And they are tax exempt because...?
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Vietnam...50 years later.
Aside from WWI & WWII...I think the rest of the wars in the 20th century were for naught...considering the lives lost and the national sacrifices made. But then again...I'm against war at any cost (at least as they have been justified to the American public in the 21st century...thank you Mr. Bush).
However, on this memorial day...in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the start of the war in Vietnam...I can't help but think of the 58+ thousand Americans who lost their lives and the controversy surrounding the design of its memorial.
If you haven't been to the Vietnam memorial...you need to make a visit! On my first visit, I noticed that the closer I got...the quieter it got. When you finally reach the right end entrance to the wall...there is almost dead silence, except for the weeping whispers of those touching the wall or making etchings from the names on the wall...or those leaving behind memories of the loved ones that they lost to this war.
I think it's an incredible monument. It grabs you by the heart and it's hard to leave without a tear in your eyes. The memorial was designed by Miya Lin. Her proposal ignited a lot of controversy. Many called it the "black gash of shame"! You can read more about the controversy here.
Thank you Miya Lin and to all those Americans that fought in the war...and especially those that didn't return. I knew a few of them. My brother served...but he was one of the lucky ones.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Bill Maher...Obama...a dangerous radical???
Last night on Real Time, Bill Maher asked: Why do so many conservatives think Obama's such a dangerous radical?
Said Maher:
"[Obama] didn't go on a spending spree. He didn't break up the too-big-to-fail banks. They've only gotten bigger. And fail-ier. That's not what liberals wanted. That's what conservatives wanted.
At the 2008 convention, Sarah Palin chanted "drill baby drill!" Under Obama, there's more drilling than ever. That's not what environmentalists wanted. That's what conservatives wanted.
Obama spent most of last year conceding the Republican premise that government needed cutting. That's not what progressives wanted. That's what the Tea Party wanted.
The Dow was at 7949 when he took office. Now it's 12000 and over, and corporate profits are at their highest ever. If he's a socialist, he's a lousy one. He could not be less threatening if he was walking home with ice tea and Skittles.
So the question remains. How could you guys be so unhappy with Obama while I'm so unhappy with Obama? You think you got coal in your stocking? I wanted single payer health care, a carbon emissions bill, gun control and legalized pot. If you get to carry around all this outrage over me getting that sh*t, shouldn't I have gotten it?
So just admit it. This isn't about what Obama is. It's about what you need him to be. Because hating him is what gets you Rethuglicans up in the morning!"
POSTSCRIPT:
The haters stand where they stand because the POTUS is a “niggah”. And most of the haters are Republicans. They are Republicans first, Americans second, and decent beings last. Oh…and then there are the black folks who believe that same sex marriage is an abomination…because it says so in the bible! I could write a book on this…or better yet…don’t get me started!
Friday, May 25, 2012
R.I.P. Warren & Richard
Death Sucks!
Warren succumbed to C.O.P.D. I saw the e-mail this morning. He was the partner of one of my life-long friends. I think they were together for over 30 years! Death sucks. It really does...and I don't handle it well.
Richard, my sister-in-law's brother, also died this week. I wasn't that close to him...but I'm off to the wake/funeral tonight. Like I said...death sucks! I have to think about my own.
Stunning photograph from Rhys Davies.
I've already posted my own recommendations on how to handle this! That post was back in 2010, almost 2 years ago and the tally then was $277 BILLION!
The Bible or the Supreme Court
David Barton...another Evangelical wingnut! You know what I think about this stuff!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Federal Spending?
I don't know why this isn't in every one of President Obama's campaign ads. I'm so sick of the Rethuglicans lies and distortions. Where were they when GW ran this country into the ground? Unfunded wars! Weapons of mass destruction! Tax breaks for the rich! Mission F*cking Accomplished!
I'm so sick of them! When I see Mitch "The Turle" McConnell or "Bonehead" Boehner on TV...I have to change the channel!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
C.O.P.D. - WTF!
A life-long friend called and left a message on the answering machine. I thought he was just checking in...and thought nothing of it...just the usual. A few days later...I called back.
After an exchange of some pleasantries and some "catching up"...he dropped the bomb! His partner of over 30 years may not make it through the end of the month. His partner was suffering from "COPD". I didn't even know what the hell that was. My friend was strong. I wasn't! I'm not good at this! This was yesterday...I have to call him back!
Friday, May 18, 2012
the Last Dance...
R.I.P. - Donna Summers - 5/17 @ 63 years old.She was a five-time Grammy Award winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the US Billboard chart. She also charted four number-one singles in the United States within a thirteen-month period.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Anniversary [with a comma!]
My oldest daughter called today to wish us a happy anniversary. Our anniversary was actually on Friday (38 years)…but I guess she figured she’d kill two birds with one stone…Happy Anniversary and Happy Mother’s Day.
I picked up the phone, asked how she & my son-in-law were doing. We had the usual update and chit-chat. They reside in Munich so it’s always good to hear from them…but today was especially good and heartwarming. Just before I told my wife to pick up the extension…my daughter said:
“So how was the anniversary f*ck”? Huh? I said “Excuse me”? I then said...“trust me…we didn’t”? (TMI)
At that point we both broke out laughing...hysterically! We knew we were missing a comma…as in “how was the anniversary, (comma…pause…you) f*ck”!
Still don’t get it? I understand why you may not…because we have a unique relationship that allows her to call me “you f*ck”…and I can call her the same! Another favorite name with both daughters is “”sh*t head” or “dickhead”! I know that may sound weird for a father/daughter relationship…perhaps? But that’s how it is and I love it!
As the old adage goes…”A son is a son until he takes a wife…but a daughter is a daughter for the rest of your life”!
I have AMAZING daughters! I am proud…they are beautiful both inside and out…just like their Mom! Happy Mother’s Day Babe! And Happy Anniversary too!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Pass the toilet paper please!
- Tony Perkins of Family Research Council said Obama’s position has handed Mitt Romney “the key to social conservative support”
- American Values head and former FRC president Gary Bauer claimed to be “perplexed” that Obama “is spending even one second of his time thinking about how and to radically transform the institution of marriage”. Bauer also commented in an email to supporters that Obama “may have just lost the presidency”
- Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage pledged to defeat Obama and warned "God is the author of marriage, and we will not let an activist politician like Barack Obama who is beholden to gay marriage activists for campaign financing to turn marriage into something political that can be redefined according to presidential whim”
- The Traditional Values Coalition president Andrea Lafferty maintained Obama’s view on marriage equality displays his radical ideology”.
- Matt Smith of the Catholic Advocate said Obama’s support for marriage equality is part of an “anti-Catholic agenda”
- Rob Schenck of the Faith and Action commented “Frankly, I question whether he really does in his heart-of-hearts. Maybe I'm naive, but, if I'm right, it's even worse, because it means he has surrendered a moral conviction for political expediency. Very wrong and very sad.”
- Bill Donohue of the Catholic League claimed Obama “has fully broken with his Christian moorings” and suggested he also favors polygamy.
- Jim Campbell of the Alliance Defense Fund said his endorsement “promotes the creation of even more fatherless and motherless homes”.
More wacko right-wing details here!
Image compliments of A Blue View!
The Sh*t has hit the fan!!!
Obama supports gay marriage!
I'm happy and somewhat sadden by this! Happy because I fully support his position and I'm proud that he had the balls to do this! Saddened because I think the timing is piss poor. He should have held out until after the election! As stated in the title...the sh*t has hit the fan and all the religious wingnuts and country bumpkins are already dancin' in the streets and they're gonna have a field day with this! More bigoted crap that they can throw at the President. It's gonna get really ugly. Fox news is already on this like a dog in heat!
This election is now gonna be tighter than a knat's *ss! Even some gays are saying that he only did this to help him get re-elected! UGH! Trust me on this! The political consequences could be huge! Pass the toilet paper please!
Some of my best friends are...
I don’t know where to start with this. I've touched on this before. This entry could wind up taking me all over the place. But I need to keep it short for now. Bottom line…suffice it to say that I am extremely fortunate to have family, friends and acquaintances from all walks of life. Notice I said fortunate…not “blessed” (that’s a whole ‘nother story).
I know there’s the infamous cliché…”some of my best friends are" _________ (fill in the blank). Well I can expand that to say all the people that I love and hold dear to my heart are! Are what? White, Latino, Asian, gay, Christian, Jewish…and the list goes on. Hell…there’s even a few Republicans and Evangelical Christians in the mix! I’m extremely lucky to have all of them in my life. We have our differences, but we respect and love each other for who we are.
I feel sorry for people who live in isolated enclaves. Not only for them…but for this country as a whole. If they could broaden their sphere…they would see how much we all have in common. There’s really nothing to fear. I’m sure it would eliminate a lot of the hatred and prejudice…especially here in America…not to mention the world! Yeah…definitely the world too!
Gonna post some more about this soon…but I’m a procrastinator…so we’ll have to see how soon is soon!
PS.
One of my best friend’s daughters is getting married this summer and I plan to attend the wedding in Iowa City Iowa no less. He is a devout Evangelical Christian (and an old fraternity brother). I plan to fly to Chicago and meet another old fraternity brother (a Republican). We’ll drive to Sioux City together. Amazing…if I say so myself. I’ll probably be the only black person there…but I can deal with that. It won’t be the first time! But…I’ll be with friends and loved ones! That’s what’s important!
Image compliments of the University of Tennessee.
Mama's Bible! A great laugh!
A dear, lifelong, friend sent me this. Couldn't resist posting it here. Enjoy!
Four brothers left home for college, and eventually they became successful doctors and lawyers. One evening they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the 95th birthday gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who moved to Florida.
The first said, "You know I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "I had a large theater built in the house."
The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver a SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. It took ten preachers almost eight years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mama sent out her "Thank You" notes.
She wrote:
Larry, the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Bob, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good, thanks."
"Tony, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound and it can hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing, and I'm nearly blind and I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you so much."
Love, Mama
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Moving Forward...not just yet!
Carville Warns Against Incumbent Complacency
Sounding a call to arms, political strategist James Carville is warning his fellow Democrats that they could lose the presidency to Republican Mitt Romney because of a lazy “incumbent mentality” that seems to be taking hold among party activists and donors.
“We’re a long way from having this thing in the bag,” Carville told CNN’s John King Tuesday. “It’s going to be a brutally tough election.”
In an opinion piece posted on CNN's website, Carville was also blunt in his assessment of the match-up between Romney and President Barack Obama.
“My message is simple: WTFU. Translated - wake the you-know-what up, there is an earthquake,” he said, adding that recent polls showing Romney ahead or tied with Obama “are not that encouraging” for Democrats.
Carville also pointed to the elections in France and other European countries as clear evidence that incumbents are falling out of favor around the world.
And in a pointed reference to Obama, he said, “You can shoot five bin Ladens, you can save 10,000 banks and 20 car companies, even pass the most sweeping legislation in modern American history; if people don’t think that you are connected to their lives and are fighting for their interests they will vote your tush out of office in a nano-second.”
“If we don’t get on the offense, reconnect with the American people, talk about how the middle class is in a struggle for its very existence, hold the Republicans accountable, and fight like the dickens, we are going to lose,” Carville said.
4 minute CNN video here
Friday, May 4, 2012
Pimpin' the PIPCORN!
People...this stuff is awesome! You haven't popped...until you've "PIPPED"! Ask my grandson! Delicious!
- check out their website...
- or their Facebook page...
- or send them a tweet!
- Or better yet...venture out to Smorgasburg any Saturday through November!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Be kind to one another...
Dear Ellen,I'm a huge fan with a crazy idea...that I think would probably draw one of your largest TV audiences. Is there a way to track down your prom date and have him appear on the show. I know this is short notice...but given it's prom season...I think this would be over the top. Hopefully he is in a position/condition that would make it possible for him to actually appear on the show. It think it would be huge!!!
Take America Back!
Once Obama took office, all of a sudden, you got mad, and wanted to take America Back! BACK TO WHAT/WHERE? Who took it? After The 8 Years of The Bush/Cheney Disaster, Now You Get Mad? You didn't get mad when...
- the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President
- Dick(head) Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate Energy policy and push us to invade Iraq
- we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us
- we spent over 800 billion (and counting) on said illegal war
- Bush borrowed more money from foreign sources than the previous 42 Presidents combined
- over 10 billion dollars in cash just disappeared in Iraq
- Bush embraced trade and outsourcing policies that shipped 6 million American jobs out of the country
- they didn't catch Bin Laden
- Bush rang up 10 trillion dollars in combined budget and current account deficits
- you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed
- we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown
- we gave people who had more money than they could spend, the 1%, over a trillion dollars in tax breaks
- we had the worst 8 years of job creations in several decades
- over 200,000 US Citizens lost their lives because they had no health insurance
- lack of oversight and regulations from the Bush Administration caused US Citizens to lose 12 trillion dollars in investments, retirement, and home values
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