Ouch… I’m 3.6 ounces lighter! March 23, 2008
Posted by eCommando in : General , comments closedYesterday morning, after a night of near agony, I was admitted to have my appendix removed. And I have to say, the night of painful stomach and intestinal region activity was worse than the surgery AND recovery. In fact, until this morning, I didn’t think they did anything.. then the muscle pain kicked in where the incision was made.
All in all though, I’m glad it happened and I no longer have to worry about the stupid little puss pouch. Personally, I think removal should occur when you get your tonsils out. There’s no need for it, and you’re going to be in the hospital longer for adnoids than you will for a pre-rupture appendix.
Thanks to everyone who called, sent flowers, candy, and cash… You know who you are. Hillary.. thanks, but no thanks… I’m not voting for you unless, by some freak accident, you become John F Kennedy.
To those who didn’t, there’s always the chance I’ll have to go in for some other ailment… so don’t wait.. get that card and check ready 
Cheers! - R
New Logo for Frank Schillings Blog November 29, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : eMarketing, domains , add a commentOk.. I admit it, I’m a domainer… I love domains… I have hundreds of them (like WhoTube.com) they’re fun.. I’m even working on a very cool domain related proj… uh.. ooops… almost let the cat out of the bag
Anyway… what I like more are the people who like domains. The other domainers. They’re crazy, and they work completely on speculation. Fun, fun.
One of my favorites is Frank Schilling, who publishes the blog SevenMile.com.
When I heard he might be looking for a new logo, I decided to give it a whack. Let me know what you think.
I wanted to keep the beachy theme, and also the colors, but make it more web 1.8 (Frank’s not quite Web 2.0, so why go all the way, right?)
I mean, you got beach, you got palm trees… the only thing missing is some beer, some rum… hmm… Oh.. sorry
At any rate, someone tell Frank, will ya?
Cheers!
Randy
Different Perspectives November 26, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : America , add a commentThis was sent to me by a friend, and it’s very interesting because it’s from the perspective of an Indian immigrant to the United States. He’s published a book entitled “What’s So Great About America” :
As an immigrant who has chosen to become a U.S. citizen, I feel especially qualified to say what is special about America. Having grown up in a different society — in my case, Mumbai, India — I am not only able to identify aspects of America that are invisible to the natives, but I am acutely conscious of the daily blessings that I enjoy in the United States. We’re heard a lot from the Islamic radicals and from the political left about what’s wrong with America. This Thanksgiving holiday, I thank God for what America makes possible for her people, and for what America has done for the world. Here, adapted from my book What’s So Great About America is my list of the 10 great things about America.
– America provides an amazingly good life for the ordinary guy. Rich people live well everywhere. But what distinguishes America is that it provides an impressively high standard of living for the “common man.” We now live in a country where construction workers regularly pay $4 for a nonfat latte, where maids drive nice cars and where plumbers take their families on vacation to Europe.
Indeed, newcomers to the United States are struck by the amenities enjoyed by “poor” people. This fact was dramatized in the 1980s when CBS television broadcast a documentary, “People Like Us,” intended to show the miseries of the poor during an ongoing recession. The Soviet Union also broadcast the documentary, with a view to embarrassing the Reagan administration. But by the testimony of former Soviet leaders, it had the opposite effect. Ordinary people across the Soviet Union saw that the poorest Americans have TV sets, microwave ovens and cars. They arrived at the same perception that I witnessed in an acquaintance of mine from Bombay who has been unsuccessfully trying to move to the United States. I asked him, “Why are you so eager to come to America?” He replied, “I really want to live in a country where the poor people are fat.”
– America offers more opportunity and social mobility than any other country, including the countries of Europe. America is the only country that has created a population of “self-made tycoons.” Only in America could Pierre Omidyar, whose parents are Iranian and who grew up in Paris, have started a company like eBay. Only in America could Vinod Khosla, the son of an Indian army officer, become a leading venture capitalist, the shaper of the technology industry, and a billionaire to boot. Admittedly tycoons are not typical, but no country has created a better ladder than America for people to ascend from modest circumstances to success.
– Work and trade are respectable in America. Historically most cultures have despised the merchant and the laborer, regarding the former as vile and corrupt and the latter as degraded and vulgar. Some cultures, such as that of ancient Greece and medieval Islam, even held that it is better to acquire things through plunder than through trade or contract labor. But the American founders altered this moral hierarchy. They established a society in which the life of the businessman, and of the people who worked for him, would be a noble calling. In the American view, there is nothing vile or degraded about serving your customers either as a CEO or as a waiter. The ordinary life of production and supporting a family is more highly valued in the United States than in any other country. America is the only country in the world where we call the waiter “sir,” as if he were a knight.
– America has achieved greater social equality than any other society. True, there are large inequalities of income and wealth in America. In purely economic terms, Europe is more egalitarian. But Americans are socially more equal than any other people, and this is unaffected by economic disparities. Alexis de Tocqueville noticed this egalitarianism a century and a half ago and it is, if anything, more prevalent today. For all his riches, Bill Gates could not approach the typical American and say, “Here’s a $100 bill. I’ll give it to you if you kiss my feet.” Most likely, the person would tell Gates to go to hell! The American view is that the rich guy may have more money, but he isn’t in any fundamental sense better than anyone else.
– People live longer, fuller lives in America. Although protesters rail against the American version of technological capitalism at trade meetings around the world, in reality the American system has given citizens many more years of life, and the means to live more intensely and actively. In 1900, the life expectancy in America was around 50 years; today, it is more than 75 years. Advances in medicine and agriculture are mainly responsible for the change. This extension of the life span means more years to enjoy life, more free time to devote to a good cause, and more occasions to do things with the grandchildren. In many countries, people who are old seem to have nothing to do: they just wait to die. In America the old are incredibly vigorous, and people in their seventies pursue the pleasures of life, including remarriage and sexual gratification, with a zeal that I find unnerving.
– In America the destiny of the young is not given to them, but created by them. Not long ago, I asked myself, “What would my life have been like if I had never come to the United States?” If I had remained in India, I would probably have lived my whole life within a five-mile radius of where I was born. I would undoubtedly have married a woman of my identical religious and socioeconomic background. I would almost certainly have become a medical doctor, or an engineer, or a computer programmer. I would have socialized entirely within my ethic community. I would have a whole set of opinions that could be predicted in advance; indeed, they would not be very different from what my father believed, or his father before him. In sum, my destiny would to a large degree have been given to me.
In America, I have seen my life take a radically different course. In college I became interested in literature and politics, and I resolved to make a career as a writer. I married a woman whose ancestry is English, French, Scotch-Irish, and German. In my twenties I found myself working as a policy analyst in the White House, even though I was not an American citizen. No other country, I am sure, would have permitted a foreigner to work in its inner citadel of government.
In most countries in the world, your fate and your identity are handed to you; in America, you determine them for yourself. America is a country where you get to write the script of your own life. Your life is like a blank sheet of paper, and you are the artist. This notion of being the architect of your own destiny is the incredibly powerful idea that is behind the worldwide appeal of America. Young people especially find irresistible the prospect of authoring the narrative of their own lives.
– America has gone further than any other society in establishing equality of rights. There is nothing distinctively American about slavery or bigotry. Slavery has existed in virtually every culture, and xenophobia, prejudice and discrimination are worldwide phenomena. Western civilization is the only civilization to mount a principled campaign against slavery; no country expended more treasure and blood to get rid of slavery than the United States. While racism remains a problem, this country has made strenuous efforts to eradicate discrimination, even to the extent of enacting policies that give legal preference in university admissions, jobs, and government contracts to members of minority groups. Such policies remain controversial, but the point is that it is extremely unlikely that a racist society would have permitted such policies in the first place. And surely African Americans like Jesse Jackson are vastly better off living in America than they would be if they were to live in, say, Ethiopia or Somalia.
– America has found a solution to the problem of religious and ethnic conflict that continues to divide and terrorize much of the world. Visitors to places like New York are amazed to see the way in which Serbs and Croatians, Sikhs and Hindus, Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants, Jews and Palestinians, all seem to work and live together in harmony. How is this possible when these same groups are spearing each other and burning each other’s homes in so many places in the world?
The American answer is twofold. First, separate the spheres of religion and government so that no religion is given official preference but all are free to practice their faith as they wish. Second, do not extend rights to racial or ethnic groups but only to individuals; in this way, all are equal in the eyes of the law, opportunity is open to anyone who can take advantage of it, and everybody who embraces the American way of life can “become American.”
Of course there are exceptions to these core principles, even in America. Racial preferences are one such exception, which explains why they are controversial. But in general, America is the only country in the world that extends full membership to outsiders. The typical American could come to India, live for 40 years, and take Indian citizenship. But he could not “become Indian.” He wouldn’t see himself that way, nor would most Indians see him that way. In America, by contrast, hundreds of millions have come from far-flung shores and over time they, or at least their children, have in a profound and full sense “become American.”
– America has the kindest, gentlest foreign policy of any great power in world history. Critics of the United States are likely to react to this truth with sputtering outrage. They will point to long-standing American support for a Latin or Middle Eastern despot, or the unjust internment of the Japanese during World War II, or America’s reluctance to impose sanctions on South Africa’s apartheid regime, or America’s occupation of Iraq. However one feels about these particular cases, let us concede to the critics the point that America is not always in the right.
What the critics leave out is the other side of the ledger. Twice in the 20th century, the United States saved the world — first from the Nazi threat, then from Soviet totalitarianism. What would have been the world’s fate if America had not existed? After destroying Germany and Japan in World War II, the United States proceeded to rebuild both countries, and today they are American allies. Now we are attempting to do the same thing in Afghanistan and Iraq. Consider, too, how magnanimous the United States has been to the former Soviet Union after its victory in the Cold War. For the most part America is an abstaining superpower; it shows no real interest in conquering and subjugating the rest of the world. (Imagine how the Soviets would have acted if they had won the Cold War.) On occasion the United States intervenes to overthrow a tyrannical regime or to halt massive human rights abuses in another country, but it never stays to rule that country. In Grenada, Haiti and Bosnia, the United States got in and then it got out. Moreover, when America does get into a war, as in Iraq, its troops are supremely careful to avoid targeting civilians and to minimize collateral damage. Even as America bombed the Taliban infrastructure and hideouts, U.S. planes dropped food to avert hardship and starvation of Afghan civilians. What other country does these things?
– America, the freest nation on earth, is also the most virtuous nation on earth. This point seems counterintuitive, given the amount of conspicuous vulgarity, vice and immorality in America. Some Islamic radicals argue that their regimes are morally superior to the United States because they seek to foster virtue among the citizens. Virtue, these radicals argue, is a higher principle than liberty.
Indeed it is. And let us admit that in a free society, freedom will frequently be used badly. Freedom, by definition, includes the freedom to do good or evil, to act nobly or basely. But if freedom brings out the worst in people, it also brings out the best. The millions of Americans who live decent, praiseworthy lives desire our highest admiration because they have opted for the good when the good is not the only available option. Even amid the temptations of a rich and free society, they have remained on the straight path. Their virtue has special luster because it is freely chosen.
By contrast, the societies that many Islamic radicals seek would eliminate the possibility of virtue. If the supply of virtue is insufficient in a free society like America, it is almost nonexistent in an unfree society like Iran’s. The reason is that coerced virtues are not virtues at all. Consider the woman who is required to wear a veil. There is no modesty in this, because she is being compelled. Compulsion cannot produce virtue, it can only produce the outward semblance of virtue. Thus a free society like America’s is not merely more prosperous, more varied, more peaceful, and more tolerant — it is also morally superior to the theocratic and authoritarian regimes that America’s enemies advocate.
“To make us love our country,” Edmund Burke once said, “our country ought to be lovely.” Burke’s point is that we should love our country not just because it is ours, but also because it is good. America is far from perfect, and there is lots of room for improvement. In spite of its flaws, however, American life as it is lived today is the best life that our world has to offer. Ultimately America is worthy of our love and sacrifice because, more than any other society, it makes possible the good life, and the life that is good.
I have to say, as a naturalized American from Canada (my mother was American, father was Canadian), I have to agree with him. We truly live in a great country.
An Interesting Idea About Immigration… May 28, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : Uncategorized , add a commentToday is Memorial Day.
We had family and friends over, just like millions of other families around the country.
A discussion about politics opened up, which is usually not a good thing as we’re pretty well divided on the issues.
Betty, my step-mom, chimes in. “You now how we solve the immigration issue? Mandatory two year military service in Iraq. If you don’t want to protect the country, get the hell out!”
At first, I thought it was something that really couldn’t be done. But a moment later, I realized how brilliant an idea it was.
If you’re not willing to fight for the country you want to be a member of, whatever the fight might be, you don’t need to be a citizen. If, however, you’re willing to lay your life on the line for the rest of your family, for all the generations to come, then you’re welcome here.
For two years you’d get free food, free housing, training in the worlds most advanced military, in exchange for defending our country, our principals and the liberty we hold so dear. I can hear it now though, “What if you die over there?”
Well.. how about your immediate family gets immediate citizenship? I’d go for that. You lay your life on the line for the country, we’ll lay our country on the line for you and your family.
I personally am against any amnesty for illegal aliens, and they are illegal regardless of their current contribution to the country.
They broke they law when they crossed the border without documentation, so they are criminals. The fact that our government chooses not to enforce the law doesn’t change the fact that it was broken.
What do you think about it?
If you like the idea, contact your senators and congressmen and tell them about it.
Click here for Sentate contact info.
Click here for Congress contact info.
I hope you’ll write them about it, as I certainly will tonight.
Happy Memorial Day!
“I’m Tired” by Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya May 28, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : Uncategorized, General , add a comment“I’m Tired”
Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I’ll return to Iraq to finish my tour.
I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it’s because I’ll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I’m tired:
I’m tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.
I’m tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.
I’m tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they ‘Support the Troops’ by wanting them to ‘Cut and Run’ before victory is achieved.
I’m tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.
I’m tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night.
I’m tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.
I’m tired of the so called ‘Elite Left’ that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.
I’m tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. A family who’s loved ones gave their life in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.
I’m tired that my generation, the Baby Boom-Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can’t stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.
I’m tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.
I’m tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.
Mostly, I’m tired that the people of this great nation didn’t learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.
Sincerely, Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army 101st Airborne Division
- Some of us have your back Joe. Go Git ‘Em!
Lose the control, freak! May 18, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : eMarketing , add a commentSo many of us get great ideas, and then those ideas stall because we refuse to loose the reins and let others in to help. Others simply refuse to share their ideas for fear that others will take them and run.
While that’s a legitimate concern, it can be dealt with using standard legal documents like non-disclosures, non-competes, and non-circumvention agreements.
Bea Fields has some ideas on how to move from the entrepreneur, the one who has the idea in the first place, to the field marshal, someone who can manipulate the implementation of the idea through others to make it come to fruition with less effort overall.
Click here to read how you can do this too.
New Article May 17, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : eMarketing , add a commentNot networking as well as you want? Leni Chauvin has some ideas on how to improve your networking process.
Click here to read the article.
Google Takes Over The World!* April 23, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : eMarketing , add a commentWell, not exactly… yet…
Google has, however, overtaken Microsoft and Coke as the most powerful GLOBAL brand of 2007.
According to a USA Today article, which cites a global study of brand awareness, Google has surpassed companies such as IBM, Coca Cola, Microsoft, General Electric, and Toyota, as the most valued brand worldwide.
This is important because 10 years ago, Google didn’t exist. Yes, some semblance of the company did exist as “BackRub” but apparently the company wasn’t incorporated until Sept. 1998.
By contrast, we have Coca Cola at 115 years old (founded 1892), GM at 99 years old (founded 1908), Toyota at 74 years old (founded 1933), and Microsoft, the youngster of the group at just 32 years old, all with massive head starts in marketing and brand awareness being usurped by a company with no physical products.
No physical products.
Let it sink in for a minute.
I wouldn’t have believed it was possible 10 years ago. Would you have?
New FREE Service I Just Launched! February 24, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : eMarketing , add a commentAs of 8am this morning, I just launched BoldURL.com.
It’s a utility for shrinking URLs, with a big twist. It allows you to create a FREE account and save the URLs you put into the system and track click activity by hour, even sales conversion!
Check it out here:
http://boldurl.com/UBjcKNr
Please let me know what you think!
Randy
Secure Your Ideas… January 21, 2007
Posted by eCommando in : eMarketing , add a commentIn a recent meetup I held, I had several people approach me with ideas for products. Now, this is not a rare occurrence, it happens every month at each of my meetups. However, most were surprised by my response…
“Don’t tell me anything.”
I said to her “Until you have a non-disclosure in hand, have the idea documented and ready to go, don’t tell anyone who isn’t willing to sign the non-disclosure any details of your idea, even your friends and family.”
The fact is, truly good ideas are very, VERY rare. They do occur, however, and more times than not, the originator of the idea tells everyone they know in order to gauge the viability of the idea.
One person in particular had an interesting idea and she had shared with me another interesting idea the week before without getting any sort of non-disclosure from me or anyone else she shared it with. Chances are, nobody else in the group had any interest in it as she’s in a vertical market.
However, since the product needed to be manufactured, all that had to happen was for one enterprising member of the group to make a phone call to a friend in the manufacturing biz and BAM! It’s all over.
I try to foster an atmosphere of sharing at the Dallas Internet Entrepreneurs meetup, and for the most part people are open and sharing with ideas that help each other, in the hope that it will be reciprocated.
That said, I personally urge everyone reading this to only tell your ideas to those who are willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and you can get them at your local office supply store.
If they’re not willing to sign, you shouldn’t put your ideas, or your future livelihood at risk.
Trust, but verify.
