Nothing In My Way

There are certain songs that brillantly capture an emotion, situation, or period in the human experience. This is one of my favorite songs and I can't begin to explain the amount of times it has met me during the rough patches of my life.

Kite Boarder Gets Jacked Up

Kite Surfer Guy: "There's a tropical storm on the way. Hmmm, I think I'll grab my kite board and head for the beach."

What an idiot!

Joe Biden

In the wee hours of August 23rd, the news was leaked that Barack Obama selected Delawate Senator Joe Biden to be his running mate. Eager to introduce Biden to the American public, the McCain campaign just released a new web ad.

That was fast...

Broadcast Energy Transmitter

In a recent announcement, computer chip maker Intel presented a wireless energy transmitter that would eliminate the use of power cords for everyday electronic devices. Imagine placing your ipod or phone on your desk where it would charge up wirelessly! No more cords!

Hearing this news reminded me of a childhood classic of mine: G.I. Joe: The Movie. Perhaps the greatest animated movie of all time, Cobra-la and GI Joe struggled to control the Broadcast Energy Transmitter (BET). This machine provided wireless energy to anything in range of its beam.


We live in an amazing world! The impossible is now reality.

Trading Blows

Yesterday, both campaigns traded blows after a John McCain interview where he was unsure about how many homes he owned. The Obama campaign sprang into action and touted that McCain is "out of touch" with the American public because of his lavish lifestyle. You can watch the Obama ad here. A few short hours later, the McCain campaign responded with the ad below.


I personally think that it is a load of bologna. Both men are successful and enjoy privilaged lifestyles. For example, according to Obama's tax returns he earned over 4 million dollars last year alone! On the other hand, most of McCain's wealth comes from his wife Cindy and her family trust. In addition, McCain's homes are all listed under Cindy McCain's name and not her husband.

After a month of being pummeled by the McCain campaign, the Obama camp seized the opportunity to attack Sen. McCain. As Obama's poll numbers continue to plummet, it was a welcomed distraction to the campaign trail.

Speed Walking???

Can anyone provide a good reason why Speed Walking is an olympic sport??? Maybe in 2012, they can ask Mr. T to make things a little more interesting.

File Under: Bizarre

I often check the Drudge Report for breaking political news. Today, I stumbled upon two flat out weird stories.

Creepy Funeral in Puerto Rico

Meet Yoda the Cat

Crazy stuff!

Thoughts On the Civil Forum

On Saturday, I attended the Saddleback Civil Forum. It was an energizing evening and a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch both presidential candidates on the same stage. Rick Warren was the moderator and posed questions related to leadership, faith, worldview, and character. Each candidate was interviewed separately by Warren and the order was decided by a coin toss. Here is how I interpreted the responses from each candidate:

Obama

• Overall, Obama's performance was solid. He appeared comfortable talking about his faith in Jesus and his shortcomings in his early adult years. Compared to previous Democratic nominees Obama is attempting to break the mold. However, that might worry many secular-progressive democrats.
• Perhaps Obama's biggest mistake was his definition of human conception. He stated, "Its above my pay-grade." I felt that was a very weak response and will hurt him with the evangelical vote. This apparently a grey area for him...and he waffled on this question.
• Obama affirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman. 
• Obama's loose references to scripture citing "thinking of the least of these..." to give him the basis for his massive social agenda (socialized medicine, wealth redistribution).  However, I believe that is a distortion of scripture to apply concepts intended to the individual to the state.
• Biggest surprise: throwing Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas under the bus. Clarence Thomas is the only african-american justice in the Supreme Court. 
• Biggest mistake: his definition of human life. 

McCain

• I felt that John McCain outperformed Senator Obama and provided a unmistakably clear contrast between the two.
• McCain's style was direct and unequivocal. 
• On abortion: human rights begin "at the moment of conception."
• On gay marriage: it is a sacred bond between a man and woman. 
• He took full advantage to discuss the conflict in Georgia, the need for offshore drilling, activist judges, national security, and the need to keep taxes low. 
• Often, McCain mentioned his time as a POW during the Vietnam War and how that experience shaped his faith and his character
• Biggest surprise: citing that the failure of his first marriage as his worst moral mistake
• Biggest mistake: his definition of "rich"

After watching the debate twice, I believe that McCain ruled the night. Speaking in front of a crowd that was more receptive to his ideas allowed him to settle in and showcase his personality. For someone who has not had the coziest relationship with the evangelical community, McCain took a giant step forward to strengthen the Republican base. Obama, on the other hand appeared uneasy on questions such as the Supreme Court and abortion. He was at times indirect and lacked definitiveness in his responses. 

With the 2008 campaign a statistical tie, both candidates will be engaged in a dogfight for every vote. Warren's vision to achieve civility may have been fulfilled for at least one night in the summer of '08. But I wonder if this forum will be remembered as the last moment where both candidates and the nation were one. 

The Premiership is Back!

It was a long summer but the English Premier League is back again! Last season, I decided to adopt Chelsea as my football club. Things are looking bright as they have added Portuguese national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to steer the ship. The club also added Portuguese legend, Deco from Barcelona to the club. Perhaps the biggest deal was the resigning of Frank Lampard to the richest contract in premiership history. Earning 34 million pounds over five years, Lampard's weekly salary is roughly 130,000 GBP (about $243,000 USD). Read more about Lampard

Here's to another exciting season! Go Blues!

Saddleback Civil Forum Moments

Tonight, I had the opportunity to attend the Saddleback Civil Forum in Lake Forest, CA. I went with James and we had a great time. Special thanks to Ange for setting that up! I will post my reactions to McCain and Obama tomorrow but I wanted to jot down a few of the fun moments from this historical evening.

• The beach volleyball court at the "refinery" 
• The background vocalist who reminded James of Jason Bateman
• The legion of Secret Service personnel patrolling the Saddleback Campus. I saw them emerge from my friend Amy's area known as "the edge" after performing a security sweep. The agent gave the "thumbs up" signal and all was well.
• The gigantic drum kit cage in tent 3. 
• Complete audio outage during the Star Spangled Banner. 
• The whistling then singing of the national anthem by the group in tent three.
• James' and my feeble attempt to start the "U-S-A" chant after the anthem.
• Me educating the lady in front of us about the story of John McCain
• The armada of buses that took FOREVER to arrive after the event. 

All in all, it was a great afternoon and I was glad to be a part of this small sliver of the 2008 campaign. I will have more tomorrow...

The Surge

Barack Obama has been caught so many times reversing his positions on NAFTA, campaign finance, Iraq, offshore drilling, and "The Surge." Doing anything that can be construed as politically expedient, Obama has not shown to me that he can make difficult choices. His voting record as an Illinois State Senator is a mockery. Voting "present" over 130 times on controversial issues, Obama would rather vote "maybe" instead of "yes" or "no." Recently, the Obama train has stalled and I believe that the American public is wising up to the antics and double talk of Obama.

One issue that compels me to write this entry is "The Surge." US troop casualties are at their lowest levels since the start of the war. If Obama had his way, the United States would have withdrawn in defeat. Now, I do believe that the war must come to an end soon. But, there is a window of opportunity created by the Surge where political stability can take root and the Iraq military can sustain itself. Iraq is improving and Al-Quada has retreated back to Afghanistan. As the video illustrates, Iraq would be a different and more dangerous place if it were not for the Surge.

John McCain did the unpopular thing and supported the Surge. It takes more than just excellent oratory skills to be president. A president must have the fortitude to make decisions on all matters, not just popular ones.

In The Crossfire

Turkish camera crew under fire from Russian army. Scary Stuff!


And watch this Georgian journalist get grazed by a Russian sniper's bullet.


The Russians have deliberately bombed and killed hundreds of innocent civilians. At least two journalists have died in the conflict at the hand of the Russians.

Saddleback Civil Forum

On Saturday, Saddleback Church will be ground zero in the 2008 Presidential Campaign. Pastor Rick Warren will moderate a question and answer session with Barack Obama and John McCain. The event will be televised nationwide and will be a pivotal moment for both campaigns and Saddleback Church.

I am very curious and excited to watch this event. Warren has often invited politicians to his church but this will be the first time that the entire nation will witness a pastor interview both Presidential candidates. In 2006, I attended Saddleback's World Summit on AIDS where Kansas Senator (R) Sam Brownback and Illinois Senator Barack O'bama spoke before a packed house. Alining himself with both sides, Warren is in an interesting and powerful position. I think everyone is anxious to evaluate the quality and merit of the questions that will be posed to McCain and Obama. Will the questions have substance or will they be softball topics that both candidates can spin to their own advantage?

Everyone will have something at stake. For the candidates, it will be a golden opportunity to appeal to the evangelical voters and traditional-value Americans. For Warren, it will be his chance to advocate his vision and social gospel known as the "PEACE Plan" to the nation at large.

With that said, my DVR is set. I am encouraging all my friends to watch with an open mind but to think critically about both candidates and their vision for the nation.

Not On My Amazon Wish List...

Now known as the "Speaker of the Flop," Nancy Pelosi's book entitled, "Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters" has sold just under 5,000 units since its release two weeks ago. Way to go! I bet half of those copies were bought by your friends and family. Hopefully the other half were discarded in the trash. I wonder how many trees were wasted to produce this book? Pelosi has appeared on many national tv shows to promote the book but apparently no one is listening.

However, to the shagrin of the NY Times, two of the top five Hardcover Nonfiction books are Anti-Obama. This is all very similar to the 2004 Election when the top seller was "Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry" Could history repeat itself? Lets "hope" so...

Courage

Watch this video and you will know why I am supporting John McCain for President. Courage, Devotion, and Character best define the life of McCain. John McCain is ready to lead.

No Description Available

I could not have said it any better...

Photo taken directly from YouTube 8/6/08.

While Obama figures out how to describe himself watch: The One. 

Crazy White Lady

No not Hillary. But somebody needs to show this lady a muzzle. I'm not talking about the type for animals... 

Ride to the Beach

Today I decided to take my bike and ride from my Irvine apartment to Newport Beach. I googled the distance and it came out to 20.5 miles (one way). It was by far my biggest ride ever on the streets and it was a blast.

Newport Back Bay

Down at the Beach

It was cloudier than I expected it to be. 

73 Overpass

Goodbye Newport

Nozzle Rage

Pain at the Pump