Dec 102004
Dec 102004
I posted a few months ago about my dismay that airport police at ABIA are now conducting random searches of vehicles driving up to the terminal. In the very same post, I linked Bruce Schneier’s site. He’s a well-known security expert who gives very good explantions of why random searches are ultimately ineffective.
Fast forward to today – I’m a frequent reader of John Perry Barlow’s blog and noticed that he hadn’t updated much lately. Today’s update explains one of the reasons. His experience goes a step farther than what I blogged about at ABIA. At least you’re simply directed away from the terminal if you refuse. Thankfully, he and co-founder of the EFF, John Gilmore are fighting this affront to the 4th amendment for the rest of us.
As a completely random aside, I googled for “i fought the law” because I couldn’t remember the name of the artist most often associated with the song. It was, of course, Bobby Fuller. However, he didn’t write it. It was originally written and performed by The Crickets, as in “Buddy Holly and”. It was written after Holly’s death. The link responsible for my musical enlightenment appears to belong to a site about the roots of the Grateful Dead. Those who know anything about JPB know that he was the lyricist on several Grateful Dead songs. How’s that for a little Internet daisy chain?
Dec 102004
Ok. I missed a day. I’m truly sorry. It’ll never happen again. Can you forgive me? No, wait. Don’t turn your back on me. I thought we had something… something special. And now you just want to throw it all away? Please. Stay. I’ll change.
I do have a good excuse. I’ve been under the weather most of the week. The Wife isn’t feeling so hot either and this morning, The Boy yakked all over the living room. We expect this on a semi-regular basis from The La, but The Boy hasn’t puked in quite some time. In fact, I was commenting to a bandmate last night about how long it had been since The Boy was sick. I guess I should’ve knocked on wood or something.
While checking up on the other Holidailies participants, I came across this post. The insurance industry has to be the most evil industry on earth. Bill Hicks constantly railed against marketing and advertising, but he should’ve included insurance.
A couple of months ago, my mother-in-law got into an accident in our minivan (with an off duty cop, I might add). She was the only one in the car and it was ruled her fault, so our insurance company had to pay for both cars. Almost exactly a year ago, some old guy hit me on the way home from the grocery store with the whole family in the car. It was clearly his fault and he admitted it. Despite the fact that those were the only two incidents in the last 8 or 9 years, we got a letter from our insurance company right after Thanksgiving informing us that they wouldn’t be renewing our policy. So, two accidents in a year, neither of which were my fault, and they dumped us. I’m about to go off on an incoherent rant here, so fair warning.
Isn’t it the insurance companies that are really the problem with our healthcare system? I know the patients aren’t the ones benefitting. Who do we have to fight to get the healthcare that we deserve? Who have I had to call multiple times and remain on hold for what must amount to hours of my life to get decent service? The insurance companies. Who’s responsible for making my father, a surgeon of thirty years, work more years than he intended for his retirement because he’s getting paid less and less for the same work and because he has to shell out insane amounts of money for malpractice? The insurance companies. We recently passed malpractice lawsuit reform here in Texas. Do you know who’s going to keep the money saved from the lowered damages instead of lowering the costs for doctors or patients? The insurance companies. I know doctors aren’t perfect. In fact, I’m as well aware as anyone that some of them are arrogant assholes, but WTF? We’ve somehow let these huge corporations come between the patient and the doctor.
Why the hell am I paying money to an auto insurance company if they’re just going to drop me the minute that I try and collect what I’ve been paying for? I should just set up a savings account and sock away the insurance payments to cover any accident costs, but I can’t do that because we’ve legislated a liability requirement. I can’t drop collision because my loan company requires it. There’s got to be a better way. I had my both my home and auto insurance with the same company. As soon as I find a better deal, I’m fucking dropping them and paying the absolute minimum that I can. So, here’s a big FUCK YOU to Texas Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. If you’ve got to get insurance, stay the fuck away from them. They suck, suck, suck. Did I mention that they suck? Damn.
And don’t even get me started on PMI.
Dec 102004
I botched it last week and forgot to plug the KUT Holiday Sing-a-long. We went last year and it was a lot of fun. This year was good too, although the warm temperatures made it a little harder to get into the spirit. It was either that or the cranky screaming toddler we brought with us.
It probably doesn’t need any plugging, but Trail of Lights begins Sunday and runs until December 23rd. Last year was the first year that we missed since having kids. I’ll let you in on a little family secret. We generally avoid the long traffic lines by parking on one of the side streets by Green Mesquite, having dinner there around 6, and then walking to Zilker. It makes for a bit of trek on the way back, but I’d rather be walking than sitting in the car, especially in this weather. (For those that read this more than a week from now, it’s supposed to be 76 and sunny on Sunday. Not that I’m rubbing it in or anything.)