Ron Hatton’s blog

The Information Age

nobody@vox.com(Ron Hatton) — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:06:29 -0700

This era has been dubbed "The Information Age", and nothing could be closer to "The Truth".

From all levels of society, information is gathered, sorted, packaged, and delivered in any of a multitude of methods. All of it is being transferred to digital format and passed around the world at the speed of thought. From compiler to recipient, data transfer happens so fast it is way beyond the capacity of this man to comprehend.

When I first entered this "Information Age" I was 36 years old, when a gentle old woman bought me a computer. It seems she had heard about me and my efforts to make this planet a better place and wanted to help. In particular, she wanted me to finish getting our my newspaper, 'The Bisbee Lighthouse and Good Things Gazette".

Our local paper (as is the case in every community) was rife with the bad news, the good toned articles conspicuous in their absence. She knew-as did I-there were good things happening, but where was the attention these events so richly deserved?

My paper lasted for exactly 3 issues before folding. My "Advertisers" chose not to pay, so I couldn't afford to print it.

But those three issues went all the way around the world! I got letters back from people as far away as South Africa and Japan telling me how much they enjoyed reading it. One even sent five dollars-what a blessing that was!

You see, I had lost everything I owned and was rebuilding my life from the bottom up. That five bucks fed me for a day when I couldn't find work, when the businesses and community I supported couldn't find a way to support me.

That doesn't make them bad people, mind you! Just poor timing on my part I guess. Or perfect timing, as I reflect on it.

Now, I'm 12 years older, and quite a bit more ensconced in this age of digital data.

Now, all my personal information is zipping around cyber space, going places I'll never see and to people I'd rather not know. An exchange I wish I could control, but can't.

Tell me this: with all our information running around out there to people we don't know, being used for purposes over which we have little or no influence, does that make you feel as impotent as it does me?

I just want my wrap-around porch, my little mountain top in Montana or Colorado on the Eastern slopes of the Rockies. My wife sitting by my side, sipping tea and remembering when...

Ron Hatton
May 26th 2008
www.ArmadilloDollar.com

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Acting Locally, Changing Globally

nobody@vox.com(Ron Hatton) — Sun, 25 May 2008 06:07:42 -0700

It's really interesting, this movement to "Going Local".

Not really surprising, given the (intentional) escalation of our fuel costs, but the movement started some time ago. No one can really say for sure how long it's been growing, but growing, it has been.

From the Mom and Pop water store to the 5 and Dimes, we see these stores come and go every year. Those with the best business savvy make their marks forever in their communities-those without, well, they learn some hard lessons and usually they pick up the pieces and do it all over again.

We call them "Entrepreneurs" and they come in every shape and size. The latest gaining in momentum are the farmers. Those supporting them, called "Locavores".

Of course, one of my greatest goals (or at least a piece of it) is having my own garden. It's an adventure for me to just think about it. A small plot of land, carefully tilled and cultivated. Singular rows passing across a rolling hill just below my wrap-around porch. Clouds above the landscape promising to bring the life-giving substance we call rain.

The smell of horse manure wafting on the breeze actually CAN be comforting!

It's an expression of independence, my garden. It is so much a part of my life, I may even give it a name. What do I call it? What name could do justice to something so special?

I suppose I'll wait a while and its name will come to me. Like my wrap-around porch will, in time.

These locavores, they're the ones that buy the locally produced foodstuffs. The range is figured at 250 miles, by the way. Has to be closer than that to be considered "Local". I'd cut that back a bit if I were part of the Bureau of Weights and Standards, but if it helps a family farmer or a vintner out, go for it!

They are 'Earthy Entrepreneurs', to say the least. Counting on the good earth and the palates of strangers to support their families, they somehow eke a living off the land. They change the world by changing one life at a time. For me, I want to change the world too, but I want to do it quick!

That's what's happening with The Armadillo Dollar. One by one, people are beginning to realize that their lives can be better if they do little things, one at a time. Whether it be eating food that comes from a local source (not countries that may or may not care about us) or putting a little shield around their bank cards, when they make these changes, they feel better.

And isn't that what we're supposed to be doing? Feeling better one little bit at a time?

For me, I'm going to get back to work, inviting people to visit our website and learn about what they can do to feel a little more secure living in this all-too-insecure world one small bite at a time. In the end, I intend to invite you all to my first harvest.

I plan on needing the extra hands!

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Getting Started on a Life of Crime

nobody@vox.com(Ron Hatton) — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:53:17 -0700

I can't say I've been a victim of modern Identity Theft. You know, stealing my personal information and building credit accounts, leavng me to pick up the pieces.
I can tell you I was walking down a street in Gatlinburg Tennessee when I was stopped by the local police. After running a check on me, they discovered that I was simultaneously racking up a long string of DUI's all across Texas AND being reported as a child molester in the Pacific Northwest!
I had been both places, but it was kind of impossible for me to be BOTH of those places AND be walking down the street in Gatlinburg!
Believe you me, that was an interesting encounter (to say the least!).
Since founding with ArmadilloDollar.com I have heard some good ones!
An 87 year young woman was hit for over $5,000. After five years and untold suffering, she still had not received her refund from the credit agency.
Another, a mother, reported her daughter had been hit for a like amount on her first credit card.
the interesting similarity is that NEITHER of these ladies had EVER USED THEIR CARDS! The elderly woman (God bless her soul) had never even removed it from the envelope it was delivered in.
Here, as the founder of the group, all I want is for you guys to share what your experiences have been like with this.
1) Have you been a victim?
2) Do you know a victim?
3) What's it feel like?
4) What had you done to prevent it?
5) What do you recommend to others?
Anyway, that's what this is about. Feel free to ramble, although you might keep in mind our ever-decreasing attention span! Be descriptive, be polite, be informative.
My heartiest recommendation is you learn about what's at risk. I refer you to my identity theft checklist and resource page at www.ArmadilloDollar.com. There's as good a starting point as any.

I'll say God bless you on this beautiful day wherever you are and remember: Whatever you can dream, you can do!

Ron Hatton
ArmadilloDollar.com

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Identity Theft Goes Wireless

nobody@vox.com(Ron Hatton) — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:55:17 -0700

There's a new wave of theft sweeping this nation and the world. You could be the next victim, just riding in an elevator or walking your child to school. Walk through a mall or drive down the road and lose all your money.

Now, we all know (or should!) about the risks of shoulder surfing at the checkout line or at the ATM's. Any time we take our cards out of our wallets there is a risk of our data being captured. At those times we look over our shoulders and check for changes in the equipment. Anything suspicious and the smart shopper walks away.

But what about where your cards live?

What if it were possible to capture your banking information while the cards were safely (ahem!) ensconced in your purse or pocket? What if someone could use something like, oh, let's say a blackberry or PDA as you walk or drive around, and read your cards using radio frequency technology?

The Truth is that in addition to all the other places thieves can get our information, using it to fund their nefarious activities, this is exactly the case.

Watch this video from YouTube:

KGUN Investigates The Armadillo Dollar

If this has caught your attention, good! Now you can count yourself among the one in 100,000 people who know about this type of theft. You have one responsibility-if you have people in your life you care about- help them become informed. Tell them about their risks so they can do something to protect themselves.

Go to www.ArmadilloDollar.com. This site is cram-packed full of helpful information. They also sell a product that is vetted by various news agencies as a "Firewall For Your Wallet".

I know for a fact there is none better in the world.

I've tested them.

Ron Hatton
ArmadilloDollar.com

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