My Facebook Thoughts

Friday, October 31, 2008

QTMD


Last night I had to get a blood test and CT Scan of my kidneys. Not a big deal. It's just that my kidneys are like maracas full of stones. The tests will help see how I can best treat my reoccurring stones.

I don't enjoy having my blood drawn. Not that I'm afraid of needles, I'm not. Or that it is very painful, it isn't. The thing is I have shy veins. Whenever a phlebotomist enters the room my veins go into hiding. This means they have to repeatedly slap my arm or hand to try and find a blood vessel. Then when they feel a vein, with the reflexes of Tom Hanks spearfishing in the movie Castaway, they poke into my flesh. The record number is eight pokes.

I know I have blood. I can generate a leak of hemoglobin in a variety of ways. Paper cut, piece of cake. Shaving, how much do you need? The oddest way I can draw a gusher is with a Q-Tip in my ear. I'm not kidding. A trained medical professional can jab a piece of sharp steel into my body a cause no bleeding, but if the Q-Tip hits a certain part of my ear there will be blood.

Imagine that, one of the most unassuming objects in the house causing the carnage of a Friday The 13th movie. That makes the Q-Tip a perfect weapon. Maybe airports should screen passengers for the deadly cotton tipped stick of death. Or maybe we should be dropping these from fighter jets into Iran and Afghanistan.

With Bin Laden hiding like a scurvy rat in caves I'm sure he has tons of dirt and wax in his ears. Imagine he picks up the harmless looking hygiene implement. He begins to swab gently, while being careful not to enter the ear canal. Then, SLASH! The a-hole of Arabia is spurting his devil blessed fluids and is soon out for the count. His butt kissing Al-Kduh followers are so distraught by his death they all start cleaning their ears, where they all succumb the same ending. The world is then free of these morons. The U.S. saves billions of dollars no longer fighting them. Dick Cheney goes insane trying to invent new enemies for the U.S. He is carted off yelling,
"Beware of Rhode Island, Beware!"
All the extra money is used to pay off the national debt. With no more debt the U.S. funds the best educational system ever imagined. Those students go one to solve all the world's problems.


All because of a Q-Tip. Could happen.

Thursday, October 30, 2008


I'm not sure if I predicted this out loud, but I did predict this. Really, honestly I did. I saw this story in the New York Post, Frugal Google Cuts Perks. The mighty giant of office perks is tightening their belt. Google is famous for giving its employees lots of perks. Particularly, food. And I'm not talking about a big selection of vending machines. We are talking full service cafeterias. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and how can I forget afternoon tea on Tuesdays. Google, no surprise, has been voted as a great place to work. But, now with the economy going south it's time to stop losing profits. Google isn't losing money though. Their Net Income is actually going up. They are just exhibiting corporate greed. Cut perks before profits. I'm sure the Google employees are well paid and work hard. They produce a great product. But, corporations are always more loyal to shareholders than employees. Google shares were selling at a high of $741 a year ago. Today, right now they are at $365. Don't worry though, there is still plenty of profit. This is what is killing America and all global markets, greed. I don't pretend to have an answer that will make things better. I just know that the way it is done now doesn't work.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Tomatoes & Buttcracks
(Not a title you see everyday.)

If I were a Republican I would just be shaking my head at how this election is being run. Just over a week away and what is the best way to make a final push for the White House, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joe the Plumber.

Over the weekend Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the irrelevant blonde tomatoe from The View, was introducing Sarah Palin in Florida to discuss the real important topics of the election. No not the economy. Not the war. Not the environment. Not taxes.
They were talking about whether or not the RNC bought her $150,000 worth of clothes.



Whether or not that she keeps them or wears them or drops them off at Goodwill. The RNC thinks this is what will relate to the American people. Just another example of how out of touch Republicans are with America.

Then as I was visiting various news websites over the weekend I see this headline,
"JOE THE PLUMBER 'SCARED FOR AMERICA' IF OBAMA PREZ".
Joe the plumber?
Are we still talking about him? One, his name's not even Joe it's Sam. Two, he's not even a plumber. Three, his whole story was made up.
NEXT!

Where's the discussion about the still falling economy? Where's the talks about the on going war?

How about talking about how Palin is trying to jump off the sinking ship?
Read how Palin is starting to "protect" her political future.

Relax Republicans. The election is next Tuesday. We won't leave you behind.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Thursday, October 23, 2008

All Roads Leads To The White House


If there's one thing you can say about this presidential election it would be that anybody truly can be the president. if you look at the paths that both presidential candidates have taken is truly amazing how they've gotten where they are today.

Whether you're Republican or Democrat, you have to respect both Barack Obama and John McCain. Everybody knows who I support in this election, Barack Obama. But I would be a complete idiot if I didn't give props to John McCain. Here's a man that was in a prisoner of war camp. Never really knowing if he would live another day. I saw this video, and I really felt, what amazing road he has traveled.



I'm sure the last thing going through his mind at that point was, "In 2008 I'm going to run for President of the United States". As trivial as this election has gotten over the past few months, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned him smoking in this video.

Barack Obama's road to this point in history is equally improbably. Multiracial, raised by a single parent. Then moved to Indonesia. Then raised moved back to Hawaii to be raised by his grandparents. Not really a Kennedy type upbringing.

This election will open the door for many who thought they could never rise above adversity. That can only be a good thing. Even Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin's roles are to be commended. Granted Palin is being used to win over disillusioned Hillary voters.

Regardless of who wins in a few weeks our country's future will benefit.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Love Him, Hate Him

It was reported that Colin Powell has decided to vote for Obama.



Powell is a highly respected man in this country. He is probably a Republican I could vote for. I say that in all honesty. If you watched the above video you heard Powell cut through ALL the political crapola and intelligently describe his choice.

The video didn't show Powell's response when asked if his decision was purely based on race. His reply was;

"If I had only had that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago. I really have been going back and forth between somebody I have the highest respect and regard for, John McCain, and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama. And it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this."

"I can't deny that it will be a historic event when an African-American becomes president," Powell continued, speaking live in the studio. "And should that happen, all Americans should be proud — not just African-American, but all Americans — that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen. It would also not only electrify the country, but electrify the world."

The part of his quote that I believe is key is how he describes the possible reaction to an Obama victory,

"It would also not only electrify the country, but electrify the world."

Can anybody honestly, honestly say that about McCain?

The mouth of the GOP, Bush Limbaugh, says Powell's decision was solely based on race. That's what all racists are saying, because there is no way a black man is smart enough to decide intelligently based on any other factors other then race. Gimmie a break.


Friday, October 17, 2008

You Can Pick Your Nose, But You Can't Pick The Presidents Nose


I often get e-mails from readers suggesting different blogs to write. Today's suggestion comes from Jed (not his real name). He wanted me to blog about how we elect a president. Jed, noticed how Democrats and Republicans argue the same way Cub's and Sox fans argue about whose party or team is the best. Here are few things that he noticed about how we elect a president;

  • The endorsement of a major comedian
  • Good hair
  • Not owning multiple big houses (one is OK)
  • Being able to recite catch phases that someone else wrote with style and grace
  • Knowing how to pick a good suit (or dress in the case of a women)
  • And the number one reason is ………..how much money they can raise for the election.
Truth be told Jed is not far off.

Jed also included the website http://www.scottberkun.com/essays/how-to-pick-a-president/. The article is so perfect I wish I had written it.

Maybe if each one of us reading this article were to take his tips into the voting booth with us we would absolutely elect the correct President. Clearly this article was written after 2000.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

I'm Not Bush(Thank God!)


I watched the first hour of the final debate last night. I expected what I got. They both stood by their points of view. I found McCain to be uncomfortable. While they all say they don't pay attention to the polls, most polls agree McCain is behind. So he had to come out fighting. McCain doesn't like being booed at his own rallys.

The one item I found laughable was when Palin's "qualifications" came up. Specifically her area of expertise regarding special needs children. This is an area where I am an expert, being a disabled man my entire life, 43 years. I can speak freely. Just because you are a parent of a special needs child does NOT make you an expert.

Let me repeat that for my reality challenged readers, (I'm talking to you Anonymous).

Just because you are a parent of a special needs child does NOT make you an expert.

In my life I was blessed by a Mother and Father who never used my or my brother's disabilities as an excuse or a reason to hold us back. We were raised as normal as could be possible. We were, in their eyes, no different than our "normal" sister. We have all turned out quite well.

I have seen and continue to see parents of special needs children make huge mistakes. Either sending them through special education or not. Treating their children like delicate flowers or a nuisance weed. Loving them as a gift or ignoring them beyond recognition. What I'm getting at is just having a kid doesn't make you an expert.

Sarah Palin has been mother to a special needs child since May. Just a little longer than she has been a VP candidate. Which, by the way, just being a VP candidate doesn't make you qualified either. She is going to have tremendous ups as well as downs. It is a 24 hour a day job. And seeing how well her oldest kids have done, I fear there will be mistakes made. The first mistake being made is using your special needs child as a tool for political gain.

This video makes me cringe.



Stopping at Walmart to pickup diapers with baby in tow. Doesn't hurt having the big McCain/Palin bus illegally parked in the fire lane. Children with Downs Syndrome have many hurrdles to jump in life. One hurddle can be immune deficiencies. So by all means let's get a photo op with baby Trig and expose him to a ton of strangers. I'm sure there was someone available to either watch the baby while Palin went out to play VP candidate or could have made the diaper run for her.

My point. GOP stop pushing Palin as a qualified anything. When this election is over she will be on a Special Edition 20/20 - Where Are They Now in ten years. This is when will find her selling genuine Eskimo -made eye-frames on QVC.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Spam Spam Spam

I love Spam. There I said it. I love that canned meat treat.



We never had Spam growing up, but another product called Treat. (I Googled it, but found nothing, kinda scary.) Either way, fry it up and it was a tasty lunch.

But, I digress.

I saw the government shut down a world wide SPAM operation, yawn!
If you use email you have SPAM, or unwanted email. Well, so what. Before we had email we had junk mail. That was and is easy to deal with. Junk go through the mail and make two piles, keep and throw away. With SPAM I find it even easier because my email software, Mozilla Thunderbird, sorts my mail for me. If an email comes from someone that is not in my address book the mail goes to a Junk folder. As I write this there are 18 pieces of Junk mail.

I will look over the junk to make sure no legit email got in there. I mean, I don't have Angelina Jolie's email address so if she emailed me it would go to my Junk folder. Why she would write me, I don't know, maybe she and Brad want to stop by for dinner next time they're in town. (Could happen.)

From time to time I will get SPAM that has offers for pharmaceutical supplies. I do live in a remote area so using the internet for a pharmacy would make sense. I'm almost a whole mile away from the nearest Walgreens. There are also times I may want to order some "adult mood enhancing" medications. But, to be honest, I would never by my drugs from someone who couldn't spell the names of said drugs. How do I know if Viagra and Vyagrow are the same? I don't know if Moc-z-condin is a generic for oxycodone. If you are going to go into the business of selling illegal drugs at least learn how to use spell check.

I'm glad the good guys won this time. I also wish they would publish the names of the customers who fell prey to these spammers. I'm willing to bet they are also the ones who give away personal banking information to the Spammers trying to get $15 million out of the African banking system. I'm willing to bet they're also checking their regular mailbox for that check from AOL or Microsoft for forwarding a thousand emails to friends and family.

Use your heads people. Or Oprah is going to cryogenicly freeze all dumb people who don't wear Tommy Hilfiger. That's true, a friend of mine saw it on Good Morning America.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Bottom Line


I have had comments posted on my blog that portray me as an idiot for supporting Obama.

"Yeah Mark like Obama isn't trying to scare people with his "Great Depression" talk.
P.T. Barnum was right and this blog proves it."

"You must have a gay fetish or something my friend. Any time someone disagrees with you they need to kiss a male or stick their head up his ass.
The fact that you are still alive and breathing proves that you have mastered this art.
Congrats."

I'm OK with people thinking I'm an idiot. At times, I probably am. I'm also fine with my decision to support Obama because I know I have made that choice using the brain God gave me.

I've seen many emails, reports and videos that go out of their way to smear Obama based on incorrect, irrelevant, and often flat out false information. Many read or watch this information and take it as the gospel truth. These are the people that scare me.

nephew'sIf you think McCain is a better choice because of his obvious experience, great. If you think McCain's personal military experience gives him a better understanding of controlling a country at war, vote your conscience. Just don't vote for McCain because you think Obama is a Muslim. Don't disqualify Obama because of a name his parents gave him 48 years ago. And please don't make any decision based on any emails you were forwarded by your babysitter's aunt's gym teacher's orthodontist.

I beg all of you to research your choice. Don't even listen to the candidates. They ALL have to say what people want to hear in order to get the votes.

http://www.factcheck.org/
http://www.opensecrets.org/

I respect all people of intelligence and I pray for the ignorant. You have to decide which category you fall under.


Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Debate This

I originally wasn't going to write a blog today. I'm kinda on political overload.
As I read the news this morning two stories caught my eye.

Mother Pleads To Son, "Turn yourself in."

Limo Driver Calls Police On Teens

In the first story a mother recognized her son's face on the news as a suspected murderer of a teenage girl.

In the second story a limo driver calls police as underage passengers in his limo bring alcohol on board. Some parents complain about his actions.

In one case a mother steps forward knowing full well her son could be found guilty of a serious crime and go away forever. In another case parents are upset their kids got caught breaking the law.

This raises the debate on good parenting. I know parenting is hard and my kid can't even cross the street by himself yet. I have been a kid and I know what kids try to do. But, would I complain if someone turned my kid in? I want to say, "No." If I knew my kid did something wrong would I try to get him to confess? I want to say, "Yes."

Being close to the education system I know there are many parents that want their kids to get a free pass on everything, right or wrong. There are also parents that don't let their kids get away with anything. What does this do to our future?

I believe it's ok to tell your kids, No. I also believe it's ok to skip chores for a day and go to the beach. It can't be OK to expect kids to think the rest of the world is going to let them slide. The world doesn't revolve around them. Kids need to know that there are consequences to their actions. What happens to them in the future?

I ask many questions, but I offer few answers. I don't know them. Let's debate this.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

What About Now?

We are now entering into the "dirty politics" phase of the presidential campaign. This is where I really want to turn off the TV for the next month. But, I can't. How could I survive without America's Next Top Model?

Both candidates are guilty. But, I'm forced to decide, not who will heal this country's future, but who screwed up the least in the past. Some much for change.

McCain's cheerleader, Palin, loves to talk about Obama's "relationship" with Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright. Ayers was a very bad boy when Obama was in diapers. They were together 12 years ago when Obama's political career was launched. I'm not going to talk about Rev. Wright because Obama has stated VERY CLEARLY his opinion on Wright.

Obama's camp is bringing McCain's involvement during the savings and loan scandal during the mid-80's. Feel free to watch this video about that scandal.



We, as voters, have to decide how does this dried up mud from the past effect us today? I'm not that smart, and I do support Obama, but McCain's past seems very similar to today's economic problems. You all decide for yourself.

I just want today's problems dealt with.

Monday, October 06, 2008

That's Why They Play The Games

This morning White Sox fans are happy and anxious, while Cub fans are sad and stupid. As a White Sox fan I can gloat because my team is still alive for their quest of another Championship. Cub fans are sad because they are forced to spew those words that 5 generations have had to spew for 100 hears.

WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR.

I mentioned in a blog a few days ago that I thought the Cubs and their fans were just assuming the World Series was theirs. Well, somebody forgot to tell the Dodgers that.

Despite 100 years of losing the Cubs, in my opinion, were arrogant. Since the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox ended their perspective World Series droughts, the Chicago Cubs just felt, "It's our turn." This is why they play the games.

I'm not going to sit here and say the Cubs suck. They had the best record in the National League. They had a great collection of players that many other teams would envy. They have a manager that has been there before and knows how to win it all. They have owners with deep pockets. They also have a moronic fan base that follows them way too religiously. One more thing, they have a playing field designed and built by the Chicago White Sox's own Roger Bossard.

The thing is, I can have all the best ingredients for a cake, it doesn't mean I know how to bake a cake. Throw in just a pinch of arrogance and your cake will come out crappy. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Only those closest to the situation know who has crossed the line.

Now, my White Sox are still far from winning another World Series since 2005. But, they know that, and us fans know that. We know we are going against a fresh very talented Tampa Bay Rays team. We are going to play. We know we have to play harder then we ever have.

Bottom line today is, the White Sox are still playing and the Cubs are home waiting for year 101.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Sad Sadder Saddest


Let's take a break from baseball and talk a little about our economy's woes. Cub fans need a lift (sorry, couldn't resist).

I tuned into the VP debate last night and was pleased to see that neither candidate committed any errors (unlike the FOUR the Cubs made last night). Palin showed she can rehearse very well. She learned her lines without fail. She didn't, from what I saw live, offer up anything new.

Biden didn't put his foot in his mouth, but did show he is human. When the candidates were talking up families sitting down together, he got emotional reminiscing his family's tragedy.

I didn't hear much about the economy. One of my blog heads, people who read me regularly, gave me some great economic data. Giuseppi, not his real name or ethnicity, put together the following numbers.

Dow Jones industrial average:
Clinton Administration
Jan 4, 1993: 3310.03
Jan 3, 2001: 10945.75
(330.68% Gain)

Bush Administration
Jan 4, 2001: 10887.36
Sep 29, 2008: 11143.13
(About a 2.35%) gain

So while Clinton was getting it up in the Oval office, so was the Dow on Wall Street.

But wait, there's more!

The Dow Jones has fallen over 2300 points in the last year.

The above stats can be found at Yahoo Finance.

Ok, no suprise that our economy needs a mango (watch video to understand).



Our leaders are trying to save the day with a $700 billion economic rescue plan. They understand this is A LOT of money, but it needs to be spent. I've heard the arguments both for and against. I'm assuming that $700 billion will be well spent. (If you know me, you know I'm setting up a contradiction.)

Those caring politicians, not wanting to waste our money figured, "Who will notice this, out of $700 billion?" Note the following Pork Additives;

The special provisions include tax breaks for:

  • Manufacturers of kids' wooden arrows - $6 million.
  • Puerto Rican and Virgin Is- lands rum producers - $192 million.
  • Wool research.
  • Auto-racing tracks - $128 million.
  • Corporations operating in American Samoa - $33 million.
  • Small- to medium-budget film and television productions - $10 million.

In total, they are including about $112 billion in pork.

$112 billion in pork.

$112 billion in pork.

Imagine what these clowns would do if there wasn't a crisis. Before, it was just Clinton, but now we're all getting screwed.


Thursday, October 02, 2008

World's Greatest Mimes


When people talk about the Chicago Cubs the focus inevitably turns towards their fans. Fans who have pined for a century to say, "We're #1". Fans who have been selling out Wrigley Field for years to watch Quadruple A baseball. Fans who name their children after various icons of the franchise.

Fans who deserted their team when they were down by a mere 2 runs.

When I tuned into the game last night the Cubs were LEADING 2-0. Even though this score disturbed me, what I couldn't help notice was the deafening silence of the crowd. At that moment I knew the Cubs would lose despite having the lead.

It seems like Cub fans are assuming they will be in the World Series this year and they are insulted to have to watch these mere playoff games. Guess what Cub Nation (BTW I despise the whole "Nation" thing), you haven't won diddle yet. One might think that Cub fans wouldn't be assuming anything. It has been 100 years you dolts, get off your Isotoner-covered hands and support your team.

White Sox fans assume nothing. We cheer for the good and the bad. We figure since we paid a fortune to get into the park, we're gonna let our voices be heard. I was in awe when White Sox fans all got together and wore black Tuesday night. Generally, that's not our thing. But, damn if that wasn't coolest sight to see. 40,000+ fans clad in black. I could feel the energy through the TV. You could probably have felt the energy through a radio, it was so palpable (that's the first time I've ever used the word "palpable").

You hear sports players always giving credit to their fans when they win a big game at home. I'm willing to bet the Cubs' players were wondering where all their fans went last night. I'll tell them where the fans were. They were out back feeding the goat.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Let's Go Go White Sox!


I just have to compliment the Chicago White Sox for winning the American League Central Division.

It was last 1906 when both Chicago baseball teams reached the post season. It was the World Series and the White Sox beat the Cubs 4 games to 2.

I'm torn here because I never want to root for the Cubs. But, it would be awesome to have an all Chicago World Series. On the other hand, it would be equally sweet to see the lovers of losing, Cub fans, go down in flames immediately.

White Sox fans will be fine no matter what. Our team was never supposed to be here. The Cubs were favored at the start of the season. We also have a World Series trophy that we've won in recent memory. Cub fans still need to pull out newspapers on microfiche at the library. Sox fans probably still have some 2005 papers laying around the house.

  • I listened to the Cubs "Pep" rally yesterday, and found it to be sad.
  • I find it amazing that Jim Belushi's career continues. Talk about milking your dead brother's fame.
  • They cling to a phrase that hasn't worked in 100 years. "This is the year!"
  • Their iconic rally anthem is a routine they stole from the White Sox sung by a dead guy, Harry Carey singing, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame".
  • And they continue to try to use their current success as leverage to get Ron Santo into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He's was a better than average ball player, but not Hall of Fame material.
Either way, I'll be happy. The White Sox are a team of great players having fun winning. The Cub's are great team that I'll fun watch lose.