My friends visit

I have been out of sorts a little bit. I was sick, then I was in Indiana, now my back hurts, and I've lost my voice. but I am feeling better. My friend, D, visited me right when I got back from Indiana and that was a mistake. It was nice to see him, but I was tired and he was episodotic. (he is now in the hospital doing a drug study and getting paid hundreds as oppose to having to pay thousands, if he just was a regular patients). But it was really interesting being with him and seeing how much fun he had.

My friend, just has a way of talking to strangers. He brought a bunch of homeless kids pizza. (So they could spend their money on drugs, I presume. It is berkeley after all). We were at the coffee shop and he starts a conversation with a homeless native american guy and really connects with him. I felt sorry that we were going to a warm house and this guy is looking for the best place to sleep not sure he could sneak on BART and sleep in a train or something.

after the coffee shop, we were taking BART back home and we had 15 minutes tell the next train. I was discouraged, but my friend said, no, let's talk to someone, people are lonely. so while I was pretending not to notice my friend, he went up to a cool looking guy, starting a conversation with him. at first the guy was like, what do you want? but after realizing my friend just wanted to connect, he engaged in the conversation. and then once it was "safe" I joined in. a little. I think my friend talked to like 8 or 9 different strangers over his stay with me. and his illusions of the world fit right in with the disillusionment of Berkeley. He would say, "the man is out to get you and me." and the Berkeley locals would say, "yes, he is". although my friend meant it literally. and I am guessing both of the groups have no idea of who or what the "man" really is.

but, I'll volunteer for the position, if no one else wants it. I'll be the man. you can blame me for your problems. I can take it. and if you tell me your woes, I'm pretty bright and have been around the block (a few times). maybe I can help you to help yourself, so you will stop blaming me for your problems. but I understand, I could solve your problems, I just choose not to, most of the time.

so even though my back hurts, I have a cold, and I canceled a trip to LA this weekend, I am good.

thanks to anonymous for increasing our website visits and for giving us such legitimate and scrupulous opportunities to increase our wealth. you were anonymous, because you didn't want the credit for the mitzvah, which is even more honorable.

: - ).

Cheers (as swimmer A-Train would say)

GCNOF

Why Health Care Reform Is Difficult

Talking Points Memo put up an interesting post on why national Democrats are often ineffective when it comes to big policy goals, like health care reform. The commentor's point is that Democrats represent a large number of interest groups and are better at acting in opposition to policies that a wide majority of their constituents dislike, than they are at crafting policies that please enough of their backers without alienating anyone.

He also accuses Obama of missing a strategic opportunity in the wake of one of the most unpopular presidents in history, to consistently paint the entire GOP as "Bush Republicans".

His critique is probably accurate. It also is another way of saying that Democrats act like adults who represent large portions of our society's interests, with the corollary that Republican stock in trade is ad hominem attacks to push the agenda of a very narrow group.

Spam Sucess Stories Revisited!

Thank you readers for responding to our request for true life spam success stories. We were literally deluged with your letters of concern and condolence. However, we were hoping for emails of what happened when you replied to internet spam. A couple of you managed to stay on topic so here goes:

Have you ever responded to "Hot Girls" who may "Want to Meet You", and actually met them?

Dear GTT:
I have responded to numerous solicitations to “Meet Hot Girls”, and it has mostly turned out great. The women in question tend to be surprisingly happy to meet me and I have had lots of relations with a variety of highly attractive ladies, very few of whom have later appeared on talk shows. I hide my indiscretions from my wife by telling her I am golfing (I am pretty good) so she has remained more or less blissfully ignorant. That is, until recently when she went a little Babe Ruth on my whip. But I am not too worried. I am a pretty focused person who can usually accomplish whatever task I set my mind to. I am still working out all the angles on this particular issue, but I am confident I can knock this one back onto the green. Or at least continue to see my kids. Maybe on weekends. So, again, not saying it’s totally consequence free, but overall, pretty happy with the whole “Hot Girls Want To Meet You” thing.
Yours, T



Ever gotten free stuff in response to a spam e-mail? Tell us about it.

It sounds too good to be true, but all I had to do was type my credit card numbers, SS# and address into this website: https://www.eswearthisisntas.cam
It turns out I had the winning numbers so now I will be receiving free Viagra and free Breast Enhancement Cream! Seems a little redundant doesn’t it?
-John Q. Gullible


If you are making $100-$200 a day from your home, please let us know how that's going and what you actually do?

It’s true! I make at least this much every day without leaving the comfort of my bedroom, or sometimes my boyfriend drops me off at a motel.
-Peaches


Gotten money from Bill Gates for buying a Windows product? or gotten a free vacation? or gotten to test and keep (for free) the latest in electronic gadgetry?

Dear Unwashed Masses,
Please, please stop emailing me about this. I mean really…stop it. I know that I am a little smarter than most people, but how dumb do you have to be? Yet my inbox is clogged every single morning! I have to change my MSN address like twice a week. It is really getting to be a problem. So let me put this out there: don’t ever respond to any internet promotion containing the words “Bill", "Gates" and "Free”. Please. In fact, unless you are my wife, my girlfriend, my accountant or CEO of a company named after a piece of fruit, then you can feel confident that I don’t want to hear from you. Really. I mean it! Thanks.
-W. Gates


Has anyone ever been generously given a winning a lottery ticket or been sent money from a dead relative that you didn't know existed? What are you doing with your millions?

To Whom Is Concerned,
This has all happened to me many times over and some more! You will be happy to meet my positive experiences with TrustTrueNexTechHappyCatCo. The corporation formerly known as TrustTrueNexTechHappyCatCo is the best place for giving them and us your money. TrustTrueNexTechHappyCatCo will invest your savings of life in a diversified portfolio of opportunities and risk-chances that could see one or the other of us rich! rIch! RIICh! rR1Ch!!!!! RICH.rtf
-Charles Dickens
Lagos, Nigeria