TSA USES HUMAN ROBOTS INSTEAD OF LAW OFFICERS

TSA is destroying the dream of a vacation which involves flying. Business travelers are thinking of taking the train. People wonder if they dare take the kids to see their relatives.

People do not enjoy being patted down in intimate places. They find such experiences to be humiliating. Even thinking of small children being subject to such abusive searches by an agency of my government makes me ill.

Why is this happening? Because we are using low level, non-citizens as inexpensive human robots to pat people down in more and more aggressive fashion. We CANNOT use more intelligent means of screening plane passengers because no law enforcement agency is going to share intelligence data with poorly trained, low level, non-citizens who do not even have security clearances to receive such information.

I use a wheelchair. I am also searched on a regular basis because I go into courthouses. I have been searched by the county deputy sheriffs, by Homeland Security officers, at federal courthouses, and by airport security. Law officers treat me with respect, and with understanding of my disability. Airport security sometimes treats me with disdain, and sometimes ignores what I tell them about my disability.

The TSA website says that airport screeners get about 3 1/2 weeks of training, half of the training 'on the job'. They get less than 2 days of training per quarter year. You do NOT have to be a US citizen to become an airport screener.

BOTTOM LINE -- YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. If you buy cheap screenings by people who are NOT law officers, then you get screeners to whom we dare not give the ability to make judgment calls.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE MONEY YOU WILL EVER SAVE

People LOVE to save money by drawing up their own legal documents using forms from the internet.

Unless these forms come from a government website which has directions on how to fill out the forms, you are taking a HUGE risk.

It is especially dangerous to use the internet forms for something like a will or a trust. A will or trust is done to make certain that your wishes are carried out after you are no longer with us. If something goes wrong, you will not be around to fix it.

I ALWAYS recommend hiring a local attorney with experience in such matters to help you write your will or trust. Think of it as a kind of insurance.

For those of you in California, my website has a durable power of attorney form and a health care directive that were taken straight from the California Probate Code. The website is www.LawandLaws.com. The website also has advice on how to locate an attorney.

DO NOT USE the web attorney sites either. It is IMPORTANT that you know the name, address and phone number of the attorney you use in case something goes wrong. Most of the time the web attorney sites are staffed by paralegals who may or may not be trained.

I should also mention that I do inexpensive simple wills and trusts.

TSA, SEARCH, SAFETY AND VIDEO

I think it is a very bad idea to hold an airport protest on the busiest day of the year.

The airport will be filled with children and us old people. Please do not make the day any worse for the most vulnerable of us.

I think the TSA has gone out of control, especially regarding children.

I also think that the VIDEOS people are taking are the most effective way to get changes made.

Spending Thanksgiving in jail is not a fun way to celebrate the holiday. Cooperate with the security screenings or you may be in jail over Thanksgiving. The people who think it is OK to "feel up" children, are not the kind of people who are going to be reasonable about citizen protest.

Please remember that the people who are doing this to you genuinely believe that they are preventing planes from blowing up.

So be quiet, take your medicine, and POST YOUR VIDEOS when you get home.

I also wish to remind TSA that the people who support the increased screening almost certainly have not been through an advanced screening.

So how do you get through a probing screening without hitting the inspector? Old advice is usually good advice, so, "Close your eyes and think of England."*

*Old advice said to have been given to a young woman on the eve of her wedding.

OLDER ATOMIC BOMBS

Every time we agree to limit our atomic bombs, we get rid of older bombs. This time the US/Russia treaty to limit atomic bombs contains a provision to fund replacing even more of the old bombs.

I have been assured that our old atomic bombs are perfectly safe. Call me paranoid, but I think that atomic bombs with all of the very latest safely equipment would make ME feel safer.

Republicans believe that more of the older atomic bombs are better that somewhat fewer new, spiffy atomic bombs.

Under the new treaty, both the US and Russia will each have 1550 atomic bombs.

While we are building new atomic bombs, more formally called nuclear bombs, we should insure that any and all computer chips used in the bombs have been designed and manufactured by people who have US security clearances.

Of course, we will not have the safer, new bombs because the Republicans, especially Senator Kyl from Arizona, refuse to ratify the treaty which will fund the safer bombs.

If you decide to call your Senator about this, the treaty is called the START treaty.

ROYAL WEDDING

When Charles wed Diana, I got up at 4 AM so I could watch the wedding.

This time, I have a DVR, thank goodness, as I am getting too old to be awake in the middle of the night.

I LOVE the carriages, the horses, the uniforms, the dresses, the hats, the palace balcony scenes, the snarky family comments, the silly commentators. It is going to be fun.

If you want me to be politically correct, I will say that it is like watching a history reenactment. It will be great for Britain's economy. It is good to have a respected person who can do ceremonies, it takes the social pressure off of the politicians.

I am GLAD I am not the people who are getting married. I hope for their sake that it is as much fun to ride in the carriage as it is to dream of riding in the carriage.

OPTIMISM and the G-20

Last week, in Korea, the G-20 leaders looked relaxed and optimistic during their photo session.

I think that this means the world wide financial crises is getting much better.

Anyway, in my little corner of the world, the economy will be improved by the large Holiday bonuses paid by Google and Facebook, and by the recovery stimulus research money which is FINALLY reaching the San Francisco Bay Area.

BTW, I hear that if you are searching for a job in Silicon Valley that you should use Linked In.

CALL YOUR SENATOR

Call your Senator to see if they can pass some needed legislation in the lame duck session.

The most important are:

Unemployment, which is going to run out for millions if it is not renewed.

The atomic bomb treaty, which lowers the number of atomic bombs the US and Russia can have. This is a NO BRAINER* that Republicans are stopping just so President Obama does not get the credit for the treaty. (I assure you that, under the treaty, the US and Russia will still have enough atomic bombs left to destroy the planet.)

The National Criminal Justice Commission Act which changes nothing but does establish a commission to study criminal justice penalties in the US. Another NO BRAINER.

Extend the tax cuts for all but those who make over $250,000 per year.

Many of you gave money to the Democrats. Call them and tell them you want these things passed before Christmas.

My mother says, "If you aim for the ground, you are damn sure to hit it." This means that if you set your goals REALLY LOW, you will meet those goals, but it is better to set your goals high so that you at least get something, instead of nothing.

*A NO BRAINER is a term used when something is obviously a good thing to do.

HOLIDAY KID GIFTS

This list is the best of what I remember my children liked -- the gifts that lasted for years or were remembered for years.

Books for 6 months to 2 years

Pat the Bunny

Goodnight Moon

A Very Hungry Caterpillar

Other things

A light switch that plays music for a few minutes when you turn off the lights.

Glow in the dark stars for their ceiling.

Gift for 1 year to 5 years

A CD of you reading their favorite books, or better yet, read the Just So stories by Kipling. You then give them a CD player for Christmas. It does NOT have to be an expensive player, just a sturdy player.

A box large enough to crawl into. Tape up the box so it stays in a box shape. On one side cut 3/4 of a rectangle for the door, bending the fourth side so the door opens and shuts. Make a hole for the "doorknob" so the door can be shut from the inside. Cut a window into the other side. Large boxes are available behind furniture or appliance stores. There is no need to paint the box or make curtains or anything. Just let the kids play in their own private space.

4 -- 12 years

Great, safe swords can be made from PFC pipe and pipe insulation which is made to fit pipes. Have pipe cut to size, cover with the insulation, cover one end with heavy cardboard for safety, leave one end of the pipe free of insulation for the handle of the sword, cover the insulation and cardboard with duct tape, and have fun. Be sure and make at least two. Swords should be about as long as the arm that holds the sword.

Dominoes

Old Maid, a card game, very inexpensive.

12 -- 14 years

A Dragon's Hoard by Tanith Lee. This book has a game as part of the plot. That game is one of the best car games ever.

Teenagers love that stupid game where you put your hands and feet onto colored squares.

Try to get gifts that encourage friends and family to interact IN PERSON.

I HAVE BEEN BAD -- HAVE YOU BEEN BAD?

Now that I have been using the new little florescent light bulbs, I have stopped being careful about turning my lights off.

I was reminded of this by a global warming expert. He said people with the energy saving bulbs did not save any electricity because they felt comfortable leaving them on when they were out of the room.

DRAT, I thought, but did not say. That is EXACTLY what I am doing. So I starting turning off the lights in the bedroom, kitchen and bath when I was watching TV. It is surprisingly annoying to do this.

Please remember that these florescent light bulbs have mercury in them. If you are not going to turn them off, you should buy the other kind and turn THEM off.

BTW, I am told that the new florescent bulbs last longer if you leave them on for four hours the FIRST time you use them.

VETERANS GET MORE HELP

In August of 2009, a new GI Bill came into effect. Active duty Army, Air Force and Navy personnel qualify for college financial aid after 90 days active duty. (Search using the words "Post 9/11 GI Bill.")

Unfortunately, those who serve their county in the National Guard or in the Reserves, must have served three years of active duty to qualify for college financial aid.

This seems VERY UNFAIR. This is especially unfair if the National Guard or Reserves person served in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Bush Administration ran large portions of the Iraq War with personnel from the National Guard and the Reserves.

I do not understand why a person who is in the National Guard has to put in almost three years of leaving his/her civilian life and family in order to fight a war, only to be told they are "second class soldiers" who do not qualify for the GI Bill.

ARE YOU ON BOARD A BROKEN CRUISE SHIP?

Yes, yes, I know the Carnival ship that is broken is off the coast of California.

However, if you want to sue about your experience, you are going to have to sue in Dade County, Florida.

According to David W. Singer, an attorney in Hollywood, Florida, all lawsuits regarding injuries on a Carnival cruise ship MUST be brought in Miami-Dade County, Florida, within ONE YEAR.*

Don't you wish you were rich enough to "bribe" (contribute to the campaigns of) lawmakers so you could only be sued in one county in the US?

*Please let David know that I gave you this information. He pays for referrals and I could use the money.

MIDDLE MANAGERS

Too many times, the person who says, "Yes, Sir," gets promoted to manager. Too few times, the person who says, "This may not work," gets promoted to manager.

We are not promoting the people who are willing to give bad news to the upper management.

Therefore, the upper management is not getting the bad new until there is a huge crises.

The Gulf oil spill is an example of this. The companies knew at the lower levels that something, including the concrete formula, was wrong. They did not communicate that knowledge to the people who were actually making the decisions. Almost always this problem stems from a corporate culture of "we can do this".

"We can do this" is a way to get great things done. It is also a way to cause great harm by ignoring the voices that say "there might be a problem".

Middle managers almost certainly knew that mortgage paperwork was being done wrong. Middle managers almost certainly knew that some mortgages being sold were going to people who could not pay the mortgages.

However, the companies they worked for rewarded cost savings and profits. There was no reward for pointing out possible future problems.

Companies that run "full speed ahead" are risking a fatal crash.

Organizations MUST reward those people who bring possible problems to the attention of upper management. Until this happens, we will have more and more crises caused by the need to keep the profits flowing, no matter the future cost.

WINTER HOLIDAY SHARING

Many people around the world are going to have a tough holiday season. Most cultures celebrate something around the time of the winter solstice when the nights stop getting longer.

What can we do to make the holidays better for people? Of course, giving to charities that feed people is a good idea. Giving new toys and books to people who give them to poor kids is a good idea.

But maybe your own holiday is going to be too tough to allow for charitable giving. What can you do?

You can go though your decorations, books, and toys. Give the ones that no one wants and that are NOT BROKEN to a thrift shop. People LIKE to buy things they can afford. Then it does not feel like accepting charity, but instead feels like getting a good deal.

Some of my favorite Christmas decorations came from thrift shops. I have Salvation Army and Goodwill close to me. I also like St. Vincent de Paul.

For years, I collected Star Wars toys for my children at thrift shops. Before eBay, the toys were sold at garage store prices. I find you can get great deals especially at thrift stores in the more wealthy neighborhoods.

If you are giving away stuffed toys, or buying used stuffed toys, you can clean them by soaking a washcloth in alcohol and rubbing the fur until it is clean. Be careful with the eyes and nose, the color can run or come off. A new ribbon will perk up the toy.

I do not understand the need to have all NEW things.

FASHION AND GLOBAL WARMING

If a person dresses in warm clothes in cold weather and in cool clothes in hot weather, the person is more comfortable and buildings do not have to be heated and cooled as much.

The most obvious example of this is the suit for men. In the summer, and in warm countries, the suit can be unbearably uncomfortable. But men INSIST that the suit be worn if the person wants any respect. In the summer, office buildings must be cooled to a temperature that is comfortable for a man in a suit.

Hawaii seems to have overcome this problem. Of course, they are an island, with a strong and vibrant culture which laughs at people who try to wear mainland fashion.

Comfortable clothes mean comfortable workers. Comfortable workers can THINK better.

Yet, we persist in insisting that people wear the "uniforms" of suit and uncomfortable shoes.

It is important that there be a form of dress which demonstrates respect for the event, especially if it is a formal business or social event.

It is also important to recognize that every degree of heating and cooling costs money, and usually costs fossil fuel.

Fashion designers could help with the effort to "go green".

Movie stars can help by wearing the "green" fashion, and explaining WHY the fashion is a green fashion.

I have NO IDEA what can replace the suit.

So, fashion people, please solve this problem.

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA

California is going to have a new playing field. Now we can see if our ideas make for a better economy than the old ideas of tax cuts for the rich.

California is sticking to its energy policies. California is going to have a commission to do the redistricting to stop gerrymandering. California will be run by the Democrats, with a Democratic legislature that can pass a budget with a majority vote.

Unfortunately, the suppliers of marijuana will still face prison terms. Sorry guys. Somehow we have to convince the soccer moms that marijuana is WAY less dangerous than alcohol.

For the rest of the US, expect that NOTHING will get done. Oh, the Republicans will investigate President Obama for any petty little thing that they can smear him with. Republicans really, really want a Democratic President to be worse than President Nixon. I wish they would just get over it.

Of course, MAYBE the new Republican congresspersons who say they are libertarians will work with the Democrats to allow medical marijuana. Hey, look, a girl can dream can't she?

SECURITY IN MANUFACTURING CRITICAL CHIPS

Manufacture of the critical chips that we use in our military, transportation, and communications systems MUST be done under conditions where each person working on the chips can pass a US security clearance.

OTHERWISE, we are putting chips into our critical systems that could have a "backdoor", which means that the system is vulnerable to a virus which could possibly take over the system.

Currently, our chips are manufactured by the lowest international bidder. This means that a bad guy could put backdoors into our chips and sell the backdoor information to the highest bidder. The international chip manufacturers do not owe any loyalty to the US. Many of the international chip makers do not owe any loyalty to capitalism.

WE COULD USE THE STIMULUS MONIES TO BUILD CHIP MANUFACTURING PLANTS IN THE US.

CHANGE THE FUTURE TOMORROW -- VOTE

Those of us who believe in equal rights and in rescuing the rest of us now that we have rescued the rich, can change the future of the United States of America.

It does not matter whether your state is a red fish or a blue fish, your vote can keep the fearmongers out of congress. The fearmongers are counting on your staying home, hiding under the covers, and refusing to vote. It is the only way they can win.

Prove them wrong and VOTE.

If you need a reason, here is good reason to vote.

It took 1% of the gross domestic product (GDP, sort of like the income of the US) to rescue the rich when the economy collapsed. Yes, we did have to rescue the rich, depressions are no fun at all.

For another 2% ($200 for every $10,000) of GDP, we can rescue the rest of us and end this recession early. Economists all agree with me. We can even use some of this money to fix aging infrastructure so that bridges and levies do not collapse, killing people. We could use some of the stimulus monies to manufacture chips in the US so we do not have to worry about viruses taking over our critical military, transportation, and communication systems.

Why hasn't this been done already? Because the Republicans voted against it. THEY WANT YOU POOR AND DEPRESSED, so that you will not vote against them.

If you need another reason, many of you have a chance to vote to begin the end of the prohibition on drugs. Vote to legalize marijuana in any way that you can.

BUT VOTE. We can all make the world a better place. Start this process by voting.

(As you know, this year I am asking everybody to vote for the Democrats. I am tired of this recession and the Democrats are willing to listen to the economists and do their best to end the recession.)

MY FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME

I did not get to see very many Halloween costumes this year. But I see a lot of costumes at SciFi cons and RenFaire.

This year my favorite is the Arabian princess I saw at WalMart on Friday. She had a headdress and necklace like the coin headdresses and necklace worn by some of the Arabian nomad women. It is a style that goes back to Helen of Troy. You have seen them in National Geographic, headdresses of chains and coins, necklaces to match. It was a child's fake copy, but the copy was very well done.

I think we are too ethnocentric in our Halloween costumes. We need to import from other cultures. In case you do not know it, the unusual costume is often the most admired.