My Top 3 Hobbies

Writing on the Pont de l’Alma next to the scene of Princess Diana’s death

My top three are baking, gardening and writing. I call writing a hobby because at this point, I am doing it solely for my own pleasure. Hopefully, one day writing will become more than just a hobby.

Do you think it’s ethical to use unmanned drones in war?

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postaday2011

I think that it is a dangerous policy to dehumanize any aspect of war. Sending projectiles of destruction onto targets where soldiers are pressing buttons like they do in video games dehumanize what it means to kill someone. I hate war, I hate killing, I hate violence and I hate how we constantly seek to find easier, more lethal ways to kill others. This is not new, before computerized and automated weapons, the means of destruction were just as lethal but bloodier and messier, the difference was you almost always lost as many as you killed. The unmanned drone, I suppose is the answer to keeping your death count and wounded count low. What do we do when the opposition discovers the means and technology to build their own predator drones? Are we going to have to run for cover here?

Like I said before I hate war.

Payroll Tax Cut Plan Will Be Unveiled Monday, Democratic Senator Says

Before the payroll tax cut was adopted many social security advocates were warning us that this was going to become a sticky issue because any plan to return the rate back to 6.125% will be viewed as a tax increase. The beauty of social security was its independen­t funding by the taxpayer and their employers, the muddying of the waters between the general fund and the social security fund is not a good strategy for its continued existence and protection­. What is so upsetting is that the sector of the population that does not feel the absence of a 1000.00 have politician­s absolutely committed to fight to the “death” for them. We, on the other hand, who count on every penny, are not only looking at a policy that in the long run could be harmful to social security, but hope that it will pass. We are also looking at the expiration of the Bush tax cuts across the board which means another tax hike for the middle class as well. So in essence the GOP obstructio­nism will not only increase our taxes but also cut vital social insurance programs that many of us depend on and have paid into, simply wonderful. Happy holidays.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The Solution to Poverty: Kids Cleaning Toilets?

Just because Newt says that he is a historian doesn’t mean that he understand­s history any better than say, David Barton. Newt Gingrich is clearly gaining in the polls only as a reflection as to just how much the republican base truly does not trust Mitt Romney. Either one of these men would make a horrible President, we progressiv­es need to focus on the 2012 house and senate elections and also on the occupy movements and keeping the conversati­on going about the ever widening income inequality and lack of movement on jobs.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

America Wins War on Terror (9-11-01 to 12-1-11)

We are getting hit on all fronts by the powers that be, the senate wants to curtail the freedoms that are a fundamenta­l part of our national identity. It is almost as if they are trying to make our country into something else, say an oligarchy where the masses have lost their freedoms to protest and try to engage in direct representa­tion with their government­. Just look at the violent police response to the occupiers all around the country. It is shameful and an embarrassi­ng mark on our democracy which it seems is currently on life support.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Newt Gingrich’s Rise Continues, Ron Paul Second, Romney Third In Iowa: Des Moines Register Poll

Newt the Grinch and I say this because his rhetoric against the most unfortunat­e in our society merits the nickname. His latest diatribe against food stamp recipients is that many of them fraudulent­ly sell them and then use the money to go off to Hawaii. He touts himself as an intellectu­al giant and he offers this ridiculous nugget. His view that child labor laws are incredibly stupid and are the primary source of income inequality is equally as bad. He calls himself a historian but considerin­g his statements I would argue that he is a historian in his own mind just like he is an intellectu­al, only in his own mind.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Write a sequel to your favorite movie.

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movie, postaday2011, Princess Bride, sequel

My favorite, or rather one of them, the other one is Willow, is the Princess Bride. The book was written by one of the most prolific screenwriters in Hollywood, William Goldman. He was a loyal customer at my father’s restaurant, my father loved talking with him. He was a fixture at the restaurant at least once a week. Mister Goldman was a huge hockey fan and loved eating at the restaurant before the game.

I guess when the book was optioned as a movie, the logical choice for screenwriter was to get the best in Hollywood, Mister Goldman, he had written screenplays for so many classics, such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Thus he wrote the screenplay for the movie as well, of course and it was directed by Rob Reiner.

Since the ending was a happily ever after and the whole story was the drama of the enduring love between Princess Buttercup and Wesley the former farm boy who became the Dread Pirate Roberts, we need an another point of drama that will test the steadfastness of their love and engage their friends to help them through the drama.

I would imagine that Princess Buttercup and Wesley have a child, a baby girl who gets kidnapped and the ransom being demanded is way out of their ability to pay. In comes Inigo Montoya, the new Dread Pirate Roberts to the rescue. Fessini is still with Princess Buttercup and Wesley in the capacity as houseman. The gang is back and we can’t forget Miracle Max and his wife, they could be of help in retrieving the baby Princess.

Advice I Wish I Received Earlier

Love yourself

Be more confident and don't worry so much, you can handle anything thrown at you. You are often your own worst enemy, love yourself and everything will work out for the best.