Anything you can do, I can do meta.

On November 4, 2010 I posted some thoughts about internet marketing.

Today, the following comment appeared. At first blush, I thought it was a valid contribution to the discussion. Until I got to the last sentence.

---

(Anonymous) wrote:
Nov. 6th, 2010 06:22 am (local)
Internet Marketing: Implosion imminent
Great post, I especially found it useful where you stated... Advertising has now become frightfully expensive, and for the most part has become damned ineffective. It's a paradox, too, because the world effectively thrives on sales of some sort or other, be it products or services - and sales can't happen if your prospective market doesn't know you exist. And the other side of the coin is that almost everyone hates advertising, and has since the first caveman chipped "Og's Fresh Meats" in the rock outside his dwelling.

Internet marketing is not overly complicated but it is also not a process in which anyone can excel without making attempts to learn more about the subject.

Business owners who do not know a great deal about Internet marketing but who wish to implement Internet marketing into their overall marketing strategy should carefully study the basic principles of Internet marketing before launching their online marketing campaign. Discover the secrets to building your very own successful online business, this is all revealed at [obnoxious spam link deleted].

---

I visited this drone's link, just to see who he was. He's promoting Armand Morin's internet marketing strategy, for a measly £67. At the top of his page I found this screaming from the banner:

"How Does An Ex-Vacuum Cleaner Salesman Struggling With The Bills And Rising Costs Of Everything Go From Dead-Broke To In Excess Of $1,000,000/Month In Just 4 Years?"

The answer, of course, is to be an amoral, scummy, spamming, dishonest, misleading, festering, steaming pile of camel ejecta.

Just for yucks, I Googled "Armand Morin Scam". The first 9 results were deceptive e-zine articles or blog posts touting the effectiveness of this scam, doubtless written by those hoping to cash in on the desperation of people trying to make extra money during these difficult times. All links, of course, have been expunged.

Armand Morin Review - Legit or Scam?
Apr 29, 2009 ... Armand Morin is an entrepreneur that is mostly known for his work in producing software solutions for Internet marketers.

Making A Living Online With Armand Morin
Apr 8, 2008 ... Armand Morin the Internet Marketing Genius has FIRED ALL OF HIS ... armand morin - internet marketing expla... armand morin fraud; More. ...

Armand Morin Reviews - Is Armand Morin a Scam?
May 14, 2010 ... Armand Morin is known for putting together internet marketing products that allow budding entrepreneurs off all technology backgrounds to ...

Armand Morin Scam or Internet Genius?
Jul 31, 2010 ... Armand Morin Scam or Internet Genius?. Here is the obvious truth about the so called Armand Morin Scam…It's simple, obvious and it's one of ...

Armand Morin Scam
Arman Morin is not scam and does training persuasion.

What is a Scam - Armand Morin Scam
Arman Morin is not scam and does training persuasion.

Armand Morin Scam or Best Value on the Internet?
Aug 1, 2010 ... The Armand Morin Scam is a myth; it doesn't exist. Quite honestly, Armand Morin is tired of the perpetuating lie that being successful on ...

Is Internet Marketing Explained A Scam?
Jan 18, 2008 ... I just got an email from a customer asking me whether Armand Morin's new Internet Marketing Explained is a scam… at first I had a bit of a ...

Armand Morin - Who Is Armand Morin?
Armand Morin's profile will reveal more of who is he and what you need to know ... His products are not a scam but legitimate work intended to improve the ...

Countless people looking for work or opportunities have absolutely no defense against such shenanegans. These are the ones who believe anything they read, see or hear without question, the kind who still send out the "Good Times" virus warning (debunked in 1996), or the Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe story. And there are so many of them out there that it might just be possible for someone to make a million a month scamming others, selling smoke and mirrors, and delivering nothing but heartache and broken dreams.

But what goes around comes around, and the universe will repay.



On the gripping hand, Stan could have done nothing better to prove my thesis about the problems inherent in internet marketing.

The Post Office is Going to Die

This is not a threat - Federal Agents take note - but merely a prediction. As long as they continue raising rates and cutting services, there is no way this government entity can continue to exist.

When we moved into our new neighborhood, I noticed with disgust that we were the victims of the "central point delivery" scam, where our mailbox is clustered with about 80 others at the entrance to our subdivision. No more door-to-door delivery or pickup.

Today I went to the post office to mail a package. Signs said "Last collection time 2:00." Great - except there's no collection bin large enough to accept a medium-size flat-rate box. So I waited at the mailboxes outside until 2:20, hoping to catch the carrier as (s)he came for the collection. And nobody came.

The USPS may be an independent, self-sustaining agency, but they are still receiving subsidies from the Treasury to cover their deficits - and that means my tax dollars. And every year that goes by, I get a stronger and stronger feeling that I'm getting ripped off.


Bah.

For all my teacher friends

This probably never actually happened - but I agree with the sentiment 300%!

---

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:

"Let me see if I've got this right:

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behaviour, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.

You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.

You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.

You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behaviour, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.

You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.

You want me to do all this and then you tell me...

I CAN'T PRAY!"

---

If you can read this, thank a teacher. Heaven knows the school districts won't.


Image ©Jan Brett