Why I love the Onion News Network.

Bush Tours America To Survey Damage Caused By His Disastrous Presidency

Why I Support Obama

He brings hope to a hopeless country; he brings ideas that will work - we cannot drill our way out of this. He understands that offshore drilling is a short term solution, and once those rigs are online are consumption will only increase and we will not have solved anything. He understands that oil will not necessarily cause a decrease in domestic gas prices, and that we will be much better off in the long run by investing in renewable energy. I am tired of McCain's lies - every time the news is on he's quoted as saying that he knows a lot about economics, only to say the next day that he doesn't know very much about economics. He cares only about what he thinks America needs and not how we are viewed in the world (specifically in Iraq and how the Iraqi PM supports a time line for withdraw). Obama can restore the respect of the world for this country. I am tired of McCain's lies. He smashes Obama for not visiting troops in Germany, when he himself did not visit the troops when he visited Europe in March; and the Pentagon, the night before the schedule visit, asked Obama not to because of politics - and yet the mudslinging campaign of McCain continues to spread lies. Oh, and let's not forget that three days ago McCain referred to the Putin as the German President...what an idiot. We have a monkey in office right now, we don't need another one.

McCain slams Obama for the same thing he did in March.

The curious thing about John McCain's dishonorable attack on Barack Obama is that McCain himself visited Europe in March, but didn't visit the wounded troops in Landstuhl, Germany.

So if McCain wanted to visit the troops, it would have been trivial to arrange -- no seismic event needed. But it's clear McCain didn't want to visit them, and as a result, it should be fair to ask McCain why he now feels entitled to attack Barack Obama.

It's pretty ridiculous for McCain to be making this absurd, hypocritical attack on Barack Obama. They've both visited wounded troops in the past. And as commanders-in-chief, they would both work for the best interests of the nation, even if they would take it in different directions.

McCain is desperate now, in full-fledged panic mode. If this is how he'd handle a crisis as president, it's all the more important that Barack Obama win this election.

There is an important difference between McCain's Europe trip and Barack Obama's -- McCain's was official business, and therefore taxpayer-funded. Obama's was political, and therefore campaign-funded. During the portion of Obama's trip that was official -- the portion in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait -- Barack Obama did visit wounded troops, and he did so with no fanfare.

american oil being exported.

The other day, while surfing the internet, on one of my news websites I saw the horrible news that there was an oil spill at the mouth of the Mississippi River. I then heard a small report on NPR explaining a bit more of the details... Now, forgive me for possibly getting some of the facts wrong, as I didn't have a notepad to write on while I was driving home and listening to the radio. The ship has spilled 419,000 gallons of fuel oil. (now here are the facts I heard, but can't seem to find confirmation of in some of the online news reports). They mentioned that the ship had just picked up the oil from a local distributor and was headed to some country, when it got hit by a tugboat.

Then it hit me...

Wait... did he just say that the ship was headed for another country?
We are currently in an Oil crisis here at home (USA).
There are talks of offshore drilling.
There are talks of drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge area.
If we need oil so bad... WHY are we exporting it then to other nations?
I googled it this morning, and according to this chart, the USA is the 16th ranked nation for exporting oil! (check it out)

So can someone explain this to me?

This news item just appeared on reddit.com tonight that goes to answering this question! I'm glad other people are paying attention to this.
Short answer if you don't want to read the whole article (which is short).

Large multi-national firms like Exxon-Mobil are not US property. They sell to the world and their allegiance is to corporate profits.

Great resource for oil production/exports/imports.

how do more people not know about this?

"Iraq is Safe." -- John McCain

Contrary to the beliefs of the Republican party's presumptive nominee for president the state of Iraq is not safe. He claimed two days ago that he could walk through the streets and be safe - and he could. However, he failed to mention the escort by US troops including tanks, humvees, and a company of soldiers. Amazingly, according to the US Dept of State travel warnings, as of June 13, 2008 Iraq was described as "extremely dangerous" and "unsafe for all Americans." Amazing what absurd comments can come out of such an ignorant man.

Check it out.

this video will change your life.

"The Zeitgeist."

This movie will change your life and the way you view life, and will probably make you sick to your stomach as well. This movie is about two hours long and is divided into three parts as follows:

"Part 1: The Greatest Story Ever Told"
Looks at (more like tries to disprove) modern religion; very interesting from a scientific/historical point of view but not relevant to the rest of the video

"Part 2: All the Worlds a Stage"
0.40:00 - Looks at the 9.11 Conspiracy

"Part 3: Don't Mind the Men Behind the Curtain"
1.14:30 - Looks at the banking system in America's history and how we've been manipulated/fooled by the American government

McCain's Real Views on Veterans.

Much has been said on McCain's part of how he would be a better Commander-in-Chief and how he supports Veterans and thinks they need to be treated better. Mr. McCain says Barack can't speak on veterans issues because he served the military and Barack did not. Although I have utmost respect for McCain's service to our country and for all of our military men and women, my two-cents is that serving in jungle warfare almost 40 years ago would provide no advantage to conducting desert warfare. And in response to McCain's criticism that Obama has not been to Iraq or Afghanistan and thus cannot talk with authority on the situation is absolutely absurd -- I don't need to be in the middle of the ocean to learn about fish, now do I? But I'm off topic, back to the reason for this post...

The truth is John McCain has repeatedly voted against supporting veterans:

McCain Voted Against $19 Billion for Military Hospitals. In February 2006, McCain voted against an amendment that would have provided for at least $19 billion for military health facilities, paid for by eliminating tax cuts for the wealthiest earners.
*Senate Amendment 2735, Amendment failed.

McCain Voted Against Legislation to Provide $2.8 Billion For Medical Care for Veterans. McCain voted against a 2006 Democratic amendment that would have provided $2.8 billion to increase veterans’ medical care.
*Senate Amendment 149, Amendment failed.

McCain Voted Against Establishing $1 Billion Trust Fund to Provide Improvements to Military and Veterans’ Health Facilities. McCain voted against an Amendment to establish a $1 billion trust fund to provide improvements to health facilities that treat veterans and military personnel to lapse on December 31, 2006.
*Senate Amendment 2735

McCain voted Against Adding $1.5 billion to Veterans’ Medical Services in 2007 Budget by Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes. McCain voted against an Amendment offered by Democrats to increase medical services funding to veterans by $1.5 billion in 2007.
*Senate Amendment 3007

McCain Voted Against Mandatory Funding of $6.9 Billion in 2007 Budget and $104 Billion Over Five Years for Veterans' Health Care.
McCain voted against a Democratic amendment to provide a mandatory stream of funding of $6.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2007 and $104 billion over five years for veterans' health care.
Senate Amendment 3141

September 2007: McCain voted against the Webb amendment calling for adequate troop rest between deployments.

And those are just the ones I could find in the past 15 minutes. John McCain is two faced; do we really want another George Bush in office for another four years? It's time we stand up for a CHANGE, and stand up for America becoming respected throughout the world again. Going to war with Iran (a most imminent possibility with McCain in office) will in no way help are standing in the world, yet in fact will make infinitely times worse.

Are You A Patriot?

It was a courageous act for those who signed the Declaration of Independence to stand up to the tyranny of King George in defense of their "unalienable rights." Yet still they stood up, knowing that human rights are just too important to give up.

They were patriots. They stood up for what they knew was best for the people.

My question for you in 2008 is, do you have that same courage - the courage to be a patriot and do right by our country? And what are you going to do for our country to make it live up to its ideals?

What does patriotism mean to you? Most of us will say that a patriot is someone who wants the best for your country. And most of you who read this strongly agree that patriotism is not about merely wearing an American flag lapel pin or sticking a 'Support the Troops' magnet on your car or attending your community's Fourth of July festivities.

Because patriotism is about so much more than what you want, believe, or say. It’s about what you do.

Being patriotic means you serve your country in some capacity. My utmost gratitude goes to all of you who have worn the uniform of this nation in the armed services. Likewise, I thank those of you who have served as firefighters, police officers, and the like. If military and police/fire service is not your calling, have you considered running for office? What about the Peace Corps or Americorps? Take Barack Obama's advice and find some way to serve our country.

Being patriotic means you do right by every citizen of this nation, because you understand that America is nothing without its people. While millions of Americans are celebrating this Fourth of July at a barbecue with family and friends, millions more are spending the holiday without food, family, or friends - be it in Iraq or in the streets and slums of this country. Have you helped out at your local soup kitchen? Have you given away some of your old clothes that you won't use again? Have you sent something through AnySoldier.com?

Being patriotic means you work to give this nation dedicated leaders at all levels. Leaders who themselves are patriots dedicated to setting our nation on the right course and are even willing to put their reputation on the line for our country. I'm getting very involved in this campaign season here in Michigan to help ensure that Barack Obama will lead our nation next Independence Day. I do so out of a conviction that Obama offers by far the best chance for restoring integrity and honor to the White House.

Being patriotic means you hold our leaders accountable. Have you called your lawmakers and asked them to oppose telecom immunity in FISA? Have you shared with them your thoughts on election reform, the environment, or our crumbling infrastructure?

And of course, being a patriot is about so much more than what I mention here.

Bush is trying to ruin our republic, but don't forget this is OUR country.

Our country.

As we celebrate the 232nd birthday of this nation, let us do so with that same commitment that guided our founders in 1776. There are more than 300,000,000 of us Americans, and we won't all agree on what exactly is best for our country. But unless each of us does our part for our country, how can we expect our America to last another 232 years?

lunch with aunt ann

so today i had lunch with my aunt ann from san diego, CA...she was visiting old friends in des moines, IA, and since i'm in ames, IA for the summer they were kind enough to make the quick 30 minute drive to come up and see me. we went to this small indian restaurant in a part of the city equivalent to the U of M's "dinkytown." it was so much fun...absolutely ridiculous. her two friends, sarah and ester, kept commenting that it was a rare chance i had three women take me to lunch -- and how true! i never knew three "50+ year old women" (their words, not mine) could be such company. we discussed everything from school to work to politics to food to family <-- it really doesn't get any better than sitting down to good food with good company.

they also all grew up with dad, and told me stories of when he was 20...of course myself being 20 now this made them feel even older haha. and ester and sarah both shared stories of what my aunt was up to in high school and college - i wouldn't expect any less :-). it really makes you appreciate family even more...

My Review of Buck Metro Knife

Originally submitted at REI

Designed to look cool attached to your key chain, this little knife has several handy uses.

Buck Metro Knife

a minimalists best friend.

By olefootball77 from Apple Valley, MN and Datil, NM on 7/18/2008

 

5out of 5

Pros: Durable, Comfortable Grip, Light, Attach to caribeener, Sharp Blade, Smooth Locking Mechanism

Best Uses: Backpacking

Describe Yourself: Professional Guide

For the minimalist who goes beyond cutting their tooth brush in half and just uses their finger, the bottom line is you will not find a lighter more durable knife of similar size and price. I would easily pay twenty or twenty-five dollars for this, the fact that it's only $13 is a steal. Comfortable grip, never had to sharpen in 2+ years of constant use, and my favorite part is that I can attach it to a caribeener and put it right on my pack/belt loop. Great for opening water purification tablets which are individually wrapped. If every half or quarter of an ounce matters to you (like me) this is the knife for you.

(legalese)

My Review of Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's

Originally submitted at REI

Sporting a lightweight design and high-performance outsoles, Chaco Z/2 toe-thong sandals set a high standard of comfort.

Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's

Not Worth the Hype

By olefootball77 from Apple Valley, MN and Datil, NM on 7/18/2008

 

3out of 5

Sizing: Feels full size too small

Width: Feels too narrow

Pros: Durable, Breathes Well

Cons: Not Enough Support

Best Uses: Casual Wear, At The Beach

Describe Yourself: Professional Guide

I personally felt that they were a little too narrow, so if you have wide feet like myself keep that in mind. I prefer KEENS for the added toe protection, and other sandals for when it gets so wet out. If it's pouring rain the two straps don't hold your foot in as well as three or four.

(legalese)

My Review of MSR SweetWater Purifier System

Originally submitted at REI

This system combines the proven filtration of the micro-filter with the chlorine-based SweetWater Purifier Solution for safe, clean water worldwide.

MSR SweetWater Purifier System

Small but Fast

By olefootball77 from Apple Valley, MN; Datil, NM on 7/18/2008

 

5out of 5

Pros: Lightweight, Tasty Water, Easy to clean, Good filtration

Best Uses: Canoeing, Backpacking

Describe Yourself: Professional Guide

This pump is great. I've had it for the best five years or so and use it constantly every summer, and have only had to replace the filter once. As long as you clean it out every trip with the provided brush, there is no reason a filter can't last ten years with normal use (I definitely consider my use much higher than normal). I also added about five to seven feet of tubing on the intake end which let's me get deeper into the water (in the Boundary Waters) which means colder water and less work for filter (longer life). I can pump about 1 liter a minute (it really doesn't get any better than that).

(legalese)

too smart to be republican.

this is an e-mail i wrote to amy about my thoughts on mccain and the war in Iraq. i needed to vent, and didn't really wanna edit it all to make it more general...

so i was thinking today how ironic it is that you are a feminist and religious (hahah, sorry, i need to stop my uncontrollable laughter cuz you're a feminist) and also a republican. i mean, many republicans are pro-life. a pro-life feminist? seems a little weird, you know? also, i've often wondered how (generally speaking) republicans being more conservative are usually more religious. yet jesus preaches peace and "turning the other cheek"...not to mention one of the commandments is thou shall not kill. in fact, through out the old testament, killing is only percieved as just when God is the one ordering the killings. now, i think we can both agree that God did not go to Bush and tell him to invade Iraq and kill over a million innocent civilians, as well as kill more Americans than al quaeda did on 9/11.

i used to think people who think this war is not about oil were just ignorant and a little silly, but now i think they are fucking stupid and i am embaressed to call them my fellow americans. how can you support a party who uprooted innocent lives and societies just so we could secure oil? and in case you werent watching the news, Iraq didn't attack us, WMDs were never discovered, and Bin Laden is till on the loose in Afghanistan. not to mention, we defeated hitler and the nazi regeime and won WWII in less time than we've been in Iraq -- amazing, no?

i find it ironic also that mccain says we can "win" in iraq. i'm curious what his definition of "success" is. is it having all the iraqies love us? because that will never fucking happen, much less the whole world looking up to us like they did in the late '90s with the innovation technology boom. is it when there are no more infidels and religious fanatical attacks on the us troops? cuz that wont happen either - we dont even have peace in the US! no, i believe success in iraq comes from when we stop playing world police and go back to being a leader, not a conquerer. i wish arrogant slobs like mccain would realize that not everybody wants a democracy, and that a democracy is not always the right answer. great, we freed a people from a horrible ruler, but why the fuck are we still there? we have no right to occupy that country. we need to withdraw, and let the iraqi security forces do their job. that will be success.

then invade afghanistan and fuck bin laden up. in terms of iran, your candidate doesnt want to negoiate at all with their leaders, he just wants to go in and blow some shit up. it worked in iraq, and everyone loves us for it -- so why not try again, right?

i will concede that the recent surge in iraq has been successful in lowering deaths of american troops, however, we will never win the iraq war in mccains sense of the war. we should never have been there in the first place. we need to once again be a leader in this world in terms of innovation and technology, not a dictatorship establishing our rules and systems of belief on other countries.

you come back from Africa saying how said it is that all these children live in horrible conditions and have been oppressed their whole lives, when thats exactly what we are doing to the iraqi people. i think thats a little hypricritical on your part...

wow. and i haven't even talked yet about FUCKING RIDICULOUS it would be to allow off shore drilling yet... i mean, does mccain really think that will bring down gas prices? those drills wont be online for at least 15 years (ones in alaska perhaps 7-9 years). by 2020 our consumption of oil will increase 145% if it countinues growing at a rate now (and that will only increase). sounds like a band-aid to me. we need to invest in alternative energy. shale oil and gas, tar sands, biofuels, clean coal, solar, wind, water energy -- your candidate is a fucking idiot when he comes to that shit. we cannot drill are way out of this. period.

and his thoughts on nuclear? are u fucking kidding me? he wants 45 new plants? well, we already have 39 which are fifty years old (a very old age for a nuclear reactor) and need to be taken offline and rebuilt. so really, it'll be like adding six.

if mccain is president, i might move to canada after undergrad school.

now, please...i want you to defend yourself. because, a girl with the brains and brawns that you have is wayyy wayyy wayyy to fucking smart to be republican. what gives?

counting down the days

i have already started counting down the days until i leave for global. i got a new suitcase (drop bottom duffel) for a great price - these came highly recommended from previous globalites so hopefully it will work for me. lately it has just really start to hit home how much i'm giving up to do so. obviously, football and all of my brothers on the team. but also, friends and family's birthdays, all the holidays - especially christmas. i spent easter away from home a couple years ago, but christmas is the time when traditionally the whole family gathers. i will be sad to miss out on it.

also, just all of the memories that will be made here that i will not be able to be apart of: my sister's first semester of college, football season and the new rookies, the new science center opening up, just all the little things that happen on the hill to make it home. after thinking of this, i realized that i wouldn't have a place to call 'home', or be returning 'home' for five months. at least in all my traveling around the states i've still been in the u.s.a., still been able to enjoy american food or a phone call home. but on the other side of the world?! what am i getting myself into?!

and so, logically, i started adressing the issue of what is home? is it the address on your driver's license? where your bills are sent or where you are registered to vote? i don't think it's any of these. i think home is a place where you have a vested interest in your community. in being able to spend one month each in four of the seven countries i'm going to visit, i feel that i will be able to immerse myself in the culture and learn about it from an entirely different perspective than a 'tourist'. in fact, i can basically guarantee that i will come to dismiss american tourists - simply because they are they for their own selfish-gain, without taking the time to learn about a culture with an open mind and allow their opinions to be changed. i think after the expierence, i will look back and recognize that of the seven countries i experienced, i visited three of them, but lived in four.

my time in iowa so far...

Contrary to popular belief Ames might have been the only city in Iowa not completely underwater a week ago. We (my roommates and I) are thinking of traveling to Des Moines or Cedar Rapids and just volunteering for a weekend and seeing what can be done.

The first two weeks were a little hard because I was "in school" all day but now doing my research I'm much happier. It's hard to explain what I'm doing but I'll leave it at the fact that I'm creating a web page to do cool stuff, and writing computer programming code in a new language (which I'm having to learn and is proving extremely difficult). But I'm up for the challenge and if not I only have to suffer four more weeks! The program is incredibly well funded - I don't have to pay for my apartment room, any of my meals (provided they are on campus), parking permits, travel expenses, etc (not to mention the $4000 stipend). It is amazing! We are trying to convince the Director to give us free hats! :-) But honestly, I am incredibly blessed and so thankful to have this opportunity.

I am saving up all my money this summer to pay back my parents on some debt and then spend it on my trip. I am already sooo excited and cannot wait -- two months can you believe it?!? It's interesting that you mention that about my parents. Growing up and being in college has opened my eyes and I have become so much more mature - I actually had a conversation with my mom just last weekend. I came home on Friday and called her - keep in mind this was basically the first week in my life where I had a "real job" and worked 9-5 for a whole week! I asked her, "How did you do it for all those years? All I wanted to do tonight was come home and sleep -- I don't even care how hungry I am! I don't know how you had such perseverance all these years to come home and make dinner and clean the house and do all the things you do? Just thank-you for everything."

But yes, I am very fortunate to have them for my parents. Mark Twain (I think) once said, "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." How true...