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Highlands Today

GPS Gadgets Show The Way

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By Norm Cukras | Highlands Today

Published: February 21, 2009

Let's face it, the wheels of technology are moving at an astonishing rate. And we have the choice of moving along with it or being bowled over by it.

I'm an old-fashioned map-reader. I like to unfold one of those things that try the souls of men to refold properly - a woman would simply replace the unfolded one with a new map - to plan a route to get to where I want to go. Computer map programs however are rather inflexible and I seldom agree with the way they want to send me. But now there is a newer technology.

I recently received an invitation to a doing up in Georgia. In lieu of directions to get to the event there was this comment: "The address for your GPS system is…"

We finally got a GPS (Global Positioning System) for Christmas and we are on the threshold of actually learning how to use the thing. What I like about it is that if you don't like where that mystery voice is leading you, you simply ignore its directions and it adjusts itself from where you are.

Now there's a device that goes over with all consumers. Women like them because they don't have to do what they are being told to do and men like them because they don't have to stop and ask for directions. As luck would have it, just a few days ago I received a promotional letter from an investment company that offered me a free GPS gadget. All I had to do was open an account with $150,000. Maybe my GPS will guide me to where that amount of money can be located.

You Stimulate Me

No I haven't read the 1,100 pages that make up the stimulus package. I doubt that anyone in reading distance of this column has. All I know about the bill is what others have said about its content.

However, it seems like no one has identified the provision that requires individuals to participate in some work project to benefit from the bill. Most people it seems are just looking to get some of that free government money.

Like him or not, FDR did, in his WPA and CCC programs, required individuals to do some kind of community work to share in the government's support programs. Not to just expect handouts.
The WPA - Works Progress (Projects) Administration - and the CCC - Civilian Conservation Corps - were relief programs developed to provide jobs. While the CCC focused on natural resource conservation, the WPA built things like buildings and roads. To this day we all continue to benefit from the projects that were completed by these groups 70 years ago. As you probably know our Highlands Hammock State Park is the result of the efforts of the CCC.

So where in the 1,100 pages of the stimulus package are the public works programs buried?

I Don't Need To Know

I watch fewer and fewer TV serial shows. Among those I do watch is "Chuck," "NCIS" and some version of "Law & Order." What seems to be happening to shows like these is the need for the producers to lead me through the private lives of the characters. All too often at the expense of the story. While we watch good guys agonize over the life and death struggle of a parent, the bad guys remain out there to commit their dastardly deeds. Then in the last 30 seconds of the show tears are dried, the investigations are continued and goodness triumphs over evil.

It's Anticlimactic

Pulling a baked apple pie out of the oven 30 seconds after it was put in only works on the Food Network. And there we know the results before hand. In a so-called mystery show we'd like a little suspense and drama in its conclusion.

Overheard

I found this Dorothy Parker poem that reminded me that I missed mentioning my favorite Valentine last week.

"A single flow'r he sent me, since we met. All tenderly his messenger he chose; Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet - One perfect rose."

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