My annual rant against Half Price Books

Or is it "Get PLAYED"?

Yesterday I took a full load of used books and magazines to Half Price Books for resale.  I had to wheel 'em in a cart to my car, then from my car into the store.  Check in, wait until they called my name, then they gave me the news:

CONGRATULATIONS!  WE'RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE WE CAN OFFER YOU THE WHOPPING SUM OF $5.50  

Big f__king whoop!

"We're kinda overstocked right now."  (How come every time they see me walking in the door they're suddenly "overstocked"?)

Every year I do this, every year they insult me, every year I swear I'll never go back.  I told K this was the absolute last time I'll ever darken their door.  Of course she launched into her goody-two-shoes "it's not about the money but keeping things out of the landfill" spiel.

OK, fine.  Next time I'll just run 'em through one of those tree limb shredders and turn 'em into mulch.  See, I can be an environmentalist, too.  Or I'll take them to the doctor's office.  His magazines are really old.*

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I'm guessing we still have about another month of summer left before we begin to see the first signs of autumn (in Texas).  Miserable as it still is, I can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel.  And I have football season to take my mind off the lingering heat.  Yes, football is a wonderful thing.   ;)

S

* Or the library.  I think they give their old ones away for free.

The Coalition to Save the Cute Puppies

Don't you just love the way special interests hide their real intentions behind oh-so-innocent sounding non-profit organizations?  "The Coalition to Save the Cute Puppies" (fictional) might well be a group of scummy puppy mill owners scheming to get the SPCA de-certified.

We must be the most gullible people on earth.  Our hearts are definitely in the right place, but it seems many of us check our brains at the door.  Watch this funny Penn and Teller piece on how environmentalists, good people that they are, can so easily be duped:

This could just as easily have been a group of casinos in one state (God-Fearing Christians Against Evil Gambling) working to kill the chances of any new casinos opening just across the state line, stealing their customers.  "Sure I'll sign your petition Brother Bugsy, and here's a few of my hard earned dollars for your wonderful cause, too."

In my state we have a non-profit called something like "Supporting Our State Troopers" which leads people to think if they give a few $$$ and put the trooper's membership sticker on their car they will be given a "pass" if they're caught speeding.  

Truth is, almost none of the money goes to any state trooper groups, and you will NOT be given a pass if caught speeding.  Their motto might as well be "Thanks suckers!"

The old saying "A fool and his money are soon parted" is as valid today as it ever was. Do be compassionate and selfless, but be smart, too.

S