"December 7th, 1941. A date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation." Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke these words to a joint session of Congress on December 8th, 1941. He asked Congress to accept this unprovoked attack as a declaration of war. Congress overwhelmingly supported this motion, as they gave him nearly a full minute of a standing ovation. This commenced what is now known as World War II. This came a mere twenty-three years after The War to End All Wars. This is only for US involvement, for England and the other allies had been fighting German forces for years.
How far have we come in the last 68 years? The United States and Japan couldn't survive without each other. The United States and Germany are closer than ever before. As many veterans, patriots and surviving civilians have said, "If it weren't for the US joining the war, we'd all be speaking German." So today, if you see a veteran, or a current soldier, thank them..
07 December 2009
19 November 2009
Let's Talk About Sex.
Sex is a wonderful thing (or so I've been told). Sexuality, however, is confusing as Hell. I've dated women, I've dated men, and enjoyed both. I've been told that I'm gay, I've been told I'm straight, I've been told I'm bisexual. Since when am I supposed to listen to what other people tell me what I am. Why can't I just be Pingüino? Why can't I just date who I want to date, not who other people tell me who I'd be good with? I am me. That's all I'll ever be. Everyone has to label, or group, or something that other people identify them as. Why can't we just all get along with each other without grouping, or stereotyping, or generalizing? I don't understand why that's so difficult... Sexuality is something that is fluid. It's not something that can be repressed as human beings are just all around sexual beings. Phases? Cycles? Sure, if that's how you want to think about it. We all analyze everything differently. To some people, sexuality is set in stone: "I'm gay and that's the way it is," or, "I don't date men." Well, to me it's not that simple. Sex is biological. Sex is emotional. Sex is diabolical. Sex can bring two people together, and it can push people apart. Yet sex is essential. It is the beginning of life in some cases. Sex can lead to death in other cases (mothers dying in childbirth). So why can't people let other enjoy themselves in the way they want to. Labels shouldn't matter. If you're gay, straight, republican, democrat, white, black or purple, JUST BE YOU. Don't let anyone else tell you how to live your life.
12 November 2009
Veteran's Day
Veteran's Day is a time for reflection and more importantly, a day to recognize and give thanks to those who have put their lives on the line. So many people have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great country of ours. And for other countries around the world. I am deeply grateful and will never be able to adequately describe my gratitude to those who humbly wear the uniform of this great land.
Every single person is, and forever will be, in debt to these great American heroes. These people put their lives on the line every single day and night, for what? For our freedom, that's what; so that we have the ability to drink our Starbucks, and drive our Chevrolet's, and eat our McDonald's. They volunteer years of their lives to the service of America, and there is no way anyone can ever thank them enough. If you're a veteran, be proud of it. If you're in active duty, wear the uniform proudly. If you're thinking about enlisting, talk it out with your parents, loved ones, recruiters, etc.
The Marine Corps' birthday was a few days ago; the tenth of November, 1775. The Army's birthday is known best as "Flag Day," or the fourteenth of July, 1775. The Navy's birthday was the thirteenth of October, 1775 (which oddly enough, WAS a Friday). The Coast Guard's birthday was the fourth of August, 1790. The Air Force's birthday was the eighteenth of September, 1947.
To me, there is nothing more honorable in the world, than to give a couple years of your life, if not your entire life, to serve in the United States Military.
The United States Army.
The United States Navy
The United States Marine Corps
The United States Coast Guard
The United States Air Force
Every single person is, and forever will be, in debt to these great American heroes. These people put their lives on the line every single day and night, for what? For our freedom, that's what; so that we have the ability to drink our Starbucks, and drive our Chevrolet's, and eat our McDonald's. They volunteer years of their lives to the service of America, and there is no way anyone can ever thank them enough. If you're a veteran, be proud of it. If you're in active duty, wear the uniform proudly. If you're thinking about enlisting, talk it out with your parents, loved ones, recruiters, etc.
The Marine Corps' birthday was a few days ago; the tenth of November, 1775. The Army's birthday is known best as "Flag Day," or the fourteenth of July, 1775. The Navy's birthday was the thirteenth of October, 1775 (which oddly enough, WAS a Friday). The Coast Guard's birthday was the fourth of August, 1790. The Air Force's birthday was the eighteenth of September, 1947.
To me, there is nothing more honorable in the world, than to give a couple years of your life, if not your entire life, to serve in the United States Military.
This we'll defend. - US Army Motto
Non sibi sed patriae. - US Navy Motto
Semper Fidelis. - US Marine Corps Motto
Semper Paratus. - US Coast Guard Motto
Above All. - US Air Force Motto
03 November 2009
Marijuana
Ok. People on both sides of this issue are ridiculous. People who are completely against marijuana being legalized drink alcohol, which is worse for your body than Mary Jane. People who want it to be totally legalized are even dumber, because here's an industry that could bring in billions upon billions of dollars in the national economy.
Marijuana should be legalized to the same extent tobacco products are legal. Capitalists are missing a huge opportunity. 5.5 trillion cigarettes are smoked annually. Now, how many bowls, bongs, joints, gravity bongs, etc. are smoked annually? There's no real way to know. But just under 873,000 (that's eight-hundred-seventy-three thousand) arrests were made in 2007 because of cannabis. This consisted of almost 50% of the drug-related arrests for this year. Marijuana is considered the "gateway drug" because it opens the door for so many people to try other drugs. But what people fail to mention is that marijuana is one of the least addictive drugs there is.
So, here is what I propose.
I propose that the government contemplate legalizing marijuana and control the growing and harvesting and tax it. The average price for a pack of cigarettes is $5.15 in the United States. If the government subsidized marijuana harvesters like they do tobacco harvesters, they could tax the sale of marijuana just like they do tobacco. This could bring in billions. Make it a crime to grow your marijuana for personal use, but not illegal to have marijuana on your person.
Technology is advancing. Invest in the creation of a device much like the Breathalyzer. Driving under the influence of marijuana, operating machinery, working, should remain scrutinized, but not personal/recreational use.
Marijuana should be legalized to the same extent tobacco products are legal. Capitalists are missing a huge opportunity. 5.5 trillion cigarettes are smoked annually. Now, how many bowls, bongs, joints, gravity bongs, etc. are smoked annually? There's no real way to know. But just under 873,000 (that's eight-hundred-seventy-three thousand) arrests were made in 2007 because of cannabis. This consisted of almost 50% of the drug-related arrests for this year. Marijuana is considered the "gateway drug" because it opens the door for so many people to try other drugs. But what people fail to mention is that marijuana is one of the least addictive drugs there is.
So, here is what I propose.
I propose that the government contemplate legalizing marijuana and control the growing and harvesting and tax it. The average price for a pack of cigarettes is $5.15 in the United States. If the government subsidized marijuana harvesters like they do tobacco harvesters, they could tax the sale of marijuana just like they do tobacco. This could bring in billions. Make it a crime to grow your marijuana for personal use, but not illegal to have marijuana on your person.
Technology is advancing. Invest in the creation of a device much like the Breathalyzer. Driving under the influence of marijuana, operating machinery, working, should remain scrutinized, but not personal/recreational use.
30 October 2009
Distracted Pilots
Northwest Airlines flight 188 recently flew past their destination. I'm sorry, did they just happen to miss Milwaukee? Do they not understand that that puts aviation back into a negative light? As if the aviation industry hasn't been hit hard enough since September 11th, 2001. Laptops in the cockpit, are you stupid?!
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