Chinese Imports: When will America Learn?

When will America learn that cheaper is not better, more is not better and we must keep our demand for quality?

How many incidents have been reported regarding substandard and even POISONOUS Chinese import products? Most recently; deadly children's toys imported from China, how about the toothpaste and crayons?

Here's another one!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090412/ap_on_re_us/chinese_drywall

Smarten up American consumers! Less is more, buy American.

Creative Contests a Farce?

Yes, I think so. More often than not.
Contests are designed as marketing tools to either sell lots of the product that is supposed to be used in the entries, to "celebrate" a grand opening or other event which will spread the buzz about a new site (providing free advertising and getting their site stats up.), product line or other, or to increase funds via the entry fees required. Maybe they just don't want to pay a designer and they need free booth samples for a convention, online gallery or show.

Some photography and art shows that are juried require enormous entry fees, some because they are non-profit and need to curb the expenses of prize moneys and paying a judge, etc. There may be other objectives, but those come to mind most quickly. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

A sure sign of a farce is when entrants that didn't follow the rules are not disqualified. Maybe they have a large following either through blogging or celebrity and the site wants the buzzzzz for themselves. They may even win because they have the most friends/contacts to vote for them regardless of the quality of their entry or the creativity of the other entries. Of course, if the most popular person wins, then the site wins too because who isn't happy about winning something and the blogging will go on and on and on causing more hype.

Even those contests that are judged by judges ("blindly" ha ha) and not by public popularity can be a farce. Not all, but most and it seems to be rampant in the paper crafting industry. They might be looking for someone who will work for cheap, or already has a following to add to their company groupies.

Here's a "for instance": Paper crafting product line new release contest, you need to have the kit first and you are supposed to only use those products, yet I see so many entries, especially in the beading section that use actual beads and metal findings that the company does not produce. Yet they are there for you to vote!

http://cobecreative.wordpress.com/category/beading/

Terms of Enslavement: Your Photos Online!

Most internet sites have Terms of Service (TOS) that give them rights to your images and content posted online.

Read More:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,496766,00.html

5 Men Convicted of Conspiracy to KILL Ft. Dix Soldiers

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_on_re_us/fort_dix_plot

I am just wondering WHY we still allow Muslims into this country?
Yes, it's a free country but COME ON. We need to make a stand.

It seems to be their life long mission and religion to infiltrate the USA and kill Americans, their only purpose really. It may take a 20 year plan, but their mission remains the same.

If you are a Muslim and this is not your mission, I'd love to hear from you and hear how you feel about WHY they continue to attack us, what is it going to take to get them to stop? Do you love living in the USA? Do you frequently visit your homeland? Why did you leave there and/or come here?

Are you a citizen? I personally feel to live here, you should pledge your allegiance to the USA.

Tired of double standards!

You wouldn't be considered stupid or lacking confidence if you sought self-improvement through higher education.

You don't need to be fat to motivate yourself to a healthier lifestyle; eating right and start going to a gym, it's just another way to better yourself.

I have always been an "A" bra size and although I've reached my ideal weight through diet and exercize for all of my 5'4", at 120 lbs I had 7 inches of icky "belly skin" leftover from carrying my very large and heatlhy children.

Regardless of what others may think, these two issues have always been areas I've tried to improve on. I'm not vain and there's no midlife crisis. These have been constant life issues for me. I'm going through a divorce, 16 years with a man I thought loved me, taking care of him and our home, our children and more, it's time for change. It's my turn to do something good for me.

I recently had cosmetic surgery to correct these two problems. There was no other way for me to do it. The diet and exercise couldn't do it and actually made the "A" cups a smaller issue!

I have been recovering for about 4 weeks and just now starting to get out again. Of course when people ask "where have you been"? I tell them and I am aghast at how many people say "but you're so cute and tiny!" and tell me I have self-esteem issues! The thought of having surgery makes them consider me a "lesser" person! Ridiculous. People seek self-improvement all the time and if you have a problem with cosmetic surgery, well that's you're problem NOT mine.

I'm perfectly content and happy with my decision and the results.

I did this for ME, not to change the way others view me.

If you see me you won't even know anything is different.

I look exactly the same and I'm the same person, which was never lacking in confidence, talent or personality. But now my clothes fit me better, I don't need push up padded bras and support undergarments! Which brings me to another point.......... WHY is it OK to wear support garments to enhance your body, but not seek a more permanent solution? Ridiculous!

Get over it.

ORPHAN WORKS!

FROM THE ILLUSTRATORS' PARTNERSHIP

THE HOUSE ORPHAN WORKS BILL (H.R. 5889)
IS MOVING IN THE HOUSE NOW

10.2.08

Phone, fax, email these Congressman immediately

DELAHUNT Phone (202) 225 3111 Fax (202) 225-5658
Phone: (617) 770-3700 Fax:
(617) 770-2984

CONYERS Phone: (202) 225-5126 Fax: (202) 225-0072
Phone: (313) 961-5670 Fax:
(313) 226-2085

NADLER Phone: (202) 225-5635 Fax: (202)
225-6923
Phone: (212) 367-7350 Fax:
(212) 367-7356

BERMAN Phone: (202) 225-4695 Fax: (202)
225-3196
Phone: (818) 994-7200 Fax:
(818) 994-1050

EXPRESS YOUR OUTRAGE AT THE WAY THIS IS BEING DONE

We've been getting assurances all day that the bill
was "dead for this year."

TELL THEM NOT TO PASS THIS ANTI-COPYRIGHT LAW

* UNDER COVER OF NIGHT
* UNDER COVER OF ECONOMIC CRISIS
* UNDER COVER OF ANOTHER TELEVISED DEBATE

TELL THEM THIS IS AN OUTRAGEOUS WAY TO RE-WRITE THE
COPYRIGHT LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES

- Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner, for the Board of
the Illustrators' Partnership

Please post or forward this message immediately to any
interested party.
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________
_________ ______

For news and information:
Illustrators' Partnership Orphan Works Blog:
http://ipaorphanwor ks.blogspot. com/

Over 75 organizations oppose this bill, representing
over half a million creators. Illustrators,
photographers, fine artists, songwriters, musicians,
and countless licensing firms all believe this bill
will harm their small businesses.

For The Art of Scrapbooking: See Me on HGTV!

For The Art of Scrapbooking: See Me on HGTV!