More Memorial Day

here ya go...
the caption at the bottom reads

"the panel is composed of images of 609 coalition soldiers killed in Iraq"

Pre-emptive Strike

I have to make a post in defense of Sriracha. Yes, the Chilli (that's how it's spelled on the bottle) sauce that you find at all the restaurants in the fan, has made its arrival at the home of my fiancee. She hates when I eat it. Apparently it doesn't smell very good to her, but it tastes awesome. So, before I read something by her detracting from this delicious condiment, I am going to tell all of you how wonderful it is. It adds a wonderful spicy kick while still maintaining a unique and delectable flavor. I put it on everything: sandwiches, eggs, tater tots, pretty much anytime you'd use ketchup, salsa, or tabasco, I use sriracha. It's so great and a whole 28 ounces is only $3 at Tan-A Supermarket!! Go get some.

Prepare To Get Your Historically Inaccurate Panties Twisted

It's fiction. It's always been listed as fiction. Not the publisher, not the author, no one genuinely connected with it has in any way, shape or form ever suggested that it was true. I've seen The DaVinci Code week on the History Channel. I know. Even they have said "Okay, it's fiction, here's why." I don't care anymore. It's a book. If you want to read a fun book about the coming of the Anti-Christ, check out Good Omens. It's funny.

But if you are the same sort of idiot who has determined that Heavy Metal would jeopardize your soul and D&D makes kids kill people, do me a favor, go get sterilized right now, we don't need anymore of you. You are the same person who freaked out during "The Passion" frenzy and have surrounded my roommate in a prayer circle when he was just trying to go to work. Oh yeah, speaking of work, a tract is not a tip. In fact, it makes me want to go to church even less than I already do. My treasure could very well be in heaven, but that doesn't keep the lights on. So please, keep your white trash, xenophobic, war mongering, gun totin', gay bashing ideas to yourself.

By the way, to all of you without a sense of humor: the pentagram on the front door was not intended to display any genuine religious belief or alignment. I would greatly appreciate if you didn't write "Jesus Lives" on my front door. I don't write "In Mexico" on yours.

They didn't give him long to live.

A few weeks ago, a regular couple of mine came in and had some bad news for me. The doctors found cancer in his lymphnodes and in both lungs. These folks have been very good to me and I hate to see her holding back the tears every time they come in. His biopsy, for the official word, was earlier today. I find out tomorrow if it's treatable at all.

Bikes are Fun

So, I got a new bike a couple of weeks ago. I got a fantastic bike for a great price. This guy that I wait on has a wonderful hobby of getting donated bikes or a least paying very little for them and fixing them up. When he has a few, he sells them. Since he only works on kids, mountain and BMX bikes, he has a friend that works with him and sells road bikes. Generally their selection is a little outdated, but they've got some great brand name stuff. Giant, Trek, Schwinn, Raleigh, Bridgestone, and I got a great deal on a 20 year old Shogun.

So I spent some dough and some time getting it tweaked. I got a new, very comfy seat, toe straps for the clips, and then new tubes and tires. This bike is already equipped with quick releases on the front and rear, with the cool brakes that click into position which allow one to easily remove the wheels. With this in mind, I bought a Kryptonite Cable long enough to go through both wheels, the frame and around a telephone pole. I had to play with the derailleurs as the front one was out of adjustment, but overall little had to be done. I love my new bike and I ride it all the time. Thanks bike dorks, now I'm one too.

Report Card Time

The semester has ended and I'm taking the summer off. I've taken 14 credits this semester and here's how I've done.

American Literature - A
Health and First Aid - A
Spanish II - B
Geology 105 - B

Not too shabby for working full time too, If I do say so myself. Even though I struggled a little this semester and got tired there towards the end, I'm looking forward to my next semester. It's been a while since I finished a whole semester of school and it feels good. Thank you Robin for inspiring me and believing in me to get me this far. I'm going to need your support in the future, too.

May Flowers?

April showers bring May flowers. Well, it's May and I've got showers and no flowers. Cold and rainy, thanks spring.

Failed State Index

Last year, and this year the "Failed State Index" has been put out by Foreign Policy Magazine and the think tank, Fund for Peace. So, who's who in the world? 146 nations are ranked and the U.S. came in 128th (1 being the worst, 146, the best). So what criteria do these folks use to rank these states?

1. Mounting Demographic Pressures
2. Massive Movement of Refugees and IDPs (internally displaced people)
3. Legacy of Vengeance - Seeking Group Grievance
4. Chronic and Sustained Human Flight
5. Uneven Economic Development Along Group Lines
6. Sharp and/or Severe Economic Decline
7. Criminalization or Deligitimization of the State
8. Progressive Deteriorization of Public Services
9. Widespread Violation of Human Rights
10. Security Apparatus as "State within a state"
11. Rise of Factionalized Elites
12. Intervention of other States or External Actors

The score works like golf, the lower the number the better (1-10).

here's how the U.S. did:

1. 5
2. 6
3. 3
4. 1
5. 6
6. 2
7. 3
8. 1
9. 5
10. 1
11. 2
12. 1

which gives us an overall score of 34.5
Canada got a nice 23.1, putting it a 139, Finland, Sweden and Norway took 144, 145, and 146, respectively.

those at the bottom (or top, I suppose) of the list:

1. Sudan
2. Democratic Republic of Congo
3. Ivory Coast
4. Iraq
5. Zimbabwe
6. Chad (tie)
   
7. Somalia (tie)
   
8. Haiti
   
9. Pakistan
10. Afghanistan

"Famous" Immigration Reform

I have at my home, a memo from David Goronkin, President and CEO of Famous Dave's, the restaurant at which I work. It is dated April 28, 2006 in regards to Immigration Reform. It reads as follows (grab a snack, it's a little long):

As you all know, the debate about immigration reform continues and this company remains optimistic that a solution will soon be reached. The Senate reconvened on April 24, 2006 and once again began discussing the issue. From what we have learned there is still an opportunity for the Senate to pass a comprehensive immigration bell that will affect approximately 12 million immigrants and their path toward citizenship. We are working with our trade associations and other such groups to ensure that the voice of businesses that depend on immigrants is heard.

It is important that you understand that while you recently may have seen marches by immigrants and their supporters, companies like ours have been working behind the scenes with Congress to change this country's immigration laws for some time. We really believe that without immigrants our industry would not function. For us, it is not mere words. We put action behind those words. The trade associations we belong to have been working to achieve comprehensive and fair immigration reform for all immigrants. While you may not see us marching, we have been concerned and committed to this issue for many years.

Certainly, the peaceful demonstrations that have occurred so far have helped also. They have brought much needed attention to the issue. We feel that is important that you understand this company has been involved with this issue for a very long time and that we are on the same side as protesters. You should also know that many of your coworkers who are not Latino or immigrants are also concerned about this issue and stand behind the peaceful protests as well. This is not a situation where anyone is in it alone.

So far so good.

As some of you may have heard, there is going to be a "National Day of Action" on May 1, 2006 where people are being encouraged to skip work, skip school, boycott products and protest on that day. We certainly understand the motives behind the call for a "National Day of Action"; however, we ask that you wait and consider all of the facts before you decide to participate. In fact several immigrant rights group leaders are encouraging people not to take part in the protests, but instead to wait for the outcome of the Senate decision. Jaime Contreras, president of the National capital Immigrant Coalition, stated that it was premature to do the boycott and that protesters/boycotters should be careful to consider all the repercussions of protesting so soon after the April marches, because this might create a backlash.

Keep in mind, this is all in English.

We are also asking that you remember that we have customers to serve and that many of our competitors will be open on this day as well. Like we did with regard to the April 10, 2006 protest, we ask those employees that are scheduled to work on that day to please show up as scheduled. If you find that you want to attend the protest, please make sure that someone is available to cover your shift. After the march, please show up as well to cover the needs of our company.

Finally, with regard to boycotting companies on that day, we ask that you do not take part in this. We certainly hope that our customers do not boycott us, and you know as well as we know how important customers are to us. This is a difficult time for our country and we understand the reasons behind this impressive call for action. We understand this issue because we are one of the many companies who for years has been calling for immigration reform. You may not see us out there protesting with you but we have been doing a lot of the behind the scenes work that has gotten us this close to immigration reform. Please keep in mind that the protest is for immigration reform, not against your employer.

If you have any questions about this issue, please do not hesitate to contact your restaurant manager. They will be more than happy to discuss with you where our company's stand is on this issue.

In other words... Really, believe us, we've been trying. If you don't come to work, I don't know. There's plenty of other people out there protesting and stuff, they don't really need you anyway. Besides, you have a job to do. Everyone else can go, you should come in. Forget standing up for your rights, leave it for those other folks, they'll do it for you. And don't worry, if you don't come in for your shift, we'll fire you. We've already vaguely explained, in English, that this absence won't be excused. This'll cover our asses without making us look like that's what we were shooting for to begin with. Trust us, we're the large corporate entity that cares.

So let's debate.

Essentially, I agree with Paul Hager here. Some of this toward the end of his address is a bit alarmist perhaps, but the essential argument is what I'm going for. So, now you should understand why it is that I feel US drug laws are unconstitutional.

But, other people feel other things are unconstitutional as well. Social Security is one. Excusing churches from being taxed is another. But, if you'd like, you can read the Constitution of the United States yourself, and make up your own mind.