Cronkite was America’s favorite uncle

Given his connection to the Apollo 11 Moon landing, there's a certain synchronicity to his passing away on the 40th anniversary of that mission.

Damn...

I purloined this from good LJ friend writersblock_va 

Poll shows tight race for 2012 GOP nomination

So...let's sum up the potentials here...

Mitt Romney - Not a bad guy per se, but his Mormon background will seriously work against him and he looks like an unofficial advertisement for Brylcreem.

Mike Huckabee - He's a batshit crazy Born Again (and that's not busting on Born Again Christians, but rather on crazy folks) who spent the primaries whipping out his guitar at every photo op in a desperate attempt to always look cool (not unlike Bill Clinton and his sax on Arsenio Hall's show...except that Clinton actually was cool) and appeal to younger voters.

Sarah Palin - Anyone who knows me knows my feelings about her. I'll just say "not a chance in Hell of winning" and leave it at that.

I know a lot can happen and change in the next two years, but if this is the best the GOP can put forward, then:

1. They're in far worse shape than they thought, and
2. Obama could bring on World War III, completely socialize America and raise our debt into the hundreds of gazillions and still win a re-election without breaking a sweat.

Inspiration flows
Driving me to look forward
My role unrevealed

It's pretty self-explanatory...


I love writing things, I love all friends of mine
I love my motorcycle, I love tasting wines
I love the whole world and all its craziness
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada

I love my beach time, I love mountain trails
I love good food, I love sharing sexy tales
I love the whole world and all its sights and sounds
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada

I love dogs and cats, I love good satire
I love Batman, but not the Boy Wonder
I love the whole world, it’s such a brilliant place
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada

I love politics, I love debating philosophy
I love erotica, and great nudity 
I love the whole world, it’s never a boring place
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada
Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada, Boomdeyada


Everybody sing!

Running around outside naked...I keep getting arrested for it these days.

From xkcd...

 

I came across this picture the other day and was inspired based on a few "bad patient" stories I've heard recently...

Not too long ago, one of my cable pay stations was showing the movie The American President . One of the plot points is the White House and an environmental lobby pushing for a bill to reduce greenhouse emissions, but at a lower percentage than the one they want in the bill. They opt for this lower percentage because pushing anything higher through Congress would be too difficult.

A few months back, Bill Maher suggested on Real Time that (and despite his own disbelief at saying this) maybe what Obama needs is a little bit of Bush administration’s swagger. While Bush is probably not going to be remembered as one of the better presidents, his White House exercised an impressive ability to force bills through Congress. To paraphrase Maher, Bush’s administration was less concerned about being liked compared to getting the legislation it wanted passed through into law. Obviously, this wasn’t always a good thing, but doing what you feel is right or best compared to your popularity is fine line to walk in politics.

Palin takes aim at Obama over energy

"There is no denying that as the world becomes more industrialized, we need to reform our energy policy and become less dependent on foreign energy sources…But the answer doesn't lie in making energy scarcer and more expensive! Those who understand the issue know we can meet our energy needs and environmental challenges without destroying America's economy." *

First and foremost, “destroying the economy” isn’t really a worry since the economy is already in terrible shape. Yes, things can always get worse, but let’s try not to put all the blame on who just happens to be sitting in the White House, especially since the Bush administration didn’t do much to help avoid the current economic situation (in fact, some argue it’s policies helped spurn it on), and that administration only ended six months ago.

Second, and as usual, where’s the GOP’s counter solution? Assuming they even acknowledge any concern for the environment, all the GOP can do is point fingers and complain, but it doesn’t have any alternative answers or solutions to push forward. And just recently in Esquire, Jeb Bush argues that the GOP needs to become a “party of ideas” again. If the GOP is going to gain any of its traction back in the near future, it needs to shake off the bitter, lazy nay saying and apply some intelligence and effort into coming up with alternative ideas and solutions.** People and society need and want solutions and plans to drive progress forward, not constant bitching about what we’ve metaphorically lost and that something proposed will fail simply because they didn’t propose and/or don’t support it. An optimistic view of the GOP’s behavior since the 2008 election is that it’s at least standing by its principles, even if the metaphorical symbol of that behavior is a line of lemmings walking off of a cliff to their demise.

Third, I bring up the two examples above because they’re things the Obama administration needs to embrace. While compromise is usually necessary to get anything done in Washington, DC, it also can slow or halt progress in its tracks. If his administration doesn’t try to push bills like the “cap and trade,” then how do you motivate companies and people to do what’s right (or more practically, what you want them to do)? Offering bonuses like tax breaks for cleaning things up wasn’t effective, so why not a little tough love? If playing nice won’t get someone to do something, then maybe it’s time to point a gun to their head and make them your bitch. Granted, no one wants higher prices on anything these days, but a little pain now may lead to savings and lower prices later.

Obama has a comfortable approval rating and the public seems to respond well to him (we really, really like you!). You look like a good leader, now be a good leader, and that means sometimes doing things that can hurt your image. The Bush administration had one quality Obama's hasn't applied yet, it wasn't afraid to push it's agenda at the expense of its image or popularity. You can do anything if you don't give a crap about what others think about you. There’s truth to the old saying that you can never please all of the people all of the time. Don’t try to. You have plans, agendas and political promises to keep, and while we don’t expect you to actually follow through on all of them, we do expect you to doggedly pursue some of them as a leader. Like Bill Maher suggested, Obama needs to stop walking on eggshells to keep his delicate popularity and be bold in his agenda. I want Obama to march into Congress and yell at the top of his lungs:
 
Jesus told me to fix healthcare, social security, the environment and to get the U.S. the Hell out of Iraq and one way or another you mother fuckers are going to do all of that right now! And don't mind the men with guns at the doors, they're just to make sure none of you leave until we're done!




* For the love of God, the GOP needs to stop using Palin. We get it, she’s a pretty face and a Stepford Wife look-a-like who’s been a “good soldier” and promotes the party line, but her 15 minutes is up and she’s only proven that 1) she’s an expert on absolutely nothing, and 2) has quit every office she’s been elected to in order to move her career along, which is not what serving the public should be about…for either party.

** For that matter, trying to appeal to younger generations with people like Bobby Jindal and Meghan McCain, who are longshots at best for any credibility (neither of whom’s TV appearances have been wildly successful, in fact, they’ve been mocked), only further demonstrates that the GOP has only flash and no substance to promote.

I was in Paris for Bastille Day way back in 1990, and we were staying just a few blocks from the actual Bastille. Some of my travel group and I left the hotel around 7:00 PM with orders from the chaperones to be back by midnight. Not 30 seconds after we left we were swept up by the crowd and sharing from champagne bottles being passed around the crowd.

We danced, we drank and I remember kissing/making out with at least two people I didn't know (I'm pretty sure were women...I won't say how I know that).

We crawled back into the hotel around 6:00 AM as the chaperones were sitting down for breakfast.

Okay, it's not a "thing" but it is a pleasant memory...

Swearing may help reduce pain


No wonder I feel so good when I let loose with a "blue streak."

Again, something else I nabbed from good LJ friend allah_sulu 

Warning: this is pretty much not safe for work...but it is funny!

Three names I go by:
1. Scott
2. Scotty
3. One friend calls me "lovie" 

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Ticket office at Wolftrap Farm Park
2. House painter
3. Proposal Coordinator (current job) 

Three places I have lived:
1. Olympia, WA 
2. Fayetteville, NC
3. Reston, VA (currently) 

Three Favorite Drinks:
1. Green Tea
2. Cab Sauv wine
3. Rum

Three TV shows I watch:
1. House, MD
2. Gene Simmons Family Jewels 
3. Fringe

Three places I have been:
1. Paris
2. Cayman Islands 
3. Grand Canyon 

People that text me regularly:
1. Lisa
2. Steve P. 
3. Magen 

Three of my favorite foods:
1. Sushi
2. Grilled Scallops 
3. My mom's family's meat marinara sauce (a.k.a., "Sunday Gravy") 

Three friends I think will respond:
No clue!

I nabbed this from good LJ friend allah_sulu...

Sing "Happy Birthday To Me" during wax play and blow out the candle.
In the middle of an intense cropping, close your eyes and start to snore.
During a scene, do a Howard Cosell impression and provide a play-by-play account of what is being done to you.
If your dom/me tells you to "Look me in the eyes," do it cross-eyed.
If your dom/me decides to do a verbal humiliation scene with you in public, stick your fingers in your ears and say "Neener, neener, neener, I can't hear you!"
Stick an Alka-Seltzer tablet in your mouth at the beginning of a scene. Work up some saliva to get it fizzy, then call out your safeword.
If you're trussed up and ordered to count, inform your top you can't do it unless you can use your fingers and toes.
Hold up a scorecard after each blow delivered.
Tell your dom/me a better way to do whatever it is being done to you at that moment.
After a particularly hard blow, pretend to pass out. When your dom/me checks to see if you're OK, jump up and yell "Gotcha!"
Go in the toybag and superglue the nipple clamps shut.
Attach clappers to all the outlets in the dungeon just before a paddling (Clap on! Clap off!)
"Oh my god, where did you get those, they are gorgeous!!!" is not considered boot worship.
Flipping your dominant off while your hands are cuffed behind your back is a bad idea. Owners have ways of knowing these things.
Kicking that toy you hate far under the bed is futile. Master will only secure your wristcuffs to your anklecuffs and make you crawl for it... repeatedly.
Doing your Beavis and Butthead imitation of "Fire, fire, fire, fire!" during Master's lecture on fireplay safety is considered rude.
Responding with "Yes, All Wise, All Knowing Grand Imperial Weenie" is not appropriate when Master asks you if you are comfortable during a bondage scene.
Asking to go to the bathroom every five minutes while Master practices his Japanese rope work on you will try his patience, quickly.
Crossing your eyes and sticking your tongue out while your dominant is discussing your punishment is not wise.
Pretending Master's collection of buttplugs are toys and singing the "Weebles wobble but they won't fall down" song is not a good idea.
Checking Master's head for the 666 symbol after a harsh punishment will only get you more of the same, or worse.
"I know you are but what am I?" is not the appropriate response when called a raunchy little whore during humiliation play.
"Missed me, missed me, now ya gotta kiss me" is an unacceptable remark when Master's flogger slips.
When Master pulls out his bullwhip and says he wants to play, he doesn't mean hide-and-seek... He will find you eventually.
"Oh, and you think I am?" is an unacceptable response to hearing your dominant say he is not pleased.
During a play party is not the time to do your hilarious imitation of Igor and hunch over, moaning "Yes, Master" when ordered to fetch something.
Adding "Sir" or "Master" to "Fuck that plan!" will not save you.
Singing the chorus of "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" under your breath during a session is considered foolhardy.
Reciting nursery rhymes during an interrogation scene to crack your Owner up only lasts for so long. Then you will pay BIG.
Asking "Is that as HARD as you can hit??" is considered a cry for help amongst submissive suicide prevention workers.

Cheney kept CIA program from Congress, source says

McCain: CIA secrecy story just the beginning

One word:

DUH!

Growing up as an "Army brat" means you move a lot. The nice thing about that is you see a lot of the country, but the down side means you have to uproot and start all over in a new place every few years. From 1978 to 1981 my Dad had an assignment in Charlottesville, VA, in central Virginia. Several months ago, some of my friends and I made a roadtrip down this way to visit the Barboursville and Veritas wineries (I haven't done my reviews of them yet), and I really wanted to make a return trip to see some of the places I remember from when I lived there (though I realize my fellow Hokies out there may not appreciate my reminiscing about the town that's home to our archrival school (the University of Virginia - UVA). Given the beautiful weather and utter lack of commitments for today, I my first long-distance ride down to the former home of Thomas Jefferson.

The Route

Charlottesville is a straight ride down Route 29 from Northern Virginia. This route means going through some convolutedly-dense area of Fairfax County, but once past Warrenton, the road opens up for a nice, long stretch down to Charlottesville. Unfortunately, that's also the downside to this route - it's very straight and even a bit boring! Mileage Down - 126 miles, Mileage Back - 102, Total Round Trip: 228 miles.

( A trip down memory lane... )

I nabbed this from good LJ friend thenighinmear (though it's something she posted on Facebook)...

What's the weather outside like? Sunny and mild…odd but welcome weather for July.
Anyone falling for you? If someone is, then they’re being very quiet about it.
You falling for anyone? Except for my crush on Catherine Zeta Jones, I’m not really pining for anyone at the moment. I wish that were different, but oh well.
What's the last movie you saw in theaters? Transformers 2 - it’s fun but really dumb.
What's the last movie you saw at home? Get Smart - it was funnier than I expected it to be.
What's the scariest thing that you can think of? Growing old alone.
Oh snap, i forgot to ask what your name is. Scott, but some call me Scotty...
What's the most special day in your life so far? 10/19/1971…on that day, the world was never the same again.
How many kids do you wanna have? Two or three.
What's in your future? Probably more jobs, hopefully someone special and bills.
What makes you laugh the most? Being with friends, playing with dogs and too much alcohol (a.k.a., “Giggly Scott”).
Where's your phone? In my pocket…and it’s set to vibrate so please call me!
What can you hear right now? Pandora streaming “Gold Dust Woman” by Fleetwood Mac.
Favorite colors? Black, blue and maroon (I look best in those colors).
Favorite song? “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel, it completely sums up how I feel when I’m in love with someone.
Favorite tv show? Overall I’d have to say Battlestar Galactica given how frickin’ amazingly good it was, but currently I’ve gotten into Burn Notice.
Do you smoke? No and it’s a vile habit that I really wish some people I know would quit.
Drink? Definitely, but rarely to excess.
Out of the whole alphabet...how many people have you kissed? Does anyone seriously keep an accurate count of that?
Are you doing anything besides this survey? Researching some government agencies for work, but otherwise nothing critical.
What's the closest blue object to you? My Corgi 1/48 scale 1970 Batmobile replica sitting on my desk.
VH1 or MTV? I don’t really watch either.
What holiday is closest to your birthday? I want to say Halloween because it’s cool, but Columbus Day is actually closer. It’s a lame holiday, but at least it’s for a fellow Italian.
Nickelodeon or Disney? Neither.
Favorite superhero? I think everyone knows it’s Batman.
What do you do when you get upset? Yell and usually go for a long walk.
Would you ever go on a reality dating show? I want to say no, but I’m sure someone could eventually offer me enough money to convince me to do it.
What/who completes you? My family.
What's the biggest misconception people have about you? Hmm…I don’t know, I’m pretty straightforward with them so I don’t think they have any about me.
Does flying scare you? It’s not the flight that bothers me, it’s the landing.
Do you like to spoon? Absolutely…and I’m now accepting applications for partners.
What do you look for in a gf? Good humor, laidback, independent, quirky and cute helps, too.
Do you like drama? Nope, but I sometimes it’s fun to sit back and watch it happen among some of my friends…I think it’s a little bit of “living vicariously” through them since things for me are pretty dull for me at the moment.
Craziest rumor you've heard about yourself? I heard some very interesting things my ex-girlfriend has said about me and I can’t believe I misjudged how vindictively imaginative she can be.
Can you be faithful for more than 5 months? I’m a very loyal boyfriend – seriously, I’ve never cheated on anyone in my life.
Favorite candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Favorite beverage? Coffee, tea and wine.
Nintendo, Xbox, or Playstation? Believe it or not, the one and only game system I ever owned was an Atari 2600, though several friends have the Wii and I’m seriously tempted to get one now.
Are you wearing anything that doesn't belong to you? Nope.
Wierdest place you've woken up? One of the Virginia Tech astronomical observatories (my then girlfriend was the President of the Astronomy Club and we…uhm…”christened” the place the night before).
What will you be doing in an hour? Surfing the web.
Plans for the week? Going for a long motorcycle ride on Saturday, a wine festival Sunday afternoon/evening and next week will just be more time in the office. Can you stand the excitement?
Do you always eat healthy? No, but I’ve definitely cut down on the amount of junk food I used to eat.
Are you getting bored? A little, but things are slow these days.
How big of a badass are you? I’ve had several friends tell me that I’m probably the last person they would ever want to have angry at them…make what you will of that.

A friend of mine on Facebook made the comment that she wanted a Snuggie made out of ShamWOW material and I remembered this mock commercial from Real Time with Bill Maher...

I don't know why, but this song has been speaking to me lately (don't tell anyone about this moment of optimistic zen, I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation on here).

If you wake up and don't want to smile,
If it takes just a little while,
Open your eyes and look at the day,
You'll see things in a different way.

Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.

Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do.

Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.

All I want is to see you smile,
If it takes just a little while,
I know you don't believe that it's true,
I never meant any harm to you.

Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.

Don't you look back,
Don't you look back.