::Friday, March 26, 2004::
THE CATHOLIC VOTE
..This is a textbook case regarding the difficulties of being a Catholic running for office. John Kerry is faced with the dillema of losing the Catholic Church's vote because of his support for abortion and a woman's right to choose. Catholics have long been considered as swing voters because of their propensity to parse the issues and switch party loyalty depending on what candidates bring to the table. President Bush's clear and decisive defense of conservative moral issues is having better success courting the Catholic vote because of increasing perception that the political establishment and the legal system are averse to religious issues. This election will galvanize the Catholic Church to align itself with Protestant fundamentalists in the hope of re-electing the President because of his conservative leanings. Senator Kerry can only wish that JFK's position of separating his religion from his politics will work for him although it is highly unlikely for that to happen this time. Never before in the history of America have religious issues been at the forefront of presidential politics - from stem cell research, to faith-based initiatives and the explosive gay marriage issue . The senator can almost forget about the Protestant religious-right. He is praying that American Catholics are not as beholden to the Vatican's positions as the rest of the Catholic world is and will vote according to economic issues and national security rather than the cultural wars.
DRINK THAT WATER
WHERE THE JOBS ARE
::Tuesday, March 23, 2004::
SUPPOSEDLY A LAWYER'S ADVICE
..I've seen this article being passed around and have no way of verifying who wrote it but it's worth the good practical advice:
"A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you
know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this).
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.
There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.
The numbers are:
-Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
-Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
-Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
-Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271"
"A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.
Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you
know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this).
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.
There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.
The numbers are:
-Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
-Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
-Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
-Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271"
WAL MART'S WOES
..Residents continue to debate the benefits of supercenters in their neighborhood..
::Monday, March 22, 2004::
THE FACE OF TELECOM
..A peek at how the telecom industry is going to look in the future..
::Sunday, March 21, 2004::
KEEPING IT SMALL
KERRY'S VEEP
..Politics is a matter of addition, not subtraction. Senator Kerry should heed this as he assesses the various candidates being considered for his vice presidential running mate. People salivate over a Hispanic candidate such as Gov. Bill Richardson of Florida in order to lock up the Latino vote in Arizona and Florida, swing states carried by Pres. Bush in 2000. Hispanics, however, rarely vote as a bloc and Kerry is already leading the president in the Florida polls. This leaves out Senator Graham who is also popular in the state being its former Senator. The midwest is truly the battleground. Former Cong. Dick Gephardt is the obvious choice to carry the mantle with his pro-jobs and anti-NAFTA stance. The problem with this scenario is the absence of youth and vigor. Imagine two tired and angry politicians ranting because they have been left out in the cold. That leaves Sen. John Edwards as the best candidate to help John Kerry. Edwards has the energy and charisma to go after both the President and the Vice President. He will balance Kerry's hopelessly boring and tired demeanour. Plus he has the populist message that will support Kerry's as they both have similar records.
THE COMPLEXITY OF OUTSOURCING
..It is true that outsourcing may not be entirely bad and is part of the creative destruction that the US economy will have to go through as part of an increasingly interdependent global economy. The problem is too much blind-faith that policy makers put on the benefits of outsourcing altogether. The issue is not the pain but that the pain may not go away and the medicine unavailable for quite a long period of time. Innovation is arguably still the province of the US but history is not a helpful guide in this area. The boom of the 90's and the dominance of the US economy only had Japan to worry about as a worthy opponent. Now China and India are eating at the same pie which naturally lowers the share of the US. It may not be daunting economically but politically it will have reverberations as Americans who are increasingly worried about their future economic security go to the polls this November.
WHERE SCIENCE IS FAILING AMERICA
..The declining number of students graduating with science and technology degrees is threatening the dominant role of the United States in the world economy. Much of the blame lay in the failure of the government in pursuing policies that support R&D in science and technology. Unlike governments in Asia and Europe that routinely spend money to encourage research, the US government is too focused on politics and helplessly trapped in the exploitation of open markets for economic opportunities. This creates an imbalance and squanders precious opportunities for growth such as helping schools with incentives to attract more students to pursue science and technology courses. A failure in this area will produce an unintended consequence - a national security threat brought about by the country's decline in technological breakthroughs.
::Friday, March 19, 2004::
TAX TIME!
..Tip: Homeoffice deductions are notorious triggers for audit by the IRS. Go easy on them or better yet, read about it.
::Tuesday, March 16, 2004::
FAITH IS REASONABLE
..The notion that faith has no place in the intellectual life is a fallacy and is precisely the kind of lazy argument the secular world would want us to believe. Major religions have an intellectual system of beliefs that will boggle the minds of any thinking person. We can arrive at a supreme higher being just by mere observation looking at the order and beauty of creation, the preeminence of conscience in the moral life and even by mere logical reasoning through science. Although we may not be able to prove conclusively the presence of God, that is not the limitation of faith but the limitation of the human being's intellectual capacity.
::Sunday, March 14, 2004::
DECONSTRUCTING OUTSOURCING
..A professor debates the blind faith policy makers put on outsourcing jobs.
WHAT A MOVIE-OKE!
..Who needs studio acting lessons when you can hang out in a club, play yourself in a movie on stage with the picture in the background and have some fun in the process? Oh, add drinks to that too. You are in a bar after all.
ABOUT TIME
..Saudi decision to search for more natural gas in partnership with foreign oil companies is a good move from the viewpoint of its domestic politics and policy. The growing unemployment rate of young male Muslims is one of the main reasons terrorism is thriving in the region. Creating transparency in their dealings with investment is the challenge for the government in order to dispel public charges of corruption inside the bureaucracy. Growth economically is not enough, however. The Saudis need to open up its culture further and allow greater freedom and democracy in a way acceptable to their values and tradition. Terrorism will not disappear overnight just by creating wealth for the masses but it's a good and necessary step.
CAUGHT WITH THEIR PANTS DOWN
..It seems that the President's handlers did not expect John Kerry to end up as the Democratic nominee judging from their hasty response to make gay-marriage a central issue this coming elections. It is designed to strike at the core of what's wrong with John Kerry in the eyes of Republicans - a Massachusettes liberal who is out of step with reality. Although most Americans do not approve of same-sex marriage, they are still grappling with the complex issue and want it to play out in the courts. Karl Rove and company are gambling that the issue will give them a potent weapon against Democrats and also a distraction to the real problems involving the economy.
::Saturday, March 13, 2004::
LEGAL BENEFITS OF MARRIAGE: A PRIMER
..What's the big deal about marriage? For gays and lesbians, a great benefit. Here's a sample.
::Thursday, March 11, 2004::
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
..The Republican strategists are heavily courting the Hispanic vote to deliver the President's second term in areas that are critical to the elections such as the State of Florida without assessing seriously the problems of assimilation. This is not a smart idea and may cost President Bush the elections. Playing the Hispanic card is a zero-sum game for politics as Latinos' party affiliations especially the later generations depend more on issues favorable to them and that address their particular needs. A case in point is immigration where the best offer of long-term earned legalization and not just short term work permits would likely get most Hispanic votes. Meanwhile the President loses votes of a proven loyal base, white-male Americans who are unemployed or are concerned that cheap labor dominated by Mexicans are taking away their job security. You can bet they will be there to cast their votes as payback.
THE HYPING OF GLOBALIZATION
..The problem with the "brain-gain" theory is that developing countries fail to institute structural economic and political reforms for the long term as they rely on present overseas remittance. This comes handy to politicians who exploit populist rhetoric of encouraging massive migration to developed countries mainly the United States. Instead of making hard choices that will fix their economies for the long term, they get away with short fixes tied to the survival of their rule of power.
::Wednesday, March 10, 2004::
BIBLE BOOM
GUESS WHO'S ON FRIENDSTER?
..If you think politics is only for the old and the uncool, think again. Politicians are aiming to connect with 20 somethings that is the province of Friendster.
::Tuesday, March 09, 2004::
IT'S STILL THE ECONOMY STUPID!
..No amount of spin can change the serious reality of lost jobs due to outsourcing. Outsourcing has cost more job loss than Insourcing can replace them for the last three years. The economy cannot turn out enough jobs proportionate to the growth in population. This emerging trend puts social services and entitlements at risk of being decimated due to the increasing deficit that cannot support such entitlements. This is not lost to Republicans this election year and that's why they are putting their best spin on it and the best they can come up with is ... insourcing? Give us a break!
::Monday, March 08, 2004::
CARE FOR A WOMAN
..No wonder why women are so strong physiologically and emotionally than men. The amount of care needed for their general well-being speaks volumes.
BEYOND FRIENDSTER
..Tired of reading testimonials in slow-poke friendster? A company called nTAG may have found a better way to conduct social networking and bring social engineering to greater heights.
::Wednesday, March 03, 2004::
THE BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN!
..Sen. John Kerry's victory will now focus both parties on Election 2004. Although polls show a neck to neck race for the presidency, odds favor Sen. Kerry for the simple calculation of the economy and the Iraq war. The president's support for an amendment to gay marriage is designed to shore up his base which will be crucial in a closely contested election. It will not be enough, however. Although the economy is improving, the jobs picture will remain sluggish and the economy will not add enough jobs in time for consumer confidence to reaffirm the growth of the economy in the elections. That's why Republican focus on values and gay marriage is a crucial strategy to distract people from the loss of jobs, the growing deficit and the future threat to social security. The key for Republicans is to play up the culture wars and they will point to an activist court as proof of that. But it will not work this time. Instead we will see a repeat of 1992 when the elder Bush will go down even as the economy is improving. Iraq will not be stable soon and the government will have to find a way to get out of there fast. All these will not be lost on voters come November.
