http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070128.wclinton0128/BNStory/International/home
According to Senator Clinton in this article she states that she believes that it is the responsibility of President Bush to remove the US from Iraq before the next Commander-in-Chief takes office.
This is a clear indication that she has no idea what she will do to deal with this situation. For someone that is trying to become the next President, she had better wake up to the reality that she will HAVE to deal with it. Regardless of how or why we got into this situation you had better start coming up with a better plan than "It would be “the height of irresponsibility” to pass the war along to the next commander in chief."
Count this speech as egghead speech #1 for Hillary.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Cleanliness...perspective or reality?
My wife and I are what I like to call island parents. We moved to Ohio over 10 years ago. Far away from our life long friends and the closest family is 12 hours away via car ride. We have developed some friendships since moving here but my wife does not like "imposing" on our friends.
So when we really need to do some serious cleaning we have to either ignore our children, stick them in front of the TV or wait until they are asleep at night. None of these options are particularly appealing.
So what do other parents do?
Do you just decide to live in a constant state of chaos until your kids are more self sufficient?
Do you work tirelessly and not take a break from all the work you do anyway?
So when we really need to do some serious cleaning we have to either ignore our children, stick them in front of the TV or wait until they are asleep at night. None of these options are particularly appealing.
So what do other parents do?
Do you just decide to live in a constant state of chaos until your kids are more self sufficient?
Do you work tirelessly and not take a break from all the work you do anyway?
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Are we ready for Hillary?
So today Hillary Clinton basically announced that she was going to run for president in 2008. The polls have been saying for a long time that she has more that 50% of the population ready to vote for her. Why are so many people ready to put her in the White House? Is it because she is the first woman to have a legitimate shot in our nation's history? Is it because so many people loved Bill Clinton that they think by electing her they will have another "Bill?"
It is apparent that we are still in the "whiplash" period against George W. Bush and the republicans. Because of this it seems unlikely that any viable republican candidate will be able to win presidency in 2008. Anyone foolish enough to run under the republican ticket will simply be a sacrificial lamb.
So now I am asking myself, "Who is going to be the best person from the democrats to run this country from 2009-2013 and perhaps beyond?" The answer right now is "I don't know." Which is why I am writing this post.
There are some universal truths from which I operate.
First, I don't care if you are a male or female, if you are the best person for the job then I want you as my president.
Second, I don't care about your race or ethnicity, if you are the best person for the job then I want you as my president.
There are issues that I care deeply about and I will be interested to see how each candidate stands on them.
First, I want someone to become more aggressive about the mandatory use of alternative fuel automobiles. The technology exists and the alternative fuels exists. I want someone to put a plan in place that will force this country to convert to non-fossil based fuels.
Second, I want someone that will reform the election rules of this country. Everyone talks about the poor educational system in this country yet they spend tens of millions of dollars trying to get themselves elected. There should be a hard cap on how much money can be spent on elections. How can you in good conscience spend all that money knowing that it could be better spent on providing better education.
Third, I want someone that will look at the root causes of why anyone would want to attack the United States. Is it our stance on Israel? Is it our religious freedom? I don't know and that is why I want someone that will address it for me.
Fourth, I want someone that can reform the educational system in this country. I am not merely talking about providing equal educational opportunities for everyone, I am also talking about having to take a hard look at WHAT we are teaching the children as well. Why not provide more choices for what we want to teach our children.
Fifth, I want to see serious tax reform in this country. I agree that everyone should pay their fair share. However, there should be a flat tax rate across the board. No loop holes for the rich to avoid paying this tax.
So please, anyone and everyone, tell me who I should vote for and why?
It is apparent that we are still in the "whiplash" period against George W. Bush and the republicans. Because of this it seems unlikely that any viable republican candidate will be able to win presidency in 2008. Anyone foolish enough to run under the republican ticket will simply be a sacrificial lamb.
So now I am asking myself, "Who is going to be the best person from the democrats to run this country from 2009-2013 and perhaps beyond?" The answer right now is "I don't know." Which is why I am writing this post.
There are some universal truths from which I operate.
First, I don't care if you are a male or female, if you are the best person for the job then I want you as my president.
Second, I don't care about your race or ethnicity, if you are the best person for the job then I want you as my president.
There are issues that I care deeply about and I will be interested to see how each candidate stands on them.
First, I want someone to become more aggressive about the mandatory use of alternative fuel automobiles. The technology exists and the alternative fuels exists. I want someone to put a plan in place that will force this country to convert to non-fossil based fuels.
Second, I want someone that will reform the election rules of this country. Everyone talks about the poor educational system in this country yet they spend tens of millions of dollars trying to get themselves elected. There should be a hard cap on how much money can be spent on elections. How can you in good conscience spend all that money knowing that it could be better spent on providing better education.
Third, I want someone that will look at the root causes of why anyone would want to attack the United States. Is it our stance on Israel? Is it our religious freedom? I don't know and that is why I want someone that will address it for me.
Fourth, I want someone that can reform the educational system in this country. I am not merely talking about providing equal educational opportunities for everyone, I am also talking about having to take a hard look at WHAT we are teaching the children as well. Why not provide more choices for what we want to teach our children.
Fifth, I want to see serious tax reform in this country. I agree that everyone should pay their fair share. However, there should be a flat tax rate across the board. No loop holes for the rich to avoid paying this tax.
So please, anyone and everyone, tell me who I should vote for and why?
Friday, January 12, 2007
I miss my Dad
One of the best decisions and biggest mistakes I made in my life was to move away from my family.
It was 1993 and I was 24 years old. I was recently married and we didn't have any children. I received a job offer to move to Phoenix for $10.00 an hour. At the time I was making just over $6.00 an hour. I was giddy about starting a new job and making my new salary. I told myself at the time that it was ok to move away from family because my parents were still in their 50's, I had few responsibilities and wanted some adventure.
It is now 2007. I am still married to the same wonderful woman. I have two beautiful children, a nice home and a great job. However, mom has been gone for a few years now. One of my sisters moved just outside Oklahoma City. My dad remarried and is now living in Waco. I have not created a lasting friendship with anyone like the friends I had in Texas.
I have been able to forge a career out of the things I have learned during these last 14 years. I have the job I have now because of the previous experiences. I truly enjoy what I do for a living.
The question is....would I have been as successful had I stayed in Texas? I can't answer that question. What I can say is that I think it was the worst decision I ever made in moving away from my family but it was probably the best career move I could have made.
It was 1993 and I was 24 years old. I was recently married and we didn't have any children. I received a job offer to move to Phoenix for $10.00 an hour. At the time I was making just over $6.00 an hour. I was giddy about starting a new job and making my new salary. I told myself at the time that it was ok to move away from family because my parents were still in their 50's, I had few responsibilities and wanted some adventure.
It is now 2007. I am still married to the same wonderful woman. I have two beautiful children, a nice home and a great job. However, mom has been gone for a few years now. One of my sisters moved just outside Oklahoma City. My dad remarried and is now living in Waco. I have not created a lasting friendship with anyone like the friends I had in Texas.
I have been able to forge a career out of the things I have learned during these last 14 years. I have the job I have now because of the previous experiences. I truly enjoy what I do for a living.
The question is....would I have been as successful had I stayed in Texas? I can't answer that question. What I can say is that I think it was the worst decision I ever made in moving away from my family but it was probably the best career move I could have made.
Friday, December 29, 2006
What I want my children to know: No one has it figured out
I am starting a series of posts that will deal with topics that I want to tell my kids about if for some reason I am not around when they get old enough to be able to comprehend it. I got the idea from the movie "My Life" with Michael Keaton. Basically he is diagnosed with a terminal illness and because he has small children he wants to tape a series of video recordings to be able to speak to them when they get older.
Topic #1: No one really has it all figured out
Everyone has stress, everyone worries and everyone has anxiety. What I have discovered is that everyone else worries just as much as I do. Granted it is probably about different specific things. The point being that while you may look up to someone because they are confident or because they seem to have it all together, they may secretly be screaming at the top of their lungs for someone to rescue them.
Some people are really good at managing their worries and turning them in to motivation. Some people just barely keep it together day in and day out. Some people let the internal pressure become too intense and they explode.
Just know that it is natural and that everyone is dealing with it just like you. Just try to be happy. Life is too short to spend it worrying all the time.
Topic #1: No one really has it all figured out
Everyone has stress, everyone worries and everyone has anxiety. What I have discovered is that everyone else worries just as much as I do. Granted it is probably about different specific things. The point being that while you may look up to someone because they are confident or because they seem to have it all together, they may secretly be screaming at the top of their lungs for someone to rescue them.
Some people are really good at managing their worries and turning them in to motivation. Some people just barely keep it together day in and day out. Some people let the internal pressure become too intense and they explode.
Just know that it is natural and that everyone is dealing with it just like you. Just try to be happy. Life is too short to spend it worrying all the time.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Daddy's Special and Egg Sandwiches
I am writing you today about a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Other than pancakes, scrambled eggs, bologna and PBJ sandwiches, Daddy's Special and Egg Sandwiches are the two meals I know how to make all by myself.
Daddy's Special
Fix two boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (there is no substitute)
NOTE: Do not use milk as prescribed on the side of the box (it robs the Mac n Cheese of its cheesy flavor). Also, make sure, after draining the water from the noodles you put the margarine in the empty pot you boiled the noodles in. Wait about 60 seconds and then pour the noodles over the top of the margarine (the margarine will spread more evenly over the noodles). Then pour both packets on top of the noodles and stir throughly (make sure to not have any clumps of cheese nor should you forget to stir the cheese through to the bottom).
Open, drain and pour a can of LeSeur Baby Peas into the Mac N Cheese (there is no substitute)
Open and pour a vacuum sealed bag of StarKist Tuna into the Mac N Cheese
I recommend you eat the Daddy's Special with a big glass of milk or a coke.
Egg Sandwiches
Break three eggs into a plastic bowl
Stir the eggs VERY well
NOTE: Not stirring the eggs well may result in exploding eggs while being cooked!
Place plastic bowl in microwave for 2 minutes
As soon as the timer goes off you must remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the eggs so that the break up into many little pieces.
NOTE: If you do not pull the eggs out as soon as the timer goes off the eggs will shrink. Non-fluffy stirred eggs are much harder to truly enjoy.
Add two large spoonfuls of mayonaise (whatever mayo you choose is fine)
Spread enough egg/mayo mix over two pieces of bread so as to make two sandwiches.
Pour yourself a large glass of milk, go into the living room and watch a new episode of Battlestar Gallactica.
These two recipes have been past down through our family from generation to generation.
Bon Appetit
Daddy's Special
Fix two boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (there is no substitute)
NOTE: Do not use milk as prescribed on the side of the box (it robs the Mac n Cheese of its cheesy flavor). Also, make sure, after draining the water from the noodles you put the margarine in the empty pot you boiled the noodles in. Wait about 60 seconds and then pour the noodles over the top of the margarine (the margarine will spread more evenly over the noodles). Then pour both packets on top of the noodles and stir throughly (make sure to not have any clumps of cheese nor should you forget to stir the cheese through to the bottom).
Open, drain and pour a can of LeSeur Baby Peas into the Mac N Cheese (there is no substitute)
Open and pour a vacuum sealed bag of StarKist Tuna into the Mac N Cheese
I recommend you eat the Daddy's Special with a big glass of milk or a coke.
Egg Sandwiches
Break three eggs into a plastic bowl
Stir the eggs VERY well
NOTE: Not stirring the eggs well may result in exploding eggs while being cooked!
Place plastic bowl in microwave for 2 minutes
As soon as the timer goes off you must remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the eggs so that the break up into many little pieces.
NOTE: If you do not pull the eggs out as soon as the timer goes off the eggs will shrink. Non-fluffy stirred eggs are much harder to truly enjoy.
Add two large spoonfuls of mayonaise (whatever mayo you choose is fine)
Spread enough egg/mayo mix over two pieces of bread so as to make two sandwiches.
Pour yourself a large glass of milk, go into the living room and watch a new episode of Battlestar Gallactica.
These two recipes have been past down through our family from generation to generation.
Bon Appetit
Monday, December 18, 2006
Happy 13th Anniversary B
It was 13 years ago today that B and I were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There are a great many things I have learned in my 13 years of marriage to B. Still, there are a great many things I have left to learn.
There is one universal truth that I want to share with everyone. If you put this idea in your head and let it bounce around for a while, it might just save your marriage.
People that stay married for a long time DECIDE that they are going to stay married. GETTING married is about emotions. STAYING married is about making a conscious decision in the absence of those emotions.
That is not to say that your long term marriage will be devoid of emotion or passion. It seems to me that marriages fail because people wake up one day, look at their partner and realize that the incredible emotions they had been feeling since the marriage have subsided. They interpret the lack of emotions as a lack of love and therefore start to look for other avenues that will make them feel that way (i.e. pornography, other people). Obviously there are other reasons why marriages fail (abuse etc...).
If you try to approach marriage like you do most other things in your life (i.e. the easy way out) no doubt you will have an unfulfilling marriage (or no marriage at all). Now, don't think for one second that I have it all figured out. I can tell you that the only reason I am still married is because of my wonderful wife.
She is willing to look past the fact that I am way to mentally dedicated to my job or that I ALWAYS screw up her birthday. I am extremely lucky that I was able to give her two beautiful kids and provide finacially for our family. That and due to the fact I do 100% of the driving on long trips and do all the lawn work.
If you have the right mindset about marriage, you will find the feelings and emotions that grow out of the decision you make to stay married will be far stronger and more powerful than the those surrounding when you were married.
I love B in more ways and in deeper ways that I EVER did before we were married. My relationship with B is such that I wouldn't do anything to ever jeopardize it because I know all that I have to lose.
Pour your heart into your marriage. If you don't you are only wasting your time and their's.
I will love you for ever B
Thank you for saying Yes!
Your Beast
There is one universal truth that I want to share with everyone. If you put this idea in your head and let it bounce around for a while, it might just save your marriage.
People that stay married for a long time DECIDE that they are going to stay married. GETTING married is about emotions. STAYING married is about making a conscious decision in the absence of those emotions.
That is not to say that your long term marriage will be devoid of emotion or passion. It seems to me that marriages fail because people wake up one day, look at their partner and realize that the incredible emotions they had been feeling since the marriage have subsided. They interpret the lack of emotions as a lack of love and therefore start to look for other avenues that will make them feel that way (i.e. pornography, other people). Obviously there are other reasons why marriages fail (abuse etc...).
If you try to approach marriage like you do most other things in your life (i.e. the easy way out) no doubt you will have an unfulfilling marriage (or no marriage at all). Now, don't think for one second that I have it all figured out. I can tell you that the only reason I am still married is because of my wonderful wife.
She is willing to look past the fact that I am way to mentally dedicated to my job or that I ALWAYS screw up her birthday. I am extremely lucky that I was able to give her two beautiful kids and provide finacially for our family. That and due to the fact I do 100% of the driving on long trips and do all the lawn work.
If you have the right mindset about marriage, you will find the feelings and emotions that grow out of the decision you make to stay married will be far stronger and more powerful than the those surrounding when you were married.
I love B in more ways and in deeper ways that I EVER did before we were married. My relationship with B is such that I wouldn't do anything to ever jeopardize it because I know all that I have to lose.
Pour your heart into your marriage. If you don't you are only wasting your time and their's.
I will love you for ever B
Thank you for saying Yes!
Your Beast
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
