Los Angeles Baptist High... Any wonder why I'm crazy

(image courtesy of Andrew Chantry Fine Art Gallery)

If there was ever a question about my personal philosophy and how it got so messed up, check this out. In My wanderings today, I ran across this years student handbook from my Alma Mater. text in italics is my added commentary, highlighted in color ar the words I found most interesting.

Philosophy

Essentially, the Christian school brings together man's faith in God and its manifestation in his daily living. In its approach to general education the Christian school attempts to correlate and synthesize the whole of human experience, believing that the secular and religious facets of life, properly understood, constitute but two sides of the same reality.
--I love the word choice here. Don't you just get a warm, fuzzy feeling reading all of this chauvinistic perversity?
The school seeks to make Christ real and pertinent in the lives of students by providing an educational program which engenders wholesome attitudes, sound mental processes, and usable socialization skills based on the accumulated wisdom of human experience and of Divine Revelation.
--what does that gibberish even mean?
It is believed that the well educated Christian will be able to find meaning and purpose in the complex maze of life and to pursue courses of action that will bring spiritual self-realization, refinement of mind, moral awareness and creative involvement in the whole spectrum of living. Fundamental to this process is exposure of students to the ideas and forces that have shaped our world and brought us to our present level of achievement. To the extent the school can help students arrive at an embryonic world view, students are encouraged to interpret and reshape both personal and societal priorities and contribute to the betterment of the human condition.
--Excellent choice of words here as well. Embryonic? Are we talking about abortions and getting political here? Really. Defined as shapeless, rudimentary, premature and -at best - budding, why would you want to help a student have an embryonic worldview? Basically, they are trying to shape kids who live in a bubble, unexposed to the corrupting forces of the world and kept pure by ignorance. Brilliant idea guys. But, the next part is my favorite.
This concept of the Christian School is based upon the belief that there are unchanging principles of truth underlying the universe which make systematic knowledge possible, of goodness which make morality binding, and of beauty, which, because it is the reflection of both truth and goodness, frees the spirit for creative expression and renewal.
I was amazed by how far off base this statement is. It runs completely against the Postmodern model. Congratulations LAB, you are officially going against the grain!

Courtesy of the 2006-2007 Los Angeles Baptist High School Student Handbook, Section 1.4

Check it out.

I went to an awsome event cosponsored by these guys last night, and thought I would share some of their material.

Check them out.

Let's Stop US Tax Funded Aid to Israel Now!

SUSTAIN

Daily Martini: Stinger

I remember sitting on my moms bed watching Bette Midler in Beaches as a kid. We would always have a box of tissues, Raisinettes and a bag of lightly buttered popcorn. We'd watch and laugh when CiCi gets arrested in Central Park,a nd when she calls Hillary, Barbara Hershey's character, fat. Then, when Hillary died, we'd cry... everytime.

CiCi orders about a dozen Stingers in the movie. I always wondered what that was.

Now I know, and you can too.

The Stinger
1 1/2 oz Brandy
3/4 oz white creme de menthe

Stir, and serve in a cocktail glass.
Enjoy.

Philly Riverfront trying to break in.

photo courtesy of Philadelphia Inquirer

This is a fantastic article about the Foxwoods casino, proposed for South Philly.

The company behind Foxwoods, holding 30 percent of the investment, is a Connecticut-based Indian tribe. The Peguot Tribal nation owns the worlds largest bingo gallery, and has expanded its gambling facility to a $300 million dollar machine complete with cards, slots and entertainment.

I think this would be an amazing development for the city. Philadelphia is certainly never going to become an Atlantic City or Las Vegas. It probably won't even become a Biloxi. But, the land that Foxwoods wants to develop needs to be developed. Right now it is an empty, overgrown lot that attracts nothing but litter.

The United Artist Theater, Walmart and Home Depot workers stand in front of the chained link fence everday and toss WaWa coffee cups, gum wrappers, chip bags and cigarrette buts into the field. That's all it produces... filth.

If Foxwoods is approved, it will draw upwards of 10 million people each year into the dorment section of South Philly. According to this report, the resort in Connecticut draws 500,000 every week.

Sounds better than garbage to me.

Read more!

Interesting Temple link, Women's basketball coach and three-time Olympic medalist Dawn Staley is one of the investors of this project.

Joining her, among others, are Comcast-Spectacor chairman Edward Snider, developer Ronald Rubin, and Lou Katz's daughter, Melissa Silver.

These investors would comprise the other 70 percent of the profiteers.


They have committed 40 percent of the profits to benefit local community programs and underpriviledged children.

Christmas at home.

My mom just finished decorating the Church, her annual project. Here are a couple of pics.

Reminds me of high school when we would chant:
"T- Cot- W,"
"What,what"
God, we were lame.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Doesn't it just make you want to take the plunge into a fit of consumerism?

Letterman, O'Reilly and ignorant Americans

I now this is like a month old, butI watched the Bill O'Reilly v David Letterman interview today in two segments: Part 1 and Part 2

Besides the lack of timeliness, I was amazed at the ability of both of these men to do three things:

• stay in character
• make a worn-out conversation interesting
• and, do an equal amount of talking over one another and have an actual conversation.

I am also amazed about some of the ideas that people come up with when listening to Bill O'Reilly. This was one of the posted comments to the video.

wesscoast (1 week ago)
Arghan is not a democracy, go after Kim Jong Il. They're going after Saddam because he was going to adopt the Euro as currency for Oil deals... which would fuck the US economy.

Please.
I think they are talking about Afghanistan not being a democracy, and no one said they were.
Go after Kim Jong and the North Koreans, oh, that's a great idea .War on 2 fronts...
And, my personal favorite, Saddam was going to join the EU!?

The European Union would never in a million years have emitted Iraq under Sadaam's regime. They won't even emmit Turkey. Muslim nations, terrorists nations and regimes that commit massive humanitarian violations will never be considered for membership, but more than anything, Iraq was under an American embargo up until the invasion. Bringing Iraq into the Union would have jeopordized Europes trade with the US. Unless the US fell from power, it would never happen.

More Commentary on Pope Visit

As I mentioned in my previous commentary on Eggs Benedict in Turkey, the issue is about Israel/Palestine, the battle for Jerusalem. The Vatican will never condone the entry of a nation supporting Palestine into the EU. You cannot have a political union, pact or contract between nations who have opposing views on this issue.

BTW Do you think they could have gotten a more queer priest for this segment?

McCain still unclear on gay marriage

I have been looking for a breif statement by John McCain on same-sex marriage. While I think this one is a bit too brief, McCain is not even afforded time to elaborate, the question does come across loud if not clear:

He is for a ceremony, but not for same-sex marriage. In other words, he is still being elusive on the issue.

I included the commentary from Netscape, because I thought it was interesting to see how this clip was percieved by many people across the country. It never ceases to amaze me how the majority of the population has not yet learned Politician-Speek. You have to listen carefully to these guys because they are paid to be our servants, yet they are masters of spin and vagueness.

Check out the link to the clip under View Story.

Daily Martini: Saturday Night Fever

I had a fever tonight, and its Saturday, thus the title of this one.

Saturday Night Fever
1 1/2 oz Bacardi Limon
1 oz Dissaronno

Serve in a cocktail glass with cherry garnish.
Enjoy.

Get your news here, its better than USAToday

First, forgive me for the series of posts linking to other blogs. I went browsing through Technaroti and found some quality material. Amidst it was this gem: Five Public Opinions.

I found a new source for my daily dose of culture, politics and world affairs, and of course, it is coming from abroad. I only looked at the last couple of days, but these pieces got me hot enough that I felt they needed to be shared.

Hillarious, and dead on.

There's a "week that wasn't" piece with some priceless stories.

• A kid burning down his churche because they weren't teaching the Bible in his way. What a postmodern revolutionary this kid is.
• The Pentagon downgrades homosexuality from a "mental disorder" to a "condition." It always makes me feel good to know that we are 5 years behind China on anything, especially when it's on social matters.
• And, A Texan launches a complaint for non-hostile coverage of a gay marriage... I have nothing to say to that.

I also dug the piece on the Klan. Unreal.

This guy is motivating me to move to Australia. Is everyone this openminded down under? I wonder.

YouTube and Postmodernism kick

Check this site out. I thought it was hillarious and right up my ally. A combination of anarchy, postmodernism and drug use... If the philosophers had it right, this guy is ahead of his time and society will be catching up in about 20 years.

I was cracking up watching the Vancouver piece... it looks just like Berkeley, all the way down to the homeless guy with the shopping cart. But, I swear, Canada is just so clean.

http://www.postmodernanarchist.com

Google is taking over the world

Next stop... YouTube.

For those of you who haven't heard, YouTube and Google are in negotiations. Google has proposed nine figures to the creators of YouTube. Startling when you realize that YouTube is presently not for profit.

Media experts believe that Google's size, combined with the sheer size of audience at YouTube will create a new market that broadcast companies simply can't compete with, changing viewing patterns. Finally, American broadcasting is going to be without commercials... or will it?

Google may sell advertising rights within the content of video steams, which would suck, and most people would stop using it. Otherwise, we may truly be walking into unkown territory... open forum broadcasting without commercials. Keep you eyes peeled.

Read more on the details at PoMo.

Benedict for Saturday Breakfast

I have to hand it to the Vatican, their PR machine runs smoothers than GW's. Here's another Vatican Blog speaking the highest praises of Pope Benedicts visit to Turkey.

My favorite part was this excerpt:

From his support for Turkey’s European Union membership to his speaking in Turkish during prayers in the ancient city of Ephesus, the Pope surprised and impressed.Most enthusiasm was reserved for his decision to pray alongside Mustafa Cagrici, the Mufti of Istanbul, at the Blue Mosque.The Mufti characterised the moment when Pope Benedict faced Mecca and clasped his hands in the Muslim manner, as the full apology that the Pope failed to make after his controversial address about Islam at Regensburg University in Germany in September.

A symbolic apology? How about a real one.

We Belong, an important film about Tolerence or Lack Thereof in PA High Schools

We Belong

Producer: Joe Wilson

This is the story of two rural teens who had the courage to stand up to bigotry and intolerance in their schools – and the determination to tell their stories to the world.

Homophobia is one of the last “permissible” forms of prejudice. Its effects are especially acute for youth, who often suffer alone and in silence. Two thirds of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth experience harassment or violence in school, and the suicide rate for this group is four times the average.

When C.J. Bills is gay bashed in the school locker room, then arrested for disorderly conduct because he protests to an administrator about the harassment he has experienced, he decides to fight back by making a documentary about discrimination. With his family’s help, he also initiates an investigation by the state human rights commission and shames the school district into developing an anti-bullying and diversity training program.

C.J.’s documentary project also leads him to Tim Dahle, a former high school student who challenged the years of anti-gay harassment he suffered in a neighboring town. In Tim’s case, the school district that failed to protect him agreed to one of the largest sexual harassment settlements in history, sending a signal to school districts around the country that such behavior can be costly.

We Belong demonstrates that young people have the power to change their communities and the world, and that helping youth to tell their stories, in their own way and on camera, is enlightening, empowering, and effective.

It is part of the Seeds of Tolerance Competition hosted by CurrentTV. The winner of the competition will have their documentary aired on nationall television.

Click here to view 'We Belong' on Current TV.

Daily Martini: Gimlet

This is a nose to the grind-stone kind of a day, and for that I recommend a simple, old-fashioned drink that will put you in your place without a lot of fuss.

This is the grown up version of a So.Co. and Lime shot.


The Gimlet
2 oz. Vodka or Gin
1/2 oz. Lime Juice

Shake well, serve in a chilled cocktail glass with lime wedge garnish.
Enjoy.

Postmodernism and Homosexuality, obviously my two favorite topics

This is young woman, a Cali girl like myself has some of the same interests as I do, obviously.
Elle Aurens, author of la petit mort, wrote an entry implying that the "queer movement" is inabled by, if not a direct result of the postmodern era.

Read more!

While I have to agree that the breakdown of traditional social distinctions and barriers has allowed for sexual express in unparalleled ways, and that these expressions are a rejection of binary gender constructs, I can't say that this is necessarily something to be afraid of.

Gays have existed and filled important roles throughout history. For one example, teachers have often been single women who, without the familial obligations that come with heterosexual constructs, have been able to devote themselves to the educating other peoples' children.

We are redefining the foundations of our society, but not abandoning them all together. Marriage has traditionally been a pillar of our society as it binds familes together and makes them units rather than individuals. By redefining marriage and its confines, we are actually building a new frame for social construct. This should be part of the intellectual argument in favor of same-sex marriage. Gay couples will not stop having relationships, in fact the manifestation of homosexuality will only increase with time. Society becoming more open to these behaviors. So, the effort to prevent marriage between same-sex couples will only serve to create increased individualism in society, putting more strain on the system. It is easier to care for, provide for and maintain a whole unit in its entirety than to service its individual components seperately.

In an era so focused on deconstruction, this is one construct that we should not let go of. Redefining marriage will releave stress on society, and allow for collective growth rather than division.

Unfortunately, I think that the foundations of this country in particular are so strongly influenced by conservative, Christian ideals, that same-sex marriage will be simply another fissure as it crumbles.

Another great mind

Found a great blog on my Google alert - I have to admit, I am enjoying Google's control over my life.

Check this one out.

This self-professed "mad man" has some humorous and thought provoking social commentary.

ICE CREAM

The sexy, silent, light-skinned boy is my buddy Jimmy Gorecki Never imagined I would know someone as talented as he is. He's spectacular skater and a character-and-a-half. Check him out. Remember, you can look, but you can't touch... mmm,mmm Ice Cream Skate Team.

Oh, and check out their web site at www.bbcicecream.com.

Postmodern warfare

I attended a movie/documentary psuedo-docu-drama screening event hosted by Hillel on Temple's campus this evening. The film was called "Obessions: Radical Islams War Against the West," and was probably the worst piece of propaganda I have ever had to suffer through.

Want to check it out? Taste a sample.

IN the film, a woman refers to Militant Islam as "postmodern warfare." This was disconcerting to me. How do you reconcile the two concepts? I suppose you don't and that is postmodern.

But, let's think about what postmodern warfare implies.

Warfare is organized choas - okay, there is a parallel. But, in war there is a specific goal and a plan of attack by which to reach that goal. If we are talking about Postmodernism as it applies to war, than just as postmodern art is art for arts' sake, the result would be war for wars' sake. Senseless killing on a mass scale.

Interesting that today's warfare is so hands-off. Missles launched from 100 miles away are killing millions of people. Most of the world is watching the war in Iraq unfold on their television screens. Dehuminzation of the war has lead to passivity and ambivalence. Politicians and demagouges seize the indifference of the people to wage war for their own benefit - can you say Halliburton?

This is not just a disturbing thought, but one that needs to be had by the people of America. We can embrace technology and emerce ourselves in a mosaic of self-imposed worldviews, but we cannot allow this to become such an overwhelming distraction as to deter us from the values that we hold most dear. Even with our individualized moral systems, most people in this world can agree that murder is an unacceptable means to an end.

Too funny to not share

I found this on Blogger's Featured Blogs and laughed my butt off.

Courtesy of Monkey's for Helping at http://monkeysforhelping.blogspot.com


Trackback: http://haloscan.com/tb/djrecon/116441234639920004

Anti-harassment policies challenged in New Jersey

This was interesting to read, considering that my final project for Investigative Reporting is on this subject. I thought I might share it.

The New Jersey Supreme Court heard arguments on the burden held by public institutions to provide a safe learning environement to students who are bullied.

Blog Cabin covered it nicely.

El- Banco de Wal-Mart. Waxing Philosophical

I am not going to elaborate on this. I will simply break it down.

Wal-Mart is the enemy of the small business, making it an enemy to Republicans.
Wal-Mart is also the enemy of believers in a living wage, making it an enemy to Democrats.

So, who the hell is supporting Wal-Mart? The Independants?
No, apparently, it is the Mexicans.

Wal-Mart will open a bank in Mexico, expecting to begin operation in the secon-half of 2007. Some say that this is going to open up opportunities for competition in Mexico, but I think it is only another facet for Wal-Mart to expand upon it capitalistic quest for global domination - or, should I say oppression.

Credit, as we have seen in the American marketplace has a way of making the economy move, even when there is increases in unemployment, inflation and poverty. But, it does this by making the rich richer and the poor poorer, thus weakening the middle class and threatening the core of democractic society. In a country like Mexico, where the middle class is bourgening and struggling to survive, there is no room for credit and debts.

I don't think this is going to open up opportunities to Mexico. No.
I think this is only going to further subjugate the Mexican people, making them more reliant of American dollars and American job to function.

Pope "Eggs" Benedict and the Turkey. Or, was it Bologna?

Perhaps the media is having a hard time processing the importance of the palpal visit to Turkey.
Reuters is raving about Turkey's "welcome" to the Pope Benedict XVI. United Press International says that the Pope's visit is "easing tensions." But, the Muslims in Turkey don't seem to be singing the same tune.

Let the gainsaying begin.

Reuter's went on to say that fears of large protests were "unfounded." Why, then, were there 3,000 police officers needed to keep order?

If the response was so "positive" to the Pope's visit, why, according to the Pope's own blog, were there only 250 people in attendance at the open air mass he conducted at the shrine at Efes?

(BTW, I think its awesome that the Pope, 79, has a blog, even if it is pure PR. I conjured the image of the Pontiff sitting at an iMac typing away at his Blogger account and laughed for about 15 minutes solid.)

ABC, Small Gov Times, and CNN say that thousands have been in protest since prior to the Pope's arrival. All of them pulled the story from the contradictory Reuters wire.

Nicely done modern media.

Perhaps the coverage should be contradictory. It's fitting, considering that Pope "Eggs" Benedict is under such scrutiny in the Muslim world.

Recall September, when Eggs made a speech in Regensburg, Germany that inflamed the Muslim world quoting 14th Century Christian Emporer Paleologus who said that the Prophet Muhammad had brought the world only "evil and inhumane" things. (Read more on this statement)

Muslim protests followed.

The "Sausage-fest" of Vatican cronies apologized. Even after Muslim extremists destroyed a couple of churches and murdered a nun in Somalia, Eggs did not.

On the issue of Christian-Muslim relations, Eggs seems to be set on saying and doing all that the politicians cannot, and speaking with a firm, intellectually conservative voice.

So, why is he in Turkey, a Muslim country? After all, Eggs publically objected to Turkey's application for membership into the EU in 2004, saying the country is "in permanent contrast to Europe."

The media's message: (If you read between the lines)

Eggs and his sausage-fest of advisors still believe that Islam is connected with violence. When al-Qaeda in Egypt spoke out to say that the Pope's visit is part of a "crusader campaign," the Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi translated it as a threat of violence.

He said that they are not concerned, but that "[T]his type of message shows once again the urgency and importance of a common commitment of all forces against violence."

The Issue of Palestine
The Pope is not a Crusader. Rather, he is a firm believer in non-violence. He believes that an intellectual conversion is the only genuine one and that violence corrupts the process of personal conversion.

But, the Palpal history is not unblemished when it comes to Muslim-Christian relations, and when Egg's positions on Islam, Turkey and the EU are brought to the table for a discussion about violence, crusading and Palestine, that history cannot be disregarded.

Eggs recognizes that the Turkish people are different. Unlike the majority of Christians in Europe, they are strong supporters of Palestine. Without a reconcilitation on such a volatile issue in world politics, the two idealogical sides have no place entering into an economic or a political contract.

Forget violence. Forget John Paul's legacy of cooperation and mediation. Forget the EU. The root of this visit is, on the eve of Turkey's enduction into the EU, to remind the world that the Turkish people stand against Israel.

And who better to highlight a religious divide in Jerusalem than the Pope himself?

Aviation, radiation, signs Boeing aiding US nuclear build-up.

This report just came across the Reuters Wire:

LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - British Airways (BAY.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday that "very low traces" of a radioactive substance had been found on two of its aircraft being examined in a police probe into the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.

The airline said in a statement that three B767 short haul aircraft were taken out of service for forensic examination. Initial results showed "very low traces of a radioactive substance on board two of the three aircraft."
Read more!

Low levels.

Let us examine a few other common items that emit low levels of radiation.

Televisions
Microwaves
X-Ray Machines
Medical Wastes
Smoke Detectors
Some types of old glass and ceramics
Foods that contain Potassium
And, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, so does your drinking water.

So, the next time there is a detection of "low levels of radiation" on board a plane, let us suggest that the flight attendants turn off the video-screen, microwaves and smoke detectors. Tell the pilot to turn off his radio. And, heck, have the caterers remove all of the bananas from the plane. Then, run the test one more time.

Since it seems that there are "low levels of radiation" everywhere we turn, it makes you wonder, why were these planes really grounded. Perhaps they are facing the same problems as American Airlines did with there MD80's. They announced the grounding of 22 plains yesterday when they found paint in the fuel system.

Is this a coincidence?

Here is another thought. The MD80 is a Boeing product. The three planes grounded by British Airways were B767's, also Boeing's.

Ironically, at this time, the companies stock is trading at $88.75 per share which is up 0.78, Boeing Cheif Exec. James McNerney met with Zeng Peiyan, the vice-premier of China, and the company signed new contracts with Singapour Airlines and Air Berlin. Boeing is also a producer of weapons for the United States military.

Perhaps this is our answer to why there were "low levels of radiation" on the British Airways planes. Incidently, nuclear chemicals can leave traces of "low levels of radiation" on weapons that have been manufactured in the same plants.

Boeing is no stranger to nuclear technology. It was a Boeing B-29 that dropped the bombs over Hiroshima.

And, Boeing is also an active participant today's military. Most recently, they built a "Small Diameter Bomb" which is revolutionizing the industry by allowing more artillary to be carried by Air Force Bombers. And, that is just what they are telling the media about, and they were awarded the contract to help build the next model of the F-22 Raptor.

Check out Defense Industry Daily to see what else they are working on.

And, perhaps you should wear your radiation suit the next time you board a Boeing plane. I heard that "low levels of radiation can cause testicular cancer.

Daily Martini: Mai Tai's and Malibu Sunset

I know, I know, I've been slacking. But, it's my final finals week. Please forgive me.

Thinking of Thanksgiving in Ventura, CA always inspires me for something tropical, so here are a couple to add to the collection.

This one is for all of the lovers who always dreamt of Hawaii, but never managed to make it there. A recipe that should be common knowledge if for no other reason than it has a cool name.

The Mai Tai Martini:

1 1/4 oz Light Rum
3/4 oz Triple Sec
3/4 oz Pineapple Juice
3/4 oz Sour mix
1/4 oz Grenadine
1/4 oz Orgeat Syrup

Shake well, serve in a chilled cocktail glass with cherry and pineapple wedge garnish.

For those of us without an extensive liquor selection, there is a wonderful subsitute.

The Malibu Sunset Martini

1 1/2 oz. Coconut Rum
3/4 oz. Sloe Gin

Shake well, pour into chilled cocktail glass and float 3/4 oz. pineapple juice. Garnish with a cherry and pineapple wedge.

Enjoy

Daily Martini, Pomegranate

Van Gogh Vodka has, perhaps, the most complete selection of flavored vodkas on the market - and it keeps growing. Latest added to their collection is Pomegranate. It is absolutely fabulous.

I had a chance to sample it at Byblos, an Arab hookah bar here in Philly.

Give it a try.

Pomegranate Citrus Cosmo

1 1/2 oz. Pomegranate vodka

1 oz. Triple Sec, Gran Marnier

1/2 oz. Pomegranate juice

1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice.

Serve in a chilled cocktail glass with orange slice garnish.

Enjoy.

CNN conducted an unofficial internet poll that I found interesting. As of 3:38 pm EST today, there were 90,192 responses - which was what caught my eye.

The question:

Do you agree with Rep. Charles Rangel that bringing back the draft would deter politicians from launching wars?

38% - Yes (34,503)
62% - No (55,689)

I'm curious, where do these 34,000 people live?

Some injuries in Iraq are unseen, many unreported.

Staff Sgt. Raymond Lee recieved a head injury when a roadside bomb blew up his humvee. A coma rendered his military career over.

This South Carolina produced report was a captivating retelling of the soldiers story. But, what I found disturbing in it is a statement, buried in the middle amidst a bunch of mundane detail about Lee's instant messaging habits: the Pentagon "refuses to release information about soldiers injured in Iraq" for fear that the information may be beneficial to the enemy.

Two questions: How? And, why?

I can't think of any reason why the type of injuries sustained by our military men would be of any benefit to the so-called enemy. Perhaps details about when and where incidents that involved injuries would be problematic, but statistics themselves?

I don't buy it.

That information would be valuable only to war protestors who would argue, as CNN did, that there would be far more deaths and casualities reported in this war if not for the brilliant efforts of medical staffers to keep our boys alive.

Pesbyterian Church needs to make up its mind. Its getting queer

The Presbyterian Church dropped charged against Janet Edwards, a Presbyterian minister who oversaw a gay marriage in June 2005. The commission hearing the case decided on November 15 that charges against Edwards had been brought past the deadline to file.

The constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reserves marriage for a man and a woman, although ministers may bless other types of “holy unions.”

Sounds a lot like the Democratic party to me.

Waffling.

Read More!

USA Today Blogger got it right... slightly left of center.

Kristen Powers, a blogger a USA Today argued that the Clintonian Era ushered in a new kind of liberal, and more importantly, a new kind of Democrat: the centrist Democrat.

This election cycle, the Dem camp spoke about faith, God and actually had nominees on the ballot who oppose abortion. They are growing more fiscally conservative. Perhaps this is in reaction to the neo-con believe in debt spending, but more likely, it is a party in jeopordy of losing its identity by meandering too close to the middle of the road.

Check it out, she nailed the ballot and the liberal misgivings.

Not surprising, the reactions in posted comments did as well by missing the point.

Truth.com

Mike Seate of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review laid out a plea to our public officials: Come Out Already.

His article mademe think of two things: My Aunt Sharon and Gray Davis. Remember him?

Yeah.

I understand that Mr. Davis kept an apartment in West Hollywood, a window-dressing wife and a fetish for twinkies.

Are you surprised?

I mean, like Seate said, you mean to tell me that this guy can't find a date... or even better, where is his "wife?"

Arizon Sen. John McCain expresses concern about party platforms, I'm concerned about his.

John McCain is my choice for president in 2008. Let me just put that out there.

But, I a must say I am a bit concerned with his positions. Why?

He believes in small government.
He opposed the war in Iraq, but now that we are there, he has taken a stance that we have to finish what we started in order to preserve stability in region.

McCain does seem to have a firm grasp on his strengths. According ot a Business Journal report, he told a conservative political action committee this week that he felt the party's greatest strength was in the weakness of the Democratic party.

"The election was not an affirmation of the other party's program. Try as hard as I could, I couldn't find much evidence that my Democratic friends were offering anything that resembled a coherent platform or principled leadership on the critical issues that confront us today," McCain [said].

McCain wants a return to traditional Republican values of limited government. He says he has faith in the conservative nature of Americans. I like it.

Here are my concerns.

McCain is governor of the only of eight states to reject a ban on gay marriage this midterm election. I need to know if he accredits this to the conservative belief in limited government, or if he recognizes that there is a significant liberal contingent in this country that wants to see equal rights for everyone.

Second, he says he believes in small government, but he wants us to stay in Iraq and embed American personnel in their police force. This says American Colonialism to me.

I hope to hear a clarification on how he justifies these positions... soon.

More election follow-up: Nearly the worst report I have ever read.

I hate to bring disrespect to other people's writing, but if this is the product we are printing, there is no wonder why the public is not interested in news anymore.

John Smith is the editor of the Religion section of the Reading Eagle. He wrote a report on the key issues that brought voters to the polls this midterm election, headline: "Moral issues key in election results."

It seems that the point he was trying to come to was that voters were displeased about the moral stances of the candidates, and this was there primary motivation in hading to the voting booth.

Quote, after quote, after quote.

There is no rhyme or reason here.
In fact, the truth that I came to out of quotes in Smiths' report is this: First, middle Pennsylvania, like middle America is far more conservative than the rest of the state; and second, more people turned-out because they were dissatisfied with the status quo.

We're at war, John, and everyone hates it.
Remember.

I think what John was trying to say is that voters do have an array of issues on their collective radar, but he failed to convey the message effectively, because he failed ot recognize the growing disconnect between rural and city life. He may have hit his audience in Podunk, PA, but it was dishonest and incomplete.

Check out the same argument, more complete and sure of itself, from a city dweller.

Now if we could only merge these two discussions.

The Philadelphia Inquirer tried, but they missed by making the same mistake as John Smith in Reading: a declaritive statement about the political landscape. It is a good assessment though, if we are forced to make an educated guess.

Wikipedia Blocked in China

Less than one week after lifting a year-long ban the infamous user-created and edited encyclopedia, the Chinese government has again denied access to Wikipedia in several areas of China.

The People's Republic of China reportedly blocked access to the site in October of last year to prevent over-exposure on controversial issues such as Tibet and Taiwan. The block was officially lifted in the english version on October 21, and the Chinese version on November 13.

But, many users report recieving an error message when trying to access the site. Residents and reporters in the region believe this is a false message, that the government is still regulating access on the site.

Read more.

Daily Martini, Hairy Navel

My brother thinks he's a drinker, but he's 29 years-old and still orders Fuzzy Navel's at the bar. I mock him out on a regular basis. This one is for him.

Hairy Navel Martini
1 1/2 oz. Orange vodka
1 oz. Peach Schnapps
1 oz. Orange Juice

Serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Top with soda. Garnish with orange slice.

Daily Martini, Kyoto Martini

Kyoto Martini

2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Melon Liqueur, Madori
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
Squeez of lemon juice.

Serve in a chilled cocktail galss with lemon twist garnish.

Vodka v Gin Martini's

You may have noticed that I don't post recipes for gin martini's. Reason being, I prefer vodka over gin any day of the week and twice on Sunday's. Not to mention, gin has a tendancy to be drier than vodka, detracting from the flavor of added ingredients. I would rather have a full tasting martini than one designed to overcome the dry nature of the central ingredient.

Both gin and vodka contain ethanol, the same substance in red wine that has been proven to reduce blood pressure. They are the lowest of all alcohols in calories, which make them good for your diet.

But, gin is often distilled with juniper berry's, which help in maintaining a healthy uriniary track. The problem with them is their potential to deplete potassium. It has been debated among herbalists, but I am not taking my chances.

Daily Martini, AppleWood

A Cheryl Ellis original, this one is dynamic and uninspired by any other drink I have ever tasted. Fantastic with a Pecan-crusted chicken salad, topped with cranberry-raisins.

Apple Wood Martini

1 1/4 oz. Apple Vodka
3/4 oz. Madori Melon
1/2 oz. Creme de Mint
1 oz Apple Juice
1/4 oz. Rose's lime

Sever in a chilled cocktail glass.
Enjoy.

Same sex marriage bans pass in seven of eight states.

The count is still going on, but it appears Arizona was the only state to reject a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage yesterday. Still, there is no reason to be disheartened.

Althought the ban was passed in South Dakota, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Colorado and Virginia, it was not by an overwhelming margin. Look at the numbers.

(in percents, for ban/against ban)
Arizona: 49 / 51
Colorado: 56 / 44
South Carolina: 78/ 22
South Dakota: 52 / 48
Tennessee: 81 / 19
Virginia: 57 / 43
Wisconsin: 59 / 41

Average: 61.7 / 38.3

Take the Bible-belt states of Tennessee and South Carolina out of the mix and the numbers are even tighter.

Average: 54.6 / 45.4

Pretty close to an even split.

What does this mean? Though the American people may not yet be ready to hear same-sex couples say 'I Do', they are not ready to write discrimination into their constitutions. While this is not necessarily a giant leap for homo-kind, it is a small step toward equality.

Cosby settles sexual assault suit. Will Temple have him back?

Bill Cosby settled on the sexual assault case today, but the terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. The woman, a former employee of the Temple University Athletic Department accused Cosby of having drug and sexually assaulted her in his Cheltenham mansion.

Cosby has had a tough run since 1997.
First, there was the murder of his son, Ennis, in Los Angeles.
Then, he was busted on a brief affair. Autumn Jackson, the daughter of the woman he had the affair with, extorting him.
Then, in 2004, this case.

As the most notable alumnist of Temple University, Cosby was a regular feature at freshman orientations and at the annual commencement ceremonies. He hsa not been aske to attent either even since 2003.

This year, he spoke at an event hosted by Temple's School of Education, in which he promoted a PBS documentary Boys of Baracka. Relations seemed light at that event as Cosby engaged in a comical banter with Temple's new president Ann Weaver Hart. But, will the Cos be back at commencement?

We shall see.

Rummy retiring

So, in case you haven't heard, our buddy Donald Rummy resigned. In the wake of the midterm elections, President Bush announced Dr. Robert Gates, former Director of the CIA as his successor.

What do we know about Gates?

Well, he served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor at The White House from January 20, 1989 until November 6, 1991, under President George H.W. Bush.

After his stint with the CIA - 26 years to be exact- Gates went to Texas to serve as president of Texas A&M. In 1996, he wrote his memoirs "From the Shadows", a book that became somewhat controversial as it made statements about the relationship between the CIA and Mujahadeen in Afghanistan during the 1980's.

He thinks that the US is a target for cyber-terrorism. (I'm sure he was comforted when Mac's got their first virus.)

He launched a 1991 campaign to create more openness in the CIA. The intent was to share information with the media, academia and other government agencies.

Gates expressed concerns over the open participation of the CIA in peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. But, nevertheless, "it seems fitting in this new era of openness that the C.I.A.'s longstanding behind-the-scenes role in helping to wage peace should finally become public alongside its long history in waging covert war."

When the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was "accidentally bombed" by NATO 1999, Gates said "In War, Mistakes Happen."

On that incident, a 1999, New York Times Op-Ed, said, "there was a system failure as well as mistakes by individuals. The source of all mapping information for United States military targeting is the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, a joint military and civilian intelligence organization. According to The New York Times, that agency was apparently the source of outdated maps. Then the C.I.A. analysts apparently misidentified the target. And finally, military databases in the United States and NATO used to check the accuracy of such information failed to catch the error.... Americans ... should understand that outdated maps and insufficient personnel are related to 12 years of budget cuts in both the military and intelligence."

He has recieved three Distinguished Intellegence Medals, the highest award for CIA agents.

And, of course, he served as a member of the board of trustees of The Fidelity Funds, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc.

Let's go get that oil.
And, let's be real open about it.
Hey, maybe we can take out a few Chinese Embassy's while we're at it.

Jim Webb fought to the finish line in the Virginia Senate race, bringing home an apparent victory and a Democratic majority in the US Senate.

Signs in Webbs camp read "Jim Webb Born Fighting", and celebration ensued, when the Associated Press declared him the winner of the tight race. Although canvasing and counting will continue, the AP has estimated that Webb won the race by about 7,200 votes.

Read more!

CNN is also projecting that Democrat Jon Tester will trump incumbent Senator Conrad Burns in Montana.

With these two victories, the Democrats secured the majority in both the House and the Senate. Good news for American's looking for a change in the staus quo.

Temple Society of Professional Journalists- or TUSPJ

I founded this little project of mine in November of 2005.

With the assistance of some loyal profs and a few cohorts - Erica, Adam, Tiffany and Rachel - it has actually become a functioning student organization at Temple.

We had a big week.

We unveiled our new logo (above). After running an unsuccessful competition for designs from Tyler School of Art, I created my own entry. It won. Not because of its amazing artistic merit, but because the other entries we recieved were so lame.

I decided that entering the contest was not a conflict of interest, so long as returned the $50 cash prize to the organization... Although I have to admit, it was difficult to turn down considering by bank account balance was $2.18 at the time.

Anyway, here it is.
We recruited a new advisor. Susan J has been our greatest supporter from the start. She was member as an undergrad. She allows us to promote in her classes. We even stole our t-shirt slogan from her idea: "Journalist Probe Deeper"

Above all, I am excited to have Susan J as an advisor because she is inspirational. Hey, she inspired me to start this blog.

Get to know her better at her own blog Citizen of Philadelphia

We launched our web site. TUSPJ Online
No discredit to Anthony for his services, but I wish I knew html and Dreamweaver, because with all of the time I dedicated to gathering and writing the content of the site, I should have done it myself. I would have done it better, too. Then I could have put it in MY portfolio.

(You like that should'a, would'a, could'a? My grandpa must be so proud)

But what do you think of that front page logo?
They asked for a can of Milwakee's Best. I told them that a can of Beast might send the message that we have low self-esteem. Besides, journalists and scotch have a relationship that goes back a long way.

At least I can put that in my portfolio.

Daily Martini, French Martini

A resounding message was sent last night to Congress: The American people are exceedingly dissatisfied with the state of the Union.

Let us not celebrate victory, because it has not been secured yet.

Let us not celebrate the Democrats as they appear to have siezed control of Congress, because that would exclude half of the country.

Let us not celebrate ourselves for sending a message, because the message is meaningless until it his heard and acted upon.

For these toasts, I recommend a glass of Marinelli's, saving the real celebration for when the real answers come.

Instead, let us celebrate a successful election night with few voter restrictions, free speech and an excellent job by the American media in covering the election.

But, lets break out the chamagne for these guys!
Here's to you pressmen and women around the country. You taught us in one night about issues, candidates, restrictions faced by some voters that prevented them from voting, and above all, the results without upsetting the voting process. Well done!


The French Martini

1 1/2 oz. Vanilla Vodka
1 1/4 oz. Champagne (or sparking cider)
3/4 oz. Chambord
1/2 oz. Pinapple Juice

Do not shake.
Serve in a Chilled Cocktail glass.
No Garnish.

Enjoy!
Celebrate safely.

added: 12:50 am, November 9
Dems have secured it... time to pop the Kobel!

My Political Platform

My Dad would freak if he saw this.
Well, maybe I'll get lucky, and he will.

A CNN survey asked three questions on each of these topics to determine where the quiz takers' views fall on a political spectrum.
There were some very interesting results. For the most part, people seemed to fall all over the map.

I personally could not find any connection between age, gender or location that would have suggested a pattern.

My results from the quiz are above. This is not surprising, considering I consider myself to be more liberal on social issues and conservative on fiscal ones. I believe that corporations are the devil. I believe in the importance of small business. I believe it is the responsibility of each individual to take care of him/herself and their neighbor, not the governments'. I believe that as citizens we need to stand up for our rights and protections, because it is in the nature of government to take them from us. And, above all, I believe in my right to live my life without impositions by my government...

My government should be affraid of me, I should not be affraid of my government

Click here, to take the quiz.

Dems taking control?

Balance of Power Resting on Two

Candidates for Senate Jim Allen, D-Virg. (left), and Jon Tester, D-Mont. (right)

I could have posted this at 12:20 a.m., but I made a decision to wait for more information. As it turns out, it didn't matter... the two deciding races are still undecided.

Last night, the Democrats took firm control of the House of Representatives, winning 228 seats to the GOP's 195. In the Senate, a shocking display of voter disapproval came as
Democrats made siginificant advances. Prior to Election night, it was predicted that Dems would pick up Senate seats in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, meaning that they would gain strength, but not a majority in the Senate. But, they have nearly secured control there as well.

Two more races, Missouri and Rhode Island, went to challenging Democrats, and at the moment, candidates in Virginia and Montana are still neck and neck. If James Webb, D-Virg., defeats incumbent George Allen, R-Virg., as CNN and other major news outlets are predicting, the Dems would assume the majority. If Jon Tester, D-Mont., defeats incumbent Conrad Burns, R-Mont., the majority will be even more secured. If either one of those races is lost, then there will be an even balance of power within the Senate.

Let us remember our civics courses, if there is a tie vote in the Senate, it is the Vice-President - Dick Chaney in this instance- who breaks it.

This is going to be an interesting month. We will keep you posted.

Daily Martini: Election 2006

A few suggestions to stay with the motif.

American Sour Martini
2 oz. 12- year Whiskey
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
1/2 oz. Orange Juice
1 oz. Sour Mix
Serve in a cocktail glass with orange granish

Boston Tea Party Martini
1/2 oz. Rum
1/2 oz. Gin
1/2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Triple Sec. (or be daring and make it what it should be - orange brandy liqueur... but, that's not one most people keep around the house)
1 oz. Sour Mix
Shake, pour into chilled cocktail glass. Top with 1/4 oz. Kahlua and a splash of cola.

And My Personal Favorite:

drum roll

The Red, White and Blue Martini
1 1/2 oz. Stoli Raspberry Vodka
3/4 oz. Disarrano
3/4 oz. Blue Curacao
1/2 oz. White Creme de Cocoa

Serve in a chilled cocktail glass with cherry garnish.
Enjoy.

Rock the Vote

A fun little election blog, I am surprised that it wasn't updated by the minute on election night. Check it out for continual updates on Election 2008. I sure the politicking will begin soon.

Add Wisconsin to the list

Only 11 percent of precincts in, and it seems that Wisconsin has joined the ranks of states to pass constitutional bans on gay marriage.

This one is a tough loss, considering the typically liberal leanings on Wisconsin. Some political analystists actually thought this racw would be the closest of all of them. That does not seem to be the case. So far, the race has come back 61 percent for, 39 percent against the ban.

Sounds pretty firm to me.

Santorum goes down.

It is official... at least according to the New York Times. My pet-rock has defeated Rick "man-on-dog sex" Santorum in Pennsylvania.

Dan Savage will be so proud!

Why the gay community needs to view Same Sex Marriage bans as a victory.

The NAACP began its quest for civil rights in the same way that the gay community is going about seeking equality: through the legal system.

If patience is a virtue in the world of the law, than understanding of the law can be lethal.

As a community, gays in the US should be celebrating, because each ban that is passed as a state constitutional amendmendment is grounds for a case to be appealed to the US Supreme Court for judicial review. Let the highest court in the land decide if these bans are violating our civil rights.

The University of Virginia Law School warns that these bans will be struck down because they not only violate the rights of same-sex couples, but the affect all unmarried couples in the Commonwealth.

This is what was considered in Pennsylvania when a Marriage Protection Amendment was defeated in the legislature there this summer. The amendment was rejected because its language threatened the rights of all unmarried coupled to collect health benefits, secure adoptions, to claim property left by a love one in a will and even to make emergency medical decisions.

Costitutional bans on same-sex marriage may come as threat, but we need to keep in mind that these bans allow room for further legislation and will soon require the Constitutionality of defining marriage as a union between one-man and one-woman.

Virgina, Tennessee and South Carolina pass Constitutional Amendements to ban gay marriage.

With polls closed for just over one hour, it is already clear that these three states have spoken: Gay Marriage will not be permitted within their borders. The results are not surprising. Most major news outlets predicted these results beginning in early October - see the left realism here and the right stirring their voting base here.

Although only 10 percent of polling precincts have reported, there is no question about how Tennessee will turnout. Nearly 400,000 people have responded with a firm "Yes", affiriming the ban. That is 81 percent of the vote calculated thus far.

South Carolina was not far behind those numbers. With 23 percent of the vote tabulated, more than 150,000 people, 78 percent, have affirmed.

Virginia was much closer, as expected. Sixty-four percent of the votes are in, and it is presently a 57-43 percent swing. Though there is the slim chance that late reporting precincts could turn the tide, CNN has already called the race. Here is response from one a few Virginians.

California Proposition 1 A-E

No one wants my opinion on the California ballot, but this psycho one, I had to address.

Prop 1 A-E, the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act (why port security was lumped in is a mystery, except for the fact that oil arrives in the state via ports along the coast), essentially levies a tax on oil companies to pay for road improvements. At the moment, road maintaince is funded in part by property taxes, income taxes, and two sales taxes applied to gasoline and petrol sales. This measure wants to put it into law that all gasoline taxes should go directly to road repair. Nothing wrong with that proposal. However, the additionof Prop's 1B-E is another issue.

The idea behind these measures is that a $20 billion (yes, that's a 2 followed with 11 zeros) bond will go directly to highway maintainence, and be repaid - with intererst- from the state's general fund over the next 30 years.

Let's think about this for a moment. The system as it is now repairs the roads as they need to be repaired... why fix something that's not broken. The Highway system in California, outdated as it may be, cannot be repaired over night, whether legislators have $10 or $20 billion. There should be a proposal drawn for fixing the problem before the bond is issued. It's that simple.

Crazy Cali ballots.

Crazy California.

As I pressed the eight glowing red dots in my Pennsy electronic voting machine, I was nostolgic. I missed the chaos of a good, old fashioned California vote.

In California, any proposition can be put on the ballot for vote by the people so long as enough signatures can be acquired in its support. In other words, if I wanted to propose that a new law be made stating "All blondes can only wear pink on Tuesday in the County of Orange", and found 50,000 people to agree with me, that would go on the ballot for popular vote.

This year, there are nine of these props. I will list them, and then address them in seperate posts so as not to make the readers insane.

Prop. 1 A-E, is about roads and traffic... a truly Cali issue.
Prop. 83, wants to strap GPS systems on sex offenders.
Prop. 84, requests $5 billion to clean the water supply.
Prop. 85, a Constitutional Amendment that would create a mandatory 48-hour waiting period and require parental notification prior to performance of an abortion involving a minor.
Prop. 86, imposes an additional 13 cent tax on cigarettes and tobacco products, bringing the total tax to $2.60.
Prop. 87, would impose a tax on oil companies to fund research for alternative energy resources.
Prop. 88, would raise property taxes by $50 for school funding.
Prop. 89, a campaign finance reform that would limit contributions by corporations and create a tighter system for reporting and tracing campaign contribution.
Prop. 90, a Constitutional Amendment addressing eminant domain, the propsal would bar the state and local governments from acquiring or demolishing private property to promote the other private development projects.

They certainly ran the gauntlet with this ballot. I am anxious to see how it turns out.

Election Coverage

Today is the big day, the one that we political geeks wait two years for. On the second Tuesday in November of every even year, we are the ones who sit in front of our televisions (usually two or three in my case - one on CNN, one on FOX, and one to watch my favorite episodes of Six Feet Under in the down time) with multiple editions of various newspapers spread across the coffee table and our laptops handy to post comments on web pages and track minute-by-minute exit poll updates throughout the country.

What will I be watching tonight?

Proposed constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage in eight states:

• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Colorado
• South Dakota
• South Carolina
• Arizona
• Idaho
• Tennessee

Congress

Rick Santorum has got to go in Pennsylvania. My vote is going toward the pet-rock, Bob Casey, not because of his glowing qualification, but because Santorum is insane.

Tammy Baldwin, an openly gay congresswoman from Wisconsin, and of course, Barney Frank, because he's entertaining.

Governors

Ed Rendell is on the top of my list because, well, Ed Rendell is the man. I actually would love to see Ed Rendell for President in 2012.

Let us not forget dear Arny. I love Arnold Schwarzenegger for all that he has done reshaping the state of California after the havoc that Grey Davis wreaked there, even if he did veto the gay marriage bill. I only wish that I didn't have to double check the spelling of his name every time I write it.

States

Minnesota has some interesting races going on, namely Sen. Paul Koering's race for re-election.

In Colorado, there is the medical marijuana bill, which is always entertaining.

And, of course, California leads the pack with seven propositions on the ballot, inclusing two that address immigration issues. Schwarzenegger himself put three props on the ballot.

It's going to be fun. We'll keep you posted.

Daily Martini: Halloween Edition 2

In honor of last nights incident, and those in PA uneducated about the importance of Apples in the All Hallows celebration, I have concocted a festive, holiday drink with a refreshing reminder.

Hang on to your hats... this one is complicated.

Adam's Apple Martini
1 1/4 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Apple Cider
1/2 oz. Rose's Lime

Shake and pour into chilled cocktail glass. Top with splash of sprite. Garnish with a juicy, cripy, red apple slice.
Enjoy.

PA, here's some egg in your eye.

I was egged last night.

Some guy ran up behind me and chucked an egg at the back of my head from about three feet away. I think I was more angry about the jackass getting egg all over my freshly dry-cleaned, wool coat than anything.

He ran to a car with three other juvenile delinquents. I chased the jackass down and wacked the side of the car with my bookbag as they drove away. My roomate called the cops.

We looped around the corner on the way home - you have to love the one-way streets in Philadelphia - and wouldn't you know, the morons are parked a block away from where I was hit. They pulled out of their "reload zone" right behind us into traffic. My roomate called Temple Police again to tell them that we had located our "Assailants."

They were arrested. Who's laughing now mother@#?!er ! HaHa.

WHY YOU CARE - WII FM
My roomate called this a "Mischief Night prank." Apparently, this is a phenomena reserved for the Tri-State area and the Great-Lakes regions, at least according to this University of Wisconsin linguistics survey. Wiki agrees that this is a Northeastern US tradition.

From egging and TP, to vandalism and arson, this is a "fun filled" night for some, and a mess for others. In lovely cities like Camden and Detroit, people have been know to light the city on fire. The peak was in 1984, when over 800 buildings were set ablaze in D-town.

It has to be the dumbest custom I have encountered since arriving in Pennsylvania.

So, where did this come from?
History in brief.

How PA has got it all wrong:
Mischief Night, also known as Devil's Night, is actually supposed to fall on November 4. It is a British celebration, adapted from the Celtic tradition of lighting bon fires on this day in celebration of the Samhain feast. In Britain, the day has become one in which children play tricks on adults. (Hmmm!) Common practices include playing games like "ding-dong-ditch" or apple ducking... that's right apples, dummies.

When it goes too far.
What you need to know.
Why this needs to go.

Allow me to clarify something for all you, just as I did for my roommate last night...
People don't go egging the night before Halloween! It's destructive, and it's weird. This city has enough crime to deal with, so don't be a contributor. Be safe, keep your TP next to the toilet where it belongs, try not to burn down any houses
and, Happy Samhain to you too!

Check out this alternative rendition from my roommate.

Philadelphia newspaper strike, Temple News ignorance

The Philadelphia Newspaper Guild voted overwhelmingly to strike this week if their contract demands aren't met. Will Bunch was impressed according to his sentiments on Attytood, the Daily News blog.

As for me, I received a hillariously frantic email from one of the Temple News, who shall remain nameless. According to this email, the Daily News planned to send Temple students out wandering the streets of Philadelphia on Halloween night, roaming in search of a story. They then planned to use whatever we came back with for a City Section... I have to tell you, if this is the level of understanding that the editors at Temple News have of teh newspaper industry, I am terrified!

Daily Martini, Melonball

A classic at any bar, this one is much simpler than we make it out to be. As usual, I don't make it to spec., but I put my own touch on it.

Melonball Martini

1 1/2 oz. Vanilla vodka
1 oz. Melon Liqueur, or Madori
1 oz. Orange Juice

Top with Sprite. Serve is a chilled cocktail glass with cherry and orange slice granish.
Enjoy.

Target Iran: A discussion on US foreign policy.

The New York Society for Ethical Culture hosted a discussion on Iran and US foreign relaions policy on October 16. It was aired Sunday on CSPAN2's BookTV. The guests were Scott Ritter, former UN weapons inspector and author of Target Iran: The Truth About the White House Plans for Regime Change, and Seymour Hersh, The New Yorker's national security correspondant.

Ritter took the opportunity to discuss his views on the Bush administrations foreign policy and the potential it has to incite war with Iran.

He also discussed the source of this policy. "Neo-Conservatives," as he calls them, including Republican minds like Dick Chaney, "Scooter" Libby and Donald Rumsfeld, have spent the last 20 years perfecting their ideas on nation building and the global pro-democracy movement, according to Ritter.

"They had twelve years under the Reagan-Bush administrations to practice it,
then spent eight years during the Clinton era perfecting it in think tanks," Ritter said.

It is from this political movement, according to Ritter, that the "Bush Doctorine" was derived. Wiki justifies the Bush policy as follows:
"The United States possess the means - economic, military, diplomatic - to realize its expansive geopolitical purposes. Further, and especially in light of the domestic political reaction to the attacks of September 11, the victory in Afghanistan and the remarkable skill demonstrated in focusing national attention, it is equally true that Americans possess the requisite political willpower to pursue an expansive strategy."

This is troublesome, as Hersh and the majority of the audience members in attendence of the event pointed out, because not every American agrees with the purpose or the practice of the "neocon" strategy. Although the power may be present, the question of will exists.

According to Ritter, the United States is not the only nation in which the Bush Doctorine is playing out. The UK has adopted it as well. And, accordingly, British military officials are calling for a change in policy.

"Sir Richard Dannatt is calling for [Prime Minister Tony Blair] to change its policy on Iraq," Ritter said, referring to statements made by UK's Cheif of the General Staff earlier this month. "British policy is destroying the British army."

In his book, Ritter discusses at length what he believes will be the result of the rhetoric coming from the White House at present: full scale war with Iran. He gave a point-by-point timeline for what he anticipates will occur following the October election season.

First, the Bush administration will begin working the politics of war with Iran by accusing them of developing a nuclear weapons program. Ritter, a weapons inspector for the UN from 1991-98 insists that no nuclear weapons exist in Iran, but the story will play out in Iran the same way as it did in Iraq: once the accusation is made, the US will do what it takes to prove that WMD's exist in Iran.

"The burden is on Iran to prove that they do not have nuclear weapons," he said. "But you can't prove a double-negative."

He then anticipates that the US will convince the UN to begin inspections, at which point Iran will pull its oil off of the market. Prices of gasoline will rise in the US, and the common consumer will feel the burden "in their pocket."

"The US is function just above margin. The US is not producing enough oil to support itself," Ritter said. "If Iran pulls its oil, the US will fall to about four percent below margin."

In the end, America's oil-addiction will drive us to war with the Iran. Iran will then turn to the North Korean's and the Chinese for nuclear weapon, according to Ritter, and it is at that point that we can expect to lose a US city to nuclear attack.

Herst was a bit more optimistic.

Although he did not disagree with Ritter's assessment of the Iran situation and the potential that US foreign policy has to start a war, he continually brought the conversation back to the fact that people in this country have varying opinions, and popular opinion has power.

Ritter made a statement at one point about the Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice's diplomatic trip to Iran. He called it fruitless, saying that she wasted time by talking to the Iranian President Mohammad Ahmedinejad.

"[He] has no power," Ritter said.

Constitutionally, this is true. The majority of power rests with the Prime Minister, the Shah and legislative parties in the Iranian government. But, Hersh interjected the importance of popular opinion.

As for the Bush doctorine, Herst said, "[Bush] is going to do what he's going to do whether its because of God, his father or whatever it is." He paused for a moment, and then, "...the twelvth step."

He said that if had any advice for the Joint Chiefs, it would be, "Let's take a mulligan." Go back and pray for forgiveness.

Bushit!

Freedom of speech is collapsing everywhere we turn. There hasn't been a time in recent history that our leaders have tried to stamp out criticism as aggressively as they are now. Check out this story about a woman who is being prosecuted for haveing a bumper sticker that read: 'Bushit'.

"Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, founded in injustice and wrong, are sure to tremble, if men are allowed to reason…There can be on right of speech where any man…[is] compelled to suppress his honest sentiments.Equally clear is the right to hear. To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker."--- Frederick Douglas

Democracy cannot function without public opinion and the freedom to express it!

Temple football showing their true colors.

Even when losing, some teams still have heart. Temple University's football team showed it two weeks ago when they lost 62-9 to Clemson at home.

Following the game, Beth Kunkel, president of the Clemson University Faculty Senate, wrote a thank you letter to the Temple football program and to the University.

"We would like to ask that you extend our sincere thanks to your football student athletes for their generosity in donating their per diem from the Clemson-Temple game to the fund established for one of our players, "Ray Ray" McElrathbey. "Ray Ray" has obtained custody of his younger brother and is raising him while attending school and participating in the football program. This fund was established to assist him with the financial issues he is facing. For your football team to make such a selfless gesture speaks more loudly than any words of the quality and integrity of your students, faculty and athletic administrators. Thank you!"

Temple football is not recieving much praise these days. It has certainly been abscent here. Around the league and in the media, they are a laughing stock -of course, according to ESPN's that is par for all of the Big East. You won't even find any kudos at the schools fanblog. Every school has one, but Temple's has been updated only five times since April.

This is a small forum for a big thank you, but it needed to be posted somewhere.

Way to go guys.

Temple Wins!

Temple football has finally flung off the longest losing streak in the NCAA, defeating Bowling Green 24-14 before a Homecoming crowd. The team had lost 20 straight prior to Saturday's victory.

Sophomore reciever Travis Shelton caught two touchdowns, and freshman linebacker Junior Galette made a stellar block on a Bowling Green punt that turned the tide for the Owls who never looked back.

Owls coach Al Golden, who has recieved criticism for the teams poor performance inhis freshman season thus far, was described as "emotional." According to ESPN, his wife, pregnant with their second child was hospitalized with complications.

Daily Martini: Halloween Edition

Tonight is a party night for most of us. In honor of Halloween, we will be dressed up in silly costumes making fools of ourselves. My hope is that you all do it responsibily... with a martini in you hand.

This one is in honor of Halloween.
Vampire Bite Bloody Mary Martini
(Best if made in bulk, but if you want to make them individually, just cut the recipe by 1/4)
Serves four.

2 tblsp. Fresh Horseradish
2 tspn. Black pepper
1 cup V8 Tomato Juice
4 oz. Absolut Peppar

Shake thoroughly. Serve in a cocktail glass. Can be garnished with celery, or for a fun touch, check out this recipe for "eye ball olives." Click here.

If you really want to heat things up, make it a Bloody Maria by subsituting tequila for the Absolut Peppar.

Daily Martini, Italian Banana

Inspired by my time spent with the boys this weekend.

Italian Banana Martini
1 1/2 oz. Vanilla Vodka
1 oz. Tuaca
1 oz. Banana Liqueure

Serve in chilled cocktail glass with sugar rim.

Daily Martini, Limeade

My sour mood lead me to a decidely sour martini today. Perhaps its a nice switch from all of the sugar laden cocktails I have posted so far.

Here it is.
Limeade Martini

1 1/2 oz. Citrus Vodka
1 oz. Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Simple Syrup (sugar water)

Serve in chilled cocktail glass. Top with equal parts Sprite and soda.
Garnish with lime twist.
Enjoy.

My fifteen minutes.

I am pretty shy actually... wait, who am I trying to kid. Here is my mug in PGN.

Buc Win Again!

I was removed from the Fox and Hound in the middle of the second
quarter on Sunday. The manager told me that it was "for my own
safety". Not highly unbelievable considering the Buccaneers were
supposed to lose this game, everyone in the bar was in shell-shock
over the fact that their "sure thing" was slipping away and I was
standing in the middle of a Philadelphia sports bar wearing a
Buccaneers jersey. Needless to say, my excitement was not being shared
by the majority of the people in the room.

After my removal, I went to Black Sheep, an Irish pub. How many Irish
people do you know that really care about football? I figured it was
safe territory.

Fortunately, I was right. I found three other schmucks like myself,
rooting for the wrong team. John, Steven and Brian were all dressed in
their Sunday best (unfortunately I mean straight out of church, not
the proud red and pewter). Together we died of sheer bliss when Matt
Bryant hit a miracle 62-yard field goal.

Amazing.

I can't say anything more.

New Jersey Supreme Court rules in favor of gay marriage

In case you haven't heard yet, the New Jersey Supreme Court made a ruling on Wednesday that called for equal rights to be granted to all citizens, regardless of sexual-orientation. Some are calling this the next step down the aisle for gays and lesbians.
Here is the press release sent out by Equality Advocates Penssylvania yesterday.

VICTORY! NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT RULES FOR EQUALITY
In a groundbreaking decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court
ruled today that lesbian and gay couples must be granted
equal relationship rights under the law.

In the Court's opinion in Lewis v. Harris, New Jersey
Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin stated, "To comply with
the equal protection guarantee...of the New Jersey
Constitution, the State must provide to committed same-sex
couples, on equal terms, the full rights and benefits
enjoyed by heterosexual married couples." The Court gave
the New Jersey legislature 180 days to decide whether to
amend the marriage statutes to include same-sex couples or
enact a parallel structure with all the rights and benefits
of marriage.
Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, formerly the Center for
Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, praised the decision. "This
is a critical step towards achieving true equality and
justice for lesbian and gay families. We urge the New
Jersey legislature to treat all families equally by granting
marriage for all committed couples," said Stacey Sobel,
Equality Advocates' executive director.
It is unclear at this time what the impact of the decision
will be on Pennsylvania's same-sex couples. It will not,
however, affect the 1996 Pennsylvania Defense of Marriage
Act (DOMA), which prohibits same-sex couples from being
married in this state. That legislation also states that
Pennsylvania will not recognize same-sex marriages from
other states.
Lee Carpenter, the legal director of Equality Advocates
added, "The reality is that thousands of gay and lesbian
Pennsylvanians are involved in committed, loving
relationships, pay their taxes, and contribute to their
communities. However, these citizens are denied the very
basic legal protections that others take for granted, such
as the right to visit a loved one in the hospital or
automatically inherit property. We hope that in the coming
years Pennsylvania will remedy what is clearly an unjust
situation."
# # #
Equality Advocates Pennsylvania is dedicated to achieving
equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
individuals in the Commonwealth through direct legal
services, education and policy reform.

I will be busted for this later, I am sure of it. You have to love that web crawler. But, as a political commentator, I find it hard to keep my mouth shut in this one.

My personal reaction:

This couldn't have happened at a worse time. Call it the Republican October Surprise, but same-sex marriage has once again become the ultimate WMD - Weapon of Mass Distraction. Watch as the religious right jumps onboard the bandwagon, stir up their constituency and flood the voting booths with anti-gay votes instead of pro-political platform votes.

Already, check out the letters to the editors of the NY Times.
The article itself stated:
The ruling in New Jersey left it to the Legislature to decide whether to legalize gay
marriage. Even so, the threat that gay marriage could become legal energized
conservatives at a time when Republican strategists say that turning out the base could
make the difference between winning and losing on Nov. 7. With many independent
analysts predicting Republicans will lose the House and possibly the Senate, President
Bush’s political team is counting on the party’s sophisticated voter turnout machinery to
hold Democratic advances enough that Republicans can at least maintain control.
Read More!

Can anyone say "Iraq?"

Daily Martini, The Blue Martini

Apologies to my fan.
My mother was in town this week, so I spent more time trying out new
maritini's rather than writing about them.

But, careful, a leave of absence is usually followed by an abundance of posting.

Today:
The Blue Martini

1 1/2 oz. Grey Goose or Skyy vodka
1 oz Blue Curacoa
1/2 oz. Sour Mix

Serve in a cocktail glass with lemon twist.
Enjoy.