The Call at Gettysbury by Sarah Palin

The Call at Gettysburg
Posted on May 31, 2011
By Sarah Palin

When I first visited Gettysburg years ago, I was overwhelmed with the sense of sacrifice made to secure our union, but my most recent visit this morning was even more significant as subsequent visits allow reflection on the state of our union today. Striking to me is how ready and willing troops and civilians were in 1863 to lay their lives on the line. Are we as ready and willing to accept the call for sacrifice today in order to keep our union secure?

Hopefully the kids on school field trips whom we met this morning grasped the poignant irony at the site we toured together: that such a beautiful stretch of the Pennsylvania countryside should have been the site of the bloodiest battle in the Civil War. But perhaps it’s fitting that such a sacred place should be so beautiful now in order to commemorate the terrible sacrifices made to bring about, in the words of Lincoln’s famous address, "a new birth of freedom."

But this "new birth of freedom" wasn’t fully realized by the generation that paid the price for it. Over 100 years after the battle, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and declared, "Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children." It took the struggle for Civil Rights to truly complete what Lincoln called "the unfinished work" for which the heroes of Gettysburg "gave the last full measure of devotion."

Today, when we speak of "fundamentally restoring all that is good in America," we remember the debt of gratitude we owe to those who sacrificed to create and preserve our union. From the Civil War to the struggle for Civil Rights, generations of Americans have made great sacrifices necessary to pass on to us this great gift of freedom. It’s our duty to them to preserve it, cherish it, and pass it on to our children, so "that these dead shall not have died in vain…and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

When duty calls, are we willing to answer today? Please remember that freedom isn't free - the price paid for our liberty has been great.
The reminders of the past costs are seen at Gettysburg. The way forward in protecting our unified body is encapsulated in Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address: "...with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds."

- Sarah Palin

Re-Posted by Dance4One, an Arts & Entertainment Company dedicated to the Fusion of Art with Business through Faith.  Be Art. Do Business. Have Faith. http://www.dance4one.com/ & http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/.

A Day to REMEMBER...

Dance4One/Dan Getz, Blogger

Dallas, TX May 31, 2011

After writing this yesterday, I had every intention of also posting it yesterday, on Memorial Day.  However, due to technical difficulties (aka no immediate access to WI-FI and a VERY full day of planned activities at Lake Somerville), I chose to post this TODAY, the DAY AFTER Memorial Day.  And, as I rushed into Starbucks this morning and glanced at the Dallas Morning News’ front page with only a small mention of this holiday of REMEMBERANCE (hi-light section on left side), I believe it is quite appropriate that I did [post this TODAY]…as we all too often…Get up…resume our daily routine…and FORGET the significance of a day like YESTERDAY…

This piece was first posted on April 28, 2011 and before Dance4One began posting DAILY on May 2, 2011.  I felt it particularly appropriate to repost this as WE, as AMERICANS, celebrate OUR FREEDOM and COUNTRY that 1000’s and 1000’s of OUR Armed Forces and Civilians have unselfishly and sacrificially given their lives for.  As I stated in the article below, we must NEVER forget, become complacent or indifferent, or fail to be thankful for the ultimate sacrifice and blood of those who has been shed FOR US.  Heroes of the PAST…Heroes of the NOW…HEROES of the FUTURE…We salute YOU…We honor YOU…We thank YOU…We remember YOU…and VOW to NEVER, EVER forget YOU…THANK YOU for giving US what we could not achieve or experience without YOU…One Nation…Under God…with Liberty and Justice for ALL…IF we so choose to BELIEVE and LAY HOLD of AGAIN that which we have ALREADY been GIVEN and POSSES…as Individuals…and as one of the GREATEST NATIONS in POWER today.

Original Post of Apr 28, 2011 entitled, “A sIGnIfIcAnT dAtE hAs jUsT pAsSed US by wITh MoSt oF uS nOt reCaLlinG thE pRecisE sIgNiCaNcE, DaTe oR TiMe: 9:02 a.m. on 4-19-95. ReMeMbEr!”

To my new friend from New York…so u most likely remember 911 VERY WELL as I do April 19, 1995 at 9:02 a.m. I was there that tragic day…3 doors down in the Old Post Office Building working as a contractor for the US Bankruptcy Court…10+ buildings/parking garages collapsed as result of this horrendous terroristic act…My recent press release went out quite inadvertently on 4-19-11 and I finished my first photo essay at Channel 56 in Tyler on Easter Sunday Morning at 9:02 a.m.

We shall NEVER let your memories FADE or Diminish…the true victims go well beyond the 168 memorialized in Oklahoma City with 168 chairs and the pool of reflection…I am ashamed, but even I do not recall the exact number (or even year) of the lives that perished that fateful day on September 11th, but I do know the impact went well beyond the 1000′s that perished that day and the days that followed…

We MUST NEVER forget the sacrifice…not only of these, but of the MANY who have given their lives for OUR freedom…We MUST not continue in our complacency, ignorance, selfishness and ungratefulness…

Join me in PUSHING ourselves FORWARD…Embracing the Gifts INSIDE of us that NOBODY can “steal” except for US alone…Laying aside FEAR and FULLY EMBRACING COURAGE… just as these 1000′s and 1000′s have done, and the 100′s of 1000′s have done, are doing and ARE continuing to do ALL over the WORLD today…

America, we MUST remain the WORLD leader and POWER that we KNOW how to be and have done for a good part of 150 years…We MUST not be the bully we have become, but also not be tolerant of radicalism that infringes and cuts off the FREEDOM and LIVES that we HAVE. We CAN do this…we HAVE done this in years past, as well as do in SMALL degrees NOW…

Our GREATEST time to SHINE is NOW, America…But WE cannot change our COURSE unless the YOU”S rise up and make a CHOICE to shine NOW…So what are YOU going to do? Only YOU can decide and choose what YOU will do…So as Nike has stated, “JUST DO IT!”

www.dance4One.blogspot.com

CONNECTING ArT aNd BuSiNeSs ThRoUgH FAITH…

Dance4One is owned and operated by Dan Getz, an artist, author of several children's/special needs/language tutor/allegorical books, entrepreneur, and visionary that "sees" and promotes the FUSION and CULMINATION of the arts, dance and creativity WITH Business, through FAITH.

Tips 3 & 4 for Success...Be FLEXIBLE and If someone's already said it PERFECTLY, simply repost and give them (Sarah Palin) CREDIT

Even though I normally do not post anything on the weekends or holidays, I have chosen to be FLEXIBLE today and repost something from my FRIEND, Sarah Palin that I could not possibly say better myself...See you at the POLLS in 2012, Sarah...

Restoring the Good in America!
by Sarah Palin

http://www.sarahpac.com/


Posted on May 26, 2011

Our nation is at a critical turning point. As we look to the future, we are propelled by America's past. It's imperative that we connect with our founders, our patriots, our challenges and victories to clearly see our way forward. A good way to do this is to appreciate the significance of our nation's historic sites, patriotic events and diverse cultures, which we'll do in the coming weeks on our "One Nation" tour.

We'll celebrate the good things that bring Americans together; those things that will give us the needed strength to meet the heady challenges ahead. I’ve said many times that America doesn’t need a "fundamental transformation," instead we need a restoration of all that is good and strong and free in America! So, together let’s prepare ourselves for the days ahead by reminding ourselves who we are and what Americans stand for.

We'll celebrate the meaning of our nation's blueprints, our Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, which are the threads that weave our past into the fabric necessary for the survival of American exceptionalism. Our founders declared "we were born the heirs of freedom", and despite our difficulties and disagreements, we remain one nation under God in freedom, indivisible. Through visits to historical sites and patriotic events, we'll share the importance of America's foundation.

We encourage you to support the pro-America events we'll be privileged to participate in during these coming weeks. Discover the ties that bind Americans, our history, our traditions, and the exceptional nature of our country!

Follow the One Nation tour at www.SarahPAC.com
-Sarah Palin

Say More with Less AND Learn from Children...FIRST TWO TIPS OF SUCCESS...

Information Overload...OR...Mismanagement of Information...Who should be the "Judge"?

By Dan Getz/Dance4One 

Dallas, TX, May 26, 2011

If you are anything like me, I bet you have had a day, or long series of days where you have thought, or even muttered or exclaimed outloud at times, “If so and so even THINKS of putting ONE more piece of information, task or document in my ‘in basket’, I am not only going to scream, I am going to ‘blow his/her ‘freak’in’ head off’ (figuratively speaking…of course).  Or, have you ever possibly said or thought, “How in the world am I going to get through ALL these STUPID emails and/or Facebook messages and/or posts AND get ANYTHING accomplished today?”

Obviously, we’d ALL be lying if we said we hadn’t had at least ONE of those days, but have you also ever been on the other side of a situation like I have described above and noticed that even IF you had the PERFECT suggestion or method to give this “poor soul” (that YOU, of course can intimately identify, empathize and sympathize with), at the precise moment they are approaching “information overload”, that this normally reasonable and sensible person suddenly goes deaf, their brain seems to freeze, their vision becomes blurred, and the only visible sign of life is the color red quickly rising from the base of their neck to ultimately…and varying degrees of “fullness” engulf ALL or part of their face, while out of their mouth seems be coming a low and muffled  roar, accompanied with a number of dull and unintelligible grunts and growls?

In today’s highly technical and readily available Information Age, the sheer amount of information that we are expected to process, compared to as little as 10 to 20 years ago is truly astronomical.  I personally have observed, even the most sophisticated and successful men and women, and who are what I would term “Gizmo Savy” and what Scholars and Society have labeled as “Early Adapters”, do what I would call “freaking out” over something so trivial and simple.  Yet because of their “then current state-of-mind”, (which typically is preceded by “information overload” or more precisely PERCEIVED INFORMATION OVERLOAD) they cannot “hear”, understand or even seem to comprehend basic and logical reasoning and communication.  So how do we learn to adapt to this “new” level of expectation, without succumbing to the reality of being left behind, if we do not?

After crafting and refining multiple mission and/or vision statements for four of my recent start-up companies over the last several months, and admittedly failing multiple times in providing a clear, concise and precise message to my “audience” (WHICH it IS FAILURE no MATTER how good we THINK we are at communicating, IF our “audience” fails to receive or understand our message), I have recently noted not only SOME success, but what I believe to be the key elements of that success.

For starters, let me try to define the type of success I am talking about, as success can be measured monetarily or by multiple other forms and degrees of measurement.  To me, success is beginning to learn from our mistakes…that is learning at least a part of what caused the mistake, determining and taking the measures necessary to avoid making that mistake again, and then consistently getting better and more efficient at completing a certain task that the mistake previously hindered or prevented from being accomplished, now that the potential for that same mistake is either eliminated or significantly reduced.

So here’s the plan…(just to make WE are on the same page, a plan, according to MY definition, is a proposal,  that could be subject to change, as flexibility IS a KEY ELEMENT of SUCCESS)…Over the next couple days of posts to my BLOG (http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/), I would like to share just a few tips, or more appropriately described as a few things I THINK I have learned over the last several months about SUCCESS, and ATTEMPT to answer, in methodical steps, the QUESTION that is also the Title of this Article…But please remember…I, as you, am ever-adapting to an ever-changing “playing field”…and we MUST continue in this mindset, as minds set on TOO MUCH of the PAST, with little or no FLEXIBILITY or CREATIVITY will more often than not, result in ultimate FAILURE and DEMISE…

Dan Getz, owner and operator of Dance4One and More Green Consulting writes a DAILY BLOG covering economics, politics, religion and EVERY DAY LIFE at www.Dance4One.blogspot.com.

The Market Hears YOU, Verizon…Why can’t MetroPCS & SPRINT?

By Dan Getz/Dance4One,

Dallas, TX, May 25, 2011

I have to admit that it was refreshing to see today’s (May 24, 2011) headline on the front page of the Business Section of the Dallas Morning News that read, “Verizon exec: Let market decide”, and realize that SOME companies, despite what they have to gain or lose STILL have FAITH in the FREE ENTERPRISE system, and recognize that CREATIVITY and a bit of FAITH are the driving force behind COMPETITION that in turn spurs, encourages and grows BUSINESS.

In reference to AT&T’s proposed purchase of T-Mobile USA Inc. for $39 Billion, and quoting directly from Dallas Morning News Staff Writer Victor Godinez’s (vgodinez@dallasnews.com) article, “Verizon Communications Inc. Chief Technology Officer Tony Malone said in an interview last week that wireless industry consolidation is not a bad thing.  ‘We feel very strongly that market forces need to dictate this, and not artificial regulation,’ he said after a speech at a conference in Grapevine.”  Tony Malone went on to say, “Whether the right number [of wireless companies the market needs to remain competitive] is two or three or four, that can be debated, but this industry can operate effectively with fewer operators than we have today.”

If my BLOG POST at http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/ dated May 19, 2011 and entitled “Hello…Hello…Hello…Can You Hear me NOW, MetroPCS?” wasn’t enough of a “Wake Up Call” to “challenge you to NOT be satisfied with the status quo, and to not let the mindset of blaming others for your failure or perceived  inability to succeed cloud your VISION and HOPE for the future” (quoted from http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/ May 19, 2011 post), then the “Whether the right number [of wireless companies the market needs to remain competitive] is two or three or four, that can be debated, but this industry can operate effectively with fewer operators than we have today.” AND the COMPLETE OMISSION of ANY MENTION of MetroPCS in TODAY’s article, should Braxton Carter (MetroPCS CFO) and MetroPCS.

All of the above being said, I believe what caught my attention the most about this article that hi-lited Verizon’s COMPETIVE SPIRIT was  that while only 6 days ago the Wall Street Journal quoted MetroPCS CFO Braxton Carter as stating “Even without the merger, T-Mobile has lost their relevance in the middle tier.”, TODAY’S ARTICLE, , in the Dallas Morning News, not to mention Verizon’s Chief Technology Officer, Tony Malone, made NO MENTION of MetroPCS…not EVEN as being a part of the low, mid, high, or ANY tier…save possibly the mention of “fewer operators” when Tony Malone conceded that the telecommunications industry can remain competitive with as little as two to four wireless carriers.

In TODAY’s Marketplace, I believe ONLY the companies who are DEVOTED to Creativity, Ingenuity AND COMPETITION will be around TOMORROW.  I remind you again, MetroPCS of the PASSION and ZEAL and COMMITMENT to SUCCESS your current Chief Operating Officer, Tom Keys had while serving as the Vice President and General Manager of the Dallas Region.  As you know, THIS market, through TEAMWORK and the Contagiously Passionate Leadership of men like Tom Keys reached (and exceeded) 100,000 customers in just 80 days, and become EBITDA positive in record time for MetroPCS at that time.  I realize that market conditions have changed significantly since the launch of the Dallas, TX market in March, 2006, BUT I believe YOU, MetroPCS STILL has what it takes to be ONE of the TWO to FOUR wireless carriers alluded to by Verizon’s Malone.  The TWO questions that STILL remain to be answered, however, is “Do YOU?”, and more importantly, “Do Your Customers?”

Dan Getz, owner and operator of Dance4One and More Green Consulting writes a DAILY BLOG covering economics, politics, religion and EVERY DAY LIFE at http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/, and can also be found at http://www.dance4one.com/ and via Tweeting @Dance4One.

Which is worth more…A Penny for your Thoughts…OR…a Picture for a THOUSAND WORDS?

Which is worth more…A Penny for your Thoughts…OR…a Picture for a THOUSAND WORDS?

By Dan Getz, DAILY Blogger for

www.Dance4One.blogspot.com   

I recently discovered something I consider valuable while on a lunch break for one of the companies I do contract work for.  The purchase of a Dr. Pepper and a FREE cup of ice from the Cafeteria generates a total tab of $.55.  However, if the Dr. Pepper (or other varieties of soft drinks) are purchased from the automated machine inside the cafeteria (and I STILL get the FREE cup of ice from the cafeteria), my expenditure for this purchase drops $.05 (10%) to only $.50.

A 10% cost reduction is nothing to “sneeze” at, particularly in light of today’s weakened economy, but based on a tip I received recently from a potential investor friend of mine, the nickel savings COULD be worth a LOT more in as little as three years.  I was told that due to quickly diminishing supplies of the contents of now commonplace U.S. Nickels (primarily the element NICKEL), a Nickel COULD be worth as much as 20 TIMES (that is $1.00 for any of you non-mathematicians out there) it’s current value in as little as 3 YEARS…

On May 15, 2011 (8 days ago at the time of this writing) I made what to ME was a “startling truism”…After observing Johnny Depp’s FACEBOOK page (starting about a week BEFORE May 15^th) I noted the following: 1) Johnny’s FACEBOOK LIKES remained pretty much a CONSTANT at around 5.5 MILLION (no SMALL achievement even in TODAY’s “social media frenzy” 2) Posts by Johnny and ANYONE had become stale or non-existent 3) On 5-15-11, Johnny Depp FACEBOOK LIKES were 5,571,273 and at the time of the writing of this blog post (1:15 pm CST on May 23, 2011) his FACEBOOK LIKES are 5,660,972, an INCREASE in just EIGHT DAYS, and AFTER Dance4One BEGAN posting on his FACEBOOK page, of 89,699* (1.6%), with incremental increases of 20,000+ PER DAY noted on at least TWO days…

On Thursday May 19^th, I published an article entitled, “Hello, Hello, Hello…Can You Hear me NOW MetroPCS” which was a direct response, constructive criticism and challenge to MetroPCS’s CFO Braxton Carter’s comments the day before regarding AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile.  It would, of course, be pure speculation to state that this BLOG POST effected the stock market in ANY way, BUT, in spite of MOST companies experiencing significant drops in their stock market prices as of the close of business on Friday, May 20, 2011, the FOUR companies mentioned in this article AT&T’s experienced the following: MetroPCS’ stock price (PCS)dropped $.56; Cricket/LEAP’s stock price dropped $.70; stock price per share dropped only $.09; and T-Mobile’s stock price dropped $.30.

So, while YOU will have to be the judge of whether a “Penny for Your Thoughts” OR a “Picture that is worth a thousand words” (Please be sure to FIRST check out my DAILY BLOGS at www.Dance4One.blogspot.com AND the Dan Getz or Dance4One FACEBOOK PHOTO ALBUMS BEFORE making this assessment) is more valuable, there is a STRONG POSSIBILITY that INFORMATION impacts NUMBERS, either positively…or negatively…and whether the INFORMATION is TRUE or FALSE.

*At the time of this POSTING (7:38 AM CST on 5-24-11), Johnny Depp FACEBOOK LIKES were 5,670,676, an INCREASE of 99,403 since 5-15-11 (9 days ago)...It ALSO should be noted that there was NO ACTIVITY (i.e. POSTINGS) on Johnny Depp's site by Dance4One between the writing of this article and THIS posting on the DAILY BLOG (an INCREASE of nearly 10,000 in about 18 1/2 hours) at http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE...An Introduction to my FRIEND...Albert Cheng

Two VERY inspirational people have influenced me and challenged me to SEE certain people in a different light…those people that are most times overlooked, seem “ordinary”, or more often than not, are seen as someone that is NOT like the rest of Society, and therefore often judged as being LESS than what “everybody” thinks they should be.  These two people are Jason Upton and the late Mother Theresa.

Jason Upton is what I would term a “Modern Day Psalmist” who writes, plays and sings beautiful melodies as well as preaches and teaches.  He also actually produced an Album and wrote a Song entitled “Beautiful People” (http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-People/dp/B00138H6WS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1306150705&sr=1-9that) that not only hi-lights, but pays tribute to the type of person I have described above.

Of course everyone should know of Mother Theresa and how her overwhelming compassion and love for the rejected, the sick and the dying…the BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE literally changed the World.  It was through this…HER philosophy (which mirrored that of Jesus) of “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” that she “taught” the WORLD how to not only recognize truly BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE”, but how to encourage these BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE to recognize their own WORTH and VALUE by SHOWING, and thus DEMONSTRATRING to them the love of Jesus.

Throughout my life I have  been blessed to encounter MANY such  BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, and wish to talk about one such individual.  His name is Albert Cheng.  If you were to meet Albert in person the FIRST thing you might notice is that he is…well… quite ordinary…LOOKING…except for the HUGE smile that is almost always across his ENTIRE face.  What you would NOT notice if you were merely passing him by is how UNUSUAL it is for a man that has endured the pain and torture and nightmarish REALITY this man has endured to STILL be smiling…and not only JUST smiling, but SMILING SO BIG…

You see, Albert about 32 years ago made a daring and unbelievable escape from the Killing Fields of Cambodia, and lived to tell about it.  In a rare moment, and with tears of pain in his eyes, I have heard him tell of a time when 22 men approached the border separating Cambodia from Thailand…with THREE different factions and armies (the Freedom Fighters, the Thai soldiers and the Khmer Rouge) ALL shooting at EACHOTHER and these men… and thus creating a barrage of cross-fire…with a vast amount of buried landmines in-between...and ONLY two men…EACH running in a different direction once they reached “safety” via a Red Cross vehicle for one, and a UN vehicle for another…and without EITHER to this DAY ever seeing one another again…SURIVING.  One of those TWO men IS my FRIEND, Albert.

To REALLY understand WHY Albert is smiling TODAY and what REALLY sets him not only in a class of his own, but MAKES him a BEAUTIFUL PERSON, you must not only FIRST read his book, “Grace will Lead Me Home” (http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Will-Lead-Me-Home/dp/0982270631/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306150809&sr=1-3), told by both himself and author Del Hayes and available at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Will-Lead-Me-Home/dp/0982270631/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306150809&sr=1-3), but you must SECONDLY spend even a short while WITH him, and you will SOON know TOO.

Dan Getz, blogger for Dance4One writes a DAILY BLOG at http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/ on topics covering Economics, Politics, Religion and EVERY DAY LIFE.  This article is the first of what he plans to be many in his “BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE” series.  To learn more about Dan, Dance4One or any of the other companies he owns and operates, you can also visit http://www.dance4one.com/ , Tweet @Dance4One or send an email to dangetz1213@yahoo.com requesting more information.

Hello, Hello, Hello…Can You Hear Me Now MetroPCS?

Hello, Hello, Hello…Can You Hear Me Now MetroPCS??

By Dan Getz/Dance4One,

Dallas, TX, May 19, 2011

Why is it that some companies, while amazingly innovative and creative during their formative years, so often lose momentum and/or end up failing miserably as they “mature”?  Why is it that the rapid growth of a start up company or new concept often ends up in an uncontrollable tailspin that all-too-often leaves their employees, investors, customers and sometimes the bankruptcy courts scratching their heads?

While I believe I could use plenty of data and insight based on my last 5 years of employment as a former Sr. Finance Analyst for MetroPCS, I think I can tell a MUCH more compelling story as a former CUSTOMER of MetroPCS, who switched to T Mobile 5 or 6 months ago…

Braxton Carter (CFO, MetroPCS), while I have had the pleasure of having lunch with you about a year ago, and sincerely respect you as a person and superior leader of one of the fastest growing telecommunications companies in the United States, I have to respectfully disagree with your comments published in the Dallas Morning News Business Section today, May 19, 2011 (via The Wall Street Journal) that were a response to the proposed acquisition by AT & T of T Mobile.  To me, it quite honestly sounds like you are preempting MetroPCS’s possible failure or inability to compete in the market place with excuses.

In the nine months I specifically worked within YOUR organization at the corporate level, my reputation preceded me as a “no nonsense, say it like it is” type of guy who didn’t pull any punches.  However, during that time, I also think it became VERY apparent to most that I ALSO explored EVERY avenue possible, short of direct confrontation, to resolve a known or unknown issue.  So I preface this next section by saying I tenaciously attempted to resolve my issues as a Customer of MetroPCS’, through every “avenue” imaginable within and outside of Customer Service at MetroPCS before ultimately being fed up with the run-around, rudeness, incompetence, and miscommunication I experienced at MetroPCS, before turning to T Mobile for my POST PAID/NO CONTRACT Wireless Service in November or December of last year while conducting business and en route to Oklahoma City and Kansas City.

So Braxton (everyone at MetroPCS called you that, so I figure we’re still on a first name basis), I challenge you Individually, and as the Representative of an Organization to thoroughly investigate the significant coverage, hand-off, 411, 611 and Customer Service issues I have and I am certain others have experienced, or are experiencing.  I challenge you, Braxton to REMEMBER and ADEQUATELY replicate the SUCCESS of Tom Keys (current COO of MetroPCS, and former VP and General Manager of the Dallas Regional Office) and the Dallas market.  I challenge you to NOT be satisfied with the status quo, and to not let the mindset of blaming others for your failure or perceived  inability to succeed cloud your VISION and HOPE for the future.  I challenge you to NOT criticize and judge another (i.e. T Mobile) as losing their “relevance in the middle tier” when I believe you or MetroPCS would be hard-pressed to claim you (MetroPCS) have not lost your own relevance and edge in the market place. 

I realize Sprint has been even “louder” in voicing their displeasure over this proposed purchase, and, although I cannot speak to any experience I have had with this company, I would still challenge you (Sprint) to ALSO awaken and stir up the creativity, innovation and “outside of-the box” thinking I’m certain was present within your organization at one time, and probably still is SOMEWHERE, rather than pointing the finger at another…COMPETITOR.

In today’s economic climate, the old adage of “Survival of the Fittest” could not be more true…

Dan Getz, owner and operator of Dance4One and More Green Consulting writes a DAILY BLOG covering economics, politics, religion and EVERY DAY LIFE at www.Dance4One.blogspot.com.

Have it YOUR way at McDonalds...THEN and NOW...

Have it YOUR way…at McDonalds…

Sometimes a story is so good, it often becomes so part of our culture or society, we hardly even notice…or perhaps even know or realize the significance of the WHOLE story.  The story of brothers Richard James “Dick” McDonald and Maurice James “Mac” McDonald I believe is one such story…

Wikipedia reports the story of McDonald’s Corporation’s humble beginnings, yet amazingly innovative concept this way…

”Richard James "Dick" McDonald (February 16, 1909 – July 14, 1998) and his brother, Maurice James "Mac" McDonald (November 26, 1902 – December 11, 1971) were early American fast food pioneers, who established the first McDonald's restaurant at 14th and E street in San Bernardino, California in 1940.  They introduced the "Speedee Service System" in 1948.

Originally from Manchester, New Hampshire, the McDonald brothers began franchising their restaurant chain in 1953, beginning in Phoenix, Arizona with Neil Fox.  At first, they only franchised the system, rather than the name and atmosphere of their restaurant. It has been said that when Richard went to check on Fox, he was shocked to see an exact replica of his San Bernardino store, right down to the name "McDonald's". When he asked Fox why he had kept the same design and name, rather than calling the restaurant "Fox's," Fox said "Why change it? It's great as it is".  From then on, the brothers started franchising the entire concept.

In 1954, Ray Kroc, who was a milkshake machine salesman at the time, became inspired by the evident financial success of the brothers' concept, immediately grasping the restaurants' enormous potential. He partnered with the brothers, and within a few years turned their small idea into the huge franchise that would become the McDonald's Corporation.  The franchiser took only 1.9 percent of the gross sales, of which the McDonald brothers got 0.5 percent.

Kroc became frustrated with the brothers' desire to maintain only a small number of restaurants. In 1961, he purchased the company from the brothers for $2.7 million.

The agreement was a handshake agreement between the parties. Kroc insisted on a verbal agreement due to his desire to keep the full royalty price from the investors he had lined up to capitalize on his purchase.

Although Kroc turned McDonald's into a global giant, its guiding principles remained largely unchanged from those the McDonald brothers had developed in 1948."

I have to admit that even I had not dined at a McDonald’s restaurant for quite some time until TODAY when I was VERY pleasantly surprised and delighted after realizing my decision to purchase an Angus Mushroom and Swiss 1/3 pounder combo meal was PURE GENIOUS.  And quite amazingly, my child-like wonderment did not end there either.  As I began to take in the innovative array of desert displays (which effectively lured me to inquire about, and later INDULGE in an extremely delicious Frozen Strawberry Lemonade McCafe, of which FREE SAMPLES are offered EVERY FRIDAY currently), the amazingly FAST and FREE Wi-Fi, the KidZpace Interactive “Game Zone”,  and the clean, spacious and very well designed environment, I realized this was a company that had made a decision some time ago to Hold On to what was important…Old Fashion Ingenuity, Hard-Work and Excellent Customer Service ....let SOME of the Old and Outdated Looks, Taste and Feel GO and embrace the NEW Demands, Needs and Preferences of Our Society, while strategically and simultaneously avoiding the alienation of one type of customer while attracting quite another…like me, for example. 

It is my opinion that it is ONLY this type of company…this type of individual…that will Ultimately Survive…One that is willing to NEVER forget the principles, innovation and hard work OUR GREAT NATION was founded and built upon while being extremely proactive, diligent and insistant upon finding NEW, EFFECTIVE and MORE EFFICIENT ways to do things AND being ever mindful to NEVER get “stuck” in a rut, or MIND SET which blocks, stifles or destroys Creativity, Innovation or Growth…Because when this happens…DEATH soon follows…and we certainly do not Need or Want any more DEAD GIANTS…’cause not only do DEAD GIANTS lead to Canibalism, but also lead to a strong sense of insecurity, instability, and FEAR, which generally leads to to overall chaos, and completely irrational behavior.
Thank you McDonalds for making my day, and not only allowing me to have it MY way, but CHOOSING to REMAIN a Friendly Giant who has stoically, admirably and consistently demonstrated stability, passion, and innovation, not just “Yesterday”…but “TODAY”…

Dan Getz is a Blogger and Owner and Operator of Dance4One and More Green Consulting, both firms being committed to ACTIVELY CONNECTING Art and Creativity to Business through Faith.  The Daily Blog at http://www.dance4one.blogspot.com/ focus’ on Econmoics, Politics, Relgion, Society and Every Day Life.

"Johnny" By Dan Getz, Age 15; Put to Music and Copyrighted in 1984 by Pastor Aaron Johnson and Published by Janice Goodman when I was 16 or 17…

Johnny

As a boy, Johnny remembers a time,

When he was led astray by a mere little dime.

The store clerk gave dad an extra ten cents;

Why he didn’t give it back just didn’t make sense.

Johnny was watching, unbeknownst to Father,

Dad thought, “Why give it back?  It’s just a bother.”

Johnny learned that day from Father’s action,

That it’s okay to bend the rules… if just by a fraction.

The next time involved mother and the telephone.

She always said to tell the truth… a lie she would never condone;

But that day was different – Miss Smith was on the phone;

Mom wanted Johnny to tell her she was not at home.

Miss Smith always talked so very long.

Mother didn’t think what she’d done was wrong;

But that day Johnny learned that it’s okay to lie.

It still seemed wrong; but he didn’t know why.

As Johnny got older through the years,

He paid close attention to a few of his peers;

One in particular was Johnny’s best friend,

He thought he was one on whom he could depend.

But that day in school they were taking a test;

And Johnny’s friend looked on his paper rather than guess.

Johnny was ready to go and tell;

But his friend convinced him that it was best not to fail.

When Johnny got older, he silently watched the people in power,

But his country was in trouble…at a critical hour.

He soon found out that even they,

Said things that seemed wrong were perfectly okay.

They said it was okay to kill an unborn baby.

The choice was the woman’s…to be or not to be.

Johnny felt this was wrong deep down in his heart,

But so many people were taking part.

As Johnny was being executed for murder and robbery,

He asked himself, “Why am I the one who must pay the penalty?”

They’re the ones who taught me to steal, kill, cheat and lie…

And now I’m the one they say must die?”

The point to be made is easy to see…

What people SEE in YOU, they may someday BE.

So always be careful of what you DO,

‘Cause a “Johnny” could be watching YOU!

By Dan Getz, Age 15; Put to Music and Copyrighted in 1984 by Pastor Aaron Johnson and Published by Janice Goodman when I was 16 or 17…

Dan Getz is not only a Blogger and Owner/Operator of Dance4One whose vision is to Connect Art and Business through Faith, but also is Owner/Operator of More Green Consulting, a Consulting Firm committed to not only Pinpointing and Eliminating Deficiencies but ALSO Finding and Implementing Strategies  to Add or Greatly Improve Efficiency  from a Cash and Process Flow Standpoint.  Visit www.Dance4One.blogspot or http://www.dance4one.com/ TODAY to see how MG Consulting can HELP you and YOUR company.