HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: rsingh@goliath.Stanford.EDU (   raj)
Subject: Santa Dollars.......
Summary: It's real!  Legal tender and banable!!
Keywords: church, state, religion
Organization: Makalu Mountain Hermitage, Mt Makalu, Nepal
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 92 21:02:23 GMT

I saw a red sticker at the local Safeway checkout counter that said
"It's real!" in big letters, next to a one dollar us note that had
Santa's pictures instead of late president George Washington. 
It said the note is a legal tender, and bankable.

They were selling it for $2 (the proceeds go to charity.)  Well, I
bought one as a novelty item, but I was wondering if one could get a
lot of these just walking up to the local bank?  And who/what decides
if Santa's picture is appropriate on a dollar note?

As it is, a LOT of people have trouble with "In God We Trust" being on
US notes, so isn't putting Santa's picture on the note not only
endorsing religion, but also Christianity.  Comments? Flames?

--raj
-- 
Rajesh Kumar Singh               E-mail: rsingh@goliath.stanford.edu
Gauls!  We have nothing to fear; except perhaps that the sky may fall
on our heads tomorrow.  But as we all know, tomorrow never comes!!
                                         -- Adventures of Asterix.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: garym@telesoft.com (Gary Morris @pulsar)
Subject: Re: Secured Credit Cards
Organization: Alsys Group, San Diego, CA, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 15:46:52 GMT

In <1992Dec14.093428.20549@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com> billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) writes:

>jamshed@gradient.cis.upenn.edu (Jamshed Masood) writes:
>: Could somebody please post me the list of banks/institutions that
>: offer secured credit cards.

>Why would you want one of those? Why would you want to pay a bank interest
>on a card for which they had absolutely no risk? Nor are they loaning you
>money - you are using your own.

There are several reasons why someone would want one of those cards.  If they
had no credit or past credit problems, a good payment history can improve
your credit standing.  If you can't qualify for a regular VISA or MC, this 
is the only way to go.  In this world there are lots of things that are 
difficult without a bank card, like renting a car, dealing with mail order
companies, etc.

If you pay the card on time, after a period of time they may remove the
requirement for the savings account or allow you a higher credit line without
an corresponding increase in the savings account.

You aren't using your own money, that is held in a regular savings account
that pays interest like any other bank savings account.

One place that does this is Signet Bank.  They check out OK with 
the Better Business Bureau (804-648-0016) in Richmond.  They have both
VISA and MC.   

	Signet Bank
	PO Box 85547
	Richmond VA 23286-8873

	Phone:  800-285-8600

--GaryM
From: dong@umiacs.umd.edu (Dong Chen)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: How to get a new SSN (was Re: Very old account - can still collect?)
Date: 17 Dec 92 02:43:03 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: UMIACS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

In article <1992Dec15.155121.5339@opencon.com> giand@opencon.com (Deepak S. Gianchandani) writes:
>	The other possibility is change your identity, get a new
>name, SS number, so forth, etc.

How is it possible to get a new SSN legally ?
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Help !! == cable TV on second floor ==
From: gary@cdthq.UUCP (Gary Heston)
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 21:32:59 CST
Organization: Garys' Home for Obsolete Computers

vln@icpsr.umich.edu (Victoria Neff) writes:

> Is it against code to run tv cable to the second floor through the cold-air
> intake??

Only if it's plenum-grade (i.e., Teflon insulated) cable. Otherwise,
no.

Gary Heston, at home....
gary@cdthq.uucp
From: 5916rahmank@vms.csd.mu.edu ( )
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Opinion about Sharp camcorder
Date: 19 Dec 1992 04:05:52 GMT
Organization: Department of EECE, Marquette University
Reply-To: 5916rahmank@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsf.csd.mu.edu

Hello all:

	I'm about to buy a Sharp VL-L62U camcorder. But before I buy it,
I'd appreciate any comment from your experience. Thanks,

	-Anis.
From: billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Tell me about electric blankets
Date: 14 Dec 92 09:21:20 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA

kolstad@cae.wisc.edu (Joel Kolstad) writes:
: 
: Your DC blanket will, of course, generate a magnetic field -- just not an
: electric one.  Whether or not this is better or worse from the health
: standpoint is, as you point out, a good question.

Bullshit. It will produce a DC electromagnet field. That field will build
and collapse as the blanket thermostat cycles.

Bill
From: egreen@East.Sun.COM (Ed Green - Pixel Cruncher)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Calling consumer 800 numbers and general c
Date: 20 Dec 92 21:29:39 GMT
Reply-To: egreen@East.Sun.COM
Organization: Sun Microsystems, RTP, NC
NNTP-Posting-Host: laser.east.sun.com

In article 12616@net.bio.net, charleen@net.bio.net (Charleen Bunjiovianna) writes:
>
>I called Burger King's number... 
>
>I've
>been moving about every 6 to 9 months on average, but always informed
>_Bon Appetit_ well in advance of the move.  

You subscribe to _Bon Appetit_ but you eat at Burger King?!?

---
Ed Green, former Ninjaite |I was drinking last night with a biker,
  Ed.Green@East.Sun.COM   |and I showed him a picture of you.  I said,
DoD #0111  (919)460-8302  |"Go on, get to know her, you'll like her!"
 (The Grateful Dead) -->  |It seemed like the least I could do...
From: lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek)
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1992 18:51:13 GMT
Subject: Re: NordicTrack
Organization: HP Response Center Lab
Newsgroups: misc.consumers

My wife and I have the NordicTrak Pro.
Solid, well-built machine that provides
excellent workout opportunity.

It'll last forever - mostly because we are not
as dedicated to using it as we would like to
be.

Shop for a used one to save money.

Lou
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.video
From: miller@ghost.rtp.dg.com (Mark T. Miller)
Subject: Re: Video Only warranty
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 92 01:27:04 GMT
Organization: Data General Corporation, RTP, NC.

In article <1992Dec8.144044.1765@itsmail1.hamilton.edu> jmalloy@itsmail1.hamilton.edu (Joseph T. Malloy) writes:
>I quite agree.  As an added tactic, I look worried and say something
>along the lines of "Gee, I didn't think these things [whatever they are]
>were that fragile/poorly made...maybe I should wait."  The sales droid
>typically switches into backtracking mode.  Or, at Sears, I argue: "If I
>[...]

	YES! This was my favorite method at Sears 10+ years ago when
	I started buying appliances.  Back then you would not believe
	the *totally* awed look on the Sears-droids faces. (maybe that's
	actually why I bought so much from Sears - just to drop the bomb
	during the extended warranty pitch. . .)

	Perhaps they've had training by now. . .

	Mark M.

	Mark T. Miller					miller@dg-rtp.dg.com
							...uunet!xyzzy!miller
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: srfergu@rufus.erenj.com (Scott Ferguson)
Subject: Re: Better radio reception inside office?
Organization: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 15:01:22 GMT

In article <2070050@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM>, lou@hpkslx.mayfield.HP.COM (Lou Kvitek) writes:
|> 
|> I am trying to use a Sony walkman inside my office building, I get
|> a lot of static and changing the position of the unit only makes
|> a slight difference.
|> 
|> Does anyone know of any way to improve radio reception inside a
|> large office building?

Yeah: Get an office with a window!!! I think the steel structure in
a big building shields an awful lot of radio signal. The only times
I've ever gotten good reception in my office was when I had a window
and could put the radio on the windowsill where waves could come in.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Ferguson                        Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
Project Engineer                      New Jersey
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Always bark at a dog."
From: john@zygot.ati.com (John Higdon)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: OK..why shouldnt I get an extended car warranty?
Date: 17 Dec 92 06:36:50 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Green Hills and Cows

Occasionally it will appear that an extended warranty paid off, but it
ultimately comes down to a matter of odds. The odds are in the seller's
favor.

In article <BzD04E.ADL@encore.com> mpalmer@encore.com (Mike Palmer) writes:

>I bought an extended warranty on my Honda Prelude - 4 extra years for $450.  I
>was kicking myself as the warranty was about to expire that I'd wasted my money.
>T - 35 days my AC blew up - $980 repair cost - my deductable $10.

So you took the bet and managed to save yourself $520.

>Canon Camcorder extended warranty $100 for five years  (Camera cost $1250).
>
>30 days after the end of the original warranty a problem occured.  Sent to 
>Cannon for repair - $125 cost - paid in full under extended warranty.

And in this case, you saved a whopping $25. I have owned fifteen
camcorders in my life. None has ever had the slightest problem (I still
own five of them and have sold the others). If I had bought an
"extended warranty" with each, I would be out $1,500--more than enough
to buy a replacement unit outright.

>Sont CD player - 5 year extended warranty - $50 - (Can use as a credit in the
>store if not used after 5 years) - Unit malfunctioned after 1 year  (Sony
>warranty was 90 days) - Unit was replaced with new model!

Great, if the store is still in business after five years AND it is
still honoring its original agreement. There have been many cases where
either fails to withstand the test of time. And of course, the store is
banking on you being gone or forgetting about the whole thing after
five years.

What you failed to tell us about is all of the extended warranties that
you purchased that never paid off in any way. I am sure that you own
more high end items than a car, camcorder, and CD player. And it is
obvious that you are sold on extended warranties, so what about the
ones you bought that were never used?

A much better idea than putting that money in the store's bank is to
put it in yours. If a salesman pressures you into an extended warranty,
refuse it and put the cost of it in a special savings account. $75
here, $100 there, $500 somewhere else and you will end up with quite a
little bundle in the bank (drawing interest, of course). If something
goes wrong, you are covered. But here is the good part: if nothing goes
wrong, you can have the money back! Or, you can just leave it there
collecting interest and growing to cover your really big ticket items
even after the "extended warranty" has run out.

It is all a matter of self-insurance. If you own many things and you
have put the cost of the extended warranty in the bank for each one,
the odds are well in your favor that the nest egg in the account will
more than cover any necessary repairs. And that money is still yours!
-- 
 John Higdon  |   P. O. Box 7648   |   +1 408 264 4115     |       FAX:
 john@ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | 10288 0 700 FOR-A-MOO | +1 408 264 4407
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:20589 rec.autos:29709
From: dave@frackit.UUCP (Dave Ratcliffe)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,rec.autos
Subject: Re: Best undercover car (was: CHP DOES HAVE RADAR!)
Date: 10 Dec 92 22:40:38 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: usa
Organization: Data Factory Services, Harrisburg, Pa.

In article <1992Dec4.000628.24629@pony.Ingres.COM>, reb@Ingres.COM (Phydeaux) writes:
> In article <1992Dec3.182844.17293@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
> >THE CHP does have killer unmarked cars...if you remember, i reported
> 
> >2nd best car, was in Alabama...it looked likes the blue mobile
> >(like in the movie blues brothes)...it was all beat up,, but he
> >did pull a guy over...and NO THERE WAS NO HUGE SPEAKER ON TOP!!
> 
> I believe the police in Passaic NJ used to have an undercover taxi
> cab!

2 good disguises:

1975, coming through New York on the NY State Thruway.  I passeda
hitchiker sitting on a knapsack along the road.  Peeking out of the
knapsack, if you were looking closely enough, was the horn of a radar
gun.  The "hitchiker' was sitting on the guardrail alongside the
knapsack looking down at the ground, apparently at the readout. Looking
in the rearview mirror after passing I saw a radio behind the knapsack
and the "hitchiker" was holding the mike in his hand. I figured
"Nawwwwwwwww, they're NOT doing that, not really..." until I got about a
half mile down the road where a marked car was hiding out of sight
behind a bridge abutment. Sneaky set-up. 

1968, Kingston, Pa..  Cops had a "cheap 'n dirty" undercover car.  A VW
Bug that was heavily juiced up.  It was an excellent choice and lasted
on the streets for nearly 8 months before the locals became real
familiar with it and it's effectiveness wore off.  So, they painted it
black and white and put a bubble on the roof. With the low-band (33 mHz)
radio antenna on it it looked like a flipped over lollypop. Still, it
surprised quite a number of teenagers out for a little joy-ride. I think
it finally died around '74 after an impressive number of miles on the
road. 

-- 
 vogon1!compnect!frackit!dave@psuvax1.psu.edu            |  Dave Ratcliffe  |
 - or - ..uunet!wa3wbu!frackit!dave                      |  Sys. <*> Admin. |
                                                         | Harrisburg,  Pa. |
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:20904 sci.electronics:21125
From: louis@aupair.cs.athabascau.ca (Louis Schmittroth)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!
Date: 18 Dec 92 18:13:46 GMT
Followup-To: misc.consumers
Distribution: na

hubcap@hubcap.clemson.edu (System Janitor) writes:

>edsverk@ed4000-2.lerc.nasa.gov (Kenneth Lee Atchinson) writes:


>>I think you are missing the point.  No, I do not think the Japanese want to
>>ruin this country.  Their economic policies are setup to kill the competition.
>>Putting people out of work here is a "side-effect" of killing the competition.

>I think, in general (I haven't followed all of this thread), that
>the Japanese business policys are largly based on the strategies they
>learned from Edwards Demming, and that they are set up to continuously
>improve their products and make the customer first. This may have a 
>side effect of killing the competition.

You are only partially right.  Demming was an America industrial engineer
who preached statistical quality control.  American industry in the 50s
wouldn't listen, but he became a reverred demi-god in Japan.  Granted
that the Japanese and the Germans became "quality conscious" before some
American firms, but that is not the most important reason why the US is
becoming (or already has become) a colony of Japan.  Please rush out and
read two books:

-->"Trading Places, How we are giving our future to the Japanese and how
to reclaim it", Clyde Prestowitz, New York: Basic Books 1989

and after that:

"Head to Head" by Lester Thurow.

Thurow says the most important thing for Americans to do is the WAKE UP.
--
Louis Schmittroth louis@cs.athabascau.ca
NW 1/4 18 67 21 W4 Alberta.
From: cp01081@dcsc.dla.mil (Eric A Yruegas)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: Re: Trolling for Taillights (WAS: Radar detectors...)
Date: 9 Dec 92 14:05:35 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Defense Construction Supply Center, Columbus

In article <1992Dec7.153136.22498@cbnews.cb.att.com> lbd@cbnews.cb.att.com (linda.b.dunlap) writes:
>I realize other things than radar guns can set off our radar detectors,
>but I am highly suspicious that police in two states use decoy beams to
>slow traffic down.  All they would have to do is mount transmitters near
>the freeway and non-locals would think there is an officer around.

Amen my brother! :)  I know of *several* of such beasts (in the form of
aluminum boxes attached to the poles along the freeway) in Central Ohio.   
My detector noticed them about 6 to 9 months ago I guess...  I've seen them
pop up in residential and near-residential areas as well...  My guess is
that they're pretty cheap to install.

Eric
[Views expressed above do not reflect those of my employer]
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: gordon@sneaky.lonestar.org (Gordon Burditt)
Subject: Re: Legal Tender???
Organization: Gordon Burditt
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 09:55:25 GMT

>My understanding of this situation is that if a business has a conspicuous sign
>or tells you *before* the sale that they do not accept $XX it is OK - otherwise
>they *must* accept "legal tender"(US $$). If they do not make the restriction

However, businesses are under no obligation whatever to make change, whether
they have it or not.

>known *before* the sale and you offer them money and they refuse to accept ->
>you just got a freebie! Can anyone confirm or refute this?  

If you fill up your truck with $39.57 worth of gas, and hand the clerk
a $50 bill, (and there's no signs posted about accepting large-denomination
bills), then the clerk can refuse it.  You do NOT get a freebie.  If, 
however, you hand the clerk a $50 bill and say you don't need any change, 
and the clerk refuses THAT, then maybe you get a freebie.  (You could 
also try to buy enough merchandise to make the total $50.00, and pay with
exact change.  If the clerk refuses that, you might get a freebie.) 

					Gordon L. Burditt
					sneaky.lonestar.org!gordon
From: pwageman@visual.spk.wa.us (Peggy Wageman)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Subject: TV Infomercials
Date: 12 Dec 92 11:15:31 GMT
Organization: The Visual Market - Spokane, WA

There are numerous infomercials on TV now and most have various celebrities
that are either selling the products or endorsing them.  Does anybody know
whether they are paid for selling the products or are they just doing it 
for the publicity and exposure?  Thanks,  Peggy Wageman
Xref: sparky misc.consumers:20801 pnw.general:2955 uw.general:417 seattle.general:4143
From: jw4@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Joel Ware)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers,pnw.general,uw.general,seattle.general
Subject: Re: --- HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS ---
Date: 17 Dec 92 02:07:43 GMT
Article-I.D.: bcstec.BzDsKv.BIq
Followup-To: poster
Distribution: pnw
Organization: Boeing

RE: GROUP HEALTH COOPERATIVE

I have been a Group Health subscriber/member for over 15 years, and satisfied.
It is a cooperative, and there are many opportunities to become involved in its
policies, governance, and patient care, if you desire to.  I have not, so far.

What some say: Group Health won't let you see a doctor, they make you see a
      nurse instead.

What I would say: Group Health has been a leader in de-mystifying and 
      de-deifying the physician as the leaders of health-care teams.  They
      do make extensive, and I think appropriate, use of nurses, therapists,
      nurse-practitioners, nutritionists, social workers, counselors, and
      others in providing health care.  "Seeing a doctor" is not always
      either necessary or productive for the patient.
      Group Health does have a very active program to define, publicise, and
      protect "patients' rights" --- ask to see some informational handouts.

What some say: Group Health won't let you choose a doctor.

What I would say:   Group Health encourages members to interview and choose
      between/among their staff to find a suitable primary-care physician,
      and a local GH clinic which is convenient to your residence or work.
      Group Health has hundreds of qualified folks on staff at any time. 
      Group Health does not generally cover care by non-Group Health providers
      without prior approval, usually reserved for emergencies or specialty
      care not available at the local clinic or regional specialty center.
      For satellite / remote areas (e.g. Bellingham) I think that they may
      contract with local "preferred providers".


Sincerely,
         -Joel. 

Joel Ware, IV   (206) 957-5155 (W)     (206) 783-4784 (H)  (206) 957-5050 (FAX)
Boeing Computer Services, Workstation Software Technical Services
P.O. Box 24346, Mailstop 7M-HC,  Seattle WA 98124 
DISCLAIMER: The above is my personal opinion -- not my employer's !
-- 
Joel Ware, IV   (206) 957-5155 (W)     (206) 783-4784 (H)  (206) 957-5050 (FAX)
Boeing Computer Services, Workstation Software Technical Services
P.O. Box 24346, Mailstop 7M-HC,  Seattle WA 98124 
DISCLAIMER: The above is my personal opinion -- not my employer's !
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup)
Subject: Re: TV Infomercials
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 17:45:03 GMT

In article <1992Dec12.111531.10251@visual.spk.wa.us>
pwageman@visual.spk.wa.us (Peggy Wageman) writes:

>There are numerous infomercials on TV now and most have various celebrities
>that are either selling the products or endorsing them.

>Does anybody know whether they are paid for selling the products or are they
>just doing it for the publicity and exposure?

Rule number one of show business:

	Everybody gets paid - no one does anything for free.

-- 
Kenny Crudup, Contractor, OSF DCE QA
OSF, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142	+1 617 621 7306
kenny@osf.osf.org			OSF has nothing to do with this post.
	  Religion: The longest-running gag ever played on Mankind.
Newsgroups: misc.consumers
From: chrz@tellabs.com (Peter Chrzanowski)
Subject: Re: OK..why shouldnt I get an extended car warranty?
Organization: Tellabs, Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 18:20:34 GMT

In article <BzBxu0.M4@cup.hp.com>, staggers@cup.hp.com (Ken Staggers) writes:
> I just bought my new car, a Mercury Tracer LTS.  

My '88 Mercury Tracer now has 60,000 miles on it; all that's gone wrong
other than wear items (tires, brakes) was the A.C., which cost about
$200. to get fixed.

> Today's session with
> the sales people was to talk financing and "other options".  They made
> the extended car warranty sound OH SO GOOD.  After listening to him,
> I couldnt remember anything the net has said about these warranties.
> I need to be reminded...why are they such a bad deal?   On principle,

You didn't say whether this warranty is backed by Ford.  If not, consider
that many third-party warranty outfits don't have any, umm, principles.

If they don't go bankrupt (many do) they always seem to have a reason
why whatever broke in your car isn't covered.  To mention just a few:

1.  You must call for authorization before contracting for the work,
    but the number is ALWAYS busy.  Couldn't get through but needed
    the car to get to work?  Sorry. 

2.  "A covered part isn't covered if it fails due to the failure of a
    non-covered part."  Your transmission fell off the car, and transmissions
    are covered, but the bolts that secure it to the car are not.
    Whatever actually failed, they'll challenge you.

3. "A covered part is not covered unless routine maintenance has been
    performed."  OK, so the radiator leaks.  Can you PROVE you had it
    flushed and refilled on schedule?  Are you willing to sue?

> sounds great.  For $660 I can get an extra 2 years of coverage.  And the
> brochure they give indicates a lot of things that are covered.  I have
> a lot of power options like door locks and windows.  Couldnt they fail
> during years 4 and 5?  What didnt the sales guy tell me?  What was he
> leaving out?

You only saw "the brochure?"  I'd suggest you get a copy of the actual
contract to read so as to understand the exclusions and weasel words.

The bottom line, IMO, is don't even consider it unless it is truly backed
by the car manufacturer.  I agree that annoying stuff like the power options
may fail during years 4 and 5, but this is basically a good car and I'd
be surprised if the contract pays for itself, unless perhaps you intend
intend to beat on the car. 

From: jasonc@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Jason Chodora)
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 17:58:27 GMT
Subject: Re: Tell me about electric blankets
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA