Free phone headset

Have you ever found yourself driving and talking on your cell phone? Wouldn't it be nice to have a headset to use with your phone? Well, if you head on over to FreeHeadset.org, you can! For just the price of shipping ($3.94), you can have a headset for your phone.

This is not an advertisement! I just received an email from a friend who said that they saw Rachael Ray talking about this on her show. I've already placed the order for mine, now I'm just awaiting for it to arrive.

The website says they are doing this in the interest of public safety, and from the research I have done, it looks as if this is a legitimate website and company. The owner says that he pretty much breaks even.

Give it a shot and get your free headset.

Mall Living

Imagine if you can, your own apartment above your favorite mall. For 36 year old Michael Townsend, it was more than a dream. With the help of seven friends, they created a 750-square-foot loft above the mall parking garage. While living up there for up to three weeks at a time, the hidden bungalow lacked basic running water and sewage.

The group was able to keep the loft hidden for four years, accumulating a T.V., game system, couch, love seat, and dishes. They built a simple cinderblock wall with a door to keep them separated from the outside world. Michael was arrested this past Wednesday on trespassing charges. He was released on probation. Mr. Townsend released an apology on his website that thanked the police and security teams in their professionalism and "good humor".

I applaud Michael's efforts, even if they were illegal. I would like to see a documentary on this sort of living, and the trials that they went through.

Source

Universal Health Care

For many Americans, it is either difficult or impossible to get health care because they either carry little insurance or none at all. A Universal Health Care system in the U.S. would fix this problem. Proponents say that it allows all to receive health care, no matter what income level or injury you have. Opponents blast that the coverage is inadequate and wait times are too long.

Many developed countries across the world have some sort of Universal Health Care. In fact, the United States is one of the few developed countries that does not offer free medical care. In the U.K., the health system is primarily funded by taxation, while conversely, Canada's health system is funded through taxes, yet at least 30% is paid through the private sector or individuals.

I know that American's don't like to be taxed, in fact, I bet you can ask pretty much any one in the world and the answer would be the same. In this instance, I believe that the U.S. could possibly reduce income taxes and basically create a Universal Health Care tax, in which all medical charges would be paid through.

Of course this would really throw the system we have in place into an upheaval. Doctors are used to making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. How would this affect their salaries? I'm sure that they would have to decline. Some of these salaries are outrageous. Although, I know a lot of this ends up as malpractice insurance and also helps to offset the costs of medical school, but past that, it is all money in their pocket.

I believe that medical care is one thing that should be given to all citizens as a protection of their government. If we can't properly care for our citizens, who will we have left?

Child Identity Crisis?

While public schools have taken a hit from the No Child Left Behind act, some are becoming involved in a battle involving student privacy. With this one might think about the student's rights while in school, but something new is emerging: biometrics.

Biometrics is a way of uniquely recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits. Basically, it is a way to identify a person based on a fingerprint scan, retina scan, or facial recognition. Although there are many other methods these are very popular.

The school district in Boulder, Colorado wanted to find a quicker way to get children through the lunch line. Fingerprint scanners were brought up as a possible solution as it would be easier for the younger children who would have a hard time remembering a six digit PIN number. Parents were outraged at this proposal. Activists believe that the information stored in the database about a person's biometrics could be compromised and lead problems such as identity theft or being unfairly tracked by the government.

Some schools use fingerprint scanners to allow students to check in for class. This allows for a more accurate count, while allowing the instructor to dedicate time to other duties. Some States have already enacted laws barring the use of biometrics in the classroom, such as Michigan and Iowa.

Personally, I really don't see where the problem lies. This is a quick, efficient and easy solution to some schools problems involving attendance and accountability. While I understand that some people don't like their personal information being stored, at this point, what could someone use their fingerprint data to access?

I understand that if someone had my fingerprint data from when I attended school and I ever became a person of importance that they may be able to use this information if fingerprint scanners ever became common place. As of right now though, I see any of our biometrics as being just as important as our Social Security number, and many people let that number fly around more often than they should.

I feel as long as the information is stored securely, by a reputable company, there should be no problems. Like I stated above, many people shout out their Social Security number to clerks at shopping malls and retail stores when applying for credit, while trusting the clerk that they will not use the information later. Fingerprints will be more secure, yet not completely free from abuse.

Any method you use will be subject to abuse in some form or another. It is up to everyone to help each other find the best method that works with minimal abuse.