Tomorrow is the New Hampshire primary. The beginning. I don't consider the Iowa caucauses to mean much, but I do consider NH to start the race. I have been a contributor to Hillary's campaign since the beginning. I even made calls last month to Absentee Ballot Voter's. I can't tell you how much this country needs a change and I believe Mrs. Clinton can do that. GWB has turned our once great nation into a sham. When I was in France, the people noticably changed after the 2nd term election. Everyone knew he stole the 2000 election. But when the people actually voted him in a second term, it was very difficult for the French to think that America really wanted him and his policies. I am a Democrat for obvious reasons. Human Rights, power to the people and moreover, honesty in government. I believe John Edwards was correct in his assessment that the war was nothing more than a bumper sticker. While I support the troops, I don't support the mission. I can't imaging spending $100K for a garbage truck in Iraq and children in our country not having books in schools. There a so many injustices, I can't begin to list them.
All I know, at the end of the day, is that the eight years of GBW will be over soon and I can only hope Hillary Clinton will be the successor. I will do everything I can to help.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
I can't believe I made it! Yup, 48 years and still here.
While I don't feel any different today, it is comforting to know I have the years of experience to back me up Whatever that means! I guess I'm lucky. A charmed life. Whatever!
Good news on the AT&T front. An actual response. We'll see what happens.
Happy Birthday!
While I don't feel any different today, it is comforting to know I have the years of experience to back me up Whatever that means! I guess I'm lucky. A charmed life. Whatever!
Good news on the AT&T front. An actual response. We'll see what happens.
Happy Birthday!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
It's a beautiful day in a beautiful new year. For some reason, years ending in even numbers are much better for me than years ending in odd years. In light of that statement, this will be a good year.
During the past year, I have had some trouble with AT&T in receiving some promised incentives when I changed our phone service. While still not resolved, I want to post a letter I had written to AT&T some time ago. The reason I am posting it it because it has generated a wild response to me. I have found a number of other people who have had the same issue. In light of that, I submit the letter.
To: Ms. Marianne G. Strobel.Director, Business Marketing - AT&T
Re: Cash Card Promotions-
$100 New Service/$100 Switching ISP's/Router Rebate
Dear Ms. Strobel,
I am writing this to further voice my opinion of AT&T’s fraudulent business practices of baiting with service, equipment, and Cash Card promotions. This experience has been an absolute nightmare of frustration and unbelievable anger in knowing the old saying, "We're the phone company, we don't care . . . we don't have to" rings true.
In late May of this year, New AT&T California called wanting to discuss a promotion they were running. A consolidation of telephone bills and Internet service designed at saving our small business money. What ensued has been a nightmare and only today, some 5 months later have I finally been able to connect to the Internet the way I previously had with my former ISP, Earthlink.
In thoughtful review of this service, I analyzed our telephone bills, investigated my former ISP, and thought I was making the correct decision. This decision was further based upon promised Rebate’s; Cash Cards for $100 for new service and $100 for switching ISP’s and $99 in Geek Squad Services, Equipment Rebate and favorable long distance rates and a savings in the Message Center and faster speeds.
Wireless connectivity was discussed at great length; only to find out on the day of install could not be used due to the Static IP address I was sold. With this not materializing, it caused me to have wires runs to rooms, where there were none while the modem/router has wireless capabilities, it is not wireless. Additionally, Internet Services of $54.95 – Pro, price/plan I ordered with were wrongly connected at the $79.95 – Elite price/plan. The static IP I was sold has caused more connectivity issues than you will ever know taking hours upon hours to regain our home/office’s connectivity and networking capabilities. I was soon to find out that the Geek Squad services offered, as a promo didn’t provide service to our area, thus making the $99 promo invalid.
Additionally, because of AT&T money raising policies where services are billed in advance and credited two to three billing cycles later, has been a huge financial strain with looking at an erroneous $554 bill – having to be paid and credited down the road. A savings of $6 in message center was incorrectly quoted as well.
The last straw was when I was told the Cash Card’s were pulled because I had changed the service order. A service order that New AT&T never placed and when I called, as instructed by New AT&T CA, was construed to be a new order and connected the next day on the erroneous Elite plan. I cannot understand why I, as stated, would change an order resulting in the forfeiting of $299 in promotions. I might add these rules and material facts were never disclosed to me regarding rebates and plans orally or in writing.
Your representatives, Brigette - Sales, her supervisor Jean, the department receptionist Ann and a billing representative named Ms. Jones have been trained well in mantra of the company; deception, being elusive, promising to return phone calls, return calls to a service number rather than the contact number given, shuffling me back and forth between Business Departments, Internet Service, Rebate Departments, Technical Support et. al. I would encourage AT&T to find the recording made with Brigette and her supervisor confirming my order. This would further address the lies being committed by this company. The broken promises. Moreover, the comment, “Your next month’s bill might be a little bit more Is completely hilarious as I read being charged twice for “premises”, resulting in a $225 Internet Portion of the bill. Of course, this was credited two months later somehow oddly.
As I began to inquire today of the equipment rebate, buried deep in the website I read the rules and could only laugh. Rule No. 5. You must not have account billing issues. Ha! With AT&T’s mistakes and maneuvers made to create billing issues, only a fool would not take notice. The joke is on me!
As I have already filed a claim with the FTC I thought, while my request is futile at this point, I would challenge AT&T to make good on their promotions, issuing me the two $100 Cash Cards, as promoted and discussed. Come on, restore my faith.
Sincerely,
William E. Freeze
P.S. I was told to call back in 4 weeks and they would check into the rebates further. December 24th was the 4th week. I was told to call back in two weeks as it takes 4-6 weeks for resolution. I'm sure I'll be prompted to call back in a month or so, but I'll keep you posted.
During the past year, I have had some trouble with AT&T in receiving some promised incentives when I changed our phone service. While still not resolved, I want to post a letter I had written to AT&T some time ago. The reason I am posting it it because it has generated a wild response to me. I have found a number of other people who have had the same issue. In light of that, I submit the letter.
To: Ms. Marianne G. Strobel.Director, Business Marketing - AT&T
Re: Cash Card Promotions-
$100 New Service/$100 Switching ISP's/Router Rebate
Dear Ms. Strobel,
I am writing this to further voice my opinion of AT&T’s fraudulent business practices of baiting with service, equipment, and Cash Card promotions. This experience has been an absolute nightmare of frustration and unbelievable anger in knowing the old saying, "We're the phone company, we don't care . . . we don't have to" rings true.
In late May of this year, New AT&T California called wanting to discuss a promotion they were running. A consolidation of telephone bills and Internet service designed at saving our small business money. What ensued has been a nightmare and only today, some 5 months later have I finally been able to connect to the Internet the way I previously had with my former ISP, Earthlink.
In thoughtful review of this service, I analyzed our telephone bills, investigated my former ISP, and thought I was making the correct decision. This decision was further based upon promised Rebate’s; Cash Cards for $100 for new service and $100 for switching ISP’s and $99 in Geek Squad Services, Equipment Rebate and favorable long distance rates and a savings in the Message Center and faster speeds.
Wireless connectivity was discussed at great length; only to find out on the day of install could not be used due to the Static IP address I was sold. With this not materializing, it caused me to have wires runs to rooms, where there were none while the modem/router has wireless capabilities, it is not wireless. Additionally, Internet Services of $54.95 – Pro, price/plan I ordered with were wrongly connected at the $79.95 – Elite price/plan. The static IP I was sold has caused more connectivity issues than you will ever know taking hours upon hours to regain our home/office’s connectivity and networking capabilities. I was soon to find out that the Geek Squad services offered, as a promo didn’t provide service to our area, thus making the $99 promo invalid.
Additionally, because of AT&T money raising policies where services are billed in advance and credited two to three billing cycles later, has been a huge financial strain with looking at an erroneous $554 bill – having to be paid and credited down the road. A savings of $6 in message center was incorrectly quoted as well.
The last straw was when I was told the Cash Card’s were pulled because I had changed the service order. A service order that New AT&T never placed and when I called, as instructed by New AT&T CA, was construed to be a new order and connected the next day on the erroneous Elite plan. I cannot understand why I, as stated, would change an order resulting in the forfeiting of $299 in promotions. I might add these rules and material facts were never disclosed to me regarding rebates and plans orally or in writing.
Your representatives, Brigette - Sales, her supervisor Jean, the department receptionist Ann and a billing representative named Ms. Jones have been trained well in mantra of the company; deception, being elusive, promising to return phone calls, return calls to a service number rather than the contact number given, shuffling me back and forth between Business Departments, Internet Service, Rebate Departments, Technical Support et. al. I would encourage AT&T to find the recording made with Brigette and her supervisor confirming my order. This would further address the lies being committed by this company. The broken promises. Moreover, the comment, “Your next month’s bill might be a little bit more Is completely hilarious as I read being charged twice for “premises”, resulting in a $225 Internet Portion of the bill. Of course, this was credited two months later somehow oddly.
As I began to inquire today of the equipment rebate, buried deep in the website I read the rules and could only laugh. Rule No. 5. You must not have account billing issues. Ha! With AT&T’s mistakes and maneuvers made to create billing issues, only a fool would not take notice. The joke is on me!
As I have already filed a claim with the FTC I thought, while my request is futile at this point, I would challenge AT&T to make good on their promotions, issuing me the two $100 Cash Cards, as promoted and discussed. Come on, restore my faith.
Sincerely,
William E. Freeze
P.S. I was told to call back in 4 weeks and they would check into the rebates further. December 24th was the 4th week. I was told to call back in two weeks as it takes 4-6 weeks for resolution. I'm sure I'll be prompted to call back in a month or so, but I'll keep you posted.
Monday, December 31, 2007
The Last Day of 2007
Why does this time of year promote such reflection? Is it because there is time around the holidays to think? Having time off from the day-to-day stuff? Is it because of the sentimentality of Christmas, the Christ Child? I wonder.
It seems we always think about our lives and think about doing something different. The whole “New Years Resolution” thing. I mean, you have to actually think about that. You can’t just pull it out of a hat. And many do. I guess that is why people fail at diets; new exercise regimes and all the traditional things people start anew each year.
I’m not sure whether I have a resolution this year. I haven’t had one for many years. I’m also not sure if it is necessary to have one, but I know, I am thinking a lot this year.
Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
The Saga of Ronny Comes to a Close
Well, Ronny got out of jail last month. It’s kind of interesting (Ronny and I are no longer friends) my perception of Ronny was that he wanted to get his life together, he just had this jail time to do, and then he would. What really he wanted was to continue to live the same kind of life, pilfering this and that, not working, but doing little things here and there, living with anyone who had a sofa and would let him and continue his lifestyle of drugs and robbery. It’s too bad. I can see that without a strong parental figure in someone’s life they have no clue of what they should be. I mean, he has 5 brothers and sisters with three fathers. Mom married a shyster insurance person 20 years ago and he screwed the kids up. Can you imagine a stepfather saying, “I married your mother, not you kids.”
The guy is kind of a grifter. Packing the kids in the car and dragging them to church asking for handouts. Moreover, a different church each Sunday. Therefore, Ronny’s sense of growing up is exactly what he is doing. Going around looking for handout’s day to day, not really taking life seriously or growing up.
After he was released, I tried to be a good example for him, but when I found that he was just abusing my friendship, nickel and dining me to death, I gave up. You can’t change people, I know. I guess he did a good job of convincing me he wanted something he didn’t.
Therefore, here I am, once again, with my friends numbered.
The guy is kind of a grifter. Packing the kids in the car and dragging them to church asking for handouts. Moreover, a different church each Sunday. Therefore, Ronny’s sense of growing up is exactly what he is doing. Going around looking for handout’s day to day, not really taking life seriously or growing up.
After he was released, I tried to be a good example for him, but when I found that he was just abusing my friendship, nickel and dining me to death, I gave up. You can’t change people, I know. I guess he did a good job of convincing me he wanted something he didn’t.
Therefore, here I am, once again, with my friends numbered.
Friday, December 28, 2007
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