Quote of the Day

"Freedom has a scent, like the top of a newborn baby's head."

[-- U2, "Miracle Drug," How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb]

Part of me wonders, with giving up so many freedoms for the "greater good," and with government stepping in to take over so much of the FREE market, how long will it be until we aren't able to catch a whiff of that beautiful, innocent, unblemished scent of freedom.

For now, I'll cherish Addysen's little baby head. It's starting to become a little girl's head, and nothing beats holding your little one in your lap and just sniffing her head. =D

Unfathomable

I usually don't comment on macabre subjects, especially plane crashes. But the commuter turboprop accident in Buffalo is one that has captured my interest. Partly because of general curiosity. Partly because I've taken (a few) flying lessons and know enough about the physics of flight to understand stalls and losing lift.

It seems pretty obvious, from a common sense review of the situation, that the pilot stalled the airplane. Maybe it had already stalled itself, because of the icing. In fact, that seems to be the indication based on the actions that the auto-pilot undertook - pushing the nose down to regain airspeed, with the intent to regain lift. But the pilot pulled up - they say likely an instinctive reaction due to: 1) because of his low altitude, he didn't want to be going down too quickly; but probably more importantly 2) the plane he flew previously tended to go tail up in icing conditions, and he likely reacted based on that prior experience.

It really is sad, regardless of what happened. The most amazing thing to me is that it landed in a suburban neighborhood, not unlike the one we live in, and only destroyed one house. Neighboring homes were no more than 15-20 feet away, and the only damage was based on the resultant fire. It's just unheard of, what with a plane falling from the sky.

The NY Times has an intriguing interactive graphic about the flight. Slide 4 of the graphic shows the home that was hit, and it's the only way to appreciate how miraculous it is that no one else on the ground was killed.

Link here.

Too hot to touch?

I've debated whether to even comment on this. I'm sure there's a much deeper plane of thought and knowledge that went into the writing of this than I can appreciate. But yet something just keeps nagging at me.

It's from a Post columnist about Tyler Perry's new movie. He plays a fat, old grandma. And this is the columnist's reaction:

"And there I sat, silently ranting: There is nothing funny about this black man in pantyhose. And where is all of this cross-dressing-black-man stuff coming from, anyway? First, comedians Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence star in high-grossing movies as the fattest, ugliest black women that Hollywood makeup artists can conjure up, and now here's Perry with his gussied-up version of the same butt of the joke.

By the way, I don't want to hear diddly about Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire or Milton Berle in high heels. Having a black man play super mammy is not the same thing. Perhaps it would be were it not for America's perverse, systemic and centuries-long efforts to humiliate African men and women and turn them into slaves."

I think possibly my fear is that my ignorance, or my simple comment on the situation, will sound racist or bigoted. Maybe it's that I'm too afraid to touch something so sensitive, and since I don't believe myself to be racist, that I'll end up being insensitive (unknowingly).

But here it is (anyway): For the last 2 years, all we could hear is "It doesn't matter your skin color." "We've broken the color barrier for the highest elected official in America." "We are a nation united." Etc etc etc. Which is great.

So why not now? Why isn't Tyler Perry similar to Robin Williams? Why do we have to keep going back to the "America's perverse, systemic and centuries-long efforts to humiliate African men and women and turn them into slaves." Can we no longer laugh at Chris Rock, for fear that our laughter will be confused as derision?

I realize there's this whole caveat in our view of racism that black people can say things to each other and about each other that we never can do as white folks. I don't really care (although if you ever listen to rap it's amazing the words they use). But I thought we're moving forward in race relations. Not backwards. We can never forget the atrocities of the past and we must vow to never let that happen again. But I also don't think it must cloud our every days lives, nor do I think it prevents us from laughing together, black and white.

Maybe Mr. Milloy just wants to keep bringing it up and continue to point out the sins of our forefathers. Maybe he can't laugh at it and wants to find a reason why. I don't know, and I shouldn't try to figure it out. I just can't seem to get it out my head that there's some kind of double-standard going on. In my opinion, articles of this sort only continue to feed the fire of racism and serve as a roadblock to American becoming colorblind.

[Full column is here. As of the time of this posting, this article was one of the top headlines on washingtonpost.com - which I think shows they think this deserves extra attention.]

The Best Northern Cod You've Ever Had (*)

[*From a fast food restaurant]

I fell for the advertisements. Not sure why. But I had to have Wendy's fish sandwich on the way home tonight.

Let's set the stage: I'm a big Filet O' Fish fan. (Ang thinks I'm nuts. "How can you eat fish from a hamburger place!? Me: "How can you eat yogurt - bad milk - berries and granola from a hamburger place! HAH!) Where were we: yes, Filet O' Fish. And now Wendy's has decided to jump in on the act.

My verdict: I'd say Wendy's wins hands down. Bigger, more substantive. More crunchy. Then again, maybe it had to do with the fact that my only dinner up to 9:30 was a cup of tomato soup at 5. It was really good and filling. I'll definitely try it again.

What I've Learned from "24" - Part 3

If you enter a server room, and there are people shot on the floor, and your servers have just been wiped clean, and you're in the middle of a terrorist attack where there might be moles in your organization - don't take the word of the only guy left alive in the server room!!! Of course he's going to blame it on the dead chick. Of course he shot himself. DUH!!

But NOOOO, dumm-o "Agent Moss" was like, "Hey dude (read: terrorist mole), we're down a man and really need your help. Never mind that you're shot in the arm, you killed another agent, and you were the only witness to her supposed treasonous activity. Get back in the saddle. OH, and by the way, why don't we tell you every important classified piece of information while we're at it."

Can you tell I'm disillusioned by this show. Even so, I had to tear myself out of the chair to go check on our screaming 7-month old. Poor thing - she was probably just in pain over the poor acting, writing, and helpless future of this "thriller."

"Women are Dumb"

WAIT - before you flame me...it was just a way to get you to read on. (did it work?)

What I was trying to say is that this episode of 24 (hour 5-6pm) should be entitled: "Women are Dumb." For instance:

In the first twelve minutes, one woman ignores the FBI and agrees to stay with the proven terrorist. DUMB! A second woman, this one an FBI agent, pulls a gun on JB while a car is on fire because he's trying to get her away from a burning car. WHAT??

THEN, a different dumb woman thinks she's all cool for being treasonous. Yeah, got her killed.

AND THEN, the second dumb woman was SUPER-dumb and slapped Jack twice. He laid the smack down with a "Don't ever pull your gun on my again" and she said something really dumb that just doesn't even make sense.

Goodness only knows what will happen in the last ten minutes!!

That's IT!?!?

From the WashPost Editorial Board:

"From the moment that Mr. Burris was selected, he strove to portray himself as a blameless public servant. The sad pictures of Mr. Burris being cast out into the rain by the Democratic leadership of the Senate, which initially refused to seat him, turned public opinion in his favor. Mr. Burris got his seat. But this latest revelation makes a mockery of his professions of no quid pro quo. It is a violation of the public trust. The people of Illinois have suffered enough. Mr. Burris should resign."

It's nice that they come out with this opinion. What strikes me a little strange, though, is that they nowhere blame the Democrat Senators for allowing Mr. Burris to be seated in the Senate. In fact, that should be the real story.

The Senate initially refused to seat him. Surely he'd be tainted, was the cry. Oh, but the public opinion came raining down. "How can you forbid him the opportunity?" Instead of sticking by their guns, the Democrats caved. And now look where it got them.

Sure, Burris is the culprit, and he's the story. But I just have this feeling that if something like this had happened in the previous administration, or with a Republican majority, the WP would be calling for the Senate Majority Leader's head and harping on how corrupt the Republican Party is.

Let's remember that our legislators don't govern by public opinion. Once they do, it all begins to unravel.

Only at an Antique Store

...in West Virginia!!

Check out the critical information disclosed in the second picture.

Old Picture

"Old" is relative, but as I was looking through some pics, I ran across this. I was thinking of throwing Ang over the ledge, but the sign dissuaded me. Amazing what a red placard can do to alter the course of history. =)

7-Month Video

It's been a while, so here's the latest: Link Here

Tutti Frutti Lovesong

Amelia LOVES this poem! It's a must-read every time we open up her 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury book. When we read it together she cackles and grins and begs, "Read it to Daddy! Read it to Daddy!" So I thought it would be fun to post it here in honor of Valentine's Day (though a day late). Hope you get a laugh! :-)

Tutti Frutti Lovesong
by Mary Grace Dembeck

You are my darling CUMQUAT,
Oh, you're my PEACHy pie,
I think you are the BERRIES,
The APPLE of my eye.

Don't make me MELON-choly,
Please be my HONEY DEW,
'Cause oh, my sweet PAPAYA,
I'm BANANAS over you!

I would be oh, so GRAPEful
If you'd just say you care,
For it takes two to MANGO,
And we're a PEACHy PEAR.

Oh, ORANGE you a little
COCONUTS for me too?
Please say you'll be mon CHERRY,
I'm so GUAVA over you.


~Posted by Ang

Love, Love, Love

Ang is going to post some mushy love poem later today. *gag* =) But here's what I love about her:

Thurs (2/12)
Ang: "If you were wanting to get me flowers or anything, you can just get me some potted flowers, like tulips or hydrangea."
Me: "Hmmm..ok"

Friday (2/13)

Instead of $50+ for roses, I spent less than $10 for beautifully potted tulips. To use an over-used phrase as of late, in this economy, that's a big win!!

Sox Switch

It's almost enough to make me change teams. But, I did say "almost." Hey, if it brings another WS, then I guess who cares!?

Link - Obama, White Sox Fan

More foreclosure moratoria

Seriously, can I stop paying my mortgage now? What makes others "troubled" and not me, when I struggle each month to shell out a mortgage payment? Do I get rewarded for actually paying my bills?

 

If nothing else, news like this just gives people more incentive to stop being responsible. Isn't that when the government has to stop stepping in the way, or else it will end up taking over it all? If there's no consequence to being irresponsible, then let's go for broke!

--------------------------------

 

Citigroup, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley Halt Foreclosures (Update1)

 

By Margaret Chadbourn

Feb. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley agreed to suspend foreclosures until next month and signaled a readiness to help the Obama administration craft a housing plan to modify mortgages for troubled borrowers.

Citigroup halted foreclosures through March 12, or when a plan is completed, the company said today in a statement. Morgan Stanley imposed a moratorium for three weeks on loans from Saxon Mortgage Services Inc., a spokeswoman said. JPMorgan stopped foreclosures until March 6, Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon wrote to House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank in a letter released today in Washington.

Frank asked bank executives at a committee hearing Feb. 11 to freeze foreclosures until Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner can set up a program. Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit committed to halt actions. The Office of Thrift Supervision has urged savings- and-loans to suspend their legal actions until a plan is ready.

"Three weeks is adequate time for the Treasury to announce -- and for us to implement -- a new plan," Dimon wrote to Frank. "We stand ready to work with you to put the appropriate process in place, including a national modification standard."

"Citi is taking the necessary steps to help American homeowners keep their homes," according to the statement. The company said it worked with about 440,000 borrowers to stop foreclosures since the start of the housing crisis in 2007.

U.S. bank regulators in December said 55 percent of loans modified during the first quarter of 2008 were 30 or more days delinquent after six months. "Re-default rates increased each month and showed no signs of leveling off after six months," Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan said in a statement.

The Obama administration outlined a plan this week that would provide housing relief, help remove illiquid assets clogging banks' balance sheets and spur lending. Geithner pledged to buy and modify troubled homeowner mortgages, and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd said the aid could be as much as $100 billion.

He's no Kurt Warner

If you haven't seen it already, the link below should take you to a clip of Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman. It's hilarious. Hopefully it was just acting, and he's not all tripping out (and heading down the road of his brother).

Joaquin was fabulous in "Walk the Line" - and I also thought he acted incredibly in "Gladiator", "The Village," and "Signs."

Check it out - it's a good 5-minute laugh.

Link

That seals it - I'm not Catholic

So, big news today is that the Vatican is holding a "Conference on Darwinism." This is sponsored by the head of the Church's Pontifical Council on Culture. But, apparently, this isn't a new theory for Catholics. Read below:

"Indeed, he said, evolution could be traced back through Scholastics such as St Thomas Aquinas to St Augustine in the fourth century, who had noted that "big fish eat smaller fish".

Augustine is probably more famous for praying "God, make me good - but not yet." Which also has some evolutionary overtones if you think about it."

Let's clarify something here. I don't think anyone would contest that big fish eat smaller fish. In fact, I don't think anyone would contest the idea of survival of the fittest (natural selection). But where I miss the connection is how they take "big fish eat smaller fish" and turn it into "small fish mutates/morphs into big fish" - much less, "small fish mutates/morphs into BIRD."

And where does "God, make me good - but not yet" have any connection at all to our physical development/creation? I think this author mistakes spiritual growth and health with an evolutionary kind of thinking about man's beginnings.

Finally, they're referring to Intelligent Design as a "cultural phenomenon." Sure, the name ID is new, and there's a lot more force behind it as a movement, but check this out, Catholics - it's been in the Bible the whole time. Yes, really. It's there. In fact, check it out - the first chapter of the first book. Really.

Finally (x2), if you don't believe in God as Creator, you might as well not believe in God at all, or the rest of the Bible, or morality, or absolute truth. It is the foundation of our entire belief.

I'll take half

I've become a HUGE fan of the earbuds that came with my iPhone. It sounds really silly to say that, but for the first 6+ months, I was either using Bluetooth or just the handset. But I have become enamored with the ability to put the headphones in, listen to my music (which is much preferable to the "Top Hits Mix" radio station), and just press a button if I get a phone call.

Here's the dilemma (please refer to a previous post about dilemma vs. problem): I only use the right earbud, on which the microphone also is located. For safety reasons (while driving) and out of courtesy to others (while walking into work or other places), it makes sense to leave one ear "unencumbered." It also lets you enjoy the natural sounds of spring when you're walking through downtown.

So my problem is that I end up with an extra wire/earbud that I have to stuff either in my front pocket or in another stealthy location so as not to pull the right one out of my ear. I think I'll search for a good earbud/mic that is iPhone compatible (has the button for skipping tracks, answering calls, etc) - that has only one earbud. If you have any suggestions, please let me know (since 75% of my readership owns iPhones). And for now, back to Record of the Year - Viva la Vida (or Death and All His Friends).

Fonics is Phun

Especially when you're talking to a 2 1/2 year old. Case in point...

This afternoon I was helping Amelia wash her hands, and as we were working the soap into a rich lather on her hands (reminiscent of the instructions you'd find on a Pantene shampoo bottle), she asked me, "What kind of soap is this?" I get this question a lot, pretty much every time we wash our hands.

I answered, "liquid soap" (as opposed to "foaming soap" or "anti-bacterial soap.") With an impish little grin, she then proceeded to stick out her tongue as if to lick the soap off her hands. Just as tongue was about to touch soap bubble, I intervened and said, "No, honey, we don't lick soap. Yuck!" To which she replied, "But it's liquid soap, Mommy."

It took me about a second and then it happened: that wonderful, sometimes shocking, flash of insight when for a moment you catch a brief glimpse into the mechanics of the toddler brain, the process of information, and the response that inevitably--but always unpredictably-- follows.

I said "liquid," but she thought "LICK-WID!"

Ah, precious girl, evre da wif u is grat!


~Posted by Ang