The Original Musings

Well, that might not be so

Knight Owl flagged this one ...

A new study funded by the National Science Foundation has found that Conservatives *are* better adjusted, happier and more content with their lives than Liberals.

Why? Because we can rationalize and understand that everything isn't going to be equal. And we don't sit around stressing and Jonesing over it like the Libtards.

Regardless of marital status, income or church attendance, right-wing individuals reported greater life satisfaction and well-being than left-wingers, the new study found.

Conservatives also scored highest on measures of rationalization, which gauge a person's tendency to justify, or explain away, inequalities.

::snip!::

If your beliefs don't justify gaps in status, you could be left frustrated and disheartened, according to the researchers, Jaime Napier and John Jost of New York University. They conducted both a U.S.-centric survey and a more internationally focused one to arrive at the findings.

"Our research suggests that inequality takes a greater psychological toll on liberals than on conservatives," the researchers write in the June issue of the journal Psychological Science, "apparently because liberals lack ideological rationalizations that would help them frame inequality in a positive (or at least neutral) light."

The results support and further explain a Pew Research Center survey from 2006, in which 47 percent of conservative Republicans in the U.S. described themselves as "very happy," while only 28 percent of liberal Democrats indicated such cheer.

You can read the full article yourself on FOX News.

Season 7 Top Three are ...

Syesha Mercado, David Archuleta and David Cook.

After a record breaking 51 million votes, it came down to Syesha and Jason as the bottom two. Honestly, it should have been Jason and Cook. Syesha and Archuleta did the best last night. But I'm just one voice in America, so what do I know?

In any case, Jason Castro was sent home tonite. Absolute bummer. Yeah, he did the worst overall, but everyone keeps insisting this isn't just a singing competition, it's a personality contest too. Well, if that's the case, Jason should have been safe, because he had a great personality.

To his credit, he never stopped smiling and he took it like a champ. He didn't make excuses for the previous evening's performances, and he even quipped that he'd shot the tambourine man. (His two songs had been "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Mr. Tambourine Man.") And he had fun singing for the final time. (He even joked about which song he should sing as his farewell song.) I predict he'll have himself a nice little record deal despite not winning the whole tamale.

Maroon 5 performed -- If I Never See Your Face Again -- and did a fantastic job. Those guys have some serious talent. I like them more every time I see them.

Next week? Well, naturally, I hope Cook goes next week. I really don't want him to win. Hard to say though. It's anyone's guess what America's going to do.

The latest conspiracy theory, incidentally, is that American Idol is rigged and David Archuleta is going to win. Better him than Cook is all I have to say!

American Idol.

Crimoney

Wow, tonite's episode was a shocker. And good grief, could the numbers have been any closer? 98% and 99%?! Holy Moses!

Roseanne let the women down. Matt REALLY let the men down. We were all sitting there rooting for Matt to go -- me, Derwood, Missy, Amanda and Tim -- and really, he was the one who deserved it the most.

At nomination time, the men nominated Matt. Obvious choice. Did you see the look he gave when they announced it?

And then the women nominated not Roseanne -- but Shayna?! Gordon was stunned. WTF? Shayna?! Yeah, she's slow, but the women are voting on personalities, not who truly deserves to go. And that's not only wrong, it's childish. It's the kind of crap you expect from a snot-nosed teenager. "Oh, I'm voting her off because I don't like her!" instead of "I'm voting her off because she did the worst job." Shayna's salsa was what won the 16-year old birthday girl over on that dish, after all. If it wasn't for that, they'd have seen all three dishes go to the men instead of just two.

Christine wasn't happy with the vote either, and Gordon knew it. When he asked her who SHE thought should be nominated, she said Roseanne. And then when he called Roseanne out too, I figured he'd send Matt home and give Roseanne a much needed scare. When he sent Matt back to the line, I almost fell over, but I figured Roseanne was getting axed for sure. Instead, Gordon sent Shayna home.

He was kind to Shayna though, and she was slow, so I think I understand what he was doing -- and the fact that she has a three month old baby at home just adds to it. She should be at home with that baby. I fully understand wanting to make a better life for her daughter by getting a kickass job so she can give her the best possible start. But that baby is only going to be little like this once. She should enjoy it and cherish it as much as possible. I'm sure her normal catering job keeps her busy, but she's still able to be with the baby when she's not working. Not so when she's working Hell's Kitchen.

All that said, let me just add:

I have absolutely NO idea what the hell he's doing putting Matt on the red team. Why should the girls be punished like that? He's a whiner and a loser and he's got no business on either team. HE should have been the one to go home. I hope that when he lets the girls down -- and we all know he will -- Gordon sends him packing. Next week isn't soon enough, IMHO.

(Speaking of Matt: Didn't you just want to smack him when they were at the market? He would NOT stop whining about wanting to go to that other store. On and on and on ... STFU already! Whiney baby. And then he says the men's menu sucks -- but by God when the girl and her mom chose two of the three from the men, he suddenly was one of the team again. And then he's sitting there whining about how his team sold him out and how Bobby disrespected him by taking over his station -- well SOMEONE had to! HE sure as hell wasn't working it, was he?!)

Things are heating up!

And OMG, what was with that mother? How many face lifts has she had, anyhow? Derwood said her vagina is probably up to her belly button she's stretched so tight. Give it a rest, mom. You're not 16, it's okay if your daughter looks better than you. And if you think the face lifts are helping, umm ... wow, seek psychiatric help soon.

If I was her daughter, I'd be embarrassed to be seen with her. Although ... I did have to laugh when she came in there and burst the party planner guy's bubble by telling him the decorations were all wrong. (Of course SHE hired him, so I'd say there was a breakdown in communication somewhere along the line there, hmm?) Man, he was a flamer!

And speaking of the daughter ... what the hell? A 16-year old kid in California who's never had shrimp before?!

REALLY down to the wire now

The top four performed tonite (well, last night now, but I haven't slept yet, so it's still tonite for me!) and I'm concerned now. It didn't help that Jason forgot the words in the second line of his second song. Simon didn't even call him on it, though -- he just said if he were Jason, he'd pack his bags. I hope Simon's wrong.

If I was absolutely fair about it, leaving personalities out and just going off singing and performances, the finish order from tonite's show would be:

4th - Jason Castro
3rd - David Cook
2nd - Syesha Mercado
1st - David Archuleto

However, between myself, Missy and Derwood, we placed a couple hundred text votes for Jason just because we like him so much. Thank God for unlimited text messages!

We also voted several times each for Syesha and David Archuleto.

I really hope America doesn't send Jason home. Cook did really bad (for him) so maybe they'll send him instead. Jason had a bad week ... c'mon ... ::fingers crossed::

We'll see what happens.

This one will really crack you up

Verbatim:

I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Portugal. Presently I'm in Portugal for investment projects with my own share of the total sum.

It may interest you to note that I didn't forget your past efforts
and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds though you were
not able to see it through for whatever reasons. After due
consideration, I have decided to compensate you for your efforts.

I have issued a check of $1,200,000 for you and had to drop it with
Swift Express Services in Nigeria and you are to contact them with
the following information as stated below for re-affirmation and
to ensure a safe delivery.

Full Name: ...........................
Address: .............................
Phone Number: ........................

Note that the shipment fee and the insurance of the check as been
paid by me and the only fee you will be required to pay is $230
being the security charges for duration the check has been in their
possession. I would have made the payment but I do not know when
you will get in touch with them as the charges increases with the
amount of days they secure it. Endeavour you contact them immediately
before the security charge increases with days.

You are to contact them through the information as stated below
and note that the only fee you are to pay is the Security Charges
as every other stable fees has been paid.

Swift Express Services
EMAIL: swiftexpressng@gmail.com
Tel: +(234)-703-325-2655

I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I
and my partner are involved in. Note that I have instructed
Swift Express on your behalf to this effect. Get in touch with them and
they will ensure you get the check.

Thanks once again for all you effort during the course of the
transfer

CEO FIDELIS INVESTMENT LIMITED

How nice! He's going to compensate me for something I never did, even though I didn't do it. Is this a swell guy or what?

Maybe we should have a monthly vote or something.

WOW! I want one of these!

Linda D. passed this one along.

Hey Kate, Here is a new one (at least for me) to add to your scam of the week list (the address it came from was d_mark@atm.com)

Check this out.

OUR REF: UKG /SNT/STB: .....................

I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT ATM CARD ATM/13470/,
HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN YOUR FAVOR. YOUR PERSONAL
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS 2900. THE ATM CARD VALUE IS
$11,000,000,00 USD ONLY.

THIS CARD CENTER WILL SEND YOU AN ATM CARD WHICH YOU
WILL USE TO WITHDRAW YOUR MONEY IN ANY ATM MACHINE IN
ANY PART OF THE WORLD, BUT THE MAXIMUM IS TWENTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS PER DAY, SO IF YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE
YOUR FUND THIS WAY PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CONTACTING THE
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDS DEPARTMENT CARD PAYMENT
CENTER.

MR.ROGER WESTON ON HIS EMAIL : r_weston1950@live.com
AND ALSO SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1. YOUR FULL NAME: 2. PHONE AND FAX NUMBER: 3. ADDRESS
WERE YOU WANT YOUR CARD TO BE POSTED TO: 4. YOUR AGE
AND CURRENT OCCUPATION:

YOU HAVE TO STOP ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH ANY
OTHER PERSON(S) OR OFFICE(S) TO AVOID ANY HITCHES IN
RECEIVING YOUR PAYMENT.YOU ARE TO CONTACT THE ABOVE
CARD CENTER OFFICER FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND
DIRECTIONS.

DAVID MARK.

Is there even an ATM machine capable of handling a twenty grand withdrawal? I mean, seriously people -- can we at least make our scams *somewhat* believable?

Priceless

One would hope that only a real idiot would fall for this one:

DHL Express Service Centre Unit C Ponton Road Off Nine Elms Lane London SW8 5BP

ATTN: The Bearer of the Email address above,

This E-mail is to notify you about your parcel at DHL office, United Kingdom.

This parcel was sent to you from Mr. John Scot who claimed to be your person. The parcel was investigated; and owning to the content of the parcel; we interrogated the sender of the parcel and he explained to us the reason he is sending you the parcel. we are the world biggest courier company; protecting both the sender and recepient of any confidential mail. Based on the fact that this particular parcel is on high priority delivery.

Mr. John Scot haven satisfy us that he is legitimate and the content of the parcel is not gotten from Money made from drug or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country. He left with us a scanned copy of his valid ID. for verification. He has been verified and clarified by the necessary agency(FBI). He also stated that he is on his way to Isreal for a 6 Months Course.

We have also been instructed to make the delivery of your parcel to you without delay.

DESCRIPTION OF PARCEL TO BE DELIVERED
*One copy of Endorsed Eligibility certificate.---------------
*Original Copy of Insurance premium Certificate (IPC)--------
*Affidavits of Funds ----------------------------------------
*Hard copy of Bankdraft "(£470,000.00)"(HSBC ENDORSED)-------

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Note: that we do not operate on C.O.D (Cash On Delivery).

Please send your response within the next 48hrs to this same email address.

AS SOON AS YOUR SECURITY KEEPING FEES IS PAID YOUR TRACKING# WILL BE SENT TO YOU SO YOU CAN TRACK YOUR PARCEL AND SEE THE STATUS.

Yours Sincerely
Mr. BRIGHT JOHNSON (dispatch officer),
customer-service@dhl-express-mail.co.uk
Open 7days - 24hrs.

Finally, make sure that you re-confirm your Postal address() and your direct telephone number to us again, to avoid any mistake on the Delivery.

Typos, spacings, punctuation, etc. exactly as in original email.

If someone falls for this one, they almost deserve to be taken. Sadly, they probably will. This sort of thing should be severely punished whenever possible to trace back to the source.