The FDA has approved Stevia to be used in the US as a sweetener....does this mean that Hell has frozen over?

Not really - it just means that Big Business is looking for an out.

You see, for the better part of the last 20 years, the FDA has classified Stevia as a "food additive" and vehemently prohibited it being labeled as a sweetener of any type. They have threatened legal action towards companies that printed recipes using stevia, commandeered supplies of stevia coming into the country, threatened to put companies selling stevia out of business, etc.

Why, pray tell, has the FDA been so afraid of a little green herb that is 30x sweeter than sugar and is safe for diabetics because it regulates their blood sugar? Quite simply, because the sugar lobbyists were too powerful and the Big Businesses like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc., began embracing Asapartame as the sweetner of choice.

Problem with Aspartame, is that it is linked to a whole host of health ailments and the FDA's own doctors provided feedback that it should not be approved when the FDA's head honchos decided to approve it and that fake sweetner is now used in 8,000+ products.

But now, thanks to the amazing grassroots efforts of the health oriented community, the truth about Aspartame has gotten out to mainstream America and people are beginning to realize that their health is vital and that can't keep feeding their body crap and expecting it to run 100%.

So while it is wonderful that the FDA has approved Stevia for use as a sweetener, they still deserve to be bitch-slapped because they didn't approve it for the health of the public but to appease the whims of the likes of Coca-Cola and Pepsi that are reacting to consumer complaints / concerns.

Hopefully, this will be a straw in the wind and more consumers will begin to make the direct correlation between the foods they eat and their health. The human body was not designed to run on fake foods and a host of pharmaceuticals and I personally feel that has become abundantly clear after seeing the rampant increase of "disease" over the past 100 years since the advent of processed foods and the heavier use of meat consumption. The closer to nature one can eat, the better off.

Taking the Bible too literally & Taxing junk food & Greed....

So as most have probably heard, there's a family in Arkansas named the Duggars who have pro-created to the tune of 18 children. 1 male. 1 female. Copulating to send forth 18 offspring -- and they are looking forward to more.

The father, Jim Bob, needs to realize that his wife has a vagina and not a clown car between her thighs.

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New York Governor Paterson recently implemented a whole array of things to tax including soft drinks. People are all riled up over it.

Personally, I don't see the problem.

Obesity is a serious problem affecting this country and with most people being without insurance, it falls onto the tax payers to pick up the costs from the county hospitals. One way or another, we are paying for it.

It's only logical that the very products that are contributing to the poor health should be justly taxed just as cigarettes have been.

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All this yelping about Bernie Madoff and his amazing $50 billion Ponzi scheme is a bit mind numbing. Donald Trump summed it up well when he said most of the people investing with Bernie were greedy.

How else explain why people put 10's, if not 100's, of millions of dollars with this one guy? Trump gave examples of wealthy people mortgaging the family home that had been paid for decades ago just so that they could get their hands on more money to invest. And, as Trump put it, those people are now going to be looking to work at the local drug store.

I also agree with Trump that one solitary little old man couldn't have pulled this off by himself.

I've been reading the New York Post, New York Times and Palm Beach Post about some of these stories and can't even imagine what some of those people are about to go through. Life may throw you lemons at times, but usually you know how to catch them and add some water and sugar. Whereas most of those inherited monied toffs won't have clue 1 as to how to pull their life together.

In the immortal words of Gordon Gekko, "Greed IS good" but let's add the afterthought "within reason".....because let's be honest, very few people in this world can afford to lose $50 million.

George Carlin Was Right About Politics...

Carlin, bless his soul, described the word politics as "poli" meaning "many" and "tics" meaning "blood suckers".

Certain sections of this country looked down their noses because approximately 25% of Texans felt Nobama was a Muslim on some level. We were called ignorant, back woods, etc. I have never stated that he's Muslim but I do have my idle wonderings based upon his schooling and his exposure to certain belief systems growing up. At least Texans had enough sense not to vote for Nobama regardless of their opinions on his choice of religious beliefs.

Sarah Palin was slammed by the liberal media and Democrats as being short on experience because she's only the governor of the largest U.S. state and a former mayor. But yet those same yahoos embraced Nobama who might have enough executive experience to arrange a pub crawl to be our next President.

Nobama also pontificated that it would be a fresh wave of "change" when his happy ass got to D.C. To date, there's a plethora of lackeys from Slick Willy's administration and from the Chicago politics scene -- you know, that same political scene that is legendary for low down dirty dealing? Yep...so much for that fresh wave of change.

Nobama is pontificating that he has an in-house investigation going on regarding this whole "selling his seat" fiasco with the Illinois governor yet he has stated to the press that he is "absolutely certain" that no one from his side chatted sweetheart deals with the governor. At least some of the press were astute enough to ask him how he could be certain if there was still an in-house investigation? Nobama hasn't replied to those questions.

And now we have little Caroline Kennedy deciding she fancies herself a chair in Senate. She'll just slide in and take over Hillary's seat -- hell, how hard could it be? Caroline has herself a law degree from Harvard....never practiced law though. She's even been involved in the organizing committes of some galas. She lives on the Upper East Side, doesn't have a steady job and her husband is a stay-at-home painter. Oh yeah...she's REALLY in touch with America and the challenges the average Joe is going through.

Even the feedback left from readers of the New York Post has been blistering in that Caroline is NOT qualified.

What a cluster fuck.

Texas should secede. We'd be something like the 6th wealthiest nation in the world as our own country again so no time like the present.

In a post on another site, Parkerbraden made the following selling points on Texas secession:

From The People of Texas

We Texans love y'all, but we'll have to take action if Obama wins
president over McCain. We'll miss you too.

Texas has given all those complainers plenty of time to get used to the results. After seeing the whiners along the campaign route, the folks from Texas are considering taking matters into our hands.

Here is our solution:

#1: Elect Barak Obama President of the United States. (All 49 states.)

#2: George W. Bush becomes the President of the Republic Of Texas.

So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?

1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. (We will control the space industry.)

2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States.

3. Defense Industry. (We have over 65% of it) The term "Don’t mess with Texas," will take on a whole new meaning.

4. Oil - we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that.

5. Natural Gas - Again we have all we need and it's too bad about those northern states. John Kerry will figure a way to keep them warm....

6. Computer Industry - we currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications: Small places like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Semiconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, Etc, Etc. The list goes on and on.

7. Health Centers - We have the largest research centers for Cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world and other large health planning centers.

8. We have enough colleges to keep us going: UT Texas, A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, University of Houston, Baylor, UNT, Texas Women's University, Ivy grows better in the south anyway

9. We have a ready supply of workers. (Just open the border when we need some)

10. We have control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance, etc.

11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. We don't have an army but since everybody down here has at least six rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an army in 24 hours if we need it. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over a couple Texas Rangers.

12. We are totally self sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables and lets not forget seafood from the gulf. And everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don't need any food.

This just names a few of the items that will keep the Republic Of Texas in good shape. There isn't a thing out there that we need and don't have.

Now to the rest of the United States under President Obama: Since you won't have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only Mr. Kerry will be able to drive around in his 9 mile per gallon SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.

You won't have any TV as the space center in Houston will cut off your communications. You won't have any natural gas to heat your homes but since Mr. Kerry has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas.

Signed, The People in Texas

Have a nice day!

This is a great commentary that I wanted to share:

Happy Cyber Monday! A couple of weeks ago, I was discussing geopolitics and economics with someone on Twitter and they argued that we needed yet another bailout in order to prevent a recession. At which point I cursed the poor state of our school systems and replied that not even the US Treasury would be able to prevent a recession, in fact all of this money printing and deficit building would likely only prolong the suffering. Recessions are as legitimate as expansions or booms and bad businesses with fiscally irresponsible and archaic business models need to go out of business to make way for those who have modern business models and financially sound business practices. It is a part of the business cycle.

Reading the news from the Thanksgiving weekend only confirms my belief that we need recessions.

We need a recession because we have lost our ever loving minds.

We need a recession because we have reached a point where people will trample a pregnant woman and stomp another human being to death trying to be first in line to get a flat screen TV that we could have ordered online at walmart.com.

We need a recession because people are having shootouts and brawls at Toys R Us.

We need a recession because people who are two paychecks away from being homeless are running around buying Christmas presents for fully grown people with full time jobs instead of building an emergency fund and acting as if they deserve a gold star for cutting back this year.

We need a recession because fools in Atlanta are throwing $18,000 birthday parties for 12 year -olds catered by Chic-Fil-A and treating charitable foundations like the latest fashion accessory.

We need a recession because the credit glut of the last 20 years has lead to a bunch of materialistic, ravenous, unaccountable consumers who covet things instead of people and the only way to stop that is the power of the business cycle.

90% of GDP is consumer spending. We’re not making anything. We’re just fueling our economy spending money we don’t have..

A recession will soon teach everybody that credit is not wealth. Home debtorship is not home ownership. Your child won’t die if they don’t have a Xbox PSP, Wii, or WXYZ. Yes, you CAN survive living on less than what you earn. In the end all of this junk will end up in a heaping trash pile in somebody’s landfill.

We need a recession to teach us some common sense. That thrift and saving are virtues and Black Friday ain’t really a holiday. Black Friday is a creation of retailers and the news media.

There is a certain wisdom that many of our grandparents have/had. We saw them growing up. Making wine out of water. The original recyclers. They we’re recycling food, clothes, and furniture because they cared about the planet, they did it because they had to. They knew what it was like to walk around in shoes with holes on the bottom. They didn’t place their faith in the daily temper tantrums of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. They kept a little food aside for a very stormy day and for all of our jokes about hiding money in mattresses, they were probably right the way banks are failing these days.

Our political class is run by a bunch of feckless leaders who seem to believe that you can cure a credit glut by offering more credit. Billions of dollars for the bankers who created this mess in the first place? Its like trying to cure a bout of salmonella by eating more contaminated eggs. The sad thing is that our children and grandchildren will be paying for those rotten eggs

My Christmas list has three names on it. I’ll spend less than $200 this year as I do every year because in my family we pull names and I don’t have the problem with telling people NO!

We need a recession to smack us out of the MTV Cribs- Flip That House- coma that has beset us all. It is all an illusion. None of it is real.

I am throughly disgusted by those Wal-mart shoppers who had the audacity to be upset when police closed the store because it became a CRIME SCENE after a human being was trampled to death behind some consumer electronics.

“When told to leave,” some Valley Stream Wal-Mart shoppers “complained they had been in line for up to 24 hours.” A police spokesman said: “This crowd was out of control….” and “described the scene as [one of] ‘utter chaos. SF Gate

We need a recession so next Friday after Thanksgiving these fools will be sitting around the breakfast table enjoying family and friends instead of stomping someone else’s loved one to death or getting miffed that the crime scene tape is standing in the way of their $350 notebook computer.

In fact, I propose that each of you approach your city council with a “Black Friday Ordinance” make every retailer that advertises a “Black Friday” sale have adequate off-duty police officers on site to control the expected crowd and then send the fire marshal around to every store to shut the whole thing down if necessary.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jdimypai Damour. I am so very sorry for what happened to him.

The Illustrious One has "friends"....my God does that man have friends. How can you know someone as long as I have and yet they still have "friends" coming out of the woodwork? He and I have debated this issue because I have a pecking order....there are "people I know" and then "acquaintances" and then "friends". Think of it like a tiered cake with smaller layers as you get to the top. I have lots of people I know but few people I call "friends".

It's just one of those things that makes us unique. I find it refreshing because Illustrious genuinely likes people. He can be amazingly sociable. I have tried to learn from his example and I don't think I'm as reserved as I used to be - but I could be wrong which may explain why I still have so many "acquaintances" and so few "friends"...

Speaking of acquaintances, a few years ago, I was asked to watch a film called Office Space. I remember that Jennifer Aniston was in it as some Bennigan's-like waitress with buttons o' crap all over her shirt and I believe they referred to it as "flair". On Facebook, they have this Flair application which are virtual buttons that you can pin on your bulletin board. Here are some of the choice pieces of Flair I'm selected for my bulletin board:

• What would Keith Richards do?
• Dear Santa, can I have the numbers of the boys on the naughty list?
• Still plays with motorcycles
• 1 day of coal, 364 days of fun - I think I'll take my chances
• I don't do drugs. I am drugs. - Salvador Dali
• I'm having another "It seemed like a good idea at the time" moment
• Come to the dark side....we have cookies!
• Whoever said anything was possible obviously never tried slamming a revolving door!
• God will make a way when there seems to be no way.
• As a math atheist, I should be excused from this (WOW - do I wish I had thought of this when I was in school!)
• Life isn't about how to survive the storms but how to dance in the rain.
• It's ok to say Merry Christmas!

...and in homage to that slogan that's all over our neighbor city to the south that proclaims, "Keep Austin weird", I throughly support the slogan: "Keep Dallas Pretentious!"

The Thanksgiving holiday is coming to a close.

On Turkey Day, I joined some neighbors for a bit of a pot luck. It was good company, very laid back and the Cowboys kicked impressive ass in just the first few moments of the game. Someone from the building - whom none of us knew - decided to go outside to wash his bicycle. And I must say, that never in my life have I ever seen anyone wash a bike in quite the fashion he did -- detail brushes, special soaps, etc.

One of the girls tried to get his attention to invite him in for a plate but he was either ignoring her or didn't hear her knocking on the window.

I abstained from participating in the mass hysteria known as Black Friday. Typically I love things black and Fridays but not when it involves masses of people and needlessly spending money.

I was very saddened to learn of that man in New Jersey who was trampled to death at the opening of a Wal-Mart. When I read on the New York Post's website that the employees could not get the shoppers to leave even when they announced one of the staff had been killed, that just sent up massive signs of something is tragically wrong in this society. To keep shopping when a person has been killed like that is just horrific and callous beyond reason....and all to save a few $$.

Today, I ventured out for a bit and was approached by a couple guys with camera gear. One of the guys was working on his photography portfolio for college. They were quite nice and I hope some of his shots turned out the way he wanted. I was all bundled up because it was very blustery today. Superstition looked good -- but then she always does. One of the guys asked me how long I'd had her and I realized that today was our 8th anniversary! She and I have had some fun times together and I look forward to having many more fun years with her.

For a black Harley, she's been in so many media shots -- when I was editor for Thunder Roads Texas, on a video shoot for Colin Raye, shooting for my dream project, etc.

Speaking of projects, there is a wonderful one pending and I look forward to working on it. I hope it will be able to allow me to pick up working on my personal pet project. My project has been at an absolute standstill for months and there's not a bloody thing I can do about it since I don't know how to edit.

I was recently involved with another person's pet project - he wrangled something like 150 people to assist on both cast and crew. All people helping him achieve his goal.

I have to have faith that when the time is right, I can pick up my project and start running with it again with the right people supporting the long term goals for it.....I'm anxiously looking forward to that day.

.

All I can say is Thank God for the British Press!

IF Barack Obama wins the election next week, America and the world will be taking a huge step into the unknown.

There will be great things about an Obama victory. Above all, America-haters around the world will be forced to see that the United States is an extraordinarily open society. A black leader in any European state is unimaginable.

But there are troubling aspects to Obama’s effortless cruise to Presidency.

First is that it is accompanied by an almost messianic belief in the man, at home and abroad.

After so much unrealistic hope must come a great fall. Disappointment, if not disillusion, is inevitable, particularly in today’s economic meltdown.

Second, most of the great American papers and major TV networks have abandoned objectivity in this election.

To put it unkindly, they have been in the bag for Obama for months.

The media are vicious about the Republican candidate John McCain and even more so about his running mate Sarah Palin. But Obama is above criticism. They have spent far less time than they should on examining his record. Obama is polished and attractive. But he also displays a remarkable arrogance.

In fact, he is the most untested and most inexperienced politician ever to get so close to the US presidency.

But the Press have skated over his thin CV in the Democratic Party political machine and also over the disagreeable nature of many of his friends, particularly the America-hating pastor of 20 years, Jeremiah Wright.

Wrong

Abroad, his positions have often been been plain wrong and dangerous.

Between 2004-2007, his constant demand for US troop withdrawal from Iraq would have led to catastrophic genocide. He opposed Bush’s 2007 surge of troops in Iraq and has only recently, grudgingly, admitted that the surge has been a great success.

Thanks to American blood and treasure, Iraq now has the nearest thing to democracy in the Arab world. It is imperfect and fragile and needs continued American support. Little in Obama’s statements suggests he understands this.

Equally dangerous is his promise to sit down without preconditions with Iran’s President Ahmadinejad, who declares Israel a “stinking corpse” and seeks to destroy it.

French officials, who tried to talk with Iran for years under President Chirac, snort derisively at such naive folly.

Despite all the evidence that America is essential to global stability let alone progress, the rhetoric from Obama and his supporters suggests that he wishes to pull America back from the world stage. This would lead to catastrophe.

Quite apart from existing threats, there is now the risk of economic chaos.

After the economic crash of the early 1930s, America was isolationist and no other country was able to stop the march of the European dictators with, as we know, terrible consequences.

Today there are similar dangers of economic meltdown and a rise in the number of failed states. That danger will increase if America withdraws.

It was a Democrat Secretary Of State, Madeleine Albright, who said that America is “the indispensable country”.

One can only hope that if he wins on November 4, President-elect Obama will quickly come to understand that.

When Leaders Get Messiah Complexes

Thursday, October 23, 2008

By Col. Oliver North

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday this week, I was an unwilling eyewitness to a dramatic political event and it made me wonder where we are headed as a nation. More on that in a moment. First, a little background.

There is no doubt that leadership matters. The study of human history provides evidence that empires — even entire civilizations — rise and fall on the ideas, virtues and skills of great leaders. From Mesopotamia to the European continent, those who chronicled the triumphs and failures of great leaders in the Western world measured success based on military prowess and territory conquered. Herodotus detailed how the Persian Empire, built by Darius, eventually succumbed to Alexander the Great in the 5th Century B.C. That vision of leadership began to change in what is now Israel.

Old Testament prophets described a Messiah — in Aramaic, měshīhā — a leader — a savior who would deliver the Jewish people from their travails. For more than two millennia, Christians have believed that the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth and that at the appointed time he will come again in triumph. Unfortunately, in the modern era there have many other leaders who perceived that they had messianic qualities that only they could provide.

Napoleon, in the aftermath of the bloody French Revolution, described himself as "essential" to the future of France – and was appointed dictator. The aftermath was a disaster for his countrymen and much of Europe.

Adolf Hitler was elected by the German people and then given absolute power because he claimed that only he could "preserve the Aryan race." The result was a global conflagration that resulted in the death of more than 25 million.

More recently — from Idi Amin in Uganda, to Pol Pot in Cambodia, Kim Jung Il in Korea and Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe — all have "led" their people to perdition after describing themselves as the only men capable of leading their populations through difficult times. Yet, all their people were ultimately worse off.

It is notable that until the 20th century, the American people managed to avoid selecting leaders who held messianic self-esteem. Neither George Washington nor Abraham Lincoln — arguably two of this nation's greatest leaders through the toughest crises in our history — described themselves in such terms. In fact, the record of what they said and wrote is replete with humility.

Not until Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided in 1940 that our country needed his "seasoned leadership," did any U.S. president even contemplate a third successive term in office. While FDR rose to become a great wartime leader, there is also little doubt that he amassed far more power in the office of chief executive than any of his predecessors. Roosevelt's authority was so great that his successor, Harry Truman, the modest man from Missouri, saw fit to endorse a constitutional amendment limiting presidents to two terms.

Given America's history of limiting executive power in government — if by no other means than term limits — it is interesting to note how much hope some people now vest in such office. And it's not just the presidency.

New York City, where FOX News Channel is headquartered, has a public law limiting the mayor to a tenure of two terms. Despite this ordinance, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, citing the current "economic crisis," insists that he should have a third stint in office. Though he was once a believer in term limits he now claims that, "Given the enormous challenges we face, I don't want to walk away from a city I feel I can help lead through these tough times."

That's messianic thinking. But apparently the Big Apple isn't the only place it's happening.

During Wednesday afternoon's rush hour, I was making my way home on the "Dulles Greenway" when a phalanx of police motorcycles and cruisers stopped all traffic and ordered us to pull our vehicles off the highway onto the shoulders. Over a loudspeaker we were told to stay put until the Obama campaign convoy passed, on the way to a rally in Leesburg, Virginia.

Instantly, hundreds of people were out of their cars. Directly in front of me a group of supporters — evident by their bumper-stickers — jumped out with cameras, cell-phones and banners. They began chanting: "The Messiah! He's coming! Obama is coming!" The shouting only intensified as the candidate and his entourage — motorcycles, police cars, black Secret Service Suburbans and busses — roared past us.

What I found so disturbing was seeing so many of my countrymen who apparently think — or believe — or hope — that the next president of the United States will save us from ourselves. Senator Obama has said we can not, "Wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for." He would do well to remember that unfulfilled expectations are the greatest cause of anger on the planet. That's true whether it is between a husband and wife, students and teacher, employers and employees, or leaders and the led. He might also recall that humility is a virtue that has distinguished our greatest leaders.

What all this means to the future of this republic, I don't know. I'm a military historian, not a prophet. But I do know the first name of the Messiah. It's not Mike. And it isn't Barack, either.

Joe Biden doesn't like anything but pro-Democrat fluff questions. Try to ask him a direct question on an issue that has concerned Americans and he laughs it off, blames the anchorwoman, whoever wrote the questions, etc.

Then the Dems respond by severing ties with the station because they were so rough on Biden.

Are these yahoos for real? They can't handle the simple questions from a TV station - so do they expect the big boys throughout the rest of the world to treat them with kid gloves also? No wonder certain other world leaders are so hot to get these wankers into office -- they know they can steamroll right over them.

A couple weeks ago I received a call from the Dallas County Republican Party asking if I would be a judge at my local precinct. My first thoughts were, "Me? Are you serious?" Seems the lady was quite serious because I was the only Republican they could find in my precinct and they legally have to have someone representing each party at the polls on election day. I asked, "I'm the ONLY Republican in Deep Ellum? There's tattoo parlors and biker bars within blocks of me; I know there are other Republicans around here!" Yes...but they aren't in the volunteer database for them to easily call upon. I said that I suppose I could be a judge and thought to myself that it might be something to add to the list of activities I've experienced in life.

So yesterday I received the paperwork from the county with the details on what I was to do, training class to take, how much I would get paid, etc.

I was at a shoot today and shared the info that I had been asked to be a judge in my local precinct for the upcoming election and those around me said, "You? Are you serious? Have they met you? Oh dear God!" I wasn't quite sure how to take those responses but it essentially boils down to the fact that I can be stubborn and opinionated and I like Uzi's so I'm going to support the party that isn't interested in jacking with the Second Amendment.

To be working in the entertainment industry, I'm quite surprised by the number of people that have already voted and voted for McCain/Palin - these people include straight, gay, men, women, white and black. Actually, one of the most outspoken critics I've ever heard go off on Obama is a black man that is disturbingly good with spouting off facts and statistics (he's also a biker).

This election might be quite interesting indeed.

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On another note that is anti-Obama, FoxNews has an amusing breakdown of gaffes that the liberal media has chosen to overlook:

As Mrs. Gump used to say, “stupid is as stupid does”. So let’s level the playing field and list some of the stupidest things said by Barack Obama that are underreported in the media.

Obama said he campaigned in 57 states. America only has 50 states.

Obama said Kentucky is closer to Arkansas than his home state of Illinois. Kentucky borders Illinois, but not Arkansas.

Obama asked the UN Security Council to condemn Russia. Russia has veto power over the UN Security Council.

Obama said we have too few interpreters in Afghanistan, because they are all in Iraq. In Iraq and Afghanistan the citizens speak different languages.

Obama said Kennedy talked to Khrushchev to get missiles out of Cuba. They talked in 1961. The missiles went there in 1962.

Obama said his uncle in the American military liberated Auschwitz. The Russians liberated Auschwitz.

Obama blamed Bush for the rise of Hugo Chavez. Chavez was elected 2 years before Bush.

Obama said the treatment for child asthma is: Give them a Breathalyzer.

Obama claimed 10,000 people died in a Kansas hurricane. The real number was 12.

Obama said our nation honors “fallen heroes, and I see many of them standing here today.” Fallen heroes are dead so he must have seen ghosts.

Obama referred to the town of “Sunrise” as “Sunshine” and Sioux Falls as “Sioux City.”

Get the picture?

This is an interesting and thought provoking posting an acquaintance of mine left on his blog.

last will and testament of Bean're

There has been alot of deaths lately in my life. It seems that every time I turn around I am going to another funeral. The latest was a friend of mine that I grew up with and knew for 35 years. I was at is house with his parents and 2 other brothers more then I was at mine. He developed cancer about a year ago and after aggressive treatment and surgery he was given months to live. I was able to get up and see him. We talked about old times and hung out with some other old friends. We also made some plans that we both knew would never happen because time was running out. Well just the other day, that end came. Because we had the time together and the fact the he was in alot of pain and his quality of life had deteriorated so much, I was almost relieved for him.

When I got to the funeral it was like a reunion for friends that I hadn't seen in 20 or more years. It was good to reminisce over the good times and even some of the bad times. for 2 days this went on then came the service and the burial. Well the service was very religious. My friend was a good person and a good provider for his family and friends but he was never much for organized religion. The Music they played was hideous funeral music that was so generic, the funeral home probably plays the same tape at every funeral. The preacher did a sermon in which he said that death is a payment for our sins. We all sin so we all die. I think we all die because we are all born. That's how life works.

I don't want that kind of going away so I thought I should list my last will and testament just in case life for me ends and I travel down a new highway that many of our friends and family are on now.

First of all I don't want an organized religious funeral. I want a priest and a Rabbi and a Hara Krishna sitting in the front row with a Monk, a Buddhist and a shaman. There will be no sermon but I want everyone to tell stories about my life. I want everyone to share the good and the bad. I think we could have a few laughs. I also want music playing during my viewing. Good music. Audioslave and Zeppelin. Jackyl and Grateful Dead. I want everyone to bring a CD with the song that reminds them of my life and give it to the DJ just like a stripper before her set. Yea I want a DJ too.

I want lots of pictures of me with friends. I have always been a photo whore so lets all bring pictures. This should help inspire some stories to tell also.

I want my bike there and everyone to take parts from it so everyone has a part to run on their bike and keep my memory in the wind. If you aren't at the funeral, you don't get a part. This should make for a good turnout since everyone will be there and fighting over my Baker 6 speed. I got some other cool parts too so enjoy.

I don't want people to dress up in black suits and dresses. I always wear my Hot pink tie at funerals now. That's not as disrespect for the passed but as disrespect for death itself. F*ck death! I am sure when I go I won't like death anymore. Everyone knows purple is my favorite color. Lets go with purple and pink as the color of the day. The funkier the better.

I want people to have a good time. I want to inspire people to go out and live. I have truly lived my life and This is a good day to make the commitment to "live" not just exist. Go out and do something you have always wanted to do in my honor. That would make me happy.

I am not through living yet but we never know what tomorrow brings so just in case something may happen to end my journey know that I will be waiting on the other side with our other friends and family.

It's time to make the change to have everything hosted in one place and on one account for a very affordable price!

Say What?!

I didn't even know this was genetically possible...

Elephants v. Jackasses

I freely admit to being a bit of a rebel - maybe it's the Texan in me. When it comes to politics, I think of myself as an Independent simply because the Republicans have a less than stellar environmental record and I am pro-choice. So, I am the type to vote for a Kinky Friedman or John McCain but no way, no how would I vote for a Barack Hussein Obama.

First off, I'm a Dallas girl and I can do pretentious snob as well as the next Neiman-Marcus girl so when I'm watching this yahoo with his cheshire cat grin and smug look, I'm thinking to myself, "Now how the hell is that going to win anyone over?" But, somehow, several million people believe his rhetoric that he's going to fly into the White House and start making, in the immortal words of David Bowie, Ch-ch-ch-changes.

Here's one fallacy about that - he can't do jack in the White House because Congress has to vote on things. See, BHO is ranting and raving about the war in Iraq and how many military personnel are over there. YET - there were FEWER military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan when then Republicans had control of the house and since the Democrats won control 2 years ago the military presence has INCREASED. Yet, they would blame it all on Bush.

One should also note that the economy was better with the Republicans in control - we started free falling once the Democrats got in there.

That broad Nancy Pelosi won her election and is now Speaker of the House based upon a platform of getting the troops out of Iraq. She promised change (Is it even possible for any Democrat to campaign on any other issue but the empty, shallow promises of "change"?). Pelosi vowed to her constituents that she would make change happen. She did just the opposite of her promises. But, of course, somehow, someway it must be Bush's fault that she did a bait & switch on her voters.

Now the Democrats are pontificating about hockey mom Sarah Palin that McCain chose as his VP. Joe Biden is up a creek because he can't help but put his foot in his mouth in a public setting so God help him when he has to debate Sarah Palin.

BHO is huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf about her lack of experience. Let's see - BHO was elected a Senator 2 years ago and has spent 2 years campaigning for President and giving his Illinois constituents precious little value for their votes. Oh, he does make his token appearances on occasion to yelp out "Present" but he rarely votes Yes or No to anything. God forbid the American public might find out what his real opinions might be.

And now BHO and his 300 advisers are ranting about Sarah's lack of experience. Let's see, Sarah has been a Mayor and is the current Governor of the largest U.S. state that also produces 20% of the energy American's use. Granted, she did start her political career in the PTA 16 years ago at a time when BHO was pondering what community action project he could get into but the girl does have several years on BHO in terms of experience - not bad considering she's younger than he is.

Sarah visited the Alaskan military troops overseas before she was ever a bleep on the VP radar screen. BHO does a Globus Gateway tour of the mideast and yelps to a crowd of Germans in Berlin like he was thinking that the citizens of Germany could vote in a US election.

Where does BHO stand on the 2nd Amendment? Who the hell knows. Sarah, on the other hand, knows her way around a firearm.

Where does BHO stand on the the Pro-Choice debate? Who the hell knows. Sarah, has made her feelings clear on this issue and even opted to bring her youngest child to term even though she was informed the baby would have Down's Syndrome.

BHO's approval rating? Hovers around 45%. Sarah's hovers around 87%.

BHO's experience in an executive capacity? Squat. Sarah has several years experience.

I, for one, am delighted that McCain opted to shake things up by pulling in Sarah. She's a rebel, she's an independent thinker, she can work well with both sides of the aisle and she doesn't put up with any BS.

And that is EXACTLY the type of person that should be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

And This Is Who The Democrats Want On Their Election Ticket?!

Obama Misspeaks, Calls Biden 'The Next President'; Biden Calls Obama 'Barack America'

August 23, 2008 4:52 PM

ABC News' Sara Just reports: Journalists who were awake until the wee hours waiting for confirmation that Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., was indeed Barack Obama's running mate, cannot be blamed if their hearing is a little fuzzy today.

But after today's Obama-Biden speeches to a massive crowd in Springfield, Ill., many reporters are rolling back the tape and asking each other, "Did he really say that?"

When introducing his running mate, Obama said, "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president of the US of America, Joe Biden."

And then when it was Biden's turn to speak, the Delaware senator called the presumptive Democratic nominee "Barack America" instead of Barack Obama.

"My friends, I don't have to tell you, this election year the choice is clear. One man stands ready to deliver change we desperately need. A man I’m proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack America,” Biden said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller.

However the official Obama campaign transcript of Biden's remarks sent to reporters omitted part of the misspeak, reading: "A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack Amer – You know, you learn a lot of things being up close with a guy."

Then, later in his speech, Biden jokingly referred to his wife's PhD as a "problem." Biden was clearly having a playful moment with his wife, who he also referred to as "drop dead gorgeous."

"Ladies and gentlemen, my wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, is drop dead gorgeous. My wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, she also has her doctorate degree, which is a problem," Biden said, "But all kidding aside, my Jill, my Jill, my wife Jill and I are honored to join Barack and Michelle on this journey, because that's what it is. it's a journey."

The Republican war machine jumped on the first misstatement, with the McCain campaign releasing the following statement within minutes of the Springfield event's close: “Barack Obama sounded as though he turned over the top spot on the ticket today to his new mentor, when he introduced Joe Biden as the next president. The reality is that nothing has changed since Joe Biden first made his assessment that Barack Obama is not ready to lead. He wasn’t ready then and he isn’t ready now,” McCain spokesman Ben Porrit said.

Food Supply Under Threat

Starting today, your fresh vegetables may now be irradiated without your knowledge. The FDA has unleashed a new rule allowing food companies to secretly irradiate lettuce and spinach, and there is NO requirement that these foods be labeled with a warning label! The FDA is also looking to expand this to other vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and onions. Soon, ALL vegetables may be irradiated.

Why does this matter? Because irradiation destroys phytonutrients, including anti-cancer nutrients that are protecting your health right now. With this rule, the FDA is literally killing the food supply!

This is a crucial issue for the survival of America. No nation can survive the destruction of its food supply. The FDA is determined to do what all the terrorists in the world could not: Use weapons of mass destruction against the food.

The media is focusing on the angle of "this protects us from e. coli", they are NOT focusing on the issue of this is destroying our food supplies.

Contact the FDA today to let them know your feedback on this vital issue to the health of us all: http://www.fda.gov/comments.html.

Also, wherever you see a report on this issue whether it's a mainstream site like CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc., leave comments in relation to this story. Also email the reporters of your local broadcast and print media that are covering this story.

Praises Jesus…and Mick! Rolling Stones classic wakes grandfather from coma.

Rolling Stones classic wakes grandfather from coma

Sam Carter lost consciousness after contracting severe anaemia but was brought back to life when "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was blared into his ears.

The anthem was the first single the retired baker from Stoke in Staffordshire ever bought, released in 1965 when he was just 17.

Despite only being given a 30 per cent chance of survival, he woke from his coma after his wife Eva, 65, took the doctor's advice and played him his favourite tunes through a set of earphones.

After three days of listening to the local Stoke station Signal 2, his eyes opened as soon as he heard the sound of Mick Jagger's vocals and Keith Richards' guitar riff.

Sam said: "I can't remember much from being in a coma, but I do remember that when that song came on it took me right back to when I was a youngster.

"I could remember how excited I was to get it down at the record shop.

"I suddenly had a burst of energy and knew I had a lot more life left in me and that's when I woke up - to the sound of the first song I ever bought."

Same, who has three children and six grandchildren, added: "I would love to thank Mick and the rest of the Stones personally - I feel they really did help wake me from my coma."

Wife Eva said she had switched on the radio at Stoke's City General Hospital in a last-ditch attempt to bring him back a fortnight ago, after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of progress.

She said: "I didn't really think it would work.

"I couldn't believe it when he started opening his eyes and looked at me. It was like we had been given another chance."

Let's Save Ross Avenue

Kudos to the group that has put together the initiative to save Ross Avenue.

A group of Hispanic activists demanded that Industrial Boulevard be renamed for Cesar Chavez - an activist that did good for California farm laborers; however, Chavez was NOT from Dallas let alone Texas.

The Dallas City Council opted to not rename Industrial for Chavez so now the activists are demanding that Ross Avenue be renamed. You know Ross Avenue? That major street between Live Oak, crosses Greenville Avenue, DISD headquarters, major high rises, the entire Arts District down to the West End. Yeah, that little no name street is the one that the activists fancy that the time has come to rename. To hell with Dallas history. To hell with the Ross Brothers who the street was named after. Let’s name it after some guy that isn’t even from here.

For far too long, those of that are natives of this city have stood by while newcomers, politicians, activists, etc., have tried to rewrite our history. Well, we’ve had enough.

Let’s support the group that is working to ensure that Ross Avenue will remain Ross Avenue for a very long time.

• Save Ross Avenue Website
  
• Sign the Save Ross Avenue Petition

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Individuality

I think it's interesting that so many people are moving towards using their debit cards for everything; however, sometimes it's kewl to have personal checks that represent who you are, your goals, beliefs and/or hobbies.

I like the concept of writing a New Moon Check within 24 hours of the new moon. This concept helps you to visualize financial abundance coming into your life. Do a Google search on writing a new moon check and you'll see what I'm talking about.

To that regard, having customized checks allows you to put even more visual emphasis on what you are trying to draw more of into your life whether that is cash, adventures like a photo safari or taking up a new sport like motorcycling.

A website called Carousel Checks will also give you the option of uploading your favorite photo - perhaps you and a loved one, your pet or just an amazing landscape setting so you have your own photo checks.

Carousel offers inexpensive options for getting started and when you have to crack open the check book to pay bills, it will make it a bit more interesting by allowing you to focus on something that brings you pleasure.

First Time For Everything....

For the first time, a major policital candidate is catering to the biker crowd. You know the bikers? Ride those big ass obnoxious 2 wheeled contraptions, wear too much black, drink too much, tatted up and hard core blue collar?

Oh, wait, what am I saying? Those were the demographics for bikers in 1983. Today, bikers represent the opposite end of the spectrum + we have so many more joining our ranks as the fuel costs keep jacking us around.

So kudos to McCain for recognizing what a powerful segment of the population we bikers represent. And if you want to get involved with the Bikers for McCain movement, click here.


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Paris Hilton for President

Compared to what I've seen by either camp so far, after seeing this video clip, I wholeheartedly support Paris Hilton and her inadvertent entry as an Independent in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election!

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Animals - Wild and Domestic

In just the past couple days, I have seen 3 stories that defy logic to me:

A woman bitch slaps her boyfriends child and the pet pit bull bites the woman. I've never owned a pit bull but I am experienced with Dobermans and I can state that if they feel a loved one is being hurt, they are going to after the attacker. It's part of their nature. And don't go off on how pit bulls and Dobies are dangerous because a recent British study showed that smaller yappy dogs are far more aggressive than larger dogs - people just don't report the ankle biters like they do the larger dogs and therefore the stats about larger breeds being more aggressive are very skewed. Larger dogs, are in fact, calmer and more docile than small dogs.


A bear foraging for food got it's head stuck in a plastic jar - police shoot and kill bear. What the f*** is this about? You've got a bear that hasn't been able to eat or drink for at least 5 days just trying to get the damn plastic jug off it's head and the police shoot and kill it because it's a threat to humans? They couldn't find a tranquilizer dart? This was horrifically unnecessary.



Saudi Arabia and the Koran thumping buffoons known as the religious police have banned the sale and ownership of dogs and cats. They fancy that pet ownership is one of those nasty "Western traits" that they are too good for. Forget the fact that it's well documented that people are emotionally healthier by owning a pet, they are concerned that humans might be lured into vice like activities because they met one another while Fido was on a stroll. .

Today is Day 5 of my water fast.

Sleep was good last night but I think I was clenching my teeth because my gums felt odd this morning.
Breath isn't as rank as it was 2 days ago. Powerful thirst when I awoke.

I'm down 11 pounds.

Ride to Work Day

Remember all you biker and scooter people, tomorrow, Wednesday, 16 July 2008 is the 17th annual Ride to Work Day.

I know most of you that have 2-wheelers are already making use of them daily; however, for those of you that haven’t made the transition, tomorrow is a good day to show you are one of us!

Ride your motorcycle or scooter on tomorrow to demonstrate:

* The number of motorcyclists to the general public and to politicians.
* That motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life.
* That motorcyclists can reduce traffic and parking congestion in large cities.
* That motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation.
* That motorcycling is a social good.

Motorcycle and scooter sales are skyrocketing due to the high gasoline prices. Training classes are filled for weeks out.

The next hurdle will be parking for our bikes and if you have not done so, please sign the petition requesting the City of Dallas implement designated motorcycle and scooter parking!

The City’s assistant director of transportation is already reviewing the request and we will keep you updated as things progress — but your name on that petition is needed so they know we mean business!

See you tomorrow out on the roads!

The New Yorker Cover of Barak & Michelle Obama

Take a good look at the most recent edition of The New Yorker magazine. It seems that the golden child rag of Conde Nast Publishing thought this cover was just too droll as it played up all the stereotypical ravings that are being blasted around the Internet about BO.

They fancy that everybody will understand this tongue in cheek illustration.

It goes to show just how far New York City is from the South. Don't those Yankees know that there are some good ol' boys down in Alabama with their guns and hunting dogs who are going to use this image for target practice?

Don't they know there are Bible thumping church ladies in the Midwest that are in total shock & awe.

How could this be happening to America?! A femi-nazi-camo-wearing-assault-rifle-fro-haired woman bumping fists with a turban-and-sandal-wearing man as the American flag burns with Osama looking down from the portrait?

And the people at New Yorker think that this image won't be used to the fullest by the firestorm that's already brewing on the web?

I always thought the New Yorker was liberal. What redneck took over the job as editor there recently?

BO's camp said it is not amused by this image -- of course not. It's a PR nightmare!

McCain's camp said it is not amused by this image -- of course they did. Even though it is a PR windfall for them!

Meanwhile, Hillary with her hundreds of delegates that she's still technically holding on to is keeping quiet in the shadows.

It's not August in Denver yet and BO does not have that nomination tied up.

Could this be the image that turns the tide?



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Yet More Reasons For Texas To Go Independent

When BO isn't running from Jesse Jackson wanting to cut his nuts off and "forgetting" to ask his supporters to help bail Hillary out, he's continuously shocked and awed by what he sees in America.

Lovely.

We've got a guy running for president that is amazed by what he's seeing in America.

He's surprised that Montana is so big.

He was shocked that gumbo in N'awlins tastes better than it does in Chicago. WTF?!

He's proclaimed that he was surprised he really liked Texas - by saying that he's going to endear himself to Texas voters? Obviously the campaign bus didn't stop by the Koffee Kup Kafe in Hico.

He has trouble in public remembering if he's in Sioux City or Sioux Falls. Only rock stars on tour can get away with that BS - not some character who thinks he has the balls it takes to run the country....yeah, the very balls that Jesse Jackson wants to whack off!

It's just comedy. It's absurd. THIS is what our country has come to with this election?

TEXAS PLEASE SECEDE! We were our own country once and this is a really good time for us to be our own country again. Think about the possibilities of Texas being it's own country:

• We own the half of NASA that controls everything.
• Need launch pads? We have a really long coast line and tons of open space in the west.
• Think of how many corporations are either based in Texas or have their US headquarters here (ExxonMobil, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines (might need to change that name), Continental Airlines, EDS, Texas Instruments, JC Penney, Blockbuster, AT&T, Kimberly-Clark, BurlingtonNorthernSantaFe, etc...
  
• If Texas were an independent nation, it would rank 5th in the world in petroleum production and 5th in cotton production, with a gross national product greater than Australia or Brazil.
• Texas contains over one third of the nation's dwindling oil reserves.
• We have the 2nd larges port.
  

It's time for us to get away from the political insanity that is enveloping the US.


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Support Our Military Veterans?

An Army medic that was made famous from a photo snapped of him, in full combat gear, running with an Iraqi boy that was injured, has died from an overdose.

When is this country going to stop financially supporting illegal aliens and start putting resources towards our current and former military personnel to help them with any type of medical needs?

This is an absolute disgrace.


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Corvettes: What Are The Owners Like

I read an interesting article about the personality types that are driven to have certain cars. Until I get another Corvette - granted I want it in a kewl color - I have no interest in any other type of car.

So, this guy "Kenny" has made a study of car owners and here's what he has to say -- which is rather scary how much I identify with it.

Kenny said that drivers of sports cars such as the Corvette are seeking power and control, but mostly control.

"You will find that Corvette owners are more sensitive and refined than you would think. They're not into hoarding it over other people the way that the Hummer owners are," said Kenny.

The other emotional need that can be fulfilled is a desire for immortality."

They get real upset if the paint job gets scratched. That's very upsetting to a Corvette owner. They want these things to last forever, and they want to last forever," said Kenny. "They're never going to sell it. In fact, a lot of Corvette owners, when they buy a new Corvette, they keep the other one."

It took me almost 18 months to decide to sell my Vette and I cried for like 2 days even though I knew I was doing the right thing. It's true that we get upset over stuff that wouldn't phase others.

One time when I was backing my Vette up into a garage at a house I lived it, I was doped up on cold medications and I saw my Harley kind of moving. Turns out I had gotten the car too close to the bike's highway pegs on the engine guard and there was a little scratch on her door.

I literally ran into the house to get sick because I couldn't believe I had done that to my car. The bike, thankfully, was unharmed.

As for the power and control...oh hell yes. There is nothing like being enveloped in those seats, down low, wide wheel base and knowing that baby will do anything you ask of her.

I don't know how people can have a car just as a means of transportation. For me, it's definitely a part of my personality.

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Squandering One's Life

It's not that life is short...it's that you're dead for so long.

I've honestly never understood what people thought they were going to get out of life by doing what was expected of them by other people.

The number one screw up is marriage. For some people the concept will work but for at least half the population, it won't. People are "expected" to get married, "expected" to pop out kids, "expected" to take on a mortgage...and then the posh car, the right restaurants, clothing, "friends", etc.

I was talking a while back to an acquaintance who is a life and career coach. She was describing how most of the people that come to her are 35+ and trying to figure out what they are going to do when they grow up. They've gotten married, got their career, kids, blah blah blah......and at that point I said, "...and they wake up one day, look around, and say Is this all there is?" She said, "Exactly!"

Don't get me wrong...I'm all for integrity and trying to do the right thing. But at some point you have to have the balls to say "I'm not sacrificing my happiness for yours." Everyone around you freaks out when you begin to change to embrace who you really are. Your surrounding people will go out of their way - without even realizing it - to sabotage you. Even though they don't realize it, there's no reason to make excuses for their behavior.

I have a friend from London that is a biker boy. I'll call him "British" - he's about to have his 45th birthday on Wednesday. But he isn't turning 45. Instead he's going to be celebrating his 30th anniversary .....of drinking Guiness! British is a former hairdresser, London policeman, motorcycle salesman, etc. He gets around but he's open to what life has in store. His motto is: "If it doesn't make ME happy, fuck it. As long as I'm happy, that's all I care about."

For me, I listen to how people speak....when I hear someone say, "I have a responsibility" the R word sounds amazingly like "Drudgery" when it comes out of their mouth every single time.

A person can be responsible and not piss their life away...there IS a happy middle ground.

When someone asks me, "Don't you want to get married?" Not particularly. I see how wives are treated and I would like to believe that I think better of myself than to allow a situation like that to happen. I'd much rather live in sin, get the necessary documents drawn up to give them the legal power they need in case of an emergency and know that I can walk if things aren't so good. I've always thought it showed so much more fortitude to live together than to get married. When you live together, you're there because you want to be there...not because you have to be there.

George Clooney shares many of these sentiments. He's always being badgered about when is he going to marry. He recently shared the following: An uncle, also named George, deserves some credit when it comes to the actor’s “no regrets” philosophy.

“I learned a lot about death from him,” George said. “People keep on asking me, ‘Don’t you want to have kids?’ I have not wanted to have kids. Then they say, ‘Aren’t you afraid of dying alone?’ But we all die alone. I remember Uncle George sitting in bed, 68 years old. He looked at me and said, ‘What a waste.’ … I came to the conclusion that I was not going to wake up one day in my 60s and say, ‘What a waste.’ I was going to grab as much out of this life as I could.”

So in closing, in the immortal words of Wesley Gibson in the film Wanted...

What the fuck have you done lately?




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