Mindconnection eNL, 2013-07-14

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http://www.webpronews.com/google-is-suing-the-irs-for-83-5-million-2013-06

Google lost its way a couple of years ago, going over to the dark side. Now the company is taking action to rehabilitate itself. It isn't about the money; Google could just pay the terrorists their "protection money" and still be sitting on a big pile of cash. It's about taking action against lawlessness. This particular action is heroic in the extreme. Taking on the terrorists means going up against an opponent who has a huge number of significant unfair advantages.

The "Tax Court" is no court at all. There are certain rights afforded the accused, such as the right to discovery, in a legitimate court. Not in "Tax Court"--and despite the facts, the "accused" is never the terrorists but always the victim of the terrorism.

Also, the burden of proof is on the accused rather than on the accuser. The "judge" is usually an active participant in the prosecution's case. In the Hoyt Fiasco, a "Tax Court" judge even made up his own evidence against the accused. An attorney on the terrorist team actually objected to this, and the judge over-ruled him.

The terrorists can go in with a very flimsy case and win; they usually do. This "court" is not about justice, effective tax administration, or any other legitimate purpose. "Tax Court" is about fabricating an excuse for the verdict that was decided before the "trial" began. Systematic abuse and terrorism work well for subjugating the people, thus this unlawful and morally repugnant system persists.

Think of what you and others might do to help Google in this fight. Write to your apathetic member of CONgress if that makes you feel better. But don't stop with that pointless exercise. Think about what would actually help--maybe letters of encouragement to Google's execs? Write to me with your idea, and I'll share the information.

• Smartphone translator.
• Speech-based sentence translation.
• Photo translator: snap a pic, get the translation (signs, menus, etc.).
• Largest available vocabulary.
• Wi-Fi, browser, Skype
• 6 x 2.9 x 1 in.
• Front and rear camera.
• Walkie-talkie: 400-470 MHz, (up to 6 miles).
• 2 Way Radio, connect with others at the push of a button.
• Supports flash. Wi-Fi. Bluetooth.
• GPS navigation.
• jetBook eBook reader, great for your favorite eBooks.
• Picture dictionary with 39 languages.
• Universal translator: a 183 language word translator.
• The Weather Channel.
• Language learning games.
• Audio Book and MP3 player.
• Access to tons of extra programs via the application store.

Buy it this weekend, and we will rebate $15 back to you.

Cell phone service in 160+ countries: One less headache while you're away, the SpeechGuard TLX allows for FREE incoming calls in over 160+ countries. You do NOT need a contract and there are no hidden costs. You can use your own GSM SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) in the SpeechGuard TLX as well. It's equipped with 2 SIM slots so you can switch between with the press of a button.

Instant translation: Playing charades, looking up words in a paper dictionary, and other clever tricks can help, but they are frustrating and often lead to misunderstandings. The TLX includes an instant voice translator, so you can be understood. Instantly. You press a button, say what you want, and get the translation. Yes, it's that easy! Also, you'll have a type-anything text translator. Just key in whatever you want and the TLX translates it for you instantly.

Photo Translator: If you see it, the SpeechGuard TLX can translate it. With the Photo Translator you can take a picture of a sign, menu or flyer and have it translated for you within seconds.

Learn a language: Often described as "more advanced then Rosetta Stone" the Language Teacher program of the TLX includes everything you need to become conversational in another language. The Language Teacher program is a multi-step voice interactive course. One great feature is you can stop at any time, and it remembers where you left off when you go back to it.

Not only will it train you to remember words and phrases, but it will teach you how to say them correctly. The virtual teacher will give you visual and audio feedback so you know how well you are doing. Also your TLX is loaded with U-Learn. It's similar to Language Teacher but is completely hands and eyes free. Learn in your car, while you are on the computer, or even during dinner.

SOS: Get help in a hurry! The SOS button can get you out of a rough situation in a hurry. Just press the SOS button and the SpeechGuard will react. Within seconds it will turn on your GPS tracking and location services. Next, it will send out a message to 5 emergency contacts of your choice. This message will contain your GPS coordinates for a fast rescue. Then, it will call your primary emergency contact number. The device is even pre-loaded with Emergency numbers for locations all around the world.

And it's different from fumbling due to being unfamiliar with the software. These people actually become stupid. It's as if they had a 75-point IQ drop. This same response occurs for other people when encountering other conditions. The good news is it does not have to be that way.

What happens to my computer-stupidity friends is they panic. They don't know what they are doing, and rather than do a simple search to get the knowledge they go into a state of self-induced stupidity.

Normally, they can think their way through problems. But not when they hit a "trigger" problem. Certain kinds of problems cause them to go into a non-thinking mode.

They fear that they'll destroy something if they make a mistake. They also think they have to fix the problem RIGHT NOW. So instead of working through it methodically, they make guesses and, well, they really do botch things up. Then they look back and think they were correct to fear destroying something, because they did. But it's not because of a mistake. It's because they went into a state of stupidity, and proceeded to act while in that state.

If you find yourself going into such a response, whether it's due to a computer problem or some other situation (criticism from your boss, being put on the spot to solve a math problem, figuring out why your car won't start, finding your car keys, etc.), you can stop this response in its tracks.

Use the same technique that martial artists use when confronted by an attacker. Early in my own martial arts training, I was fortunate to have very good instructors. One of my early lessons was that you are never battling one enemy. It's always two. You must fight the enemy in front of you, but also the one inside you. And it's the one inside you who is most capable of defeating you.

You must silence the doubts and dispel the fear, or you will be defeated. This is why many people are defeated by the sorts of situations I mentioned earlier.

It's not a matter of preventing the response; you can, with discipline and time, do that. But it's not necessary or even possible at the outset (of overcoming this problem). How you handle the panic determines whether your intelligence is on or off.

It may seem cliché, but a very good technique is to take a breath and say, "I can do this." Figure out something that works for you. Just don't stay in a panic. The more you use this technique or whatever works for you instead of letting panic take over, the more you will find the panic response to be less overwhelming.

If you try the breath technique and it doesn't work, you can also try just immersing yourself in something that produces the panic stimuli until you become immune to it. That's one reason boxers have sparring matches. After getting hit so many times, you stop fearing getting hit and you can focus. That's probably not going to work if computer problems cause your brain to lock up; how can you possibly find the equivalent?

Some people simply pinch their finger to remind them they have control. Maybe that will work for you. Others just take a walk; that's a classic that should work for just about anybody.

Something that seems to work wonders for members of CONgress is engaging in massive theft on behalf of their corporate sponsors. But if you're decent, skip that method. Also, there's no proof it actually prevents these people from becoming morons temporarily or otherwise.

But do find something and implement it without exception any time there's a panic-induced stupidity attack. The shorter you can make the duration of each attack, the less often they will occur. Their intensity should also decrease. Consistency will be your ally, here.

What you want to do eventually is get to the point where there is no panic response--or it's so short in duration it's as if it didn't happen. You train your mind to react calmly, and instantly, to the circumstances. This kind of reaction may just save your life. Never going into a panic-induced stupidity mode has many other advantages, as well. Take a deep breath and think about what some of those might be.

But to get one of the best cards, you generally must have a credit score above 720. If you've been victimized by the Institute of Reprobates and Sociopaths, Obama's Spread the Poverty Program, or something else that plunged you into debt you aren't going to make it.

Now, by "best" I mean cards with high limits, low rates, generous rewards, great balance transfer offers, and or any combination of these or other perquisites.

You may still qualify for pretty good cards if you have a "fair" score (650 to 719). Here are two companies that I really like:

1. Capital One has come out with some great products and even acquired Electric Orange (now renamed to Capital something or other) this year. Check out their various offerings. Probably, there's one you'll like. They have some excellent offerings in both VISA and MasterCard.
2. Discover has upped their game over the past few years. They seem to have a product to fit anyone's needs, I suppose unless you are a terrible credit risk. They seem to out of their way to make card holders feel valued.

If your credit score is below 650, be very careful about getting any credit card. You may need to pay an annual fee to get a card that doesn't carry draconian terms and you may not be able to get a rewards card. And you're probably not getting many card offers. So, here's the solution.

Check out the card offers from your own bank and from regional banks you find online. That is, check out what banks are offering and not what cards are available from a general search for "visa cards." The idea is to avoid finding some scam card company. Pick one card and apply for it. Don't be afraid of high rates or annual fees, at this point. You can always pay the card off in full to avoid interest and you can always cancel the card once you get a no fee card. The goal here is to build your credit.

This card will never leave your home. Your only purpose is to build credit. So you provide the credit card information to utility providers (gas, electric, water, etc.). You would be paying these bills anyhow. But now you will pay them with your card, and pay your card off in full each month. After six months, you will have established a pattern that will likely have improved your credit score.

So after six months, look for cards again. Pick one and apply for it. If they turn you down, wait three months and try another card. Never apply for more than one card within any 90-day period.

When you have a second card, use it only for gas and groceries. Nothing else. These are things you'd buy anyhow.

If you follow this trajectory of slowly adding cards and using them only for certain purposes, you will build up a credit history that really helps your credit score. Once your credit score hits 650, you should then apply for a more premium card and drop one of the cards that helped you when you were down (don't feel bad, you gave them your business).

Don't try to speed up the process. Doing so will only set you back. Be patient and be disciplined, and within 3 years you should be able to qualify for any card you want (provided you meet their income requirements).

If you have an Institute of Reprobates and Sociopaths lien, bankruptcy, or other major liability on your record, that's going to be hard to overcome. But following the advice above, you may be pleasantly surprised how well you do even with such a liability.

Why it matters:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/jul/07/do-you-feel-protected/

What to do:
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2013/07/so-you-want-hide-nsa-your-guide-nearly-impossible/66942/

Among serious bodybuilders, there's a concept that involves working the muscle at three ranges of motion:

• Extended.
• Mid-range.
• Contracted.

This begins to answer the biceps curl question. You need to do at least three different types of curl. To really stimulate growth, you add a fourth: Arnold's famous "cheater curl." Lee Haney also says to do  barbell curls.
 

At age 51.
Click for more detail.

Always hold your shoulders back. No rounding, or you ruin the exercise and risk damaging your neck and back.

• Extended. Sit on a bench with the back set at a slight decline (support your back) or slightly slouch in a chair. Holding the weights with palms facing forward, rotate your arms (at the shoulder) so your elbows are slightly behind you. That is, have your elbows back a bit more than if your arms were pointing straight down. Raise the weights to almost horizontal. Pause. Lower. Repeat. You can do this one dumbbell at a time or two at at time.
   
• Mid-range. Stand with your elbows in line with your hips. Don't let your arms point straight down. You want to start at about halfway between fully extended and horizontal. Palms facing you, raise the weights to a point that's about halfway between horizontal and fully contracted. You can do this one dumbbell at a time or two at at time.
   
• Contracted. In this exercise, your palms aren't facing forward. You're not raising the weight in the forward direction. You're actually raising it in a cross-wise motion. You can do this only one dumbbell at a time. Let's assume the first rep is with the right arm. Bring your forearm across your chest, with your right fist at the level of your left nipple. Your upper arm should be straight up and down, with your elbow slightly in front of your hip. Now raise the weight to the height of your collarbone (higher, if possible) and squeeze when at the top. Then lower and repeat.

If you do these in the order shown and really squeeze hard during the contraction exercise, you will get a massive pump. Not only does this feel good, your arms look much bigger when you're done with that last rep--because your muscles are swollen with the blood you just pumped in there. If your arms don't look much bigger and your veins aren't standing up, you did something wrong.

Arnold's famous "cheater curl." You can find videos online, showing how to do this. A problem there is some people demonstrating it are clueless. What you don't do is introduce a huge amount of swing. You just allow yourself to put a little more back into the curl so you can work with a heavier weight. Go slowly on the way down. It's a smooth motion that only slightly recruits the back. You're pushing the weight up, not jerking it up. Do not round your back, as one "expert" does in his video.

Lee Haney also says to do  barbell curls. This is just what it sounds like. But don't use the barbell you use for bench pressing. Use a special biceps curl bar. The reason has to do with your wrist angle. If you don't have the right angle, you can do serious damage to your forearms because they'll be rotated in the wrong plane. You'll probably also overload your elbow joint and pass undue stress to your biceps tendon.

My opinion, from many years of experience, is you should do either Arnold's curls OR Lee's curls in a given session. As Mr. Haney says, you want to stimulate your muscles not annihilate them.

An alternative would be to do both of those last two curls but skip the three ranges. This alternative, however, defeats three primary purposes of weight training:

1. Prevent injuries.
2. Develop useful strength.
3. Develop symmetry.

How often to curl?

All serious weight trainers use a split routine. If you're doing circuit training, you'll need to stick with low-effectiveness, low-intensity "work" outs or you'll over train. There is allegedly "debate" over this, but the results speak for themselves.

It's more efficient to spend the same amount of time properly working a given muscle group and letting it rest during subsequent workouts of other groups in rotation. By "rest" I of course don't mean absolute rest (you can't NOT work your biceps when working chest). I mean not subjecting that group to the high-intensity workout designed to stimulate the adaptive response.

You may know someone who does mostly big compound exercises, seldom doing isolation exercises. Or vice-versa. Those are both decent methods of training, but neither Arnold nor Lee relied on one or the other when training for their many Mr. Olympia wins. You really need a mix.

That's why Arnold and Lee did (and still do):

• Big compound exercises. Those are the ones that produce the most overall gain. The adaptive response can actually be measured in the amount of testosterone released by the body in the days after a given routine. For example, squats on Monday should be followed by elevated testosterone even through the next Monday. The recovery period from squats is very long. But you won't get this same sort of response from doing biceps curls because there was less overall stimulation of the adaptive response.
   
• Isolation exercises. Those are the ones that stimulate specific body parts to grow. Arnold had a tough time developing his calves, until he figured out an isolation exercise that provided enough stimulation to force them to adapt and grow. And, of course, his biceps are famous. He and Lee both got their "guns" doing curls.

• The best workouts are short and intense.
• A good diet contains far more flavors and satisfaction than the typical American diet.

A. Father's Day.

That holiday was two issues ago. Check the phone bills of the fathers you know.

"A fool and his money are soon elected."