End Term

I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.
-President Lyndon B. Johnson

I wonder if we will hear something like this from "W" towards the end of his term, even though he has completed his two-term maximum.

Happy New Year

So the new year is upon us. Do you as an adult still look forward to going out and getting drunk as a skunk? Or do you stay in watch a good film on disc or watch the game and get lifted in the safety of your own home?
For me, I'll do the latter. I stock up on my favorite beverage before New Year's and I'll sit and watch the Dallas Stars beat the LA Kings.
Driving anywhere on New Years in my opinion has become too much of an extreme sport.
Good luck to all the Police Officers on duty that night, and to all the doctors and nurses on duty in the emergency rooms across the country.

spell it bitch

If you are interested in a damn fine documentary that pulls at the heart strings and the potential of your children then you may find Spellbound an excellent film. Enjoy.

Causey and effect

It's ironic how the prosecutor working the Enron case will make a deal with someone who is part of the largest banruptcy (at the time) just to ensure Lay and Skilling get the shaft.
I wonder how soon Skilling will make a deal with the prosecution to make Lay one of the biggest corporate villains in history.
Unfortunately for the employees of Enron there are no deals for them.

Hit the bricks pal

NYC. New York, New York. The city so nice they named it twice. Not likely. It's funny how rude someone can become once they live in NY.
Leave it to the MTA to foul up everyone's day and shut down the system.
What the governor should do is fire them all like Reagan did with the air traffic controllers. That'll fix the problem.

To tap or not to tap

According to the President, speed is essential in detecting potential terrorists.
I think he's right. It's so unfortunate that the towers had to fall in order for the Government to respond. Is this a new police state, as some say?
I don't have the answers but if the Attorney General says its okay, then who am I to question the A.G.? I'm just another worker ant trying to avoid being squashed.

Merry __ vs. Happy __

Is the Christmas greeting a serious issue or is this just a new non-issue?
It seems ridiculous to me people are debating this.
So it goes.

WWJD

Well it seems the old suits in the House might have a small amount of common sense after all. Some things can be simple. Maybe the ban on torture question has finally been answered.
Just in time for Christmas.
So it goes.

Bill Free

Wouldn't it be nice if during the holiday season all of the regular bills that arrive monthly could be put on hold until January?

Well, of course the electricity to power the 10,000 lights in the front yard and keeping the homestead warm could never allow the electic company to be part of such a 'bill free' holiday. But it sure would be great to be able to have all the non-essential bills just wait til the gift-giving season is over. This way the economy could be stimulated during December and put huge smiles on retailer's and children's faces.

Finally, make sure you get yourself something you want. Don't forget nobody can shop for you like you can.

Have a happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Festivus holiday.

sexsomnia

Sure dude, you were asleep and weren't conscious of your actions.
Wow, I'll make a mental note not to go drinking with that dude.

Senior Gaming

When it comes to video games I've always considered myself knowledgable, but this 69 years-young grandmother has myself and many others beat.
According to the Post, this incredible lady has the Gamecube, PS2 and the XBox and she subscribes to Electronic Gaming Monthly, Computer Gaming World and Game Informer. She is more than serious about her gaming, everyone should have a granny this cool.

Transparency in Iraq

Well, let's not call it propaganda. Let's call it: Government approved information sharing.
Seriously, if it has worked historically why not use it now in Iraq, the Middle East, North Korea, here in the U.S., wherever we feel we as a nation are not getting good headlines. Think of it as an important tool in winning the war on terrorism.
So it goes.

Tough Chuck

A good friend shared this link with me recently, so I in good conscience must share it also. It is a list of toughness factors on the one and only toughman Chuck Norris.
My personal favorite is:
The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.

Denounce this

Well it seems to me that all parties involved are guilty of something, come on they're all politicians.
Will we as a nation ever know, truly know all the facts leading up to the invasion and now occupation?
Probably not.
I try to look at such things and reference history. Do we as a nation know without a doubt who or what organization assasinated J.F.K.?
Maybe the next generation or the generation after will find out those answers. We most likely will not.

It's about time

Well, after spending many taxpayer hours downing coffee and donuts behind closed doors, the suits on Capital Hill may have come up with something.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. said: "We want to change the course. We can't stay the course."

With public polls at an all time low, maybe some of the suits in D.C. are actually going to produce for a change.

Atari Nostalgia

Nothing is quite as nostalgic as nostalgia.
Forget about XBox 360.
Atari Flashback 2 has arrived in time for Christmas with a sweet M.S.R.P of $30.00.

Dover and out

With an old guy like Mr. Robertson, you have to be ready for anything. I guess the nice folks in Dover should beware of the wrath of a senile, hateful old man.
Maybe the God that Mr. Robertson prays and talks with regularly is not the same benevolent and omniscient being that most other sane people imagine when they think of God or a godlike figure.
Of course one must always consider the source of such opinions. This is the same old-timer that believes feminism encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."

So it goes.

Quote

"There is a clear message from the election results all over the country. The American people, by and large as a body politic, are looking for a more centrist approach."
SHERWOOD BOEHLERT a Republican representative from New York

Maybe this guy is right, maybe he's not.

Big oil profit

Once again our hard working representatives in D.C. are asking the tough questions.

There is a “growing suspicion that oil companies are taking unfair advantage,” Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said as the hearing opened in a packed Senate committee room.
“The oil companies owe the country an explanation,” he said.

Just because the suits in Washington are putting the oil execs on the hot seat doesn't mean the average American will see any relief.

smoke free

What is your opinion on smokers? Do you get along with them, do you feel sympathy for them, or do you despise them as the lowest form of life on the planet?
I've never been a smoker of cigarettes so I can't say I know the difficulty of trying to quit, I have only heard the stories of the successful and unsuccessful quitters.
Finally, I am curious, if you tolerate smokers because they are related, do you stand with them as they light up or do you pressure them to do their business out in the backyard alone?

pop ups

Don't you hate it when you get these annoying little pop ups that ask for your opinion? Your opinion matters, one recently informed me.
Well my opinion on that is stay the hell off my computer or I will log off right now mister. What a bunch of annoying little pranksters, I wish I could squash 'em like gnats.

Charitable Cheney

Thank you Mr. Cheney for your opinion.
How about we consider the opinion of soldiers that have actually been in combat and/or some of the Veterans that have been held as a prisoner of war. I guess policy doesn't work that way.

Carlin Infinity

"For me, it isn't the fact of the disintegration so much as the act of it, watching it, seeing it," he added. "It is a freak show. And in this country you get a front-row seat. And some of us have notebooks."

The observations of George Carlin are unique, devastating and brutal. Exactly what America needs, some truth.

Jobs for the masses

"People from other states, we appreciate their help. But everybody else is getting work, not us."
AUBREY D. CHEATHAM, a union electrician from New Orleans who believes he lost a job to lower-paid workers from outside Louisiana.

Irony at it's best.

Royals

The Royals are here! How exciting! Whatever.
I have one thing to say about the royals,
if you aint Tony Blair you aint jack squat.

small soap

When the soap bar in the shower starts to disintegrate, do you fuse the additional small soaps like when superman smashed the briquette into a diamond?
I was wondering about this recently as I did the two-handed squeeze.
I remembered that scene from the superman movie and being inquisitive I wanted to find out if others did the same.

Here we go again

"Make no mistake: he will move the court to the right, and this confirmation process is really going to be a question about whether Congress and the country wants to move this court to the right."LARRY LUSTBERG, who has long known Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., President Bush's choice for the Supreme Court.

Now we can sit back and watch all those old suits in D.C. argue and spit at each other for weeks or maybe months.
What an efficient system we have there in the capital.

Pink shirt

Recently I noticed a young boy (elementary school age) wearing a pink t-shirt with "Tough guys wear pink" emblazoned across the chest.
I had to look away before I approached the kid and asked to speak with his father and/or mother.
As a young lad myself, my own father was sure of his traditional views and one of the strongest of his opinions was boys do not wear pink, and should avoid wearing red as well.
Maybe this is too traditional for some folks, maybe it is too macho, but I would never dress a son (if I had one) in a pink shirt. It is possible this old rule is going the way of the white shoes after Labor Day. I don't know much about fashion but I do agree with Kathleen Turner from that hilarious film Serial Mom on this last point.

Exit Scooter

At what age should a grown man decide he should discontinue using a nickname?
For me I would have to say anytime in your early 20's.
As far as monikers in the blog universe, well that's a completely different thing. Everyone in the blogosphere needs to maintain some anonymity.
As for Scooter and his buddies, well now that he has some free time maybe he can spend some of it considering a new nickname or just dropping the old one.

Profits for the Profiteers

Now, even as high gasoline prices continue to anger motorists and aggravate financial problems at General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., the oil companies have begun to report record quarterly profit. Yesterday, British energy giant BP PLC reported a $6.53 billion third-quarter profit, up from $4.87 billion in the same period last year. And tomorrow, analysts expect Exxon Mobil Corp. to show that it earned nearly $9 billion over the past three months -- the largest corporate quarterly profit ever.

Now the ultra-wealthy can finally afford that second private jet, or yacht, or home in Hawaii.
Unfortunately for the rest of the hard-working, paycheck to paycheck citizens across this great nation it will be another bite of the open-face reality sandwich.

Quote of the day

"Some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug."
CAPT. PHILLIP ASH, who commands Company K in the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, which patrols central Ramadi, Iraq.

Sixty minutes plus

Wow, what a concept. A news magazine that focuses on reporting the story and pressures one advertiser to sponser the hour.
I am happy that one media outlet has the right idea and informs the advertising side of the business how it will run it's show. Kudos to the producers of 60 minutes for being the first to break the old paradigm.

Senior moment

MIAMI -- A 93-year-old Florida motorist hit a pedestrian, killing him and severing his leg, and then kept driving three miles to a toll bridge with the corpse stuck in his windshield, police said. A tollbooth attendant called authorities in St. Petersburg, and police reported that Ralph Thomas Parker "did not realize he had been involved in a crash."

Book 'em Danno

DeLay's congressional office in Washington released a statement in the afternoon saying that the former leader "looks forward to his inevitable exoneration of these ridiculous charges."

My thoughts on this are simple, if the man is guilty send him where they sent that other menace to society Martha Stewart. If he is innocent, then he has nothing to worry about.
Of course being a politician with money-laundering charges against him, the public perception is guilty until proven innocent.
We can always look forward to Delay's Apprentice on NBC sometime next fall.

Out of the spider hole

"I am not going to answer to this so-called court out of respect for the truth and the will of the Iraqi people."
SADDAM HUSSEIN

Someone please give this dictator a cup of hot coffee in the face.
Maybe that will wake him up.

Bono, Bush talks

It appears our president is willing to talk with a rock star on global issues and priorities, maybe some progressive ideas will take root.
I won't hold my breath.

Holy Toledo

TOLEDO, Oct. 15 -- A crowd protesting a white supremacists' march Saturday turned violent, throwing baseball-sized rocks at police, vandalizing vehicles and stores, and setting fire to a neighborhood bar, authorities said.

At least two dozen members of the National Socialist Movement, which calls itself "America's Nazi Party," had gathered at a city park to march under police protection. Organizers said they were demonstrating against black gangs they said were harassing white residents.

So the Nazi party had police protection to march. What city hall moron approved that tax expenditure? Well I guess everyone has a right to protest and they should have police protection so they may incite riots and political unrest.

Follow the script soldier

If the C.E.O. of a large corporation walks into an office and asks an entry-level associate what his/her challenges are on a day to day basis, should the associate read a scripted answer or should the associate respond honestly?

This is the question that comes to mind when I read this sad report from today's news.
If the Top Dog doesn't want the honest truth then why in hell does he even ask?
I'm sure there have been past Presidents that have employed this tactic, but that doesn't mean it's acceptable.

Hothouse Mother

In today's Post:

Many climatologists, along with policymakers in a number of countries, believe the rapid temperature rise over the past 50 years is heavily driven by the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities that have spewed carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases" into the atmosphere. A vocal minority of scientists say the warming climate is the result of a natural cycle.

Be it a manmade problem or just mother nature kicking it up a notch. Maybe someone, somewhere in the next 100 years or so will come up with a solution for this small problem. In the meantime I'll keep driving my small efficient hatchback and cutting my lawn with a pushmower and recycle of course. The next generation might thank me for my small effort.

Dementia deterrent

According to researchers, dementia (also referred to as 'old-timers') may be pre-screened with a test and can be treated prior to onset.
I'm not sure I'd choose to be medicated for a potential ailment. What if I'm writing a great sci-fi novel in my 60's and the pre-dementia is my muse?
I guess we all can look forward to the golden years.

Day Off

Today, the day after Columbus Day these old suits are not in session, have no meetings. What the heck are we paying them for?
Here's an idea to pay for some of the deficit, each of our Senators and Representatives should voluntarily take a 10% pay cut.
I'm certain they can all afford it.

Golden Goose

"The Senate voted Friday to give President Bush $50 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and U.S. military efforts against terrorism, money that would push total spending for the operations beyond $350 billion."

"Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, the chairman of the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee said the $50 billion should last through the first half of the year, but acknowledged that Congress likely will have to approve more money for wars in May or June."

Okay, so our Senators in Washington must have access to a golden goose that we the taxpayers are not aware of. What happened to the "conservative" thinking when it comes to spending like a kid in a candy store?
Maybe these geniuses should try some traditional thinking and start selling war bonds to finance the war or better yet start a Federal sales tax on cigarettes, beer and hard liquor?

N.H.L.

N.H.L. tonight. Finally, after a year off these teams can get on the ice and please the fans with some hard checking.

Red Square Salutes Lenin

"It is time to get rid of this horrible mummy."VALERIYA NOVODVORSKAYA, head of the Democratic Union party, on Lenin's remains in Red Square.

Eight decades this historical figure has been under glass, how unusual. Here in the U.S. we are just as strange, but we don't have Roosevelt, Ike, Kennedy or Reagan for that matter on display for the morbid fans. Maybe someone of Russian/Soviet descent can shed some light on this for me.

SUV Sales Down

"Consumer surveys over the past month have shown that people are more aware of prices at the pump."

No kidding! When did these guys wake up? The report also educates the dumb consumer that,

"The heyday of the giant sport utility vehicle keeps moving farther away as gasoline prices loom larger."

Fiscal Mismanagement

How sad is this? According to the Post this investigation is ongoing even though:

"In its semiannual audit, the Government Accountability Office said yesterday that Barrett spent $930,742 from October 2004 to March 2005, six years after Cisneros pleaded guilty to the charges Barrett was appointed to investigate -- and more than a year after Barrett submitted his 400-page report for final judicial review. The GAO did not indicate what Barrett has been doing since he finished his report, other than maintain staff and office expenditures that have continued to rise since the investigation ended."

Maybe someone outside the G.A.O. should remind this government office exactly what it's job is.

Bennett bumble

"Whoops", said the man as he slipped. Bennett, being an intelligent man was just trying to share an opinion that many "free-thinkers" might share. He did say toward the end of his hypothetical statement that it was:

"an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."

For any well-educated sane person to broadcast an offensive 'hypothetical' idea like this.. well, tricky is probably the best way to put it.

Indictment of Character

Aren't all politicians indicted at some point in time? If they are not indicted for skimming off the top or for hiring a relative to serve on the board of some multi-national corporation or just for being morally bankrupt, aren't they all guilty anyway? These indictments being served like pink slips at a downsizing are just too much. If said indictment does not lead to a conviction, then maybe the grand jury should be indicted for issuing such drivel.

Indict: v. to charge with a crime, especially by action of a grand jury.

Insert this

Okay, so once a week or once a month you recieve (I do anyway) your periodical. When you peruse the contents page and flip through to an article of interest how many of these freakin' inserts are you forced to stop and pull from the magazine spine? One, two, how about ten. Is this acceptable?
For me, I'll just let my subscriptions expire.

Forecast: more of the same

I sure hope these forecasters are wrong.
"Meteorologists argue that we have begun a new era of Atlantic storms pumped up by hot gulf waters, a cycle that oscillates in decades."
But wait, there's more.
"If these are just the first dark puffs of a new kind of summer weather that will prevail for the next 20 years, can we possibly be ready for what is to follow?"
I'm guessing everyone should be prepared for an extended camping trip.

Trunk Space

Another candidate for Mother of the Year, not.

"Cheryl Ann Brown, 38 is accused of forcing two of her children to take turns riding in a car trunk during a trip from Alabama to Loudoun County told the girls "that's what bumpers are for" when one expressed concern about possibly getting hurt in a car accident, prosecutors said yesterday."
If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison.

Fleeing Flood

Well it's another irony-filled day. As these citizens flee the potential flooding they are released from their earthly bond in fire.
I'm not sure what's worse, the blackened bus with tarp-covered bodies, or the gathering T.V. media sharks trying to vie for position on the biggest story this hour.

Next big thing

It's beyond me, every time there is an electronic improvement of any kind it is so the new device is smaller.
I probably will get this new version of the gameboy, but what I really want is the new system in the future that will be contact lenses with hyper-nanotechnology that allow me to play the game when I close my eyes.

Cost Overrun

I hope the G.O.P. can get it right. I'm not holding my breath, mind you.

"A group of these conservatives, including Feeney, plans today to present to the White House a proposal to cover the cost of the entire Katrina relief and reconstruction package. Dubbed "Operation Offset," it will include repealing many of the pork-barrel projects stuffed into the $286 billion highway bill that Bush signed into law a few weeks before Katrina struck."

Trust is earned

Will they? Won't they? Do you trust someone that is not trustworthy?

"They have said, in principle, that they will abandon their weapons programs. And what we have said is great, that's a wonderful step forward, but now we've got to verify whether or not that happens."
PRESIDENT BUSH, on a nuclear agreement with North Korea.

NASA Luna

To the moon, Alice. To the moon.
The geniuses with slide rulers at NASA are offering the American taxpayer a great deal. A moonshot for the low, low price of $104 billion dollars.
Here's a quote direct from the article:

The pace of the project, NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin said, "will fit the funding that's available."

I'm not sure who these salesmen are trying to fool, but how many Government projects have ever fit the funding? I'm going to guess, zero.

OPEC's Generosity

Wow, we are so lucky our "friends", the members of OPEC are considering lifting the quota on oil production. What did we ever do to deserve such an honorable show of gratitude?
Maybe, since we and the Brits are the World Police, just maybe we should police the price of oil these opportunists set for the democratic nations.

Netflix Nexus

I'm usually not some product whore like so many, but I can be bought. A few months back I did the usual sign up at Blockbuster for the month long unlimited movie deal. Well as usual, I was just another number in the grinder for these guys. At the end of the month I cancelled.
So I decided to try something new. The guys with an idea at Netflix sure are doing something incredible. They have a huge catalog online, and I fill the queue with films I want to view and they deliver it to me. With gas prices as they are, why in hell would I choose to drive anywhere I don't have to?
The last time I had a good retail experience was likely when I was knee-high to my parents. Thanks to the progressive thinking entrepreneurs at Netflix I will consider a long term membership.

The Buck Stops

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government," Bush said at a White House news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. "And to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility. I want to know what went right and what went wrong."
Finally, the buck stops here.
When Kennedy accepted full responsibility for the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, that was also a great moment in history. The President has now turned a corner in his administration.

Paratroop panic

According to this Iraqi taxi driver, the British paratroopers beat him up and down. Maybe there was a communication breakdown, or maybe it was just payback. Whatever it was, I'm certain a scapegoat will be cast out and medical treatment will be given to the injured parties as long as they meet their $15.00 copay.

Howard Dean Martin

Ok, so I'm watching The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer recently and he is interviewing Howard Dean. Anyhow, Dean is on and he is criticizing the administration for not responding quickly to the catastrophe in the Gulf states.
When all of a sudden Wolf hits Dean with (I'm paraphrasing here) "surely some of the blame on the slow response should lie on the shoulders of the local and/or state government?" Dean's response was a political sidestep as usual, something to the effect of, "well Wolf that depends on the structural plan for a response etc..."
If I were Wolf I would have kindly asked him to get the hell out of my situation room. Obviously, Mr. Schmuck, I mean Mr. Dean does not want to respond to an important question many Americans want an answer for.

Should I Stay or Should I Go

Holdouts want to stay the course. What intrigues me about this report is the following:
Some holdouts seem intent on keeping alive the distinct and wild spirit of this city. In the French Quarter, Addie Hall and Zackery Bowen found a unusual way to make sure that police officers regularly patrolled their house. Ms. Hall, 28, a bartender, flashed her breasts at the police vehicles that passed by, ensuring a regular flow of traffic.
It seems to me, Ms. Hall is what great Americans should aspire to.

Kojo, Kofi Korruption

This is not surprising. We have some of the most corrupt politicians here in the U.S. it's not something we haven't become used to. But it is amazing what you can get used to.
The oil for food program was intended to assist the Iraqi people living under the brutal dictatorship of Satan, Sadaam whatever, instead we have opportunists taking advantage of a $64 billion dollar program. I guess if you're going to line your pockets with kickbacks and profits you should aim for the mark with the biggest wallet.
"We have found no corruption by the secretary general," said Volcker, but "his behavior has not been exonerated by any stretch of the imagination."
After this investigation we will have another by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, this law dog will conduct his own criminal probe of the U.N. program. As if we needed to throw more money to have a second committee reach the same conclusions.

Bureaucratic Efficiency

There must be several reasons the bureaucrats can give us why teams of FEMA professionals are sitting in a Dallas hotel. On a scale of one to ten I don't think the "directors" are going to see any high marks.

The Big Hurt

I'm not sure how blaming the administration for a lack of readiness is in some way going to lessen the impact of the devastation that has ocurred. Hindsight being 20/20 and all, maybe the millions of Americans who chose not to vote in 2004 will decide voting in the next election will be something worth considering?

Bigger in Texas

Thankfully Texas and many other states are helping with big hearts, big wallets and big stadiums.
"In Houston, the city began to grapple with the logistics of taking tens of thousands of refugees into the Astrodome. American Red Cross officials said late Thursday night that the Astrodome was full after accepting more than 11,000 refugees and that evacuees were being sent to other shelters in the Houston area."
The mayor of New Orleans may be upset with the Federal response to the devastation in his fair city but I'm sure he'll always be thankful to Texas.

gasbuddy

Here is a website that can help when comparison pricing fuel in your area. Good luck.

Hurricane

With all the reports coming directly from the hurricane ravaged areas, I was glad to find information on how citizens can assist. The list can be found via the link provided, of course the top of the list is the following:
American Red Cross, 800-HELP-NOW (435-7669)

Lest we forget the pottery barn rule

"Your mission is to go on offense, to go on the attack," Rumsfeld told the troops, praising those who are currently fighting. "They are engaging the terrorists where they live, so we don't have to engage them where Americans live."
It amazes me that the administration is still handing out this rhetoric. If you're going to keep slinging the same old hash, at least give us some variety. I'm not sure what they should try, maybe have Cheney come out and man a tank and fire depleted uranium rounds at the enemy. Cheney could pull it off, no doubt.
I will agree with Rumsfeld on the following:
"Everyone would like it to be perfect, and life isn't perfect," Rumsfeld said.

Sunni or later

Isn't it strange how we are now hearing so much about the Iraqi constitution that is being disputed by the Sunni's and how the Sunnis are now protesting the document. When Saddam was in power they were remarkably quiet, not one protest. What a bunch of jerks, who do these guys think they are.. Americans?

Gas Miser

According to the Energy Department, every 5 mph you drive over 60 is like paying 18 cents more per gallon.
This little tidbit was enlightening for me. This article from the Post has it's usual flair and stinging point that I can't resist. Enjoy.

Detestable T-shirt

On the evening news yesterday it was reported that there was a harmfully offensive shirt being sold in a North Dallas mall. Then I read about it in this morning's newspaper. It seems we should keep our sense of humor to ourselves especially when it concerns a community or neighborhood.
Unfortunately, for residents of Oak Cliff (south Dallas) there is a disturbing amount of crime reported by the news media almost nightly. So the commentary/joke mass-produced on a T-shirt may be the wake up call this suburb needs.

Laundry

So I'm doing laundry today and I just wanted to know, when you wash your whites do you always use bleach? Or do you only use bleach when stains visit?

Pet Rock of the Internet

Apparently a blog is a web log or online journal that can discuss any subject. Lucky for us we have the expert, Steve Strauss on hand at USA Today to inform us of such things. Read up on this groundbreaking report.

Clinton, the sequel

I don't usually read the book reviews but I was so entertained by the review of: Mr. Edward Klein's, "The Truth about Hillary" that I was compelled to share. Some of my favorite quotes from the review are the following:
"As an expert on sordid nonfiction, I would not put ''The Truth About Hillary'' anywhere near the top of my list;" and ''The Truth About Hillary'' is only about the 16th sleaziest book I have ever read.'
Well for me, if I'm interested in reading something sleazy I would have to stay in the top five. Sixteenth is too sophomoric to consider. My thanks to Joe Queenan for his inciteful review.

Chavez Out

Well I'll be.. What would Jesus do?
I'm not sure but if you are the founder of the Christian Coalition maybe (I'm going out on a limb here) you refrain from endorsing the assasination of foreign leaders. Pat might want to consider opening rather than thumping his bible and finding the passage about killing not being condoned by the Almighty.
I will have to agree with the wise old man that it is a whole lot cheaper than starting a war. But, I digress. Doesn't Mr. Robertson have some upper echelon flunky he could have used to make such a statement for him? I guess not.
Maybe the devil made him do it.

Reality Check

Let's sugarcoat the military experience. There are so many things wrong with this approach to recruitment. Another Op-Ed from Mr. Herbert at the NYTimes sheds some light where needed.

Always Be Closing

The A.P. website provided this newsbite. It appears our Commander in Chief is going to sell us the vehicle we weren't interested in test driving the first time around.
I think of the astonishing performance of Mr. Alec Baldwin in one of my favorite films, Glengarry Glenross.
"A.B.C. A always, B be, C closing."

Oh, Jenny

What is the world coming to?
Jenny McCarthy is divorcing her husband (what's his name) of six years due to irreconcilable differences. What is her husband thinking? He should consider reconciling.
First Brad and Jen, now this. I'm at a complete loss. O.K. Angelina is a beauty, but she is no Jennifer Aniston.

Boots on the Ground

I wasn't going to mention the men and women on the ground today, but the Times has this great quote:
"One minute we're trying to catch a fly ball; the next minute, we're praying not to get blown into a million pieces."
DAWAYNE HARTERSON, staff sergeant, whose Army Reserve unit in Iraq plays softball in between missions searching for roadside bombs.

a.m. coffee

Coffee, can you go without it? I know I need my two pints in the a.m. I can stay away from caffeine the remainder of the day but in the morning I must have it. I choose my favorite blend: Chock full of nuts. Sometimes I will switch to Folger's Breakfast Blend which like my favorite has a rich smoothness that alerts and alleviates.
Two sugars and milk, well I prefer the Coffemate Hazelnut or the French Vanilla creamer. If I'm going to put anything into my coffee I want it to compliment the bouquet of the coffee bean.

New Republican Opinion

"There is just no enthusiasm for this war," said Representative John J. Duncan Jr., a Tennessee Republican who opposes the war. "Nobody is happy about it. It certainly is not going to help Republican candidates, I can tell you that much."

Here's another quote from an intellectual.
"Any effort to explain Iraq as 'We are on track and making progress' is nonsense," Newt Gingrich, a Republican who is a former House speaker, said. "The left has a constant drumbeat that this is Vietnam and a bottomless pit. The daily and weekly casualties leave people feeling that things aren't going well."

Bloody Sunday

Another bold Op-Ed from Mr. Herbert at the NYTimes. There is something about a good op-ed that I cannot pass up. Herbert makes a solid argument and a convincing but stinging point:

"The announcement on Sunday that five more American soldiers had been blown to eternity by roadside bombs was treated by the press as a yawner."

As the quagmire festers like an open wound should we just look away?

Rancho Revolucionario

Sheehan's quest seems to have sparked much debate. The mowing down of crosses. The shot fired from a Crawford resident. The peacemakers stand with her and the warmongers stand against her. Lucky for us all we have the Bill of Rights.
1st Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Evictions for the reviled mustawtinin

It is hard for me to understand how so much hate could take root in such a small area of land. As an American it just doesn't make sense to move into an area/neighborhood where the folks next door viciously hate me.
It's pretty sad. Hate breeds hate. Man's inhumanity to man.
Maybe when the aliens come mankind will make some attempt to unify.

Lowered Expectations

The Bush administration is significantly lowering expectations of what can be achieved in Iraq, recognizing that the United States will have to settle for far less progress than originally envisioned...
This directly from today's Washington Post.
Thank you gentlemen for some real news.

$3.00 is coming

Terrible news but definitely worth knowing. Get ready for the $3 dollar mark at the pumps. Citizens beware, California is already there. Where is the innovation? Where is the biofuel we heard about years ago? Are we just fooling ourselves?

Gas on the rise

It is just sick that we as citizens of a "free" society are required to pay so much for our fuel. So I figured since we in North Texas are near the $2.50 mark I might as well ask Jeeves. Maybe he might be able to shed some light on the problem and he did find a few items but no answer to the burning question. But Jeeves did provide the link above: 6 simple ways to save money on gas. Good luck to us all the American sucker, I mean taxpayer.

Exit Novak

I still can't believe Robert Novak walking off the set of CNN's Inside Politics. He has always come across as a distinguished and professional man with an opinion. He offers a conservative opinion regularly and I appreciate what he brings to the table. Unfortunately it seems Mr. Carville just got his goat and he chose to make his exit after cursing at Carville and his opinion.
I still find Mr. Novak to be a fine journalist and he offers much to the needed discussions we should hear as Americans. I hope he can check his temper the next time he is required to sit next to a person with an opposing viewpoint.

Mr. No. 2 warns London

I could not believe the latest news story about Al Qaeda's No. 2 man. He is threatening Tony Blair and the U.S. This man, Dr al-Zawahiri is a doctor no less. He starts with: "Blair has brought to you destruction in Central London, and will bring you more of that, God willing,"
Then the radical continues his diatribe against America:
warning of horrors "worse than they faced in Vietnam".
It's no wonder that the President and the Prime Minister come off as a couple of stubborn men. They are trying to fight fire with fire.

Fear Up tactic

Important and disturbing article in todays Post. It appears this unorthodox "fear up" tactic may prove useful up until the detainee being questioned breathes his last breath.

Evolution vs. Intelligent Design

Another decent Editorial on the Times today. Schools of thought being what they are. We probably should make clear the Theory of Evolution is a theory, and the Bible (never considered a fax from God) written by mankind is myth.

NASA > X Games

With the space shuttle Discovery in orbit possibly damaged and probably at the point of no return I think of these extreme sports guys on the X Games and I just will not feel sorry for them. When the average American puts him or herself in harms way they never get sympathy. Good Luck Astronaut dudes and dudettes! Should be a helluva ride.

P.O.W.s or Terrorists?

Another great Op-Ed piece by Bob Herbert over at the Times. We are fortunate to have Senators like John McCain that are trying to accomplish something worthwhile.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/01/opinion/01herbert.html?th&emc=th

Newsbites

Rafael Palmeiro. Whoops!
Al Gore T.V. Who cares.
The President's recess appointment. Is that really a big deal?

The Velvet Hammer

I read an interesting article in today's Post about the Secretary of State. Her philosophy of "practical idealism" is not like all of the other "isms" we hear or read about coming out of Washington. The report is partial to her and how she has set pace but it doesn't shower praise:
"Rice's legacy is more likely to be determined by two historic challenges: salvaging the U.S. intervention in Iraq and making headway in promoting democracy in the Islamic world. On both, long-term strategies are not yet visible."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/30/AR2005073001081.html?referrer=email&referrer=email

Celebrating bad writing

I found this website and was compelled to share. Enjoy.
http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/

Oil Consumption

In today's Washington Post we are informed the Energy Bill we are hoping will decrease the dependence on foreign oil will not accomplish much. According to the report: Federal officials project that by 2025, the country will have to import 68 percent of its oil to meet demand.

Currently we import 58 percent of the oil we consume. The report did have some good ideas: The bill also would require the use of billions of gallons of ethanol and other fuels derived from agricultural products.

We just might be making some progress here.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072501707.html?referrer=email&referrer=email

Are we safer?

Great Op-Ed in the Times today. The war on terror has no timetable and what
progress has been made if any? Are we safer?
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/25/opinion/25herbert.html?th&emc=th

Quotation of the Day

"In wartime people used the tube as a shelter, a place to be protected. Now the war is in the tube."
ZANE GROWNS, after the police shot a man to death in the London subway.

Totalitarianism

With the latest bombing in London, are we as citizens being pressed further into a possible totalitarian state? It may be the inevitable solution to these fanatical terrorist attacks on civilians. If the state can convince us it is the only way to keep us safe then maybe...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totalitarian

Lottery

How often do you play the Lotto? Do you also try the Mega Millions? Do you wait for it to reach a certain dollar amount? Just wondering.

15 Emmy nods for Housewives

Wow. I had no idea the Emmys were so generous with their nominations. Who knew a "dark satire about suburbia" would ever be so successful?

NHL Return

Good news for Hockey fans. The Player's Association and the League have "agreed in principle" on a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Here's the link to the statement released:
http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/07/230330.html

National Security

For anyone interested in signing the petition to ask our President to terminate the employment of Mr. Karl Rove please follow the link provided:
http://www.moveonpac.org/firerove/?id=5782-5513417-dJHzEFb3RqW6V.TjMm1h6Q&t=1

Gas at Wal Mart

Best price on fuel I have found is at the Wal Mart. Of course you have to go inside the store to purchase the Shopping Card (Debit Card) but you will be rewarded with 3 cents less than noted on the sign outside. So this past weekend I was able to fuel up at $2.06 a gallon. I was completely amazed by this since all the other fuel stops are charging $2.19 or more. Thank you Wal Mart.

Jessica Alba

Does Jessica have to be everywhere? I know her new film Fantastic 4 is fantastic but come on. Does Johnny Depp have a promotional wrecking crew for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

London Bombing

Are the terrorist attacks the new Cold War/Red Scare of this generation?
Has mankind evolved so little that we are forced to continue living in a state of fear?

The world is flat

I just began reading this incredible book by Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman and I must recommend it to anyone interested in current history/ Globalization/ Future forecasting.

Spurs again

Ok, now that the Finals are over and the Championship is in San Antonio will the spurs organization have enough foresight to re-sign Robert Horry? I hope the decision makers are smart enough to keep him on.

Existential Films

If you enjoyed the film Being John Malkovich, you will like I Heart Huckabees. The characters are eccentric and funny and take the viewer on a wild ride. I especially enjoyed Dustin Hoffman's performance, while instructing his clients to calm themselves and meditate. Jason Schwartzman and Mark Wahlberg worked well together and always added to the strength of the scene. Hope you enjoy the film.

No Timetable for Iraq Withdrawal

In todays Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/23/AR2005062300242.html
we can read how Rumsfeld responded to the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing and his great rhetoric concerning the possible withdrawal of troops. Great information for interested persons. Directly from the report I appreciate the polling results such as: Nearly six in 10 Americans said the war was not worth fighting and more than four in 10 people believe the U.S. presence in Iraq is becoming analogous to the experience in Vietnam.

Game 7

Can the Spurs win this Thursday? Yes they can. Will they win? I'll have to wait and see. When they play at the intensity level they had at home in the first two games they can conquer all. Game 7. It's time.

Downing Street Memo

With the recent news concerning this latest item, are we as Americans shocked or just apathetic in regards to such information? According to the Dallas Morning News:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/washington/stories/061705dnintdowning.17d8a3bb.html
it appears that some members of Congress in their infinite wisdom are going to investigate this matter further. Let's hope they are able to lift the veil on this scandal.

Brewery Tour

Recently on an extended road trip I had the opportunity to visit a certain brewery in Golden Colorado. I must say for anyone that enjoys a good beer, ale or lager on occasion it would behoove you to tour the brewery that bottles and cans your favorite. At the end of the tour we were given three 8 ounce beers on tap. Furthermore, the tour with beers was completely free of charge.
Now that's the American way.

IH-35

While driving through Kansas on a recent road trip I discovered that our Interstate Highway 35 was a tollway just south of Wichita. As anyone can imagine this was upsetting. To be driving on any one of this nation's great Interstate Highways we can almost be certain we are on a freeway. How unpatriotic can any state or local government be? Anyhow I researched the matter further and Kansas does have the historical information on the web at:
http://ksturnpike.com/history.html
It is quite unfortunate but there are other alternate routes such as 281. Tollways are not American.

Wheels versus Rims

The rims have it. Or so the retailers of aftermarket wheels would have us believe. It is reported to be a 3.1 billion dollar industry, I had no idea. The Post has the details:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/01/AR2005060102175.html?sub=AR
I think the factory wheels on my car still do the job.

San Antonio Spurs

Basketball can be an entertaining sport to watch but when you are a Red Sox fan, I mean a Spurs fan it is easy to become less than devoted. After seeing the Spurs at home lose to Phoenix in game four I am waiting on the probable choke. Still, I hope they win.

Gulag in Guantanamo

Has the current administration created a Soviet-style Gulag? Amnesty International claims it has. In today's Times we have the President's response:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/31/politics/31cnd-bush.html?hp&ex=1117598400&en=13f98a96daa3ad44&ei=5094&partner=homepage
The overview from Amnesty International can be found at:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/annualreport/americas.html
It's not all bad unless you happen to be one of these "enemy combatants".

Stem Cell Research

In today's NYTimes article concerning the President's view on Stem Cell research: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/20/politics/20cnd-bush.html?hp&ex=1116648000&en=95e130247f8aa7be&ei=5094&partner=homepage
it is perplexing what his position is. A direct quote:
"I am a strong supporter of stem cell research, but I've made very clear to Congress that the use of federal taxpayer money to promote science that destroys life in order to save life, I am against this," said Mr. Bush.
Sounds like our President in his infinite wisdom is using the 'flip-flop' routine we heard so much about during the campaign.
It is simple, where the U.S. will drag it's feet in research the European medical community will move forward and Americans in the coming decades will be forced to travel overseas for medical treatment that could easily have been pioneered at home.

Troop Return

Will the current administration sometime in the future give the American taxpayer a hint as to when our Military men and women will be able to return stateside? In the current NYTimes article: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/19/international/middleeast/19iraq.html?th=&emc=th&pagewanted=all
it appears that some of the top brass suggest that our presence in Iraq could last "many years."

Fuel economy

So now the Bush Administration is solving our fuel problem with building more refineries here in the U.S.
Why not impose a serious increase on the Automobile industry by raising the C.A.F.E. standard? Why must we always be given a "long-term" solution? Here is a link to a '.gov' website with some helpful information on the standard:
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/auto/cafe.html

Another '.gov' site with good and bad vehicle fuel efficiency is:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best/bestworstNF.shtml
Americans deserve a solution now. Not some bogus promise to ease the problem eventually.

Meeting with the Saudis

Does the Bush Administration truly believe the American working class will be convinced by this feeble attempt to curtail fuel prices by meeting with a billionaire Crown Prince and pressing palms? As reported in the Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/26/international/middleeast/26prexy.html?hp&ex=1114574400&en=707584f1f0905a2e&ei=5094&partner=homepage
What a joke.

Congressional Hearings

Do the members of Congress conducting the hearing on Baseball and steroids assume the majority of Americans are worried about this? Maybe they should conduct hearings on how to keep our fuel costs below two dollars a gallon?
Congress, always assuming they have their finger on the pulse of the Nation.

Social Security fix?

Will Social Security be saved by the idea of offering private savings accounts?
The system, if it truly is broken will likely need a much larger encompassing fix.
I can't help but recall Clinton's idea for National Healthcare and how successful that idea was.

N.H.L. Season

Was it necessary for the N.H.L. big wigs to announce the current season is cancelled?
I'm certain all fans of Hockey with it's fast pace and great hits knew the season was lost when the first game was "postponed" due to labor disputes.
It's unfortunate the owners and the players union could not reach an agreement.
Maybe they can agree to disagree? Probably not.

Political T.V. shows

Have you ever watched one of these political T.V. shows like Crossfire and wish either side would allow the guest to answer the question?
I try to watch CNN's Crossfire show regularly because it has entertainment value and it usually presents good topical information. But invariably I see both sides interrupt the opposition before they can give their "political" answer. How are we to know if we disagree with someone if they are not allowed to answer the question at hand?
Maybe it's what the producers of the show want. As a viewer though, I'd still like to hear the answer to the question.