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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 2/19 - Unrest

An article in today’s NY Post details the recent demise of five males, 33-58, who have either leaped or fallen to their deaths from tall buildings. A Facebook friend wonders if this presages a coming financial meltdown. Three of the deceased were employees of JP Morgan/Chase. The article cites stress as the probable factor, and does not speculate on whether this is a sign of things to come.


There have been deaths due to unrest in Venezuela, Ukraine, Thailand and, of course, the Middle East the past few days. God bless America.

It’s now at the point that whenever I encounter someone who is smoking tobacco I have to repress the urge to say: Go electronic, for cricesake. As a non-smoker, it seems insane for a smoker not to make the change, given what is common knowledge about the harmful effects of the foul practice. I guess some people just don’t get the same kick from the vapor. My oldest niece claims it hurts her throat. Of course, there are zealots who are against this new delivery system. I think they’re nuts. Some people love to smoke. Why not endorse a product that is less harmful? Then again, not enough time has passed since its introduction. I’m sure studies will find some toxins in the system. Still, I'll bet there will be far less than there are in tobacco products. And the stink would be eliminated!

Yesterday I mentioned that employees of a Volkswagen factory in Tennessee voted against unionizing. In today’s Post Michael Goodwin pointed out a stunning fact why this is a good thing. Since 1979, membership has lost 75% of its employees in Detroit. Modern unions don’t preserve jobs. They inflate costs and the salaries of a fortunate few. In the 1950's unions were 35% of the American work force. Today they are 11.9%, a 70-year low. In part, their own greed has hurt them. The most significant  factor is that, for the most, part employers can no longer get away with abuses. Practically everyone lives under a microscope these days.

At least it wasn't snow. The weather continues to be maddening. I went out at eleven, hoping to get in a couple hours of book selling. As I was hauling the last of my crates to my usual nook, one of my regular customers was waiting for me. She'd just cashed a winning $40 lotto ticket. She bought six romance novels. As soon as she left, it began drizzling. I carried the stuff right back to the car. The sun was shining most of the morning and again when I went out at four PM. It's almost as if Mother Nature has it out for me.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx

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