Rising Sea Level Unavoidable Scientists Warn

Atlantropa is the new region that will be created by the
largest dam ever constructed in the Gibraltar Straits to
prevent the rising sea level from displacing millions.

Senior Hydraulic Engineer, Peter Jensen maps out possible solutions on how to keep the Atlantic flowing while building the world's largest super dam. After looking at the surroundings and what may be required to make the closure he thought it may be feasible. One of Jensen's solutions is to use the same building techniques applied to the applied to build the Golden Gate. The dam would have to be 20 miles long and Tower 1250 feet above the seabed, the same height as the Empire State.

Mediterranean Dam

Another solution is to keep the natural flow of the Gibraltar Straits. Huge amounts of Atlantic surface water will flow into the Mediterranean. At a much lower depth, some of the Med's saltwater will be pumped back out again keeping the sea salt and sea level stable. The world's greatest super dam would cost $275 billion. The total cost related to what may be the impact for the city surrounds Mediterranean seems an acceptable solution.

Atlantropa Project

The Gibraltar dam is also called the Atlantropa Project. It would be the world's largest man-made structure, using enough rock to build 1000 great pyramids. Although the dam would cut off the migration of Marine life between the Med in the Atlantic, it would save the entire Mediterranean coastline from flooding. It's certainly technological possible. The old cradle of civilization would really become the center civilization. They would be the last coastal cities never affected by sea level rising.

Sea Level 22 Feet Higher

By the end of the next century scientists predict sea levels could rise by nearly 22 feet. Some cities may be saved through the construction of super dams. Others it can be defended are lost in the sea. Exposed countries too poor to build defenses would be flooded, and hundreds of millions around the world would be displaced.

Overpopulation

It's likely that by the 23^rd century, the ice sheets will melt at an even faster rate and the oceans will rise with increasing speed. The planet's growing population and the continuing hunger for cheap energy could make it worse. The problem we constantly see is the number of people on the planet. Every new person is going to want housing, need food and want transportation. If we cut down world emissions by a third but raised our population by a third all those new people are just adding back to what we've cut away.

Garbage Island: Our Newest Continent

An island of free floating plastic garbage twice the size of
Texas is located in the North Pacific Gyre

Marine research biologists are trolling the surface of the water 10 miles off the coast of Long Beach California to get some idea of the extent of plastic pollution. It's a common misconception that the worst kind of spill in our oceans is an oil spill. But the ocean is the absolute worst place for the tons of plasticsthat we dump to be. These bits of plastic bottles and other objects will never degrade and remain in our oceans forever.

Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A is a chemical used to make 7 billion pounds a year of hard, clear plastics called polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a non-recyclable plastic that is being thrown away into the environment with much of it finding it is way into our oceans. A US study found that 90% of us have traces of bisphenol A in their bodies. A study in Japan indicates that women with high levels of bisphenol A were the ones found to have repeated miscarriages. They were capable of achieving pregnancy and carrying to partial term but would miscarry at some point.

Garbage Island

The ocean is full of these plastic products. After years of producing these toxic plastics we would be hard pressed to find anywhere in the world not exposed to them. To get an idea of what we face we need to get a sense of the extent of this pollution. Off the coast of California is a region of the Ocean called theNorth Pacific Gyre. The Gyre is an area were currents entering the western region off the coast of Japan and exiting from the coast of California form a swirling current pattern. This swirling pattern acts as a collecting point for debris. This area is so prevalent with ocean trash that it is commonly referred to as the "Eastern Garbage Patch." This region is about twice the size of Texas and is getting larger with every passing year.

The Newest Continent

The trash in the North Pacific Gyre is 80 percent plastic and estimated to consist of more than 3.5 million tons of bottles and other non recyclable plastic containers and objects. Many who have heard about this floating plastic mass do not believe it, writing it off as an urban myth. With a span twice as large as the state of Texas we can classify it as a new continent. Perhaps we should claim it as a testament to our impact on our planet and include it on our maps.

Martian Infrastructure

If we are to continue funding our exploration into space we must begin to seriously consider taking our exploration to the next level. Ultimately, we hope to step off of our planet on to other worlds. To do this we must begin to invest funding toward the establishment of infrastructure on planets within our reach.

Irrigation

In early observations of the planet Mars astronomers incorrectly assumed the existence of channels on the surface of the red planet. Many speculated what they were seeing was evidence of a Martian civilization. Of course it was later found that Mars was a dead planet with very little atmosphere primarily consisting of poisonous carbon dioxide. However, the idea of channeling water on the surface of Mars is not as far-fetched an idea as once assumed.

Pipelines

If it is found that water does exist beneath the surface of the Martian polar ice caps future human colonies there may give merit to the old assumption of canals on the surface of Mars. It is not possible for water to exist in a liquid state on the surface of Mars due to the low temperature and reduced atmospheric pressure. However, future human colonies on Mars may find it beneficial to have water pipelines leading from subterranean reservoirs to other settlements on the surface of the planet. Pipelines to facilitate the movement of water would be much like petroleum pipelines here on earth.

Mineral Refinement and Structures

With the advancement of our robotics program the most logical next step in our overall mission to Mars would be to send robots capable of mining, refining and fabricating the vast deposits of iron oxide into structural components. Other robots designed as builders could erect structures for future manned missions to Mars.

Energy

Mars is cold, dry and far from the sun. The amount of solar power generated there is enough to power small rovers. However, could it be enough to sustain larger machines needed to facilitate the building of infrastructure? Future priorities regarding our exploration of Mars should be redirected towards potential energy sources on the planet. So far, viable energy sources on Mars are limited to weak sources of solar and wind.

We have advanced beyond the point which our leaders, as well as the general public, are beginning to question the viability of investing more funds in our space program. It is important for scientists to find evidence supporting the existence of life on other planets. But this is not the only reason to explore space. The first colonies on other planets will be inhabited by robots. They will be funded by governments and private sector investors prioritizing infrastructure and industry. For talented and brilliant NASA scientists, this should not be as difficult a concept to grasp as it seems to be.

ESPN Reporter Erin Andrews Victim of Video Voyeur

While still unclear the date and location of the incident, attorneys for ESPN reporter Erin Andrews intend to press charges for whoever was responsible for leaking nude video of Ms. Andrews on the Internet. It is apparent from the video Ms. Andrews was unaware while the video is being taken and believed she was in the privacy of her hotel room.

Voyeurism on the Rise
Video voyeurism is becoming more prevailing in our society is technological advancements allow most anyone to capture video at any time. The video can easily be transformed from a cell phone to a laptop and be instantly uploaded onto the Internet. In only a matter of moments some as dignity and reputation are destroyed. Similar incidents have occurred in recent months, most notably, the video of the young Ohio high school student who was videoed by fellow students while intoxicated and unconscious at a party.

Legal Loop Holes
Attorney Marshall B. Grossman, representing Ms. Andrews stated, "We are focused on putting this predator behind bars. This conduct is unacceptable in a civilized society." In the past week the video has gone viral across the Internet and Ms. Andrews is both mortified and furious. Unfortunately, it may not be so easy to prosecute the perpetrators. The sad fact is that the law does not clearly classify this act as a crime and the guilty parties usually go free. There have been efforts to close the loopholes that allow voyeurs to slip through the system. Sadly, this is only another incident in which technology is outpacing the law.

New Wave of Video Assaults
In regards to Erin Andrews, her struggle to overcome this embarrassing and victimizing ordeal is just beginning with no suspects yet to be identified. Even if those responsible are brought to justice, this is an indignity that will follow her for the rest for life. We often dismiss these acts we see perpetrated on the Internet without really understanding they are crimes against real people. Examples include public up skirt videos, sharking and a shocking new phenomenon referred to as the knockout game.

Young girls are the unwitting victims as perpetrators use their smart phones to take images and videos peeking under their skirts. Sharking refers to video capturing a violent attack upon a woman removing her clothes in public leaving her terrified on the street. The knockout game involves adolescents who walk up to random people on the street knocking them unconscious. Perhaps the worst crime of all is the lack of laws to protect victims of these crimes.

Climate Change: For Future Generations

ABC News: Statute of Liberty closed indefinitely
after super storm Sandy

It's not difficult to grasp how the oncoming climate change will affect our planet. Scientists predict we can have as much as a 5 foot rise in the sea level by the year 2100. Perhaps 80 to 90 years is still far enough away that these predictions do not affect us personally. Scientists predict this is the global tragedy our young children, and their children, will inherit from us.

Predicting future sea level rise is difficult as the planet has never before experienced a dramatic increase in CO2 over the last hundred years. But Prof. Stefan Rhamstorf, an oceanographer and climatologist at Boston University has developed a climate model predicting a 6 foot sea level rise the century as higher temperatures kick in. 

Miami at Risk

One city that will face inundation within this century is Miami Florida. Just a few feet above sea level, it has virtually no defenses against the rising ocean. After one foot of sea level rise the beaches would be regularly flooded. After 2 feet, many roads would be submerged. After 3, if a hurricane strikes, the surging water will overcome the city's defenses and cause floating deep inland. Much of the region's coastal real estate would be ruined.

Billions Lost per Foot

Miami has millions of dollars in coastal real estate. With properties along the water line estimated to be valued at $1 million each. With only 3 feet of sea level rise billions of dollars in Miami real estate will be lost. It's not just residential properties that would be affected. All the ports and docks around Miami that supply goods and services would be submerged with as little as a 5 foot rise in the sea level. Each one of the reports would have to be replaced. Even a small rise in sea level would obliterate billions of dollars in infrastructure.

Miami Lost

After 4 feet of sea level rise electricity supplies to coastal areas would be affected as Miami's power plants become flooded. After a 5 foot rise in sea level, some of Miami's fresh drinking water will be contaminated by seawater turning the Everglades National Park into a sea bay. After only a 6 foot rise in sea level, Manny would become unlivable and millions of Florida residents would have to evacuate the state.

Future Generations

In the years to come we will have an opportunity. We cannot alter the course of our planet's changing climate. Realistically speaking, anything we do will make very little difference. But we do have an opportunity to provide a better life for our next generations. Over the course of the next hundred years we could give our future generations a head start to the stars. Now more than ever, our responsibility to our children is an imperative.

The New American Revolution: Educating Yahoo!

Occupy Wall Street signifies America may be awakening
to take back from corporations what the government has
lost... our freedom.

Anytime you ask a writer to put words on a page you are asking that writer for answers. In the search for those answers the writer will include his opinions. The writer cannot help it because the writer has a voice. You hope that the writer will say things that others would like to hear to sell ads for your advertiser’s. But what if others want to hear that corporate advertising is intrusive, annoying, and often simple ploys to exploit people from their money? This would be an article worthy message deserving of its readers. As a corporatist, would with you publish it?

The problem with innovation in our society is the promise of wealth offered to innovative people if they sell their creations to corporations. Some people would call several million dollars a great sum of money. But in fact is not wealth. Corporations drain our society of billions of dollars every minute while simultaneously selling them items designed to cost them billions more for services. One good example of this is Associated Content.

In our society corporations have become so powerful that our flaccid, weak government no longer has any control to regulate them. Comcast Corporation is running unopposed for monitoring, regulation and control of everything we see and hear in the world around us. While other corporations seek to monitor, regulate and control what we say under the guise of online content.

Sociologists, historians and economists speculate that our society’s obsession with sports, reality television and junk food is due to an increasing sense of apathy. Perhaps this is so. Perhaps it’s not more football, Kim Kardashian and fast food that will fill this void growing in our society. Perhaps what American society needs is revolution by force.

One benefit of this revolution by force is that it need not be against our government. There hasn’t been a ruling government in America for decades. The revolution is against the corporation to bring down the structure and break it apart. The revolution is to ensure no one corporation ever becomes so powerful that healthy competition is compromised at the expense of the people.

In 1984, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that the Bell telephone company be broken into separate companies. America had a strong government and a strong leader. Today our government is impotent as corporations are allowed to run rampant, bankrupting our society to increase their own wealth. The people must decide for themselves whether they wish to continue to be enslaved by corporations. There is no government in place to do this for them.

In the book, The Lifecycle of Empires, the author describes seven distinct stages before the inevitable collapse of any empire. America is not an empire but a democracy with a Constitution that acknowledges the need for revolution by any means necessary to protect the people. Empires in today’s society describes corporations, not America. In the book, the final stage before the collapse of an empire is decadence and bloated wealth. Had you taken the time to read the articles you rejected you may have figured this out on your own.

Anytime you ask a writer to put words on a page you are asking that writer for answers. If those answers frighten you perhaps you’re in the wrong business.

Climate Change: Battling the Sea

Scientists predict melting Arctic Ice will cause global sea
levels to rise within 50 years.

In the next century, after an additional 16 feet rise in sea level, the entire San Joaquin Delta will be claimed by the sea. But there may be a way to defend both the Delta and San Francisco Bay. Scientists believe that San Francisco is among the easiest to save. The most radical solution would be to put a dam right across the bay under the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Dam

On the ocean side of the Golden Gate Bridge, the sea is about 130 feet deep. Building a dam would be controversial and return the bay into a freshwater lagoon. But at a time of intense sea level rise, some may consider this the best option. Using cutting-edge technology, huge dredgers could pick up sand from the seabed nearby and deposit it as the dam's foundation.

Building the Golden Gate Dam

The dam's shallow incline would ensure maximum stability against earthquakes, breaking the power of the ocean waves with ease. Vast pipes and pumps would be installed to keep the bay's river water flowing out to sea. The Golden Gate Dam would cost two and half billion dollars by rough estimates. It could be heightened to deal with any sea level rise in the future saving the San Francisco and the Bay area.

The Mediterranean Dam

Another region that may benefit from the United States sea defenses is the Mediterranean. It's flanked by countries both rich and poor that have thousands of years of history. The Mediterranean has a unique feature, a narrowing at its mouth. The Straits of Gibraltar are between 10 and 20 miles wide, stretching from southern Spain to Africa. A Mediterranean dam could keep the rising water of the Atlantic separate from the Mediterranean. There have actually been plans since World War II, for instance, to put a dam between the rock of Gibraltar and Morocco on the African side.

Consequences of the Mediterranean Dam

A dam big enough would prevent rising sea level from affecting the Mediterranean. But building a dam here has one major drawback. Every year, the Mediterranean loses 2 feet of sea level through evaporation that is compensated by the inflow of water from the Atlantic. The dam would cut this off, and after years of evaporation, the Mediterranean would turn into a stagnant saltwater lake, eventually causing the sea to dry out.

Historic Battle with the Sea

As scientists begin to consider possible solutions to rising sea levels they are increasingly finding many of these solutions come with devastating consequences themselves. Throughout history, civilizations have battled with the sea for control of the coastal regions. And throughout history, the sea has overcome the efforts of civilizations. Are we now technologically advanced enough to make a difference in our future?

Bangladesh: A Catastrophe in the Making

Scientists predict within 50 years rising sea level will flood
coastal cities like Bangladesh displacing millions.

Not every country can afford to spend billions on sea defenses. In Bangladesh, many of its 150 million inhabitants live at, or just above, sea level. Only a 3 feet rise in sea level will have a devastating effect on the country's population. Turns out, the area of the world that would be most vulnerable to sea level rise would be Asia. The rice growing river deltas in Asia are very close to sea level. Even a modest 3 foot rise would put half the rice land in Bangladesh underwater.

Bangladesh at Risk

Bangladesh has over 100 to 220 million people, and that number is rising fast. A great deal of the land will get covered by water and once you have salt water coming up it's not just the land is covered, it's the intrusion of salt. Even a 3 foot sea level rise wipes out half the rice crop. The Bangladesh population is going up third as their land is becomes short by a third. Scientists predict Bangladesh is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Much of Bangladesh is vast muddy Delta that cannot be defended. 6 feet of sea level rise would spell disaster for the entire population.

Nowhere to Go

By modest estimates, scientists predict tens of millions would be displaced. India has already built a wallbetween Bangladesh along its borders. The displaced millions would have nowhere to go. The government of India already anticipate there is going to be a lot Bangladesh refugees looking for a place to go. Bangladesh itself is already one of the most densely populated countries on earth. Another 18 or 20 rice growing river deltas in Asia would be affected in varying degrees by rise in sea level.

The World Project

By the end of the century, scientists predict cities and coastlines around the world will be under siege from the rising tides. Everywhere, people will be building levees and sea defenses to fight back. But scientists predict sea level rise will not stop at 6 feet, but are likely to rise at an even faster rate. As the predicted melt of Greenland and Antarctica accelerates, exposed cities may not have time to build new sea defenses.

Clues about the speed of future sea level rise can be found during the time of the last ice age. As global temperatures rose, the planet's ice melted into the sea. Sea level was increased by a staggering 390 feet until they settled to today's levels. Scientists are currently working to discover how long it took for this to happen. They hope the answer may help predict how quickly sea levels could rise in the next century to provide us with a timeline to defend our coasts.

Avoid Stranger Danger on Road Trips

When I moved away to attend college I visited home as often as I could. After driving the 700 mile trip several times I experienced some close calls with potentially dangerous strangers. I soon realized the highways had more hazards than the traffic. Here are some safety tips I picked up along the way that anyone traveling alone should know to avoid stranger danger.

Never Stop in the Dark.

You should limit your stops to only well lit populated areas. I bring a small cooler with several sandwiches, fruit juice and a six pack of soft drinks so that I must only stop for gas. Truck stops are notorious for strangers that walk up asking for change or directions. Most times these are harmless events but can still give you quite scare . I was caught off guard by a stranger while pumping gas on one of my trips home. I made it to the other side of my vehicle into the store but he rummaged through my car.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

For obvious reasons you will want to be awake and alert while driving on long trips. But also you don't want to have to stop unexpectedly to sleep in a hotel because you can no longer keep your eyes opened. I became drowsy while traveling home for Christmas vacation and stopped at a hotel for the night. I called home to let my family know I couldn't go on. All the hotels in the area were booked solid and I had to sleep in my car. I parked in a well lit area for a short nap. I was startled awake by an altercation outside in which two people were fighting near my car. I was fully awake after this and had no trouble getting out of there.

In the event you cannot find a room to rest. Go inside a truck stop restaurant and sit at a booth near the back. You can buy a cup of coffee and take a small 30 minute nap. Typically, the waitress will not mind as you have purchased something. Leaving a tip showing on the table is also good. It's not ideal, but is much safer than sleeping in your car.

Avoid Detours

You should avoid detours from the main highway, especially when you are not familiar with the area. Sometimes this is unavoidable as a result of road work. It's a good idea to mark several alternate routes back to the main highway on a map. Checking your location on a map while trying to drive is not very safe. This is how I got a ticket for weaving while searching for my turn back to the main highway. To make matters worse I was nearly out of gas by the time I found my way. I could have been stranded in an unfamiliar place.

Ensure Loved Ones Know Where You Are

I never recommend chatting on the phone while driving. I have a dash mount and I put my phone on speaker with the touch of a button if someone calls. I keep conversations brief to concentrate on driving. With that said, staying in touch with those awaiting you at your destination is important. Use your stops to let those at your destination know you are okay and your current location. If for some reason you do not arrive on time your friends and family will know something is wrong.

Comcast Poised to Control America

Comcast Corporation is arguably the largest mass media and communications company in the world. It is the nation’s largest cable company, Internet service provider and the third-largest telephone service provider. Having acquired the majority of the NBC Universal media company, Comcast also has holdings in several large cable networks.

In recent decades, one thing has proven to be more powerful than a handgun, an army or even a nation’s government. Today, arguably the most powerful thing on the planet is the ability to communicate on a worldwide scale. Revolution spreads like wildfire across the Internet. Millions are outraged by one video posted on YouTube which in turn leads to protests, dissension in ultimately governments throughout the Middle East overturned. If the power of communication is as all-consuming as we have witnessed it to be, how powerful then is the one who monopolizes the control of communication?

In January 1984 the Bell Telephone System was ordered to be broken up and divided into three separate corporations. This resulted after years of strong arm business tactics used to leverage hundreds of millions a year from the people of the United States. During the time before the advent of the Internet, those who control the telephone effectively control the people. It was on these grounds that resulted in the government stepping in to break the tyranny of a corporate superpower. We’re witnessing the reemergence of yet another corporate superpower in the Comcast Corporation.

By comparison, the hundreds of thousands calling for government intervention regarding the Bell telephone system or minute compared to the millions who now call for change regarding the Comcast threat upon the American people and perhaps the world. One would have to wonder why our government, so intent upon foreign threats, does not see the one within their own borders. Like the Bell telephone system, Comcast is maneuvering itself to take control the entire United States communications system. By controlling the communications, essentially the news networks and the Internet, Comcast could effectively control everything we see, hear and say.

Many parts of the country only have access to cable Internet the Comcast. Comcast effectively has a monopoly in these areas. Without citing the millions of individual sources, anyone who must go through Comcast get online is well aware of the strong-arm tactics utilized by Comcast against their customers. So why does our government continue to allow Comcast to harass, strong-arm and price gouge the American people during the worst economic recession of the past century?

With class-action lawsuits filed against Comcast yearly covering a wide range of bad business practices Comcast as are shown its domination over the lower branches of our own government. As legitimate lawsuits against Comcast are continually thrown out of court, even more lawsuits filed to replace them. This effectively makes legal recourse against the tyranny of Comcast futile.

Perhaps the most significant threat posed by corporate superpowers is only now emerging. Wal-Mart was effectively allowed to run amok throughout America shoving out small businesses and replacing them with gigantic Wal-Mart superstores. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart does not give back to the communities of which they had invaded. They drain the economies of these communities like a siphon into the pockets of their own corporate leaders. Many openly point the finger companies like Wal-Mart and Comcast for the economic woes we’re all facing now. With glad-handing and friends in high political places these simple peddlers of groceries and television are now among the richest corporations on the planet.

Perhaps our government leaders and state representatives should take a closer look at the implications of a Comcast communications monopoly of the United States. In 1984, the government did not break up the Bell Telephone System to help the people. They broke it for the potential threat it posed to the nation as a whole. With patents being approved to allow Comcast to monitor you online and in your own home, perhaps we need to speak up while we’re still allowed to have a voice.

Fun with Comcast

The breakup of the Bell Telephone System was mandated on January 8, 1982 for this same activity. They got too large and controlled too much of the market with no competition. Today, we are seeing this again with Comcast. They need to be split up in to at least 3 separate companies so the people of this country can be protected by a competitive market system.

Transcript from Comcast CSM:

Analyst Clytie has entered the room

Clytie: Hello Johnny, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Clytie. Please give me one moment to review your information.

Johnny: My Issue: why am I paying 71.95 for internet when I'm struggling to pay the original 60 dollars monthly?

Clytie: I appreciate the time you chatting with us. I hope your day went well.

Johnny: i can't afford this, man. You guys keep going up as if you are offering more and you aren't.

Johnny: i need my bill to remain at 56 monthly.

Clytie: Thank you for sharing this with me, I can see how you would be concerned about the internet having a $71.95 charge. I also would want to understand what's on my bill. Let me pull up your account so we can discuss the bill together.I assure you after this chat proper resolution will take place.

Clytie: So I can better assist you, do you mind if I ask a few questions?

Johnny: look how far behind i already am. do you think increasing my bill is going to make that any easier?

Clytie: I am sorry for the hassle. Just to verify, is the account under your name?

Johnny: yes

Clytie: Thank you.

Clytie: After we look into your issue, I’d love to look at your account to ensure you are getting the best value for the services you have.Would this be okay?

Johnny: okay

Clytie: Great! I need 2 minutes to review the account, would it be fine?

Johnny: I keep getting roped into offers I don't need. I don't even own a TV yet I'm having cable television charges added to my account. I mean, I'd rather pay to have Comcast come walk my dog... I don't own a dog either. How does that make sense?

Johnny: and yes for every reply. "It's okay to check my account"

Clytie: No problem

Clytie: While waiting, let me share with you some information about Comcast Customer Central. It's the one place where you can view and pay your bill, and manage all your Comcast product features and settings. It will combine the billing features of Comcast.com with the account management features of Comcast.net to allow customers to have a unified experience for customer self-service. You can go directly to the customerCentral URL at click here or by clicking the Account Links on Comcast.net.

Clytie: Thank you for patiently waiting.

Clytie: As I have checked, you do have the $64.95 Performance internet package with $7 modem rental fee

Johnny: my original bill was 56.00 monthly

Clytie: It is because you were under a $49.99 bundle package promotion yet it expired causing rate to roll off to a regular $64.95

Johnny: then lets get it back

Clytie: Thank you for providing your account information on our security form prior to this chat session.For additional security verification, may you verify the last four digits of the account holder's ssn.

Johnny: xxxx

Clytie: Thank you for providing that information.

Clytie: Just to set proper expectations, promotions are meant as incentives for customers to try our services and see the value that we match with our prices and not as a long term deduction of your bill.+

Johnny: my original bill was for 25 something that rose to 49 after the special. My "special" was over and 49 is my ongoing "non-special bill" they tried to dupe me into that a few months ago and I had to call corporate to intervene. Do I need to do this again?

Johnny: i have the bills that prove this but you really don't need that do you? You know I'm right

Johnny: put my account back to its original fee and leave it alone. Please and thank you

Johnny: as per your own original agreement

Clytie: Johnny, when you started your services, you did get the same New Customer Discount. Since that promotional offer already expired, the regular prices already apply. This is the same offer that we give to new customers now. By the time the promotion expires, they will also be paying for the regular prices already.

Johnny: I'm not a new customer I've been a customer for 2 years

Johnny: its too much work to go through this every 3 months. Can I get my original bill reinstated or not?

Clytie: I understand, yet just like other customer promotions are provided as a one time courtesy not as a deduction for life

Johnny: if not them I've saved myself over $200 in base fees to pay this account up

Johnny: this is your final word then?

Johnny: because 3 months from now you will up my account to 85 dollars and tell me this 70 dollar fee was some kind of promotion

Johnny: now tell me im wrong

Clytie: You can have a $49.95 Performance Starter internet package with a speed of 6m/1m

Johnny: you have well over 100 lawsuits for this garbage across the country. you can google it yourself

Johnny: I don't care. Just put my bill back where it was. Your high speed isn't high speed anyway. It's some dumbed down version of high speed shared with everyone in my neighborhood. When everyone wakes up I can't get anything high speed

Johnny: so i have to work at midnight just to get my work done

Johnny: which is writing articles for nationally syndicated news agencies that love this kind of piece

Johnny: so yes. put my acct fee back to the way it was

Johnny: Huffington Post pays me in free coffee and peanuts but they publish everything I write

Clytie: Johnny, as for this since there is no current promotion stated in the account. No worries, you may just give us a call through hotline 1-800-XFINITY (9346489). The Specialists over the phone will have a wider range of options for existing loyal customers such as yourself. There should be nothing to worry, I will just note that here in your account so that they will be expecting your call and you will not have to repeat yourself.

Johnny: just sends me to the people that can make this right.

Johnny: I'm not explaining this whole thing to another CSM

Johnny: I didn't have to call anyone for you to up my bill

Clytie: Johnny, let me give you the options how a bill can be lowered.

Clytie: 1. A bill can be lowered by downgrading the package for your service to have a lower package rate. 2. A bill can be lowered by removing some services on the account to remove additional costs. 3. A bill can be lowered by taking advantage of package upgrade discounts.

Johnny: let me give you the options of how you can prevent 5000 Facebook friends from reading this chat window. Than 5 million from reading it nationwide... (1) Put my bill back to the way it was.

Clytie: Johnny, as much as I would like to add the promotion it is no longer available in the account. I can transfer you to our Sales team to check for options to lower the rate. Would it be fine?

Johnny: yes

Johnny: In fact that would have been great 30 mins ago

Editor's Note
The breakup of the Bell Telephone System was mandated on January 8, 1982 for this same activity. They got too large and controlled too much of the market with no competition. Today, we are seeing this again with Comcast. They need to be split up in to at least 3 separate companies so the people of this country can be protected by a competitive market system.

Syrian Air Force Attempt to Overtake Daraa

The Syrian Air Force (SAF) attempted to overtake the city of Daraa today in a heavy bombing campaign. After designating suspected rebel locations throughout the city of Daraa, The (SAF) commenced heavy bombing runs over those locations just after dawn.

It was initially assumed that only one location was being targeted but videos coming out today (Oct-26-2013) clearly show several locations being bombed. After hours of bombing the (SAF) was still unable to secure the rebel held city of Daraa.

Reports are still coming in but journalists in the area are being prevented from entering the city and no one is allowed on the streets for safety concerns. Roads leading to Daraa were blocked days earlier indicating a possible air strike was imminent. Civilian casualties are reported to be high but no exact figures have been substantiated.

The bombing of Daraa is only the latest in a series of attempts to dislodge rebel strongholds. The embattled rebels are becoming increasingly difficult to root out considering they have the support of the populous. The resistance of the rebels against the Syrian president Asaad is viewed as a struggle for the people against a brutal and totalitarian dictator. Asaad remains determined to bend the will of the people to his rule. As the world watches this civil war play on we may wonder what the significance of the end result means to the rest of the world.

The Syrian port of Tartus is the last port where Russia holds a secure entry into the Middle East. If Asaad is overthrown, the new leadership would most certainly remember it was Russian armament raining down on their people during the bloody civil war. Russia's access to the Middle East would be severed and bring about a massive economic disaster. Russia receives an estimated 2.5 billion barrels of oil from Syria. Oil to Russia from neighboring regions must also flow through this port at Tartus.

America's concern is less about economy but more about the strategic location. It is uncertain who will take power in Syria if Asaad is defeated. And the threat of Al Qaeda insurgency is most likely the worst case scenario. After decades of wearing down the control of the terrorist organization, control of Syria would allow Al Qaeda to threaten neighboring countries and recruit more forces. The outcome in Syria threatens to further destabilize the region. It is widely believed that Al Qaeda insurgents are already fighting among the rebels to overthrow the president making any proposals to assist the rebels controversial.

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