“Insurgents Demand Withdrawal of U.S. Forces in Iraq in 2 Years”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201295,00.html
This is hilarious! I took this headline from FoxNews.com on 6/28/06. You can look up and read the story yourself – but that is not the point. I find it funny (in a disgusting kind of way) that the people who are attacking our troops in Iraq want us to stay longer than Jack Murtha (D – Idiotsville), Ted Kennedy (D - Runk), etc! The bad guys want us there for two years and the Senator from Massachusetts wants us out now!
Here is what people fail to see. The people attacking us over there are in two camps (as a manner of oversimplifying things for discussion purposes): the Al Queda type who hate us just because (and who are mostly foreign to Iraq), and the former Bath Party loyalists who are pissed that they are no longer in control as they were under Sadam. The Bathists hate the AQ terrorists because they would just as soon kill innocent Iraqis as they would Americans. In fact, that was their game plan for a while – in order to start a civil war. The former Bathists are starting to realize that a free democratic society is in their best interest, but they don’t want the ugly American infidels telling them how to run their country. Of course – as the headline points out – they don’t want the ugly American infidel to leave either because the AQ types will unleash unfettered chaos on innocent Iraqi people. Now that all Iraq government seats are filled, the Bathist know that their only means of survival is to join the political (which equates to peaceful) process.
The news out of Iraq gets better every week. And despite the weekly loss of American life that still continues over there, the fruits of their labor is becoming more and more clear to those who will just pay attention.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Musical Review
So I’m sitting at the matinee showing of Les Miserables (in Texas that is pronounced Less Miserable…as in “going to the theatre is ‘less miserable’ than getting your teeth pulled) at Fair Park Music Hall this Sunday, taking in the scene. I thought it a good idea to take my wife out somewhere that neither of us has ever been. The destination was not as important as the fact that we were escaping from unit 470 of the Bentson Road lock-up facility. You know the one – guarded at all times by the strong arm tactics of a 1.5 year old and a very canny 3.5 year old.
Anyways, for some reason I thought a famous Broadway musical would be just that unique experience we were looking for. We arrive about 15 minutes early and head for our seats. I was willing to spring for some nice lower level, but they were all sold out. Who would have thought that after playing these last 50 years or so there would still be this many people wanting to see it? Clearly, I underestimated the “performing arts” crowd here in Dallas. So we make our way to the balcony and sit down in the seats – just right of center stage and about 15 rows from the top. Apparently, the Fair Park Music folks purchased these seats from the same maker of the Cotton Bowl seats – talk about tiny! I don’t know what was the more amazing performance - the opening “Soliloquy of Jean Veljian” or the fact that this 350lb guy was able to sit down in a single seat just in front of us.
The first half (that is Act 1 for those keeping track at home) was not bad...a little slow at times but what did I expect – I’m at a MUSICAL for crying out loud! One thing did kind of catch me off-guard, the applause after each stirring performance. I think I even heard a “bravo” coming from the lady behind me - the same lady who was singing along out loud to half the songs. Yeah, lady, we get it. You come here often. You’re a big fan of the arts. You were the lead role in your high school play, etc etc. But I didn’t pay $30 ticket to hear you sing.
In Act II, they all pretty much die, but not before a couple of good action scenes. The cast comes out to a standing ovation – 3 times! They deserved it – they were all pretty dang talented. My favorite was the drunk, thieving tavern owner and his equally inept, yet impressive wife. They were the comedic element and were both very good. Next to the lead role, and the little kid, they got the biggest applause.
We both decided we wanted to come again. We want to try something a little more modern next time (I hear the Producers was good). I would recommend the experience for those wanting to do something different and break out of your comfort zone. The enjoyment factor would probably go up a bit if we had better seats, but oh well. I don’t guess my $5 donation to the Dallas Arts gets me access to “those” seats.
Observations:
- In the concourse area during intermission, next to the $10 liquor, $9 wine, $6 beer was a $4 box of Junior Mints. Nothing says classy upscale quite like Junior Mints.
- The Music Hall is directly across from the African American Museum. We were, unfortunately, unable to locate the White Man Museum.
Anyways, for some reason I thought a famous Broadway musical would be just that unique experience we were looking for. We arrive about 15 minutes early and head for our seats. I was willing to spring for some nice lower level, but they were all sold out. Who would have thought that after playing these last 50 years or so there would still be this many people wanting to see it? Clearly, I underestimated the “performing arts” crowd here in Dallas. So we make our way to the balcony and sit down in the seats – just right of center stage and about 15 rows from the top. Apparently, the Fair Park Music folks purchased these seats from the same maker of the Cotton Bowl seats – talk about tiny! I don’t know what was the more amazing performance - the opening “Soliloquy of Jean Veljian” or the fact that this 350lb guy was able to sit down in a single seat just in front of us.
The first half (that is Act 1 for those keeping track at home) was not bad...a little slow at times but what did I expect – I’m at a MUSICAL for crying out loud! One thing did kind of catch me off-guard, the applause after each stirring performance. I think I even heard a “bravo” coming from the lady behind me - the same lady who was singing along out loud to half the songs. Yeah, lady, we get it. You come here often. You’re a big fan of the arts. You were the lead role in your high school play, etc etc. But I didn’t pay $30 ticket to hear you sing.
In Act II, they all pretty much die, but not before a couple of good action scenes. The cast comes out to a standing ovation – 3 times! They deserved it – they were all pretty dang talented. My favorite was the drunk, thieving tavern owner and his equally inept, yet impressive wife. They were the comedic element and were both very good. Next to the lead role, and the little kid, they got the biggest applause.
We both decided we wanted to come again. We want to try something a little more modern next time (I hear the Producers was good). I would recommend the experience for those wanting to do something different and break out of your comfort zone. The enjoyment factor would probably go up a bit if we had better seats, but oh well. I don’t guess my $5 donation to the Dallas Arts gets me access to “those” seats.
Observations:
- In the concourse area during intermission, next to the $10 liquor, $9 wine, $6 beer was a $4 box of Junior Mints. Nothing says classy upscale quite like Junior Mints.
- The Music Hall is directly across from the African American Museum. We were, unfortunately, unable to locate the White Man Museum.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Eat more chicken?
My drive from the new house is not so bad after all. I found a pretty good back route that keeps me off of the dreaded stretch of I-35 headed south into Dallas. I am getting to work in about 40 minutes, which aint bad considering it’s a 31 mile drive.
But despite all that, I am thinking about changing my route. Every morning this week I have been freaked out by the sight of a cow standing on its hind legs - starring at me at the stop light - waving and holding up a sign wanting me to “Eat more Chicken”. And no matter how many times I see it, each time my eyes catch the first glimpse of this “cow”, it totally freaks me out.
It’s as if for a nano of a second, my brain sees this and processes it as a real cow or something. I don’t know what it is – but for that short period, my heart races and I do a double-take. Maybe it’s the way he stares at me as I drive buy, as if to say, “I can see you. And if you don’t pull through the drive-thru then I will track you down and milk all over your floor.” I usually follow up the heart palpitation with a silly little laugh at myself for being stupid and go on down the road. But then I repeat the same thing over again the next morning. My brain has not yet figured to that cows really can’t stand on their hind legs and wave at people. Deep down I KNOW that there is a minimum wage worker in there just trying to make a buck.
I use to like that eating establishment (especially now that they offer tomatoes on their already perfect chicken sandwiches) – but I may have to boycott until someone can do something about that cow.
But despite all that, I am thinking about changing my route. Every morning this week I have been freaked out by the sight of a cow standing on its hind legs - starring at me at the stop light - waving and holding up a sign wanting me to “Eat more Chicken”. And no matter how many times I see it, each time my eyes catch the first glimpse of this “cow”, it totally freaks me out.
It’s as if for a nano of a second, my brain sees this and processes it as a real cow or something. I don’t know what it is – but for that short period, my heart races and I do a double-take. Maybe it’s the way he stares at me as I drive buy, as if to say, “I can see you. And if you don’t pull through the drive-thru then I will track you down and milk all over your floor.” I usually follow up the heart palpitation with a silly little laugh at myself for being stupid and go on down the road. But then I repeat the same thing over again the next morning. My brain has not yet figured to that cows really can’t stand on their hind legs and wave at people. Deep down I KNOW that there is a minimum wage worker in there just trying to make a buck.
I use to like that eating establishment (especially now that they offer tomatoes on their already perfect chicken sandwiches) – but I may have to boycott until someone can do something about that cow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)