This list comes directly from Congress via thomas.gov:

PIPA (S. 968)

Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 5/12/2011)

Sen Alexander, Lamar [TN] – 5/25/2011
Sen Ayotte, Kelly [NH] – 6/27/2011
Sen Bennet, Michael F. [CO] – 7/25/2011
Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] – 10/19/2011
Sen Blumenthal, Richard [CT] – 5/12/2011
Sen Blunt, Roy [MO] – 5/23/2011
Sen Boozman, John [AR] – 6/15/2011
Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] – 12/12/2011
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] – 10/20/2011
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 7/13/2011
Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] – 9/7/2011
Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] – 11/2/2011
Sen Cochran, Thad [MS] – 6/23/2011
Sen Coons, Christopher A. [DE] – 5/12/2011
Sen Corker, Bob [TN] – 6/9/2011
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] – 6/30/2011
Sen Enzi, Michael B. [WY] – 9/7/2011
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] – 5/12/2011
Sen Franken, Al [MN] – 5/12/2011
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] – 5/26/2011
Sen Graham, Lindsey [SC] – 5/12/2011
Sen Grassley, Chuck [IA] – 5/12/2011
Sen Hagan, Kay [NC] – 7/5/2011
Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] – 5/12/2011
Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] – 11/2/2011
Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] – 10/3/2011
Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] – 5/12/2011
Sen Kohl, Herb [WI] – 5/12/2011
Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] – 10/17/2011
Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] – 7/7/2011
Sen McCain, John [AZ] – 7/26/2011
Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] – 10/31/2011
Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] – 9/23/2011
Sen Risch, James E. [ID] – 11/7/2011
Sen Rubio, Marco [FL] – 5/26/2011
Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] – 5/12/2011
Sen Shaheen, Jeanne [NH] – 6/30/2011
Sen Udall, Tom [NM] – 7/7/2011
Sen Vitter, David [LA] – 11/7/2011
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] – 5/12/2011
Sen Moran, Jerry [KS] – 6/23/2011(withdrawn – 6/27/2011)

SOPA (H.R. 3261)

Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] (introduced 10/26/2011)

COSPONSORS(30), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]:     (Sort: by date)

Rep Amodei, Mark E. [NV-2] – 11/3/2011
Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] – 12/7/2011
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] – 11/14/2011
Rep Bass, Karen [CA-33] – 11/3/2011
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] – 10/26/2011
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] – 10/26/2011
Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45] – 10/26/2011
Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] – 11/3/2011
Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] – 10/26/2011
Rep Chu, Judy [CA-32] – 11/30/2011
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] – 10/26/2011
Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] – 12/12/2011
Rep Deutch, Theodore E. [FL-19] – 10/26/2011
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] – 10/26/2011
Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] – 10/26/2011
Rep Griffin, Tim [AR-2] – 10/26/2011
Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] – 11/30/2011
Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] – 11/3/2011
Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] – 11/30/2011
Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] – 11/14/2011
Rep Marino, Tom [PA-10] – 11/3/2011
Rep Nunnelee, Alan [MS-1] – 11/3/2011
Rep Owens, William L. [NY-23] – 11/14/2011
Rep Ross, Dennis [FL-12] – 10/26/2011
Rep Scalise, Steve [LA-1] – 11/14/2011
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] – 10/26/2011
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] – 12/7/2011
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] – 10/26/2011
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] – 11/3/2011
Rep Watt, Melvin L. [NC-12] – 11/3/2011
Rep Quayle, Benjamin [AZ-3] – 12/13/2011(withdrawn – 1/17/2012)

The same effect can happen when plugging into or un-docking your laptop from a docking station.  Especially if you have a two monitor setup.

You then need to spend a few minutes re-configuring your desktop.  After doing it many times, you begin to wonder if there is a better way.  THERE IS!

While there are a number of these little utilities out there, I recently discovered my new favorite.  It is FREE.  It is low maintenance.  It is easy to use.  It takes up little (or no)  memory, depending on how you choose to use it.

It’s called Desktop OK and you can get it here.

This is passed along from an e-mail I received.  While the specific story about one chain selling something made in the U.S. and the other selling the same product made in China has not been verified by me, the concept of buying an American Made product whenever possible makes sound economic sense.

Ever since our manufacturing base has been shipped to foreign countries our country has suffered a decline.  This decline and resulting economic impact will continue until such time as we start bringing manufacturing JOBS BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.  We can vote with our pocketbooks and our hearts by BUYING AMERICAN WHENEVER WE CAN!

Good idea .. . one light bulb at a time . .

A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn’t slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American.

Check this out . I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China . The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking.

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else – even their job . So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track . Let’s get behind her!

My grandson likes Hershey’s candy . I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more.

My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico … now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.

This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, “Everyday Value. ” I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats -

they were the same except for the price .. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in – get ready for this – the USA in a company in Cleveland , Ohio.

So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.

So on to another aisle – Bounce Dryer Sheets . yep, you guessed it, bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA ! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA – the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!

If you accept the challenge, pass this on and share it with your friends so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies whenever you can! We should have awakened a decade ago.

Let’s get with the program help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.

Those that know me know I am for the Veteran and those serving in the military.

I was doing a little exploring on the Internet this morning and ended up finding out about the many benefits available to active duty Servicemembers.   As you know, being sent to a foreign country and being put in harms way puts an enormous stress on their lives and those of their families.  It’s nice to know that “Uncle Sam has your back” here at home.  But I wonder how many people know about this?? Especially those actually serving or those who have recently returned.

Here are some of the protections afforded to active duty military members via the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act:

• In the midst of a car lease?  Deploying for over 180 days? Just turn it back in to the leasing company and your lease is up. Without any penalties, interest, fees, charges, etc.  (Section 535)
• Can’t use that cell phone in Iraq? Suspend or cancel your cell phone service.  NO early termination charges or fees apply.  (Section 535a)
• All legal and court proceedings stayed (Sections 521-526)
• Credit Card or Mortgage Interest rate too high?  Not any more. They can’t charge you more that 6% interest while serving.  It’s a federal law!  Did they?  Did it cost you penalties, over-limit charges?  You get them all REFUNDED.  (Section 527)
• Renting? No evictions or imposition of distress on those remaining at home. (Section 531)
• Leasing a home/apartment?  Need to relocate because of military orders? No problem. Your lease is up. No penalties. (Section 535)
• No foreclosure during your military service and within 180 days after you return home. (Section 533)
• Got something in storage?  They can’t repossess it and sell your stuff. (Section 537)
• Can’t pay the life insurance?  No problem. Uncle Sam might pay it. It cannot be canceled.  (Section 536, 541-549)
• Property Taxes? They’re tolled too! (Section 561)

Now, before you get the wrong idea, this is NOT a free ride for Service members.To that end, Section 581 provides for those who would seek to abuse and make a mockery out of these benefits and provisions.

It’s meant so that they don’t have to worry about taking care of their normal lives back home.  It’s so that they can focus and concentrate on staying alive without having to deal with “bullshit” back home.

I don’t know about you – but if I was in a foreign country and the “bad guys” could be anywhere and they want me dead – the last thing I would want to be worrying about is “Holy Shit.. I think I forgot the car payment.” There’s far more pressing things to worry about. Like my surroundings and staying alive.

So, pass the word to your friends and family who may have people in military service.  They need to know about this!

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Full text of the law taken from Title 50 United States Code Appendix.  Learn about your rights so you can use them.

VFW_110thCongressBrochure A brochure from the VFW showing legislation passed by the 100th Congress to the benefit of Veterans

“Valued Customer, you won’t want to miss this…”

Guess what the thought pattern of the average person is:

• Check out who sent it
• Do I even know them
• If I do, have I done business with them?
• If not, then how can I be a Customer?
• If so, then how about calling me by my name? If I am so ‘Valued?’
  After all, I did spend some of my money with you.

ACTION: SEND TO TRASH BIN

Total time to reach TRASH IT decision?  About 5 seconds.

So, my suggestion is if you’re planning an e-mail campaign, whatever you do, DO NOT use something as pathetic as VALUED CUSTOMER in your subject line.  It’s the equivalent of the often over-used “Have a Nice Day” or “Your call is very important to us…”  They claim one thing while by their very nature revealing something different.

Fraudulent eMail

Nasty eMail purports to be from BEST BUY and informs you that your credit card has been charged for a renewal of an Anti-Spyware Subscription.

DO NOT FALL FOR IT!

This little PITA somehow made it through my filters and showed up in my INBOX this morning.   It uses the same e-mail address I use for Facebook.   So, I’d advise all of you with Facebook accounts and my Facebook friends to set your CURRENT Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware to do a full scan of your PCs.

As I wondered how this e-mail address could have been captured, I began to think of the online games I have played at Facebook.  I cannot help but wonder which one of those companies had a security leak.  Or, maybe it was the guy I cleaned out at the Texas HoldEm tables last night.  POOF!  His nearly $800K gone in a flash when he tried to bluff his way into a $200K pot by going all in when I was holding pocket Aces and there was a pair of 8s and a pair of 9s showing.  Oh well.  I’ve been on the other side of that unlucky position more often than I care to remember.

But, back to business:  If you see an eMail like this – just DELETE IT and run a full scan of your PCs just to be safe. ALWAYS review your Anti-Virus software on a weekly basis.  Don’t just assume it is working.  Open up your Anbti-Virus Software’s Control Panel and have a look at the date of you Anti-Virus files.  They should be within the last week.  Often, within the last day or two.

Find out how to read the logs that your Anti-Virus software produces and have a look at them weekly as well. See how many problems have been caught and fixed.

Arlington National Cemetery

It’s Memorial Day weekend here in the United States. For most it means nothing more than an extra day off from the daily grind.

I’d like to urge you, to take an hour or two over the course of this extended weekend to get back to the true meaning of this holiday. If only for a short while. This post will be sprinkled with many links to allow you to do just that.  For example, you can visit this site (http://www.cem.va.gov/) and click on the link, just below the picture “Find a 2010 Memorial Day Ceremony.” to find an official celebration near you.

When I was young, my grandparents and parents still called it by it’s original name: Decoration Day.  A day to honor the military dead and decorate their graves.

Indeed, at one cemetery especially dear to my heart, men and women have been working  hard this past week to decorate the graves of those who have served our country well.  That cemetery is Arlington National Cemetery,  just over the river from the center of Washington, DC.  When I lived in the area, it was a mandatory stop on Steve’s tour of DC. My eyes welled with tears at the thought that I was, indeed, walking on hallowed ground. I was in the company of many thousands of men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that I may enjoy the life I have.

Especially poignant was a trip to Tomb of The Unknown Soldiers where you watch, what is to me, one of the most impressive displays of military honor that I could ever hope to see.   That is the soldiers who guard the tomb, continuously. Night and Day. 24-7. Always. Through storms and cold and heat and blizzards and even a hurricane, the tomb remains guarded by these select few: The Tomb Guard. The best of the best. The cream of the crop. (It’s a good thing I’ve got a box of Kleenex by my side.)

In Washington, DC you’ll find many more monuments in tribute to our fallen heros. There’s the Korean War Memorial, The Wall (Vietnam Veterans Memorial) and (the newest) the World War II Memorial (which I have yet to see in person) to name a few.  Google any of these to learn more.

But, you don’t have to live or go to Washington, DC. There are “official” military cemeteries located throughout the United States. They’re called “National Cemeteries.” My friends near Wilmington, NC will find one there.  To find one in your state, or maybe in your own town, just click here. Or, just visit almost any cemetery this weekend and you’ll be sure to see many graves with an American Flag proudly waving. A token of appreciation for their service to our country.  Walk up to one of those graves and pause for a moment to say, “Thanks!”

There are two other organizations I’d like to introduce you to. That’s the Military Order of The Purple Heart and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.  Their oldest living recipient, John Finn, died on Thursday at the age of 99. Visit them.  If you’re a web designer, you’ll find the Congressional Medal of Honor Society site appealing for design as well.

Better yet, why not expand your horizons and the meaning of this holiday to meet or honor a military hero.  They’re all around us. Walk in to any VFW or American Legion Post or Elks Lodge and you’ll likely find some elderly gentlemen (a few ladies, too) with some incredible stories to tell.  Perhaps you have one in your own family (Thanks Lester and Craig!).  Or maybe it’s your neighbor.  (Thank You Charlie!) I ask you to be especially cognizant, this weekend, for a chance to say “Thanks for your service!”

Have a safe holiday!

Here are some tips for creating a “successful” website:

1. TRAFFIC- Just having a website doesn’t mean that people will know it exists. You need to make sure it is “highly visible” to YOUR POTENTIAL CLIENTS. This involves generating traffic to your website.  The most common way of doing this is through Search Engine Optimization or SEO.  This is a key element to long term success. There are a number of methods to generate traffic to your site, such as:  (a) print and online  advertising; (b) using Social Media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked In to spread the word;  (c) building an e-mail list;  (d) blogging; (e) podcasting; (f) posting videos; (g) bookmark sharing; (h) article marketing; (i) buzz marketing.

But generating “visits” to your website is meaningless unless those “visits” are from TARGETED visitors who have a potential interest in what you have to sell.

2. CONVERSIONS (CONTENT)- Once at your site, you need to engage the user and have them take an action. Either contact you, remember you or make a purchase. This involves effective, convincing COPY. The words that will be used to sell or motivate your prospect to take action. These words can come in a few forms: a) written words b) words in a video you may have on your site. c) words in an audio on your site d) any combination of a-c.

The critical component of copywriting is something that most site owners forget about or do not budget properly for.  A good copywriter who can create engaging words and stimulate your site’s visitors to take action does not come cheaply. But they are often worth far more than what you pay them in terms of your long term return on investment.

Search Engine spiders love to see a site that has fresh and ever changing content. It shows that the site is alive and has activity.

3. FOLLOW THROUGH – So, you have your customer hooked on the line. They’ve found your site and been convinced to take an action. Just like in fishing, it isn’t over until they’re reeled in and on the boat in the cooler.
Let’s say you’ve come as far as capturing their name, address and phone number. How well do you respond to and treat that lead? This is the same whether you have a website or a brick-and-mortar business.

After the sale has been made, I’ve seen countless businesses lose a critical marketing opportunity by failing to Follow Up with the client and take some basic steps such as asking for referrals or getting a testimonial.  Even more businesses lose the opportunities afforded by developing a long term relationship with their clients. It’s a well known fact in the marketing world that

4. MEASUREMENT - I’ve been in marketing for a number of years and am constantly surprised by the number of business owners who have little clue as to how their customers came to do business with them and what their customers thought of the experience.

You need a system in place to measure your success and failures and analyze them, taking appropriate actions to constantly refine your methods to make them better and increase your rate of success. This will help insure that your website and your business will be there for the long haul.

In Conclusion, let me point out that I offer SOLUTIONS to all the pitfalls pointed out above. I’d love the chance to work with you to help create a long term success for your website and your business.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.  The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade.

Then he turned back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, ‘You shouldn’t even be allowed to drive a car at your age.’ And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay..

I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him. I said, ‘Looks like you’re having a problem.’  He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head.  I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me.  Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back…

I drove to the stationand went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, ‘What outfit did you serve with?’

He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal …

Iwo Jima Memorial

He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket.. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye’s to his wife.

I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name……….

‘Congressional Medal of Honor Society.’

I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you and I FREEDOM for America ..

Thanks to those who served….and those who supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall. If you don’t stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!

Remember, Freedom isn’t Free, thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.

GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS WHO ARE DEFENDING THOSE FREEDOMS.
AMEN!

I developed a series of customized Excel and Access macros which allowed them to break down the large data sets based on a number of criteria.  This facilitated their ability to use an interface they were comfortable with (Excel) while still allowing them to deal with and manage large volumes of information.