Great Day for a Ride

Yesterday, some friends and I had a fantastic motorcycle ride through Southeast MO. I know, kinda boring, but there really is some decent scenery if you look for it. Started in Caruthersville, rode to downtown Cape Girardeau, had lunch, checked out lots of bikes. Then on to Chaffee, Delta, and Advance along Hwy 25. We took 25 down to Malden, to catch the end of an antique car show. Some interesting vehicles there. Finally, on south to Kennett, then back home east on 412. 200+ miles- it wasn't a long ride by any stretch of the imagination, but it was sunny, not a cloud in sight, and we had nowhere to be all day...

This Whole Imus Controversy

with the Rutgers women's basketball team is such a huge win for..... Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton! Huh? Yes, these two prominent leaders, who by the way are racists themselves, have now recovered the spotlight from Obama. All is well in the world of Jackson and Sharpton. They certainly believe that the spotlight belongs to them- how dare Obama take it away!

Don't worry guys, Obama will have it back soon, and you will be returned to political and societal irrelevance soon enough.

Un-Freaking Believable

Check out shareholder proposal #4 on this year's proxy for Altria Group:

PROPOSAL 4 – GET OUT OF TRADITIONAL TOBACCO BUSINESS BY 2010

The Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI 53824, claiming beneficial ownership of 75 shares of common stock, together with two co-proponents, submitted the proposal set forth below. The names, addresses and shareholdings of the co-proponents will be furnished upon request made to the Secretary of the Company.

WHEREAS, in 1973 a Philip Morris representative stated: “We all know that once a consumer product has been proven by the medical profession to be harmful to the human body, the product will be banned from sales and whatever has been sold will be withdrawn from the trade.” He said, if cigarettes would be “undeniably proven to be harmful and conducive to lung cancer, there will definitely be a ban on cigarette sales worldwide.” Later, in the film, Death in the West, a Philip Morris Vice President declared that, if it were shown cigarettes cause harm, “we would withdraw them.” PMUSA has never disavowed these statements.

Recently PMUSA has promoted itself as socially responsible. It says it shouldn’t be judged by past modes of operating. However, as late as August, 2006, a Federal Judge overseeing the U.S. Government’s lawsuit against it and other tobacco companies ruled it and the others have continually violated racketeering laws by deceiving the public about tobacco dangers. It stated:

1.
They have falsely denied, distorted and minimized significant adverse health consequences of smoking for decades.

2.
They have consistently manipulated nicotine levels in cigarettes, with resulting addictive consequences.

3.
Their own documents and research reveal their continued recognition that smoking causes serious adverse health effects, along with fears how such knowledge might impact litigation.

Meanwhile, other findings indicate that the company does regulate nicotine levels in its cigarettes, corroborating what the Federal Judge alleged.

While acknowledging that a combination of increased taxes on cigarettes and diminished public access to smoking reduces smoking and, therefore, increases public health and, despite its acknowledgement of smoking’s health hazards, PMUSA has lobbied mightily to restrict increases in taxes in various states (BW 09.11.06). This makes the proponents of this resolution convinced the company is not sincere in its stated commitment to reduce smoking among people in general, youth in particular and, especially those addicted to its products.

The findings of the Federal Judge and others show that our company has consistently acted duplicitously in the dissemination of its cigarettes. Despite this, it still has asked the same Judge for permission to continue marketing its alleged “light” and “ultralight” products abroad even though it knows millions of people think they diminish health hazards but do not. This “boundless rapaciousness” has led The Washington Post to opine of this Company’s thinking: “If we can’t continue to defraud Americans into killing themselves … can we at least keep suggesting to billions of people abroad that some cigarettes are safer than others?”

After years of trying to make this Company more socially responsible, the shareholders filing this resolution are left with no alternative but to submit the following:

RESOLVED, that, since it acknowledges the science showing its tobacco products create disease and death, shareholders request the Board of Directors initiate steps to sell or phase out all production, promotion and marketing of its health-hazardous and addictive tobacco products by 2010.

The Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.

Ya think? Uh, guys, it's time to sell your measly little 75 shares and get out of the tobacco business TODAY! Idiots.

Credit Where It's Due

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the State of Missouri has really gotten something right by its corporate citizens. Unlike the constant offers you get in your personal life from your credit card companies/banks/etc. to get 'paperless billing,' like it's a BIG convenience to you (doesn't save you money, only the company), the State of Missouri actually gives YOU an incentive to file important corporate documents with the State online at a much reduced cost. Now that gets me excited to save trees!

Hmmm- a win for me, for Missouri, and for the tree-huggers... who'da thunk it?

Some Pressure for Citgo

Another local Citgo franchise dropping Citgo and going independent-this station just took down the prominent CITGO sign that you now see is missing- it seems people really do vote with their wallets!(Hayti, MO)
Glad to see the independent owners following in 7-Eleven's footsteps...

Welcome Back

I notice now that the weather is improving here in Southeast Missouri that those motorcyclists whose loud pipes "save lives" are finally out and about again... Riding 'season' is back! Of course my riding season never ends, but it's good to see them out on the road. Welcome back!

It's Time to Back off the Bank of America

This recent policy of issuing credit cards to Mexicans seems to have really touched one of the many nerves regarding immigration in the United States... Apparently, Bank of America believes that it's muy importante to service credit-worthy foreigners who want credit cards. The Hispanic population of the USA, illegally here or not, is by far the fastest-growing. It makes tremendous business sense to serve that market. Regardless of why they're here, Bank of America sees what they believe to be a creditworthy foreigner standing in front of them (or at the very least, one who is willing to establish a secured card by putting money up-front).

I say it's good old Capitalism, plain and simple. People are talking as if the bank is issuing unsecured credit cards to all illegal immigrants, which is clearly preposterous. Kudos to Bank of America, for refusing to behave like a charity, and actually trying to make a buck. I really hope they don't cave in to the pressure on this one.

And Here I Was Under the Impression

that sending additional troops to Baghdad would have no effect... Hmmm...

This Year's Cool Scuba Dive

May well be the Spiegel Grove. I can live with that.

Sometimes, the Good Guys Win

Of course by good guys, I mean Capitalists. The news of Wal-Mart's victory over Maryland made my week. No legislature is more capable than a business in determining what amount of health care spending will attract and retain the most qualified employees. Score one for the good guys- you Wal-Mart Jihadists will have to go back to the drawing board.