There are many reasons why the New York Fire Department is the best. But who knew they would protect us from just about anything including....
Well, now that we all can rest easy knowing that the Zombies will be dealt, what's on your mind? What do you think of the pending internet sales tax legislation? Oh, didn't hear about that? Or how have you been affected by the Great Sequester of 2013? The floor is open.
I will be in and out today, but feel free to discuss, comment, or if the mood strikes, give us your best joke...
Well, now that we all can rest easy knowing that the Zombies will be dealt, what's on your mind? What do you think of the pending internet sales tax legislation? Oh, didn't hear about that? Or how have you been affected by the Great Sequester of 2013? The floor is open.
I will be in and out today, but feel free to discuss, comment, or if the mood strikes, give us your best joke...
68 comments:
That is fantastic, Bev!
As for the internet tax... arrrrrrrghh! I hate our government.
RE: internet sales tax. I personally don't believe the states will realize the revenue gains they envision (~$22 billion) if/when this becomes law. All of the biggest online retailers and auction sites, like Amazon or eBay, already collect state sales taxes. Online stores of traditional retailers also collect state taxes. Many small and medium retailers use a service like PayPal or Google Checkout to facilitate transactions, and those also collect state taxes.
So this legislation is essentially targeted at those online retailers who are the hardest to get at. All the legislation can do is provide the legal framework for states to go after these generally smallish retailers. The actually going after part will be time-consuming and expensive. Majority of the returns will be from voluntary compliance. But going after the remainder for sales taxes would be something akin to sending Dept. of Revenue agents to every neighborhood garage sale.
As an aside, I generally think the methods of state and local taxation are bass-ackwards. Generally, one is meant to pay the sales tax of one's place of residence, not that of the point of sale. As a practical matter, this never happens in cases of in-person transactions. But it does work that way with catalog and internet purchases. In my opinion, I think the sales tax should be based on the point of sale, not the buyer's state of residence.
That's a good point. Most retailers probably already collect tax, so there isn't going to be much of a windfall. Nor is it likely to help brick and mortar stores much because the issue isn't price, it's selection plus convenience plus finally price.
On taxing people versus point of sale, they don't want to do point of sale because otherwise businesses would flee even faster to low tax areas.
I'm not worried about Internet sales tax (yet!) but as an occasional eBay user, I'm more worried about fees. If I sell something on eBay, they charge a percentage and bill me at the end of the month, then PayPal takes out a percentage. That, coupled with a rise in international shipping fees means that it costs $10 just to mail a CD or a DVD to another country!
It obviously didn't used to be like this but only in the last few months have I realized, "Hey, my profits aren't what they used to be." (Such as they were.)
I know these companies need to make money somehow but sooner or later, I fear selling on eBay as an individual (as opposed to a company) will be unprofitable.
I, for one, have been forced to hear a lot of stories about how the sequester is going to be terrible for average Americans. It's just been so hard being put through all that. (sob)
soooo, last night someone at the university noticed a briefcase that had been abandoned for a while - so, the logical thing was to evacuate the building (main classroom & staff offices bldg) and call the cops, right? Anyway, that's what they did. But then all of the students hung around right outside the building waiting to for it all to end, so they had to issue a second evac order of the surrounding buildings and ALL the parking lots. I was half a mile a way on the other side of campus, with the dorms between me and the excitement. I figured if the building blew up, I was far enough away to be safe... wheeee.
(no update today other than the campus is open again.)
so, guys: what do you think about Gwyneth Paltrow being "most beautiful"? I know what my circle of female friends think...
(and, T-Rav, sorry to hear about your pain - more alcohol is def. the answer, right, Bev?)
rlaWTX - More alcohol is ALWAYS{{{cough..cough..sputter...}}}...er...NEVER the answer. Bloomberg will try to "sequester" our alcohol consumption too if we give half a chance.
rlaWTX, are you getting catty on us?
Honestly, I think it's a fine pick. She has a very classic beauty. She's not some made-up flash-in-the-pan 20-something sexpot. She looks like a normal person.
I think Gwennie Paltrow is pretty...annoying. She has been similtaneously dubbed the most hated celebrity and the most beautiful woman in the world. Hmmm, do you think their is a connections? Jealousy, perhaps...hmmmm.
Actually, she has a website of her "favorite things that people should aspire to own" like a $54,000 Prada bag or something like that.
Actually, ScottDS, Ebay and Amazon are the companies that are leading the charge FOR internet sales tax. It's the little independant in-state companies who will bear the brunt of having to keep track sales tax in 1000 jurisdiction. New Hampshire, the We-Don't-Tax-Anything-State is upset too.
Bev -
Ironically, five minutes after I posted my comment, I got a form e-mail from the CEO of eBay:
[excerpt]
Congress is considering online sales tax legislation that is wrongheaded and unfair, and I am writing to ask for your help in telling Congress "No!" to new sales taxes and burdens for small businesses.
Whether you're a consumer who loves the incredible selection and value that small businesses provide online, or a small-business seller who relies on the Internet for your livelihood, this legislation potentially affects you. For consumers, it means more money out of your pocket when you shop online from your favorite seller or small business shop owner. For small business sellers, it means you would be required to collect sales taxes nationwide from the more than 9,600 tax jurisdictions across the U.S. You also would face the prospect of being audited by out-of-state tax collectors. That's just wrong, and an unnecessary burden on you.
Big national retailers are aggressively lobbying Congress to pass online sales tax legislation to "level the playing field" with Amazon. And, as they compete with big retail, Amazon is advocating for this legislation too, while at the same time they are seeking local tax exemptions across the country to build warehouses. This is a "big retail battle" in which small businesses and consumers have a lot to lose. But eBay is fighting, as we have for more than 15 years, to protect small online businesses and sellers and ensure healthy competition, value, and selection that benefit consumers online.
Scott - I unduly accused Ebay of being an evil empire trying to stomp out the little guy. I admit that I was wrong. That being said, good for Ebay for taking it to the people. This whole issue was sneaked by Congress during the bombing.
It's stuff like this that makes us unique in the world. 4 former leaders and one present one standing together...
LINK
Hang in there T-Rav, we'll all get through this trying time together... oh wait, no one has noticed anything.
rlaWTX, I don't find her attractive. I think she's far too thin and comes across as not having a very nice personality. She's also bizarrely out of touch and smug.
Bev, "pretty... annoying." Agreed!!
Bev -
No worries! And believe me - they have their own problems to worry about. I just thought it was funny that the e-mail arrived minutes after we talked about it. :-)
I don't think People Magazine is rating on inner beauty. Just sayin'.
I don't think People Magazine is familiar with the concept of inner beauty.
Still, I just don't find her attractive. She's bony and unlikeable. She's an emaciated Martha Stewart for rich people.
"I just thought it was funny that the e-mail arrived minutes after we talked about it. :-)
Scott - That is because Ebay is watching you....bwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhaa!
Ok, you have to read this... Awesome tirade
It's hilarious. The president of a Maryland sorority who is a tad bit upset at the young ladies in her sorority. ;)
** NSFW... major profanity alert ***
By the way, the complete e-mail is presented at the end of the discussion and it's worth reading -- I've learned a new word or two. :)
The comments are pretty funny too.
Thanks, guys. With your support, I--I do have your support, don't I? Guys?
I didn't think it was possible for me to understand Greek life any less, but that's what just happened.
Yeah, the whole Greek thing got kind of fuzzier. But what a ride! This is so bizarrely insane that it's almost poetic. :D
I love the comment, "I'm going hire her as my life coach." LOL!
Okay, Andrew - I am not going to ask HOW you found this...;-) But, oh my! Does the poor girl need a dictionary or thesaurus to find other words? I love her sweet request to please take down the email...
My name is [redacted] and I am the current president of Delta Gamma at the University of Maryland. It has been brought to my attention that you recently published an unsavory email that was sent out over my chapter's list-serve. Is it possible for you to either remove the article or just remove the names "Delta Gamma" and "Sigma Nu" from your article? This email absolutely does not reflect our chapter's values nor Sigma Nu's and any assistance you can give us is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
Funny, but I got on some list-serve for a sorority in Rochester, NY with similar emails. I wish I had thought of publishing them if for no other reason than to teach them a valuable lesson about what not to put in writing. Actually I thought I might be held liable for not turning them into the authorities for some of their illicit/illegal activities...that they actually and stupidly put in writing and unknowingly disseminated to unknown adults.
Also think she could make a sailor AND a Marine blush!
T-Rav - Okay, okay, YES, we support you...not in a "you are my heir" kind of way though. Let's just be clear...
Bev, yes, she could definitely make a sailor and a Marine blush! She even found a couple phrases I've never heard before. Wow!
Yeah, I love her very sweet request to take that down. Never... going... to... happen. On the internet, our worst moments become immortal.
I found this link because I saw an article on the news about her resigning from the sorority today for writing the nasty letter and I was curious what she had written that could possibly lead to her needing to resign from a sorority. I was expecting something a little less... uh... vibrant.
This is seriously impacting the notion of Greek life I got from Animal House. I mean you publish a wack e mail and they shame you for it? WTF?
They should be carrying the author about on their shoulders and hosting a kegger to celebrate the notoriety. No wonder she went nuclear, what a bunch of wusses!
Bev, In terms of confessing stupid things, I have had the opportunity to interview law school grads at one point and you wouldn't believe the things they told me. Since I wasn't senior management, they apparently decided I was one of them and they told me about drug use, cheating on tests, how they only saw the job as a stepping stone to some other firm, how much they disliked the other people they had interviewed with, etc. One guy admitted lying on his resume and asked me I thought it helped or if I would make the lie bigger.
Oh boy.
K, LOL! Good point! Must be a nerd frat! ;)
I have to say in all honesty that while the whole thing shows HORRIBLE judgment, I laughed my rear end off the whole time.
I mean you publish a wack e mail and they shame you for it? WTF?
K - I'm thinking she had to resign in disgrace, she wasn't the most popular girl in the sorority. But how much to you want to bet that she will sell her story and it will be a Lifetime Movie of the Week and/or that Gloria Allred will file a lawsuit on her behalf for wrongful something?
Bev, If she's smart, she'll copyright all of it and try to get rich on it.
As an aside, it's apparently already been mimicked online and by comedians:
Dream on, sisters. Since Gawker first shared the email a week ago, Martinson’s f-bomb-, threat-laced fury at fellow Delta Gamma members for “literally” being “boring,” “awkward,” “weird,” “mentally slow” and “stupid” has gone seriously viral, with major news outlets from ABC News to CNN giving it coverage. It’s also spawned a slew of hysterical parodies, including actor Michael Shannon’s pitch-perfect delivery, a stop-motion Barbie performance on the YouTube show the "Most Popular Girls in School," a reading by an animated Joe Pesci, and a scary-funny dramatic reading by standup comedian Kelsey Cook.
Here's the article about her resigning. LINK.
It has a photo and real name and everything.
Andrew, the Michael Shannon version is fantastic!
Michael Shannon
Andrew - Michael Shannon's interpretation is hysterical! I "literally" can't stop laughing!
Bev and Anon, I just watched that. That is hilarious... literally! LOL!
This reminds me of the time when Christian Bale had his tirade and someone turned it into a song. "You don't f***ing understand." That was hilarious as well.
OMG! That reading by Michael Shannon is HILARIOUS!!
I read in a writing class once an article by a girl who got rejected by a sorority she had applied to or whatever it is, and was desperate to get accepted. When she wasn't, she went on a rant (disguised as a voyage of self-discovery, of course) about how snobbish these sororities were and how she was going to walk away from them and choose her own friends.
Just saying, I think this girl's letter has the same kind of "Methinks (s)he doth protest too much" ring to it.
So what you're saying is that this girl likely failed to score with some boy from the target frat and she's lashing out at her sorority sisters as scapegoats? Could be.
By the way, why you guys hating on Gwyneth Paltrow? I mean, I don't necessarily think she's a great actress, but she's not horrid either. Show some love.
Okay, T-Rav - We will stop hatin' on Gwinnie, if you stop hatin' on the kitties! Deal?
T-Rav, Some Gwyneth Paltrow quotes might explain it:
1. “We have great dinner parties at which everyone sits around talking about politics, history, art and literature—-all this peppered with really funny jokes. But back in America, I was at a party and a girl looked at me and said, 'Oh, my God! Are those Juicy jeans that you're wearing?' and I thought, I can't stay here. I have to get back to Europe.”
2. “I'm really fucking good at my job, and people who are interesting and good know that, and that's all that matters.”
3. “I like living here because I don't fit into the bad side of American psychology. The British are much more intelligent and civilized than the Americans.”
Good riddance to snotty, privileged garbage.
Andrew, it wouldn't surprise me. Or maybe she got in trouble for this sort of behavior and decided to deflect by projecting. Anyway.
As for Paltrow, meh. Don't like it, but it's the sort of faux-intellectual drivel I would expect from Hollywood. She's probably no worse in that regard than a lot of others.
See, this is why I don't read celebrity news. So that I can enjoy shows and films by watching them without such nonsense floating in the back of my mind.
I try not to notice those things, but Paltrow has been in-your-face annoying since the early 1990s.
Wait. So the FDNY is preparing to tackle a zombie apocalypse?
Given my union-infested neck of the woods, their services may be required out here. Do New York's bravest tend to outsource, Bev?
Please be advised that, as I type this, I am less than a ten-minute drive from the Monroeville Mall. Yes, THAT mall.
-Rustbelt
Rustbelt, unfortunately, history shows that civilian auxiliaries are usually needed to contain and eliminate a large-scale zombie outbreak. And knowing the unions, they won't move unless they're guaranteed $85.00 per hour of weapon-wielding, plus overtime. So you may just want to make your peace with God while you have the chance.
Actually, T-Rav, I was referring to a common joke among the few conservatives here in western P-A.
Why is this the perfect place to set and/or shoot zombie movies? 'Cause we're overrun with unions whose members already act like zombies! They move slow, devour everything they can get their hands on, and produce nothing for the betterment of society. It's the perfect metaphor. Speaking of which...
"Geroge, you know how your latest zombie films have all been metaphors? Well, I've got a great idea!..."
-Rustbelt
The NFL draft is starting and I have to say that the whole draft is positively brilliant. It gives fans of teams who stink a chance feel like they won something. It gives everyone false hope because they feel like they just added the missing piece that will catapult them to the top.
It's really brilliant.
Guys, how do you tell the difference between unions and zombies?
Zombies work harder, so you don't have to!
Zombie, Yes!
;)
They are doing the draft from NYC, I think.
Oh, btw, Bloomberg is all in a tizzy because the Boston bombers were going to go to Times Square to bomb after they hit Boston. Phew...
Right, they always do it in NYC, downtown. They make a huge media event out of it. It's kind of the off-season Super Bowl.
So what is Bloomberg planning? Banning bombers from the city or just stopping people from Boston from visiting?
To advance last week's discussion, I would use the 'Prometheus Test.'
Just knock over a pillar in the direction of, well, we'll call him 'Subject A.' If Subject A just continues walking like that character in the film and gets crushed, it's a zombie. If Subject A goes to either side and survives, it's a union member.*
This is based on the theory that zombies have no sense of self-preservation. Union members, as evidenced by their desire to protest, cause ruckus, or attend parades in order to continue bilking the public out of hard-earned dollars in return for nothing via bloated contracts, do have some desire to live.
-Rustbelt
*While it has been shown that some union members may not be smart enough to escape or may not budge unless ordered to do so by their union bosses and run the correct way, (thus getting crushed like the common zombie), I'd say the end result still falls under acceptable losses.
My guess was going to be, zombies don't pay dues.
Andrew, on that note, would you say Roger Goodell has thus knocked both Obama and Bloomberg off the throne and now reins as the country's top con man?
-Rustbelt
Note: For purposes of full disclosure, I will not be watching tonight's draft.
Rustbelt, I'm not sure their desire to live is strong enough to overcome their desire for sloth. So I would say drop the pillar during break time or yell "strike!" Then the zombie will keep walking in a straight line and the union member will sit down.
T-Rav, Good point.
Good point, Rustbelt. Zombies would just keep going because they are already dead so they have no need to keep themselves alive. Trust me, there is some logic there, I promise.
Rustbelt, Yes and no...
"Yes." The NFL is all about deception -- the draft, the way they use LA to leverage stadiums out of cities, etc. It's amazing how much power the NFL has to warp minds.
But by and large, the NFL is still voluntary and doesn't use government to force us to change or behavior. So I don't mind. So "NO" in that regard.
T-Rav & tryanmax, sorry for bringing hate down on Gwen. I just have always thought she was rather ordinary rather than beautiful.
Zombies vs Unions - let's cage-match 'em and see what happens - for science, of course!
NFL: the 'Boys are still owned by Jerry "I have $$ so I can coach better than coaches" Jones and will retain Romo for 6 (count 'em 1-2-3-4-5-6) more years. Go Texans! Go Niners!
rlaWTX, She's ordinary, yet arrogant.
"for science, of course!" LOL! :)
Yeah... good luck with team Romo.
Guys can't win. Even when we say ordinary looking is beautiful, we are wrong. *wah-wah*
tryanmax, Paltrow is despised by many for a reason. There aren't websites set up to hating most celebrities... there are for her. That's what happens with (1) diva behavior, (2) drunken sluttery (Lohan), or (3) unearned accolades and arrogance. Paltrow is No. 3.
Tryanmax: We set it up that way in our ladies only super secret meetings in the bathrooms of all the best restaurants. Hint: It's why we always go in pairs. Just trust us. You will never win.
And hey! Are you dissin' my 'Boys?? You can diss Jerry Jones all you want. The only reason he's allowed to live is...well, there really IS no reason. He is much despised by all and has been since he fired Tom Landry.
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