By Kim on November 3, 2009
I think I can speak for most people these days that aren’t pulling in a 7 figure income, enough of this preferential treatment to crappy companies! These companies like Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase etc. that have all had their hands out for our tax dollars to save their mis-management of their companies has gone way too far. Geithner claims that “Too Big to Fail” will no longer be in their minds, but their constant favortism speaks against their own words.
A new report shows that on top of the billions in tax dollars and special treatments that these companies have received, they have now also received quantities of the highly desired H1N1 vaccine. According to the CDC the companies are to distribute their doses only to those considered ‘high risk’ but of course this will be left to the already questionable ethics of the companies too follow through that ordered. I personally am not falling for the hype over the formerly called Swine Flu but many want the vaccine and the limited supply has forced many to stand for hours in line in hopes of getting one. Ultimately most will have to wait until the end of the month, if there are even enough vaccines then.
Why do these large NY firms deserve preferential treatment in receiving doses of the H1N1 vaccine? A spokeswomen for Goldman admits that they have no knowledge of anyone at the company having had the Swine Flu, “but obviously you have to be prepared”.
Prepared, kind of like many of us normal folks on Main street would like the option to do, but we don’t have the top floor luxury office so we will wait our turn in the line. A spokesman from the NYC health Office is quoted as saying,” It’s not that they received it over someone else, its that they placed the order…This is not out of the ordinary.”
Teenagers and young adults continue to account for the majority of the H1N1 cases, so how many teenagers and young adults are Goldman Sachs currently employing? The vaccine has been unavailable at my doctors office still, and my family doctor would include many of the ‘high risk’ members, but I guess they will have to wait until we protect our investment and the big wigs in NYC Companies.
Posted in Political Arena | Tagged CDC, goldman sachs, h1n1 vaccine, jpmorgan chase, too big too fail
By Kim on September 23, 2009
So you’ve heard the media blitz of cheerleaders, umm I mean news anchors talk how we are “recovering” but todays headlines may show their true colors. Today in the NY Times, and many other sources, news was released that the FDIC is considering going to banks to well, bail the government out now!
If you don’t understand the true implications of this move, then you’re worse in economics then I ever was! We’ve all complained about the government bailing out all these failing companies, spending all our tax dollars, but we were assured this will save our economy. So what are we to think now when our own government is looking for a bailout?
The FDIC is looking to healthy banks to loan them billions to cover the insurance fund that protects depositors.
Bankers worry that a special assessment of $5 billion to $10 billion over the next six months would crimp their profits and could push a handful of banks into deeper financial trouble or even receivership. And any new borrowing from the Treasury would be construed as a taxpayer bailout that could open the industry to a political reaction, resulting in a wave of restrictions like fresh limits on executive pay.
A spokeperson for the FDIC claims that these thoughts are not really on the table but no matter what, it makes you think. If this is truly an issue, which it is, the FDIC needs money, then things truly aren’t as rosey as the mainstream media is portraying.
Posted in Stupid People | Tagged Bailouts, FDIC, federal reserve
By Kim on September 13, 2009
Friday in Miami, 28 year old Albert Gonzalez admitted he led an international ring that stole 40 million credit card and debit card records from US retailers like TMJ, BJs warehouse, and OfficeMax. One of many states he has been charged with cyber crimes I might add.
“He wants to put this behind him,” Gonzalez’s attorney Rene Palomino said in an interview. “He’s extremely remorseful for what he’s done. If he could turn time back, he would. It’s affected him and his family very much.”
Why do I find his remorse so empty?
Gonzalez was arrested in 2003 by authorities in New Jersey and began secretly cooperating with the U.S. Secret Service. In pleading guilty to the entire Boston indictment, he admitted using sensitive law enforcement information to “warn off conspirators and ensure that they would not be identified and arrested in the course of that investigation.”
Cyber crimes are one of the highest increasing crime rates in the world and getting them prevented is becoming more and more difficult as hackers change their methods and become more evolved in hiding their identities. Authorities are putting their resources solving these types of crimes to the forefront, even establishing whole teams dedicated solely to cyber-criminals. So what are we as individuals to do to help protect ourselves from these faceless criminals?
We can do these simple things to help protect ourselves.
- Be sure you have anti-virus on your computers and firewalls to help protect against unwanted viruses, trojans etc. and make sure you keep it updated on on an automatic scan to keep your computer clean.
- Don’t click on links in emails that you don’t know the sender of. They may take you to a virus or trojan that can make you vulnerable.
- Don’t go to strange or unknown websites. Hackers can attach these type of viruses in websites making it infect your system just by visiting the site.
Microsoft has even taken an unexpected step in now planning to release their Microsoft Security Essentials to its users, free! The program which works with Windows 7, Vista and XP is scheduled to be released free by this years end. It is a basic antivirus program that searches your downloads for malware and attempts to prevent sneak downloads from websites. Many of us currently use McAfee or Nortons which are paid services of this type. Microsofts free release is not expected to decrease their sales. Microsoft merely wants to help increase protection for those that do not suscribe to these paid services, or merely use the 30-90 day free trial versions that come with new computers, never renewing them and leaving their computers totally unprotected.
As for Mr. Gonzalez, one of hundreds that have been charged in cyber-crimes in recent history, is his punishment going to truly dissuade other cyber-criminals? He is expected to serve 15-25 years and has already paid back $1.65 million along with some physical properties and items. For this criminal specifically, it doesn’t seem to me like enough time. This guy has helped steal 100’s of millions of records costing them an undisclosed, even higher amount of dollars. This guy had his “second chance” when he was arrested in 2003 and used his “informant” type status merely to protect other criminals. I feel alot of our laws are now given proper penalties, and this one is definitely one of them!
I leave with one question….Is your computer protected?
Posted in Rant and Rave, Stupid People | Tagged BJs warehouse, hacker, microsoft, OfficeMax, TMJ
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