(Introduction)

(click to enlarge)

[AOR]

In order to boost revenue, the US Treasury started selling advertising space on currency. The first customer was a discount Japanese Internet Service Provider called "America On Rine".

Posted by: Harvey at 07:12 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 38 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Watch it, Harv! Humor is now a hate crime....

Posted by: Susie at April 26, 2007 11:29 AM (5pgrb)

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(Introduction)

Here's how it goes.

The answer is a (more or less) completely innocent word.

The hints, however, are designed to make you think of something... not so innocent.

I'll put the first hint in the main post, and the other two in the extended entry.

Good luck.

(see extended entry for more clues)
more...

Posted by: Harvey at 07:10 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 96 words, total size 1 kb.

(cross-posted from IMAO)

Betsy Angert of Daily Kos has posted a long and emotional eulogy lamenting the untimely passing of Seung-Hui Cho, the "loveable and fragile individual" who shot 32 people at Virginia Tech. As teary-eyed as this tribute made me, it just didn't seem to be enough. I mean, yes, Cho was - technically - a victim of gun violence, too, but in the bigger picture, he was so much more.

First, we should consider Cho's thoughtful, giving nature. Just think - if it weren't for Cho, no one would know any of his victims' names. But thanks to his actions, those 32 names will be enshrined and memorialized forever. When the Indianapolis Colts won the Superbowl, did people start posting names of the entire starting line-up? Heck no! Cho has brought more recognition to his classmates - most of whom he hardly even knew - than Peyton Manning did for all his teammates who made Indy's victory possible. Unlike this lauded superstar athlete, Cho was an unselfish man.

But he did so much more than bring the spotlight to 32 unknowns. He took a stand for the oppressed underclass of which he was a part. In a country that hates everyone except white people, he had the courage to be openly Asian - something that no one else besides Michelle Malkin has ever done successfully in our nation's hateful history.

In addition, by his courageous trigger-pullings, he became a true crusader - bringing attention to America's numerous flaws. Of course, he didn't actually MEAN to do this, but when it comes to doing the right thing, the brave thing, the courageous thing, it's well-accepted that intentions matter more than actual results. And if, perhaps, he didn't actually HAVE any good intentions, still it's only fair that he should get credit for them anyway, isn't it? After all, there's an agenda involved here, and that's what REALLY matters.

Here are some reasons we all owe Cho a debt of thanks.

He pointed out the need for stricter gun control laws - Cho did his shooting with a .22 pistol and 9mm pistol. Notice that he did NOT use a machine gun, assault rifle, or even a nuclear missile. That's because those things are ILLEGAL! These shootings are inarguable proof that we need to ban smaller calibers, too.

He pointed out the need for Federal Arts Funding reform - During his time at VT, Cho poured his blackly withered soul into writing a grammatically atrocious 10-page play that was completely lacking in plot, theme, dialogue, and coherance. Yet this brilliant avant-garde masterpiece was never produced for the stage. Sure, it was no Piss Christ, but it's still a shame that our government stood by and did nothing, allowing this sparkling gem of obscenity, pedophilia, and murder to languish uncelebrated.

He pointed out the need for health care reform - Dozens of people knew there was something wrong with Cho. He didn't socialize, he mumbled to himself in class, and took cellphone upskirt pics of his teachers - all the classic signs of dangerous psychosis and/or Star Trek fandom. But how was he to get the help he needed in a country so primitive that it doesn't offer free universal mental health care coverage? I guess those who claim that it's somehow less urgent than covering physical ailments can just shut the hell up now.

He pointed out the need for immigration reform - America has long been a nation of immigrants, but lately our racist government has completely closed down our borders, refusing to let anyone into the country except for the sane, the employable, and the WHITE! WHITE! WHITE! But if we were to set aside our debased racial prejudices, our country could reap the benefits of entire diverse communities of unassimilated, unbalanced, and unwhite peoples of colors. These groups could then give one another the sort of emotional and interpersonal understanding that only those who have lived the horror of brown eyes, straight black hair, and indecipherably thick accents can give. The sort of understanding that our oppressive, patriarchal, racist government denied to poor Cho.

Finally, he pointed out the need for wage reform - Cho's parents both had to work 14 hours a day to earn the money to put him through college. Why was this? Mostly because Bush hates yellow people. But also because not one single job in America pays more than $5.15 an hour. If only this nation were sensible enough to institute a fair, livable, minimum wage (ten, twenty, fifty bucks an hour - whatever). If there were that one small fairness in this country, Cho's parents could've afforded to work less and spent quality time with their son. The could've listened to his concerns, empathized with his feelings, and taught him important life lessons. Like "when planning a shooting spree, always start by shooting yourself first to save money on ammo".

If only Cho had saved more money on ammo.

So sad.

Posted by: Harvey at 03:40 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 834 words, total size 5 kb.

(Introduction)

How effortless it is to love you. It's as simple and natural as breathing to me, and as essential.

(CAUTION: Romantics beware - comments may contain naughtiness)

Posted by: Harvey at 02:33 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 38 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

(click to enlarge)

[(pink smiley face)]

Late at night, when no one was watching, Wal-Mart's Smiley logo liked to try on a little lipstick and eyeshadow - it made him feel SO pretty!

Posted by: Harvey at 02:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 37 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

Here's how it goes.

The answer is a (more or less) completely innocent word.

The hints, however, are designed to make you think of something... not so innocent.

I'll put the first hint in the main post, and the other two in the extended entry.

Good luck.

(see extended entry for more clues)
more...

Posted by: Harvey at 02:30 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 94 words, total size 1 kb.

(A paid review)

Via ReviewMe.com, I've been asked to review the site/products/services offered by TicketLiquidator.com

Topics addressed in this review:
WHAT THEY DO
WHO THEY ARE
HOW'S THEIR REPUTATION?
IS THE SITE USER FRIENDLY?
IS THE SITE SAFE TO USE?
SELLING TICKETS
IMPROVEMENTS I'D LIKE TO SEE
WOULD I USE TICKET LIQUIDATOR?
CONCLUSION

WHAT THEY DO

Ticket Liquidator is a ticket broker service. What they do is match people who want to go to sporting, concert, or theater events with people who have tickets for those events. They make their money by charging a service fee for their role in facilitating this transaction.

WHO THEY ARE:

Ticket Liquidator is a Connecticut based company that - judging by the copyright date on the bottom of the page - appears to have been in business since 2002. Researching this has been complicated, but near as I can piece it together, it goes something like this:

The main company is Ticket Software, LLC, which owns Ticket Network (makers of Ticket Network software). They also operate the Ticket Network Direct ticket brokerage network, members of which can become "Ticket Network Direct Trusted Merchants" by agreeing to adhere to certain guidelines and standards. This allows them to offer for sale tickets from the entire Ticket Network Exchange ticket broker inventory. Ticket Liquidator is sorta like the "corporate store" ticket seller for Ticket Network. At any rate, they're all run by Don Vaccaro.

HOW'S THEIR REPUTATION?

As far as I can tell, above reproach. This was a particularly difficult investigation, since Googling for information on ticket brokers is like searching for legitimate information on "cheap prescription drugs" or "debt consolidation". Most search results are for search engine optimized ads that the company has paid to place on other people's web sites. This tells you nothing except that Ticket Liquidator has a significant ad budget.

Also in the results are a few testimonials from purportedly satisfied customers, but these are hosted by a site connected to Ticket Liquidator. This does NOT mean these testimonials are entirely without merit, it just gives them the appearance of being self-serving, which may or may not be the case. The same can be said for the customer testimonials page on the Ticket Liquidator site.

What I wanted to find were casual mentions on unrelated sites. Turns out there were very few. People generally don't discuss where they bought their tickets, just the fact that they went to the event that the tickets were for.

Still, the search was not entirely fruitless, in that it allowed me to notice a certain pattern. When the dead tree press guys & TV news folks talk about ticket brokers, they usually phrase it as "Stub Hub, Ticket Liquidator, and others". And, likely as not, there will be a quote from Ticket Liquidator CEO Don Vaccaro

Checking up on Don led me to two different instances (both in the 90's) of him testifying before the Connecticut legislature on the subject of proposed legislation regarding regulation of the state's ticket resale industry.[CTRL+F "Don Vaccaro" and CTRL+F "Donald Vaccaro:" respectively on the above links]

The fact of his testimony tells me that Don really has been in the ticket resale business for a long time. He's not a Johnny-come-lately or a fly-by-night whose web site will disappear tomorrow. He's in this for the long haul.

The content of his testimony tells me that he's long had an interest in distinguishing what he does from what scalpers do. He wants to see the ticket resale industry as a whole become as legitimate and trustworthy as stock brokers, real estate agents, or online auctions sites like eBay.

So, what DID I find for mentions of Ticket Liquidator? Someone saying they had a friend who liked Ticket Liquidator. Someone saying he used Ticket Liquidator to find his ticket. Someone else saying that Ticket Liquidator sold his ticket out from under him. This last probably isn't as worrisome as it sounds. Ticket Liquidator doesn't HOLD tickets, it merely connects buyer to seller, and some of the tickets it lists are listed at other selling venues as well, which are not necessarily instantaneouly updated. I don't know the details of the transaction, but I do know that they luckless wanna-be buyer didn't seem too upset, so it's probably safe to assume that he wasn't charged. Besides, one of Ticket Liquidator's guarantees is "You will receive tickets that are comparable to or better than the tickets you originally ordered, or your money will be refunded." When ordering tickets, you can select the option "If the exact tickets I've chosen are unavailable, I will accept equal or better tickets if they are available at the same price". I assume the guy didn't choose that option.

Which brings me to the topic of thundering silence. Ticket Liquidator has been in business online for over 4 years. If they were in the habit of giving bad deals, not following through on their promises, or just plain old screwing people over, there would be online hatred and complaints aplenty. Lord knows that if I'd gotten screwed on $100+ tickets to something, I'd be posting howling screeds in every venue I could find.

I infer from the silence that Ticket Liquidator receives no more unhappy customers than any other company in the industry, and probably far less than some others.

IS THE SITE USER FRIENDLY?

Very much so. Prominent search box, narrow two-column page design that makes good use of white space, easy-to-scan lists of the more popular events, and - best of all - when you select the day and location for the event, you'll find a link to a pop-up map of the seating arrangements for the venue in question, so that you can get an idea of what kind of view you'll be buying into.

IS THE SITE SAFE TO USE?

As far as I can tell, yes.

Squidoo lists some things you should look for on an online ticket broker's site:

A Buyer Guarantee - yes, as well as a complete listing of policies

Easy to find Phone Number - yes, as well as the address of their office and hours of operation.

Better Business Bureau Membership Logo - yes, although it's for Ticket Network Direct, not just Ticket Liquidator.

Privacy Policy - yes, near the bottom of the policies page [CTRL+F "privacy policy."].

SELLING TICKETS

If you have a ticket that you don't want or can't use, Ticket Liquidator allows you to sell it through their site. The upside: Unlike eBay, there are no listing fees. If your ticket doesn't sell, you're not out a dime (except for whatever the ticket cost you, and you're already out that no matter WHAT you do). The downside: the selling fee is 10%, which is higher than eBay's combined listing and final value fees (which varies between 5-10%, depending on listing price and final selling price). However, it saves you the trouble of cobbling together an eBay page for the item, and lets you use Ticket Liquidator's reputation to sell your ticket instead of relying on whatever your eBay user feedback rating is. If you don't have many eBay auctions under your belt, it's likely worth the little bit extra.

On the other hand, it's cheaper than StubHub (now a subsidiary of eBay), which charges a 15% selling fee.

IMPROVEMENTS I'D LIKE TO SEE

More navigational links - this is a minor point, but still, since there's no left sidebar with navigational links, I'd suggest one or more of the following to help the user navigate the site:

A "top" link at the bottom of the page.
A "home" link at the bottom of the page.
A search box at the bottom of the page.

Yes, the user can scroll back to the top, but it never hurts to make navigation faster and easier.

Mention the service fee percentage - I don't have a problem with Ticket Liquidator charging a service fee. They earn it by making it convenient for me to get good seats at the events I want to attend. What I find annoying is the fact that the service fee is not included in the price of the tickets. Also, the service fee is not displayed until after you click the buy button, select your country, and select your shipping option. Which isn't necessary, since the fee is not related to the shipping cost. It's a flat 15% of the ticket price. Yet nowhere on the site is that percentage disclosed.

I find this to be an inexcusable inconvenience to the site user. Especially in light of this statement:

We keep our costs as low as possible, using efficient technologies and our innovative business model to grow our business without increasing the cost to the consumer. Sound too fair and ethical to be true? We encourage you to shop around and try to find a better price... we're confident there's not one out there.[emphasis added]

If you really want people to shop around, then make it easier to calculate the final cost. Add a page disclosing "fees and shipping options" and mention that your service fee is 15% of the ticket price, and your shipping options are:

2-day delivery $15.00
Standard Overnight $20.00
Priority Overnight $25.00
Saturday Delivery $30.00
International Priority $36.00 (Canada & Mexico)
International Priority $40.00 (other international deliveries)

I need to know the total amount I'll be asked to spend before I can decide if that ticket is what I want or if I should choose another seat. I believe Ticket Liquidator is passing up a huge opportunity here by not posting their prices up front, which makes them vulnerable to any competitor who DOES offer that extra convenience. I hope they consider this consequence and re-consider this policy.

WOULD I USE TICKET LIQUIDATOR?

A qualified yes.

It would not be my first stop. That would be either the ticket office of the venue where the event is being held, or their authorized ticket agent.

Definitely my second stop. Now that I know the face value of the best available retail seat, I can use Ticket Liquidator to see how much more a better ticket would be. I might get lucky and find something cheaper (more likely to happen as the event draws closer and panicked sellers start trying to unload their tickets at a loss). Or I might find a better seat that's enough of an improvement to be worth the extra money. Ticket Liquidator is quick & easy to use, so it's not much bother to do this.

However, probably not my last stop. I say "probably" because if Ticket Liquidator has a deal that sounds reasonable, I might just go ahead & grab it. Spending time comparison shopping carries the risk of someone buying the tickets I had my eye on.

But if I wanted verification that I'm looking at a good find, I'd check the other popular sites like Ticketmaster, StubHub, RazorGator, and maybe even muck about in the swamp of eBay. Of course, ticket re-selling is rather a commodity business, and the odds of improving a price by more than 10 or 20 dollars is fairly slim (at least for events that *I'd* consider going to). I'd balance the need to find a "bargain" with how much of my life I really wanted to spend chasing the hope of those savings.

CONCLUSION

Ticket Liquidator is a well-regarded ticket broker with a secure, simple-to-use web site and a good reputation. In a crazy internet ocean swirling with "who's this guy?" ticket re-sellers, Ticket Liquidator is an island of stability that's here for the long haul and wants to give customers an experience that will make them come back. Shop around all you want, but make sure that Ticket Liquidator IS one of your shopping stops.

Preferably the first one after you decide that you deserve a better seat than the one the jerks at the ticket window are offering.

Posted by: Harvey at 03:42 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 2003 words, total size 15 kb.

(cross-posted from IMAO)

Since the Democrats have been fighting on the side of the terrorists for years, I assume that Harry Reid's announcement that "this war is lost" is referring to how things are going for them.

Posted by: Harvey at 06:10 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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(Introduction)

Even a single candle can illuminate the darkest night. Imagine, then, how the blazing sun of you brightens my soul

(CAUTION: Romantics beware - comments may contain naughtiness)

Posted by: Harvey at 06:07 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 39 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

(click to enlarge)

[(fake Million Dollar Bill))]

I will gladly donate this to the DNC if they will just PLEASE put a ball gag on Harry Reid.

Posted by: Harvey at 06:05 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 30 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

Here's how it goes.

The answer is a (more or less) completely innocent word.

The hints, however, are designed to make you think of something... not so innocent.

I'll put the first hint in the main post, and the other two in the extended entry.

Good luck.

(see extended entry for more clues)
more...

Posted by: Harvey at 06:00 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 99 words, total size 1 kb.

(cross-posted from IMAO)

(for Lynn)

HuffPo's token Righty, Greg Gutfield, posted a list of things that Democrats secretly fear. Lots of good stuff there, like:

Fear that even if the democrats win the 08 election, Europeans will still look down on us and Muslims will still want to kill us.
Fear that capitalism actually works better than any other economic system
Fear that America really is the freest country in the world
Fear that going it alone when you think you're right is more moral than trying to build a coalition with dictators, thieves and cowards.

The comments to Greg's post were laced with typical leftist insanity, BDS, and wishes for Greg's swift-yet-painful death. But nobody did a list for Republicans.

Geez, how many times do I have to do the heavy lifting for these losers?

So here's a list of things Republicans fear, as I would imagine that a short-sighted, logic-impaired, humor-tarded liberal might write them while maintaining a straight face (albeit one almost literally glowing with smug, self-satisfied hubris):

* Fear that socialized medicine will NOT completely destroy capitalism like Republican doomsayers keep bleating.

* Fear that America could actually take lessons in freedom from countries that don't torture or execute their citizens.

* Fear that the puppets America's installed in the Iraqi government will eventually bite the hand that feeds them, just like Saddam, and just like Osama, who both used to be our pals but didn't stay bought.

* Fear that your "innocent jokes" reveal your true racist nature.

* Fear that no one's buying your jingoistic propaganda any more.

* Fear that it isn't possible to get your piece of the American dream because the playing field really ISN'T level.

* Fear that there are actually things the government can do to level the playing field.

* Fear that when people "speak truth to power", YOU'RE the one they're talking to, and that you ought to listen.

* Fear that Fox isn't fair and balanced.

* Fear that Dan Rather's memos were real.

* Fear that Clinton's impeachment was a substanceless case of political grandstanding.

* Fear that an impeachment case against Bush wouldn't be.

* Fear that school voucher programs would hurt the children who couldn't afford to use them.

* Fear that the reality-based community really is.

* Fear that you're only echoing Republican talking points, and have no original thoughts of your own.

* Fear that the Palestinians have good reasons to fight against Israel.

* Fear that gay marriage is less of a threat to the institution than heterosexual abuse and adultery.

* Fear that enforcing cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all educational standards will not do anything to get at-risk students the help they need, even though they make you feel better.

* Fear that Communism can't be as bad as Joe McCarthy & Ronald Reagan told you it was, as proven by the fact that the Chinese economy is growing three times faster than America's.

* Fear that, by laughing at Al Gore, you're giving a death sentence to your children and your children's children.

* Fear that oil doesn't necessarily have to be the world's main source of energy.

* Fear that oil isn't something that innocent people have to die for.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go take a long, long shower.

Posted by: Harvey at 06:33 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 627 words, total size 4 kb.

(Introduction)

There is no safety in love, but there is strength in numbers, and two is the strongest number of all.

(CAUTION: Romantics beware - comments may contain naughtiness)

Posted by: Harvey at 06:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 39 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

(click to enlarge)


[(rubber stamp: Get US Out! of the United Nations)]

I probably shouldn't taunt the UN like that. The might resolution me.

Posted by: Harvey at 06:28 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 22 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

Here's how it goes.

The answer is a (more or less) completely innocent word.

The hints, however, are designed to make you think of something... not so innocent.

I'll put the first hint in the main post, and the other two in the extended entry.

Good luck.

(see extended entry for more clues)
more...

Posted by: Harvey at 06:24 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 90 words, total size 1 kb.

Shamus of Twenty-Sided tackles the complicated question of "are video games art?" after noting that Roger Ebert answered "no" and "HELL no". Lots of good discussion in Shamus's comments, if you're interested in the topic.

Here's my take on it:

I don't believe video games are art. The purpose of art is to evoke emotion through contemplation. The purpose of video games (the story-lined kind, not the repetitive-motion kind) is to evoke emotion through interaction.

In art, you get to watch the hero. In video games, you get to BE the hero.

This does NOT make video games inferior to art. Quite the opposite. Their immersive quality has the potential to be more than mere art could ever dream. However, as Jimmy noted in his comment, the form is still in its infancy:

itÂ’s a young medium; artists are still working out how to use it. We had motion picture technology from the 1860s, but Metropolis (one of the earliest truly great films) wasnÂ’t made until 1927. Check back around 2040 and see how weÂ’re doing.

I agree. The greatest days of video gaming are still ahead.

Posted by: Harvey at 03:10 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 193 words, total size 2 kb.

(Introduction)

There is so much love I have to give you. Be prepared for flash floods of adoration to sweep you away at any time.

(CAUTION: Romantics beware - comments may contain naughtiness)

Posted by: Harvey at 03:05 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 43 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

(click to enlarge)

[(rubber stamp: I GREW HEMP)]

"In fact, I built my entire freaking house out of the stuff."

Posted by: Harvey at 03:05 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 22 words, total size 1 kb.

(Introduction)

Here's how it goes.

The answer is a (more or less) completely innocent word.

The hints, however, are designed to make you think of something... not so innocent.

I'll put the first hint in the main post, and the other two in the extended entry.

Good luck.

(see extended entry for more clues)
more...

Posted by: Harvey at 03:02 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 95 words, total size 1 kb.

Kinda disturbing, yet I can't deny that there's definitely an unfulfilled need for this product.

Hotdoll: The Sex Doll for Dogs

[Hat tip: Bloggranddaughter VW Bug of One Happy Dog Speaks for sending me the link]

[and yes, her blog's name IS particularly amusing when juxtaposed with the content of this post]

Posted by: Harvey at 06:08 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 37 words, total size 1 kb.