This guy is great

Please sir, may I have some more?

Most everyone in the world now knows about Joe the Plumber. He has been vilified, investigated, and hounded by the media. His crime, he dared ask a question to Obama. Regardless of the guy's background, Obama's answer should be what is the focus.

Obama said, that a business making over 250,000 will have a tax increase to cover a tax cut for those making less, or as he put it "spreading the wealth". So take from the rich and give to the poor? Maybe it's time to break out the green tights and bow and arrows. More troubling than some guy daring to ask the Demi-god Obama a question is Obama's past statements and votes. When the campaign began the value was 1,000,000 not 250,000, that is quite a change. Twice he has voted to raise taxes on people making as little as 42,000. The tax plan he is proposing where 95% of the U.S. gets a tax cut was called by the Wall Street Journal "an illusion" and a "welfare plan".

But Joe is the villain for asking about the tax plan, disgraceful.

Home and back

Just got back from the US. Spent the last two weeks on vacation, spending time with the family and whatnot. It is always a strange experience when I first get home, I keep expecting things to be as they were when I left. You would think that I would have learned by now that they never are. The little sister now has her first boyfriend. My nieces are growing like weeds. I had a lot of plans while I was home, got around to doing none of them. Funny how two weeks can pass in a blink of an eye. Maybe next time I will finally make it to Vegas, or travel north abit to meet some of the folks on the blogosphere.

The trip home was bittersweet. Along with visiting my family and being able to do some target shooting with my father, I learned that an old friend is dying and probably won't be around next time I come home. My mother's (before you ask, my parents have been divorced for as long as I can remember) boyfriend is also in bad shape, and it is unknown how long he has.

So after a dramatic two weeks I am back in Korea.

new racist "code" words

The gods of political correctness have struck again. It seems new word and phrases are now "racist code words".

Among these are:

Community Organizer
Skinny
Arrogant
Elitist

And (my personal favorite)

Black hole

Can we get a constantly updated list of what words offend people? It's getting harder and harder to keep up.

Freedom and Fairness

Got in a discussion today online (yeah I know arguing online is one step below useless) about freedom. I see freedom as being able to make choices without other people telling you how to choose. Be it choosing what to eat for lunch, or choosing who to vote for. The thing most people lose track of is that with your choice comes the consequences of making it.

If you decide to have the super sized fast food meal that is your choice, but it is also your responsibility to deal with the extra calories. Want to drive a large SUV go for it, just don't whine to me about having to fill up the gas tank. Choose to break the law, don't cry about being punished. This is the burden of free will.

Alot of choices don't have a happy ending either way that is chosen, I was told that "That's not fair.". Unfortunately that is life, fairness is an illusion. There will always be someone that has a leg up on you, that's a fact. You can either worry about fairness, or you can get on with life. There are very few things more satisfying then leaving people in the dust who started ahead of you.

Fair is what losers cry about when the winner is leaving with the prize.

Not enough hours in the day

Seems like the older I get, the shorter the days get. Here recently I have had little to no time to do anything. Right now, on top of work I'm trying to schedule a trip back to the US for vacation, prepare some photographs for a world wide contest, prepare some photographs for a local contest, and have some sort of personal life (which has been suffering lately). Hopefully will get on top of it soon.

Sick of it

It's only September and I'm already sick of the election. 24 hours a day of total and complete BS. The democrats are painting Obama as the second coming, and McCain as on death's door. The republicans are sticking to Obama as an inexperienced pup and McCain as someone who doesn't toe partisan lines.

Personally I would like a candidate that is worth voting for.

Busy weekend

Attended the World Body Painting Festival Asia, this weekend. Good times, Saturday went just to scout things out, and returned Sunday to do some serious picture taking (took over 1600 pics and will have a some up soon on my Photo blog).

Trying my hand at a chocolate fondue

10 ounces of bittersweet chocolate
3/4 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Various cubed fruit for dipping

Heat mixture to a nice liquid consistency and serve

Add friends, music, and wine

Rewrites

Watched "Wanted" last night, was sorely disappointed. The story was basically gutted to make it more palatable. I can understand leaving things out for run time, as in the Harry Potter movies, but this was an almost complete rewrite. I am really hoping that "Watchmen" stays true to the plot.

Sadly these rewrites are not just in the movies, if you want real scary look into the history books in the schools today. How much of our past do we have to rewrite to make it palatable? Wonder whose plot they will write it to?

3 things that have my geek meter pegging out.

Yep, my inner geek is doing back flips. Watchmen, in particular, has me salivating.

More proof that Darwin was wrong.

"Where is everyone?"
"They are away for the exercise, I am the only one here."
"Really? What about Mr. Jerry?"
"He is away at the exercise, I am the only one here."
"What about Ms. Sook?"
"She is at the exercise, I am the only one here."
"What about Mr. Fred?"
"He is at the exercise, so is Raul, I AM THE ONLY ONE HERE!"
"Oh, ok what about Mr Raul?"

Survival of the fittest my fuzzy pink bottom.

Where does the time go?

Seems like yesterday I was just getting to Korea, now it is 3 years later. Hard to believe that it's been 10 years since I left the Navy, and 16 years since High School. It's funny how quickly time passes. Until now I have not realized how long ago I was just a boy growing up in Georgia, It really doesn't feel that long ago.

As a child you long for the days when you will be an adult, and as an adult you lament the passing of the frivolity of youth.

Something I received in my email.

I got this today, and thought it had some good points.

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.

In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where

90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

The reason I'm not allowed to carry a bat...

I stand waiting on my sub watching the democratic presidential candidate tell me I should learn Spanish, instead of immigrants learning English. I mutter and shake my head.

"You should be happy, he'll be our next president. It makes sense, Japan teaches it's students foreign languages." drones a totally unsolicited voice.

I look over into the glazed eyes of a zealot.

"First off, I could care less what the Japanese do. Secondly, I did not ask for your opinion and will not be voting for him." I snap, and turn back to waiting for my Pastrami sandwich.

"Well, you're just a racist."

"Well, you're just an idiot. Now piss off."

Walking abit

I am in Orlando Florida for the week, on the company dime. Oh darn the luck :). Sometimes having a respectable job has it's perks.

Upholding the Constitution

The gun ban in Washington D.C. has been overturned (a day late and a dollar short, I know). The Supreme Court Of The United States has done it's duty to the people. There are many who disagree with the decision, just as there are many applauding it. The bottom line is that the SCOTUS upheld the Constitution and it's protection of all the American people. I hope this is a trend that will continue, until all our rights are restored fully.

The Constitution is a simple document, it was written that way for a reason. I think the founding fathers understood that all citizens need to know as well as understand what their rights are, and simple words are harder to twist into new meanings.

It does trouble me, that while we have these "rights" we are told that they must be limited for the public good (i.e.. free speech) . A right is something that can not be stripped away, to me the public good would be better served by protecting the rights of the citizens not limiting them.

Election time....yay

So November is not even close and I'm already sick of election coverage. I have a bad feeling that this one is going to be much worse than the last one. Already there have been charges of racism, sexism, and ageism... Can we please give it a rest?

Instead of telling me how terrible your opponent is, how about telling me what you are going to do to make the country better. No empty slogans saying that there will be change, but not say how. No mudslinging, no media slant, no bullshit...

For once since reaching the age to vote, give me someone worth voting for.

Oddities from the weekend

My favorite restaurant has changed chefs, much to my dismay. It's not that the new chef is bad, but when you go in wanting proper Rosemary lamb chops it's a let down to not get them. Had to settle for the Cognac marinated Fillet Mignon. (Yes, I know how snobbish this sounds)

Had a very nice time teaching an attractive young lady how to play chess. Something I did not expect during a rooftop barbecue.

Answering "Wow, you are patient." with "Yes, spending a large portion of my life looking through rifle scopes has made me very patient.", will cause the drunk annoying guy at the barbecue to quickly leave you alone. This allows you to get back to teaching chess to attractive ladies.

Susan Sarandon says that she will leave the US if John McCain is elected. Oh no, what ever shall I do? Help her pack comes to mind.

Sneaking up behind the girl your buddy is trying to pick up in the bar bathroom (yep, got me some real classy friends) and taking a picture of him on the pull, is quite funny.

Plastic darts, while being safer around people drinking in pubs, are not a fun as metal darts. On a side note, don't use metal darts on the electronic dart boards made for the plastic ones (briefly more fun, but ultimately shortens the game).

Too cool for school