Real Time with Bill Maher: New Rules 7/29

Amen on “Final Destination 5!!!” Enjoy!! 😀

Vodpod videos no longer available.

New Rules 7/29/11, posted with vodpod

9/11 Memorial: Cross or No Cross?

Atheist Group Sues over Proposed Cross at 9/11 Memorial

After almost 10 years, the 9/11 memorial will be unveiled in September. If they can get settle this cross thing. I say keep the memorial religion-free.

First, for the obvious reason. Separation of church and state. The US government has invested millions in the project. It should be neutral.

Second, not all of those who died in 9/11 were Christian. There were Jewish people, Muslims, Atheists, etc. Naturally, an atheist group filed the suit. Jewish people also joined. Interestingly, even a Protestant joined the suit. Because the cross came from a Catholic church, he feels it doesn’t represent his brother, who is Lutheran. If fellow Christians have a problem with it, just keep anything religious out of it.

Third, one of the greatest things about the United States are religious freedom and tolerance. We are not a Theocracy. You can worship how you want or not worship at all. To keep the memorial religion-free shows our respect for everyone who died there, religious or not.

Whatever is decided, I hope this suit does not push back the opening in September. To me, the fact that it’s taken almost 10 years to build a memorial is disgusting. The people of NYC have had to live almost a decade with gaping holes at Ground Zero, a constant reminder of that horrible day. There should have been a memorial or park years ago. Something beautiful and reverent born out of ugliness and pain. It’s way past time, so I hope this matter is settled soon.

Hitler Youth? Really, Glenn?

Glenn Beck Says Norway Camp Like ‘Hitler Youth’

When Fox dumped him, I thought that was the end of him. He just changed the medium and is now polluting radio waves.

Just when you think this guy can’t go any lower, he pulls out that shovel.

The camp “sounds a little like the Hitler Youth or whatever,” Beck said. “Who does a camp for kids that’s all about politics? Disturbing.”

Really? I don’t know about Norway, but here, a lot of camps have themes. Like Christian camp. Or band camp. Or cheerleading camp. This one was for kids who are interested in politics. Even with these themes, what is camp really about? Hanging out with your friends, swimming, doing activities, and enjoying summer.

Whatever their political flavor, these were kids. Comparing them to Hitler Youth is implying that they deserved it. Or what happened wasn’t that tragic. Insensitive as hell, but that hasn’t stopped him before. Which is why this “low” won’t be the last.

40 is Not the New 20

40 is 40. That phrase attempts to cheer up those reaching this milestone birthday. Effective? Perhaps for some. For me? Let’s just say if I am only as old as I feel, then Happy 209,865th Birthday to me.

The CEO at the company where I work loves to celebrate these big birthdays with either cake or ice cream in the cafeteria. I thought I could get out of it, but she already knew my birthday was coming up. Dangit. Eating ice cream under fluorescent lighting with people who now know your real age? Can’t wait.

I don’t think I would have minded this ritual when I turned 30. I celebrated my 30th on top of the world. Literally. I was in Vegas and had dinner at that revolving restaurant, Top of the World, overlooking the strip. Followed by a night filled with dancing and strip clubs. Your basic exercise in drunken debauchery. I still felt somewhat energetic and alive.

Turning 40 is different. I’m having a lot more trouble with this one. And I know why.

Aging sucks. Especially for women. Men get more “distinguished.” Women just get old. In a culture that places so much emphasis on youth and beauty, every birthday is one year farther away from that young ideal. I think 40 is where you really start to notice the widening gap.

I think 40 also marks the beginning of the decade where some women start looking into Botox®, mini face lifts, and Restylane®. I want to grow old gracefully. I can’t guarantee there won’t be a day where noticing a line or wrinkle will catapult me into researching Restylane® injections. Vain? Completely. Saying I don’t care about what I’ll look like later on is a lie.

So today, I get to eat ice cream in unflattering light and ponder all of this. The CEO promised me that there is life after 40. What kind of life remains to be seen. Here we go…

Totally Twisted Quote Tuesday 7/26/11

Learning from Norway’s Tragedy

Norway Mourns Victims Anti-Islam “Crusader”

It’s scary what one “person” can do. He detonates a bomb at government headquarters. Then, he takes a ferry to an island where a summer camp is being held. He is able to go on a shooting rampage for an hour and a half, killing over 80 people.

He believes this was necessary. He was anti-Muslim and was part of the party that became the 2nd biggest in 2009. That party ran on an anti-immigration platform. He left because they were too “politically correct.”

These kinds of terrorists can be the most dangerous because they’re almost impossible to keep track of. They think that whatever organization they belong to aren’t doing enough. Not bringing about change fast enough. They branch out on their own and take matters into their own hands.

All of these people are dead because he has a problem with the changing population in Norway. In 15 years, the number of Muslim immigrants tripled to half a million. Anti-immigrant sentiment is rising there, but this guy took it to a whole new level.

It’s scary because we are seeing that here too. Anti-Muslim rhetoric is all over – from protesting the building of a Mosque in TN to sites like Creeping Sharia. And that idiot preacher in Florida who burned the Qur’an? Completely offensive.

I really hope we don’t see something like that here. Throughout our short American history, immigrants have gone through discrimination. It’s sad that it really isn’t changing. Only the group targeted changes.

Maybe this tragedy will help open our eyes. We’re a land of immigrants. And the newest group isn’t the enemy.

RIP Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse among Musical Talents Gone Too Soon

I didn’t really listen to her music. Her famous song, “Rehab,” is one of my sister’s favorites. No doubt she was a very talented musician. She had a very distinct vocal tone. She attended The BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology. Think: “Fame.”

I got verklempt learning more about her life. Especially when I read that she was diagnosed bipolar and refused medication. She chose to self-medicate with alcohol and crack cocaine. *sigh* Maybe she felt that her creativity would be affected if she treated her illness. I don’t know. She was obviously a tortured soul with many demons.

Here is a video memorial, featuring her cover of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” by The Shirelles. This song really highlights that beautiful, distinct tone. RIP Amy.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Amy Winehouse Memorial (Will You Still Love Me …, posted with vodpod

Real Time with Bill Maher: New Rules 7/22

Hahaha @ the ice cream flavor. 😆 Enjoy!

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Real Time 7/22/11, posted with vodpod

US Students Suck at Geography Too

Geography Report Card Finds Students Lagging

Surprised? Yeah, me neither. Reports like these are depressing. When I was a sub, I saw it first hand. I worked in a low-performing school district (read: minority and poor). A lot of the kids don’t care. The parents are just as apathetic. And the money that pours into the district doesn’t reach the classrooms. In one elementary school, I had to photocopy from a master book and give copies to the kids. They didn’t have books for students. Ridiculous because when an administrator toured my summer school class, I thought, “Hmm. Nice Chanel suit.”

I hope things turn around. Geography might not be considered as important as math and science to a lot of people. But all that math and science is preparing kids to compete in a global economy. Geography might be helpful. At the very least, you will know why you have to wake up in the middle of the night to join a conference call in Bangalore.

If you want to see how you stack up against 4th, 8th, and 12th graders, check out some of the sample questions:

NAEP Geography 2010: Sample Questions

How did I do?

4th Grade 5/5
8th Grade 5/5
12th Grade 4/5

I’m as smart as top 13 year olds. Boo yah!

Simmer Down, Congressman West!

Allen West Doesn’t Think Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a Lady

Boy, is Allen West pissed. He sent this e-mail to Deborah Wasserman-Schultz:

From: Z112 West, Allen
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM
To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric

Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz

Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional ,and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!

I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach.

You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!

Steadfast and Loyal
Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)

Oh snap! She must have said something hella nasty on the House Floor. Probably insulted him, his wife, and his mama. What did she say?

“Incredulously, the gentleman from Florida. who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of this plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries,” she said, calling West’s approval of the plan “unbelievable from a member from South Florida.”

Um, that’s it? All she said was that she can’t believe that someone who represents so many seniors would support a plan like this.

Because of that, he said that she is the “most despicable member of the House of Representatives?” Oh, and that he’s telling on her.

Sorry, but there is nothing more pathetic to me than a thin-skinned bully. It’s not like she said what I would have:

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Congressman West standing around the Pick-Up line at pharmacies in South Florida. He loves getting off on seniors paying more for their medication. Nothing makes him happier than seeing his constituents choose between medications every month. This plan will make it so bad, the excitement at seniors deciding between groceries and medication may kill him. And if they needed home care or to stay at an assisted living facility? I’m sure he would beg to be the one to deliver the news: “Too bad. So sad.” I don’t want Allen West and those like him circling my elderly loved ones like a vulture coming off a hunger strike. This is why I strongly oppose H.R. Bill 2560.”

I wonder how he’d respond to that.