Entries from December 2008 ↓

“Social Security, which involves the younger generation paying some of the retirement benefits of the older generation, is a perfectly legal Ponzi scheme.”

This video was up during the election, taken down by the powers that be, and then returned to YouTube last week. Merry Christmas.

When my husband and I moved recently, one of the first things I did was sign up for phone service; immediately after securing said phone service, I took our newly-assigned phone number and put it into the FTC Do Not Call Registry.

Since our phone number went live on December 1st, we’ve received 3 calls from Honeywell Home Security. The first time, I explained that my husband and I live in an apartment, and cannot install a security system without the landlord’s permission. They should talk to him.

The second time, my husband explained we were not interested. In the background, I kept repeating “tell them to take our name off the list,” but he forgot.

Tonight, they called again. I recognized the number on our caller ID, and before the telemarketer could spit out “Hi, I’m X with Honeywell Home Security. How are–” I interrupted.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to request you take us off your call list. If you continue to call, it will be in violation of federal law and I will make a referral to the Attorney General’s office.”

“Look,” she said, the friendliness gone from her voice, “it takes 31 days from the time you register…”

I hung up. I didn’t have time to argue. However, if this happens to you, know this much–if you ask a telemarketer to stop calling you, they HAVE to stop calling you or they are in violation of federal law. From the FTC’s website:

“If I don’t want to put my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, can I still stop telemarketers from calling?”

Yes. Even if you do not register with the National Do Not Call Registry, you can still prohibit individual telemarketers from calling by asking them to put you on their company’s do not call list.

So, Honeywell Home Security, if you are reading this, you’d better not call again. Do you hear me?

Also, I registered on the National Do Not Call Registry on November 21st, so in less than a week, that excuse will no longer fly. Better make a note of that too, right alongside my name where it’s also noted “Is a bitch and knows the law.”

Hello world!

Did you forget the existence of this mediocre blog? The tagline is, after all, we update when we get around to it, so if you were expecting something a bit more regular, shame on you!

Actually, the reason for extended radio silence without the sporadic updates you know and love is that The Husband and I moved to a new residence! And, let me tell you, MOVING SUCKS. No matter how much money you save up, it’s never enough, and the experience leaves you broke, indebted to everyone you know and love, and on the verge of suicide.

Or at least, that’s always been my experience.

Good news, though! Apparently, through some miraculous turn of events, I’m going to get all my moving expenses back and then some, to the tune of 18 MILLION DOLLARS! How, you ask with the skepticism I expect to hear in your voice? Easy! Apparently, a Colonel Uday of Iraq was murdered and left all of his money in a Hong Kong bank with no next of kin to claim it! All I have to do is help a nice Asian business man retrieve the money, and he’ll cut me in for 70%.

At first, I thought it was one of those Nigerian scams, but it clearly can’t be, because it’s all involving ASIAN people!

MR. Song Li le
Hang Seng Bank Ltd.
Sai Wan Ho Branch,
83, Des Voeux Road,
Hong Kong.
(songlile64@gmail.com)

Good Day,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. SONG LILE, Director of
Operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an obscured business
suggestion for you. Before the U.S. and Iraqi war, our client Colonel
Sadiq Uday, who was with the Iraqi forces and also businessman, made a
numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twenty Four
Millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars($19,500,000.00usd)
only in my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even
during the war which began in 2003. Again after the war another
notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later found
out that the Colonel along with his wife and only daughter had been killed
during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.
You can read more about the bombings on visiting these sites below:

1.http://www.ccmep.org/usbombingwatch/2003.htm#3/19/03
2.http://civilians.info/iraq/deaths_data.php

After further investigation it was also discovered that Colonel Sadiq
Uday, did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the
paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time
he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank.
So, Twenty Four Millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars
is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it.

What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country at the
expiration 5 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong
Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Against this backdrop, my
suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the
next of kin to Colonel Sadiq Uday, so that you will be able to receive his
funds.

MODALITIES:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I have an attorney that will prepare the necessary
document that will back you up as the next of kin to Colonel Sadiq Uday,
all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with
your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.
After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in
for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and of probate
in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you. There is no risk involved at all in this matter, as we
are going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all
the necessary documents. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in
all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred to
your nominated bank
account we shall then share in the ratio of 70% for me, 30% for you.

Should you be interested please send me your,

1, Full names,
2, private phone number,
3, current residential address,

And I will prefer you reach me on my private email address below:
(songlile64@gmail.com) and finally after that I shall provide you with
more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Song Lile

My reply:

Please reply to my information below with all of the information regarding this transaction!

Weysan Dun*
11 Centre Place
Newark, New Jersey 07102
(973) 792-3000

* this would be the name, address, and phone number of the acting director of my local branch of the FBI, FWIW