EvilBlonde's Blog

Over the past several months there has been a few times when the words "hedge funds" have been mentioned in relation to the forclosure issues facing the US. While I learned about these funds years ago, I am not so sure that the majority of indivuduals truely understand what they are and how they play in the market so I would like to open a discussion here for those of you who may not understand them and those of you who do to share information to enlighten us all.

As a precurser to this I have found an excellent site that tries to provide an easy to understand explination of what a "hedge fund" is and how and who invests in them. I would suggest you read this article first and then post your questions here so that others may offer insight, opinion, and information that may be of service to us all.

HEDGE FUNDS...WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY WORK:

http://nymag.com/news/features/2007/hedgefunds/3034
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Living in a "cyber" world where we each have an unlimited supply of  information at our hands I often wonder if when we hit that copy and paste button we ever consider the term "plagiarism"?

I remember way back, when I was in college working on a Masters one professor that made it a point to discuss this subject with every class he taught. Sure as students we rolled our eyes and thought to ourselves "just how does this have anything to do with me", but now that I have reached this point in my life I have come to understand the relivance and importance of that lecture.

I am sure that most if not all of us had at least one class, probably in high school were we were introduced to the concept of "plagiarism".  We were taught the proper way to "site" and "share" the words, thoughts and ideas of someone else but somehow here in the great big world of the Internet those lessons are easily forgotten and I have to wonder why?

Maybe it is that we just don't remember the proper format to use or maybe it's that it is so simple to just put it out there as our own that we don't feel the need to give proper credit to the original author. For some people it is a way to look and feel smarter than they actually are, or a way to innocently share information on a topic of interest. While they are all valid explainations they do not however constitute proper form, nor in any case "legality".

 Our words are such a simple way to communicate but they are the private possessions of each of us and should be respected. When an author sits down to place their knowledge, emotions, feelings, thoughts, ideas, research, observations etc, on paper he or she does so with the intent to share those with others, but  with that also come the expectation that if those words are used by another that the original author will recieve credit. To not do so is disrespectful and "plagiarism".  It is a "theft" like any other regardless of the reason.

Now don't get me wrong here I am not trying to be the "english cop" so to speak but rather shed some light on something I have seen many times here as well as other places on the web. It is pervasive to say the least and something we are all guilty of at some point.  Simply placing quote marks is fine in most cases but the thing that I think bothers me most  is when I see entire articles written by someone else being posted and many time containing injected thoughts in a manner that suggest that the poster is the original author of the entire artical. There is either no references or limited references in the form of a hyper-link or statement such as " I read this" to establish the idea to the new readers that this is not a work of this indivudual, but someone else. This in my view is an intentional and deliberate attempt at "plagiarism" and makes me very leary of the motives of the one sharing the information, making it hard to accept the intent.

It really takes little time to site the publication, author and date of the information your sharing and should be viewed as a necessary part of the process. It not only identifies the original work but provides further information for the reader to continue reading on the topic discussed should it be one of interest to them. Its kind of like a "footprint" in that it directs one to the original source(s) and why would you not want to do that for your readers if you yourself found merit in what your sharing?

Before I close this let me share one final thought. Plagiarism, is not just the unsited verbatum duplication of anothers words, but also "the close immation of the words or thoughts of another author, used as your own" [as defined by the Unabridged Dictionary (v 1.1) ]. In some instances actual permission is needed to reproduce something, but for the most part it is public domain and meant to be shared, but that does not ever trump "plagiarism".

Just a little something that interested me.

It angers me that it took her having to make the choice to finally leave before something was done, but such is the way of things when dealing with those who have no respect for others and no respect for themselves. It angers me that even in the finality of it one could not just leave a comment without pointing a finger again and continue to make false claims.

We all must live by standards be them imposed by someone else or our own they are the things that hold us each accountable for our actions. No one here that got caught up in this mess can claim their hands are clean no matter how much they try. Never has the saying "people who live in glass houses" applied more eloquently.

She was the reason I joined here, because the exhuberence when she would talk about some great conversation she was having with someone on some topic was something she could not hide.   

Not one of you knows her like I do, and mores the pity for that. I am hoping that when she has processed all the anger she will do as she has always done and bounce back.

You are free to judge me if you like but know that I am going nowhere other than to venture out of my world here a little more often and speak my mind.

Once apon a time there was a DimWit who thought she ruled the world. She would try her very best to convince everyone that she was the poor pitiful victim of unwarrented abuse by those who lived in her town. She would scream and yell all hours of the day about how she was being picked on and insulted but she never understood that it was only because the people of this town could not tolerate her nastiness and vile tongue. She used every excuse in the book to excuse her behavior and when that didn't work she enlisted the help of a DimWit friend who came running to her aid protesting and yelling about how she was always right and how grand she was because she could copy and paste links to articles she didn't write but would gladly try to imply were her own thoughts on any subject. These two made a fine pair as they were the only ones that every commented on the others thoughts. And all was good in the village for a short time....then....

A villager who dared to call this DimWit what she was one day started the flood that would soon sweep everyone up in its muddied waters. It didn't take long however for the people of this town to realize what had happened and again cry out for some justice for the disturbance this dimwit was causing. But their pleas when unanswered leaving them to band together one more time to put the dimwit and her friend in their rightful place. There were a couple of town people that had decided enough was enough and they tried to fight this battle on the DimWits level but that too had no effect. The DimWit had taken to spreading lies when she realize that almost everyone in the town had figured her out and were now just ignoring her. In the midst of this may of the towns folks found a safe place to gather and enjoy social times and great conversations, but sadly the news of this gathering place reached the DimWit and her friend and they decided to sneek in and carry back what ever conversations they could steal. The town folk who belonged there knew this was happening so the posted messages for the DimWit and her friend but those messages got ignored and the DimWit and her friend thought all was good....

In the mean time across the land there was another person who had been having conversations with one of the town folks about the events surrounding the DimWit and her friend in her town. This new person just could not believe that there were people this stupid in the world so she decided to visit the town and see for herself. She didn't let anyone know she was there for quite a long time and just watched from the shadows. She would continue the conversations with her town friend and they would laugh about the stupidity of it all. Then one day she decide that it was time to show her face and she joined in the town meeting. She didn't however tell her friend from the town that she was going to do so. She kept to herself and she played games with some of the locals and was enjoying her time with them when the DimWit decided to launch an attack claiming she was someone else. The new person tried to ignore the DimWit but when it became clear that she would just not stop the new person challenged her to provide some proof of her claims. Funny thing was the DimWit was also being challended by the town folk to do the same thing and they all waited....

It didn't take long before the DimWit decied to show her hand and proudly displayed what she and her equally stupid friend thought was grand proof of all the misdeeds the town folk had committed. She proclaimed victory and dance the dance of the DimWits in joy. A few commended her and told her she was wise and good BUT....as all stories must this one was coming to an end. The DimWit had built a case on lies and assumptions and we all know those never have a happy ending. Such is the ending of this story....

For you see...the new person that the DimWit proudly claimed was lying and pretending to be someone else, acutally many other people was in fact THE SISTER OF ONE OF THE TOWN FOLK. Yes folks you heard right, TAllen is my BABY SISTER! 

And so the DimWit and her friend now having NOTHING but STUPIDITY to show for all their hard work are left to twiddle their thumbs and wonder just what the hell went wrong?

The moral of the story...ALWAYS KNOW THE PLAYERS BEFORE YOU SHOW YOUR STUPIDITY! AND NEVER LIE!

Sweet dream my DimWitted little friends...tomorrow you may just be eating a large dose of crow.

In the 4 years on and off that I have been a member here I don’t think I can remember a time when there was this much intrigue, sneaking around, or nefarious behavior among bloggers. It seems almost like a “political” game of sorts in here now. I do find it amusing but at the same time a bit annoying as well.

Everyone seems to be dancing around in trench coats, playing a game of “guess who’s who” and for what purpose I ask? Most of the ones playing don’t have the intelligence needed to pull it off so why bother? The easy part is making a new name, but if that is where you stop then who are you fooling but yourself if you think you are not recognized.

The site is filled with “characters” of all kinds now. We have the Blog Sneaks who fancies themselves  as some “super spies” darting in and out and collecting information that they can take and post in what they think is cleverly worded hints, that are in fact as transparent as a window pane.  We have the Blog Snakes, that squirm in and try using their charms to disarm and confuse others, but they forget that ALL snakes have a forked tongue and can not help but lie. We have the Blog Lurkers, that think by standing in the shadows and only posting once in a while to avoid attention, they can escape scrutiny, but they don’t realize that everyone sees them and remembers what they say. We have the Blog Chameleons that change opinions depending on what they think will not blow their cover. We have the Blog Clone Drones that play in tandem much like a tag team match on WWE. They hit and tag off hoping to get a KO but often fail, and we have the Blog Phantoms, who arrive from other places wearing different masks but all with one singular intention, to create confusion through delusion.

I know that there have been some here who think I am just one of this horde and that is fine with me. I will not deny or confirm such notions simple because there is no need to. They will continue to think what they want regardless.

You have found some inventive games here in my world for you to play and I do think they have been enjoyed so far, so I will continue to post them for you but I have to say that the game some of you are creating for the rest of us is even better. Everyone loves a mystery. LOL  So let the speculations fly, and the disguises continue, I have most of you pegged so far but I would hate to ruin this game. Play on bloggers…play on…  ROFLMEHO

EDIT:

It was brought to my attention that there is a miscommunitcation with my time line. I stated I have been here on and off for 4 years and that seems to imply that I am talking about this blog site specifically. I do apologize for the confusion it is my mistake. I did not mean it to reference this blog site only but FOX NEWS as a whole.  Thank you Candy for pointing this out and I hope it is clear now what I meant to say.

This is one of my favorite holidays because it is a time when we can honor those that have given so much freely, without reservation and with no expectations of anything more in return than our respect.

My hats  off to ALL veterans for keeping me and my freedoms in their hearts. If they had not, then I would not be hear today enjoying the fruits of their sacrifices. You have my undying respect, and support and regardless of how long you served or where you place your life on the line for mine you are all HERO'S. Thank you are not words big enought to cover this debt so I will humbly offer you these instead...

It is with honor, dedication, commitment, and valor that you stand at attention on the front lines of danger, without blinking and eye or shedding a tear. You represent this nations finest. Shoulder to shoulder you guard us, protect us and insure that tomorrow will come. You are the men and women of the US Military and I am damn proud you are !

Happy Memorial Day all.

GOD I love the weekends! No work, no stress, no endless paper shuffling, just 48 hours to do as I like, when I like and how I like. This is pure heaven!

 Being an active person, I never seem to lack things to do. When I am not out with friends enjoying the day, I can be found with my nose in a book, or doing some other from of reading. I guess that is why I so love it here. Its a broad expanse of individual ideas compacted in one tiny space. Being a creature of habit I can't help but "people watch" as I cruise through the different blogs. I find it fascinating the things you can learn about someone just from their words. Its like playing Hide and Seek, so I thought I would share some of my observations about some of our bloggers and we can all play a game of HIDE AND SEEK.

  As always I am leaving names out because I trust that as you read you will be able to decide for yourself who is who. Ready?? here we go.

 BLOGGER 1.

Is female.  A mom, artist, and  would like to be seen as a social activist.  She expresses strong opinions about the criminal system, illegal’s, the environment, and our government leader in most of her blogs. She makes valid points most of the time but on one occasion has displayed a surprising intolerance.

 BLOGGER 2.

 Is female  She is  hiding a wild side.  Most of the blogs posted are on the lighter side and have a sense of humor. This person tries to avoid confrontations and in general has nice things to say.  I do however have a suspicion that when riled up they could unleash some big guns.

 BLOGGER 3.

Is male. He uses humor in just about all his postings. Sometimes that humor is rather dark but it tells me that he doesn’t take himself to seriously. When someone gets under his skin he doesn’t make direct attacks but instead makes a comment that usually goes right over the offenders head or leave them thinking they had be complimented.

 BLOGGER 4.

 Is female . I call her the grandma of the bunch. She is kind hearted and rarely has a bad thing to say. She doesn’t give herself as much credit as she does others. She doesn’t like to argue and only tends to post when she has something genuine to say.  She does have a sense of humor however, and I do wish she would share it a bit more often.

 BLOGGER 5.

Is male. He is a logical thinker and expresses himself with confidence. He doesn’t back down from his opinions and many times leaves others thinking in ways they hadn’t expected. He has the ability to understand and yet disagree in a way that both he and is opponent feel they have won.

BLOGGER 6.

Is female. This blogger leaves people baffled and bewildered most of the time.  In rare moments this blogger does seem to posses  the ability to follow along and make solid comments but often frustrates others. There is a passion about everything written but sometimes that passion leave the rest of us laughing our butts off. They like attention.

BLOGGER 7.

Is female. Is a nature lover.  Is spiritual in all aspects of life and has a very deep passion to defend those without a voice. While serious most of the time in what is posted, there is a lighter side to them as well. They are a fierce fighter and will get down and dirty if need be.

BLOGGER 8.

Is male. This guy is a hard one to debate because he has an above average intelligence when it comes to matters of religion and politics. He doesn’t just agree for the sake of agreeing but rather challenges everyone he debates to think beyond their personal comfort zone. I can’t find one time when he has used insults as a defense for any argument, because he doesn’t need to.

BLOGGER 9.

Is male. This blogger leaves many scratching their head because he speaks from such a different point of view. He delights in the world around him but is honest in his assessment of the problems we all face. He is a “reader” and values education both self taught and book learned. You are always going to get an enlightened view when you get comments from him.

BLOGGER 10.

Is female.  Is not passive but is not aggressive either unless pushed. She can have a very sharp tongue but she only lets it fly when it becomes personal. She has the ability to slice and dice when it is called for, but she would much rather enjoy a good joke or share a different view of the world with everyone.

BLOGGER 11.

Is female.  Is confrontational on most levels. She finds it hard to accept things without having the last word. She can make good points  but often tries and fails because she is to tied up in always being right. While I suspect there is a soft side, we don’t see it any more than we see any humor.  She is quick to disagree with everyone and has a real need for attention.

BLOGGER 12

Is male. He is often quiet and perhaps a bit shy. He doesn’t jump into things here very often but has on a few occasions let the fur fly. I don’t think he has found his comfort zone here yet but I am positive when he does he is going to become someone to bring a new perspective to most of these blogs.

BLOGGER 13

Is female. She like logical thinking and has a hard time with people who can’t understand simple concepts. She never backs down from a fight and has no problem hurling insults if that is where her opponent want to go. She would much rather laugh than cry but being a realist she can’t help but see the world around her as it is and not as others want it to be.  She is honest sometimes to a fault but will apologize when she knows she is wrong.

BLOGGER 14.

Is male. There is a wicked sense of humor hiding just under the surface of this blogger. He states his case and then lets anyone who is brave enough to take him on. He see people as they are not as they pretend to be and he likes them anyways. Get this blogger in a one on one and your going to have to think fast!

BLOGGER 15.

Is male (I think) This blogger is an enigma to me. They are a hard hitting individual with strong opinions and an even stronger passion when it comes to this government and it failings.  Some of their comments are ones you have to read more than once for them to make sense but you soon realize that what you read is going to make you think twice.

OK there we have our 15 players: YOUR challenge is to find them and list their names.

 READY…SET…GO…..EVERYONE HIDE !   YOUR IT!