NORTHLAND'S FAVORITE HITS » wire hangers

Clerical Mistake Hits Home For Social Security Chief

Steve Tanko — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:36:10 +0000

Inherent mistakes in the Social Security Administration’s so-called “Master Death File” recently hit home with it’s chief officer – resulting in a new call to fix the system. Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue admitted Thursday that he, personally, has experienced “the horrible thing” Americans endure when the federal government falsely declares them dead. “I’ve actually [...]

Rants From An Audiophile: Where Have The "Good Quality" Stereos Gone?

Steve Tanko — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:19:05 +0000

Over the Christmas break, I took the time to install the new under-the-cabinet radio/CD player that will replace the counter model in my kitchen. While I was enthusiastic to reclaim some of the counter space, my excitement soon dwindled when I turned on the new stereo model; Even though it's a brand name product, I was more than disappointed with sound quality

Las Vegas: Pay For Water But Eat And Drink For Free

Steve Tanko — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:18:58 +0000

Let me get this straight: I can drink all the Bloody Mary's or Manhattans I want and can even double-trip the dinner buffet on the house --- but if I want a glass of water I have to pay for it?

Las Vegas - the city the rewards tourists with free food, alcohol, even hotel rooms - is raising eyebrows as one of their top casinos has started charging for water

The End Is Near For CD's?

Steve Tanko — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:03:51 +0000

Can I just say that as a life-long music fan and collector, I HATE this news? Just like the music industry did in the late 1980′s when they conspired to prematurely pound the nail in the coffin for the vinyl format, it appears that they are about to do the same for CD’s. I’ll let [...]

Biden's Hidin': Transparency Meeting Closed To The Press By Obama Administration

Steve Tanko — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:04:15 +0000

The Obama administration rode into Washington with a battle cry of “governmental transparency”. Today, Vice President Joe Biden proves it by holding a Transparency Board Meeting that is closed to the press and the general public. Background briefings and closed-door meetings are common in every presidential administration, and White House aides insist there’s nothing to [...]

Obama Proposes Government Censorship Of The Internet

Steve Tanko — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:42:22 +0000

Freedom of speech - right? How 'bout the President shutting down or limiting what's on the internet?
“The President ... may declare a cyber security emergency and order the limitation or shutdown of Internet traffic to and from any compromised Federal Government or United States Critical infrastructure information system or network,” is the clause buried deep in the bowels of the Cybersecurity Act of 2010 now before the Congress which has had one debate already in the Senate

No More Public Restrooms At Starbucks?

Steve Tanko — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:57:54 +0000

Sure – you can get an extra-strong Columbian dark roast. Want a breakfast sandwich? No problem. Holiday CD? You bet! However – you might want to answer Mother Nature’s call somewhere else. Starbucks loves to set up cafes in areas with heavy foot traffic. But its restrooms end up open to everyone as a result. [...]

Lights Out For 100-Watt Incandescent Bulb

Steve Tanko — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:09:40 +0000

January 1, 2012 marks the date the you will no longer be able to buy 100-watt incandescent light bulbs. The "green" regulation that outlawed them will take effect as we welcome the new year.
It's part of the government's effort to move consumers away from inefficient energy-hog incandescents and toward energy-saving light sources, like compact fluorescent bulbs, halogen bulbs or LED (light emitting diode) bulbs

Goodbye TextBooks, Hello Tablets

Steve Tanko — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:42:45 +0000

The recent start to the school year has seen one change in more than one classroom around the country: Students are learning from digital devices more than ever before. In fact, some experts predict the end to the printed textbook. At Hayfield, Maryland, students arrive in class and pull netbooks out of a traveling cart [...]

More Federal Dollars Go To Twinkies Than Fruits And Vegetables

Steve Tanko — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:56:27 +0000

Hear me out: I'm not against eating Twinkies. Hell - eat what you want. But somehow this story doesn't sound right.
In its efforts to curb the nation's obesity epidemic, the U.S. government seems to be taking inspiration from the infamous Twinkie diet, with more federal dollars going to subsidize the production of junk food than to growing fresh fruits and vegetables

No More Light Bulbs For Easy Bake Oven

Steve Tanko — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:05:08 +0000

By now, you’ve probably heard that the Federal Government has banned incandescent bulbs effective January 2012. So what is an evergreen toy that uses them to do? Redesign. The new Easy Bake Oven may look different from the one you remember growing up, but Hasbro says it is still the same great experience. Hasbro officials [...]

Obama Says No French Fries For You; Olive Garden Agrees

Steve Tanko — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:40:27 +0000

You know – you work hard. You go to a restaurant. “Order anything you want”. Sure – why not; You’re paying for it – right? Not at Olive Garden. Following the edict handed down from the Obama administration, the Olive Garden has become the first restaurant chain to choose for you. No more French fries [...]

Lights Out For Incandescent Bulbs: A Primer For The Future

Steve Tanko — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:17:59 +0000

It’s not new news. Congress passed the legislation that banned the familiar incandescent light bulb back in 2007 – with the law taking effect in 2012. But many consumers have just gone about their lives, not realizing that soon – they won’t be able to buy the standard light bulbs they’re accustomed to. Furthermore, the [...]

Burger King's "King" Loses His Job

Steve Tanko — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:16:26 +0000

The economy’s so tough that even Burger King’s mascot is getting a pink slip. As part of a plan to reinvent itself over the next year, fast-food chain Burger King is about to dethrone its creepy King character. The struggling burger chain is planning to ditch the odd character who has starred in its recent [...]

Michelle Obama Wins A Food Award

Steve Tanko — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:08:53 +0000

Apparently someone is paying attention to the "eat what I say - not as I do" campaign; First Lady Michelle Obama was recently awarded one of the inaugural James Beard Leadership Awards.

These awards were handed out to activists, educators and business leaders who help create a “healthier, safer and more sustainable food world,” according to a release.

Do As I Say Not As I Do: Obama Administration's Love Of "Unhealthy" foods

Steve Tanko — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:54:29 +0000

Ever get the feeling you’re being told one thing while they’re doing another? After the debt crisis compromise was hammered out last week, the Obama administration took his team out for a round of hamburgers and cheeseburgers to celebrate. The White House said the outing, at which the president consumed a meal of about 1,700 [...]

Higher Taxes Could be Used To Curb America's Junk Food Obsession

Steve Tanko — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:56:02 +0000

…Or, so says a new study published by the New York Times. File this under the current “Far-Reaching-Scope” of the U.S. Government. The answer, for New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman, is obvious: Put the government in charge of what people eat. And not just any government: Our diet dictator, he writes, “should be [...]

L.A.'s 405 Becomes A Picnic Site

Steve Tanko — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:24:38 +0000

The recent closure of the 405 in L.A. for bridge repairs prompted changes in schedules…arrests…fear….and — a picnic! (?) The plan was simple: bum rush the 405 Freeway at some point during the weekend closure, set up a mock dinner and take a photo for posterity. Corrigan, 28, along with her husband, Matt Corrigan, and [...]

Netflix's New Prices Cause Customer Revolt; Social Media All Abuzz

Steve Tanko — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:55:37 +0000

As reported yesterday, Netflix has rolled out a new pricing platform that reduces service and increases their prices. Unhappy customers are threatening cancellation, and have take to social media to express their negative opinion. On Wednesday, #DearNetflix was a trending topic on Twitter, as frustrated subscribers spoke out against the changes, with several threatening to [...]

Restaurant Bans Kids; Blames Parents Diminishing Lack Of Responsibility

Steve Tanko — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Yes, kids are “just kids” and there are times when we as adults need to accept the fact that they don’t have the social understandings we have; Our role as parents is to teach them right from wrong. On the other hand, I tend to believe modern-day parenting skills have become sub-standard – generally speaking. [...]