Quiet the Thunder

This One Slipped Through the Ol' Spam Filter

2009-12-04T12:17:00.004-05:00

I'm a professional voice teacher and I occasionally post an ad on Craigslist to advertise for new students. I honestly don't understand, in what universe, how these people and their spambots think anyone will respond to their brainfever emails.First it's from "NEWTON WHITE". The all-caps a is a requirement for spammers, apparently.Then the greeting, "Yup Im Mark." Mark, Newton, Mark...make up

In Which I Am Legitimately Baffled, From an Ethical Point of View

2009-12-01T17:50:00.004-05:00

I hate credit card fees and rates as much as the next guy. I am also a responsible, read-the-fine-print kind of gal who rarely gets hoodwinked, and if I do, I tend to blame myself. I've never felt preyed upon...until I read this little tidbit on triplepundit's article about credit card practices,According to a recent expose hosted on the PBS show Frontline and sponsored by the New York Times

Health Care Reform Lies

2009-11-16T12:21:00.004-05:00

Here is the latest Dan Mitchell video on current economic headlines. In this video, he talks about how the government is using textbook fiscal policy theory to hoodwink the public. The government is banking on the "broken clock" theory to convince the public their plans have a good chance of working - namely, "A broken clock is right two times a day." Similarly, economic theories will work in a

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-10-27T13:28:00.007-04:00

I thought I'd make a list of things I like. For no real reason. Because sometimes that's the best reason to write a blog post.I really like music, art, and baking. So - here's some of those things for your pleasure.1. Electric Light Orchestra: the best, cheesiest, good-feeling feel-good music from the 70's. I remember watching the movie Xanadu over and over with my sister, my number one music and

A Giant VAT of Trouble

2009-10-17T23:46:00.006-04:00

There is something very Halloween about a VAT, but we are not talking witches and goblins.Spooky enough to scare any citizen, the proposed VAT tax is truly a modern-day boiling cauldron of double, double, toil, and trouble. Why double? Precisely because the VAT tax being proposed in the United States is a tax-on-top-of-a-tax, as opposed to many European nations which eschew an income tax for a

Top 5 Ways Gen Y is Helping to “Spread the Wealth”

2009-10-13T09:33:00.010-04:00

Gen Y, you should be proud of yourself. You have become champions of Spreading the Wealth even though you might be entirely unaware you are doing it. For those of you who are serious about finding opportunities to Spread the Wealth, I invite you to comment on my blog (and either leave a way for me to contact you or email your thoughts to me directly at milena@quietthethunder.com) for a chance to

Releasing Murderers to Balance the Budget

2009-10-07T16:31:00.003-04:00

I wish I could stop writing about Michigan. But one of the latest proposals by the state is to start releasing prisoners on early parole, including this murderer, because of our serious deficits.In a Press Release from A. Scott Grabel and Associates,This past January, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm suggested that the state begin an early prison release program for certain nonviolent

Michigan: Found and Lost - a Microcosm of the Country

2009-09-30T09:22:00.007-04:00

I Love Michigan: Born and Raised.Troy, Michigan: where I grew up. Spending summers at water parks like Four Bears, learning to ride a bike down one of its moderately hilly streets. Where I got married. Where I went to grad school.Bloomfield Hills, Michigan: where I attended high school. Knowing nothing about football and attending the games anyway during the crisp, fall nights. Building floats

"Something You Can Take to Congress Other Than a Teabag"

2009-09-29T09:49:00.007-04:00

I have to admit that ever since I saw the Tea Parties during the second round of stimulus, I had mixed emotions. I was thrilled people finally were getting off their duffs to do something, but I was also disheartened to see that there was no coherent plan of action other than just gathering together and complaining, and like any large disorganized group, the crazies came out of the woodwork to

The White Bucket

2009-09-09T10:01:00.003-04:00

Every time I go outside to garden, I grab a white bucket from the garage. It becomes an extension of me as I move around from task to task. I might throw it a few feet away to mark the new spot I'll start to weed. I know exactly how far to toss an over-ripened squash to make it in the bucket without looking away from the plant I'm pruning.I love this bucket.Its uses seem

Be the Change, Or At Least Change Your Shirt

2009-09-07T14:57:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I was riding my bike to the grocery store. I take a route through my neighborhood to minimize how many major roads I have to cross. I ride in the street because bikes are supposed to, and because there are often kids and other obstacles on the sidewalks.I use hand turn signals and everything, and usually I don't have problems from drivers, but this kid in a red jeep was really eager to

Hey, Run My Can Over

2009-09-03T13:11:00.003-04:00

Today I was reminded of the so-called halcyon days of summer, you know, full of childish ebullience and mangled grammar?While running errands via bike, I was audience to a number of delightful people-watching opportunities. First, a porch baby. You know, the baby on the porch whose parents are nowhere to be seen? He was babbling to his mailbox and looking suspiciously at me over his shoulder.

Come to Your Own Conclusion

2009-08-29T10:24:00.000-04:00

A recent study of US currency revealed it is covered in trace amounts of cocaine.I mean, you see it in the movies all the time, but I never would have thought to test the paper itself. Turns out Washington, DC came in first place for highest concentration of the drug on its tested bills. This was followed by Baltimore, Boston (!?), and Detroit.I don't have much to say about this, other than I

Speaking Safely

2009-08-26T09:14:00.009-04:00

You might be thinking to yourself, "What is up with the title of this post?" What is "speaking safely?" It sounded ominous to me, but I was unsure, so I Tweeted the question. Here's what I got back:I ask this question as this is what the Obama administration left as a cliffhanger in a recent phone call to over 75 artists, taste-makers, producers, directors, and others in the professional artistic

Uncharted Territory

2009-08-25T11:41:00.007-04:00

Today I posted a chart of the supposed Obama health plan to Twitter.Someone called it a "big fat lie." That would actually be a relief! This claim has not been further substantiated, so I thought I'd go a-truth-seekin' all by myself and came across this simplified, easy-to-digest chart. Is this what the Democrats would prefer people see? I have no idea, because there is very little about the

There Is a Reason I Stopped Reading the Wall Street Journal

2009-08-24T09:14:00.011-04:00

Today's WSJ was full of fun, fallacy, and hypocrisy from some of my favorite public figures.Christina Romer, head of the current administration's Council of Economic Advisers. She says, "Deficits do matter...No one believes that more than the President." (Hmm, I am confident there are people who believe that more than the President.) She also indicated, "...reducing the deficit is a priority for

Rationing Happens

2009-08-22T10:52:00.003-04:00

The health care debate is over an as-yet-fictitious future government-run system. Instead of fighting over phantoms, why not review our current systems to see if we'd like more of the same?I thought this piece was poignant, and a revealing example of how the government must pick winners and losers in public care schemes. They decide who or what service is "expendable." This much should be obvious

Where I Stand on the Health Care Debate and Why

2009-08-21T08:17:00.000-04:00

Who This Post Is For and Why I Feel the Need to Write ThisI am not writing this post to convert anyone. I do not suffer such delusions. I am writing it for those who oppose universal health care but cannot clearly articulate the moral and philosophical reasons why. I am writing it for those who support universal health care, but demonize those who do not, clearly having no

On Bragging Versus Confidence

2009-08-17T21:40:00.004-04:00

I am not the kind of person who brags. I rarely talk about myself unless asked because I absolutely hate coming across as the kind of person who must be the center of attention. You know who I'm talking about, the fast talkers, the loud talkers, or the incessant talkers who miraculously never get to the point of anything. I find there is a fine line between bragging and confidence. Don't get me

Government Health Care: Just a Taste

2009-08-03T22:40:00.010-04:00

So, since my husband's company was taken over by the government, I've gotten a small taste of what will happen to health benefits under a government-run system. In short, fewer benefits at a higher cost. Who could have called that?Specifically, my prescription benefit was halved, meaning I pay double what I used to. My dental care benefits have been reduced by one quarter for annual visits, and

Where I'll Be This Week and What's The Deal with My Blog?

2009-07-25T16:24:00.005-04:00

I am honored and excited beyond belief to have been awarded the Cato University Bastiat Scholarship to attend this week's Cato University program in San Diego. The lectures and discussions will focus around some important and controversial topics: Economic Crisis, War, and the Rise of the State.I hope to share all sorts of new wisdom with my readers upon my return. In addition, I want to inform

Royal Oak Safety Alert

2009-07-23T18:44:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, I decided to get serious about learning a martial art and self-defense, something I've been interested in for a long time. Today I got an email that made me even more secure in my decision: two women were attacked in my city Sunday morning while taking a walk.From WXYZ news:A Royal Oak neighborhood is on alert after two woman were attacked by a man who disappeared into the night.

Let's Tax the People Who Sign Your Paycheck

2009-06-15T12:48:00.008-04:00

This latest video from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity uncovers the logical fallacies behind plans to increase taxes on "the rich" to benefit society as a whole. Keeping the issues of morality aside, the plan does not accomplish higher living standards or greater wealth for those unwittingly involved in the scheme.Just look at European nations whose models we are attempting to emulate. If

Buy American, Or We'll Just Make You

2009-06-01T17:55:00.015-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have caught yesterday’s commentary on the stupefying actions and announcements of the Obama administration. Both President Obama and Governor Granholm were on television, hailing the news of GM's government-aided bankruptcy as inevitable, necessary, and ripe with opportunity.Their tones were alternately somber and hopeful. Placating both sides of the political

4 Troubling Grocery Store Trends You Need to Know About Now!

2009-05-20T19:31:00.010-04:00

I realize my blog title is very Women's Day. But there are some really disturbing things going on.1. Whole Foods won't let you purchase completely normal stuff. Like Ziploc bags. They are strictly verboten! I'm sorry, but my Ziploc bags aren't killing the planet. What the hell else am I supposed to keep my leftover chopped onions and such in? I wash my bags and reuse them anyway - so why the