Simon C

I'm English and I'm supposed to be a tea drinker, but I can't do anything in the morning without a cup of coffee. Do you prefer coffee or tea?

To preface my article – I am a legal resident of the USA and have no right to vote – however after listening to the debates recently I had to bring up one point that will affect every resident of America.

“American Home ownership Resurgence Plan, which would direct the government to buy up bad home mortgages, allowing strapped people to keep their property.”

What McCain wants to do is buy mortgages from people who are in default and give them a lower mortgage so they can stay in their home. OK – so it sounds good – and it sure will help a lot of people. But what about me?

I’ve got a large mortgage – my house price is dropping – but I still pay my mortgage. If this is going to be the law – then I should just stop paying my mortgage right now and benefit from this plan – I’m going to be paying for it in taxes, so I may as well benefit….

Do you agree?

http://www.papertank.com/users/SimeyCook

I originally published this on papertank.com. You can make comments there too if you want http://www.papertank.com/article/A_poem_Seasons

However I'd like some more critisism (or praise) if possible:

Seasons

by Simon Cook (c) 2008

Petulant Roses,

How do you greet summer?

As nature’s barbed wire?

Or as a fragile paper-doll?

whose beauty surpasses all?,

and yet in a blink,

your angry bite is just a memory,

that fades with the opulent sun,

a sad prelude to the precipitous leaves,

whose hasty retreat from lusciousness,

is like a kaleidoscope of nature,

a rusty red sunset of the summer;

The end of beauty perhaps?,

or are you a chameleon of splendor?,

ever-changing,

dying on the prescient wind,

yet living in the eddies of life,

until bleakness engulfs the world,

as a white insanity of purity,

with intricate flakes of ice,

sliding daggers into the mind,

as winter’s very own barbs,

show an intrinsic beauty,

magnificence personified,

that somehow betrays an innocence,

an obliqueness of the heart and soul,

so pure and yet somehow deceitful,

as a rebirth is hidden,

buried just an inch away,

waiting for the winter bluster,

to calm and fade,

like a babe’s tears,

that dissipate with slumber,

as once again we see,

Petulant Roses.

Is Global Warming really happening, or is it all 'hype' to promote Green products?

I know the answer but am intrigued to see how many people actually know the truth!

http://personalopinionator.blogspot.com/2008/04/na...

I have a vegetarian friend who always seems to come to our house when we have a BBQ. What can I cook on the BBQ that is vegetarian?

Time for a real question on Phelps! Some have suggested Phelps should be called the best Olympian ever? Do you agree? who do you think should be?

A couple of suggestions:

Carl Lewis - multiple sports.

Redrave (UK Rower - gold in five olympics)

Daley Thompson - decathlon.

etc.

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC

It only seems fair - give all the other guys a chance!

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC

I use Blogspot and Squidoo to blog - is Squidoo a good site, or simply too much work to maintain?

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC

I have several different blogs but am getting limited traffic to them, how do I increase traffic without spending money?

My blogs: http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC

The western world loves the word 'democracy', but there really isn't a true democracy as every one has some form of elected government that for four years ( or five etc.) makes decisions for the people. The 'democracy' really relates to the democratic process to elect the government, that then represents the country.

A true democracy would be one where every citizen would vote on every issues - this can be achieved with the use of the internet and the computer. However, would such a democracy truly work? or even be achievable?

Didn't realize I was allowed to ask this type of question!!!

Here's a link to my current attempt at writing: http://www.squidoo.com/RoadToNowhere

I'd be grateful for some constructive criticism - if it is really bad then please tell me!

Please note that while the story is not really adult oriented, there are perhaps some comedic adult situations - so therefore I probably rate it as PG-13.

Like many on the web I am attempting to write a novel? How do I get some decent feedback on my writing? are there any good forums, or advice sites out there?

My attempt: http://www.squidoo.com/RoadToNowhere

There are millions of budding writers who have 'normal' jobs. Is it worth persevering? can someone who dabbles in writing actually get published? Tell me your success story! Is there any way to monetize a 'novel' on the web?

Here's my attempt at writing:

http://www.squidoo.com/RoadToNowhere

There's a lot of heat about 'underage' athleted in the Olympics, but why is there a limit at all? Surely if you meet the qualify (based on the standards set by the Olympic Committee) it shouldn't matter how old you are? If you ran the 100m in 9.90 seconds at the age of ten, why would they stop you competing?

Do you have Wii fit? have you broken the board yet? if so, how?

http://www.squidoo.com/PlayWiiFit

There are many media reports that the opening ceremony was faked - fake fireworks, mimed song. Does it matter? or does this go against the principles of the Olympics?

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC

When I ask who was the hottest person alive I get loadsa replies - when I ask if politics and sports should mix I get no replies!!! So whooooo is the hottest politician who plays sports?

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC

There's been a lot of media attention about the Olympics and how some world leaders shouldn't attend. But isn't the Olympics and sports in general supposed to be outside of Politics - neutral?

For instance a lot of people have called for a boycott of the Olympics - but surely it's not down to the sporting community to fix serious political problems, isn't that why we have sanctions etc?

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC

The Wii changed the way we think about game consoles and perhaps made gaming a more family oriented activity. But is it actually that good? Does the fact that you can move etc while playing a game actually make this a superior gaming device? or does the fact that the Graphics are still 'so 90s' matter?

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/SimeyC