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Brokla Is a Brilliant Satirical Look at America's Break-Up

Brokla: A Tale of Things Falling Apart is the newest satirical, LOL book in author Simon Plaster's series of novels featuring a small-town Oklahoman reporter known as Henrietta. As with other books in the series written by Plaster, he pulls no punches and he uses the actions and comments of his humorous, larger-than life characters to target several controversial topics that have been in the news in recent months and since the election of President Donald Trump. No topic is sacred or immune from Plaster's playful jabs and satirical barbs, all related to the breaking apart of the social structure and very fabric of the United States. Plaster uses his large and motley cast of humorous characters to target subjects like the decline of TV viewership in the NFL, the resurgence of Feministas, the continued influence of the Antifa movement, the poor irrigation practices of Oklahoma panhandle farmers, the possible secession of California from the United States, the intense college football rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma and much, much more.

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The author's female protagonist, erstwhile reporter Henrietta, started off in the earlier novels in the series with big ambitions, and she still has them in Brokla. She longs for the day when she will be assigned to writing the type of newsworthy story that could earn her a Pulitzer. At the start of Brokla, she thinks that maybe she's finally hit on a story that is big enough and important enough to gain her the fame, and Pulitzer, she feels she richly deserves, when her boss at the local weekly newspaper, SCENE, Nigel Fleetwood, assigns her to cover a Town Hall Lecture Series where a certain Colonel Top Secret, a foreign government think tank expert, complete with a paper bag over his head, is speaking and prophesying about the future of the United States. A man Plaster calls "Agent X" sits at the same table with Colonel Top Secret, helping to interpret the foreign military leader's dire predictions.

Colonel Top Secret, according to Agent X, believes that many things point to the inevitable disintegration of the United States, including "way too much government spending and way too much debt." He points to America's "inflated national pride," and the country's government spending three times more on national defense than China and almost ten times more than Russia. What concerns the audience the most is not that, though, but what Colonel Top Secret says about football.

Agent X says that Colonel Top Secret believes America "is now faced with the unkindest cut of all." That is that, because of African American football players in the NFL refusing to stand for the National Anthem, attendance is down at the games, as is TV viewership. Agent X goes on, stating that Colonel Top Secret also feels that "College football, high school football and peewee football are fated to follow the so-called NFL onto the trash heap of history."

This comment elicits moans and groans from the audience. The Oklahoma Sooner fans in attendance appear to consider that prophecy to be the most disconcerting and worrisome one of all the ones that Agent X relates. College football and the prestige of being in an important football conference and big time football program are paramount to many of the ardent Sooner fans at the lecture, so they are dismayed by the possibility that college football will follow the route of the NFL.

In Brokla, Simon Plaster satirizes many more topics and controversial issues than the over-blown importance of football to both the United States and Oklahoma and the possibility that the decline in football's importance could lead to the breaking up of the country. One of the other characters Plaster writes about is Jane Burrows, the leader of the Feministas. "Calamity Jane," as she's been nicknamed, gains notoriety across the panhandle by leading an uprising of progressive women in committing acts like burning thousands of acres of farm land and castrating the hogs of pig farmers.

They are protesting the over-use of the limited water left in the Ogallala Aquafer deep underneath the Oklahoma panhandle area by the farmers there, and they want to rid the Plains of White Man's idea of ​​civilization. The Antifas mentioned in Brokla, who are also interested in the goals of Calamity Jane and her band of women, attempt to join up with them. They are told they can participate, if they sleep far enough away from the women that Burrows leads.

Brokla is a humorous and thought-provoking read that can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. The other books in the series that features reporter Henrietta, like Spot and BOO! , are also terrific and fun books to read. If you like reading satirical books, I'd highly recommend checking out Brokla and the other novels written by Simon Plaster, one of America's foremost authors of the genre.



Source by Douglas Cobb

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

The Illusion Of Certainty: How The Flawed Beliefs Of Religion Harm Our Culture

Introduction

Tom Stayer has gained a great deal of attention by spending 20 million dollars promoting the case for impeaching Donald Trump. It is not uncommon for the one percent class to spend big on passions they embrace. In 2016, donations from the top 50 wealthiest Americans totaled $ 50.7 billion. Alas, I am a few billion short of being in position to fund a campaign of any kind, but if this book review results in a windfall of epic proportions, I'll devote a good percentage of my well-gotten gains sponsoring the distribution of "The Illusion of Certainty" to the nation's fundamentalist Christians. It would do a world of good for America to rescue these otherwise decent people from their grotesque superstitions and, quite frankly, religion-inspired insanity.

One reviewer termed "The Illusion of Certainty" ((henceforth "The Illusion") a "wicked book," albeit "engagingly" so. I beg to differ with the wicked part. I believe biblical literalists and other fundamentalists married to the flaming nonsense of so many improbabilities (eg, a young earth, a literal take on holy fairy tales, creationism and assorted mind-boggling absurdities like miracles, original sin, eternal torture, transubstantiation, saints, angels, devils, etc.) might have second thoughts about their faith, IF a way could be discovered to get "The Illusion" on their reading lists.

Shades of the Wizard of Oz

In Frank Baum's classic tale, Dorothy scolded the Wizard of Oz with these words: "You are a very, very bad man." These words came to mind when I encountered the reviewer's reference to "The Illusion" as a wicked book. If the Wizard read the book and came upon such a review, I think he would defend it thusly: "No my dear. It's a very good book. Christian fundamentalism is just a very bad religion."

Structure

"The Illusion" is organized in five parts, divided into 40 short chapters over the course of 381 pages. This enables the reader to progress rapidly, with astonishment and bemused wonder at the gullibility of a large segment of our fellow men and women duped beyond belief by religion. Highlight chapters deal with the origins of religions in general and fundamentalist Christianity in particular, the delusion of creationism, how scriptures are mundane, flawed and unreliable, as well as arguments for an against gods and even a bit of prophesy on the bright side – that "this illusion has no future." Much as I'd like to believe it, this was the only section of the book I found unconvincing. But, James Houk won't be the first expert on Christianity to optimistically forecast its doom. Even Robert Green Ingersoll got that wrong.

Faith is the heart and soul, the foundation of all religions. It is built on hope alone – it requires and invites no proof, no evidence of any kind, no data, logic or reason. It is immune to objections based upon common sense. The author states that "faith is essentially unabashed optimism in the absence of evidential substantiation."

A Little Perspective

There over 10,500 religions in the world today; probably an equal number of religions have come and gone over the 200,000-year span modern humans have been on the planet. Nobody has any idea how many religions might have been around for the approximate six million years that our non-modern ancestors moved among the trees and roamed about the plains. It wouldn't surprise me at all if there had been more than a few ancient religions that made a lot more sense than contemporary Christianity, as interpreted by the fundies.

With so many choices, why do you suppose Americans are overwhelming (80%) Christian? They are largely Christian for the same reason 99% of those born in Turkey are Muslims, 81% of those born in Thailand are Buddhists – it's what Houk calls "the Law of Geography." It should not surprise anyone. Religion is an educational, cultural virus transmitted daily for nearly two decades. It's a wonderment anyone ever breaks free, and an even greater wonderment that at least 25 percent of adults today claim to be free of religion, or "nones."

Summary

Faith is a mental toxin that cripples logic, reason, science, data and common sense. And, it is the heart and "soul" (whatever that is), the foundation and the bastille that enables religion.

If you plan to get yourself born again, show up in Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, the Czech Republic, France, Australia or Iceland – among the least religious countries in the world and all doing relatively well in terms of democratic governments and high quality of life. Or, stay with the US, if that's what you want to repeat. Just choose wisely – find parents supportive of reason, science, evidence, free thought and, for extra protection, members of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and / or the American Humanist Association. The chances you'll be subjected to indoctrination in Christian or other forms of religious fundamentalist if you do that are as close to nil as you can get.

Five stars for "The Illusion of Certainty" by Frank Houk.



Source by Donald Ardell

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

Health Care Options: Idealistic, Pragmatic Idealism, Status Quo, Or Worse?

For decades, if not longer, the United States of America, has been discussing, the best, most responsible / responsive way, to address the delivery of health care, to our citizens! Should quality medical care, be every American's right, and should it be considered, one of those inalienable rights, we expect, and deserve? A decade ago, President Obama, fought for his so – called, hallmark program, which was enacted, as the Affordable Care Act, and, popularly , referred to as Obamacare . It seemed, for a significant period of time, his Republican opponents, made overturning it, one of the principal focuses! Several times, during that period, the GOP attempted to overturn it, unsuccessfully, and, nearly, dramatically, did so, in 2017. When Donald Trump ran for President, he promised, repealing this program, and replacing it, with something, far better, would be easy, and he would achieve it, in a short period. However, promises and rhetoric, achieve little, without a clear – cut, viable solution, and he did not articulate a meaningful alternative. Once again, we are witnessing, the political version of football, where the President is offering his complaints and blaming his predecessor, while most of the Democrats, running for the highest office in the land, are chiming – in, with their personal opinions, etc. With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, some of the options and alternatives, including: Idealistic; Pragmatic Idealism; Status Quo; or something, probably worse.

1. Idealistic: Several candidates have supported, what is referred to, as Medicare – For – All. The claims are, it would be fairer, less expensive (overall), provide superior care, etc. Their positions include: a) Everyone likes Medicare, so, this is the best course; b) It would reduce overall costs; c) It would be better for individuals; d) While there would be taxes, it would cost less, in the longer – run. They point to the programs, in other nations, and their successes. Ignored, in the discussion, is, today's Medicare is not free, either. We pay into the program, during our entire working lives, and continue, paying, after age, 65. It does not pay all the costs of health care – in fact, only about 80% of Part B / Medical costs. Most, then purchase a Supplement, and, when one adds all these components, up, it's obvious, it's not free! In addition, while physicians, presently, are willing to accept the reduced payments, involved with these reimbursements, for part of their practice, how many, might not, be willing, if it was their sole payments. With the escalating costs of malpractice / litigation, etc, and the many years (and dollars), it costs, to become a doctor, would this result in far fewer, physicians? In addition, since over 150 million Americans, receive employer – paid, health insurance, would they be willing, and happy, to have to pay this, themselves, now? We are being provided with estimates, but few, are apparently, thoroughly evaluated, to include contingencies, and ramifications! Would this, have the ability to be enacted, in the political process?

2. Pragmatic idealism: Should the goal, be, providing quality care, or, demanding a specific approach, without flexibility, or, perhaps, reality? Pragmatic idealism, would create, a goal, of providing, universal health care, combining a public and private options, and offering several viable alternatives / options! Instead of, being narrow – minded, and, saying, it has to be, My way or the highway , wouldn't it make more sense, be less disruptive (think about the hundreds of thousands, who are employed by private insurance companies) , and, desirable, to combine the options, and seek a meeting, of the minds? Wouldn't it, make more sense, to address the weaknesses of the Affordable Care Act, and improve it?

3. Status quo: With the stagnation, and congestion, and partisanship, occurring in our Congress, little to nothing, seems to be occurring!

4. Worse: President Trump's apparent solution is to offer, less expensive, higher deductible, more limited, health insurance? How is that an improvement? Isn't that, far worse, both, in the present and future? How about, those with pre – existing conditions, higher health – care costs, etc?

Wake up, America, and, refuse to be, lied to, and manipulated, by politicians, with a personal / political agenda, etc? Either, you demand, responsible leadership, or, lose something, needed, and necessary?



Source by Richard Brody

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

Public Officials Must Be A FORCE For Good!

The only way, any public official, might serve and represent, his constituents, in a quality, dependable, meaningful manner, is, if they are ready, willing, and able, to proceed, consistently, focused on being a FORCE for good! Unfortunately, only a minority of those, we elect, or are appointed to represent us, do so, instead of their own personal / political agenda, and self – interest. Most of us, remember, when Donald Trump, was running for President, in 2016. two of his most prominent campaign slogans / promises, were, Make America Great Again, and, Drain the Swamp , but we have witnessed, and observed, partisan politics, at its worst, and a level of rhetoric, and vitriol, which has created an unprecedented division, and polarization, instead of any attempt, to bring us, together, for the common good, and / or, a meeting – of – the – minds! When might the American public, wake-up, and demand better, emphasizing quality service and representation, based on the ethical, moral, freedoms, liberties, and justice – for – all, guaranteed by the American Constitution? With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, explain, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, why, we must emphasize, what's right about this nation, and how all our citizens, would benefit, if this became our focus, and emphasis.

1. Face facts; future; furnish; fruition: Proceeding with rose – colored glasses, rarely achieves the best possibilities! We need to elect people, ready, and willing to face facts, instead of stating their own versions of Fake Facts! Quality representation looks to the future, and provides a path, to furnish, what we need, and deserve! The individuals must possess the potential, to bring the best actions, and strategies, to fruition. Avoid those, who refuse to consider, the longer – term, because that, always, brings on ramifications, which harm our future, etc!

2. Options; opportunities; optimal: Which options one chooses, and whether, he considers the finest opportunities, for all Americans, determines, whether he is serving, optimally, all our people, in accordance, with the guarantees, we gain, from our Constitution!

3. Relevant; reliable; realistic; rationale: Closely examine a politician's stated rationale, and ask probing questions, while demanding thorough answers! These people must be realistic, yet positive, and longer – thinking, and provide relevant, reliable, service, which minimizes potential, undesirable ramifications!

4. Character; creative; coordinate; cooperation; common good; Climate Change: Always pay keen attention, to the true character, of potential leaders, and demand, it focuses on the common good! We need creative, cooperative, elected officials, who focus on bringing us, together, for the greater good, instead of creating a polarizing atmosphere! Avoid Climate Change, deniers, because, they are refusing to react to the inherent needs of our world!

5. Evolving; environment; empathy; energy; excellence: In our evolving society, and world, it's essential to focus on environmental concerns, and needs, with genuine empathy, and lead, with the energy, which bring us, together, towards greater greater excellence, instead of rhetoric and empty promises!

Wake up, America, and vote responsibly, demanding better, and more unified leadership! It's up to you!



Source by Richard Brody

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

Universities Teaching Emotional Intelligence – Which Means Just Shut Up And Don't Question Authority

What is emotional intelligence? Well often it means the ability to keep your mouth shut, don't tell anyone what you really think, that way your mouth won't get you into trouble. Is that really good advice? Maybe for worker bees, but not for entrepreneurs, creative folks or presidents it seems.

Would that have been good advice for Donald Trump? No, because had he kept his mouth shut and never used Twitter to say what he really means, he'd have never become president and probably wouldn't have become a billionaire or made the Apprentice the number one Reality TV Show. See what I mean? Let's talk, just in case your mind can't comprehend the EQ or Emotional Intelligence scam.

Ask any college student today about what they can and cannot say – every student knows that you have to agree with the professor to get a good grade even if you find his, hers, or its political rhetoric delusional or complete lunacy. Where do we draw the line between Emotional IQ and giving up one's own mind to submit to authority?

What about on the authority side? What about the boss, manager, politician, owner of the company or the coach of a team? Many management books describe the "art of delegation" and the importance of Emotional IQ in getting underlings to perform at optimal for you. You are taught the psychology of leading people, getting them to serve your will. In other words, Emotional IQ becomes the manipulation of your fellow, albeit lesser (?) Humans? Great, now I've heard it all.

So, where did this notion of emotional IQ come from? Well, many believe the term was originally coined by multiple intelligence theorist Howard Gardner. It turns out that is not the case, one search on Google reveals:

"Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer coined the term 'Emotional Intelligence' in 1990 describing it as a form of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one's thinking and action '. "

Of course, this sounds a lot like empathy does it? The definition of Empathy is: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. This is something that nearly all humans can do, and despite popular believe so too can other species, such as Chimpanzees, Elephants, Dolphins and other higher order mammals.

What I am saying is this, much of this Emotional IQ theme is just getting you to submit to authority, or to learn to get other's to submit to yours, while you submit to those above you. The only problem with all this is; if you are not the lead dog, the view never changes. So think on that for a moment if you will.



Source by Lance Winslow

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

5 Reasons, Pragmatic Idealism, Makes Sense, And Is Needed

Although, many people, complain about the attitude, performance, behavior, rhetoric, and direction / actions, of Donald Trump, as President, many of them, should take an objective, introspective, look, at themselves, and realize, while there were many reasons, he was elected in 2016, some of the prominent ones, include: voter apathy (less than half of eligible voters, voted); pouting because the Democratic candidate was not their, first choice; and, a degree of being, unrealistic, about what is probable, in terms of achieving, what it requires, and why, historically, a degree of compromise is needed, to reach a needed, meeting – of – the – minds, for the common good (or greater good). With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 5 reasons, pragmatic idealism, makes sense.

1. Often, won't get passed / approved: There's a need, to seek, common ground, or, partisan politics, will interfere with getting things done. After all, if any idea, goal, etc, isn't passed, and / or, approved, it will achieve little. Doesn't it make sense, to go, step – by – step, in a quest for something more ideal.

2. Greatest idea, without implementation, achieves little: Even the best, most essential, logical idea, if it isn't implemented, achieves little! We need leadership, which is willing, to speak to others, reach out, across the aisle, and put policy, the nation, and the greater good, ahead of partisan politics, etc!

3. Political realities: Anyone, watching the recent, Democratic candidate debates, probably, observed, quite a bit of quibbling about specific details, when they would be better served, by articulating broader strokes, which focused on the so – called, bread – and – butter, issues, including jobs, the overall economy, alternatives (more humane) towards immigration policies, environmental / Climate Change concerns, etc. When they focus on how idealistically – pure , they are, and the commitment to, Medicare for All, for example, they ignore the reality, which is, unless the Democrats take over control of both houses of Congress, as well as the Presidency, In 2020, they are, walking – the – plank! While many agree, universal health care, should be a right, the discussion should focus on the concept, and a way, to balance, what is, with what can be approved! This, also refers to, addressing the dangers of Climate Change, in a unifying manner, as opposed to a divisive one!

4. Motivating and inspiring the public: If change, for the better, is the objective, the emphasis must be, on a common sense, approach, which is, both, motivating and inspiring, to the public! The finest way, to get things done, is, to involve, the public, and have them, demand better, from their elected officials!

5. Bringing factions together: President Donald Trump, seems to have perfected, the politics of polarization, dividing the nation, and appealing to his core supporters, using empty promises, rhetoric and vitriol, and, appearing to deny, concepts and realities, such as Climate Change, and protecting the environment!

What good, is being idealistic, unless / until, it one gets something done, to address the need? This requires, a willingness, to be somewhat pragmatic, in order to achieve, worthwhile objectives, rather than merely talking about them!



Source by Richard Brody

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

Las Vegas Is Booming: Why It's So Hard To Find A Good Deal On A Hotel Room!

With 130,000 available hotel rooms (148,978 if you throw in Nye County and Laughlin) you might think there would be a "Deals" to be found. You would most likely be wrong! Finding a "deal" in a city whose Major Resort properties run near capacity is becoming difficult difficult. Why? Because the top resort properties are controlled by a select group of companies that have no incentive to discount.

Vegas' Law of Supply and Demand

Consider for a moment the simple law of "Supply and Demand". When the supply is high and the demand is low the prices drop. Vegas is a boomtown, the demand is high and the supply is low. How could that be with 130,000 rooms? The answer is simple: 30 million annual visitors and growing! In fact the growth rate is so phenomenal that Mega Resorts like Mandalay Bay (43 story $ 375 million Spa Tower featuring 1,120 Suites completed in December 2004) and The Venetian (currently expanding) and the recently completed $ 2.4 Billion Wynn Las Vegas (Opened April 2005) are adding thousands of rooms to the "Heart of the Strip". So phenomenal is the growth that even out of State Financiers like Donald Trump are getting in on the action. The Demand for Rooms is exceeding the supply so the prices are rising!

According to an interview published July 30, 2004 in USA Today Trump's plans include a 64-story hotel-condominium tower to be built on a portion of the Frontier Hotel property across from the Wynn Las Vegas Resort and next to the Fashion Show Mall.

Scheduled to begin construction sometime in 2005 the $ 300 million project will feature 1,000 hotel rooms, and 50 luxury residential units modeled after the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York. There will be no Casino on the property.

Only 10% of Las Vegas Hotels are Booked Online

In several articles I've researched this year published in various Business Journals and by Hotel Industry analysts the actual booking rate for Hotels offering online services to their visitors is approximately 10% Nationwide. This I believe to be an accurate representation of Las Vegas as well. (Our company runs several websites offering Hotel Booking and these numbers are in line with our own).

Further Proof: "Only about 10 percent of our rooms are booked at Hyatt.COM," said Gary Gotling, director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Regency Tampa.

This means 90% of you are using the Internet to gather information, but are not actually making your reservation Online! Traditional Travel Agents and telephone calls are still the preferred method of booking. The Internet is being used as an information gathering source, and little more. The big Players know this and use it to their advantage. Again there is no incentive to offer lower rates if your customers don't take advantage of them. I'll touch briefly on the issue of Room Taxation by saying that most local governments hate the internet because rooms booked online by out of State interests are cutting into their available tax pool. Expect local Government officials to act sooner than later on this issue.

So where does your money go when you book online?

If you search Vegas.com you'll find they are owned by Greenspun Media Group (Henderson, NV) which publishes the Las Vegas Sun Daily Newspaper, and owns Vegas Magazine, Showbiz Weekly, In Business, Las Vegas Weekly, VegasGolfer, Las Vegas Life, and The Ralston Report. Greenspun Media is part of the Greenspun Corporation, which also owns local channel 25 UPN. Greenspun is a partner in Las Vegas ONE, an all-news cable channel. American Nevada, the real estate division of the Greenspun Corporation, is among the most recognized commercial and residential developers in the Las Vegas valley. Their annual advertising budget exceeds 7 figures! Somebody has to pay the price for all that advertising.

You might try the popular website LasVegas.com which has an interesting and storied history. The site Domain was licensed in 2002 from the Stephens Media Group of Littlerock Arkansas (Las Vegas Review Journal, Hawaii.com) to the Mandalay Resort Group and Parkplace Entertainment. Follow along now – 2004 Park Place became Caesars Entertainment, which in turn was purchased by Harrah's Entertainment. This deal came just one month after MGM / Mirage agreed to purchase the Mandalay Resort Group. Need a room on the strip? Hmmm – I think the pricing is going to be pretty consistent! And to think that you could have owned LasVegas.com as late as 1997!

IAC (InterActiveCorp) run by Mega Financier Barry Diller operates these online Travel Booking Agencies

Expedia.com Vacations

Expedia's Vegas Packages

Hotwire.com

TripAdvisor.com

Hotels.com

IAN.com

Note (s): Expedia is # 1 in total online Travel Bookings for 3rd party internet based booking agencies. But their piece of the total "booking pie" is still very small. Mr. Diller also oversaw the recent acquisition of "Ask Jeeves" for a mere $ 1.85 billion. Don't expect those room prices to drop any time soon.

Saber Holdings Corp owns:

Travelocity – # 3 in Travel Bookings

Note: Saber was the "Big Player" in the Travel Agent industry as most Travel Agent computers tied into their booking systems. Travelocity is # 3 behind Expedia and Orbitz (Now owned by Cedant Corp.)

Cedant Crop is the worlds top Hotel Franchiser with over 6,400 locations and owns or franchises:

· Orbitz – # 2 in Travel Visitors

Lodging.com

HotelClub.com

Ratestogo.com

FYI – Cadant also owns Avis & Budget Rent A Car, Fairfield Resorts (timeshare resorts), Cheap Tickets.com, and Century 21 and Coldwell Banker Real Estate Franchises.

So where does this leave you? I'd suggest you take a quick read of the tips below.

Quick Tips for Vegas Visitors on a Budget?

You're probably thinking I'll suggest visiting in the "off season". Don't do it! August temperatures often exceed 110 degrees – and that's the air temperature not the heat radiating off of the concrete and asphalt. No I'm going to suggest you do something much simpler – stay off the strip! Car rentals are cheap when you compare them to the exorbitant prices of the top "On Strip" Mega Resorts. Try a Hotel in Henderson or Summerlin. I'd suggest smaller resorts like the SunCoast or The Orleans.

Get a rental car and park behind the Excalibur, New York New York, or in the Fashion Show Mall (It's covered and very secure). Click on Internet Ads and see what is available. While 90% of the rooms are booked at capacity the Hotels that are not booked fully actually do advertise! Click those ads! I once stayed at the Fiesta Henderson for $ 29.95 a night for 3 nights in a row, and I had a suite with 2 queen rooms! I found this deal on an Internet Ad! In fact when I called the Hotel to try and get an even better deal they told me I had to book online! Try corporate housing as it's usually full during the weekdays but available on the Weekends when the business Travelers return home. Visit the websites of Hotels you may want to stay at and sign up for their email promos so you get offers sent directly to you before your trip (Use a free address like Hotmail for this purpose). Ask at the desk when you sign in for any additional perks or offers available to guests. It's kind of like asking for the window seat on the plane, if you don't ask for it you won't get it. And my final tip is Form before Fashion – bring your most comfortable walking shoes and stock up on bottled water at the local grocer before you check in. Enjoy!



Source by John Avagant

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

Let Me Remind You Students That You Are Victims Of Rich White Men

White Men are the oppressors we are told by Social Justice Warriors – but as a white male, I am not out to oppress anyone. Now if you want to play victim and use that as an excuse – go for it – does not bother me much – but if you want to accuse me of something that is false, I am going to call you out on it. Hence, this here article – oh, and keep reading because, I've been listening to the Social Justice Warrior BS for long enough – and to me it's all nonsense and just an excuse for not succeeding.

Who said life was supposed to be easy, it was for me, not in sports, business, politics or in my non-profit endeavors, heck back when I was in school, that was easy either, and no one was giving away trophies, certificates or free Pop Tarts and Kool-Aide for mere participation. I suppose now they want free $ 5.95 Frappachinos with Carmel Drizzle on top.

We have a serious problem brewing in our society and it is getting out of control, we now have college and university professors lecturing on equality, sustainability, social justice, racism and yes, White Privilege. These same professors say that President Donald Trump is a rich white man and an example of the problems in America, I guess this time around they were interested in having a white woman president, since the last Black Male President fell short, even as his supporters and academic socialist apologetics attempted to secure his legacy.

If the professors in our colleges and universities are 90-95% democrat and continue to espouse leftist and socialist political viewpoints, then they are politically bias and working for the Democrat Party. Thus, they are akin to a Super PAC and therefore, shouldn't receive any public funding, nor should the taxpayer's bailout the delinquent student loans – 47% currently are over 90-days in default, they are delinquent and in the finance sector should be sent to collection and students should be brought to court. These loans should not be bailed out by you and I, the citizens and taxpayers.

Why should we be paying for these professors? The Democrat Party spent nearly $ 2 Billion between the DNC, Clinton Campaign, George Soros, and their Super PACs – so why not pay all the professors to continue brain-washing college students to vote for Democrats – why are we the taxpayer's subsidizing their cushy jobs , incredible benefits and pensions, and now we are expected to bailout the student college tuition loan crisis? I just don't see why we should?



Source by Lance Winslow

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

How To Reset Your Financial Thermostat

Where is your financial thermostat set? Is it set way up high for wealth and abundance or way down low for "Not Enough?" Is it set for striving or thriving? The answer is easy. Just look at your life. Your thoughts and beliefs about money are reflected in precise detail in your environment. What is your environment telling you? Whether you live a life of wealth, poverty, or somewhere in between, it's all determined by where your financial thermostat is set.

Your financial thermostat is so hard-wired that, whether you experience a major setback or a huge windfall, ultimately you will find yourself back where you started. That's why lottery winners are so often broke again in two years. If your financial thermostat is set for "Poverty," any wealth that comes to you will be a memory before you know it. On the other hand, if your financial thermostat is set for "Midas Touch," you will move through any financial reversals and regain (or exceed) your high level of prosperity with ease and grace. Think Donald Trump. Even though at one point he was more than $ 2 Billion in debt, his financial thermostat is set for "Billionaire!" and he's back on top with an estimated net worth of $ 5 Billion.

As children, we were taught how to think about money. We were taught how much or how little we can have and how difficult or easy money is to come by. Some of us were taught to think of rich people as greedy and to believe that having money is bad or not spiritual. Although your financial thermostat was set in childhood by others, the good news is that it's YOUR thermostat now and you can reset it for any level of prosperity you desire.

Let's start with a little quiz:

  • Do you experience more scarcity and lack or wealth and abundance?
  • Do you believe you can have what you truly desire or do you settle for what you think you can afford?
  • Are you a good money manager or does money "slip through your fingers?"
  • Do you work hard for your money or do you let your money work hard for you?
  • Does it seem that, no matter how much money comes in, there's never enough?

How'd you do? Did you notice any "stinking thinking" around money? If so, it's a good time to reset your financial thermostat. Here are five ways to raise your thermostat and become a vibrational match for ever-flowing abundance:

(1) Replace old, tired, limiting beliefs with fresh, empowering beliefs, such as:

  • This is a Universe of Abundance and I freely and joyously tap into that Abundance.
  • I know I can be and do and have whatever I desire.
  • I am an excellent money manager.
  • My money works hard and I work smart.
  • I am so happy and grateful now that I know there's always enough.

(2) Write a new script for your financial life. Cast yourself in the leading role as a hero, as a winner, as a huge success, and write a new story of wealth and riches. Not only is this a fun exercise, it's also a powerful way to raise the setting on your financial thermostat.

(3) Keep an Abundance Journal and record every penny that comes to you. When you receive income in any form, write it down, appreciate it and declare with joy "I am a money magnet!"

(4) Commit to your financial success. Stay focused on the level of prosperity you desire, take inspired action and hang in there until you see the evidence (Ka-Ching!) That your financial thermostat has been reset for "Big Bucks!"

(5) Associate with positive, successful people. Birds of a feather flock together, right? Reading books, attending seminars, and spending time with like-minded people who encourage you to believe in your success and teach you how to think like a rich person are great ways to raise your financial thermostat.

So what do you think? Are you ready to release any poverty consciousness you picked up along the way? Are you willing to consciously choose thoughts and actions that contribute to abundance and success? As you raise your financial thermostat to allow in more money, you are at the same time raising your overall vibration to allow in more love, more joy, more health, more confidence, more peace of mind, and more fun adventures of all kinds. It's a package deal. Take a moment now to imagine and savor how fantastic you will feel and how magnificent your life will become as you reset your financial thermostat to "Sky High!"



Source by Kate Corbin

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari

How Citizens Stopped Racism, Crime and Gun Violence!

Who can bring Americans together to heal the wounds of racism, crime and gun violence? Will it be Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump or some other politician? Politicians have big ideas but they have limitations. Bringing Americans together can be accomplished by, "We the People!"

In 1970, a suburban community of 17,500 residents lacked a local police department and they had a CRIME PROBLEM. A committee of ten volunteers struggled to get residents to attend community meetings to discuss how to stop neighborhood crime. As a pilot program, volunteers developed a plan to help neighbors work together because most of their burglaries were committed by local teens. Although the local newspaper supported the project, only a few people attended.

Community meetings were overflowing after a teenager discovered his mother murdered in her kitchen. Citizens were fearful and turned out to demand more police protection. The county supervisor and sheriff told residents they lacked the funds for more police. The pilot program began with the cooperation from the county sheriff. An officer would attend every neighborhood meeting to help educate residents about local crime and encourage neighbors to be on the alert for suspicious activities. Concerned citizens got involved in the "Neighborhood Responsibility Program." Within two and a half years, crime was reduced 48%. (a) At the same time, crime was on the increase in other communities.

Several committee members spoke on TV and radio while others went on to became trainers and coordinators for the California State Office of Criminal Justice Planning.

Much to the surprise of experienced volunteers, county police departments resisted citizen leaders stating, they would become vigilantes. The volunteers were also told that citizen direction wouldn't work in cities.

The naysayers were proven wrong when an organized group of citizens received a grant from the California Office of Criminal Justice Planning and formed the Citizen's Crime Prevention Committee of Contra Costa County , CA. Without police leadership, six crime prevention coordinators organized and trained 27 volunteer committees throughout the county. The county committee worked independently of police and had their own office and staff support. Coordinators worked in their assigned cities and met weekly with each other to problem solve. They held monthly meetings with volunteers and published a county newsletter with accomplishments and projects to help people learn from each other. Citizen involvement helped stop the spread of crime, drugs, gangs and juvenile violence throughout the county.

The job of police is to react to crime while citizen involvement can prevent crime. Over the years, many police departments worked with citizens. However, in the field of crime prevention, citizens without police leaders are uncommon. There are many benefits for training citizen coordinators. In areas where residents are too scared to share information with police, they will talk to trusted citizen coordinators. Trained citizens have the ability to educate and change attitudes within their neighborhoods where they speak the language and care about families and youth.

Today, cities like Baltimore, Ferguson, Chicago and Detroit need citizen leaders to assume more responsibility for city safety by helping create a healthy balance between citizens and police. City leaders need to support trained coordinators to prevent crime and corruption.

Encouraging and developing citizen leaders to help bring people together should be top priority in every city if we are going to stop hostility toward police, racism, crime and gun violence.



Source by Stephanie L. Mann

This article is brought to you by Kokula Krishna Hari Kunasekaran! Visit Website or Follow back at @kkkhari