SYRIA...JUST SAY NO!

Who do we think we are in the United States? How can it possibly be right to attack Syria? Maybe Obama wants to claim one war for himself since he can't really claim Iraq or Afghanistan as his wars. He inherited both of them. Incidentally, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were foolish and based mostly on lies. Supposedly, we attacked Afghanistan because the Taliban didn't turn over Bin Laden (as though they really had a choice in the matter). Then we attacked Iraq just because the wacko Republicans wanted to.

Now...Syria! No way. Let some other country step up for a change. We haven't been victorious in war since WW2...not Korea, not Viet Nam, not Afghanistan, not Iraq and...we won't be in Syria either. Let's stop killing people all over the world.

A brief update...in today's news, Donald Rumsfeld is quoted as saying something like, "Obama has not justified Syria intervention." That is totally crazy! Rumsfeld is one of the key, guilty parties in the illegal, deadly, US fiascos in Afghanistan and Iraq! Does he think we're all idiots? Is he mentally ill or just delusional? If Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld et al are not thrown into prison for their crimes, at least they should keep their mouths shut and slink into the shadows.

Is Obama trying to be a republican? There can be nothing good coming from an attack on Syria. Let those wack-jobs in the Middle-East take care of their own problems. Don't spend a single penny of my tax dollars on this horrible venture.

Okay...while I'm on this particular rant...I want the United States to stop handing out billions of US dollars to other countries (foreign aid). We can't take care of ourselves while we continue to prop up people and governments all over the world. Let them take care of themselves!  Heck's Bells! Isn't it a Republican mantra that a person should not rely on government assistance! Yet both parties seem to think it's okay to continue handing over billions to the rest of the world so they can live off US entitlements. Stop it!

We've proven to be an absolute failure in almost every international venture. What say we look at home? What say we let all those other countries (mostly, who hate us anyway) fend for themselves and let the cards fall where ever they fall. If anyone is a real threat to us...okay..we have the military power to overcome adversity. However, we can't continue fighting invisible enemies in the forests, caves, deserts and mountains of the world. These are all pure folly. Let's tighten our belts and look at our own people for a change, eh?

Here, in the United States, we have seen and heard the rhetoric concerning Syria. It doesn't matter how much is true or false. What does matter is that the citizens of this country (those, our elected officials work for) don't want this country to insinuate itself in Syria. Overwhelmingly!

STAY OUT OF SYRIA! LET'S MAKE THIS A DEFINING MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY WHEN THE UNITED STATES REMEMBERS IT'S A GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE...OUR PEOPLE!

Minor, additional update...today's news indicates that Boehner supports Obama in the effort to start a new war in Syria. How can it be so obvious?! If Boehner supports it...it MUST be wrong. What the Hell  happened to Obama? Stay the Hell out of Syria. NO MORE WARS! PLEASE!

Update! Are George Zimmerman and Chaz Bono (and A-Rod) all the same person?

I've never seen Chaz Bono and the Zimmerman guy who killed Trayvon Martin in the same picture and I'm wondering if it's the same person. It's so similar to looking at pictures of the spoiled, little kid, Justin Bieber, along with Miley Cyrus. Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish one from the other and the other from one. I think Sonny Bono would flip right over in his grave if he thought his sweet young daughter grew up to be the murderer, George Zimmerman.

Wow! I just saw a picture of Alex Rodriguez...maybe they're triplets and maybe they're all the same person. Has anyone ever seen any combination of the three at the same time? I think not. I do realize it's a bit of a stretch to consider these three, fat-faced guys as being the same (or related) people but it certainly does seem odd, eh?

Seattle Mariners just plain stink!

So...the Mariners are more than ten games below 500. They just blew a 5-run lead and managed to find that inevitable loss...again. I don't mind if the catcher hits down near 200. It's not even such a tragedy if the shortstop (and second baseman) hit near 200. However, the outfielders, first-baseman and DH should all be able to hit. If they can't hit they should stay on the bench. Saunders and Ackley can't hit. The Mariners actually put in a pinch-hitter (Bay) with a 215 average to hit for a guy with about the same average! (The last two batters struck out (one, looking). This team is pitiful! Okay, there are a couple of good pitchers and Raul! Other than that, it looks like the team doesn't really care. Even so...they're paying everyone millions! It's sick.

Changes have to be made in the organization so someone at the top can recognize talent. Also, it certainly seems that they need a new hitting coach. Now...in the news...there's talk of the upcoming trade deadline. What a great opportunity for the Mariners to take a big step backward and get rid of Ibanez and anyone else who's shown a speck of value to the team! I think the entire coaching, office and management staff should go home and stay there. I could do a better job with my eye closed!

It's not that the Mariners don't have the money (so it seems) to field a good team. It's more that they don't have proper management. Heck's bells! You don't have to look too deeply to see how many great Mariners moved on...Griffey...A-Rod...Randy Johnson...more than I can mention. We, in Seattle, get the final year of some aging guy like Gaylord Perry ( ! ) and the Mariners make it out to be a really big deal! What a freeking crock!

One last, relatively minor thing...it drives me totally nuts to keep trading players. If a guy is on a team...keep him there. Let's develop some loyalty and if a player needs to improve...coach him...teach him. Stop this nonsense of continuous roster change. I'd rather see every team with only locally grown players competing.

Oh...I hate having a DH. It's stupid and un-baseball. I also hate inter-league play.

Update...I just read that there are 5 ex-Mariners playing in this year's All-Star game! What a poorly run organization!

Edward Snowden and the FBI

Ha ha ha ha! Looking through today's Seattle Times, I came across a picture accompanying a story about the parents of Edward Snowden. The picture shows a man and woman coming out of the house...the man in front. It says the two identified themselves as...FBI. See if you can find the picture. The man, head shaved and wearing a suit, is striding along like a first-class nerd. Anyway...my point...look at the picture. The guy is wearing a jacket that's many sizes too large for him (pants too). The sleeves extend to the ends of his hands. Is this the face of the FBI? They really can't afford to buy properly fitting clothing?! Or...perhaps they're imposters. In either case, it's a very funny (and pitiful) picture.

On a slightly different note...I think there should be no news about the whistle-blower. Snowden should not be the focus of the story. The focus should be on the arrogance of our out-of-control government. It's very scary and I'm pleased that there are people like Snowden!

EDQARD SNOWDEN FOR PRESIDENT! That's a true American!

Geno Smith and Tim Tebow throw the same way

First...I confess to being someone with very little knowledge of professional football...however, I remember watching a few clips of Tim Tebow throwing the ball in college games. He reached WAY back with his arm and the ball was nearly on the grass when he went forward to throw. Kinda like a baseball pitcher. When I saw that, I thought he would be destroyed in the NFL. He didn't exhibit the short-armed, from the ear, quick and strong movements of a professional quarterback. I thought he had no chance. So...along comes this guy Geno Smith...he has the same throwing motion as Tebow and (unless he learns to change his entire approach to passing)...he's toast. What in the world is wrong with the Jets?! If a schlub like me can see these things, why can't they?!

Mariners also-rans

Okay...I give up. I've been watching and listening to the Seattle Mariners for SO long! Even when they had a record number of wins in a season, they were unable to close the deal in the post-season. It seems, in most years, they crumble just before August and fall to the bottom, year after year. This time, it looked like they had better hitting and pitching. This year, it looked like they might just turn the corner. No. It's nearing the end of May and they've already imploded. I give up. No more radio broadcasts. No more television (as if I actually HAD an operable television). No more attendance at the games. They stink. There's something so very wrong with this team. Either they can't afford decent players and coaches or they're too stupid to make sensible choices or they just don't care. I don't care. I give up. The Seattle Mariners appear to be a low-class organization no matter what bunch of losers they throw out there. They're all perennial losers.

No wonder the Sonics are gone! There's something inherently wrong with sports in this area. I give up.

Whatever happened to when we had A-Rod? Griffey? The Big Unit? Edgar? There were great players who have passed through town and yet we continue to see the dregs of major league baseball.

We're just one injury away from the Seahawks taking a dive or being mired in a scandal.

Seattle is not a sports town and I will not support any of these losers until they (somehow) turn the corner and establish a winning tradition. Until then...I give up.

These local teams (especially the Mariners) are all like Lucy pulling the football away from poor Charlie Brown. Every year, there is the hype and all the talk about how they're ready to turn the corner. They never do and Charlie Brown (the fans) keep up the faith. Well...I give up.

Back to Fall City Bistro...Finally!

It's been many months since I went to the Fall City Bistro (right down the street from my house). So...I went there for Mothers Day yesterday. (The reason I haven't been a regular there is because I no longer have any measurable income.) When I drive past the place, it just warms my heart to see so many cars in the parking lot. I was so impressed when I first dined there and hoped others would appreciate it.

Well...we had upscale popcorn, soup, salad, crab cakes, Chianti, lobster, spaghetti and an after-dinner drink. (I thought it was going to be some kind of Italian Ice but it turned out to be a lemony, vodka drink...I guess I'm not particularly sophisticated in regard to foods!)

Anyhow-way, there have been continuing upgrades to the establishment, inside and out. The atmosphere was wonderful, the staff (in spite of being so busy on Mothers Day) was professional, prompt and personable and I greatly appreciated the experience.

It's (nearly) a blessing to have such a fine restaurant in town!

Okay...I do have a very minor complaint that doesn't reflect directly on me...many of the meals have a cream-type sauce and I was with a "mother" who is lactose-intolerant. She had to be very careful in removing some of the goodies from the milk-based sauce.

That's my only criticism at this point.

Even though I don't really eat doughnuts, I'm anxious to see what the management's plan is for the outside cart they're in the process of setting up. There are so many possibilities!

I was noticing the other eating and drinking places in town. They all have their windows adorned with neon signs from various beer and wine companies. The Fall City Bistro doesn't have those abominations and I hope they continue to refrain.

Bottom line (if this is really it)...

GO TO THE FALL CITY BISTRO!

When I had money so many years ago, I frequented many, very expensive places around the country. The people, ambience and food at the Fall City Bistro combine to create a wonderful dining experience. (I only wish I could afford to eat out more often...instead of eating dandelions from the lawn and soup made from freshly-fallen swallow feathers.)