The Backroom Blog http://the-backroom.com Since 2007; Reviews, Comments, Humor and more... en-us Nucleus CMS v3.64 οΏ½ Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://the-backroom.com/nucleus/nucleus2.gif The Backroom Blog http://the-backroom.com Isn't life tragic? http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1101
No one could call these the best of times - the direst economic figures for fifty years, the grimmest climatic prospects for ten thousand. Troubles that play upon our fear of the unknown, like the potential flu pandemic, and troubles we know all too well: Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea... We are far away from that blissful era, a mere eighty years ago, when the BBC could announce to a waiting nation and Empire, "the news tonight: there is no news tonight."

Yet, on closer inspection, these are the best of times - or very close to them. Despite the many dangers we see around us, we are, on average, longer lived, better fed, better educated, and safer than we have ever been. Famine, disease, war, natural disasters, industrial accidents, death on the road, rails, or in the air - we have less personally to fear from all of these than at any time in human history. Why, then, are we sleeping so badly?1) Too much knowledge. The fear in Russian roulette stems from knowing that there's a cartridge in the chamber; this knowledge skews our sense of chance, since even small probabilities remain possible. Take the case of air travel, for instance. Each American who flies is playing a life-long game of Russian roulette with one bullet and 19,999 empty chambers – but each American also knows the details of every air accident worldwide, which makes a potential disaster feel familiar and therefore likely (in what's called the "availability heuristic"). Moreover, we are surrounded by media whose success depends on making our fears appear real: no reporter wants to supply the headline "Small Earthquake in Chile, Not Many Dead." In a noisy world, scary stories travel better.

2) The framing effect: the better things are, the worse potential trouble seems. Just as no-one, however rich, feels he has quite enough money, no amount of security can never make us feel entirely safe. We notice the pea under the mattress because, recently, we have been living like princesses.

 
Moreover, we are surrounded by media whose success depends on making our fears appear real: no reporter wants to supply the headline "Small Earthquake in Chile, Not Many Dead." In a noisy world, scary stories travel better. ”


3) Softening of the heart to the point of flabbiness: a lack of real hardship has made us cheapen the currency of joy and tears. We weep at the expulsion of contestants from reality shows; we hail as "heroes" people – like, say, Captain Sullenberger – who rightly point out that they were only doing their jobs. We wrap our soldiers and sports figures alike in the kind of sentimental mist that used to be reserved for motherhood (and apple pie).

Worst of all, we abuse the idea of tragedy, applying it indiscriminately to all bad things alike. In doing so, we forget the lesson that the Greeks taught when they came up with it: that the most poignant disasters are the direct result of flaws in character, not of chance. Nature's randomness is not the enemy; we are betrayed by what is false within.

Character, therefore, is fate; to secure a better fate, we need work on ourselves, not just our circumstances. If any of the things we fear comes true because our flaws – our pettiness, our self-absorption – prevented us from getting together, getting organized, and dealing with it… well, that would be tragic.

Credit: Michael Kaplan.
]]> From Members http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1101 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:51:55 -0500 Great Idea! http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1082 Call CenterI want to ask each of you to consider doing the following when you are talking on the phone to any US customer service representative that is based in a foreign country (like India). I have done this twice and it works! Any time you call an 800 number (for a credit card, banking, charter communications, health insurance, insurance, you name it) and you are transferred to a representative (like in India), please consider doing the following:

After you connect and you realize that the customer service representative is not from the USA (you can always ask if you are not sure about the accent), please very politely (very politely - this is not about trashing other cultures) say, "I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the United States of America ." The rep might suggest talking to his/her manager, but, again, politely say, "Thank you, but I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the USA ." YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED to a rep in the USA . It only takes less than one minute to have your call re-directed to the USA . Tonight when I got redirected to a USA rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from Fort -Lauderdale.

 
the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a foreign phone rep ”
Imagine if tomorrow, every US citizen who has to make such a call and then requests a US rep, imagine how that would ultimately impact the number of US jobs that would need to be created ASAP. Imagine what would happen if every US citizen insisted on talking to only US phone reps from this day on. If I tell 10 people to consider this and you tell 10 people to consider doing this - see what I mean...it becomes an exercise in viral marketing 101.

Remember - the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a foreign phone rep. If you agree, please tell people you know or share this article.]]> From Members http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1082 Mon, 7 Feb 2011 20:12:36 -0500 Why Athletes can't have regular jobs http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1072
2. New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: "I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."

3. And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the 'Skin's say: "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl," Matt Millen of the Raiders said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too."

4. Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: "He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings.."

5. Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann: "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."

6. Senior basketball player at West Virginia University : "I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." (Now that is beautiful)7. Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach: "You guys line up alphabetically by height.." And, "You guys pair up in groups of three, and then line up in a circle."

8. Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson going to prison: "Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton "

9. Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: "That's so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my clothes."

10. Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota: "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning, regardless of what time it is.

11. Chuck Nevitt , North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice: "My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt."
(I wonder if his IQ ever hit room temperature in January).

12. Frank Layden , Utah Jazz president, on a former player: "I told him, Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, 'Coach, I don't know and I don't care.'"

13. Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four F's and one D: "Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject".

14. In the words of NC State great Charles Shackelford I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious.

15. Amarillo High School and Oiler coach Bum Phillips when asked by Bob Costas why he takes his wife on all the road trips, Phillips responded: Because she is too damn ugly to kiss good-bye."]]> The Fun Place http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1072 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:13:00 -0500 Sharp lessons for torturers http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1067 This posting is currently being edited by Webmaster.

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You may have been reading the torture memos – and if so, you will be feeling pretty sick. It's all there: the old Nixonian presumption that "it's not illegal if the President does it"; the mealy-mouthed cloaking of horror in the blandest of language (such as the "rare instances" where eleven days of sleep deprivation might produce "abnormal reactions"); the combination of legal strictures with weasel words and let-out clauses that allow the interrogators to do what they want, so long as their "intention" is to comply.

The whole episode is shameful – and not just because was crude, brutal and dishonest. It was also stupid: it's as if, blinded by the promise of limitless support and resources from the White House, the CIA's professionals forgot all their trade-craft and signed up instead to the simpler doctrines of the military's SERE program, in which participants are tortured because – of course – that's what other, less sophisticated, countries do. In particular, they set aside the lessons of what some call the inquisitor's Bible: John Tolliver's The Interrogator, a study of the Luftwaffe's Hanns Joachim Scharff.Scharff was perhaps the most effective interrogator in history (one ex-POW said "Hanns could probably get a confession of infidelity from a nun"). Courteous and humane, he was known for the efforts he made to improve conditions for wounded or sick prisoners, as well as for his ability to secure them rare treats like chocolate and cognac.

Scharff was no pushover – he wanted, and got, operational information – but his technique worked by reminding his prisoners of a shared humanity that extended beyond this question, this room, this war. He was constantly tempting them to release the mental pressure that was causing them so much anxiety. He knew that these boys had one big imperative: to resist brutality; so he was not brutal – and, by and large, they did not resist. They dropped their guards and unwittingly let pass little scraps of news he could assemble in his meticulous, organized mind.

 
Scharff was perhaps the most effective interrogator in history (one ex-POW said Hanns could probably get a confession of infidelity from a nun) ”


It is rare that ex-prisoners would hold a reunion to fκte their interrogator, but Sharff's did (in 1980, where the guests also included Generals Jimmy Doolittle and Curtis LeMay). And his ability to put together minute clues into a big picture served him well in his post-war career as a mosaicist; if you like, you can see his handiwork in Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland.

Everyone in the business knows about Scharff - so why did they forget his example? Because they were in a hurry; because they were lazy; because the Bush administration, here as elsewhere, had no use for history.

Disclaimer: The material(s) in our posts and follow-up comments are mostly submitted by our members and to the best of our knowledge they are factual, accurate and consistent with their sources, -The Backroom Blog is not responsible for the contents in this post, neither endorse, support, promote or harvest any of the activities described herein- if you think any of the postings in this blog are misrepresenting individuals or places or are in any way inaccurate, do not hesitate to report it to The site Administrator.
]]> From Members http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1067 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:03:00 -0500 Senior Classifieds http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1073  Some 'Senior' personal ads seen in ''theVillages'' Florida newspapers: (Who says seniors don't have a sense of humor?)

FOXY LADY:
Sexy, fashion-conscious blue-haired beauty, 80's, slim, 5'4' (used to be 5'6'), searching for sharp-looking, sharp-dressing companion. Matching white shoes and belt a plus.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT:
Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband, and am looking for someone to round out a six-unit plot. Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath not a problem.

SERENITY NOW:
I am into solitude, long walks, sunrises, the ocean, yoga and meditation. If you are the silent type, let's get together, take our hearing aids out and enjoy quiet times.WINNING SMILE:
Active grandmother with original teeth seeking a dedicated flosser to share rare steaks, corn on the cob and caramel candy.

BEATLES OR STONES?
I still like to rock, still like to cruise in my Camaro on Saturday nights and still like to play the guitar. If you were a groovy chick, or are now a groovy hen, let's get together and listen to my eight-track tapes.

MEMORIES:
I can usually remember Monday through Thursday.
If you can remember Friday, Saturday and Sunday, let's put our two heads together.

MINT CONDITION:
Male, 1932, high mileage, good condition, some hair, many new parts including hip, knee, cornea, valves. Isn't in running condition, but walks well.]]> The Fun Place http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1073 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 19:59:00 -0500 Animator vs. Animation http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1065 Animator vs. Animation
]]> The Fun Place http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1065 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:48:54 -0500 Proposed Reform Act for 2011 http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1099 The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011
1. Term Limits.

12 years only, one of the possible options below..
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

2. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.

The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!! If you agree with the above... share this]]> Current Events http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1099 Sun, 2 Jan 2011 13:53:00 -0500 Poll Archives http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1105 Latest polls in reverse order:

There should be no National ID card.

Show poll results 

Repeal laws prohibiting adult possession and use of drugs.

Show poll results 

There should be no laws regarding sex for consenting adults.

Show poll results 

Military service should be voluntary. There should be no draft.

Show poll results 

Government should not censor speech, press, media, or internet.

Show poll results 

]]> General http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1105 Sat, 1 Jan 2011 19:48:00 -0500 It's a Festivus Miracle! http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1059 "With neither time nor money to find our first Festivus pole, a miracle has happened letting us know this move to Festivus from Hanukkah is the right one.
Goddamn shower curtain fell on my head. And again! Freaking cheap bast**d Target tension rod. Ouch!
Replaced today, and on the way to the trash with the old one realized the potential of what I was holding! It isn't regulation length but boy does half a shower curtain rod work GREAT!
I know it's not quite the thing to do but I did find an antique and requested glass doorknob in my garden which I stuck on the top. I made a Happy Festivus sign, taped in on the pole and stuck the grand thing in a flower pot on my front porch!
Festivus! Festivus! Festivus!... "

Happy Festivus!
"Happy Festivus" is the traditional greeting of Festivus a holiday featured in "The Strike" episode of Seinfeld. The episode first aired on December 18, 1997. Since then many people have been inspired by the goodness of the Seinfeld holiday and they now celebrate Festivus as any other holiday.


 
For thousands of years Festivus has provided a temporary relief from the stresses of everyday life. ”
According to the Seinfeld model, Festivus is celebrated each year on December 23rd. However many people celebrate it other times in December and even at other times throughout the year.

The original slogan of Festivus is "A Festivus for the rest of us!" Instead of a tree an unadorned aluminum pole is used, in contrast to normal holiday materialism. Those attending Festivus may also participate in the "Airing of Grievances" which is an opportunity to tell others how they have disappointed you in the past year, followed by a Festivus dinner, and then completed by the "Feats of Strength" where the head of the household must be pinned. All of these traditions are based upon the events in the Seinfeld episode.

History in brief

While it first came to the attention of most of America by way of the Seinfeld episode, the celebration of a holiday called Festivus is part of human history throughout the ages, most notably in ancient Rome, nineteenth-century California, and upstate New York in the 1960s.

By December 2004, when Allen Salkin's article about Festivus as a real holiday appeared in the New York Times, thousands of people around the world were celebrating Festivus with parties, grievance-airing, pole-erecting, beer-brewing and the invention of new Festivus rituals.

Sources: festivusweb :: festivusbook
]]> From Members http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1059 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:46:00 -0500 Politically correct? http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1075 DAVID LETTERMAN MAY BE IN TROUBLE WITH NASCAR!

 
David Letterman may not get any flak from NASCAR, but I'll bet he does get some 'flak' from the NAACP, and others such as Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jackson will absolutely go nuts !!!
David Letterman's Top 10 reasons why there are no black NASCAR drivers:

# 10 - Have to sit upright while driving.

# 9 - Pistol won't stay under front seat.

# 8 - Engine noise drowns out the rap music.

# 7 - Pit crew can 't work on car while holding up pants at the same time.

# 6 - They keep trying to carjack Dale Earnhardt Jr.

# 5 - Police cars on track interfere with race.

# 4 - No passenger seat for the Ho.

# 3 - No Cadillacs approved for competition.

# 2 - When they crash their cars, they bail out & run.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY BLACKS CAN'T BE IN NASCAR...
# 1 - They Can't wear their helmets sideways.

Disclaimer: The material(s) in our posts and follow-up comments are mostly submitted by our members, -The Backroom Blog is not responsible for the contents in this post, -if you think any of the postings in this blog are offensive, do not hesitate to report it to The site Administrator.

]]> The Fun Place http://the-backroom.comindex.php?itemid=1075 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:36:00 -0500