Новый Холоднаяа война

For my Russian readers...

По мере того как бывшие напряжения холоднаяа война flare вверх, я думаю о как scary 80'с были. С америкой на новых кампании и России reverting к своему totalitarian прошлому, он кажется если наши 2 больших нации будут kvadrat-na этапе мира снова. Почему он тот русские и американцы имеют такую темную увлекательность с собой? Наши нравственности сравнивают настолько остро? Мы реально все по-разному? Смотрим на ли мы излишек оборону реактивного снаряда в Польше, или 007 сумасбродств в europe, мы можем никогда не казаться, что get out себя дорога. Новаяа волна sabre простукивая тих сообщен на месяцы, но no one кажется, что принимает извещение. Мы поэтому после того как я потревожены о приносить народовластие к middle-east, но он кажется если мы должны давать уроки к русским. Народовластие имело tenuous владение в лучшем в бывшем СССР, и теперь оно кажется, что тонет назад к коммунизму, или возможно что-то даже более плохому. Россия держит некоторые из запасов мира последних больших природные ресурсы, но они не имеют wherewithal использовать их. Если мы смогли только помочь России вместо провоцировать их, то мы смогли соединить совместно и быть powerhouse. В настоящее время close to миллиард людей в Азии живут без использования электричества или нефтепродукта. Довольно скоро, одно из их идет увидеть эпизод зеленых акров через окно их соседа, и после этого они ВСЕ идя хотеть электричество, indoor трубопровод, и jalopy управлять к VP. Если Россия, Китай и Индия решают, то они хотят налево масла, они идут принять его. 8.3 из их до каждое 1 из нас, и ш не будет никакое Leonidas. В моем взгляде, только 3 дороги предотвратить мировую войну III которой я вижу приходить в следующие 20 леты.

1. Свободно энергия: кто-то изобретает холодное сплавливание, или 90% эффективную солнечную батарею, и никто должно воевать излишек масло больше.

2. Свободно еда: кто-то изобретает еду растет без почвы или вода, сродная к волшебным фасолям, и никто должна воевать излишек еду больше.

3. Aliens приезжают на землю: они или пинают наши ишаков, или помогают нам вне; но любая дорога, никто воюет нисколько более длиной. Excepting последнее одно, единственная дорога что мы можем достигнуть то из этих должна положить в сторону наши разницы и работу совместно. Мы дипломатия, не пули. Я call on президент установить отдел положения шкафа мира поэтому мы можем фактическ работать на некоторой дипломатии, вместо как раз давать ему обслуживание губы когда оно одевает мы.

Second Life...

...come on folks, I'm all for having fun on the Interweb, but I think many of you need to get a "First Life". Within this VIDEO GAME, Sweden is opening an embassy, the BBC is starting to simulcast programs, IBM has opened an office, and musicians are performing concerts there. $600,000 (USD) in REAL MONEY is exchanged in Second Life every day. Come on folks, lets get out in the real world. Maybe you'll get laid.

More On McDonald's Fat-Boy Meals

Hey, what do you know? McDonald’s is removing the trans-fat from its oil. Funny how realizing your corporation contributes to the leading cause of death in the United States (and that it might be held culpable) will motivate change.

We all agree that the Golden Arches is *not* the destination of choice for consumers looking for a healthy, well balanced meal. Bill Maher probably says it best in his book New Rules, “If I want to eat healthy, I’ll go to a place that serves actual food.” Is that what McDonald’s really wants us to do?

Why not build a dollar menu around the new food pyramid guidelines? Offer fresh fruits & vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean meats, all for a buck. I want cheap, convenient, *and* healthy all in one package. It seems a corporation like McDonald’s would have the resources to pull that off.

So, thanks for removing some of the fat you’ve artificially added to my food. Let me know when it’s finally safe to eat at your restaurant.

A New Cold War

As former Cold War tensions flare up, I think about how scary the 80's were. With America on a new crusade and Russia reverting to its totalitarian past, it seems as if our two great nations will square-off on the world stage again.

Why is it that Russians and Americans have such a dark fascination with each other? Do our morals contrast so sharply? Are we really all that different? Whether we're facing off over missile defense in Poland, or 007 follies in Europe, we can never seem to get out of each other's way. A new wave of sabre rattling has been quietly reported for months, but no one seems to be taking notice.

We are so worried about bringing democracy to the middle-east, but it appears as if we should be giving lessons to the Russians. Democracy has had a tenuous hold at best in the former U.S.S.R., and now it seems to be sinking back towards communism, or perhaps something even worse. Russia holds some of the world's last great reserves of natural resources, but they don't have the wherewithal to utilize them. If we could only help Russia instead of provoking them, we could band together and be a powerhouse.

Currently there are close to a billion people in Asia that live without using electricity or petroleum products. Pretty soon, one of them is going to see an episode of Green Acres through their neighbor's window, and then they're ALL going to want electricity, indoor plumbing, and a jalopy to drive to the VP. If Russia, China and India decide they want what's left of the oil, they're going to take it. There are 8.3 of them to every 1 of us, and W ain't no Leonidas. In my view, there are only three ways to prevent the World War III that I see coming in the next 20 years.

1. Free energy: someone invents cold fusion, or a 90% efficient solar panel, and nobody has to fight over oil anymore.

2. Free food: someone invents a food that grows without soil or water, akin to magic beans, and nobody has to fight over food anymore.

3. Aliens arrive on earth: they either kick our asses, or help us out; but either way, nobody is fighting any longer.

Excepting the last one, the only way that we can achieve either of these is to put aside our differences and work together. We need diplomacy, not bullets. I call on the President to establish a Department of Peace cabinet position so we can actually work on some diplomacy, instead of just giving it lip service when it suits us.

Brandon's Required Reading

If you have any down time you should read this blog...

David Stephenson's Homeland Security Blog

He's liberal, smart and an interesting read. A warning, this blog is very scary, and you should be scared.

I specifically suggest reading the entries regarding community wi-fi networks and self-rescuing communities.

While We're On The Subject...

While we're on the subject of dogs, let me remind you that when you want to get a new member of the family, adopt him or her from your local Humane Society or from a reputable breeder. Whatever you do, don't buy your new friend from a big-box pet store like Uncle Bill's or ANY place in the mall. When you purchase animals from those types of retailers you are supporting backyard-breeding and puppy mills. These are horrific environments for your new best friend, and you're usually getting the lowest quality animal possible.

Backyard-breeders and puppy mills breed animals in the quickest way possible, which involves a lot of inbreeding. Do you ever wonder why your Mastiff has hip-dysplasia or your Cocker is prone to episodes of rage? It's because purebred dogs by nature are inbred just a little, and people who want to make money off of breeding animals usually take every shortcut possible, including breeding a good specimen with his mother.

Keep in mind that your average purebred's life-span is 8 years, but the average mixed-breed dog lives 11 years. The average mixed-breed's vet bills will also be lower, as they don't generally suffer from the inbreeding-related health issues that purebreds suffer from. That's 3 more years of love from your (healthier) best friend.

Editor's Note: The statistics on breed life-spans are anecdotal (at best) and from my memory of a report I read while working at a Vet Laboratory, and from witnessing firsthand how long mixed-breed animals can live (Bash). If you don't like it, find me some better stats, or even some to disprove these.

News Roundup Tuesday 5/29/7

Here are the big tickets in today's news...

Important Stuff

For the first time in forty years, the U.S. Government has issued a quarantine order. A particularly virulent and dangerous form of TB was found in a man who recently traveled to Europe and re-entered the U.S. through Canada, prompting U.S. authorities to quarantine him at an Atlanta, GA area hospital.

To read the story, click here.

On a similar subject, click here to read about "Typhoid Mary".

Ten American soldiers were killed in Iraq over the Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, five Britons were kidnapped from a government office in Baghdad by men dressed in Iraqi police uniforms. 112 U.S. Soldiers have been killed in Iraq this month.

To read the story, click here.

President Bush imposed new sanctions on Sudan this morning, citing genocide. Mr. Bush restricted U.S. persons or businesses from doing business with 31 Sudanese companies, and 3 Sudanese individuals.

To read the story, click here.

Central Indiana News

In response to rising crime rates, IMPD is starting a curfew crackdown. As schools are ending session for the summer, IMPD and local law enforcement agencies are planning on running "curfew sweeps" to keep children at home during the evening hours.

To read the story, click here.

Wiccans Get Some Federal Recognition

After more headache and hassle than should have been necessary, the pentacle is finally on the federal government's list of approved religious emblems to mark the gravestones of fallen service personnel.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/27/memorialday.wiccans.ap/index.html

This is a huge leap in civil liberties for folks who practice alternative spirituality, but I don't think we Americans should go crazy in congratulating ourselves at how inclusive we are just yet. Please, let's remember that it took nearly a decade for the "pentacle quest" to come to fruition. Furthermore, Wicca is one subset of Paganism, and the pentacle is one of many symbols that Pagans use. If the "Big Three" (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) can have 40 symbols for just one God, shouldn't Pagans have been given a lot more to work with?

Seriously, though, it's a step in the right direction, but when our "fearless leader" has such a hard time recognizing that Wicca is a legitimate religion, we have a long way to go.

Mr. T Needs Work!

Lindsay Lohan was arrested this morning at a Beverly Hills area hospital. Lohan, 20, was arrested after being treated for a single-car accident this morning. Lohan could face additional charges after a substance alleged to be cocaine was found in her vehicle. Is anyone else sick of her yet?

To read the story, click here.

Introduction

I'm lurking in the shadows a bit, but as a staff member, I wanted to go ahead and post a teeny-tiny intro. This way I don't have to do it later when I actually have something important to say.

I've known Brandon since we were teenagers, and, though I am probably one of his least political friends, I freakin' LOVE this blog. I'm on staff as an editor, so feel free to think of me as "Semi-Colon Girl." I'm like a superhero with really nerdy punctuation powers - and no lycra. (We can all be thankful for that last bit.)

Brave Or Stupid?

A Milwaukee area gas station owner shut off his pumps Thursday in a protest over high gas prices. As we have previously discussed, I'm not so sure that these types of protests, or the threats of these types of protests, do any good. The gas station owner himself said that he will make up most of the estimated $1,500 in gas sales the next day when he starts selling fuel again. He claims his protest is because he does not make any money off of fuel; he loses his slim profits to gas wholesalers and taxes.

We can't make any changes by just trying the same thing in a slightly different way. Einstein said insanity is repeating the same action over and over again, expecting a different result. How is not buying (or selling) gas on one day of the year going to effect the price of gas at all? Don't write your congressmen; they're already in bed with the oil companies. They don't care about how it hits your pocket; they care how it hits theirs. If you don't want to spend so much money on gas, get rid of your gas guzzler and buy a (God forbid) hybrid vehicle. They even make hybrid SUVs for those of you with small penises.

For years, Europeans have been paying high prices at the pump. In London, you pay the equivalent of $7.10 (USD) per gallon, and the world hasn't ended for those folks. They have come up with alternatives to petrol. They, in particular, utilize nuclear power quite a bit. Where they pay dearly for transportation fuel, their home energy bills are much cheaper. Another thing that Europeans are good at is carpooling and public transportation. The U.S. has a decided disadvantage for using public transportation, we are a very large country and there isn't always a bus going where you want to go. However, there are things we can do to reduce the amount of money we spend on gas and petroleum products.

1. Walk your fat ass around the block once in a while - if you can walk there, don't drive. Duh.
2. Turn off your lights when you're not in the room.
3. Buy fluorescent light bulbs - they can save you 80% on lighting costs. They produce the same amount of light using 1/5th the electricity. They also last YEARS instead of months.
4. Spend time outside during Daylight Savings Time. Its dayLIGHT SAVINGS time. It's right in the name. You'll use less electricity if you'd turn off Springer and look at the outside. Go ahead, it's OK. Turn off the TV; it's a rerun anyway.
5. Buy a f*%king fuel efficient car, you a$$hole! Are you so insecure in your manhood that you have to drive a 454 Chevy pickup? I see lots of big pickup trucks, but the only big thing being hauled by them is usually an ego.
6. Take all the crap out of your trunk. On average, every 100lbs your car hauls reduces the gas mileage by 2%. Again, maybe you should walk around the block and lose some weight.
7. Don't use the AC unless you have to. If you have a small living area, turn your AC off when you leave for work. A small area will cool back off very easily; there's no reason to pay to cool it when you're not at home.
8. Observe no-zone action days. If you hear not to pump gas until after 6pm, don't. It will be cooler after 6pm and you'll lose less to evaporation while pumping.
9. CARPOOL - learn how here
10. Stop being a dumb American. A lot of people have it worse than us. If we had compassion for those folks instead of greedily ripping them off, maybe they'd sell us a cheap gallon of gas.

Have a good Memorial Day Weekend, and remember your fallen countrymen - respect their sacrifices by being a responsible American.

"Lady Gardens" Unite Against Bush

Myspace Layouts

Mr. T Actually Needs Work!

You may or may not know that I publish a semi-regular column in this blog called Mr. T Needs Work!. It revolves around celebrities and the embarrassing situations they often find themselves in. The name is derived from a TV Funhouse sketch on SNL in February of 2000. Here is a heavily (and poorly) edited clip of that sketch...



I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have been a fan of Laurence Tureaud since I saw him in Rocky III. My father used to take me to the Rocky movies when I was a kid. The memories of those movies are some of the few good ones I have of my father from childhood. So Sly Stallone and his creation, Rocky, and the characters from those movies hold a special place in my heart. Mr. T was always my favorite, probably because of my love for black people and their culture. From a very young age, I have been fascinated by black culture and considered African-Americans my brothers, though not many of them would claim my pasty-white, dumb-ass.

As my staff will confirm, this article will violate several of my rules: "No Articles That Have Been Out Of The News For More Than A Month", "no articles longer than 4 paragraphs" and my "don't source Wikipedia" rule, but I'm the boss and I was watching a rerun on TV Land of Mr. T's recent, failed reality program I Pity The Fool this week, and it brought the subject to the front of my mind.

While Mr. T may look and speak like a jack-ass (don't give me none of that jibba-jabba) he is actually a very entertaining, intelligent and impressive man. He is the oldest of 12 children from a rough Chicago neighborhood. He served as an MP in the U.S. Army, then found work as a body guard to the stars. In 1982, Sly Stallone spotted him at a "toughest bouncer" contest and his career bloomed from there. While Mr. T came from adversity, he found his niche early on and owned it. You have to respect a person for owning who they are and being proud of it. To that point, in Pity The Fool Mr. T uses his motivational style - pretty much yelling at people and scaring them with military-style advice on life, to help them not be a$$holes.

The world needs more Mr. Ts. There are a lot of, as Jon Stewart would say, douchebags out there. If more folks stood up to obnoxious people, maybe there would be less of them. Jeez people, stand up for yourselves. I see people getting walked on every day. Take a lesson from T and stand up for yourself. I'm not saying pick a fight with some bikers, but when the lady at the DMV is obviously wrong, call her on it. You'll feel better.

I'm calling on you, my loyal readers, to contact TV Land and demand they renew I Pity The Fool for another season. Mr. T Needs the work!

News Roundup Thursday 5/24/7

Here is what is in the newspapers today. Why don't you pick one up and read it for yourself?

Important Stuff

In a nationally televised news conference this morning, President Bush told the American public to prepare for a tough summer in Iraq. He said that the next few months are critical, and his 30,000 troop buildup would be in place by June. Democrats in the Congress gave up on a plan to force a withdrawal date and instead inserted language with timetables and goals for the Iraqi government into the war funding bill currently on the floor of the House.

To read the story, click here.

Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian cabinet minister and 30 others in raids in the troubled West Bank region. After several failed cease fires, heavy fighting continues in that area.

To read the story, click here.

Indiana News

A southern Indiana soldier was killed in Iraq on Tuesday. Twenty-nine year old Sgt. Joe Montgomery, originally from Scotsburg, IN, was killed instantly Tuesday as he was working to clear underground explosives. During the operation, Sgt. Montgomery tripped one of the explosive devices and was killed in the detonation. Sgt. Montgomery will be interred in Scotsburg at a date to be determined later.

To read the story, click here.

Tough Times For Everyone...

Iraq Coalition Casualties Mount

In the last 24 hours, 9 U.S. Soldiers have been killed in 5 separate attacks across Iraq. Let's go over some numbers...

3,431 U.S. Soldiers KIA
30,000 U.S. Soldiers Wounded
917 Private Military Contractors KIA (U.S. Citizens)
12,000 Private Military Contractors Wounded (U.S. Citizens)

428.1 Billion USD (estimated) spent, increasing by about $1,300 per second

An estimated 65,000 - 650,000 Iraqi civilians killed, and we don't even officially keep track of the number. I guess we learned the wrong lessons from Vietnam.

Does anyone still think this was a good idea?

Campaign Contributions

As we discussed yesterday, money is becoming key in U.S. Presidential elections. Today I received a solicitation for money from Hillary Clinton's campaign. This is the earliest I have ever received a solicitation of this nature. I can't stress enough that you should support your favored candidate financially. The sad fact is that money wins elections because our nation as a whole has an attention span similar to a 4-year-old high on sugar, or maybe a gnat. We can't pay attention to what the candidates are telling us; we have to see it in a shiny, entertaining commercial, or beaten into us by the local talking heads (Ed's Note: I think it's a stretch to call FOX 59's morning program "news").

Maybe more people would vote if they wrote it into the plot of Ugly Betty.

Some Friendly Computer Advice

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation which, among other things, allowed for stiffer penalties for software manufacturers and others who use spyware fraudulently. It is great that the Congress has decided to take up this issue for us, but I imagine it'll be about as effective as past measures to legislate the Internet (sound required).

My advice to you, no matter what Congress does to make the Internet safer, take some steps of your own...

1. Nothing good is free - this is especially true on the Internet. If it's free, it's too good to be true. Spyware and virus authors use the fact that you're too cheap to pay for anything as a tool to sneak onto your computer.

2. Anti-virus and anti-spyware tools can only protect you as long as you don't bypass or disable them - If you go ahead and tell the computer to do something unsafe, it assumes you know what you're doing. Believe me, you don't. Also, you don't want to disable these tools because if you do they won't get their new updates. If they don't have new updates, they don't know what Timmy the 14-year-old virus writer has produced this week, and they can't protect you from it.

3. Weekly scans - I can't stress this enough: run a manual anti-virus and anti-spyware scan weekly.

4. Stop looking at porn! The majority of spyware infections I see are caused by the user downloading a codec to translate and view a pornographic video. When you install the codec, you also install the spyware.

5. Don't let your children use your computer without supervision. This includes your teenagers. Teenagers have grown up with computers and they think they know what they're doing. They don't. Teens assume they always know what's best, and not just with authority figures; they really don't know what's best for your computer, either.

Happy computing!

What Florida's Front Loading Means To You

Florida's Governor, Charlie Crist (R-FL), signed into law yesterday a bill containing changes to Florida's controversial voting procedures. Included in Florida House Bill 537 was a provision moving Florida's presidential primary to January 29th, a full week ahead of the earliest date allowed by both the DNC and RNC. This is a blatant example of what political analysts term "front loading," the phenomenon of states moving their primaries forward in the hopes of influencing the candidates chosen for national political party presidential nominations.

Front loading is nothing more than political theater at its finest. Should Florida actually hold its primary before the earliest date allowed by the DNC/RNC, they would lose 50% of their state's delegates to the DNC/RNC. The state's delegates are those people who vote to elect their party's nominee for President. Additionally, any candidate that officially campaigns for President in a state before February 5th of the election year cannot receive any of that state's votes for their party's nomination (Ed's Note: Dan informed me that only the RNC has this specific rule). That being said, the DNC/RNC may choose not to follow their own rules. It probably depends on if they see any advantage for their favored candidates.

If the major party committees choose not to follow their stated rules and allow candidates to campaign early, and allow states to hold early primaries, this will give a decided advantage to candidates with lots of money because of Florida. Florida is an important swing state, considered a microcosm of America. You can generally tell how an election will go by early polling in Florida. Florida's panhandle is in the U.S. Central Time Zone, and largely conservative; the peninsula is in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone, and largely liberal with conservative counties peppered throughout it - distributed politically very similarly to the U.S. as a whole. Florida is one of the most expensive states to campaign in, simply because of the diverse and large population. Campaign money is primarily spent on newspaper and television campaigns. The larger the population, the more expensive it is to advertise in that market. Additionally, the more diverse the population is in a market, the more outlets for advertising there are (e.g. more newspapers and more TV stations to target). Florida having their primary on January 29th would force candidates to concentrate there earlier than they normally would, possibly ignoring other states because of their later primaries.

It is hard to say at this point if this "front loading" will be allowed by the RNC/DNC, and what effect it might have on U.S. elections if it is allowed. With the issues the United States has had with its two most recent presidential elections, (Florida in 2000, Ohio in 2004) it might be wiser to leave things as they are. We don't want the rest of the world to feel as if the U.S. is a banana republic with the same election problems you see in 3rd world countries. We're having a tough enough time with our credibility as a democracy as it is.

For more information on this subject click here, here, or here.

A 9/11 Worst-Case Scenario

Here is an interesting alternate history of 9/11, which considers what might have happened had everything gone as planned that Tuesday morning in September. I'm no fan of how Bush, and the Federal Government in general, handled 9/11 and its aftermath, but this article speculates what could have happened with a weaker response. The author also allows pretty much every terror plot we've heard of in the last 6 years to come to fruition.

In The News

Here are some of the things you should be reading on your own. What's your problem anyway?

Important Stuff

Bill Richardson officially announced his candidacy for President today. Richardson (D-NM) has been governor of New Mexico since 2003 and is the first Democratic governor of that state since 1995. He is considered a long-shot and, if elected, would be the first Hispanic in the White House.

To read the story, click here.

Congressional Democrats, in a concession to the Bush Administration, started discussion of a new Iraq War funding bill. The proposed bill would fund the war through September of this year. It does not, however, have the timelines for withdrawal, and it does have billions of domestic spending cut from the budget.

To read the story, click here.

Mr. T Needs Work!

The ashes of actor James Doohan, famous for the role of Scotty on the classic 60's television program Star Trek, were launched into space on April 28th. The ashes of Doohan and 201 other people were launched from White Sands, New Mexico and later recovered for mounting on plaques.

Some people have too much money.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/05/19/star.trek.doohan.ap/index.html

An Essay On Entitlement

People in this country have a strange idea of what they are entitled to. As Americans, we are used to being able to do pretty much as we please, whenever we wish. People vaguely remember reading The Bill of Rights in high school government classes, and it leaves them with strange ideas of what they are allowed to do. Usually they are incorrect.

For instance...

I manage a network consulting firm in the central Indiana area. Recently I was visiting one of our offices in a small, affluent town north of Indianapolis. The town was at that time holding some sort of community festival that apparently had very high attendance, and parking was at a premium. Our office is located in a small strip mall near the center of town. We were the only business in the strip mall that was open during the festival and I spent most of the morning defending the two parking spots that were still open when I arrived at 8am. I try to keep parking places in our lot open for my customers since many of them are elderly and usually carrying a heavy computer. As long as I have two spots open, I'm usually pretty happy.

As the morning wore on and open parking places in town were dwindling, the blood-pressure of the people I had to run off increased. I ended up getting into an argument with a young woman about her parking in my lot. When I saw that she was not coming into my office, I walked out and politely requested she relocate her car, since I was expecting some clients to arrive. She started to argue with me, so I informed her that she was parked on private property. I referenced the sign posted in our parking lot that warned that vehicles of non-customers would be towed at the owner's expense. Since she had parked on the side of the building where that sign was not visible, she became more incensed, saying that if there were no sign, she would do as she wished. Furthermore, I was informed by this woman that my parking lot was indeed NOT private property, but public since it was in the downtown area. Additionally, she informed me that my sign and the act of my asking her to leave were illegal. From there the situation escalated.

Let me let y'all in on a little secret. The fact that you can enter a property without asking permission, like a mall or a restaurant parking lot, does not make it public property. Most people know that you can be asked to leave the mall (Paul), that you can get kicked out of Taco Bell (Dan), and that you can be sack-tossed by two bouncers out of The Rock Lobster in Broadripple (myself). What makes someone think that parking lots and the front lawns of businesses are any different? Think of it this way: if the town, city, county, state or federal government doesn't own the property, it is not public property but private and subject to the same rules of eviction that you enjoy in your own home. Furthermore, businesses always have the right to refuse to serve or do business with someone as long as it is not discriminatory - based on race, creed, color...well, you know the rest.

Don't let anyone push you around. Always stand up for your rights, but be aware of exactly what your rights are. Don't fall prey to your failing memory of a government class you took fifteen years ago and didn't pay attention to in the first place. You just might get arrested.

An Open Letter to IN-5th District Representative Dan Burton

Dear Representative Burton,

Times are a changin'. Yes they are. You remain in power because Hamilton County's voter base is, by and large, older and conservative. As those people die off, younger, more liberal folks are replacing them.

My friends and I are becoming a larger and larger part of the voting public. We WILL NOT STAND for this war! Fifty-seven percent (57%) of The People of the United States polled earlier this month supported the recent War Funding Bill introduced by the Democratic majority. We want this war to end, and we want it to end now. We can no longer tolerate the following: deaths of 3,404 soldiers, the 30,000 soldiers wounded, the ridiculous $421.1 billion (estimated) spent so far on this war and the estimated deaths of 65,000 to 650,000 (depending on who you believe) Iraqi civilians. That is a horrific war record.

Furthermore, we are outraged and embarrassed to have the leaders we have. Conservative magazine Human Events recently conducted a poll of its readers, asking them if they supported the impeachment of the President and Vice President. Forty-three percent (43%) of those people said "yes." I suggest you stop toeing the party line and distance yourself from this administration. You're up for re-election next year. If you wish to remain in office, you should support Representative Kucinich when he introduces articles of impeachment. We demand that you support any legislation regarding the withdrawal of our military from Iraq or benchmarks and timetables for the Iraqi government.

Regards,

The Staff of Political Musings
Cicero, Indiana

We ARE Stardust, We ARE Golden...

If you'll indulge me, I'd like to quote Joni Mitchell. I promise this is going somewhere...

"By the time we got to Woodstock, we were half-a-million strong; and everywhere was a song and a celebration. And I dreamed I saw the bomber death-planes riding shotgun in the sky; turning into butterflies above our nation.

We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion-year-old carbon; and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden."

Keep up hope. If you follow the in-line links, you'll see that ending this war is within our grasp. Things are changing for the better every day. The President's approval rating is way down, UFPJ has 1300 member organizations with hundreds of thousands of members, there are anti-war protests across this great nation daily; we can end this war soon. Write your congressional representative and tell them that you would support them in the impeachment of the President and Vice-President. Let's get this show on the road.

You are ancient, you are divine and you are wise. Let's use that to our advantage instead of bringing us closer to the brink.

Introduction

By way of introduction... I am a long time friend of Brandon's. We probably share similar views, but not always. I tend to have a dry sense of humor, so people often mistakenly believe I am serious when I'm not. Like Brandon, I vote Democrat because I feel it is the lesser of two evils. I prefer to be eclectic in my choices and pick & choose between the best ideas available. I'm not nearly as well read as Brandon regarding politics, but it won't stop me from pushing out my opinion. I have a sign in my house that reads "if you don't like it, there's the door." That pretty well sums up my thoughts. I really don't care if you don't like my thoughts. I'll certainly listen to yours, but don't expect me to change my mind. My only goal is to keep Brandon from kicking me off of his blog. That's all I've got. Feel free to ask me anything.

Would You Like That “Fat Boy” Sized?

I know this is not a popular topic. Every time I mention it, almost everyone I know immediately disagrees with me. But here’s the thing. I’m glad fat people united to bring suit against McDonald’s. There is a part of me, perhaps the really fat part of me, that wants McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants to be held accountable for the crap they put in their food and on their menus. Sure, I understand people need to take responsibility for what they put in their bodies. I *should* also have the personal wherewithal to stop myself from cheating on my wife, beating my kids, and speeding on my way to work, but there are still laws in place to help keep my machismo in check. Look, we’re animals. If something feels good, we don’t care that it is bad for us, we do it anyway. So we build civilizations and create governments and laws to help us separate the good from the evil. Visit an AA meeting, they’ll tell you willpower and addictions are two different issues. There is something just a little addictive about the sinful delight of the quarter pounder with cheese and large fries. Making it super-size is so easy. Often, I want the large drink and so I’ll get the large fries automatically. I know I don’t *have* to eat them… but I always do. One argument against suing big tobacco is that the public has known for years that smoking is bad for our health, yet we continued to inhale cigarettes. But it’s also true that tobacco companies have known that their product is bad for our health and they will gladly sell it to us and market it to our children. Does anyone do a better job of marketing fast food to children than Mickey D’s? Is there a kid alive who doesn’t recognize the Golden Arches? (One that isn’t home schooled anyway.) Make sure to order the Mighty Kids Meal for even more fat in your child’s diet. It doesn’t take Joe Camel to know that hooking kids at an early age guarantees regular and increasing use throughout adulthood. Jean Kilbourne tells us a big part of advertising is appealing to the largest consumer of the product and making them feel assured that their heavy use is normal and healthy. I’ve not seen a commercial yet warning me to not exceed 1 meal per week at the fast food giant. Yet European McDonald’s recommend their customers limit their consumption. American McDonald's encourages us to eat with them early and often, but then uses the “personal accountability” argument to say we should know better. So, fine, the lawsuit was thrown out and conservatives everywhere rejoiced. Capitalism is saved. Yet, maybe if McDonald’s profits are down it’s because we’re ready for a change. And we have seen some change. Fast food is pushing a healthier menu these days. Shortly after the lawsuit, Wendy’s started offering alternatives to French fries. McDonald's only recently added two items to their to their dollar menu that could remotely be considered healthy (side salad & fruit and yogurt parfait). Proving once again that eating healthy is a luxury for the well to do in America. What I really want is somebody to invent a cheeseburger that looks like a cheeseburger, feels like a cheeseburger, and tastes like a cheeseburger, but has fewer calories and low fat content. The reason McDonald's adds trans-fats to their food is that it makes it taste better and therefore increases sales. Could they just STOP doing that? It'd be a start.

Don't take my word, READ Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, or watch Morgan Spurlock's Supersize Me.

Still Alive

Hello all, sorry I've not posted any new content recently. I've been keeping pretty busy at work. You can expect an onslaught of posts and articles starting Saturday morning. A lot has happened since we spoke last.

Contributors Wanted

I'm looking for people to contribute to my blog. I don't care if you're conservative or liberal, I would just like more content. Please comment on this post if youu're interested, it sends me an e-mail when I get comments and I'll contact you directly.

News Roundup Wednesday 5/16/7

These are the things you should really be reading on your own. Do I have to do everything for you?

Several people complained about there being no News Roundup for Tuesday. All I can say is, hey, I have a job. I do what I can.

Important Stuff

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz is currently negotiating his resignation as the President of that esteemed body. Wolfowitz has been accused of nepotism when he allegedly used his influence as the President of the World Bank to secure a pay raise and promotion for his companion, World Bank Senior Communications Officer for the Middle-East and Northern Africa Shaha Ali Riza (ed's note: Props to the RZA, my shizza!!!).

Breaking News!!! During the writing of this post, ABCNews.com reported that Wolfowitz will not resign and will push the issue in the form of a vote by the World Bank Board. To stay on top of this story, follow this link.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070516/ts_nm/worldbank_wolfowitz_negotiations_dc_1;_ylt=ArEWFXZLztfBeEvshZdSKEME1vAI

The U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would require all U.S. Troops to pull out of Iraq by March 31, 2008. Instead they have embraced a Republican sponsored bill that would require Iraq to show progress or be denied additional aid and U.S. Military support.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070516/pl_nm/iraq_usa_funding_dc_4;_ylt=AvuOv2bcsNhog_CBlOBdsA0E1vAI

Local News

A BMV branch on the west side of Indianapolis was burglarized overnight in what IMPD has called an "inside job". Over $53,000 in cash and personal checks were stolen when criminals broke into the branch and removed a safe from the premises. The branch will remain closed until the immediate investigation has been completed.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070516/LOCAL1804/70516015

What the f*$k?!?

Train Passengers Asked to Get out and Push. Those wacky Indians. Have a read...

Don't Buy Gas on 5/15? Huh?

This year on May 15th, as I have each May 15th since 1999, received an e-mail that reads something like this. See if it sounds familiar...

"Attention all MySpace.com members! You are being asked not to pump gas on May 15th, to send a message to the oil companies. If people stopped pumping gas for one day, the oil companies would lose $3 billion dollars that day and would possibly cause them to drop the price of oil and gas. This worked in the past."

What genius came up with this idea? How is this going to change anything? The e-mail doesn't ask us to cut down on our gas usage, it just says to not buy gas one day. This isn't going to hurt anyone or change anything, that just means that all the gas that would get purchased that day gets purchased the evening before or the day after. This would have absolutely no effect on the oil companies, this would just make life hard on the people that work at your local gas station when their business spikes abnormally. It'll make their life hard, and it'll make life hard on the local distributors - usually mid-sized local trucking companies with contracts to move fuel from the refinery to the local gas station. These are people that have no control over the price of fuel. Local gas stations are usually franchises with local/regional owner/operators. These people don't set the price of gas. They, like you and I, just pay what the market demands then mark it up a couple of cents to cover their costs.

Haven't you noticed that there are no "gas stations" anymore? They're all mini-marts. That is because there is no money in selling fuel. Americans demand cheap fuel and vote on the basis of how full their wallets are. Your local congressman and big oil lobbyists make it impossible for anyone but the big oil companies to make money selling petroleum products.

Here is what I suggest...the next time you get an e-mail like that, reply to the sender suggesting that if they really want to change the world then they should get their head out of their ass and trade in that 454 Denali for a hybrid, eat a salad, walk their fat ass around the block once in a while, turn off Springer, read a newspaper and stop being an uninformed BAD AMERICAN. No wonder the world hates us...

Haha

Jerry Falwell died. I hope Hell is hot enough for him. I'm no fan of Jerry Falwell and his endless stream of insensitive and racist remarks. I hope Satan has a special place for hypocrites...maybe it'll include sodomy. Wouldn't that be just desserts?

Mr. T Needs Work!

Sylvester Stallone is in the news today. Mr. Stallone allegedly imported 48 vials of Human Growth Hormone into Australia, where it is illegal. In a letter to an Australian court, Stallone admitted to ownership of the HGH and claimed ignorance of Australia's law banning it. Mr. Stallone was quoted as saying "I made a terrible mistake. Not because I was attempting to deceive anyone but I was simply ignorant of your official rules". What a great example of a sportsman. Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070515/en_nm/stallone_australia_dc_2;_ylt=AquwMWPgpCTaq6nFjbNHNL0E1vAI

Near Northside Shooting Draws Questions

I'll just let you read the article, the best part is where the man who did the shooting attacked a FOX 59 reporter with a switchblade. The unnamed reporter was quoted as saying "He got me there" pointing to a small scratch on his hand. I'll try to get some video for you, it was hilarious...an elderly, frail man attacking a reporter with a half-hearted swing of a knife. The reporter freaked out. Very funny.

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6515605

Humorous Wikipedia Category

Different Types of Rages

I think I suffer from them all.

Survey - Miami Found To Have Worst "Road-Rage"

This recent survey found that Miami, FL drivers have the worst road-rage in the country. I guess the surveyors haven't drove north on I-69 between 5p-7p in Indianapolis.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/15/road.rage.ap/index.html

News Roundup Monday 5/14/7

These are the things you should really be reading on your own. Why am I the only one minding the store?

Important Stuff

Four U.S. Soldiers were killed, and three are missing after a weekend road-side-bombing south of Baghdad. Spokesmen for the terrorists claim allegiance to Al-Qaeda in Iraq and in a press release said that the search for the soldiers should be called off to ensure their safety.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070514/ts_nm/iraq_dc_128;_ylt=AmHzSolV4QJOT8KxILNELlUE1vAI

Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty resigned today over allegations of his involvement in the firings of 8 U.S. Attorneys. McNulty is the fourth Bush Administration official to resign in the wake of this scandal.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/14/justice.mcnulty/index.html

Local News

Kevin Book, 36, was found guilty today of the March 2006 suffocation death of his girlfriend's 20 month old daughter. Book was heard spouting profanities after the verdict was read.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070514/LOCAL/70514055

What the f*%k?!?

New York state teenager, Damion Mosher, was wounded over the weekend while hitting bullets with a hammer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070514/ap_on_fe_st/odd_whacking_bullets_1;_ylt=AhAg9ZEQPp3f83EmVeAXa90E1vAI

Democratic Candidates for President in '08

This is part one in a series of installments on the 2008 Presidential Candidates. I'll start with the Democrats, since that's what I am.

Joe Biden - Biden is a lawyer by trade, and currently the senior senator from Delaware. He serves as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and has served on the Judiciary Committee.

Upsides - Has important diplomatic and judiciary experience.

Downsides - Sometimes ignorant or intolerant when it comes to minorities, and I don't care for his track record on the war.

Hillary Clinton - Clinton is also a lawyer by trade. She is currently the junior Senator from New York, serving since 2001. She was the First Lady and the junior Senator from New York for 17 days in 2001, a first. She is also the 1st former First Lady to be elected to Congress.

Upsides - Her name is Clinton, she has good name recognition. Strong track record on health care, her and her husband started many initiatives while he was President. She is fiscally responsible, voting against W's 2001 tax cuts, and she is very vocal about human rights.

Downsides - Her name is Clinton..., she flip-flopped on the war, and she doesn't think too highly of young people.

Dennis Kucinich - Dennis Kucinich is the representative from Ohio's 10th District. Willie Nelson throws him a fundraiser every time he runs for President. That probably means Kucinich is for tax and marijuana law reform. That should be enough said. Kucinich is by far the furthest to the left of any of the current Democratic candidates. He has consistently been against the war and sent a letter of intent to his colleagues in the House letting them know of his intentions to file impeachment proceedings against the Vice-President. If they would give him the Democratic nomination, I would vote for him. He is everything I want in a President. They won't, so I'll vote for Clinton.

Bad Mojo

I feel as if something bad is just over the horizon. Chatter is up, the terror alert level has been set higher for the summer. Check this out...

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/05/us_air_marshals.html

An Interactive Guide to GOP Scandals

Fun from Slate Magazine. An interactive guide to the recent GOP scandals. It plays like a game of Clue, you'll love it.

http://slate.com/features/2007/scandal_guide/scandalmap.html

Weekend News Roundup

This is what's going on this weekend. I'm not mad atcha if you don't pay attention on the weekends. That's what I'm for.

Important Stuff

LAPD is under fire from critics for an alleged "warrior culture" in its ranks. LAPD is one of the most controversial police departments in the county, in recent history they have suffered several scandals. The most recent setback came during an immigration rally on May 1st.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070512/ap_on_re_us/immigration_rally_la_police_1;_ylt=AoLbLk3IMrTGk69BTGoTIdkE1vAI

Violence is still on the rise in Indianapolis. Friday IMPD opened investigations on 3 new murders.

http://www.wishtv.com/global/story.asp?s=6505898&ClientType=Printable

Iraq Statistics

Come on W, we've had enough of our best and brightest being killed in Iraq. There were no WMDs, Al-Queada was not in Iraq until we destabilized it and the argument that the terrorists might follow us home isn't working out for the administration.

3,393 U.S. Troops KIA, 26,188 wounded.
$425.1 Billion USD spent, increasing about $1,300 per second

Bush needs to watch out. He is the 1st President in recent times that will not get Secret Service protection for the rest of his life. He only gets it for 10 years after leaving office. I guarantee you that in 10 years, some poor former soldier suffering from PTSD will take him out. W, start being nicer now.

Jon Drops the F Bomb

Comedy Central needs to get a better guy on the "beep" button. John dropped the F Bomb on Monday May 7th's show.

Giuliani for President?

Really? Rudy Giuliani for President? Does anyone else remember his genius idea to put NYC's emergency command center in WTC7? This was after the WTC complex was bombed in 1993, so it's obviously a target. He must have heard that old wives tale that says lightning doesn't strike the same place twice. Does anyone else think it is ridiculous to support this man for President? Won't he kinda be in charge of the defense of our country? He's not got a real good track record with protecting things.

Republican Presidential Candidates

Republicans sure like their pasty-faced white guys. Watching the first Republican Presidential Debate I was nearly blinded by the brilliance of the whiteness in the room. After Colin Powell left the President's camp and all the fun-with-minorities that Bush has been having, it looks like no Black Republicans are willing step up for their party. It must be too embarrassing to be conservative and black in this country. If the Republicans want to steal my vote from Hillary in 2008, they're going to have to do better than that.

Here is what Jon had to say about the current field of candidates.

TDS - John Travolta Parking

News Roundup Thursday 5/10/7

These are the things you should really be reading on your own. Take the remote, turn off the TV and read a newspaper.

Important Stuff

Attorney General Gonzales was called before the Congress today to answer more questions regarding last years firing of 9 U.S. Attorneys. When this story first broke the reasoning given by the AG and the Bush Administration was they were let go for performance problems. Since then the administration has admitted that personal politics did come into play. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have called for Gonzales's resignation, but AG Gonzalez and President Bush are adamant that they have done nothing wrong, nor should Gonzales step down.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070510/pl_nm/usa_prosecutors_dc_2;_ylt=At1chyPhL3Ekwz5a.vQdGfME1vAI

Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that he will resign after 10 years on June 27th. Mr. Blair has been PM of England through many crises, the death of Princess Diana, the 2003 invasion of Iraq and 7/7.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070510/ts_nm/britain_blair_dc_20;_ylt=AgEfJJFlEwF.tvsJhlsv5xME1vAI

President Bush, under increasing pressure from members of his own party has agreed to negotiate with Congress on a war-spending bill with benchmarks for the Iraqi government. Bush Administration officials have become increasingly nervous about a bill about to be passed in the House of Representatives which would cut off funding for the war by July.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iraq_121;_ylt=AhzEIrj3U9gKiWZP25HrKNAE1vAI

Local News

A terrorism response drill was commenced this morning at 10am with the simulated detonation of a 10 kiloton nuclear weapon in downtown Indianapolis. This exercise will involve public safety officials from across the country as they respond to the simulated emergency. Hamilton County public safety units are prepared to deploy from Fishers this evening to assist with casualties.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/LOCAL/705100582

What the f*%k?!

Dressed up deer found near theater.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_fe_st/odd_dead_fawn_1;_ylt=AjSpAsZbKBEV_MsJcEx8rgAE1vAI

Please Pick Up Your Dog's $hit

I'm very tired of picking up dog crap from my yard that is not my dog's. Every day I come home and there are 2 or 3 fresh piles in my front lawn. Let me tell you something, the reason there are laws requiring you to pick up your dog's droppings aren't because it is annoying to step in dog crap. It is because that almost every domestic dog has parvo living in their gut, even if they have been vaccinated against it. Your dog may not be sick because he has antibodies from a vaccination, but it is likely he may still have the parvo virus in his gut.

Parvo virus lives in the digestive tract of dogs, and viruses and virus particles are expelled when the dog defecates. If you don't clean up after your dog, wild dogs (foxes, coyotes and wolves), attracted by the scent, will investigate the feces left behind by a domestic dog and can easily be infected by parvo. Wild dogs have no natural immunities nor are they normally vaccinated for parvo, or anything else. Parvo is very infectious, easily passed between dogs by physical contact or contact with feces, and is particularly bad for pregnant and nursing mothers and puppies. Parvo will run unchecked through a wild dog population, killing the majority very quickly.

Additionally if dog waste isn't removed, it finds its way into the water supply and you end up drinking it, or eating it. Isn't that pleasant?

Make sure you pick up your dog's crap, that is unless you hate nature. If you hate nature, pick it up because someday someone is going to catch you letting your dog crap in their yard, and they're going to make you eat it.

News Roundup Wednesday 5/9/7

These are the things you should really be reading on your own.

Important Stuff

Vice-President Cheney made a surprise visit to Iraq today. Cheney's visit is part of a larger middle-east tour and he used today's stop to discuss the U.S.'s growing impatience with the Maliki led government. During the Vice-President's visit to the heavily defended Green Zone a mortar round landed close enough to shake the windows in the building he was in. This morning in Iraq's relatively peaceful Kurdish area a truck bomb was detonated, killing 14 and wounding 87.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070509/pl_nm/iraq_dc_95

The first storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was named today, 2 weeks before the official start of the season.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070509/ap_on_re_us/tropical_weather_7;_ylt=Asus.ILyY6eB2X2.AJigIC4E1vAI

From NPR's Morning Edition...A fast moving bush-fire is burning out of control in the Los Angeles area. Firefighters are trying to contain the fire in the historic Griffith Park area.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10090099&ft=1&f=1001

Local News

Indianapolis Metro Police continue their search for 3 armed robbers accused of robbing 20 Indianapolis area auto-parts stores in the last 6 weeks.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/LOCAL/705090566

From the Noblesville Daily Times...Cicero Primary Election Results

Hamilton County 2007 Primary Election Results

What the f*%k?!

A vandal (editor's note: and moron) was found underneath a 1000lb. tombstone in Merrillville, IN, a small community in northern Indiana. Ed's Note: I guess they need more to do up there.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070508/ap_on_re_us/odd_tombstone_trap;_ylt=Apm2z2sdpCSdCvzJtr..cqYsQE4F

Can't We All Just Get Along?

From Reuters...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070508/wr_nm/cableshow_keynote_dc_1

The "I" Word

Conservative Magazine Human Events conducted a poll of its readers recently. The results were surprising. 621 registered voters were asked "Would you favor or oppose the impeachment by Congress of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney?". 39% were in favor, 55% were opposed with 6% undecided. If you break the numbers down further, it gets even more dishartening for the Bush Administration. Of the independents polled, 42% are in favor of impeachment and removal from office. Independents are those swing voters that factored big in the 2006 Midterm Elections and will be courted by both parties in the 2008 Presidental Elections.

If the Neocons in The Congress want to even be close to power after 2008 they need to listen to these independents. As the Neocons slide further away from The President they also need to consider impeachment to distance themselves enough to stay in office. As Iraq falls futher into disarray and U.S. Casualties climb as we "go into the bad neighborhoods" that percentage of independents that support impeachment is going to grow.

Mr. T Needs Work!

Socialite Paris Hilton was recently sentenced to 45 days in jail for a probation violation. In the past 2 days several petitions have been started, both for and against Gov. Schwarznegger pardoning Hilton. One person signing the petition to keep Hilton's sentence was quoted saying "I'll sign this because it means 45 days of Hilton-free news". (Editor's Note: I don't want to hear about Hilton again until I can post her obit in this space. When I said that about Anna Nicole Smith, she was dead 2 weeks later; maybe we'll get lucky again).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070508/en_nm/hilton_dc_11

George Michael, 43, pleaded guilty to driving while on prescription drugs Tuesday in a London court. Michael was found by police slumped over the wheel of his car. Michael is quoted as saying "I did something very stupid...I am very aware that I did something wrong and I got into my car when I was unfit to drive". (Editor's Note: At least he wasn't blowing a guy in a park this time)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070508/en_nm/britain_michael_dc_3

Video Store Clerk Hero

There were developments overnight in the Fort Dix terror case. U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie (editor's note: what an unfortunate name) credits an unnamed video store clerk with breaking the case for them, the FBI calling him an "unsung hero". One of the suspects brought the clerk a video tape he wanted transferred to DVD. It contained videos of 10 men shooting weapons and calling for jihad. The video store clerk tipped off the FBI, initiating the investigation.

This goes to show that the average citizen can help the authorities keep us safe. This does not mean that you need to be a racist and be suspicious of every brown person you see. This means you keep your eyes open and if you see something that is obviously wrong, ask about it. Make sure you know what's going on in your community.

New CNN Poll

Finally a polling company proves what I and liberal media outlets have been saying forever. The American People do not support the Iraq war. A poll conducted by CNN/Opinion Research Corporation shows that 57% (+/- 3%) support a bill with funding for the war that has timetables for withdraw. It seems as if W feels like we're his slow witted children and only he knows what's best for us. We've spoken, listen to us...

We overwhelmingly voted in November 0f '06 on the issue of the war. We elected anti-war senators and congressional representatives. We don't need W telling us he knows what is best for us. He works for us. Let me quote the Preamble of the United States Constitution...

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

This paragraph is the single most important part of the Constitution. It vests the power of the Federal government not to the Executive (The President), not to the Several States, or even to the people of the Several States, but to an entity known as The People of the United States. That's us, we've spoken. No more war.

Mitt Romney

Whatever your politics, whatever you may think about him, Mitt Romney has hair like a Viking, god bless him.

See for yourself.

News Roundup Tuesday 5/8/7

This is a summary of the things you should really be reading on your own. Turn off Dr. Phil and read a newspaper, jeez.

Important Stuff

An Amnesty International report released today states that China and Russia, two UN Security Council members, are still exporting arms to Sudan in violation of the UN arms embargo. Editor’s Note: If the U.S. takes a strong stance on this, it could renew cold war tensions.

http://web.amnesty.org/pages/sdn-080507-news-eng

The FBI arrested 6 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey Monday evening in an alleged plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix in New Jersey. The U.S. Attorney's office in Newark called the suspects "Islamic radicals". Three of the six suspects were in the U.S. illegally.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/08/fortdix.plot/index.html

NPR's Day to Day reports that rescue efforts by the Kansas National Guard have been hindered by equipment shortages due to deployment in Iraq.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10073323

Local News

The Indianapolis Star reports that many precincts in Marion County were understaffed or unable to open this morning due to absent poll workers. County Clerk Beth White (D-Marion) apologized for any problems and personally took the blame for any problems. This is the first election that White has overseen.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070508/LOCAL19/705080460

In The Noblesville Ledger today… a 1993 Hamilton Heights graduate was extradited from Florida to face charges stemming from an alleged 2005 child molestation incident. Michael Cady, 32, formerly of Cicero, IN left the state while awaiting trial. He was found in a Florida jail on theft and forgery charges.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/LOCAL/705040385/1186/LOCAL010403&GID=mZ0xTeajPTXkDgICPsDy/MyWynjkwuZc9RScJsKiMK0%3D

What the f*%k?!

From the archives of The Smoking Gun…Teacher In Stolen Coat Scheme.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0502072coat1.html

Mr. T Needs Work!

Mr. T Needs Work! will be a semi-regular column with stories about celebrities doing stupid things when they should be working, or sometimes while they're working. The title is derived from a line in a February 2000 episode of TV Funhouse titled "The All-New Adventures of Mr. T - A Doll's House", in which Mr. T repeatedly attacked people while exclaiming "Mr. T needs work!".

With today's installment, I give you Mr. David Hassellhoff. Why do the Germans love him so much?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070508/en_nm/hasselhoff_dc;_ylt=At0ernB542dETVzt121nCghb.nQA

Iraq Statistics

For anyone who is keeping track, here are the latest Iraq Coalition statistics. The war is getting expensive, both in actual $$ and U.S. lives.

3,378 U.S. Troops have been killed, with 26,188 wounded.
$423.9 Billion USD spent, which increases by about $1,300.00 per second. A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon we're talking about real money.

Yesterday the White House warned that casualties were going to get worse as we go into the "bad neighborhoods".

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070507/ts_nm/iraq_usa_dc_2

The cost of the war is also showing up in other areas. Particularly that many state's National Guard units aren't able to respond to emergencies in their states because their equipment is in Iraq. Notably the recent Greensburg, Kansas tornadoes.

http://www.kansascity.com/153/story/97938.html

Dan Burton/Mr. Haney

My boss alerted me to the fact that Jon Stewart played a clip of Indiana's 5th District Congressman Dan Burton on his show last week. He said that Dan Burton bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Haney from the classic television show Green Acres. Check it out for yourself. I will review the episode of TDS in question and compare Dan to Haney and see for myself. Expect a full report later this week.

6 arrested in Fort Dix plot

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070508/ts_nm/usa_plot_army_dc_3

This is the kind of attack that I’ve been worrying about for years, ever since I read “The Teeth of the Tiger” by Tom Clancy. In that book a terrorist organization sneaks 50 suicide attackers into the U.S. through the Mexican border. Along the way they buy some automatic weapons. They split into 10 five man teams and target large malls in mid-sized mid-west and western cities at the same time on the same day. They are able to kill thousands. This type of attack is cheap in both manpower and $$. You could do something like that for less than $100,000 U.S. It would also be relatively easy to sneak that many men into the country through South America/Mexico. It happens every day.

You may not think this is so scary, but Tom Clancy pretty accurately, but accidentally, predicted 9/11 back in a 1994 book, “Debt of Honor”. In it a terrorist crashes a fully-fueled 747 into the Capitol building during a joint-session of Congress, killing the majority of the nation’s leadership. The 9/11 attackers either read the book or came to the same conclusions separately. The book describes a fully-fueled aircraft causing a huge fire that both keeps rescuers back and melts structural steel and collapses the remaining structure, further hampering rescue attempts. Remember that Tuesday 9/11/01 was the 1st day Congress was in session after its summer break and the capitol building was a possible target for Flight 93. If United 93 hadn’t been delayed before takeoff giving the passengers a chance to fight back, we would still be recovering from the anarchy of re-electing 400+ congressmen and 30+ Senators (those in attendance that day). Also, this would probably be an actual dictatorship, without any legislative oversight GWB would have probably installed himself as King President for Life.

Indiana Primary

I hate primary elections. Being a Democrat in heavily Republican Hamilton County, there really isn't anything for me to do. After I "declare my politics" I get funny looks. Not dirty looks like I got in the '03 and '04 primaries, they just look at me funny. I guess being a liberal isn't that bad anymore, just weird. There were only two Democrat candidates, but neither were running against each other. I didn't really get to vote for anyone. Bruce Freeman is the only Democrat running in District 2 and while I don't remember her name, I believe the Democrat running for Treasurer is running unopposed. Carl Harvey shook my hand when I walked in and thanked me for voting, he sure is a polite fellah. He left a pamphlet on my front door last week. I'm not sure who I'll vote for yet, I have all summer to decide.

Virgin Post

Today I voted in the primary election, and seeing the choices I had I was depressed. This made me want to complain, and where better to complain than the Internet. This space is for my political ramblings, things I find interesting in the news and anything else that doesn't fall under the category of Saturday Night Live, my other passion (and blog http://snlreviews.blogspot.com/).

Please feel free to contact me with any comments, or concerns. Any Cicero, IN candidates for any office are welcome to contact me and I will give them a forum to relay their opinions and positions to the people of Cicero.

The best way to contact me is via the e-mail button on my profile page, but you can also post comments to the individual blog postings, though my response will be slower if you use this method.

Let me introduce myself, my name is Brandon. I live in Cicero, IN. I have lived here in Cicero, or in Hamilton County for 28 of my 32 years of life. I am a network consultant and manage a successful network consulting company also located in Cicero. I am personally a very liberal Democrat, but intelligent enough to know that you can't always vote down party lines; especially at the local level. I love dogs and most animals in general, not just the cute ones. I like people in theory but generally stay away from most of them. I have few close friends, but thousands of acquaintances. I tend to ramble and have no concept of sentence structure. I'm smarter than you are, but I can't do math.

If you contact me, you can expect an intelligent, composed response. I will warn you, if you're nasty, I am smarter than you are. I'll make you cry.