The Jon Stewart vs Jim Cramer Showdown
Posted by Michelle Moquin on March 15th, 2009
Good morning.
I feel as if I have a lot of catching up to do. Yesterday was challenging and I barely had any time to write, let alone read any of your comments. I did. But unlike most times when I am able to respond to your comments, these past few days time has slipped by. Today is no different, so bear with me….this is just how it is right now. And my computer is running so slow today…it is a bit frustrating. Now I know how frustrated all of you must feel when you are trying to comment and you just can’t get in. Okay enough of the excuses…let’s chat.
As I said, I was able to read your comments and while persuing them, I did notice that a few were unapproved waiting to be approved.
Anonymous Aka anon3: Just FYI for the future, if you include more than 1 url in your comment, your comment will be held for approval. This is to avoid those that want to spam me promoting their business etc. I did notice this morning that you had tried several times to get your comment in with the 3 urls included, as they were waiting to be approved. I appreciate your persistency in wanting us to have the information by continually trying to post your comment. I approved the comment that listed them. Thank you.
I have to just interject here and let my mind go in the direction it wants to….that’s one of the things that I love about writing my blog. I can just take time out from one topic and switch to whatever topic comes to mind. So again, bear with me and my A.D.D. this morning (attention deficit disorder :)
I just have to honor President Obama this morning. Obama’s stimulus plan and his budget may not be perfect, but I believe that he is doing the best job that he can considering the circumstances, and the people he is up against. I mean come on….look at how much he has already done in the short amount of time he has been in office. He doesn’t waste any time putting into motion what needs to happen. He is quite amazing and we all need to realize this. I totally support him. We are asking so much from him and he is delivering. And I ask again…just what are you doing to support him?
On another note…I read Anonz’s post via his contact, but I really didn’t get the chance to read the article linked to it….Yet. However, when I clicked over and noticed that the headline read: Jim Cramer Uses CNBC to Manipulate Stocks, I felt a bit amused. Only for the reason that Jim Cramer was the exact topic that I was planning on writing about today. Him and Jon Stewart that is.
Did any of you see the Jon Stewart Show the other night? I didn’t but I did see the videos of the show on youtube. It was brill! He was going at it with Jim Cramer from CNBC’S Mad Money.
I haven’t watched Mad Money much but although his show is supposedly entertainment, I think some people actually take Cramer seriously. And I think he pushes the boundaries a bit when he pretends he is giving solid researched advice. Sadly, I don’t think that many people know the difference and that some people actually do take his advice as solid. Scary but true.
That being said, I think Jon stewart was pretty amazing for doing what no one else has been willing to do, and his grilling over CNBC and Cramer is long overdue. Stewart was persistent, intelligent, and honest, and didn’t allow Cramer to sneak away. He demanded an explanation. I just loved it. Steward needs to call out the rest of CNBC and drag them onto his show. Bring it on Stewart – keep it coming!
Here is the exclusive, uncensored, complete three-part interview below. Check it out…
Readers: Cool yes? I’d love to hear your thoughts. On the above and anything else. I have a feeling that my topic and Anonz’s might have a similar vein but as I mentioned I have not read his yet. So you tell me. Blog me.
But enough about Stewart. What about the rest of us? Now it’s time for us to step up. Quit watching shows like Cramer’s and others that contributed to our financial downfall. And boycott the sponsors of those shows. It’s time to take our country back.
Ah…I am so grateful for the power of the internet. It allows us to spread the word and be heard. Keep talking peeps, I love the banter.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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March 15th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Hi Michelle, I know that I am not writing about Today’s Blog topic but I feel like relaying some information to you. Since I can only do this through the Blog, the readers will have to hear some truth whether they believe it or not. Unfortunately, Sir, this is an open forum.
I had an extensive 2-hour talk with Carr yesterday. We spoke of so many things – many things concerning our past together and many concerning my future. I was told that there are certain qualities in me that both Car and the TAO are very interested in. He says that I am quite unique.
It began by my asking him why he calls me his Best Human Friend and Companion when he has the pick of anyone on the Planet. They do not happen to have the special qualities that he has seen in me from the day we first met, and tells me the TAO see those same qualities and wish to use them to help other Planets in the universe.
I do not know what these qualities are because I have a low self image, but I was guaranteed that they are there inside me. As I was also guaranteed that I am going on my journey.
I will not keep up the ruse that you are an innocent Blog Host who just wants to hear other people’s comments about Politics and the never ending ANONZ saga. I know who and what your position is in all this.
There is no doubt in my mind whether I am going to be leaving – never to return to this Planet. I KNOW that I am. Carr is leaving the details up to the TAO because they are good at what they do and he doesn’t have to do anything but watch and be entertained by what unfolds.
I am just living my life and dealing with the daily mundane problems that many Humans must deal with, such as keeping a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I do not have to wonder if I will be selected or must pass these ridiculous tests put before me. I just carry on as usual and one day the day will come. I really don’t care when.
HOWIE
March 16th, 2009 at 4:52 am
SCIENCE OF SYNCHRONIZATION EASES PAIN
Imagine being able to stand, sit and move in such a way that you are always at ease, your twinges of back pain are gone, your energy is high and you protect yourself from injury. Imagine being able to take that ability into all areas of your life, whether sitting at the computer, standing in line at the bank or playing golf, tennis or any other sport. The key to achieving this enviable state is learning how to position your body so that it is totally relaxed, to find the place where it experiences no resistance or tension. The question, of course, is how to find that place… and the answer may be a system called Optimotion.
Optimotion is the brainchild of Jeffrey Zimmerman, OMD, once a classical musician and now a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, acupuncturist and Qigong master in Westport, Connecticut. I spoke with Dr. Zimmerman about Optimotion (www.optimotion.net) and he told me he had developed it over many years, starting when he first learned about the phenomenon of synchronization — how various networks, whether symphony orchestras or those in the human body, naturally synchronize in such a way that they work perfectly together. This led him to study how synchronization might help people discover the best way to use their bodies.
His idea was to help locate the place of having no muscle tension — which is how martial arts masters move so fluidly — where the blood can flow easily and energy is released most efficiently. When your body is synchronized and in its optimal position, there are no impediments to deploying your power to your maximum potential. By helping people use movement to locate their body’s natural optimal state, Dr. Zimmerman has helped athletes perform better and ordinary people live pain-free. Once the body knows its natural state, it is relaxed, enabling you to focus all energy on the task at hand. In Optimotion, motion is not vigorous and is often as scant as a fraction of an inch — it is a tiny amount that with practice produces a large impact.
TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE
You can begin learning the principles of Optimotion at your desk, sitting in front of your computer or at your kitchen table. To start: Observe how you are holding yourself at this moment. Are you in a typical position, hunched over, shoulders tense and leaning toward the computer screen? Now think about how to readjust your body — your goal is to create fluidity and freedom of movement through alignment from the base of your spine to the top of your head. In this position, your shoulders are slightly back, the lower back is slightly curved out. The “there” spot is when the body relaxes. Freedom of tension is the sensation. Once you have found it, note how good it feels, how “just right” it is. Take a few moments to enjoy this feeling.
Once you have found this point of no resistance, it is time to add deep observation/awareness to your breathing. Relax and inhale fully, paying attention to how your body shifts… your rear goes back ever so slightly, your chin rises and your shoulder blades move toward each other. Exhale and observe how your body reverses these small changes. Use your breathing to practice this slight motion, focusing on how it continuously guides you back to the “just right” place. The last step: To optimize your sitting motion, consciously lean forward to the point you lose your feeling of fluidity. Exactly at this place, stop. Your goal is to re-educate your body and brain to have freedom of movement. As soon as you go beyond that place of fluidity and create tension, you are wasting energy by sending the wrong signals to the body. (It will likely be no more than an inch or so, if that.) Reverse your motion to reclaim your alignment/fluidity, base of spine to top of skull — and then go back beyond that point and stop, returning once again to alignment. Practicing this back-and-forth motion will soon train your body to move instinctively into its place of alignment through fluidity and complete relaxation. Ideally, the body would be moving through this feeling 24 hours a day… biologically, it is always seeking to be in this place. Throughout the day remind yourself that the fluid softness is the key. The benefits are that you are in complete control of educating your body to always be fluid and centered, so you have a clearer mind and are better able to enjoy your everyday activities.
STANDING ADVICE
To find your ideal place while standing, the same basic Optimotion rules apply. However, this time your best alignment is based on picturing a plumb line that goes from your body into the ground beneath you. Start with feet shoulder distance apart, knees slightly bent, and find the place where you’re neither leaning forward nor backward, but just perfectly balanced, with head directly over your feet. Having found that place, shift your weight forward toward your toes until your body tightens… now shift back toward your heels until the same thing happens. You will quickly see that the position of relaxation or, what Dr. Zimmerman terms “the place of no resistance,” is somewhere in the middle of that back-and-forth motion. Over time and with practice, says Dr. Zimmerman, you will begin to see what in your body is causing tension. Often it is the site of an old injury. As you continue to re-educate your body, the problem area will begin to correct itself. “It will come into alignment with the rest of the body because that is where it naturally wants to be,” he says. Practice anywhere — including standing in line at the grocery store. The idea is to get the body to always desire the path of least resistance.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF OPTIMOTION
Learning basic Optimotion principles is not difficult, but it takes practice — try to do so once or twice a day for several minutes. Here are Dr. Zimmerman’s guidelines…
• First and most important, have fun with this — not only will it make practice more enjoyable, you will not create tension with this approach.
• Find a place where you are comfortable practicing.
• As you practice, be on the watch for where you carry the most tension in your body.
• Remember that tension and relaxation cannot co-exist… and with that in mind, find the place of least resistance by leaning forward, shifting your weight toward your toes and then leaning back, shifting it back toward your heels.
• Become familiar with the spot in between the back and forth where your body feels both free and soft, in other words, your “just right” spot.
You can practice this any time you take a break in your day. Just 30 seconds of movement will lead you to alignment. Over time this will become your natural optimal default position. Once you begin to automatically sit and stand this way, begin to bring this position to every movement you do. You’ll find that it enhances all activities, including workouts and sports. For example, Dr. Zimmerman says that clients have shown him they can lift 30% more weight simply by finding the optimal relaxed place as they lift. “People tend to lean back on their heels while lifting, and so miseducate the body every time they lift,” he explains. Simply shifting your weight toward your toes until you are relaxed and aligned will put you in the ideal place… freeing your energy to lift more weight, swing the golf club better or simply do the dishes with no back pain. And even when you are not active, taking a moment to realign to your optimal position provides a quick and easy way to calm down both physically and spiritually.
Source(s): ??Jeffrey Zimmerman, OMD, once a classical musician and now a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, acupuncturist and Qigong master in Westport, Connecticut. Learn more about Optimotion at http://www.optimotion.net.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Know the Lingo — How to Get Wise to Scam Language
Over the years, scam language seems to have become something of an art form in itself — sometimes hilarious and sometimes deadly serious.
For a start, there’s a whole mini-dictionary of new words or new definitions of old words. Think of phishing, vishing, pharming, flim-flams and 419s. Then there’s whaling, skimming, baiting-and-switching, and key logging. Or how about boiler rooms, pretexting, splogs (fake blog sites), scareware and malware?
There’s certainly enough for a good Trivial Pursuit category!
Our particular favorite — though it’s no laughing matter — is the recently coined abbreviation RUMBLE (Recruitment of Unwitting Money-launderers by Bogus Letters of Employment), which is part of the overpayment scam.
But the use of language — or, more precisely, its misuse — can also be a dead giveaway for a scam. Take this gem, for example:
— Begin scam email 1 —
Good news dear, It is my pleasure to inform you that the latest development regarding the news from the New president of the United State of America to release all your fund through bank of america without any further delay.
— End scam email 1 —
The bad grammar, incorrect capitalization, curious wording and the references to the singular United State, are exactly as written. As the blogger who received it said: “This one is so bad, it’s good.”
(Incidentally, all the spelling and grammar errors in the examples in this article are exactly as in the originals – they’re not ours!)
The non-use of an individual’s name in this example also signals a scam. A common variation starts with something like “Dear account-holder.” They don’t know who you are!
Surely, you would think, nobody would fall for this type of message. But they do. Scammers don’t seem to worry about their poor use of English. Sometimes, they even apologize for it, offering it as evidence that they are just poor, humble citizens in desperate need of help.
They also know that if the bait is strong enough, people’s curiosity will be piqued to the point where they overlook the poor wording of a message. Like this email urging the reader to click on an attachment:
— Begin scam email 2 —
Here is the archive with those information, you asked me. And don’t forget, it is strongly confidential!!! Seya, man. P.S. Don’t forget my fee ;)
— End scam email 2 —
Hmm. What could be in that “confidential” attachment? This word is commonly used to lure people to open attachments or activate links. Don’t click it, man!
Sometimes, single misspellings provide the clue that all is not right with the message you receive, especially if it’s supposed to come from a business person who you would expect to be able to spell and string a decent sentence together.
For instance a recent RUMBLE letter offering victims a bogus job said salary would be paid “twise” a month, a 419-er referred to the “issueing” bank, while a spoof eBay phishing message said the firm strongly “advice” you to change your password.
Another phishing message to subscribers of the Internet phone service Vonage warned that their account would expire in “Octomber.” That should have been enough to put potential victims off from clicking the link which went to a bogus Vonage sign-on page.
It’s not just words that the scammers get wrong either. Another eBay phishing message, reported recently by the magazine New Scientist, told recipients that “eBay have over 100000000 people worldwide dedicated to keeping PayPal accounts safe.” That would work out at about one in 70 of the entire world population working for eBay!
Of course, not every decent person is blessed with math skills or knowledge of perfect grammar and spelling, so it’s quite possible that spelling mistakes may be missed. But there are other tell-tale types of wording that suggest a message or website could be a scam. Here are some more signs:
Use of old-fashioned, stilted or flowery language, like this lotto-winner spoof: “We are assigned to render advice and assistance in line with your winning claim process.”
Use of foreign languages and/or Russian/Cyrillic characters, or purposely jumbled words that aim to bypass spam filters. If you can’t read it, ditch it.
Auction listings or messages that use words with all capital letters. Even in normal usage, all-capitals is considered rude and bad form. But in auctions, as eBay themselves admit: “If an auction is posted in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS….the chances of a buyer having a problem with the purchase are increased by a factor of TEN!”
Incomplete or rambling sentences that just don’t make sense. Believe it or not, the following is all one sentence:
— Begin scam email 3 —
Due to our credit card processor is down we can not proceed on charging of your credit card so the company board advices that you look around for a western union around you and make the fund deposit to the company accountant name via western union so that your shipment can be activated for delivery soonest so we can get back to you with your full shipment tracking details so you can track your order online via fedex.
— End scam email 3 —
Whew!
Use of religious terms that suggest the scammer is really pious and honest. Though certainly not all are scams, bogus messages using this technique often end with “God bless.”
A recent phony begging letter began “MY Beloved One in Christ.” It continued: “It is rather unfortunate that I am writing this mail to you in deep tears while lying on a hospital bed due to chronic cancer of thelungs waiting for the time to pass unto eternal glory.”
“Rather unfortunate” seems rather an understatement…
Some of these scam language points are neatly rolled up in this classic Nigerian scam message received by a British target:
— Begin scam email 4 —
All whom I needed is a sincere, honest, trustworthy and God-fearing individuals whom my mind will absolve to help me in this deal. If you have feelings about my situation, don’t hesitate to stand for me.
— End scam email 4 —
Huh?
There are also a number of perfectly legitimate words that form part of the scam language lexicon, that should, at the very least, encourage caution. Words like “processing fee” and references to “tax” or “customs” payments often crop up in lottery and Nigerian/advance fee scams.
Be on the lookout too for words and phrases that urge you to take action immediately, like: “deadline,” “won’t last,” “act now,” “today only.” And so on; you get the idea… (Of course, there are also many legitimate sales messages that do use these terms.)
And if someone says they “saw your profile on the Internet” and just had to get in touch, or wanted to offer you a job or a modeling assignment, beware. The scam language giveaway is that they don’t say where they saw it.
But even if they name a site, always exercise caution and check them out thoroughly. 999 times out of 1,000, it’s a scam.
Finally, a couple of business names that should always, but always, put you on your guard: Western Union and Moneygram. These are perfectly legitimate businesses that provide a useful service but if you’re buying online or asked to send money to someone you don’t know using these services, they should set the old alarm bells ringing!
Same goes for emails supposedly from big businesses or important people who use email addresses like Gmail and Hotmail. Many of us use these addresses but big companies do not.
In summary, words play a vital part in society. We use them to communicate ideas, feelings and knowledge and to understand the intentions of others. But they can also be used for evil.
Paying attention to grammar, spelling and key phrases can help you spot scam language and trouble. When it comes to scams, get your dictionary out and mind your language!
March 16th, 2009 at 5:45 am
I keep getting this when I make an entry.
could not open the page “http://blog.michellemoquin.com/wp-comments-post.php” because the server is not responding.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Michelle:
A lot of people on and from Guam read your site. I am heading for the mainland. I asked some of my friends to post to your site the good Guam news to keep me and others up to date.
It seems that you get readers from all over the world. So as we Chamorros satisfy our wonder lust the world over we can do one stop reminiscing and staying current with affairs on Guam from your blog. I hope this is alright.
I told them to read your answer here before they publish. I hope you will say it is okay. Here is an example of what some of current news from Guam(Where America’s Day Begins) may look like.
I had to erase the article because it just won’t let me post it. I keep getting “Duplicate comment, it looks as if you already said that.”
Maybe I can break it up.
Love
Anna
March 16th, 2009 at 5:51 am
The Guam Girls Scouts turned 74 yesterday and celebrated the milestone with a proclamation signing by first lady Joann Camacho, who is also a former girl scout.
March is declared Guam Girl Scouts Month.
Vickie Fish, the executive director for Guam Girl Scouts, put the landmark event into context by describing other highlights of the year the organization started on Guam.
“It started here back in 1935 –that was the same year Amelia Earhart took the first solo flight from Hawaii to California. That was the same year nylon was discovered and the year when Babe Ruth played his last professional game,” Fish said. “Coinciding with that, it sets the stage culturally for when we started on Guam.”
As a volunteer organization, the Guam Girl Scouts has 31 troops across the island that participates in community events, such as canned food drives and helping to plant trees in historic parks. Foremost, the organization is a positive program for girls, said Fish.
“They learn to have respect for yourself and others, how to contribute to the environment, leadership roles and doing service projects for and within the community.”
The proclamation also commemorates the volunteers at Guam Girl Scouts, who guide members through their activities.
“The adults serve as role models,” Fish said. “They receive training on how to cope with the girls’ developmental stages … and receive safety training so parents know their children are safe.”
Socializing and friendship are some of the key factors at the organization.
“Girls have always enjoyed belonging and making friends… fun is the biggest part of girl scouting,” said Fish.
Fish added that though families are experiencing economic hardships, it doesn’t take a lot of money to be a girl scout.
“Being a girl scout doesn’t take money, it’s about the benefits. The girls earn their way by selling cookies and participating in events… they learn to have fun without spending money,” Fish said.
She said for $10 a year, girls from ages 5 through 17 are able to become a member.
“It includes the insurance that covers the girls in all functions,” Fish added.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Wow, I broke it up and it worked.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:04 am
How sick is this world? I read this today.
VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — A couple who ran a baby-sitting service out of their home videotaped themselves performing sex acts with children, some as young as 2 months old, police said Friday.
Stephen E. Quick, 31, and Samantha Light, 25, both of Veedersburg in western Indiana, were being held on $100,000 bond in Fountain County Jail. Both faced preliminary charges of child molestation and child exploitation. Jail staff did not know whether either one had an attorney.
Police who searched the couple’s home found a videotape depicting sex acts involving Quick and Light and at least four different children between the ages of 2 months and 6 years old, said Fountain County Sheriff’s Deputy Bob Kemp.
“In 15 years of doing this job, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen or imagined,” he told WRTV. “Just horrible, just horrible It’s a new low.”
Police searched the couple’s home after the parents of a 3-year-old girl reported that she told them Quick and Light had touched her inappropriately and photographed her at their home on Feb. 28.
Deputies seized several computers, cameras, a video camera, pornographic materials, drugs and drug paraphernalia. Several sex toys that appeared in the video were seized during a second search, police said.
Quick and Light were arrested March 5. Neither has a criminal history.
Authorities have removed the couple’s daughter from their home.