Doughnuts and Abortion

From the WTF files: The American Life League is upset because Krispy Kreme is giving away one free doughnut of customers' choice on January 20th, Inauguration Day.

Why?

"The unfortunate reality of a post-Roe v. Wade America is that 'choice' is synonymous with abortion access, and celebration of 'freedom of choice' is a tacit endorsement of abortion rights on demand," the group's president, Judie Brown said in a statement.

Freedom of choice = Abortion. Republicans, take note. We can't take you seriously if you continue to pander to these folks... this might be why Mr. Obama is about to be President. (Of course, removing freedom of choice is part of the Republican philosophy, not just abortion.)

Hat tip: The Slackmistress via Twitter

What's Our Name?

The team no one wants to play does it again to the Titans. The most stressful and exciting 13-10 game I think I've ever seen. Playoff win #2. 2 more to go.

Honestly, this feels better than 2000.

Lookee there

The esteemed mayor of Baltimore got indicted today.

Shocking.

Because poor outcomes means we need more solutions

Scott Gottlieb asks the question that generates the above answer. It's a good editorial, even if it's meanspirited.

It isn't about good outcomes.

001100110010

Not so fast, please, says The One.

President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting, arguing that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels won't be ready.

In a letter to key lawmakers Thursday, Obama transition team co-chair John Podesta said the digital transition needs to be delayed largely because the Commerce Department has run out of money for coupons to subsidize digital TV converter boxes for consumers. People who don't have cable or satellite service or a TV with a digital tuner will need the converter boxes to keep their older analog sets working.

Obama officials are also concerned the government is not doing enough to help Americans — particularly those in rural, poor or minority communities — prepare for and navigate the transition.

"With coupons unavailable, support and education insufficient, and the most vulnerable Americans exposed, I urge you to consider a change to the legislatively mandated analog cutoff date," Podesta wrote to the top Democrats and Republicans on the Senate and House Commerce committees.

Ending the failed Economic policies of the last 8 years

By pretty much continuing them?

Interesting. The Busch tax cuts were horrible! But these, these tax cuts will work, because we're doing it!

It's pretty clear our new President didn't get an MBA.

Tax cuts stimulate the economy. Whoever does it. Redistribution of wealth doesn't.

A Playoff Win!

What a great year. Just dominant over the Dolphins. Dominant.

The offense is still the weak link, but this team is able to do what needs to be done to win. Everything from interceptions to blocked PAT.

Next week's a tough challenge, but I think the Ravens can beat the Titans. I don't know if they will, but they can.

I was 2-2 this weekend (I picked Indy, Falcons, Ravens, Eagles)

Next weekend's predictions:

Cardinals vs Panthers

Panthers blow the Cards out.

Ravens vs Titans

My heart says the Ravens, my brain says the Titans win this game, and I'm not sure it will even be close. The Titans are a better team; but I sure hope I'm wrong.

Eagles vs Giants

The Eagles are on a roll, but they didn't really look so hot yesterday. I think the Giants are the best team in the playoffs, and I don't see Philly beating them. This is another one where I hope I'm wrong.

Chargers vs Steelers

This is going to be a good game. The Chargers match up well against the Steelers, but I still have to pick the team with the best D, and that's the Steelers. It will be closer than you think.

Donation Suggested

You can win tickets to the inauguration, plus plane tickets and free hotel by writing an essay on what the inauguration means to you!

Conveniently, you may also submit a donation at the same time.

There's no connection. We promise.

When the Messiah comes to town, traffic's gonna be a bitch

Baltimore Sun story on the expected travel nightmare on Jan 20 for the swearing in of The One.

The expectation is traffic will be screwed up all the way to Baltimore.

Why can't all these people stay home and watch it on TV? Why do you have to be there?

What newspaper writers aren't eager to tell you about prices.

That they have little to to with the cost of an item or service.

Don't let that stop them from getting worked up, along with polititians (D) who think text message profits might be too high.

Simple truth: The prices are set by the consumers and the wireless companies. There's plenty of competition to go around, in as much as regulators allow for it. If texting is too expensive, people will stop texting. (I don't text for just that reason.) Profits are not evil.

IOU

That's what California residents might get instead of income tax refunds this year.

Of course, if a taxpayer tried that, well, they'd go to jail.

There's something very much wrong with this. The state takes your money by force out of your paycheck. You discover at the end of the year they took too much. You, of course, have to prove they took too much via your tax return. And instead of returning the money with interest, you get an IOU.

I guess they deserve it, they keep electing these clowns.

Goals 2009

Some goals:

Total USAPL Class III as a 220 or 242 (about a 1200 total) by 8/31/09 (450, 300, 450)
Total USAPL Class II as a 220 or 242 (1320 or 1364 total) by 12/31/09 (525, 350, 525)
Reach 12% bodyfat over 220 pounds (as caclulated via waist/weight ratio) by 6/1/09.
Maintain bodyfat at 15% or less over 220 pounds for remainder of year.
Take and pass SCUBA certification by 12/31/09
Write at least 12 articles (1 per month) for my personal website
Write at least 20 blog posts per month.

There are more, I'm sure. This is off the top of my head.

I'm 4 years old

Today, this blog turns 4 years old.

It isn't all bad

Radley Balko points out there's lots of good news out there.

Best football day, ever

Ravens go to the playoffs, when no one expected better than 8-8.

Patriots win, go 11-5, and don't go to the playoffs, because Miami beat the Jets.

Favre goes out like a lamb. Serves him right. It's also poetic that Pennington went back to NY and won.

Cowboys get embarrassed by the Eagles.

The only way this gets better is for the Chargers to beat the Broncos tonight.

New Orleans

Spent a week in New Orleans earlier this month. What a fantastic city. The French Quarter and Frenchmen street are much like my neighborhood in Baltimore (well, Fells Point, which is near me), just a larger scale.

A great mix of interesting history, interesting things to see, and fantastic food and drink. We skipped hitting Bourbon Street (a couple of beers at the oldest bar in the US), and instead focused on the incredible food scene.

We arrived, late, on Wednesday the 10th. We sucked it up, and went to Emeril's.

You go to Emeril's with high expectations. Seriously high. I mean, it's Emeril's. Expectations, dare I say it, exceeded. Service was fantastic, the place is very cool, and the food was outstanding. The stand out was the sausage. If you go to New Orleans, go here.

On the 11th, it snowed. In Louisiana. We wandered to Mother's for lunch, apparently this is one of the places to get a po' boy. Eh. It was OK, but it was a seriously cool place. Ambiance counts for something.

We took a cooking class given by Frank Brigsten, of Brigsten's. Very cool experience, and we met the owner of NOLA brewing.

We ate a couple of meals at a little place called Eat. Fantastic, brunch and lunch.

Saturday was spend on a holiday house tour in the Garden District, where we had a fantastic lunch at a place I can not remember.. it was on Magazine St, and I could find it again.

Saturday night was the Bombay Club, on the recommendation of a dude we met in a mall. Quite nice place, and the food was very impressive.

We also ate at NOLA, Emeril's place in the Quarter. The only dissapointing meal, mostly because the service was off. The food was quite good.

On Monday, it was K Paul's. If you don't go here when in town, you are really missing out. Outstanding food, outstanding service, and it's the home of the original New Orleans Chef.

We saved the best for last, however. Herbsaint was incredible, one of the best meals I've ever had.

I don't have much other commentary. The people in this city are incredibly friendly, the food is awesome, everywhere, and the rebuilding is still happening. I will go back.

Some sort of record

This may be the dumbest guy on the internet. And I think he makes a living training people.
go to about minute 8 of the vid posted on Dec 20 on the smoothie tasting.

Gaps

Lots of gaps in posts, again.

I went to New Orleans on vacation... what a great food town. A post or two is coming in the next day or so.

How 'bout them... Ravens?

33-24 over the 'boys.

I only watched the 4th quarter, but that was probably the most fun I've had watching 15 minutes of football... ever.

The McClain stiffarm I could watch over and over again.

What an awesome season this has been.

Quick hit

Sorry posting has been sparce... been busy.

If you are really intersted in keeping up with me, feel free to find me on facebook. Just tell me who you are and that you read the blog.

Hopefully I'll have time to put some posts up over the next few days.