His time away from the Oval Office included the month leading up to 9/11, when there were signs Osama bin Laden was planning to attack America, and the time Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city of New Orleans.

Sen. John McCain takes weekends off and limits his campaign events to one a day. He made an exception for the religious forum on Saturday at Saddleback Church in Southern California.

I think he made a big mistake. When he was invited last spring to attend a discussion of the role of faith in his life with Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, at Messiah College in Pennsylvania, McCain didn't bother to show up. Now I know why.

It occurs to me that John McCain is as intellectually shallow as our current president. When asked what his Christian faith means to him, his answer was a one-liner. "It means I'm saved and forgiven." Great scholars have wrestled with the meaning of faith for centuries. McCain then retold a story we've all heard a hundred times about a guard in Vietnam drawing a cross in the sand.

Asked about his greatest moral failure, he cited his first marriage, which ended in divorce. While saying it was his greatest moral failing, he offered nothing in the way of explanation. Why not?

Throughout the evening, McCain chose to recite portions of his stump speech as answers to the questions he was being asked. Why? He has lived 71 years. Surely he has some thoughts on what it all means that go beyond canned answers culled from the same speech he delivers every day.

He was asked "if evil exists." His response was to repeat for the umpteenth time that Osama bin Laden is a bad man and he will pursue him to "the gates of hell." That was it.

He was asked to define rich. After trying to dodge the question -- his wife is worth a reported $100 million -- he finally said he thought an income of $5 million was rich.

One after another, McCain's answers were shallow, simplistic, and trite. He showed the same intellectual curiosity that George Bush has -- virtually none.

Where are John McCain's writings exploring the vexing moral issues of our time? Where are his position papers setting forth his careful consideration of foreign policy, the welfare state, education, America's moral responsibility in the world, etc., etc., etc.?

John McCain graduated 894th in a class of 899 at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. His father and grandfather were four star admirals in the Navy. Some have suggested that might have played a role in McCain being admitted. His academic record was awful. And it shows over and over again whenever McCain is called upon to think on his feet.

He no longer allows reporters unfettered access to him aboard the "Straight Talk Express" for a reason. He simply makes too many mistakes. Unless he's reciting talking points or reading from notes or a TelePrompTer, John McCain is lost. He can drop bon mots at a bowling alley or diner -- short glib responses that get a chuckle, but beyond that McCain gets in over his head very quickly.

I am sick and tired of the president of the United States embarrassing me. The world we live in is too complex to entrust it to someone else whose idea of intellectual curiosity and grasp of foreign policy issues is to tell us he can look into Vladimir Putin's eyes and see into his soul.

George Bush's record as a student, military man, businessman and leader of the free world is one of constant failure. And the part that troubles me most is he seems content with himself.

He will leave office with the country $10 trillion in debt, fighting two wars, our international reputation in shambles, our government cloaked in secrecy and suspicion that his entire presidency has been a litany of broken laws and promises, our citizens' faith in our own country ripped to shreds. Yet Bush goes bumbling along, grinning and spewing moronic one-liners, as though nobody understands what a colossal failure he has been.

I fear to the depth of my being that John McCain is just like him.

Yes, I spelled that right.
And you thought I didn't...

Have you ever wondered why people do the things they do.....Like, why the hell did they do that? Why did they say that? Where'd that come from?
I do that all the time.
I never get answers though.
Like, I'd like to know why this one person says what they do - not saying who, for fear that they will hate me. I mean, it's like wow. I know that most people like that sort of stuff, but I don't. It doesn't work for me. I can't take it much. Like, it's like I'm supposed to do that, when someone else does, it makes me take on the other role....Soon they'll be asking what's wrong and shit.
Just like someone else I know who was like that (Sean, for those you can't catch on well).
And then, like, this other person, why do they seem to not like the smiley? Are they scared? Do they just not like it? I don't know...I'd like to know what it means when a >:D< is always getting a "lol". Because I've never known one to get a "lol".

I don't really have anything to share yet.
Yet. That's the operative word here.
Most likely, I'll have LOADS to tell you later today.
Which I will do, because I just LOVE sharing almost every aspect of my life with other people.
I mean really.

Okay, I'm sorta off-kilter this morning, can't you tell?
Wanna know why?
I shall share.
I'm not the girly-girl type. I don't like that stuff all the time. In short doses, sure. But, any longer than that, is like, damn, I'm not that kind of person.
Wanna know why I'm not that kind of person? Because, I'm the type that gives it. I can't take it the same way. It just doesn't work.
I was with one of the kind that is silent in their affections. Sure he opened up and said nice things and was all lovey-dovey every once in a while. But it wasn't all the time. I liked that. The silence between us, just being there. I liked how that was. The man is supposed to be manly, and have lapses occasionally, does something sweet when it's called for. Not all the time.
That doesn't work for me. Because I can't be like that all the time. It doesn't work.
I'll end up being like ya this is good one moment and the next it's like dude, no, stop, you're annoying the fuck out of me. Stop!
I don't know.
I guess, just, like, the man is supposed to be all masculine and shit, while the girl is supposed to be feminine. For me, that's how it works. Other than I'm not feminine. Other than the part about how I do take on the woman's role of the care-giver.....I'll do that all damn day, if I love ya. But, come one, the guy isn't supposed to do that!
This certain person that I was with that I'd rather not name because I will go off into memories about (even though I'm already there, I don't want it to get worse) never would admit being the boss. He said that I was. I said that he was. We went back and forth one time on the phone about that. Then one time he's like fine, you're fired. I was like what???? And he's like you're fired. And so we went back and forth about that too. It ended with neither of us the boss. Secretly, though, I dubbed the boss to be him. Since he was. He was the one with all the power, wasn't he? He was the one who would leave and go wherever it was that he went, only to return when he chose. He was the one who had the power to end things, because I never once did, only he did. He had the power to make it work or to make it fail.
We all know what happened.
Well, to an extent, you all know what happened.

Last night, I was listening to the song "whiskey lullaby" by Brad Paisley and Allison Kraus. However you spell their names.
Anyway. That will be my song, for the rest of forever.
Because it's about how their thing failed, they screwed up (well, she did, but in my scenario, he did). Anyway, they ended up not-together. They lived the rest of their lives missing the other. I will end up spending the rest of my life missing him. Sick, right?
I don't know.
Just like, there's this weird feeling about it. Probably because things between us never actually ended. There was the "no more talking to him on the phone" from my mamma. And then the call in November, even though he wasn't supposed to. Then he was supposed to come the next day of school to the bus-stop and shit.
Never happened. Haven't heard from him since.
So there is/was no END.
I haven't gotten to use the "The End. And No Not the Beatles' Song" title with him. I've gotten to do it to the others, but not him.
So, I don't know, that's part of the problem.

You are probably wondering why I keep on the topic of Falcon. Damnit, I said it. Oh well. Anyway, you're probably wondering why I keep coming back here.
I don't really know why I'm here again and again.
I just do.
I wish I knew why. I think I miss him just a little too much. But there's nothing I can do about it, right?

-John

Are we excited?!?! Yes, very much so!

:D

-M

"THE ZEPHYR SONG" - THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
[audio http://www.egleclan.com/music/the_zephyr_song.mp3]

Full resolution at http://marksheely.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/00210031.jpg

Mer info om landets alla ridsportevenemang finner du i vår evenemangskalender http://narovar.se/kategori/ridsport.

I guess it is the kind of world we live in today. Lack of values on every corner, and who really cares? I do. I care about my descendents, what kind of world they will live in. If, God forbid, Obama is elected, the country will go down faster than it has been. And all because of electing men with no morals, or no charactar, no brain that thinks correctly.

Individually and collectively we know the Obama isn't qualified, so why has he got as far as he has? Between the liberal dems and their blind devotion to the democratic party and the smooth talking Obama, they have created the worst candidate in the history of the country. They have really messed up this time.

McCain is an  honest man. Not perfect, but a good man. With McCain, what you see is what you get, a good American. His five years as a POW shows what he is made of. His military service is much of his resume. His twenty-five years experience in Washington working hard with both parties also speaks well of his charactar. What more do we want? No, he isn't old. Old is into the eighties. McCain can still run around pretty well.

There is a picture everyone in the world has seen, it is Obama with a ugly mean sour look on his face, turning his back while the National Anthem is played, hands hanging at his side. Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson in the picture both have their hands placed over their hearts with a very patriotic look on their faces showing respect to the American flag. Anyone who says Obama's attitude is alright, and that it does not reflect Obama's heart's condition toward America is either lying or in denial or just plain ignorant. There is no other explanation.

As a senator, he voted 123 times "present" when he should have voted yes or no.  These are imnportant issues he ignored. Why? Obviously he doesn't care about the issues, what else can anyone think? Let's just be honest here. He had close ties to a man who is now a felon, and a man with terrorist ways. What does this tell us? He denies knowing that his pastor taught Black Liberation Theology, when he knows perfectly well we can't believe this, or does he really think we will.

Obama must not be elected. Obviously he thinks he is capable of leading 300 million people, and being Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Or does he? His very life story disagrees with that. His record disagrees with that. Hisresume disagrees with that. His choice of friends disagrees with that. His financial and political record disagrees with that.

The presidency is a serious job, to command the Armed Forces borders profound seriousness. His resume screams to the world that he is not the man for the job.

The Bible says to "know them which labour among you." We really don't know who Obama is.

Marvel fans old enough to remember or nerdy enough to have cared in their childhood should be thrilled to see Stan's Soapbox on book shelves nationwide come November.

The comic book icon is known for helping build the Marvel universe, creating a unique method of writing comics while marketing his unique brand of dementia to a group of loyal followers. Come November, his famous "Stan's Soapbox" series of articles, featured in Marvel comics for decades, back in the glory days, when Stan led a bullpen at Marvel hellbent on bringing us bigger, badder villains and zany, down-to-earth heroes, will be on sale in a dazzling collection spanning 144 pages. The collection is organized so as to provide the reader with a historical context, and will feature the writing of Joe Quesada, and a bunch of other people who Joe allowed to be in the book. He's so humble.

But, the book goes to a good cause. Stan explains:

"...Every Stan's Soapbox book sold means more money for the great Hero Initiative cause. No wonder I'm so proud of this book and the cause that it serves! Heck, I might even buy two copies!"

He'll never change.

Visit the following link to get tickets:

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LOS ANGELES - The release date for the sixth Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," was pushed back on Thursday to July 2009 from its original slot in November 2008, movie studio Warner Bros. said.

The eight-month change in the opening date to July 17, 2009, is expected to disappoint millions of Harry Potter fans around the world who have already been waiting more than a year to watch the next big-screen installment in the international literary and film phenomenon.

Trailers for "Half-Blood Prince" began running last week in advance of the expected November movie release worldwide.

Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc, said it had decided to make the change to bolster its release schedule for the lucrative summer moviegoing season -- a period that can account for as much as 40 percent of Hollywood's annual box office receipts.

Warner Bros. President Alan Horn said the studio was also still feeling repercussions from the three-month Hollywood screenwriters strike that ended in February but has "impacted the readiness of scripts for other films."

"We know the summer season is an ideal window for a family... release, as proven by the success of our last Harry Potter film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment," Horn said.

The studio said the change of date would not alter production plans for the final, two-part Potter movie adventure, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The release date for part one is tentatively set for November 2010.

"Deathly Hallows," the seventh and last story from British author J.K. Rowling about the boy wizard and his friends at Hogwarts School, was published in July 2007. The series has sold an estimated 400 million copies, and the books have been translated into more than 60 languages.

(Notes from the blogger: I was literally jumping up & down when the release date & the trailer came out. Now, I am very disappointed on what had happened. Worse, the movie was moved 8 months prior that. I think there will be flying bludgers & soaring bat-bogey hexes from everywhere from the screaming objecting fans.)

Source: ABS-CBN NEWS

This means that you can now come to the festival to compete and qualify to the ESPN World Salsa Championship!

We encourage our fellow Filipino Salseros to represent the Philippines at the World Salsa Chmapionship 2008! You can do it! You have what it takes!

And for salseros from outside the Philippines that also want to qualify for WSC 2008, the Philippine Salsa Festival on November is your chance!

The Philippines Salsa Festival is the late David Melendez and Kristine Constatino's creation. 

It's happening again on November 14 - 16, 2008

BUY YOUR ALL-WEEKEND PASS NOW FOR AN EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:http://www.philippinesalsafestival.com/#/registration/4528123058

This exciting event will bring together quality and professional Salsa, Bachata, Chachacha and other dance workshops, performances, and evening parties in the city of Manila – the “cosmopolitan capital of the Philippines.” 

We invite you to learn to dance from world renown Latin Dance instructors. 

BEGINNERS, TWO LEFT FEET, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCE, PROFESSIONALS ARE ALL WELCOME

Come join us and be a part of this extraordinary event held in an extraordinary country. During this three day event professional dancers will congregate and showcase and share their talent, with amazing bands and DJ’s playing the best music. 

LEARN TO DANCE SALSA AND BE INSPIRED BY WATCHING SALSA PERFORMANCES!

World Renown Instructors and Performers:

Junior and Emily, America's Got talent
EDWIN RIVERA of “El Cantante”
Ashle Dawson of “So You Think You Can Dance”
RODNEY LOPEZ of “Mad Hot Ballroom”
RODNEY RODCHATA AQUINO of Rodchata.com
Winsome Lee, New York
CIRO AND MARYANN, La Evolucion -San Francisco
Gupson Pierre, Singapore
WENDY YEE, Singapore
Orson Brando, UAE, SalsaWithBrando.com

with Special Guest: The ever popular ALBERT TORRES, World Salsa Championship Director

New York's Finest DJ NELSON TORRES In The House
Hong Kong's Finest DJ MICHELLE and DJ WILL in da house!

More to come...

CHECK US OUT ON ADOBO NATIONHERE: http://www.vimeo.com/1482640

DANCE AND PARTY TO SALSA, BACHATA, CHACHACHA AND MORE ALL WEEKEND

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR AN EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:http://www.philippinesalsafestival.com/#/registration/4528123058 (Discount Code: "ROD")

Experience the Salsacraze that’s spreading all over the Philippines and the world! 

Dance the night away. 

Let’s keep David Melendez’ legacy alive! We look forward seeing you at the 2008 Philippine Salsa Festival.

If you want to get their early, or planning an extended stay in Manila - THINGS TO DO IN MANILA:http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2767452-manila_things_to_do-i

2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."

3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.

4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."

5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.

6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.

7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."

8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.
McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."

9. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.

10. John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be.

=>It's time for us to hope again. It's time for us to change our country. It's time to live the American dream again. It's time now for Barack Obama: