Cyber Panhandling

Interesting article by Mike Straka at Fox News.   I've only included a few excerpts, but recommend reading the entire article. 

There's Strength in Numbers Against Creditors

"...the difference between the online panhandler and the homeless one on the street is huge. For one, all of us can relate on some level or another, to being in debt. Not all of us can relate to being homeless. Therefore, it's easier to put yourself into the shoes of the online beggars, and might even contemplate joining them. It's anonymous, for the most part, and judging by all the media attention and reported book and movie deals thrown Karen Bosnak's way, it's apparently cool to beg online." 

"As ludicrous as it sounds, Karen Bosnak was on to something so extraordinary it's amazing to me that not every single person who owes money to credit card lenders hasn't jumped on the cyber-bandwagon."

"Isn't it possible to systematically rid our country of consumer debt by joining together and one-by-one collecting enough money to pay off our individual debt, and then pass the buck, so to speak, to the next person? Imagine if every American gave you a dollar. Wouldn't it be fantastic to lift the burden of debt from yours and your neighbor's shoulders?"

"Of course it would, but you know what? It takes work to organize such an ambitious undertaking, and isn't that precisely what these cyber-beggars are looking to avoid?"

I am somewhat fascinated with this recent phenomena of cyber panhandling, and I'm sure I'm not the first to wonder if it would work for me too....but my pride would prevent me from taking that step.  Futhermore, I  have serious ethical issues with people begging for money on the internet.  Maybe I'm just a cynical bitch, but how would I know who I'm really helping if I sent money to a post office box in Miami?  Since I'm in a position to actually put people to work, I'd much rather offer them a job.  And the way I figure it, if these cyber panhandlers are so great at pushing websites and weblogs, they're fully capable of pushing a broom.  So shoot me...

2:04:29 PM     

Mississippi puts computer in every classroom

From CNN....

In a milestone for student achievement and state pride, Mississippi has become the first state to have an online computer in each of its public-school classrooms, a spokesman for the governor said."

This is good news for a southern state which historically sits on the back pew as far as education and technology are concerned. Good for them!

1:20:31 PM     

Shag Art Gallery

Josh Agle aka Shag is a product of the sprawling suburbs of Los Angeles, California. According to his bio, he was born "a little too late" to experience the culture and styles which have always fascinated him.   Agle is intrigued with the slick commercial art and advertising of the late '50s and early '60s......"I just wanted to make pretty pictures."

Depictions of a mythical "Swinger's Life," with the requisite women, cocktails, lounges and sports cars, are sought after by collectors around the world.  Shag Art Gallery...now showing - People in the City. 

12:39:24 PM     

Rumi

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere,
they're in each other all along.
   Translated by:  Coleman Barks

12:14:55 PM