Friday Fashion Blogging

I have been mulling over where and when to start my Fashion blogging. After my vaca in San Diego I am in the mood to start sharing what's happening and what looks are inspiring to me. So why not Friday? Makes sense, right? Everyone is getting ready for the weekend. Time to get out and rock some new digs. I used to work at a retailer near Capital Hill, the uniform is simple; power ties, basic shirts, and power suits. That is it and a detriment to fashion. Hopefully this will give me a chance to maybe call out the perpetrators ex. Chuck Grassley's red vest and give insight to the stuff you can rock. Hopefully I will be able to do this on the regular.

First installment Friday Fashion Blogging:

A navy cardigan is essential and I consider it a basic. It can be done with many variations, my favorite; is the cardigan, add in a shirt with some pop like this one from J. Crew or a classic solid tee from American Apparel and a nice pair of straight leg denim. (can wear this in fall too with a different color scheme and a cashmere cardigan) Followed by the shoes.

Been eying these Sperry Boots for some time $125 at J. Crew, but I also go with Red Wing Boots or

Chucks by Jack Purcell or basic Chucks would complete the look too.

In San Diego, the lady and I had dinner outside that welcomed us with a pleasant ocean breeze. It was weather we won't be having in Chicago anytime soon, however when we do finally get it, this is my look of choice. Navy blazer, fitted shirt, classic color tie and denim. One thing I am still not convinced is a good look for me is the rolling of the jeans. I get the no socks with cordovan and wing tips (do it often in the summer), but rolling of the jeans? To each his own on that one. If you can rock it more power to ya!

This May I will be attending Paddy K's sister's wedding. It will be in Virginia, so I am considering purchasing a long sought after khaki suit. What better place than Virginia to rock this suit? I would add a tie bar to this and sub out the tie with a knit one. But it says cool, comfort, clean and classic and that you can dance...okay maybe not the dance part, but you know what I am getting at.

One last thing I always try to personalize these looks. I am a DC punk kid at heart hence my affinity for Chucks. I normally wear a leather band, sometimes twisted, if it is a nice outing a chunky watch and always a streamlined belt with a solid buckle, you know make it your own...unless of course that means the "tuck untuck."

That's it for this Friday, next Friday who knows what will catch my eye. Now if only Congress would have 1 person who gets this...

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US Hockey

Up 6-0 in the first period. Boom baby!

Chow!

Ninja Thought

A reminder: Newt's transgressions never happened in the first place, but everyone else surely should be held accountable for theirs.

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They Just Don't Care

There is a reason Republicans, particularly the right wing, did nothing about health care when they controlled Congress and the White House. This clips sums up precisely why. They have never and will never care about the plight of the less fortunate. It goes against everything they so righteously defend.

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Get Your Dunkin Friday

I'm baaaaack! Not gonna lie, I miss San Diego already. The lady and I had a fantastic time, spent way too much money and enjoyed one of the best weeks we have had in a long time. San Diego is gorgeous and I will share some pics next week once I get a chance to look at all of them. I am seriously considering relocating. Yesterday we got into Chicago and there was snow on the ground. I know. Shocker. Yet it was a relief to be home, cook our own meals and enjoy a glass of wine (Yellow Tail Reserve Shiraz). She passed out right after dinner, we had an early flight, while I struggled to catch the late night Olympics coverage. Overall it was a great getaway and much needed. The lady and I were truly luck to see the "Whale's Vagina."

Here are your highlights:

Health Care Summit, Obama's final message, we will do it With or Without You

Jim Bunning shows everyone how broken our system is and how much of dick he is as well. Blocking unemployment benefits because of basketball ball games...Tough shit

A tale of two pundits

WOW. Meet the bumbling Lt. Gov candidate for the GOP in IL poor guy, he is asked a tough question, that is never asked of Congress and Republicans, and blanks.

Obama aides meets with atheists

Idea, one day each year all us out there should have a Friedman protest. Call it, the SUCK ON THIS Tour. Perhaps? Still working on the name, however, this man is a sick human being who is gainfully employed to spout his opinion. Someone has to stop him. Someone has to discredit him time and time again. Who else is going to do it? Not the New York Times.

Chow!

Get Your Dunkin Monday

(Pic taken on Mission Pacific Beach)

Here in San Diego and it is amazing. We landed around Saturday afternoon and the rain had stopped and the sun was out. The lady and I were in heaven. Enjoyed a lovely late lunch at the PB Alehouse, if you are ever there try the Cheddar Beer Burger. IT.IS.GREAT. Nice views, decent service and good booze. I haven't been to a city quite like this, everyone is friendly, everyone is genuinely in a good mood and thus far it seems like everyone is happy to help us travelers from Chi-city. It really is hard to complain out here. They consider a cold day 60 degrees. Lady starts her conference today, so I am using the internet to plan my afternoon. If you have any suggestions let me know.

Here are your highlights:

Obama's Health Care Proposal, up before Thursday's summit as promised. Here it is explained.

Krugman on the Republican Party, hoping for disaster, the Bankruptcy Boys

USA HOCKEY BEATS CANADA! Let's hope this is a sign of things to come

To the Village we are just peasants

Pot-holder

With CPAC over we found out what we already knew, the "fringe" of the Republican Party is front and center and there is no apology about it. Conservatism at its core is dead. The Teabaggers have won.

Chow!

Off to San Diego Tomorrow

Going to stay classy the entire time with my lovely lady. Off to a much needed vacation. Light blogging next week will ensue. Best regards.

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Ninja Thought

Whoever came up with the idea of a Self-Review can go to hell

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Terrorism is for Brown People

Matt Yglesias on the Austin pilot and the "new rules":

As you probably know, a white guy entranced by an extremely version of Tea Party-style right-populist paranoia deliberately crashed an airplane into an IRS building in Texas yesterday. I’m not especially interested in debating semantics, but I think it’s very clear that if this had been done by a brownish-looking Muslim guy whose suicide note paralleled Islamist political themes that the right wing would be pissing its pants and demanding that anyone who refused the label the attack “terrorism” be put up on treason charges. But the new rules seem to be that politically motivated violence when undertaken by white people isn’t terrorism.

I couldn't agree more, had Joseph Stack been a Muslim the next two weeks would be spent listening to neo-cons demanding an apology by everyone from the administration to the entire Muslim community (much like we saw with Hasan in Ft. Hood) Or had he harbored generalized "leftist" views, the media led by Fox News and the right wing noise machine would demand individuals to be forced to state their political ideology on all forms of identification. It stands to reason the likes of Bachmann, Inhofe and DeMint would call for the impeachment of Barack Obama in the ensuing months. However that is not who is in charge, Yglesias goes on to applaud how the situation is being handled currently by officials. Calm and calculated.

He adds:

We shouldn’t be indifferent to the risk of death by Islamist terrorism any more than we should be indifferent to America’s unusually high rate of non-political homicides or to America’s alarmingly high infant mortality rate or its large number of deaths in car crashes. But it’s important to try to think about all these problems in a rational spirit, and adopt reasonable policy responses.

You know, grown up stuff.

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If You Consider Yourself a Moderate Conservative

You might want to consider seeing a couple of the C-Span videos or Media Matters videos of the recent CPAC event going on this weekend. It is telling as it has revealed the vitriol rhetoric, more commonly associated with the right wing of the Republican Party, as it seeps to the forefront of their political agenda. From what I have gathered Conservatives stand for the following:

Torture
Tax cuts for the rich and richer
Cutting Social Security and Medicare
Zero solutions to Health Care Reform
Climate science denial
Killing Muslims
Birch Society members
Paranoia of a government takeover of everything
Bush and Cheney embracing/fawning
And that our current President Barack Obama is an evil, Marxist, genius, stupid teleprompter reader, and Hitler's second coming

This is modern conservatism.

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*sidenote conservatives are not funny...at all

Update: Rep.Steve King of Iowa sets the bar higher:

Speaking at CPAC, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) quoted the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu, declaring that conservatives must "know thine enemy."

"Now who are we up against -- and I want to define that enemy," said King. "They are: liberals; they are progressives; they are Che Guevareans, they are Castroites, they're socialists. More enemies on this list: Gramsciites -- ring anybody's bell? -- Trotskyites, Maoists, Stalinists, Leninists, Marxists. They're all our enemies."

Get Your Dunkin Friday

Big news! I am going on a much needed vacation. The lady's luck was kind to the both of us, so tomorrow we will be flying out to the "Whale's Vagina" aka San Diego. How cool is that? Long story short, she has a work gig and I get to tag along. Much needed. Couldn't come at a better time. Neither of us have been to San Diego, probably will hit up the Zoo, maybe a bar or two, any thoughts? Last night was another great showing for USA. Some guy who dances on ice without falling won gold and the the US women are held it down in both snowboarding and skiing. I can't wait to get to the sun. No more of the winter yellow Frank ya'll!

Here are your highlights:

Black Farmers get an overdue settlement

Elizabeth Warren on CRE, we are not out of the water yet

HACK THE PLANET! Any administration going forward needs to do something about cyber security. It is our gaping hole.

Meet DC Comics Executive Management Team, I am so old I remember when Jim Lee was penciling a biracial Psylocke

Evan Bayh might be useful after all

Our sick and twisted post 9/11 world has lost the meaning of terrorism. As more information is released about Joseph Stack, the Austin plane crash pilot, we are reminded that "terrorists" in the media and according to the Right can only be Muslims. We also have learned just how idiotic Scott Brown, the new golden one of neo-cons, truly is...thank you Massachusetts for this intellectually light egotist.

Chow!

Ninja Thought

Marco Rubio is an ass-clown.

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One Effed Up Dude

A plane crashed into an Internal Revenue Services building earlier today in Austin, Texas. Apparently the pilot of the plane was Joseph Stack, he left a suicide note which is quite difficult to read. Such actions are not the answer and obviously Stack was a disturbed individual. Praying for the families.

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Update: David Neiwert reminds Fox News what the definition of terrorism is and that it can be domestic.

I Miss Howard Dean

DNCC Tim Kaine's winning strategy!

The Hill:

During a Wednesday appearance on MNSBC’s “Morning Joe” program, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine cited historical trends in suggesting he expects Republicans to pick up congressional seats this November.

Kaine said, “Presidential midterms since Teddy Roosevelt have been very tough. The average president loses 28 seats, four Senate seats and governors’ races. And we’re not living in average times. We’re living in times of significant economic anxiety.”

Other Democrats are taking a similar tack.

I miss Howard Dean. I miss when leadership existed in the Democratic Party. The reason why Dems might lose seats are not because people are tired of them or because "well that's the trend." It is because the DNC hasn't done enough and they keeping letting Republicans talk, lie and spread loads of misinformation. Just look at the Stimulus! It worked. It wasn't big enough because it was watered down by Centrists and the Republicans, however every report, every newscast has some asshat trouncing its contribution to economic recovery. Fact: without it we would be in a Depression not a Recession.

The Democratic Party will always give up seats if it doesn't learn to get out first. Some of these seats demographically were won by Blue Dogs who deserve to lose their seats anyway, but those you give up that you have a chance to win, well it is strategies like this that lead to failure.

The Republican Party is only out there to serve the interests of the Republican Party and so they had a plan from the get go "No." That has been it and it may work because after they say "No" they go out on every media outlet and blame their obstruction and failure to govern over the last 20 years on the Democratic Party. And why do they get away with it? Because of ball-less shit for brains like Tim Kaine.

The people of the United State of America right now have amnesia. The Democratic Party needs to jog their memory. In one year the Republican Party has not changed a bit of their ideology, the same ideology that put us to the brink of the second great Depression. It is really not that difficult. To lose to regurgitated nothingness is without excuse. No if's and's or but's about it.

This is an increasingly frustrating development. I need a drink.

I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Get Your Dunkin Thursday

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Wow what an Olympic day! USA USA USA! Vonn, Davis and White all with Olympic gold. After the non-stop hyping of these three it was truly pleasant to see the excel. Of the three I was rooting for Shaun White the most. The kid is sick. He proved to everyone that not only is snowboarding the future of the Olympics, but that he is the Tony Hawk of the sport. Rock the eff on. I don't have much else to say about that. This weekend the lady and I will be going to see Shakespeare and then on Sunday I will be doing extra work for a friends teevee pilot. So if you are like me you can't wait to get the weekend.

Here are your highlights:

The Health Care Monopolies raise rates cuz they can. You know what you should do Congress, Pass the Public Option through reconciliation

Oh hanging people it's not extremist, it's the Tax Tea Party way

HELP WANTED: Dar Mayer needs aldermen

The last sane conservative

Amazing: Where to buy all the shirts Sheldon wears in the Big Bang Theory

The Rich and their Taxes. Reading this might make you sick to your stomach or it might be a stark reminder of how much we need tax reform starting with the repeal of the Bush Tax Cuts. I am okay with people making a living and I am okay with people not wanting to pay as much taxes despite their selfish nature. What I am not okay with is the assumption the we benefit from the rich, but the rich do not benefit from us. Without us underlings who is going to fluff their undergarments, who is going to fix the brakes on their automobiles, who is going to TEACH their children how to loathe the poor, who is going to put the fire out on the mistress's panties, who is going make their delicious meals, who is going to make a discovery or invent a computer chip which they can then claim as their own under shizzy copyright laws, who is going to purchase their overpriced handbag line that daddy let them start when they were 12, who is.....aw fugg it. The Masters of the Universe have spoken, I know so I shouldn't be questioning them. But for Chrisssake, even Warren Buffet thinks he should be taxed more.


Chow!

Meet Virginia Part II

In Virgina it is a-okay to hate teh gay.

TPM:

Gay and lesbian state workers in Virginia are no longer specifically protected against discrimination, thanks to a little-noticed change made by new Gov. Bob McDonnell.

McDonnell (R) on Feb. 5 signed an executive order that prohibits discrimination "on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities," as well as veterans.

It rescinds the order that Gov. Tim Kaine signed Jan. 14, 2006 as one of his first actions. After promising a "fair and inclusive" administration in his inaugural address, Kaine (D) added veterans to the non-discrimination policy - and sexual orientation.

Oh Virginia one step forward...elect this guy...another step back. It was apparent during the election McDonnell harbored extremist views, he wrote papers giving everybody insight into his real psyche and what he planned on doing. Of course his views "have changed since he has gotten older."

The Real McDonnell stands up: Who wants change? Am I right guys? Oh go ahead and discriminate on teh gay, I mean who likes homosexuals and fornicators anyway. Anybody? This thing on. Hahah Haha ha. Jeebus rules!

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Leadership Reid Style

The Hill:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) lacks the votes to begin debating his targeted jobs bill, according to sources monitoring the legislation.

Reid needs 60 votes to open debate on the $15 billion jobs bill. The vote is scheduled for Monday, when lawmakers return from the Presidents Day recess.

“I understand Reid does not have the votes for cloture on Monday on his jobs bill,” one source said.

A Reid spokesman said the vote is in the hands of Republicans. Democrats have 59 senators in their conference.

$15 billion dollars is like throwing a pebble into the Pacific Ocean. How asinine is this proposal? The key to it is a $13 billion dollar tax credit businesses can claim if they hire someone who has been unemployed for 60 days. No infrastructure, no extension of unemployment benefits, no jobs. Not looking too promising. Re-elect Harry Reid!!

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"A Glimmer of Optimism"

Greg Sargent reports there is reason for "hope" on health care reform.

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Ninja Thought

Torture for the American Soul

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Get Your Dunkin Wednesday

Today is going to be full of busy designing. I am working on some projects for various people in the Chi City...oh and my job. Not sure how much I will be on this thing, but I will try my darnedest. Today is a potentially big day for my lady, so please send positive energy her way. She has been working harder than anyone I know to excel and I am hoping it pays off. If I put in half the effort she does, I would probably be running JP Morgan Chase by now. Heck I could be Reppin for Illinois you could call me the Asian Dan Seals. I like that. Asian Dan Seals, sounds like a rare seal found off the coast of China! So good luck my lady!

Here are your highlights:

Judging the Stimulus, more facts that it has worked, but we still need more

If you care...Meet the Chicago American Idol hopefuls

Asking the Troops about Don't Ask Don't Tell, makes the wing nuts look nuttier. I repeat, THEY HAVE NO ARGUMENT. Repeal the damn thing already.

The Risks behind Google and the US's diplomatic alliance

Paterson's BIG STORY IS SO HUGE IT IS WELL...not that big of deal

CPAC, the conservative get together of awesome will feature Teabaggers and a Pelosi Pinata with a Harry Reid punching bag. Man that is funny. So funny. I am dying laughing right now. *Headslamondesk


Chow!

Ten Active All Time Greats

Michael Rosenthal of Ring Magazine has his list of Boxing's Top Ten Active All Time Greats. His list (in alphabetical order):

1. Evander Holyfield
2. Bernard Hopkins
3. Roy Jones Jr.
4. Vitali Klitschko
5. Juan Manuel Marquez
6. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
7. Erik Morales
8. Shane Mosley
9. Manny Pacquiao
10. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam

This list is not much different than most including my own. Looking at it, I am lucky to say I have seen all but one (Wonjongkam) fight more than once live on teevee. It is a list one can easily agree with; however I am uncertain about the Klitschko legacy. Aside from his battle with Lennox Lewis, which he was more than competitive in, his resume is thin. It is a shame because I have always felt, as with Lewis, that Vitali and his brother Wladimir have suffered from a poor pool of quality opposition. The heavyweights they have fought have all been easily handled (not counting Wlad's weak showings against Brewer and Sanders) because the challengers either lacked the necessary skill set, were too green or were out-sized dramatically. Not to fault either Klitschko, but it is hard to assess how they stack up against current Hall of Famers. It is said you are supposed to only look at the fighter in the context of his era, but great? I just can't say that is a word I attribute to Vitali Klitschko.

As for the rest of the list, can't argue with any of it. Floyd and Roy are two of the fastest and most precise boxers I have ever seen as well as my past faves to watch. Evander's heart is Hall of Fame worthy by itself. Juan Manuel and Morales are two of the best little guys there was. Hopkins is the epitome of Philadelphia boxing. Mosley as a lightweight was probably better than Floyd or Manny and despite the Balco hiccup Sugar has earned my respect every step up. Manny is the Pac Monster, the Pac-Man and the pride of the Philippines. I have watched him since early on in his career, he is already a sure lock for the Hall and an all time great. The only person who might be missing from the list and maybe he isn't quite "active" at the moment is Marco Antonio Barrera. If you have Erik Morales, you have to put in his rival, they defined each others careers.

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This is How You Do It: Protest at John Carroll University for LGBT Rights

Andrew Sullivan:

It is one thing for civil disobedience to occur to protest irrational government discrimination against gays in New York City. And a great thing. But at a Jesuit Catholic university in the middle of a college basketball game? Watch how each of these civil rights supporters are individually escorted off by the police. We need to do this more and more, everywhere and every place we can

I couldn't agree more. I have always wondered when these would start popping up. Students, activists and people just finally getting fed up and protesting old fashioned style. You have to challenge the status quo. You have to make some people uncomfortable with their own complacency. This is how you get their attention, with measured and calculated activism. . Perhaps this will motivate more in the LGBT community to do the same? Perhaps all the Perez Hiltons and Dan Savages will take heed?

Cheers to the students and faculty involved at John Carroll University. You can read their full statement here.

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Seth Wescott Two Time Olympic Gold Medal Winner

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Interview with Seth Wescott who draped himself with his grandfather's service flag. Must say humble and a classy guy, well done sir. Well done.

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Ninja Thought

Frank Luntz might ultimately be responsible for the ruin of this great nation

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Cuz That's How Chicago Rolls

Sun Times:

Chicago gets "A" for snow removal from group

The forecast: a mighty winter blizzard sure to dump a record-setting blanket of snow that will grow from inches to feet overnight, just in time for rush hour.

When it happened this month in Washington, they called it “Snowpocalypse” and an overwhelmed city couldn’t keep its streets clear. When it happened last week in Chicago, they called it “Tuesday” and kept the blacktop black from first flakes to final drifts.

“I’d take my plow drivers and put them up against anyone in North America,” said Bobby Richardson, Chicago’s snow removal boss. “Ten inches, a foot of snow? That’s nothing for us. Nothing.”

That’s not the case outside of Chicago and other cities in the American snow belt, where the strategy for cleaning the streets of winter’s wrath is often based on a calculated risk that snow won’t fall where snow usually doesn’t. Most years, that gamble pays off. But this winter, historic blizzards have struck cities where traffic-snarling snowfalls are rare or even unheard of, exposing the dangers of counting on the Big One not to hit.

“You won’t see bare pavement for at least three weeks — and that’s if we don’t get another snow next week,” Steve Shannon, an operations manager at the Virginia Department of Transportation, said late last week about suburban Washington’s Fairfax County.

Being from Fairfax County, I stick to what I have stated in the past; the powers that be just don't care to deal with snow. Maybe after the "Snowpocalypse" they will at least consider a contingency plan.

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Why Racial Profiling Will Never Work

It is horribly misinformed

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Get Your Dunkin Tuesday

Short week! Man do I love exclamation points! Last night was spent juicing my pecs, getting a tan and making a sweet dinner for my lady. I have nailed my wing recipe! It is sweet and spicy and awesome and rockin and cool and delicious and tasty and nom nom nomtastic! Phew. I had they day off yesterday so I watched much of the Olympics it was nice to see the couple from China take hold gold (I know again why don't I leave to China you socialist pig). It was also nice to see American Seth Wescott double up his golds in the snowboarding race. Wescott showed determination, skill and class throughout the qualifying rounds and interviews, if you noticed he carried his grandfather's flag who was a WWII veteran. Gotta love that, USA Hockey starts tonight, USA USA USA! Who wants to bet Patrick Kane tears up that Olympic Village like a raging frat boy...

Here are your highlights:

Taliban Leader Captured, it seems the change in strategy is working over there

In Illinois, the GOP race is finishing the count today

Opposing the Ideas They Support call it the 2010 playbook for Republicans, say no even to those things they have already said "yes" to

Here is some advice: Listen to Elizabeth Warren

Improvements in Manufacturing

Probably all you can say about Evan Bayh and it's even worse. He won't be missed. I don't think this means the end for the Democratic Party and if you think that please give up already. Why even try? The United States of America is better off without Evan Bayh's in the Senate. It is far better to have an ideologue Republican (although a Dem win would be ideal) who at least is true to his truest colors than a wish washy, Village, Corruptocrat who stands for only the dollars that line his pockets.


Chow!

Watching the Olympics

The best story thus far has been the first Olympic gold for Canada by Alexandre Bilodeau in the moguls. The lady and I watched it live and although we were confused by the end result, thought 6th place for the last skier was harsh, it was great to hear an athlete put everything in perspective. Bilodeau's brother suffers from cerebral paulsy. He attended the event and was there standing in support for his brother the entire time. It was quite touching and a story that made you realize why we watch the Olympics.

As much as I poke fun, human achievement and personal triumphs are what makes the Olympics worth watching. So, I will spend most of this day off playing guitar and hoping to see more stories just like Alexandre Bilodeau's.

Of course this makes me a socialist wuss who should move to Canada, ey.

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Whiny Misguided Pawns

Was flipping channels on the teevee and saw a Tea Party Activist being interviewed on MSNBC. He began by saying they are fed up and no one was listening to them (yes it was child like). I stopped watching after he called Reid, Pelosi and Obama the "fiscal axis of evil."

The more I watch the Tax Tea Party and their so called leaders they come across as misguided whiny pawns of Freedom Works and the Republican Party. Once they become self-aware...who knows what might happen, but at this point I just can longer take anything any one of them says seriously.

We have serious problems. Tax cuts, complaining about spending (without specifics), xenophobia, and connections to right wing fringe organizations with militant racist ties, that is the Tax Tea Party. These people are to be taken serious for what they may harbor, but not their ideas. They have none.


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Get Your Dunkin Monday

What a fast action weekend. The lady and I spent all weekend together watching the Olympics, sipping on bubbly and enjoying nice home cooked meals (she makes a mean goat cheese taco and I make some mean scrambled eggs). Last night we went to a nice restaurant, had a delicious meal and knocked out a bottle of wine. Hint: The place was owned by our most famous sports broadcaster. Overall a great holiday weekend, just sucks since lady doesn't get today off. HOW UNAMERICAN IS THAT?! So I am chilling, playing guitar and watching the Olympics by my lonesome. Single tear. Happy Presidents Day! And check out the amazing stop motion video above, truly amazing!

Here are your highlights:

The Premature Exit: Somebody needs to do something or we won't be talking about 1937 anymore...

Again still not doing enough, Housing worries in America

Elections, they matter

I am not shocked and quite happy about this, Evan Bayh to retire. He is everything I can stand about the Senate.

There is a difference between Amy Bishop and what we have been seeing from the Right Wing

Lynch Coates, I read this post and was surprisingly sad instead of infuriated. When people use lynching to threaten anyonem let alone a writer who was expressing an opinion, it is disgusting. This type of hate is unfortunately deep seeded in America and it is the most vile of expressions. We have come far, but have much farther to go.

Chow!

Happy Valentine's Day

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Ninja Thought

A pack of lone wolves

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Redskins name Ray Wright Strength and Conditioning Coach

Rumor has it that they were considering Bill Romanowski, which would have been a colossal mistake for obvious reasons.

Redskins.com:

The Redskins have named Ray Wright the team’s new head strength and conditioning coach.

Wright will oversee all aspects of the Redskins’ workout program, getting the team in peak condition for training camp and throughout the upcoming season.

“The position of strength and conditioning coach demands a combination of youth and experience, and Ray delivers on both of those,” executive vice president/head coach Mike Shanahan said. “He has learned from some of the best in the business, and he has incorporated their teachings into his own philosophies. We expect him to bring out the most from our players, starting with their off-season conditioning and continuing through the entire season.”

Wright spent the last eight seasons working with the Houston Texans. He was named head strength and conditioning coach in January 2009 after serving as assistant strength and conditioning coach from 2002-08.

Wright worked under Dan Riley for seven years in Houston. Riley was the Redskins’ strength and conditioning coach from 1982-99.

Before coming to Houston, Wright spent one season as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Maryland, helping the Terps capture the Atlantic Coast Conference title and a berth in the Orange Bowl.

Prior to his stint in College Park, Wright spent six months with the Chicago Bears as a college and pro personnel assistant.

Now start doing some off season reps you pansies! Go Hogs! Go Skins! Hail Victory!

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Dude You Got Nothing on Michelle Obama

I don't really recall reading scathing opinions directed towards Laura Bush and her reading initiative. After a Google search, I couldn't find anything let alone a piece quite as hackish as Paul Campos' clear attack on Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative:

What Michelle Obama is doing this week is launching the next big government “war” on a supposed social crisis. On Tuesday, President Obama signed an executive order directing government agencies to work with private industry to combat “childhood obesity.” The First Lady took to the airwaves, issuing dire warnings that one third of America’s children are dangerously fat, while launching a website which makes the alarming claim that, “for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents.” The goal of the campaign, Mrs. Obama emphasized, is to “eliminate this problem of childhood obesity in a generation.”

All this is dangerous nonsense.

The rest is distortions and assumptions with a heavily weighted (pun intended) bias. Does TNR really have any purpose to publishing this slop? The program is about eating healthier and getting outside. Hardly controversial.

From the Let's Move homepage:

Let's Move! has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.

Let’s Move will give parents the support they need, provide healthier food in schools, help our kids to be more physically active, and make healthy, affordable food available in every part of our country.

Personally I think this is a great idea. I come from a family history of childhood obesity back when no one knew they could do anything about it. I have witnessed the various members of my family and extended family struggle with their weight. The problem doesn't just subside over the years, it can cause further issues such as Type II Diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and heart conditions. Addressing the problem head on, early on is better than just saying "well kids are fatter nowadays, everyone loves a Ho-Ho," which is essentially the Campos argument.

It is apparent that Campos just wanted to tell everyone how much he dislikes Michelle and her parenting, however after reading his rant, dude has got nothing on her whatsoever.


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Update: A reader writes to Andrew Sullivan, excerpt:

Campos is off-base. If changes in diet and exercise have benefits even if there is no weight loss, is that an argument against trying to achieve weight loss? Of course not.

One of the studies he cites about interventions to achieve weight loss clearly documented that the children did not decrease caloric intake. Is it a surprise that they did not lose weight? The increase in obesity rates is leveling off. So obesity is not a problem? Weight nomograms are arbitrary? No kidding, it is a nomogram. The issue is that more children are now overweight/obese by those nomograms than they were 20-30 years ago.

Al Gore Shrugs

A blizzard of stupid hits Washington and Al Gore asks himself, "what must I do to get it through to you people?"

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Get Your Dunkin Friday

Love is in the air! Or maybe not? I am for one am not a huge fan of the Hallmark lady, but on these things I have learned to defer to my lady. We have light plans and heavy dinner in store with maybe a few surprises ;) No matter what I hope all of you have a great holiday weekend, President's Day! Hooray for old dudes! Hooray for Founding Fathers! Hooray for having a mother effin day off! Okay got that out of my system, I also wanted to point out that Blogger has allowed me to add pages with a nice little widget they provide. I now have an "About" and "Frankisms" page. The latter is a page dedicated to explaining phrases that have caught on since the inception of this blog. I am going to hopefully clean up the tags and get a little more organized over the weekend, but you never know Poozers!

Here are your highlights:

Bill Clinton released from the hospital

Sad, disgusting and just plain awful: Tenn Mosque Vandalized after being called "homegrown jihad"

MySpace death spirals

KOWABUNGA!!!! A real life Ninja Turtle Van!

Senate GOP backs down...a bit...on their ridonkulous holds on Obama's nominees

RIP Alexander McQueen, it is always sad when an artist takes his own life. McQueen was truly a gifted designer and icon within the fashion world. His attitude and spirit were one of a kind.

Here is how our current political discourse works, John Cole writes out step by step of what we deal with and although funny it is tragic. A prime example is the "debate" over whether to include a Consumer Protection Agency in the Financial Reform bill in the Senate. The fact that elected officials by the people for the people have to "protect" or make an agency to "protect consumers" tell you how corrupt and despicable our Congress has become. It is their job to serve in the best interest of the people. It is no wonder nothing ever gets done.

Chow!

Reid to Baucus: You Had Your Shot & You Blew It

The Hill:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is rewriting a jobs bill after Democrats complained of too many concessions to Republicans.

Reid announced Thursday that he would cut back on the jobs bill Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) introduced only hours earlier, essentially overruling the powerful chairman.

“We’re going to move this afternoon to a smaller package than talked about in the press,” Reid said.

The bill now include four components: tax credits for employers who hire new workers; a provision allowing businesses to write off the cost of capital investments; Build America Bonds, which allow state and local governments to lower their borrowing costs; and a one-year extension of funding for transportation programs in the Surface Transportation Act.

Baucus had stuffed the bill with many provisions that Democratic senators thought went beyond the goal of creating jobs, such as $31 billion in extensions to expiring tax provisions, including the research and development tax credit. That and other tax cuts were included to win GOP votes.

Reid said he made the decision to rewrite the bill before meeting with skeptical Democratic colleagues on Thursday afternoon.

Getting Max Baucus close to any legislation at this point is idiotic. It is good thing Reid put the kabash on "Baucus's Bipartisan No Jobs" bill. I mean really an estate bailout? Who are they trying to fool?

Put people to work. It is not a difficult concept. In fact here is an idea by Marshall Auerback of the Roosevelt Institute Braintruster, Job Guarantee Program (your suggested reading for the day).

A job-guarantee program is desired because a more-or-less free-market system does not (and, perhaps, cannot) continuously generate true full employment. Rather, our current system relies on unemployed labor and excess capacity to try to dampen wage and price increases. However, it pays unemployed labor for not working and allows that labor to depreciate and develop behaviors that act as a barrier to future private-sector employment. Social spending on the unemployed prevents aggregate demand from collapsing into a depression-like state, but little is done to enhance future growth and demand, which can be done via the job guarantee by providing them with employment, greater education, and higher skill levels.

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Ninja Thought

A work of fiction should not guide your life

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Meet Virginia

I guess this is the "real Uhmerika" Palin has been talking about. In Virginia they are more worried about microchips and the Antichrist, then a gaping hole in their budget.

Steven Benen:

Virginia's House of Delegates spent some time this week debating a bill to prevent employers or insurance companies from implanting microchips in Virginians' bodies against their will. There's no effort underway to actually impose involuntary chips on anyone, but lawmakers just want to be sure.

Part of the concern is based on privacy rights, and part of this is motivated by a desire to "save humanity from the antichrist." Seriously.

Del. Mark L. Cole (R-Fredericksburg), the bill's sponsor, said that privacy issues are the chief concern behind his attempt to criminalize the involuntary implantation of microchips. But he also said he shared concerns that the devices could someday be used as the "mark of the beast" described in the Book of Revelation.

"My understanding -- I'm not a theologian -- but there's a prophecy in the Bible that says you'll have to receive a mark, or you can neither buy nor sell things in end times," Cole said. "Some people think these computer chips might be that mark." [...]

[T]he growing use of microchips has collided with the Book of Revelation.... David Neff, editor of the magazine Christianity Today, said that some fundamentalist Christians believe that bar codes and implanted microchips could be used by a totalitarian government to control commerce -- a sign of the coming end of the world.

The legislation passed yesterday.

We are seriously doomed as a society. I used to think I would eventually move back and settle down in Virginia or at least the metropolitan area of D.C. I am almost certain that won't happen anymore. With a House of Delegates like this, I probably would be forced to live in Chinatown because of fear I might infect people's brain with North Korean terrorist sauce.

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The Only Way to Respond

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
We're Off to See the Blizzard
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Economy

Is by laughter.

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Get Your Dunkin Thursday

Wait the Olympics is a coming ey? To Vancouver ey? Man, how did I miss one of the lamest get togethers of non-sport activities ey. Luging, curling, bobsledding, figure skating, skiing and speed skating, ey!!! Does one of these also including rifles...ey? Can't wait for the opening ceremonies though, they always seem to be a trippy version of Disney's Epcot center. I think the lady and I are going to drink warm cider, wear our North Face and run down the halls in skii boots and spandex. Sounds like a solid plan, ey. The best way to celebrate the Winter Olympics is to well join in ey!

Here are your highlights:

Bought Sold and Proud of It: Congress and bankers a love story

More "lowered expectations" from the White House on jobs, wonder if they will do something about that...

SPEAKER MADIGAN HAS SPOKEN, just get rid of the Lt. Governor altogether

At your desktop is the Mouse dead?

Washington Post = the Washington Village. I can officially say that the WaPo is dead to me

Speaking of MEDIA FAIL, the Climate deniers are using the snow in and around DC as sign that Global Climate Change is a hoax. Inhofe is not of another opinion of merit, he is a hack politician paid and bought by the energy companies. Let me explain this to you simply. The earth is warmer, water levels drop and evaporate...then you get precipitation....and snow is precipitation. The DC area is not used to the snow, have you seen how they have reacted? It is a change in their climate and exactly what scientists SAID would happen.


Chow!

Nice Job If You Can Get It

(h/t Andrew Sullivan)

Congress still not getting it.

The Hill:

The Senate could introduce a $104 billion jobs bill shortly that includes a payroll tax credit for businesses that accept new hires between Feb. 3, 2010 and Jan. 1, 2011. The provision emerged from a proposal by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and is similar to the suggestion by President Barack Obama to give businesses a $5,000 tax credit for each new worker added to its payroll.

A draft of the bill also calls for a $1,000 increase for hiring-related tax credits. To qualify, workers must be hired in 2010 and be employed for at least 52 consecutive weeks. The credit cannot be used in years prior to the bill’s enactment. But the draft offers no guidance on applying unused portions of the credit to future years, indicating outlays for the bill could extend beyond the current year.

The bill is presently expected to cost $85 billion the first year and $19 billion the second year. But lobbyists say Senate leaders want to trim its price tag to win Republican support for the legislation.

Tax credits, tax cuts, tax fairies and Republicans will save us all. We really are ruled by idiots.


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Ninja Thought

Anyone who says, "both parties are the same", is missing the big picture.

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Jourmalism

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

It is a darned thing.

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Get Your Dunkin Wednesday

Hello world! Hello planet! Hello Hoth! The weather outside is actually quite warm. I feel like I am on a ski mountain, except the lady and I were chilling in a studio apartment instead of log cabin last night. Drinking Liberally last night as always a success, but I ate way too much food. Debate makes me hungry. What can I say? We did talk about some weird stuff; hackers, D & D, programming overlords, 1960's, and Rahmn Emanuel!!!! The dude is pure evil, or a Red Ring bearer...something like that. Still not convinced, but it was a fun time as always. Oh and WTF there was in Earthquake last night...!

Here are your highlights:

Hand Jiving and the Very Important Questions, as I said yesterday in the twitterverse everyone is allowed in on the joke....except the White House. Gosh we need to lighten up.

Carl Levin is fed up. End the Fillibuster

What's the Google Buzz, tell me what's a happenin'

One rep and his unapologetic racist quest for Obama's already discovered, seen and documented certificate of birth

Howard Kurtz EXPOSED!

Lastly found this amazing fan made trailer for a "vision" for a Green Lantern trailer. I know, I know Ryan Reynolds will be playing Hal Jordan (I am actually okay with that), but damn does this look cool. I am currently reading the "Rage of the Red Lanterns", then I am going to follow up with "Agent Orange" and then dive into "Blackest Night." I know I am behind a bit on my reading....but HOLY CRAP IS IT AWESOME!!!! Seriously one of the best stories I have read in a long time.


Chow!

Ninja Thought

All this bleeding heart liberalism over Rahm Emanuel reminds me of this comic...
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Lt. Dan Choi called back to Service

Advocate:

Gay military rights advocate Lt. Dan Choi has been reportedly called back into active duty. Photographer Jeff Sheng, who recently turned his lens on active gay and lesbian service members, confirmed the news in a blog posting on Bilerico.com.

Choi was to appear at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change conference, but could not attend due to his being called to serve.

Sheng wrote on Bilerico.com that despite Choi facing an Army committee recommending he be discharged under "don't ask, don't tell," his commanding officer was highly supportive of the Arabic translator and West Point graduate.

I want to add that throughout this entire process Choi has been a class act and continues to be. The reason why he came out wasn't for celebrity or just to raise a fuss, his purpose was to make a stand against a terrible policy detrimental to our armed forces. Above all he has remained dedicated to his country and his oath, those posturing for re-election for the most ignorant candidate on Earth should remember theirs.

The repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell is the right thing to do.

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The Obama Method

Jonathan Chait explains the method to Obama's health care summit. Its purpose is to expose the Republican "disingenuousness."

Chait:

Obama knows perfectly well that the Republicans have no serious proposals to address the main problems of the health care system and have no interest (or political room, given their crazy base) in handing him a victory of any substance. Obama is bringing them in to discuss health care so he can expose this reality.

I'm not saying this is some kind of genius maneuver. I'm not even saying it will work. (I wouldn't bet against it, though.) I'm just saying that this -- not starting over, and not pleading for bipartisan cover -- is what Obama is trying to accomplish.


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Get Your Dunkin Tuesday

Man am all kinds of backwards today. Woke up disoriented. Looked outside and it is snowing, not as much a predicted. I called into the "work weather hotline" only to hear I just HAD to come in. Pffft. Of course up north of the main office it is snowing quite a bit more, the schools are closed and the roads aren't nearly as clear. Plus the CTA was packed, WTF (you know I managed a seat cuz that's how I roll). Tonight is Drinking Liberally and rumor has it will be graced by founding father. Rock on. Lots of bbq to eat. Lots of beer to drink. 7pm tonight at Sheffield's. Be there or be Glenn Beck!

Here are your highlights:

Scott Lee Cohen steps down from the Lt. Governor race in IL, and the replacements are flooding in for a piece

JUICY! Tea Partiers vs. Ron Paul. Proof yet again the Tea Partiers are xenophobic, homophobic, paranoid racists under the guise of fiscal conservatism and American catch phrases

Lil Wayne getting sentenced

Cooool, 165 million old spider found preserved

Coheed and Cambria: NEW SONG! Eff yes.

Obama's bipartisan super summit for health care was greeted with no seriousness whatsoever by the GOP, who would have thought? And the new phrase for Obama and the Dems..."Finish the Kitchen"


Chow!

Late Night Music with Alkaline Trio

Alkaline Trio - "This Addiction"

Alkaline Trio | MySpace Music Videos

I recently had a discussion with Paddy K about Alkaline Trio's upcoming release. We were discussing how Alkaline Trio was one of THE band's we listened to in high school. Now that we have aged so has Alkaline Trio, but what remains is there constant songwriting style. For better or worse is up for debate.

I am one who never expected Alkaline Trio to be more than what they already were, a definitive pop punk band. They existed before shit bands ruined the genre and turned it into teeny bopper cry fests (see All Time Low, Good Charlotte and a ton of other copies with neon clothes and glue spiked hair) without substance or heart. Alkaline Trio have always had a knack for writing catchy tunes with sing along choruses filled in with simplistic leads. And that is why I love them. They fit a certain niche in my catalog.

With their latest release "This Addiction" I am becoming concerned. Not because Alkaline Trio have lost a step, quite the contrary, I think it is because the production has increased its saturation of their sound. The greatest tunes by Alkaline Trio were on indie labels with production that highlighted Skiba's guitar tone while still luring the punk out of their songs. An example of this are classics, "Bleeder", "Radio" and "Goodbye Forever" all which have an element of grittiness lacking in their later efforts. Nowadays I have trouble knowing what is guitar and what is some manufactured sound from an overly paid producer.

Alkaline Trio are great at what they do, I hope on this release they get to do that which makes them great.

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