Saturday, July 24, 2010

Forgive me Bloggers, for I have sinned...

Forgive me Bloggers, for I have sinned... It has been 10 months since my last confession.

For those of you that know me well, you know that I have a deep passion for this song.

I cannot go a day without hearing new renditions and so I thought I would share one that I found tonight.

I may even post each new rendition I hear as I discover it.

This is 7-year old Rhema Marvanne... the daughter I always dreamed I would have.

Pitch perfect is not certain, but heart perfect is dead on.

Believe me, that listening to "Amazing Grace" as your first act of the day shines a new light on a new day that neither you nor I deserve, yet take for granted.

I love you all, and wish you the best as your day progresses.

For those that got lost in these words... Treat life as if it were your first day and live it as if it were your last.

You would not be on my friends list if you did not mean something special to me.

I am thankful that, somehow, I am special to you.

Be advised that Blogspot shrinks videos, so right click on the video and click on "Show All" to get the full screen in minimized form.

XOXOXO


Saturday, June 13, 2009

Kucinich Demonstrates How to Deal with Wall Street Scum




Pay attention Obama. Pay attention Dem leadership. Pay attention America. This is how you do it. Make these bastards squirm. And hoooo boy does Bank of America's Ken Lewis squirm his weaselly ass off in this video. Really, it's worth watching just to watch Lewis' face.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

My Oscar Goes To...

OK... before any of my sisters, mothers, grandmothers, descendants or future descendants get insulted by these... I find these guys very talented in their timing of humor, and since timing is everything, they are talented at passing it off as being simple... so take it up with them...






The Road Trip video makes me imagine how one of my sisters deals with her employees.



By the way, My sister's name that lives in Oahu, Hawaii is NOT the owner of the Tractor Trailer company that controls the distribution of Tractor Trailer distributions to Hawaii since her husband will not allow service to tractors that travel under water for more than 1000 miles.

Good Parenting Tip #1

The best way to insure that your 1st grader will be successful in school is to get her and her friend out on the playground and teach them how to Booty Dance... Really?

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Childish Antics

Just a quick burst here, and I know the elections are over, but I just came across this piece of work....
Just after the debate that I watched the day after my birthday, the two candidates are greeting the audience at the end of it all and McCain does an "around the shoulder" shoulder tap on Obama and then acts like it was his wife that did it....
Was he running for President of The United States or Freshman Class President at Lame Ass Jr. High?
Watch this video... it just makes you go, huh?!?!

Sunday, November 02, 2008

2+2 = 4

Though many of you have probably, if you are responsible adults, have already voted early, so this information will not change things, but you need to be aware of the facts nonetheless.

At this point in the game, if you are still on the fence, don't even bother to vote since you have had almost 2 years to make your decision and you are as clueless as the guy that takes the longest to decide what to order at the restaurant because he can't decide if he wants the 10 oz or 12 oz Porterhouse Steak.

However, I must digress and say that I am an independent and do not vote for the party, but rather, the candidate. Since this is not the way that a huge percentage of the voting population thinks, while blindly following the party, I just have to make one final point.

Republicans call themselves “Fiscal Conservatives” and at the same time refer to Democrats as “Tax and Spend Liberals.”

The numbers speak for themselves.

I am going to provide FACTS that show the numbers regarding our National Debt for the past 60 years.

These FACTS prove that in the past 60 years, Republicans have ALWAYS plunged the country deeper into debt and by the end of Reagan's second term the national debt held by the public ballooned from 26 percent of the GDP in 1980 to 41 percent in 1989. By 1988, the debt totaled $2.6 trillion, due in part to both increased military spending at the end of theCold War and according to some, the tax cuts. The country owed more to foreigners than it was owed, and the United States moved from being the world's largest international creditor to the world's largest debtor nation.

If I managed my finances in this manner, you would consider me destitute and assume my address is located at 1234 Homeless Shelter, Homeless, America, and I still receive new credit cards every month and plunge myself further into debt. (Currently, in reality, I still maintain a tiny credit card balance of which I pay off in full each month.) In fact, I recently had to ask a Twenty-Something co-worker of mine how Credit Card interest is racked up since I have never paid a penny of interest on my credit card since I pay it off every month, but may have to let it carry for a month or so while I move. I can't afford the move, but it is necesarry, so I'm going to have to finally carry a a balance on my card after all these years.

But seriously, look at the following numbers and then tell me who is better for the Country as a whole.

Every time we have had a Republican President, we have plunged into debt or, at best, a lower surplus.

When we have had a Democratic President, the deficit was either greatly reduced or we were finally in the black again. The only exception was JFK, and I don't think he had a good head on his shoulders... but that is just a sick attempt at humor.

2+2 = 4.... and a $164,787,361,848 surplus is always better than a $395,508,515,357 DEFICIT !!!

Here are the numbers.


G. W. Bush Republican $395,508,515,357
W. J. Clinton Democrat -$164,787,361,848
G. H. W. Bush Republican $34,326,854,936
R.Reagan Republican $97,338,623,234
J.Carter Democrat $462,596,259
G.Ford Republican $61,738,694,763
R.M.Nixon Republican $18,395,825,212
L.B.Johnson Democrat $63,242,392
J.F.Kennedy Democrat $7,815,205,722
D.D.Eisenhower Republican -$6,183,275,064
H.S.Truman Democrat -$294,348,329,938


What are your thoughts?

Monday, October 20, 2008

Simple Addition "My Friends"










Any question or comments?

I welcome a civil debate now and then... and I send a special request out to my Republican Sister, who is still a staunch Republican.

Remember, girls and boys, just because my Sis and I go back and forth politically, anything that she or I post is done as political opponents, but not as brother and sister.

Oh, and remember, folks, I am an independent. I vote for the man and not the party.
Love ya, Sis... give it all you've got.

The following is gibberishfor idiots that are either drunk or do not know how to spell, but they will still come to my Blog...: barack obama john mccain president presidential 100,000 100000 record crowd st. louis, mo missouri missourri misouri misourri st. luis st.lewis st. lewis MS

Monday, October 13, 2008

All Right, Class, Settle Down


MR. SHADOW: All right, students.... boys and girls.
Please, settle down and let's get down to today's lesson.
Boys and girls, today's lesson is to bring your attention to a website that was brought to my attention today.
I am a firm believer in seeking out the truth in our current Presidential campaigns.
This site was brought to my attention while watching a production of "Wahington Journal" on C-Span today.
The guest was Bill Adair, Editor of PolitiFact.com.

Politifact.com is a non-partisan group that takes "facts" that have been spoken about by candidates and political groups and researches them to find out how true the "facts" really are.

Think of it as the snopes.com of the campaign.

I urge you to browse this website and learn as much as you can.

Both parties are treated with equal scrutiny, so don't let the home page sway you.

The homepage currently shows alot of McCain attacking Obama, but that is simply because that is what has been going on for the past week.

Browse the full website and learn what you can.

That is all for today's lesson.

Homework Assignment: Visit the website and write a report and post it in the comment section below and feel free to post it on your blog as well.

Saturday, October 04, 2008

The Last Straw


After the passage of the Bush/Paulson financial bailout bill, I now call on all voting Americans to scream at the top of their lungs for an end to the multiple bill legislation that we all know as Pork Barrel Spending.

This bill was a simple bill to pass and did not pass as a simple 3 page document.

The Senate got hold of it and increased the bill to a 450 page bill that had nothing to do with the issue.

This is a clear example of taxation without representation and must be stopped.

We, as American Citizens must demand that if our duely elected officials do not stop this practice, that we will vote them out of office.

Seriously, People, wake up and realize that if you are voting Republican simply because they are Pro-Life that you are doing this country any good. Republicans will never reverse Roe vs. wade because it will take away their biggest campaign strategy.

Democrats passed it and if it was overturned, Republicans would have less of a following because the Pro-Life constituents would have to focus on something else.

Myself, I am the rare Pro-Life Democratic supporter.

Millions of babies, that have been murdered for no reason, could have been the next Einstein or Bill Gates.

I fully support adoption choices that allow a child to have a life and be loved by parents that love them.

I say this, even if you were raped and impregnated.

The fact that you were raped is sad... but the fact that you have the choice to give that child a home to someone that can't have one is a blessing that only you can give.

The crisis we are in has been subjugated to millions of dollars being spent on idiotic programs and this is what your elected officials are doing to satisfy lobbyists.

A bill should be just that, a bill that passes or fails on its own merit. A bill should have one cause and no fleas should be attached. This MUST be ratified to stop further injustices and only your voice will make this happen.

These guys and gals work for you, but you HAVE TO SPEAK UP AND CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN!!!

Only so much good is accomplished by Congress, and then they pass laws that you never hear about because they are buried in these Bills.

There is NO reason that something as important as this Bailout Vote had to go from a 3 page Bill to a 450 page bill in one week in order to get passed.

People, this is YOUR government!!! Get involved, or else you have no right to complain!!!

Who proposed the pork barrel spending and then who voted for it and agianst it? I will tell you now, and they must be removed from office...

Question: On Passage of the Bill (H. R. 1424 As Amended )
Vote Number: 213 Vote Date: October 1, 2008, 09:22 PM
Required For Majority: 3/5 Vote Result: Bill Passed
Measure Number: H.R. 1424 (A bill to provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system and protecting taxpayers, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes. )
Measure Title: A bill to provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system and protecting taxpayers, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes.
Vote Counts: YEAs 74
NAYs 25
Not Voting 1
Vote Summary By Senator Name By Vote Position By Home State


Alphabetical by Senator Name Akaka (D-HI), Yea
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Nay
Barrasso (R-WY), Nay
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Yea
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Yea
Bingaman (D-NM), Yea
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Yea
Brown (D-OH), Yea
Brownback (R-KS), Nay
Bunning (R-KY), Nay
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Yea
Cantwell (D-WA), Nay
Cardin (D-MD), Yea
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Casey (D-PA), Yea
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Yea
Coburn (R-OK), Yea
Cochran (R-MS), Nay
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Corker (R-TN), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Nay
DeMint (R-SC), Nay
Dodd (D-CT), Yea
Dole (R-NC), Nay
Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Nay
Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Ensign (R-NV), Yea
Enzi (R-WY), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Johnson (D-SD), Nay
Kennedy (D-MA), Not Voting
Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Nay
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea
Leahy (D-VT), Yea
Levin (D-MI), Yea
Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Martinez (R-FL), Yea
McCain (R-AZ), Yea
McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Yea
Nelson (D-FL), Nay
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Obama (D-IL), Yea
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Yea
Reid (D-NV), Yea
Roberts (R-KS), Nay
Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Sanders (I-VT), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Yea
Sessions (R-AL), Nay
Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Yea
Tester (D-MT), Nay
Thune (R-SD), Yea
Vitter (R-LA), Nay
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Webb (D-VA), Yea
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
Wicker (R-MS), Nay
Wyden (D-OR), Nay

Vote Summary By Senator Name By Vote Position By Home State


Grouped By Vote Position YEAs ---74
Akaka (D-HI)
Alexander (R-TN)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Bond (R-MO)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coburn (R-OK)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Ensign (R-NV)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Schumer (D-NY)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

NAYs ---25
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cochran (R-MS)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feingold (D-WI)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (D-SD)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sanders (I-VT)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 1
Kennedy (D-MA)

Vote Summary By Senator Name By Vote Position By Home State


Grouped by Home State Alabama: Sessions (R-AL), Nay Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Alaska: Murkowski (R-AK), Yea Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Arizona: Kyl (R-AZ), Yea McCain (R-AZ), Yea
Arkansas: Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Yea
California: Boxer (D-CA), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Colorado: Allard (R-CO), Nay Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Connecticut: Dodd (D-CT), Yea Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Delaware: Biden (D-DE), Yea Carper (D-DE), Yea
Florida: Martinez (R-FL), Yea Nelson (D-FL), Nay
Georgia: Chambliss (R-GA), Yea Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Hawaii: Akaka (D-HI), Yea Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Idaho: Craig (R-ID), Yea Crapo (R-ID), Nay
Illinois: Durbin (D-IL), Yea Obama (D-IL), Yea
Indiana: Bayh (D-IN), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Iowa: Grassley (R-IA), Yea Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Kansas: Brownback (R-KS), Nay Roberts (R-KS), Nay
Kentucky: Bunning (R-KY), Nay McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Louisiana: Landrieu (D-LA), Nay Vitter (R-LA), Nay
Maine: Collins (R-ME), Yea Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Maryland: Cardin (D-MD), Yea Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Massachusetts: Kennedy (D-MA), Not Voting Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Michigan: Levin (D-MI), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Minnesota: Coleman (R-MN), Yea Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Mississippi: Cochran (R-MS), Nay Wicker (R-MS), Nay
Missouri: Bond (R-MO), Yea McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
Montana: Baucus (D-MT), Yea Tester (D-MT), Nay
Nebraska: Hagel (R-NE), Yea Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nevada: Ensign (R-NV), Yea Reid (D-NV), Yea
New Hampshire: Gregg (R-NH), Yea Sununu (R-NH), Yea
New Jersey: Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
New Mexico: Bingaman (D-NM), Yea Domenici (R-NM), Yea
New York: Clinton (D-NY), Yea Schumer (D-NY), Yea
North Carolina: Burr (R-NC), Yea Dole (R-NC), Nay
North Dakota: Conrad (D-ND), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Nay
Ohio: Brown (D-OH), Yea Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Oklahoma: Coburn (R-OK), Yea Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Oregon: Smith (R-OR), Yea Wyden (D-OR), Nay
Pennsylvania: Casey (D-PA), Yea Specter (R-PA), Yea
Rhode Island: Reed (D-RI), Yea Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
South Carolina: DeMint (R-SC), Nay Graham (R-SC), Yea
South Dakota: Johnson (D-SD), Nay Thune (R-SD), Yea
Tennessee: Alexander (R-TN), Yea Corker (R-TN), Yea
Texas: Cornyn (R-TX), Yea Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Utah: Bennett (R-UT), Yea Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Vermont: Leahy (D-VT), Yea Sanders (I-VT), Nay
Virginia: Warner (R-VA), Yea Webb (D-VA), Yea
Washington: Cantwell (D-WA), Nay Murray (D-WA), Yea
West Virginia: Byrd (D-WV), Yea Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Wisconsin: Feingold (D-WI), Nay Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Wyoming: Barrasso (R-WY), Nay Enzi (R-WY), Nay




Due to the passage of the Bailout Bill, I am very close to voting Republican now because they were the hold-outs... but then again, they did not pass the 3-page bill but passed the 450 page bill.
Who is the Devil?

Honestly, If we are going to have a two party system that is unopposed, then let us have a syatem that has both parties represented. Let's go back to the system where the Popular vote gets the Presidency and the secondary becomes Vice President.

I like that idea better.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Tweedke Dee And Tweedle Dum

Without choosing one side over the other, let me bring the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in perspective.

What if the Mexican and United States Governments came to an agreement that allowed Mexico to reclaim the State of Texas and to exile all Texas residents to the new border of the United States?

That is what happened to the Palestinians, and we continuously tell them they are wrong for feeling that way.

My Friend, I would like nothing but peace in the Israel/Palestinian states, but maybe we could all just calm down for a second and realize what you can accomplish by being ONE.

Sharing alot of land is more profitable than splitting it up.

You double your workforce and double your tax income !!!

Honestly, I don't understand why the country of Mexico doesn't suggest a USA/Mexico merger as long as Mexico actually becomes USA.

They all want to come here, let's just make them us and we acquire more land for drilling.

Those are my thoughts.... but it's 4:59am.... what do you expect?

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Presidential Infomercial-Debate

I have to say that I found the debate on Friday Evening to be an embarassing dissapointment.
I can say this because I paid quite a bit more attention to it than the average American.
See, I am in the Closed Captioning industry and I captioned the debate and so, using the advanced technology of Voice Recognition software, I was listening to every word, while repeating, while reading the output captions and correcting any misunderstood words, while listening, while repeating, while reading, while correcting, while listening... etc.

It was a good 15 minutes into the debate before, at the prompting of Jim Lehrer, Senator Obama finally, tounge in cheek, directed a question towards Senator McCain.
This was followed by McCain making a joke about whether Jim thought Senator McCain could not hear the question.
Seriously, at this point in the game, I don't want to hear cute quips or jokes. I want my candidates to take this thing seriously, and standing before America and staring straight ahead does not get the job done.

I have heard the anecdote about the woman that gave McCain the bracelt that had her son's name on it so much that I almost wanted to puke when I heard it yet again tonight.
Senator McCain has repeatedly told that story at practically every appearance he has made and has yet to say how he could make his promise to this grieving mother come to fruition. He just says that it's important that we do.

Well, it's important for me to pay my bills, but none of my bill collectors will be satisfied with me saying, "My friend, I realize that if I were not to pay you, that would cause hardship for your company, so I promise to you that I will do my best to make sure that not only will I pay my bills, but I will do my best to make sure everybody pays their bills as well.

"What? How do I intend to do that?"

Well, I guess that the best answer is a word for word with, certain words changed to fit the situation, that Senato McCain uses.

"My Friend, every once in a while," I invariably begin, "you have an experience, an event in our lives, that puts everything into the right priority and into the right importance in your life. That happened to me last August. The "Electric Company" called and said: Mr. Shadow, would you pay the bill with our logo on it?'"

"TXU. TXU is 27 years old. They have been in business for almost three decades and recently have raised their rates so high that they charge most of their customers $430+ dollars a month for a 1000 sq ft apartment that costs twice as much'" I go on to explain " I said 'I would be honored to pay that bill.' And then they say: ‘Mr. Shadow, I just want you to promise me one thing. I want you to promise me that you'll do everything in your power to make sure that this bill was not passed in vain.' I promised the company then that I would. And I will keep that promise, not only to them, but to all the other companies I owe money to."

Would my electric company buy this unless I told them how, when, and what I would pay them?

McCain makes promises, but this year, since I have all my transcripts from all his speeches that I have captioned, that I will intend to hold him to every word he has uttered.

Now, for Obama… He has done the same thing. He even embarrassed me tonight when he countered McCain’s bracelet anecdote with, “I have a bracelet, too.”

***SIGH***

The entire debate went downhill from there.

This debate tonight was not a debate… it was more window dressing for both candidates. And I have seen better window dressing in the red light district of Amsterdam.

I certainly expect both candidates to learn from the press that the Nation’s general public will produce, in less than 8 hours, and give us some words equal to a Texas Roadhouse New York Strip rather than the equivalent of an Ethiopian spare rib.

But, Sadly, I realized this year that I have NEVER given as much attention to the election process as I have in the past 24 months!!

I ran for City Council in my city and lost to a competitor that had a lot more money than me (Daddy), and though I had my volunteers, more than I deserved, I did not have the financial resources.
As a normal guy, I didn’t win.

I think my job, as a Closed Captioner, has given me more “forced” knowledge, and I have learned a lot in 24 months…. And my perspective has grown even more broad.

Just one thought, though, I thought I had remembered this as the shortest time between convention and election, ever.

Come to find out, this is the first election where I actually got involved because it is the first time that I felt like I had a choice.
Though it seems odd to say, the way I was raised, albeit the only way I know, I really haven’t had a choice until today. Sad to say.

Also, off topic: Have you heard of the new cut of beef being served in the Finest restaurants?

It is called “Velvet Flank” and is the most succulent steak, tasty steak I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Like Veil, it is a tender meat that is savory, mostly because, oddly, the lean texture of the meat.

Breeders of “Velvet Flank” raise the calves until they are about 8 months old… they then slaughter the calf and that’s where you get “Velvet Flank.”

Practically ZERO marbling and the meat just melts in you mouth…. Have you tried it? I know that I have been to the best restaurants in TX and OK, but have not found one in AZ or CA.

Feel free to comment... Luv Ya, Malinda
Anyway, I’m done for tonight… it’s 4:50am, what do you expect?

Monday, September 22, 2008

Question 4 U...


The government will bail out wall street for $800 Billion but did not lift a finger when America was losing it's automobile industry.

As a lifetime Republican, and watching the S&L Crisis and the current financial district crisis, I have converted to the Democratic side because of the simple fact that during both tragedies, the Republicans were in office.
When one auto plant shut down, I think it was GM, they cut their staff from 500,000 to 250,000.

A quarter of a million workers lost their jobs and livelyhoods.

The top wealthiest 1% of American citizens consist of 3 Million people.

These 3 Million people, the powerful 1%, own 99% of the economic industry.

I pray that the democrats oppose this type of lack of regulatory oversight and the way republicans bail out the rich and leave the poor to the dogs.

By the way, I have NO sympathy for the dumb-asses that got themselves into bad loans!

I have been working hard to get a home, but you freaks that got into an ARM with zero down and closing costs wrapped in so that your mortgage was more than the property was worth.... you're a fucking idiot.

There are regular reports of people buying a $300K home when they made $40K a year.

That is fucking crazy since a 30 year fixed mortgage at the average 6% interest would make your monthly payment ALMOST $2000 A MONTH !!!

In this market, if you bring in $40K a year, you belong in an apartment!

Common sense, People!














If you have a different opinion, feel free to enter into the discussion.

It's 4:32 am... what do you expect?

Monday, September 08, 2008

The Shadow Awakens... Campaign 2008

To my readers that I have ... well... abandoned for many months, I am now going to try to post regularly until the November Election.

What will I talk about?

I will carry on a regular conversation with my Republican sister... remember, i'm "Independent."

I will convey my feelings on the recent "acquisition" of Fanny Mae & Freddy Mac to stabilize the market... This seems to be another baby step towards Socialism.

I will keep you up to date on the situation in which Kitty and I have gone through two Toyota Camrys in two months.

And, a new subject... "What I Ate Today, and "What Did It Look Like On Porcelain"

So, what do I have to say today?

What the hell do you want from me?

It's almost 5am.... just check back tomorrow...

Sunday, December 30, 2007

I Met My Wife In The Blue Lagoon

For those that know us.... this is the story of our lives.

It always makes me cry... but in a good way.

http://www.stage6.com/user/DiamondRay/video/1774589/Brooke-Shields---The-Blue-Lagoon

Hindsight is 20/20

If I could do that special day over again, I would have done this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QGLbd6Wffc

Sunday, December 23, 2007

X-MAS MY ASS

Ok, now here's my beef with people that want to have a "Holiday" season, but not call it christmas.

If you're putting a tree inside your home, decorating it, and then running 120 volts of electricity through it, the you are celebrating CHRISTMAS!!!

I know the first half of a couple that has a weird relationship. He is not really religious and she is Wiccan. So they say that they celebrate Yuletide... Gah... They have 2 kids, They put up a tree, they wrapped gifts, they did everything that our families do in our family traditions that celebrate the birth of Christ. They probably thought of that, because they opened gifts last night, which they say means they are not celebrating Christmas, but they do not want their kids to miss out.

OK... here is the inteligence behind that logic.

Bob: Hey there, Sam. I hear your birthday is coming up.
Sam: Yup, my own special day to celebrate my birth.
Bob: Hey, uh, Sam, I was wonderin' what you do to celebrate your birthday.
Sam: Nothin' really. My old lady makes me meatloaf, the kids go to bed early, and I get some.
Bob: you are shit'in me.... you just have a day that you get to have as your own special day?
Sam: Well, yeah.
Bob: Cool...

[Bob Calls Wife On Her Cell Phone]

Bob: Ok... here's the deal, Sam's birthday is on March 12th... On March 12th, I want you to make me a meatloaf, put the kids to bed, and give me some... And I am going to call it MyDay and we are going to do it on March 10th... just to piss everybody off.
Wife: Why don't you just fuck yourself and get a life.

You know what?

If you don't like the CHRIST in Christmas, then refuse your holiday vacation, and if you can't, refuse the extra pay that you are paid to work that day.

Maybe if you worked on Christmas day, I might have a few aethists to work on Christmas Day when my wife forgot the chicken broth for the stuffing.

But if you don't know Christ, try him out sometime.

He has good weed.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

I wanna sell you a Kia ! 0 - o

Kat and I wentto a "Brand Name" used car dealership to see what we might qualify for when we can afford a second car.

Here is the offer the salesman made on a car that Kat, in wonderful response to my evil grin communication with her, said that she liked most of all.

They took us back into the execution chamber... er... sales office and gave us the following proposal....


2004 Kia Optima 4C 2.4L
4D Sedan LX
Aluminum/Silver
Miles: 67,504
Sales Price: $14,157
APR: 21.44%


I grinned at him and told him that i will do my research and get back with him... and get back with him I did.

I was already well aware that I was dealing with a shark when the incredulous 21.44% interest came into play. That's a deal breaker right there.

But I also knew that $14K was about what those damn things cost BRAND NEW !!!

So, I decided to ride this bull a couple of more seconds and look it up in the Kelley Blue Book.

This is what I sent him, and what he sent back... Incredible.

Kevin,

After researching the proposal for the 2004 Kia Optima, the main problem I have right off is that Kelley Blue Book lists this vehicle at $9,085 in Excellent condition.

That is a far cry from $14,157.

When we do something about this, then we can proceed further.



Kevin replied by saying:

Here at DriveTime we do not price our cars off Kelly [Notice he spells Kelley wrong] Blue Book or NADA. We are able to use our own financing so [Notice the lack of usage of common punctuation marks, such as commas] that allows us to price our cars at the current market value of this area. In saying that we will not say we are the lowest place in town, but we are at the current market value. Unfortunately we are not able to negotiate on our prices. Our prices also reflect the reconditioning cost we put into our cars like maintenance, detail, warranty, ect. Other dealerships (including Kelly Blue Book) that show lower prices on car do not include warranty or a up to 53 point inspection. Those cars are "as is" type of cars.

Thanks,
Kevin Heatley


So, Basically, you are telling me that the rules don't apply to you, because you are able to itemize your excessive pricing?

Will Kevin get my business?

He could have, had he made his response more cordial rather than defensive.
You can say that you had to clean the fucking car to get the smell of weed out of it!!
It is a 3-year old car.... 60+K miles,,, uhm this camel has been ridden so hard, if it wasn't a rental, it doesn't have toes.

And the guy really felt like a jerk before he made the offer, when he had to Jump Start the fucking car because "Someone Left The HEadlights On.".... um, dude, one of the selling features of the standard features of that vehicle is that it turns the headlights off automatically after a few minutes.

He could have been a salesman and figured out what we could compromise on, even if it meant a different vehicle.
No, dumb as Kevin was to have lost the sale on his own, the sale was lost not because a guy is just being a corporate robot.
No, The lost sale was not because of Kevin, alone.
Dude's just doing his job.
But DriveTime, and this is entirely my opinion, takes advantage of the little guy.
They are no different from the rickety outfits you see that have 5 cars on the lot and police tape around the entrance.

I will let my big sister have the last word...

"You are what you make yourself, little brother."

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Your Credit Report Card.. Should You Pay?

Being someone who is trying to clean up some credit report errors, I am annoyed at the fact that Congress amended the The Fair Credit Reporting Act {FCRA) to allow consumers to get a free annual copy of their credit report, but still allows the Credit Reporting Agencies to charge you for the most important thing... your credit score... your grade.

The only time you EVER have to pay for YOUR INFORMATION is when dealing with the Credit Reporting Agencies.

This cost should be shouldered by those who depend on this information from a marketer or vendor point of view. They have much more to gain from the information, monetarily, than I.

And this is my personal information... why do I not have at least "Read Only" access.

Any comments?

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Welcome To The 80's Public School Music Class

My mother wondered why I got an "F" in music class.

She knew I could sing, but I imformed her that they were not teaching music... they were teaching "Break Dancing."

My mum tore them a new hole....

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Ok.... grab a tissue....

Having never been a guy that was ashamed to cry, I get choked up at alot of things... this one made me cry and decide to make another trip to the Welcome Home a Hero at the DFW Airport before school starts.

I lost the encoder, so you'll just have to click on the link... let me know how it affected you. Here is the link....

Monday, August 13, 2007

To: My First Born

Zachary helped me tonight....

A co-worker of mine went into a major seizure at work tonight.

No one else in the office knew what to do.

But Zachary has tought me alot in 10 years.

I handled the situation the same way I deal with Zachary's seizures.

And I'm proud of the two comments that I got from co-workers afterwards.

1. Dude, you acted just like a freakin' paramedic... Like on C.O.P.S. !!!

2. That was sweet the way you kept reassuring him even though he was unconcious.

Thank you, Zachary.

You have taught me more than I can ever teach you.


P.S. By the way, not that it relates here, but if you didn't already know, the American Heart Association CPR Training guidelines have changed. Contact your local CPR instructor to make sure you know how to save a life.
Tonight wasn't a case where I needed that training, but it reminded me of how it very well could have been.
Learn how to save a life, maybe even your own.

Monday, July 30, 2007

A VERY talented young Bass...

Chek out his other videos on YouTube... I'm a sucker for the blues.

It only looks like he's lypsynching because he has a good mixer.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

I could SO see Q-man doing this...

Even though the only games I ever took my nephew, ZQ, were his brother's basketball games where he was more interested in flirting with the girls than the game.

And even though ZQ wasn't quarterback. he saw more playtime than the QB.

But if he were QB, this would be a play that he would make.

Luv ya, Champ!

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/29651/

Sunday, July 22, 2007

OH MY GOD !!! I'm Homer Simpson..!!!!

Only I have a degree and know better than to drink more than my body mass in beer. You have to stop drinking about two beers before that in order to leave room for the foamy gaseous bubbles.

But anyway, I came to the sad realization that I am Homer, and my son Matthew is Bart... God help us !!!

Friday, July 13, 2007

Mothers and Sons

Two Middle East mothers are sitting in a cafe chatting over a plate of tabouli and a pint of goat's milk. The older of the mothers pulls a bag out of her purse and starts flipping through photos. And they start reminiscing.

"This is my oldest son Mohammed. He would be 24 years old now."

"Yes, I remember him as a baby" says the other mother cheerfully.

"He's a martyr now though" mum confides.

"Oh, so sad, dear" says the other.

"And this is my second son Kalid. He would be 21."

"Oh, I remember him," says the other happily, "he had such curly hair when he was born".

"He's a martyr too" says mum quietly.

"Oh, gracious me ..." says the other.

"And this is my third son. My baby. My beautiful Ahmed. He would be 18", she whispers.

"Yes" says the friend enthusiastically, "I remember when he first started school".

"He's a martyr also," says mum, with tears in her eyes.

After a pause and a deep sigh, the second Muslim mother looks wistfully at the photographs and says ......

"They blow up so fast, don't they?"

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Another "They Stole My Idea" moment

Being a guy that appreciates the painstaking process that it takes for women to paint their toenails... I find it sexy.

But it takes alot of work to do a good job if you are doing it yourself.... something I have learned since I've been married.

So, I thought... " why not create a "Press-On"-type product that would apply an even coat on any nail.... finger or toe... then I quickly talked mysel out of it.... then tonight I see this when I come home...

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=31313&from=search&find_spec=&camp=200715&dir_delivery=1&rep_delivery=1

Sunday, July 08, 2007

OK... so I like this song, too.... HEY, you choose to check out this blog....

Can somebody please tell me why I like this song ????

Environmentalists and Corporate America Screws Small Town

My parents' small hometown was promised an Electric Plant by TXU, and had the rug pulled out from under them....

Let me also note that the reason that there is a comment in the story about how pharmacist Rick Perkin is against the city growth proposal.... HE'S ONE OF ONLY TWO OTHER MOM & POP PHARMACIES IN TOWN.... They want to grow the city, but not so that it gets big enough to peak the interest of Walgreen's or CVS. Perkins saw this as a threat to his business and not a health concern.

A coal plant will not hurt West Texas. Hell, pumping oil out of the ground does more damage to the atmosphere than burning coal. God made coal in order for someone to burn it! Otherwise we'd call it water.... or rock... or anything but coal.




The following is a story published in the Abilene Reporter News... if I have broken any laws by reprinting this story, please be advised that I am a married father of two and am the sole bread winner for my family. I earn just enough to get by, and currently have a $200 payday loan, and my Fender Strat and Selmer Tenor Sax are in the pawn shop... I also have a debt listed on my credit report that reflects that I owe Blockbuster $1.27... of which I still cannot pay off.... By the way... I kid you not.... Blockbuster is willing to settle my debt if I pay them 50% of the balance.... NICE TRY !!!! Good thing I was smarter than they were or they would have scammed me good.... See, 50% of $1.27 is 63.5 cents... That's 63 and 1/2 cents.... I went to the bank to get a loan, and they told me that there was no such thing as 1/2 of a cent.... nice try Corporate America.

Colorado City stunned by end of coal plant plans
Sidney Levesque / levesques@reporternews.com
Tuesday, February 27, 2007


COLORADO CITY - Residents in Mitchell County's largest town are stunned by news that TXU Corp. has scrapped plans to build a coal-fired electricity plant that was expected to pump millions of dollars into the local economy.

''It was a big shock. We didn't expect that to happen,'' said Earl Plagens, publisher of the Colorado City Record.

As part of a $32 billion bid for energy supplier TXU, the investor group led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Texas Pacific Group agreed to drop plans for eight of 11 proposed new coal-burning power plants in an effort to appease environmentalists concerned about burning coal.

TXU had announced it would replace a natural gas plant at Mor gan Creek at nearby Lake Colorado City with a coal-fired plant.

Colorado City leaders who anticipated an influx of jobs and building construction - they had already bought land for future housing and hotels - say they are disappointed that it won't happen, a least for now, but are trying to stay positive.

On the plus side, the possibility of a coal-burning plant pushed them to clean up Colorado City, which is about 70 miles west of Abilene and has a population of 4,281. Old buildings were torn down, and the city is moving forward with historic downtown renovations. Mayor Jim Baum said the city had already spent some money in engineering fees getting ready for the plant's construction.

''Some of that money was for our water system, and we needed to do that anyway,'' he said.

The proposed coal plant, however, which seemed like almost a done deal as recently as last week, was expected to give a city whose major employers are two prisons, the school district and a hospital a big economic shot in the arm. Colorado City expected to see 1,000 construction jobs, and 85 permanent jobs.

As soon as the plant was announced, it generated excitement. Some residents bought stock in TXU. People started buying up land for development and old houses to remodel and sell. Before the plant was announced, Colorado City had a housing shortage.

And just last week, a TXU official was the featured speaker at the annual Colorado City Area Chamber of Commerce banquet. He told 260 residents - one of the largest groups the banquet has ever had - that he was sure the coal plant would become a reality despite opposition from environmental groups.

His comments made front-page headlines in the Colorado City Record: ''Credibility and truthfulness will win at the end of the day.''

Now that Colorado City won't get the plant, one contractor said the additional homes on the market won't go to waste. He said the wind farms and the oil and gas industry are keeping the real estate market alive.

City leaders said there are other economic development plans to focus on, namely additional wind farms and a new concrete plant.

''We've survived a lot out in this little West Texas town,'' said Sue Lowrance, executive vice president of the Colorado City chamber.

She said TXU officials told her they only found out about the company's plans a few days ago.

''This was as much a shock to the TXU officials we've been dealing with as it was for us,'' Lowrance said.

Another person said that after months of talking and planning for the plant, Colorado City is left feeling like the ''rug has been pulled out from under'' its feet.

''That's corporate America for you,'' said Bruce Gale, a clerk at Higginbotham-Bartlett Co.

The hardware store experienced a 10 to 20 percent surge in business following TXU's announcement about opening a coal-fired plant.

One of Colorado City's few opponents to the coal plant, pharmacist Rick Perkin, said TXU officials were not straightforward when he wanted answers about how the plant would affect the ground, water and air around it.

Perkin, who lives with his wife and 3-year-old twins less than two miles from the plant, said he worried mercury and arsenic would pollute the area.

''We're not going to raise these kids under a coal plant,'' he said.

He said he had no problem with the natural gas plant currently at Morgan Creek. Perkin said that if TXU's new owners still decide to put a new plant in, using a method other than coal, it could greatly benefit the city.

''They can turn the gas back on,'' he said. ''We were all fine with the gas.''

Despite Perkin's concerns, TXU officials said Colorado City expressed more support for a coal plant than any other city under consideration for a new plant. Baum said TXU officials told him to ''hang in there,'' and that the city could be considered if and when TXU plans to build plants in the future.

Tom Kleckner, TXU spokesman, said the company might consider the city for a future wind energy project. Or, the natural gas plant at Morgan Creek might be fully reopened someday.

''There's always a chance we will unmothball a unit because we will still need energy sources in Texas,'' Kleckner said.

Reporter-News staff writer Celinda Emison contributed information for this article.

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Come on... it's 4:45am !!!!

OK, let me preface this with the statement "THIS IS NOT A CRY FOR HELP!."

I just got to thinking about why celebreties, from days gone by, tend to crap out early in their career, and die an early death.

I have to say, having once been in a spotlight brighter than many ever see, once that spotlight is gone... you feel empty.

That's the emptiness that these "celebreties" feel.... yes, they have feelings just like you and me... But I lost that spotlight, so I understand exactly how they feel.

The spotlight shows the world your soul... but takes it, in turn, as a toll.

The good thing is, I wake up every morning, and God gives me another chance to give a little bit of a spotlight to everyone I meet that day.

It's best that the spotlight be given, lest you never receive it in turn.

Your thoughts?


Oh... almost forgot... Random Truth Or Dare, where you always get the Truth... I have never told anyone that my favorite childhood show was WKRP... I wonder if that is out in a DVD set yet.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

The iPhone... Really?


Thousands camped out at Apple stores and AT&T stores just so they could be one of the first owners of an over-priced phone that will likely be as similar a disappointment as the Razr Phones that everyone just HAD to have two years ago.

The problem is, the Razr phones were very poor phones that were so slimmed down and sleek, that their "cool look" was pretty much all they had going for them.

I have always compared it to putting the body of a Dodge Viper onto the motor and chasis of a Ford Escort. Sure, you'll look "cool" and "cutting edge," but you really just have a crappy car that will spend more time in the shop than on the road.

I just upgraded to a Samsung Sync (red). That's the phone you see pictured, above, except... mine is red... Did I get Red because I wanted a RED phone to support the fightagainst AIDS in Africa... no... I chose red, because my wife wanted red until I said that I liked the blue one... so then she wanted the blue one. So I said I'll just take the red one... now she wants me to swap SIM cards so that she can have the red phone and I can take the blue phone.... Hell to the NO!!! She WANTED red... I said I WANTED blue... she chose to take the blue instead so I took the red and will refuse to swap out of spite.

See, it's funny when you begin to play someone else's game by their rules and then stick to it... Whenever my phone rings, I know that she regrets being an ass.

Anyway, this phone looks basic, but is powerful enough for all my needs, since I never really anticipate watching the movie "300" on a 3-inch screen.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Paris Vs. Dolly


Not really meaning to give Paris anymore publicity... But didn't she look like a much younger Dolly Parton when she appeared on Larry King Live last night?