"You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog." ~ Harry S. Truman

Super Bowl XLVI?

During the pre-game show, NBC Sports ran a graphic on the political connection between the eventual winner of the Superbowl and the outcome of the last two Presidential Elections.

In 2004, the New England Patriots (AFC) defeated the Carolina Panthers (NFC) and President George W. Bush won reelection. In 2008, the New York Giants (NFC) defeated the New England Patriots (AFC) and then Senator Barrack Obama won the White House. Now that the Giants have defeated the Patriots in Superbowl XLVI, if Obama wins reelection, in four more years, this blogger predicts NBC Sports will dust off this rather absurd political connection. But then again, Rush Limbaugh did attend the big game as a special guest of Patriot's owner Robert Kraft.

Here's another prediction: It will be tough for Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York City to host a ticker-tape parade for the Giants and delay a parade for Iraq Veterans. Indeed, if the country could find the money and the resources to fight two different wars, why not two different parades?

Waiting until military operations end in Afghanistan to salute the conclusion of America's involvement in Iraq is a mistake. First, by not acknowledging the differences between Afghanistan and Iraq, it sends the wrong message, at the wrong time, to the Iranian leadership. For the last ten years, Tehran has perceived itself as being encircled by U.S. Forces. Since 1979, no Administration (Republican or Democrat) has had the political will or courage to diplomatically engage the Iranians. Even during the Cold War, American leaders knew this country needed to interact with the Soviet Union. The global consequences for doing anything less were too high. Unlike North Korea, which Beijing keeps on a short leash, there is no economic, political or military counterbalance to the regime in Tehran. Libya is not Egypt, Syria is not Libya, Afghanistan is not Iraq, and Iran continues to be Iran.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, it delays the healing process for a nation that's been at war for over ten years. Once again, to hold a parade for the winners of a football game, and not the troops who served this country in the game of life is just plan wrong. It just doesn't pass the common sense test.

Breakfast of Champions?

Remember when the back of cereal boxes were the only "getting ready for work" breakfast app?

"It's harder to get on the cover of a box of Wheaties than the cover of a sports magazine!"
~ Bruce Jenner
1976 Olympic Decathlon Gold-Medal Winner

Super Bowl Madness?

Original audition for ESPN's SportsCenter?

Welcome to the Redundant Department of Redundancy?

Can you name the first time in American history that the government cut taxes as it went to war?

What was the original mission in Afghanistan? To find, capture and/or killed Elvis Bin Laden. What was the original mission in Iraq? WMD? Oil? Tourism? This blogger is NOT an isolationist.

After spending over $1,300,000,000,000s for two wars (with follow up military occupations of 7 & 10 years respectively), perhaps it's time to seriously reevaluate the economic, geopolitical & military wisdom of maintaining the rhetorical status quo. At least during World War II, the federal government sold WAR BONDS to build the factories required to support America's "arsenal of democracy". This time around, beyond those who serve in uniform (along with their families), what real sacrifices were the American people asked to make?

A New Perspective on Cost of War:
Have you seen the bumper sticker "Freedom is NOT Free"? It's true. Freedom has an actual price tag. Funding the Department of Defense requires real pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.

The money for Iraq & Afghanistan has already been spent. So, how will this BILL get paid? Wishful thinking? Prayer? The Free Market? More Corporate Tax Breaks? The next generation? I guess asking folks to do the right thing for the right reasons is asking too much.


Photos of Afghan Soldiers & Burger King Sign by Peter Rimar
The Iraq War (History Channel DVD)

Apple Salesman in China?

Chinese Neighborhood, Changsha, P.R.C. (June 2009)

Update: Apple supplier Foxconn says it will raise salaries?
Read more...

Working Title: Two and a Half Brains?

Chuck Lorre & CBS in negotiations with Bachmann, Huntsman and Roemer for a new political sitcom? Rick Santorum slated to play the stalking neighbor and Herman Cain as the pizza delivery guy?



First Episode [Rough Draft]: Roemer helps Bachmann study for a test on the Founding Fathers. While delivering a pizza, Cain catches Santorum spying in Huntsman's bathroom window.

Winners Never Cheat: Even in Difficult Times, New and Expanded Edition [Hardcover]

"The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this." ~ Mark Twain

The beauty of simplicity?

"The phrase 'working mother' is redundant." 
 ~ Jane Sellman

Polls? Polls. Polls!

A day without a new public opinion poll is like the month of January in North Dakota without snow. It is what it is. All the media giants (to include Faux News) love analyzing the latest poll numbers. One political poll feeds into yet another poll.

Between December 7-11, 2011, the Pew Research Center asked voters the question, "is there too much power in the hands of a few rich people and large corporations?" 77% of those surveyed said YES, while 19% stated NO.

While the #Occupy Wall Street Movement has lost its original momentum, it's clear the widespread demonstrations in September and October changed the language of the political landscape in 2012.

Kool-Aid still comes in more than one flavor?

"It would be nice if the Food and Drug Administration stopped issuing warnings about toxic substances and just gave me the names of one or two things still safe to eat."
~ Robert Fuoss
FDA: A History (DVD)

Coup d'état on the Moon?

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
~ Albert Einstein

Command-in-Chef Update: President Gingrich deploys Texas National Guard to the moon to put down rebellion in the 51st state? To keep illegals off the moon, Secretary of Defense Herman Cain proposes building an electric fence around the "Sea of Tranquility"?
Read More...

"Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."
~ George Eliot

The Absurdity of the Idiotology?

Ten months after releasing his original, official, long-form birth certificate, the clogosphere is still buzzing with various conspiracy theories regarding President Obama's citizenship. Why? Since some folks still have a bad case of selective memory, here's a little CNN reminder from April 2011:


Senator John McCain's was born at the Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. His eligibility to run for the White House in 2008 was never questioned. Mitt Romney's father, who ran for the Republican nomination in 1968, was born to American parents living in the Mormon colonies in Mexico.

Are there racial and religious undertones to the 2012 Presidential Election?

Sadly, even when presented with a new truth, people will continue to believe what they want to believe. Read More...

Indeed, how does Donald Trump, who embarrassed the country by hitching his political wagon to the Birther Movement, still receive serious media attention from ALL the major news outlets?

Operation Restore Hope

American Soldier, Mogadishu, Somalia (January 1994)
Photo by Peter Rimar

"Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose."
~ George Will

George Carlin ~ The American Dream

While Bill Gates & Warren Buffet are well-known Billionaire philanthropists, behind the scenes, the Koch Brothers have spent millions upon millions of dollars to change the way Americans think. Is it wrong? Perhaps. It all depends on your flavor of Kool-Aid. READ MORE...

...life in contrast...

Hong Kong, S.A.R. (May 2008).

Click on image to open in a new window.

A Chinese New Year's Story

For those that remember the movie A Christmas Story, Ralphie's father takes everyone out to a Chinese restaurant for Chinese Turkey. Part of the joke being that Chinese restaurants are usually the only businesses open on Christmas Day. Anyhow, back in 2009, my wife and I decided to go out for lunch. The streets were completely empty. Changsha is a city of over 7 million people!

I felt like Tom Cruise standing in Times Square in Vanilla Sky. 

Did the apocalypse happen while we were sleeping? ALL the Chinese restaurants were locked up. Everything was closed. Then it hit us. Logically, the ONLY restaurants open on Chinese New Year's Day must be American. Sure enough, Subway, KFC, McDonald's & Pizza Hut were ALL OPEN for business. 

So where did we eat?

In China, believe it or not, Pizza Hut is considered a high class, gourmet restaurant. Why? Because Pizza Huts in China look and taste NOTHING like the States. The service, atmosphere and food are a complete 180 degrees from the Lower 48. Koh and I had Salmon Pasta, Shrimp, Garlic Bread, Salad & a Pepsi.


It was our American Peking Duck Chinese New Year Dinner.
TABASCO Brand Pepper Sauce ~ Original Red Gallon

Inspiration for the planet Pandora in the movie Avatar

(see mountains behind Chinese girls)

Zhangjiajie, P.R.C. (March 2009).

"Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks." ~ Warren Buffett

Neighborhood Gasoline Pump, Sierck-les-Bains, France (October 2005)
Photo by Peter Rimar

Google keeps recommending links selling...

Plastic Bifocals, Constipation Remedies, Flatulence Treatments, Depends Underwear, Low Dose Aspirin, Pink House Slippers and the NRA.
Should I be worried?

"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint on it you can." 
~ Danny Kaye
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (DVD)

Is it just me...

or do the morning TV talk shows sound like a mind numbing chorus celebrating the Freudian joys of human dysfunction?

Why, if you type the word "numbing" in Google's search box, it suggests "numbing condoms"? I'm almost afraid to click on the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.

‎Life's all about product placement?

Marketing For Dummies (Paperback)

SOPA & PIPA? "We are Devo"?

(█ ) ███ ██████ ██ ██ click "Share" ██ ██ ████ ██████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██. This posted blog comment has been found in violation of H.R. 3261, S.O.P.A and has been removed.

Google Rallies Opposition to Anti-Piracy Bill Backed by Murdoch?
Read More...

Update:
SOPA + PIPA + Public Opinion = D.O.A.
Read More...

Possible Definition of Cre·a·tiv·i·ty?

[kree-uh-tiv-i-tee]

"Mona Lisa is the only beauty who went through history
and retained her reputation." ~ Will Rogers

Fenghuang, China (April 2009)
Photo by Peter Rimar.

The mosquitoes are so BIG in North Dakota the Department of Fish & Game could issue hunting licenses.

A rural life is better: 
Living in a concrete jungle is stressful and makes you vulnerable to depression?
The Daily Mail
By David Derbyshire
June 23, 2011


"Scientists have confirmed what every urbanite has long suspected – life in the city is more stressful."
READ MORE...

Photo by Peter Rimar of Grain Elevator in Hunter, North Dakota (August 2010).

"I force myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste." ~ Marcel Duchamp

Random image of trash in a street gutter in Baghdad, Iraq (April 2005).
Photo by Peter Rimar.

Feeling depressed? Try hunting with Dick Cheney?

Remember when the word Google wasn't a word? Remember when the acronym W-M-D meant Waste Management Disposal? Remember when "corduroy pants" were cool? This status update was brought to you by the makers of Hostess Twinkies.


Corporate insider rumors that Bain Capital is planning a hostile takeover of this American snack food icon are untrue? Mitt Romney plans to announce his economic strategy to save us from a Twinkie apocalypse? Rick Perry wants President Obama to call out the Texas National Guard? Donald Trump demands to see the Twinkie's Original Birth Certificate?
Read More...
The Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food

Kabul Marketplace

If you look closely at the above photograph of a marketplace in Kabul, Afghanistan (July 2003), you may notice something missing (not WHAT but WHO is missing from the image). Before reading any further, please take a quick moment to look at the photograph itself. If it helps, you can enlarge the picture into a new window (i.e. just click on the image). When I first developed the negative, I viewed it as just another photograph of a typical 3rd world marketplace. People just going about the daily business of business. Then it dawned on me...

Go to any shopping district in Seoul, Tokyo, New York or Paris...
Visit a marketplace in Bangkok, Mexico City or Sarajevo...
Walk through a Shopping Mall in Beijing, Dallas or London and a you can't help but notice the sounds and faces of women & small children.
Sometimes, what is missing from a photograph actually reveals more than what it seems to contain.

Paris Hilton. (Pause) Why?

But then again, how does a Hollywood Socialite, who's only claim to fame is her family name, a reality television show and an explicit home video, has a higher approval rating than the 112th U.S. Congress?


Confessions of an Heiress:
A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose (Paperback)

Dancing with Turks?