Articles written by Mugurel Stejar

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About me - Mugurel Stejar

I am a common Joe who really believes in Freedom, Democracy and Equality. Thirty some years ago I decided that living behind the Iron Curtain was not Freedom, Democracy or Equality. So I started a campaign to get out of the country I was born, together with

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Politics, News & Issues > Police & Prisons Rehabilitate or punish: How should society treat criminals?: 6 of 37
A young man enters a bar and asks for a beer. The barman looks at him and before taking his order, asks him in a raspy voice: "Mr., are you Chinese?" "No" answers the young man surprised by the question. The barman keeps staring at him and asks again as if he did not hear the client's answer: "Mr., are you Chinese?" The youn... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Drug Laws & Prevention The aftermath of the Duke rape trial: 2 of 12
The aftermath of the Duke rape trial had a shattering effect in the legal profession. Of course there was not too much put out in the open except for the mockery of punishment for the Nifong. I suppose that after all, loosing a high paying job, losing the respect of the community and losing the right to practice law, should ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Terrorism Is freedom to travel where you want a basic human right?: 1 of 6
The answer is NO. In a totalitarian state, the leaders don't want the members of the society to travel. It is a bad idea to be able to visit other countries and to see other cultures and how other peoples solved political and social problems. It is interesting to see that there are people who find arguments to justify the de... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Justice System Critique of America's justice system: 14 of 79
There is a saying that "a lawyer who represents himself in court has a fool for client". I am totally aware of its truth and wisdom, however there are times in life when one has to do what one has to do. Besides, if one is not a lawyer, one may not be guilty of the sin of having for client a fool... The problem with represen... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Love: 34 of 152
"Are you sleeping, wake up!" I did not hear her at first, but she made sure that I did by shaking me till I opened my eyes. I look at the clock on my night stand. It showed two in the morning. "OK, I am awake, what happened?" "Listen she said" At first I did not hear anything, except of an occasional car driving by. At two i... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Should the US government privatize interstate highways?: 2 of 5
By all means. The interstate highways system is in a total mess. However if you think that this is the worst it can get, let it be private. Right now the US government is using contractors to fix the interstate highways. It will always use them. And the local media is having a field day talking about those contractors who tr... More..
Personal Finance > Banking Basics A guide to negotiating with the bank: 2 of 5
These days the word negotiating and bank don't really make too much sense in the same sentence. It used to be a time when one person could negotiate with a bank, today bank negotiation is more or less accepting their terms. And yet, there are times when negotiations are possible. First we have to define the etymology of the ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Atlas Shrugged: Ayn Rand, Communism and Capitalism: 3 of 7
I came across Ayn Rand's novels in one of the least expected places to find them: in Ozaukee County Jail, WI serving time for a wrongful conviction that I have been fighting for a few years... The scope of this essay is not to debate my reasons for being in jail, even when my appeal is been going on, however it was an irony ... More..
Creative Writing > Satire Satire: Life: 25 of 57
I am perfectly aware of the wisdom, or of lack of pouring gas on an open fire, however the rush of adrenaline provoked by the shooting flames, and the challenge of getting your hands out before the flames touch your skin is great, if only a little crazy... Speaking about fashion in general is a very risky thing. Fashion is a... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Software & Utils Why relying on free antivirus software is a bad idea: 4 of 9
I am not so sure that relying on free anti virus software is such a bad idea. Of course if you are a commercial anti virus software publisher, it is a very bad idea not to use one... Before we engage in this topic, we have to define the term virus. When they started to pop up a few years ago, they were a real pest. Most of t... More..