With all the talk….And all the hype….and all the polls…and month after month coverage of the race, my gut told me that there was a high level of public interest in the election of 2008. Then I read this:
The average turnout in the primary contests that have already occurred has been 12.4% of the total population of those states.
We do indeed get the government we deserve.
This is the week that life support turned into funeral plans for HD-DVD.
-Best Buy favors Blu Ray
-NetFlix drops HD-DVD
-WalMart drops HD-DVD
-Toshiba to Drop HD-DVD says Hollywood Reporter.
-Toshiba lets slip a BluRay player?
Consumers can now safely choose Blu Ray. Will they?
Today is the beginning Chinese New Year and it is the year of the Rat. I am a Rat, so I looked up what it means to be a rat. Here is what the Wikipedia said.
Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.
Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.
Rats consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.
According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.
Traditionally, Rats should avoid Horses, but they can usually find their best friends and love interests in Monkeys, Dragons, and Oxen.
Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective work, acting, and pathology.
I read an article today that Redbox was going to remove R rated titles from a McDonald’s location in Union City CA. I am writing to support Redbox and in hopes that I will continue to be able to rent all the latest titles in my local Redbox machine.
I feel that credit card verification is a suitable method to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content in a vending machine, and that the pressure groups are making a bad analogy when they compare Redbox to cigarette vending machines or a soda machine with beer in it.
I also object to traditional video stores commenting on the inappropriateness of R rated content in the Redbox machine. I believe that traditional video stores are being hit hard by Redbox and of course they will jump on this as a way to fight the competition. This is a biased viewpoint.
My final point is that there is an unbelievable amount of pornography on the internet and the adult industry uses credit card age verification to prevent underage access, for better or worse. Requiring the use of a credit card is a sufficient way to ensure that no underage kids are renting R rated movies.
In short, I love the Redbox located at the FoodMaxx store in my town. Sometimes I rent R rated movies and I hope there is not a groundswell of ignorant public opinion that this is a serious a problem. Keep up the great work.
Sincerely,
Ed Younger
Brentwood, CA
