Well, miracle of miracles! I just read that Best Buy (the so-called ‘’leader” in all that is electronic) has rescinded their infamous 15-percent restocking charge that they have traditionally charged on multiple products brought back for return.

Now exempt from Best Buy’s ‘’restocking fee” are audio equipment, computers, camcorders, digital cameras, GPS units, in-car video systems, radar detectors and iPhones. Not only that, but supposedly, Best Buy will refund fees that have been charged since Nov. 17. Unfortunately, they are still going to charge for special orders. Which actually is understandable. If you think you want something and they need to specially order for you, then you change your mind and bring it back, it isn’t fair that Best Buy should have to eat not only a lost sale, but probably put it on sale hoping someone else comes along, sees it and decides to buy what you changed your mind about wanting. So, kudos to Best Buy for changing a really bad consumer policy!

PUBLIC BEING ‘NETTED’ BY NEUTRALITY PROMISE

On Dec. 21, FCC Chairman Genachowski proposed to the board of FCC Commissioners to vote on a new Net Neutrality rule that recent reports indicate is anything but neutral. In fact the new rule will be so “in tune” with major telecommunication corporations that AT&T is endorsing Chairman Genachowski’s proposal.

The once-touted new ruling that promised continued Internet freedom of choice will effectively have the opposite result. The new rule proposed by the FCC chair and commission has “no teeth” and will open the door for broadband highway robbery by phone and cable companies, allowing future high fees and charges to use their content and the services of select groups of corporate partners. This will send everyone else using alternative companies back to the good old, prehistoric cyber days. The commission will exempt the mobile Internet from Net Neutrality protections in the new rule, giving Verizon and AT&T carte blanche to cherry-pick their own applications while essentially blocking, or at the very least, downgrading all others. Freedom of speech and freedom of choice are guaranteed to the American public as given rights within our democratic society. When only two or three companies are in control of the Internet, is there any question how long it will be before freedom of “choice” turns to “choose plan A or B and be happy you’re getting what you get”?

If the FCC is America’s consumer “watchdog” for Internet communications, we should all be grateful Chairman Genachowski is not in charge of national security!!

WHAT’S THE MISSION?

In recent days, a brawl between “60 to 100” people, apparently all or at least mostly men, transpired at a local bowling alley. From reports, many involved were immigrants from foreign countries, many of whom were sponsored by Lutheran Social Services and were granted entry into the United States due to their sponsors. That sounds very democratic and “American,” doesn’t it? It sounds that way, but is it, in reality?

I have absolutely no problem with allowing any nationality from any country in the world to come to my country and want to join in with the rest of us to simply make a better life for him- or herself and whatever family they bring with them … except when said immigrants cannot behave themselves in a civilized manner, or choose to break laws that ultimately I, and all other tax-paying citizens, eventually have to pay the toll for. That’s when I start wondering, WHAT ARE WE DOING allowing this to go on?

I’m sorry, but I do not feel it is my responsibility to ensure that anyone, be they “born in America” citizens or naturalized citizens or if they landed from Mars, has a right to raise almighty hell, use the resources of our law enforcement agencies and our healthcare organizations simply because they don’t agree with another group of uncompromising machismo “I’ll show you” types. When someone or some group of hooligans wants to raise hell, put their butts in a jail cell until ICE can come and get them and escort them to the nearest airport with a plane standing by that will take them back to wherever the blue blazes they came from! And furthermore, the “agency” that brought them here should be held fiscally responsible for SENDING THEM BACK. It’s not like we don’t have plenty of “born in America” schmucks whom we incarcerate, feed and clothe, but unfortunately cannot deport out of the country. We most certainly do — just check out any local jail and I’m sure you’ll find most at top capacity. So why in the world are we bringing more into the United States from other countries? If Lutheran Social Services or any other social-minded agency wants to help others in foreign countries, great! TAKE YOUR OFFICES OVER THERE. And while you’re going … take the far-too-many reoffending, homemade American jerks our system of government cannot rehabilitate with you when you go.