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This Company Will Help Job Seekers Erase Unseemly Facebook Photos

By the time this year’s college graduates grab their diplomas, they’ll likely have heard countless warnings about what not to post on social media.

But in case they never listened — and are only just starting to grasp what four years of keg stands and solo cups might do to their employment prospects — Social Sweepster wants to help. The service goes through Facebook and Twitter accounts to find photos and posts that might make hiring managers think twice, the New York Times reports.

I've often thought about how fortunate I was to have made it out of college before the internet age. Heck, I do enough stupid stuff now, at an age when I should know better. If there were a permanent record from Jay: The College Years? I shudder to think... (Actually, not really; there would be a whole bunch of pictures of me with a mullet chain-smoking Camel cigarettes and a handful of me ingesting cheap alcohol. But still...) Yes, today's kids have grown up with the internet, smartphones, and social media - consider that someone that graduated college last month was born in 1992, two years after the first pages were posted to the "world wide web."

Cell phones with cameras have always been a part of these kids' lives - the first cell phone with integral camera was introduced in 2000, when these kids were still in elementary school. Facebook would be invented before these kids became teenagers. Even the venerable iPhone hit the market when they were in middle school. The college class of 2014 has, for all intents and purposes, always had this technology around.

Just trying telling a college kid that they need to be careful, though. I'm sure these kids were thoroughly warned about social media. I'd be surprised if there wasn't some form of instruction at the high school and college levels about "the internet is forever" and all (someone should tell that to Obama's IRS...). I'm sure their parents warned them about social media and being careful about what's posted. But we all do dumb things, and some of us are lucky that there wasn't Instagram around at the time...

It is absolutely natural that someone should step in and provide this sort of service. This is exactly the kind of thing that, had it not existed, someone would have had to create. It's the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that makes this country great - the only way this could be better is if the founder of Social Sweepster had missed out on a job because of something a potential employer found on Facebook...

'MURICA! Because when it comes to covering our tracks, we're #1!

That is all.

What Did I Say?

'Bomber' cover issue could be boon for Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone may end up proving that there's no such thing as bad publicity.

The magazine likely won't be hurt by the social media firestorm and subsequent boycott over putting one of the alleged Boston bombers on the front cover. On the contrary, it could even see a boost, experts said on Thursday.

Gee, didn't some silly cracker say just that yesterday? I should go buy a lottery ticket... Every single one of you that got all worked up about this cover? Yeah, you're part of the problem. Rolling Stone just played y'all like a finely tuned instrument. Your outrage fueled their ad campaign. That includes our illustrious mayor Mumbles...
Best to ignore crap like this, seriously.

That is all.

So, How's That Economy Doing? Oh, Look, GUN CONTROL...

Hmm. Brad_in_MA sends in this story:

Boston Scientific to Cut 1,000 Jobs in Restructuring

Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX), the second- biggest maker of heart devices, plans to cut as many as 1,000 jobs in an expansion of its restructuring program that will save an additional $100 million to $115 million a year.

Boston Scientific said it will combine attrition and headcount reductions in the new phase of the cost-cutting program, first introduced in 2011. The targeted jobs equal about 4 percent of the Natick, Massachusetts-based company workforce. Boston Scientific also posted fourth-quarter sales of $1.82 billion, beating analysts’ estimates.

And this is a company that is doing comparatively well, mind you. Boston Scientific has posted gains this year, with 2012 being their best year in four years. So why are they laying off a thousand people?

The savings will be used to pay the 2.3 percent medical device excise tax, or $75 million a year for Boston Scientific, that was implemented for President Barack Obama’s overhaul of the health-care system.

Got that? They're laying people off, not hiring replacements, etc. - even though they're doing pretty well - because of the new taxes levied as a result of ObamaCare. 1,000 people out of work - but health care is "free" now.

It's no wonder they'd rather grandstand about gun control and skeet shooting.

There was also this story that dovetailed nicely:

Retailers That Will Close the Most Stores

It is the time of year again, when America’s largest retailers release those critical holiday season figures and disclose their annual sales. A review of these numbers tells us a great deal about how most of the companies will do in the upcoming year. And while successful retailers in 2012 may add stores this year, those that have performed very poorly may have to cut locations during 2013 to improve margins or reverse losses.

For many retailers, the sales situation is so bad that it is not a question of whether they will cut stores, but when and how many. Most recently, Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) decided it had too many stores to maintain profits. Its CEO recently said he plans to close as many as a third of the company’s locations.

Now, granted, a good deal of this is just the changing nature of doing business - the five businesses closing stores are all in areas where online shopping has made great inroads - business supplies, books, general merchandise, and electronics. Many of these retailers have a significant online presence, and it makes strong business sense to close down locations that require upkeep, taxes, etc. if the geographical area doesn't bring in enough profit.

With Amazon offering free shipping on a good number of items - and even in cases where it's not free, it's much cheaper than driving to a store with gas at $3.50 a gallon - I find I turn to Amazon for just about everything that's not perishable these days. Christmas shopping, birthday presents, even reloading and cleaning supplies - you name it, you can find it on Amazon. Delivery is fast - I ordered a new wireless keyboard for the iPad on Saturday, it showed up yesterday - and in many cases, as long as you know what you're looking for, prices are very comparable to what you'll find in-store.

In tough times, folks are looking to save money wherever they can - whether that means ordering online to save from driving to the mall, or a brick-and-mortar store closing retail locations. Businesses are adapting to this new paradigm of doing business - or they are going under. With rising costs, stagnant salaries, and discretionary income getting squeezed from rising fuel, food, and clothing costs, folks need to save every penny. Retailers continue to feel the pinch, and as a result, more jobs are lost, continuing the cycle.

But by all means, continue to yammer on about "weapons of war" and "high capacity bullet clips"...

That is all.

Flipping The Bird...

Okay, now this is downright ridiculous...

New York village officials fret Dunkin’ drive-thru will make eagles sore

Bald eagles apparently don't run on Dunkin’, according to opponents of a gas station owner's plan to add the doughnut chain's service in a bid to boost business.

Kenny Elmes, owner of the Elmesco Citgo in Cold Spring, N.Y., says he's dealt with one obstacle after another from his local planning board over his goal of replacing the station's repair garage with a Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru.

The eagles, mind you, are miles away - and experts have testified that this business is no threat to them.The town has been granted discretion to approve or deny permits, and the Chairman of the Planning Board - who won't give interviews - is the one holding up the permit. They've been jerking the gas station owner around for months, and the eagle issue only came up recently.

So what's going on? I think it can be summed up here:

"I physically cannot keep working," Elmes said. "Converting to the this will help keep me in business. If I can't, I'll have to sell the place."

Emphasis mine. $50 says that's the intent from the get-go. I wonder if Chairman Barbaro - or one of his friends or "associates" - has a business in the immediate vicinity that would benefit from expansion? Either that or there's a personal beef between Barbaro and Elmes, always a possibility.

Much like phony cries of racism or sexism, this sort of environmental shenanigans hurts everyone. Legitimate cases will be viewed with a jaundiced eye after such an egregious abuse. Petty tyrants on other Planning Boards will be emboldened to act in a similar manner - and to use the bald eagle and other endangered animals to run their opponents out of business.

In this case, it's hard to imagine that a repair shop would have less of an environmental impact than a coffee shop drive thru. It defies credibility that nesting birds miles away are going to be affected by a Dunks attached to a gas station. It's far more likely that either a personal beef or plans are behind the stonewalling, with a thin green veneer to cover the skulduggery.

I hope Mr. Elmes gets his donut shop - and the petty town dictators get voted out in the next election.

That is all.

Another dispatch from...

(image courtesy of Robb Allen)

It Is A Sad Day In The G. Household...

Report: Friendly’s Ready To File For Bankruptcy

BOSTON (CBS) – A popular local fast food restaurant chain is reportedly ready to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Friendly’s ice cream of Wilbraham is in talks with Wells Fargo bank for about $70 million in financing that would keep the chain of 500 restaurants operating during its bankruptcy.

This is TheBoy and BabyGirl G.'s favorite restaurant; I suspect it's because the kids' meals always come with ice cream. They also advertise heavily during kids programming; understandable, given that I don't think anyone over the age of 30 eats there voluntarily (note: this changes back once one hits the retiree years; I think it's because Friendly's offers an earlybird special dinner starting at 4 PM...)

We've certainly given them enough money over the past 10 years to keep them in business; it's sad to hear that they're facing bankruptcy, but it's not unexpected. They started business in Springfield MA; the carefully manicured bushes arranged to spell "Friendly's" greet one heading west on the MA Pike - we see it every time we go to Six Flags. Over my lifetime (and they've been in business since before my parents were born) I've watched a good half dozen local restaurants close - it's clear they weren't keeping pace with the times.

Hopefully they'll be able to pull out of this economic tailspin and resurrect the company. They offer inexpensive family dining and year-round ice cream, somewhat of a rarity here in New England where most ice cream shops are shuttered from October to May. One of our family rituals has been Saturday morning breakfast at Friendly's when Mrs. G. has to work the overnight shift - it gets the kids out of the house while she's trying to get to sleep.

Guess we won't be hearing that annoying "I wanna go to Friendleeeeeee's" jingle much longer...

That is all.

Payin' the Bills...

Folks, I'd like to draw your attention to a new feature here at MArooned. If you'll look over at the right sidebar, right under the "About Me" section, you'll see a new section called "Jay Pays the Bills". Yes, I've decided to embrace my inner capitalist and start taking advertisements here on the blog, and the very first one is for Sportsman's Guide, reproduced here in its entirety to call special attention to the first ad ever here at MArooned:

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Find the best quality Hunting Tree Stand at SportsmansGuide.com

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Do me a favor and go take a look at what they've got to offer. We believe in patronizing our sponsors here at MArooned. If anyone else out there would like to discuss advertising with me, I can be reached via the e-mail in my Profile.

It's about time the guy in sales got around to selling out...

That is all.