Frank Chow: Asian- American Political Pundit

To start prepping for the evening. Chicago is a mighty fine city to have NYE. Be safe everyone. On the Menu: Teryaki Chicken Rice or Potatoes of some sort Light Salad Dessert- Chocolate Boms Various forms of wine and champagne to wash it all down! Happy New Year! Chow!

Wow. Did all this go by fast, nothing quite like a fast paced and ridiculous year. It has been fun and much more is to be done in 2010, the Frank and the Chow can't wait. Outside the weather is pretty awful. The lady and I's plans to ring in the New Year are some definite rest and relaxation. We decided to keep it chill and let the amateurs get hammered and messy on NYE this year. Don't worry all we aren't abandoning the idea of the ritual of NYE just this year it seems appropriate to have it be her and I...and some bubbly. All the best to all of you! Happy New Year! Here are your highlights: Craving Terrorist Melodrama The No Shame GOP Good new is good news, jobless claims fall unexpectedly Time for me to get a new car and a DeLorean sounds perfect ! Oh this always weirds me out, but people are already celebrating the New Year across the globe, Happy New Year Sydney! My favorite part about this time of year besides the obvious time with friends and family is College Fo...

A work buddy had us all compile a list of our top movies of the decade. Weird to think it is already coming to a close. Here is my list. Enjoy! Top Ten Movies of the Decade (in no particular order): Dark Knight There Will Be Blood Almost Famous American Psycho Kill Bill The Incredibles Pan’s Labyrinth Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Donnie Darko Honorable mention: Hero, Memento, Two Towers, Gladiator, all Pixar releases I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Marc Ambinder has a poll at the Atlantic asking readers, "What is the best (or worst) Republican political scandal of the decade?" His choices are as follows: Sen. Larry Craig's airport rendezvous, Abramoff investigation, Sanford off to Argentina, Rep. Mark Foley's dirty little IM's... I can't think of a better way to explain the Village to anyone unfamiliar with the concept and term. Jamison Foster : Not mentioned? The Bush administration lying its way into a war of choice, listening in on the phone conversations of Americans, torture, Abu Ghraib, putting an unqualified crony in charge of FEMA, the US Attorneys firing, outing a CIA operative to get back at her husband, etc. I don't think Ambinder is unique in his view of what constitutes a major political scandal, not by any stretch of the imagination. But when the political/media elite come to view the possibility that Larry Craig tried to pick up a guy in an airport as more scandalous than Abu Ghraib...

To the Dems , you won't lose seats in 2010 because you weren't "far to the left" or passed health care legislation or support the president and his "radical agenda." It will be because only one party has been talking and people will believe anything they hear, if they hear it enough. I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

I know there are some albums I have not been able to get acquire that have made many a list, but these are my top picks for 2009. It is what I have grown to love, sing a long to in the car or just rock the eff out to over this past year and to be honest 2009 had some great music. I can only hope 2010 is this solid. Frank's Top Ten of 2009 1. Chuck Ragan- Gold Country Chuck Ragan is the man, what else can I say? Ragan on "Gold Country" defines a new era of folk; not quite as timid as the Nebraska brand, more punk influence and gritty as the man's beard. It is the type of album that you put in your car or at home, kick back a few beers with your friends and reminisce. Highlight Track- Glory 2. Tegan & Sara- Sainthood These two can't do much wrong in my mind and I don't care what flack I get for it. I think everyone and every critic has written about them what can be written. Clever pop. Amazing hooks. Tell all lyrics. Highlight Track- Someday 3. Brand New- D...

Today is my Friday and I am g.d. excited. Yesterday was more of a cluster fugg than the day before as the lady and I tried to salvage the Xmas present I got her. Two things I hate in the world Ticketmaster and ticket bookers. There has to be a better way than having some scalper hoard tickets online and then charge you twice what they paid. THERE HAS TO BE!!! The New Year is creeping up on us and we have to get some resolutions going. Mine is simple. Take over the effin world...small task I know...the Huffington Post does have a small resolution that might change the scope our of Wall St. ruled system. Move your Money . It is an ambitious project that actually has a good point. We should be able to decide who and what is done with our money. Ripples in a pond my friends. Ripples. Here are your highlights: " When people make an argument for racial profiling they're either lazy, arrogant or racist " Dick being Dick aka a coward and a disgrace If you haven't noticed all...

Rep. Dan Barton(IN) , normally people have to have a reason to resign. You can't just dislike them and force them to resign anymore...there is a Democrat in office after all. I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy "They will look at what we do and do something different" That sums it up and most importantly the political theater is really meant to just make us "feel better," but it won't actually accomplish anything. One dialog that seems to be missing from most reports on this incident is that it failed. Civilians stopped this extremist and there was no violent jihad because the guy FAILED. I would expect at this point a Michael Bay film based off of this braze citizenry, however not even a Lifetime movie has been discussed. (too cheeky?) As the rest of video points out we need to proactively investigate the processes by which terrorist operate. We already know what they can't do, how do we figure out what they will do next? The same goes for homegrown and domestic terrorists. This isn't a Muslim world fight and it is downright foolish to believe so, there have been in attacks in Europe,...

For some reason I don't think this will be making Sarah Palin's Facebook page. I am Frank Chow and I can't wait for the Christian Right reaction to this movie!

The amount of holds put on Obama nominees is unprecedented , wonder why that would be... I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy Hello Tuesday! This week over yet. Yep had a bad day yesterday, don't really want to talk about it, so let's not. The year is almost over and you know what that means...LISTS!!! Frank will be compiling his very own lists to ring out the year and welcome the new one. I am not a fan of NYE celebrations, probably will stay in, but lists I am all about. Here is what I will be looking at Best Albums, Songs, Movies, Eff Ups and Wankstas...maybe some more if I am feeling zealous. Here are your highlights: U.S. has been struggling to improve the airline security ever since 9/11 Photos from Iran's Bloody Holiday The Republican spin machine on spending is really a farce, Medicare Part D Revisited Um what? Blue Moon The Frustrating Politics of Climate Inaction Sen. Jim DeMint blocking the TSA chief nomination, accountability by the media of the greatest deliberative body 3, 2, 1....oh wait that NEVER HAPPENS...

Rough day, I am out. Chow!

This is going to be interesting , somehow I don't think this is Obama's fault (I know hard to believe): Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines passenger jet over Detroit were released by the U.S. from the Guantanamo prison in November, 2007, according to American officials and Department of Defense documents. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the Northwest bombing in a Monday statement that vowed more attacks on Americans. American officials agreed to send the two terrorists from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia where they entered into an "art therapy rehabilitation program" and were set free, according to U.S. and Saudi officials. Guantanamo prisoner #333, Muhamad Attik al-Harbi, and prisoner #372, Said Ali Shari, were sent to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2007, according to the Defense Department log of detainees who were released from American custody. Al-Harbi has since changed his name to Muhamad al-Awfi. Can we just agre...

Spencer Ackerman : Umar Farouk “When There’s Nothing Left To Burn, You Must Set Your Crotch On Fire” Abdulmutallab is currently detained in a federal prison in Michigan. For now! In a few days he’ll use his Muslim heat vision to escape and run amok in Ann Arbor, shortly after America is brought to its knees by the force of his oratory in open federal court. Instaputz points out "it's funny because it's true." See this would be hilarious an almost Daily Show type of joke, except it is almost certain to be true. And it isn't funny it is frightening. We have already heard wonders from Jim DeMint blaming unions or mysterious something or others for this latest attempt. So let's be honest, it won't take long for some right wing patriot to declare something to this effect on teevee with Gregory or Wallace salivating over the "story." And all of it is of course proof that Barack Obama is the black Jimmy Carter. *sigh I think it would be too much to as...

Guilty of watching a DVD and talking Arab - Officials say two passengers who were removed from a Phoenix-bound flight Saturday after others aboard the plane noticed "suspicious" activity were not doing anything wrong. Suzanne Trevino, a spokesperson with Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said US Airways Flight 192 was inbound from the Orlando, Florida when a passenger reported seeing two other passengers talking "suspiciously." FBI spokesperson Manuel Johnson said a female passenger overheard the two men, described by officials as Middle Eastern, speaking loudly in a foreign language and reported them to airline staff. According to Johnson, the two men were talking about being late for their flight and not being able to shop at the airport before boarding their flight to Phoenix. The men were reportedly watching the movie "The Kingdom" on a portable DVD player while talking, and the female passenger, who was sitting near the men, thought this w...

I am back! Howdy! How was everyone's holiday? Enjoy your time off? I must say it was a fantastic time, full of booze, love and presents. Santa rocks! The family treks back to Virginia today, so keep them in your prayers. It is weird. Once you move away the holidays, whether you like them or not, mean much more when someone drives 14 hours to share it with you. Side note: If you drive through the snow with a broken windshield wiper that spreads mud in your line of vision, you swerve on country roads and you have to draft behind large trucks all to see your lady...that is love. So what I miss? Terrorists? Attempted terrorists? Apparently Obama has already failed since the terrorist failed...or something. Let's do this. Before the year is over we must spend our due diligence thwarting the "fear the brown people" mentality. Here are your highlights: Wall St. still making off with Main St.'s money and livelihood The pants wetting has begun , Nate Silver breaks it d...

I am sucker for Christmas Eve in Illinois. The snow is on the ground. The wine and eggnog is flowing. And my family, the lady and the spirit of the holiday are all here. There's really nothing more satisfying after such a dramatic and historic year. Everyone already beat me to the punch on the health care vote . Much work is yet to be done, but for today all I have to say is, "Merry Christmas you wonderful Building & Loan!" Here are your highlights: It was close, real close both times, but the House and Senate came through Linsday Graham gives the ultimate Republican Freudian slip. ..on why he opposes (and some of his buddies) health care reform...the black people... ooops How wrong they were in August , Krugman nails it on the head Congrats Geekologie writer for Merry Xmas Milestone The Village has spoken , it's not bipartisan which of course is Obama and the Dem's fault And with all my cheery awesomeness, The History of the White House on Christmas , hope al...

Tomorrow is going to be a big day on two fronts. The family and I are together (missing Big Bro and Lil Bro Frank) as well as the lady. We will be enjoying a raucous day full of games, drinking and a lot of food. Secondly, health care reform is coming to vote on the Senate floor. Everyone has said their piece, this is only the beginning and our job is yet to be done. So rock on tomorrow and enjoy some old school Zack Kim. I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

More wine to drank...is it drunk...ahh shucks! Sucky blogging continue! I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Is a moron and he still gets to keep his job. This world confuses me. (h/t Atrios) I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

I am sorry I had major internet issues that last couple of days WHAT DO I DO WITH ME LIFE NOW?!! So what I miss? The Dems made 60 votes , the Redskins got smoked and the lady received her gift from me and it was a MAJOR HIT!! Let's just say I win and I always do, so just dance. I am excited as late last night Poppa Frank and Sista Frank made it through the snow and highway nonsense to Chicago safely. I will be blogging lightly for the rest of the week which really isn't that much difference that what I already do I guess. Oh well. Egg nog to be drank, Winter Lager's to be loved and warm wine to be gulped. Here are your highlights: The Left vs. Left fight is getting ugly The Mayor of Chicago is pushing for JOBS! for Wal-Mart *slamheadondesk Health Care Game is shaping up I want a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Snuggie, yeah I said it Rep. Parker Griffith (AL) Blue Dog Dem turning Republican , let him the first of many. I am more than okay with another obstructionists non-Dem...

CNN : Virginia's governor declared a state of emergency Friday as a winter storm expected to pummel the East Coast this weekend began dumping snow in Virginia and North Carolina. The storm is forecast to blast a narrow corridor from Richmond, Virginia, to Fredericksville, Pennsylvania, leaving interstates 95, 81, 64 and possibly 80 covered in significant snow, CNN meteorologist Chad Meyers said. I, as you might know, grew up in Northern Virginia and I have always been amazed by how ill-prepared the metropolitan area was when it came to snow. It is literally a panic on roads, streets and in schools. We would get snow and people would act like they'd never seen it before, most resembling Hitchcock's The Birds . What's was more odd to me was people would never do anything about it the next year. You would think they would at least have a contingency plan. Alas nothing has changed. I always wondered if it was more a political move to allow those who choose to live rich and ...

Dear Rahm, STFU I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Little Xmas Cheer! I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

While debating health care, there is another underlining issue for Asian-Americans and people of color; race. Lee Fang and Sonia Sokhar have pointed out the obviously inequalities in our current system and what the current legislation in Congress might do. They also highlight how troubling and frustratingly overlooked health care for minorities has been left out of the debate. Lee Fang : The "gang of six" who steered the health reform negotiations for a good part of this year hail from Maine, Iowa, North Dakota, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Montana. The only state in that mix with a significant minority population is New Mexico; none of those states has a large metropolitan city. Deciding legislation with a group of all white senators from some of the whitest states in the union has policy implications. For example, as Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska (91.4 percent white) continues to suck all the oxygen out of any substantive debate, expect to continue to hear more about the "...

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It's here Friday! I honestly am ready for a break from work and the hustle. It's tough out here for a gangsta pundit...whatever that means. This weekend I will be getting some present early which is paramount as it will quell my rage on Xmas. It's so much as I am in a bahhumbug mood, just wish it was longer and that I wouldn't have to go back to work. I know, don't we all? I also will be giving the lady her gift, so if I don't come back Monday it's because the gift is that awesome and she won't stop telling me so! I RULE!! I hope everyone this year has a great holiday regardless of your beliefs because if we can't set aside our difference and admit I am always right, then what is Xmas really about? Here are your highlights: Obama in Copenhagen , the outlook is not good as China leads the F*U*Crew The health care deadline is approaching, No Room for Error Our very liberal media asks, Who is Winning the War on Christmas? By asking that question, I wou...

Out of ideas for Christmas, get some Glennz Tees ! Amazing artwork with clever designs. And no I am not suggesting you all go purchase me these tee shirts, but it would be nice ;) Chow!

A nice reminder from Media Matters, http://mediamatters.org/donate I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Philly School District is getting heat for not protecting Asian students, Minority Militant is pissed & WoWo says Raise Your Voice Against the Philly School District China activist barred from going home , stuck in Tokyo airport Disgrasian gets on the cover of Hyphen Magazine In L.A. Asian-Americans are driving the Army recruiting boom Immigration reform , the battle has only just begun Japanese Americans sent to internment camps while at University of California finally get diplomas I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

A great review of Avatar and why you should see it this weekend or in the near months. I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Right Wing Watch has extensive coverage of probably the scariest thing I have seen this year from any Republicans and the right wing; "Prayercast". The purpose of course was to wash the sin out of our government and something about gays ruining marriage with their gayness. It is safe to say when Rep. Michele Bachmann is leading others in prayer to forgive governmental leaders...Houston....We...Have...A...Problem: "Godly men and women" "We deserve your wrath" "Pray for our leaders, break into their hearts and minds" My question, who is praying for these people? I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy Last night was a wonderful company "get together." The lady and I enjoyed fine dining and the Merlot, we loved the Merlot all the while kicking it back with work mates. It is always interesting once you get people out of the office how they loosen up. Quite entertaining. In other news everyone and their mother is arguing on the Left about what to do with health care reform. KILL IT! PASS IT! I have already said my piece, but of course I am going to link to tons of others. This is a real mess and I love every second of it to be honest. Here are your highlights: The very real faces of an unemployed nation , the ones the GOP and Fox News don't want you to see RIP Roy Disney Politicians are still missing the point, Obama, Pelosi get it but aren't doing enough, We Need Jobs Couldn't Agree More, We Miss Ted Kennedy LEGOOOO: Hoth Star Wars Dumbest Story of the Week And the best news I have h...

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I have had quite a bit of a back and forth over whether or not progressives trying to kill the bill is a good idea. As I stated earlier I think the best idea is to do it now, fix it later or through conference. I am sticking to the John Cole , Kevin Drum , and Steve Benen line of thought on this one. It does us no good whatsoever to walk out with nothing. The political climate of 2010 will be even more heated. Jobs are going to continue and the GOP will continue to throw temper tantrum after temper tantrum . Anyone thinking killing the bill will be triumphant in any way is in the words of John Cole, "smoking rock." I find it rather disconcerting that people don't get this. Principal and ideology aside, progressives should be aware of history and what it tells us. It tells us if some kind of health care reform, like or not, does not pass the American people are screwed. The Democrats do not pass go, they don't collect 200 dollars and any piece of legislation thereaft...

One of Paste's Top Albums of 2009 I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Joe you fuggin child I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy It is 12 degrees outside with wind chill 0 degrees and my cold hands are still recovering. Also there is a visitor in the office today who is supposed to be really really really important. I am in super under cover ninja mode. I actually am quite excited as I have only two days left at work then I will have time off to see family and friends for the holiday. I am still warring on Christmas. I am still raging on New Years and I am still raging on the Senate and it's stupid faux health care debate. So let's do this, ninja vanish ! Here are your highlights: Copenhagen it's not easy being Green Anybody go to the fight at UIC? Boxing Weekend Round Up Bernanke is on the cover of TIME *headslamondesk, let's hope the curse lives on WOW Hooters gift cards, stay classy Chamber of Commerce McDonald's continues its takeover Gitmo North , Glenn Greenwald on a civil liberties tirade, still shaking in yo...

Charles Lane I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

I just love this country! Illinois is going to house some (NOT ALL ONLY SOME) of the Gitmo detainees in hopes of blotting out this stain in American history. Of course there is much uproar and much more fear the brown people. From the Bankrupt Paper comments section : Razldazlrr - Oh great - just what we need. The King has spoken and moving the terrorists to Illinois - let's hope they keep them outside in the cold a big portion of the time. I think a lot of the crazy libs are more worried about the gitmo terrorists than they are US citizens. Personally, most of them should just be exterminated (terrorists that is) CiceroUnga - Don't forget the free Link cards, Wic cards, and EBT cards. Oh yes, they get free cell phones now, too. dalmatian847 - Better yet, how about putting them in Englewood or Roselawn or some of the other communities Obama helped "organized" where no terror suspect in their right mind would want to live. CulpeperMinutemen - Man oh man, you dems/libb...

The Al Franken Decade, proves they are lying shamelessly I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Hello one and all, I had much needed R & R yesterday and then watched Sing Off with the lady. I know WAY TOO EXCITING! Although I don't think much outscores chilling with your lady and enjoying some red wine from Australia. I did come to one major conclusion last night, I hate barbershop and I hate cheesy collegiate acapella groups. And if you are an all girls group, forget about it. The word is "tinny." I can't tell you how much a difference the bottom notes of a song are, but with an acapella performance it is even more apparent. All right enough about that, I have things to rage about, yesterday by all accounts was President Lieberman's shining day of teh stupid. RAGE ON! Here are your highlights: Harkin is fed up and is trying to end the filibuster in its current form, FINALLY Health Care Timeline is Christmas All those scary terrorists are coming to Illinois! A prison near me, I am not shaking in my boots because I am one of those people who actually B...

Taking a day off, Joe Lieberman can suck it I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Krugman poses a troubling and puzzling incite about the White House and its advisers. All the while he stumbles on a key point even he misses : Interesting back and forth between Brad DeLong and Noam Scheiber over the question of whether Democrats, possibly including the White House, really believed last summer that “[t]he stimulus was working more or less on schedule, and the job market was gradually recovering.” I guess it must have been true. But all I can say is, what were they thinking? There was ample warning, even before the severity of the crisis was clear, that the recession was likely to be followed by a prolonged jobless recovery. E.g., here (January 2008): I still keep reading articles asserting that the last two recessions were brief and shallow. Formally, that’s true. But … in both cases the employment slump went on for a long time after the recession was supposedly over. There’s every reason to think that the same thing will happen this time. There’s a huge overhang of e...

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Matt Taibbi www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating Well done all around: " one Ponzi scheme after another " I am Frank Chow and I approved this message