My rant, today, comes on the tails of some recently disturbing news that I read about the author of the world-famous Harry Potter series of children’s books. Many of you may have already heard or read about this. But, I was shocked and dismayed at the revelation by author J.K. Rowling that one of her lead characters in the series, Professor Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay.

My first impression was that of disbelief. Not only that she would taint her mythical storyline with such a controversial and problematic topic such as homosexuality. But, also that she would take it upon herself to taint children’s minds with this disturbing topic, in the guise of a children’s story.

It is one thing for a person to grow up and choose their own moral path, once they’ve grown to mental maturity. It’s another matter to influence a child’s innocence and confuse their perception of sexual practices and orientation. An author takes an unspoken and accepted responsibility upon themselves when they choose to enter the realm of children’s books. A child is very impressionable, and can be mentally molded in behavior by what they are exposed to at an early age. Professional tact and good taste have governed good authors to steer clear of "mature" matters when it came to writing childrens' fact or fiction stories, in times past. It would seem that this is, sadly, no longer common practice.

Psychologists have concluded that the behavioral and psychological patterns that a person retains from childhood can very well influence their actions and beliefs throughout life. To be so thoughtless as to impress one’s personal acceptance of this so-called “alternative” lifestyle upon an innocent, impressionable young person is at the very root of unprofessionalism!

Mrs. Rowling began to entertain the masses with her world of wizardry and magic in a most innocent and non-offensive manner. Of course, Christian Fundamentalists immediately flew off their respective rockers… assuming that a fanciful, mythological, imaginative world of hocus-pocus was in some way the teaching of the Devil, himself. This sort of fanatical behavior is just as wrong. Where were these people when Walt Disney offered us the make-believe stories of Peter Pan? Cinderella? Snow White? Were these not also considered to be “widespread teachings of magic and sorcery”? The true problem began with involving mature issues in a story that they did not belong in.

It’s no more ethical and professional to state that Snow White had an orgy with the 7 dwarves… or that Cinderella was sexually assaulted by her wicked stepsisters… or that Peter Pan and the Lost Boys were a horde of flying faggots!

Is it not enough that our society is literally saturated with debauchery in the media and cinema? Won’t children have to be exposed to this unnatural and perverse behavior in years to come? I plead with the authors who touch these innocent children’s lives… to consider their own childhood and the entertainment they received as children. Bert and Ernie weren’t considered “gay” in the 70’s… they were roommates. There is such a thing. Two women or two men can actually be friends… they don’t have to be sexual “partners”.

It’s this deplorable and morally corrupted society of today that has felt compelled to re-label the innocence of things with the premise of homosexuality… because of nothing more than popular mass media pressure tactics. Special interest groups are in overdrive to force-feed acceptance of this sickening practice upon every person on the planet to the point of invading the sanctified arena of childhood. Perhaps they want to get a jump on altering perception of their chosen practices, so as to eliminate future objections? It’s a pretty low and underhanded tactic… but what can you expect. Only through reinforcement from like kind can they avoid their own guilt. If everyone is for it… then it can’t be wrong. At least…that’s what they want the reality of it to be.

I fully realize that some of my readers may be of a different viewpoint, and you’re fully within your rights to see things as you wish. I no more presume to force my views on anyone, than I’d want them to force them on me. I’m merely stating my position, because I’m compelled to try and be the voice of reason.

Children aren’t stupid. I know that. Some children, God help them, have already been exposed and damaged by this whole topic. But, thankfully, there are those who are still innocent. Those whose minds aren’t twisted and damaged by this mess… who want to believe in the magic of Santa Claus… the Tooth Fairy… The Easter Bunny.

I’m not a holy-roller… nor am I perfect… nor am I immune to sin. I’m no better a person than Mrs. Rowling. In fact, in some ways, I’m sure I’m much worse. But, regardless of that fact… she should not involve sexual matters and issues within stories that small children read.

As for this house… we’ll not reward Mrs. Rowling for her actions with our money. The purchasing of Harry Potter material is at an end.

More later.

Well folks... this isn't exactly a normal entry. But, rather, just a matter-of-fact entry. I recently became yet another statistic in this lovely Bush-economy. Yes, layoffs abound... and one of them has taken liberty to sink its jagged teeth into my white posterior.

In other words, I got laid off on Thursday of last week. It came as a shock to me, citing the fact that I'd just gotten a pay raise not two weeks prior. But, as my father always said... "There's no such thing as a Permanent Job. Just be thankful that you have a lengthy Temporary Job."

I suppose things happen for a reason. Luckily, I've already gotten calls for interviews... so perhaps this will only be a brief "unscheduled vacation" for me. Ya'll keep me in your thoughts n' prayers. Bills don't change... but your income can.

More later... if I have power. (sigh)

No, you’re not hallucinating… I’m actually posting an entry today. It stems from something I hear on the radio a lot while driving. It doesn’t matter what radio station it is, they all seem to be infested with this one offer. Free computers.

Be it a laptop or desktop, it makes no difference. They plug these paid actors as “actual customers” who are just overcome with glee by how easy it was for them to get their FREE computer. They say things like, “…how is it that we can offer these amazing computers for free?” and then go on to explain how advertisers get tired of shelling out the big-bucks for offers, and have decided to reward people through this company by offering computers for trying products they “already need”.

Hmmm… well, let me shed some light on the situation here. I’ve been curious enough to pilfer around in this type of offer in the past. I pursued it just far enough to discover the true make up of this little scheme. So, pay attention and I’ll unmask the bandit. It all starts with these little goofball companies that plug the radio spots. Their sole purpose for existing is merely to promote the whole shibang by telling you how easy it is to get this piece of crap.

The computer you’ll be receiving is most often a stripped down, bare bones, refurbished unit. It’s no more high-tech or fancy than a hand-me-down pair of shoes. If it DOES happen to be a new unit, it’s going to be the lowest end model available by the manufacturer they have contracted a sales deal with. No DVD-burners.. no fancy firewire adapters. Bottom end is what you’ll get… IF you get it.

The way they offer these is through a minefield of cheesy, complicated, undesirable offers tied to it. You begin this little journey into the absurd by entering the promoter’s main website. They, then, reinforce how awesome…fantastic…amazing…and easy this whole process is. It’s time to sell the lie. Now, if you happen to be one of the poor saps who actually goes through with this, then they begin by taking all of your contact information. This is to be utilized for spam promotions by affiliated companies….even if you suddenly wise up and back out.

After they’ve secured this, you move on to the 15 or 20 successive websites you must wade through, much like molten tar. They tell you, in a legal disclaimer somewhere close to the length of something created by Leo Tolstoy, that you will need to complete each and every offer they throw at you by third-party companies. Then wait for each offer to clear (insuring that each company places their respective fish hook in your lip). These are credit card companies, magazine offers, CD clubs, and other useless crappy things that you wouldn’t be interested in. But you MUST complete the applications for them to gain this “wonderful computer”.

Now that about 15 to 20 companies have your information (which they can and will sell to even MORE spammers) you will be processed, based upon your credit rating. If you happen to pass and get approved, then you’re now the proud owner of their useless and contractual crap. Do you get the computer now? No. You have more to do.

Now that they have you set on the hook and are cranking your ass in, for all it’s worth… you need to gain verification that you’ve completed these offers. This is entirely up to each individual company to grant you this completion status. Let’s assume that the planets align and you actually get this confirmation from all this crap you’ve just signed up for. Now you send it to the promotional company. You know… the one that told you how easy all of this was, about 2 or 3 months ago.

Now they will take their sweet time evaluating your claim. Assuming there’s no red flags on this claim, they will get this “fantastic computer” and ship it to your house (with you paying the shipping-&-handling, of course). After all, they’re not in this to spend money. They’re in this to MAKE money. They’re going to pass along the cost to fools like you. They know you’ve just demonstrated your gullibility with about 20 crappy offers in order to get this electronic paperweight. What’s a little thing like shipping and handling costs going to deter?

At this point, you’re committed to following through. At this point, you should be committed to an asylum. And now, you get your box. OH JOY!! You now have a sub-standard (most likely out of date) laptop or desktop. Assuming it doesn’t crash or fail to turn on at all… you can now use it to pay these 20 bills you’ve just added to your budget and never wanted in the first place.

Save yourself some time, humiliation, headache and financial drain. Just order a friggin bare-bones kit from a reputable store or computer supplier. Pay for the computer, and skip the crap they want to cover you with. Trust me, it’s a huge fan behind a vat of pig slop. Do yourself a favor and don’t turn on the fan.

Consider this my public service message for the day. Ya’ll take care!! More later.

Greetings and salutations to my beloved and devoted Rant-Fans out there. Yes, I realize that this entry has been 3 months overdue, but my life has been pretty hectic lately. I’m sure this latest little mentally warped tirade will make up for at least some portion of my neglegence.

Since odd and poorly made commercials tend to get on my nerves, constantly. I thought I should create some kind of featured spotlight on the most annoying commercial on-air at the time of each particular blog entry. Sort of a “Hall of Shame” feature that you can enjoy me ranting about. This way, I can vent about them… and I can address other topics, as well.

So, without further adieu… here’s the current entry for:

“Jason’s Commercial Hall Of Shame”

( Today’s winner is: Valtrex® )

Valtrex® is a once-a-day genital herpes medication, for those of you who live under a rock and haven’t seen this stupid commercial at least a million times by now. The reason it’s so annoying, is because it falls under my personal pet peeve in this area. Drugs that treat embarrassing conditions don’t need to be advertised on national television. If you’re honest with yourself, you will come to see that those afflicted by any condition which is a) embarrassing… and b) in need of medical treatment… will generally seek out the treatment that they need.

This would involve speaking with a medical specialist who can prescribe the applicable medication designed to treat the condition. Never have I seen an instance where a patient could influence a doctor’s preference on the brand of medication he chooses to prescribe, based solely upon something that the patient saw on TV. If that’s the case, then why are we constantly bombarded by these stupid prescription drug commercials?!?!

Question: By and large, what is the percentage of Americans who are currenly afflicted with genital herpes? I did a little reasearch. The current U.S. Census bureau estimates a current national population of 303,035,353. As of today, roughly 45,000,000 Americans have genital herpes. That may initially sound like a lot, but it’s really only 6.73% of the entire population of the U.S. So, for the remaining 93% of Americans… this information doesn’t even apply.

Now, what REALLY makes the commercial annoying is how it’s constructed. Like many other pharmaceutical commercials, they seem to want to get down on a “neighborly” level with you. Backyard scenery… casual dress…etc. They choose actors who look like your old college roommate, your mom or… uncle Bob. Then they script stupid things for them to say, like… “I used to be ontop of my game, but now my doctor says that my diabetes may be contributing to my E.D.”

No, uncle Bob…. You used to be ontop of aunt Mildred. And I’m sure that if millions of Diabetic Americans suffer from ED, it’s a condition they’re well aware of. No need to smile and tell us about it while sitting in your golf cart. If they’re affected, it won’t take a frank and candid commercial to get them to seek medical advice.

STOP THE STUPID MEDICAL COMMERCIALS!!! …and get back to MythBusters. They’re testing the myth of someone being able to put their elbow in their own ear. Now that’s riveting entertainment!

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The next topic on the plate is also related to commercials and TV, but it isn’t a rant about their content. It’s more of a puzzlement as to the trend of pricing. I’m sure you’ve all noticed a trend in advertised pricing over a period of several years now. I’m, of course, referring to the whole “.95” issue. You know… $14.95…. $19.95… $29.95

Why is it that these people can’t just round the price up to an even number? Would an extra nickel be the pivotal selling point by which their profit or loss could be calculated? If something is $14.95, you’re going to be paying over $15.00 anyway, due to the Shipping & Handling that they always want you to pay the tab on. They’re dying to sell you something, but can’t cover the shipping. That’s always been rather stupid to me.

If they’re about to have a fit over whether they sell these pieces of crap or not, then why should the shipping matter? Well, at any rate… if you’re going to price something at $14.95, just make it $15.00… tag on your stupid S&H and be done with it. Don’t insult our intelligence by coming across with a price that lets you say “…and all this for under $15.00!!!”

It’s a friggin NICKEL, you booger-pickin morons!!! We’re not getting the DEAL OF THE CENTURY here.

Ok… enough with this mess. I came, I saw, I ranted. More later. (and hopefully not 3 months later)