Democrats will not give up

Russ Feingold (D, WI) has decided he wants to censure President Bush again (he tried last year and got 3 Dems to support him).

Congress is becoming quite a dog and pony show. First, they keep everyone overnight debating the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Now, they are proposing a censure resolution during wartime.

I know you and those like you know that is this horribly counterproductive for the country, the war effort and general morale of the voting public. But who are we to argue; we're just lowly citizens. I'm getting really tired of politicians thinking they're more intelligent and have a better moral compass than the American public.

Privacy and the Internet

Privacy on the Internet might have just gotten a boost. Microsoft and Ask.com are teaming up to try to increase privacy when it comes to what you are searching for on their search engines.

This is a good thing and a step in the right direction, but we will see how much of a change this will actually bring. I think one of the big problems is that the Internet hackers and such are light years ahead of the ISPs and other Internet corporations.

Heavenly hot dogs

So while I was thinking about hot dogs, I thought about some of my favorite hot dogs of all time. I will list them (in no particular order). None of these are tainted by botulism.

Netty's Chili Dog - Toledo, OH
These dogs are just boiled and topped with chili, cheese, onions and grease. And oh do they taste so good. And they're cheap. Netty's also has great ice cream products.


Tony Packo's Cafe - Toledo, OH
These dogs are not only scrumptious, but they are world famous (watch the TV show MASH). If you're ever in Toledo, you must go to Packo's. I suggest the original store on Front Street on the East Side. As long as you're there you might as well get some extra pickles and peppers as well as some fried pickles and some chili-mac (a Toledo favorite).

Any "True" Chicago style hot dog - Chicago, IL and the World
If you have not had a "true" Chicago style hot dog, you must indulge in one immediately. It is a meal in itself and boy does it taste good. The link above is a really great resource about Chicago style dogs.

Yes, all of my favorite hot dogs are from the Midwest. That's because we know how to make a good dog.

Hellish hot dogs

So I was reading stories this morning and I saw this story about the hot dog chili laced with botulism. If you read down at the bottom of the story it lists all of the brands of hot dog chili that are recalled...then it gives the name of dog food that is also involved in the recall. Does that make you think about the quality of hot dog chili meat?

So I got curious about ol' Potter

I don't read the books, but I've seen the movies and while I am not first in line at the movie theater I have enjoyed them on DVD in the comfort of my home. But admittedly I am curious as to see who dies in the new Harry Potter book. Apparently a lot of other people are too, because there are copies of "Deathly Hallows" being sold on eBay for $1000. You might be wondering why these books exist before the official "publication date". Well an online bookseller accidentally sent out copies of the book to people who pre-ordered them. Oops...now Scholastic Inc. is going to sue you. That sucks.

So being the great blogger that I am, I decided to seek out the truth from my fellow bloggers. Now, there is a great chance that this person is wrong, but it seemed like a plausible ending so, here it is (Spoiler alert). Or you could just wait until July 21.

Pakistan and Iraq parallel

There are some interesting parallels developing between Iraq and Pakistan.

In Iraq, the tribal leaders and their followers are beginning to turn against components of al Qaeda and joining up with the US military to toss out the foreign fighters who have no respect for the tribal traditions and lands.

In Pakistan, it hasn't reached that point yet, but with the recent attacks on Pakistani civilians by radical Islamist wackos I have a feeling that if the senseless killing continues the Pakistanis are going to start getting pretty upset with the terrorists' way of doing things.

It actually excites me that people are starting to get downright tired of the way that terrorists go about executing "political change". We can only hope that this is the beginning of a trend that will slowly change the way people think of terrorism in the Middle East.


I'm not holding my breath.

Hatfields and McCoys...Iraq style

Okay so maybe that headline trivializes a situation that is a little more important than the old Hatfield/McCoy feud, but it does suit what is going on in Iraq right now. HOWEVER...there is good news on the Shi'ite/Sunni front. This week the Sunni Bloc in the Iraqi Parliament has returned to work after their boycott of the Shi'ite majority government.

The Accordance Front, as the Sunni group is called, is the largest Sunni group in the parliament and their return to the parliament is a step in the right direction. We will see if the Iraqi government can get some of the important legislation passed so that their country will have some stability that it so desperately needs. Besides that, it will certainly help the war effort here in the USA.

Tony Blair gets a new job

This week marks the beginning of Tony Blair's official duties as a "special envoy" to the Middle East. I don't know exactly what the difference between a "special envoy" and a "regular envoy" is, but apparently Blair is the "special" type.

Personally I'm glad that Blair is continuing in public service. I think he's a stand up guy and he can be a tough S.O.B. when it comes to the tough decisions. We need more people who will do what is right no matter what the consequences...people like like Tony Blair.

Legislating defeat

The Democrats continue to attempt to legislate defeat in the Iraq War.

I won't get too animated here, but this is enough of this trash. I am so tired of Congress politicizing this war. When September comes around and General Petraeus' report is given I will then allow some conversation about the war, but until then, give the military the respect they deserve and shut up. You're not over there, you're not in danger and you don't know what you're talking about.

Traffic problems in NYC

Mayor Bloomberg wants to start charging tolls for people who drive into Manhattan during peak hours. This is an effort to "reduce traffic and pollution".

Okay, reducing traffic I understand, reducing pollution by having tolls...I don't think so. What a joke. The best way to reduce traffic is to have safe, clean, efficient and available public transit. The best form of public transit are streetcars, but unfortunately it is now very difficult to rebuild the old systems that once weaved through every major city in the USA.

Edwards plan to eliminate poor

John Edwards plan to eliminate poverty pretty much has to do with eliminating capitalism and creating more government programs to "help" people.

Millionaire Edwards understands the poor

Presidential candidate John Edwards is beginning a trek across the USA visiting cities that have a lot of poor people. It is his intention to bring attention to America's poor by traveling around and talking about it.

Now while I think that what he is doing is somewhat noble, I also realize he is hoping that it is also a shrewd political move. That along with the fact that he made millions of dollars as a trial lawyer sort of makes what he is doing slightly disingenuous.

Money is the root of all...elections

It seems as though the media and the candidates care more about how much money the candidates are raising rather than what the candidates are saying. This is nothing new, but it is starting to get tiresome.

It is my humble opinion that the election season(s) are way too long (it no longer encompasses one season, but many). This election season(s) started so long ago that people are already tired of all of the candidates. I know I am. That's why I think that it is a great idea on Fred Thompson's part to hold out as long as he can before he officially joins the race. It is the current lack of media coverage that I think will eventually help him in the long run.

I am a big proponent of election reform and term limits because I believe that government has itself become its own entity rather than being an extension of the people. At this point the government exists for its own purpose rather than the purpose of the people.

Prelim report on Iraq

I am somewhat dismayed today because it is a slow news day...well it's slow when it comes to things I want to post about. This is probably too important to not mention though.

President Bush gave a interim report about what is going on in Iraq with the troop surge. Bottom line...WE SHOULD NOT PULL OUT OF IRAQ! Is anyone else tired of hearing this crap? Actually you don't need to answer that, I know you are.

President Bush said that Americans have "war fatigue". That is not true. Americans have "media fatigue". Americans are tired of hearing about how we are failing in our mission every time we turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper.

Americans don't fail, we win and usually we win big. That is what we are accustomed to and that is what the plan should be in Iraq. Things are starting to go well and we need to stay the course so that we can win this war and create a positive force in the region. And if not for that reason, at least to keep the insane terrorists occupied over there instead of over here.

Becks new leader of the Galaxy

David Beckham will be introduced as the LA Galaxy's newest acquisition this Friday. It is the biggest day in MLS history. I'm not the biggest MLS fan, I mean I want the league to succeed, but this is exciting for US soccer in general. It's gonna be fun to see what happens.

Oh yeah, he's also on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated in the new LA Galaxy jersey (that was to be unveiled in conjunction with his arrival, that's how big this is, he warrants a complete in-season change of jersey). How cool is that.

Gut feeling leads to hysteria

Okay well not hysteria, but Michael Chertoff (Secy. Homeland Security) said that he has a "gut feeling" about the USA being attacked this summer. He said that the "summer seems appealing to them [the terrorists]." I don't know where he's getting his information, but if his gut is that good at predicting things I need to start bringing him to Vegas and we'll see how far we can get on his gut feelings at the sports book.

You and those like you must be wondering what our country is coming to when our head of Homeland Security is speaking about gut feelings. At the same time I'm sure that he is just covering his bases and he certainly didn't realize what a stir such a comment would make, but still not too bright of a thing to say.

Tomatoes are good, but they don't cure cancer

I love tomatoes and I thought that they were supposed to keep me healthy and free from cancer due to their high levels of lycopene an antioxidant that is supposed to be useful in preventing cancer. Unfortunately, the FDA just released a new study saying that the lycopene/cancer prevention connection is not as strong as once believed.

I still love tomatoes though, however I am bummed they don't cure cancer.

Marine found to be innocent

This story makes me feel good because it shows that our Marines are not "murderers" as Representative John Murtha (D-PA) said last year. I am so tired of members of Congress denigrating our military and calling them murderers.

Our military men and women are the bravest men and women in the world and they are fighting everyday for our freedom. That is, not our freedom from another country, but our freedom to walk outside and go to work and take the bus without fear of being murdered by wacko extremists. Thank God for Marines.

Don't smoke...because it costs too much

The federal government is adding another tax to cigarettes. This time it is 61 cents. This increases the total federal tax on cigarettes to $1. If you smoke regularly, I feel for you. You're addicted and the government literally banks on your addiction to pay for their new children's health program.

I do wonder when the cost of cigarettes will finally start having an effect on those that smoke. The average cost per pack right now is $4.54. At what price will the cost of cigarettes stop smokers from smoking? $8, $10, $15...more? It's an interesting question you and those like you might be wondering as well.

Then what happens to the government when they don't get the revenue from cigarette taxes anymore? What happens to the tobacco farmers? And the cigarette companies? That will be an interesting day.

AFRICOM gets a commander

Today President Bush nominated the highest ranking black officer in the Army to head up the new African Command. I think that the AFRICOM is a good idea as well as choosing General Ward to head it up. He's a four-star and he seems to be the right man for the job.

I believe that AFRICOM will become one of the most important overseas command centers for the military in the near future. This is due to the increasing number of Muslims in Africa, the amount of oil now being discovered there, as well as the proximity to the Middle East.