have recently published Committee Opinion # 385 entitled “The limits of conscientious refusal in reproductive medicine.” (see attached). In it, they basically seek to establish abortion, sterilization, and contraception as standards in women’s health care. This Committee Opinion is the first step in forcing all health care providers to provide or refer for these services. Eventually, board certification and hospital privileges could be denied those who refuse to participate in these services. This would also limit women’s access to prolife providers.
I have composed a brief response to the Opinion. If you are inclined and wish to have your name listed after the letter, please reply to greenwhich@gmail.com with your name, city, and title (if any). This letter is for anyone to sign. Please feel free to forward it to any and all of your contacts. I will type it up and send it in about 2 or 3 weeks from now.
Thanks and God bless,
Kyle Beiter, MD
To the ACOG staff,
We represent a growing number of health professionals in women’s health and laypeople who disagree strongly with the ACOG Committee Opinion #385. There are many among us, strongly committed to providing health care to women, who believe that elective abortion, sterilization, and contraception promote disrespect for women and children and destroy families. Your efforts to establish these services as the norm in women’s health care will reduce women’s access to providers who support their well-being and that of their families in ways that pro-abortion providers cannot.
We ask you to rescind this opinion immediately.
Sincerely,
Kyle Beiter, MD
Posted on August 1st, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: Faith, Politics | No Comments »
Why do people go to such great lengths to pretty up supposedly ugly subjects. Death is part of life. Since when is it natural to not want to survive. Right now we’re fighting over the edge case. If you’re going to die anyway, why not make it sooner? Right? Free will and all.
What happens when external forces (eg. insurance companies, corporations, in-laws, the government, etc…) influence this decision. If they can make it legal for people to blackmail each other into suicide in Oregon, why not here too?
Since the spread of his prostate cancer, 53-year-old Randy Stroup of Dexter, Ore., has been in a fight for his life. Uninsured and unable to pay for expensive chemotherapy, he applied to Oregon’s state-run health plan for help.
Lane Individual Practice Association (LIPA), which administers the Oregon Health Plan in Lane County, responded to Stroup’s request with a letter saying the state would not cover Stroup’s pricey treatment, but would pay for the cost of physician-assisted suicide. “It dropped my chin to the floor,” Stroup told FOX News. “[How could they] not pay for medication that would help my life, and yet offer to pay to end my life?”
The letter, which has been sent to other terminal patients throughout Oregon, follows guidelines established by the state legislature.
Can we convict an institution of second degree murder when it conspires to kill someone? How is this any different? Lets not rush into anything too quickly here in Washington. I hope never to live in a world that pushes cyanide as the cure to cancer.
Posted on July 30th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: Faith, Politics, suicide | 2 Comments »
It’s good to see experts gathering to stand up for human life in all stages of existence. I only wish I lived in a state that was so forward thinking.
Over 70 Colorado Physicians Sign Statment Saying Personhood Begins at
Fertilization
“Personhood Amendment” set to appear on 2008 Colorado ballot
DENVER, Colorado, July 28, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Colorado for
Equal Rights has announced the support of over 70 physicians and
pharmacists, including neonatologists, family physicians, ob-gyns,
pediatricians, and other physicians nationwide. These physicians have
stated that they concur with the statement, “A ‘person’ includes any
human from the time of fertilization.” A list of these physicians is
available at http://www.personhood2008.com. ;
“We are honored to have received these endorsements from such
respected physicians,” stated Kristi Burton, the sponsor of the
“Personhood Amendment” which is set to appear on the 2008 Colorado
ballot. “Science clearly proves that life begins at the time of
fertilization. We are secure in the fact that we have science and
reason on our side, and we are pleased to have the medical community
supporting our efforts.”
Sponsored by Burton, a 20-year-old law student, the Personhood
Amendment states: “Be it Enacted by the People of the State of
Colorado…the terms ‘person’ or ‘persons’ shall include any human being
from the moment of fertilization.”
“As support for Amendment 48 accumulates, we are very encouraged as we
get closer to November’s election,” continued Burton. “Every human
life should be protected, and the endorsements we continue to receive
prove that our easy to understand amendment is one that all Coloradans
can support.”
Posted on July 30th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: Abortion, Politics | No Comments »
My friend Monica emailed requesting prayer for her hometown doctors who are attempting to go NFP only. She writes:
I just recieved word that three doctors from my hometown area have
recently changed to being NFP only, and are being brought before an
emergency session of the town council today (we assume because of
this). I think that prayers for this situation would be greatly
appreciated. Feel free to pass this on to others, I just definitely
know that you would probably be interested. The town is New Ulm,
Minnesota and unfortunately I do not know the names of the doctors
involved.
It’s exciting to think we live in a world where people in the medical profession might actually return to healing people rather than providing means to escape the natural function of our bodies. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It is laudable that these brave doctors in Minnesota (and elsewhere I’m sure) are taking a stand for their profession. Lets all offer up a prayer for their endeavor, and pray for others like them to stand up for what they believe in.
Posted on July 29th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: Faith, Politics | No Comments »
Here’s a good impartial view of the battle our state is facing this fall:
By JOEL CONNELLY - P-I COLUMNIST
When Initiative 1000 was certified for the ballot last Thursday, few would have thought a measure legalizing physician-assisted suicide would transform Washington voters into a “Chosen People.”
If you read the 2007 report of the Death With Dignity National Center, however, what emerges is that the Evergreen State was carefully chosen, as it were, to revive a movement lately on life support.
It is a tale of behind-thescenes manipulation, candidly laid out by the manipulators:
“We have spent the last year actively researching and collecting data to determine the state which is most likely to adopt a Death with Dignity law,” said the annual report.
“Through these efforts we have identified Washington as the state most likely … We, at the Death with Dignity National Center, are proud to provide our political experience and expertise to these talented and committed people of Washington.”
A bit later, the report adds:
“Campaigns, such as the one in Washington, take a great deal of time, effort and money. In 2006-2007, we invested each of these resources in planning for a 2008 ballot initiative. We raised nearly $250,000 to provide seed money to the campaign, and we participated in extensive early research efforts.”
The movement has provided cold hard cash, as well, more than $440,000 in out-of-state contributions to get I-1000 on the ballot; $300,000 has come from the Oregon Death with Dignity PAC.
The picture in the report differs rather substantially from how the press has been reporting I-1000 north of the Columbia River.
We have read glowing profiles of the “last campaign” of ex-Gov. Booth Gardner, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease.
Advised by a legion of political consultants, the campaign has linked reporters to signature-gatherers who have lost a loved one, or see a relative racked with pain.
Sophisticated string-pullers have stayed backstage. Again, read revealing words from the 2007 report of the Death with Dignity National Center:
“(We) have never had such great odds of success as we have in Washington in 2008. That is why we will be directing $1.5 million over the next year and a half to the efforts in Washington.”
I will vote against I-1000. My reasons stem from personal experience, as well as my understanding of an underpinning of our democratic society: Its purpose must be to safeguard and enhance life, especially among the youngest, the weakest and the suffering.
In turn, other folks I respect have different beliefs derived from their life journey, and come down on the other side. They see a “right” for the terminally ill, and supportive physicians, to induce death.
Profound ethical issues are at stake. The electorate’s decision will have consequences felt far beyond our borders. Voters need to hear both positions and decide with care (and compassion). One side should not be able to define, manipulate and spend its way to victory.
“We believe that Washington’s proximity to Oregon and the state’s history of enacting policies through the initiative process make Washington the most likely place for a Death with Dignity law,” said the report.
Washington doesn’t necessarily follow its neighbor.
After Oregon enacted a returnable bottles law, consumer advocates put a similar proposal on the Washington ballot three times. It lost by wide margins.
Washington was picked as a target state in 1991 by term limits advocates, eager to humiliate House Speaker Tom Foley on his home turf. The initiative lost, provoking a hissy fit from ex-California Gov. Jerry Brown, here to celebrate an anticipated victory.
Later, a term limits measure did narrowly win, but was struck down by the courts. Foley did lose his seat, at the ballot box as our Founders intended.
In 1990, anti-abortion activists picked Idaho as a legal and political laboratory.
The Legislature passed a stringent law. A woman who had been raped could be refused an abortion if the alleged rapist challenged her claim. On the eighth day, if she failed to report a rape, a woman could face criminal penalties if she sought to terminate a pregnancy.
A pro-life Democratic governor, Cecil Andrus, found the measure too extreme and vetoed it.
And Andrus didn’t like seeing his state used by agenda-driven outsiders.
The job of Washington voters is fourfold. Do they agree, in principal and belief, with assisted suicide? If so, do they feel safeguards – modeled after Oregon’s law – are sufficient?
Two more questions: Should Washington be a launching pad for a movement that seeks to transform a crime into a “medical treatment?” Will the movement next seek to expand conditions for the legal ending of life, as has been done in the Netherlands?
You’ll hear a lot from I-1000 supporters. They are a dedicated bunch, and it’s been 10 years since Oregon provided their first and only victory.
Since my first critical missive, our newspaper has published or put online 14 letters, one outside column and one staff column – all boosting what supporters label “Death with Dignity.”
With life and death decisions, however, it helps to ponder a range of opinions.
© 1998-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Posted on July 28th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: General, Politics | 2 Comments »
Just came across this and thought it was probably worth sharing. Pretty cool stuff.
Baby action shots
Posted on July 18th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: General | No Comments »
So I never post anymore, but FYI I’m now gainfully employed at Amazon.com. There was recently an internal video competition about what working at Amazon is like and below is a link to the youtube account with a collection of submissions.
http://www.youtube.com/user/insideamazon
Posted on July 8th, 2008 by stocad
Filed under: General, Technology, Tech Centric | No Comments »
