97% Adult

Just completed the Epstein-Dumas Test of Adultness (EDTA). My result is that I am 97% adult! :P

I recommend people of all ages take this test and see what their outcome is! More info below:

Your Total "Adultness" Competency Score is 97%

The closer you are to 100 percent, the better. You needn't have mastered all of the separate skill areas in order to be considered an adult, but if your scores are low in one or more areas, people might question your adultness or consider you immature. Your scores in each of the 14 different skill areas are as follows:

Love: 89%
Adults are supposed to know the difference between sex and love. They're supposed to have experienced love, or at least to have some idea about what it means to experience love. They're supposed to know the difference between parental and romantic love, and to know that there are many different ways of expressing love.

Sex: 100%
In theory, adults know a great deal about contraception, homosexuality, how to please a partner, and how to make babies. They're supposed to know that condoms often fail, for example, and that masturbation is common among both males and females (somewhat less so among females).

Leadership: 100%
Adults are supposed to know about leaders and, to some extent, to be able to act as leaders—as leaders of other adults, of children, or at least of pets. They're supposed to know that leaders must sometimes make tough decisions, that leaders are in some sense servants of their followers, and that leaders almost always must report to other leaders higher up a chain of command. Adults are also supposed to be somewhat brave—at least in defending their loved ones or in killing harmless insects—and they're supposed to be able to defend their rights.

Problem Solving: 89%
Adults are supposed to be able to solve a wide variety of problems—financial, work-related, plumbing-related, and personal—and they're supposed to know where to go for help when they need it. They're also supposed to know the difference between right and wrong and to be cognizant of the consequences of their actions. They're supposed to be able to think independently and even to be aware of their own faulty beliefs.

Physical Abilities: 100%
Adults, or at least healthy adults, are supposed to be physically self-sufficient. We make allowances when people are sick or injured. The infirmities of old age are handled variously: when elderly people become weak, incontinent, or otherwise impaired, we often revert to treating them like children, even though, in some sense, we still recognize the elderly as “adults.” In general, adults are supposed to be physically strong, to have intact senses, to be able to climb stairs without assistance, and so on. We expect far less of children.

Verbal and Math Skills: 100%
Adults in our society are supposed to have mastered the proverbial Three R's (reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic), and they're supposed to know basic things like the days of the week, the number of days of the year, the number of days in February (even in leap years), the number of hours in a day, and so on.

Interpersonal Skills: 100%
Adults are supposed to know how to converse with, show respect for, forgive, apologize to, get along with, and assist other people. With children, we give basic reminders like “Remember to share,” but adults are supposed to have mastered such lessons in basic civility. Adults are also supposed to be honest in their dealings with other people, and they're supposed to have the good sense to follow the instructions of police officers—in other words to recognize that people play different roles in society.

Handling Responsibility: 100%
Adults are supposed to be able to accept blame for their wrongdoing. They're supposed to be able to make commitments and then honor them. When they begin tasks worthy of completion, they're supposed to persist in completing them.

Managing High-Risk Behaviors: 100%
We try to keep children away from cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, guns, and cars, because, presumably, they'll damage themselves or others if they have access to such things. Adults, on the other hand, are supposed to be ready to handle risky items and activities responsibly. Among other things, they're supposed to know that driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous, that the heavier one is the more alcohol one can tolerate without ill effect, that mixing alcohol with certain drugs can be fatal, that smoking can ruin one's health, that the safe use of guns involves considerable skill, that improper use of prescription medication is dangerous, and so on.

Managing Work and Money: 100%
Adults are supposed to be able to get and keep jobs. They're supposed to know that it's important to be on time, that “a job worth doing is worth doing well,” that we're supposed to persevere when the going gets tough, and that it's important to prioritize and complete the most important tasks first. Adults are supposed to know how to spend money wisely, how to save, how to invest for the future, how to plan for emergencies, how to manage debts, how to write checks, and how to balance a checkbook.

Education: 89%
Adults are supposed to have obtained at least a basic education, and they're supposed to appreciate the value of education. They're also supposed to know basic education laws—for example, that young people are required to attend school until at least age sixteen or so (depending on one's state of residency).

Personal Care: 89%
Adults, unlike children, are supposed to practice basic hygiene, to comb their hair, to wear clean clothes, and so on. They're also supposed to eat three nutritionally-balanced meals a day, to avoid between-meal snacks, to brush and floss their teeth, to get a good night's sleep, to maintain a healthful weight, and to avoid too much salt or sugar or fat in their diets. They're also supposed to be able to recognize a variety of medical and psychological problems—signs of cancer, asthma, sleep apnea, depression, bipolar disorder, and so on—and to know when and where to get help if they or their loved ones need it.

Self Management: 100%
Adults are supposed to be able to manage their own behavior—to use an alarm clock to make sure they awaken on time, to keep an appointment book to make sure they know why they set their alarm clock, to keep a list of things to do so they know what they're supposed to pick up on the way back from the appointment, and so on. They're also supposed to know basic techniques of “self-control”—counting to ten, for example, as a way of preventing their anger from getting out of hand.

Citizenship: 100%
Finally, adults are supposed to know some basic things about government and about how to be good citizens. They're supposed to register to vote and to participate in elections, to pay taxes, to serve on juries, and so on, and they're supposed to know most basic laws and to obey them.

Scam phone calls make me feel warm and fuzzy

I just received ANOTHER scam call from these people at "Warranty Service Center" who claim they are from Orlando, Florida. They called me from 386-427-6893. I do not even OWN a car, why would I want a warranty on one?

The first thing they ask is the make and model of my car. I ask them for their company, but they only give the vague name listed above. They hang up after explaining I do not own a car and would prefer they sold theirs so we can collectively begin to end our oil addiction.

They make a lot of money charging $150 warranty insurance cancellations, and their 90 day waiting policy to file claims.

Their company does not abide by the Do Not Call list. They are fined only $500 per offense, and since few complain, it is a very lucrative niche market. Complain to the FCC directly here: http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm


I found their actual number online: 1-888-282-3524 ext. 0 for operator or ext. 4209 for "Tina"
ext. 4207 for "Jessica Decapra"

Their actual address:

Pacific Guard Warranty
25 Crescent Dr
Suite A538
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Voter intent on bailing out automakers

Since I am a citizen and we in Minnesota are so focused on voter intent ( or is that just for the U.S. Senate race? ) then I will show my support for the Big Three bailout. Below are the years since 1990 and how many cars I purchased ( including non Big Three ) :

1990 = 0
1991 = 0
1992 = 0
1993 = 0
1994 = 0
1995 = 0
1996 = 0
1997 = 0
1998 = 0
1999 = 0
2000 = 0
2001 = 1 ( Daewoo Lanos 2-door hatchback - not a Big Three car )
2002 = 0
2003 = 0
2004 = 0
2005 = 0
2006 = 0
2007 = 0
2008 = 0

I foresee this trend going for some time, as I sold my car in March of 2003. I have no intention of owning a car, so why are my taxes expected to bail some car-makers out and not others? Toyota and Honda deserve a fair shake at a bailout if the Big Three get one.

But this is just one voter's intent. I would like to see an overall analysis of the US voter opinion on this issue.

Have I politically sorted myself?

I listened to the Midmorning show on MPR the other day where they chatted about "The Big Sort." The book, of the same name, was written by the show's guest Bill Bishop. He stated that the divisiveness in American politics is really our own fault. We have chosen to live in communities with like-minded people. And when we all agree to live by similar values, we slowly become more extreme in them to the point we alienate those outside our community.

I actually disagree with this assessment, but that is perhaps because I feel like a continual outlier in the grand scheme of things:

Since about 1998, I had been officially a member of the Libertarian Party. I really believed in the vague notion of "freedom." My definition did not meld with others in Scott County, where my peers' political views were radically different than my own. In a business law class we were asked to split into two groups: one that believed in the death-penalty, and those who wanted to abolish the death-penalty. I had chosen the abolishment, because I strongly believed people should live their lives out no matter if it was in a prison cell. Especially as some were wrongfully committed.

I grew up in Scott County during the Clinton administration. A president who I never trusted and nor felt any allegiance too. I had wanted Ross Perot to win in 1992 and '96 because I felt he spoke the facts regarding trade and the National Debt. The only elected official who gave me hope in the 90's was Jesse Ventura, an independent who wasn't a two-face liar as so many others proved they were.

Before I graduated high school, my then girlfriend convinced me to speak to a military recruiter. Her mother's partner had been in the National Guard and always spoke about how it was a wonderful experience. Many members of my family, including my mother's partner Sue, felt it would be a good idea to join a branch of the military. Sue wanted me to join the Navy like her father. I would have no part in the corrupt Federal government, but would join what I felt was a state-run organization: the Minnesota National Guard. When I was sworn in, I was swearing allegiance to not only my country, but the great state of Minnesota - whose chosen leader was Jesse Ventura.

I suppose you could say I felt very proud to have Jesse as our Governor, much like so many are feeling ecstatic to have ( very likely ) Obama be our next President. When I was at the Mall of America, I purchased a t-shirt ( stolen within a year out of a laundromat washer! ) and a key-chain which I still have. Obama also has a plethora of merchandise, so I can't say I am immune to populist politics!

I spent the late summer of 2000 and first half of 2001 training in the ARMY. When Bush was "elected" and the controversy had erupted, I was in boot camp. I didn't care about Bush or Gore, as I had voted for Libertarian candidate Harry Browne. I didn't see either Bush or Gore as making any real change in America. Though I had paid attention to debates, and felt that Bush was really against nation building and sending the military all over the globe for pointless missions. ( For those that still think Gore should have won, check out where your Vice-President choice is now - Joe Lieberman is squarely on the side of McCain and is an adamant war hawk. I believe Gore would have gone to war with Iraq too, just as Hillary Clinton supported it. )

I bought my first car, a Daewoo Lanos, on September 11, 2001 in my hometown of Prior Lake, Minnesota. I bought this car, a two-door hatchback, believing oil prices would skyrocket within the decade, which they have. But what a fateful day to purchase any vehicle, an omen for sure. Which is why I went car-free a week before Operation Iraqi Freedom began.

When I moved to Minneapolis, it was primarily because I wanted to live somewhere with mass transit. Scott County has no transit system worthy of speaking of: they had one bus route going to downtown Minneapolis in weekday mornings, and returning each evening ( Update: They still have only this single route ). But I also did not like the flag-pin mentality of Scott County. I did not agree in rushing to war in Afghanistan simply because Americans had lost their temper and wanted to bomb someone. When Bush made his speech at West Point on June 1st, 2002 on the merits of pre-emption - I knew he was a man I had lost any form of respect for.

So, moving to Minneapolis I at least knew that many there also disliked Bush being a Democrat town. But I didn't like the Democratic Party, because they never seemed very Democratic. They threw temper tantrums about Nader being on the ballot in Florida. Too bad more registered Democrats in Florida voted for Bush than ALL of those who voted for Nader. But Democrats can't blame themselves, they need a scape-goat. Blame everyone but themselves. Fortunately, two members of the Green Party were on the city council: Dean Zimmerman and Natalie Johnson Lee. The Independence Party also was semi-active, and the Republican party non-existent in Minneapolis.

I originally lived in Stevens Square, and then on the edge of Whittier for four years. Then I moved to East Phillips, where I currently reside. My neighbors are quite friendly, and many like to garden. We all can get along very well, and appreciate the variety of cultural and religious differences. I run into neighbors all the time and chat about things going on, and rarely run into those who make me feel unwelcome.

I find this area much more cozy, but I still do not feel "sorted." While my neighbors may agree on liberal issues, I still believe in democratic choice more than they do. I want to see the Green and Independence parties on the ballot, and many of them do not. The chair of Whittier chimes on e-mail lists how amazing participating in Democracy is by attending a DFL event - when this party wants to and has run the entire city from the bottom up - isn't that a bit authoritarian? But she doesn't see it that way, nor several others in that party.

So while others may put up Obama and Al Franken signs up, I will put up both McKinney/Clemente and Jack Uldrich. I really believe that America deserves political parties that speak truth, rather than buy votes with outright lies and cheap gimmicks.

Perhaps the Greens and the Independence could copy the "Free State Project" and promote places as most "independent" or "Green-minded" for us to live and build a movement starting locally. I really do not mind political sorting, as long as it doesn't lead to one-party zones as we have in Minneapolis and Scott County. I would call these Dead Zones of Democracy. I hope those who find themselves in these step up in like-minded third-parties to keep their communities from stagnation and corruption.

Unemployment Appeal Letter

At this point, I was several weeks into unemployment. I had received no income. I had to wait until I won my appeal case. There was no guarantee I would win an appeal.

Lawyers from the law firm Olson, Allen, & Rasmussen were actively searching my blog. What did they expect to find? They spent hours a day surfing my blogs. I hope they decided to send a check to the Green Party, go carfree, or stop supporting wars. I assumed they would misconstrue some of my blogs to "prove" I didn't deserve my unemployment. A very worrying time indeed, because the economy was just beginning to collapse. Little did I know, they decided it not worth defending their lies in court.

I received a letter about possible healthcare. COBRA would take up more than my entire take home after unemployment, so I declined healthcare coverage for myself and my son Josiah. I would just have to cross my fingers until a new job manifested itself. Of course, I was still hopeful someone at Shakopee Dakotah would come to their senses.

My 401K had also asked me what option I wanted to take. In May it was worth $13,000. About the same as the DOW Industrial Average. If I didn't cash out now, I never could until I retired. Why would I keep my money in a nation that doesn't value me or my rights as a worker? I was angry, and unsure if the economy could cope with $100+ a barrel oil, so I cashed out. In October my 401K would have been worth $8000. SO even with a 10% penalty tax, cashing out in May was well worth it. I sold high, not low. :D

Compassion vs. Communism

Or is it peace versus authoritarianism? People tend to see them as interchangeable.

Having just seen the movie Kundun rented at Blockbuster, I cannot fathom why Mao did not want to work with the Dalai Lama to achieve their goals. The Dalai Lama was told by Mao that "religion is the opiate of the masses." Well you can believe something is awful, but what do you replace it with? Communism replaced it with the same thing America did: materialism. Americans pray to the dollar just as the Chinese now do.

Regardless how the Chinese religion has changed,the Olympics are an opportunity to rectify past and current wrongs. It could be a time when Tibet can gain meaningful autonomy. This is what they want, not an independence wrought with war against China. Allowing the Tibetan people the opportunity to speak their language openly and freely. Allowing the Tibetan people to practice the religion of their own choosing. But how are they to do this if the Dalai Lama is not even allowed to attend the Olympics?

China has decided where it stands on human rights - on the side of tyranny. Are the Olympics just another long version of the Super Bowl - just another sport to pray to the almighty Dollar? If they are, then we can send China a message through our mutual societal faith: boycotting the Olympics.

Of course, my Communist acquaintances believe that Tibet was a feudal state under the 16-year old Dalai Lama. Decades after the occupation of Tibet began, they still state their feelings word for word what the Chinese media stated in the movie Kundun. But if Communism has been so wonderful for Tibet, why do ethnic Han still have to uphold their rule by military power? Wouldn't the Tibetans welcome their liberators? I guess we only have to look at our delightful occupation of Iraq. Of course the life of Saddam Hussein and the Dalai Lama aren't anywhere near the same, regardless what the Chinese propaganda of the day is. But I don't think my Communist acquaintances will watch Kundun, preferring to read the latest on Xinhua.

Good time to be a Minnesotan!

Okay, I am not going to go on about Sesquicentennials or anything. I would prefer to discuss more positive things like Atmosphere coming out with a killer album and Jesse Ventura with another book.

Atmosphere's new album is the most eclectic and ambitious album they have put out yet! Not to put down any of their previous work, because it is all superb. But this album, if listened to in full, seems to hold onto an element of the previous track quite well. And rather than soul-less MP3 tracks buy the actual album! The artwork, story,extra DVD, and lyrics are a nice bonus! I almost FEEL like I stole these extras paying what I did! Worth much more - but ya gotta entice buyers! ( So get one already! )

Jesse's book is excellent in that it is truth. And my life in East Phillips would be very different had he not been Governor. Would we have light-rail? Probably still be talking about building the first line. And Governor Pawlenty was against light-rail until it proved popular. The "train to nowhere" statements were just utterly wrong. And Representative Sviggum's statements in Jesse's book speaks volumes about the current state of the Republican Party.

The CIA chase in Cuba, the CIA in Minnesota, the CIA just about everywhere. Aren't they a bit paranoid of Jesse and the anti-two party sentiment in America? But the CIA is meant to cement the current power, not stand up to it. And Jesse remains a steadfast threat to this system.



My only complaint about Jesse's book is that you can't read it through all at once. Each chapter begins with his a linear experience of him and his wife in Mexico, but then cuts into his experiences prior to and during his Governorship of Minnesota. Reading about these political moments can get true Patriots outraged - only start reading the next chapter in Mexico again. So I recommend reading one chapter a day and reflect on it until the next chapter.

The clip I am including on my post was heavily enjoyed by those on break when it appeared live on CNN. It was almost like Jesse was back in office! And I'd prefer him over Coleman or Franken!

I am taking my copy of this excellent book to the MOA tomorrow to get it signed. And I will be getting their on LRT that wouldn't have been built without him. Heck, the entire Twin Cities transit system would have been gutted by now without it. We wouldn't even have a transit sales tax in ANY county. I would be contemplating a move to Portland instead of staying in Minnesota - and am glad I don't have to consider that. I like it here!

Mason City Iowa Visit

This may come as a surprise to many, but I actually DID work on a campaign this year. I went to Mason City, Iowa in support of Barack Obama's bid for the presidency.

Now, being that I also volunteer for an opposing political party, this might seem very odd. But I have followed his career for years - especially after he won his bid for senate in Illinois. He is a spiritual progressive who is unafraid to speak of his faith in the political sphere. He also believes in the liberal rights of others - even if he disagrees with them, unlike those on the right.

His vision of hope and bipartisan coalitions are what America needs in the coming years - especially as the economy collapses under the weight of Peak Oil, the National Debt, and military overspending. The sooner we address these concerns the better.

Obama wants to expand ( but not increase the tax rate) of those who pay the FICA/Medicare tax to those making above $90,000. Currently if you make more than this amount, you have maxed out on your payment to this socially progressive system. By including all income, the tax burden on the middle class will diminish long-term.

His health-care plan is not perfect, but it does not force everyone to have an account. America needs a unique health plan that complements our society, as the one in Europe does for them.

Okay, enough about his issues - because there are some I disagree with. The primary reason is that I do not want to see Hillary Clinton in the White House - though her candidacy might help the Green Party more than any other candidate long-term.

So, I was recruited by Matthia Little-Smith to go down to Iowa. After replying with an affirmative, I was then was told that Obama would actually be there for a rally! Amazing luck that we would go down and be in the last town in Iowa he would have a rally in before their caucus.

While I could divulge the minutiae of the trip, I will make some shorter comments:

-The team I was with had never seen porches before! They were also "scared" of this cute Iowan town. Oh what to do! Coming from south Minneapolis, this was not something very new. And I am glad these suburbanites and Uptown yuppies were able to see where the rest of America lives.

-Brian Jessness, another Iraq War veteran, doorknocked with me. He was reluctant to go to a home on our list because it had a Hillary sign! This did not deter me, but galvanized our mission to seek our her voter disposition. When she answered the door, we met the friendliest person of our entire evening! Goes to show lawn signs don't indicate absolute support.

-Made several phone calls to other Iowans telling them about the rally. It was interesting hearing supporters of Kucinich and Richardson and even Edwards. But few had anything bad to say about Obama, just they supported someone else. But primarily, we reached voice mails. ( don't we almost always?)

-Our Minnesota team was the largest of any that the Mason City Obama campaign had ever seen. We enabled their team to get the word out about the rally and prepare for it.

-We were told not to take away from Iowans time with Obama. Of the entire Minnesota entourage, I was the only to fulfill this. I sat 6 rows back and was able to hear one of his powerful speeches live and in person. I consider myself very lucky to have been there, days before he would win the Iowa caucuses that few believed he could win.

You don't need to shake someone's hand when he's being rushed at from all sides. He needed more space! I don't know how any politician does it! While many got autographed signs, books, and posters - I would have a memory. And know I had the integrity to not stand in the way of Iowans wanting to get a closer glimpse. After all, we were there for the Iowans - right?