JC is Correct

So I completely blew my New Year's Resolution to drop science more consistently with this blog stuff. The bright side is it probably served to do nada but allow the anticipation to build even more.

First current topic: no, not JZ and the country singer who he just made famous, but Jimmy C and his view that Rep Wilson's outburst during the President's healthcare address was motivated or caused by racism, or something like that.

I think many people missed the point and took Prez Carter to be saying that Rep Wilson IS a racist. As Wilson's AG son said, I wouldn't go so far as to call Wilson a racist. I mean he doesn't laugh at "stupid" (I believe that was the word AG used) jokes. He probably even has a black friend.

But really, what I think JC meant is that Rep wilson wouldn't have pulled such a stunt- regardless of whether it was due to a lack of self control, as asserted by the SC Dem Party Chair- had the man speaking been white. Even if it was Joe Biden, or a male Nancy Pelosi, I gaurantee you he wouldn't have shouted out. Could you imagine if a Democratic rep had shouted "You lie" to W?!? He probably would have been shot on the scene. And Bush actually did lie about a few things- ok, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he made a few poor asessments(sp?). But you still don't yell at the President, no matter how much you disagree, or . . . . can't stand to see someone from the other party, who just happens to also belong to a group that is not supposed to achieve much except in sports, entertainment and incarceration, runnin' the show. I'm not saying that Wilson-or all of the others who speak, display messages, or think violently about the President- actively hate blacks or other minorities. Something just doesn't quite sit right about having someone of a darker hue "running the country," even though you'd imagine they know the Prez doesn't actually RUN the US. He's just the most visible symbol of the count . . . .

Oh, wait, now I get it! You mean there's a nigger who's the symbol of my great country?!? I knew there was something making me uncomfortable; I just cant' quite put my finger on it. "I don't hate him, because, I'm not a racist. I just don't trust him." But it does just make me want to scream; because it's ok to scream at someone you don't truly respect, even though they're more educated, accomplished, and bright than you, not to mention the leader of your nation, whether you like/agree with that individual or not.

If you disrespect the office, you're basically dissin' your country.

So It's Confirmed, There is no God

I'll keep this one brief, but on Sunday, 25 JAN, one of my dearest friends of almost 20 years, died in an auto accident on a South African motorway. Charles was one of the most generous, funny, fun loving and interesting people you'll meet. And now he is gone, his whole life and family no longer ahead of him.

To all who say there is some reason, or it's part of some grand plan, I say that's pura mierda y paja. If someone, some thing, spirit, diety, force, ideal, demigod, or however you view such things had this as part of their "plan," I do not want to and cannot be a part of that.

And if any of you knew Charles, you're bound to feel the same way.

Charles, we miss you badly.

(Even though I will never forget Charles, I may have to post a picture with this one.)

New Year's Resolution

To post more of my insightful and sometimes profound (and sometimes not) thoughts for my massive, loyal audience.

Apologies for my absence, but now I plan to be back, and more regularly at that- all starting today!

My boy, O-boogie (thanks Greg P)

There was some loose discussion about Obama on the way home form school last week, which quickly prompted the following dialogue

O: Daddy, is Obama the President of the whole world?

Dad: No, there is no POT(W)W.

O: Is he the President of England?

Dad: No, he’s just the PEOTUS

*********************************************************************************

Then there was this gem one morning while making desayuno before school- Governments of the world take note, you may have something to learn here.

O: Meena, do you wish a shark would eat Junior (a.k.a. your 4th grade semi-tormentor)?


I guess the horse is already out of the barn, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder about putting such potentially diabolical assassination techniques into general circulation. I’m sure the CIA is reading.

Just think about how flawless, the tool. I mean, how are they ever going to figure out WHICH shark “offed” someone. Or even if they DO find the perpetrator, chances are that the evidence is at the bottom of the ocean somewhere (do sharks drop sinkers or floaters??). Even better, I would argue a shark’s appearing out of nowhere to eat someone as, say, they waited for the bus, would be every bit as surprising as a sniper's bullet fired from who-knows-where. And who’s going to stand up to a shark when he/she shows up to eat someone?? I’m not stepping in front of that . . . . bullet(?). But even if bodyguards, etc do try to intervene, chances are that the shark will just eat them, too. This is especially likely if you happen to have a 20 footer or so at your disposal.

I don’t think it’s so much of a threat now, but with techniques like these (and at such a young age), I picture a more twisted world if my boy ever ends up in a position of power.

Who Woulda Thunk It: An Angelino (Futbol Coach) in London

So I went to mt daughter's newly adopted football club's SAT a.m. training session this morning expecxint to play my usual, limited supporting role. I usually help shag balls (not sure what the proper English translation is for that?), play in some of the drills, etc. Initially, my participation was simply to support Meena and help her acclimate to new surroundings, faces and sport.

Laura, coach of the Flamingoes, is marvelous, and must be a good player given that she just moved to Arsenal women and was also called up to the England U-21's, The girls respond to her. Today, however, Laura had a match and was unable to make training.

After we had been at the field waiting for the director to arrive, she finally rolls up and asks me, "Rod, Laura has a match today. Can you warm the girls up?" What she really meant was, "Can you take the(entire) session?"I gladly agreed and thought it odd they'd bring an American over to coach a sport that the Enlish are most proud they invented.

France is Fabulous, but . . .

Don't get me wrong, the more I visit France, the more I love France. I could easily live there . . . especially if I spoke French!

And while there are LOTS of things I love about Francia- my favorites being the incredible pastries and also traffic circles/roundabouts- there is one problem I notices. Insofar as good things, where else is there such a concentration of incredible baking- quiches, tarts, pain au chocolate, even just a "plain 'ole baguette", etc. Boulangeries are about as plentiful in Paris as churches and liquor stores in the hood.

And let's not forget my traffic circles-- they're just fun. If we were not always running just a few minutes behind, I would definitely drive completely around a circle every now and then because it is such a novelty to me. Yes, there are traffic circles here in the UK, but they are not nearly as . . . plentiful as they are in France. Of course, they slow you down a bit, but many times you do not have to actually stop. I can only imagine how much France saves on traffic lights!

There are many other good things about France, but there is also ONE major problem. It is such a problem that I must insert it here right in the middle of the feel-good section.

Everyone knows that there is lots of wine in France, and lots of wine consumed in France. It is not in a US (let's see how much I can drink in one sitting), or a UK (I am obliged to drink as much as I can in one sitting) type way. In France they drink a glass of wine kind of like Mexicans eat jalapenyos-- o.k., so maybe they don't usually have wine with breakfast.

My back-of-the-envelope calculations and Sherlock Holmes-like deductive skillz tell me that our beloved WINE is the root cause of what is perhaps France's greatest shortcoming- lack of sufficiently sized glasses for cocktails. The only one I really care about, thanks to my mom, is Gin & Tonic. None of the three places we stayed had even one glass that didn't amount to a shot glass after throwing in a few ice cubes and a slice of lime. As a matter of fact, at the gite we rented outside of Angers, we had to PURCHASE six glasses for the four of us! And even those were pushing it on size. Of course, there were approximately 20 wine classes and about as many champagne flutes (for a place that can sleep 8 adults), but not one adequately sized cocktail glass. There were coffee cups that would probably have been of proper volume, but I don't think I could drink a G&T from a cup that belongs on a saucer.

Loving Day- R.I.P. Mildred

She says it was god's work, but I have a feeling that those who passed the law thought they were doing god's work too, as many of THOSE types did.

Either way, I'll have to see if there are any Loving Day events in the UK-- oh, wait, they don't really seem to need it here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24468808/