tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.comments2023-08-08T04:19:26.974-07:00THE CALLADUS BLOGCalladushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comBlogger1586125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-42109514450638082572017-03-27T13:25:04.365-07:002017-03-27T13:25:04.365-07:00I realize that comments on this post stopped last ...I realize that comments on this post stopped last August, but I hope that you are still monitoring it. <br /><br />I have been approached (by phone) by the Community Gas Center, based in San Francisco, according to their website. They are not a CTA, but apparently a (non-profit?) broker to help small businesses select a CTA, again to reduce monthly natural gas costs. I am working for a church, definitely a non-profit, and would love lower energy costs but am suspicious.<br /><br />Has anyone who monitors this blog run across this group or know anything about the Community Gas Center? dizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13354296241218628094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-46043653347278696372016-10-09T07:18:16.398-07:002016-10-09T07:18:16.398-07:00The Bible is very clear in the book of Jonah. Cha...The Bible is very clear in the book of Jonah. Chapter four, Jonah explains that he did not run out of fear. He ran because he knew that God would change his mind and be merciful.<br /><br />I suggest that you read the story.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-65873945472255113072016-10-09T06:28:53.205-07:002016-10-09T06:28:53.205-07:00If you read the history of Ninevah and it's ru...If you read the history of Ninevah and it's rulers you will see they were very cruel men. They beheaded, crucified, hung alive in their walls, used stretched human skin to build their walls and cut off limbs of their enemies. So Jonas had a right to be afraid for his life for his thoughts were if I go to this wicked city before this people and the king, preaching about a God they do not know, then surely they will torture me or put me to death. He also had to go alone and thought he would be by himself. So fear made him disobey God and he thought he could get away from God if he went somewhere else. Yet God let him knew that he is everywhere and filled him on the ship. He put him in the fish's belly to let him know I can protect you from this and in Ninevah. So Jonas obeyed the second time knowing God would protect him. What he didn't expect was the people to repent and God to not destroy them. Do he felt that all he had gone through was for nothing because God knew beforehand the people would repent. What he missed was seeing the great honor it was for him to be chosen as the messenger. Also to learn God seeks to give life and not destroy it. As for byproduct comments about who God destroyed and let lived you sound like Jonas. Can I make you spend your money on what I want? Can I make you live where I want? Can I make you serve me? No because you can do what you want with what is yours just like God can do with what is his. We belong to him aND when we die we go to him. The question is how will you live? Obedience is better than sacrifice, his ways and thoughts are higher than ours.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01092589977412673396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-27261269771317934322016-08-20T13:59:14.573-07:002016-08-20T13:59:14.573-07:00I remember Spark Energy because I was led to belie...I remember Spark Energy because I was led to believe- by some young people visiting our complex-that my rates would be lower if I signed with them. An idiot I was because after signing the yellow sheet i read that there would be an additional 20% charge making my savings not really a savings after all. I immediately called PG&E and told them. They were able to get Spark to cancel it without any penalty. The motto of this story is never sign anything, and don't believe everything these salesman tell you. Remember, they are in Sales!Maurice H Bankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06192229805312787907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-43013373725930627942016-08-10T09:38:42.068-07:002016-08-10T09:38:42.068-07:00One other question for this young scholar...
&quo...One other question for this young scholar...<br /><br />"...believe in natural selection. But it does not add new information"<br /><br />Please explain what the process of natural (or unnatural) selection in regards to an evolutionary process - either in the modern evolutionary synthesis, or in genetic algorithms.<br /><br />I'm not sure you can, because this single sentence you've written is self contradictory. It shows a primary misunderstanding of how this works.<br /><br />Actually, I think you'll come up with a definition that is NOT about natural selection.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-90603519160069162032016-08-07T14:54:56.775-07:002016-08-07T14:54:56.775-07:00You didn't understand what I said, did you Rud...You didn't understand what I said, did you Rudy?<br /><br />We are already using genetic algorithms to create new information.<br /><br />We are already doing this. No one is writing this new information, it is being created through a genetic process that is based on the modern synthesis of evolution.<br /><br />You can deny that it is happening if you like. But the fact remains.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-27613905387652114592016-08-07T14:50:58.675-07:002016-08-07T14:50:58.675-07:00This is nonsense. The entire article's basis i...This is nonsense. The entire article's basis is first denying that information needs a designer, saying computers and DNA are not analogous, then, finally the author uses the same analogy he/she said was invalid. It's like someone pushing a stool away from themselves before they are about to sit down. They just end up falling on the floor and hurting themselves. <br /><br />And the fact that the FPGA even had a designer was just left dangling on the bottom of the article. YEC (even Ken Ham and the scientists at AiG) believe in natural selection. But it does not add new information (analogous to the FBGA example) and it fis needed a designer to prepare it.<br /><br />Nothing ground breaking happening over on the OEA side of reseach I see.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02916444308722097489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-86086499246051902372016-08-04T07:04:34.122-07:002016-08-04T07:04:34.122-07:00So, the opening weekend for "The Atheist Delu...So, the opening weekend for "The Atheist Delusion" was a smash hit. According to the latest press release from Jen Thompson at Living Waters, "thousands" have downloaded it.<br /><br />Literally thousands.<br /><br />Let's see, a quick Google search shows me that the worst weekend opening for a fairly recent movie was "Oogieloves In The BIG Balloon Adventure", which opened August 29, 2012. That weekend this movie earned $443,901.<br /><br />"The Atheist Delusion" is selling for $20 a download. To be equal to this movie, "The Atheist Delusion" must have been downloaded at least 22,206 times.<br /><br />That would be tens of thousands. Versus literally thousands.<br /><br />As I said in my posting, the price per download is too high. Ray Comfort has promised to release the movie for free on Youtube in September / October. The reason for the early paid release is money, of course. Living Waters needs the money to create new material. And I'm pretty sure that they haven't earned just under a half million dollars for the weekend release. <br /><br />Comfort has said that money isn't his goal. If he saves a few souls, he'll consider the movie a success. Still, it should be noted that Comfort makes a pretty good living as an evangelical minister. Comfort's ministry supported his wife and three children. Now two of his children are working in some capacity with the Living Waters ministry.<br /><br />Maybe he would be even more successful if he came up with something like evidence.<br />Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-81142000096046919192016-08-03T21:19:13.851-07:002016-08-03T21:19:13.851-07:00So apparently this post has been linked
to by AllG...So apparently this post has been <a href="http://www.allgov.com/usa/ca/news/top-stories/judge-wont-toss-rico-racketeering-lawsuit-against-pge-151127?news=857942" rel="nofollow">linked<br />to by AllGov California</a>, and apparently Blue Spruce - the trade name in California for United Energy Trading (UET) - is suing PG&E in U.S. District Court.<br /><br />What I get from this is that UET basically uses PG&E's infrastructure to move gas, AND they've hired PG&E to do their billing. UET is a marketing and logistics company that buys, stores and sells natural gas, and manages the way it is transported. It also offers management services for private and municipal operations.<br /><br />In other words, they are very good at being a "middleman". If your gas line breaks, they get a contractor to fix it for you. Presumably, they hire PG&E. <br /><br />And if you contract through them, you must pay a penalty to get clear of that contract. It is as if they are the "Cable Television Company" of the gas world.<br /><br />According to one story linked from the AllGov article, <a href="http://abc7news.com/archive/9521514/" rel="nofollow">there have been<br />incidents of fraud to get home owners to sign their contracts</a>. <br /><br />Quote:<br /><br />Shedlock recalls two men knocking on doors here in Fairfield. They told him they could reduce his gas bill too. Shedlock said no thanks, but it didn't end there.<br /><br />"They said will you at least sign the clipboard so we can show our boss that we talked to you? And I said sure," Shedlock said.<br /><br />He was shocked the following month when a company called Spark Energy of Texas suddenly appeared on his gas bill. Spark charged him $34 for gas. PG&E charged $26 to deliver it. He claims he was misled into signing up.<br /><br />- Unquote<br /><br />It is difficult to think of a more slimy way to operate a business. Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-3501460315026982302016-06-02T06:59:52.962-07:002016-06-02T06:59:52.962-07:00I know hypnosis "worked" for me. I was c...I know hypnosis "worked" for me. I was challenged by a certified hypnotist who I gave permission to try and change me from atheist to believer. Note, I was ready to totally cooperate and actually wanted this to happen (even though I thought it would be impossible, being an atheist for almost 60 years). <br /><br />It's not like at a hypnotist show and took about 9 sessions but now I have a major compulsion to go to Catholic Mass more than once a week, a compulsion that results in a great relief of stress after going and participating (except in Communion). This same compulsion exists for me to pray to God several times a day and, if I don't, I have this fear of going to hell, which is some sort of nebulous place in my mind. More, the praying strengthens my faith in God each time and it's now to the point where I actually fear not believing, getting the most uncomfortable feeling inside whenever I start questioning my God beliefs. I can't even listen to an atheist!<br /><br />The strangest thing for me is that, even though I'm aware that I did the hypnotic "thing", it doesn't matter. And I absolutely don't want to even change now and wouldn't agree to be "dehypnotized". I actually can't agree or even think to do that as it fills me with intense angst. <br /><br />I know it works, at least it did for me. And I really prefer believing now. Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03829759816381367638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-48720269386754299112016-05-02T13:35:50.012-07:002016-05-02T13:35:50.012-07:00Here is a quick recount of my experience with the ...Here is a quick recount of my experience with the door to door sales person and Blue Spruce. First, I appreciate this forum because with this kind of hot button issue it seems like there would be more on the web about this than there is. <br /><br />Now to start with the sales person, he led me to believe he was with PG&E. I normally don't deal with door to door people, but he was charismatic and I wanted to see what he had to say about saving money. Long story short, it is what I consider a shady sale. I am a salesperson and the general tactics are shady (he also tried to sell me solar at the end). I did end up switching based on his promise of $.68 per therm flat fee. The only thing I was left with was a blue spruce flyer w/ his number and 'plan' details scribbled on it. The one thing that wasn't explained is that PG&E still charges you per therm to deliver the gas (granted there is a "gas procurement credit" from blue spruce). The one thing that I don't like about this whole thing is I can't understand what is going on and it doesn't seem that anyone can really explain it to me. I would say I did get a customer service rep on the phone easily and she did her best to help me. <br /><br />In hindsight, I wish I would have just stuck with PG&E even if I do pay a little bit more. Which leads me to my final word is that I have 2 months of billing with Blue Spruce and from what I can calculate (total gas bill divided by therms used) I am paying more now with Blue Spruce than with PG&E. I'm going to give it one more month and see if I see a savings. If i don't then pay the $50 to switch back and chalk it up as a loss and move on.CenCal Residenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11261026462321969074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-10347162939525292602016-04-16T11:25:05.792-07:002016-04-16T11:25:05.792-07:00In this day and age scamming and fraud, who in the...In this day and age scamming and fraud, who in their right mind would engage a door to door sales person and not tell them to get lost the moment they rang your bell?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00244064355427497714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-42433649256415969402016-04-16T11:22:41.361-07:002016-04-16T11:22:41.361-07:00I don't deal with any door to door sales peopl...I don't deal with any door to door sales people. Who does that anymore? Door to door sales people are equal to scam in my world.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00244064355427497714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-36044934820954414462016-03-11T14:48:28.153-08:002016-03-11T14:48:28.153-08:00He's still at the New Birth Outreach Ministrie...He's still at the New Birth Outreach Ministries halfway house in Conroe.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-87920710762319016742016-03-11T13:43:33.464-08:002016-03-11T13:43:33.464-08:00Did it say where he was living? I imagine that it ...Did it say where he was living? I imagine that it is still in Montgomery County. <br />-PillInner Cronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03239217612782011770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-84584712680634749152016-03-07T09:16:01.609-08:002016-03-07T09:16:01.609-08:00What I find interesting is that like any slick sal...What I find interesting is that like any slick salesman, agents are ready to talk about the benefits of purchasing from an unregulated marketplace, but none of them are willing to say a darned thing about the possible disadvantages of doing so.<br /><br />First, the fact that this is "unregulated" is a disadvantage to the consumer. A CTA doesn't have to answer to the California Public Utilities Commission. Which means that if I, as a customer, have a problem with my CTA, then it is up to me to solve that problem in small claims court.<br /><br />CTAs can be "fly by night" businesses. Some are very young and have no track record. Some may be financially unsound, and may actually be on their way toward going out of business. This is like the early days of the Internet, when multiple service providers were being bought out by larger providers, or going out of business. You could find your contract with company "A" suddenly purchased by company "B". <br /><br />And since the people who show up on your porch are INVARIABLY taught high pressure sales tactics, you are pressured to make a decision while knowing very little about the company. <br /><br />Since I've written this blog posting, I've had at least TEN different CTA sales reps on my front porch. As of this writing, only ONE has identified himself as working as a CTA, and offered a website for me to get more details.<br /><br />All of the rest of them start their spiel the same way. "Hi, I'm with PG&E, and I'm here to examine your bill to see if you're getting all the savings you are entitled to."<br /><br />Which is, of course a lie. And any lie gets them shouted off my porch.<br /><br />Daniel, perhaps you should fire all your agents?Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-53738951796306317132016-03-07T00:41:53.257-08:002016-03-07T00:41:53.257-08:00I've been working in deregulated markets for 5...I've been working in deregulated markets for 5 years primarily in the field overseeing training and managing multiple teams. If you know your product and you communicate the benefits honestly no matter what anyone who's listening will at least consider it. The problem is 2 sided #1 CTA reps can be deceptive. #2 Consumers THINK or assumme they know how deregulation works when they actually don't have any idea. It's unfortunate to hear about consumers being deceived at the same time it's unfortunate that those same deceptive reps make the honest, genuinely helpful CTA agents providing the courtesy to inform the community of thier right to choose a cheaper gas supplier typically pay the consequences for CTAs that typically life or use aggressive tactics and are summary terminated for it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05790311495406645877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-90202707480634669042016-02-25T11:08:02.621-08:002016-02-25T11:08:02.621-08:00Of course, what it comes down to is if the seller ...Of course, what it comes down to is if the seller must lie in order to make their sale, then they are representing a company that I don't want to do business with.<br /><br />Every single Core Gas representative that has arrived at my door has represented themselves as part of PG&E. They carry a pad with a PG&E letterhead on it, and they introduce themselves as, "Hi, I'm with PG&E". <br /><br />I don't care how sunny such a person is, I don't care if they can save me money. Liars should be shown the door, and that's what I do.<br /><br />Maybe you need to rethink being a part of an industry that trains employees to lie to customers?Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-9275454659031727142016-02-25T09:58:50.885-08:002016-02-25T09:58:50.885-08:00I would have preferred that you have saved money. ...I would have preferred that you have saved money. He is right but to an extent - I work for Continuum Energy, and when I go to a family member or friends house I always make sure that they are fully comprehending what is to occur in their next bill cycle.<br /><br />Even if at the end they say to me, "so basically you're saying that were getting more discount apart from the Care Program" The thing is there isn't a need to lie, but these energy suppliers do work with PG&E but it doesn't mean that they are apart of PG&E as a whole. Like I mentioned earlier California has mandated this Core-Gas Program because they want to deregulate this appearance of Monopoly that is emiting from PG&, helping residents in the long run to not pay as much for their gas bill. I would never lie to customers and that just may be me. But you are right as well Mr. Calladus to the extent of being able to deny discount for your bill. <br /><br />Even so, it comes down to personal preference. And it may seem that if you'd wish to not receive any discount or the best deal, and even the best whilst cheapest rate for your bill - that too is acceptable because it rides solemnly on your choice. <br /><br />:) Futhermore I'd wish you the best, and if by luck I would to encounter you, I would gladly come to you like I do to everyone - cheerful and happy because i would be able to help save you money. <br /><br />:) Kaloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11979754633332553951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-45502534226758127602016-02-24T08:45:09.698-08:002016-02-24T08:45:09.698-08:00It doesn't matter how much money I might save ...It doesn't matter how much money I might save (if any). If the representative has to lie to get me to join, then I don't want him on my porch.<br /><br />It happened again, just last week. The guy who showed up on my porch that evening said he was "with PG&E" and that he wanted to "check my PG&E bill to make sure I'm getting the best rate."<br /><br />What. The. Hell.<br /><br />I told him, "No, you're with the Core Gas program, and are a competitor to PG&E. I'm not interested." And I started to shut the door.<br /><br />The asshole - and he WAS an asshole - raised his voice and said, "We're working with PG&E! Don't you want to save money?"<br /><br />I replied, "Goodbye." And I shut the door.<br /><br />He yelled, from my front porch, "We really are working together with PG&E! You're losing money!"<br /><br />I opened the door again and told him to "GET the FUCK OFF MY PORCH!" And shut it again.<br /><br />I don't care. If you have to lie to get the sale, you're an asshole, and don't deserve the business. Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-6213656909755646812016-02-24T08:11:48.211-08:002016-02-24T08:11:48.211-08:00The reason why you will be paying $50 if not alrea...The reason why you will be paying $50 if not already is because your cancelling the 12 month contract. Every ETF - Early Termination Fee for every CTA Gas Supplier is $50, with a 12 month contract. <br /><br />Depending on the area code you live in, you can be offered a different gas supplier however you'll still be charged for delivery by PG&E. <br /><br />PG&E does offer its own Gas & Electricity. And to compensate California mandated that by the end of this year 50,000 customers are to be enrolled in the Core-Gas Aggregation Program, because rates are going up due to more California residents switching over to Solar. This program allows a California Resident to receive a different gas supplier - But still be charged for delivery by PG&E as both Gas and Delivery comes from Utah. The mere difference now is that you'll simply have two separate charges but within one Single Bill. With the gas charge lower on one side, and the regular charge for Delivery of the gas (supplier you've chosen) on the other side.<br /><br />Depending on where you live, you can really save up money. It's just the mere fact that you must research it, or when a rep from a CTA Energy company shows up, that they are very thorough and make sure that the customer is comprehending everything. CTA Energy Suppliers are Contractors with PG&E, they are Not With PG&E.<br /><br />Hope this has helped :)Kaloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11979754633332553951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-72361151399834550512016-01-25T16:15:31.134-08:002016-01-25T16:15:31.134-08:00Blue Spruce told me it cost $50 to switch backBlue Spruce told me it cost $50 to switch backAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07079021718619876819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-70048477036206742602016-01-11T14:36:27.450-08:002016-01-11T14:36:27.450-08:00Candy,
First, my sympathy for what happened to yo...Candy,<br /><br />First, my sympathy for what happened to your daughter. <br /><br />In our case, Ronnie was released to a religious halfway house. I find this darkly amusing since he was never known for religious belief - he only worshiped himself. <br /><br />As part of his halfway house program, Ronnie has freedom of movement around the city. Other than sex offender registration and restrictions on how close a sex offender can lawfully be to young people in Texas, there seems to be few other requirements.<br /><br />Are you speaking of the Hightower or Stringfellow units? <br /><br />I've found that you can get a lot of information about Texas prison units by doing google searches on how to send prisoners mail at these units, and by using this sort of search to find support forums for families of prisoners.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-71933714098340826202016-01-09T11:57:43.522-08:002016-01-09T11:57:43.522-08:00Can anyone tell me about this unit? My ex is there...Can anyone tell me about this unit? My ex is there for raping my daughter and they are going to parole him after "treatment" in Sept 2016. Is this a partial commitment program where they have community access? I'm sure he is playing the born again card, as we met in church.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05739176384081839843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-22474896664172784052015-12-02T06:40:02.531-08:002015-12-02T06:40:02.531-08:00I would not nearly be as pissed off at these peopl...I would not nearly be as pissed off at these people if they just told the truth. Come to my door and tell me that you are a seller who can provide a service that saves me money, and at least I'll give you the chance to make your elevator pitch.<br /><br />But they lie. "Hi! I'm with PG&E" or "Hi! I'm from PG&E" or even "Hi! I'm working with PG&E" are all lies. <br /><br />The more truthful introduction would be, "Hi! Due to state law, PG&E is forced to allow other energy providers to use PG&E infrastructure. I'm work for a secondary energy provider, and I think I can undercut PG&E and save you money on your gas bill!"<br /><br />That would get my attention!<br /><br />But I won't do business with liars.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.com