The Proposal

I just saw this video on my dear friend, Cipi's Facebook and I had to share it.

Meet James and Paul - at the time this video was made they knew each other 7 years.

Ironically enough, my partner Ryan and I will be reaching our 7 years together on May 23rd of this year, and we still can't say "I do" in our state.  I hope that wherever James and Paul may be, their dreams have since been fulfilled.

Today, 7 states currently recognize gay marriage, yet in Texas and 42 other states - we're not allowed to marry the person we love.  If you know us and love us, please support us.

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 003 - Immigration

For those who think our President hasn't done enough on Immigration.  You're wrong!  Unlike yesterday and the premiere issue, I'm only listing one WTF today and it's in reference to Immigration.  The GOP should be happy with this one, but you know how it works - the more facts we share, the less right we are.  I will come back to immigration after this WTF at a later time.

Remember, if you feel I wrote something false, please help by letting me know.  If you want to debate me, that will be fine too, but I won't go back and forth for hours trying to explain something that's true or not true.  If you can provide me with an honest rebuttal, I will change my post to reflect what you've told me.  I promise.

WTF-7

Deported higher numbers of Illegal Immigrants

Immigration and Customs Enforcement director John Morton announced that 396,906 people were deported during the 2011 fiscal year, the largest number in ICE’s history.

“These year-end totals indicate that we are making progress, with more convicted criminals, recent border crossers, egregious immigration law violators and immigration fugitives being removed from the country than ever before,” said Morton.

While the numbers are historic, they’re not dramatically larger than 2010 deportations, which were reported at “more than 392,000.”

As Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano alluded a few weeks ago, 55 percent of the deported immigrants — about 216,700 people — had criminal convictions (felonies or misdemeanors). Overall, the number of criminals deported has increased 89 percent since 2008. [Reference]

Please make sure to read Issue No. 004 tomorrow as I continue with WTF-8
Everyday on BLADE 7184

Our Future Is In Their Hands - Take 8

You gotta love it when our kids are smart asses. LOL. Especially when it comes to school tests, pop quizzes or exams. LOL.

Check out the rest after the jump...

Things We Can Do To Save The Environment - Issue No. 02: Green House Effect

The Green House Effect is the second step in my new weekly blog, "Things We Can Do To Save The Environment".   

 

Giving credit to TIME,  I'd like to thank them for showing us the many ways we can meet these goals of saving our environment.  And yes, even one person can make a difference.

 

The Global Warming Survival Guide

2. Get Blueprints For a Green House

Reducing your impact on the earth is not just a question of what you drive but also of what you live in. Residential energy use accounts for 16% of greenhouse-gas emissions. If you begin thinking green at the blueprint stage, however, low-tech, pragmatic techniques will maximize your new home's efficiency. Installing those systems from the ground up is cheaper than retrofitting. 

"Doing simple things could drastically reduce your energy costs, by 40%," says Oru Bose, a sustainable-design architect in Santa Fe, N.M. For example, control heat, air and moisture leakage by sealing windows and doors. Insulate the garage, attic and basement with natural, nontoxic materials like reclaimed blue jeans. Protect windows from sunrays with large overhangs and double-pane glass. 

Emphasize natural cross ventilation. "You don't need to have 24th century solutions to solve 18th century problems," Bose says. Next, consider renewable energy sources like solar electric systems, compact wind turbines and geothermal heat pumps to help power your home. 

When you're ready to get creative, GreenHomeGuide.com will help you find bamboo flooring, cork tiles, and countertops made from recycled wastepaper. 

Make sure to follow this blog every Tuesday for a new issue of Things We Can Do To Save The Environment.  Each issue is thought-provoking, informative and may hold the key to saving your children and grandchildren's future

The Washer That Won't Quit

The next time you want to get rid of your washer, why not have a little fun with it.  LOL.  

Or... if you don't care much for your washer, throw a brick inside the drum and see what happens.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION!

Normally you can see total destruction in around 40 seconds or less, but check out this video of a washer that just won't quit.  This washer loses everything, including it's door, it's panels, and it still keeps a-rollin'.

OMG Hilarious! - Graveness

Can Anyone Guess Where These Photos Are Taken?

Anyone But Romney

Updated Jan. 31, 2012: Support for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has remained one of the few constants during the Republican nomination race. But as contenders to Mr. Romney have emerged and then faded, the GOP still seems hesitant to embrace him.

The most recent candidate to play the Anyone But Romney role is former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who recently finished first in the party’s South Carolina primary.

The National Post’s graphics team takes a look at the ups and downs of the race so far.

The Joys of Being a Parent: A Father & His Kids Cover Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts"

There's no better way of starting my blog this morning, than to blog about this father and his two kids performing a cover to Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts".  Absolute genius I'm telling you.  The father is using an 80's keyboard, a xylophone, a kazoo, tambourine, Coke bottle and his voice.  His daughter is using a recorder, a rattle, windchime and her voice. And his son is using a toy keyboard, maraca, cheese grater and his voice.  And it actually doesn't sound bad, it's great!  I love it!

This is what my segment "The Joys of Being A Parent" is all about.  Fathers and their kids, Mothers and their kids, and children in general.  We were all there at some point, and when a parent shows this much interest in their babies as this man does, there is nothing but happiness and joy when I'm blogging about it.

A YouTube commenter said it best when he wrote this:

Actually, this video shows a lot. He invests time teaching his kids music. I am impressed with how he has, obviously, motivated his kids to take an interest in making music. When I taught high school I noticed that an overwhelming majority of kids spend most of their time plugged in to their mp3 players, but have no interest in making music. Of course, many more things come into play when talking about someone’s parenting skills, but based on this video, the dad is pretty impressive. -lagaviotanum1

Isn't This The Truth? Hogwarts Letter

LMAO!! - This is so damn true!!! hahahahah

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 002 - Health Care Reform

Yesterday we looked at funding and targeted actions involving Civil Rights issues the President achieved over the last 3 years.  We will be going back to that in the future, but today we will focus on Health Care Reform.

As you are aware, not many republicans are happy with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act / Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, but unbeknownst to many of  you, it has actually helped save hundreds of lives already.  Patients with cancer or other pre-existing conditions are now being seen, when they were never given the opportunity to begin with.  Hell, Ron Paul is telling us we need to find a local church that can offer us healthcare assistance. As if churches could give every American money.  If that was the case we would all be going to church on Sundays.

We will go back to "Obamacare," as Republicans like to call it, at a later time.  For now let's focus on WTF-4...

WTF-4 

Requiring large employers to contribute to a national health plan. - During the campaign, President Barack Obama said that large employers would have to offer their workers health insurance or contribute toward the costs of a national plan. This type of requirement is usually called an employer mandate.

But the final version of the health care law requires a contribution from employers, but it's not a straightforward mandate. Instead, the law states that large employers have to pay fines if any of their workers qualify for public subsidies. [Reference]

WTF-5  

Requiring insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions. - Requiring insurance companies to accept people with pre-existing conditions is one of the cornerstones of the health care reform bill passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.

The issue is addressed in Section 2704 of the bill, which states very clearly, "A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion with respect to such plan."

And Section 2705 spells the prohibition out in even more detail:

"A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not establish rules for eligibility (including continued eligibility) of any individual to enroll under the terms of the plan or coverage based on any of the following health status-related factors in relation to the individual or a dependent of the individual: health status; medical condition (including both physical and mental illnesses); claims experience; receipt of health care; medical history; genetic information; evidence of insurability (including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence); disability; any other health status-related factor determined appropriate by the Secretary." [Reference 1, Reference 2]

WTF-6  

Requiring health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care. - Under section 2718, health insurance providers are required to report how much they spend on payments for clinical coverage, activities that improve health care quality, and "all other non-claims costs." The provider must also include an explanation of the nature of these costs. The law mandates that the information be available on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Starting in 2011, companies that provide insurance for the small group and individual market must issue rebates if they do not spend at least 80 percent of the premium revenue on medical care. For the large group market, the threshold is 85 percent. The rebate amount is based on the premium revenue and by how much the provider falls short of the prescribed thresholds.

We wanted to point out this additional proof that President Obama kept his promise. The rating remains unchanged. [Reference]

Please make sure to read Issue No. 002 tomorrow as I continue with  
WTF-7

Must Watch: Girl Repeats Words Backwards In Less Than 3 Seconds

This is the kind of daughter every drunk father wants.  LOL.  To be the designated driver of course.

If a policeman pulls her over and asks her to recite the alphabet backwards, she'd have no problem passing the test.   But seriously, I couldn't even say the alphabet backwards if I was sober, much less drunk.  Lord knows I failed it when I was 25.

Meet Alyssa, the blonde girl with braces in the video.  Alyssa can pronounce any word you throw at her backwards.  That's right, backwards.  And it doesn't take her a minute or two, it takes her less than 3 seconds.  It's pretty darn freaky.

Are People Really This Stupid? Issue No. 20 - Is Adele Too Fat To Be A Singer?

I sure hope McBitey here didn't have a public profile.  Are people really this stupid?!?!  Seriously.  

Increased font size below

So I heard rolling in the deep on the radio a few weeks ago and I thought the song was decent; But when I saw the video clip I was shocked in a "big" way. Adele is pretty huge, like massively overweight.  I don't think someone with such a "large" potential to be a role model for young girls should be as obese as Adele. If you look at most pop artists like Lady gaga, and Rhianna; And then you look at Adele, there is a "huge" difference. Should singers like Adele really be allowed to make music videos? It makes me sick.

This guy or girl, or whoever it was, is an idiot.  What does the music have to do with her being overweight.  We've had countless of artists who've been overweight over the years.  Luther Vandross, Carnie Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and so forth, and so forth.  A lot of folks have a hard time keeping their weight off, so they yo-yo back and forth with their weight, and some do surgery, but who the hell cares?  Who are we to judge?

The Teacher Is Dead Wrong!

I don't know about you, but this is the one moment when the teacher is dead wrong!

We all know that Love is the strongest force on earth! LMAO.

OMG Hilarious! - Good News

Loving One Another - Issue No. 008

When I say Love One Another, it means LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!

Love is such an important feeling in our lives. Take advantage of it.

Remember Love doesn't hurt, people do.

Sh*t Politician's Say

You knew it was bound to happen.  It's a political season, a political year, and another day of hearing Sh*t Politician's Say.  I'm just waiting to see when the videos of "Sh*t Mitt Romney Says" & "Sh*t Obama Says" will transpire.

Oh and just in case you haven't noticed, there's all sorts of other sh*t people say. Just YouTube it for God's sake.  These videos have gotten out of control.  Hell, just the other day I saw this one, "Sh*t Rocks Say".  Yep, my thoughts exactly. LOL.

I Quote That - Meaningful Monday

Read more after the jump... On why you should make Mondays more meaningful instead of dreading them.

Other Uses for Bread Ties, Muffin Pans, Vacuum Hoses, Ice Trays and Walnuts

It's been a while since I've posted one of these blogs, and I'll be honest, I never thought of these ideas myself.  They're pretty darn genius.  I especially love the vacuum-panty hose idea, that would have worked so many times, instead of spending hours looking for that damn tiny screw on the floor.  And cookie ice cream bowls -  who would have thought?  Hope you enjoy!

Bread ties make the perfect label maker for cords!

Turn you muffin pan upside down, splat your cookie dough on it, and viola you have ice cream cookie bowls!!!

Can't find that tiny item? Place a panty hose over the vacuum hose and you'll find it, guaranteed!

Freeze some Aloe Vera, and you'll have something to sooth your sun burns, scrapes and cuts in a matter of seconds.

Rub some walnuts over scratches, dings, and scrapes on your furniture and it hides them!

Return Of The Jedi: How It Should Have Ended

Here's a treat for all you Star Wars fans.  Remember  the folks who brought you Jurassic Park: How It Should Have Ended?  Well... they're back, and this time HISHEdotcom shares their version of how the Return of the Jedi should have ended.  It's pretty darn hilarious.  Well... if you've seen all 6 movies. LOL.

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 001 - Civil Rights - The Inaugural Issue

As I mentioned yesterday, this is a new daily series on my blog in which I will post an achievement by President Barack Obama over the last 3 years.  I may post one, two or even more depending on how close we get to the election this November.  Considering there are hundreds of achievements our President has accomplished over the course of his first term, I may need to post more than one.  And I'm only covering 3 years so you can just imagine!

In today's first issue I'd like to start off with what the President has achieved in reference to Civil Rights, which includes funding and the President's targeted actions.  I have listed three WTFs for my first issue down below, and I as mentioned in yesterday's blog, I don't want to spread lies, so if you feel I wrote something false, please help me by letting me know.  If you want to debate me, that will be fine too, but I won't go back and forth for hours trying to explain something that isn't true. I will provide references to each WTF at the end of each achievement.

WTF-1   

Funds to help our Children and Youth who have disabilities - $12.2 billion in new funding went towards the "Individuals with Disabilities Act" using the "American Recovery and Investment Act" to help pay for it.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriates significant new funding for programs under Parts B and C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Part B of the IDEA provides funds to state educational agencies and local educational agencies to help them ensure that children with disabilities, including children aged three through five, have access to a free appropriate public education to meet each child's unique needs and prepare him or her for further education, employment, and independent living. Part C of the IDEA provides funds to each state lead agency designated by the Governor to implement statewide systems of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary inter-agency programs and make early intervention services available to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. [References at the U.S. Department of Education website here.]

WTF-2  

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - Ledbetter, a former supervisor at a Goodyear tire plant in Alabama, sued the company after discovering several months before her 1998 retirement that, for years, she was paid less than her male counterparts. A jury awarded Ledbetter more than $3 million. But the Supreme Court overturned that judgment in March 2007, ruling 5-4 that a 180-day statute of limitation for her to file a lawsuit had started from the first instance of discrimination, meaning that her suit about more than a decade of discrimination was untimely.

The Democratic Congress took up Ledbetter's cause, drafting legislation that would set the clock running when the discriminatory action was discovered. But in April 2008, the Senate was unable to overcome a threat of filibuster. Then-candidate Obama even left the campaign trail to vote for the act; he later launched a mostly accurate attack against McCain for opposing the measure. Ledbetter appeared at the Democratic convention to praise Obama for supporting the measure, noting, "My case is over. I will never receive the pay I deserve. But there will be a far richer reward if we secure fair pay."

Obama included a vow to reverse the effects of the Ledbetter decision in a major campaign document, his "Blueprint for Change."

Fast forward to Jan. 29, 2009. President Obama signed the Ledbetter Act, saying, "Ultimately, equal pay isn't just an economic issue for millions of Americans and their families. It's a question of who we are and whether we're truly living up to our fundamental ideals." Promise Kept. [Reference 1, Reference 2, Reference 3]

WTF-3  

Presidential Memorandum extending benefits to same sex partners of federal employees - For far too long, many of our Government's hard-working, dedicated LGBT employees have been denied equal access to the basic rights and benefits their colleagues enjoy. This kind of systemic inequality undermines the health, well-being, and security not just of our Federal workforce, but also of their families and communities. That is why, last June, I directed the heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies), in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to conduct a thorough review of the benefits they provide and to identify any that could be extended to LGBT employees and their partners and families. Although legislative action is necessary to provide full equality to LGBT Federal employees, the agencies have identified a number of benefits that can be extended under existing law. OPM, in consultation with the Department of Justice, has provided me with a report recommending that all of the identified benefits be extended. [Reference 1, Reference 2, Reference 3]

Please make sure to read Issue No. 002 tomorrow as I continue with WTF-4
Everyday on BLADE 7184

Cool Wedding in Portlandia

Spike and Iris don't really believe in marriage, the whole idea of it is kind of suffocating, but they need a wedding planner nonetheless.  A cool wedding. LOL.

As I mentioned on Friday, I really need to start watching this show.  If anything, I may start watching the episodes online. OMG, these actors are great!  Portlandia is seen on IFC (Independent Film Channel), so check your local listings and watch it!  I definitely will.

I Quote That - Friends

OMG Hilarious! - Happened

Harry Potter's iPhone

What? You didn't know that Harry Potter had an iPhone?  C'mon, really?

It's Purely Animal - Issue No. 44 - Hamlet The Hungry Piglet

Omg, Ryan is going to flip when he sees this.  This is one of the things I miss most about growing up on my mom and dad's farm - the animals.  I'm so grateful to my parents for having me experience country life for for 18 years, because otherwise I wouldn't have learned to appreciate both worlds.  I love living in a city and in the suburbs, but while I admire it, it doesn't compare to the beautiful countryside and farmlands.  I can't wait to get my Ryan a little piggy.  He wants one so bad, and after he sees this he's going to want one even more.

Commit A Crime To Live In Luxury

Wouldn't you want to go stay in a place like this?  I mean, look at this place.  It looks more like a prestigious club for the rich than it does a prison.  Yeah, you read that right, a prison.

Considered one of the most luxurious jails in the world, the prison in Leoben, Austria has garnered harsh criticism.  And rightly so, look at all these pictures!  It looks more like a 5 Star hotel, than a place for criminals.

Unfortunately, the place is currently booked with 205 inmates, so you'll have to wait your turn.

Poster of the Week - Issue No. 43 - Loneliness

Continuing alphabetically, I bring you this week's poster, "Loneliness".

Crimes of the Century - No. 8 - The Great Train Robbery

THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, 1963

The 15 thieves who held up the Royal Mail train between Glasgow and London on Aug. 8, 1963 netted 120 bags packed with the equivalent of $7 million and were were treated like folk heroes by the press and public. Although the operation took all of 15 minutes, the caper was not as smooth as people remember it. It wasn't non-violent, for one thing (the driver of the train was conked in the head and never fully recovered from the trauma); nor was it as carefully executed (the thieves left fingerprints everywhere). 

The case has lived on in memory because of the further adventures of one of its minor players, Ronnie Biggs, whose escape from prison and long years of eluding justice were constant fodder for the British tabs. Readers were fascinated that a small-time hood could end up being part of the biggest heist in British history and be the only one to get away with it all. Biggs eventually gave himself up in 2001, returning voluntarily from Brazil to serve the 28 years remaining in his sentence. Despite pleas for leniency, Biggs, now 77, remains incarcerated and in failing health.

***

When this article was written, Biggs was still in prison.  He was released on August 06, 2009 on compassionate grounds according to news reports and Wikipedia. - The Great Train Robbery.

***

As you read through the 25 crimes Time Magazine has selected, you will wonder which of them will remain in the popular, perhaps even the artistic imagination in the years to come? How will they be retold and with what kinds of lessons and cautions in mind?  Visit my blog every Saturday as a new crime will be posted each week.

***

Go back and read the previous 7 crimes here.

OMG Hilarious! - Li'l Stumpz

WTF Has Obama Done? - Inaugural Issue Starts Tomorrow!

Regardless of how you feel about Barack Obama, and I'm speaking to everyone here - Atheist, Christian, Racist, Democrat, Republican, everyone.  If we were to look back at the end of George Bush's presidency and look at where we are today, I would start feeling really confident about where things are going.

I would be just as critical if this president wasn't doing the job I voted for him to do.  Hell, you could even ask my partner Ryan. Two years ago, I was talking shit about this man, because I didn't think he was following through on his promises.  But Ryan and the president proved me wrong.  The Republican party proved me wrong.  When I saw Mitch McConnell stand up on that podium and say their number one goal was to get this president out of office instead of help turn the economy around, I knew something wasn't right.

This President has done more for the LGBT community than any other president in our history.  He inherited an economy in January, 2009 that I didn't think he could ever repair.  And with the help of the stimulus package and other related policies, the economy is getting better each month, unemployment numbers continue to drop, and the country as whole, is on the right track to recovery.  

Mind you, he did most of this without help from certain folks in congress - he did it as best as he could without them.  Imagine if he would have gotten the support he needed. Just imagine where we would be today. But guess what?  Without their help our president was able to make change happen as promised, and a lot of it took place over the past 3 years.  

Starting tomorrow I will be starting a new daily series on my blog titled "WTF Has Obama Done?"  This daily series will feature an accomplishment President Obama has achieved over the course of his presidency.  If you don't believe the accomplishment, links will be provided to show that it's true.

I don't want to spread lies, so if you feel I wrote something false, please help by letting me know.  If you want to debate me, that will be fine too, but I won't go back and forth for hours trying to explain something that's true or not true.  If you can provide me with an honest rebuttal, I will change my post to reflect what you've told me.  I promise.

Quoted - Peter Flores aka Blade 7184 on Love Is The Key

This was my response to a commenter from one of my blogs last week.