Frank Chow: Asian- American Political Pundit

We're back in Cali! I'm fighting off a cold I caught while in Chicago. Hooray! I start work this week, finally and I'm looking forward to serving up some food truck awesome. It feels good to be back here after seeing our old stomping grounds. Chicago will always have a special place in our hearts. It was nice to remember how far we've come in only three months. Here are your highlights: President Obama laying out his plans for deficit reduction Troops in Yemen open fire on demonstrators, killing dozens Pat Robertson still a terrible human being Best analysis of the Mayweather v. Ortiz fight I didn't link to yesterday HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!! It was a close one, one that last year we would've lost, but I'll take it. We showed resolve, heart and the Defense was aggressive till the end. I'm loving Ryan Kerrigan and with him and Orapko we've got a what looks to be a great d-end tandem. Five Observations from the Game . Chow!

Obama was in full campaign mode tonight. Here are some of the reactions . If you saw Obama's speech tonight and compare that to last night's GOP debate, it's not even close. When he's on, he's hard to beat, even with this economy. He also urged Congress to "pass this now" repeatedly, a direct challenge to the do-nothing GOP Congress. It doesn't have a Hail Mary's chance of passing, but it's going to be hard for Republicans to explain why they did nothing when people are still suffering in 2012. Also too, I like the name " American Jobs Act ." Freedom fries and all that (as for the plan, I'll let the wonks look at it, but I would've preferred more shovel-ready talk and less tax cuts talk). You asked for a fight, Obama was definitely in a fighting mood. The lady and I are headed to Central Illinois for a wedding, then Chicago for the rest of next week. Limiting blogging will ensue. Have an opinion about the speech? Plans to get ...

I'm exhausted from filming yesterday. Due to some traffic issues one of the actors was a couple of hours late. We didn't wrap till 1:30am. So it was a long day, apologies for sleeping in...okay not really. It's always interesting after I'm done filming because I want to get right back in there and do it again. I always think of something new or want to just one more take to make it perfect. Alas, that's not how it works. It was a fun time, I spit, I fake vomited, I stuck my hand in a vile...I'll spare the details...I'm glad I had the opportunity. I should have final footage by December and hopefully sooner. Thanks for the support everyone, this is just the beginning! Here is your highlight: Unemployment Report , it's not time for bipartisan committees or bipartisan "plans." It's time for a big, aggressive plan from our president that can turn our economy around. Austerity has failed, as we knew it would. We know the GOP has no int...

The White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders has launched a challenge to you fine, gorgeous and rockin AAPI's out there. Check it out, participate and tell everyone "your story." From the White House : The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders announces the launch of its “What’s Your Story?” video challenge. The challenge aims to explore the personal stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across the country who have impacted their community through their dreams, experiences, and dedication to a cause. Our stories define who we are. Tell us how your unique experiences have shaped who you are today. Are you a passionate advocate of green and health initiatives for nail salons? Have you made a difference in your community through work with immigrant integration programs? Are you part of a movement that paves the way for AAPIs in the arts? Respond to our launch video below with a video under 3...

As I posted shortly yesterday, I had the honor of participating in the first ever blogger conference call for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (hold the applause till later folks). The White House Initiative on AAPI was a signed executive order by President Barack Obama on October 14, 2009. From the site : The Initiative, co-chaired by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke , is housed within the U.S. Department of Education, and led by Executive Director Kiran Ahuja. The Initiative works to improve the quality of life and opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by facilitating increased access to and participation in federal programs where they remain underserved. This call was the first of its kind and meant to engage the blogging AAPI community, inform us about the ways the White House was working to better its AAPI outreach and some upcoming programs, webinars and c...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy Woohoo Friday! ...yup that's what it's come to, getting excited about every Friday relieved that I've made it through another shitty week at work. Anyway at least it's here. Is it just me or has every Republican governor just lost all creativity and drank a bottle of stupid. New Jersey, Ohio, Wisconsin and well the South! It's getting to the point where these guys will push it as far as it will possibly go...and then hopefully it will bring balance to the force! No really. What if all this extremism from Republican governors leads to a left center nation? I like that idea and thus far the data says they are in way over their heads, so I'll be hopey and changey. LET'S DO THIS! Here are your highlights: Democrats working on cuts with Republicans. ..when will Dems learn "it's not the right kind of cuts" you know like hurting poor people and minorities... The Drug War won...

Progressives react: Not sure why anyone is surprised by this , but I welcome such a candid display from our president. The progressive blogosphere will continue to ignore his digs at the Republican party likening them to "hostage takers" as will the media. It will simply be "Obama tells off liberals who thought he would be the Black Noah" or something. I'll be happy when people calm down a bit. He did what he had to do and he is who he always said he was. Now back to my post from earlier in the day... I am Frank Chow and I approved this message Update : Also too what John Cole said .

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy Read the president's remarks . He painted himself as the grown-up in the debate, as the one above the fray and it's a smart move. I don't agree with allowing the tax cuts to be extended longer than the unemployment benefits nor do I think the estate giveaway is good policy. However weighing everything it's better than I previously thought would be accomplished. The tax cuts for the middle class pass while the payroll tax cut is a nice new shiny object that has potential for job creation. Now all of this is of course if Lucy doesn't pull the football away... Regardless the GOP is clearly the protectors of the rich and overtime I think this is a simpler argument to make as the economy recovers . Another element is that the self-proclaimed deficit hawks within the Republican Party look foolish. They can't claim they care about the deficit seriously with a hand out to the top 2%, the pres...

Yeah I said it. I've finally had it with the "arm of the White House", this is how you lose your base. When bragging about pay freezes is more important than immigration reform, unemployment benefits and jobs you've lost that hopey changey joy joy feel. Dday : We’ve officially gone around the bend. OFA, the organizing arm of the DNC, originally began its life as an organization trying to get someone elected on the platform of hope, change, and progressive policies. You had a public option in health care, cap and trade, a more progressive tax system, diplomacy abroad, and a belief in American values of equality and opportunity. And it's worthy of utter mocking: That’s right, the organizing project of the Democratic National Committee wants you to organize in support of freezing public worker salaries. And don’t worry, later in the email, OFA tells you how the Administration has really been responsible on this issue – they’ve frozen salaries of White House officials...

Here we go again. Democracy Now : U.S. Deploys Armed Drones to Yemen The Washington Post reports the U.S. has deployed armed Predator drones to hunt for al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen for the first time in years. The drones are being operated by the Joint Special Operations Command and being flown from a nearby country, possibly Djibouti or Qatar. The drones are part a major U.S. buildup in Yemen that includes the arrival of new CIA teams, up to 100 Special Operations force trainers, and the deployment of sophisticated surveillance and electronic eavesdropping systems operated by spy services including the National Security Agency. A Pentagon official told the Washington Post that plans are being made to nearly double military aid to Yemen next year to $250 million. I understand there is a viable threat in Yemen , however, have we learned nothing from Afghanistan? This is gravely disappointing from Obama and the White House. We can't spread our forces out thinly expecting to fend off...

The Rachel Maddow show had Walter Dellinger, former solicitor general under President Clinton on and he explained the reasoning behind President Obama's big picture thinking. Interesting stuff for those who currently want to burn the WH down for the DADT appeal. The Rachel Maddow Show explains what this all means right now: Dellinger says the White House should appeal the ruling and at the same time tell the court that it believes Don't Ask, Don't Tell is unconstitutional. That way, he argues, President Obama can actually appeal the ruling in the interest of ending the policy. In the meantime, the military has stopped pursuing investigations and discharges under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The recruiting stations we talked to yesterday said they'd received no guidance on whether openly gay people could join the military now. But at least the active-duty troops facing the end of their careers can breathe a little easier. For now. Makes sense to me. Watch for Dellin...

The tax code can be complicated, but the biggest misconception is that once you make over $250,000 the government taxes all of that income differently. Not true. This "whiteboard video" is how the White House can win the argument. A concise explanation of the detrimental policy of extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich. And yes they are rich . More of this please. ( h/t Digby) I am Frank Chow and I approved this message FALL FUND DRIVE

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy Short day and then Labor Day weekend! Hooray!! (insert loud clapping here) The lady and I will be hitting the crowded highways later this afternoon and trekking down to Central Illinois. I can't wait. The past week or so has been stressful for my lady and it will be nice for us to get a relaxing weekend. After work yesterday I made a stop to Bennison's Bakery in Evanston to bring home a treat. I had heard from Chicago Magazine that Bennison's has the best macaroons in town , so I thought a sampling plus a red velvet cupcake would brighten any girls day. Score one for Frank! The macaroons really are delicious especially the chocolate which crumbles at first bite and out comes a fantastic chocolaty ganache. Nom nom nom. Yes, I am taking some home to get brownies points with the in-laws. Hopefully everyone has a relaxing and fun filled Labor Day weekend, I will be on a boat!! Here are your highlights:...

To me too if he was constantly pointing out how wrong I was , doesn't mean you shouldn't be listening to the man. I am Frank Chow and I approved this message