Sears Not Closing Near Enough Stores

A story going around today is that Sears is closing about a hundred underperforming stores as holiday revenue comes up short for the company.

That is a pittance of the thousands of stores Sears has.

After a horrific experience buying a refrigerator, that left us over a month without a main refrigerator, let me say I’m glad to see a hundred stores closing, and may a thousand more close.

From top to bottom – literally – from the staff on the floor to local management at the company to regional management all the way up to corporate (yes, I had to deal with them all), a horrible company that deserves to die.

Of course, keep in mind that “Sears” today is not the Sears of decades ago. Kmart bought the company and renamed itself Sears.

I think Sears today is still living off that old positive image. Do yourself a favor – avoid Sears / Kmart. There really is no reason to shop there. Lower prices at Wal-Mart and better selection at big box specialty stores can be found.

Crackerjack DC Police in Action

ABC News is reporting that a mentally ill man with a fixation on the White House apparently fired a gun that hit a window at the White House.

According to the news story, D.C. police, police are concerned the man “may pose a threat to President Obama.”

May?

Please let the D.C. police know if you have any ideas about helping them figure out whether someone shooting a gun at the White House is a threat to the President or not!

How to Turn Off 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Oil Maintenance Light

Here are the easy steps to turning off the annoying oil maintenance light – especially when the dealer forgets:

1. Turn the engine on. Full. Press brake and the start/stop button.

2. Press the trip odometer button until it goes to “A” mode.

3. Turn engine off.

4. Press the trip odometer button and hold it down.

5. Press the start/stop button twice. This is not a full engine on. Do not press the brake pedal.

You will see the maintenance sequence reset and a notice will appear when it is complete.

You’re done.

Yahoo Coddles Violent Criminals

Only Yahoo would promote this headline all over it’s site:

Teen Gets Branded a Felon for Life for 7 Cents

Oh, how terrible.

Until you learn the facts of the story:

Anthony Stewart took a bb gun that looked like a real gun, beat down a 73-year old man, punching him in the face, and then robbed the man of everything he had on him.

Stewart then fought the charges instead of pleading to a lesser crime, and was ultimately found guilty by a JURY of first degree robbery.

The fact the victim only had 7 cents on him hardly lessens the malicious crime.

Because what the victim endured was made so much more pleasant because he was not carrying money on him.

As a result Anthony Stewart was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in juvenile detention.

Yahoo called it a “mere 7 cents”. I call it thuggery worthy of the punishment, and so did the jury and judge.

Maybe if the writer at Yahoo had their grandmother punched out, threatened, and robbed they might write a different story. Or they could read their story to their grandmother in the doctor’s office while getting treated, saying, it’s ok, you only had 7 cents on you.

Romney Is Not Serious About Running for President

As much as I like Mitt Romney, a story today from San Diego gives me pause about whether he is serious about running for President.

Romney has reportedly filed an application to level a 3000 square foot, $12 million dollar home be bought a couple years ago, so he can build an 11,000 square foot monster.

This story of the rich, deaf to the suffering masses, politician has been played out repeatedly. Especially in California. I cannot recall it resulting in political victory.

Reminds me of McCain not being able to remember how many houses he owned.

Mitt – you had to file that application now? Why now?

During a week fmajor news stories about the flat-lining economy and people concerned about the jobs and ability to pay for their mortgage?

One thing I know (and this is an issue with numerous ramifications which may have helped get this country where it is) is that compared to the number of super-rich where $12 million can be tossed aside to build a mega-mansion, there are a lot more who make a tad less. Who will never make a combined $12 million in their lifetime.

They vote. And more will vote for someone else.

If you want to be President, spend your money wisely.

Update: March 27, 2012

The mainstream press has finally found this story. Politico is reporting on Romney’s mansion where the cars have their own elevator.

Dear Warren Buffett

Dear Warren Buffett,

If you do not believe you pay enough federal income tax, instead of seeking to increase the tax rate on others, why don’t you simply write the federal treasury a bigger check?

There is nothing preventing you from voluntarily paying more tax.

Perhaps you would feel better by going back to the 90 percent top tax rate.

Sincerely,

Other Taxpayers

White House Loses Common Sense When Requiring IDs

President Obama just met members of the world champion Green Bay Packers.

That is, all but one Packer, because he forgot his ID on the plane.

No ID = No admittance into the White House.

Hellooo??

There are 40+ teammates, plus all sorts of club officials, plus a zillion photos online that can ID the player.

Since when does a piece of plastic called an ID trump common sense?

So the day after Obama is President, they won’t allow him into the White House without an ID?

What about now? Does Obama have to show an ID to get into the White House?

Apparently not. Why? Because we use our brains and common sense.

Something that seems to be lacking at the White House.

There Will Be No Real Debt Solution

As Obama, the Democrats, and Republicans in Washington dither, engage in class warfare and political warfare, none of the proposals seems to offer a real solution to the deficit and mounting debt.

Obama is currently running a $1.5 trillion deficit PER YEAR – over a trillion dollars worse than the worst deficit under Bush.

Obama’s debt is, simply, out of control.

And yes, it is appropriate to call it Obama’s debt. Out of control spending and a stimulus seemingly almost entirely wasted on pork instead of making an effort to create jobs and induce businesses to create jobs.

The debt proposals talk about reducing the deficit by a trillion dollars over TEN YEARS.

Please. They are still just kicking the can down the road. Like everything else from Washington, in a decade the savings will not be seen. It’s always phony and fraudulent.

I’m getting old, as I’ve seen this over and over and over. It’s ALWAYS a solution that happens to be right after the next election or after someone else will be President.

Is a balanced budget amendment a solution?

Yes, but I’m not in favor of it because you never know what emergencies and crisis will occur in the future – which may require an unbalanced budget. I am thinking of WWII. Not that it will be repeated, hopefully, but the point is you never know what will happen in the future and what you’re straight jacketed into.

On the other hand, maybe it is necessary to force irresponsible “leaders” in Washington from continuing to promise things to get elected – without paying for them.

LeBron James is Still a Loser

Wow. I saw this quote from LeBron James after he choked in another 4th quarter and lost the NBA Championship to the Dallas Mavericks:

“All the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today,” James said. “They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that.

“They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they have to get back to the real world at some point.”

Basically. I’m still the king. You’re a loser with a sorry life. Take that if you rooted against me.

Not exactly going to get more people to root for him.

Has there ever been a more universally despised pro team than the Miami Heat?

If you’re not happy about LeBron’s statement:

* Don’t buy his NBA merchandise

* Don’t buy anything he promotes

* Let any sponsors of his know you’re unhappy and not buying their stuff

Guess what LeBron? When you wake up today, tomorrow, and the next day, you’re going to have the same personal problems that you did before.

You’re not going to be happy.

You’re going to have even more people against you.

You’re still not going to have a championship.

You’ll still be a loser.