I’ll admit it: I’m a trend-whore. I really got into Texas Hold ‘Em when the movie “Rounders” came out and got even more involved as the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour started getting play on TV. I started playing with friends in neighborhood games but also found a lot of games by playing online at Pacific Poker. I’ve done OK for myself playing online: I’d say I’ve broken even overall. I have friends who have done much better. The fact is that it was nice to be able to fire up the computer and play a real money game against people from all over the world. Now I can’t do that. (more…)

As anyone who’s forced to interact with me for any length of time can attest to, I flip out when someone suggests that the reason we went to war with Iraq was to fight terrorism. I’ve ranted about it before, so I won’t reiterate my arguments here. Suffice it to say, those who would argue with me and spout the President’s BS about Iraq/Saddam Hussein assisting with the 9/11/2001 attacks on the U.S. or supporting the terrorists will have no leg to stand on after reading the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on CIA Intelligence report done in 2005 (and just recently made public). In effect, every excuse that has been made by the Administration for dragging us into a war in Iraq has been stretched over the fire and toasted. (more…)

If ever you needed proof that elected officials disdain and ignore their constituents, just move to Massachusetts. Back in 1989, the Michael Dukakis days, when faced with a budget deficit, the government did not what they should (which would be to cut the fat, cut the corruption and better manage spending at a state and city/town level), but what was expected and increased the income tax from 5% to 5.75% (it eventually got up to 5.85% because the state kept bleeding money). The only way they got this to pass (and it never should have) was to promise that it was a temporary increase and that it would be rolled back at 18 months. Well, it’s 2006 and income tax has only been rolled back to 5.3%, when it was frozen by the Democratic house due to continued budget deficits. In 2000, voters approved a measure that demanded a rollback to the promised 5%. Guess what: it’s still 5.3%. (more…)

Technically I can’t really give PBS too bad a time, because they offer so much good stuff that the occasional piece of crap should really be allowed to slide. I mean, how else could I stay up into the wee hours, show up to work an hour late and explain to my coworkers that I got sucked into a show about String Theory and had a tough time waking up the next morning? That being said, it’s particularly sad to see PBS eagerly promoting Robert Kiyosaki and his book/motivational presentation “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. If only PBS had done a little research before booking this guy, perhaps they might have had some second thoughts. Then again, despite the obvious problems with Kiyosaki’s work, the fact that he sells a ridiculous number of his “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” books and is a popular motivational speaker must have been a strong temptation for PBS; what better way to get people to shell out some cash during donation drives than pimping this guys’ work, books and DVDs? (more…)

Sad news out of the only state that seems to still value small government and individual liberties. According to a story in the Nashua Telegraph, a man has been charged with two felonies after videotaping a police officer who was on their doorstep. The officer was there investigating the man’s sons. (more…)

I can’t say it any better (or with any more sarcasm) than this.

Sometimes, when something annoys/disturbs me enough, I find I have a tough time writing about it right away. I need to give it some time to simmer before I unleash any vitriol. That’s been the case with the recent “revelations” about the Bush administration, the NSA and the ridiculous amount of data collection that has been going on recently.

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Dear Representative Tierney:

I recently received an email from your office regarding a Gas Prices survey. I completed the survey, but wanted to share my opinions on the rising cost of gas with you.

In response to your survey: increased gas prices are not affecting other areas of my finances, as I budget appropriately and conserve as necessary.

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For the three of you who use public transportation or human-powered transportation to the exclusion of internal combustion vehicles, I just wanted to be the first to let you know that gas prices aren’t going to drop anytime soon. You don’t care, so you’re the least likely to flip out and start beating me about the neck and shoulders whilst screaming, “Why? Why? Whyyyyyyy?” The fact is that any increase in prices is eventually accepted by the American public because, simply put, what choice do we have? Do you really think the American people are going to organize a boycott of gasoline in order to force oil companies to reduce prices? Don’t hold your breath.

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The title of this post is an excerpt from the oath that each new President-elect of the United States takes before assuming the responsibilities of the office of the President. The oath is as follows: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Our current President has shat all over that oath more than most former Presidents. (more…)