Congress Takes Steps to Protect Merchants From Credit Card Overcharges, But You Can Keep Paying...

I read an interesting article on TheHill.com this week, about Congress taking action against credit card companies. That sounds nice and overdue, but the only problem is that they are fighting for the second best constituent, rather than the first. If only they worked that hard for us....

You may not know this, but the convenience store association has a very powerful and smart lobby. Just like any group, they hit on Congress when they feel they are being wronged. The big trouble is that the credit card companies aren't really wrong, but the lobby gives contributions, and consumers don't. Here is the issue.

Merchants pay a percentage of gross sales to the credit card companies, usually around %1.75 ,others charge higher, hence the "We Don't Accept AMEX" sign at some merchants. Now, different cards pay different rates. You have o ne of those Frequent Flyer or Cash Back cards? Well, the merchants pay higher for that card. In essence, the merchants is partially financing the rewards you get, and they don't like it.

Just how much more? Not much really. It is usually 2.0% , but that extra .25% adds up. Revenue from that has jumped from $6.6 billion in 2006 to $7.6 in 2007. That cuts out a lot of margin for error for businesses with low profit margins like convenience stores. So, if merchants need to jack prices up .25% , then do it, right? Why do it when Congress can do it for you... they pay them anyway.

The unfair part, of course, is how Congress will jump all over the banks for something they can pass on to consumers, but when regular citizens are getting charged $39 over the limit and late charges for being $3 over their $300 credit card, they have no recourse, becuase Congress got help writing the laws from the banks themselves. Well, this IS the same Congress that let the Pharmaceutical Industry write the Medicare Part D bill...

Maybe it's time we make up our own lobby - except we don't let Congress know we're working for average citizens. A REAL group looking out for us, not like the BS that AARP pulls off.... If you have an idea of what to name it, feel free to leave a comment..

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Paul Begala Takes the High Road...

Funny, I Didn't See Him There at All....

Former Clinton team member Paul Begala has never been a very classy guy. He likes to think of himself as being tough, but actually he is the wimpy kid in the corner that talks smack all day long, but you don't bother kicking his ass because he's not worth the effort. Like Me.......

Begala's latest verbal assualt came this week , when he called a group of people at a GOP fundraiser "Dirtbags"to a group of Democratic Party fundraisers. "You should have seen the joint: wall to wall fat-cats. The limos were lined up around the block. If you stood in the middle of the room and yelled "hey dirtbag", a thousand necks would have snapped around."

Now, don't expect me to sit here and overly defend a bunch of guys who are millionaires, but the truth is that there are Democratic fat-cat dirtbags just as much as GOP dirtbags. Actually, I doubt many of them are dirtbags, but I'm guessing Begala really wanted to call them scumbags, but was afraid. They are probably equally dirt or scumbags.

It's another case of the Democrats just trying to paint the GOP as the Grand Oil Party, as he likes to call them, when there are special interests that the Dems cater to just as much, that do just as much damage to the progress and fabric of this country as Big Oil has. Unions and the NEA come to mind of the top of my head.....

Paul, you are exactly what you called the GOP - a big , whiny crybaby. Stick to critiques that aren't so hypocritical, and maybe SOMEONE will listen to you.

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It's Time to Come Home...

It's been an interesting month. I almost lost my job - thanks again to my big mouth. Luckily, I have learned a bit from my mistakes, so i didn't go off the deep end and totally blow my stack, and things are back to normal on the job. The problem now is that the post I had a few weeks ago has come to fruition. The posts may be slowing down this week, because the dealership hasn't gotten the wi-fi installed yet, and I won't be able to post from Matt's, because he's leaving...

Yes, as of Monday, I will be homeless. Not technically, but it looks like I'll be spending Monday thru Thursday nights in my car, then cleaning up at work every morning. I'm not ticked off at my brother, although I never understand his unwillingness to stick with a job, but I should have known this by now, so you get what you set up.

I'd like to stay here, but it costs too much to be on my own, and all my obligations are in Florence, so it's time to try and get back home. I want to sleep in my own bed every night, I want to cut grass on Wednesdays and be lazy on Saturdays. I want to spend time with my friends.

I know life has been very crazy over the last year, and most of it has been my own fault. If I could go back and start life over to last July of 2007 and be back at Newsome I would, but that's just not happening. All I can do is be patient, while still affecting change to get where I want to be. I love my house, and I want to be there seven days a week, so the plan is to find work in Flotown again, be in the auto business, or finally moving on to something else.

The other part is to be with the people I care about. Hilton Head is cool, but i have no real relationships with anyone there. It doesn't happen in four months, so it's no suprise. I need to spend more time with my friends, and more with someone in particular. I missed her an unbelievable amount this past Spring, because I needed to take a step back. A funny thing happened, though. I found out that I really missed her. We make each other laugh, and there is a connection between the two of us that I don't have with anyone else. We get each other. I love her, and nothing will happen if I stay in Hilton Head. It's not the only reason, but it is part of it.

In short, my life is tied inextricably to Florence, and unless I cut all ties, i have to come back, and I want to come back. I spent the weekend away last week, and by Monday, I wanted to come home. I want to be home everyday. I want to smile again, like when I'm with those I care about. We'll see how it goes.....

I'll be posting when I can, and it'll be still like the old SC6, not "Tales from my Avalon".... When there is any big news fom this front, I'll let you all know. Wish me luck.

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Maybe Cellphones CAN Fry Your Brain...

There's been a lot of chatter about whether cell phone usage can cause brain cancer. I thought it was a little bit of hooey, but then again, my mom never could go near a microwave for fear of making her pacemaker go haywire. This clip may convince you a bit too.....

It may scare you a bit, or you may have just found a new way to impress girls at parties, as Ben suggested. You may have seen this before, but check it out, and see what people around the world are finding - those cell phone waves are REAL..... Thanks to Bobby for passing this on to me..

http://sorisomail.com/videos-comicos/1963.html

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SC6 Hits Another Milestone: Post Number 1200...

Cheers, As We Celebrate Our 1200th Post........

Welcome again, as SC6 continues to roll on. Post Number 1200 ! Yes, we've always focused on quantity, not quality, so you don't have to think or spend too much time reading here on our dumbed down blog. All we're after is to make you laugh and maybe think once in a while - while you're laughing. How long will it continue on? The goal is to get to Post Number 2009 sometime next year, then we'll drink some Kool Aid and go out in a Heaven's Gate-type suicide pact. Maybe we'll just retire instead....

Finding some significant 1200's was tough, but here's a couple......

For you motorcycle enthusiasts, we have a BMW K1200 sportbike.

Or, if cars are more your thing, it's a Datsun 1200 utility truck.

In sports, here's Hockey Star Jeremy Roenick (who?) scoring his 1200th career point. Trust me, it's a lot......

And lastly, it's Our Lady of Mariazell Basilica in Austria - built around the year 1200..........That's old. The stuff you lean by Googling the number 1200, eh?

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RIP UGA VI: Georgia Loses It's Bulldog...

Today, news comes out that UGA VI, the mascot for the University of Georgia football team, passed away from congestive heart failure. He was 9 years old, or 63 years to you and me.....

For any Georgia fans, the greatest thrill was to have your or your kid's picture taken with UGA VI. Treated like a rock star, UGA VI had his own custom dog house, and loved to lay on bags of ice to keep cool during those hot Athens Saturday afternoons. While all Gerogia Bulldogs are revered, UGA VI differentiated himself a few years back by trying to bite an Auburn University football player on the sidelines during a game. Good Boy !

Although the search for UGA VII now begins, UGA VI will be missed....

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Erection 2008: Will the Presidency Be Decided By a Spoiler ?

They're Both Smiling Now, But Will McCain or Obama be Blindsided By a Third Party Candidate ????

We might say this every four years, but it's more correct this year. 2008 will be a turning point election year. For the first time since 1976, we will have an election that doesn't have a Bush or Clinton somewhere on the ticket - at least I think so, but that may change, and I may be correcting myself as I write this. It's about time. This county needs to move on a bit, and change it's course to a point.

When you have such a turning point election, there is the possibililty of a third party candidate coming in and changing the outcome. John Anderson in 1980, Ross Perot in 1992, and Ralph Nader in 2000 all played a part in who won. Could 2008 have a similar outcome? Well, it depends on the candidates running.

Back in 1992, George Bush was finishing his first term, and with the economy being sluggish, there was a bit of 'Reagan fatigue' settling in. For whatever reason, Ross Perot caught traction, and picked off enough of the center to tilt the '92 election for Bill Clinton - despite Clinton only getting 43% of the vote. Can it happen again? Not from the vantage point of fatigue of the major candidates. There is no incumbent, and as much as the Democrats try to call a McCain win as a third Bush term, the truth is change is coming , no matter who wins.....

That being said, what about the actual third party candidates? Is there another Perot in our midst? I doubt it, but let's review......

Ralph Nader - Independent.

Remember Pearl Jam's first album? Remember how different it sounded, and the juice it had on it's release? Everyone was wearing flannel shirts and Doc Martens, and growing out their hair and doing heroin.... Okay, maybe not heroin. Now, remember the third album? Me neither. Well, Nader is on his third run, and the shtick is getting old. I listen to POTUS 08 24/7 in my car, and even there, Nader isn't getting any airplay. He won't get the 3-5% that might kill an Obama victory, and the Dems have finally figured that out. So, the left will likely close it's ranks on the left - especially with a flaming liberal like Obama on the top of the ticket. Nader, 1% or less....

Bob Barr - Libertarian.

This could be interesting. Why? Not because the Libertarian Party suddenly has clicked with the voters. But, because Barr was a longtime Republican, and he essentially hijacked the party convention - which happens to the Liberatrians alot. No, there isn't a true Libertarian at the top of the ticket, but that may be good for them - and bad for John McCain.

It's true, McCain does have a little bit of a problem with the right wing of the GOP. So, will those hardline conservatives that we hear so much about evacuate the party and go with Barr? Maybe a few. The thing about the GOP , as opposed to the Dems, is that they have always known the effects of voting of leaving the party, so a mass exodus of 15-20% of all Republicans voting for Barr and costing McCain the 7-10% of the overall vote that would absolutely kill a McCain win is very unlikely. But, this is a very close election. I don't believe the polls giving Obama a 12-15 point lead at all. We're at the 3-5 point gap that a Libertarian candidate could still swing the election. A Libertarian has never won more than 1%, but Barr might up that significantly. Barr 1-3%.....

It's still a toss-up, so a third party can swing a very tight election. However, this year, both sides and the voters all know the consequences of throwing away their vote on Nader or Barr - and it IS throwing your vote away.... 2008 may not be very close in the end, as it really is a referendum on Barack Obama's readiness and ability to lead this year. So, I'm guessing Barr and Nader will not affect the election.

My brain is hurting from all the thoughful commentary.... I'm going to work on my next post - The effect of the economy on Strip Clubs..That's more in my wheelhouse anyway. Write what you know, right???

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Pop Trivia Time... Who is This Person?

Switching gears, we're going to make you use your brain and think for a minute.... If you watch TV at all, you will probably know who this woman is. Her real name is Stephanie Courtney. Although she looks pretty normal here, on TV she is looks a bit different, and definitely doesn't act normal, which is why for some inexplicable reason, a lot of guys are oddly attracted to her... Guess yet? Here's the answer.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkzVVYJggi4&feature=related

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGkmJRKA4VU&feature=related

So which insurance icon do you like better - her, the Esurance toon, or Jose Cerrano on Allstate?

'It is BAD to drink Jobu's rum...... VERY BAD !!!"

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If Congress Cares About Gas Prices, Why Do So Many Drive Gas Guzzlers ?

The Lincoln Town Car (15 MPG) - Your Congressman's Car of Choice.....

Think your congressman is really concerned about high gas prices? Think again. Time for SC6 to educate the masses on the insanity that goes on in DC, and to explain why Congress has done nothing to lower gas prices.

You might not know this, but Congressmen don't have to pay for their vehicles. Yep, they can lease a car, and the taxpayers flip the bill. Senators don't have this perk, only people in the House of Representatives. Of the 435 people in the House, 127 of them take advantage of it. The others get reimbursed 50.5 cents per mile if they use their own cars. That's $10 for 20 miles driven, versus $4 for the gas. That's if it's 20MPG, the profit goes even higher if the fuel economy is better. No wonder most of them take the cash.......

Still, many of them take advantage of the opportunity to go pimpin' on the back of the taxpayers. Of them, them, the most popular model chosen is the Licoln Town Car, with a whopping 15 MPG. Jim Clyburn is one of them. More amazing is the lack of thriftiness used at leasing these cars. Joe Wilson is used as an example in the Media General article. He leased a Ford Exploder, uh.... Explorer at $570 a month. Which is a lot less than the last car he leased - a Ford Escape Hybrid at $923 per month. Amazing , considering that the car only costs about $27,000. Another year, and he could own the thing..You could lease a loaded Mercedes-Benz E350 for less than he got the Explorer. More waste.

For all the chatter about being fuel efficient, how many Congressmen lease a 48 MPG Toyota Prius? Two. It tells me two things: First, they really don't care about fuel efficiency and setting an example for those they represent. If they are paying for your wheel, or reimbursing you, you need to be as practical as possible. Secondly, and as usual, Congress holds themselves to a insulated status, where they can demand actions from their constituents, but they can't do it themselves. Just like when we read about how many members of Congress have defaulted on loans or have maxxed out their credit cards.

This whole scenario does not bode well for Americans in their quest for energy independence. The President is just a figurehead of change, but Congress is where it happens. All laws are introduced in the House, so when those responsible for the change have so little personal restraint or sense, what hope do we have? Here's the article if you want to read it...

www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2008-06-27-0014.html

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If You Liked the Woomba, You'll Love This...

What Does Lindsay Lohan Have to Do With This? Find Out..IF YOU DARE..

As you can tell by now, we here at SC6 are in full Summer Vacation from politics mode. It's just the slow period right now, but I'll find something political to chat about soon...

A warning on this one. I REALLY. REALLY had to think about posting this one. But, it's pretty funny, and it gets more sick as it goes on. It's on YouTube, so it can't be that bad, but if making fun of the female anatomy disgusts you, then skip this post. If not, enjoy and have a laugh on me.......

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR4O68kUj5c

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Move Over Pam & Paris.. It's Another Sex Tape Scandal, Starring - Mini Me ????

I have never made a sex tape. Let's get that out right away. Good thing, right? No one wants to see me having sex. Even I wouldn't want to see it. But, i guess if you're famous, people will pay to see you doing it. I could understand Pam Anderson and Paris Hilton, but VERNE TROYER ?????

Uh, yeah. Mini Me is suing TMZ.com for a whopping $20 Million for airing parts of a sex tape he made that made it's way into TMZ's hands. Of course, Troyer made the tape for personal use, not for sale. My guess is he wanted proof that he has sex, but I shouldn't criticize him - he probably gets laid more than me. Correction. I'm SURE he does........

Will any freaks actually want to watch this? There's probably some kook with a midget (sorry, Little Person) fetish out there who's been waiting for this since Austin Powers first came out.

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Say Bye-Bye to the Nigerian Check Scam...

Greetings My Friend... I Want to Rip You Off.

If you have e-mail, I'm sure you're familiar with the Nigerian Check Scam. You know, "I am a Nigerian Prince, and I need you to cash a check for me, and I'll give you $5 Million to do it. Nevermind that the guy doesn't even know you, people still fell for it anyway. Well, the ring has been broken up, and it stretched all the way to the US.

Edna Fiedler of Washington State for sentenced to 2 years in the clink for her part in the scam. After sending 15 postal inspectors to Nigeria, where they found $2.1 Billion in counterfeit checks, lottery tickets amd Ebay overcharges, it traced back to Fiedler, who had $1.7 million in fake checks sent by the Nigerians to process the scam. The victims (aka Idiots), would try to cash the check, send the majority of the money to Fiedler and the Nigerians, but would then be responsible for the entire amount once the fake check was discovered.

Two years seems like a real short time for running such a scam, but I'm not the Attorney General in Washington. Of course, with every loss of a scam, there are plenty of others willing to step in and take their place. Lesson for today? The are not free rides, and if it sounds like a scam, it is a scam....

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Golf , Kids and Strippers.... This Can't Be Good.

You know, sometimes you read a story, and you just can't tell it better than you read it. Therefore, I'll preface this story from Yahoo!News, and let you read it for yourself.

It involves a Golf Course, Kids in a tournament, a slew of strippers raising money for charity, and what happens when they cross paths. My favorite line? " I cannot tell you the girls didn't flash out there, but it wasn't a free-for-all." Classic........

www.tampabays10.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=83371&catid=81

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Giving New Meaning to Leadfoot...

Drag Strip Racing: Legal.... Speeding 22 Times in 45 Days? Uhhhhh......

Admit it. You speed. Don't try to lie and say you drive below the speed limit, because no believes you. Liar !!! I speed all the time. Not much over, maybe about 5-7 MPH over. Luckily, we live in South Carolina, not one of those nutsy states with those cameras at ever intersection. Like Arizona.............

Unfortunately, there's a 24 yr old woman there who isn't so lucky - or smart. During a short stay in Scottsdale, she was caught speeding an unbelievable 22 times in 45 days, at speeds up to 92 MPH. That's about once every three times you get in a car. Sure, I've speeded 22 times in the last 45 days, but I haven't been CAUGHT that many times.....

Eventually, the cops caught up with her in Nevada, and threw her butt in the slammer. Of course , she was staying at her parents, so I'm sure she doesn't have the cash for paying all of these tickets . Don't do the crime if you can't pay the fine. In her honor, we have a YouTube clip:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfNATuw1DRs

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PETA's At It Again.....

The Enemy ??

Yes, it's the last week of June, but for those of you with less of a life than me, it's the first week of Wimbledon. With the tennis and tea and fans , comes one other thing - Pigeons.

Those little annoying flying pests with no fear and even less endearing digestive tracts...... They've been a part of Wimbledon as long as there's been a tournament. With all that bird poop, it lessens the experience for the visitors. They have an odd and pretty considerate way to rid the tournament of pigeon crap - Hawks.

The hawks have been quite effective at their job, but thye aren't perfect, and so, Wimbledon officials have been forced to use a different method - sharpshooters. Too many pigeons? KAPOWEE !!! The Third Reich comes in and cleans 'em out. I know, who cares about a few dead pigeons? I'll tell you who.....

It's PETA to the rescue !!!!!! They're making a big stink to the local police about the extermination of the little poopsters. But as usual, PETA has no legal basis to hang their hat on, so they're arguments are baseless in law, and have to clout. Never in my life have I ever seen a group get so much press for doing nothing.

Anywya, life goes on at Wimbledon. There's plenty of tennis and tea and bangers and mash. Just stay away from the Squab on special this week.......

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More Proof That SC6 Ruins Lives.....

No..... It's Not Mine.

I think I've gone into detail about how bad things seem to happen to those whom I associate with. Some are correct, some aren't - like Les Paul, who I didn't kill. It looks like the Reino Curse has struck again - but maybe it's not so bad afterall.....

You may remember a post a little way back, we talked about Jamie Simpson, the supercute spokesperson for Hudson Nissan and consultant of TBS' 'Movie and a Makeover'. She's on my MySpace friends list (cool), and I was going across my list, when the picture above came on screen...

It appears that little Jamie is VERY , VERY pregnant !! Sure, I'm sure it's great news, and she definitely has that 'expectant glow'. But, me being the practical idiot that I am, all I can think is 'She's wrecking her career!!". Maybe that's why i never had kids.... I'm still waiting for everything to be right to have one, which never happens. Either that, or it's because I'm still on my own.

Congrats to Jamie, and best wishes to her and the baby.... I still think you're wrecking your career, but I guess it's for a good reason. ;)

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Who Is A.B. ???

A.B. ?? Who the heck is A.B. you ask? Well I'm talking about Arthur B. Culvahouse. Now you know who i'm talking about, Willis ? Of course not. Let me enlighten you - then you can tell me you don't give a crap....

Arthur Culvahouse is the man in charge of John McCain's VP selection. While Barack Obama is busy finding high profile names like JFK's daughter ( sorry, but is she REALLY qualified?), McCain has an experienced and QUIET guy at the helm.

Rather than go through his whole resume, here's a link to TheHill.com, which tells you all about A.B.

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mccain-selects-former-reagan-official-to-head-vp-search-2008-05-23.html

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Branding the Candidates: Where Have All the Great Campaign Slogans Gone ???

That's What John McCain Is, MMM MMM GOOD !!!!!

Branding: Promoting a Political Campaign Like a Product.

Yes, branding is the buzz term of the 2008 Campaign. All the candidates tried to market themselves like laundry detergent. While some did a better job than others, this year the general thought is that the pack of candidates haven't done a great job of it.

I was listening to a segment on POTUS 08 about it, and it made me think of all the great campaign slogans of the past, and how bad this year's slogans are. Remember 'I Like Ike', or 'Happy Days are Here Again'? How about 'Morning In America', or even "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too' ? Sure better than what we've had in 2008.

The goal of a slogan is to connect with the voters, and to come up with something that sticks in people's minds . Like a product , it needs to stand the test of time. Products like Coke, Memorex, Citibank and McDonald's have differentiated themselves with the slogan. However, when you use 'Hillary Clinton for President ' as your slogan, expect to go down........HARD.

What about John McCain. Well, the Straight Talk was a good taking off point, but he's seemed to fizzle. Conservative and Old don't exactly get the electorate jazzed up now. True, it's hard to get any street cred going when you're 72 and a bit pasty, but bigger miracles have happened.

As for Barack Obama, "Change We Can Believe In" is by far the best , but what if we don't think change is exactly what we're looking for? It's okay, but it's still a bland coverall term that is too generic. Something more like 'Because Lindsey Graham Is too Liberal for South Carolina' fits much better.... How did Buddy Witherspoon ever fit all that on a billboard? No wonder he lost. Give me time, I'll think of ones for them both.....

Speaking of Obama's slogan, here's what I think of, when I hear it.....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe71zCA5xFQ

Bret Michaels for President !!

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So When Will Kobe Kill Shaq ?

Shaq and Kobe In Better Days.....







It didn't take that long, did it? Less than a week after Kobe Bryant couldn't win a championship without Shaquille O'Neal - again - Shaq let Kobe know about it, via a freestyle rap.











Shaq ragged on Kobe about not winning, and even called Kobe a snitch and blamed Bryant for O'Neal's recent divorce. WOW !!! Clearly, Shaq has an axe to grind with Kobe. It reminds me a lot of another pair of guys who used to work side-by-side, then split up and couldn't stop ripping each other...... Tupac and Biggie Smalls.











So, will Kobe pop a cap in Shaq's massive derriere ? Probably not, but these guys have fans - some of which aren't wired properly. Shaq must have thought about this afterwards, because he did an about face in three seconds. But it was a bit late. Shaq was immediately undeputized by the local Sheriff's office. There goes his police protection !!









Right now, Kobe has had nothing to say, which is probably the right thing to do. The best way to look like an idiot is to argue with an idiot. We'll see how it all plays out, but hopefully it'll all blow over before someone pulls a driveby.....



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Welcome to the Taj MaHonda !!!

Beats the Heck Out of the Old Place, Doesn't It?

Yes, today was the first day at the new dealership. There were a few bugs early on. The computer system wasn't coming up, no one trained us on how to use the new phone system, and a few of my necessary office tools were MIA after the trip. Aside from that, things went pretty well.

Everyone has calmed down a bit since the big move, although the work wasn't real great today. Also, the extra 14 mile drive means I now have to get up at 540AM everyday to be at work by 700. Sleep is overrated anyway......

The two garage doors open on the left are for my srevice department. I'd have taken more pics, but I had a customer waiting for me inside.....

Yeah, it'll be tough getting used to all the extras we gave now, but I'll manage. If you're ever in the neighborhood, come on by, and I'll take you for a tour.

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SC6 Remembers George Carlin.

The comedy world lost another legend when George Carlin died from heart failure. He was 71. He worked all the way til the end, when he made his last appearance a wek ago, and had his 14th HBO special last month.

Yes, he was a rebel, and he was most noted for his skit "The Seven Dirty Words". No, he didn't have the same view on politics that I did, but I always appreciate funy people - even if they don't like Republicans. My guess is he didn't like most Democrats either. THAT is a rebel.

I liked him in 'Dogma', and here is my favorite clip of Carlin - I know Martha will love this .....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YphEUa5LPjM

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So Ladies, Are You Marriage Material ?

AFLAC !!!........... I Mean, I Do.

So, you girls think you're the only ones who think about whether a date is marriage material? Think again. We guys do take these things into consideration also when we date a woman. Personally, I don't even bother going out with a girl unless I see that potential, which is why I'm still single.

What do I look for in a future mate? Well, looks are important. I like a more natural beauty, what my friends used to joking call "Plain Janes". I don't like waking up, and not recognizing who is sleeping next to me. But, there are other aspects I look for. A great sense of humor, and easygoing personality but still driven professionally to a point. Also, a positive outlook on life is paramount. I get kicked around enough, I don't a partner. Oh , I almost forgot.... BIG BOOBIES. Kidding. Big breasts are like cruise control on a car - you don't REALLY need it but it's nice to have....

Now, if you're a woman, and I'm still talking to you, then chances are you possess most or all of the attributes - which means you can probbaly do better than me - but I'm still gonna try !! But, if you're looking for what guys other than me are looking for, here is an article from MSN that I found today. Don't freak out if you don't have all of these traits...... being an Old Maid isn't the curse it used to be. Remember, i'm still available, and I love you. Maybe ......

http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/couplesandmarriage/articlecosmo.aspx?cp-documentid=7822448&GT1=32001

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Out With The Old......

Say Goodbye to the Old Hilton Head Island Honda.....

Greetings from Hilton Head ! For the first time in the four months since I started working here, I stayed for the weekend. The traffic here is terrible.... Apparently, half of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee are here today.

It's been a long week here. I darned near lost my job this week - again !! Not quite the same reason as last time. Yep, I lost my temper. Nope, I didn't get mad at a customer. Nope, I didn't use foul language. While it was out of my head after it was over, two of my co-workers decided to have an intervention in the waiting room while I was writing the Juneteenth blog post. After I had already clocked out for the day...... Needless to say, I wasn't too happy about the timing and being blindsided, so I let them both have it.

Some of what I said was justified, but I did do something wrong on the job, and they were basically doing what they tought was right, misguided though it may have been. This happened Thursday, and neither spoke to me for most of Friday, as we were packing for the move. I could have stayed home today and left them stranded to pack the stuff up, but that would not have been the Team Player way of doing things, so I helped out where I could. Luckily, i have made a big impact on the department's profitability, so it saved me from my big mouth - for now.

The move today was pretty hectic. It was muggy, and there was a lot to do. We had to pack up the ENTIRE parts department, load it on the trucks, unload it and RESTOCK all of the parts. It took about 8 hours before I had to leave, and I guarantee some of them are still going tonight...

But it's worth it. The dealership is pretty awesome. I have a new computer, a lunch room and we'll have an ice cream machine too. The only downside is my desk is in the service drive, so there is no air conditioning. :(

Want to check it out? You'll have to wait til Monday, when we bring you......

Welcome to the TajMaHonda !!!!!

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You Know You're In Trouble When.....

Boy, I Remember The Last Time I Fell Asleep On an Adirondack Chair, Drunk Off My Ass......I Think It Was Last Week.

Hey folks, it's Saturday again. I'm down in Hilton Head for the week, but I'll be back on Friday night. Since it is the weekend, we'll keep the posts short and simple.

No, I don't know this girl. I ran across the pic today, and the first person I thought of was you - whoever you are ! I just thought it was funny, without being too dirty. Of course, I could be wrong........

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Happy Juneteenth !! If You Know What It Is...

If You Don't Know, You're Not the Only One.......

Alright folks, what is Juneteenth? Well, it's also referred to as Black Independence Day. No, the date may be incorrect, but it is the day a local tradition slowly progressed into a regional (and maybe someday national) holiday.

Most folks know that Appomattox was on April 9, 1865, but in those days it took awhile for word that the Civil War was over. In Galveston, Texas, word came on June 19, 1865 when a Union General came to tell locals that the war was over, and they were all free......

Naturally, they had a party. It mostly was a local event, but it has spread over recent years across the South, and in pockets of other areas across the country. Some of our elcted officials would like to make Juneteenth a National holiday, but it isn't likely to happen soon. I do n't have a problem with it because of who it's for. We have enough national holidays. Personally, as an Italian-American, we shouldn't have Columbus Day off either. i can't get to the bank or post office when they're open enough as it is....

Now for the real reason. No one knows what Juneteenth is, even in the black community. Need proof? Look no further than my dealership. Of the 5-6 black people I asked, not one of them knew what it was. Worse yet, none of them were interested in learning about it. Ironic, isn't it? The White Devil Republican knows more about African-American culture than they do. Hey, at least I tried..........

Anyway, to celebrate in true Juneteenth style, have some BBQ and a Red Soda on me.....

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The Obama Sock Monkey - What Were These Guys Thunking?

Welcome to an idea of someone's that turned into a REALLY bad idea. The Obama Sock Monkey. Yes theer are other sock monkeys, but not one named after an African-American Presidential candidate. I can only imagine what some of my overly sensitive co-workers would think of this one. I ain't asking.....

Needless to say, the makers of the sock monkey are catching a hell of a lot of flack for it. It really is just a regular sock monkey, with a business suit on. Sorry to sound so politically correct, but this really doesn't have a place in America right now. I like funny things about politics as much as anyone, but a sock 'monkey' is a bit much......

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Michelle Obama's An Angry Black Woman? Must Be a Slow News Week....

Mrs. Obama........ In a Less Angry Mood.

Welcome folks, to the dog days of June & July - or as we call it in politics, The Dead Zone. The primaries are over, the candidates are decided, but we're not quite up to the conventions and choosing VP candidates. There's not a lot going on, and the networks are scrounging for news........ ANY NEWS.

When the top news story of the week is whether Michelle Obama is an angry black woman, we have really scraped the bottom of the barrel. You might not believe it, but some people get truly angry over dumb stuff like this. Charles at work was complaining that Fox News are a bunch of racists. Well, maybe you shouldn't call Barack Obama "Mrs. Obama's Baby Daddy".....

Like most things in life, it needs to be taken with a grain of salt, and some discretion. Sometimes I have slow blog days - today sure seems to be one - and I'll stir up the shit storm just to make it interesting. As far as politics go, the slow news day will probably be another six weeks. Be prepared for lots of bad journalism. My advice is to watch lots of baseball, VH1 Classic and read SC6....

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Blogging: A Ticket Straight to the Pokey?

This Is Where Picking On Jim Clyburn Will Get You....

Yes, we all love the blog... But, for all the joy I bring the world, is there a real risk I'm taking by doing this? Maybe more than you think. For as little respect we bloggers get in America, in other countries, we are the Che Guevara's of the new millenium.......

Yep, according to a recent check, as many as 64 people have been jailed for the simple act of blogging. Yep, blogging. In places like Iran and China - those hotbeds of personal liberty and freedom - bloggers are considered a pariah. They are thought of as troublemakers, insurgents and just palin bad people. As far as I know, no one has been executed, but give them enough time, and I'm sure someone will be found on the end of a rope for posting about Ahmadinejad's poor taste in clothes, or his monkey cheeks. ARRRGGHHHH !! Just kidding.

Fortunately, in America, we are more protected. Of course, who you attack and what you say will determine. So, while I can say 'Jim Clyburn is a crook', it's OK - it's my opinion. But, if I said "Jim Clyburn molests puppies" or "Jim Clyburn has a raging case of crotch rot", that might be a problem. Of course, Jim can go on the floor of the House and say "Mike Reino regularly goes to Thailand to sleep with little boys", and he's fine, thanks to Congressional protection. Lucky bastard.....

So, as Katherine Jenerette called me, I might truly be a "Bad Boy Blogger".... Hey, if it makes me looks good to the ladies, I'll take it. But, remember..... every Bad Boy ends up in the gutter !!

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Another Obvious Endorsement.. Reagan Is for McCain.

SC6 News Flash.... The Gipper Is Endorsing John McCain.

The big news that we got from the Great Beyond is that former President Ronald Reagan will be supporting Sen. John McCain in this year's Presidential election. Now, for most of you, that may seem like a mundane endorsement, particularly since Reagan is dead. But, when you see the big deal given by the Obama camp over Al Gore's endorsement, it doesn't seem so far fetched, does it? Okay, Maybe it does....

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Lucky, Lucky : Girl Gets Hit By Lightning and Wins Lottery In Same Day !!

Since there is little going on in politics, it's time for another odd news story... A 16 yr old girl in Michigan went to her window to shut it during a lightning storm, when she was struck by a bolt.. It wasn't too serious - she had some numbness, and a slight burn mark on her hand where it hit her. After a short stay at the hospital, she was released.

Now , this girl did the same thing I would have done if I was hit by lightning. If I beat the impossible odds like that, I'd go play the lottery. Well, she had the same idea. Her Mom went to the store, got a ticket - and she won $20.... Pretty cool, eh? Yeah, maybe it's not like hitting the Powerball jackpot, but she did go 2-for-2.....

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Do Bumper Stickers On Your Car Make You an Idiot?

Oh Yeah.... This Guy's a Jerkoff.

Time for another weird study that proves something about people - or not. A study done by Colorado State University found that people who have more accidents and cases of aggressive driving than those with no stickers. What???

Yessiree, the more tags, emblems, stickers and personalized tags you have, the more of a jerk you are on the road. Why? They don't have a reason, but I have a theory.....

People who litter their car with bumper stickers are unsatisfied with themselves and the world. They want to change it, but no one listens - because they're an asshole. So, the feel the need to scream "Imagine World Peace" or "I Don't Care How They Do It Up North", or "I Love Cats........ Dead Ones" at the top of their lungs , via their bumper. They're naturally aggressive and conceited, but the rest of the world is ignoring them, so the car - and it's bumper - is an extension of that aggression. Either that , or they're just idiots.....

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It's Official - Your Congressman Is a Crook.

I'd Stop Laughing If I Were You, Jim......

I don't want to steal anyone's thunder here, or take any credit for it. If you haven't read it yet, take a gander at David Wren's article in the Sun News this weekend. Wren has to be the best and most dangerous reporter in all of South Carolina. Wren was the same reporter who broke the story about Clyburn and Benedict Shogaolu back in 2005. The guy is my hero.......

Wren has uncovered proof that Clyburn is using the earmark system to pull Federal funds to finance projects involving numerous immediate family members. Basically every Clyburn makes his/her living off of the government tit, and Old Jim is the paymaster for it. In short, Wren has real evidence of what we all knew all along - Jim Clyburn is a big friggin' crook.

I hope that this year's race doesn't go along the same route as Gary McLeod used to do, where everything was religion and the Constitution. I'm sure Rick Quinn realizes this, and that he will give Nancy Harrelson all the ammunition needed to inflict some serious damage in Clyburn's armor. Sure, jim is sure he'll be voted in overwhelmingly, but he is misguided in thinking that everyone is mad at the GOP. The fact is that everyone is mad at the incumbents - him included. Then we'll see what happens... Will she win? I doubt it, bu the door is opening wider by the day, as long as her team exploits it properly..

Read this article, and prepare to be stunned and angered....

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/business/story/487269.html

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It's Primary Day in Pillsbury, North Dakota.... And No One Shows Up to Vote !!

Even Poppin' Fresh Didn't Show, Though He May Not Be Registered

Pillsbury, North Dakota has a big problem - even more than being in the middle of nowhere in North Dakota... It seems that the 23 citizens of Pillsbury all skipped their civic duty of voting on June 10th - including the candidates - and now no one was elected to be Mayor or any of the other positions available.

How did this happen? Well, they were all busy. Mayor Darrel Brudevold was busy picking crops, and his wife Ruth is the postmaster and she runs the local beauty shop, so she was busy too. Clearly, everyone in Pillsbury is accustomed to multitasking, thus, no time for voting.

I don't know why no one cares to vote or run for office. The Mayor's gig pays all of $48 a YEAR. Despite all of the insanity, Pillsbury hasn't turned into chaos yet. All of the people currently seated will stay in their jobs, and no one is complaining so far. As Brunevold said, "not everybody makes it to the meetings, so it really doesn't get out of hand. the only time people show up is when we try to raise taxes..... then everybody shows."

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Viva Cuba Libre !! Elian Gonzalez Signs His Communist Membership Card...

It Seems Just Like Yesterday, Doesn't It ?

Remember Elian Gonzalez? The little Cuban kid whose Mom died trying to boat over here? Well, after Janet Reno blew it again and little Elian was sent back, he became a celebrity and a political football. And the football game continues........

Little Elian is now 14, and he just registered as a member of the Communist Party in Cuba. I'm sure he'll be a superstar in the Little Commies Party, and he has lots of things to look forward to - a single bedroom apartment for him, his wife and three kids, no car , no food, a job in a sugar factory and a weekly paycheck of about $6 a week. Yep, we sure did that kid a favor by shipping his ass back home.

Too bad there isn't an address we could send the congrats letter to, but I'm sure it's better for him to not know anyway.... Ignorance is Bliss.

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Check Out Britney's New Ride...

And it just keeps getting worse for Britney Spears.... After numerous DWI's accidents and other scrapes with the legal system, it appears that Brit' dad has finally laid down the law, and limited her driving to kiddie cars.




Looking eeriely similar to the PopeMobile, Brit is forced to putt around Hollywood in a shruken Escalade.... Everytime I feel bad for myslef, I can always see Britney, and feel a little better about myself....



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The Florence Mayor's Race Fight Rolls On....

In Flotown, We Only Elect Mayors Who's Last Name Starts With W, And Who Wear Glasses........It's the Law.

The battle between Stephen Wukela and incumbent Mayor Frank Willis has progressed and regressed all at the same time since Tuesday's primary election. Wukela still holds a sinfle vote lead after recount, but that one vote is being protested by Willis' attorney, and Willis is requesting - you guessed it - another election based on a tie.

After recount, both Willis and Wukela received one additional vote. The one vote for Wukela was from a man who recently moved from Lake City to Florence ( isn't everyone leaving Lake City?), and voted for Wukela. Willis is contesting that one vote, and one is all you need. In addition , Willis is charging that there were city residents that were not allowed to vote in the Mayor's race, and non-city resident's that did vote. No specific cases have been given, but it's pretty standard to pile the complaints on to make a better case.

To give you an idea of how crazy Florence elections are, listen to this. In primaries involving city elections, you can vote in BOTH the Democratic and Republican primaries !! The city votes are considered separate, so you could have voted for Lindsey Graham in the GOP Senate race, and still have voted for Wukela or Willis in the Mayor's race. Strange indeed.......

So, where are we now? Wukela is still the winner, but the protest now goes to the State and Florence municipal Democratic parties. Will it end there? Don't count on it, pun intended. If you have seen the HBO movie 'Recount' this month, about the Bush - Gore 2000 race, you'll know that there are plenty of ways to stretch this mess out.

Back in 2004, Dickie Jones of Sumter lost to Phil Leventis by a mere 36 votes, with hundreds of disputed votes cast at Morris College. Everyone pushed Dickie to protest the vote and fight Leventis, but he declined. Maybe he had the right idea. The GOP may have been able to benefit locally from this mess, but no one is running for Mayor on the Republican ticket. Too bad.....

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Communism Is Alive and Well In Rock Hill..

Don't Even Think of Cheering at Graduation Here.............

We value our freedoms here in America, and especially in South Carolina, so it struck me as particularly odd that there was such an incident at a high school graduation in Rock Hill earlier this month....

Nine people were taken away and arrested , not for protesting, but for - get this - cheering. Yes, you heard me right........ Cheering. Now, I know what the school was trying to do. There's a lot of kids graduating, and each name deserves to be heard, otherwise, you could be there all day. However, to have people thrown in jail is straight out of the Third Reich or the Red Curtain - but even they let you cheer. You just can't protest......

Most people are pretty considerate when it comes to graduation. They usually will give a little 'whoop' or holler, and that's it. The announcer has to take a breath anyway, so what's the big deal? I remember my high school graduation. My sister Monica drove 700 miles to see me graduate, and I could hear her clear as anything when they called my name. This is the same sister who told a nun to F**k herself in Junior High.... Imagine the Cheer Police trying to tell her to zip it !! Such were the good old days. I miss the 80's sometimes.......

Today, we have to be considerate to everyone, and it dulls life in general. What's next? No cheering during football games or free throw shot in basketball? America became great because we don't give a crap about the next guy, and the sooner we learn that and stop being so soft, the sooner we will become great again. Cheer if you agree with me - but not too loud........

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Why You Shouldn't Eat Bubble Gum....

Bubblicious !!!!

I've got a few things on the plate today, so I'm just leaving a quick one for you guys right now. I'll be staying in Hilton Head next weekend, so I have to tie up a couple loose ends this weekend here in Flotown. Most of you guys don't check in during the weekends anyway, but just in case, here you are for now. I'll add a few new ones later on.

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How Does a President's Daughter Get Paid ? Write a Book, Of Course !!

Monkey See, McCain Do...

We have another example of the craziness that surrounds presidential campaigns..... It's tough being the kid of a President or candidate. Everyone knows who you are, but it's hard to get ahead and be taken seriously. Politics always gets in the way. How can you get work done when Secret Service is al over you to prtect a co-worker, right? So, there appears to be a new trend for the kids - write a children's book !!

Hot on the heels of Jenna Bush's book (which her Mom helped on), we now are getting a book from Meghan McCain. My first thought about the McCain's is 'how can three people who live in Arizona all be so pale?' Seriously, they're like the Stay-Puft Mashmallow Man, or that Powder Kid. Little Meghan has been having some difficulties finding a paying gig since he got that oh-so-useful degree in Art History. She's interned at Newsweek and Saturday Night Live (so THAT'S how McCain got on), but those are free gigs, so she's going to write a book for kids about - what else - her Dad. Now that's a stretch, eh?

In case you didn't know, you write kids books when you can't write well enough for adults. Every movie star Mom has written a kid's book to cash in. It's actually pretty simple. I wrote a kids book about my ex - girlfriend from college (and they all died a slow, painful death !!!!), and it was optioned into a movie script. My sister wrote one about a dustball with pictures and everything, and she just bought Ecuador with the royalties !! Sweet .....

Serously, I'm sure the book's going to be full of earthshattering, riveting stuff. I'd especially like to see the cartoons of her dad. John McCain is cartoonish enough. I picture a popup book like Danny deVito had in 'Throw Momma from the Train'.. Luckily, you won't have to wait long - the book is due out in September. Yeah, it's quick, but those bills pile up pretty fast.....

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Skippy From Family Ties Beats The Amazing Kreskin By One Vote in Florence Mayoral Race..

For those of you who only care about those stupid, useless races - US Senate, Congressman, President - we shed some light on the closest race that happened Tuesday. The race for Mayor of Florence.

Yes, Stephen Wukela, a 32 yr old attorney, beat long-time Mayor Frank Willis in the Democratic Primary - by one vote. Of course, there will be a recount before anything is official, and ANYTHING can happen with that. Yes, this is the same Frank Willis that ran for Governor two years ago. How can such a thing happen?? Well, for those of you who have paid attention, this came as no surprise.

Wukela is a pretty smart guy, and every time I've met him, he's been friendly - even if I am a Republican. I'm not 100% behind his policies - I worry about how much he wants to jack up the school budgets, and he's against the Santee Cooper plant, which I support, but with changes. More than that, Willis has had a couple kinks in his Florentine armor.......

From all appearances, it looked like Willis has been trying to get out of Flotown with his Nexsen-Pruett wife for awhile now, and he has said some of the most racially stupid statements I've ever heard in person. In short, the black community knew better, and there was a small, motivated group that got the vote out - barely.

While we're on it, small is a good word for it. Of the nearly 50,000 City of Florence citizens, Wukela beat Willis 1468 to 1467. That's only 3% of the citizens, and probably less than 10% of all voters. That good old Florentine voter apathy has struck again !!!! Basically, if you can get you whole family and church to show up to the polls here, you can win any seat you wish...

Of course, pending the recount, none of this is official yet. However, HBO is already negotiting for the movie rights to it, and the main characters have already been cast - Skippy from Family Ties will play Wukela, and The Amazing Kreskin will play Willis. Coming Soon to a theater near you !!!!!!!!!

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Randy Scott's Sour Grapes....

State Senator Goes Down .... Without Class.

Well, Primary Day has come and gone.... There were some tight races, some blowouts, but everyone handled themselves with class and dignity- and then there was Randy Scott......

I got to watch his tirade on Channel 5 today, and it was pretty sad. The Senator who has been under fire lately for his DWI arrest and subsequent dismissal, was beaten by Mike Rose (who I don't know), but his fire was still aimed at Dorchester County Sheriff Ray Nash. Apparently, Scott still thinks Nash had it in for him, and that his arrest was a total setup. The amount of paranoia that some politicians have is astounding.....

I had the same thing come up with Al Bradley when we were running against each other. He thought the Sheriff and I were planning on doing the same to him. Ridiculous !! Apparently, Scott has the same paranoid streak in him as well....... I don't know what Scott and Nash have against each other, but I've known Nash and his family for about 4 years, and I like all of them. Sure I'm biased. I met Scott once, and he didn't make a particularly big impression on me either way. But, this display hasn't impressed me at all..

If you're a fan of the blog, you know that last summer, I had my own small encounter with the cops and drinking and driving. The funny part that people forget is that if you're not drunk, the cops can tell, and they'll let you go. It's pretty simple. If Scott didn't make such an ass out of himself, he would have been let go, but he did, and he paid the price. Rule of thumb: Unless you're Ed Robinson, you don't get arrested then elected. Only in North Florence is it a sign of respect....

Yeah, both Scott and Nash are gone, but Nash didn't lose, and he hasn't been arrested. I'm sure Earl could shed some light on this Dorchester County drama, but th eway it looks to me, Scott is the one who needs to evaluate what he's doing. He's got plenty of time for it now...........

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Today's Lesson: You Don't Ask, You Don't Get.

Welcome to the roller coaster ride known as my life this week... The insanity is still going on, but i am fighting it tooth and nail, and finally making moves to offset it. I took my job here at Honda about 3 1/2 months ago, and even though I have not been perfect, I have managed to show that I am a kick ass Service Advisor, and that I make dealerships more profitable. I wasn't quite making the money that I was promised, but with the change of location, I decided to hold off complaining until we got to Bluffton.

That ended today. I got the call from the AC repairman about the rental house. The AC compressor died, and it'll cost $1200 to fix it. I don't have $1200 sitting around, so I had to have Ben foot the bill for me. After nine months of skrimping and denying myslef literally any fun at all, I am backl at square one, with no possibility of catching up. I had no choice but to go and ask for a raise...

The good news is I got it. An extra $50 a week, and a 12% raise on my commission percentage. It should add up to about an extra $5k a year - which will go entirely to paying back everyone all the money I owe them. Sure, it'll all be gone, but it's a lot better than NOT getting it.

For once , I finally realized that I had leverage, I stated my case clearly, and I took advantage of it. My bosses told me I need to manage my mood swings a bit better, but hey, who's going to be level-headed after nine months of this crap ?? Being able to pay your bills and maybe save a couple bucks goes a long way to smiling more. Wish me luck.

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