Why is it a slice of lemon in a glass of water? Why not a slice of something more delicious to put in that glass of water cheap-asses order at a restaurant in place of a real drink? Putting aside that restaurants might be trying to discourage rather than encourage the ordering of waters, why don't they put something in there like a delectable slice of orange instead? I mean if you had the option of biting into a nice juicy sweet wedge of orange or a sour wedge of lemon, you would go for the orange wouldn't you?
I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us.
I'm no professional music reviewer but I just had to review this new band that everyone should see. First the basics, they're called PHYS, they call LA their hometown but are currently based and touring in the great state of Texas, and their only known band member is drummer MR. Now as for their musical talent, they're ok-so-and-so but they can't hold a candle to Popes Gone Wild. Hell, they're not even as good as the original Squishie and The Prophets. The scoreboard says it all:
# of Fans for Each Band Popes Gone Wild: 314,400 Squishie and The Prophets: 271,200 PHYS: 204,000
No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference.
You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all.
Joni just told me that she's planning on going snowboarding on Sunday. So that means batting cages on Saturday for all those interested. Hours are 10am - 8pm on Saturdays. So early afternoon, say 1ish? See you there.
"It (a baseball box score) doesn't tell how big you are, what church you attend, what color you are, or how your father voted in the last election. It just tells what kind of baseball player you were on that particular day."
So you can imagine the frustration of vendors like Palacios, caught between the demands of the market and the demands of the law.
She would love to sell bacon-wrapped hot dogs — trust her — but a trip last year to the women's county jail, a trip she says officials orchestrated to "make an example" of her, finally pushed her to give up the bacon and illegal grilling device she used for so long. Instead, she prepares dogs the only way the county Environmental Health Department currently allows, by boiling or steaming. Not grilling. And grilling is the only way to make a classic L.A. bacon-wrapped hot dog.
"Honestly, I can tell you, I've been a working person all my life, I've worked since I was 9 years old," Palacios says. "I don't like being bothered, I don't like being arrested. Never in my life had I been to jail, and they threw me in jail for violating the laws of the health department."
She's not the only one. Ask any Fashion District hot-dog vendor and he or she is sure to have at least one story of being cited, arrested or even jailed for grilling bacon-wrapped hot dogs on the sidewalk.
So why are these tasty treats now effectively banned from being made?
Now a commander, he remains adamant in urging eaters to understand that when prepared on the street, bacon-wrapped hot dogs are illegal on several levels, and potentially hazardous to your health.
"I've seen cockroaches just pour out of the bottom," he says. "I've seen meat sitting out in the sun for hours. We've seen hot-dog carts where the owner has a little bottle where he urinates, because he doesn't want to leave his cart. And he stores the bottle alongside his food."
I suppose the possibility of a hot dog basted in urine is a good reason to regulate hot dog vendors but doesn't it make more sense to narrowly regulate the cleanliness of the vendors rather than to ban entirely the practice of grilling hot dogs? It seems to be a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Of course, one can still get their fix after a night of drinking.
Below the legal vendors are the more ubiquitous operators of homemade carts, which usually consist of propane tanks strapped to modified baby strollers, Target shopping carts or, in most cases, tool carts. They operate completely outside of codes and regulations, their particular rules and organizational methods a mystery to outsiders.
Licensed vendors like Palacios refer to the makeshift bacon-wrapped-hot-dog vendors as "ambulantes" or "piratas," colloquial terms for unlicensed street vendors in Mexico. The ambulantes of L.A. present a host of problems not only for licensed vendors, who often get lumped together in the media with the pirate cart owners, but for law-enforcement and health-and-safety officials as well.
Basically, you can still get your bacon-wrapped hot dog but instead of from someone who is legally licensed and possibly clean you'll be getting it from an illegal cart that is most dirtier than the street it's being sold from.
And to top it all off,
"They told me, 'The mayor wants to make this area like New York, Times Square,' but I told them, 'Who told him we want that? The people who come here are not like that....' Why are they coming now to get us out of here? Why the abuse? Why the abuse?"
Seriously, who the fuck wanted this law in the first place? Who are the idiots that said, "Hey, Mayor, if you want my vote for re-election you'll have to get rid of the bacon-wrapped hot dog or at least make it so that I can get it only from the dirtiest hot dog carts out there." The whole thing boggles the mind.
I believe in the Church of Baseball. I've tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones. I've worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things. For instance, there are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I heard that, I gave Jesus a chance. But it just didn't work out between us. The Lord laid too much guilt on me. I prefer metaphysics to theology. You see, there's no guilt in baseball, and it's never boring... which makes it like sex.
To help get us in the mindset for the upcoming softball season I thought I'd share a quote about softball's better half, baseball, everyday until the season begins.
A good friend of mine used to say, 'This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.' Think about that for a while.
Sorry guys, no sponsorship is forthcoming but I'm sure that's going to change after we win the championship this season. So if everybody who has signed up to play every game drops off $33.00 to me sometime before this coming Friday we'll be all set. I'd like to get in all the money before Friday so I can drop by their office that day and hopefully find out the park and day we'll be playing. Also, expect to hear some time after that about meeting up at the batting cages for some practice.
Everyone who has gone to school knows that recess is better than third period Math class or any other class for that matter. And everyone remembers fondly, waiting and watching with great anticipation for the clock to signal the end of class and the beginning of recess. So I suppose Congress is much like school where recess is much more welcomed than more trivial matters like learning math.
The Senate passed a good bill that would have given our intelligence professionals the tools they need to keep us safe. But leaders in the House of Representatives blocked a House vote on the Senate bill, and then left on a 10-day recess.
At midnight, the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence will be stripped of their power to authorize new surveillance against terrorist threats abroad. This means that as terrorists change their tactics to avoid our surveillance, we may not have the tools we need to continue tracking them — and we may lose a vital lead that could prevent an attack on America.
Does anyone think it's important to get into a relationship with someone who is also of Filipino descent? Looking at our family we have Melanie, Darryll, Austin, EJ, and Oliver who are currently in relationships with non-Filipinos. On the other side we have Annette and Faye. That's a 5-2 split right there. That's not to say that Annette and Faye think it's important to be in a relationship with someone who is Filipino though nor is is to that the others think it's not important. But it is an indication of which way our family leans. And to take it further I don't think Vanessa, Roland, or Mehran find it important either as do I. So that would make the informal count, 9-2 with only Lindsey and Joni left out of the count.
So do any of my cousins think it's important to be with someone who is Filipino or someone who is at least asian?
Being the old-fashioned type of guy I am, I'm pretty much in the camp that a man should ask his parents-in-law to be for their blessing. But what about the same guy asking his own parents for their blessing? Let me be clear, I'm not saying that the guy should ask either set of parents for permission to marry but rather for their blessing. That said what are your thoughts about the guy asking his own parents for their blessing?
A friend said he might ask his parents' blessing to see what they thought of the girl's suitability for him. And he thought one should be even more inclined to say something if it is known that the parents didn't particularly like the girl so as to give them a heads up.
I think that it's pretty pointless to ask one's own parents. First, if you have to ask your parents what they think of the girl, then it's probably not meant to be. Second, the idea that one should give them a warning as a courtesy seems to me that you would only be inviting them to persuade/bitch you out of an idea that you should already be committed to at that point.
Any thoughts about this? Relatedly, do any of you girls still want their special guy to ask their parents for their hand in marriage or at least their blessing?
Grooms kiss their brides during a mass wedding in Muntinlupa city, south of Manila February 14, 2008. At least 230 couples were married in the mass Valentine's Day ceremony. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)
Well I suppose here's one reason to visit the Philippines.
It turns out that love is incredibly democratic, and is as common in poor countries as it is in rich countries. And, encouragingly, about 70 percent of us report feeling a lot of love on any given day. This isn’t as obvious as it may sound, as love’s enemy, anger, is significantly more prevalent in poor countries than in rich. The data suggest some interesting places to look for love: the Philippines, Rwanda, and Puerto Rico top the “love tables.” Meanwhile those in Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan are feeling the least love. (Unfortunately, the love question wasn’t asked in the United States.)
Yup, I'm way behind posting these recipes but I'll catch up soon enough.
So one of the dishes I learned to cook has nothing to do with using a slow cooker for once. The good ol' chicken adobo, also known as the national dish of the Philippines, is easy to make.
Ingredients Chicken - 3lbs. Soy Sauce - 1 cup Filipino Vinegar - 1 cup Garlic - at least 3 cloves crushed Dried Bay leaf - 1 Peppercorns - several Fresh Ground black pepper - to taste
Instructions 1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl or a plastic ziplock bag and marinate in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. 2. Preheat a pot (preferably not a non-stick one) with a little oil. Remove the pieces from the marinade/sauce and brown the pieces of chicken first. 3. Pour the marinade/sauce in with the browned pieces of chicken in the pot, bring to a simmer, cover pot, and let sit with occasional stirring for about 1 hour.
That's it. Really simple. The hardest part might be finding filipino vinegar but I encourage a trip to an asian market rather than substituting it with another kind just because vinegars can have really different tastes to them.
So if you try this recipe out let me know what you think.
Notes 1. Now some people like to "slow fry" their adobo afterwards which, "result(s) in a delicious caramelization of the meat and the creation of the much desired crispy bits that go so well with a plate of freshly cooked, steaming hot rice." It's not really the way I like it though. I prefer a wet adobo and like to use the sauce over my rice. But if you do want to have the dry adobo, you'll have to account for the extra cooking time of slow frying it by cutting down on the time you stew the chicken in the pot or else you'll have really dry chicken. 2. The 1 cup of soy to 1 cup of filipino vinegar produces a very tangy sauce which is the way I like it. But if you don't like tangy or want to control how tangy it is at the end, you can cut it down on the vinegar to about 1/2 cup or even less and add more later but don't leave it completely out (see note 3). 3. Some people, maybe lots, don't marinate their adobo. But the acidity from the vinegar makes sense to turn the adobo sauce into a marinade (while the salt from the soy sauce also kinda makes it a brine, which makes the chicken juicer) which can only bring more flavor to the chicken itself. But if in a rush I guess you can skip the marinating process as the sauce will provide plenty of flavor. 4. Although I didn't use the slow cooker for this I'm willing to bet that the slow cooker would help make a very tender, juicy chicken adobo. 5. I like to use at least 5 cloves of garlic and plenty of fresh ground black pepper.
I know I won't be able to cover this live, that almost all of the winners will be known by the time the west coast telecast starts, and that just about everyone doesn't care about these awards but none of that is going to stop me.
We've got 10 who are committed to playing all 12 games over a 15 week period. Here's the roster:
Wayne - Austin - P EJ - Mehran - Annette - Faye - Jason - Jade - SS Louie - Brian - 1b
As for those who may play from time to time we've got:
Sara Lindsey
Still no word from Darryll but I think we can fit him in if the time comes but as it is we will NOT be accepting more players.
As for fees, Annette is working on something but for now start saving up because I'll need those fees no later than Feb. 15th.
For fun, I was wondering what position and what part of the batting order everyone would like to play - of course, picking your position and batting order number is non-binding. I think Austin has expressed a desire to pitch and to bat 4th, which is probably not going to happen. Maybe we can convince him to bat 7th or 8th for the good of the team.
It's happening this Friday. I told EJ last Friday to set it up and he said he would. I think he might need a head count though so everyone let him know if you plan on going to Candlelight this Friday. I told him that Faye, Vanessa, their respective boyfriends, Melanie, and Annette were interested in going. Anyone else?
If you have no plans tonight, I believe EJ is hitting up Bootie LA tonight at The Echo. The details are:
Launched in San Francisco in 2003, Bootie was the first club night in the United States dedicated solely to the burgeoning artform of the bootleg mashup. Mixing and matching every conceivable musical genre, era, and style into one big dance party where everyone feels welcome, Bootie provides the soundtrack for the A.D.D. generation - with free mashup CDs given away like candy!
Yes, as Faye alluded to, there are fees to be paid. The cost to register a team is $330 for the 12 games to be played over 15 weeks. I heard Faye was willing to sponsor the team and is therefore paying the entire fee herself. If what I heard is wrong then I guess we're going to have to split the fee among the 10 or so team members. So for now I'll be asking each of you to come up with $33.00 by the 14th of this month so I can go in and pay The Man.
We'll be meeting up at T.G.I. Friday's by Mama's house this Friday just before 6 or so to take advantage of Happy Hour. We'll just meet up in the bar area. And in case you need any more reason to get together for a drink or two,
It is well documented that tossing a few drinks back in a week (and that means a few: up to one a day for women, up to two for men) has potential heart benefits. But researchers in Denmark decided to look further. Could drinking alcohol have a benefit similar to that of exercise?
"If you don't want to exercise too much," asks Dr. Morten Gronbaek, epidemiologist with Denmark's National Institute of Public Health, "can you trade it for one to two drinks per day and be fine?" A study Gronbaek and colleagues just published in the European Heart Journal suggests the answer just may be yes.
There are a number of reasons a drink can be such a tonic. First, alcohol and exercise affect your heart health in similar ways. "They help increase good cholesterol, or HDL [high-density lipoproteins], and clean the circulatory system's pipes."
This study is part of a growing body of work that makes a medical virtue out of what was once seen as a vice. There is evidence that alcohol in combination with caffeine can limit the damage to your brain after a stroke, even though it may not lower your risk of having a stroke in the first place. Other possible benefits include lowering your risk of diabetes, improving insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women and decreasing dementia rates in older adults who had been consuming one to six drinks per week.
McCain lost self-identified Republicans by a point in New Hampshire (oddly, he won registered Republicans); he lost self-identified Republicans by 14 points in Michigan; and he tied among self-identified Republicans in South Carolina and Florida. In other words, McCain is close to the presumptive nominee GOP nominee without having won self-identified Republican voters anywhere.
I'm considering not voting for a president this coming November. The only reason I would vote for Sen. McCain is his foreign policy/national security record. But the thought that he would define the GOP if elected President is disheartening.
On the bright side, I'll probably be posting much less about politics.
So we're definitely doing this thing this coming Friday night. The only thing I want to know is if people still want to give that British pub in Northridge a try or would want to do it somewhere else. We could always do it closer to Mama's house either at TGIF, Island's, or Los Toros. Also, Annette mentioned that a new place opened up by EJ's that we could try. So if EJ would like to share any information about that it would be much appreciated.
The President made his last State of The Union Address tonight. Instead of liveblogging I decided to take his speech and highlight the proposals I liked in blue and those proposals I wasn't too fond of I decided to highlight them in red. To repeat; blue is good, red is bad.
Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum. In that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. We have faced hard decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy, and the health and welfare of our citizens. These issues call for vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say we've answered that call. Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose. And together, we showed the world the power and resilience of American self-government.
All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people's business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. And it remains our charge to keep.
The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and prosperity of our Nation long after this session has ended. In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. And let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.
From expanding opportunity to protecting our country, we have made good progress. Yet we have unfinished business before us, and the American people expect us to get it done.
In the work ahead, we must be guided by the philosophy that made our Nation great. As Americans, we believe in the power of individuals to determine their destiny and shape the course of history. We believe that the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. So in all we do, we must trust in the ability of free people to make wise decisions, and empower them to improve their lives and their futures.
To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy. As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future.
In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But in the short run, we can all see that growth is slowing. So last week, my Administration reached agreement with Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner on a robust growth package that includes tax relief for individuals and families and incentives for business investment. The temptation will be to load up the bill. That would delay it or derail it, and neither option is acceptable. This is a good agreement that will keep our economy growing and our people working. And this Congress must pass it as soon as possible.
We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax relief we have delivered over the past 7 years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm, and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders.
Most Americans think their taxes are high enough. With all the other pressures on their finances, American families should not have to worry about the Federal Government taking a bigger bite out of their paychecks. There is only one way to eliminate this uncertainty: make the tax relief permanent. And Members of Congress should know: If any bill raising taxes reaches my desk, I will veto it.
Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to earn their trust by spending their tax dollars wisely. Next week, I will send you a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs totaling more than $18 billion. And this budget will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012. American families have to balance their budgets, and so should their Government.
The people's trust in their Government is undermined by congressional earmarks — special interest projects that are often snuck in at the last minute, without discussion or debate. Last year, I asked you to voluntarily cut the number and cost of earmarks in half. I also asked you to stop slipping earmarks into committee reports that never even come to a vote. Unfortunately, neither goal was met. So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the number and cost of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my veto. And tomorrow, I will issue an Executive Order that directs Federal agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by the Congress. If these items are truly worth funding, the Congress should debate them in the open and hold a public vote.
Our shared responsibilities extend beyond matters of taxes and spending.
On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility of homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing market. My Administration brought together the HOPE NOW alliance, which is helping many struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. The Congress can help even more. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernize the Federal Housing Administration, and allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages. These are difficult times for many American families, and by taking these steps, we can help more of them keep their homes.
To build a future of quality health care, we must trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions and empower them with better information and better options. We share a common goal: making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The best way to achieve that goal is by expanding consumer choice, not government control. So I have proposed ending the bias in the tax code against those who do not get their health insurance through their employer. This one reform would put private coverage within reach for millions, and I call on the Congress to pass it this year. The Congress must also expand health savings accounts, create Association Health Plans for small businesses, promote health information technology, and confront the epidemic of junk medical lawsuits. With all these steps, we will help ensure that decisions about your medical care are made in the privacy of your doctor's office — not in the halls of Congress.
On education, we must trust students to learn if given the chance and empower parents to demand results from our schools. In neighborhoods across our country, there are boys and girls with dreams — and a decent education is their only hope of achieving them. Six years ago, we came together to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, and today no one can deny its results. Last year, fourth and eighth graders achieved the highest math scores on record. Reading scores are on the rise. And African-American and Hispanic students posted all-time highs. Now we must work together to increase accountability, add flexibility for States and districts, reduce the number of high school dropouts, and provide extra help for struggling schools. Members of Congress: The No Child Left Behind Act is a bipartisan achievement. It is succeeding. And we owe it to America's children, their parents, and their teachers to strengthen this good law.
We must also do more to help children when their schools do not measure up. Thanks to the D.C. Opportunity Scholarships you approved, more than 2,600 of the poorest children in our Nation's capital have found new hope at a faith-based or other non-public school. Sadly, these schools are disappearing at an alarming rate in many of America's inner cities. So I will convene a White House summit aimed at strengthening these lifelines of learning. And to open the doors of these schools to more children, I ask you to support a new $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids. We have seen how Pell Grants help low-income college students realize their full potential. Together, we have expanded the size and reach of these grants. Now let's apply that same spirit to help liberate poor children trapped in failing public schools.
On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world and empower them by opening up new markets overseas. Today, our economic growth increasingly depends on our ability to sell American goods, crops, and services all over the world. So we are working to break down barriers to trade and investment wherever we can. We are working for a successful Doha round of trade talks, and we must complete a good agreement this year. At the same time, we are pursuing opportunities to open up new markets by passing free trade agreements.
I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. Now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Many products from these nations now enter America duty-free, yet many of our products face steep tariffs in their markets. These agreements will level the playing field. They will give us better access to nearly 100 million customers. And they will support good jobs for the finest workers in the world: those whose products say "Made in the USA."
These agreements also promote America's strategic interests. The first agreement that will come before you is with Colombia, a friend of America that is confronting violence and terror and fighting drug traffickers. If we fail to pass this agreement, we will embolden the purveyors of false populism in our hemisphere. So we must come together, pass this agreement, and show our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life.
Trade brings better jobs, better choices, and better prices. Yet for some Americans, trade can mean losing a job, and the Federal Government has a responsibility to help. I ask the Congress to reauthorize and reform trade adjustment assistance, so we can help these displaced workers learn new skills and find new jobs.
To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil. Last year, I asked you to pass legislation to reduce oil consumption over the next decade, and you responded. Together we should take the next steps: Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions. Let us increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power. Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future. Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources. And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride. The United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more efficient technology.
To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow. Last year, the Congress passed legislation supporting the American Competitiveness Initiative, but never followed through with the funding. This funding is essential to keeping our scientific edge. So I ask the Congress to double Federal support for critical basic research in the physical sciences and ensure America remains the most dynamic nation on earth.
On matters of science and life, we must trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries. In November, we witnessed a landmark achievement when scientists discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough has the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human life. So we are expanding funding for this type of ethical medical research. And as we explore promising avenues of research, we must also ensure that all life is treated with the dignity it deserves. So I call on the Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical practices such as the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning of human life.
On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our Founders and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says. I have submitted judicial nominees who will rule by the letter of the law, not the whim of the gavel. Many of these nominees are being unfairly delayed. They are worthy of confirmation, and the Senate should give each of them a prompt up-or-down vote.
In communities across our land, we must trust in the good heart of the American people and empower them to serve their neighbors in need. Over the past 7 years, more of our fellow citizens have discovered that the pursuit of happiness leads to the path of service. Americans have volunteered in record numbers. Charitable donations are higher than ever. Faith-based groups are bringing hope to pockets of despair, with newfound support from the Federal Government. And to help guarantee equal treatment for faith-based organizations when they compete for Federal funds, I ask you to permanently extend Charitable Choice.
Tonight the armies of compassion continue the march to a new day in the Gulf Coast. America honors the strength and resilience of the people of this region. We reaffirm our pledge to help them build stronger and better than before. And tonight I am pleased to announce that in April we will host this year's North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the great city of New Orleans.
There are two other pressing challenges that I have raised repeatedly before this body, and that this body has failed to address: entitlement spending and immigration.
Every Member in this chamber knows that spending on entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford. And we all know the painful choices ahead if America stays on this path: massive tax increases, sudden and drastic cuts in benefits, or crippling deficits. I have laid out proposals to reform these programs. Now I ask Members of Congress to offer your proposals and come up with a bipartisan solution to save these vital programs for our children and grandchildren.
The other pressing challenge is immigration. America needs to secure our borders — and with your help, my Administration is taking steps to do so. We are increasing worksite enforcement, we are deploying fences and advanced technologies to stop illegal crossings, we have effectively ended the policy of "catch and release" at the border, and by the end of this year, we will have doubled the number of border patrol agents. Yet we also need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy. This will take pressure off the border and allow law enforcement to concentrate on those who mean us harm. We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved. And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals.
This is the business of our Nation here at home. Yet building a prosperous future for our citizens also depends on confronting enemies abroad and advancing liberty in troubled regions of the world.
Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace. In the last 7 years, we have witnessed stirring moments in the history of liberty. We have seen citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up for their right to free and fair elections. We have seen people in Lebanon take to the streets to demand their independence. We have seen Afghans emerge from the tyranny of the Taliban to choose a new president and a new parliament. We have seen jubilant Iraqis holding up ink-stained fingers and celebrating their freedom. And these images of liberty have inspired us.
In the past 7 years, we have also seen images that have sobered us. We have watched throngs of mourners in Lebanon and Pakistan carrying the caskets of beloved leaders taken by the assassin's hand. We have seen wedding guests in blood-soaked finery staggering from a hotel in Jordan, Afghans and Iraqis blown up in mosques and markets, and trains in London and Madrid ripped apart by bombs. And on a clear September day, we saw thousands of our fellow citizens taken from us in an instant. These horrific images serve as a grim reminder: The advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists and extremists — evil men who despise freedom, despise America, and aim to subject millions to their violent rule.
Since September 11, we have taken the fight to these terrorists and extremists. We will stay on the offense, we will keep up the pressure, and we will deliver justice to the enemies of America.
We are engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st century. The terrorists oppose every principle of humanity and decency that we hold dear. Yet in this war on terror, there is one thing we and our enemies agree on: In the long run, men and women who are free to determine their own destinies will reject terror and refuse to live in tyranny. That is why the terrorists are fighting to deny this choice to people in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Territories. And that is why, for the security of America and the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom.
In Afghanistan, America, our 25 NATO allies, and 15 partner nations are helping the Afghan people defend their freedom and rebuild their country. Thanks to the courage of these military and civilian personnel, a nation that was once a safe haven for al Qaida is now a young democracy where boys and girls are going to school, new roads and hospitals are being built, and people are looking to the future with new hope. These successes must continue, so we are adding 3,200 Marines to our forces in Afghanistan, where they will fight the terrorists and train the Afghan Army and police. Defeating the Taliban and al Qaida is critical to our security, and I thank the Congress for supporting America's vital mission in Afghanistan.
In Iraq, the terrorists and extremists are fighting to deny a proud people their liberty and to establish safe havens for attacks across the world. One year ago, our enemies were succeeding in their efforts to plunge Iraq into chaos. So we reviewed our strategy and changed course. We launched a surge of American forces into Iraq. And we gave our troops a new mission: Work with Iraqi forces to protect the Iraqi people, pursue the enemy in its strongholds, and deny the terrorists sanctuary anywhere in the country.
The Iraqi people quickly realized that something dramatic had happened. Those who had worried that America was preparing to abandon them instead saw tens of thousands of American forces flowing into their country. They saw our forces moving into neighborhoods, clearing out the terrorists, and staying behind to ensure the enemy did not return. And they saw our troops, along with Provincial Reconstruction Teams that include Foreign Service Officers and other skilled public servants, coming in to ensure that improved security was followed by improvements in daily life. Our military and civilians in Iraq are performing with courage and distinction, and they have the gratitude of our whole Nation.
The Iraqis launched a surge of their own. In the fall of 2006, Sunni tribal leaders grew tired of al Qaida's brutality and started a popular uprising called "The Anbar Awakening." Over the past year, similar movements have spread across the country. And today, this grassroots surge includes more than 80,000 Iraqi citizens who are fighting the terrorists. The government in Baghdad has stepped forward as well — adding more than 100,000 new Iraqi soldiers and police during the past year.
While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the American and Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us could have imagined just 1 year ago:
When we met last year, many said containing the violence was impossible. A year later, high profile terrorist attacks are down, civilian deaths are down, and sectarian killings are down.
When we met last year, militia extremists — some armed and trained by Iran — were wreaking havoc in large areas of Iraq. A year later, Coalition and Iraqi forces have killed or captured hundreds of militia fighters. And Iraqis of all backgrounds increasingly realize that defeating these militia fighters is critical to the future of their country.
When we met last year, al Qaida had sanctuaries in many areas of Iraq, and their leaders had just offered American forces safe passage out of the country. Today, it is al Qaida that is searching for safe passage. They have been driven from many of the strongholds they once held, and over the past year, we have captured or killed thousands of extremists in Iraq, including hundreds of key al Qaida leaders and operatives. Last month, Osama bin Laden released a tape in which he railed against Iraqi tribal leaders who have turned on al Qaida and admitted that Coalition forces are growing stronger in Iraq. Ladies and gentlemen, some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaida is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated.
When we met last year, our troop levels in Iraq were on the rise. Today, because of the progress just described, we are implementing a policy of "return on success," and the surge forces we sent to Iraq are beginning to come home.
This progress is a credit to the valor of our troops and the brilliance of their commanders. This evening, I want to speak directly to our men and women on the frontlines. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen: In the past year, you have done everything we have asked of you, and more. Our Nation is grateful for your courage. We are proud of your accomplishments. And tonight in this hallowed chamber, with the American people as our witness, we make you a solemn pledge: In the fight ahead, you will have all you need to protect our Nation. And I ask the Congress to meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops.
Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated, and we can still expect tough fighting ahead. Our objective in the coming year is to sustain and build on the gains we made in 2007, while transitioning to the next phase of our strategy. American troops are shifting from leading operations, to partnering with Iraqi forces, and, eventually, to a protective overwatch mission. As part of this transition, one Army brigade combat team and one Marine Expeditionary Unit have already come home and will not be replaced. In the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions will follow suit. Taken together, this means more than 20,000 of our troops are coming home.
Any further drawdown of U.S. troops will be based on conditions in Iraq and the recommendations of our commanders. General Petraeus has warned that too fast a drawdown could result in the "disintegration of the Iraqi Security Forces, al Qaida-Iraq regaining lost ground, [and] a marked increase in violence." Members of Congress: Having come so far and achieved so much, we must not allow this to happen.
In the coming year, we will work with Iraqi leaders as they build on the progress they are making toward political reconciliation. At the local level, Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds are beginning to come together to reclaim their communities and rebuild their lives. Progress in the provinces must be matched by progress in Baghdad. And we are seeing some encouraging signs. The national government is sharing oil revenues with the provinces. The parliament recently passed both a pension law and de-Ba'athification reform. Now they are debating a provincial powers law. The Iraqis still have a distance to travel. But after decades of dictatorship and the pain of sectarian violence, reconciliation is taking place — and the Iraqi people are taking control of their future.
The mission in Iraq has been difficult and trying for our Nation. But it is in the vital interest of the United States that we succeed. A free Iraq will deny al Qaida a safe haven. A free Iraq will show millions across the Middle East that a future of liberty is possible. And a free Iraq will be a friend of America, a partner in fighting terror, and a source of stability in a dangerous part of the world.
By contrast, a failed Iraq would embolden extremists, strengthen Iran, and give terrorists a base from which to launch new attacks on our friends, our allies, and our homeland. The enemy has made its intentions clear. At a time when the momentum seemed to favor them, al Qaida's top commander in Iraq declared that they will not rest until they have attacked us here in Washington. My fellow Americans: We will not rest either. We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated. We must do the difficult work today, so that years from now people will look back and say that this generation rose to the moment, prevailed in a tough fight, and left behind a more hopeful region and a safer America.
We are also standing against the forces of extremism in the Holy Land, where we have new cause for hope. Palestinians have elected a president who recognizes that confronting terror is essential to achieving a state where his people can live in dignity and at peace with Israel. Israelis have leaders who recognize that a peaceful, democratic Palestinian state will be a source of lasting security. This month in Ramallah and Jerusalem, I assured leaders from both sides that America will do, and I will do, everything we can to help them achieve a peace agreement that defines a Palestinian state by the end of this year. The time has come for a Holy Land where a democratic Israel and a democratic Palestine live side-by-side in peace.
We are also standing against the forces of extremism embodied by the regime in Tehran. Iran's rulers oppress a good and talented people. And wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime is there to oppose it. Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq, supporting Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas' efforts to undermine peace in the Holy Land. Tehran is also developing ballistic missiles of increasing range and continues to develop its capability to enrich uranium, which could be used to create a nuclear weapon. Our message to the people of Iran is clear: We have no quarrel with you, we respect your traditions and your history, and we look forward to the day when you have your freedom. Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home, and cease your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf.
On the homefront, we will continue to take every lawful and effective measure to protect our country. This is our most solemn duty. We are grateful that there has not been another attack on our soil since September 11. This is not for a lack of desire or effort on the part of the enemy. In the past 6 years, we have stopped numerous attacks, including a plot to fly a plane into the tallest building in Los Angeles and another to blow up passenger jets bound for America over the Atlantic. Dedicated men and women in our Government toil day and night to stop the terrorists from carrying out their plans. These good citizens are saving American lives, and everyone in this chamber owes them our thanks. And we owe them something more: We owe them the tools they need to keep our people safe.
One of the most important tools we can give them is the ability to monitor terrorist communications. To protect America, we need to know who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they are planning. Last year, the Congress passed legislation to help us do that. Unfortunately, the Congress set the legislation to expire on February 1. This means that if you do not act by Friday, our ability to track terrorist threats would be weakened and our citizens will be in greater danger. The Congress must ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted. The Congress must pass liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the efforts to defend America. We have had ample time for debate. The time to act is now.
Protecting our Nation from the dangers of a new century requires more than good intelligence and a strong military. It also requires changing the conditions that breed resentment and allow extremists to prey on despair. So America is using its influence to build a freer, more hopeful, and more compassionate world. This is a reflection of our national interest and the calling of our conscience.
America is opposing genocide in Sudan and supporting freedom in countries from Cuba and Zimbabwe to Belarus and Burma.
America is leading the fight against global poverty, with strong education initiatives and humanitarian assistance. We have also changed the way we deliver aid by launching the Millennium Challenge Account. This program strengthens democracy, transparency, and the rule of law in developing nations, and I ask you to fully fund this important initiative.
America is leading the fight against global hunger. Today, more than half the world's food aid comes from the United States. And tonight, I ask the Congress to support an innovative proposal to provide food assistance by purchasing crops directly from farmers in the developing world, so we can build up local agriculture and help break the cycle of famine.
America is leading the fight against disease. With your help, we are working to cut by half the number of malaria-related deaths in 15 African nations. And our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is treating 1.4 million people. We can bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you to maintain the principles that have changed behavior and made this program a success. And I call on you to double our initial commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS by approving an additional $30 billion over the next 5 years.
America is a force for hope in the world because we are a compassionate people, and some of the most compassionate Americans are those who have stepped forward to protect us. We must keep faith with all who have risked life and limb so that we might live in freedom and peace. Over the past 7 years, we have increased funding for veterans by more than 95 percent. As we increase funding, we must also reform our veterans system to meet the needs of a new war and a new generation. I call on the Congress to enact the reforms recommended by Senator Bob Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala, so we can improve the system of care for our wounded warriors and help them build lives of hope, promise, and dignity.
Our military families also sacrifice for America. They endure sleepless nights and the daily struggle of providing for children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them. So I ask you to join me in expanding their access to childcare, creating new hiring preferences for military spouses across the Federal Government, and allowing our troops to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses or children. Our military families serve our Nation, they inspire our Nation, and tonight our Nation honors them.
The secret of our strength, the miracle of America, is that our greatness lies not in our Government, but in the spirit and determination of our people. When the Federal Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787, our Nation was bound by the Articles of Confederation, which began with the words, "We the undersigned delegates." When Gouverneur Morris was asked to draft the preamble to our new Constitution, he offered an important revision and opened with words that changed the course of our Nation and the history of the world: "We the people."
By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great and noble Nation could be built on the liberty that resides in the hearts of all men and women. By trusting the people, succeeding generations transformed our fragile young democracy into the most powerful Nation on earth and a beacon of hope for millions. And so long as we continue to trust the people, our Nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the State of our Union will remain strong. So tonight, with confidence in freedom's power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business.
Vanessa says she's out. Still no word about whether or not Darryll is going to be able to join.
As for game days, Lindsey has a preference that we play either under Friday night lights or Sunday day games. However, Annette did express a desire not to play on Sundays. Seeing that Annette would be a full-time player, I guess that means Sundays are out. Anyone else have a preference as to which days to play?
As for softball team names, the only suggestion we have thus far is Team Slug which is really unfortunate. So keep trying to come up with something.
Without going into details about why that is a terrible fucking idea I'd like to simply point out this:
When government picks up the tab for health costs, it inevitably feels it is responsible for curtailing them through "prevention," which can often elide into compulsion. As Faith Fitzgerald, a professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine, put it..: "Both healthcare providers and the commonweal now have a vested interest in certain forms of behavior, previously considered a person's private business, if the behavior impairs a person's 'health.' Certain failures of self-care have become, in a sense, crimes against society, because society has to pay for their consequences." [emphasis mine]
Don't think that happens? Well then I guess you haven't noticed the smoking bans or the ban on trans fats. And where exactly does this all end? Certainly there are many other activities and products out there that are considered unhealthy; talking on your cell phone while driving, just talking on your cell phone, serving more than one drink to a woman during dinner, serving too much food for dinner. Who is to say that those things and many others shouldn't be banned by the same logic used to ban smoking and trans fats? I mean why not just have the government ban everything that is even remotely unhealthy so that every American can be insured at a low cost?
Seriously, don't vote for anyone who supports government plans for universal health care. I know Snake wouldn't.
Snake Plissken: Got a smoke? Malloy: The United States is a non-smoking nation! No smoking, no drugs, no alcohol, no women - unless you're married - no foul language, no red meat! Snake Plissken: Land of the free.
This first video is of the USMC Silent Drill Platoon. Be sure to watch it all as it gets particularly badass from about the 3:00 minute mark on.
The second video stars Carrie Underwood in a number of costumes that will bring less than needed but greatly appreciated variety to my fantasies of the Idol.
Those are the people I'm certain I can rely on to show up for every game. That gives us 6 full-time, hard commits. We're looking for ten of those or at least eight of those with about four part-timers who can rotate amongst themselves whenever they can play. So all we need are 4 more players.
Anyone know of anyone else who wants to play? EJ, does Sara still want to play? What about Mehran, Vanessa, or Faye and Jason?
The ones I'm not sure about yet but they said they are interested in playing are:
Lindsey Darryll Annie
Darryll can be relied of IF he comes back to Cali. Lindsey says she's a part-timer at best and that's only if we play on certain days. And Annie is a friend from school who might be able to play but I'm reserving spots for family first.
So who else wants to play? Remember, it's a low skill level, beginner's type of league that we're joining just to have fun. So everyone should feel comfortable to sign up for the team.
Lastly, we still need suggestions for a team name so start sending them in.
Seriously, anyone know of a place like this but either closer or on a weekend night? Because PGW is in serious need of doing a live show for the people.
It's time to get serious about this people. Here are the essentials
Registrations begins February 4 and ends February 15.
League play will begin the week of April 6.
Games are scheduled thusly:
M-F: 7:30pm and 9:00pm Sundays: 9:30am, 11:00am, and 12:30am
Locations: Mason Park Northridge Winnetka
The way I understand it is that we pick the day and location and depending on a few factors we will be assigned a day and place. We can't pick a specific time to play. So you will have to be able to play at the earliest time listed and be able to play until the latest time a game can end on a day; that would be about 10:30pm on weeknights and 2:00pm on Sundays.
So what I'll need to hear from all of you is whether you're interested in playing and what day(s) and location(s) are your preferences?
The skill level we will be going for is C which is Entry Level Abilities, Recreational. That is a step below C+ which is Average/Good, Competitive/Recreational. Basically, it's more for fun than for competition.
Also, we're going to need an awesome team along the lines of Popes Gone Wild. So leave a few suggestions in the comments even if you're not planning on playing.
UPDATE: So it's pretty clear we'll be doing this at a later time. I'm going to suggest now that we do it next Friday at 6pm. Sorry Lindsey, I know you won't be here for that. Hopefully you'll all be able to schedule it in. And yes Austin, this is going into the Google Calendar.
Hey everyone, sorry about the breakdown in communication and the resulting poor planning regarding tonight. The original plan was to meet at the fish and chip place near CSUN probably at around 6pm or so. But due to poor communication on my part apparently nobody was able to plan this into their schedule. I know that Austin has already made other plans and that Annette and Melanie have yet to find babysitters. So we can do one of two things:
1) Those of us able and willing to get together for a drink or two can still do so at about 6pm tonight OR 2) We can push it back to another date when we can get more of us together through better planning and communication.
Let me know soon and I'll update this post accordingly in a few hours.
UPDATE: The only thing to strike me as interesting from this debate was the mention that Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary. Well that may simply be not true.
So I'm going to try to liveblog tonight's MSNBC's Democratic debate - it's on from 6pm to 8pm. I say try because Coveritlive seems to have overloaded for the time being.
Anyway, if it does happen, the best way to enjoy this would be to watch along with me - drink in hand - and to participate with comments and voting in the polls.
Just wanted to see who would be interested spending Memorial Weekend out in Vegas? Who's in and who's out? Just wanted to get a head count so I could get a place... I was thinking MGM. Let me know...
Chicken Cacciatore had the honor of being New Dish #2. It is yet another recipe for the slow cooker from
Not much to do here. All you need is some boneless, skinless chicken. You put it in the slow cooker along with a jar of your favorite marinara sauce, mushrooms, sliced onions, and sliced bell pepper. Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 3. Then you can serve as is over cooked fettuccine.
Next time I cook it though I'll think about leaving out the bell pepper and slicing the onions a bit thinner. But that's just a personal preference.
Why is it a slice of lemon in a glass of water? Why not a slice of something more delicious to put in that glass of water cheap-asses order at a restaurant in place of a real drink? Putting aside that restaurants might be trying to discourage rather than encourage the ordering of waters, why don't they put something in there like a delectable slice of orange instead? I mean if you had the option of biting into a nice juicy sweet wedge of orange or a sour wedge of lemon, you would go for the orange wouldn't you?
