Friday, November 21, 2008

Shopping Center Scenary in the Downturned Economy

I went shopping at an outlet mall a couple of weeks ago. For my non US friends who have no idea what an "outlet mall" is, just think a very big discount shopping place. It was a sad sight. It wasn't a weekend, but it was noticeably empty. This place used to be crowded. There are barely any people in the stores, even the store clerk seemed lethargic. Finally spotted a store with more than 10 people inside, it was Shoe Pavilions. I went inside forgetting that they are going out of business. The scene was scary -- boxes, shoes strewed all over the floor. The place looked like it's been robbed, in a certain sense, it probably had. People there were still picking at what's lying on the ground trying to find the last bargains. Good luck finding two shoes of the same style, same size in the same box. Looking at the little kiosks in the middle with vendors selling useless stuff that people will normally shell out a few dollars to buy in the good days were just sad....

Every store and everything was at least 30% off... but the overall atmosphere was still sad... Wonder when we are going to come out of this...

Kudos for the Yes on 8 Props

I refer to the Californians Against Hate website where it lists the top donors to the Yes on 8 proposition. Unemployment rate is at 16 years high, a million hard working Americans are looking for work, holiday season right around the corner, charities are out soliciting for donations..... Lovely peeps are donating $ to stop OTHERS from getting married. Seriously? How about some donations to the women shelter? I'm sure they can use $100K or so. I guess it's still money well spent trying to prop up the US economy.

Kudos to the donors.

What the No on 8 People Did Wrong

So what did the No on 8 people go wrong? They didn't use kids in their commercials. Haven't they learned anything yet? You don't fight fair. Making logical advertisements only caters to those who are going to vote No on Prop 8 anyway. If you are truly trying to sway people from the other side over, you must use communications that they understand -- kids.

Is it me or people just go nuts whenever it's perceived that children are involved? Crimes that that involved kids are "heinous." All crimes are heinous, whether it happens to kids, women, men, elderly! Look at the commercials that the Yes on 8 peeps did!! A little girl saying "Mommy, I want to marry a princess too when I grow up." Isn't that a bit extreme?

So "we" (No on 8 peeps) should have ads with children too. I am thinking a VERY adorable kid with big eyes, "Daddy, please don't teach me to grow up to be a hateful and angry person." Or how about kids adopted by same sex parents, "With Daddies/Mommies, I will not be here." Or preferrably both. They should come and consult my advice next time we vote on this issue.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Stupidity

I've came to realize that people are, notoriously, stupid. Yet the (low) level of their intelligent continues to surprise me. Gun sales increased after election of Democratic President? Seriously? With the sagging economy, housing/financial crisis, and a war that we've been fighting for 8 years for God knows what reason, people really think the first thing on Obama's plate is to ban gun sales?

I am starting to wonder those mutants living in the sewer systems as portrayed in US comics indeed exists... and they can vote too!