The Author's Quiet Birthday

Ray Bradbury turned 89 last week. His iconic work, Fahrenheit 451 - first published in it's entirety in 1953, turned 56 this year.

"So what?" you're probably thinking, and you wouldn't be wrong in thinking that this post seems somewhat random. Unless, of course, you knew that I just finished reading this book, for the first time actually. It was never part of the required reading as I was moving through school (and, even if it had been, there is a good probability that I would have only skimmed). I am surprised that I had not read the book, but glad that I waited until now because I do not think that I would have understood it or seen its poignancy had I read it previously. How did Bradbury do it? How did he foresee an era where electronic media would foreshadow the written word in ink (yes, I understand the irony of writing this electronically)? How did he foresee a time when snippets of information, for example knowing Napoleon's Birthday, would become more valuable than actually knowing who Napoleon was?

For those who haven't read the book it follows Guy Montag, a fireman in a futuristic society. However, he is not the kind of fireman that we think of today. Instead Guy, and all of the others in his profession, move around the city starting fires. Specifically, they burn books.

The reason for this is explained by the Fire-Chief on pages 58-60 of the book:
"We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for then there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against. So! A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man's mind"..."Colored people don't like Little Black Sambo. Burn it. White people don't feel good about Uncle Tom's Cabin. Burn it. Someone's written a book on tobacco and cancer of the lungs? The cigarette people are weeping? Burn the book. Serenity, Montag. Peace, Montag. Take your fight outside. Better yet into the incinerator."

At its core the book is about censorship, and the author's absolute love of books. A secondary theme is the encroachment of technology, and it's overshadowing of literature and the written word. Finally, the book also discusses the concept of the police state and the inability of it's people to think for themselves. Ironically, the book was itself censored in the mid-1960s. The publishing company removed all of the "damns" and "hells" in order to make the book more appropriate for the classroom. Another ironic outcome of the book comes from more recently. Various people have been trying to bring Fahrenheit 451 back to the screen for 15 years. The process began in 1994 when Mel Gibson signed on to play the role of Guy Montag. Eventually, after a few scripts were worked up and turned down, Gibson moved into the role of producer. Eventually, Tom Hanks signed on to play Montag, but he has also moved on. The irony is outlined in a 2001 article from Variety magazine which says: "Gibson said he couldn't find a "451" script that worked. Adding to his reluctance: the realization that, in the age of computers, the crucial plot element -- burning books in a futuristic society to permanently erase their existence -- might no longer play." Source. How ironic - a book about book burning...about technology overtaking page and ink...a book warning of the perils of conformity and a lack of free-thinking individuals has been deemed obsolete because of the technology that seems to have overtaken our lives.

Ray Bradbury turned 89 last week...did anyone notice?

Oh, since I'm sure you're wondering, Napoleon's Birthday is August 15, 1769.

This post is rated SPF 451, I hope for obvious reasons.

Sportscenter and Brett Favre

Well I hate to put two posts up in one day but I just saw this Sportscenter commercial on ESPN today and couldn't resist.

A Few Words on Term Limits

According to Politico, with the passing of Sen. Kennedy, the state of Massachusetts will have its first opening in the Senate since John Kerry was elected in 1984. Which means that throughout the course of my life I have literally never seen anyone but Kennedy and Kerry representing the state of Massachusetts in the US Senate.

The question is whether or not this is a good or a bad thing for our country. Do the people have a right as President Reagan always said to "vote for someone as often as they want to do."

Or should we be placing into law restrictions on the number of terms someone can serve to fulfill the wishes of Thomas Jefferson and are term limits our nations modern way of ensuring that "the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time."

Term limits began in 1951 with the passage of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting the number of terms a President can serve to two. Since then 21 states, beginning with California, Colorado and Oklahoma in 1990, have enacted term limits legislation on their State Legislative bodies and executive branches of government. And further down in elected bodies, across this country we have term limits on city Council seats, school board seats, public service commissions and just about every elected body of government out there.

Now as a disclaimer, as someone who makes a living based on the frequency, not the infrequency of elections, it is better for the political consultants out there to hold elections as often as legally possible. And the best way to have contested open primaries and open general elections is of course through term limits. A great example of this is the State of Louisiana. In 2007 their term limit legislation went into effect and of the 105 seats in the state house 67 of these seats were open in 2007. And across the state you had 5 or 10 candidates vying for a seat they would never have had an opportunity to hold before term limits (based on skill, qualifications or resources). And now every 12 years in Louisiana far more than half the state house and state senate will be up for election in what will be open seats with good and bad politicians forced into retirement.

In my experience term limits are a double-edged sword. The power of incumbency can protect seemingly horrendous politicians from the hands of electoral defeat where no term limits exists, but on the other side great statesmen and thoughtful political stalwarts get replaced by inexperience and opportunistic pols with little idea of what they are getting into when term limits force the good guy out of office early.

For all its worth Massachusetts have had the opportunity to replace both Ted Kennedy and John Kerry in my lifetime. Once in 1994 when Ted Kennedy ran in a heated general election against future Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Truth be told since 1962 I would put money on the fact that Ted Kennedy has most likely represented the State of Massachusetts exactly how they wanted to be represented. And if a representative is not doing to right thing the people generally do a good job of voting them out of office.

Another Louisiana example: It may have taken an election or two longer than it would have elsewhere, but in the end "Dollar" Bill Jefferson (D-New Orleans) was voted out of office by his constituents after being indicted on 16 counts of federal crimes. And to some it may be laughable he held the seat in the first place, but he had one of the most powerful political machines that power, money and corruption could buy and in a city more than 70% African-American and more than 80% democrat a Vietnamese Republican named Joe Cao beat him in 2008.

So for me I take Ronald Reagan's side in this debate. Let the people decide. Vote for someone as much as you want. Term limits should not be preventing genuinely great politicians from representing us based on some random number, thats the decision given to the voting electorate by our Constitution.

R.I.P. Sen. Kennedy

It has been reported late Tuesday night that Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has passed away after having battled brain cancer and ill health for some time now. He was 77 years old and the third longest serving member in the history of the United States Senate.

One of only two brothers in the Kennedy household to live long enough to see old age Ted Kennedy led, in my opinion, one of the most storied political careers of all time.

I had the privilege of meeting Ted Kennedy at a leadership conference in 2005. And hearing him speak and watching the way he interacted with members of the audience was astonishing. In spite of his sometimes radical and left leaning policies and agendas Ted Kennedy was truly one of the very few members of congress over the last hundred years who was not a politician, but a statesmen.

While I rarely agreed with his policies, and he rarely agreed with the policies of the Republican party he was always listening to the other side of the argument looking for any gem of wisdom that could help our country. And he became one of the few members of congress who was genuinely bipartisan and would cross party lines to do the right thing.

For all of his faults and what seemed to be the Kennedy curse, The Senate has lost it's 'Lion of the Senate' and the country has lost a political giant this evening.

It aint Over 'til it's Over

As the great and profound Yogi Berra once said of his 1973 Mets division run against the Cubs, on Monday night the Colorado Rockies truly proved that 'It aint over 'til its over'

Game 4 in a 4 game series against the San Francisco Giants, had an early 6:40 PM start. Holding a 3 game lead against San Francisco in the National League Wildcard race, and being only 3.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies desperately needed a win to close out the series with 3 wins and send the Giants packing.

I have been waiting all season for an opportunity to go down to Denver and watch Jason Marquis pitch, so despite the rain, overcast sky and chilly August temperatures, my Dad, brother and I all went down and sat in the left field bleachers to watch the game.

The game started out rough with Marquis giving up a hit and a run to the Giants in the first inning. Going into the 5th still down 1-0, the Giants started to get sloppy, off a fielding error and a couple walks the Rockies finally got on the board to tie the game at 1-1. And thats where the score would stay for another 8 innings.

Pitch after pitch the Rockies or Giants just couldn't get the go-ahead run across the plate. In both the 8th, 9th and 10th innings the Rockies had runners in scoring position with 1 out. And each time they did what they seem to do best and hit into a double play or struck out.

Jason Marquis had been great through 8 innings. Giving up only 6 hits and 1 run, he had thrown 121 pitches, far above the red line for a pitcher these days, but having gone a fill 8 innings he would not get his 15th win for the season.

So Manager Jim Tracy had to go to the bullpen in the 9th. He pulled out Rafael Betancourt, Frankling Morales, Huston Street, Matt daley, Jason Beimel, and at the beginning of the 13th inning, in came Adam Eaton to relieve Beimel. With few or no remaining pitchers in the bullpen we all knew Eaton would be in for the win or loss.

As each extra inning went by and midnight approached the crowd of 27,000 dwindled to 15,000, then 10,000 and by the time the 14th inning had begun a crowd of about 5,000 people sat across the ballpark as we waited to see if Adam Eaton could continue his outstanding 13th inning performance. Eaton began strong, striking out batter 1. But the night was late and his pitch count was climbing. After all he is a bullpen pitcher he shouldn't be throwing 40 pitches. After that strike out he gave up a triple. It was still ok though, it was a tie ballgame, then Eaton walked the second batter. With runners on the corners and one out, we all began yelling for Eaton to get the next out. Unfortunately his curveball didn't curve enough and he gave up another triple scoring two runs in the top of the 14th for the Giants.

With a runner on third, down 3-1 hoping to force a double play, Jim Tracy calls for Eaton to intentionally walk the next batter for the Giants. The pitch came and the hit went straight to Barmes at second base. The base runner seemingly ran out of the base path (which is illegal) to dodge a tag from Barmes as the runner on third ran home giving the Giants a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the 14th inning.

With the crowd still booing and hissing at the bad call half an inning earlier Dexter Fowler stepped to the plate and on a 3-2 pitch fouled the ball of of his foot. But knowing the only player left on the bench was needed as a pinch hitter for the injured Gonzales later in the inning Fowler stood up and continued to bat. As he limped toward 1st base after being walked, the team stood on their feet in the dugout to join the already standing crowd. With one runner on Clint Barmes flied out to center field and the crowd began to lose hope. And down by 3 runs with one out the back-up catcher, Chris Iannetta stepped up to pinch hit for Carlos Gonzales, who should have been sitting on the bench due to a steak knife injury two nights earlier. (He was doing the dishes, tried to catch the steak knife as he dropped it out of the sink, sliced open his throwing hand). Iannetta and his .221 batting average drove a single into right field that put Gonzales to second.

Next up was the star of the team. Troy Tulowitzki. Representing the tying run, if there was anyone on the team to have at the plate in that moment it was Tulo. But the Giants had other plans, so Tulo walked. Next up was our pitcher Adam Eaton. Since becoming a Rockies player he hasn't held a bat in a game. And here he was with one out, the bases loaded down three runs in the 14th inning. And the bullpen for San Francisco walked him to drive in a run. It was now 4-2, bases still loaded, one out on the board.

The Giants manager made his walk to the mound and made the call to bring in a new pitcher. The crowd of 5,000 at Coors Field began cheering louder than a sell-out crowd. Ryan Spilborghs stepped to the plate. Sporting a .250 batting average and only 6 home runs on the season, Spilborghs is not necessarily the guy you would pick in this situation, but someone needed to be the hero and make this a game for the books.

As the first strike went by, Spilly wanted to get a feel for the new pitcher. He remembered grounding into a double play with runners in scoring position in the 10th inning, and he knew he was lucky to be getting a chance a redemption. So he tapped his bat to the plate, looked at pitcher Justin Miller as the ball was thrown toward him.

And on the second pitch of the night from Miller, down by 2 runs at the four hour, fifty-seven minute mark in the 14th inning of play, Ryan Spilborghs hit the baseball over the head of the center fielder and deep into the Rockies bullpen for a walk-off Grand Slam and a 6-4 Rockies win.

Now other than this being above and beyond the most exciting come from behind win I have ever seen, I had the chance to actually be there and watch that ball go over the fence in deep center field. This game gave the Rockies a 4 game lead over the Giants in the Wildcard race and gained half a game on the Dodgers in the divisional race.

If the Rockies end up winning the NL West Division Title this year, which I believe they will do, when people ask when it was that the team decided they were going to beat the Dodgers this year, I think you can go back to 11:37 PM on a cold Monday night in August when Ryan Spilborghs hit a Walk-Off Grand Slam to win 6-4 in the bottom of the 14th inning against the Giants.

For those that want to see a great clip of this exhilarating grand slam from Spilborghs here is a great clip of it from ESPN.

The Un-Assist

It's only been officially recorded 15 times in MLB history; which is saying something because, depending on who you ask, Major League Baseball has been around either - since the Cincinatti Red Stockings were established in 1869 or since 1903 when the National Agreement was signed. Either way you figure it that's over 100 years and a lot of games to consider...So, what is this amazing feat that has only happened a few times? The unassisted triple-play.

And in case you missed it, the most recent unassisted triple play happened on August 23, 2009.



Now, upon doing some research, one will find that this has actually happened one time in each of the past three seasons, so maybe it's not THAT special. However, what makes Eric Bruntlett's unassisted triple-play that much more exciting is the fact that it was a game-ender...and it's only the second time in MLB history that that has happened.

This post is rated SPF 95 because the Mets just got burned (what else is new).

Now That's Dedication

I don't know much about this clip - all I know is it's incredible and you should watch it.



Link via Neatorama.

This video is rated SPF 85 for brilliance and contorsionism.

Would you survive a zombie attack?

I don't want to speak for all men out there, but generally speaking I think it is safe to assume that if you are a male between the age of 15 and 35, not only have you pondered if you would survive a zombie attack but thought out detailed plans of how you would go about surviving said attack.

Well for those out there that have always guessed as to whether or not you would survive a zombie attack, Philip Munz, Ioan Hudea, Jow Imad, and Robert J. Smith, mathematicians at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa have taken the guesswork out of this question and spent the time determining the statistical probability you or I would survive such an attack. 

In this scientific article published in the book Infectious Disease Modelling Research Progress these mathematicians, with a keen zombie survival instinct, pose this abstract and conclusion:

"Zombies are a popular figure in pop culture/entertainment and they are usually portrayed as being brought about through an outbreak or epidemic. Consequently, we model a zombie attack, using biological assumptions based on popular zombie movies. We introduce a basic model for zombie infection, determine equilibria and their stability, and illustrate the outcome with numerical solutions. We then refine the model to introduce a latent period of zombification, whereby humans are infected, but not infectious, before becoming undead. We then modify the model to include the effects of possible quarantine or a cure. Finally, we examine the impact of regular, impulsive reductions in the number of zombies and derive conditions under which eradication can occur. We show that only quick, aggressive attacks can stave off the doomsday scenario: the collapse of society as zombies overtake us all."

 

Now before you start wondering why a seemingly top rate Canadian University is spending student and taxpayer dollars to study the outbreak probabilities of a Zombie invasion, I just want to clarify that I think these fine gentlemen have done the heavy lifting and forward thinking that we will all need someday to survive an inevitable zombie attack. We have the mathematical proof that complete eradication is the only option.  So grab your baseball bats and lets go zombie hunting. 

I rate this post SPF 75 because we must have all the facts to be prepared. 

Ham Fighters Contract Swine Flu

At least nine players from Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters Baseball Team have begun complaining of high-fever and three of those players have been confirmed to have the H1N1 virus. The entire team, including coaches, has been put into quarantine at a Sapporo Hospital, but no games have been postponed or canceled as yet.

FULL STORY:

TOKYO (Reuters) - The entire squad of Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters baseball team is being quarantined and tested for H1N1 influenza after three players contracted the virus.

Team officials said Wednesday they had ordered all players and coaching staff to check in to a Sapporo hospital for screening after six more players complained of high fever.

The Fighters have so far ruled out cancelling games as a precaution.

Six sumo wrestlers and officials and a member of Japan's under-19 women's soccer team have also picked up the H1N1 flu over the past week.

Japan confirmed its third fatality from the disease on Wednesday in Nagoya. The country has confirmed over 5,000 cases of the flu.

This post is rated SPF 75 for irony.

Three Things We Can Thank Prohibition For.

As Barack Obama announced yesterday that his camp appears ready, and willing, to drop the controversial "public option" portion of the Health Care Reform bill I was, again, reminded of some of the "great" ideas that have come from our national government. Let's take a look at three things that we can thank Prohibition for...

As a quick reminder - Prohibition, or The Noble Experiment, is the period in United States history spanning from 1920-1933 when the manufacture, transport and sale of alcohol for consumption were banned, as mandated by the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Number one on our list, and in our hearts, is NASCAR. That's right, without Prohibition we most likely wouldn't be able to enjoy ten whole months of watching cars race around a track. The sport was born out of the necessity, during Prohibition, for fast cars to drive bootlegged alcohol from one place to another. These cars needed to be small, light and fast in order to evade police. As most things go, things took off from there. Egos got bigger, and cars got faster. Bootleggers started racing each other, and eventually they began racing on sanctioned race tracks with rules, etc. In 1936 the first major race was held at Daytona Beach. It was a 250 mile event in which 27 cars were entered. At the end of the day the race was halted 10 miles short of the advertised distance and only 10 cars remained. Twelve years later in 1947-48 William France, who finished fifth in that inaugural race at Daytona, founded the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (a bit redundant in my opinion). (Source)

Our second item is the bane of college students everywhere, that's right, the Legal Drinking Age. Prior to Prohibition there was only one State in the Union that had a legal drinking age - Wisconsin. After Prohibition was overturned by the 21st Amendment every state, but one - Colorado, had a legal drinking age. At this point in time most States adopted 21 as the legal purchase age. However, over the course of the next 40 or 50 years most States would change that age to 18 or 19, and now, as we know, the legal age is 21 in all 50 states. Contrary to popular belief, however, since the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed in 1984, most States do not have specific laws prohibiting minors from consuming alcohol in PRIVATE SETTINGS (I feel that needs to be stressed). In fact, only 14 states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright. In addition, 19 states do not specifically ban underage consumption and 17 states have laws that make exceptions for family member's or specific locations. (Source One; Source Two)

Finally, what would a story about Prohibition be without some mention of La Cosa Nostra ( aka: The American Mafia) Cosa Nostra was an offshoot of the Sicilian mafia in the United States. The organization was present in the US as early as the 1880s, and Mafia activities were restricted until 1920, when they exploded because of the introduction of Prohibition. Cities across the nation, most notably Chicago, exploded in violence as bosses fought for control over smuggling routes and territory. Alcohol flowing in from Canada and elsewhere ended up in speakeasies all over, and men like Al Capone gained national recognition for the wealth and power they commanded. From this period until the present the Italian mafia has been the staple crime syndicate in America. However, with the increasing drug trade from South America and Mexico even more violent gangs in the Southern United States are quickly taking their place at the top of the crime world. (Source)

There you have it, three things we can thank prohibition for...

This post is rated SPF 65 - because I said so.

An Evening at Horsetooth...

...Complete with cameras.

We've been away from home for nearly seven weeks, not long when you consider that in a few more short weeks we will be moving to Turkey for an even longer period of time. However, because this "vacation" has a definite end I have found myself missing home... and ready to return. We will spend one more day in Fort Collins and then finally head north to Big Sky Country! After that, we will await our work visas and make final preparations for Turkey.

As this is our second to last night in Fort Collins we decided to take a random trip to Horsetooth Reservoir which is just west of town, in the foothills. As an aside, this is the place where I proposed to Andrea, and I can't believe that was already two years ago...




The sky tonight was full of clouds. I snapped a photo of this one as we drove up to the reservoir - I think it looks like a pirate ship.


In this photo you can see the perfect anvil created by a thunderstorm that passed through town this evening.


You can see the same storm, as it moved eastward, in this photo.

In other new, Scottie has recently (read as this week) purchased a Canon EOS which has made me incredibly jealous. He has also joined flickr, and I must say, he's got some skills behind the camera. You can see his flickr page here. I highly recommend this one which I assisted with...

This post is rated SPF 1 because of a complete lack of sunlight...

This Post is Rated SPF 10

A change is coming. Well, not entirely. As the blog moves in a new direction (with more political commentary from Scottie) and digresses back to it's roots (with more random news from myself) we've decided to give each post an SPF rating from 1-100 based on how much protection the person (or people) in question might need.

For example, in my previous post on the Winnie the Pooh Bandit I may have rated it an SPF 75 simply based on the amount of "heat" he'll be feeling from the police and others.

In addition I would rate Scottie's recent post as an SPF 99.

Is this blog American or Un-American? You decide, Nancy Pelosi and Barrack Obama sure can't make up their minds

Earlier this week Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote a USA Today Op-Ed telling American's that they are Un-American for "disrupting" and "drowning out the truth" at town hall meetings across the country.

Now when I set out during my day to exercise my right to free speech I am always glad to have Nancy Pelosi there to tell me whether or not my "free speech" is American or Un-American. Surely none of us want the Speaker of the House, third in line to the Presidency, to think we are Un-American.  The problem though is which Nancy Pelosi am I supposed to listen too? After her USA Today article I thought I understood, that is until I watched this video:

 

There is a simply reality in America right now, if you agree with Democrats in Congress and with the President you are a patriotic American. If you disagree with health care reform, not only should you not be able to speak out, but if you do you are Un-American and if you spoke out about it on the internet you will be tracked by the White House.  

I find myself asking everyday where all of the love and bi-partisanship that Obama promised went.  Watch this video at about the 1 minute mark

So Obama said in 2008 we need bi-partisan support to find solutions to our countries biggest problem.  Now in 2009 he is saying this:

Does he really think that telling people to sit down and shut up or Nancy Pelosi calling dissenters "Un-American" is the path to bi-partisanship?  We are very quickly travelling down a slippery slope where anything Obama says goes.  And on a regular basis what he says one day is not the same as what he says the next.  

Which leads me to believe that while the people who have been putting up the Obama Joker posters are funny, to be more accurate they should be posters of Two Face. 

Let's Hope She's Got the Right Insurance.

A woman in Ohio had a rough day driving as her car was struck first by a bird and then by a fish. The latter shattered her windshield after being dropped from some height by an eagle...

MARBLEHEAD, Ohio – A woman in Ohio is telling a fish story about one that got away — from a bird, and damaged her car. Authorities in northwest Ohio say the fish — a Lake Erie freshwater drum, known as a sheepshead — smashed a car windshield Tuesday when an eagle dropped its catch from a height of about 40 feet.

Leighann Niles says the impact felt like a brick hitting her Toyota's windshield. The woman from the Cleveland suburb of South Euclid was vacationing along the lake in Marblehead.

Niles says she had thought herself lucky to escape damage in another animal encounter shortly before the fishy one. She says a truck hit a small bird, which struck her back passenger door and startled her 5-year-old daughter.

Via: Yahoo Odd News

In other news, a man wearing a "Winnie the Pooh" sweatshirt was caught on camera as he waved a gun and robbed a bank in suburban Chicago.



Officials have released the following information regarding the so-called "Winnie the Pooh Bandit" A white male around 6 ft. tall and 225 lbs. He smelled of fresh honey and was followed by a rather depressed looking donkey.
Via.

Your Fact-Checker-In-Chief

Greetings to all.  Over the past few years I have very much enjoyed reading DFYS and as the illustrious authors of this blog move to Turkey and begin The Stuffing, I hope to keep you entertained and enthralled with my return to the blogosphere. As Cameron helps to bring DFYS back to its roots, I shall be paving a new path for the blog that will be stretching more into politics, other bizarre news items and miscellaneous topics that I think you should take a look at.  At this point I would also like to clarify that the political opinions that will be expressed are my own opinions and do not reflect or imply the endorsement of DFYS and its corporate policies. 

So to begin my debut here is a look into the man America voted for in 2008, Barrack Obama: Fact-Check-in-Chief.

As Congress has been debating a series of different health care bills over the last few months tempers across the nation have begun to flare.  So Barrack Obama:Fact-Checker-In-Chief is out there going town hall to town hall in New Hampshire, Montana and Colorado, telling all Americans to do their patriotic duty and report any 'fishy' emails or 'casual conversations' that may not have the facts straight on health care. 

Unfortunately for the President, in a town hall yesterday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire he forgot to fact-check himself. 

Obama was quoted as saying "We have the AARP onboard because they know this is a good deal for our seniors.  AARP would not be endorsing a bill if it was undermining Medicare."

And like I said he probably should have fact-checked himself. Because today, Tom Nelson, AARP's Chief Operating Officer responded to the "fact" that AARP had endorsed Obamacare. "Indications that we (AARP) have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate."

So now that we can't even trust Obama to fact-check himself, should we really let him collect information on other Americans who are simply using their first amendment right to speak openly about their concerns regarding Obamacare? 

And furthermore if Obama is out there spreading false information about the health care debate, does he fall into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's category of being 'Un-American'? 

Saving the Blog...and Saving a Life

A couple of months ago I posted that I would be retiring this blog upon our return from Israel and we would be moving to The Stuffing (our new Turkey-themed blog). However, upon further consideration I realized that leaving this blog, which I have kept for almost three years now, is something that I just can't bring myself to do.

Not only will I continue to post on this blog, periodically, I will be going back to "the roots" of the blog and posting interesting videos, news stories and photos that I find while searching the internet. In addition I have invited our friend Scott Yeldell to join as an author - I am looking forward to hearing his take on politics and see what kinds of things he finds along the way.

So, now that I have decided to save the blog I want to share with you a story from today's Billings Gazette about two people who saved a life...

Just-Wedded Medical Students Attend to Accident Victim

COLUMBUS - Barely an hour after exchanging their wedding vows, two medical students were upholding an entirely different vow - the Hippocratic oath.

Erica Dobbs Rinker and Jake Rinker were on their way from their wedding in Columbus to their reception south of Fishtail when they came across an accident on Highway 78.

Without hesitation, Jake pulled over.