Seth Godin Rants on Verizon (Insert name of big ass company here)

One of my all-time favorite bloggers, Seth Godin, rants about poor customer service. But not only does he rant about his recent poor experience with Verizon, he offers cheap and easy suggestions for making customer service better, including buying a Radio Shack answering machine!

He talks about one of my pet peeves: When you type in your phone number, presumably so somebody can pull up your account while you're on hold, and then you're asked your phone number, not once, twice, or three times, but eight or ten times!

It means that you don't ask me to type in my phone number or account number, but if you insist, then at the very least you make sure that the person who eventually gets my call doesn't ask me for my number again! Getting this wrong for three years in a row is not an error. It's arrogance.

I really couldn't have said any of this better myself. So I won't try. Read the rest here:



Learning from frustration

Rants -- June 29, 2008

Welcome to the June 29, 2008 edition of Rants.  

Alvaro Fernandez presents Why Smart Brains Make Stupid Decisions posted at SharpBrains: Your Window into the Brain Fitness Revolution, saying, "We just secured an interview with Ori Brafman, co-author of Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior (Doubleday Business, 2008), to discuss our Dark Side (well, he calls it "different hidden forces" and "psychological undercurrents")." 



Michael Bass presents Bobby Jindal and Corruption Eradication for Louisiana posted at Debt Prison, saying, "Since I’m back in the swamp state of Louisiana I get a daily dose of Bobby Jindal and LA politics effecting the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area."  



Fruitpunch presents A relationship to last a lifetime posted at Fruit Punch Diary.  



The BoBo presents Obama Lied and his Sheep Cried posted at The BoBo Files, saying, "Obama denies his past as well as his associations with radicals. This discussion brings them to light in Obama's own words."  



muse presents Sung To The Tune Of... posted at Shiloh Musings.  



Ethan presents Never Clever Whatsoever: Another Rant about Georgia's CRCT Scores posted at Never Clever Whatsoever, saying, "Sorry, I'm new to this. This is my rant about Georgia's CRCT scores if you know anything about it. If you don't, the Atlanta Journal Constitution will have tons of articles about it."  



Archvillain presents The Unbearable Green-ness of Being posted at A Dark and Sinister Force for Good, saying, ""Green" is just a color"  



NotYourDaddy presents Conservatives, Take Back Your Party! posted at Government is not your Daddy., saying, "The latest Rasmussen survey reports that 62% of voters would prefer fewer government services with lower taxes. 29% would rather have more government services with higher taxes, and 10% are not sure. Apparently, despite the fears of the current Republican leadership, the majority of American voters agree with core conservative principles." 



NotYourDaddy presents Greenology is a Bankrupt Philosophy posted at Government is not your Daddy., saying, "The great green movement driven by the Sierra Club, the Audobon Society, and other more nefarious forces appears about to run out of gas. A half century of a reckless orgy of economic extravagance driven by environmental values is finally coming home to roost. We are about to discover that you cannot protect anything if you are broke."  



DWSUWF presents Through the looking glass with Obama, McCain, the Constitution, and FISA. posted at Divided We Stand United We Fall, saying, "Between the sitting President and the two candidates to replace him, all believe in expanding the power of the executive branch, even to the point of overruling the protections of the Bill of Rights as they see fit. All three - Bush, McCain, Obama. Actions speak louder than words, and when the rubber meets the road on real bills like the compromise FISA bill, there is no qualitative difference on their views of the unitary executive, regardless of what they say to gullible supporters."  



Ocean presents Drilling Me Softly | BadGeneration.com posted at BadGeneration.com.  



Neil Benson presents Shocking Secrets of Liberals Exposed posted at SENSE AND NONSENSE, saying, "For several weeks I have been receiving e-mail after e-mail from the Human Events Book Service, which publishes ultraconservative books and other materials. I hesitate to disenroll from these e-mails because the book titles and descriptions are so entertaining and informative. I had never realized the true nature of liberals before reading this information. Mostly the titles and descriptions speak for themselves, but I have taken the liberty of adding a comment after each one."  



Middle Class Sweetheart presents July 1 is Day One for student loans posted at Middle Class Sweetheart. 



Michael Snyder presents The Los Lunas Decalogue Stone - How In The World Did The Ten Commandments Get To America Before Columbus Did? posted at Shattered Paradigm.  



Donnie Millar presents Republicans are Poised to Lose posted at The Political Fiend, saying, "Another Reason Republicans Will Lose: Bad Online Strategies"  



Holly Ord presents Is the Media Promoting Teen Pregnancy? posted at Menstrual Poetry.  



vjack presents The Real Un-Americans posted at Atheist Revolution.



That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Rants using our carnival submission form.



Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

U.S. Conducting Covert Operations Against Iran

From the Department of "Because it's worked so well in the past."



According to this article, the United States has been conducting covert operations against Iran since at least last year, with -- GET THIS! -- Congressional Approval!



Gotta love our government. While I realize that we have to conduct some affairs covertly, we should learn from our mistakes (Afghanistan and Iraq immediately come to mind) and decide against such measures.



Plus, it's cost taxpayers $400 million (not a lot, but enough to feed the entire country a serving of Top Ramen, which we'd all like better than the crap we've been served the past 7 years).

Rants -- June 23, 2008

Welcome to the June 22, 2008 edition of Rants.

Rant of the Week
Kevin Colby presents Obama must think he's Robin Hood posted at Kevin Colby: Libertarian Political News Blogger.

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Archvillain presents Lesser Evil? posted at A Dark and Sinister Force for Good, saying, "Why vote for the LESSER Evil?"

Holly Ord presents The Secret to Completing a Woman’s Life: BABIES! posted at Menstrual Poetry.

Sammy Benoit presents Democrats Tell America to DROP DEAD! posted at YID With LID.

Phil B. presents Why Demonstrations and Petitions Do Not Work <<> posted at Phil for Humanity, saying, "If demonstrations and petitions work, then the 1960s would have seen a lot more political, social, and environmental changes."

Jeff Dembinski presents This is an outrage! posted at My Exercise in Futility.

Holly Ord presents Pro-Lifers Say No to Habitat for Humanity posted at Menstrual Poetry.

Neil Benson presents Ann Coulter’s America: 100% Al Qaeda free since 2001 posted at SENSE AND NONSENSE, saying, "If the title of this blog doesn't make sense to you that's because I'm rephrasing the piece of e-mail I received from Ann Coulter that didn't make sense to me. It was entitled "Bush's America: 100 Percent Al-Qaeda Free Since 2001," by Ann Coulter. I don't know why I received this because I’m not a radical right conservative, a general conservative, a moderate Republican, or even a Republican for that matter."

Sammy Benoit presents Barack Obama-The Sleaze-Bag Candidate posted at YID With LID.

Andrew Heath presents Abortion - Why It's Important to Serve Everyone's Rights posted at Andy, saying, "Abortion is an important debate because so many individuals' rights are at stake. This article takes both sides of the issue so you can decide for yourself. Or maybe it will just give you something to think about."

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Is Olbermann Turning Into O?Reilly? posted at Mad Kane's Political Madness.

adso.of.melk1@gmail.com presents What?s Your Personal Cr** List? posted at Lorem Ipsum, saying, "What garbage did YOU read or watch as a kid?"

Benjamin Wilbur presents John McCain's Environmental Paradox posted at American Packet, saying, "Regarding John McCain's environmental voting record."

Jeffrey Stingerstein presents Drilling Offshore ? It's Obama?s Turn to Lose My Vote posted at Disillusioned Words, saying, "I know it isn’t possible that I am the only one who realizes that the policy we need is in the middle. We need to boost our supply while reducing usage and seeking alternative fuels. Both Obama and McCain are starting to get on my nerves with their political rhetoric."

Fruitpunch presents What we once had posted at Fruit Punch Diary.

Sammy Benoit presents Time to Send John Murtha Back to His "Pork-Sty" posted at YID With LID.

Jeffrey Stingerstein presents Obama, Obama, Obama Why Are You Trying to Lose My Vote? posted at Disillusioned Words.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Rants using our carnival submission form.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati Tags: Rants | blog carnival

Rants -- June 16, 2008

Welcome to the June 15, 2008 edition of Rants.

Adam presents The Frivolous Anarchist posted at Sophistpundit.

Dereck presents Want to be rich? Then shut up and listen posted at I Will Not Die.

Keith Wick presents Signs of Barack Obama posted at Weith Kick.

nandita presents Sex and the City posted at Lines in Books.

Recoil presents Obama Will Raise Taxes - McCain Says DRILL! posted at Double Barreled Opinions.

Ian Welsh presents Clinton’s Legacy: Never Say Die posted at Firedoglake.

Nancy Hayssen presents The Flat Ab Gym Rant! posted at "Sexy at ANY Size!".

Sammy Benoit presents If Obama Can't Pick Friends? How is He Going to Pick US Allies? posted at YID With LID.

R.Pettinger presents Should Governments Subsidise declining Industries? posted at Economics Essays, saying, "Why it is a waste of time for governments to subsidise industries."

Collin Williams presents Republic In Distress posted at RejectSociety.com, saying, "A tale of political corruption from both sides of the aisle... our republic is truly in distress."

Phil B. presents The 4th of July Pollution >> Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity, saying, "I think the 4th of July is by far the most polluting day of the year."

Michael Snyder presents The Picture Of The Hindu God That Barack Obama Carries For Good Luck posted at Shattered Paradigm.

Sammy Benoit presents Israeli Professor "Bitch-Slaps" Arab's Jerusalem Claim On Al-Jazeera posted at YID With LID.

Holly Ord presents John McCain Doesn’t Support the Troops posted at Menstrual Poetry.

Shan Siddiqi presents The Supreme Court has "legacies?" posted at Globally Rational.

Sammy Benoit presents Pat Buchanan-a PUTRID HATER posted at YID With LID.

Allen in Fort Worth presents For The Libertarian Party of Texas posted at The Whited Sepulchre, saying, "here's a YouTube video of Peter Finch giving the greatest rant of all time."

Sammy Benoit presents Democratic Stupidity on Drilling Threatens Our Economy posted at YID With LID.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Rants using our carnival submission form.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Barack Obama Takes On Switfboaters

I heard the rumor a few weeks ago that there is this "secret tape" in the ether (Karl Rove has it, Obama himself has it) that shows Michelle Obama, Barack's wife, shouting down "whitey" in the same church that the freak Reverend Wright proclaimed, "God Damn, America!"

The rumor is made even juicier by saying Karl Rove will release it as an "October Surprise" while Obama is said to be contemplating "leaking" it himself (well, one of his staffers, most likely) well before the general election, but (now obviously) after he wraps up the nomination.

The Clinton campaign is supposedly convinced that this tape exists, making the rumor even more enticing.

Now I don't know whether such a tape exists or not. But no matter -- Barack Obama clearly believes that a good offense is a good defense, for he's created a site to dispel the rumors, the smears, and the "swiftboating." Read more about it below --

Obama launches online campaign against 'smears' - Yahoo! News

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama

Rants -- June 10, 2008

Welcome to the June 10, 2008 edition of Rants.

Rant of the Week

Archvillain presents Let There Be Light ... posted at A Dark and Sinister Force for Good, saying, "Religious stupidity and what to do to oppose it." Here's the concluding statement:

"It is also a survival mechanism for our civilization. Allowing outspoken stupidity to go unchallenged is to be complicit in its ascendancy. I, for one, will not be a party to the destruction of our civilization and society at the hands of the religious barbarians in our midst."

Like Archvillain says, most religious people are fine people. But the zealots need to be put in their place...in the corner, with the dunce cap on.

APH presents Watch as “Expediters” Become Scapegoats of Corruptio
n and Incompetence posted at Market Urbanism, saying, "It's easier to look at the symptom: corruption, than treat the disease: government over-regulation."
I tend to agree. I am of the Milton Friedman school of freedom from government. I do, however, believe in some regulation and oversight.

But I wholeheartedly agree that corruption is a HUGE negative on our society.

Fruitpunch presents Living in your own world posted at Fruit Punch Diary.

James D. Brausch presents Someone Else Who Cried posted at Internet Business Blog.
I can't say -- I'm lucky -- that I've ever had to deal with CPS, but I will say that this guy's story is heart-breaking.

Beth Dalpini presents Heelys and Crocs - Walk with Warning posted at Vat19.com slash Blog
And don't stand on the top rung of a ladder. Or use your toaster in the bathtub!

Beno Varghese presents Barrack Obama wins the Democratic nomination posted at Beno Varghese dot-com.
Couldn't agree more. And for those who say he's a socialist, perhaps so. Congress needs to grow 100 pair and stop the stupid crap from happening. Barack is a smart man and will do the right thing most of the time.

Ian Bowman presents Default V: action posted at If It Feels Good Do It.
Great rant! Here's a funny excerpt:

Maybe a Toyota Prius uses say, half as much oil, but it still uses oil. It’s like buying half a cow and taping a “No Meat For Food,” sticker on it.

That's funny!

Phil B. presents Global Warming is Ruining the Earth <<> posted at Phil for Humanity, saying, "A list of how the world has changed so dramatically."

adso.of.melk1@gmail.com presents Earning the Wrath of Teenage Girls Everywhere posted at Lorem Ipsum, saying, "Stephanie Mayer's Twilight? It sucks."

Jan & Stu presents Senator Bill Nelson - No Eagle Scout posted at Booboisie.

James D. Brausch presents Another Thought Exercise posted at Internet Business Blog.
I agree with the premise of this post: Think for yourself!

Kevin Colby presents Colorado eliminates gender-specific restrooms and locker rooms posted at Kevin Colby: Libertarian Political News Blogger, saying, "Seriously, in what universe or dimension would this every be a good idea? What is wrong in Colorado?"
Okay, this sounds creepy, but not for the reasons implied. It's just weird that a cross-dresser or transsexual thinks he has to use the wrong bathroom. If you paid lots of money to be a man, for example, use the men's room.

Archvillain presents Police State posted at A Dark and Sinister Force for Good, saying, "We cannot allow this to continue!"
This is scary. But is it true?

Nicholas LaPolla presents Is Sex with Contraception a Sin? posted at Ignite Her Passion, saying, "It is difficult to reconcile (let alone understand) the Catholic Church's teaching that a married couple's use of contraception is a mortal sin. This article shows that the Church's assertion is baseless and, in fact, in contradiction to the Bible. In fact, it says married couples should have sex often and not deprive each other - not just for procreation."
I'm in!

Andrew Heath presents Nothing Is Wrong with Child Sex??? posted at Andy, saying, "Here is an argument you may not have thought of. You may not agree with it, but it is food for thought."
Agreed. We like what we like, even if what we like is the sickest thing ever.

Andrew Heath presents Why Is Hillary Clinton Still In? posted at Andy, saying, "Hillary has something to gain by staying close to Obama... but it's a bit more sinister than you might think."
I hate to say it, but I've thought this for some time, too. It only takes one whackjob to pull the trigger.

vjack presents Atheist Revolution: Tony Blair's Faith Foundation posted at Atheist Revolution

Andrew Heath presents How to Achieve Peace in the Middle East posted at Andy, saying, "An interesting and unconventional solution to our conflict in the Middle East."

Phil B. presents Inheritance is Not Capitalism « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity, saying, "Yesterday, I had an epiphany. Simply put, inheritance is anti-capitalism."

James Brausch presents Don't Do Business With Mail Boxes, Etc.! posted at Costa Rica HQ.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Rants using our carnival submission form.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: rants, blog carnival.

Clinton: As Ungraceful in Defeat as Anything Else

I'm not surprised about Hillary Clinton's non-concession speech. I still think the Clintons may try to bamboozle their way into the catbird's seat come the Democratic convention.

Her "I am making no decisions tonight" speech was ridiculous. Denial has always been something the Clintons are best at.

Now, she's given her "endorsement" to Barack Obama, and she's put her campaign "on hold."

But still no concession speech.

What a loser.

Technorati Tags: Hillary Clinton | Barack Obama

Rants -- June 1, 2008

Welcome to the June 1, 2008 edition of Rants.

Doug Ragan presents My Presidential Campaign ? Oil and the Environment posted at I'm A Pundit Too, saying, "I am putting together a series of posts regarding my Presidential Campaign Platform. I am not actually running for President of the US for a few reasons. One reason is that I am 33. Another reason is that I have no political experience. And lastly, I am a very reasonable person who does not enjoy lying, therefore no one would ever vote for me. The first part of this series will be the issue of oil and the environment."

I look forward to this series. I've been a reader of Doug's for some time now and I thoroughly enjoy his writing. This is sure to be a great series of posts. Too bad he's not qualified :)

adso.of.melk1@gmail.com presents VERY Bad Socialization posted at Lorem Ipsum, saying, "Adso rants about the horrible treatment given a five-year-old whose kindergarten teacher had the kids vote him out of the class."

Wow. Harsh. And deserving of a firing, at the very least.

Nick Pardini presents Rational Rants with Nick Pardini posted at Common Sense Magazine, saying, "Do you want to listen to thoughtful political opinion beyond the mainstream media? Are you tired of hearing the same statist rhetoric and political correctness that are prevalant? Then I think you like to listen for some more rational rant. Rational Rants with Nick Pardini is an audio podcast that investigates current issues in news, politics, and society combined with the opinions of Nick Pardini. With his candid analysis, insightful commentary, and in-depth interviews, Rational Rants provides a full perspective of key issues from a common sense, Republican viewpoint. In addition Nick, guests and supplementary analysts also provide . In addition to politics and societal issues, Rational Rants also delves into the wide worlds of economics, history, business, and sports along with Nick's occasional life lesson. The show consistently remains current with the news by constant updates twice a week so stay tuned regularly."

Sounds very appealing.

Lisa Spinelli presents ExxonMobil: a $123 Billion Dollar Embarassment | Greener Pastures: Personal Finance posted at Greener Pastures: Personal Finance.

Oil companies' profits have been at record levels for quite some time; each quarter seems to bring a new record. Oil prices, and hence gasoline prices, have risen very rapidly. The White House is occupied by an oil man and the automaton running the country is an oil man.

Coincidence? I think not.

Holly Ord presents The Message is Simple posted at Menstrual Poetry.

Michael Snyder presents 10 Powerful Secrets For How To Build A Great Marriage posted at Shattered Paradigm.

Madeleine Begun Kane presents The Outgoing Message I'd Love To (But Probably Shouldn't) Leave On My Answering Machine (Limerick) posted at Mad Kane's Humor Blog.

supermom_in_ny presents Five Things We Learn from Jim Silante's Prayer at the GOP Dinner posted at Entertaining Life.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Rants using our carnival submission form.

Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: rants, blog carnival.