Absolute Power rules Chapel Hill
I am going to relate to you some information I have read that was posted on the "Pack Pride" sports website that is dedicated to North Carolina State Wolfpack sports fans. I consider that site to be part of the new media, much in the same manner as the Hickory Hound. It is a forum where people relate ideas and stories of interest. Much of the information gleaned from this site, you will not find in the Old School Media.
The Old School Media's agenda seems to be to control information and filter it to fit into the scheme of the "Powers That Be's" agenda. That agenda, since the beginning of time, has been to maintain their power in the reality of the matrix that they have created. I am sure that floats over most of your heads.
The control of the overarching narrative of "Life's History" is part of the expression, "To the victor goes the spoils." UNC-Chapel Hill is the oldest university in the UNC system. Generations of political figures and professionals have filtered through the place. The identity of the alumni who have graced its halls has become an ideology, "We are better than you." That ideology in turn has formed into a system of religion for many. Pride in their university has gone beyond support and esteem and led to a cult like mentality seen in extreme religious philosophy. To question the stature of UNC-Chapel Hill ("Carolina"), as a university, is to commit a blasphemy not to be tolerated. Those who are critical of "Carolina's" mission are the enemy and must be vanquished. It is the dark side of Camelot.
My personal philosophy, in life, is that you aren't free unless you allow yourself to be free. You aren't controlled unless you allow yourself to be controlled. Most people don't understand the difference. Deal is that you aren't getting out of here alive, so don't take yourself so seriously. You will either be a help or a hindrance to others.
Do you like Good Guys? or Bad Guys? Do you think you are the most important part of this earth? If you do, then you will do anything and everything to obtain your personal wants, desires, and pleasures. If you have some selflessness, and understand that the world is more than just about yourself, then sometimes you are willing to take the backseat and let others shine, realizing that you personally benefit and that the "Ecosystem", the world as a whole, is stronger when more people are stronger, rather than concentrating power in the hands of one entity -- or the very few.
Athletics or Academics?
There is no two ways about it. There has been criminal mischief that has taken place at the University in Chapel Hill, as an example of the modern corruption of the State -- by that I mean the government. Fake Classes, Fake Grades, Fake Degrees, Forgery, Fraud, money changing hands, and no one has been prosecuted to date. For what? Basketball! What a freakin' joke.
UNC-Chapel Hill has now come out and admitted that they have spent over $10 million in Public Relations money related to this scandal. Then there are the legal fees paid by the University and the people surrounding this scandal that I am sure rival that $10 million figure. For what? A cover up of criminality and Basketball!
I've always thought they could have come clean a long time ago. I haven't written about the situation in a while, because I thought that it would surely all get sorted out. The problem with that is that it is too logical and corrupt people survive and thrive on the illogical, subterfuge, and false confidence.
The Powers That Be at UNC-Chapel Hill have fought this athletic fraud for five years, because it is wound so long and so tight, that if it unravels, it could unhinge the foundation that the State of North Carolina was built upon. It isn't an academic scandal. It's an athletic scandal. Athletes didn't go to class, didn't do schoolwork, and weren't tested. How can not participating in academics be an "academic scandal"? Logically it can't be. What it is, is criminal fraud.
The University in Chapel Hill has some graduates that are leaders in their field and do some cutting edge work, but their work is going to be undermined by this scandal. The University in Chapel Hill is already on academic probation related to this athletic scandal. If they don't clean the mess up, then they can lose accreditation. The loss of accreditation will mean the loss of billions of dollars of research money. They've already started feeling the financial repercussions of their win at all costs athletic program. The worst part is that some of these people don't care, because they want to win basketball games by hook or by crook -- apparently heavy on the crook.
The story of a Carolina Tar Heel basketball intern
Below is a warm and fuzzy story related on Pack Pride by a former intern for the beloved Tar Heel basketball program. This is how someone is treated when they decide they would rather not play ball anymore. Maybe you can get one of your children to be an intern for the Tar Heels, wouldn't that be neat? Read how exciting that adventure can be below. I know it made me jealous.
The story of 2pac1331:
I understand what I'm going to relate to you here sounds pretty insane, but bear with me....
I worked for the University of North Carolina Basketball program from 2004 to 2006, three years as a counselor for the summer camp, two years as a Junior Varsity (JV) and head Junior Varsity manager. The group I worked with assisted in preparation for all home JV and Varsity basketball games and sat behind the bench. I grew up believing the “Carolina Way” was real, and that UNC was a school of honor and integrity, but I quickly discovered the exact opposite was true.
What I came to discover was a fear-based environment, with a "god" at the top of the totem pole. That god is Roy Williams and under him are his minions of little generals -- the assistant coaches. There were occasions when we were waiting in the tunnel for JV practice to start and the Varsity team would walk by after their practice and we were told to stand because "Coach Williams was walking by."
The very first night at Granville Towers, while I was working the summer camp in 2004, I knew something wasn't right when the veteran managers were talking while we were hanging out around the swimming pool. Most of us new camp counselors were just star struck by getting to work for the UNC basketball team, but I could tell by their language that not everything was as it seemed to be. They wouldn't come right out and say it, but they said things like, "give it some time." It was an ominous omen for what I ended up being involved in and what has been exposed to the public over the past several years.
One former player, Reyshawn Terry, told me straight to my face that he never did his schoolwork and people wrote his papers for him. The fact that the players were cheating wasn't a secret at UNC, it was common knowledge among the managers and the general student population. It was one of those things that was just laughed off in conversation. But in reality, it was a cultural disease at UNC and it went straight to the top of the administration and above.
Beyond that, Chapel Hill is the most fake, superficial atmosphere you could ever imagine. If any of you watched that recent series, 'Wayward Pines' on Fox Network, it was like that town. The truth was something that you weren't allowed to speak of in Chapel Hill, as I'd soon find out. Truth was called "being negative" or “crazy” by the typical UNC-Chapel Hill student. "Be fake, be happy" was their real mantra. There is only so much of that web of lies a real person can take.
I'm going to be honest with you, towards the end of my 2nd year working for the program and after countless lies and deception, I had a mental breakdown. I don’t want to get into all the gory details, but this wasn't just about Tar Heel basketball, it was about the lie that the whole university had become. It was like a spiritual plague encompassed the whole town. I had major issues with the basketball program, administration, the fraternity ("greek") system, and just the random fake B.S. in general that had systemically infected the town.
I got so POed, that I went around telling people that I was going to "burn the city to the ground" and that the "whole place was corrupt and a lie." Well, needless to say, that was the first time they had me committed. From there my whole life changed drastically. I didn’t even know what mental illness was before this experience.
I ended up making the break from society, breaking away from the matrix, the bubble, whatever you want to call it. I had been a kid with tons of "friends", but that's when I learned that 95% of the people I knew weren't really friends. It was a heartbreaking revelation, but I ended up becoming a better man because of it, lonely hell yeah, but better. My rebellion targeted the arrogance and elitism that the entire school had become.
After I was heavily medicated, “re-educated,” and released from that first commitment, I continued preaching the gospel against "the Carolina way". One day, about a month later, I was overly spirited, and while driving through campus, zoomed passed a slow moving fire truck on Cameron Avenue. I backed my car up in front of the Old Well and preached about the corruption at UNC. The problem with all of this was that it was a couple weeks after the Muslim guy ran over all those people on campus. Needless to say, they freaked out when I passed the fire truck and locked me up again. I hadn't thought about any kind of consequences, because I was locked up at the time the incident with the Muslim guy happened. It was obvious that I wasn't trying to run anyone over, but in their perverted minds, they will use anything and everything against you, once you are at odds with them.
I ended up taking the rest of the semester off, but in order to return to campus for the fall, I was required by UNC to see a psychiatrist and psychologist weekly and accept being heavily medicated. The medication destroyed my personality and made me into a walking zombie. I spent several months trying to figure out what was going on, and why the “leaders” at UNC didn't care about what I was telling them. My family submitted to UNC's absolute will, which was tough. My Mom was adamant I take the medication, but she just didn’t understand what it was doing to me. It felt like me against the world back then. That’s why Tupac Shakur’s (2pac) music was so inspirational and appealing to me. There were no Mary Willingham's or Jay Smith's to turn to. I was completely alone.
I began writing letters to Roy Williams, his staff, and the administration at UNC in the Fall of '06 and that continued into the Spring of '07. The basketball program claimed I was taking out revenge for not being promoted. I was banned from the Dean Dome and told never to contact the basketball program again.
My life spiraled into a deep, dark depression, but I graduated in the Fall of 2007. I was granted special permission to attend graduation, since I was banned from the Dean Dome. It felt so special to actually be allowed to attend my own graduation... Haah... Actually it was devastating to sit there, knowing the dark truth. I listened to UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser spew lie after lie about "the Carolina Way" and "Carolina Family".
After graduation, I was enraged about everything that had happened and fired an angry "F You" letter off to Chancellor Moeser and Roy Williams and his entire staff. I told them that, one day, they would pay for what they had done -- with much more colorful language. I was extremely careful not to make any statement that could even be perceived as threatening, because I knew that they would use it against me. Remember though, anger is a sin in Chapel Hell.
Well, that ended up with UNC campus police following me out to the Harris-Teeter off of Airport Road, right down by I-40. They called my cell phone, while I was grocery shopping. I walked out to the parking lot and they put me in the back of their car and questioned me for about an hour. I remember telling him, I live for the day when we don’t need police anymore. He said, “then I won’t have a job.” And I said, “and the world will be a much better place without police.” They ended up letting me go, but followed me back up Airport road towards my apartment. Every time I would switch lanes, they would switch lanes. It was pretty scary. I ended up pulling into Key's Mini Mart (otherwise known as the "Murder Mart" around Chapel Hill) and they pulled up beside me and said, "We have some more questions."
I had quoted a Tupac Shakur song on Facebook, "Grab ya glocks when ya see 2pac, call the cops when ya see 2pac," and they told me that they interpreted this as me wanting to have a quote, "gun war with the police.” I didn't even own a gun. I vehemently denied this and they eventually let me go.
The next day I was called into my psychologist's office and told my behavior was unacceptable -- this is after I had graduated mind you -- and everyone in the basketball office was really "scared and concerned." I told my doctor several times that they just hated me and she denied it. “They care about you, they just want you to get better,” she would say. They called my Dad and he drove over from work. Campus police showed up and handcuffed me right in front of him and escorted me to the hospital -- I didn't resist. I wasn't out of control. It was humiliating. This would be my 3rd stint of being locked up and this was done directly at the hands of UNC Basketball and the Chancellor. The doctors were even befuddled as to why I was in there. Several people told me, you don't need to be here. My Dad has said this several times over the years. I just played the game, kept my head in the Bible and suffered through it. One of the nurses even told me verbatim, “hey man, just play the game and you’ll get out soon.”
The UNC Administrators repeatedly kept referring to the Virginia Tech shooting, which had happened within that past year. "We just don't know what you might do," they would say. I stood my ground numerous times that I had no intentions of using violence and didn't even own a weapon, but they would say, "we have to keep UNC safe."
After I was released in January 2008, I was banned from campus for 2 years and they scheduled a meeting with the Dean of Student Affairs at the time, Melissa Exum, for February 20, 2008. Don't know why I remember that date. I spilled everything to her, but she was a huge "homer", and I was the "psycho" so I had no pull. I greatly regret not taping our meeting, because she literally stated, "So what if basketball players are having their work done for them, what are you going to do about it." They were at the height of their arrogance of cheating and felt unstoppable.
When Eve Carson was murdered on March 5, 2008, I begged my psychologist to ask them to let me attend her memorial service at the Dean Dome, but they told her no and said, "that I might see some people there that would make me upset." These are devils we are talking about here, not people. They have no soul. I was clearly not a threat to anyone.
I moved out of Chapel Hell in June 2008 (hallelujah!!) and started reaching out to the media. I was put in contact with Tom Farrey at ESPN, in the summer of 2008, and we met in downtown Charlotte for dinner and I told him my story. He said he needed direct proof and I didn't have any.
Time went on and I connected with Dana O'Neil at ESPN and we communicated for the last several years as the scandal started to emerge. This is the same Dana O'Neil that wrote the article "This is what you get when you hire Larry Brown" -- UNC Basketball alum Larry Brown.
Dana did approach UNC in 2009, but didn’t give my name and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Communications Steve Kirschner asked her to confirm my initials. When she did confirm that it was me, he told her, “Don’t listen to this guy, he’s a nutjob.” That doesn’t sound like someone who cares about me and wants me “to get better,” as they would often relay to my doctors. And furthermore, it sounds like a HIPPA violation. When I was in UNC Hospitals, I was assured none of my medical information would be shared with UNC. These people are criminals and need to be thrown in prison for their countless crimes.
In the meantime, I have to admit that I had one more breakdown, lost my job, and went through absolute hell to get back on my feet. Damn near took my life and definitely gave up on fighting the UNC machine. At one point I told Dana, there's nothing I can do. They have won, or so I felt at the time.
As time passed and the stuff with the football team came out first and then people started coming forward (McCants, Willingham) and others, I had the courage to pick up the fight again.
I wrote UNC again in early 2012 and was banned from campus for the third time. I was banned on Valentine's Day that time, indefinitely, and to this day. This letter was much more humble in nature, and the captain of UNC police told me, "this was out of his hands, way above him. There are people that just don't want you here. What if they see you at a football game with their children?" I appealed the decision and lost.
Shortly after, I bought the gun. To put all this in perspective, I took $500 cash out of the bank (my Mom’s a banker and I didn’t want her to see that on my account), bought a Mossberg shotgun, hands shaking as I signed the paperwork. I stared at it for months in my bedroom closet, test fired it a couple times at my Grandparent’s old farm, hid it during the move up to DC so my Dad wouldn’t see it, and literally walked to the bar and got drunk one night planning to come back and take my life. By the grace of God I threw the gun down, drove back to NC and gave it away to my brother and decided to keep pushing ahead. That was in the fall of 2012. I guess Huckleberry Roy’s response to that would be, “How does it affect recruiting?” “Can Drake hang out with our team?” Thinking about death every second of every day is not very fun. There were lots of literal tears in those days. I cried in my car a lot.
I moved to Washington, DC to get away and get my life back together for the last few years, really got my career on track and just recently moved back to Raleigh and landed a good job. I met for lunch with Jay Smith who put me in touch with Wainstein's group last July 2014 and I told them my story "off the record." I met with Joseph Jay in a spaceship-like law firm with "$1,500 chairs" in DC. I contacted the entire enforcement staff at the NCAA and all but threatened them to do the right thing. I've written several media people emails. I am poised and ready to strike if need be.
I have a complete rap album ready for release and on stand by, produced by a friend. I will be recording rap videos this fall (on my own budget, don't have lunatics to give me over 100 thousand dollars, nor do I want that). My family and friends don't want me doing this, but still I fight on in secret, and maybe one day I'll take the mask off, but for now, I am just laying low and enjoying the ride -- because I thought I'd have to die before I saw their sins come to light.
I'll be the first to admit my multitude of flaws, mistakes, and regrets, and I'm quick to hit my knees in prayer every day to ask for God’s forgiveness (in my bathroom, not on Facebook), but to have it even implied by anyone that I don't have resolve, I will not take that from anyone on this planet. (This was in response to a poster that questioned my resolve in not sharing this story.)
Any of you out there in fantasyland, the next time you questions a mother f****'s resolve, make sure it's somebody -- and something -- you know.
I have been fighting this machine for the last decade and the decision to not release my story was the media's, not mine (God forbid that someone with mental issues did something other than kill someone).....I’ve had a gun stuck to the back of my head, been locked in a psychiatric unit 4 times, been banned from my alma mater UNC three times, threatened with criminal charges by UNC (communicating threats), compared to the Virginia Tech shooter, I could go on and on.
It was heartbreaking over the years to watch the people I worked with at UNC, who bowed down and played by their perverted rules, get jobs at universities or on NBA teams. I’d give anything to be a director of basketball operations at a school, or work for an NBA squad, well let me correct that, anything but my soul. That belongs to God.
My whole family has suffered tremendously from this experience and pretty much been torn apart. My Mom and I used to be really close, but now we hardly even speak anymore. It’s impossible to have a relationship and a family of my own, knowing that at some point I’ll have to tell a girl the truth. Mental illness ain’t too sexy in this world. Of course, the real truth is that the people at UNC are truly mentally ill and need to be institutionalized. My message to them is, this is not over.
I've damn near lost everything, but I've kept up the fight and it’s all because of the Lord... I don't owe anyone anything and I don't give a s*** whether any of you believe what I have conveyed to you or not, I've done more than my part to expose Carolina's schemes and evil in general, but at some point you have to take some time and regroup and that's what I have been doing.... Trying to get my life back.
The Hound's Epilogue
Think about if this were your child, a relative, or a friend... It should give one pause to think about whether they want someone growing up "the Carolina Way". All those of us, who have a clue, on the outside looking in, have asked is for this mess to get cleaned up. That doesn't mean swept under the rug and continued to carry on.
The clownship that is holding the flagship hostage seems to have shown that they are out to ruin people that don't go along with their program. There is one thing that can't be denied, it is one thing to be considered a rival to the interests of UNC-Chapel Hill as a university. It is far worse to be considered an enemy from within. Ask Mary Willingham, who came forward to detail the scheme that was set in place to maintain athlete eligibility for "at risk" athletes. Think about Rashaad McCants, who was once thought of as a big time hero for being part of the 2005 Championship team and is now painted as a malcontent for showing his transcript and fully exposing the fraudulent grade/eligibility scheme.
Why have so many people come forward anonymously with information that has been proven true? Why did they feel the need to remain anonymous? Are they afraid of the consequences?
Those who have come forward and been critical of what has been exposed about the athletic scandal at UNC-Chapel Hill have been labeled malcontents and treated as traitors. Notice that no one comes forward to prove UNC-CH's innocence. No one has come forward to prove those shining the light on all of this have been lying.
And then we see those who could be prosecuted for criminal charges of fraud, but played within the culturally corrupt system, have been allowed to retire with full benefits paid for by the taxpayers of North Carolina. Deals have been struck with the North Carolina Court system not to prosecute those who undeniably participated in this scheme, as proven by Attorney Kenneth Wainstein's report, which was limited in its investigative scope by UNC-Chapel Hill's administration. In a world where UNC-Chapel Hill doesn't have a stranglehold on the government and university system, there would have already been a full and independent investigation into every department of that university, after all that has come to light.
Just another example that I have seen of corruption being rewarded in a world that has lost its way. It sure appears that things will get a lot worse, before they will get any better. Thank You to 2Pac1331 for coming forward. They don't call 'em the Heels for 'nuthin.
Midnight has struck for the UNC Board of Governors - January 29, 2014
UNC Chapel Hill Criminal Fraud exposed in Athletics and Academics - January 16, 2014
Where are the UNC Board of Governors? -- 3 years later - PJ Hairston's 2013 Yukon: renter identified - July 1, 2013
My letter to the UNC Board of Governors about the UNC-CH Football Scandal - July 7, 2011
Where are the UNC Board of Governors? - (Part 2) - Everybody knows "The Carolina Way" - July 1, 2011
Where are the UNC Board of Governors?!?!? - UNC-Chapel Hill athletic scandal - October 1, 2010
State of North Carolina University System -- We've Got a Problem Here!!! - September 18, 2010
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Showing posts with label Guest Commentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guest Commentary. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior - Dr. Jody Inglefield
Hound Notes: This is out there now... Dr. Jody Inglefield submitted this to the Hickory Daily Record a couple of days ago in response to the Mayor's guest column supporting the Bond/Property Tax Referendum on the ballot November 4th. It is more than fair to call this a property tax referendum, because in Hickory Inc.'s own words, "They will have to raise the property tax in Hickory to pay the money back."
Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior
"Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior" is a true statement I heard from Chuck Lovelace, the executive director of the Morehead-Cain Scholarship when I served as interviewer for the scholarship program. When I read the column by Mayor Rudy Wright a couple of weeks ago that the bond referendum would help job growth I had my doubts, but when the Mayor stated "you have my word" I began to chuckle.
The image of Hickory's City Council "hunkered down" in a fox hole for the past 15 years, is the image that should stick in everyone's mind. When we needed true leadership during this last decade, or I should say "lost decade", instead we had City leadership cowering in a pit that they just keep digging. Their only concern is protecting themselves and the interests of their families and insider friends.
The loss of young families accelerated at the same time our city promoted this community as a retirement Mecca. Obviously this has not boosted the economy or brought the promised jobs. Retired elderly, may eat out occasionally, but fixed incomes contribute little to the growth of jobs in Hickory.
Poor judgment and lack of courage to do what was needed to bring jobs to Hickory, by our City Council "hunkered down" and floundering, is what this Council has been all about. "Trust me, you have my word" are not words that inspire or comfort the public, when we have witnessed the kind of abuse that has gone on with the downtown city "parking" fund and other funds in Hickory.
The arrogant, secretive, entrenched nature of this City Council should frighten the citizens of Hickory, unfortunately most people are too busy struggling to get by, they don't have time to pay attention to the inner workings and backroom deals of our local politicians. They can't fathom the subversive actions of this Council and some of the tactics we have seen from City staff.
Who cares that the Sails project went grossly over budget, we like the Sails? Who cares that the music and arts community had little input into the design? We will never know what we could have had in that location with some real public-private planning. The "we know what is best for you" attitude that marginalizes criticism should motivate all of us to participate in the process, but if you are not a "yes" man (or woman) you won't be at the discussion table, and certainly not in the back rooms of City Hall where the real decisions are made in private.
Now City Council wants Hickory to be like Greenville, S.C. where the natural beauty of the riverside with its waterfalls was harnessed to develop a vibrant downtown -- that is where the Sails on the Square idea came from, although the design in Greenville is functional, not impractical. Of course Greenville also has BMW and Michelin, these came first and are the actual reason for their success. They have the money for such projects. The plan is to improve the "sidewalks along the railroad tracks," their words not mine, to "bring jobs". Is this a viable strategy?
This referendum money will be, as the Mayor subconsciously admits, a "giant cookie jar" for the insiders who know how to manipulate the system. The rest of us have to pay for our own improvements on our property.
Boost Hickory analogizing this referendum with the building of the Catawba Valley Medical Center is ridiculous. Healthcare is a financial engine for our region and is one of the biggest employers in the area. These comparisons reveal the disconnect between the struggling families in Hickory and the wealthy families always handpicked for these committees to rubber stamp the City Government's wish list.
The track record of the Mayor and his buddies is not well known due to the excellent public relations the city enjoys with the local media, that refuse to ask the tough questions for fear of untold consequences. Our parks and recreational facilities have not been fully funded and this is what the younger generations need. The overall physical health in this community leaves a lot to be desired.
Friends, Boost, Innovate, Inspiring are all terms for the same insiders. The real item that should be on the referendum this November is term limits for the Mayor and City Council. I know this all sounds vaguely familiar, it was just a year ago I ran for Mayor against this Hickory Inc. machine and lost. For a refresher on these issues I have raised, now and in the past, visit the Hickory Hound blogspot and check out my platform for a 21st Century Hickory. Vote NO against this referendum with its tax increases and lack of direction. Hickory you deserve better.
Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior
"Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior" is a true statement I heard from Chuck Lovelace, the executive director of the Morehead-Cain Scholarship when I served as interviewer for the scholarship program. When I read the column by Mayor Rudy Wright a couple of weeks ago that the bond referendum would help job growth I had my doubts, but when the Mayor stated "you have my word" I began to chuckle.
The image of Hickory's City Council "hunkered down" in a fox hole for the past 15 years, is the image that should stick in everyone's mind. When we needed true leadership during this last decade, or I should say "lost decade", instead we had City leadership cowering in a pit that they just keep digging. Their only concern is protecting themselves and the interests of their families and insider friends.
The loss of young families accelerated at the same time our city promoted this community as a retirement Mecca. Obviously this has not boosted the economy or brought the promised jobs. Retired elderly, may eat out occasionally, but fixed incomes contribute little to the growth of jobs in Hickory.
Poor judgment and lack of courage to do what was needed to bring jobs to Hickory, by our City Council "hunkered down" and floundering, is what this Council has been all about. "Trust me, you have my word" are not words that inspire or comfort the public, when we have witnessed the kind of abuse that has gone on with the downtown city "parking" fund and other funds in Hickory.
The arrogant, secretive, entrenched nature of this City Council should frighten the citizens of Hickory, unfortunately most people are too busy struggling to get by, they don't have time to pay attention to the inner workings and backroom deals of our local politicians. They can't fathom the subversive actions of this Council and some of the tactics we have seen from City staff.
Who cares that the Sails project went grossly over budget, we like the Sails? Who cares that the music and arts community had little input into the design? We will never know what we could have had in that location with some real public-private planning. The "we know what is best for you" attitude that marginalizes criticism should motivate all of us to participate in the process, but if you are not a "yes" man (or woman) you won't be at the discussion table, and certainly not in the back rooms of City Hall where the real decisions are made in private.
Now City Council wants Hickory to be like Greenville, S.C. where the natural beauty of the riverside with its waterfalls was harnessed to develop a vibrant downtown -- that is where the Sails on the Square idea came from, although the design in Greenville is functional, not impractical. Of course Greenville also has BMW and Michelin, these came first and are the actual reason for their success. They have the money for such projects. The plan is to improve the "sidewalks along the railroad tracks," their words not mine, to "bring jobs". Is this a viable strategy?
This referendum money will be, as the Mayor subconsciously admits, a "giant cookie jar" for the insiders who know how to manipulate the system. The rest of us have to pay for our own improvements on our property.
Boost Hickory analogizing this referendum with the building of the Catawba Valley Medical Center is ridiculous. Healthcare is a financial engine for our region and is one of the biggest employers in the area. These comparisons reveal the disconnect between the struggling families in Hickory and the wealthy families always handpicked for these committees to rubber stamp the City Government's wish list.
The track record of the Mayor and his buddies is not well known due to the excellent public relations the city enjoys with the local media, that refuse to ask the tough questions for fear of untold consequences. Our parks and recreational facilities have not been fully funded and this is what the younger generations need. The overall physical health in this community leaves a lot to be desired.
Friends, Boost, Innovate, Inspiring are all terms for the same insiders. The real item that should be on the referendum this November is term limits for the Mayor and City Council. I know this all sounds vaguely familiar, it was just a year ago I ran for Mayor against this Hickory Inc. machine and lost. For a refresher on these issues I have raised, now and in the past, visit the Hickory Hound blogspot and check out my platform for a 21st Century Hickory. Vote NO against this referendum with its tax increases and lack of direction. Hickory you deserve better.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Catawba Valley Medical Center and the Doctors
Dear Citizens of Catawba County:
Did you know that your FREEDOM to choose your own physician in Catawba County has just been lost? Did you know that the your elected officials,the Catawba County Commissioners, through their appointed board, the unelected Trustees for Catawba Valley Medical Center, have removed your choice of physician?
This means Catawba Valley Medical Center hospital(CVMC) has abruptly closed their equipment and schedules to physicians who have helped build their reputation and are responsible for the quality of care at CVMC. If you care about your health and wellness this should frighten you!
This arbitrary and capricious move by the hospital administration and the Board's denying of your RIGHT to have your doctor care for you in OUR PUBLIC hospital is a terrible mistake, perhaps in some cases it could be fatal. This decision was made without consulting or informing the medical staff who are responsible for the quality and credentialing of all the medical staff. One of the most sacred and important relationships regarding your health is your relationship with your doctor. The doctor-patient relationship is under attack by your local elected officials!
Don't wait until the next emergency strikes for you or one of your loved ones. It might be too late or fatal. Contact your elected officials today; those who answer to you the voters. CVMC is your hospital. Your taxes built it and keep it running. Ask the county commissioners how and why they allowed your FREEDOM of choice to be torn from your grasp?
Ask the candidates where they stand on this critical issue regarding the health and wellness of your family and everyone who lives and works in the Catawba Valley. Profits should never come before patient safety and health. Remember, the people who make these decisions should be held accountable and answer to you.
Wake up Hickory! Wake up Conover and Newton! The British are coming, at least their medical system is coming!!!
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This message was sent to me by a local Doctor. I don't think he will mind if I add the following in relation to their communicating this issue to me:
I don't know if you have heard about the medical blow-up at Catawba Valley Medical Center? They started their own cardiology group and as of September 1st they have cut out the rest of the doctors in the area from being allowed to use the hospital equipment (i.e. no procedures like cardiac caths, EKGs, etc.). The cardiologists and a few others are affected, for now. This is big and very important for the health of the county. Losing the right to choose your own doctor is at stake. It maybe a done deal and no chance to reverse, but I think if people of the county get up in arms that could change. I think it would be good for your blog to break this news story?
Did you know that your FREEDOM to choose your own physician in Catawba County has just been lost? Did you know that the your elected officials,the Catawba County Commissioners, through their appointed board, the unelected Trustees for Catawba Valley Medical Center, have removed your choice of physician?
This means Catawba Valley Medical Center hospital(CVMC) has abruptly closed their equipment and schedules to physicians who have helped build their reputation and are responsible for the quality of care at CVMC. If you care about your health and wellness this should frighten you!
This arbitrary and capricious move by the hospital administration and the Board's denying of your RIGHT to have your doctor care for you in OUR PUBLIC hospital is a terrible mistake, perhaps in some cases it could be fatal. This decision was made without consulting or informing the medical staff who are responsible for the quality and credentialing of all the medical staff. One of the most sacred and important relationships regarding your health is your relationship with your doctor. The doctor-patient relationship is under attack by your local elected officials!
Don't wait until the next emergency strikes for you or one of your loved ones. It might be too late or fatal. Contact your elected officials today; those who answer to you the voters. CVMC is your hospital. Your taxes built it and keep it running. Ask the county commissioners how and why they allowed your FREEDOM of choice to be torn from your grasp?
Ask the candidates where they stand on this critical issue regarding the health and wellness of your family and everyone who lives and works in the Catawba Valley. Profits should never come before patient safety and health. Remember, the people who make these decisions should be held accountable and answer to you.
Wake up Hickory! Wake up Conover and Newton! The British are coming, at least their medical system is coming!!!
===================================================================================
This message was sent to me by a local Doctor. I don't think he will mind if I add the following in relation to their communicating this issue to me:
I don't know if you have heard about the medical blow-up at Catawba Valley Medical Center? They started their own cardiology group and as of September 1st they have cut out the rest of the doctors in the area from being allowed to use the hospital equipment (i.e. no procedures like cardiac caths, EKGs, etc.). The cardiologists and a few others are affected, for now. This is big and very important for the health of the county. Losing the right to choose your own doctor is at stake. It maybe a done deal and no chance to reverse, but I think if people of the county get up in arms that could change. I think it would be good for your blog to break this news story?
Friday, August 8, 2014
Economic Relevance: Complexity, Manipulation, and Instability
Expert Economist: U.S Is Heading Toward Financial Ruin - Infowars - August 7, 2014
Youtube Commenter quote: Government is like fire. If you control it it will give you light, keep you warm, cook your food, warm your bath water etc. but if you let it go out of control it will burn everything within it's reach feeding itself.
(Wikipedia) - Bill Bonner is an American author of books and articles on economic and financial subjects. He is the founder and president of Agora Publishing, and author of a daily financial column, Diary of a Rogue Economist.[1] Bonner is also co-founder and regular contributor to The Daily Reckoning. And he has written articles for the news and opinion blog, LewRockwell.com.[2] and MoneyWeek magazine.[3]
Bill's latest work is entitled Hormegeddon (the word comes from the scientific process of hormesis---which is what happens when a small dose of something produces a favorable effect, but anything larger makes one sick ... the process that is tearing America apart today.
Why the Government Views You As Collateral Damage - Daily Reckoning - Bill Bonner - July 29, 2014 - The illusions, mistakes and misconceptions of central planners take their toll in a great variety of ways — mostly as costly nuisances. Occasionally, when they are particularly ambitious, they make the history books. Napoleon’s march on Moscow. Mao’s great famine. The Soviet Union’s 70-year economic experiment. These fiascos are caused by well-meaning, smart public officials. They are the Hell to which the road paved with good intentions leads... errors that might have been revealed and corrected are not discovered. The future has to wait. Even when they are applied with ruthless thoroughness, central plans inevitably and eventually go FUBAR. No ‘workers’ paradise’ ever happens. The War on Drugs (or Poverty… or Crime… or Terror… or Cancer) ends in a defeat, not a victory. Unemployment does not go down. The ‘war to end war’ doesn’t end war. The Domino Theory falls; the dominoes don’t.
Or, if any of these grand programs ‘succeeds,’ it does so by undoing previous plans often at a cost that is far out of balance with the reward. World War II is an example of central planning that seemed to work. But the Allies were merely nullifying the efforts of more ambitious central planners in Germany and Japan. Generally, life on planet Earth is not so ‘rational’ that it lends itself to simpleminded, heavy-handed intervention by the naïve social engineer...
Large-scale central planning can be effective, but only by pulverizing the delicate fabric of evolved civilized life. It is a future that practically no one wants, because it means destroying the many different futures already in the works — marriages, businesses, babies, baptisms, hunting trips, shopping, investment, and all the other activities of normal life. Not all central planning produces calamities on that scale, of course. But all, to the extent they are effective, are repulsive. The more they achieve the planners’ goals, the more they interfere with private goals, and the more they retard or destroy the progress of the human race. Still, this view I am putting forth is hardly accepted wisdom.
Youtube Commenter quote: Government is like fire. If you control it it will give you light, keep you warm, cook your food, warm your bath water etc. but if you let it go out of control it will burn everything within it's reach feeding itself.
(Wikipedia) - Bill Bonner is an American author of books and articles on economic and financial subjects. He is the founder and president of Agora Publishing, and author of a daily financial column, Diary of a Rogue Economist.[1] Bonner is also co-founder and regular contributor to The Daily Reckoning. And he has written articles for the news and opinion blog, LewRockwell.com.[2] and MoneyWeek magazine.[3]
Bill's latest work is entitled Hormegeddon (the word comes from the scientific process of hormesis---which is what happens when a small dose of something produces a favorable effect, but anything larger makes one sick ... the process that is tearing America apart today.
Why the Government Views You As Collateral Damage - Daily Reckoning - Bill Bonner - July 29, 2014 - The illusions, mistakes and misconceptions of central planners take their toll in a great variety of ways — mostly as costly nuisances. Occasionally, when they are particularly ambitious, they make the history books. Napoleon’s march on Moscow. Mao’s great famine. The Soviet Union’s 70-year economic experiment. These fiascos are caused by well-meaning, smart public officials. They are the Hell to which the road paved with good intentions leads... errors that might have been revealed and corrected are not discovered. The future has to wait. Even when they are applied with ruthless thoroughness, central plans inevitably and eventually go FUBAR. No ‘workers’ paradise’ ever happens. The War on Drugs (or Poverty… or Crime… or Terror… or Cancer) ends in a defeat, not a victory. Unemployment does not go down. The ‘war to end war’ doesn’t end war. The Domino Theory falls; the dominoes don’t.
Or, if any of these grand programs ‘succeeds,’ it does so by undoing previous plans often at a cost that is far out of balance with the reward. World War II is an example of central planning that seemed to work. But the Allies were merely nullifying the efforts of more ambitious central planners in Germany and Japan. Generally, life on planet Earth is not so ‘rational’ that it lends itself to simpleminded, heavy-handed intervention by the naïve social engineer...
Large-scale central planning can be effective, but only by pulverizing the delicate fabric of evolved civilized life. It is a future that practically no one wants, because it means destroying the many different futures already in the works — marriages, businesses, babies, baptisms, hunting trips, shopping, investment, and all the other activities of normal life. Not all central planning produces calamities on that scale, of course. But all, to the extent they are effective, are repulsive. The more they achieve the planners’ goals, the more they interfere with private goals, and the more they retard or destroy the progress of the human race. Still, this view I am putting forth is hardly accepted wisdom.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Sociopaths at the top - Wanda Arnold
Hound notes: Wanda Arnold wrote the following to me in relation to my article from this past Saturday, August 2, 2014 - The Master BSer
Thom, I want to share with you two articles I read yesterday along the same lines as your post. In the first by Paul Rosenberg on July 24, 2014, “They Walk among Us,” Rosenberg describes the sociopath. Two percent of the human population are sociopaths (psychopaths in the clinical literature). Of these 75% are male and 25% female. Plenty of research has been done on these people and it has been proven that they have different brains, thus their difference is organic and can’t be cured. The part of the brain associated with emotional reactions and decision making is abnormally small.
The sociopath cannot feel empathy for other people, thus they feel no remorse. To a sociopath, remorse is weakness. They can readily do whatever gets them what they want because they have no conscience. They understand that they are different and will try to hide this defect by faking emotion, but if you are alert you can detect that something is not quite right about their responses.
They are also excellent liars. They are so good at lying that often they pass lie detector tests. They do not have the internal feedback system that most people have. They never feel embarrassed. A sociopath will work in calculated ways to maintain other people’s good opinions of him and often maintain a group of people around them who believe wholeheartedly that he is a good, kind, honest person.
Like most people, I had the tendency to think that all people have some good in them, but now I see that while this is true of 98% of the population, there are those that have absolutely no good and should be thought of as evil. I was also unaware that there are so many sociopaths in the general population. We should expect one person in 50 to be this way.
The part of the article that really struck me was this: “Governments, like all hierarchies, are havens for sociopaths. And governments, over the last century, killed approximately 260 million people.” This is a rational explanation for those willing to send our young people to war for profit, who kill millions and call it “collateral damage,” the cowards who send drones to do the dirty work, the people who offshored all of our jobs for bigger profit and ruined the employment for Americans, the people who tax the poor and middle class but exempt themselves, the people who poison our food and water, the people who are destroying the American Constitution to pull more and more control into their own hands.
The second article explains why our government is currently in such a state. “No Matter Who Wins, a Sociopath Is Elected,” by Doug French, a contributing editor of the Doug Casey newsletter. He states the obvious, that politicians don’t seek office for the money. Most of them already have money. Even those who start with the best of intentions and are clearly outstanding in other fields of endeavor will soon see that success in politics will require lying, cheating, manipulating, stealing and killing. All ethics are suspended and good sense departs.
So why do these people seek office? Over-sized egos, desire for public adulation, control over other people, need for status, fame, recognition, attention…the ends justify the means. French goes on to say, “What Doug Casey calls the “moral rot” in Washington, DC and every statehouse around the country is due to, as Casey writes, ‘a certain class of people—sociopaths—being fully in control of major American institutions. Their beliefs and attitudes are insinuated throughout the economic, political, intellectual, and psychological/spiritual fabric of the US.’
So it won’t do us much good to naively search for just the “right candidate.” Maybe we need to concentrate on other ways to keep the sociopaths on the sidelines: small government, term limits, transparency, strict enforcement of the Bill of Rights, getting money out of politics, protection of whistleblowers, freedom of the Internet, and educational control at the local level.
In conclusion, we need to remember that 98% of the people around us are good people. We far outnumber the 2%. Only when we come to understand what the problem is (sociopaths are running our government at the top) can we begin to do something about it. Only when we refuse to cooperate with evil can any progress be made.
Thom, I want to share with you two articles I read yesterday along the same lines as your post. In the first by Paul Rosenberg on July 24, 2014, “They Walk among Us,” Rosenberg describes the sociopath. Two percent of the human population are sociopaths (psychopaths in the clinical literature). Of these 75% are male and 25% female. Plenty of research has been done on these people and it has been proven that they have different brains, thus their difference is organic and can’t be cured. The part of the brain associated with emotional reactions and decision making is abnormally small.
The sociopath cannot feel empathy for other people, thus they feel no remorse. To a sociopath, remorse is weakness. They can readily do whatever gets them what they want because they have no conscience. They understand that they are different and will try to hide this defect by faking emotion, but if you are alert you can detect that something is not quite right about their responses.
They are also excellent liars. They are so good at lying that often they pass lie detector tests. They do not have the internal feedback system that most people have. They never feel embarrassed. A sociopath will work in calculated ways to maintain other people’s good opinions of him and often maintain a group of people around them who believe wholeheartedly that he is a good, kind, honest person.
Like most people, I had the tendency to think that all people have some good in them, but now I see that while this is true of 98% of the population, there are those that have absolutely no good and should be thought of as evil. I was also unaware that there are so many sociopaths in the general population. We should expect one person in 50 to be this way.
The part of the article that really struck me was this: “Governments, like all hierarchies, are havens for sociopaths. And governments, over the last century, killed approximately 260 million people.” This is a rational explanation for those willing to send our young people to war for profit, who kill millions and call it “collateral damage,” the cowards who send drones to do the dirty work, the people who offshored all of our jobs for bigger profit and ruined the employment for Americans, the people who tax the poor and middle class but exempt themselves, the people who poison our food and water, the people who are destroying the American Constitution to pull more and more control into their own hands.
The second article explains why our government is currently in such a state. “No Matter Who Wins, a Sociopath Is Elected,” by Doug French, a contributing editor of the Doug Casey newsletter. He states the obvious, that politicians don’t seek office for the money. Most of them already have money. Even those who start with the best of intentions and are clearly outstanding in other fields of endeavor will soon see that success in politics will require lying, cheating, manipulating, stealing and killing. All ethics are suspended and good sense departs.
So why do these people seek office? Over-sized egos, desire for public adulation, control over other people, need for status, fame, recognition, attention…the ends justify the means. French goes on to say, “What Doug Casey calls the “moral rot” in Washington, DC and every statehouse around the country is due to, as Casey writes, ‘a certain class of people—sociopaths—being fully in control of major American institutions. Their beliefs and attitudes are insinuated throughout the economic, political, intellectual, and psychological/spiritual fabric of the US.’
So it won’t do us much good to naively search for just the “right candidate.” Maybe we need to concentrate on other ways to keep the sociopaths on the sidelines: small government, term limits, transparency, strict enforcement of the Bill of Rights, getting money out of politics, protection of whistleblowers, freedom of the Internet, and educational control at the local level.
In conclusion, we need to remember that 98% of the people around us are good people. We far outnumber the 2%. Only when we come to understand what the problem is (sociopaths are running our government at the top) can we begin to do something about it. Only when we refuse to cooperate with evil can any progress be made.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Former City Council Member and Union Square Icon Sally Fox jumps ship
Hound Note: This is a post from anonymous poster Common Sense. This person doesn't want their name out in the public arena for fear of reprisals. I don't believe what they have stated below can be construed as being personal or with malice. It just makes clear/concise points about issues that are very much relevant to the City of Hickory political and social dynamic.
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It is with great sadness that I must report on the passing of one of Union Square’s flagship stores – a Hickory institution, one might say. On second thought, passing may not be the appropriate term. For you see, what’s happening (or has happened) is far worse than a simple passing. The lauded Sally Company is packing up and leaving town (for greener pastures?).
Why does this even matter? Perhaps more appropriately asked is, how could this happen? Over her esteemed 20-year career of public service Councilwoman Fox championed such projects as the Hickory Farmers’ Market, organizations like the Downtown Development Association, and sadly the boondoggle that became "the Sails on the Square". She alone spearheaded Hickory’s effort to gain Main Street USA status (I’m sure it was something important) along with many, many other worthy projects to help promote Hickory’s very own diamond in the rough we all know as Union Square.
Sally Fox was certainly more than a well-wishing, policy-making, money-appropriating Council member. Yes!
Sally, out of her sense of pure, unadulterated civic duty threw herself into breathing new life into a revitalized downtown area. As an active member of the HDDA, Mrs. Fox saw to it (from her Council seat) that they received the taxpayer dollars needed to turn Union Square into what it is today – a sparsely occupied, over-priced, lacking-in-parking obstacle in ones way to the Hwy. 70 economic Mecca of Hickory.
Mrs. Fox also was a very vocal proponent of the Hickory Farmers’ Market being located on Union Square. The logic was circular (Rotary) at best. The Farmers’ Market is key to Union Square’s image and prosperity while at the same time Union Square is the only place to properly showcase an event such as the Farmers’ Market.
In the past, some have viewed Mrs. Fox’s involvement with the HDDA and Farmers’ Market boards, coupled with her position on City Council, as a potential conflict-of-interest. Balderdash!!!
How could she possibly be expected to help Hickory’s business owners succeed and families prosper, if she didn’t flourish first? Mustn’t one learn before one can do?
So what is the bottom line here? In Mrs. Fox, Hickory had someone that did promote (some would say single-mindedly) the downtown area. For much of her 20 years she argued and pushed for more City spending to be directed toward Union Square – after all it is the heart of our City, our front porch, our identity – and now after having left office a mere eight months ago, Mrs. Fox and The Sally Co. have left Union Square.
One of two things must be true. First, despite all of the public attention and taxpayer-funded investment in downtown, it simply hasn’t worked. I’ve always held the opinion that if spending more money on a problem solved it, then let’s just go ahead and solve the problems. As we know though, simply throwing more money at a problem in no way guarantees a solution. The second possibility is this – Mrs. Fox’s dedication to Union Square was solely self-serving. Since leaving public office, perhaps there is little cache’ that she can direct downtown (to her store) and it’s just not worth hanging around. But, who am I to say. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.
On a completely different note, I cannot pass up the opportunity to call Sally Fox out for what can only be categorized as being unashamedly two-faced. Now this may not surprise many people, as most already believe politicians to talk out of both sides of their mouths, but Mrs. Fox's actions/words simply disgust me. Over the past year, I have known her to express a most decidedly unfavorable opinion of Mayor Wright. Sidenote: This may stem from Mayor Wright having publicly espoused his opinion(s) of Councilwoman Fox in a recording I came across here on the Hound.
Regardless, Mrs. Fox is unmistakably not happy with the Mayor’s ability/style/etc. Now, given her personal feelings toward the Mayor – which she has made known to people publicly over the past year – how is it that she co-hosted a fundraiser for the Mayor during last year’s municipal elections? For Shame!!!!!
Mrs. Fox, I, like many, had high hopes for you and what we once thought you could bring our community. You began with a passion for people – a desire to build up our City from its heart, our neighborhoods. And to an extent you did succeed. But, you simply stayed too long. Twenty years is too long to serve in public office.
Why? You compromised.
You became pigeon-holed, relegated almost, to being the Union Square representative. And to get what you wanted Union Square to have, you were willing to turn a blind eye to many of the other struggles faced by others in our City – struggles I know you to have still cared about, but were unwilling to tackle for fear of….well, I don’t know what. At the very least it is unfortunate – although I take it a bit further and say inexcusable.
It’s sad to think of what Hickory may very well look like today, were you willing to hold tight to your convictions. Were you willing to stand up to Rudy. Think what could have been?
Sincerely,
Common Sense
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Hound Note: After this, what I'm thinking is, "Who's next?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is with great sadness that I must report on the passing of one of Union Square’s flagship stores – a Hickory institution, one might say. On second thought, passing may not be the appropriate term. For you see, what’s happening (or has happened) is far worse than a simple passing. The lauded Sally Company is packing up and leaving town (for greener pastures?).
Why does this even matter? Perhaps more appropriately asked is, how could this happen? Over her esteemed 20-year career of public service Councilwoman Fox championed such projects as the Hickory Farmers’ Market, organizations like the Downtown Development Association, and sadly the boondoggle that became "the Sails on the Square". She alone spearheaded Hickory’s effort to gain Main Street USA status (I’m sure it was something important) along with many, many other worthy projects to help promote Hickory’s very own diamond in the rough we all know as Union Square.
Sally Fox was certainly more than a well-wishing, policy-making, money-appropriating Council member. Yes!
Sally, out of her sense of pure, unadulterated civic duty threw herself into breathing new life into a revitalized downtown area. As an active member of the HDDA, Mrs. Fox saw to it (from her Council seat) that they received the taxpayer dollars needed to turn Union Square into what it is today – a sparsely occupied, over-priced, lacking-in-parking obstacle in ones way to the Hwy. 70 economic Mecca of Hickory.
Mrs. Fox also was a very vocal proponent of the Hickory Farmers’ Market being located on Union Square. The logic was circular (Rotary) at best. The Farmers’ Market is key to Union Square’s image and prosperity while at the same time Union Square is the only place to properly showcase an event such as the Farmers’ Market.
In the past, some have viewed Mrs. Fox’s involvement with the HDDA and Farmers’ Market boards, coupled with her position on City Council, as a potential conflict-of-interest. Balderdash!!!
How could she possibly be expected to help Hickory’s business owners succeed and families prosper, if she didn’t flourish first? Mustn’t one learn before one can do?
So what is the bottom line here? In Mrs. Fox, Hickory had someone that did promote (some would say single-mindedly) the downtown area. For much of her 20 years she argued and pushed for more City spending to be directed toward Union Square – after all it is the heart of our City, our front porch, our identity – and now after having left office a mere eight months ago, Mrs. Fox and The Sally Co. have left Union Square.
One of two things must be true. First, despite all of the public attention and taxpayer-funded investment in downtown, it simply hasn’t worked. I’ve always held the opinion that if spending more money on a problem solved it, then let’s just go ahead and solve the problems. As we know though, simply throwing more money at a problem in no way guarantees a solution. The second possibility is this – Mrs. Fox’s dedication to Union Square was solely self-serving. Since leaving public office, perhaps there is little cache’ that she can direct downtown (to her store) and it’s just not worth hanging around. But, who am I to say. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.
On a completely different note, I cannot pass up the opportunity to call Sally Fox out for what can only be categorized as being unashamedly two-faced. Now this may not surprise many people, as most already believe politicians to talk out of both sides of their mouths, but Mrs. Fox's actions/words simply disgust me. Over the past year, I have known her to express a most decidedly unfavorable opinion of Mayor Wright. Sidenote: This may stem from Mayor Wright having publicly espoused his opinion(s) of Councilwoman Fox in a recording I came across here on the Hound.
Regardless, Mrs. Fox is unmistakably not happy with the Mayor’s ability/style/etc. Now, given her personal feelings toward the Mayor – which she has made known to people publicly over the past year – how is it that she co-hosted a fundraiser for the Mayor during last year’s municipal elections? For Shame!!!!!
Mrs. Fox, I, like many, had high hopes for you and what we once thought you could bring our community. You began with a passion for people – a desire to build up our City from its heart, our neighborhoods. And to an extent you did succeed. But, you simply stayed too long. Twenty years is too long to serve in public office.
Why? You compromised.
You became pigeon-holed, relegated almost, to being the Union Square representative. And to get what you wanted Union Square to have, you were willing to turn a blind eye to many of the other struggles faced by others in our City – struggles I know you to have still cared about, but were unwilling to tackle for fear of….well, I don’t know what. At the very least it is unfortunate – although I take it a bit further and say inexcusable.
It’s sad to think of what Hickory may very well look like today, were you willing to hold tight to your convictions. Were you willing to stand up to Rudy. Think what could have been?
Sincerely,
Common Sense
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hound Note: After this, what I'm thinking is, "Who's next?"
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Being Likable and Making Life Easier for Yourself
Hound Notes: Last week I relayed an article about 6 behaviors that push people away. Below are the links to two more articles of advice related to behavior. These articles are intended to help you make positive adjustments to the ruts of bad behavior that we all are vulnerable to.
The first article describes what people do that makes them likable. This article defines 14 characteristics/habits of likable people. These would be people that we would define as charismatic and if you practice these habits, then you can become more likable.
The second article describes "10 Ways You’re Making Your Life Harder Than It Has To Be". This article centers around how people make life harder on themselves by thinking the world revolves around them. You get in your own way (preventing success) by personalizing everything in your life. The author describes himself as a social media consultant who through the creation of his website looked to establish himself as a "thought leader." He eventually decided to just start writing what he felt like writing; now characterized as a "Fleeting Thought Leader."
In reading the first article, you will take notice of some bad habits that you might be practicing that can turn people off. You also will have some 'a-ha' moments that will help you put a finger on what some others have done that turns you off and makes you not like them.
Like I said in the previous article, there is an epidemic of bad behavior amongst today's professional workforce. This translates into behavior associated with many of the politicians and other leaders of the current generation. I believe that the mindset of many of our leaders today is having a deleterious effect and is a reason for the bad behavior of the workforce (and the public) in general; It rolls downhill folks.
I am providing the bullet points to both articles.
The first set is what the author Richard Feloni conveys based upon Napoleon Hill's book "Think and Grow Rich"and his essay "Develop A Pleasing Personality," published in his forthcoming collection "The Science of Success." Please, if interested, go read both articles at these gentlemen's sites.
14 Habits Of Exceptionally Likable People - Business Insider - Richard Feloni - May 22, 2014 - Here are Hill's 14 habits of people who are so likable that others go out of their way to help them:
1. They develop a positive mental attitude and let it be seen and felt by others.
2. They always speak in a carefully disciplined, friendly tone.
3. They pay close attention to someone speaking to them.
4. They are able to maintain their composure in all circumstances.
5. They are patient.
6. They keep an open mind.
7. They smile when speaking with others.
8. They know that not all their thoughts need to be expressed.
9. They don't procrastinate.
10. They engage in at least one good deed a day.
11. They find a lesson in failure rather than brood over it.
12. They act as if the person they are speaking to is the most important person in the world.
13. They praise others in a genuine way without being excessive.
14. They have someone they trust point out their flaws.
The second set of bullet points:
10 Roadblocks to Happiness - Tim Hoch - June 18, 2014
1. You ascribe intent. - You assign bad intent to innocuous actions. You take it as a personal affront, a slap in the face. Happy people do not do this. They don’t take things personally. They don’t ascribe intent to the unintentional actions of others.
2. You’re the star of your own movie. - You are the star of your own movie. You wrote the script. You know how you want it to unfold. You even know how you want it to end. Unfortunately you forgot to give your script to anyone else. Lose your script. Let someone else star once in awhile. Welcome new characters. Embrace plot twists.
3. You fast forward to apocalypse. - I have a bad habit of fast forwarding everything to its worst possible outcome and being pleasantly surprised when the result is marginally better than utter disaster or jail time. Negativity only breeds more negativity. It is a happiness riptide. It will carry you away from shore and if you don’t swim away from it, will pull you under.
4. You have unrealistic and/or uncommunicated expectations. - Among their many shortcomings of your family and friends is the harsh reality that they cannot read your mind or anticipate your whims. Unmet expectations will be at the root of most of your unhappiness in life. Minimize your expectations, maximize your joy.
5. You are waiting for a sign. -I have a friend who won’t make a decision without receiving a “sign.” I’m not disavowing that fate or a higher power plays a role in our lives. I’m just saying that it is better to help shape fate than be governed by it.
6. You don’t take risks. - Two words: Live boldly. Every single time you are offered a choice that involves greater risk, take it. You will lose on many of them but when you add them up at the end of your life you’ll be glad you did.
7. You constantly compare your life to others. - A few years ago I was invited to a nice party at a big warehouse downtown. I was enjoying the smooth jazz, box wine and crustless sandwiches. What more could a guy want? Later in the evening I noticed a steady parade of well-heeled people slide past and disappear into another room. I peeked and saw a large party with beautiful revelers dancing and carrying on like Bacchus. Suddenly my gig wasn’t as fun as it had been all because it didn’t appear to measure up to the party next door- a party I didn’t even know existed until just moments before... Always remember what Teddy Roosevelt said: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
8. You let other people steal from you. - The one possession you have that is more important than money is time. But you don’t do anything to protect it. Treat your time like Fort Knox. Guard it closely and give it only to those who deserve and respect it.
9. You can’t/won’t let go. - Sometimes you have to work at happiness. Some hurdles are too difficult to clear by simply adjusting your point of view or adopting a positive mindset. Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to turn your back on a failed relationship? Do you need to come to terms with the death of a loved one? Life is full of loss. But, in a sense, real happiness would not be possible without it. It helps us appreciate and savor the things that really matter. It helps us grow. It can help us help others grow. Closure is a word for people who have never really suffered. There’s no such thing. Just try to “manage” your loss. Put it in perspective. You will always have some regret and doubt about your loss. You may always second guess yourself. If only you had said this, or tried that. You’re not alone. Find someone who understands and talk to that person. Reach out for support. If all else fails, try #10 below.
10. You don’t give back. - One way to deal with loss is to immerse yourself in doing good. Volunteer. Get involved in life. It doesn’t even have to be a big, structured thing. Say a kind word. Encourage someone. Pay a visit to someone who is alone. Get away from your self-absorption.
When it comes down to it, there are two types of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers. Givers are happy. Takers are miserable. What are you?
The first article describes what people do that makes them likable. This article defines 14 characteristics/habits of likable people. These would be people that we would define as charismatic and if you practice these habits, then you can become more likable.
The second article describes "10 Ways You’re Making Your Life Harder Than It Has To Be". This article centers around how people make life harder on themselves by thinking the world revolves around them. You get in your own way (preventing success) by personalizing everything in your life. The author describes himself as a social media consultant who through the creation of his website looked to establish himself as a "thought leader." He eventually decided to just start writing what he felt like writing; now characterized as a "Fleeting Thought Leader."
In reading the first article, you will take notice of some bad habits that you might be practicing that can turn people off. You also will have some 'a-ha' moments that will help you put a finger on what some others have done that turns you off and makes you not like them.
Like I said in the previous article, there is an epidemic of bad behavior amongst today's professional workforce. This translates into behavior associated with many of the politicians and other leaders of the current generation. I believe that the mindset of many of our leaders today is having a deleterious effect and is a reason for the bad behavior of the workforce (and the public) in general; It rolls downhill folks.
I am providing the bullet points to both articles.
The first set is what the author Richard Feloni conveys based upon Napoleon Hill's book "Think and Grow Rich"and his essay "Develop A Pleasing Personality," published in his forthcoming collection "The Science of Success." Please, if interested, go read both articles at these gentlemen's sites.
14 Habits Of Exceptionally Likable People - Business Insider - Richard Feloni - May 22, 2014 - Here are Hill's 14 habits of people who are so likable that others go out of their way to help them:
1. They develop a positive mental attitude and let it be seen and felt by others.
2. They always speak in a carefully disciplined, friendly tone.
3. They pay close attention to someone speaking to them.
4. They are able to maintain their composure in all circumstances.
5. They are patient.
6. They keep an open mind.
7. They smile when speaking with others.
8. They know that not all their thoughts need to be expressed.
9. They don't procrastinate.
10. They engage in at least one good deed a day.
11. They find a lesson in failure rather than brood over it.
12. They act as if the person they are speaking to is the most important person in the world.
13. They praise others in a genuine way without being excessive.
14. They have someone they trust point out their flaws.
The second set of bullet points:
10 Roadblocks to Happiness - Tim Hoch - June 18, 2014
1. You ascribe intent. - You assign bad intent to innocuous actions. You take it as a personal affront, a slap in the face. Happy people do not do this. They don’t take things personally. They don’t ascribe intent to the unintentional actions of others.
2. You’re the star of your own movie. - You are the star of your own movie. You wrote the script. You know how you want it to unfold. You even know how you want it to end. Unfortunately you forgot to give your script to anyone else. Lose your script. Let someone else star once in awhile. Welcome new characters. Embrace plot twists.
3. You fast forward to apocalypse. - I have a bad habit of fast forwarding everything to its worst possible outcome and being pleasantly surprised when the result is marginally better than utter disaster or jail time. Negativity only breeds more negativity. It is a happiness riptide. It will carry you away from shore and if you don’t swim away from it, will pull you under.
4. You have unrealistic and/or uncommunicated expectations. - Among their many shortcomings of your family and friends is the harsh reality that they cannot read your mind or anticipate your whims. Unmet expectations will be at the root of most of your unhappiness in life. Minimize your expectations, maximize your joy.
5. You are waiting for a sign. -I have a friend who won’t make a decision without receiving a “sign.” I’m not disavowing that fate or a higher power plays a role in our lives. I’m just saying that it is better to help shape fate than be governed by it.
6. You don’t take risks. - Two words: Live boldly. Every single time you are offered a choice that involves greater risk, take it. You will lose on many of them but when you add them up at the end of your life you’ll be glad you did.
7. You constantly compare your life to others. - A few years ago I was invited to a nice party at a big warehouse downtown. I was enjoying the smooth jazz, box wine and crustless sandwiches. What more could a guy want? Later in the evening I noticed a steady parade of well-heeled people slide past and disappear into another room. I peeked and saw a large party with beautiful revelers dancing and carrying on like Bacchus. Suddenly my gig wasn’t as fun as it had been all because it didn’t appear to measure up to the party next door- a party I didn’t even know existed until just moments before... Always remember what Teddy Roosevelt said: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
8. You let other people steal from you. - The one possession you have that is more important than money is time. But you don’t do anything to protect it. Treat your time like Fort Knox. Guard it closely and give it only to those who deserve and respect it.
9. You can’t/won’t let go. - Sometimes you have to work at happiness. Some hurdles are too difficult to clear by simply adjusting your point of view or adopting a positive mindset. Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to turn your back on a failed relationship? Do you need to come to terms with the death of a loved one? Life is full of loss. But, in a sense, real happiness would not be possible without it. It helps us appreciate and savor the things that really matter. It helps us grow. It can help us help others grow. Closure is a word for people who have never really suffered. There’s no such thing. Just try to “manage” your loss. Put it in perspective. You will always have some regret and doubt about your loss. You may always second guess yourself. If only you had said this, or tried that. You’re not alone. Find someone who understands and talk to that person. Reach out for support. If all else fails, try #10 below.
10. You don’t give back. - One way to deal with loss is to immerse yourself in doing good. Volunteer. Get involved in life. It doesn’t even have to be a big, structured thing. Say a kind word. Encourage someone. Pay a visit to someone who is alone. Get away from your self-absorption.
When it comes down to it, there are two types of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers. Givers are happy. Takers are miserable. What are you?
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Economic Relevance - Harry Dent: The Crash Is Coming
Hound Notes: from Alex Jones Radio Show: Like Alex says here; It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. This is from Charles Dickens novel "A Tale of Two Cities".
Look at all of the hypocrisy. We are told that we should be crapping our pants in fear every time we enter an airport to take a flight, "cause dim moo slims gonna gitcha," but it's just fine to have our borders wide open with political clowns smiling and saying come on in. We've got money for the Pet Projects of Politicians, Bureaucrats, and Corporatists; but we demonize the poor and middle class who have been hurt by Ponzi Economics. We're paying billions to take care of people who aren't even citizens of the U.S., but we aren't taking care of our military and veterans.
Politicians and Bureaucrats have a real hard time dealing with real world economics. Look at the world they live in compared to the one they have created for the rest of us. I could live like a multimillionaire off of the salaries and benefits they are receiving. Would they want to trade places? Where is the compassion and empathy for real people?
Get Harry Dent’s Unpublished Chapter, FREE! Chapter 10: The China Disaster Ahead
Hound Notes:
1) Stimulus is like drugs. A quick fix. We have kicked the can down the road.
2) Each subsequent fix brings less of a buzz and a bigger crash/hangover.
3) The Stock Market gains are correlated to the QE stimulus.
4) A Debt Deleveraging is coming. A Debt Detox. Detox like a Drug addict - Crash.
5) All of this phony economics is destroying our liberty.
6) Indentured = Contracted to Debt
7) Citizens didn't create this debt, but the government is signing us on to Service it. (Servitude)
8) Indentured Servitude for whom???
9) Cronyism = Mafia Structure. We're enabling Mafia like structures to thrive in the U.S.
10) Free Markets = Simple Rules and Real penalties for Cheaters.
11) Arbitrary Justice is destroying the fabric of our Republic.
12) At some point you have to deal with the problems. There is going to be a reckoning.
13) Which side of the reckoning are you going to be on?
Look at all of the hypocrisy. We are told that we should be crapping our pants in fear every time we enter an airport to take a flight, "cause dim moo slims gonna gitcha," but it's just fine to have our borders wide open with political clowns smiling and saying come on in. We've got money for the Pet Projects of Politicians, Bureaucrats, and Corporatists; but we demonize the poor and middle class who have been hurt by Ponzi Economics. We're paying billions to take care of people who aren't even citizens of the U.S., but we aren't taking care of our military and veterans.
Politicians and Bureaucrats have a real hard time dealing with real world economics. Look at the world they live in compared to the one they have created for the rest of us. I could live like a multimillionaire off of the salaries and benefits they are receiving. Would they want to trade places? Where is the compassion and empathy for real people?
Get Harry Dent’s Unpublished Chapter, FREE! Chapter 10: The China Disaster Ahead
Hound Notes:
1) Stimulus is like drugs. A quick fix. We have kicked the can down the road.
2) Each subsequent fix brings less of a buzz and a bigger crash/hangover.
3) The Stock Market gains are correlated to the QE stimulus.
4) A Debt Deleveraging is coming. A Debt Detox. Detox like a Drug addict - Crash.
5) All of this phony economics is destroying our liberty.
6) Indentured = Contracted to Debt
7) Citizens didn't create this debt, but the government is signing us on to Service it. (Servitude)
8) Indentured Servitude for whom???
9) Cronyism = Mafia Structure. We're enabling Mafia like structures to thrive in the U.S.
10) Free Markets = Simple Rules and Real penalties for Cheaters.
11) Arbitrary Justice is destroying the fabric of our Republic.
12) At some point you have to deal with the problems. There is going to be a reckoning.
13) Which side of the reckoning are you going to be on?
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
6 Toxic Behaviors That Push People Away
Hound Notes: Below is a link to a very good article that describes an epidemic of bad behavior amongst today's professional workforce. In my opinion it certainly describes behavior associated with the politicians and other leaders of the current generation. I believe that the mindset of many of our leaders today is having a deleterious effect and is a reason for the bad behavior of the workforce in general; It rolls downhill folks.
I have dealt with some of these issues myself, we all do, but I have this site as my therapeutic form of expression. People can choose to be victims or they can be forces for action. Be empathetic, but don't allow others to define who you are or the action you choose to take... Be yourself.
I will provide the bullet points of what Ms. Caprino is describing, but essentially what she is describing can be defined, at a minimum, as a personality issue and carried through to an extreme can be defined as a form of Sociopathy.
6 Toxic Behaviors That Push People Away: How To Recognize Them In Yourself and Change Them - LinkedIn - Kathy Caprino - June 20, 2014 -
1) Taking everything personally - People are toxic to be around when they believe that everything that happens in life is a direct assault on them or is in some way all about them. The reality is that what people say and do to you is much more about them, than you. People’s reactions to you are about their filters, and their perspectives, wounds and experiences.
2) Obsessing about negative thoughts - Pessimism is one thing – but remaining perpetually locked in negative thoughts is another. Only seeing the negative, and operating from a view that everything is negative and against you, is a skewed way of thinking and living, and you can change that.
3) Treating yourself like a victim - Believing you’re a victim, that you have no power to exert and no influence on the direction of your life, is a toxic stance that keeps you stuck and small.
4) Cruelty - lacking in empathy or putting yourself in others shoes - One of the most toxic and damaging behaviors – cruelty – stems from a total lack of empathy, concern or compassion for others... Cruelty, backstabbing, and ripping someone to shreds is toxic, and it hurts you as well as your target.
5) Excessive reactivity - An inability to manage your emotions is toxic to everyone around you. We all know these people – men and women who explode over the smallest hiccup or problem.
6) Needing constant validation - Finally, people who constantly strive for validation and self-esteem by obsessing about achieving outward measures of success, are exhausting to be around... Overly-attaching to how things have to look and be, and to achieving certain milestones and accomplishments rather than going with life in a more flexible, easy manner, can wear you out and bring everyone else around you down .
I have dealt with some of these issues myself, we all do, but I have this site as my therapeutic form of expression. People can choose to be victims or they can be forces for action. Be empathetic, but don't allow others to define who you are or the action you choose to take... Be yourself.
I will provide the bullet points of what Ms. Caprino is describing, but essentially what she is describing can be defined, at a minimum, as a personality issue and carried through to an extreme can be defined as a form of Sociopathy.
6 Toxic Behaviors That Push People Away: How To Recognize Them In Yourself and Change Them - LinkedIn - Kathy Caprino - June 20, 2014 -
1) Taking everything personally - People are toxic to be around when they believe that everything that happens in life is a direct assault on them or is in some way all about them. The reality is that what people say and do to you is much more about them, than you. People’s reactions to you are about their filters, and their perspectives, wounds and experiences.
2) Obsessing about negative thoughts - Pessimism is one thing – but remaining perpetually locked in negative thoughts is another. Only seeing the negative, and operating from a view that everything is negative and against you, is a skewed way of thinking and living, and you can change that.
3) Treating yourself like a victim - Believing you’re a victim, that you have no power to exert and no influence on the direction of your life, is a toxic stance that keeps you stuck and small.
4) Cruelty - lacking in empathy or putting yourself in others shoes - One of the most toxic and damaging behaviors – cruelty – stems from a total lack of empathy, concern or compassion for others... Cruelty, backstabbing, and ripping someone to shreds is toxic, and it hurts you as well as your target.
5) Excessive reactivity - An inability to manage your emotions is toxic to everyone around you. We all know these people – men and women who explode over the smallest hiccup or problem.
6) Needing constant validation - Finally, people who constantly strive for validation and self-esteem by obsessing about achieving outward measures of success, are exhausting to be around... Overly-attaching to how things have to look and be, and to achieving certain milestones and accomplishments rather than going with life in a more flexible, easy manner, can wear you out and bring everyone else around you down .
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Economic Relevance - Retail Deathtrap
Hound Notes: This is what happens when you destroy the middle class and thus the market place.
RETAIL DEATH RATTLE GROWS LOUDER - The Burning Platform - May 25, 2014
Retail store results for the 1st quarter of 2014 have been rolling in over the last week. It seems the hideous government reported retail sales results over the last six months are being confirmed by the dying bricks and mortar mega-chains. In case you missed the corporate mainstream media not reporting the facts and doing their usual positive spin, here are the absolutely dreadful headlines:
Wal-Mart Profit Plunges By $220 Million as US Store Traffic Declines by 1.4%
Target Profit Plunges by $80 Million, 16% Lower Than 2013, as Store Traffic Declines by 2.3%
Sears Loses $358 Million in First Quarter as Comparable Store Sales at Sears Plunge by 7.8% and Sales at Kmart Plunge by 5.1%
JC Penney Thrilled With Loss of Only $358 Million For the Quarter
Kohl’s Operating Income Plunges by 17% as Comparable Sales Decline by 3.4%
Costco Profit Declines by $84 Million as Comp Store Sales Only Increase by 2%
Staples Profit Plunges by 44% as Sales Collapse and Closing Hundreds of Stores
Gap Income Drops 22% as Same Store Sales Fall
American Eagle Profits Tumble 86%, Will Close 150 Stores
Aeropostale Losses $77 Million as Sales Collapse by 12%
Best Buy Sales Decline by $300 Million as Margins Decline and Comparable Store Sales Decline by 1.3%
Macy’s Profit Flat as Comparable Store Sales decline by 1.4%
Dollar General Profit Plummets by 40% as Comp Store Sales Decline by 3.8%
Urban Outfitters Earnings Collapse by 20% as Sales Stagnate
McDonalds Earnings Fall by $66 Million as US Comp Sales Fall by 1.7%
Darden Profit Collapses by 30% as Same Restaurant Sales Plunge by 5.6% and Company Selling Red Lobster
TJX Misses Earnings Expectations as Sales & Earnings Flat
Dick’s Misses Earnings Expectations as Golf Store Sales Plummet
Home Depot Misses Earnings Expectations as Customer Traffic Only Rises by 2.2%
Lowes Misses Earnings Expectations as Customer Traffic was Flat
RETAIL DEATH RATTLE GROWS LOUDER - The Burning Platform - May 25, 2014
Retail store results for the 1st quarter of 2014 have been rolling in over the last week. It seems the hideous government reported retail sales results over the last six months are being confirmed by the dying bricks and mortar mega-chains. In case you missed the corporate mainstream media not reporting the facts and doing their usual positive spin, here are the absolutely dreadful headlines:
Wal-Mart Profit Plunges By $220 Million as US Store Traffic Declines by 1.4%
Target Profit Plunges by $80 Million, 16% Lower Than 2013, as Store Traffic Declines by 2.3%
Sears Loses $358 Million in First Quarter as Comparable Store Sales at Sears Plunge by 7.8% and Sales at Kmart Plunge by 5.1%
JC Penney Thrilled With Loss of Only $358 Million For the Quarter
Kohl’s Operating Income Plunges by 17% as Comparable Sales Decline by 3.4%
Costco Profit Declines by $84 Million as Comp Store Sales Only Increase by 2%
Staples Profit Plunges by 44% as Sales Collapse and Closing Hundreds of Stores
Gap Income Drops 22% as Same Store Sales Fall
American Eagle Profits Tumble 86%, Will Close 150 Stores
Aeropostale Losses $77 Million as Sales Collapse by 12%
Best Buy Sales Decline by $300 Million as Margins Decline and Comparable Store Sales Decline by 1.3%
Macy’s Profit Flat as Comparable Store Sales decline by 1.4%
Dollar General Profit Plummets by 40% as Comp Store Sales Decline by 3.8%
Urban Outfitters Earnings Collapse by 20% as Sales Stagnate
McDonalds Earnings Fall by $66 Million as US Comp Sales Fall by 1.7%
Darden Profit Collapses by 30% as Same Restaurant Sales Plunge by 5.6% and Company Selling Red Lobster
TJX Misses Earnings Expectations as Sales & Earnings Flat
Dick’s Misses Earnings Expectations as Golf Store Sales Plummet
Home Depot Misses Earnings Expectations as Customer Traffic Only Rises by 2.2%
Lowes Misses Earnings Expectations as Customer Traffic was Flat
Friday, May 23, 2014
Economic Relevance - Inflation in commodities + Deflation in property = the Great Reset
Devaluation in the value of the dollar is/will lead to a rise in the cost of living through a rise in the cost of necessary commodities (Food and Fuel) and a deflationary cycle with the value of property and discretionary spending (Housing, Personal Property, Electronics, Personal Assets, Items for Resell). You are going to need money to live, but as the economy slows, you aren't going to want to have anything you don't need to survive and you are going to want to sell things to have additional money to survive, but since most people will be in the same boat, then through excess in suplly and reduction in demand the value of non-necessities will plummet in real value. Anything related to fuel will increase in price. Assets to a great extent can become a burden. A lot of times they will cost more to maintain than they are worth. We have seen that already and will continue to see that with more rapidity.
The Federal Reserve is stuck. If the Fed continues with Quantitative Easing, then the value of the dollar continues to fall until we enter a Hyperinflationary cycle. If the Fed pulls back on Quantitative Easing, then the dollar strengthens, interests rates rise, and we enter a deflationary cycle, which will slow the economy by seizing the credit markets. It will also cost more to service governmental debt and necessitate a debt jubilee (forgiveness), which will lead to the banks in the United States becoming insolvent. The excesses of properties that the banks have on the banks will will devalue, many becoming worthless, which will lead to their insolvency. Their liabilities (debt) versus their assets (properties, loan portfolios and other investments) will grow to such an extent that they will be forced into default. There will be no way to get back to profitability. This was the road we were headed down in 2008.
Quantitative Easing (Artificial Lower of interest rates through Monetary Expansion) helped the banks remain solvent, but did nothing to help the average person maintain their personal wealth, because they did not have access to the increased money supply. The banks have maintained an artificial market, but you can't have a real market without people being able to participate in the marketplace. There hasn't been any velocity to the real marketplace. We have seen a stagnation of the real marketplace since 2008.
The current economic structure in unsustainable. What is necessary is a Great Reset. We will either do so voluntarily or we will be volunteered through natural economic forces, which will be much worse. What the government should have done is helped the public write down the artificial value of equity built into their homes caused by the housing bubble, basically a debt jubilee, which would have given homeowners a 20% reduction in the value of their homes over a specified period (say 10 years), then we would basically have been nearly out of this debt glut caused by the irrational exuberance caused by the excessive marketing, sales, and speculation and artificially low interest rates that occurred in the housing market in the late 1990s and early to mid 2000s. Instead, we are going to have to deal with these issues through the greatest disruption of the American Economic System of a lifetime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The Federal Reserve is stuck. If the Fed continues with Quantitative Easing, then the value of the dollar continues to fall until we enter a Hyperinflationary cycle. If the Fed pulls back on Quantitative Easing, then the dollar strengthens, interests rates rise, and we enter a deflationary cycle, which will slow the economy by seizing the credit markets. It will also cost more to service governmental debt and necessitate a debt jubilee (forgiveness), which will lead to the banks in the United States becoming insolvent. The excesses of properties that the banks have on the banks will will devalue, many becoming worthless, which will lead to their insolvency. Their liabilities (debt) versus their assets (properties, loan portfolios and other investments) will grow to such an extent that they will be forced into default. There will be no way to get back to profitability. This was the road we were headed down in 2008.
Quantitative Easing (Artificial Lower of interest rates through Monetary Expansion) helped the banks remain solvent, but did nothing to help the average person maintain their personal wealth, because they did not have access to the increased money supply. The banks have maintained an artificial market, but you can't have a real market without people being able to participate in the marketplace. There hasn't been any velocity to the real marketplace. We have seen a stagnation of the real marketplace since 2008.
The current economic structure in unsustainable. What is necessary is a Great Reset. We will either do so voluntarily or we will be volunteered through natural economic forces, which will be much worse. What the government should have done is helped the public write down the artificial value of equity built into their homes caused by the housing bubble, basically a debt jubilee, which would have given homeowners a 20% reduction in the value of their homes over a specified period (say 10 years), then we would basically have been nearly out of this debt glut caused by the irrational exuberance caused by the excessive marketing, sales, and speculation and artificially low interest rates that occurred in the housing market in the late 1990s and early to mid 2000s. Instead, we are going to have to deal with these issues through the greatest disruption of the American Economic System of a lifetime.
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Published on May 18, 2014
http://usawatchdog.com/dollar-on-the-... John Williams of Shadowstats.com predicts an explosion of U.S. debt. He says, "All the projections on the budget deficit are based on positive economic growth going forward. With the ongoing contraction, you'll see a much worse budget deficit. It's going to do bad things to the banking system. The Fed is going to be easing, and they'll say they are easing to stimulate the economy; but in reality, they'll be doing this to prop up the banking system. The rest of the world sees this and they don't want to hold the dollar, and they will sell off the dollar. The Fed is going to have to come in and prop up the system until it falls apart."
Published on May 20, 2014
http://usawatchdog.com/dollar-collaps... - On the U.S. dollar, renowned financial analyst Charles Nenner predicts, "Timing is our business, and we've always said the dollar is going to collapse in end of 2014.
There are different reasons for this. The government has loans outstanding that are very short term. If interest rates only go up a half a percent, they are already in trouble. Also, the United States doesn't have the power to force a lot (of Treasury bonds) on other countries because the United States has decided not to be a power anymore. So, of course, the dollar goes with it.
Oil is going to be much higher, and inflation is going to start moving its tail. This is the start of inflation. Five years from now, you will see inflation started in 2014. It's not that everything happens in 2014 it's just the beginning. I still do cycles of war and I have been predicting a big war is in the making in 2013. And, when they ask me does it start with a bang, I say no, it starts slowly without us noticing. In ten years, you will look back and see it started in 2013. . . . I still think the big war will come from the Middle East."
There are different reasons for this. The government has loans outstanding that are very short term. If interest rates only go up a half a percent, they are already in trouble. Also, the United States doesn't have the power to force a lot (of Treasury bonds) on other countries because the United States has decided not to be a power anymore. So, of course, the dollar goes with it.
Oil is going to be much higher, and inflation is going to start moving its tail. This is the start of inflation. Five years from now, you will see inflation started in 2014. It's not that everything happens in 2014 it's just the beginning. I still do cycles of war and I have been predicting a big war is in the making in 2013. And, when they ask me does it start with a bang, I say no, it starts slowly without us noticing. In ten years, you will look back and see it started in 2013. . . . I still think the big war will come from the Middle East."
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Endarkenment
Listen to the link below where Alice Walker, who wrote the book The Color Purple, talks about this time period in history.
Alex begins this sequence talking about there are some good people in government and they have written some good laws, but the Corporate Culture is twisting everything. That is what leads to the conversation above. Ms. Walker says that she wants to go down in consciousness with good people surrounding her.
'When Blacks were slaves in this country, white people thought they could never be slaves and would be in control'... Alex says, 'Sharecroppers were just as bad off in a lot of ways, but at least they could be mean to the black people.' Ms. Walker says, 'now many Whites are getting to see the system and how Blacks have been living.' She says she likes to call this awakening 'Endarkenment.'
'Its all about exploitation. The great Native American Russell Means said the Federal Government broke every treaty they made with us and now they are breaking the treaty they made with you - The Constitution. Your skin is not going to save you.'
Alex begins this sequence talking about there are some good people in government and they have written some good laws, but the Corporate Culture is twisting everything. That is what leads to the conversation above. Ms. Walker says that she wants to go down in consciousness with good people surrounding her.
'When Blacks were slaves in this country, white people thought they could never be slaves and would be in control'... Alex says, 'Sharecroppers were just as bad off in a lot of ways, but at least they could be mean to the black people.' Ms. Walker says, 'now many Whites are getting to see the system and how Blacks have been living.' She says she likes to call this awakening 'Endarkenment.'
'Its all about exploitation. The great Native American Russell Means said the Federal Government broke every treaty they made with us and now they are breaking the treaty they made with you - The Constitution. Your skin is not going to save you.'
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Lessons from an Actual Working Chef
I am reposting the following article about Life Lessons. I discovered it on facebook posted by one of my mentors, a Culinary Instructor at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, Chef Bill Lassiter. Many of you know about the Johnson and Wales Program, but the CPCC program has been around longer and has won many national awards and you have former alumni of the program that work in the Hospitality Industry all over this country.
I've had some of the Hickree Hillbillies put me down for being a chef. It's pretty stupid and ignorant to not realize the talent it takes to cook professionally. Think about cooking, putting your best foot forward, for 200 to 500 people a day for 250+ days a year. Most people can't even do it for a few people once a year.
Well, this was the industry I chose and I am proud of my abilities and I am more than confident that I am as good, or better, at doing what I do than you are at doing what you do. I am not stroking my self esteem here, because I don't ruminate over the opinions of ignorant people. This town doesn't appreciate culinary talent. That is pretty much a fact. There are exceptions to the rule, but as an actual working chef, not a BSer, for the most part my observations are and the reality is, it's how cheap can I fill my belly and how can I get more than what I pay for with an occasional dash of hype, pop, propaganda, and mislabeling thrown in.
The following article is from the blog Harvest America Ventures and posted by culinarycuesblog
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIFE LESSONS FROM A LINE COOK
By culinarycuesblog2 weeks ago ( 5 )
LIFE LESSONS FROM A LINE COOK
I may be a showing a bit of bias, but I do believe that there are many lessons that anyone can learn from observing the daily activities and mindset of a typical restaurant line cook. These seasoned disciples of the range, maniac adrenaline junkies, talented players in the kitchen orchestra and salty dogs sailing pans across the flat top range are models to be followed through life. Here are some examples of the line cook curriculum for an organized life:
[] BE PREPARED:
In life, as in the kitchen – those who anticipate, run through potential scenarios, methodically build the skills and aptitudes necessary for success are the ones who do, in fact, succeed.
[] EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE IN ITS PLACE:
In a foodservice operation we refer to this as “mise en place”. It is a focus on all of the minute details that go into the make up of a plate of food and establishing the precise location for those details (ingredients) so that they can be imbedded in memory. This can also apply to playing a musical instrument, flying an airplane, driving a car or functioning effectively in an office cubicle.
[] DO NOT REARRANGE ANOTHER PERSONS FURNITURE:
Once a line cook has determined the precise set-up of his or her station and has designed a process by which he or she cooks and assembles plates – any disruption to the “plan” will result in chaos. If another cook steps into a line cooks domain he or she must respect the established mise en place. This is why many line cooks do not appreciate it when the chef steps in thinking that he or she is helping out. As in the previous statement about mise en place, this need for organizational respect applies to all other trades or professional work environments.
[] CLEAN AS YOU GO:
Maintaining a clean kitchen is only difficult when line cooks do not stay on top of cleaning constantly – even when they are busy. This trait, maybe above all others, is applicable in any person’s everyday life.
[] IF YOU CAN LEAN, YOU CAN CLEAN:
Line cooks realize that they are never paid to stand around. There is always something to clean in a kitchen. Once again, it is easy to see how this lesson can be applied elsewhere.
[] DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU:
What goes around comes around. If you ignore the needs of others, fail to jump in when someone else is having a difficult time, choose to constantly focus on yourself, then you (line cooks in this case) will eventually face a time when your needs will be ignored by others. If you are disrespectful, insubordinate or condescending – then you should be prepared for payback. This is not exclusive to kitchen life.
[] LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS:
On the line it becomes essential to keep the communication focused and relevant. “Yes, chef” says it all. To divert attention to trivial chatter is to disrupt the concentration and problem solving abilities of those who are under the gun.. Line cooks cannot afford distractions.
[] STAY FOCUSED:
Once that first ticket arrives in the kitchen, all attention must be on the process that a line cook has prepared him or herself for. Nothing else is important during the time of service. Apply this, as you desire to anything and everything. Focus is critical in life.
[] BEND YOUR KNESS BEFORE YOU LIFT:
Macho and smart do not always coexist. Smart people lift with their knees, not their backs. An interesting statistic points to a reality that the majority of all workmen’s compensation claims are for back injuries.
[] ON TIME IS 15 MINUTES EARLY:
Everyone needs those 15 minutes to make sure that they are properly dressed, groomed and mentally focused to start work. Restaurants do not pay people for this adjustment time, nor should any other employer.
[] STAY HYDRATED:
You body does not warn you of hydration needs until it is often too late – especially in a kitchen where cooks may be working with ambient temperatures well over 100 degrees, staying hydrated is essential. Line cooks (most of them) also realize that the best source of hydration is water.
[] WE ARE ALL DISHWASHERS IN GOD’S EYES:
No one in a kitchen is above doing what dishwashers do day in and day out. You have a minute – jump in and help the dishwasher. Apply this to any position, in any business: help those who help you – we are all equal in life.
[] PLAN AHEAD:
No excuses. Better planning = fewer problems, happier employees and better results.
[] DON’T RUN OUT OF MISE EN PLACE:
The kiss of death on a kitchen line. Run out of mise en place and it is all down hill from there.
[] MAKE SURE THE PAN IS HOT:
In life, always follow the steps that you know are important to success. Do not compromise or take short cuts when you know that the results will not be acceptable. On the line a hot pan will allow that fish to slide smoothly during sauté or the meat to properly caramelize and add wonderful color and flavor to the dish.
[] A DULL KNIFE IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN A SHARP ONE:
Respect your tools! A sharp knife will slice cleanly and effortlessly through a product. If it is dull you will need to apply more pressure, the product may slip from a solid position on the cutting board and find one of your fingers as a target. Additionally, that dull knife will bruise the food unnecessarily.
[] WATER AND OIL DON’T MIX:
Many of the kitchen injuries on the line are burns. Hot oil will push water away and spit in all directions. Whether it is in a sauté pan or friolater – cooks need to pay attention to and respect this rule. In cold cooking we also realize that many liquids and oil will not stay in suspension without the addition of an emulsifying agent to bind the liquid and the oil.
[] THE NOSE DOESN’T LIE:
Fish that smells fishy is not fresh, meat that smells off – usually is, vegetables that have the offensive odor of rot cannot be brought back to life. There are far more olfactory senses that taste buds – respect what your nose is telling you.
[] SNEAKERS ARE NOT SHOES – PROTECT YOUR FEET:
Your feet are the most important part of your body if you are a line cook. Sneakers may seem comfortable but they do not provide enough support or protection in a kitchen. Pick the right shoes for the job.
[] WET TOWEL/DRY TOWEL – DON’T MIX THEM UP:
Wet towels (in a sanitizing solution) are for cleaning, not for holding hot pans. Enough said.
[] TASTE-SEASON-TASTE:
My friend Chef Michel LeBorgne held this close to his heart as the mantra for all cooks. Know where the flavor is, adjust it and taste again before it winds up on a guests plate.
[] IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, WHEN WILL YOU FIND THE TIME TO DO IT OVER:
Before it leaves the kitchen it must be right. Plan and take the time to do it right the first time. There is no room for beta testing with your restaurant guests or for that matter with any product that consumers choose to purchase. The customer is no longer as forgiving as they may have been in the past – they are not interested in downloading “fixes” simply to allow the manufacturer the privilege of getting it out to market quicker.
The next time you are looking for worldly advice, check in with your favorite restaurant and watch how line cooks treat their jobs, their responsibilities and their peers.
I've had some of the Hickree Hillbillies put me down for being a chef. It's pretty stupid and ignorant to not realize the talent it takes to cook professionally. Think about cooking, putting your best foot forward, for 200 to 500 people a day for 250+ days a year. Most people can't even do it for a few people once a year.
Well, this was the industry I chose and I am proud of my abilities and I am more than confident that I am as good, or better, at doing what I do than you are at doing what you do. I am not stroking my self esteem here, because I don't ruminate over the opinions of ignorant people. This town doesn't appreciate culinary talent. That is pretty much a fact. There are exceptions to the rule, but as an actual working chef, not a BSer, for the most part my observations are and the reality is, it's how cheap can I fill my belly and how can I get more than what I pay for with an occasional dash of hype, pop, propaganda, and mislabeling thrown in.
The following article is from the blog Harvest America Ventures and posted by culinarycuesblog
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIFE LESSONS FROM A LINE COOK
By culinarycuesblog2 weeks ago ( 5 )
LIFE LESSONS FROM A LINE COOK
I may be a showing a bit of bias, but I do believe that there are many lessons that anyone can learn from observing the daily activities and mindset of a typical restaurant line cook. These seasoned disciples of the range, maniac adrenaline junkies, talented players in the kitchen orchestra and salty dogs sailing pans across the flat top range are models to be followed through life. Here are some examples of the line cook curriculum for an organized life:
[] BE PREPARED:
In life, as in the kitchen – those who anticipate, run through potential scenarios, methodically build the skills and aptitudes necessary for success are the ones who do, in fact, succeed.
[] EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE IN ITS PLACE:
In a foodservice operation we refer to this as “mise en place”. It is a focus on all of the minute details that go into the make up of a plate of food and establishing the precise location for those details (ingredients) so that they can be imbedded in memory. This can also apply to playing a musical instrument, flying an airplane, driving a car or functioning effectively in an office cubicle.
[] DO NOT REARRANGE ANOTHER PERSONS FURNITURE:
Once a line cook has determined the precise set-up of his or her station and has designed a process by which he or she cooks and assembles plates – any disruption to the “plan” will result in chaos. If another cook steps into a line cooks domain he or she must respect the established mise en place. This is why many line cooks do not appreciate it when the chef steps in thinking that he or she is helping out. As in the previous statement about mise en place, this need for organizational respect applies to all other trades or professional work environments.
[] CLEAN AS YOU GO:
Maintaining a clean kitchen is only difficult when line cooks do not stay on top of cleaning constantly – even when they are busy. This trait, maybe above all others, is applicable in any person’s everyday life.
[] IF YOU CAN LEAN, YOU CAN CLEAN:
Line cooks realize that they are never paid to stand around. There is always something to clean in a kitchen. Once again, it is easy to see how this lesson can be applied elsewhere.
[] DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU:
What goes around comes around. If you ignore the needs of others, fail to jump in when someone else is having a difficult time, choose to constantly focus on yourself, then you (line cooks in this case) will eventually face a time when your needs will be ignored by others. If you are disrespectful, insubordinate or condescending – then you should be prepared for payback. This is not exclusive to kitchen life.
[] LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS:
On the line it becomes essential to keep the communication focused and relevant. “Yes, chef” says it all. To divert attention to trivial chatter is to disrupt the concentration and problem solving abilities of those who are under the gun.. Line cooks cannot afford distractions.
[] STAY FOCUSED:
Once that first ticket arrives in the kitchen, all attention must be on the process that a line cook has prepared him or herself for. Nothing else is important during the time of service. Apply this, as you desire to anything and everything. Focus is critical in life.
[] BEND YOUR KNESS BEFORE YOU LIFT:
Macho and smart do not always coexist. Smart people lift with their knees, not their backs. An interesting statistic points to a reality that the majority of all workmen’s compensation claims are for back injuries.
[] ON TIME IS 15 MINUTES EARLY:
Everyone needs those 15 minutes to make sure that they are properly dressed, groomed and mentally focused to start work. Restaurants do not pay people for this adjustment time, nor should any other employer.
[] STAY HYDRATED:
You body does not warn you of hydration needs until it is often too late – especially in a kitchen where cooks may be working with ambient temperatures well over 100 degrees, staying hydrated is essential. Line cooks (most of them) also realize that the best source of hydration is water.
[] WE ARE ALL DISHWASHERS IN GOD’S EYES:
No one in a kitchen is above doing what dishwashers do day in and day out. You have a minute – jump in and help the dishwasher. Apply this to any position, in any business: help those who help you – we are all equal in life.
[] PLAN AHEAD:
No excuses. Better planning = fewer problems, happier employees and better results.
[] DON’T RUN OUT OF MISE EN PLACE:
The kiss of death on a kitchen line. Run out of mise en place and it is all down hill from there.
[] MAKE SURE THE PAN IS HOT:
In life, always follow the steps that you know are important to success. Do not compromise or take short cuts when you know that the results will not be acceptable. On the line a hot pan will allow that fish to slide smoothly during sauté or the meat to properly caramelize and add wonderful color and flavor to the dish.
[] A DULL KNIFE IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN A SHARP ONE:
Respect your tools! A sharp knife will slice cleanly and effortlessly through a product. If it is dull you will need to apply more pressure, the product may slip from a solid position on the cutting board and find one of your fingers as a target. Additionally, that dull knife will bruise the food unnecessarily.
[] WATER AND OIL DON’T MIX:
Many of the kitchen injuries on the line are burns. Hot oil will push water away and spit in all directions. Whether it is in a sauté pan or friolater – cooks need to pay attention to and respect this rule. In cold cooking we also realize that many liquids and oil will not stay in suspension without the addition of an emulsifying agent to bind the liquid and the oil.
[] THE NOSE DOESN’T LIE:
Fish that smells fishy is not fresh, meat that smells off – usually is, vegetables that have the offensive odor of rot cannot be brought back to life. There are far more olfactory senses that taste buds – respect what your nose is telling you.
[] SNEAKERS ARE NOT SHOES – PROTECT YOUR FEET:
Your feet are the most important part of your body if you are a line cook. Sneakers may seem comfortable but they do not provide enough support or protection in a kitchen. Pick the right shoes for the job.
[] WET TOWEL/DRY TOWEL – DON’T MIX THEM UP:
Wet towels (in a sanitizing solution) are for cleaning, not for holding hot pans. Enough said.
[] TASTE-SEASON-TASTE:
My friend Chef Michel LeBorgne held this close to his heart as the mantra for all cooks. Know where the flavor is, adjust it and taste again before it winds up on a guests plate.
[] IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, WHEN WILL YOU FIND THE TIME TO DO IT OVER:
Before it leaves the kitchen it must be right. Plan and take the time to do it right the first time. There is no room for beta testing with your restaurant guests or for that matter with any product that consumers choose to purchase. The customer is no longer as forgiving as they may have been in the past – they are not interested in downloading “fixes” simply to allow the manufacturer the privilege of getting it out to market quicker.
The next time you are looking for worldly advice, check in with your favorite restaurant and watch how line cooks treat their jobs, their responsibilities and their peers.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Transportation Insight and The Olde Mill (Lyerly Building) - Official Press Release
Transportation Insight
Announces Plans to Triple Size of Business in Six Years
Top 10 Global Logistics Provider Unveils Growth Strategy with Launch of New Corporate Campus
HICKORY, NC (April 17, 2014) – Nationally-acclaimed Enterprise Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Provider Transportation Insight announces its plan to triple the size of its business over the next six years. Recognized as a Top 10 3PL for best range of logistics services by Global Trade magazine and an Inc. 5000 honor roll recipient for six years straight, the supply chain management firm says it plans to capitalize on the substantial investments it has made in talent and technology to position the company as the North American market leader in Enterprise Logistics. In its growth strategy branded “Vision 20/20,” Transportation Insight presented a six-year financial plan to become a $3.5 to $5 billion company by January 1, 2020. Transportation Insight shared its vision for growth with area government officials Tuesday evening, as it unveiled plans to move its headquarters to a new corporate campus. The complex will provide lifestyle business facilities to accommodate more than three times the 3PL’s current Hickory workforce.
Transportation Insight President and CEO Chris Baltz says the announcement signals another season of rapid growth for the supply chain solutions provider. “Since our founding in 1999, we have been
committed to accelerated growth and continuous improvement for both our clients and for our company,” says Baltz. “Now having over 400 enterprise clients across North America, we can leverage our investments in technology, supply chain analytics, network optimization and business intelligence to provide a market leading platform of continuous improvement across over 400,000 shipping and receiving locations.”
Baltz adds, “Given the competitiveness of our global marketplace, now more than ever manufacturers, distributors and retailers are turning to 3PLs to provide the expertise, processes and systems necessary to compete across worldwide supply chains. A differentiator for Transportation Insight, and the key to our success, is our relentless commitment to helping our clients prosper in their marketplace. By designing efficient supply chain networks powered by technology-enabled systems our clients have a competitive advantage. In many cases, global businesses are transformed from surviving to thriving.”
Vision 20/20 roadmaps the strategy for both organic and acquisition-related growth. One of the first initiatives in Vision 20/20 is the development of a new corporate campus created to provide the quality of workplace life that Transportation Insight desires for its associates. The $8 million hosiery mill renovation, located in downtown Hickory, NC, also supports the city’s desire to revitalize its downtown corridor. When complete, the campus will encompass 11 acres with 70,000 square feet of office space and 15,000 square feet of indoor exercise/athletic facilities. The complex will also feature athletic fields, outdoor basketball courts, significant green space and a full service cafeteria with a chef specializing in healthy cuisine.
Transportation Insight’s Chairman and Founder Paul Thompson, a nationally-recognized supporter of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, says the corporate campus will foster a vibrant lifestyle which active professionals are seeking today. “Transportation Insight remains committed to the well-being of all of its associates by facilitating the opportunity for physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Transportation Insight also recognizes many young adults today value an urban work/life environment within a livable community where they can experience daily outdoor living and recreation activities. Transportation Insight is committed to investing in a lifestyle business that promotes physical activity and a better overall quality of life for its associates,” says Thompson.
Transportation Insight will begin construction on the new campus facility immediately. The development is being handled by affiliate OHM Holdings, LLC for the benefit of Transportation Insight, led by Toby Tate, Managing Partner of OHM Holdings.
The mill building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places dating to 1930 and will be restored to its original state with hardwood floors and ceilings, walls of windows and an Art Moderne style. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2015.
“We are very excited to see a thriving company like Transportation Insight take steps to put deep roots in downtown Hickory,” says North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory of the site renovation. “We believe that Transportation Insight’s efforts at the Lyerly Mill will encourage more businesses to consider embracing, preserving and energizing the great historical downtowns across North Carolina.”
Thompson says the new campus development underscores Transportation Insight’s long-term dedication to growth and commitment to the communities where the company has a presence. “Transportation Insight remains committed to our clients, our people and our community,” says Thompson. “By developing this campus as a foundation for our Vision 20/20 growth plan, we hope to leave a legacy in both our community and our industry.”
About Transportation Insight, LLC
Transportation Insight is a global lead logistics provider with more than $1.6 billion in supply chain spend under management. For over a decade, the 3PL has partnered with hundreds of manufacturers, distributors and retailers to achieve significant cost savings, reduce cycle times and improve customer satisfaction rates by providing customized supply chain solutions. Transportation Insight offers a Co-managed Logistics® form of 3PL, carrier sourcing, freight bill audit and payment services, state-of-the-art transportation management system (TMS) applications, and business intelligence. Its logistics services include domestic transportation, supply chain analytics, international transportation, warehouse sourcing, LEAN consulting and supply chain sourcing of indirect materials.
Headquartered in Hickory, NC, Transportation Insight has secondary operating centers in Charlotte, NC, Bentonville, AR and Atlanta, GA, as well as more than 40 client support offices across North America. Transportation Insight has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies in North America for six consecutive years, is listed at #17 on the 2013 Business North Carolina list of privately held companies, and is ranked #1 in total revenue growth on the 2013 Charlotte Business Journal Fast 50 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The 3PL has been recognized by Inbound Logistics as a Top 100 3PL for two consecutive years, and appears on the list of Top 10 3PLs with Best Range of Services by Global Trade magazine. For more about Transportation Insight, visit www.transportationinsight.com.
To view the original release on PRNewswire Click Here
Copyright © 2014 Transportation Insight. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
328 1st Avenue NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Friday, February 28, 2014
An Addendum to Reality
I appreciated this awesome e-mail response to Land of the Greed and the Home of the Slaves - I will keep the author Anonymous, but I agree with what was stated and wanted to share it. There is a lot of thought and intellect put into this response and it will fly over 90%+ of this community's heads.
Dear Thom,
It’s always darkest before the dawn. No more posting in the middle of the night!
I think you might be getting off on the wrong track when you say that “working class” people are at the mercy of the “white collar” people. This divisionary tactic is one we must not fall for. We are all in this together and we have to be careful that we do not encourage division between classes, races, religions, age groups, etc. We need to recognize the real enemy: the international cabal of the corrupt banksters, the corporatocracy, the oligarchy, whatever name you want to use. No matter how you name them, they are still corrupt gangsters outside of the law who do whatever they like and whose power needs to be utterly broken.
This relatively small group of people intends to destroy the world country by country by gaining total control of the populations and then remaking the world according to their own plans and they have been stealthily working at it for many years. Remember that these people are not Americans, no matter what their passport might say. They are motivated only by power and control. Their immediate concern is to crush all competition and they have no moral compass to distinguish right and wrong. Their goal is a “new world order,” which they intend to control for their own benefit. The people will truly be slaves, as you said.
All media is controlled by them through just a handful of corporations: television, radio, print, and film. Through the media they have been able to brainwash Americans with their propaganda and through poisoning our water, food and environment they have made us weaker and less able to resist. But something has blossomed fairly recently that has caused them concern and slowed their plans: the Internet. The internet gave rise to the alternative media and people can learn the truth for the first time. The global cabal want to control the internet too and will do everything in their power to obtain this control. This is where we must stop them and this is where you have been playing an important part, Thom.
I know your focus is local, right here in Hickory and that is what we need; but Hickory’s economic problems can be traced back to these people and you must never let your readers forget this. Their jobs were destroyed by a combination of technology and NAFTA.
Several experts say that today we have the technology to give every person in the world the basic things they need to live a decent life. The global elite is controlling the technology and they intend to use it for themselves and to their benefit only. We have the technology to enable people to work only a few days a week if it were allowed to flower. They want one world government controlled by them and a max of 2 million people on the planet.
What can we do? Keep exposing the FED cartel and boycott their banks. Boycott the news networks and do everything we can to use and protect the Internet and keep it free. Support a strong military for defense only and speak out when you see it used aggressively abroad to destabilize nations. Make your home and car as self-sustainable as possible. Put no faith in the political system as we know both sides of the aisle, all branches and all levels have been co-opted by the global elite. When you keep it real (as you said), you will know that you can’t believe anything they tell you and you will have to do your own research.
Here in Hickory we need information about what’s really going on and I depend on the Hickory Hound to supply the information. I want to see the maps, drawings, renderings of Inspiring Spaces as well as information about the costs. Your recording of the Council meetings got things started, but now you can scale back and just make comments on parts that concern you. It looks like a lot of work and you could use your energy elsewhere. I’m really pleased to see the changes in the HDR now that we have a new editor and he has hired two new reporters. He promised more election coverage and it seems he is trying to carry through. Considering who owns the paper, he probably has to walk a fine line, but he wants to do a good job.
What we need is a critical mass of people who understand what’s going on behind the scenes and simply don’t fall for the standard explanations they are given. You have played an important part in waking me up. Primary elections are coming up soon and we need more information about who is running. Greg Brannon was a Constitutionalist who recently was brought to court on corruption charges from an incident in the past. No matter what they say, I feel he was deliberately knocked out of the race by the powers that be. They are very much afraid of the “Tea Party” and continue to seek to destroy it. It’s things like this we need to expose.
Have a good week and get some sleep!
Dear Thom,
It’s always darkest before the dawn. No more posting in the middle of the night!
I think you might be getting off on the wrong track when you say that “working class” people are at the mercy of the “white collar” people. This divisionary tactic is one we must not fall for. We are all in this together and we have to be careful that we do not encourage division between classes, races, religions, age groups, etc. We need to recognize the real enemy: the international cabal of the corrupt banksters, the corporatocracy, the oligarchy, whatever name you want to use. No matter how you name them, they are still corrupt gangsters outside of the law who do whatever they like and whose power needs to be utterly broken.
This relatively small group of people intends to destroy the world country by country by gaining total control of the populations and then remaking the world according to their own plans and they have been stealthily working at it for many years. Remember that these people are not Americans, no matter what their passport might say. They are motivated only by power and control. Their immediate concern is to crush all competition and they have no moral compass to distinguish right and wrong. Their goal is a “new world order,” which they intend to control for their own benefit. The people will truly be slaves, as you said.
All media is controlled by them through just a handful of corporations: television, radio, print, and film. Through the media they have been able to brainwash Americans with their propaganda and through poisoning our water, food and environment they have made us weaker and less able to resist. But something has blossomed fairly recently that has caused them concern and slowed their plans: the Internet. The internet gave rise to the alternative media and people can learn the truth for the first time. The global cabal want to control the internet too and will do everything in their power to obtain this control. This is where we must stop them and this is where you have been playing an important part, Thom.
I know your focus is local, right here in Hickory and that is what we need; but Hickory’s economic problems can be traced back to these people and you must never let your readers forget this. Their jobs were destroyed by a combination of technology and NAFTA.
Several experts say that today we have the technology to give every person in the world the basic things they need to live a decent life. The global elite is controlling the technology and they intend to use it for themselves and to their benefit only. We have the technology to enable people to work only a few days a week if it were allowed to flower. They want one world government controlled by them and a max of 2 million people on the planet.
What can we do? Keep exposing the FED cartel and boycott their banks. Boycott the news networks and do everything we can to use and protect the Internet and keep it free. Support a strong military for defense only and speak out when you see it used aggressively abroad to destabilize nations. Make your home and car as self-sustainable as possible. Put no faith in the political system as we know both sides of the aisle, all branches and all levels have been co-opted by the global elite. When you keep it real (as you said), you will know that you can’t believe anything they tell you and you will have to do your own research.
Here in Hickory we need information about what’s really going on and I depend on the Hickory Hound to supply the information. I want to see the maps, drawings, renderings of Inspiring Spaces as well as information about the costs. Your recording of the Council meetings got things started, but now you can scale back and just make comments on parts that concern you. It looks like a lot of work and you could use your energy elsewhere. I’m really pleased to see the changes in the HDR now that we have a new editor and he has hired two new reporters. He promised more election coverage and it seems he is trying to carry through. Considering who owns the paper, he probably has to walk a fine line, but he wants to do a good job.
What we need is a critical mass of people who understand what’s going on behind the scenes and simply don’t fall for the standard explanations they are given. You have played an important part in waking me up. Primary elections are coming up soon and we need more information about who is running. Greg Brannon was a Constitutionalist who recently was brought to court on corruption charges from an incident in the past. No matter what they say, I feel he was deliberately knocked out of the race by the powers that be. They are very much afraid of the “Tea Party” and continue to seek to destroy it. It’s things like this we need to expose.
Have a good week and get some sleep!
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