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Short Stories - Reviews |
Stupidity: Its Uses & Abuses by Robert Levin (2) "The fellow is a stupid arrogant person and no doubt the article is not published. I will advise you to remove it from your website. -dele" -- dele teit, Eko, Lagos, Nigeria. "Hmmmm ... A very scholarly outlook towards stupidity. It's appalling to think that some of the characters in the essay AREN'T made up! " -- Pratik, Melbourne, FL , USA. Schindler's List: A Fecal Matter by Robert Levin (1) "This is deep but here is a point to relay...what is happening in the Middle East with the philosophy of pre-emptive strikes! This requires no evidence just a belief that a enemy can strike you if you don;t strike it first! The results has been thousands killed. In this country there are many who supposrt such a draconian method! Is killing without justification justified just because one thinks he could be killed? Is this killing no more than murder if not?" -- e. rocco caldwell. Everything's All Right In The Middle East by Robert Levin (1) "Ehmm..m. Sehr gut Seite! Ich sage innig..!:) bmw" -- BMW, ..., ..., .... Interpreting The Bible by Kurt Kitasaki (1) "interesting perspective....amusing that moses is a woman, i thought the reason he wandered for such a great length of time is that he WOULD NOT ask for directions....that is why he is a man.........." -- patricia. Modernism And The Harlem Rennisance by Brotherman (1) "I'm have litl dog & cat! I want to share with you were you'll be find this for your pets: collar nice buy cat buy nice cat collar collar buy cat nice nice collar buy cat nice collar cat buy nice cat collar buy buy quality cat collar nice buy cat collar nice buy collar cat dog collar " -- newboy, Kiev, Kiev, USA. Ronald Reagan by Skyler Drevan (7) "First let me say, this was well written and well thought out. I agree with a lot of it but I want to take issue with a few things concerning the late Ronald Reagan. What he did must be placed int he context of history...America was coming out of Vietnam with it's image scattered and unrest boiling at home. We had a series of bad Presidents: Nixon and Ford (I exclude Jimmy Carter because I think he was the only moral president we ever had). America needed a Reagan to help her rediscover what it was she lost...her dignity...it was lying in the rice fields of Southeast Asia and on the conrete streets of Kent State. I remember feeling ashame to be an American. Reagan gave me pride again. That was vital at the time. But Reagan was responsible for some of the worst Human Rights violations since the Nazis. He supported Right Wing death squads that murdered Nuns, Priests, Labor leaders in Central American Countries. He will have to give an account to God for it too. He disenfranchised Blacks here in America, another account he must give. I voted for Reagan in 1984 and would do so again if the situation merited it. I'm black but thought he was the best thing for us at the time...other Presidents will have an opportunity to build off what Reagan did...So far only Clinton has...the two oBushes have been failures in the international world...internalizing Reagan's hope of a democratic world...in turn alienating us from the rest of the world. He was a good President with bad flaws and sometimes his flaws got the best of him but other times he soared...That's my two cents!" -- e. rocco caldwell. "I'll try not to repeat ERC's comments, as his opinion carrries more authority then mine because he was around when Ronarld Regan was president and I was just a little kid. However I totally agree with him. I think it's a little early for someone to start writing a conroversial article about Regan and his presidency. The man just died, have some respect before you go bashing him. I don't think you have any credibility on this topic. After all it says in your profile you're 22 as of April which means you were born when Regan was in office and were at the oldest seven when you left it. Therefore I believe you can't clam to have perspective on this topic. Then you try to take back everything you said at the end of the article. This fact, combined with your middle finger comment, says more about you Skylar than it does Ronald Regan. " -- Steven. "Steven, I am also a student of History. I was not around during the killing of 6 millions Jews or the slavery of Blacks, so does that mean that I cannot learn from it? My age when Reagan was in office has NOTHING to do with my views. If my artice seems to be odd, look it up! Any smart person can verify my information by reading and researching; ya know, like I did. In any event, I stand by my article. Reagan was a scum bag and will remain so. I am sorry he died but I will not pretend he was a good president because he wasn't. And the name is Skyler not Skylar. Thank you." -- Skyler. "I got an A in history, so I don't doubt your facts. I suppose your right about your age. Yoy're going to stand by what you wrote and so will I. I think you were trying to just stir up controversy by posting this and not giving a historians perspective." -- Steven. "I never said that I was giving a historians perspective on Former President Reagan. Perhaps this article will stir up controversy, but what am I to do? I do my job of writing and I believe I do it well. The three dozen publishers who have published my work in the last six months will not disagree with me. I am sorry if you were offended by my article, but that does not make it any less true. And that, Steven, is a fact. " -- Skyler. "Fair enough. I'm done arguing about this" -- Steven. "I applaud your stance and graciously bid you a fond farewell." -- Skyler. Housing Bubble? by Sean Mann (1) "A well researched & excellently written piece that was informative, alarming & downright scary for those of us who own real estate! " -- RAM, usa. Homosexual Agenda: Equality! by Skyler Drevan (3) "well said....." -- km. "I finished reading your piece on Cosby's comments and was quite surprised to find myself impressed by your use of logic and common sense. Then I read this piece of garbage which virtually destroys any credibility you may have acheived through some of your other writings. It must be wonderful to be so young and so aware of the ignorance of others around you, even if they are better educated, older and wiser than you. On the contrary, it is you, Jeffrey, who have revealed, not only your ignorance, but your biased and warped view of the world around you. It is certainly not uncommon for homosexuals to think like this, so do take consolation in the fact that you will find plenty of support for your convoluted logic and misguided attempt to link Christianity with civil union. Proponents of same sex marriage will try to use the 14th amendment's equal protection clause as a basis for legalizing this type of union. They will fail. At some point in this latest chapter of our cultural war, common sense will prevail. There is no culture in the history of the world that has ever recognized marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman. Even polygomy is clearly a union between man and women. The ultimate agenda of gays and lesbians is not to be left alone to their own devices, it is to be accepted and revered and even admired by those of us who totally disapprove of their behavior and lifestyle. If you're mad, what more could you hope for than to have the inmates running the asylum. This latest same sex marriage fiasco is yet another device to gain attention and you can certainly count on the media to give you far more than your share of attention. I suppose you need attention to justify your existence and purpose. Sooner or later the vast majority of people in our culture will realize the best way to get you folks to shut up is to ignore you. Indifference is one of the most cruel forms of disapproval, in fact, it is quite an effective substitute for punishment. " -- Richard. "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it. -- Voltaire " -- Jeffrey. Keeping Your Dignity And Creativity (Getting Published) by Skyler Drevan (3) "I so agree with you. I mean, it doesn't mean that once you've received a rejection slip doesn't mean that you aren't any good. Hey, have you got an account in fictionpress yet? Just askin'." -- Karin Fuentes. "Thanks for your review and no, I do not have an account at Fiction Press. In fact, this is the first I've heard of it." -- Author. "This was so good. It was excellent advice and I most definately will be referring to it when I begin to send my work to editors. Thanks a mil!" -- Michael, Detroit. Overcoming The Other by G David Schwartz (1) "jkl" -- Rafique Danish, Hyderabad, Sindh, PAKISTAN. No Longer A Smoking America by Kevin Myrick (5) "But couldn't cigarette smoking put you in a diaper in your forties...or in your grave in your thirties? I guess I never bought into your premise...other then the nonsensical element of life itself! If so it doesn't work well with cigarette smoking because it's plainly bad!!!" -- e. rocco caldwell. "Okay, here's my reply to that, and maybe because I'm an idiot, which happens from time to time, this final version isn't the one I really wanted to publish. BUT that's okay, I'll keep it intact like it is. The point of the paper isn't about smoking itself, but about how society seems to rip apart cultures that it doesn't like. Hence why I used the Coca-Cola analogy. And if it would have been stronger with further explanation of this, I would have done it but for lack of space in my original final draft of this paper. (those lovely 4-5 page requirements....) That's all I have to say about that." -- Kevin Myrick, Auburn, AL, USA. "Okay! I hear you. " -- e. rocco caldwell. "Great work, I thought that this was flawless, well. I wish i could have read the rest, but apart from that I liked the in-politicalness of it all!" -- Buxton. "With the coast of health insurance and all health problem smoking causes I would raise the price to ten dollars a pack and any one with a tobacco related illness would get free medical treatment out of it." -- Bug off. Midnight In The Garden Of Marvin Gaye: The Brilliance And Pathos Of The Final Album Of Soul Music's Greatest Artist. by Brotherman (2) "Well done, Brotherman. I miss Marvin at times too! His life was a riddle but his talent so deep and a voice that will never be replaced! Such sadness and waste when his father killed him. This is a wonderful piece to remember him by!" -- e. rocco caldwell. "This is for Rocco and Brotherman as well. I come from a long line of former KKK members so my views might seem a bit racist to you. There are a lot of talented dysfunctional entertainers, athletes, and celebrities. Most of them die pretty young. I use the word dysfunctional because that's the liberal vernacular for "fucked up." Black people are among the most fucked up because they have no real "culture" to fall back on. Oh, I know you like to blame slavery and the separation of the black family by slave owners but honestly, just two hundred years ago and before blacks were brought here as slaves, they were merely savages running around the jungles of Africa with spears and other weapons. That's their real culture whether you want to accept it or not. Most of your people, despite freedom from slavery, civil rights legislation, affirmative action, Government hand outs and welfare, still wallow in the world of drugs, violent crime, dominate the prison pupulation and have more babies born out of wedlock than all the other races combined. You hate the white man but take whatever he gives you and in the past fifty some years since the passage of civil rights legislation, you've digressed to the extent that the black youth of today are more violent and filled with racist hatred than any previous generation before them. The black race for the most part has refused to assimilate itself into white America. Maybe your educated and elite self-proclaimed leaders should all volunteer to go back to the African nations and countries like Haiti to straighten things out for them and recapture your lost culture. I for one, think we should give the entire state of California to the black population. There are 300 million people in the U.S. of which approximately forty million are blacks. California could easily handle all of you. " -- Alvin, Raleigh, NC. I Have My Own Dream... by Karina Lizet Perez (1) "May be she passed my test. However we are not living in neverland. This world is real and alive.Criticism is the fruit of judgement. What are we without judgement.The dream above will eventually lead to chaos." -- Ahmad Abang, Daro, Sarawak, Malaysia. Form A Vision To Success by E Rocco Caldwell (5) "ERC this was truly inspirational, i'm sure it was well received and i can't help but believe you touched some minds with it. " -- Just A Guy. "Excellent speech Rocco. I'm sure it was well received! I did not know you were black or a Pastor! I never thought about it I guess. Rock on... " -- D. G. Williford. "It went over very well. Thanks for the kind words" -- e. rocco caldwell. "So true what you wrote. We are what we think, indeed!! I fully agree on that. Glad to know you are a Pastor. That means you have God as the center of your life and that is all that matters. Then the rest will come, for sure!" -- Dri cook. "Nice site! My homepage | Please visit" -- Maggie, Finland, Finland, Finland. Resolution by G David Schwartz (5) "this is really funny...good work!" -- KM. "Bravo! I thorougly enjoyed this piece. " -- D. G. Williford. "I like the sarcastism in thi piece. Very well done." -- e. rocco caldwell. "This man seems to be going downhill if not for his ending. At least he's saying, 'not now, you foolish death!'" -- Ahmad Abang, Daro, Sarawak, Malaysia. "It is so awesome to get ticked off at the world for everything wrong or annoying in your life, but realize you are the only that can makes the necessary changes in your own life." -- Becci Yadron, Lansing, Illinois, USA. Buying Souls For Fun And Profit by D L B Monk (1) "This was the strangest thing I've ever read. Keep it up!" -- some guy. Media Is Bad For Children by Thomas Kirchenheiter (1) "that's why tv shows and movies have ratings. if you don't want your kid to hang himself then you should keep a good eye on him until he is grown up enough to know that he won't come back to life. " -- rae. A Good Vision Demands Keen Insight by E Rocco Caldwell (7) "I think you cover pretty much everything that I believe in to, as far as a handfull of elitists control America, if not Britain, where Im from. I also believe in Religious elitists. I heard that there is enough money in the vatican to solve all world hunger and poverty, whether this is true is another story but if it is, then why don't they? They would rather spread the word of a mythical saviour, Im an aethiest by the way. And profit from the earnings of the people they help starve, and go into debt, where's the logic in that? I don't know much about the workers union, but I know that we are being shielded from the truth... the truth being, we are the drones that collect the honey for the queen bees. And what annoys me the most, is there aint a thing we can do, because at the day, elitist power will always win!! Good job!" -- Buxton. "Thanks, Buxton. I agree with much you said but I am a Christian and yes, the religious elite controls us through enculturation I believe in the spirit of God! I also believe that unionism is the key to working people taking back what is theirs. We live in democracies so let's use them to benefit us! Thanks for the review." -- e. rocco caldwell. "I would love to now more about these topics, especially Encultration. And I would also like to know more about what we can do as a democracy to get back what is ours?? Thanks." -- Buxton. "Then you must read the larger work this portion is taken from: here are some points: 1. form a political party just for working people not controlled by elitists democrat or republican 2. stop dividing ourselves on superfacial issues that are only designed to divide our strength! 3. At every workplace in England America where ever form unions because there strength in numbers 4. fight against all free trade (demand restrictions so that other workers in other countries and even workers in your own country are manipulated by corporations and governments) " -- e. rocco caldwell. "I worked for twenty five years in texitile mills in the north and south working 50 to 60 hours a week six days a week. At the end of the week the money was spent on the bills of existance. Each year it seemed that the even though I was making more money I was not moving up. I hated the people with money for it was they who were keeping me down, I finally asked myself why was I at the bottom, why me, why do I have to be the one who works hard and busts ass for a tiny fraction of what others were making doing nothing? I finally realized that maybe it was not because someone else had too much ambition, but maybe it was because I did not have enough. I started looking into ways that I might be able to earn a living without having to go in and give my labor for others to make profits while feeding me a little scrap off the massive profits. With twenty five years experiance in the textile trade I had much knowledge of it. Many times I had built accessories to machines to make them work better, what I got was my regular $10.00 per hour. Instead of doing this why not go around the company and sell these things myself rather than give them away for next to nothing. I made a choice. Now instead of being a poor worker, I have all the money in the world I will ever need and I work perhaps five days a month. I know several old friends much more talented than me who remain in the factory working for next to nothing. They chose to stay and work for those corporate giants ripping them off, I chose to go around them. I am rich, they are poor. The school systems in this country teach kids that you need do good in school so you can get a JOB. There is absolutely nothing in the way of teaching kids that you need to do good in school so you will be able to own your own business so you won't have to have a JOB. Everyone in this country can start their own business and be successful if they choose. It may take time, and it may take years. I believe anyone with any small fraction of intelligence can do it if they choose to. The keyword here is choose. It you choose to make a business and let someone else work for you, you can, if you choose to be poor and work for someone else you can do that too. You can sit around all night pissing and moaning writing essays about how unfair the world is because you have to work for someone else, or you can spend that time finding a way to make by yourself. " -- BH. "BH, I think you miss the point...true, a person can move up in the system in place but for the most part...there is just some much capital in the world and not everyone is going to be rich! I just believe that those who work for someone else...and believe me there will always be more working for someone else then working on their own should be paid accordingly to the labor they provide...Those with money are mvoing to cheaoer labor markets in order to amass more money instead of paying someone what they are worth! Fair is fair is my point and no other point should be taken from this piece." -- e. rocco caldwell. "Mr. Caldwell, as a retired CEO from a medium sized manufacturing company in Ohio, I have many problems with your essay. First of all, you have several false premises upon which you plead your case against the "eliist capitalists" you refer to. To begin with, publicly traded companies have a myriad of stockholders who hold the directors and management responsible for giving them a comptetitive rate of return on their investments. Two major institutions have forced companies to relocate their operations to survive. They are labor unions and the U.S. government ( primarily the EPA) Union corruption and coersion to lower productivity standards combined with unrealistic environmental standards, with their penalties and costly compliance requirements, have done more to force companies into cheaper labor markets and geographical areas with less stringent environmental restrictions. I ran a privately owned company for twenty-five years. The first eighteen without a union. When the employees were infiltrated with union organizers, a union was voted in. soon after, deflated motion studies were implemented under threat of work stoppage. (strikes) This resulted in piece work productivity falling off dramatically while the cost of wages and employee benefits increased. The EPA also increased its anti-pollution standards to the point where we could no longer operate the company profitably. We were forced to sell the company and the new ownership promply relocated down south to an area offering non-union cheaper labor. The productivity remained relatively the same, but their costs were reduced substantially, allowing them to once again, become profitable. You are attacking the wrong people when you blame greedy capitalists. Under free enterprise and competition, many companies can co-exist. Government interference and labor unions who love to intimidate management, stifle free enterprise and competition. It's as simple as that. My father once told me something which coincides with the warped mentality of labor unions and their corrupt leadership. All employees think they're making you rich and eventually they expect to be paid like ownership without the investment and risk of ownership. How would you like to have a small busines doing well and suddenly discover one day that your employees want you to make them partners or they'll quit. What would you do? Fire them and hire new employees or let them share in your profits. " -- ARTHUR BRIAN CEO. Gay Marriage Is Constitutional by E Rocco Caldwell (18) "Intelligent, well-argued and, although not American, I agree with every word. " -- Peter Rivendell. "Thanks, Peter, I think?" -- e. rocco caldwell. "I just meant that as a non-American, I find the whole obssession with the Constitution bewildering. And that`s not meant to be a criticism, it`s just a very American thing." -- Peter Rivendell. "I understand. But for us Americans the Constitution is the essence of our government. But I too at times find it perplexing myself" -- e. rocco caldwell. "Once again, kooks like yourself continue to exploit the individual rights syndrome and forever focus on your own self-serving interpretation of our constitution. In no society or culture, should the rights of an individual supercede the need to preserve the collective rights and traditions of a society. For thousands of years, marriage ceremonies have been performed between a man and a woman. Whether these marriages were religious or civil, involved monogamy or poligamy, or were between races, they have always respected the heterosexual nature of marriage with the emphasis on procreation as one of marriage's primary purposes. Now, in the 21st century, we are suddenly filled with wisdom and see the need to expand upon the definition of marriage. Individual rights? How about marriage between a man and his cat or dog? A woman and her German Shepard? To you and liberal Supreme Court Justices, reading the constitution is like reading the Bible. You think the constitution is filled with parables, giving you a multitude of interpretation leeway to find something in it that justifies anyone's warped behavior. How come people like you don't interpret the "right to bear arms" to mean each of us has a right to own a gun to protect our lives and property? That seems pretty clear to many, but you probably find a different meaning in that, don't you? " -- Richard. "you are so wrong! It wasn't until the 1970s that individual states recognized marriage between different races! It was considered a criminal offense for a black man to marry a white woman! The constititution superceded this racist view! I don't believe in Gay marriage but it is constititional period! When are people going to realize this! You can argue all you want and the bottom line is that gay marriage can not be excluded nor can there be a amendment added to prevent it! You can use whatever illogical argument you want "A dog and a woman" This shows your lack of rationalizing the facts! The word consenting adults is key here! You other statement about guns shows you lack any true discipline in rational argumentation. This isn't about the rights to bear arms but about someone for whatever reason decides to create a amendment to take away your right to bear arms. It is in the core of the constitution to protect the rights of all Americans and Gay Americans are Americans! " -- e. rocco caldwell. "You die hard liberals never give up. I quote from Merriam-Webster's dictionary: Marriage: "The mutual relationship of husband and wife; The institution whereby MEN and WOMEN are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family." That's good enough for me and millions of other citizens who can read the constitution and the dictionary as well. " -- Richard. "I think you make a fairly good point. It should be up to an individual to decide, not a corrupt rule that wont make any sense to the future generations. " -- Buxton. "Thank you, Buxton. We will be judged by generations to come not only with this issue but in what we are doing in Iraq and other places in the world. " -- e. rocco caldwell. "You essay is well written, however I see major flaws in the reasoning. There are two basic arguments here and you seemed to lump it together as if it was one issue. Gay Civil Unions and Gay Marriage. The 14th Amendment states that No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property. nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. I would have to agree that gays deserve the same rights that heterosexuals enjoy. I do not see anything in the Constitution that makes denying gays spousal benefits Constitutional. When it comes to marriage it is a totally different argument. The Constitution provides equal protection, equal protection means that everyone will be treated fairly under the law, it does not mean that a group of people have a Constitutional right to change the meaning of a word or tradition. The other thing is what you stated below: Think about the potential devastation an amendment like this would carry? It would only take the majority of Americans to decide that another constitutional amendment be passed banning interracial marriages and the list go on. If the constitution can be modified no amendment existing is safe! Many of you say that will never happen. Remember this nation's Christianity didn't prevent wrongs in the past! The way this sounds is that if an amendment is passed to ban Gay Marriage, then suddenly the entire Constitution is now under some precedent where it can be now modified. This would not be something new. The amendments have never been safe, to make them safe you would have to go back and change our whole form of government. If the Constitution was not able to be modified there would still be slaves. " -- BH. "Bh, you're wrong! The constitution never supported slavery...in fact, it was the constitution that questioned the entire issue of slavery! Christianity didn't do anything because many of the slave holders were Christians. It's true that the Civil War was more economic issue than a slave issue but the constitution was the rallying cry for those against slavery. The 13th amendment only verified what was the intend of the constitution. It wasn't modified. Now your other point is wrong too... the defintion of marriage has no affect on what the constitution is suppose to provide for every person! In fact, the constitution is about individual rights in the face of majority or democracy! I pointed ti interracial marriage because the Christian belief at the time was that it was wrong...The constitution ensured interracial marriage and forced individual states to comply! Anytime we threaten one individual's right we do so to all our rights! " -- e. rocco caldwell. "There was no ammendment that granted the right to own slaves. However the 10th Ammendment grants the power to the states on anything not prohibited by the Constitution. Since there was not an amendment banning slavery it was a state issue. You can say it did not support it, or you can say it did. Niether would be correct or incorrect statements. What was the intent of the original founders? If you asked the Southern founders and the Northern founders this question you would have gotten different answers. The South would have never joined the United States with an ammendment abolishing slavery. The bottom line is that it allowed it. When Lincoln emanicpated the slaves he could only free those in territory held by the Confederacy because they were enemy contraband,he didn't need the Constitution any more than he would have needed it to sieze weopons and ammunition, he could do nothing for the slaves in the border states because there was nothing in the Constitution that would have allowed it. The other point you make is that an individual has the right to marriage despite the fact that the definition and long time tradition of marriage is and has been for centuries between a man and a woman. If some scientific breakthrough made it possible for men to bare children, the equal protection under the law in the Constitution would demand that they get the same maternity benifits that women get under the law. They would not have a Constitutional right to have their birthing be termed vaginal birth by the State. Gays have the right to the same benifits as heterosexuals, they have the right to call themselves married all they want, they do not have a Constitutional right to force the State to redefine words for them. Show me anywhere in the Constitution where it states that any individual can force the State to redefine a word and reconize it as such? This is a state issue, until an ammendment is passed that forces the states to reconize gay marriage it is a state issue and is completely Constitutional for States to ban it. Banning Civil Unions is another issue. Your title for this essay should have been, Gay Marriage Should Be Constitutional, not Gay Marriage Is Constitutional. " -- BH. "BH, I will agree with the twisted way you presented your argument. It's a matter of sematics. The entire point of the essay is that in the essence of indiviudal rights it's constitutional. My point is that any majority that tries to determine the rights of any individual is wrong! The constitutional enusres the rights of any individual as long as it doesn't violate the rights of another! You point out things never the intent of this piece. This was a piece of Human Rights and individual rights both a part of the law. I wanted to say no matter how one feels morally the constitution promises to defense of the rights of the person in spite of the majority. Passing any ammendment to take away the rights of the individual is unconstitutional" -- e. rocco caldwell. "If you think it is proper for same sex marriage you have to ignore the bible, so therefore you are an athiest. This nation was founded on bibical principals and same sex marriage is out of bounds, and forbidden in the bibical text, no matter what translation you take it from." -- Brian O Neil. "I agree that bibically same-sex marriage is wrong but this piece is about the constititutionality of same-sex marriage. If I'm wrong look at what is occuring in the country as we write...cities are confronting the law based on the constitution. So, Brian, I wonder if you even read this piece and not just the remarks. I pointed out there are two issues here...religious and civil! " -- e. rocco caldwell. "Very well put piece, Rocco. Gay marriage is not wrong or immoral and I will not allow anyone to ever tell me different. We are human, we have rights and shame on Bush and the religious Right for trying to take that away from us. " -- Skyler Drevan. "There is no culture or society in the history of the world which has defined marriage as being anything other than a union between a man and a woman or man and women. E.Rocco, you know damn well that the framers of the constituion never even considered the possibility of same sex marriage because the concept was against the laws of God, and totally unnatural then , as it is today. So get over it, it's never going to happen and we won't need a constitutional amendment to prevent it. And by the way, Rocco you are really an asshole. If you're going to write, learn how to spell. " -- Father of Anonymous. "Califorina got it right....." -- suuny state . Wal-Mart Wants To Rule The World by E Rocco Caldwell (21) ""...As a Boeing worker I take offense at Wal-Mart using draconian methods to take prices low! If all companies in the United States utilized the same methods very few of us could afford a decent life!" I like what you said here. The entire article was informative. Wal-Mart isn't the only big company using illegal workers. There are millions of illegal workers in this country. Companies know they can save billions of dollars by utilizing these workers. So what is there to stop them, except the Feds? Most immigrants can afford low wages, because they don't have to pay taxes for five or more years, they receive all types of government benefits, can acquire loans a lot easier than the average American, and they pull their resources together. However, the average American, if he/she doesn't get a job that pays top dollars, can barely survive because of high taxes that the federal government and the State impose upon us, the high cost of medical and dental care, a high-ass gas bill, etc. Like I said, they can afford low wages, but I can't. You can't. Hell, if I didn't have to pay taxes for five years, I'd be living large. I'd have my own business, most likely a bookstore. I'd be living out in the suburbs, in a nice big home, driving a Lexus SUV, Mercedes-Benz, or a Hummer. " -- Alberta , Atlanta. "Amen! You said all that needed to be said! I know here in washington State letting illegals in to work the apple farms is as common as rain in Seattle. The enitre industry rests on the backs of these illegals. The government knows this and looks the other way!" -- e. rocco caldwell. "A very informative piece...I tell ya, between you and Alberta, who needs the news??!! heehee" -- K M (Michelle). "This piece seemed very racist and white-oriented. Illegal workers are usually only "illegal" for less than 5 years. Did you mention that?" -- Annonymous. "First of all, the term illegal was taken from the article printed in every newspaper in the country on the topic! How this is a racist piece is beyond me. I point how why Wal-Mart keeps it's overhead costs down in labor in order to control the business it's in. The workers at Wal-Mart are of various races! Please explain why you think this is a racist piece?" -- e. rocco caldwell. "I don't see how the word "illegal" can be construed to be racist. As far as what you've said about Wal-Mart and their strategies, you couldn't have been anymore accurate. And it is true. When Wal-Mart has eliminated every vestige of competition, then what? What would be their motivation to keep prices low then?" -- Tommy. "I did not get the impression that this article had a racist view. However was most informative, and does say something about what we allow to happen in our country. I never go to Wal Mart, cheaper prices yes…on the backs and sweat of low paid workers,both over sea’s and in our own country. OH! Don't get me started :) " -- mattie. "Way to go, Mattie! I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart too because it puts union and other good paid workers out of work! Fight the power!" -- e. rocco caldwell. "Okay, okay, not too shabby. Here's my only problem with it: language. It's too informal. I feel like I'm having a conversation, and not reading an informative essay. But I do agree that it isn't racist. Read some Al Franken "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them". I think you would love that book. Also, remember this: The Walton's don't screw around the entire family fortune, split between the mother and children, take up slots 6-11 (I'm 90% sure of this, correct me if I'm wrong...) on the Forbes 400 Richest People. Yeah. That much money. Added up together, they make more than Bill Gates can ever hope to see. Monopoly doesn't touch this. This is more like Risk, especially when Wal-Mart is building stores in China. CHINA! Insanity." -- Kevin Myrick. "I appreciate your input, kevin, and sort of agree with you concerning the lagnuage issue. " -- e. rocco caldwell. "It was a good piece, but I shop at Wal-Mart all the time and I couldn't care less who works there. " -- some guy. "I appreciate your review. Thank you!" -- e. rocco caldwell. " I tend to agree with this piece! I used to live in southern California, where I was self employed. Once I was in need of medical assistance, but could not recieve the help. Why, I asked? I pay taxes, but do not have insurance! Their reply - " You did not check the 'illegal alien'box on the form!" I am not a racist, in the least, but what happened to good-will and equal opportunity, not only to the rest of the world, but to our own countrymen/women as well! My mother always told me, growing up - "Charity begins at home"" -- Tricarico. "That is a valid point you make, Tricarico. I would love to see some sort of universal health care for all Americans!" -- e. rocco caldwell. "This is old news. Many midsize towns have retail chains that employ many hundreds of people. Discrimination is as old as racism. Wrong doing, espionage, keeping unions out for one reason or another. The Aerospace Industry is notorious for unethical practices. Reality check! A lot of towns will allow these underhanded tactics nevertheless by these businesses because they generate revenue for the town regardless, bottom line. They employ so many people in the cities that the policy will be skewed in favor of these cut throat maneuvers. Why? Because it helps the towns to grow and competition is tough everywhere for wealth. It only becomes a problem when statistically the evidence against the perpetrators is overwhelming and obvious. I work with statistical software programs and I find the datasets may show a clear correlation, distribution and strong regression rejecting the NULL HYPOTHESIS by the parameters of the scores. This means that the likelihood of the means being equal, are not true. Even though this is the case proving it is altogether another thing. Money is the force that governs policy not the other way around. If you don't like the policy go somewhere else. Better still, try the EEOC. Truly though, corruption is here to stay. Reality check! Have you ever read, Adam Smith's, 'Wealth of a Nation?' Or maybe 'Megatrends.' Try Malthus if you know who I'm referring to. These companies are entities like people and think and behave as such so if you want to know how it all really got started read the books I suggested. Wesley McCants." -- Wesley McCants, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. "I DID'NT SEE ANY RACIST REMARKS, AND I LIKED THE STORY, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND WHY, SOMEONE WOULD SAY THAT. LOOK AT WHAT THEY WOULD LOOSE, IF THE GOVERMENT DID SOMTHING , ABOUT IT, THEY WOULD PAY MORE TAXES, LOSE JOB'S, AND MIGHT GET DEPORTED, LOSE MEDICAL BENEFIT'S, AND START OVER. AND SOME ARE NOT ILLEGAL ,THEY GET TO WORK FOR COMPANY'S, FOR SO MANY YEAR'S, GET PAYED LESS AND IT DRIVE'S AMERICAN WORKER'S WAGES DOWN, BECAUSE THERE'S MORE COMPETISION. ANY WAY TO MAKE, MORE MONEY FOR BIG BUSINESS! AND WERE ALL LOSEING . " -- KP. "Rocco I couldn't agree more and I loved the piece. This is a sad commentary on society, however, unfortunately it is here to stay. " -- Skyler Drevan. "All of you economic geniuses really crack me up. You have no clue about the real world of the retail business. Retail businesses operate on very small product margins. Their most significant operating expense is payroll and payroll taxes. In order to show profits, it is imperative to keep payroll costs under control. Unions wages began a trend 50 years ago which saw them become (higher) and vastly disproportionate to the productivity of union workers. This trend ultimately drove manufacuring industries to outsourcing, relocation, and many into bankruptcy. What do you think happened to the American automobile industry? I remember Chevy and Ford plant workers making $17-$20 an hour bragging how they only worked 4-5 actual hours of piece work. You naive little jerks. If you want to make money, don't expect a union to get it for you. What the hell do you have to offer? Learn a solid trade or get an education with a major in something other than liberal arts or sociology, otherwise accept that you're going to work for low wages no matter what your racial or ethnic background may be. Quit whining and blaming rich capitalists for your sorry economic status. Wal-Mart owners were rich long before they started the company. Their investment capital helped build the company and they didn't need overpaid union workers to do it. " -- A contented Wal-Mart supervisor. "testy aren't we, Wal-Mart Supervisor! I know there's no way in hell you would work for .9 to .20 cents an hour like many Wal-Mart workers in Bangladesh. (Or did you know that? You think this is right? to exploit human beings?) You attacked me...why? Because what I wrote is true? Attack the message, dude! That is if you can! Justify the outright wrong of Wal-Mart's business tacits! Not me! What drove American businesses out of this country is plain greed! Greed! Nothing else! You can play that same tune over and over again about union wages did this and that...the plain fact is that free trade agreements make it easy to outsource jobs...for large profits! Oh, by the way, the high tech jobs (the ones with the degrees outside of lIberal arts...you know the ones that we were told would stay in America...are outsourced everyday! I don't blame rich capitalists for doing what is in their nature to do...exploit workers for massive profits...I blame the government and people like yourself who refuse to see what the rich capitalists are doing! That's all!" -- e. rocco caldwell. "Oh, the hypocrisies of the socialist left leaning Unions, which argue that the free market is not self-sustaining even while blasting any big business that is not unionized. If unions where so good for Wal-Mart’s productivity and efficiency wouldn’t Wal-Mart be recruiting them instead of spending millions of dollars trying to avoid unionization? Isn’t Capitalism just a type of stylized warfare, with the primary goal being the transfer of a competitor’s wealth from his bank to yours? The beauty of this system is that no-one is forced to buy one companies product over another companies. If a company does not produce what the general market wants at the price it will accept then the company will be forced to remove itself from the market. Unions many times prolong the inability of a company to compete in the open market, therefore relegating the business to the stagnant pond of socialist thinking where they die slowly from lack of oxygen. American aerospace is a great example of this, where the cost of the Unions drove the price of the product up so high that the new contract for the Presidential Helicopters went to a foreign bidder. In a Capitalistic society choice of what to purchase is made on things like low prices and quality. Thus, the business with the lowest prices and best quality stands a higher chance of being victorious and putting his foot on the fiscal neck of his adversary and listening to their travail. This financial war is fought not with guns but with Low prices and quality customer service. Wal-Mart is the current financial retail prince in this arena and until they loose sight of the founding tenants of the organization; or are driven out of business by excessive taxation or some other form of government intervention they will remain so. So, while I wouldn’t swear allegiance to Wal-Mart, I do wish them luck. " -- Firsttime Story. "How do you know this. " -- Jeanette . My Grandma by Ryan Emerson (1) "I like you grandma too after this piece. This was sweet and a honor to your wonderful grandma. " -- e. rocco caldwell. Good Advice by David B Doc Byron (2) "Damn! Excuse my French but that was writing well! No not well...inspiring. I was hooked on each word you wrote. Maybe because humans like messed up stories...I don't know. Hell, I knew it wasn't going to end well before I even read it. I like the suggest...the good advice us commenting on each other's works. This web page should be our baby...each of us bouncing ideas off one another...talking and sharing with one another...heck, we are writers in the sould regardless if we are published or not. Doc, I feel for you, man, but I can't begin to understand the plight you're in. I'm a minister and I'm going to pray for you. Sing me up, bro, I'm be a cat willing to interact with you! Hang in there because in the final analysis....all of us die." -- e. rocco caldwell. "I'd like to think your "story" was just that... a story. I'd hope it isn't true. If it is, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. You've written so many scary, creepy stories, I can't believe someone wouldn't like to publish them in a book of short stories. What's your prognosis, if you don't mind my asking??? God Bless." -- Jenn H.. Weird Al's Teacher-Like Qualities by NeedhamT (1) "i love his new parody of avril lavigne's "complicated." :) i wish he was my teacher. sigh. " -- rae. The Argument by John Sheirer (1) "wish u had given more details about the arguement.this one's more like a page out of your's parents relationship with each other and how the kid's reacted.nice ,clear essay though." -- reetuparna roy, kolkata, wb, india. Socialism Supported by WigginP (5) "i agree that for being such an advanced nation we are so consumed by money instead of shaping our future and helping out the generations who are to take control of this country in the coming years. education is emphasized a great deal today, which is a wonderful thing because there's not much that is more important than a good education. however, with the expense that it takes to go to a good university, there are thousands of really intelligent people who won't be able to help others in the future because they can't afford it. On top of that, there are brilliant people who could be teaching these future generations but they have to take up other careers/several jobs just so they can keep their house (if they're lucky enough to have their own house in the first place). i could go on.. but i think this is a well-written piece and you supported your idea well. the only suggestion i have would be to take off the Author's note at the end. i don't find that you need to justify yourself for your opinions.. but that's just my thinking :) great work. " -- rae. "Your philosophy has more holes than Swiss cheese. First of all, socialism encourages the redistribution of wealth, which means you have to find ways to take property, cash, investments, etc. away from many, which is against the very principles of our founding fathers. Congress has attempted to do this through excessive taxation, but the majority of Americans oppose this and will continue to do so. Millions of people starving to death? There is absolutely no one in this country starving to death. If there is,it is because of parental abuse or choice. Every country who has espoused communism or socialism has fought wars on ther own native soil. We, except for "911," have never incurred this hardship since the civil war. We fight wars on foreign soil to make sure we never have to fight a war to defend our homeland. Capitalism creates opportunity for anyone, yes anyone, to benefit economically. Get off your ass and make something happen instead of insisting that we punish those who have become successful, which is what socialism does. " -- Richard. "Religion may in most of its forms be defined as the belief that the gods are on the side of the Government. (Bertrand Russell) Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet. (Napoleon Bonaparte) In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination. (Mark Twain) Those are some "other" responses. Now mine: "First of all, socialism encourages the redistribution of wealth, which means you have to find ways to take property, cash, investments, etc. away from many, which is against the very principles of our founding fathers." wrong. wrong. and wrong again. ANY economic system encourages the "redistribution of wealth." and what does THAT mean? in the final analysis it is the balance between the liquid assets of the sword against the intangible assets of tomorrow's grain harvest. which (to grossly oversimplify) is to take the assets of the singular (few) in exchange for the posterity of the collective. the "very principles" had nothing to do with ANY of this, but rather the balance of POWER between the small group or individual and the large group or nation. "Richard's" response parrots a hybrid dogma that is basically the warmed-over "divine right of kings," which has been repeated for millennia by the kings' stooges who rob with the sword the harvest of many for the benefit of the singular and the salary of the stooges because "deus lo vult"-- "god" wills it. and the fuzzy "history" that distorts hunter-gatherer culture from the beginning of time right up through some fantasy second-hand interpretation of "9-11" is the squawking of parrots in the absence of eagles and deserves only the pointed hat in the corner and a pause for reflection of which "pretty bird" is totally incapable. the stooges always change their tune when they are "job-eliminated" because the heads have been cut and the harvest is in. they will then "get off their ass" wherin resides their tiny avian brains. that's what i think. gb" -- Jeb Waldshmidt, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. "I think some of the points you made are valid but no one complete governmental system works...capitalism in it's pure form leads to monopolies and huge gaps between the half and half-nots but pure socialism leaves a country without incentives to grow. Everyone receives the exact no matter what one does! I do think a proper mixture of sorts of the two works...in Canada I agree theie socialized medicine program is something our country needs to adapt and housing in some form too! The rich needs to start paying their aggregated share of taxes to help alleivate the tax budren off of plain working folks! If the rich paid their fair share so much more could be done for others in this country! (But this is where the argument lays isn't it?) " -- e. rocco caldwell. "To Mr.Waldschmidt: Please save your pseudo-intellectual, ego-maniacal ramblings for your students because they're wasted on people like myself who live in the real world where you have to work for a living. Balance of power? Sure, there's always a smaller group of the wealthy and powerful in a capitalistic society just as there is under socialism. The difference is that under capitalism there exists (and always has) a window of opportunity for those willing to compete and excel to move upwardly from one group to another. Under socialism, there is no need to compete or excel; only to hope for more. To Rocco: For Christ's sake, why don't you confine your comments to subjects you know something about. I've been a CPA for over thirty years and I'm not rich but I do know one thing - The rich clients I have serviced in my career have paid much more than their fair share of taxes. The problem is that there are too many people who pay NO taxes. This is not Republican propaganda - it is a FACT! Jobs are created primarily by rich and successful people, not by governments or taxes collected by governments. You're listening to too many uninformed, unqualified, and biased media journalists and news readers who are more than happy to distort facts to further the agendas of those they would like to see in power. By the way, the expression is "have nots." A half is 1/2 of something. Comprende'? " -- Richard. Glum by Skyler Drevan (2) "Dr. Steven says your 21, you have your whole life ahead of you, LOL. Nobody is ever free of problems and all that stuff you just have to deal with it all the best you can, even when times get rough. I think you're thinking too much about how bummed out you are. I'd say just try to enjoy life and hopefully soome of your problems you have right now will fix themselves." -- Steven. "Why are you depressed? After all, you've told everyone you're a published author (several times) so you must feel some degree of success. However, if you can't fix your melancholy, I know a guy who does videos of people jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge - No charge. How do you feel about being on television? " -- Richard. Recycle This by Robert Levin (2) "You forgot to mention that it would waste water to rinse the recyclable jars and bottles. Good job." -- Shelley, Fullerton, Ca, USA. "Excellent job! I feel the same way about the EPA and all the environmental groups out there using unproven theories and exaggerated data to preach fear and prey on the sentiments of nature lovers. There are more problem creators than problem solvers in our society. In many cases, they are one and the same. First you create a problem, either real or theoretical, then you produce a product or a theoretical solution to solve the problem. In any case, you either make money or aggrandize your status and expertise, or both." -- Richard. Abortion As A Basic Human Right by James Cartwright (1) "You can so no to having sex or theres always someone who want that baby murder is no answer " -- J. Making A Difference by Hanan Al Kindi (2) "Well said friend." -- Stuart Eric Longridge, Belfast. "This is so true. The little things we do from day-to-day are just as important as the big things others can do. Nice job!" -- Molly B. It Should Be Great by Christina Aspears (2) "Very moving Chris! You can write a well as you can publicly speak. Very inspiring. Everything you say is true. This is one of the reasons that you are one of the most honest yongue writers today." -- Patrick Collins, In, In, US. "After read the superb "Alone in Blood" I figured I would take a gander at this as well. You managed to take a subject that is often discussed and present it in a way that makes it fresh and eye catching. Very unique and well crafted. Keep up the hustle." -- Lisa Hill, Sandusky, Ohio, America. The Human Spirit by Adam P Nel (3) "this is so meaningful, touching and very affectionate, excellent peom. get rid of the last line." -- lori-ann. "Great stuff Adam, though I wouldn't consider it poetry. But who cares. You've dug deeply and with talented subtlety in the garden of your soul and come up with flowers. Your words are beautifully bothersome. And of course, I'm jealous. More, Adam. More. " -- david namerow, downingtown, chester, pa. "Adam, I think that this is one of the most beautiful pieces that you have written, is this noe your life's mantra?" -- Kim. The Miseducation Of Nigeria's Future by Toluwalope Olugbenga Ogunlesi (1) "thoutht provoking and painfully accurate. i believe the excuse tha it took the western world a long time to reach its present state rings hollow. Nigerian "underdevelopment" and backward progression ( acotradition in terms ) can also be acconted for by the sheer lack of central and cultural support for anybody trying to make a difference. te culture of excellence in criminal and other unwholsome activities has to die first. I those who will not accept the stsus quo and continue to state the perhaps painful and embarrasing but truthful evaluation of Nigerias prolonged adolescence at 44!" -- Senu Hundeyin. Vulnerable by Skyler Drevan (3) "Interesting. I'm not going to comment on the meaning, but the writing. Break it up some. You want this to be an examination of self, correct? Then divide it into topic paragraphs and add a little to them. Tell a little here and there about why you are asking these questions, and it won't look so much like a rant. I think this is a good start, but it needs some personalization." -- Sylvia. "Simply mindblowing!!!!!!! the truth painted with perfection with only alittle flaw .It should have throne some light on the brighter side of life." -- Aniqah Rais. "cool" -- ribha, karachi, sindh, pakistan. The Evil Of The Visa System by Randall Barfield (1) "Your welcome. I don't agree with you, but I don't disagree either. Guess you gave me something to think about. Well written. You made your point without beating us over the head with it. Not easy to do." -- Sylvia. Thinking About, Faith by M Bradley McCauley (1) "Good poem, very encouraging to fainting hearts. I wonder if you will like me to publish in our church magazine." -- dele teit, Eko, Lagos, Nigeria. My Pops by Heather A Sloane (1) "i really liked this piece. your love for your father really shines through, and i have a good idea of what kind of guy he is. it has a lot of character and i enjoyed reading it (;" -- pearl. What Is Writing? by Jim Taylor (5) "It resonates. I feel akin to what he feels about writing. It's " -- M. Bradley McCauley, Gainesville, FL, USA. "Jim, you say it as it is and is a great reflection on just what writing is. I liked your style..I could imagine myself in beautiful New York with all the hubbub and me sitting to myself writing down my precious words. " -- dorothy. "Don't take this personally, but I have to disagree with your basic interpretation of what writing is, as you put it. I think most people write, first of all, because they enjoy writing, and also because they do have something to say. The difference is in their expression of what they are saying. Some have a gift of conveying a simple idea or thought in an unusual or masterful way. Others may have a profound or ingenious idea, yet fail in their attempt to express it artistically. " -- Richard. "I agree about how the inspiration comes but I disagree about not having nothing to say. WE DO HAVE A LOT to say, that's why we write down. It is a way to pour our our souls and sometimes a way we find to go beyond the hurt, the despair, to easy our pain. I just have a passion for writing. I am a writer and I could say it is MY LIFE!!! " -- adriana, sao jose dos campos , sp, brazil. "Oh no, Adrianna! You may think all of us who write have something to say. Each of us who write MAY FEEL WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY but the readers ultimately determine whether or not we do. Depending upon your audience, some will agree that you do have something to say and others will be unimpressed and ignore your writing, for the most part. Amyone can jot down their thoughts on paper in prose or poetry form. This does not make them a writer. Many are wasting their time and the time of others who would read these utterings. A passion for writing should be unselfish in the sense that you want to share your thoughts with others by enlightening or entertaining them and allowing them to feel your emotion and artistry. If you write only to relieve your pain or despair you are being selfish and the writing serves only your self-interest. Having a passion to write, as you call it, is not enough." -- Richard. Gymnastics by Brandt (1) "This reads to me like a diray piece, there are some great diarists around today, I publish my own diary on the net and it's a great way of writing and keeping up the writing momentum. I enjoyed this piece because it was written almost dispassionately and yet all the 'growing-up' through the sport came across. Nice work. " -- Sooz, Dalton-in-furness, England, Cumbria. Go to page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 |
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