Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Unemployment Zealotry and the Frustrations of a Jobs Advocate


There is a great deal to be said about Unemployment Zealotry and the Frustrations of being a Jobs Advocate. The job does not suffer fools or lend itself to the faint hearted or thin skinned. Zealotry is a sacrificial calling as it turns out - but one never really sets out to go on such a quest. Often it is thrust upon you by circumstance or necessity. Such is the case of one Unemployed Zealot: Paladinette.

When blowing the whistle on corrupt mortgage lending at a nationwide lender landed her in the unemployment line, it was not the “bounce back” experience she expected. That was several years, thousands of resumes and too few interviews ago for the 50-something California girl.

“San Diego is the best place to live on earth, unless you are unemployed, single, no children, passed 50 and determined to fight for your survival. Then it does not seem so perfect, according to Paladinette.

“Employers all use the impersonal internet to weed out the hundreds of applicants for every job opening (not the lame figure of 5 or 6 the media wants you to believe) and nobody gives you the chance to allow your talents and personality to stand out in the crowd of applicants. There are employers all over this county totally missing out on the incredible talent and drive I bring to whatever I do. It is their loss!”

There is a pool of over 7 million unemployed UI Exhaustees in exactly the same predicament and America is suffering greatly as a result. This seven million is in addition to the rest of those unemployed Americans who are still collecting UI benefits, for now - yet still cannot find a job to support themselves or their families. This is NOT the America I remember reading about when in school.

The one thing that the long term UI exhaustees really need is a resurrection of the American manufacturing sector, which is not likely to happen as long as the US corrupt Clown Congress is committed to rewarding their campaign finance buddies (the big corporations , banks and big oil) with endless tax breaks and financial incentives for every job they take away from American shores.

The frustrations of a Jobs Advocate like Paladinette do not begin and end with Congress or the White House pandering to the rich - which had obviously been the case since Obama took office. The frustration is really with the American people’s refusal to get out in the streets of America and DEMAND this perfidious conduct by our elected leaders STOP NOW and be replaced with economic patriotism, fairness and an altruistic mandate focused upon OUR COUNTRY rather than every other country in the world.

Already in Libya, the USA has spent over ten times what the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) determined it would cost to implement HR 589 and save hurting Americans from hunger and homelessness. Obviously the “powers that be (elected)” couldn’t care less about the well being of America or those hurting within her shores - only those hurting abroad.

Perhaps ‘It's not what you say, but how you say it’ as demonstrated in the attached video.

What if we all just demanded: AMERICAN JOBS so WE CAN SURVIVE? After a week or 10 days of 7 million people taking to the streets everywhere in The USA - Wall Street would demand that Congress do something and Washington would respond FAST!

The problem is nobody is getting out in the streets to demand anything.

Last Thanksgiving, I told you about a radio show dedicated to the Unemployment Crisis in America: Jobless Talk going off the air (actually the net) as month after month of unfruitful job search had finally rendered the Host of that show (Paladinette - me) flat broke. No way to continue the efforts without the money to survive. Before Christmas, a benefactor committed to seeing American Jobless fight on, stepped forward and for the last 6 months gave me the piece of mind that comes with knowing you have the simple necessities like food, shelter and internet.

I could never adequately convey the gratitude I feel for this wonderful, generous act. I felt the best way to thank this person was to continue the fight and look feverishly for work during this reprieve. Now as the six months comes to an end, I am no closer to being employed than I was back in November. Don’t tell me that the unemployment problem in America is improving because I know better! First hand that it is NOT - especially in California. - and I have been looking for a job in 2 states. (OK now has one of the fastest growing economies for hiring in the USA currently)

During my long battle for a JOBS Bill and UI extension for the 99ers, I have discovered tons of wonderful people along my journey. Great people wasting away - like me, they just want to work hard for some lucky employer and feed their families - but since Congress and Obama are only focused upon more tax breaks for the already under taxed wealthy Americans - and spending money on worthless ‘war like’ activities across the globe, CONGRESS refuses to do their jobs and Obama refuses to LEAD this country for the benefit of ALL (as promised during his campaign)

The only Hope Obama has brought has been to the GOP and wealthiest in this country and the only change is what may be left for the poor: Nickels & Dimes!

So, once again, very shortly I may be facing a difficult choice. Like you, who have been forced to hang on with nothing left to hang on to - I will attempt to find a way through on “a wing and a prayer.” The Congress has done NOTHING to even attempt to resolve this emergency crisis in our country and the American Masses have done nothing to force Washington to change their “Business as Usual” lame attempts at governing - between their all too frequent (over paid) vacations.

With Washington still out this week on holiday and considering the precious little they accomplish when they are in session - it is unlikely that HR 589 or any real help for the hurting millions of UI exhaustees will materialize before their next 2 week vacation in May, 2011. One thing for sure is:

UNLESS or UNTIL you take to the streets and demand what you want and need to survive - Congress will do NOTHING but continue to do NOTHING at all ... except collect their pay and take more vacations. It is really up to you.

[If you like what I write please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]





Paladinette Seeks "Net-roots" Nomination

Tireless Advocate for America's Unemployed masses, Paladinette is seeking your "Net-roots" Nomination to secure sponsorship to Netroots Nation, the biggest progressive conference of the year in June 2011.

YOU CAN HELP: by nominating ME - Donalee King below.

With extremist legislation pending in so many states, it is more important than ever that our movement is strong and unified. From bloggers and life-long activists to young leaders, the people powering the progressive movement are more effective when connected.

Netroots Nation, the biggest progressive conference of the year, is an unparalleled opportunity for activists and bloggers from all over the country to engage with and learn from one another.

But it's not free and some great people can't afford to make it on their own. DFA is committed to sponsoring a diverse group of bloggers and activists -- so that they can attend this important conference in June.

Do you know an activist in your community who should attend Netroots Nation, but needs help getting there? Nominate an activist leader from your community today.

DFA (Democracy for America) is a grassroots organization powered by over one million members across the country. They support an open selection process and invite DFA members and netroots activists everywhere to vote for the applicants they believe deserve a scholarship. After approval from the nominee, this information will be made public so the netroots can get to know more about him or her.

The scholarship is made possible by donations from DFA Members, bloggers and activists, they want to give you a chance to nominate someone you know who deserves a scholarship, but might not have otherwise have heard about this opportunity.

Fill out a few short questions about the nominee, and then they'll get an email asking them to finish the application. With your nomination and support, they could win a scholarship to Netroots Nation in Minneapolis this June!

In addition to the name and email address of your nominee, you will need to provide certain information to complete the process. You will be asked
  • Tell about the nominee in 250 words or less
  • Tell why your nominee deserves a Netroots Nation Scholarship
  • How has the nominee inspired others to get involved politically, to blog or to take action online?
There certainly are hundreds of deserving candidates for this scholarship, but Paladinette (Donalee King) EMAIL: beztchoice@gmail.com is ready and willing to take your 99ers message to the Netroots convention this June if given the chance to do so by this scholarship honor. Thanks!

[If you like what I write please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]



Royal Wedding: Who Cares? Americans Ask WHERE are the JOBS!


With all the media buzz over the Royal Wedding these days, on this side of the pond America asks: Who Cares? Ed Schultz even mentioned on his MSNBC political hour last night how only 6% of Americans care anything about this overpriced and over covered media event. Ed Schultz taking time in his show to discuss the Royal Wedding may be testimony as to how hard up for political news the media is while Congress vacations - but America is asking WHERE are the JOBS?

It would seem that the media would cover the real problems and struggles of the 99ers and other UI exhaustees during this “Political Lull” in the Washington News Cycle - but NOPE! Even the media couldn’t care less about hungry, homeless, hurting Americans - but millions of dollars being spent on the offspring of wealthy Non- Americans (to an audience of only 6%) is getting weeks, months and hours of media attention. In fact, the Ed Schultz show will be preempted later this week for (you guessed it) coverage leading up to the Royal Wedding. Unbelievable.

I guess that those who work to keep the advertiser dollars rolling in for the news shows have realized that 99ers have no money to buy ANYTHING so why waste their time giving air time to the ugly side of what is really happening in the USA. It is time that the MILLIONS of US Unemployed (exhaustees included) get out and make news the media cannot ignore!

Yesterday, a letter appeared on Congress.org addressed to: Governor Mark Dayton, Sen. Linda Higgins and Rep. Bobby Champion - all of Minnesota. The letter reads in part:
H.R. 589 has been deliberately ignored, to date. The American job hunters cannot afford this. HR 589 needs your support, and it needs to be voted on.

The Star Tribune today has an interesting investigative piece which shows that at least in my region, millions of dollars earmarked for the creation of jobs, but created nothing. I am sure this is happening across the nation.

Maybe that money could be recouped and used toward funding the UI extension. Ditto the money that went toward bailing out GM and the banking industry.

Many of us are subsisting on temporary jobs and jobs that nobody else wants, but even these jobs have dried up. Most of us do not qualify for food support, housing support or another "nets" that are supposed to exist, and women without dependents are treated like dirt.

In the meantime, please remember that job hunting is difficult under the best of circumstances. Job hunting in this economy is even more difficult. Job hunting without money for food, shelter and transportation is the next thing to impossible. I have done it, and am looking at doing it again.
The Sun Tribune article referred to above Where are the jobs? is a great example of what is happening all over the USA with “seed” money that was apparently never planted in fertile ground.

From the article:
Millions of dollars in subsidies to boost hiring among private employers throughout Minnesota have often come up short of jobs, 125 businesses got subsidies tied to job creation but didn't deliver.

More than 650 job-creation deals were put together from 2004 to 2009 (in MN alone) that handed companies state and local tax breaks, low-interest loans, grants or other benefits. Of those, 125 companies didn't meet their hiring commitments as business stalled, early jobs gains were wiped out by recession or firms failed entirely.

At least 46 of the subsidized companies produced no lasting jobs. The data showed that 56 companies received $37 million in such subsidies but created just 551 of the 2,111 jobs that they promised -- or $66,725 per new job.

Overall, 17,300 jobs were created in Minnesota by companies receiving an array of state or local subsidies during the six-year period, while the state's private sector employment declined by 77,200. The results show the limitations of government programs to spur business and jobs, economists say.

Faribault Woolen Mills promised to keep the state's oldest factory operating with the help of $575,000 in state and local loans. In 2009, the factory was closed, sending the last 36 employees out the door.

Excelsior Energy, said it could put 150 people to work at a coal power plant on the Iron Range. Another 1,000 workers would be needed during construction.

Excelsior borrowed $9.5 million from a state development agency. It got another $32 million in grants from the federal government and a utility renewable energy fund to develop clean-coal gasification technology.

After nine years, nothing has been built.

"Lawyers, lobbyists and consultants have been the beneficiaries of this $9.5 million," said state Rep. Tom Anzelc.

Excelsior executives have contributed $134,000 since 2001 to political candidates and groups of both parties. Congress enacted one law to help the project. The Minnesota Legislature passed two bills benefiting the company and is considering a third.

This misspent money or unused stimulus boils down to nothing more than fraud, waste and abuse by the wealthy thieves in America we call Politicians. Do you know how many jobs I could create if somebody gave me $850 billion to do so? And I assure you it would not cost $66,000 per job created.

It is time we put money in the hands of the millions of 99ers in America, as we are the only ones with public, proven methods of making every dollar stretch - else we would not have lasted this long on nothing at all!

With 19 states refusing to take advantage of the money Washington set aside for the “so called” 13 month extension of UI benefits last December, 99ers need to ask Washington:Where is the Money?

This money was already allocated and thus, if it is not going to be spent, it is ready and available to offset the cost of a PAID FOR extra Tier (or additional weeks to an existing Tier) to extend UI benefits for those who desperately need them.

Why every 99er in America is not constantly calling the Republican leadership in the House and the Democratic sponsors of HR 589 every single day demanding they look into this “new way” to fund a 99er extension now is beyond me.

Call Congress Toll Free: (877) 762-8762 and ask to speak with each of the following members: Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, Speaker Boehner, Eric Cantor, Representative Emmanuel Cleaver, Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.)

Then call the White House Comments line 202-456-1414 or contact Obama and give him a piece of your mind as to how you feel about his constantly having plenty of money to help every other country’s hurting masses but NOT Americans. http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Also it is time to relentlessly slam the main Stream Media with calls, letters to the editor, emails. Use the I-Reporter links almost all websites of your local and National media darlings have available for your submissions. FLOOD them with stories of homeless, struggling families, foreclosure signs, interview America’s hungry children in your community (get parental permission) and use your flip video cameras to make better, more substantial news reports than some rich offspring getting married over seas.

PLEASE CNN, MSNBC, ABC, FOX, CBS - STOP helping Washington Hide the TRUTH that America is HURTING BAD! Granting hours of news coverage for only 6% of your American viewing public is shameful and irresponsible - no matter how much money you gouged for each advertising minute.

It is time you did your job too. You have watched Washington do little or NOTHING for so long now that you the American Media have degraded into the sin of sloth at best or at worst engaged in a conspiracy of hiding the truth from the average American who knows only what they hear from you!

Yes, I am a little known blogger/journalist calling out the “MSM” (main stream media) for their utter failures as journalists - in not exposing Americans to the real truth of how bad things really are out here on Main Street! But, like politicians - I really doubt the MSM has the character to feel the shame they have brought upon themselves by this cataclysmic failure on their part and just like Washington Politicians, they (the MSM) are only concerned about the almighty dollar - only difference is the campaign dollar$ vs advertising dollar$. But aCourtesan is still a Trull no matter what form of payment is used for their favors.

[If you like what I write please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]




Rumor: Two NFL Draft Prospects Test Positive For Marijuana


Editor's note: this is only a rumor. When Justin Houston of Georgia, and Christian Ballard of Iowa tumbled down Gil Brandt's and the National Football Post's big boards, they didn't really give an explanation. Now, it may have came to light.

Jay Glazer reports on twitter that Iowa defensive lineman Christian Ballard and Georgia 4-3 defensive end/3-4 outside linebacker Justin Houston both failed drug tests at the NFL combine for marijuana.

Testing positive at the NFL combine can tell you one thing. These players are just downright stupid. They know they are going to the NFL combine well in advance of the February date, and they know damn well they are going to be drug tested at it. How long marijuana can stay in your system is kind of up in the air, but it can stay in there for as little as two days, to as long as a month depending on your metabolism and other factors. It just means that these guys, for whatever reason, risked testing positive before the biggest job interview they will ever face in their entire lives.

Before this positive test, Justin Houston was regarded as a mid to late first round draft choice, and Christian Ballard has been commonly placed in the second round. It should be known that back in 2009 Justin Houston was suspended 2 games by the Bulldog program for testing positive for marijuana.

Of course this is misinformation season, so take these tests can be taken with a grain of salt. Last year a draft website incorrectly stated that not Packers OLB Clay Matthews and Texans LB Brian Cushing tested positive for PED's. Officials came out and said that the positive test reports were lies, but Cushing tested positive later and was suspended 4 games by the NFL.

Monday, April 25, 2011

2011 NFL Draft Mike Mayock Cam Newton Blast Irresponsible




Just when it looks like the rhetoric leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft was subsiding, NFL Network's Mike Mayock got on The Dan Patrick Show to start it back up again. Mayock's statement - that "I just don't know if he cares enough" - about Newton was plainly irresponsible, given he'd not shared it with the Heisman Trophy winner, and wasn't based on any substantial evidence.

Rather than issue any really valuable view of the National Champion, Mayock managed to dig up concerns that much of the criticism of Newton prior to the 2011 NFL Draft is because he's black.

NFL Network Analyst and legendary NFL defensive tackle Warren Sapp hit the ceiling, saying "What has Cam done that people feel he doesn't want to be great?" It's a good question to ask Mayock, but the Twitter-verse wasn't waiting. It erupted in protest; here are some of the tweets:

AubOrange Justin Lee
Does Mike Mayock have any "gut feelings" about any of the white quarterbacks?

Twyc3 THE REAL ME
Mike Mayock needs to get a fucking clue. Cam Newton throw 14 more red then Gabbert and ran 4 over 1500yds and 25 tds he the 1st place winner

Akeiro85 Akinola Fashola
I'm sorry mike mayock your my boy but give cam newton a chance! @nfl I hope he goes no.1 and proves all his haters wrong!

Swandawg62 Dan Swanson
@PaulPabst Warren Sapp just sprung a leak over Mike Mayock's comments on today's show regarding Cam Newton. Go… (cont) http://deck.ly/~Ng82W

C_DA_KID C.J.
@QBKILLA I'm glad u called out Mike Mayock on Cam Newton, if it was Gabbert he wouldn't have said that shit.

It's interesting that the USA Today picked up the anti-Cam Newton statement by Mayock, but not Warren Sapp's counter-blast. This space attacked the USA Today for a very racist take on Newton a few weeks ago.

This 2011 NFL Draft just may be the first one with so many openly race-tinged points of view expressed about one NFL Draft prospect. Sad.

Stay tuned.



2011 NFL Draft Prospects with Checkered Pasts



Here's a list of NFL prospects for this upcoming draft who have had run-ins with the law during college. Will the Bengals or Raiders draft every single one? Are Bengals and Raiders are criminals jokes getting old? Only time will tell.

Kenrick Ellis - DT - Hampton: booted from South Carolina for multiple violations of unspecified team rules. IT's rumored that the team rules violated were due to multiple failed drug tests.


Cam Newton - QB - Auburn: Arrested after being found with a stolen laptop from a UF student. He painted over the laptop and wrote "CAM NEWTON" on it, which must have been to show it was his. Later left UF to not be suspended/expelled for academic cheating/


Ryan Mallett - QB - Arkansas: Arrested for Public Intoxication in 2009 after transferring from Michigan. Has rampant rumors of "drug addiction"

Jimmy Smith - CB - Colorado: failed a drug test back in 2007, and had two charges of minor in possession during his time with the Buffs.

Mitch Mustain - QB - Mizzou: After transferring to USC from Arkansas, he was arrested for selling prescription drugs on CraigsList.

Chris Rucker - CB - Michigan State: Went to jail when he received the second DUI of his Spartans career last October. The newest one he was also given a warning for leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Also suspended with many other Michigan State players in connection with an on campus brawl.



Derrell Johnson-Koulianos - WR - Iowa: Arrested on 7 charges, including: four counts of possession of controlled substances, two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs and one count of keeping a drug house. During a search they found police found cocaine, marijuana, prescription drugs (pamoate, diazepam, hydromorphone hydrochloride and zolpidem tartrate pills), scales, $3,000 cash, and other items used in selling drugs.

Blaine Gabbert - QB - Missouri: Was involved in a drunk pizza parlor brawl that left his brother, teammate Tyler Gabbert with a broken nose, and LB Andrew Gachkar requiring stitches in his hand. Underage at the time, no charges were brought up even though they had "varying levels of intoxication".


Robert Aurich - LB - UMD: Arrested after being shitfaced wasted in which he kicked and shoved police who were trying to get him out of a bar. He even challenged the police, "Do you think you can take me to the ground? I’ll beat you up right now."

Brandon Hogan - CB - WVU: Arrested for DUI after driving on the wrong side of the road last September, and disorderly conduct/public urination back in April of last year.

Niles Paul - WR - Nebraska: Arrested for MIP and Public Urination last June, and for DUI, Driving under a suspended license, and MIP  in April of 2009.

Kyle Theret - S - Minnesota: Arrested for DUI after police saw him strike a parked car and pulling away.

Terrance Toliver - WR - LSU: Arrested for disturbing the peace by fistic encounter; disturbing the peace by public intoxication and resisting an officer March of last year.


Mike Hartline - QB - Kentucky: Arrested last December for second degree disorderly conduct, alcohol intoxication in a public place, and failure to notify the department of transportation of an address change after a woman called police saying that he had assaulted her.

Scooter Berry - DL - WVU: Arrested for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct in October of 2009.

Jock Sanders - WR - WVU: Arrested for DUI when he crossed the yellow lines in February of 2009, and before that for an assault outside of a club.

Justin Houston - DE/OLB - Georgia: Suspended 2 games by the Bulldogs for failing drug tests.

Noel Devine - RB - WVU: Arrested in 2008 for assault in a battery that occurred outside of a club. Allegedly stole one of Deion Sanders' vehicles, a Cadillac Escalade, and drove it to the airport after he had been living with Sanders.

Rickey Thenarse - S - Nebraska: Arrested last December and suspended for their bowl game when he was found passed out in a car and charged with DUI, impeding traffic, and driving on a suspended license.


Trevor Hankins - P - Arizona State: Arrested for DUI last November when he made an illegal U-Turn when he "lost his wallet"

Mikel LeShoure - RB - Illinois: In 2008 a fight with teammate Wide Receiver Jeff Cumberland left him with a broken jaw, and he was suspended for violation of team rules the very next year.


Martez Wilson - LB - Illinois: Was involved in a bar fight, which he eventually lost via stabbing.

Quan Sturdivant - LB - UNC: Along with NCAA Violations, he was arrested for marijuana possession. Charge was eventually dropped in a deferred prosecution agreement.

Mark Dell - WR - Michigan State: Suspended along with Chris Rucker and many others in connection with an on campus brawl.

Scott Lutrus - LB - UCONN: Arrested for interfering with an officer after he fought with an officer after they were called to an on campus fight. Charges were later dropped.

Obie Ezeh - LB - Michigan: Arrested for OWI after he stuck a light pole.

Titus Young - WR - Boise State: Charged with MIP, suspended for most of 2008 season for violation of team rules.

Jabaal Sheard - DE/OLB - Pittsburgh: Charged with  charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct when he got into a fight, threw a man through a window while police batoned him, jumped on the bloody man and started pounding him before being subdued with Pepper Spray.

Jon Baldwin - WR - Pittsburgh: Charged with misdemeanor indecent assault stemming from an incident with a female on a bus.

Adrian Clayborn - DL - Iowa: Charged with misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury after he confronted a Taxi driver who honked at him during a traffic jam.

Judge Nelson LIfts Lockout,..but is it really Over??

A commentary(short) By Dr. Football(Dr. Bill Chachkes)

Late today Judge Susan Richard Nelson effectively ended almost 6 week long Lockout between the NFL players and the NFL owners. Almost as soon as the result was public, the NFL released the following statement:

(From NFLMedia.com)

NFL STATEMENT



"We will promptly seek a stay from Judge Nelson pending an expedited appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. We believe that federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes. We are confident that the Eighth Circuit will agree. But we also believe that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations toward that goal."

So who has really won, If both sides claim a victory? Well, the fans for one have at least a temporary stay of execution with regard to the 2011 season. The Judge is saying that once again, the owners are wrong to expect "indentured servitude" to continue, that Athletes DO have rights as humans. Rights to a safe(at least as safe as possible) work place, and maybe it's finally time for the Pre-1993 Players to get some help with medical costs and a better pension........

Maybe.....

So what happens now? Most likely if the NFL loses on appeal(maybe) and they are forced to begin "offseason activities" as usual, within a few days after the next ruling the 2010 rules will be in place for player movement and free agency will begin in at least some form.... Giants Defensive Lineman Osi UMenyiora said in his released statement “A win for the players and for the fans." Several Teams' Players Association reps are telling players tonight that until another judge grants the NFL a stay, they can go back to their facilities and work out and get treatment....
Maybe.....

Then the owners and players can get back to the table and get a new deal done before training camp......

Maybe.....

Oh how I hate when the legal system invades sports....