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