Sumo Merriment

I think I am ready to just about start having nightmares about David Petraeus. We hear his name more often spoken by the White House than the news pundits mention Britney, Paris or Linsay. I find the man's name on the tip of my tongue and I don't appreciate it. David this...and David that!

I'm sick of General Petraeus big time. We keep hearing about how everything in Iraq depends on what he has to say come September. I knew months ago what this guy would have to say about the needs and the surge in September. We'll be ready for a boost come September. There's no way he is going to say anything else...because that is not what his boss wants him to say. Bush will not be the failure in this little undertaking...he needs someone to blame.

The conservatives are pushing this man and the expectations down our throats. I don't remember the exact statistic...but I read it somewhere and Bush says it as often as he does Iraqi democracy...and you can see exactly where that has gotten them. A great big zip! There isn't a day that goes by that David Petraeus isn't trotted out in verbal form and they just wax poetic about him. I just want to slap them all...and knock some sense into them...if it were possible. The only person that can get us out of Iraq and quickly...is PeachChick Mary. She's the Tokyo Rose of "Lets get the hell of of Iraq"...and I say we use her quick 7 day solution and make her a general to do just that! You go girl...we are right behind you...because when those righty tighty's make you mad...trouble isn't far behind that's for sure. No More War...now hard is that?

Labels: boost, bush speak, iraq war, political theater, surge

Posted by sumo at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Dahr Jamail writes for Tomdispatch.com. He was in Iraq in January 2004 traveling through villages and cities south of Baghdad while investigating the performance of the Bechtel Corporation in honoring their contractual obligations to restore the water supply in the region. He found in a village outside of Najaf, where both women and children collected water from a hole in the ground…the bottom of it. See…this was a broken pipe at the bottom of this hole. During a daily two-hour period of the day…when the power supply happens to be on…these poor people desperately gather what they can. This is their primary water source for the whole village. It turns out unfortunately that he learned that 8 children had died trying to cross a highway close by…just to get decent water from a local factory. Well…who’s to say that water was even really decent? Is this what our taxes have gone to…to these various so called construction companies to rebuild what was torn down from the ground up? Build schools…help them regain their water and electricity? What have these jokers been doing for over 5 years?

We have statistics from the World Health Organization that says 70% of Iraqis do not have access to clean water and 80% greatly lack decent sanitation. They get their water by any means possible even if it is at the bottom of a dirty wet hole. It may contain a waterborne disease, cause kidney stones, diarrhea, cholera, or nausea. These people over 5 years ago had water and electricity at their disposal. Now…they are killing themselves to get a dirty drink of water. A sovereign nation that had not attacked nor interfered with the United States in any way was summarily taken down brick-by-ancient-brick and reduced its population to horrendous violence, death and the basic amenities to live. To do this to children is the ultimate inhumane behavior…but that is just one of the many dishonorable things our administration shall be known for if I have anything to say about it.

We can go to our kitchen sink and turn on our own fresh cool water with a flick of the wrist. We don’t even have to think about it…we’ve had it all our lives. Imagine for a moment…if that were to change. Imagine living in a very hot climate and because of not having electricity but for a few hours possibly a day…you have no way to cool off. We all know that spells a death knell to the very old of age and babies. The Bush administration isn’t just bombing these people into oblivion…they are killing them off with their basic physical needs as humans. And in a World point of view…that is criminal in my opinion. For those evil-doers that he points his finger at and pounds his podium to make his pointless Bushisms…he himself is guilty of that which he condemns.

After what Jamail has witnessed he speaks of being able to get into his pantry and refrigerator for food in which he has plenty to feed a family for days. And then he recalls the 21% rate of chronic malnutrition among the children in Iraq…according to UNICEF, about 1 in 10 Iraqi children under the age of 5 is underweight. He said that 54% of Iraqis now live on less than a dollar a day. That is what the road to freedom and democracy has brought these poor people. We (Americans) all travel safely from place to place. We can go to the grocery store without fear of any reprisal…or a roadside bomb. There is no place the Iraqis can travel without fear. According to the 2007 Failed States Index…Iraq now is ranked as the planet’s second most unstable country…and we have an administration that is completely responsible for this. Oh, they’ll try to blame the Iraqis for not standing up better to fight the bitter fight…yet the administration is guilty of ruining their infrastructure to the point that they really have nothing to stand up for. These poor ordinary citizens that just want to live their former day to day lives…hardly have anything good to look forward to.

Jamail says…”having spent a fair amount of time in occupied Iraq, I now find living in the United States nothing short of a schizophrenic experience. Life in Iraq was traumatizing. It was impossible to be there and not be affected by apocalyptic levels of violence and suffering, unimaginable in this country. But here’s the weird thing: One long, comfortable plane ride later and you’re in Disneyland, or so it feels on returning to the United States. Sometimes it seems as if I’m in a bubble here that’s only moments away from popping. I find myself perpetually amazed at the height of consumerism and the vigorous pursuit of creature comforts that are the essence of everyday life in this country — and once defined my own life as well.”

That is a far cry from a water pipe at the bottom of a dirt hole spewing out a few hours of dirty water for people to scramble about trying to contain some of it. But I was also struck by his accounts of trying to communicate with his friends he had left behind in Iraq. He sites examples of different correspondence with people…all very interesting in the real picture it gives back to those of us that care about the Iraqis and how the toll of the war manifests itself in their lives. But one story of a friend particularly caught my attention that I wanted to share because we won’t get this information from our own media people. Our administration won’t allow us to receive this kind of dark side to the real world in Iraq.

He begins with…I have also been corresponding with “H”, who lives in the volatile Diyala province and has been a dear friend since my first trip to Iraq. He would visit me in Baghdad, bringing with him delicious home-cooked meals from his wife, insisting always that I be the one to eat the first morsel. A deeply religious man, his unfailing greeting, accompanied by a big hug, would always be: “You are my brother.” He was concerned about the perception that there were vast differences between Islam and Christianity. “Islam and Christianity are not so different…in fact they have many more similarities than differences.” He would often discuss this with U.S. soldiers in his city. Yet he was no admirer of imperialism.

Last summer in Syria, he and I visited the sprawling roman ruins of Palmyra. One evening, as we stood together overlooking the vast landscape of crumbling columns and sun-bleached walls in the setting sun, he turned to me and said, “Mr. Dahr, please do not be offended by what I want to say, but it makes me happy to see these ruins and remember that empires always fall because empires are never good for most people.”

It seems that after several weeks having not received any replies to several emails…Jamail wrote to a mutual friend…”M” and got this response: “My dear friend, it has been very long since I have written to you. I’m sorry. I was terribly busy. I have some very bad news. [H] was kidnapped by the members of al-Qaeda in Diyala 25 days ago and there is no news about him up to this moment. It’s a horrible situation. One cannot feel safe in this country. [H] was kidnapped as he was trying to get home. He was coming to Baquba to visit his parents, as he does every day. His oldest daughter who was with him told him that a car carrying several men was following them from the beginning of the street leading to his parents’ home. So, when he stopped to get his car in the garage, they got out of their car covering their faces and asked him to come with them for questioning. People in Diyala definitely know that such a thing means either killing or arresting for a few days. You may ask why I’m sure it is al-Quaeda. That is because no other group, including the U.S. military, dominated the whole city like they do.”

Much more happens and more emails before Jamail can find out the truth…in the meantime he is wracked with worry. This is information all Americans should be aware of in order to make some important future decisions regarding how we want or don’t want our country to be lead. We owe ourselves this information…we owe others to pass it along. Jamail said in one of H’s last emails sent soon after his return home from Syria earlier this summer, he described driving out of Baquba one afternoon. Ominously, he wrote: We left Baquba, which was sinking in a sea of utter chaos, worries, and instability. People there in that small town were scared of being kidnapped, killed, murdered or expelled. The entire security situation over there was deteriorating; getting to the worse. Jamail feels that passage might be read as H’s epitaph.

Please go to the link and read the entire article so you’ll know exactly what to say to the neo-cons when they start up with their rhetoric that everything is getting better in Iraq…because we know it isn’t.

Dahr Jamail is an independent journalist who has covered the Middle East for the last four years, with months of which were spent in occupied Iraq. Jamail is currently writing for Inter Press Service, Al-Jazeera English, and is a regular contributor to Tomdispatch.com. Jamail’s forthcoming book, “Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Independent Journalist in Occupied Iraq”…it will be released in October.

cross-posted @ The Blue Republic and Sirens Chronicles

Labels: al-Quaeda, Baquba, Bushisms, Diyala, electricity, Iraq, kidnapping, water sanitation

Posted by sumo at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

While I'm revving up for some political discourse for tomorrow's post I wanted to give you a laugh with these cartoons. I laughed out loud at the (you tube) debate...how completely appropriate for the guy and his baby. And then we have the haircut brigade of folks that is sure to have a head or two to please even the most humorless among us. I do have my favorites though. Who's your favorite...or favorites...if you dare? See...I'm partial to hairy men...so that Sheikh guy is looking mighty good to me right now...if you know what I mean. Britney looks like she should be part of a salt and pepper shaker set to me...but I've been known to be accused of having a weird sense of humor. Hey...it entertains me...that's what counts.

Labels: hairy sheikhs, political candidates, salt and pepper shakers, you tube

Posted by sumo at 12:37 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Key Lime Cheesecake
Lime Crust:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon grated lime peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

4 packages (8 ounce each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons grated lime peel
2 tablespoons key lime juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup sour cream

Key Lime Curd:

1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon finely shredded lime peel
2/3 cup key lime juice
2 tablespoon firm butter or margarine, cut up
2 eggs, slightly beaten

	Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottom and side of 10-inch spring form pan. In medium bowl, beat 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining crust ingredients on low speed just until crumbly. Press evenly in bottom of pan.
	Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Wrap outside of pan, bottom and side, with heavy-duty foil. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
	In large bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time, on low speed just until well blended. Beat in 2 tablespoons lime peel, 2 tablespoons lime juice and the cornstarch. Fold in sour cream until blended. Pour over crust.
	Bake 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes or until side of cheesecake is set and slightly puffed but center still moves slightly when pan is tapped. Cool in pan on cooling rack 15 minutes.
	Run knife along side of pan to loosen cheesecake. Refrigerate uncovered about 3 hours or until chilled. Cover and refrigerate at least 9 hours but no longer than 48 hours.
	In heavy 1-quart saucepan, mix 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons lime peel and 2/3 cup lime juice with wire whisk. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 2 eggs. Cook over medium heat about 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and coats back of spoon (do not boil). Run knife along side of pan to loosen cheesecake; remove side of pan. Spread curd over top of cheesecake. Store in refrigerator.

Labels: friday cheesecake blogging, key limes, lime curd

Posted by sumo at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

The art of rationalization is alive and well in Washington D.C. these days. We have a president that rationalizes that he can do as he damn well pleases...and we are traitors if we disagree with that. We have an Attorney General that rationalizes if he puts his head far enough up the presidents ass he can lie about anything...because he is doing the will of the president. We have a Vice president that rationalizes that he is a walking, talking and breathing human...but we know better. We have a government that rationalizes money not coming from greed...or from corporations that subsidize their little junkets to their favorite golf courses or secret lovely rendezvous getaways. Oh...the humanity! There's some things I'd like to be able to rationalize right now!

Labels: benchmarks, corporate lobbyists, lying DOJ, side-line business

Posted by sumo at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Do you ever sit down and wonder where this guy gets his information actually from? I think he puts a map on the wall and throws a dart, and whatever land mass it happens to poke itself into...is the target of his attention for the day. Because he simply doesn't make much sense on a day to day basis about what his chosen subject is.


Now I don't know about you...but since he has announced he does the works of his God...and must fulfill forcing democracy on the world...it sounds to me more like God has taken a powder from our world...and we are sooo on our own. And that is exactly why this little Napoleon (no offense to the real Emperor of course) is marching in all directions at once. He is going to find his winter...his waterloo one of these days...they all do...and we all know it.


It's just that in the meantime...we have to live with our soldiers dying for no good reason...except a political one...and that isn't good enough for me...for them...or their families...and most of America too. But what are We to do? I don't see any future in protesting only because I see the future filled with cops and real bullets standing in a line with their shields...with the direct orders of Cheney or Bush telling them to fire upon the hapless gathering. All we want is the best for our country and that of the other nations...but if there is anarchy...we will be Kent State University all over again...but on a grander scale. And I honestly think that it will suit them just fine...for they have miles to go before they sleep...and miles to go to keep their secrets safe above all else. The Constitution does not exist for them...

Labels: Contitution, protesting, secrets, soldiers, war

Posted by sumo at 12:45 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Michael (the sick) Vick...was ordered to stay away from training camp until the football league takes a look see into the allegations of dog fighting leveled against him. So no Atlanta Falcons' training camp for him...no sir...he gets to sit this one out and get paid for it. Yep...the NFL is still going to give him his preseason pay...and withhold any disciplinary action until the review is finished. That's just dandy!

“While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy,” Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback.

Now...I know that he is innocent until proven guilty...but it doesn't look good for him...and it certainly wasn't good for those poor doggies. I am a firm believer in the thing that you perpetrate on someone or something...should be right back at you! So if he is guilty...get out the ropes...weight him down for the water dip...and get the electric cords ready...we have some serious business to attend to here folks. Move along...nothing to see here.

Labels: cruelty to animals, gambling, NFL, training camp

Posted by sumo at 1:13 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

That isn't even the worst of it. I get medical email alerts and sometimes it's just fun to read the headline topics for kicks. But I came across one that got my scalp to start itching...and when that happens...I know I'm onto something. Something generally icky or weird as others have been known to point out to me. So the surfing begins...and not the board kind. Here's how today's colliding world started out for me.

Yikes...a tick! Okay...so the scalp started tingling right away...but I had to read it anyway. And it went something like this..."Lyme disease (lyme borreliosis) is a bacterial infection that is spread by ticks. You may develop Lyme disease if you are bitten by an infected tick. Your risk of developing Lyme disease increases if an infected tick stays attached to your skin for 36 to 48 hours. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. It also frequently occurs in Canada, Europe, and Asia. Lyme disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person." Definitely information needed on a day to day basis.

Okay...so I've got a full blown scratch going on now...and the rest of the body starts itching and crawling...and I know I have to give this very interesting subject the heave-ho or I'll wind up in the emergency room and it won't be a pretty sight. And just be glad that I don't feature any tick pics here for you...or I swear to you by the power of suggestion you'll be scratching your scalp or whatever just like I am. So I stop reading this edifying information and another title pops up in front of me like dangling chum in front of a shark.

This time it's on the subject of 'the truth about trans fats'...but it turns out to be a video...so I give up on it...when this little title catches my eye...you know...the one in the middle of my forehead...the big one! You're asking yourself right now...what did she see... in between scratches? Only one of the almost best eye catching titles of all...'Why do you itch down there'? Well...I was riveted. But it turns out I didn't learn much from it though. It said there were lots of comments around the blogs (none I've seen)...about itching and burning of the female area and what might cause it...and the possibilities. Those darn ticks really get around don't they? But of course it's the medical blogs being referred to here.

So I quickly peruse the yeast infections, genital herpes, eczema...and bingo here comes pubic lice or scabies. The scratchometer is going like a windmill in a storm. I don't know why I do this to myself...but I had to know more. Well...if you didn't know it before...you will now. 'They' are two other causes of itching that is worse at night or with heat. Yikes! I live in desert like weather! And guys this pertains to you too! One does not have to be sexually active apparently to acquire one of these infections or should I say infestation?

Well that was some new information for me...I thought one had to act like a congress-critter to get this sort of thing. But be assured...over-the-counter remedies are at hand and on the shelves of your local drug store to kill these little pests and their eggs. Ewww! The little article ended something like this...if you managed to make it this far to the end of the story and you've got an itch you'd certainly rather not be scratching in public...you'd better have someone examine the area as soon as possible. The treatments are variable...so diagnosis is essential. Guess I'd better have that scalp itching thing looked into right away! Now...onto cotton or acrylic stats...




And of course there was oh-so-much-more to read. Found pelvic muscle twitches...pelvis world...and then I found the answer that I had been searching for as hard as Dick Cheney has been looking for an excuse to bomb Iran. Is the...thong all wrong? Now we are getting into really interesting territory here. To thong or not to thong...that IS the question. Whether tis nobler to fight the slings and arrows of a thongs outrageous fortune or to take up arms in a sea of rashes and itching. It's simple...you either wear these handy dandy little pieces of cloth or you don't. There are only two sides to this issue friends...you are either for them...or against them. You are a patriot or you're helping the enemy. Dick Cheney wears a red, white and blue thong...with stars well placed on his...I have it on good authority from a senior white house official that wishes to remain anonymous. If asked the official wouldn't be able to recall, remember...or to the best of their knowledge attest to said questioning because of invoking the 5th amendment.

So...now we are talking about underwear...a subject both men and women can relate to. But this is pertaining to thongs...the good, the bad and the ugly of the world of Suzie Thong. It seems thongs and their use are attributed to a few bad things. Urinary tract infections, pain and irritation among a few things written out there in Thong World. Cotton vs synthetic...does it make a difference? Wonder which one Cheney prefers...I didn't ask the official...darn it! It seems that 93% of urinary tract infections (UTI) are not caused by thongs by themselves. There is no published data which suggests that UTI's are more frequent in thong wearers...not even those who wear tight pants. Cheney must be heaving a sigh of relief. But as I am sure Dick Cheney could tell us having been a thong user...there is a wide range in fit. The 'strap' can be thick or thin...and the overall fit can be loose or what would be considered "atomic buttocks' floss"...heh! You can't make this stuff up!

Researchers have done experiments though with the types of fabrics that are used in undergarments. They compared 100% cotton to 100% acrylic under resting and exercise conditions...and you do not want to know the results...trust me. I'll just give you this little tidbit..cotton accumulated 71 grams of sweat compared to 46 grams in the acrylic fabric. You draw your own conclusions. Either way...I figure the vice president is one sweaty dude in his thong. Don't know if he's a cotton or acrylic man...but it was found that cotton underwear use was linked to increased UTI's...and most likely because we are told that cotton breathes better...hence more widespread use. There...isn't that simple and understandable? Scratching yet?

I'll spare you about bladder infections, hemorrhoids, or other sexual health issues. I'll save it for another time...no really I will. Right now I've got to stop for a scratch break...my mind wandered back to the ticks again. Oh!...there's an article about 'pain in the posterior'...damn it's another one of those stupid videos! I'm sure it would have been a lovely read otherwise...
cross-posted from: The Blue Republic

Labels: Cheney, scratchometer, thongs, ticks, underwear stats

Posted by sumo at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Old Fashioned Fruit Topped Cheesecake


Ingredients:

• 1-1/3 cups whole almonds, toasted and ground
  
• 3/4 cup crushed vanilla wafers
  
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
  
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 3/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 
  
• TOPPING:
  
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
  
• 3 tablespoons sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• Assorted fresh fruit

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine almonds and wafer crumbs; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of an un-greased 9-in. spring form pan. Bake at 350° for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.


In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat in vanilla and lemon peel just until blended. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set. Drizzle a little honey over top of fruit for a little sheen...optional.


Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla; carefully spread over filling. Bake 10 minutes longer or until edges appear dry. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Cover and chill overnight. Remove sides of pan. Top with fresh fruit. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12 servings.

Labels: friday cheesecake blogging

Posted by sumo at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

I have been tagged a second time...this time by PBS from the blog PBSandwich for The Power of Schmooze Award. Thank you for the honor of including me among those blogs you designated for the Schmooze Award.

So, what does it mean?


FORMS: schmoozed or schmoosed also shmoozed, schmooz·ing or schmoos·ing, shmooz·ing, schmooz·es or schmoos·es, shmooz·es


Slang to converse casually, especially in order to make a social connection. A perfect definition of blogging!


I'll start with Lew Scannon from the blog...Unbrainwashed. Lew always has an intelligent and interesting twist on his views of things. His snark is brilliant and I've never known him to be wrong on his assessment of our nation's administration. Not to be missed!


PT Cruiser...of the blog of the same name...is an adventure into sedition. He is a close bud of the Freeway Blogger and together they have "signed" the California freeways like nobody's business. Always on the lookout and clandestine...yet he has an exhilarating time. He always has cool videos too.


Robert from the blog Crawfords-Crier is completely unpredictable each day in what he'll post. It definitely is a potpourri of words and various stories. He's definitely uplifting to the spirit...and sometimes has breathtaking pictures.


betmo at the blog Life's Journey...life is a journey...not a destination. That shows you have thoughtful and cerebral she is about life around her. She takes cool pictures too. She has interesting and original thoughts about the administration that I just must happen to share.


WeezieLou from the blog WeezieLou. She a peace activist and darn good writer...it happens to be at several places too. But her most important job is that of writing about peace that is so desperately needed by the American people.

Labels: power of the schmosoze award

Posted by sumo at 1:02 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Labels: the asylum is running the white house...period

Posted by sumo at 12:22 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Senator Voinovich, R-Ohio

Little George's legacy being in jeopardy is not news. We've known this for some time now, we haven't needed soothsayers to predict that for us. Personally I don't see how it can be salvaged with all that has gone on...been done...with more spin to come. Rove must be sweating bullets trying to come up with some sort of way out of this tangled web he has woven. He may find himself on a stage one day as the skull that Hamlet holds forth as poor Yoric. This may be their summer of discontent...in spades.


It seems Voinovich has conversed with the Rovemeister and given a dire warning. Georgie needs to develop a workable plan to withdraw the troops from Iraq as a beginning salvage of is historical presidential legacy. It's the impossible dream by now. The Man from La Mancha cannot tilt at windmills anymore...so what makes people think there's any possibility that George could save a slice of good history for himself. I just don't think so plain and simple.


The WH spokesman Snowman Tony said last week that GW's GOPers in Congress wouldn't break with their fearless leader over the war. Check for Kool-aid under the podium next time folks. Anyway...Voinovich warned GW is still young enough and should seriously think about his legacy. It just makes me want to laugh and pound the desk at the same time. We know all these things...and have for some time. I guess the right just didn't want to face it until they had to.


We all know history isn't going to be kind to Dubbie. Even if he can come up with a plan to stabilize the region and protect the troops...(highly doubtful)...he will never be looked upon as some sort of hero president. That train left the station years ago. That train left with lies and corruption, with a multitude of deceptions that would choke a horse. You reach a point when you cannot hide all the sweeping under the carpet business that has gone on. The biggest mistake is thinking Americans are stupid or that we are like pet rocks. Word has it there are other Republicans ever so close to speaking out against the current (ill-conceived) strategy.

“I won’t mention anyone’s name. But I have every reason to believe that the fur is going to start to fly, perhaps sooner than what they may have wanted.” Voinovich also said in a more blunt manner of speech using profanity to describe the WH's management of Iraq by charging the administration..."f*cked up" the war.

I say...right on dude! I guess he expressed his views to Rove for this being a good "opportunity" for George to come together with the Dems and Repubs on an exit strategy that will undoubtedly be good for the country. Imagine that...a Republican that is making some sense. Sense at last...sense at last...thank Gawd Almighty sense at last!

“I got into this to get them to move, and they’re moving,” said Voinovich, who is pushing for the president to put together a workable plan for withdrawing U.S. troops that will be ready in time for a September progress report on the military surge from Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

“I really think that they understand,” said Voinovich. “We’ll see by September what they put together. But the main thing is were running out of time — we should take advantage of this time.”

Voinovich is giving them some time until September to get General Patraeus' progress report. I know I can't wait. But I don't trust any of them. I think it is entirely possible for Petraeus to go along with what Dubbie wants and just fall in with it. So after the surge...we'll need a boost in troops. They'll find some sort of excuse to prolong it. And if they don't...will I ever be surprised! We should all expect a dramatic new strategy to be ready in the fall...but Voinovich said he will endorse a Democratic plan mandating a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq within 120 days. And I personally think that is the best we'll get for those of us that want out now.

I applaud Voinovich for his spunk and intelligence though. His break with the WH came just one day after Republican Senator Lugar of Indiana...delivered a very dramatic speech on the Senate floor declaring the president's current strategy was not working. Sounds of hope are a good thing now and again.

Labels: Iraq, political theater, Presidential shame, that damn course

Posted by sumo at 12:20 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

I have been tagged by Suzie Q from the blog Suzie-Q for The Schmooze Award. Thank you for the considerable honor of including me among those blogs you designated for the award.

According to Suzie Q's post, Schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well.

Here are my 5 recipients of the Power of Schmooze Award:

1. Bluegrrrrl from Out of the Blue is a peace and political activist. She is a teacher at a University in San Diego and a real smart girl. She's whips the administration into a frenzy with her posts...and she's a nice lady too.

2. Evil Spock from the needs of the few who is a most diverse blogger of the extraordinare. He will entertain you on any subject...but I am mostly amused by what he writes. If you can make me laugh...you've made my day. He mostly tries to find ways to rule the world though...so don't get sucked into his schemes for...you know...world domination and such.

3. LaurieLou from the blog Defiance...and that describes it right there. She is in defiance of the right side of the isle and she knows how to skewer them quite well. She's always up-to-date on the latest news with our crazy politicians and ready for their BS.

4. Peace Chick Mary of Knock Knock...will knock your socks off with her wry wit and deft way of putting our current administration into perspective...and it usually isn't pretty. While doing it with humor and almost under the veil...she hits home every time. Beware of her making plenty of sense in a nice way.

5. PBS of Life Is A PB Sandwich is an entertaining journal writer. She writes mostly about her experiences at work and sometimes about family and friends. Each day it is something new to find out in another part of the country...and she has a very interesting job and Boss to talk about. I really look forward to the Boss stories.

Now these Schmooze-alicious bloggers have to pass the award along to five more people that have shown their ability to enter into the huge online conversation that is the “blogosphere”.

Labels: blogoshere award

Posted by sumo at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Women have been taking it in the shorts for generations for being known as the blabber mouths between the two sexes. I guess they haven't caught the president on the news lately. That's why I'm here to bring you up to snuff on that old, tired and now dead subject of women talking more than men. Alert: Scientific study stats on the way! The Chatty Cathy dolls haven't been in production for many years...so that is one way to prove my point. And let us not forget what all the G.I. Joe's had to say...along with Spider Man, Batman, ET...who always wanted to phone home...Yoda and Alf who would never shut up. Just so you know...I would have married Alf if only he had stopped talking long enough to ask. These guys took the share of the oxygen in the room believe me.

A scientific study conducted recently...(that's right you religious people...science is on the table for now)...both sexes say about the same number of words per day...and that figure is roughly 16,000 per day! Yes, it is a new study...get used to it. Studies come and studies go...and we must always pay attention to them...lest we revert back to the stoneage...and I for one don't want to be dragged by my hair around the campfire of life...if you know what I mean. I don't want to be Mrs. Flintstone listening to Fred's tall stories all evening thank you very much!

It seems the journal 'SCIENCE' published this study which included almost 400 undergraduate students...and the ratio went something like this...210 women and 186 men. The students wore a device called an electronically activated recorder (EAR) during their waking hours. It sounds rather scary to me...but hey...they needed their scientific data...and I guess this was their best way of snagging it. It's better than wearing an ugly helmet or something alien and wirey strapped to the chest.

The device quietly recorded the student's words for 30 seconds at a time, every 12 minutes or so. But the students were not aware when the recorder was on. They were told it recorded at random times. The recorder was padded so that the students would not be able to sense when it was turned on. So the transcribing of the tapes took place with the researchers analyzing how many words the students said daily...based upon 17 waking hours per day. An assistant professor at the University of Arizona's psychology department was one of the researchers...though he did his undergraduate work on this study at the University of Austin in Texas.




So let's take a gander at what the researchers heard. And guys you'd better sit down for this information because it's gonna hurt ya! It's gonna hurt ya bad! The data suggests that women spoke on the average 16,215 words and the men blabbed...and I mean blabbed...15,669 words per day! Now guys...you are thinking...yay...the women talk more than we do...well...it could just be up to chance. The difference is 546 words in case you were wondering. And besides...you know that the best research comes out of Arizona. So in effect, the data fails to reveal a reliable sex difference in daily word use...which the researchers call the chat count a "lexical budget." Look it up...I'm not up to s'plaining it to you right now.

And here's the part where you men should remain in your seats. What would be perfectly obvious is that some of the students were more talkative than others. Apparently, one of the most verbose men uttered 47,000 words per day. Now I'm wondering if he ever had time to eat or go to the bathroom. The quietest man barely spoke 500 words...which makes him a really bad candidate for a fun date. Norene I don't think you'd want this young man for a dinner companion at all.

While the researchers were from the University of Arizona's psychology department...most of the students they used were studying psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. The study also included about 100 students from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. The sound clips were gathered in six groups of students from 1998 to 2004...and it seems that women didn't out-talk men in any of those groups...so there! Therefore the conclusion by the researchers is this...even though they only studied college students, the widespread and highly publicized stereotype about female blabbing and screeching is unfounded...well la de freakin' da!

So armed with this newfound information...it made me start to think of politicians. You notice how you don't hear much from Condi Rice? I admit we did used to hear from her more often in the beginning of the administration...but after things started to heat up for the top officials she took a powder from the limelight. But that didn't stop the voices of the men did it? I don't know when I remember a president that speaks to the American people as regularly as our George does. Anymore it seems like it is every other day. Maybe it just seems that way...but there isn't a day that goes by that he isn't opening his pie hole and issuing some baloney to us one way or another. He's definitely on the defensive usually about something...Jebus knows he's got plenty he's got to try to explain to the American people.

The Dead Eye Dick seems a little less vociferous...but I think more than anything it's because of that permanent grimace on his face makes it difficult to speak at times. When you growl while thinking it doesn't translate into constant worthy speechifying. We don't hear much from Mr. Karl...because he saves it for behind the scenes. He's so busy stirring the pot of spin that his words never see the light of day...well, mostly anyway. And the GOPers just never shut up! Those guys have something to say on any subject anytime anywhere. It usually is gripping about the left side of the isle...when they really should be looking in the mirror at themselves. But that is what constant blabbers do. And I think you noticed a few days ago that Harriet Miers didn't sit at her table and say anything. Talk about a quiet woman! You can't always believe what you don't hear of course. Now Michael Chertoff...he doesn't speak much...he has his gut do it for him. Colleges all over the country will have to open a new department for "gut feeling" so we'll be able to know what a person is feeling about. So it's no longer the times of Chatty Cathy...it's what men prefer to call "Silent Steve"...yeah right! No offense to any Steve's out there by the way!

cross-posted from

Labels: defining words, human psychology, research students, scientific study

Posted by sumo at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Pumpkin~Pecan Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup finely crushed graham crackers
• 1/4 cup finely crushed gingersnaps
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• Toasted chopped pecans

Labels: friday cheesecake blogging, pecans, pumpkin, whipped cream

Posted by sumo at 12:32 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

For those of you who have had enough and don't know where to turn...try these 15 things that you probably never knew..or thought about!

1. At least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.


2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.


3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.


4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.


5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.


6. You mean the world to someone.


7. If not for you, someone may not be living.


8. You are special and unique.


9. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.


10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.


11. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most
likely turned your back on the world.

12. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably
won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, probably, sooner or later, you
will get it.


13. Always remember the compliments you received.  Forget about the rude remarks.


14. Always tell someone how you feel about them, you will feel much better when
they know.


15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.


A Minute: They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to
appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.


Take the time...to live and love...because...

Bush and his cronies will take care of themselves in their own good time.
They've just about given themselves all the rope they can afford...and when
that runs out there is no more hope for those jokers.

Labels: Bush, Cheney, political rope, poor people, supreme court

Posted by sumo at 2:02 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

There are reports that Turkey has massed a huge force of its military on the border it shares with Iraq. It has caused fear that an invasion could be imminent…that of targeting Kurdish Rebel hideouts. The questions are…how deeply into Iraq is the army willing to go, just how long would it be prepared to stay…and what kind of attitude would there be from allies in Washington and other NATO partners?

Turkish leaders have enough hassles on their minds without taking a military stakeout on a foreign country. They are caught in an internal split between the Islamic rooted government and the military-backed secular establishment. This is less than two weeks ahead of July 22nd elections that were moved ahead anyway as a way to ease tensions in an antagonistic society.

A military operation could possibly hurt Turkey’s democratic process by taking attention from campaign subjects such as economy, and raise suspicion of whether the government and its opponents are playing with the issue of Iraq to win nationalist support at the polls.

Monday, the Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan said on Turkish TV that Turkey would take whatever steps necessary if the US failed to fulfill its pledge to help in the fight against Kurdish Rebels. His reluctance to order an invasion now wouldn’t be good right before the elections. This guy needs a clue about the US government and their promises. If the American people don’t get their promises delivered on…how can he expect Turkey to get any concessions?

“We are seeing with great grief that America remains quiet as Turkey struggles against terrorism. Because there were promises given to us, and they need to be kept. If not, we can take care of our own business,” Erdogan said. “We hope there won’t be an extraordinary situation before the election. But there’ll be a new evaluation after the elections.”

The aim of any military push into Iraq would be to hunt separatist rebels of the Kurdish Workers’ Party, or PKK, who rest, train and resupply in remote bases in the predominantly Kurdish region of northern Iraq before crossing mountain passes into Turkey to attack targets there. In recent months, rebels have stepped up assaults, adding to a sense of urgency in Turkey that something must be done.

Well, it seems the Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, a Kurd from northern Iraq, has claimed that Turkey has massed 140,000 soldiers on its border. Which translates into raw nerves on both sides of this border. Turkey’s military had no comment as of Monday…and the Bush administration said there hasn’t been a mass buildup. Who do we believe here?

Turkish commanders feel an invasion is necessary. Apparently it is hard to know how well prepared they indeed are…because many areas along the border with Iraq are “security zones” and are off limits to civilians. From time to time there have been some reports of shelling of rebel positions inside Iraq…and commandos are believed to occasionally go on “hot pursuits” of guerrillas across the border. There is an ethnic Turkmen minority in northern Iraq.

Since Saddam Hussein’s downfall, Iraqi Kurds feel emboldened by new freedom of movement, and the Turkish forces could face possible confrontation with them. Some US forces are in the area also…with American warplanes at times flying close to the Iraq-Turkish border.

Apparently part of Turkey’s goal is to draw increased attention by the US to their issues…but the Turks said they were likely to act if attacks continued. Well that’s just what we in the US need now. More unsettled borders near our own troops. More conflict…more casualties.

There are already Turkish forces in Iraq, operating about 10 to 15 miles beyond the border. Here the mountains are steep and turn into hills that are more easily navigable. For the Turks…this area is the only way Turkey can control the border.

Turkey wants to join the European Union…so these tensions would not bode well for them under these circumstances. Sinan Ogan, head of the Turkish Center for International Relations and Strategic Analysis…said one option was a limited air force operation, which would help the government deal with domestic demand for action. If ground forces do go in, the military would want them to stay for at least six months to assess the impact of the mission. They shouldn’t consult the Bush administration for anything strategic that’s for sure.

“An operation before the elections will bring the ruling government more votes so they might be willing to allow such an operation,” he said. “A clash with several soldiers getting killed or a bombing at an important spot might be the spark for a military operation.”

cross-posted @ The Sirens Chronicles

Labels: European Union, Iraq, political theater, Turkey, Turkey/Iraq Border, Turkish Kurds

Posted by sumo at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

He's our President for cripes sake! You know how sometimes you run across a great comment and in some instances it can be better than the post. Well., this was as good as the post in question...but I wanted to share it with you. It's by Earl from The Peace Train...this comment coming from The Blue Republic.


Nicholas Kristof is sick and tired of people calling the President a liar. And he's got lots of arguments about why this is a terrible thing to do:

I'm against the "liar" label for two reasons. First, it further polarizes the political cesspool, and this polarization is making America increasingly difficult to govern. Second, insults and rage impede understanding.

Indeed. It is wrong to call the President a liar, because that's a bad word. Liberals should think of a nicer way of couching their criticism. Kristoff gives an example:

In fact, of course, Mr. Bush did stretch the truth. The run-up to Iraq was all about exaggerations, but not flat-out lies. Indeed, there's some evidence that Mr. Bush carefully avoids the most blatant lies — witness his meticulous descriptions of the periods in which he did not use illegal drugs.

See? The President doesn't lie, he only exaggerates, maybe stretches the truth on occassion, possibly says things in such a way as to deliberately leave the listener with the wrong impression. Indeed, there's some evidence that Mr. Bush carefully avoids the most blatant lies - and if maybe perhaps carefully avoiding the most blatant lies isn't an adequate standard of truthfulness to hold the President to, well, I just don't know what this country is coming to. There's the usual litany - Michael Moore is a uncritical conspiracy theorist (true), ergo the President is truthful (false); calling the President a liar is like accusing Bill Clinton of murder; Bush always says the wrong thing, so maybe everything was just a big misunderstanding; liberals are turning into what they hate the most; etc. Largely unexplored, however, is the issue of whether or not Bush is a liar. Let's explore it: He has lied about his time in the National Guard, and lied about his criminal history.


He lied about his relationship with Ken Lay, he lied about who would benefit from his tax cuts, and he lied about stem cells. He lied about his visit to Bob Jones University, he lied about why he wouldn't meet with Log Cabin Republicans, and he lied about reading the EPA report on global warming. He lied about blaming the Clinton administration for the second intifada, he lies constantly about how he pays no attention to polls, he lied about how he loves New York, and he lied about moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. He lied about finding WMD in Iraq, he lied about making his decision to go to war, he lied about the CIA's dismissal of the yellowcake rumors, and he lied about the IAEA's assessment of Iraq's nuclear program.


He lied about funding the fight against AIDS in Africa, he lied about when the recession started, and he lied about seeing the first plane hit the WTC. He lied about supporting the Patient Protection Act, and he lied about his deficit spending, and now my wrist hurts. These are all lies, told by the President himself. This doesn't include any distortions, half-truths, or exaggerations, or any lies told by senior figures in the administration. These lies are big and small. Together, these lies involve trillions of dollars and at least tens of thousands of deaths, and Nicholas Kristof is terribly concerned about sharp words and Michael Moore movies. It is indeed too bad that the "political cesspool" is becoming polarized, but I don't think that the solution to this is to shoot the messenger and agonize over ever-finer definitions of falsehood. It shouldn't be this difficult to get your priorities in order.

Labels: catch them in the act, consequences, Kristof, Presidential shame

Posted by sumo at 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

Impeach! That’s been the catch phrase for a while now. We should all be saying it. We should tell our friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers all the time. Actually, I say it to my dog regularly as she lies next to me while watching the cable news networks. Roughly, 75% of America think that Bush and Cheney are worthy of being kicked out of the Oval Office…stripped of their shortsighted power of corruption…with no authority to damage our country anymore…or its citizens! They have blatantly scoffed at the Constitution and corrupted laws that were set into place for that very reason…to be able to stop people in power from subverting the very laws that govern their office. Power Protection!

Dick Cheney (the Dark Lord) has been a malevolent force in our government for over 6 years now. He has subverted the processes of our government in so many ways. He has helped lead us into the terrible and life wasting War of Iraq. He is at this moment is seeking ways to do the same thing to Iran. They didn’t go into Iraq with any kind of foresight for even our soldiers much less the obvious effects of an all encompassing war. The ramifications of this lack of vision is criminal in its undertaking. Cheney was part of the group that didn’t have the foresight to realize what kind of appropriate protection our soldiers needed or even proper water and food lasting them long enough while doing their duties called upon them. Shortsighted is too kind a word to describe their not thinking this appropriately through with the Military. They simply didn’t know what they were about.

And…we must never forget that he did business with both of these countries while he was in the position of CEO of Halliburton. If that isn’t a clash of interests…I don’t know what is! He says he is not connected to Halliburton any longer…but with his track record, I just don’t buy it! It’s always been quite transparent that Halliburton manages to get the important big contracts for nearly everything…and their profits are astounding.

It is an important time in our nation’s history. If we don’t take action as citizens now…we may as well take Impeach out of the national rhetoric then. Because, this is the time…it is justified never more so than now. So much information has come out recently that shows them for the lying liars that they truly are. When you get subpoenaed by the Justice Department…that is no small matter…it’s very serious. You don’t want this to happen in your life. People like us ordinary citizens would not be able to avoid it…we’d have no privileges to pull forth. Yet they fall back on the Executive privilege…or super duper secret privilege enough to make your head spin.

14 representatives already support H Res333…the Articles of Impreachment against Dick Cheney. This could be a pivotal turning point in our history. We must restore democratic principles to our government by Impeaching Dick Cheney! If we don’t stand together as a nation to do this…and start the process of getting rid of these criminals…we will continue to live by the sword…and the thump of their bible. We must rid our nation of this pestilence.

cross-posted @ The Sirens Chronicles

Labels: consequences, IMPEACH, losers in war, political theater

Posted by sumo at 2:12 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top

I'm thinking of hiring a service...a pool service...to take care of my...you know...needs.

So I'm sitting in a hell-hole of heat in California and thinking how I want to follow behind one of Norene's great life stories...and I've got writer's heatstroke something fierce. My brain doesn't want to function at this junction. The Master and Commander of the household hasn't uncovered the pool yet...(that's a long story and rant right there)...so let's just assume there is some suffering going on in this household in gigantorus proportions! So I'm swimming (ha ha) around the internets...yet again...and it just so happens to be coinciding with the date 7-7-07 (when you read this I'll be a day late...but no matter!) and its seems there are lots of couples that have chosen this day to get hitched or make the live together plunge into Lucky Marriage Day...or Live Together Day...whatever!

It mentioned 7 marriage tips so that one can stay lucky in love...sort of an advice fest if you will. First for me...if it can get the Mister to get the pool functioning...I'm all over this story. So I dig into the trenches for the long haul of information to see what kind of help out of this probable nonsense minefield I'll find. Now I'm not just looking for entertainment here...I want some viable answers and there'd better be some. So...for starters it seems this auspicious date...a lucky one steeped in 7's...is one of the most popular wedding dates in modern history...this coming from overwhelmed florists, photographers and wedding planners. We'll have to wait for the end of the day Saturday to find out the exact statistics, but it is considered to be quite large forthcoming. The Churches must be pleased with the financial windfall too.

Relationship experts of course will tell you that more than luck is needed to stay together and beat that monster (odds) of divorce...estimated to end 1/2 of today's marriages. So, do you want to know how to stay lucky in love? I know I do! And don't be expecting the usual baloney about giving flowers to the wifey, cooking her favorite meal or scheduling a "date night"! What the heck is any of that crap anyway? I don't get any of those things...and if I did...I'd get out the ol' rectal thermometer and give HIM a come here right now look! I want some answers buddy and fast!

Okay then...so they said Marriage Tip #1 is: purge the "D" word. Now what is that? Does it stand for duh? Oh...yeah...divorce...the big no no word in the land of relationship(wreck)...in a perfect world. Well...with the taste of wedding cake still on the corners of the mouth...I think that is the last thing on a newlyweds mind...if they even have any. It seems the honeymoon period slows to a (desperate) crawl...day to day difficulties arise...(don't you hate when THAT happens)...you start to argue...and the "D" word makes its first appearance...and it is an ugly muther too. So just don't do it! It raises levels of anxiety in people...trust me...you just don't want to go there. Remember...divorce is a dirty word. I've been divorced and it was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. He thought it was okay to throw the "D" word around alot...as his emotions dictated. I heard it so often...I was being punished you see...that when I was ready for it...I waited for the next time, and I knew it was coming. I said okay the next verbal abuse encounter...and he was so shocked he actually sat down and looked stunned. I thought..."That's right...I've got you now buster!" So, you are supposed to use all your energy to finding a solution to a problem and work it out...I rather think that taking verbal abuse for 15 years with the "D" word dangled over my head constantly was the deal breaker for me. If you loved me you wouldn't speak to me this way...so I said...toddles...see ya later dude!

Deal breakers ...there are so many...but addiction, adultery, and abuse to name a few. You are supposed to create a "Ledger of Life" (choke)...get out a piece of paper and write down everything you love about your spouse...so that eventually you focus on the right...and not what's wrong. So now we have Marriage Tip #2: We replace the 7 "deadly" habits in a marriage with 7 caring habits. Who writes this crap anyway?! So...with baited typing I give you the "7 deadly habits"...blaming, bribing, complaining, criticizing, nagging, punishing, and threatening. Now that was in alphabetical order...not necessarily the order in which your spouse will unleash them on your ass. Get ready for this now...here's the "7 caring habits"...accepting, encouraging, listening, negotiating your differences, respecting and trusting...again in alphabetical order...it's just something I like to do...makes me feel more efficient I guess.

Marriage Tip #3: Take care of yourself. Ain't that a hoot? Take care of yourself physically and spiritually. That way your stress will be down, down, down and your tolerance ever so up, up and away! You will actually be less likely to get on each other's nerve and do some dreaded squabbling. That way...YOU are more likely to have a happy marriage. You can't make this stuff up folks.

Marriage Tip #4: Discuss outside friendships. Come on...your spouse doesn't want to hear about anything like that. My Master and Commander doesn't want to hear about any of my friends or especially about my blogging friends. Big no no in our household. But according to the experts...or so they think they are...the experts disagree that workplace friendships with the opposite sex are a good thing. This one expert guy says he's not big (heh!) on cross-gender friendships for married people because it is playing with fire. Well...I don't exactly think it is playing with fire...but whatever. But he does advocate a wife having a friendship with a gay man or a husband having a friendship with a gay woman...since the romantic potential is nonexistent. Otherwise the line is too easy and tempting to cross...Where do they get this "stuff"?

The perfect wife? You be the judge.

Marriage Tip #5: Stop trying to control your partner! Now there's a really good one that not too many people can fulfill. Trying to control each other...psychologists call it "external control"...(I call it sick)...is the main source of marital unhappiness. If you are happy in your marriage you will know that you cannot control each other. You're doomed of course if you've ever told your partner to behave the way you want them to...or that you know what is right all the way around. That is external control... big boo boo there! And it doesn't even have to be your spouse. My first mother-in-law wanted me to dress a certain way and wear my hair a certain way...and I wanted to tell her what to do in a certain way. It ended badly...trust me. She's a big reason I got divorced from her son...I needed Brunhilde out of my life...forever! I got on that broomstick of life and haven't gotten off since!

So...you are supposed to think first before you speak...maybe just speak when spoken to...works too. Can't get into trouble if you keep your pie hole shut. Marriage Tip #6: Honor and respect your partner. Yeah...I'm going to be honoring all the time that is for sure. 24/7 honoring of another human being...that ought to get things done in the course of the day. I guess they really mean the husband shouldn't refer to his wife as "my old lady"...and the wife shouldn't be flirting with her male co-workers. Well...life has just turned boring again! The age old masters at this marriage stuff say..."You can have respect without love, but you cannot have love without respect." Oh where do I start on this one?! Oh it's a simple one this time...you'll see. Respect, say those with a hip-hop-happy marriage, means not undermining your spouse in front of the children.

Oh I nearly forgot about the children! What's wrong with me?! And for goodness sake...DON'T!...repeat...don't go outside the marriage when you are having a problem!!!! Discuss it with your partner! Sure that works...but what if you have a partner that doesn't want to discuss anything...there are after all people like that you know! Personally...if the spouse/partner has ticked you off good enough...who cares who is in the room...let er rip! Let those pent up feelings all out...it is good for you...and it will teach those little monsters listening that life ain't perfect...and this is what you can expect out of life when you grow up you little parasites! Whew! I feel better all ready! Respect also means not criticizing your mate in front of others...well...if they do it to me...I am going to give them a taste of it too. My husband thought he'd get away with it in a grocery store...and much to his horror...I don't think he'll be doing it again. No...I am mighty sure he won't! I've said before I am a very quiet person...but step over that line with me...and another side that usually stays hidden...spews forth...and it is an awesome thing when unleashed.

Marriage Tip # 7: So women are expected to lower their expectations, and the husband needs to step up to the plate more often...and not the food plate if you know what I mean! So...this couple, a marriage and family counselor, toured the country to promote their book...and would ask the audiences what they wanted from marriage. And here's some of what they said...get your box of Kleenex first though. Women expected to be loved, cherished, listened to, cared for, and courted. They had a long list of expectations! Yeah...I want to be loved...but I don't always make that easy. Don't want to be cherished...what is up with that? I wouldn't mind being listened to at times...just now and again mind you. Cared for...ehmmm...I can do that for myself I think...and as for courting? Well...if you've married me I don't need to be courted anymore thank you very much. I am a woman with few needs and expectations...you might say the "almost" perfect wife. I am not demanding...but I would like something done with the friggin' pool sometime this summer! Remember...we don't employ pool people! We are do-it-yourselfers!

So here are some answers from the guys and what they want from marriage..."Bring the food and show up naked!" That works for me on so many levels! So you are wondering by now how women need to lower their expectations...well that's what I'm here for. Do not expect 24/7 romance period! Remember Daddy works an unbelievably long week and he can't have you clawing and pawing at his every step...it doesn't do a body good if you know what I mean. Get this...and prepare to laugh your ass off. Men need to do some of the things the woman wants...prioritize their relationship and listen more. Men cannot spell prioritize first of all. The counselors tell the guys to look at it this way..."Your wife is the million-dollar client...if she walks out the door, the business is closed." Yeah right...I'm a million-dollar client! More like a million-dollar pain-in-the-ass and that is why I will not be swimming anytime soon...because Daddy is tired! Argh!!

cross-posted@

Labels: contorting wives, divorce, head games, marriage, pool boys

Posted by sumo at 1:02 AM | Permalink | Comments Return to Top