I am "triumphant" in my claim...

Well, our credit card company informed us yesterday that our account will be credited for the skateboard I bought after Martini Skate and Snow reneged on their stated return policy. w00t! (see this old post if you don't know what I am talking about.)

What I found interesting was the response to them from the store that reneged on their return policy, Martini Skate and Snow. Their argument was that I was too heavy and broke the board. That's funny, because I specifically asked that question in the store when I bought the board, and the owner himself said "oh, that board could hold you and your wife together." In fact, they even let me stand on it before I bought it. Funny how things change when someone needs to find an excuse.

I even had correspondence with the manufacturer that I sent in with my claim that stated I was no where near heavy enough to damage that board.

The only thing that bothers me is that the store will still get their money. See, our credit card company "misplaced" our documents and originally found in favor of the store. I called and talked to a few people, our info was found, and suddenly they said, "oops." They credited our card in full, but said that they may not be able to go after the store due to the language of the merchant agreement. It sucks that an error on their part causes the store to get away with it. But, on the other hand, I have been credited AND get to keep the board, which the manufacturer will now exchange for me free of charge. So, I effectively can sell it and double my money. Or, maybe I'll keep it - it's not the manufacturer's fault that the store wouldn't abide by what was written on my receipt, and it is a nice board. Plus, they will actually honor their warranty directly with me, regardless of the store's inability to abide by their own policies.

I suppose it could be worse, eh? But, just remember, be careful when buying from places like this.

In my experience I have found that, just because their receipt states "refunds or exchanges within 30 days from date of purchase, After which all sales are final. GO RIDE!" doesn't necessarily mean that they intend to honor that policy.

Pirates!! Arghhhh...

Today's post is a copy/paste from a comment I had made on Facebook regarding the sailor being held by the pirates.

They need to get that Navy ship close, and bring some sharp shooters on board. Assign two shooters per pirate, in case one screws up and doesn't make a clean kill shot. On the count of three, everyone pulls the trigger. Bam - you have a boat with a bunch of dead pirates, and one live captain who just shit himself.

Next, start hunting them down on their own turf with half the US Navy's fleet with one rule - NO live prisoners, kill on sight.

That would send a message that we're done pussy-footing around, and would immediately make the area safer.

But, our leaders would never allow us to react in such a manner, which would construe us as to having a set of balls.

Here we go again

A major reason that our economy is in this shape is because of the big push to get people to buy homes that previously could not afford them. I remember Barney Frank and his Democratic colleagues bragging to the media about how wonderful it was. The problem was, many buyers still couldn't afford these homes, regardless of how much meddling with Fannie and Freddie our politicians did to help these loans get approved.

So, now we know. Well, sort of. Word on the streets puts Bush to blame, and somehow it has been forgotten who started the push for these loans.

But, it seems the lesson learned may have already been forgotten, too. Now, the auto industry is telling people to go buy a car, and they will cover your car payments if you lose your job. So, if you are worried about being able to afford a car, stop worrying and go buy one???

Don't forget, these auto loans are backed by companies that our government is backing with our tax dollars. So now, I get to pay for someone's beautiful new car, which is parked in the garage of a $350,000 home, even though they may have bought both knowing full well they couldn't afford it. All the while, I work 80 to 100 hours every week for less and less money.

Ah, yes. Aren't our leaders just great?

"Mandatory Volunteerism"

Mandatory volunteerism for grade school children. Uniforms while "volunteering." All in the name of what is "best for the nation."

Sounds eerily familiar....




http://www.newswithviews.com/Graham/cj117.htm

http://wizbangblog.com/content/2009/03/27/the-house-giveth-and-the-government-taketh-away-our-freedoms-1.php

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090325/OPINION/903250315/1042?Title=CLOSE-TO-HOME-How-can-volunteerism-in-America-be-mandatory-

The Catholic Church

It goes against my better judgment to get into this here. And, I almost didn't. But then I realized that this is MY blog. These are MY thoughts. So, if you are one of the religious few that seem to be intolerant of other people's thoughts, I'd suggest that you use YOUR better judgment and not read any more of this post...

I was watching the news last night, and saw more stories about all of the Catholic churches that are going to close. It seems that those in charge somehow need to do this because they cannot afford to keep them open. Well, I've got a better idea...

Instead of closing all of these churches, why not close The Vatican? Let's face it, as much as people like to treat him like he's a god, the Pope is still just a person. And, if he really cares about the religion and not just the "benefits" he receives, then he would have no problem with this if it kept all of the neighborhood churches open. After all, in the grand scheme of things, these neighborhood churches actually help people. And, those people aren't just the members. Say what you will about the religion being a business, but at the local level, that business donates more time and assistance to those that need it than anyone. While the Pope is out cruising the streets in his $1,000,000 "Pope Mobile," spouting off his ideals to a world that should already KNOW them had they actually read the bible, the local churches are giving food drives, working in hospitals, and giving free counseling to those that need it. When is the last time you saw the Pope Mobile dropping off food to a family who's bread winner was just killed in an unexpected accident?

But, the sad reality is that too many Catholics are brainwashed into thinking that they somehow need the Vatican with it's gold chalices, marble pillars, and $1,000,000 paintings. These people think that the church somehow needs this elaborate, wealthy, sovereign country with its excessive operating costs to tell them what to do, when deep in their hearts they should already know what to do. These are the same people that, when they do see the Pope, drop down on their knees and bawl like babies, acting as if he himself is a God, which in itself is sac religious according to the actual writings of the Bible.

If the hundreds of thousands of yearly visitors to Vatican City put the five grand that their trip cost them into their local church instead,would they still have to close? How about adding that to the billions spent on keeping the Pope in his elaborate castle, on his security forces, his million dollar pope mobile, the chefs, the housekeeping, and the building maintenance costs? Keeping a sovereign nation operating isn't cheap - just ask our politicians.

I'm sorry, but I think the church members need to rethink a few things. Like, what is more in line with the teachings of the Bible - spending billions on the local level altruisticaly, or spending billions on a shrine and lifestyle for the Pope?

I bet I know what Jesus would do with his time and money...

What a Beautiful Morning

Clear, blue skies, temperature rising by the hour, the sun shining - I love mornings like this. It would be a great morning to be out on the lake, catching myself a dinner.

It's too bad that I have previous obligations to attend to. Although, if I didn't have these obligations, I wouldn't have a job. Therefore, I wouldn't have a boat, which would make it all a moot point anyhow, right?

Happy Friday, everyone.

Time to clear out the cobwebs...

I suppose I should start paying more attention to this place again. I'll try to clean out some of the cobwebs, and get a few more posts out over the couple of weeks.

Until then, you can check out my Mom's page.