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Text File | 1993-03-01 | 20KB | 312 lines

▀█▀▀█▀▀█ █▀▀▀▀▀ █▀▀▀▀▀█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █▀▀▀▀ █▀▀▀▀▀▀ █ █ █ █▄▄▄▄▄ █ McIntire Electronic Publishing Presents ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ RANDOM THOUGHTS ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Issue 3 March, 1993 by D.P. McIntire ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Copyright 1993 - McIntire Electronic Publishing - All Rights Reserved. ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Distribution of Random Thoughts via computerized bulletin board system is ║ ║ permitted, provided no remuneration of any kind is requested. Distribu- ║ ║ tion of Random Thoughts by shareware distributors is prohibited, and ║ ║ violators will be prosecuted as violators of U.S. Copyright laws. ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Alteration of Random Thoughts in any form is a violation of copyright law.║ ║ This magazine may be used in any format for use in any program, on-line ║ ║ door, database, or other method provided it is not altered in any manner. ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Random Thoughts began publication on January 1993. It is composed of the ║ ║ thoughts and commentary of D.P. McIntire, and does not necessarily reflect║ ║ the views and opinions of MEP, AmeriBoard Information Service, or anyone ║ ║ connected therein. ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Random Thoughts is a servicemark of McIntire Electronic Publishing. ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ I DON'T WANT TO BREAK MY OWN ARM PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK, BUT... ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ This particular item has absolutely nothing to do with Random Thoughts really, but moreso another publication I put together each month called AmeriBoards. AmeriBoards, for those not in the know, is a bulletin board system listing. In fact, it is now the largest known to exist in an electronic format, with over 6,100 systems to be listed in the March issue (and judging by the number of entries I've yet to do, it could be as high as 7,000). I started AmeriBoards in March of 1992 when a few friends and I conjured up the idea that we could write our own BBS list. Three days later, AmeriBoards was born with 2,000 systems. That now comprises less than one-third of the total list. However, this isn't why I'm patting myself on the back. It is a tale of the apparent "consciousness of AmeriBoards", as well as a display of just how fast the BBS community and telecommunications industry really can be. I received a telephone call on Tuesday, 16 February, from a gentleman (I won't reveal names here) from NewsBytes, requesting to interview me for an article idea he was thinking of. I did my best to accomodate him, finding out among other things that (1) AmeriBoards wasn't too well known (I already could have figured that out for myself), and (2) the guy was relatively close to me, in a town less than forty miles away. He asked me three "real" questions, and then we proceeded to ramble about our respective boards, the list, other publications (including, natch, Random Thoughts), and various other topics. I basically figured I would accomodate him, and that would end it all. Three hours later, I received another call (again, I won't reveal the names) from the editor of a well-known computer magazine. He requested vast information regarding AmeriBoards, as well as a copy of the upcoming issue. He wants to publish it! Exactly what he has in mind I haven't a clue at this point, but the idea isn't exactly new. I was at one point contacted by OnLine Access magazine about publishing AmeriBoards, but at the time I didn't know who they were, (they didn't identify themselves) so I basically blew them off. I know, a mistake of colossal proportion. One I won't make this time if I can help it... So, as if my day couldn't be better, I log onto my BBS, "AmeriBoard" at oh, about 10 PM Eastern time. I'm going through my various messages left to me by users (yes, Virginia, D.P. really DOES read his mail - all of it... and yes, for the most part, he responds to it as well). I got one from the editor of another, even more well-known, publication. He wished that I add his system to the AmeriBoards list. He didn't specify that he would at any point be interested in publishing AmeriBoards, but he did say that he had received information about my system (and AmeriBoards), from two separate electronic daily publications. So, to review: (11 AM) Received telephone call and talked for a half hour to a gentleman whom now I owe tons, (3 PM) received call offering to actually publish, on a regular basis, the publication I've toiled with for over a year, and (3) received confirmation that the article that was written about myself and AmeriBoards has circulated, regionally, nationally (well, as far as the state of California, anyway), and I'm almost positive, internationally. This is indicative of the way the electronic publishing medium works. As I write this, I am confident that soon you'll be seeing AmeriBoards listed in a nationally known computer magazine, and I'm just as equally confident that Random Thoughts and its companion, List Magazine, will be circulating via the BBS lines at an even more rapid rate as a result. What really gets me laughing about all this is that my fiancee, who has a master's degree in journalism, couldn't get a job in her field after about two years of searching (she's currently a secretary, or, as she puts it, "Administrative Assistant"). She smiled, then yelled at me, saying that I should be damned for having so much fall into my lap at once. She may be right, but I'm surely going to enjoy the ride... ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ WHY DO CONVENIENCE STORES ROB YOU BLIND? ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ During the month of February, on a cold, blustery night with about an inch or so of snow on the ground, I got two urges: for a pack of cigarettes (about a three day supply for me) and a Creme D'Vanilla bottle of Snapple. The stores being closed in my town at 11:45 PM, I opted to go to a convenience store in town, namely, Sheetz. I know members of the Sheetz family, so before I go into this, I don't want this to be a blanket indictment of their particular locations, but of all convenience stores as a whole. I get the same regardless of if I'm at a Sheetz, a UniMart, 7-11, whatever. Sheetz has about 160+ outlets throughout the mid-eastern United States, and it's simply one hell of a chain. Anyway, I stopped at Sheetz for the cigs, figuring that they would be at least reasonably priced. Two dollars later I had my pack of Marlboro (Red Hard Pack, for those who care). Well, not too bad considering the taxation that Pennsylvania has on cigarettes (Pennsylvania is internationally known as the land of taxes, and if you ever consider moving there - take my advice, and go live in an Igloo in Nome, Alaska, first.) So then, I go literally across the street to a UniMart. Just so happens that there are two convenience stores and four gas stations on the same inter- section in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Sheetz, despite having the same price for gasoline, and a higher price on most other things, still brings in the biggest business. Anyway, I'm in UniMart, in search of a Snapple. I pick up the bottle, not even thinking about the price. I figured maybe, oh, 85 cents would bring the Creme D'Vanilla to my lips. $ 1.05 later... you get the picture. The point I'm trying to make here is that convenience stores, although open 24 hours daily, offer no real value at all. They literally rob you blind in some cases. It's insane that an air freshener that would cost you about a dollar in an auto parts store will cost you four in a convenience store. Simply put, perhaps convenience store operators should consider that people might actually buy two of something, or at least more than what they absolutely need, if they were to simply lower their profit margin a little. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ CLINTONOMICS - A CRASH COURSE... AT LEAST FOR THE STOCK MARKET. ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Well, the first shoe of Clintonomics has dropped, folks. How nice. What was once going to be a tax decrease for the middle class has turned into, Voila! A tax increase! The most significant impact of Clintonomics, at least in the short haul, will be the stock market. What has been, for the past four years, a relatively gaining market, stable and reasonably secure, is suddenly on rocky ground. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped a whopping 80+ points before our President even announced specific details of his tax increases! Imagine what will occur in 1994, when it's actually implemented! President Clinton retreated from a "Read my Lips" stand to more of a "Lip my Reeds" campaign in September. Now, as President, he is going to crush the middle class, who need more taxes about as little as they need Clinton now. I'm neither a Republican or a Democrat (look it up: I'm registered as a Non-Partisan in Pennsylvania), but as an American, I'm upset as hell that the man who was one minute going to lower our taxes, is going to raise them less than thirty days after taking office. Clinton at one point stated his Presidency "would set records." Little did we know that the record he was trying to break was to see how many people he could "flake off" in his first month in office. So far in my lifetime, he's got the record - by far. Now, President Clinton states that the tax increase, as well as "massive" budget cuts will turn us slowly away toward the deficit spending that we've nursed ourselves on since 1933. However, let's take a look at the BIG picture - our national debt. The debt and the deficit are two different things, but they are together in a way: the deficit is the annual gap between revenue and expenditures, while the national debt is the ACCUMULATION of deficits, interest, and so forth. Our national debt, as by the latest information I have, is somewhere around $ 4 trillion. Spelled out, that's $ 4,000,000,000,000.00! It would be in exponential numbers if you typed it into a computer! Whacking out the deficit is not a bad idea, President Clinton, but it won't mean too much if the interest which accumulates on our national debt continues to perpetuate itself. America, in order to eliminate the national debt, needs to provide SURPLUSES in our budgets, not just lower deficits. Each man, woman, and child's share of the national debt is a tad over $ 17,000 now. If we could each come up with that kind of out of pocket money, by all means, please send a check to the Office of Management and Budget! My friends, when are we, the American people, going to wake up and smell the excrement that comes from Washington? We hear one thing from our elected representatives, and they then turn around and proceed to do another. They do not LISTEN to us anymore. You would think they would have learned since we kicked out (or, ahem, they "retired") over 100 members of the House that the American people are not sheep as they believe. Apparently not. I have an odd proposal to (1) eliminate the national deficit and debt, and (2) eliminate government gridlock at the same time. This idea will sound utterly ridiculous at first, but hear it out: it might not be that bad. As per our federal constitution, we SHOULD be represented in the House of Representatives (which, by the way, gets first crack at money bills such as the budget) roughly one for every thirty thousand citizens. Considering the size of America in 1993, that means, as a conservative estimate, that there should be about 7,000 congressmen floating around Washington D.C. "Oh, God, he wants to actually INCREASE bureaucracy. How in the hell is that going to help?" Well, it wouldn't increase it quite as much as you think... I say, let's have a 7,000 member house, with each state having a meeting room for the various congressmen to convene. We could (1) eliminate congressional staffers, which have almost as much power in the House as do our representatives, (2) eliminate, or at least drastically reduce, the need for the federal capitol building, and (3) save literally billions of dollars in the process. Voting could be done via electronic communication, with just a handful of staffers on hand to tabulate the votes as they came in. Plus, there's an added bonus or two: (1) members of the House of Representatives would be in direct contact with their constituents, in the same mode as State representatives and Senators are. Simply because they won't have a Washington office to contend with, they won't have to spend tons of time shuttling to various balls, social gatherings, and fund raisers, and they will truly be the people's representatives again. (2) With a proper federal constitutional amendment limiting terms of members (to say, six, or twelve years), there would be no real incentive for waffling on an issue, or to raise tons of campaign funds. Electing your congressman would take about the same amount of money (campaign-wise) as it does to elect your Mayor, Alderman, County Commissioner, etc. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ NATIONAL LAMPOON'S SYSOP VACATION ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ For those of you who care, yours truly is planning to spend the first two weeks of April basking in the sun down in Lakeland, Florida, which is about forty miles east of Tampa. My first vacation in three years (which, coincidentally, is the amount of time I've operated a BBS - coincidence, perhaps?) is, though not necessarily well deserved, well planned to be sure. I have tickets (through MUCH wrangling) to be among those in attendance at the very first game of the Florida Marlins of the National League. Really, I'd have just as much preferred to see the Rockies first game, but since my parents have a place in Florida, and a 5 hour drive to Miami from Lakeland beats a trip to wherever the Rockies play first, well... In any event, the April issue of Random Thoughts will likely be either early or late, depending on my desire to publish an issue between now and the time I start the long journey in my 1991 Chevy Beretta GT. I probably will write an issue before then, but its possible I'll wait until I return... to those who pick RT up every month, start looking for it around the 25th or so... if you don't see it by 1 April, you'll have to hold off until around the 20th. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ SPORTS SALARIES DISGUST ME, PART 2 ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ In a previous issue of RT (I believe January 1993), I discussed in brief how sports salaries were disgusting me to no end. I have just read something that REALLY makes me want to wretch. I went out and picked up a copy of the April 1993 issue of Inside Sports magazine, which by and of itself is a fine publication, so don't think I'm knocking them... They had an article which listed sports salaries for various athletes, and broke them down into various categories (Chump Change, $ 200,000 a year or less; Upper Middle Class, $ 200,000-$ 600,000; Make or Break, $ 600,000 to $ 1 million a year; Rich, but Unfulfilled, $ 1-7 million; and Movers & Shakers, $ 7 million or more.) The titles along bugged me, but then I read on, and that's when the disgust really began... Only those who weren't in the $ 7 million or more piece of the article were actually COMPLAINING about what they were making! Can you believe this? I mean, I actually read one fellow (I can't remember exactly who off hand, and even if I did I wouldn't reveal it here) who was saying, "I make just enough to scrape by ($ 300,000). I own a decent car and a small house, but can't afford to put away any money." HOLD IT! WHOA! STOP THIS BOAT! Think about it. Here's a guy who gets a salary that most people would drool over, playing a game that any of us would gladly play for half the salary (if we had the talent), and he says he barely makes it? If I were pulling down $ 300,000 a year (I'm somewhere around 1/6th that figure - gross, before taxes), I'd sure as hell be able to sock away a few bucks here and there. As it is, I make a reasonable salary, perhaps even more than most say I should (just barely, and I mean barely, enough to require a 1040 long form every year), and I manage to sock away $ 100 a month into a mutual fund, keep the house and car payments made (in fact, right now I'm a month or two ahead), meet the utility bills, pay off the credit cards, and still have a few bucks ($ 200 or so a month) in what I call "fritterin'" money. And this guy can't make it? Puhl-eeeze! I'm sure that about 95% of the nation or more can say that they don't even make the $ 100,000 a year bracket in overall income for a family. We don't cry, whine, or moan about not being able to make it on three times that much. Hell, we'd like to have the opportunity! I say let's all send a dollar to our favorite sports player, seeing as how they can't make it on these mere pittance salaries they make. Perhaps the embarrassment of it all will get these wonderkids (I'm 24, and there are kids at 19 making millions in the sports business) back to reality. ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ PARTING THOUGHT... ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ A friend of mine informed me that a seminar on virtual reality was coming to our local college. He showed me a headline that said, "Virtual reality is coming to IUP!" I calmly responded, "When actual reality starts coming back to America's college campuses, lemme know!" ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ RANDOM THOUGHTS ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Copyright 1993 - McIntire Electronic Publishing. ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝