Blog4Boomers.com

Pictures from Saturday evening walk in Sacramento, California can be accessed by clicking HERE. Look for more pictures from other cities as I get out and about.

The Center on Budget Priorities and Policy Priorities  (CBPP.org) reports that at least 29 States face budget deficits going into fiscal year 2009. States are addressing their deficits by tapping into reserves, making cuts, and increasing taxes. Only two States, Michigan and California continue to go without a budget.  (View story at CBPP by clicking HERE.)

The Sacramento Bee poses this question in the Forum section of the paper: ”Where would you cut?” Readers debate which programs should be cut to save $. One respondent argues that the Arts should bear more of a cut than Veterans, and another reader argues that Education should be the only group to receive additional funds.  I think we are failing to look at the issues which put us in this position every time the economy sputters.

States including California have failed to save for rainy days, again. During tough economic times States should be in the position to spend more, not less to help people in need. State government spending stimulates the economy. Cutting services and spending does the opposite.  Federal assistance also could help States deal with deficits. Help in covering Medicaid costs and grants to States have helped in the past. Unfortunately, the Federal government is running huge deficits and is really not in the position to help. It is time for States to have reserve funds so we do not have to debate what services to cut. We should be prepared to help our citizens during tough times because it is the right thing to do.

Computer security is important at work and at home. It is tough enough getting computers to do what we want them to do. With computer security we want computers and users not to do certain things. I have a job interview on Friday in an Information Security office. I would like to be offered the job and use the new position to learn more about this broad, important, and interesting subject. 

• Wikipedia offers general computer security information which can be accessed by clicking HERE.
• You can learn about Computer Security from Cert.org by clicking HERE.
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology offers tips on their Security page which can be accessed by clicking HERE.
• HowStuffWorks offers an interesting read on Computers and Security. Access their site by clicking HERE.

As a blogger, I get tons of spam. You don’t have to be a blogger to receive unwanted email. An affective way to avoid excessive spam is to stop forwarding chain letters to friends and family. Avoid giving spammers the addresses of friends and families by deleting those chain emails. Instead of clicking on forward and sending those heart breaking and most likely made up stories, press the delete key instead.

For more information on spamming hoaxes visit McAfee.com site by clicking HERE.

The U.S. National Debt continues to grow.  Our government borrows to pay this debt. When government borrows less $$$, there is more available for the private sector and at lower interest rates. We may not need to eliminate the budget deficit, but we sure do need to get more control on our spending.

• Access a very informative page on public debt at Wikipedia.com by clicking HERE.
• Compare the deficit charts between Clinton and Bush terms at Zfacts by clicking HERE.

I have never seen a Jackass movie. I have read the movies are about crazy stunts and doing things that will gross out viewers. Is Governor Schwarzenegger making a Jackass movie?

On Thursday the governor laid off temporary state workers including student assistants, retired annuitants, and other part-time workers in an effort to reduce a multi-billion dollar State deficit. These workers depend on the money to pay for student tuition and groceries.  He signed an executive order that will reduce permanent state workers pay to the federal minimum wage. State workers spend more than 90% of their checks. I guess the Governor has never heard of the multiplier affect of spending dollars in a local economy and how it increases revenue for the State.  The State Controller has come out and said the “order would not save the state in borrowing costs”.

What I have been reading online and in print is not a plan to deal with tough California budget issues. I must have stumbled upon a script for a Jackass movie.

Air pollution is exasperating allergies for a lot of people in California. Fires burning throughout the State continue to pour smoke into the sky. With little wind to move the pollution, places like Sacramento, California, continue to breath unhealthy air. I am a healthy person and the air pollution has given me headaches, nasal congestion, and other symptoms that makes even a active person feel tired. I really feel for those who have asthma. You can monitor air conditions at the sites below. These conditions are making me wish it were winter. Eeek, wishing summer away? That says it all.

• The EPA’s Airnow.gov can be accessed by clicking HERE.
• Azma.com-enter your zip code to get forecast. Access the site by clicking HERE.
• Pollen.com-enter your zip code or city and get a pollen forecast. Access the site by clicking HERE.
• If you live in Sacramento you can go to Spare the Air.com and see local conditions. Access by clicking HERE.

Dark Knight 3 1/2 Stars out of 4 Stars

Very good move with intense scenes and great special effects. The Joker gets best actor award from this blogger. View the movie reviews at Rotten Tomatoes by clicking HERE.

Watch the Trailer at Warner Brothers page by clicking HERE.