So just curious: how much exposure does your blog get?

As of May 1, 2010, Chronicles of the Outraged Tycoon has been viewed in 13 countries: United States (24 states), United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Austria, Colombia, Qatar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, France and the Phillipines. (Represented are 111 cities worldwide!)

Ask me anything

Who inspires you the most?

In business, Donald Trump. Any other aspect in life, it's a huge grab bag of names from Sigmund Freud to Mark Twain, Maya Angelou to George Washington Carver, Tom Hanks to Jon Foreman

Ask me anything

What would your dream job look like?

I'm already working my dream job!

Ask me anything

Do you believe in God?

Yes, i do

Ask me anything

Are you a morning or night person?

I am very much a night owl - sometimes I stay up until 5 or 6 in the morning, but it's normally for work purposes

Ask me anything

Who do you think should be the next president of the United States?

Bill Waggoner - with Dave Ramsey as Secretary of the Treasury

Ask me anything

If you were offered the job of U.S. president would you take the job?

Doubtful - I'm nowhere near 40 (so I am ineligible to hold office)

Ask me anything

If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?

I am on BlogTalkRadio, but three guests? 1. Bill Waggoner 2. John Madden 3. John Force

Ask me anything

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/outrageousriot

Which chick from The Hills would you date?

A little hard to decide - it's between Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge......

Ask me anything

Question for the win?

Um, dude - you didn't ask a question for the win (FTW)

Ask me anything

So I'm Sorry For Being Stagnant......

For the past few weeks, I have been kept pretty busy that I haven't been able to make blog posts, but here are some of the things we are working on at this time:

• The Outrageous R!ot is NOW on EVERY NIGHT @ 11:30 PM Central!
• WorldWide Publications & Media filed taxes last week and proud to say we didn't have to pay taxes again this year (the mileage really saved our behinds this time!) Sad news: we finished $144 in the red ink for 2009-10 fiscal year.
• The Outrageous R!ot is almost a week into Epic April, our spring sweeps month! So far, we have had 50 different listeners tuning in live (including those who come in and leave). In the archives, there have been 470 listeners!
• We're working on plans for our third year of WWPM Helps Small Business Initiative. We're currently looking for sponsors and we're filing a grant request to be voted on through the Pepsi Refresh Project on May 1. A future blog post will be created to explain everything!

So Are We Wanting Another Show?

We are seriously considering having shows on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. I'm not certain just yet on what time the weekday shows will be on, but I'm certain that the Saturday show will be a late night show, so anytime after 11 PM CDT would be great!

We will be testing some late night shows to get the feel of doing them on Mon., Wed., Fri. and Sat. - possibly around 12 midnight to get the run of things.

Please refer your suggestions on our Facebook page.

Respresentative John Shimkus' Response (Without My Input)

March 23, 2010

Mr. Jake Leonard
804 Capps Avenue
Nokomis, IL 62075-1415

Dear Mr. Leonard:

Thank you for contacting me. I apologize if my last email regarding healthcare was illegible. While technology has enabled me to respond quickly to the over 5,000 calls, emails and letters I've received on healthcare this week, no technology is perfect and emails may not always appear as intended. 

As you are likely aware, on March 21, 2010 I voted with the only bipartisan side on the health care reform bill: the opposition. 

In the months and years to come, I look forward with hope that this same bipartisan cooperation will repeal Obamacare's job killing and state bankrupting mandates while preventing its devastating cuts to Medicare. I am confident future Congresses can and will restore freedom to our healthcare system, giving Americans the tools to access affordable health care in our ever-resilient free market.

 The reality is that in the midst of a sluggish economy and a state budgetary crisis, this legislation writes exactly the wrong prescription for job growth and financial solvency. Obamacare's insurance mandates and $52 billion tax increase on employers will destroy rather than create jobs. And seeing the path to bankruptcy unfold before them, over half the states have already introduced legislation to opt out of this bill's unprecedented and unfunded state mandates. In Illinois alone, the bill establishes upwards of $2 billion in unfunded burdens on top of our already $12.8 billion budget deficit in 2011.

Many of the jobs to disappear in the wake of this legislation will be medical professionals themselves. The plan's $523.5 billion cut to Medicare had President Obama's own Medicare Actuaries report doctors "might end their participation in the [Medicare] program (possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries.)" The only jobs actually created by this bill will be over 16,000 IRS agents to enforce the mandates as well as thousands of new bureaucrats to administer the government's takeover of health care.

Just as our workers, our employers and our seniors will suffer under Obamacare, so too will the unborn. President Obama's Executive Order is a clear sign the bill itself would permit taxpayer funded abortions. And with the President's ability to modify or rescind his order at any time, the threat to the sanctity of life under this new law is a very real concern.

The effects of this legislation need not become permanent. You can find out exactly how we can correct the flaws in Obamacare at gop.gov/solutions/healthcare. Again, I appreciate your thoughts on health care reform and thank you for taking the time to contact me. To stay informed on other important issues, I encourage you to sign up for my weekly electronic newsletter at shimkus.house.gov. 

                                                                                               Sincerely,
                                                                                               
                                                                                               JOHN SHIMKUS
                                                                                               Member of Congress

Representative Shimkus' Response To My Email

I sent an email to U.S. Congressman John Shimkus making an accusation of him voting in favor of the health care reform bill. Here is his response:

Dear Mr. Leonard: 

Um, Mr. Leonard is my deadbeat dad. Just call me Jake.

Thank you for contacting me. As you are likely aware, on March 21, 2010 I voted with the only bipartisan side of the health care reform bill: the opposition.

Well, my accusation backfired. Thank you, Representative Shimkus for opposing ObamaCare.

In the months and years to come, I look forward with hope that this same bipartisan cooperation will repeal ObamaCare's job killing and state bankrupting mandates while preventing its devastating cuts to Medicare.

Representative Shimkus, we already knew that! Go on...

I am confident future Congresses can and will restore freedom to our healthcare system, giving Americans the tools to access affordable health care in our ever-resilient free market.

I, like many voters out there, will believe it when we see it, whether liberal or conservative.

The reality is that in the midst of a sluggish economy and a state budgetary crisis, this legislation writes exactly the wrong prescription for job growth and financial solvency. ObamaCare's insurance mandates and $52 billion tax increase on employers will destroy rather than create jobs.

When it comes to liberals, losing 5 million more jobs should reach their goal of 10-12 million unemployed!

And seeing the path to bankruptcy unfold before them, over half the states have already introduced legislation to opt out of this bill's unprecedented and unfunded state mandates. In Illinois alone, the bill establishes upwards of $2 billion in unfunded burdens on top of our already $12.8 billion budget deficit in 2011.

I really hope the Illinois voters paid attention to that last statement: In Illinois alone, the bill establishes upwards of $2 billion in unfunded burdens on top of our already $12.8 billion budget deficit in 2011.

Many of the jobs to disappear in the wake of this legislation will be medical professionals themselves. The plan's $523.5 billion cut to Medicare......

I'm sorry, but Obama wants to cut over half a trillion dollars from a program that's about as bankrupt as Social Security? That's not fiscal responsibility - let Dave Ramsey teach you fiscal responsibility!

.......had President Obama's own Medicare Actuaries report doctors "might end their participation in the [Medicare] program (possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries.)" The only jobs actually created by this bill will be over 16,000 IRS agents to enforce the mandates as well as thousands of new bureaucrats to administer the government's takeover of health care.

Well, Obama's already working on losing 5 million medical professionals on top of the 5-7 million already unemployed!

Just as our workers, our employers and our seniors will suffer under ObamaCare, so too will the unborn. President Obama's executive order is a clear sign the bill itself would permit taxpayer funded abortions. And with the President's ability to modify or rescind his order at any time, the threat to the sanctity of life under this new law is a very real concern.

So the number one reason Obama wanted healthcare reform is so our tax dollars can be used to fund abortion centers and the despicable act of abortion! You make me sick, you stupid liberal bureaucrats!

The effects of this legislation need not become permanent. You can find out exactly how we can correct the flaws in ObamaCare at gop.gov/solutions/healthcare. Again, I appreciate your thoughts on health care reform and thank you for taking the time to contact me. To stay informed on other important issues, I encourage you to sign up for my weekly electronic newsletter at shimkus.house.gov.

 Sincerely,

                                                                                               

                                                                                               JOHN SHIMKUS

                                                                                               Member of Congress

If you could instantly become fluent in another language, which language would you pick?

Considering I'm a beginner at it, I would like to reach intermediate or expert Polski/Polish. It will help if I ever go to Poland in the future.

Ask me anything

What was your favorite movie as a child?

Um, duh: Jurassic Park!

Ask me anything

Would you rather be a famous musician or a famous actor?

Considering I'm not a very good songwriter, scratch the musician part. I don't have have the presence to be an actor, so scratch that......so neither!

Ask me anything

Dear Representative John Shimkus and Those Who Supported ObamaCare

Hey, you quacks - you left out one major class of people in this nation: the self-employed! Do you even know how much money small businesses under 250 employees fork out for insurance? I run a family business with 10 employees and I shell out about $4,500 a month.

Since a business I'm self-employed into falls under the threshold of 250 employees, I can't qualify for a tax break. My insurance will now cost me $7,000 a month - $2,500 I cannot afford to shell out. I cannot afford to layoff numerous I.T. technicians after six years of working for me. You left major loopholes in this and I'm one of those screwed over by ObamaCare being passed.

I would like you to express my feelings to those in the Chicago Political Machine. I'll be doing my part to make sure self-employed Americans are never screwed over again.

This Is SportsSunday!

The Outrageous R!ot will be having a special edition show on Sunday nights 12 AM Eastern time/9 PM Pacific time. We just launched the debut of "SportsSunday" not even an hour ago on BlogTalkRadio.

What did we talk about tonight? March Madness, baby! (Not to mention, the crazy bracketology techniques most of us use in choosing teams, but comparing mascots to bring in that randomness feeling? That's just wrong!)

I mentioned a little bit about the Division II tournament and the leaps and bounds Quincy University has gone through to get where they're at (and possibly make it into the Division II Final Four!)

We might discuss this in brief on Tuesday night during our regular livecast - our fantasy baseball draft-exclusive show (assuming we have at least four teams on the league!)

March Madness & Fantasy Baseball

March Madness is here! Today just happens to be Selection Sunday! We will briefly discuss it during our draft-exclusive show (I'm talking fantasy baseball now), assuming we have at least four people in the league (currently have three)

So since I haven't made an official request for league members here (but countless requests on Facebook), here is your chance!

"The Outrageous R!ot" Fantasy Baseball League
League Website: http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1/341781
League ID: 341781
Password: cubssuckcardsblow
17 slots open - need at least one more to start draft on Tuesday night

"The Outrageous R!ot" Tournament Pick 'Em Pool
Pool Website: http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/group/13352/invitation?key=3f46172f2295a8f3

All this and more on our Tuesday edition of "The Outrageous R!ot"!

Boy, Did I Screw Up!

I couldn't believe that harsh words about a particular movie (I'm declining to release the title - those parties involved know which one it was) can create so much hatred toward me and an over-sized argument.

For those who do not know, yes, I do suffer from bipolar disorder. What makes things worse is that I also have ADD, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It makes for a pretty nasty combination and it only equals TOTAL CHAOS. Last night, this one particular discussion created a monster out of me and offended about 12 Facebook users yesterday evening. This occurred between 8:30 and 11:35 PM Central time (or somewhere in that time frame) and normally take my bipolar medication about 12:45 AM, so the previous dose was long out of my system - and it leads to my Outrageous R!ot mode, but it wasn't a show day.

I said a lot of things I regret - two people no longer consider me a friend AND THAT SUCKS!

Yup, I REALLY screwed up! And for those parties involved (if you hadn't already seen it), I have made the following statement (retraction/apology) minus the names (as they are private and don't want their names all over the place:

Last night, I made some remarks about some things from movies to InfoTech......I let my bipolar self take over and said some things I now regret. To those parties involved: ... and a handful of others, I express my apologies for being an arrogant jerk and I hope you can forgive me.

BTR Presents Wide World Of Trollers

Well, I guess my show was vulnerable to a troller attack last Tuesday night, but this is nothing new to BlogTalkRadio - this has happened as long as they've had the phone numbers to call into (you can even call through Skype!) and the chat rooms! BTR has been around since 2002 or 2003 and many shows have been hit by thousands of trollers (mostly paid by money-strapped politicians and corporations) to interrupt shows on air.

In the two weeks I've been on BTR, one quote arises over all immature remarks on shows (and I'm sorry, I have to be politically correct on this quote): "Enough is enough! I'm tired of these mother-******* snakes on this mother-******* plane!"

But if you were listening LIVE or on the archives here, you know what I mean.

THIS WEEK ON THE OUTRAGEOUS R!OT:
Tuesday 3/9: Kenrick Thomas on Fantasy Baseball Picks & Suggestions
Thursday 3/11: OpenLine Thursday (Pending - Will Do Show If I Get More Prepaid Minutes)

If you're still unsure what "Troller" means, look it up on UrbanDictionary!

Howdy To Some Of Our Blog Viewers!

DISCLAIMER: This post is NOT meant to look stalkerish, we use Google Analytics so see where our viewers are from.

So, I look at Google Analytics to see how much traffic has come to come to our site and if you must know, we're not all that popular just yet (125 unique readers since we started in mid-January).

So, just to have a little fun, we'd like to say hello to some of our readers:
Evreaux, France
London, England, United Kingdom
Mattoon, Illinois, USA (wow, a lot of readers!)
Quincy, Illinois, USA
Syracuse, New York, USA
Springfield Gardens, New York, USA
Staten Island, New York, USA

There a whole lot more than that, but I don't want to release everyone's location (which may be incorrect based on your web provider)

Repo alterations for the Repo Man

I have been researching the various alterations that someone who is in the Automobile Reposession business can perform on their vehicles to make their job a whole lot easier, and also make sure that they are safe and that their lives do not have to be put on the line as much. I like the fact that now these days, a repo tow truck can cruise down your street looking for a vehicle and you are not aware of the fact that it is an undercover and unmarked tow truck.

The alterations range from towing units that can be either installed to unfold and rise out of the bed to being installed to where it can extend from underneath the vehicle and grab the wheels. Also, strobe lights are now being made so that they are on the interior of the vehicle and inside the headlights and blinkers. If done correctly, unless you know what to look for, you will never see the towing unit underneath the vehicle or the strobe lights on the interior of the vehicle. I will add videos to this blog to demonstrate the different alterations.

Stupid Myspace!!!

I used to "live" on MySpace back before Facebook got all popular. I never used to have issues with MySpace until now. I am hardly on my MySpace, but I still have it and it is still active, as I have some friends on there who are not on facebook. I go on every once in awhile and check my messages and all that good stuff. For some reason, every time I try to leave a comment or whatever, MySpace doesn't want to do it. I just tried to add a picture to my girlfriend's wall on MySpace, and it won't even go. It is like it is a dead link. WTF?! No wonder hardly anyone likes MySpace anymore. You used to be the shiznit, what happened?!

Uber Relieved

There are true friends out there after all. I had kept something from my Bestie, and it ate and ate at me not telling her for fear that she would leave my side. I have been crapped on and treated like dirt by everyone in my life, including my own family, and Dude, I was uber scared that she would leave my side that I never told her. Finally, tonight, I couldn't stand it anymore and I told her. I told her that I was so scared that she would leave me that I couldn't bring myself to say anything. After I told her what Iwas keeping from her, I said "You might be mad because I didn't tell you, but at this point I would rather you be disappointed and know about it, then find out years from now and leave my side because I never told you." She told me that she loved me too much to break up with me over that, and besides what I kept from her didn't bother her in the least.

But you know something? I am going to be uber guilty because I kept something from my Bestie. That is the worse part. I will feel guilty for a really long time over this, but now I no longer get bothered by the fact that I have kept a secret from her.

Want To Be A Guest On "The Outrageous R!ot"?

Yes, we need guests on our new show on BlogTalkRadio! Whether you want talk about your business, discuss local, state or national issues, music (whether you're a musician or just a fan!) or just about anything else!

If you didn't read the last post regarding when I will be on, I will be on at 6 PM Eastern/3 PM Pacific on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Yes, I know some users on BlogTalkRadio are not from the North America, so I account for the fact that in some cities worldwide, it will be Wednesday or Friday already. Please don't let that prevent you from listening!

You can check us out online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theoutrageousriot. The show call-in line is (646) 727-1154. Be sure to post either to reply to this article, our Facebook group or send us a message on our Twitter page. We really ask one thing out of you: we want to keep this show to at worst, a PG rating, so please no cursing (we try not to) or personal attacks toward staff. (We can use the dump button if you get out of control, but with political and moral differences (not to mention favorite sports teams and so on) between myself and my co-host, we would like to hear your perspective!


We would love to hear from you soon!


Jake Leonard, Host & Executive Producer
Trevor Gordon, Host & Executive Producer




P.S.: We would like two people to volunteer beginning in June 2010 as part of an online media internship. Please contact WWPM Media Networks general manager Jake Leonard at wwpmholdingscorp@gmail.com or politicsandyoutubeinreview@gmail.com. You will be helping maintain the chat room chatting with viewers, talking on the show and learn in an environment with people who are learning their way in broadcasting.

So, I'm An Obsessed Fan of "The Simpsons"

I have watched almost every episode of the FOX show "The Simpsons", but there is one particular episode that kicked off the fifth season in 1993-1994 called "Homer's Barbershop Quartet".

Homer starts a barbershop quartet known as the Be Sharps, including himself, Springfield Elementary principal Seymour Skinner, town drunk Barney Gumble, and operator of the Kwik-E-Mart, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

I was looking on YouTube to see if anyone did their own cover version and this one comes up. One guy doing ALL FOUR PARTS! WOW!

Check it out:

For Our Hopeful International Audience For Our BTR Show

By the time we do our shows at 6PM Eastern/3PM Pacific on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it will be Wednesday and Friday in some cities.

Most of North, Central and South America will be able to catch us at the normal times (except for AK and HI for North America).

Let's just narrow it down this way (merely an example for first week - will be like this every week):
Time Breakdown For Shows On Tuesdays
Time Breakdown For Shows On Thursdays

A Little Update From The Staff of "The Outraged R!ot"

Starting Tuesday, March 2, we will be doing shows every Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 6 PM Eastern/3 PM Pacific.

We did our debut broadcast on Wednesday and you can listen to it right now on the player above.

The CTOT staff of Jake Leonard and Trevor Gordon are your hosts.

Create some discussion by calling us on the guest line - anything from business to sports or anything in between. We ask you keep your wording to a PG rated level. Hey, you can even ask me about my business or my blog! We're always looking for post topics and guest posters!

(646) 727-1154 to be a guest on the show -
please comment to this article prior to show if you're calling in!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theoutrageousriot

The Chaos Of Running Your Own Business

You think you're going nuts because you're starting a business? I was in those footsteps almost six years ago when I started WorldWide Publications & Media.

I was all but pulling my hair out worrying about availability of work. In the first year of operation, WWPM fixed almost 200 computers, 40 servers and created and/or maintained 175 websites prior to moving my business to Canton, Missouri and Culver-Stockton College.

Within the almost four years in Missouri, I struggled to keep afloat until January 2007, where my work would range from the Quad Cities (Burlington & Bettendorf, IA, Rock Island & Moline, IL) to as far south as Cape Girardeau, MO. We have even gone as far west as Indianapolis and as far west as San Francisco. (Please keep in mind that 75% of the clients we work or worked with involved little to no travel!)

You're really thinking I'm nuts.....after what will be six years this March, we have accomplished this much outside of the normal work we do:

• We have ongoing business relationships with Synergy Technical Solutions Corporation, OnForce, Barrister Global Services and FieldSolutions.
• We operate four online-exclusive radio stations and one online-exclusive TV station.
• We run a $650,000 eBay auction operation and this division has only existed for a year!
• We launched the first phase of our five-phase plan involving the music industry by starting a musician management agency. This is all part of the five-phase, fifteen-year plan to launch a record label and recording studio in Central Illinois.

If you wanted to put a value on it (and I assure you, I'm not interested in going out of business anytime soon!), all of the combined businesses now collectively known as WWPM Holdings Corporation would be valued around $2.5 million.

Support TVU Music Television and RadioU

I've been a proud listener of RadioU for about a year and viewer of TVU Music Television for the past few months.

For those unfamiliar with RadioU and TVU, here's a little breakdown:

• RadioU and TVU are based in Westerville, OH (or overall, the Columbus, OH area).
• Both provide alternative Christian music by airing online 24/7 (TVU and RadioU), over the airwaves 24/7 (select locations in OH, CA, OK, WA & NY), on SkyAngel 24/7 and on Dish Network through KTV at 12-4 AM CST seven days a week.
• Both are commercial-free!
• RadioU started in 1997, while TVU launched in 2001.
• Both stations are operated by Spirit Communications.

Twice every year, they have an event known as "Unleash the Music", an event to many Christian stations' "Sharathon", to help cover operating costs for another year.

Check out the websites above and click on "Donate Now" tab to support this ministry.....


Keep in mind that this is something I normally don't post about, but be sure to check them out!

Top Ten Reasons Why I'd Want To Hang Out With Aaron Gillespie

10. He's UnderOATH's drummer and the frontman of The Almost, two alternative Christian rock groups.

9. He can beat a drum like it won't be there tomorrow!

8. After listening to their freshman album "Southern Weather" and their sophomore album "Monster Monster" (the latter released last November), it only proves that Gillespie is a lyrical genius.

7. Aw, come on. The two bands combined cover more cities than my nationwide youth ministry does!

6. Their songs and videos are on TVU Music Television and RadioU, not to mention VH1 and MTV.

5. Any band without Gillespie would just plain suck!

4. Any song not written with Gillespie would sound dumb!

3. Can't think of a reason - here's my cue for a advertisement break:


2. He often goes out (like he's doing in Florida this summer) and teaches people to drum like he does!

1. Not beating around the bush, but one of my favorite drummers in the Christian music genre!

A little on the Auto Reposession Business

People who lease cars, motorcycles or boats, or even those who purchase these vehicles with monthly payments, are sometimes surprised to find that the bank will reclaim the vehicle if the bills aren't paid. Then again, some people are not surprised, as they knowingly dodge phone calls from banks and creditors in an effort to avoid making monthly payments. Of course, this behavior makes the task of finding and retrieving these vehicles that much more difficult. The Repossession Agent, usually known as a repo man, has the often difficult job of locating and recovering these vehicles.

How do you take away someone's car when they don't want you to? The simplest way is to do it quickly and without them even knowing you were there -- with the exception of the suddenly missing car. The key to a smooth repo job is using the proper equipment at the right time. Believe it or not, an experienced repo man (or woman) can approach the vehicle, hook the towing apparatus to the car and drive off in about 10 seconds -- all without ever leaving the truck's cab. Sounds pretty sneaky, doesn't it? Most of the time, repo men have to be covert -- it's an important part of the job -- so repo equipment must be equally stealthy. In fact, sometimes it's difficult to determine that a truck is used for repossessions, because the towing gear can be stowed completely out of view.

Repossession agents have perfected these skills and technologies, mainly because the repo business is a dangerous business. There's a certain amount of risk involved when you're taking away someone's beloved car, so it pays to be quick and stealthy.

Tow trucks have been around for nearly as long as there have been cars on the road. Of course, over the decades, the methods for hauling away damaged or repossessed vehicles have evolved. Early towing systems required chains or hooks that wrapped around an axle or a frame rail. Some tow truck operators still use this technique in certain conditions. The method is very secure, but it takes a fair amount of time and effort to get the vehicle into position and it can also scratch or damage the vehicle being towed.

Tire- or wheel-lift devices avoid damaging the vehicle because they only touch the tires. Brackets are fitted in front of and behind the drive wheels of the vehicle and then secured in place by steel pins. When the tow truck mechanism lifts the vehicle, the wheels are cradled between the brackets. This method of towing requires the driver to get out of the truck to position the brackets in place and insert the pins, but a skilled operator can actually do this in about 30 seconds.

The latest evolution in tow truck technology is the integrated lift, also known as a self-loading wrecker. This is a wheel-lift system that can be controlled from inside the truck and deployed with hydraulic power. As the truck backs up to the target vehicle, a long arm, called a stinger, extends out along the pavement behind the truck. The leading edge of the wheel cradles contact the tires as the other side of the cradle slides under the vehicle, just past the tire. The brackets can then be closed via hydraulics, cradling the tires on both sides. The tow boom is lifted, the drive wheels come off the ground and the tow truck can pull away.

Sometimes, a different solution is required to move a vehicle. A flatbed truck uses an electric cable winch to pull cars up onto the bed. The flatbed can be hydraulically inclined or even turned to the side, then placed back into a level position for driving. This method is used if a car is too damaged or heavy for a standard tow truck, or if the vehicle has four-wheel or all-wheel-drive. If you were to tow a car with the drive wheels rolling, the transmission would likely suffer severe damage as a result. Using a flatbed truck for repo work generally isn't a good idea as flatbeds aren't especially stealthy. It takes time to raise the bed, connect the winch, and even then, the truck driver can't drive off until the car is secured. Flatbed trucks are also pretty large -- so it's really tough to sneak up on someone with one.

We usually think of tow trucks as something we need when our car breaks down. Why would a tow truck driver sneak up on someone and tow away their car?

When someone buys a new car, truck or boat, they usually don't have the cash to pay for the whole thing all at once. Often, they'll finance the purchase -- work out a deal with a bank or other lender to borrow enough money to make the purchase -- then make monthly payments and pay interest. Until the final payment is made, the lender will hold a lien against the vehicle. The lien is a legal concept which gives the lender the right to take possession of the vehicle if certain conditions aren't met, such as making the monthly payments.
If the borrower starts falling behind on a loan, the lender will make an effort to contact the person and resolve the issue, possibly with an alternate payment plan. If the loan reaches a certain state of delinquency, usually between 30 and 90 days past due, the lender realizes they're probably not going to make any more money on the deal. Their only choice is to take possession of the vehicle and sell it at an auction. This is a last resort because the vehicle is now used, the value has gone down and the repossession itself costs money.

That's where the repo man comes in. Lenders hire repo men to find and retrieve these vehicles. The repo man might earn a set fee per repo, though the fee may vary based on the vehicle being recovered, the location and the amount of work required to find it. People who stop paying their car loans don't always wait at home for the repo man to show up. Often they move without notifying the lender of the change of address, hoping to elude their debts. This is known as a "skip," and the job of tracking them down, known as skip tracing, falls to the repo man as well. A repo man can probably make as much as a few hundred dollars per recovery, although for larger jobs, such as boats or heavy equipment, the cost may be based on the weight of the item being repossessed.
It's possible to make a living by getting a few hundred bucks for a quick stealth tow, but repossession agents face many challenges. For one thing, repossession is not as simple as finding a car and towing it away. In the United States, each state has laws that cover repossession practices. There are licensing requirements and insurance costs to deal with. If a repo agent works in multiple states, he or she will have to navigate the tangled web of statutes in each state.

The repo agent makes certain the client has a lien against the vehicle, giving them the right to take possession. Once the repo man locates the vehicle, he or she checks the vehicle identification number, or VIN, to be absolutely sure it's the correct car or truck.

Once the repo is complete, the vehicle must be towed somewhere secure. Most towing companies have their own storage lots where they can bring cars, trucks, motorcycles or even boats, but sometimes they can deliver the vehicle directly to the client. The repo man also has to notify the local police that repossession took place. That way, if the former owner calls the police to report a stolen vehicle, the police can explain what happened.

Legal hassles are one thing, but we haven't even started talking about the dangers a repo man faces on the job.

There are some people who genuinely run into financial problems and fail to make car payments, and while an owner may be upset when their car is repossessed, they don't get violent about it. But a certain percentage of people who have evaded their loan payment responsibilities are not exactly upstanding citizens. A search of Internet news sites will bring up dozens of stories about repo men whose trucks are damaged or who are themselves assaulted, injured and sometimes even murdered by irate car owners. In the United States, one or two repo men are killed each year while on the job. It's easy to see why they want to make a repo as quickly as possible, and avoid getting out of the tow truck if they can.

In some states, making a clean, quiet repo isn't just a safety matter, it's a legal necessity. Some state laws require that all repos happen without creating a "breach of the peace." That means that if the owner notices the repo in progress and comes out of the house yelling and screaming, the repo agent can't legally repossess the car. Of course, it's in the repo man's best interest to avoid a scene like this, but how?

The first type of stealth towing system is a basic tow truck equipped with an automated hookup system, such as the stinger wheel-lift system we described earlier. These repos rely more on speed than stealth. The repo agent will usually park the truck out of sight while he or she checks the VIN to determine if the vehicle is front- or rear-wheel drive. When all is ready, the agent approaches the vehicle with the tow truck and deploys the stinger, controlling it with a hydraulic control box inside the truck's cab. If the car is parallel parked, the stinger can be turned sideways and slid into position from the side. The entire operation can be completed in roughly 10 seconds.

An even craftier method of vehicle repossession involves a truck that's more than it appears to be. A true stealth repo truck looks like an ordinary pickup truck. It's usually a heavy-duty truck with a powerful diesel engine and dual rear wheels, but it doesn't appear to be a towing vehicle in any way. In stealth mode, the repo man can scout the target vehicle, check the VIN and determine the whereabouts of the owner without drawing unwanted attention. When it's time to tow the target vehicle, the stealth truck undergoes a remarkable transformation.

One version of a stealth repo truck has a towing mechanism hidden in the enclosed bed of the pickup. The mechanism unfolds under hydraulic power with the push of a button. The stinger then extends under the target car and functions just like a regular tow truck. When the repo is complete and the car is stored safely in a secure lot, the towing mechanism folds back into the bed, out of sight.

Another stealth repo truck design stows the stinger beneath the truck. In stealth mode, the tire cradles are folded up and appear to be some kind of straight metal attachment parallel to the truck's rear bumper. The folded metal cradles look like some kind of trailer hitch assembly -- not at all like any kind of towing apparatus. When it goes into action, the stinger telescopes out from beneath the truck, unfolds and then functions like a regular tow truck. A typical stealth repo truck can tow a vehicle weighing up to 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg), which means you can stealth repo all cars and all but the heaviest of pickup trucks.
A stealth lifter can be installed on a typical pickup truck; however, the truck is then subjected to some serious stress as it lifts and tows. For that reason, most manufacturers recommend using a heavy-duty pickup and adding frame stiffeners. For example, it's suggested that vehicles with a gross weight of less than 15,000 pounds (6,804 kg) use frame reinforcements before the stealth lifter is installed [source: Dynamic Equipment and Manufacturing].

That stealth gear doesn't come cheap -- a full system, including frame stiffening and suspension modifications, will cost about $15,000 installed. That doesn't include the price of the truck itself. A 2008 Ford F-350 with a stealth system already installed will cost just over $55,000 [source: East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales].

We've Got No Jobs In THIS Economy?

It's amazing to go into a business and find out that they're hiring. You rush back home to fill an online application (since 97% of all businesses refer to your digital application rotting in their servers for 60-90 days). You find out within a week that they're causing 1,500 people to lose their jobs.

I'm thinking, "That's funny......you guys told me you were going to be hiring within the next few weeks!"
What they always say: "Well, it isn't going to affect us!"


That's a bunch of hogwash! Wal-Mart announced last month that 4,000 people were going to be out of a job. McDonald's laid off 17,000 and might be calling back only 1,900 of them within the year. Caterpillar laid off 1.5 million loyal employees ever since the economic downturn, but has only hired back only 170,000.

So Obama was supposed to create jobs.......

This is what what's been done so far:

• First stimulus package and first minimum wage increase were supposed to help Americans to afford health insurance. Instead, when corporate America heard of this, they jacked up their prices to make living more difficult. This also caused 13 million jobs lost and only 1.5 million created.
• Second stimulus package was the TARP funds giving to the banks and the bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler. It just happens to be "Government Motors", as we speak. This caused another 3 million to lose their jobs, a bank selling out to another and within five years, those banks will have paid those loans out from their profits.
• Third stimulus, if it does go through by the end of Obama's term, will include the approval-pending healthcare plan and instead of the original $300 we got a couple of years ago and make that $3,000. Enforce a price freeze within 48 hours of approval and keep that in effect until every American has health insurance.

On another note, you probably don't realize this, but most retailers are making as much as 10 times what they pay for the item. You're stuck paying $1.50 for a tomato and they paid about $0.30 while you pay $5.50 for a box of cereal while they pay less than $2.00. Maybe our retailers should stop the madness of making us broke with your expensive foods (they're not healthy foods - that's pricing that Whole Foods dumps on their veg-heads)!

They say there's no jobs in this economy and yet, people are getting hired everyday with no notification in-store, online or in print media. All this in a nation with an average of 17% unemployed (or some too lazy to work) and over half of the states have unemployment rates between 14% and 22%!

CTOT Webcast

For those who follow our Facebook group, you may or may have not seen that we've have a little webcast scheduled in a few months. That's right, the editorial team of CTOT will be addressing the blogosphere on our future plans for the blog and we would love to answer some of your questions, whether by email or on video.

You can email your questions to politicsandyoutubeinreview@gmail.com. If you want to ask questions via webcam, you will need to contact us within two days of the webcast and we'll give you the login information, please delete that email after you logged in the day of the webcast (don't try anything; we're changing the password after the webcast!)

I Suggest You Subscribe To This Channel

Perry Ratcliff was a short-lived writer on the Politics & YouTube In Review blog, but he has emerged onto the YouTube scene just recently.

You can check him out at http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePerryR.

Employment barriers for convicted felons

Due to some mistakes on my part, I have a criminal record. The biggest issue that I am running into because of this is finding employment. I understand that certain employers will not want to have a convicted felon in their employ, such as hospitals, nursing homes, day cares and such places. But when it comes to grocery stores, gas stations, general stores, factories, and so on, the reason escapes me. There is NO reason, absolutely no reason for a felon or any person with a criminal record to be denied a job.

Ok, stop and think about this, ok? Alot of the people in positions of authority such as various Police, Government officials, senators, governers and even the ex-President of the United States of America, should all have a records, BUT THEY DON'T!! As of 2005, the recidivism rate in Illinois was, get this, 55%!! WTF?!! This means that 55% of offenders released from prison returned within 3 years! Everyone wants to lower the crime rate, but the biggest and main reason that alot of these offenders(not all of them, but the majority) return to prison is that they have tried to lead an honest life and try to cause a positive impact on society, and CANNOT!! They try to lead an honest life and try to earn an honest living. When they encounter the employment barrier, they return to what they know will bring in income, even though it is illegal. If employers would only realize that denying someone a job based on their record is dooming this person to a life of crime, they would stop doing it and try to help.

For a person with a criminal record who does not have the proper knowledge or training to perform many jobs, this is a major set back and is really a Catch 22. In order to get the experience needed to work, they would have to become employed. But when they try, they are rejected because of their record. Don't try to tell me that this is not true becasue I know it is!!

I understand that there have been many people with criminal records have become successful, but this is mainly due to them knowing someone or have many talents that would qualify them for whatever they are doing. But for an average joe who happens to have a criminal record they are doomed from the day they are released. Every employer that has a felon in their employ ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX BREAKS WHEN THEY FILE THEIR TAXES!! This one of the many perks available to employers.

Now, this is only me venting about my issues with finding a job. I hope to help bring this issue to light.

It's Great To Have An "Old" Blogging Friend Back

It is my honor to have an old colleague from the Politics & YouTube In Review and WordPress days, Trevor Gordon, joining us on CTOT. I loved the controversy he created when he wrote about an employer he worked for several years ago involving tigers. That brought a LOT of traffic and discussion in the time the blog existed (it accounted for 52% of all overall page views in the eleven months following the initial post).

Trevor is just another disgruntled former WordPress blogger whose blog was also deleted by WP management for initial differences (in that sense, offending people who deserved to be offended for their actions). He's also a very close friend from our days at John Wood Community College.

I'm glad he's gotten back into blogging again! Welcome back, Trevor!

Things Aren't The Same Anymore.........

Please Don't Take It The Wrong Way
I hate to say anything bad about the city whose school I graduated from five years ago this May, but just looking around me over the past 14 months since my return here - it just isn't the same. There are a lot of people who used to talk to me a lot when I attended Nokomis High School, but for some idiotic reason, some of them want nothing to do with me today.

I just feel very down on myself after (this is clearly my opinion) I feel I let my friends in Canton, Missouri down. I was dumb enough to go to Rockport-Fulton, Texas and try to reconcile a broken relationship with my father, only to get my laptop computer stolen prior to my departure. He wouldn't let me go back when I truly felt at home.

It Just Isn't "Home Sweet Home" Anymore (And I Don't Know Why)
I just don't feel at home in Nokomis anymore. I feel like an outcast only because I choose not to do what everyone else wants to do. I feel like some of the community leaders look at me like I should be nothing more than the scum underneath their shoes. I get awkward glances from people all the time, showing me that they don't want me here.

I'm just getting tired of being treated like a doormat. This is why half the time I choose to isolate myself from social stuff, because it's half the time I feel like the people of Nokomis want to excommunicate me somewhere else.

My Time In Missouri
I was beyond social when I was living in LaGrange and Canton, Missouri. I got along with just about every aspect of the communities. When I was down and out and had nowhere to turn when I was academically suspended from Culver-Stockton, it was the people of Life Tabernacle who looked out for me.

It was Bro. Paul & Sis. Brenda Kinney who took me under their wing when my only shelter at the time would have been my car (after being suspended from C-SC). They were the only ones who I would trust to share my problems with, a pastor-saint bond I cannot say I had near as much as my current pastor.

It was people like Rick & Janet Lippincott, Phillip & Kim Darnell, Sandy & Floyd Azbill and numerous other families who were there to help when the pastor wasn't around. I have to admit: I have a lot of problems and they were there for spiritual support and whatever else they were willing to do to help.

I made plenty of friends among the college, community and church. There's a bond that, I hate to day, that perhaps Nokomis may never have for me.

Once Again, Don't Take It The Wrong Way!
I just thought if I ever returned to Nokomis and Illinois in general, most of my friends would continue talking to me. For some reason or another, when I left for college, church friends and classmates just pretended I fell off the face of the earth. A lot of them still act that way now, although it's not particularly the high school classmates, but more like in the church friends department.

Being back in Illinois, I just hate to consider the fact if I ever returned to Missouri, most of my Missouri friends won't talk to me either. I try to keep up with my friends, but when you have friends from all over, it's hard to do so. Life makes those turns and you're spun into a downward spiral. It's during that time that many friendships are tried and often broken. If that happens, it was never a true friendship to start with.

Well, I think I'm done for now.....I have to go pick my brother up from the Springfield, IL Amtrak station in a few hours - he's coming back from a trip to Chicago!

I'm A Little Disappointed In The Voter Turnout On My Music Poll

Maybe it's because it's a "new" blog or some people just don't like what I have to say and/or my taste in music.

I made the poll link available on both the blog website and on the Facebook group, which in turn sends the message on my Facebook wall and on the WorldWide Publications & Media Facebook page.

So, with the last poll being a deadlock of 2-2, I had to cast the deciding vote for this week's iPod Favorite. Now, for the next three weeks, I will be making selections, including the week Broken Bells' self-titled album launches out (that's the week ending March 6).

I'll keep the first two choices a secret, but the last selection, before your votes are tallied for the March 7 edition, will be the single released in January - "The High Road".

Now that the plugging on all of my Facebook pages is done, make sure you vote on this poll - you have three weeks to vote!

Dollar General Updating POS Systems

National Service Center, a leading technical logistics provider for companies such as Dollar General, are implementing the setup of new point-of-sale systems for DG. Some stores have already received the new systems in 2009, but few stores have received them this year.

WorldWide Publications & Media has been contracted over the next few days in the following locations in Illinois (particular locations on calendar on WWPM website): Springfield, Decatur, Sullivan, Canton and Mt. Sterling. These jobs will begin today and last until Friday.

If our services are done well enough, we hope for future business with NSC.

Favorite Music Videos This Week

Switchfoot - "Mess of Me"







Grits - "Fly Away"
 


UnderOATH - "Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear"

Demon Hunter - Carry Me Down [Official Video]

I first discovered this music video on TVU Christian Music Television.

In my honest opinion, I think this song rocks my socks off!


Demon Hunter - Carry Me Down

michelle | MySpace Video

Broken Bells - The High Road [Official Video]

The following video debuted yesterday on MySpace Music. Broken Bells is comprised of Gnarls Barkley's Danger Mouse and the Shins' head songwriter and singer James Mercer. The song was featured on NPR's "All Songs Considered" in earlier this month. Their much-acclaimed album is scheduled to release on March 9, 2010. This music video was directed by Sophie Muller.

The High Road

Broken Bells | MySpace Music Videos

A Rough Week For Me

Several Hurdles My Business Ran Into This Past Week:
*End-Users/Service Buyers Not Paying For Services
*21:21 WorldWide Music Has NO Clients!
*Bills Exceed Income

There's ONE Positive Thing Out Of This Week For WWPM:

 Our business cards from VistaPrint came in!

Want To Be A Guest Writer?

This is the only way to reach out to my audience is to see what you have to say. We're implementing a plan for you to make guest posts to our blog starting February 1, 2010.

We only ask your posts be between G and PG rated and obscenities be kept to a minimum - this is viewed by many people, some who hate obscene language.

If interested, please send a brief SMS message to (217) 310-4148 and email your posts to jakeleonard2013@gmail.com.

One More New Update

This is a new update for those who currently read our blog or new readers:

We have added one more section to our header: the iPod Favorite Archive. We will post the favorites from the past five weeks of the current iPod Favorite week. (We've only done this starting the second week, so there's one in the books!)

R.I.P. "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien"

So it's official: NBC has paid Conan O'Brien to leave the network's most prestigious franchise only seven months after the show was passed down by Jay Leno. Now, with a primetime failure that was "The Jay Leno Show", this double-chinned jerkwad is getting his old slot back and NBC late night is doomed yet again under the banner of Jay Leno. Jimmy Fallon has made it known to TMZ that he is not happy.

Leno returns to "The Tonight Show" on March 1, after the 2010 Winter Olympics.

This is enough of an outrage that I think I will be watching Letterman at 10:35pm rather than watch Leno. I'll still watch "Late Night" religiously, but as long as Leno is host of "The Tonight Show", I will not watch it!

Conan, please come up with some way to escape the clause so you can join another network BEFORE SEPTEMBER!

So, Letterman Wants To Play Hardball?

So in the latest "Late Show" newsletter, David Letterman's writers make an attack on this PR nightmare known as "Conan vs. NBC Universal vs. Leno" and they even snap an attack on Carson Daly.

So I made a response on the CBS site:

I read your recent newsletter and I'm appalled that your show would stoop so low as to attack your former network. Not only is your biggest competitor "The Tonight Show" facing a move where it'll be competing against ABC's Jimmy Kimmel and your colleague Craig Ferguson, leaving you to deal with Jay Leno once again. Jay Leno is an overbearing jerk and it's wrong that he and NBC Universal's Jeff Zucker is giving O'Brien the screwjob.

Not only are the pushing "Tonight Show" back, they are also ruining a franchise you founded on that network in 1982: "Late Night", which you passed on to Conan O'Brien in 1993 and he passed on to Jimmy Fallon in 2009.

Can't you say something that be of some sort of support to keep the tradition of "Late Show" vs. "The Tonight Show"?

Reponse From Tracey Cole, Station Manager of WAND-TV NBC Storm Center 17

I received the following response this morning from WAND-TV's station manager, Tracey Cole:

Dear Mr. Leonard,

Thank you for contacting us. As you correctly summarized this has been a debacle for the NBC network. The Jay Leno show at 9pm CT while an innovative idea fell flat on its face. The local affiliates who depend on competitive network programming as a lead in to their late local news lost hundreds of millions dollars in revenue due to the poor ratings which in turn has lowered viewership for local affiliates and the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. Unfortunately NBC was faced with making a decision where there was no good outcome. We truly appreciate your viewership over the years and understand your frustration. Once the situation is finally resolved we do hope at some point you will return as a loyal viewer.

Best regards,

Tracey H. Cole
Station Manager
WANDTV
904 South Side Drive
Decatur, IL 62521

2:22 AM

Don't ask me why I made a post at the same time I have a habit to get out of bed, eat some ice cream, watch The Weather Channel (well, not recently since I'm boycotting NBC Universal-owned - soon to be owned by Comcast - channels) and make fun of the weatherman.

Now, since the TV has FINALLY been moved into my bedroom (so I can quit watching TV late at night in the living room), I find anything I can dig up of someone making an idiot of themselves. Comedians do this all the time, so they're out of the question. Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly snap at each other at a pin drop, so that doesn't really count. I could switch it to "Overhaulin'" or "Mythbusters", but those are everyday stupid antics. There's not enough stupid people where I live, but we don't need any more.

Here's stupid and idiotic for you: waking up at 2:22 in the morning only for about 118 minutes so that you late-night Taco Bell/White Castle crap eating stoners could have something to talk about!

And maybe those stoners can buy something so I can survive!

The Outpouring of Aid

In the past few days following the Haitian earthquake, there has been such an outpouring of aid to this country. Many people are presumed dead, some in critical condition and even some with nothing more than a cut or scrape.

The overwhelming support from the United States is almost comparable to that to the 2008 Indonesian tsunami. But where was all of this support when we face our own natural disasters?

One disaster I know New Orleans is still recovering from many years later is from Hurricane Katrina. Most of the city is still uninhabitable and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with limited funds provided by its parent, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Millions of dollars later and that project is still incomplete.

It is interesting that when the Midwestern United States suffers a disaster, the money and recovery efforts are there 95% of the time. When California, New York, Texas or Alaska have a disaster, the state has to exhaust all of their resources before they will step in. If you're not in those areas, you might have to wait later than 72 hours.

We had the Red Cross, Goodwill and the Salvation Army and even Tide down there to support the families who bore through the storm, but they have more people in Haiti as we speak. Why do we send thousands to Haiti when only hundreds went to help in New Orleans post-Katrina or cities affected by the great Midwestern flood of 2008? We're we so limited in funds that we couldn't have had more people there?

All I can say is: the mission is being done as we speak, and I thank everyone that has done work in the recovery and cleanup attempt.

However, last week's comments from Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson about "Haitians deserved to die because they made a pact with Satan" and a fireball response the following day by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann proved that the media, whether liberal- or conservative-leaning, still spin the news stories around FOR THE RATINGS!

So I Emailed NBC Universal & Comcast About The Late Night Scheduling Debacle

So with the current conflict involving NBC Universal, Conan O'Brien and the state of "The Tonight Show" (with it's 55-year tradition airing after the late local news), I felt, like many "Team Conan" Facebook group members, decided to email some of the following:
- NBC Universal President & CEO Jeff Zucker
- Comcast President Brian Roberts (85% owner by mid-2010)
- General Electric President & CEO Jeffrey Inmelt (15% owner by mid-2010)
- Tracey Cole, Station Manager of WAND-TV NBC Storm Center 17; Decatur, Illinois
- Ron Pulera, General Manager of WAND-TV NBC Storm Center 17; Decatur, Illinois
- Rebecca Rahm, Programming Director of KSDK-TV; St. Louis, Missouri

This message is to let you know that we intend to cease watching NBC networks including the local programming on KSDK in St. Louis, MO and WAND in Decatur, IL, due to the unfair treatment NBC has given to Conan O'Brien and more than likely, the rest of the late night team of Jimmy Fallon and Carson Daly.

I've watched NBC's late night lineup since 1989 (even though I was supposed to be asleep then), starting with Johnny Carson and Dave Letterman. Years later, it became Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, while adding Carson Daly many years later. Now, it's Conan and Jimmy Fallon, along with Daly. I've watched NBC late night for so long, I feel that NBC's current actions will end up destroying two of the biggest franchises on the network, only because you want Jay Leno back in late night.

While we are disappointed to be losing him from The Tonight Show, our distaste stems more from the manner in which the network handled this situation. We do not believe in supporting a company that engages in such underhanded and mean business practices. That kind of method of operation does not mesh with the values of our family.

Jake Leonard

P.S. Unfortunately, there wasn't much left on your network worth watching anyway. I probably won't stop with boycotting NBC - I'll probably end up boycotting every channel under NBC Universal-production under General Electric and Comcast payroll.

I'll update you of any responses...

A Brief Explanation Of This Site

If you're a little confused and have been caught in the middle of my constant remodeling, I'll explain it all to you:

The Outraged Tycoon's iPod Favorite
My favorite pick of the week, although beginning January 17, 2010, you get to choose out of five of my random picks out of my iPod and iTunes. It is usually the top five most played songs on my iPod Shuffle that ends up being scrobbled on Last.fm. The player and ballot is inside of a table for space reasons. The iPod Favorite music player will always be on the left-hand side. The ballot is on the right-hand side and has a popup window link to vote. You're given until 12:59 pm every Saturday to vote.

The Outraged Tycoon's Ticker
This ticker includes links to my profiles on Facebook and MySpace, my company's Twitter and corporate website and ministry Twitter. I nickname this the blog "The Official Site for All Things Verbally Slaughtered". This includes the "In This Outrage (In History)" segment, where I take an actual year and event and use my wicked sense of humor to twist it around and make it something different. Also shown is a current outrage and a potential outrage.

Donate Box.....Why Is That There?
I do this now as an obsessive hobby outside of work and I don't get paid to do this (despite using Google AdSense and Amazon Associates in my posts, which pay minimal), but I would one day like to have more outraged writers join me (most of which want to be paid), so we'd like your help! (Also, this box is available if you want to bribe me out of choosing my picks for the iPod Favorite so you can make a suggestion! Any amount, and you can make ONE selection!)

The Outraged Tycoon's eBay Auctions
 I use eBay quite a bit selling stuff, mainly through one of my startup businesses which started in November 2009, WWPM Auctions & Appraisal. I don't do much appraisal stuff, but I sell my stuff (mostly things I purchased and resells it) or I do consignment auctions (sell for other people).


Blog Posts & Archive, About Me and Followers
My blog posts will be pretty frequent, so if you miss it, there is an archive to find that post. You can learn about me by clicking on either my picture or the link saying "See my entire profile". If you follow my blog or subscribed, your username should be on this list.

Why are there Amazon and Google AdSense ads on your posts and elsewhere on the site?
It's weird, but Google wants you to make money (for some reason). If it's an Amazon ad, I posted a product related to someone I mentioned on a post (for instance, check the last post I did). AdSense just fills in the other spaces on the site (mostly the footer and under the archive list).

Top 10 List: Signs You're Being Pestered About Being Mean

10.  You're attacking their token political party spokesperson(s).

9.    Emailed Facebook notification asks why you can't say anything positive.

8.    The setting on your "Sarcasm Generator" is stuck on "Attack Limbaugh" and won't move toward the center.

7.     "Running for Vice President for Dummies" is being written by both Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.

6.      You plumb run out of nice things to say.

5.      Dave Barry is mentally talking to you to attack Obama at a pin's drop.

4.      Pat Robertson spoke to by the late Jerry Falwell to attack the next nation who suffers a natural disaster.

3.      Politics destroyed your nice streak, your looks and your double-wide trailer.

2.      The last rumored question from Michael Jackson was "Where's Bubbles?"

1.       You make fun of a politician who thinks 1 + 1 = 11 and believes they can see Russia from their house.