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Action? Nothing Happens Until Something Moves   by Robert Ringer

 

 

Copyright 2004 by Robert J. Ringer

 

A partial book review and commentary.

 

 

 

I recently received a copy of the aforementioned book and not knowing anything about its author Robert J. Ringer, I thought it might be just another management motivation guide similar to books like "Who Moved the Cheese" or "The Fred Factor."

 

 

 

To my pleasure and surprise the writer was able to hook my interest not very long into my reading and was able to lay out a twist on how to obtain the edge in the pursuit of achievement and "that the difference between success and failure, in any area of life, is not nearly as great as most people might suspect". He was able to come to his "life-changing conclusion" as the result four main insights "that only gradually fit together" in his "mind like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle".

 

 

 

The first insight was from a quote from who was probably the greatest scientific mind of the last century, Albert Einstein. Mr. Ringer quotes Einstein as stating the principle that "Nothing happens until something moves". Per Mr. Ringer [ hereafter called the "author"] in his own words, "The Theory of Relativity may have been Mr. Einstein’s most important contribution to science, but these five simple words... nothing happens until something moves...comprise his most important contribution to me [the author]".

 

 

 

This seemed to me to be such a simple statement at first as to what I considered the obvious, but after giving it some thought and reading further, I realized how profound a relationship these "five little words" of principle have in our success and happiness in life.

 

 

 

To my understanding, in a nutshell, is the principle that ideas and thoughts are great and intentions are also important, but unless we take action and act upon on our ideas and intentions, nothing will have come of them and we will not be successful.

 

 

 

Just in passing, due to my time and space being limited, I will just mention the other three insights that drew the author to his conclusion:

 

Insight Number Two: "God helps those who help themselves".

 

Insight Number Three: "The law of averages".

 

Insight Number Four: "Action produces genius, magic and power".

 

 

 

I thoroughly enjoined reading the author's section on "The art of truth twisting" and his opinion of almost every politician. The more I read the more I tended to agree with the author that, "The search for truth as a foundation for taking positive action is made much more difficult by the fact that we are surrounded by people who spend their lives purposely trying to twist the truth to their own advantage." The author goes on to say, "Politicians, for example, are notoriously prolific truth twisters. While they work hard at trying to make the world believe that they are acting in the best interest of their constituents, their real purpose in obfuscating the truth is to achieve their own ends". This sheds some light on the careers of "Chappaquiddick" Ted, "Pork Barrel" Byrd, Bill and Hillary, "Sound Byte" Pelosi,  Folley Foley,  just to name a few.

 

 

 

I must admit, after only a short period of contemplation, I could see that this truth twisting was evident in many of the people I have come across, worked with and worked for during my working life.

 

 

 

It is my belief, similar to that of Robert Ringer, that there are extremely few [if any] genuine completely honest people in politics. Honest people, in general, going into politics to make honest change and who really want to serve the people that elect them, are quickly corrupted and compromised with the political machine. They lose sight of their original ideals and purpose or are quickly attacked and ostracized by the political machine. They keep hitting brick walls in trying to do an honest job and to making change. They give up and become disillusioned; resigning their office.

 

 

 

I do not understand why any honest and committed people would want to enter politics anyway. Using a bible metaphor and applying it's principal to this notion is, "It is easier for an honest and committed person to go through the eye of a needle, than to make honest and idealistic change in the body politics as a politician."

 

 

 

The author goes on to make similar observations about and comparisons to other groups and other areas of our government today.

 

 

 

Mr. Ringer also puts the barbs to the advertising industry. Ringer quotes David Ogilvy, the legendary advertising genius as saying, “The advertising business is going down the drain. It is being pulled down by the people who create it, who don’t know how to sell anything, who have never sold anything in their lives…who despise selling, whose mission in life is to be clever show-offs, and con clients into giving them money to display their originality and genius.” The author then goes on to say that Ogilvy statement “is actually very good news. It means that television commercials, because of their asinine content, are relatively harmless and probably succeeds in persuading only those with IQ’s of less than twenty to be lazy, ignorant and shortsighted.”

 

 

 

According to Robert Ringer, authors Al and Laura Ries in their book, “The Fall of Advertising & the Rise of PR” say that the “primary focus of ad agencies is on winning industry creative awards”.

 

 

 

I would definitely recommend this book to be read by everyone who wants to turn his or her life into one of action and successful achievement. I am sure the reading of the "thoughts and comparative references" by the author will be as much of an eye opener for you as it was for me.

 

 

 

 

Bill Wallmuller aka Mr. Merokee

 

 

 

 

 

Everywhere in America Crime is Reality … Everywhere!

 

by Bill Wallmuller

 

 

 

In America today, crime is an actuality everywhere. No longer are areas of the USA such as in the farm belt, in the countryside, and the mountains etc, places of refuge from crime. Crime is no longer only found in the big cities and in inner city neighborhoods.

 

 

 

Meth labs can be found all over the place. They are hidden in rolling hills of small town areas. First the Meth is manufactured and sold and soon after Meth addicts are breaking into homes, hijacking cars, where violent crime was unheard of only a year ago

 

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Here are some publicized statistics from 2004.

 

        RAPES- The highest percentage of rape is in the Northeast. July is when the greatest number of rapes takes place. There were 94,635 reported rapes in 2004.

 

    ROBBERIES - There were 401,326 robberies in 2004. The highest percentage of these (38%) was in the South. 42% of the robberies occurred on the streets, 14% occurred in homes.

 

        ASSAULT - Firearms were used for 19.3% of the assaults, knives or cutting instruments 18.6%, other weapons (clubs, blunt objects, etc.) 35.6% and personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) accounted for 26.6% of the assaults. There were 854,911 incidents of aggravated assault.

 

        CAR JACKINGS - There are around 38,000 car-jackings each year. 74% of the victims faced a weapon. About 63% of carjacking incidents occurred within 5 miles of the victim's home, including 17% that occurred at or near the home...sometimes in their own driveway. Only 4% occurred more than 50 miles from the victim's home.

 

We have heard reports stating that crime is down in this country for the last couple of years. What you may have not heard is the there is now a greater proportion that are considered violent crimes.

 

 

 

Now is the time that we have to become proactive in dealing with our security and not be passive by relying on agencies such as the police forces, the FBI, state troopers and the like, to be able to provide all the protection we need for us and our families.

 

 

 

Some of the proactive things we can do for ourselves, our families and our communities are joining or creating neighborhood watch programs and other similar groups. We can instruct and teach everyone how to react if caught in a crime and the best ways to act if we want to survive.

 

 

 

Last but not least, we can equip ourselves and our family with personal defense devices technology and surveillance equipment device technology. Modern technology has produced some very unique and reliable defensive devices that anyone can use to protect themselves when necessary.

 

 

 

Now is the time to take action against crime and accept some responsibility for defending ourselves and our communities and not solely relying on law enforcement. Just remember that ideas and intentions never get anything accomplished until you take action. Don’t wait. Start today!

 

 

 

 

 

About the author: Bill Wallmuller is the founder of Merokee Enterprises has joined the war on crime. Please visit http://www.personal-defense-technology  and http://www.surveillance-equipment-technology.com.

 

 

 

 

 

"Instead of worrying about our chronic this and chronic that, we should become chronic enthusiasts."

 

 

*Bill Wallmuller [2006].

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Recognizing and Avoiding Con Artists On-line and Off

 

by Bill Wallmuller

 

 

 

CHARITY FRAUD

 

 

 

Charity fraud can do and does a lot of harm. The con artist takes advantage of people’s good will and takes their cash – money that was meant for people in need.  You can make sure that any money you give gets into the right hands.  Just remember these tips when somebody asks you for a donation.

 

 

  • Ask for identification – the organization AND the solicitor.  Find out what the purpose of the charity is and how funds are used.

 

 

  • Ask if contributions are tax deductible.

 

 

  • If you’re not satisfied with the answer – don’t give.

 

 

  • Give to charities that you know.

 

 

  • Check out the ones you’ve never heard of before, or others whose names are similar to a well-known charity.

 

 

  • Don’t fall for high-pressure tactics.  If solicitors won’t take no for an answer, tell them NO way – BUT DON’T GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY.

 

 

  • Be suspicious of charities that only accept cash.

 

 

  • Always send a check made out to the charity and not the individual requesting the donation.

 

 

 

It is also probable that you will come across charity schemes on the Internet. They are most evident online after a major man-made or natural disaster has occurred and there is a swelling of the public’s desire to help out whatever way it can. There have been cases where the con artist has developed an email or Website that mimics a known charitable organization but your contribution ends up going to the con artist instead of the charitable organization he claimed to have represented. More on this scam know as “phishing” in just a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

Below are two [2] more scenarios that have been commonly used by con artists in the past and one [1] that has been running rampant on the Internet.

 

 

 

THE PIGEON DROP

 

 

 

A person approaches you and says that he just found a large amount of money.  What should he do with it?  Maybe his “boss” can suggest something.  He then leaves to check with his “boss” and comes back a few minutes later.  His boss said to divide the money, but first, each of you must put up some, “good faith money”.  Once you hand over your share, you’ll never see it or the con artist again.

 

 

 

THE BANK EXAMINER

 

 

 

A con artist will contact you and tell you he is a bank official or police officer and that he needs your help to catch a dishonest bank teller.  All you have to do is withdraw your savings and give the money to him so he can check the serial numbers.  IF you do, you’ve been “stung”.  A real bank official would NEVR ask you to withdraw your money.

 

 

 

Is it hard to believe that people fall for such tricks?  Con artists may be the greatest actors you’ll ever meet.  The pigeon drop and the bank examiner schemes are two of the most successful con games around.  Don’t be fooled.  CALL THEIR BLUFF BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

 

 

 

PHISHING

 

 

 

Con artists and scammers have been busy on the Internet too. In many cases the fraud is accomplished by the con artist stating that he is asking for donations on behave of some charitable organization when in fact he is working for himself or herself.

 

 

 

“Phishing” has become a major problem on the Internet in the last couple of years. You receive an email from a fraudulent source that has created a Web page that looks like it is a legitimate email from a bank or other organization that is well known that you may have had some dealings with. Quite often the bogus email states that it is updating records or trying to correct some error made by the firm. The scammers attempt to get you to supply some personal information such as social security number, account numbers and the like. If you do supply that type of information the “phisher” is apt to use it by assuming your identity and cleaning out your accounts.

 

 

 

The bogus Websites and emails have been becoming increasingly believable and have copied legitimate Websites so closely that it sometimes takes a trained eye to spot them. Of late, there has been decent anti-phishing software on the market that you could use to help you discern the good emails and Websites from the fraudulent ones. I would recommend that you use this software, especially if you have problems discerning the good guys from the scammers.

 

 

 

There are many times when an appeal to you for money just doesn’t sound or sit right. When this occurs, walk away from the appeal.

 

 

 

You need to be able to recognize these scams on the onset so you can protect yourself your resources and identity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Working parents - in this age we live today means the majority of American families - share the anxiety, frustration, and even fear involved in leaving children "on their own" when school lets out, when child care arrangements with neighbors and relatives break down, or when there are simply no other alternatives.
 
There are some things we can do and must do as parents, to protect the safety of our children in the conditions noted above.
 
First of all and most importantly is that we make sure our children are ready to care for themselves. This is very important and I cannot stress it enough. If a child is not ready to care for him or herself, leaving them home alone could be a catastrophe and at best is leaving an invitation for trouble.
 
As parents we must take the time necessary to instruct our children basic safety rules. Not only must we teach them, but we must also make sure to the best of our ability that we know the child understands the rules and is able and willing to follow them.
 
As parents we must make it a point to know where are kids are, what they are doing, and with whom they are doing it with.
 
The question is, how do we know when our children are ready to bear such a responsibility? A good test for this would be that our children can......
 
1. Be trusted to go directly home after school.
 
2. Easily use the telephone, locks , and kitchen appliances.
 
3. Follow rules and instruction well.
 
4. Handle unanticipated situations without panicking.
 
5. Stay alone without being afraid.
 
Take enough time to talk things over with your child. Listen to their concerns and ideas. Work out rules on having friends over when no one else is home, household chores, homework and television. Keep in mind that staying home alone and following the rules can build up a child's self esteem, good sense of responsibility, and practical skills.
 
The following list is of the things a parent or guardian should teach their "home alone" children.
 
1. How to call 9-1-1 or your area's emergency number and calling the operator.
 
2. The proper way to give directions to your house in case of an emergency.
 
3. To check in with you or your neighbor immediately upon arriving home.
 
4. To never accept gifts or rides from people they do not know well and that you do not approve of.
 
5. How to use the door, windows, locks and any alarm system if you have one.
 
6. To never let anyone into the home without asking your permission.
 
7. To never under any circumstances allow a caller at the door or on the phone know they are alone.
 
8. To carry a house key with them in a safe place on their person...do not leave it under a mat or on a ledge outside the house.
 
9. How to escape the house in case of a fire.
 
10. To not go into the home if things just don't look right; things such as a broken window, a ripped screen or an open door.
 
11. To let you know about anything that frightens them or makes them feel uncomfortable.
 
If you,as a parent would follow these recommendations, both you and your child would experience less fear and anxiety of having your child home alone after school while you are still at work.