SAM I Am

["Pop" Stran]

Scam Alert Messageboards, or SAM, was created by J.B. "Pop" Stran.

Hello, and Welcome.

While I've been on the Web for a dozen years now, I actually had my first computer back when the idea of a computer in your house was thought by most to be a rediculous notion.
Computers (real ones,anyway) were the size of a tractor-trailer, only a handful existed, and they were owned by the US government and a select few universiities & corporations.

Those computers used punchcards (Old-fogey alert!), but mine was a glorified word processor that hooked to the TV. It only spoke DOS, and used cassettes for storage.
My first laptop weighed 35 pounds, used real floppies, and had a 6" screen (green, the only color).

When IBM split-off it's software-supply company, Bill Gates created (or, in truth, was credited with the creation of) the platform that made home computers a reality for many Americans...and the birth of AOL brought the Internet along for the ride.
My first Internet account was with Compuserve (a good deal at $3./minute!), but when AOL sent those free disks out in 1993, I jumped at the chance to see the WorldWideWeb being born.

It goes without saying that the Web has evolved many times over since then...At first it was all about email & chat, then came ecommerce and advertising...and it just snowballed from there.

I can proudly say that I was one of the first generation of Web Marketers; My online-dating sites were one of the original affiliate programs, and everyone made money.

When I retired from the dating-biz and sold the sites in '96, some ugly changes were sneaking onto the Web; Con-artists and other fly-by-night scammers were flooding online hoping to pick a few thousands pockets, and even worse...newbies awed by this new world were falling for the deceit and lies in record numbers.

With all the countless opportunities to make an honest dollar online, I was angered that so many short-sighted dweebs would even feel the need to resort to scams.

Of course I don't blame the people for being susceptable; PT Barnum was right, but he didn't see the Web coming...
I was in sales for 20 years before the 'Net was born, and I know that people will buy anything, if you push the right buttons.

You've no doubt heard the Web referred to as the Wild West of this new mellinium, and in many ways that's an accurate assessment. There's no real law here, and the citizens of this world are pretty much left to govern themselves...
The problem with that is the fact that too many people can't choose between right and wrong when they're given this much freedom...so it's up to us to protect the potential victims.
We have to protect each other. Speak Out.

When a snake-oil salesman rolls into town selling his miracle-cures and potions, it's up to us to inform our friends and neighbors before they're conned out of their hard-earned money.

That's the reason for SAM.

I've been around the block a few times, both in life and online. Growing up on the streets of Baltimore City (now most famous as the Murder Capital of the Nation), I've seen my share of shysters, thieves and con-artists...and always got pleasure from exposing their lies and shredding the hype.

Having been raised with a strong set of morals by very Christian working-class parents, I've spent the rest of my life practicing the Golden Rule as best I could...even in the fields of Marketing and Sales.

No one likes a bully...and the weaker you are the more protection you deserve.
This is why most of us will ignore our own safety to help a child in danger.
Many newbies (new Netizens) are "babes in the woods" when it comes to ecommerce, and it's up to You and me to take them by the hand and steer them away from potential harm.

Taking advantage of someone simply because you can is wrong. Period.
The spin-doctors can paint that with all the pretty words they want...but it's still wrong.

When you see it happening, speak up. You just may save some trusting soul from making the worst mistake of his/her life.

...and When I see it, I'll speak up as well. Here.

My name is Pop Stran...
and I Am SAM.

["Pop" Stran]

This is Not the Internet News Channel:

The postings contained herein are based on personal opinion, and as such are to be considered nothing more than an exercising of my /our First Amendment right to Free Speech.

To quote the First Amendment to the US Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Further; Since the Web and the Internet have always been considered to be separate entities, the Web is as yet untethered by the common laws of the offline community.
Our rights here are further protected by the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution, as quoted here:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

In a nutshell: If protections relating to the Web have not yet been written into law, then We the People are the law here.
..........
I am a naturally born United States citizen.

I feel that I have earned my share of those freedoms that many take for granted.

My father was at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack, and while working to save his own ship had to watch two of his brothers die on another.

I served my nation by performing my duty to the United States military with honor and pride.

I am an honorably-discharged veteran of the Vietnam era.

I understand well the sacrifices that have been made by far too many good Americans, so that we can enjoy the freedom that makes this forum possible.
...and more importantly, I understand that the flip-side of freedom is accountability.

Having lived that dark period in our history when veterans in uniform were spit upon by hippies and denied jobs, I now strongly reserve and defend those rights designed for our protection, as set forth in the United States Constitution and it's Bill of Rights.
I will further protect the same rights of any American Citizen who chooses to post an opinion here.

Summary:
This is an Open forum. Public posts are inevitable.
Most posts will be opinionated by nature, and if you find this offensive...Move on.

This sounds arrogant, I know...but we are quickly becoming an arrogant nation.

After decades of pouring Billions upon Billion$ of hard-earned tax dollars into under-privelidged nations, only to watch it's citizens burn our flag, or kill American tourists and traveling students on our evening news, we are fast becoming very rigid about our national pride...and
The disasterous events of September 11, 2001 have cut a very sharp edge on many Americans.

9/11 has served as a reminder that simply because We as a Nation believe in such principles as the Golden Rule and Live & Let Live...there are still many savagely uncivilized areas in the big world where human life has no real value at all,
and God is alone to watch the children.

Too many of the citizens in these non-industrialized areas foolishly believe that a show of kindness is a sign of weakness...and they routinely bite the hands that feed them.

We are learning that, try as we might, we simply can't "fix" everyone...
and sometimes you just gotta drop the hammer.

As humanitarians, we repel the idea...and
As parents, we fear the consequences...but
As Americans, we know it's sometimes nescessary.


I make no apologies for my opinion, and
You have the right to yours as well.
Neither shall be denied.

the Reverend J.B. "Pop" Stran:
American,
Veteran,
Parent,
Grandparent,
Great-Grandparent,
and your host.

["Pop" Stran]

This classic little story is one of my favorites...
Hope you enjoy it.

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The Heart

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."

"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, to see how much damage has been done..."

"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there," said the boy.

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up, and I'll plan what to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels.

And I'll find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left, more than a little annoyed at his young patient's lack of perception.

The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration.
No hope for transplant, no hope for cure.
Therapy: painkillers and bed rest."

"Prognosis:," There he paused..."death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.
"Why?" he asked aloud.
"Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be.
Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine.
His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered,
"The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for He has Done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."

The surgeon wept...

The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed the next morning, the boy's parents sat across from him.
The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.

"What did you find?" asked the boy.

"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.


Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2004

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Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.."

I Am Not Ashamed.
Pass the link to this page to as many people as you can:

scamalert.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=SAM&action=display&thread=1058422614&start=0

"Yes, I do Love God He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday.
Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)

This is the simplest test. If you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he has done for you, share this simple and inspiring story...it's a classic.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God....

Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of you.