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Written by Michael Z Williamson

Created: 09 October 2011

"I never am upset [misplaced modifier] when someone makes a profit," said Golden-Hogan. "I am upset when the ratio of a CEO's pay to a worker's pay is 475 to one. Somehow those guy's [wrong use of apostrophe] don't seem smarter to [suggest "than"] me."

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-indianapolis-police-prepare-for-occupy-indy-protest-20111007,0,3981426.story

Okay, you've defined income as a measure of worth.  You've demonstrated a poor grasp of English usage.  You've contradicted your own absolute of "never."  You've defined a certain income ratio as unacceptable to you. You've implied that ratio as a standard. There are, at most, 500-1000 CEOs earning that level of income.  That is far less than 1% of the population.  A quick google suggests that, approximately, anyone earning under $1 million, or with a net worth of under $3 million, is part of the "99%."  The number of billionaires is far less than 3 million people.  Your standard fails analysis.  If the CEO's efforts generate 475 times more profit for the company, and its employees and investors as you could, then it would be worthwhile to pay him commensurately.  Looking at the balance sheets of the Fortune 500, it appears they do so.  Your standard fails for poor comparison.

Now, you and 150ish of your friends showed up in downtown Indy today, and walked around for an hour or so before most of you got tired and left.  The police report your friends complaining about the 80 degree F heat.  Having done construction in the Arabian Desert in a war zone for 12-16 hours a day during sandstorms at 115F, I can totally sympathize with your plight.  However, it could be that a dedicated CEO would benefit from a little more dedication to the cause.

I noticed a number of Starbucks cups, McDonald's bags, Gap shirts, even a couple of name-brand backpacks.  It seems you do appreciate the corporation. 

It also seems you had to juggle your busy schedule to take a day off, and parade around with signs on my behalf.  I can totally dig the difficulty.  I wanted to be there myself, but my kids wanted to do something as a family, and I had some income-generating contracts to work on.  I didn't see a sign with my message on it, so you'll have to do it for me next time.  Please make one that reads, "I'M PROTESTING DADDY'S MUTUAL FUND!"

Okay, seriously now: Why is your protest doomed to fail?  Because you're not too bright, not too dedicated, have no coherent position, and are shallow and lazy, as well as enjoying a standard of living that 99% (See what I did there?) of the people on Earth can only dream about.  You can't pay your student loans? That mother of 8 in Bangladesh totally sympathizes.  You have a car, but it's tough to make payments on time? That guy in Zimbabwe with the wheeled cart feels your pain.  You had to work overtime?  The Egyptian contractors we had overseas understand.  If they'd had overtime on top of their 72 hour workweeks, they'd have been sad.

Your attitude, intellect, self-chosen education or lack of same, self-created debt and lack of determination won't get you a job as a CEO.  It might not get you a job as anything.

The whole thing looks much like wetting one's pants in a dark suit.  It gives one a warm feeling, but no one notices or cares.

I am the 99%.  And you don't speak for me.

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Written by Michael Z Williamson

Created: 03 October 2011

Survivors, a Novel of the Coming Collapse by James Wesley, Rawles, editor of Survivalblog.

Hardcover

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439172803/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=www.michaelzwi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439172803

 Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004T4KXWS/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwmichaelzwi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004T4KXWS

 audio edition

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1455847046/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwmichaelzwi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1455847046

"Survivors" runs concurrently with "Patriots."  You need not read "Patriots" first, though of course, I would always encourage buying more books.

These books are narrative training scenarios--How to guides written as fiction.  They do have a story, but the reason to read them is for the information they impart and the consideration they provoke.  It's much easier to remember a story than dry facts in a list.

Order or buy Tuesday, and you'll get to hear the pollyannae scream as a nice bonus.

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Written by Michael Z Williamson

Created: 02 October 2011

You can help me help Special Olympics too, by making a donation using this fundraising page.

www.somo.org/ChuckCoffin
All I'm asking for is "Ten Cents a Foot!"

The hotel is 289 feet tall, so that's $28.90 (or any other amount--greater or smaller--you feel called to contribute). It’s simple, fast and totally secure, and gets me that much closer to going Over the Edge. Only kicker is--I didn't find out about this until yesterday! I have less than one week to hit my goal! So I ask for your help, to make this happen.

This thrilling event is a unique opportunity for SOMO fans to support more than 2,900 local Special Olympics athletes by rappelling down the The Four Seasons Hotel at Lumiere Place in St. Louis on October 7. I'm joining the 3rd annual group of only 100 participants who are fan enough to take this challenge.

~~~~~

Chuck is a retired officer, all around good guy who helped me and others with retirement issues at National Records, a fan (who was the CO for Sgt Mel Butler, credited in "Freehold," which is how we met and they reconnected), and I did say good guy, right?

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Written by Michael Z Williamson

Created: 30 September 2011

PFC Dan Gronde was the victim of an I.E.D in Afghanistan on July 24th. He suffered fragmentation wounds to his abdomen and back. His buddy suffered knee damage. With a very grateful and troubled look he tells me feels lucky. Most of the casualties in his unit's area suffer limb loss or death.

Dan is on medical leave here in Indianapolis, and got treated to a meal at Chili's. He didn't realize that while he ate, a small crowd of family, friends, vets and even a member of the Young Marines were gathering outside to greet him.

There were cameras, hugs, handshakes and Dan graciously accepted all of it, looking a bit embarrassed at all the attention.

Then it was time to go to the Legion Hall, with a police escort. There are lots of ways to travel in style, but his family found something unique. Dan is a big fan of Batman.

Mark Racop of Logansport builds officially licensed 1966 Batmobiles.

Quite a few thousand locals must have wondered what kind of emergency required the attention of police, Batman and Soldiers.

I have to admit, it was fun being in one of the chase cars, watching people pull over, and the expressions on faces, especially of young men in their rice burners. Sorry, son, but no matter what you do to your Honda, it will never be as cool as a 1966 Batmobile.

The Legion had their own greeting ready.

Dan was very gracious and modest, with strangers and children, and was a gentleman with maturity and manners far beyond his 20 years.

By the way, just in case you ever wondered, the secret to the Batmobile is a Chevy engine

And rockets for backup

Please extend wishes of recovery and good luck to PFC Gronde, and thanks to Chili's, the Zionsville Police and Fire Departments, the American Legion, and Mark Racop of www.FiberglassFreaks.com.