Goodbye 2008

2008 it wasn’t that great…or was it?

2008 was certainly no forgetful year, if anything it’s been like every other year only you add an election, a few political scandals, a couple of bailouts, a recession, and a few Hollywood comebacks.

 Bur first, for the second year in a row, The Moron Report.

 The Moron Report:

• Miley Cyrus may or may not continue to be Hannah Montana, which is understandable, that image is just to clean for her.
• Matt Damon fears Sarah Palin, though he knew nothing about her.
• The Jonas Brothers are a big hit because…I’m still trying to figure this one out.
• Diddy-dumb-diddy-do opens his mouth showing his intelligence – stick to rapping.
• Britney Spears makes a comeback and so does lip-syncing.

Last year I wrote about how in 2008 we need to wake up, get real, and move on. We woke up in the manner that we realized the problems in our country and just in time for it to blow up in our faces. We got real by…I guess admitting there needed to be some change in how we do things, but we’re still working on that. I don’t know what to make of moving on, especially in the media during the election. You had news stories and analysts that either didn’t matter or only favored one side. So in 2009 it’s important that we continue to get real, but also to

 play fair and ask the hard questions of those in higher office.

My 2008:

Favorite Movies:

1. WALL-E
2. Stargate Continuum
3. The Dark Knight
4. Prince Caspian
5. Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Favorite Music:

1. Third Day - Revelation
2. Brad Paisley - Play
3. Casting Crowns - Peace on Earth

High Point: Getting a Wii

Low Point: Stargate Atlantis cancelled.

Even in times of hardship there are still those good moments that shine through the darkness. Everyday we hear the bad and the ugly, but why so little of the good? After a year like 2008, especially after a year like 2008, it’s time we hear more about the good things going on, let's hear about the progress being made. And let's hear the fair and honest truth when it comes to things that affect our lives. 

1. Like that song goes, come on get happy. 

   Goodbye 2008.

Christmas

So the other day I blogged about the insanity behind the supposed offense the word Christmas can bring, but today I’m just going to talk about Christmas itself…or something along those lines.

Turn the television on and you’ll hear those reports about how this is one of the worst holiday shopping seasons for retailers. I don’t really believe that, it’s like they say that just so people will go out and buy more to prove them wrong.

This morning after my family had opened our presents around the Christmas tree, I looked at my gifts and thought how luck…blessed I was. We hear how Christmas shouldn’t be about going into debt, I just heard that in church, but though we hear that we spend big bucks on gifts.

I look at my new Wii games and know there’s quite a bit of cash there, and I think about it being spent on me and I feel bad. But when I take another look at the gifts I also see the love and thought behind them.

But of course we don’t need to show love with gifts purchased. Sometimes the most treasured gifts are those when friends or family spend time together. If Christmas has to be about gifts it doesn’t have to involve money.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Chris***s

It’s almost December 25^th, and you know what that means, it’s time to crank up those holiday tunes. Wait, I said holiday, I should say Chris***s – whoa what just happened? Hmmm, it would seem Blogger or something else is censoring me. Let me try again, Chris***s. OH COME ON!

I’m sure you’re aware of such censorship. It would seem that in these seasonal and festive days certain groups are afraid to the word Chris***s for fear of offending someone. During this time of year where it’s important to just be thankful for what you have and enjoy the time together with your loved ones. It’s called the Season of Giving so why not give some holiday cheer. Instead you have those that don’t agree or care for a simple word like Christmas – ha.

I suppose on days like Black Friday all those millions of people are rushing out to get a head start on their New Year’s Eve shopping. My point right here is that lots of people celebrate Christmas, it’s an official holiday says my calendar. My calendar also has the Boxing Day and the Canadian Thanksgiving, neither of which I celebrate, doesn’t mean I have a problem with it. Nobody is forcing Christmas or any other holiday or practice on anyone, at least…not right now.

What Christmas is founded on isn’t something that is meant to hurt. It’s something that helps to make your days warm and bright. Christmas is just a word, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but even if you don’t agree can’t we just learn to excuse the occasional and simple difference. I certainly don’t want to have to worry about saying Merry Chris***s.

 

Gas Tax

What with it being Christmas break I’m finally able to hit the blogs again. A lot’s been happening lately and one of those things is the drop in gas prices. Currently the days of $4.00 a gallon are gone, and hello $1.50 average, give or take a few pennies. Who wouldn’t look at this as a good thing? Oh but wait, there was that whole “Alternative Energy” thing, yeah well it would seem Americans are like yeah you do that but just leave us for right now with our $1.50 a gallon.

On the December 7th edition of Meet the Press, interim moderator Tom Brokaw had this to say to exclusive guest President-elect Barack Obama:

MR. BROKAW: Let's talk for a moment about consumer responsibility when it comes to the auto industry. As soon as gas prices began to drop, consumers moved back to the larger cars once again, to SUVs and the big gas consumers.

PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Right.

MR. BROKAW: Why not take this opportunity to put a tax on gasoline, bump it back up to $4 a gallon where people were prepared to pay for that, and use that revenue for alternative energy and as a signal to the consumers those days are gone.

PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Well...

MR. BROKAW: We're not going to have gasoline that you can just fill up your tank for 20 bucks anymore.

Now I like Tom Brokaw but Tom come on! Americans don’t want to pay $4+ for gas, especially when it’s foreign. So thank goodness when Obama responded saying, “...keep in mind what's happening in--to families all across America. Yes, gas prices have gone down. But, in the meantime, maybe somebody in the family's lost their job. In the meantime, their housing values have plummeted. In the meantime, maybe their hours have been cut back. Or if they're a small-business owner, their sales have gone down 50, 60, 70 percent. So putting additional burdens on American families right now, I think, is a mistake.”

Duh.

Tom you were supposed to be asking the hard questions not coming up with an idea for Alternative Energy fund-raising. Alternative Energy is important but it will be years if not decades before the whole country has been redone to function on such a system. I believe Americans want to help but not if it means hurting their back pockets with a gas tax.

What's In a Name

Birthday cakes, a tasty reminder and symbol of celebration of the years past since you were born. A special treat dedicated to you. The candles are lit, Happy Birthday is written with creamy icing, as well as your name. Your name, a special notice of honor placed on the cake, you’re so thrilled to see it, and you’re especially thrilled to see it just in case you’re at the age where you tend to forget what your name is. But what if someone told you that your name couldn’t be on the cake, not because there wasn’t room for it, but because of what your name was. How would you feel?

3-year-old Adolf Hitler Campbell’s father was denied a birthday cake for his son because well….his name was Adolf Hitler – like you couldn’t figure that out. This child probably has no real idea who Hitler was, his parents do, but despite that they still named their child after the Nazi dictator because they like the name and knew nobody else had it. Heath Campbell, the father, said, "They need to accept a name. A name's a name. The kid isn't going to grow up and do what [Hitler] did.”

So let’s say your name is John Smith, it doesn’t mean you are the famous 17^th century explorer, it’s just your name. But the problem with that is there’s always a chance of being named after that person. Now I know people named Jesus, but that doesn’t mean they’re the Christ, though personally I wish people would name their children after Him. The point I think I’m trying to make here is, should we judge someone based on their name? So someone wouldn’t sell a cake with the name Adolf Hitler because they knew what kind of a person Hitler was. Now would that same person also deny a cake to President-elect Barack Obama because his middle name is Hussein?

We may not like who a person is named after, or that they are named after a person despite whether they were good or bad. But it’s important to not judge a book by its cover, judge a person by who they are, not by what’s in a name. 

No Bailout for Blagojevich

“I think there’s nothing but sunshine hanging over me,” said Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Now you and I read this and it would seem like things are going well for the governor....well…maybe if we were reading this on the 8th of December. Because you here Blagojevich say that and then say, “tape my conversations,” gives the impression that this guy has nothing to hide.

But, the governor did have something to hide, and I’m not talking about whatever lies beneath that rug on his head. No! Under that “innocence” laid a plan the FBI sums up best: two charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. Really rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Oh, and in case you thought Blagojevich was hiding a different kind of secret, I don’t blame you, you never know what politicians are doing behind closed doors.

So incase you don’t know who Blagojevich is or what he’s done I’ll tell you, actually, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says it better. “Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism.”

Trying to sell the empty senate seat left by our President-elect, how RIDICULOUS! To think he actually thought he was going to get away with it. It’s is somewhat humorous how there’s been a 3-year probe into the governor’s administration and the day after opens the invitations to record his conversations he’s arrested.

The future for Rod Blagojevich is uncertain but it doesn’t look good. No bailout for Blagojevich.

I’m Dreaming of a Polite Christmas

Last week marked the official beginning of the Holiday Season, starting of course with Thanksgiving. If you’re one of those Americans who feel they need to burn those Thanksgiving calories, perhaps your method is getting up early and hitting the stores on Black Friday. Take for example the eager shoppers who stood outside a Wal-Mart in Long Island in the early morning hours. They were so excited to run into the store they didn’t seem to care about the Wal-Mart employee they were running over. I hope the Tickle Me Elmo, iPod, etc. was worth it…wait no I don’t, they killed the employee.

Reports say that dozens of store employees fought their way out to help the man, being trampled by the crowd in the process. Witnesses say that even as the worker lay on the ground, shoppers entering the store simply stepped over him. The AP spoke to Kimberly Cribbs, who witnessed the stampede. Cribbs said shoppers were acting like "savages."

"When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling 'I've been on line since yesterday morning,'" she said. "They kept shopping."

Thanksgiving, the day were we’re supposed to talk about the things we’re, get this, most “thankful” for, you know family, friends, a home, food, things like that. Christmas gifts, 50% off sales, we shouldn’t put them above what’s more important, especially when it comes to a human life. A man is dead because a crowd of people just had to get those discounts. It’s amazing how in a crowd of 2,000 people, there was a group who just couldn’t realize what they were doing.

You know the media is right when they say how this will be one of the worst Holiday shopping seasons, look what happened.

You know, I’m dreaming of a polite Christmas.

Don't Vote for Your American Idol

So here we find ourselves on Election Eve of 2008. Hopefully, when casting your vote you voted, or will vote, because you care about the issues. Voting can’t be about political parties, race, or personality. And you shouldn’t vote based on talking points. You’ve had plenty of time to research, to watch the candidates and find out who they are and what they really stand for, and hopefully, the kept to their beliefs.

I’ve blogged about flip-flopping before, and like I said then, flip-flopping is only a problem when it becomes a change for the worse. If a candidate supports something they didn’t support long ago, don’t vote based on the past. And speaking of the past, if the past years have been so terrible do you really know why?

When it comes to change, change can come from either side. If the past 8 years have been bad, than it is possible to learn from our mistakes and fix them. Every political candidate is an agent of change, and agents like that have been around for a long time.

So come Wednesday, I hope America will have chosen the best person for the job, and not because they're considered a maverick or the face of hope- and this is assuming the election doesn’t go 2000 on us. So do what’s right for the country, and don’t vote for your American Idol.

Trust, But Verify - a.k.a The Presidents' Conversation

Imagine if you will a small room, a sort of meeting hall. There are windows running down the length of both sides of the room, in the center of the room a rectangular conference table. There are eleven chairs, five on each side, with one at the head of the table. The doors open behind the head chair and in walk eleven men, figures of American history. Each take their assigned seats, and quietly converse. The men are eleven of America’s presidents.

Private conversations go on for some time until Thomas Jefferson begins to speak. Folding his issue of today’s newspaper he says, “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.” Nodding his head, Gerald Ford states, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.” “The people are the government, administering it by their agents; they are the government, the sovereign power,” says Andrew Jackson. “Man is not free unless government is limited,” adds Ronald Reagan. From the end of the right side of the table, Abraham Lincoln speaks. “The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them,” he then adds, “This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it.” Turning from Lincoln, Andrew Jackson faces the rest of the presidents and says, “Fear not, the people may be deluded for a moment, but cannot be corrupted.”

The topic shifts to the state of the government and the economy. “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little,” states Franklin Roosevelt. Lincoln turns to FDR and says, “You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” “A wise and frugal government, shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government,” says Thomas Jefferson. “Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery,” adds Calvin Coolidge. “Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States,” says Ronald Reagan. Andrew Jackson faces his successors and predecessor, “The planter, the farmer, the mechanic, and the laborer... form the great body of the people of the United States, they are the bone and sinew of the country men who love liberty and desire nothing but equal rights and equal laws.” “The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life,” states Teddy Roosevelt. With a small smile coming across his face Ronald Reagan says, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.” A few more smiles appear amongst the presidents as Reagan adds, “Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”

Some more time passes, the issues are discussed, and final statements just two days before the 2008 election are stated. Not resisting Teddy states, “If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.” Gerald Ford smiles as he closes saying, “Even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people's urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together.” From the head of the table the current President states, “Our nation must come together to unite.” Kennedy raises his hand, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future,” he then adds, “…ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Shaking his head Lincoln says, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” “No man will ever carry out of the Presidency with the reputation which carried him into it,” says Jefferson. Ronald Reagan turns to Jefferson, “Trust, but verify.”

A Distraction?

It’s come out how Gov. Sarah Palin “abused” her power as Governor of Alaska. The Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal, or Troopergate, is an event that occurred when Gov. Palin fired Commissioner Walt Monegan. The Governor fired Monegan because he failed to fire Mike Wooten, an Alaskan State Trooper, and Palin’s ex-brother-in-law. Wooten’s wife accused him of threatening to shoot her father if he hired an attorney to help in her in their divorce. Back in 2003, Wooten also used taser his step-son, because the boy wanted to know what it felt like.

So Gov. Palin is under fire for dismissing the commissioner who failed to fire her ex-brother-in-law. If you had a family member hurting or threatening a loved one would you not want some sort of legal action taken? The commissioner would still have his job had he just dismissed the trooper who was becoming a serious threat to his family. But no it’s Gov. Palin who comes off as the bad guy.

Meg Stapleton, the spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign, said in a statement Friday night: "The report [...] illustrates what we've known all along: this was a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters and the Palins were completely justified in their concern regarding Trooper Wooten, given his violent and rogue behavior. Lacking evidence to support the original Monegan allegation, the Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact."

But while the Gov. Palin receives criticism and her actions are called into question, the Obama campaign is trying to sweep the William Ayers connection under the rug. Oh Gov. Palin, how dare you fire the man who failed to fire the man who threatened your sister’s family. Never mind the fact that Sen. Obama associated himself with a terrorist.

If the Obama campaign can dismiss the Obama-Ayers connection, and say it’s just a ploy to distract voters from the issues, then the Republicans can do the same with Troopergate. Isn’t Troopergate just a distraction?

You Can Have Your Principles and Your Heritage Too

“Here are three men who tell me they are not going to vote for the person who most people think that would normally vote for. Take a listen...”

That’s how Rick Sanchez of CNN began his piece on people in the League of First Time Voters, where he interviewed three black men who are supporting McCain.

SANCHEZ: Isn't there any source of pride within you that says, "I may be against this guy, I may like the other guy but he makes me proud?" No?

MICHAEL McNEELY: Oh absolutely. We're proud of Barack Obama. There are millions of children that look at him as a black man and say "Wow, I can become a nominee to a major party. There's a potential to become president of the United States." Yes, we celebrate that. But see...

SANCHEZ: But you would say to those children, "Don't vote for him."

McNEELY: Yes, I would. Based on principle. Absolutely. Principles matter. Lower taxes, strong national defense, traditional marriage, free market solutions. Those types of things. That's what we believe in the Republican party.

Another one of the three men, Rufus Montgomery, said, “…when it comes to the issues I start with questions that tend to bring silence like "If Democrats are for the poor, why are people still poor?" And you can hear the silence in the room. Who will best serve as leader of this country? Do you want a steady hand in times of crises and need or do you want to go with the unknown. With McCain you may disagree with him but you know where he stands.”

Unfortunately, the YouTube post contains comments like, "absolutely disgusting! some black men are such an embarrassment!" Despite the uncivilized remarks, the important message of this post is clear; you can have your principles and your heritage too.

Give the Middle Class a Loan?

On January 4, 2007 Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the new Speaker of the House. In her inaugural address the first female speaker spoke of “sustaining our economic leadership.” She went on to add “A new America with a vibrant and strengthened middle class for whom college is affordable, health care is accessible, and retirement reliable. A new America that declares our energy independence, promotes domestic sources of renewable energy, and combats climate change.”

Well let’s see what we’ve accomplished.

1. Declared our energy independence, yes we’ve made it “known” that we like to be energy independent.
2. Yes we’ve promoted renewable energies, but that’s still 10 years away.
3. Fought against climate change? Look I think we all know there’s no way we can win against Mother Nature…well…

But hey, how bout that middle class.

On September 28’s Meet the Press broadcast, Former Republican Congressman Bob Schaffer and Democratic Congressman Mark Udall faced off.

REP. UDALL: For you to sit here and suggest that somehow you're immune from any of the criticism or any of the blame for the straits we find ourselves in is laughable. The policies of the Bush...

REP. SCHAFFER: Mark, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac didn't crash six years ago.

REP. UDALL: Bob, let me finish. The...

REP. SCHAFFER: They crashed this year, where you were in charge.

REP. UDALL: Let me finish. The policies you support have led us to the day that we are experiencing today.

REP. SCHAFFER: Absolutely not true.

But let’s get back to Pelosi’s inaugural address.

“In order to achieve our new America for the 21st Century, we must return this House to the American people. So our first order of business is passing the toughest congressional ethics reform in history. This new Congress doesn't have two years or 200 days. Let us join together in the first 100 hours to make this Congress the most honest and open Congress in history -- 100 hours.”

According to Wikipedia, a trusted news source, 87 business hours after the swearing-in, the House of Representatives had passed every one of the plan's measures in the form that they had been submitted to Congress by January 18, 2007. These measures included all of those promised, with the exception of part of one of the recommendations of the 9/11 commission.

I’m guessing that’s when the clock stopped.

Wikipedia also stated how one of the 100-Hour Plan's greatest opponents is former Speaker Dennis Hastert, who has said of Speaker Pelosi's intended changes that, "By repealing President Bush's tax relief, she would devastate economic prosperity for Americans and burden taxpayers at all levels."

No Mr. Speaker, we have to look beyond the truth. President Bush is top dog so it’s his fault, we can’t accept any other intelligence.

Sen. Obama says, “I believe that building a strong middle class is the key to making our economy strong. And that's what we'll do when I'm President of the United States. So yes, we'll create millions of new jobs, and yes, we'll put more money back into the pockets of hardworking families.” What’s he going to do, give the middle class a loan?

Thee Old Political Stratagem

“We can’t afford four more years of failed Republican policies.” “John McCain voted with George Bush ninety-percent of the time.” If you’re paying attention to politics it is these two phrase, and those like it, which come up every week from the Democratic Party., and usually the word/phrase “change” follows.

• Bill Clinton- 1992
  • “Tonight I want to talk with you about my hope for the future, my faith in the American people, and my vision of the kind of country we can build together.”
  • “Now that we have changed the world, it’s time to change America.”
  • “I have news for the forces of greed and the defenders of the status quo: Your time has come and gone. Its time for a change in America.”
  • “We can seize this moment, make it exciting and energizing and heroic to be American again. We can renew our faith in each other and in ourselves. We can restore our sense of unity and community.”
  • “I want every person in this hall and every person in this land to reach out and join us in a great new adventures, to chart a bold new future.”

• George W. Bush- 2000
  • “Together, we will renew America's purpose.”
  • “…it is the time for new beginnings.”
  • “My fellow citizens, we can begin again.”
  • “An era of tarnished ideals is giving way to a responsibility era, and it won't be long now.”
  • “I know how serious the task is before me. I know the presidency is an office that turns pride into prayer. But I am eager to start on the work ahead, and I believe America is ready for a new beginning.”
  • “Americans live on the sunrise side of the mountain, the night is passing, and we're ready for the day to come.”

In case you’re asking yourself about the quotes above they come from the acceptance speeches of Former President Clinton, and President Bush. The purpose for the quotes is show that with every election brings the candidates of change. Each one, Republican and Democrat, speak to tell America how it’s time for a new start to help America get back on track, that we need change. They’ll point out how voters can’t afford to elect another party member of the current administration, whether it’s the truth or thee old political stratagem.

Fair Interviews

So last week, Gov. Sarah Palin sat down for her first interview with Charles Gibson of ABC News. By now you’ve heard some of the excerpts and reactions to the interview, and that leads us to asking if the hard hitting questions are only meant for Republicans.

Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the only real strategy Democrats know is to say, “John McCain and George W. Bush are one and the same,” or, “John McCain won’t bring change, Barack Obama will bring change. McSame will bring you four more years of failed Republican policies.” With statements like this perhaps Gibson felt he had to give the Republican VP nominee questions that would help prove nay-Sayers wrong, or did he? Now there’s certainly nothing wrong with Mr. Gibson asking the tuff questions, I mean just look at what he asked Barack Obama almost back in June of this year.

After becoming the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party:

GIBSON:

• Public moments are not your own. There's a million people pulling you in a million different directions, but when everybody clears out, the staff is gone, you're in your hotel room at night and you're alone -- do you say to yourself: "Son of a gun, I've done this?"
• Should you choose her (Sen. Hillary Clinton), how do you handle Bill Clinton?
• Do you worry that it could turn on race, age and class?
• Is the hardest part of all this behind you or ahead of you?
• I watched closely your countenance last night, your mien, as you stood in that hall. You didn't smile much. Has the joyfulness of this hit home yet? Do you take joy from it?

Now the Serious Questions:

GIBSON:

• On what three issues will this campaign turn to you?
• Will you go to Iraq?

You might also hear commentators refer to another interview by Gibson with Obama, back in late 2007. They’ll point out how he didn’t question the Illinois senator on his experience, but in fairness, it was an interview on Who Is Barack Obama? – a sort of softer side of the candidate. But now, three months after the interview in June, and less then a month since John McCain announced Gov. Palin as his running mate, here is what Charles Gibson asked Gov. Palin.

ABC News: September 11-12, 2008

GIBSON:

• …a question that I asked John McCain about you, and it is really the central question. Can you look the country in the eye and say "I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?"
• And you didn't say to yourself, "Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I -- will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?"
• Have you ever met a foreign head of state?
• Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
• Would you favor putting Georgia and Ukraine in NATO?
• So what do you do about a nuclear Iran?
• Do you agree with the Bush doctrine?
• Do we have a right to anticipatory self-defense? Do we have a right to make a preemptive strike again another country if we feel that country might strike us?

So why did Palin get the hard questions? Perhaps it’s because we’re still learning where this former mayor, and almost two-year governor stands on the issues. And if that was to be the case, shouldn’t the same questions be directed on a regular basis to the Democratic nominee for president, the man elected to the senate in 2005, and began running for the presidency unofficially in late 2006? Once again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking the hard questions of those who could take there place at the top of America’s government, but let there be fairness in interviews and journalism. We can’t keep asking candidates where they stand on their opponent’s campaign ads. It’s two months until Americans head to the polls; it’s time to get serious and fair. I know I just did a post on this, but sometimes you just have to repeat yourself after these kind of “fair interviews”.

Nothing to Fear

"You Maniacs! You blew it up!"

- George Taylor, Planet of the Apes (1968)

So since Wednesday I've been wondering if anyone else in the world has been feeling a sort of gravitational pull. You know like when you hold two magnets at opposite ends and there’s a good distance between them, but you get that small magnetic force pulling them together. Alright so you’re probably wondering what on earth I’m writing about. Well first off, it’s on earth and it’s a machine known to the public as the “Big Bang” machine, a machine that will explore the tiniest particles and come ever closer to re-enacting the big bang- the theory that a colossal explosion created the universe. And the only thing so people are worried about is whether or not this thing will go off with a big bang, and by this I mean, “Goodbye Planet Earth.”

The $10-billion Large Hadron Collider promises EUROPEAN scientists a closer look at the makeup of matter, filling in gaps in knowledge or possibly reshaping theories. Now that’s all grand and dandy, I along with the rest of the human race are just hoping we don’t become a reshaped theory.

Around a 17-mile tunnel, beams of protons will be fired to test the controlling strength of the world's largest superconducting magnets. While still a good month before beams traveling in opposite directions are brought together in collisions, oh good a slow death, some skeptics fear this contraption could create micro "black holes" and endanger the planet. Thank you skeptics, as if my senior year in High School needed this.

According to Wikipedia, the must trusted source in information (sarcasm), the first high-energy collisions are planned to take place after the LHC is officially unveiled on 21 October 2008. Right because the unofficial unveiling through photos to the public were already well received.

While the LHC looks like something straight out of sci-fi, the only difference is that we don’t have the means to go back in time or save the planet like you’d see in Stargate or Doctor Who. Unfortunately this little adventure could come straight out of The Twilight Zone.

Alright so I’m not being Mr. Positive, I’m sorry but with a story like this I can’t help myself. The truth is that we have nothing to fear because according to the Aztecs, whose place on earth ended a long time ago, the world won’t end until 2012- so four years until Doomsday.

For years scientists have been telling us the fate of the earth and the human race. They're constantly trying to figure out how, but do they even stop to think why any would care to know? And by the way, if there was a risk, like the earth be engulfed into a man made black hole, what gives scientists the right to risk the lives of the human race?

Well whatever you believe, you shouldn’t be worrying about the end of life on the planet. This past week I’ve tried not too- because of what I believe I have nothing to fear.

9/11

We all know where we were seven years ago, and it doesn’t really need to be said why we remember, it just goes without saying. So finding ourselves in this position again, what do we do? Well the only thing any of us can do is remember those who lost someone on that fateful day, and keep them in our prayers hoping they’ve found peace. But as much as we’d like to move on, we just can’t. Anyone who remembers that day will never be able to shake the scene, nor the emotions.

So will tell us that we’re worse off then we were seven years ago- that we’re even more at risk. If that’s true than where are the attacks that mirror what we remember today? So let us continue to never forget, and thank God for every day where we don’t have another tragedy like 9/11.

100th Post: Fair and Balanced?

If you’ve turned your TV on since last Friday, you’ve probably heard these two topics; 1) McCain chooses Sarah Palin as his running mate; and 2) Sarah Palin’s daughter is pregnant. Now to hear or see such topics unfold you’d have to be watching or listening to some sort of program. But the real question being asked in this post is, “what are you hearing?”

In this 100^th post on the Neutral Zone, I can’t think of any better topic than of journalists unfair. As stated in other posts the whole concept for this particular blog was to get people to try and understand the points on both sides. Now of course we have our own views and beliefs and that’s alright, for my point in getting people to hear/read, analyze, and choose. Perhaps the best example would be a political one. Ex: Sometimes people vote for their party because it’s their party, simple as that. Now that’s not always the case, there are Republicans out there who are voting for Barack Obama, there are the Joe Lieberman’s who are voting for McCain. But in an election, and this is probably sounding old, vote not just because it’s your party, but because the candidate you’re for is whom you believe to be the right person for the job- and don’t vote just because you’ve heard a few inspiring speeches. Hear. Analyze. Choose.

Since I’m 18 and can vote this November, I started out late last year trying to find the candidate I would vote for- sadly their no longer running but I’ve made my second choice. My Mom told me not to be persuaded to the party my dad was for, but to be open and learn from both sides, and indeed that it was I did and am still doing to this day.

But it would seem that in today’s world many people are not hearing both sides, or are being led to only favor one side. In my last post I wrote about the “experience debate” involving Gov. Palin. CNN’s Campbell Brown, a democrat, questioned McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds as to whether Palin's supposedly little political experience contradicted McCain's previous emphasis on the importance of such experience – like with Sen. Obama. Bounds said, "Any decision she has made as the commander of the National Guard that’s deployed overseas is more of a decision Barack Obama’s been making as he’s been running for president for the last two years," she responded, "So tell me. Tell me. Give me an example of one of those decisions.”

Now there’s nothing wrong with Campbell Brown’s question, there is however when the same question is not being asked of the other party. Yes many have stated that Gov. Palin has more experience than Sen. Obama, but as far as I can tell Sen. Obama’s experience is hardly being discussed on the major networks - not saying it hasn’t happened somewhere. What I’m talking about is fair journalism. The media might say they aren’t doing such thing, they say their just asking questions being asked by the American people- or something like that. But when you spend so much time on the “possible faults” of one party and not on the other, there’s a problem. The cable news networks (FOX News, MSNBC, CNN) share their thoughts, but NBC, ABC, CBS shouldn’t be. If the media or press are going to inform the American people of the day’s events, they report, they tell both sides, and they are fair - they must prove Bill O’Reilly wrong when he says the media is trying to get Barack Obama elected.

This is just my opinion; you’re free to do whatever you want- the media is free to do whatever they want, its freedom of speech, and its freedom of the press. We all know what persuasive writing is, but I think we’ve reached a problem when we have persuasive UNFAIR journalism. Like I said, we all have our own opinions, but we shouldn’t give one person a hard time for being one way and be easy on someone we like even though they fall under the same category. So I think I’m going to call this 100^th post: Fair and Balanced?

To Prove Themselves

There’s no doubt that you’ve heard Barack Obama is inexperienced. At one point his own fellow Democrats said the same of him, of course that was when they were running against him. But Sen. Obama has been trying very hard to ensure Americans that he is the man for the job, he’s the man that will bring change to this country.

Last Thursday, on the point that Sen. McCain would not bring change for America, Sen. Obama had this to say, “John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.”

As I stated on my political blog, how can he say he’s not ready to take a “ten percent” chance on change with John McCain, but Americans are to take a one-hundred percent chance on him?

With the announcement of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin as Sen. McCain’s running mate, many have questioned as to whether or not she’s ready to lead the country. Now she’s not running for president, but there’s always the possibility that she could find herself in that position. So apparently we can’t risk electing McCain who will have a supposedly “inexperienced” VP who could possibly have to take the reins from McCain, but we can take a risk on Obama, a man WHO IS running for president.

On Meet the Press, Gov. Tim Pawlenty had this to say to about whether or not Palin is prepared to be VP, “Well, in fairness to Governor Palin, let's do the same analysis as to Senator Obama. He's basically graduated from law school, went on to be a community organizer and a law professor, went to the U.S. Senate and began running for president, essentially, the day he arrived. So he didn't even stick around in the Senate very long before he began running for governor (obviously meaning to say "president"). So what it is in his background, Tom, that would give him that same type of requisite wisdom and judgment and insight on national security matters or foreign affairs matter or anything else? But importantly, Senator--or Governor Palin is an executive. She has--during that time that he's been running for president, she's been running a large enterprise of the state of Alaska successfully as an executive, as commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard, and by all accounts, somebody who's formidable on policy, who's smart, and basically has guts and grit because of her background, and can relate to people.”

No matter who the country elects in November risks will be taken. In January of 2001, President Bush never expected 9/11. So a candidate, Democrat or Republican can say one thing but they aren’t fortune tellers. Barack Obama could indeed bring change for the better to America, or change for the worse. John McCain could turn out to prove anyone who says he was like Bush wrong- he could be the greatest president or the worst. A speech can spark interest, but it does not always prove that someone is ready to lead America, experience does. So look up Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin and see what your candidates have done to prove themselves.

To Russia with Love, Sort Of

It was Russia versus Georgia in the Olympic Women’s Volleyball heats. The two teams seemed to get along well before the match as the players all shook hands. In the end Georgia beat the Russians 21-10 20-22 12-15. But there was a whole different fight going on back home for both teams.

On August 8 crisis erupted when Georgia sent forces to retake South Ossetia, a pro-Russian province that threw off Georgian rule in the 1990s. Moscow responded by sending its troops into Georgia.

President Bush sent Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Tbilisi to show support for the Georgian government. The president also ordered the military to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia. He also said that Russia "must keep its word" and end the crisis with the U.S. ally. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Russia is showing signs of returning to its authoritarian past and its invasion of Georgia will require the U.S. to re-evaluate the strategic relationship between the superpowers.

This morning on Meet the Press, David Gregory spoke with the Secretary Rice. On the question of whether Georgia provoked the crisis, Secretary Rice responded saying, “This crisis has been going on for, as I said, more than a decade. It has been a hot zone and a volatile zone where there have been skirmishes over a significant period of time. It is absolutely the case that we have cautioned all parties against the use of force. In fact, I also talked to the Russians repeatedly in this period about the railway troops that they were bringing in, about reinforcing their peacekeepers, about overflying Georgian territory. So this had been a zone of conflict. We were trying to resolve it peacefully.”

On July 15 of this year, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev said “Russia is indeed stronger and able to assume greater responsibility for solving problems on a regional and global scale. Thus for you and for all of us now I think it is absolutely clear that now the world is not just listening to Russia but looking to us for help with solving problems.”

Yeah.

Troops have yet to pull out of Georgia, and the U.S. can only hope that Medvedev keeps his word. A word of advice to Russia, if you’re looking to take your place in the world, this isn’t helping. Just a thought and just a message to Russia with love, sort of.

Photo by Dan Chung

Totally Read to Lead

Warning: The following may cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and the sudden urge to hit something.

Paris Hilton is running for president!

In case you're looking outside your window to see if pigs are flying past, have no fear for it's only a joke. You can probably recall that the young heiress was used in a John McCain campaign ad calling Barack Obama a celebrity. Well now, with the help of comedy site Funny or Die, Paris has released her own video stating her energy plan which takes elements of McCain and Obama, as well as her interest as having R&B singer Rihanna as her running mate. Said Hilton, "I want America to know that I'm, like, totally ready to lead."

Obama Overseas: Déjà Vu

While John McCain shopped with voters, dodged criticism from the media for criticizing Barack Obama, and tries to make it known that he too is in the presidential race, Sen. Obama was standing before the masses in Berlin.

The scene of Thursday's gathering mirrored that of the March on Washington political rally back on August 28, 1963, or that of when President Ronald Reagan spoke in Berlin back on June 12, 1987. Saying he was speaking as a citizen, and not as a presidential candidate, Barack Obama came to deliver a speech of unity for the people of the world to take a stand against terrorism. But didn't we already come together for such a cause once before?

"People of the world - look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.

...In this new world, such dangerous currents have swept along faster than our efforts to contain them. That is why we cannot afford to be divided. No one nation, no matter how large or powerful, can defeat such challenges alone.

...Yes, there have been differences between America and Europe. No doubt, there will be differences in the future. But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together. A change of leadership in Washington will not lift this burden. In this new century, Americans and Europeans alike will be required to do more - not less. Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity.

That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another.

The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down."

Unfortunately for Obama the majority of the crowd was most likely not American, and therefore can not cast their vote for him in the fall. By taking such a stand for peace as one who could be president certainly helps to boost not only Sen. Obama's image, but the image of America. But if the world is to come together and fight against those who would do us harm, is it because of Barack Obama? Would Europeans have rallied together if President Bush was to have made such a speech, or Sen. McCain? Does one join in unity for the better of humanity because one man made a speech on something we should've already been for? Was it really this speech to get such an obvious message out there? Did Sen. Obama just re-ignite the call to fight?

"People of Berlin - and people of the world - the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again."

Some say it's time for American forces to come home, and some say we have no right being over there, and President Bush as ruined America. But thanks to Sen. Obama's speech of coming together against terrorists, and doing away with nuclear weapons, make the American mind-set will change- hey, isn't Barack running for change? I don't know, sounds more like déjà vu.

Not Positive

In case you haven't noticed there's this door in Washington D.C. that President Bush is trying to open. Unfortunately for the president every time he's able to unlock the door, Congress is there to keep him from entering.

Today President Bush promised to lift the ban on offshore drilling. By making this move, the president has placed the pressure on a congress mostly made up of Democrats. "For years, my administration has been calling on Congress to expand domestic oil production," said Mr. Bush. "Unfortunately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have rejected virtually every proposal. And now Americans are paying at the pump." But though the president wishes to lift the ban, it takes the action of congress to completely do so. Apparently there are two prohibitions on offshore drilling, one imposed by Congress and another by executive order signed by the first President Bush in 1990. Said the president, "When Congress lifts the legislative ban, I will lift the executive prohibition."

Now maybe you're sitting there reading this thinking how President Bush has failed the country again, but I would just like to point out the key word here, "Congress". Also, when you hear how Bush's approval rating continues to fall, ask yourself why that is, and then ask if the people who believe he's failed really know what they're talking about.

Sen. John McCain shares the same feelings as the president on this topic, while Sen. Obama wishes to help Americans with a second economic stimulus package so they can afford to pay the high gas prices. Both candidates also wish to develop alternate energy sources, but while it's a good idea, we're no where near that point.

According to Obama spokesman Bill Burton offshore drilling would provide short-term relief at the pump or a long-term strategy for energy independence. "It would be worthy of consideration, regardless of the risks," he said. "But most experts, even within the Bush administration, concede it would do neither. It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for thirty years." Thank you Mr. Positive, and when can we expect results from the Obama administration? Oh yeah, that's if he's elected, and that plan would still be a good decade or two away from completion.

Apparently even if Congress was to do their part is lifting the drilling ban, we wouldn't see results anytime soon, and when drilling operations finally got underway the results would be insignificant. But come on, isn't it better to try and so something than blaming the president for doing nothing? So thanks to the negativity on Capital Hill who knows what we can expect, because so far when it comes to gas, it's certainly not positive.

The iStill-Want

It's July 11 and I think we all know what that means...Stargate Atlantis returns for its fifth season tonight. While true, my favorite television programs is not what I want to write about.

You can look on your calendar and see that July 11 is just as important as July 10 - it's just an ordinary day. Historically speaking July 11 could be remembered as the day when the United States' first secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton, was killed by Vice President Aaron Burr in a duel. But it's more likely the people of today will remember July 11 as the day when the new iPhone was released.

Yes Steve Jobs flashed the Apple signal in the sky and Apple followers everywhere came out to answer the call. Standing in those Star Wars like lines, eager shoppers hoped to get their hands on their very own i-do it all but make dinner and lower gas prices- Phone. Speaking of gas prices, what's it at these days? The 8GB version goes for $199 and the 16GB version goes for $299.

But hey, who wants to buy a phone when there's a chance of glitches? Consumer Electronics editor Dan Costa of PC Magazine lists the reasons why you shouldn't buy one- good luck on being heard Dan. One of the things I found amusing from Dan's article was, "There are even lines of people waiting outside Apple Stores across the country, ...longer than any sane person should wait to buy a phone (A Nintendo Wii, on the other hand…). Cough.

The iPhone 3G, fantastic to look at? Yes. The phone made to be dominate over all? Yes. The phone that is expected to win Washington in the fall? Wait, sorry I'm getting my impressive to look at figures mixed up.

To the world, the iPhone, no matter the cost or bad press, continues to be the iStill-Want.

Get an Appointment with Dr. Pepper

First the lettuce and spinach, then the tomatoes, and now the peppers. From eating raw tomatoes, more than 1,000 people have become ill, leading to one of the worst foodborne outbreaks in at least a decade, and as stated above you can now add certain types of hot peppers to the list.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged that people at highest risk of severe illness from salmonella should not eat raw jalapeno and serrano peppers. The people who are more at risk are the elderly, those with weak immune systems, and infants.

Illnesses have been reported in 41 states, and it's possible that more than a thousand people have become ill. Cilantro is also under investigation because a significant number of people who got sick say they ate raw tomatoes, jalapenos and cilantro.

So what can you do? Basically just be cautious about what it is you're eating, and hopefully you can walk into Chili's without hesitating (ust a joke, nothing to fear). And if you must see a doctor, try to get an appointment with Dr. Pepper.

Jamie Got a Happy Ending

According to OK! magazine, 17-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears is doing just fine following the birth of her daughter a couple of weeks ago. Jamie goes on to talk about her family that was present for the special occasion and how she even looks forward to being a soccer mom- maybe she'd make the team. Lynne Spears, mother of Jamie and older sister Britney, told her young daughter to follow her instincts and she'll do fine raising the child.

   - These Encouraging Words Brought to You by St. Lynne Spears-

Let's just leave this post at glad Jamie got a happy ending.

Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Those words penned two-hundred and thirty-two years ago, marked the moment when little America made its declaration for independence. Here we are in 2008, and just look at how far we've come. Since my post on this day a year ago, I can turn on the television and see that we are still at war. Times remain tough for many, but I can't help but once again repeat what the echoes of past posts are saying, "at least we're safe, at least we have our freedom." Sure things may not be going great for many but we're a lot better of then others around the world. So on this 4th July, continue to remember our soldiers, and while they fight for our safety, soldiers of America's Revolution fought for your Independence.

A Very Happy 18th Birthday

My birthday falls on June 27, and this year it was a day full of tears and goodbyes, because today was Bill Gates last full day at Microsoft. Now I’m not really going on to talk about Bill Gates I just found that to be clever opening. Now my birthday was full of surprise seeing how I was given the impossible. Yes, the device so hard for one to get their hands on fell into mine, and that gift was WALL-E. Just kidding, it was Nintendo’s Wii.

Today I turned 18, and my family certainly made it a wonderful birthday, Steak ‘n Shake however did not. Nothing could be better than going to a restaurant you love and seeing the things you crave the most no longer exist. And nothing could be more exciting then having a group full of waiters singing Happy Birthday in Spanish and off tune – at least I was surrounded by the people who mean the most to me.

Turning eighteen opens up a whole new set of things I’m allowed to do, unfortunately there a whole set of things I would never do. The only perks are that I can vote; enter a contest without entering my dad’s birthday, and buy a lottery ticket – maybe I’ll get lucky. But whatever eighteen brings for me, I thank the people who made this celebration a very happy 18th birthday.

Damaged?

There's a song by the late Johnny Cash entitled A Boy Named Sue. Fortunately for guys everywhere the name Sue is not one usually considered when for them. However, suing  has certainly become quite the habit.

Just today the Fox News website posted two stories revolving around that very word. One woman threatened to sue the city she lived in if they kept her from riding topless in their 4th of July parade. The law says nothing about covering one's upper half- guess the city's lawmakers should've elaborated. The other article involved a woman suing Victoria's Secret because of defective underwear. The woman says a small metallic object on the underwear hit her in the eye, giving her a cut - guess it was a slingshot. And just a month or two ago a man sued JetBlue because he was forced out of the seat he got at the last minute, and into the lavatory.

Usually when a person sues they ask for a rather large amount of money due to damages. Leading me to ask if they really deserve it.

When I was in the 4th grade I got lunch from the school. Well on one of those hot lunch days, I bit into my sandwich like we all do, but to my surprise I ended up pulling out some sort of micro-chip. I have no idea what happen to cause that little foreign object to become planted in my griller, but I didn't sue- I was only ten, but that didn't make any difference.

It sort of seems like we're not always to accept things as a mere accident. I would think that people who are going to sue are mature enough, and have enough good reason to go through with such an action, but sometimes that's not always the case. I'm sure there have been times where people have threatened to sue even though they failed to read that warning label. I jumped into an above ground pool and when my foot hit the bottom, I slipped further under with water washing up my nose. Where does the fault lie? Or how about this, you spill a drink you got, would you sue for a lid not being securely put on?  So maybe I'll just throw this question out there for anyone thinking of suing; are you really that damaged?

Happy Father's Day!

With it being Father’s Day one can only hope that dads everywhere are enjoying their special day. Perhaps their thanking you for their brand new tie, perhaps their off to frame the picture you drew for them, maybe their sitting down to enjoy the book or DVD you got them, or the call you made. And perhaps for some dads’ the greatest gift is simply in celebrating their first Father’s Day.

If you watch the news then you know that for some, Father’s Day won’t be so enjoyable. So just in case, make every moment matter. Friends come and go, but family never will. Whether it’s a day for going on a walk, heading to the movies, or meeting up to eat, who says we should set aside just one day to honor those who influence us those most? Even if it’s just out on a drive; or being invited to hang out at the pool before watching movies with ice cream and brownies, there shouldn’t just be one day where we say thank you and I love you. It shouldn’t even have to be marked on a calendar to remind us.

Whether it's your imediate family or close friends who treat you like part of theirs, don't wait until the holidays to show that you care. Happy Father’s Day!

In conversation father can
Do many wondrous things;
He’s built upon a wiser plan
Than presidents or kings.
He knows the ins and outs of each
And every deep transaction;
We look to him for theories,
But look to ma for action.

-excerpt from "Father"

by: Edgar A. Guest (1909)

Dedicated to

The Russert Family

Remembering Tim Russert

Today was supposed to be just another summer day for me, but it wasn't until I heard about the passing of Tim Russert when this ordinary day changed. Tim Russert, who died at the age of 58, was the Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News, and moderator of Meet the Press. Russert was an American journalist who devoted his life to telling the people of America what was going on in the world of politics, and yet he did so much more. It was that same strong passion he put above his own needs right up until his final moment.

During the school year my sister and I turn the television on and watch the Today show. And every now and then there would be Tim Russert commenting on the daily political coverage. I remember watching him with Brian Williams on the MSNBC debates. Tim Russert asked those questions that for me at least were the ones that mattered the most. And if you watched him, you probably recall his trusty whiteboard.

I saw Mr. Russert more on Today then on Meet the Press, but I made sure to download the podcast, just wished I had watched it more. He wasn't running for office but he made sure you knew who was. If you are to leave this blog with anything, remember how much he loved this country. We may not be perfect but we can certainly try to make things for the better. An inspiration to me, and an inspiration to his country. Today we are remembering Tim Russert (May 7, 1950 - June 13, 2008).

Food for Thought

You won't be asking where the beef is, instead you'll be wondering what happened to your tomato. McDonald's Corp. has temporarily stopped serving tomatoes in their sandwiches so that they can locate the source of a salmonella outbreak.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned U.S. consumers that the salmonella outbreak is linked to the consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and products containing these tomatoes. The FDA has said that it is safe to eat cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, or tomatoes grown at home.

I for one applaud McDonald's on responding quickly to this outbreak, and thank them for removing the tomatoes for the time being. I know I wouldn't want to go to McDonald's or any other similar fast food establishment and be served something that was hazardous to my health. But hey, with those tomatoes gone I guess my nutrition worries are no longer necessary - and I think Morgan Spurlock would agree.

So for now America, rest comfortably, there is no need to worry about what your sinking your teeth into. No fast food corporation would put our health in jeopardy to make a buck. And if they did, it's up to us to decide what we allow ourselves to put into our bodies. Oh well, food for thought.

Keep It In Mind

This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well. Even a neutral has a right to take account of facts, even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or close his conscience. - President Franklin D. Roosevelt

When I came across this quote, it got me thinking about my blog. Here I write, or at least try to write with a neutral mind. I write this way to show that I understand the different opinions people may have, and I try to write to find the middle ground. I hope I haven't come across in a way that makes me sound like my way is the best way. So when I say "stay neutral" I ask that we all listen and understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion. But in a world where someone is always against someone, maybe we can just stop, listen, and just try to get along. So stay neutral, or at least keep it in mind.

Running on Dunkin', Literally

Forget the high rising gas prices, forget the fact that Hillary Clinton is still campaigning. Now I'll ask you to forget the damage and sadness plaguing China and Myanmar. Why have I asked you to do this? Well it's to show you the importance of pointing out the terrorist sympathizer known as Rachel Ray. That's right, the woman who gains applause whenever she cuts potatoes has shown her support to those who would do us harm. I know, I couldn't believe it either.

How did such a thing come about? Well incase you didn't know, Rachel Ray is occasionally featured in commercials for Dunkin' Donuts. Well in a recent online advertisement, Ray is seen wearing a scarf that some say resembles a kaffiyeh, which is the traditional Arab headdress. Yes, I'm sure Rachel Ray, along with the wardrobe department were thinking that very thing when the scarf was placed around her neck. I'm sure you can see the subliminal message in her diabolical eyes. Eat more donuts, they won't do your American arteries any harm! Oh for cryin' out loud, are we seriously coming to this? Has anyone even stopped to think how stereotypical/racist of a statement that is? Rachel Ray puts a scarf on that resembles what a terrorists or extremist wears, so she must be anti-American.

And just so everyone can sleep peacefully, Dunkin' Donuts pulled the ad off their website. What's next, American security stopping anyone at an airport who appears to be Middle Eastern? Oh wait, we're already doing that. And so, all because of a scarf, America is running on Dunkin', literally.

Stand Up To Cancer

Have you ever asked yourself if you could save a life? Well today on the morning news programs on ABC, NBC, and CBS, the evening news anchors (Charles Gibson, Brian Williams, and Katie Couric) teamed up to announce the joining of the three networks to donate one hour of commercial-free prime-time for a national televised fundraiser to fight cancer. The simulcast entitled "Stand Up to Cancer" airs on September 5.

Stand Up to Cancer is a new initiative that will raise money and sponsor innovative approaches to fighting cancer. Now you don't have to wait until September to help the cause, you can start up your fundraising team today, by logging on to www.standup2cancer.org. The website includes a section where you can launch a personalized star in honor of someone you know or knew with cancer. And you can set up this out of this world memorial all for the price of one dollar. All of the donated money raised, goes to continuing the research needed to win the fight against cancer. So while you may not be saving a life today, your donation helps bring hope to the world of tomorrow.

Says the mission statement on the website, "This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer."