Seriously...this is the kind of person the Republican Party really needs, right now.  Someone who can point out the idiotic things that the old farts have latched on to and refuse to let go of.  Things like Gay Marriage, Sex, and all the other stupid social issues that are no government’s business.

 

Check out a recent article discussing Bristol Palin's new campaign for abstinence.  http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-07/the-gop-is-clueless-about-sex/

 

I think Meghan's main point isn't about abstinence only vs. teaching safe sex.  I think her point is Why the heck do we care about Bristol Palin?  Why is it SUCH an issue that she got knocked up?  Would that have had anything to do with Sarah Palin's ability to be Vice-President?  Oh, no...VP's daughter got knocked up.  Let's focus on this.

 

I was watching the retard Olberman, the other day.  He was highlighting Bristol Palin's media tour and basically making fun of her for talking about abstinence when she clearly didn't practice what she's currently preaching.  Who the frak cares, Keith?  Clearly, this was made an issue during the campaign and she's got something to say about it, now.  Leave the girl alone.  She had sex.  Oh My God!

 

But, this is clearly a GOP problem.  The reason the Democrats attacked the Palins so much on this issue (Sarah Palin deserved the attacks she brought on herself...idiot) is because it's a clear hypocrisy on the part of the GOP.  Not by my man, John McCain, mind you.  As Meghan also points out, he made plenty clear that his daughter is free to do whatever she wants because she is an individual and an adult.  But, the GOP seems think that sex is all gross and dirty and bad and nobody should have it.  Certainly, if you do...especially if you're not married and super especially if you're under 18...you are a pariah.  You have to go on a big media tour carrying your baby and talk about how you want everyone to know that, especially if they are female, they shouldn't have sex.

 

Look...people...it's true.  The only way to 100% prevent pregnancy is to not have sex.  That's true and we should continue to tell our kids that, in our homes, not in our classrooms.  But, come on.  People have been having sex forever.  As disgusting as it is to think of our parents having sex, they had to do it, too.  Everyone has sex.  Some people are dumber about it than others.  But, let's not leave them ignorant.  If you're going to give in to your animal desires, let's not ruin everyone's lives in the process. 

 

Abortions are bad.  The GOP rightly opposes abortion.  But, what's the better way to prevent them?  Pass a bunch of laws that will put teenage girls in prison?  Or, teach them to be smart about sex.  Smart about when they have it and smart about how they have it.  Let's get off this moral high horse.

 

Personally…I think this media blitz by Bristol is Sarah’s way of preparing for 2012.  

 

Oh...and, also...Levi Johnston...dude...your 15 minutes were up an hour and a half ago.  Go away.    

 

 

  

It's not that I am opposed to helping people who need help.  What I am opposed to is bailing out people who made poor choices. 

 

What you have in this mortgage mess are 4 types of people.

 

1)  People who are filthy rich and don't need anyone's help.

2)  People who decided not to purchase a new home and have been in their current homes for 5+ years.

3)  People who took a risk and bought a new home at an inflated price.

4)  People who decided to purchase a home that they couldn't afford.

 

About 10% of the homeowners fall under category 4.  So...why does this bailout suck?  Because 1, 2, and 3 are paying for 4. 

 

The rich people, whatever...they'll get by, regardless.  They will barely notice the difference.

 

2s and 3s, though...the people who are regularly paying their mortgages, whether inflated or not.  The good tax payers who own homes and have done a good job paying for them...we're the ones that get jacked. 

 

Looking back at the purchase of our current home, I definitely regret paying what we did.  We paid too much.  But, still...paying too much for this house, we continue to regularly pay our mortgage on time.  We have not missed a single payment and the only time we were late was when the baby was born.  That's it.  But...who's coming to bail me out?  I tell you...I would love to have that money back in my pocket.  If I didn't have to pay my mortgage every month, I could afford to buy a new car.  Or, I could afford a nanny.  I could really help stimulate the economy. 

 

But, that won't happen, because I've been good.  Nobody is going to help me out.  Instead, we're going to help out those "sub-prime" homeowners.  The people who looked at their books and saw that they could afford a $2000/month mortgage and went ahead with the $3000/month loan. 

 

This pissed me off.  Not to plagiarize from the CNBC guy, but we are rewarding people for making poor choices by doing this.  I don't like it.  

So, President Bush is almost out of office.

 

On the radio, this morning, they were talking about his legacy and asking what people think it will be.  What will Bush be most remembered for.

 

To me...I think it will be the war in Iraq.  Many people think the War on Terror, which to them would include Iraq.  I don't think it will be so inclusive.  I think the Bush Legacy will 100% be the war in Iraq.  How he took us in under incorrect pretenses and how we were there during almost his entire run as President.

 

Will this be a good or bad legacy?  I think this depends on what Iraq looks like when all is said and done.  If Iraq maintains a stable democracy, I think history will look favorably upon President Bush.  If Iraq once again falls into chaos and the US has to maintain a "peacekeeping" presence for many more years into the future, I think he will be looked at a lot like President Johnson. 

 

Personally...my view of the Bush legacy is different.  I see him as a selfish President who acted in a manner consistant with maintaining power.  In his final press conference, he said that it's not his style to avoid controversy to please certain people.  How about this, Mr. President.  Avoid controvery when the majority of the people who you govern think you are doing the wrong thing.  How about, when your electorate wants you to focus our money and our troops on finding the guy that successfully attacked us, how about listening instead of diverting attention to the guy that tried to take out your daddy. 

 

How about you remember that Republicanism doesn't mean "Moral Majority"ism.  It doesn't mean you rebel against everything that isn't "Judeo/Christian."  Just because a majority of the Founding Fathers were Christian men does not mean that they "founded the country on Judeo/Christian values."  They founded the country on values of Freedom and Liberty.  Freedom to worship, or not worship, as one sees fit.  Republicanism means to me, that as long as you are not infringing upon the freedoms of another, you are free to do as you see fit.  This includes loving a member of the opposite sex.  This includes disagreeing with the President, even in a time of war, without being called unpatriotic.  And, our freedoms also include the right to not be spied on by our own country without due process. 

 

So...my personal view of George W. Bush's legacy is one of extreme disappointment.  I think we are worse off than we were 8 and even 4 years ago.  I think it's Bush's fault, not McCain's, that Republicans got trounced in this past election.  And, I think it's Bush's fault that we are heading down such a Socialistic path, right now. 

 

Goodbye, Mr. President.  I hope you stay below the radar in your retirement.  I hope we can bring ourselves back to where we should be in the world.

Last I heard, the election is over.  It ended a while ago, in fact.  Sadly, my guy didn't win.  Still...it is all over.  There won't be another election for 2 years, and there won't be another presidential election for 4 years.

 

So...it's time to take down the freakin' Obama signs. 

 

YAY!  He won!  We're soooo excited!  Great.  I'm happy that you're excited.  But, that's not an excuse to keep the streets and windows littered with political propoganda.

 

A while back, shortly after I put up my McCain sign, I wrote a post about how Pro-Obama my neighborhood is.  Now that the election is over...I think I have only seen one person (Props, Jennifer) take down her Obama sign.  In fact, there is one house (I call it the crazy hippie house because it was totally decked out in signs for every Democrat candidate in late Oct/early Nov) that still has the big USSR looking HOPE sign in a window. 

 

Many neighborhoods are governened by Home Owners' rules...mine included.  The rules clearly state that there is a time limit to how long after an election your signs can be up.  I believe it's 48 hours.  It's certainly not a month and a half.  So...I informally complained.  By informally, I mean I mentioned it to my neighbor who is on the board.  Upon having it brought up to him, the owner says, "It's a poster."  It's still up.  Clearly visible in the 2nd story window. 

 

Seriously, people.  It's time to get over yourselves.  Take the signs down.  We spent the last 2 years being bombarded by policitcal vomit.  Give us a break.  It's going to be short enough as it is.

Who's watching the debate, tonight?  Who's drinking while watching it?

 

Here's the official 2008 Presidential Debate Drinking Game.  Well...semi-official.  Remember...this debate is on Foriegn Policy.  I'll add more info for domestic stuff for the next one.  It's short.  If you have additions, leave a comment and I'll add it (maybe).   

 

Take 1 drink if:

Anyone says "Terrorism."

Anyone brings up 9/11

Anyone says "the surge."

McCain says, "My friends."

Obama says "Hope."

Anyone says "Change."

Anyone brings up Osama bin Laden.

Anyone says "Saddam Hussein"

 

Take 2 drinks if:

Obama ends a word with a southern style "Ay"...IE: Countray or Economay

Anyone says Saakashvili.

Anyone says Putin.

Anyone says Kim Jong Il

Anyone says "Iran" and "nuclear" in the same sentence.

Anyone mentions Iran and Isreal in the same sentence.

 

 

Take 3 drinks if:

McCain brings up being a POW.

Obama brings up his trip to Europe. 

Anyone brings up Iraq and 9/11 in the same statement, positive or negative.   

 

Take 5 drinks once when they bring up the economay, cuz you know they will, and we could use the drinks. 

 

UPDATE - 4:41 - Check out Staci's idea below.  Also, some NYTs guy on Hardball just gave me a good one, as well.  Take one drink anytime Obama says Bush.  3 drinks if McCain does. 

It's quite easy, really.

 

I remember, many years ago when I was still watching American Idol, being so shocked when LaToya was voted off.  She was clearly the best of the singers.

 

Then, this past year, as I was watching So You Think You Can Dance, I was baffled that Will was voted off.  I mean, come on...the guy looks like a pro.  How can he not win?

 

Here was the key.  Both Will and Latoya were loved by most fans of the show.  They were the clear front runners and it was their competition to lose. 

 

This is why everyone decided to vote for their second favorite contestant.  Some of the biggest Will/Latoya supporters didn't vote at all, sure that everyone else had their backs.

 

So...my plan.  Convince everyone that it's clear that Obama will win Washington's electoral votes (which it pretty much is).  So...there is no need to vote!  Let's all just sit this one out. 

 

So...our neighbors were kind enough to have us over for dinner, last night.

 

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but my neighborhood is a very highly Democratic one.  They would like to say that they're Independent, but it's not true. 

 

Involved in dinner, were a few drinks.  Anyone that has been around me while I am drinking, particularly in an election year, knows that, if the conversation turns to politics, I can be very loud. 

 

Well...the conversation came to politics. 

 

An interesting comment was made by my neighbor, who is an Obama supporter.  I asked him, "What, really, do you know about John McCain?"  His answer..."I know he's a Republican."

 

Now, this is a sign to the Republican Party.  One I have been holding up for years.  They don't let their candidates be their own people.  Everyone has to tow the party line.  The Trent Lott years were particularly stupid.  I can remember as far back as 1996 when Lott and Newt were ganging up on my man for standing up to the tobacco industry. 

 

Back then, Democrats, Independents, and even many Republicans were cheering John McCain.  He's a "maverick," he stands up for what he believes in, even when his party disagrees or when it's not popular.

 

When did this change?  When did he become just another Republican?

 

The answer...he didn't.  He is still John McCain.  He has some moments early in the campaign when he worried the faithful by courting certain religious conservatives...but, we saw how that turned out when his campaign almost fell totally apart.  But, he came back to what he does best.  Straight Talk.  This is what I think.  I will listen to your concerns, and I will seriously consider them (how many politicians actually change their mind on something when the people convince him that he was wrong?  McCain did this on Immigration).  But...I may not agree with you.  And, if I don't, I will tell you exactly why. 

 

McCain is indeed a Republican.  The GOP has a great history of some GREAT Republicans.  Lincoln, Ike, Roosevelt, Reagan.  Because he's a Republican is a dumb reason to discredit someone.  McCain could be another great leader to bring the GOP back to where it should be.  If you're not going to vote for him because you don't agree with his policies, fine.  But, don't knock him out because you think Bush and the Party screwed you over.

So...my dad and I were discussing this the other day.  I thought I would bring it up in my blog.

 

Years ago, my dad introduced me to the book Ender's Game, which remains, even after Harry Potter, my favorite book.  It's a great story about a brilliant child who is essentially raised and developed to be the savior of the world against an alien species apparently intent on destroying humanity.  Yeah, yeah...how Sci-Fi, I know.  But, it's more than just Sci-Fi.  It's psychology, it's suspense, it's emotional.  It's overall a great book.  Even my wife likes it, and she's a sap.

 

Anyway, so you have this hero, Ender (nicknamed by his infant sister because she couldn't pronounce Andrew).  Ender survives all the tricks thrown at him.  Puts up with things that would crack the average adult.  And, by the end of the book, he saves the day.  If you haven't read it, you really should.

 

The Ender series contains 4 books.  Ender's Game is easily the best.  The sequel, Speaker for the Dead, is almost just as good, but the story is COMPLETELY different, with the exception of Ender being the main character.  The final 2 in the series were so-so. 

 

But, the final books aren't where the problems lie.  The problems lie with the "Alternate" or "Shadow" books.  Almost 15 years after he published Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card, the author, decided to publish an alternate version of the story.  Told through the eyes of one of the smaller (no pun intended, but if you haven't read the book, you won't even see a pun here) characters from Ender's Game.  Ender's Shadow is told through the eyes of Bean.  In the original, Bean is a soldier in Ender's army.  Occasionally, he serves as a confidant of sorts for Ender.  But, that's it.  That's the extent of Bean.  In Ender's Shadow, Bean is essentially the hero.  Ender's Shadow makes it look like Ender wouldn't have been the hero if it weren't for Bean. 

 

Let me liken this to something a little more familiar.  Imagine if, 15 years from now, JK Rowling writes a story that implies that Harry wasn't really the hero.  It was only because of things done by Neville Longbottom that Harry was able to vanquish Voldomort.  Sure, Neville is an important character, and one we love for his own reasons...but, he's not the hero.  Harry is. 

 

Similar with Ender vs Bean. 

 

After reading Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead, Orson Scott Card became my favorite author.  Now, that I am a little older and I have read more of his books, I wonder now if these stories were little more than a fluke.  I don't expect his other stories to move me the way Ender did...but, I at least expect them to have some kind of impact. 

 

Take Lost Boys, for example.  A large chunk of a chapter is spent arguing whether the plural form of Octopus is Octopuses or Octopi (for the record, he says Octopuses...also for the record, I have no clue, nor do I care). 

 

Now...I feel like OSC has realized that he hit the jackpot with Ender.  He is beginning to come out with some short Ender stories that he is releasing here and there.  I haven't read them all, but I have read a couple (Polish Boy and War of Gifts).  Polish Boy is about Ender's father and it's okay.  But, in War of Gifts, we see Ender again, and he's not the Ender I remember.  He's kind of a wimp.  The Ender I remember was indeed compassionate.  But, he was also a soldier.  He knew what his purpose was.  He wasn't a coddler.  He wasn't the type of person who would fake an injury just to get some time to talk to a person that wasn't even under his command. 

 

So...I am left torn at times.  Ender is the brain child of Orson Scott Card.  One would think that he knows Ender better than anyone.  So, did I misinterpret the character I met?  Because I feel like he's different than this new Ender.  And, I don't like this new Ender as much.  I mean...he seems like a nice guy, but he's not my hero, anymore. 

 

Or, maybe I did know Ender better.  And, my dad did.  And, millions of readers did.  Maybe OSC is now screwing him up.  If this is the case, I want him to stop.  I want Ender the way he was when he died, or whatever it was he did, in Children of the Mind.  I want the Buggers to be Buggers and not Formics (I seem to remember reading that this change was a response to the Starship Troopers movie). 

 

That's about all I got.  If you haven't read Ender's Game, it really is a fantastic story.  So is Speaker for the Dead.  If you get into Speaker enough, the last 2 of the series are good enough to finish the story line.  But, anything beyond that, stay away from.  Ender Wiggin is dead.  And, the person Speaking about him now didn't really know him. 

 

Ta-Ta.  More politics next week. 

 

So...I have donated to the John McCain campaign.  I made my donation a while ago when the Republican primaries were still in full swing.  I may or may not donate again (one of the instant realizations that comes with finding your going to have a kid is that you will need almost every penny you make until Jr. gets a job). 

 

Anyway, so, I donated money.  Not a lot, mind you.  It's not like I'm Norman Hsu, or something.  I was very proud of myself for contributing to something I believed in.  I have no interested in phone banking or knocking on doors, but I was happy to contribute to making those things happen by people who are willing to do it.

 

Now, however...I think the majority of my donation has probably been spent on trying to get me to donate, again.  Seriously...almost no day goes by without me arriving home to find an envelope from Senator John McCain.  This envelope usually contains a letter from the Senator or his campaign manager (or a letter that is supposed to be an e-mail from the campaign manager to Senator McCain telling McCain how important it is that he get his supporters to donate) talking about how much they need my help. 

 

Now...I am curious how many of these letters go out to donors.  Maybe a lot of people still live in the age of snail mail, but my donations were made online.  I have never once put a stamp on anything to the McCain campaign.  I don't even donate to charity through snail mail, anymore.  But, all this snail mail to all the doners has to run up a tab.  And...it adds more paper for me to recycle.  And, I am sure most people that receive it throw it in the garbage which, which I am certainly not supporting of.

 

So...Senator...go away.  When/If I am ready to donate again, I will.  But, I will do it on the website.  In the meantime...quit clogging my mailbox.

 

 

So...I'm on Facebook now, as well as MySpace and Spaces.  Anyway, interesting thing about Facebook are all their goofy applications.  One is the "US Politics" application.  I signed up for this one and have had a good time reading the answers posted under the "Debate" section.  The question a few days ago was, "Are we safer now then we were before 9/11?"

 

Remarkably, to me, some 55% of the people were saying No...we are not more safer.  The other options were, Yes, we are safer, We're just as safe or Not Sure. 

 

I am curious...where the heck are 55% of these contributing people getting their facts?  The US is clearly safer than we were people 9/11.  How many people have been caught Before they could pull something off?  How many attacks have there been on US soil? 

 

The real question isn't, "Are we safer."  The question should be, "Is our safety worth what we're giving up?"  I have no doubt that, here in the US, I am safer than I was.  I don't mind the longer security lines.  I don't mind having to wait for my parents at baggage claim instead of at the gate.  The inconveniences don't bother me. 

 

I do mind having my calls screened.  I do mind the goverment looking into what I check out from the library.  There are a lot of freedoms that we, as Americans, have been forced to give up to maintain our safety.

 

Now...granted...I am a white guy, born right here in the U. S. of A. to American parents who were born to American parents who were born to American parents.  Not a lot of 4th Generation White Americans have Uncle Sam breathing down their necks.  So, I can't speak to actual experience. 

 

However, there are a number of Muslim Americans who are also born to US Parents.  These people are being watched very closely, according to what I've read.   I think that sucks.  I don't think it's worth lessening the freedoms of any American.  At what point do we start losing freedoms promised to us by our Founding Fathers.  I don't think Free Speech, Free Religion and Free Assembly can be too far behind at the rate we're going.

 

But...still...we are safer.  The attacks are all happening overseas.  And, not to American civilians. 

 

Just my $.02. 

First of all...what the heck happened to my space?  It's all funky.

 

Anyway...I am returning from a one week journey to Boston, Massachusetts.  Doing some recruiting at the SIGGRAPH conference. 

 

I was staying at the Westin downtown.  Accross the street is a park.  I was in my room (on the 27th floor) trying to do some work.  I hear this weird racket.  "What they hell is that?" I thought?  Took a look out the window and saw the croud.  I opened up the window to figure out what they were saying.  Here are some samples:

 

"Hey, Israel, whadya say...how many kids you killed today?"

 

"Stop the violence, stop the Hate...Israel is a terrorist state."

 

"No more killing, no more lies...no more money for Israel's crimes."

 

and the ever popular (and unoriginal)

 

"What do we want?" "Peace!"  "When do we want it?"  "Now!"

 

Now, I understand why people protest against violence.  That's cool.  It's your right.  But...they are essentially slamming Israel because they are trying to put an end to a terrorist organization once and for all.  Hezzbola has been a problem for years.  Now, they cross Israel's boarders and kidnap Israeli soldiers.  That is a blatent act of war.  What is one to do in that case?  Sit back and say, "Oh...that sucked.  Please don't do it again."  No...you crush the opposition.  They're country was invaded.  Their people were abducted.  It is they're right to respond.  This does not make Israel a terrorist state.  What a horrible accusation. 

 

That's all I got.  I gotta get on a plane, now.  Just wanted to share my frustration at the idiots. 

 

Peace!

 

 

Great Great Grandfather

Sweat, Tears, and Citizenship.

Mexico, earn it.

 

So, I'm sitting here after a long Sunday of errands and yard work.  But, before I could write anything, I had to spend 20 minutes deleting trackbacks.  Why oh why does someone waste so much time posting links to their sites?  A) I don't think my site is popular enough to draw any huge hits.  B) Isn't there a more productive form of advertisement?

 

So...here's a question.  Why do Real Estate Agents always put their pictures on their cards and flyers?  You see them everywhere?  Does being good looking make you a better real estate agent?  If that's the case, why are ugly people using their pictures?

 

My favorite ones are the ones that look like they were taken at Glamour Shots.  "I have a fluffy feather boa...I can sell you a house."

 

If you don't  know what I'm talking about, go pick up one of those free real estate publications that you can get by most newspaper stands.  Every page is typically a new realtor.  And...every page will have a new picture.  I wonder if the ugly people lose business due to their pictures?

Now...many lefties hate this term.  They can't stand it when Republicans use the term "Race card."  Democrats feel like they are the party for minorities (which I will never totally understand...but, then again, I'm white).  It's annoying to think that someone may in fact be pointing out that people are taking advantage of minorities for political gain. 

 

Let's be clear...there are most definitely still race issues going on in the US.  Nobody is denying that.  What I am denying is that every little act of a white person butting heads in some way with a black person is racially motivated.  Not every bad thing that happens to black people is the result of white hatred.  When true racism happens, squash it right away.  Take care of the problem or the person.  By the way, this goes both ways. 

 

My problem is when people jump on small things and make them big things.  Things that more than likely do not include racism.  Things that are simply two people not getting along...whatever the disagreement may be...is not necessarily racism.

 

Take the current subject of Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

 

Here is what we know (what both sides agree to):

 

Ms. McKinney says she was grabbed inappropriatly.  What is that?  Was she thrown to the floor?  Did the officer cop a feel?  What is inappropriate?  She won't say.  See the video above...she skirts around the question by continuing to site racial profiling against unrelated people. 

 

Congressional police says the officer simply "grabbed" her.  At that point, they say, without saying a word, she struck the officer.

 

Now, was the officer being racist?  Or did he simply not recognize one of the 535 elected to work in that building.  Keep in mind, they aren't the only ones that work there.  Each Congress person has staff, as well. 

 

If she were Hillary Clinton, she would have gotten through.

If she were Barak Obama, she would have gotten through.

If she were Bernie Frank, she may have gotten through.

Jesse Jackson Jr...probably (although I don't know what he looks like...is he in Congress?)

 

She is none of these people.  She's a Congresswoman from some obscure location in Georgia.  Never heard of her before this.  Now, she is claiming she would not have gotten held up if she were not Black.  Her lawyer made the comment that she is guilty only of being "Black while in Congress."

 

You know what...my Congressman is Norm Dicks.  I am willing to bet that if he tried rushing through without his pin...he would be stopped.  I think he should try it.  Maybe I'll write a letter.  (btw:  Norm is a white guy).

 

Anyway...my point.  This is the race card.  This is what makes people like me groan in disgust.  You hit a cop.  You should be charged just like I would be...and I am a white guy.  You can't cry racism anytime you don't like the way someone treats you...especially when you are in the wrong.  It's like the Boy who cried Wolf.  One day, everyone will stop coming.   

First was daily dinner at McDonalds.  Then came the TV Babysitter.  Followed by the rise of the video game (not that I have any issues with the later).  Seemed the only thing keeping kids from becomming totally stagnant was the fact that they still had to walk from one place to another.

 

Well, guess what...they don't even have to do that, anymore. 

 

How many people have seen these goofy roller-shoe things?  I'm sure there is some hip name for them, but as I am sure many of you have realized by now...I'm not that hip. 

 

Anyway, these look like regular shoes...only, they have a wheel protruding out of the heel or something.  It's basically a roller-skate disguised as Reeboks. 

 

I have seen these here and there and never really thought much of it.  It seemed like a new little toy that kids can get and make fun of the poor kids who don't have them.

 

But, now, I have seen at least one set per day.  Typically in the store or somewhere where there is a flat floor.  Today, I saw some kid in the cafeteria downstairs.  She was wheeling all over the place and almost ran into one of the cafeteria workers. 

 

It seems to me like this is just another way to promote laziness.  But, the real question is...where can I get a pair?

 

 

 

Last night on the radio, I heard a blurb about how Americans are swearing more. 

 

Bullshit.

 

Americans have always sworn.  They just don't admit it.  For example...the article on the radio, and the article pasted above, state that only 32% of men and 23% of women use the F-Bomb a few times per week. 

 

Maybe it's just the people I hang with...but 100% of the people I know drop the F-Bomb a few times per week.  For most, it's a few times per day.  And those that don't drop it...I usually drop it enough for both of us.  JJ across the hall can fill the quota for all of King County...but King County doesn't need help.  Frankly, I am surprised that we don't hear more of it in political speeches by now.  If you want to seem "closer to the people" you would hear a few more "shits" and "assholes" and F-Bombs.

 

For example...pretend I am running for office:

 

"My fellow Americans!  America is tired of all these Pansy-ass politicians running our country.  Do you want an elected official with balls?  Or do you want another cock-bite like Ron Sims?  I mean, shit, dude.  He's gonna take out the train tracks that support the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train to put in a trail?  What kind of Hippie-ass Bullshit is that?"

 

I'd get elected with that speech.  I would most definitely get the youth vote. 

 

Seriously...what's the big deal with swearing?  It's just another word.  The F word has so many different meanings, now, and so many of them are innocent.  For a funny history and descriptions of the many ways to use the F-Word...go here.

 

Still...many people are offended by foul language.  So, for those of you out there with "potty mouths"...here is another set of Jason's Rules.

 

 

1)  Swear anytime you damn well please in private.

 

2)  Swear anytime around close friends (if they are friends, they will accept it.)

 

3)  If you are in public, don't swear.  Some people are offended and it's generally nice not to offend people.

 

4)  If you are around children, they probably swear anyway...they just don't swear in front of adults cause they don't want to get in trouble (all you parents out there know you were cussing up a storm when you were in Jr. High).  Still, it's probably best not to swear in front of them.

 

5)  If you're at work...wait for your boss to swear.  Once you hear he or she drop the F-Bomb, you know it's accepted.  This goes for every step up the chain...until Director Level.  Directors can swear all they want...but, you should never swear in front of them.  Unless, they are buying the drinks.

 

6) If you're at a bar or club...swear away.  Nobody goes to these place expecting innocence.  Liquor = cussing.  Accept it.

 

7) If you're at the symphony...probably not a good idea, but if you really loved a particular rendering of Beethoven's 9th, I see know problems with yelling a passionate, "F*** YEAH!!!"

 

8) At a sports event: I think it is best not to cuss here.  Simply because the players get thrown out or fined for cussing.  If they can't cuss, we shouldn't out of respect...or protest. 

 

9) In Congress...Swear all you want.  You'll probably get kicked out, but those bitches need to know where we stand.

 

10)  When you are stressed...the F-Bomb always makes you feel better.  Try it.  You'll see that I am right. 

 

That's all I got.  For the record...my favorite swear words are: F***Balls, F***Nuggets, and Bitch-ass Mother F***er. 

 

I'm way past due for this post.  Every time I use the Men's room, I think of things to add.  Sadly...I have never posted my rules.  Now...at long last, I am posting. 

 

I am focusing on the Men's Restroom because I don't tend to spend a lot of time in the Women's restroom.  Women...if you would like to add your own rules, please do. 

 

And now, without further ado:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So...I just finished my taxes.  For the first time, I used the help of an accountant instead of Turbo Tax.  I needed to after Turbo Tax told me I owed $3000. 

 

Here is a little story...at the end of 2004, I took my job at Microsoft.  At the beginning of 2005, my wife took a new job as well.  Both jobs came with substantial pay raises.  These raises moved us into a new tax bracket. 

 

Now...I apologize...the following info probably gives you some minute idea of where my wife and I are salary wise.  I am not doing this to either brag that I'm rich (ya, right) or complain that I am poor.  I am doing it to make my point. 

 

In 2004, we were in 15% bracket.  As, I said...we are now in the next bracket...that bracket pays 25%. 

 

We just made a 10% jump in owed taxes.  WTF?  I think it would be hard to argue that my wife and I are undeniable middle class citizens.  We're not rich...we're not poor.  We are comfortable and we have some extra funds to play around with once in a while. 

 

Why then, did we just take a freakin' tax hit that ultimately has us paying almost more in taxes than our combined raises?

 

Look...I am not one of those people that thinks the rich should be taxed beyond belief.  But, if I got a raise from $300k to $400k, my taxes would go up 2%.  If I got a raise from $400k to $1million...my tax bracket would not change. 

 

However, I move from one 5 digit number to another and my taxes increase by 10%.  Is there not something wrong with this?  This is what the Dems mean when they say the middle class gets screwed by the Bush Tax cuts.  This year may be the first year when I see their point. 

 

The good news is...thanks to my accountant, I don't owe $3000 anymore.  I still owe...but not as much.  Turbo Tax can bite me.