Sincerely,

Your friends at www.j4tr.com

Labels: ho ho ho, Xmas

Thanks to Mike Kole for pointing us to a feature on the NPR blog that allows people to explain why they are Ron Paul supporters. Mike thought that most of the hundreds of posts were excellent (they are), but I found one that is truly exemplary and is worthy of being brought to the surface for discussion.

I joined the Army in the early months of 2001; my patriotism led me to the recruiter's office. I had grown up in awe of my grandfathers and their stories of World War II, and their reminiscing became my dreams. When I got to basic training I did not talk about missing home like the other recruits around me, I felt at home in ways I never had before.

The weeks after 9/11 found me in Kosovo, part of C co 3/7 Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division, patrolling the border with Macedonia as part of our duties. We had ammunition to defend ourselves with and the authority to apprehend anyone crossing the border illegally. I will get back to why these details are important later.

Fast forward to 2003, I am rolling across the desert in the back of a Bradley fighting vehicle, part of the spearhead into Iraq. Other than those first three weeks of "Shock and Awe" what I remember most about Iraq was the people. Crowds of kids wanting to know about Michael Jackson and Britney Spears, open-minded adults wanted to know about our social freedoms, and ninety some percent of Iraqis just wanted to raise their families in peace and did not hesitate to tell us. I really fell in love with the Iraqi people. My platoon and I played soccer with some of those crowds of kids, we had dinner and shared food with families in their homes, we even went to a few house parties, and my lieutenant and I spent one very memorable afternoon swimming in an irrigation ditch with five young women. It is all of them I think of when anyone tells me we need to turn the Middle East into a sheet of glass or that all Muslims are our enemies.

I remember thinking on this briefly when I was there, but more so since I've returned, usually when I'm day dreaming behind the wheel of my van, but what we were doing when we were doing our jobs, patrolling the streets, conducting road blocks vehicle searches, bodily searching individuals, and searching houses, couldn't be helping our long range plans for winning hearts and minds. I really have to wonder, how long would it take me to move from a position of thanks for my despotic government being removed to feeling like I lived in a conquered and occupied country if I saw foreign troops on the streets of my hometown Tallahassee everyday? Add to this our having bases and troops in Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, ( I may have missed a few, we have approximately 700 bases in 130 countries ) some of them for decades, our Navy of their coast, our fighter jets in their skies , the CIA in business with monarchs, dictators and thugs, and our State Department treating their leaders like irresponsible children, it's no wonder moderate Muslims takes to the streets shouting "Death to America" and a minority takes action against us. I would expect we would be doing the same thing if say, China had bases on our soil, and her Navy patrolled our coastline and Chinese fighter jets streaked across our sky. In short, this is all hard to admit, but our actions do have consequences.

Fast forward again to the present day, I am out of active duty, and in the Army Reserves. (I wanted to stay active duty, but my wife said I would be single, so we had a compromise.)To be honest the reserves has bored me to tears and I haven't felt like I'm giving anything back to my country, so I looked into getting attached to a National Guard unit on our border with Mexico for a tour or two. However, when I learned they don't have the authority to apprehend illegal border crossers and can only call up our overworked and overstretched border patrol when they spot illegal activity, I got myself in trouble again by thinking - about what I had done in Kosovo and about what I knew our military had done to our own people in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina ( disarmed law abiding civilians only trying to protect themselves when the police had failed to do so) . To add insult to injury, our Guardsmen and women on our own border don't have ammunition and have on several documented occasions actually had to retreat when facing fire from Mexican paramilitary groups. Now why would I want to sign up for that? To be witness to the violation of America's sovereignty? No one in the Executive branch of our government is doing anything about it, and it makes me wonder why I am even in the Army at all.

Why are we the worlds policeman when our own country is being openly violated? Why are we borrowing money hand over fist from nations not exactly our friends, just to spend it on our out of control foreign policy? I am starting to feel like the powers that be do not have America's interests in mind at all. It's starting to feel like our ruin is their objective. From our factories closing and moving overseas, to the plunging value of our dollar, America is crumbling. Yet I love her far to much to watch her fall apart.

This is why I am taking my personal revolution and joining forces with Dr. Ron Paul's revolution. His "bring all the troops home" non-intervention foreign policy and plans to put America first again are just what we need at this time in our history. I don't expect you to agree with everything he says, but I do hope we can all put our differences aside and join him in seeing that ALL the troops come home, the Republic is restored and America saved. Thank you and God Bless.

Zakery Carter

There you have it, straight from a die-hard patriot who was willing to put his life on the line to serve you and me. Go ahead, pick apart his logic. Good luck....it's pretty air-tight.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Elections, Ron Paul

Labels: bright ideas

I truly apologize for neglecting to thoroughly (or even minimally) analyze the 2008 Presidential races. I have been a complacent slob with respect to all national politics lately, but I have reached a conclusion about where I feel this country needs to progress, and with a clear-cut set of goals in mind, I have found myself in near lock-step with a major party candidate. I have spent a great deal of evening time over the last two days exhaustively researching candidates and their "positions" (if some of them can even be called that), and I keep coming back to one candidate over and over who actually makes any intelligent points at all. Furthermore, this candidate speaks with a passion and wisdom that has been long absent from the annals of mainstream national politics.

I want a President whose ideals are not a bastardization of some partisan playbook.

I want a President who is honest about their motives.

I want a President who actually understands the far-reaching consequences of their actions.

I want a President who is well versed in historical precedent and who can speak to contemporary issues within the context of these historical precedents.

I want a President who is willing to ignore party politics to do what is right for America.

I want a President with a clear-cut plan for how to deal with our nation's most difficult problems.

I want a President who can properly pronounce the word "nuclear."

The candidate to whom I have decided to give my complete and total support comes with the following attributes:

As a congressman, he has:

• Never voted to raise taxes.
• Never voted for an unbalanced budget.
• Never voted for a Federal restriction on gun ownership.
• Never taken a government paid junket.
• Never voted for a congressional pay raise.
  
• Never voted to increase the power of the Executive Branch.
• Voted against the Patriot Act.
• Voted against regulating the internet.
• Voted against the Iraq war.
• Does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
• Returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. Treasury every year.

Riddle me this, readers: Can any of you give me an example of any other Presidential candidate who can say that they have the integrity or crystal clean voting record of this man? Good luck. There isn't one. Period.

I, like many of you, bought into the mainstream media's portrayal of Dr. Ron Paul as some sort of tinfoil hat-wearing nutjob. I couldn't have been more wrong. He's an intelligent, well-read modern day prophet who understands the real problems America faces and knows how to make them a thing of the past.


Please take the time to watch the following video if you don't understand. It's 8 minutes of your life for which you will not demand a refund. At the end of watching this for the first time, I was so moved that I wanted to literally go outside and scream and scream at the top of my lungs. We in America live in a cloud of blind optimism, a haze of ignorance, even a blindfold of oblivion. Ron Paul pulled that blindfold from my face, and it embarrassed me every bit as much as it energized me. I am ashamed that I have allowed myself to be duped. No more.

Here's the video.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Elections, Ron Paul

In light of the surge in Iraq creating less "bad news" for the MSM to harp on, they've really become creative in "manufacturing" bad news.

"As violence falls in Iraq, cemetery workers feel the pinch"
By Jay Price and Qasim Zein McClatchy Newspapers

NAJAF, Iraq — At what’s believed to be the world’s largest cemetery, where Shiite Muslims aspire to be buried and millions already have been, business isn't good.
A drop in violence around Iraq has cut burials in the huge Wadi al Salam cemetery here by at least one-third in the past six months, and that’s cut the pay of thousands of workers who make their living digging graves, washing corpses or selling burial shrouds.

Read the rest here.

So let's review, The surge is working, deaths are down, violence is contained and peace may be on the horizon, so McClatchy showcases the plight of the grave diggers.

PRICELESS.

Labels: journalists with fuzzy memories and changing agendas

Though most everyone has a hard time trying to fathom a $300,000,000 contract for A-Rod to play baseball (at least he's a proven winner) it's even HARDER to fathom why CBS is paying Katie Couric $15,000,000 a YEAR to read a teleprompter nightly and maintain dead last place.

She has the nerve to ask A-Rod if he thinks he's worth the $$$$.....She's lucky he's a gentleman and didn't point out her obvious cost vs. benefits deficiency. Watch below if you're feelin' perky!





Link

Labels: pot-kettle

Speaking of bacon...

Do I really need to post more about this?

Fuck, I'd put it in milkshakes. Anybody wanna go in on a case of this stuff with me?

Labels: bacon is a food group, food blogging for fat guys

Labels: bacon is a food group, baconweaving, fun ways to cook swine, funny shite, the four food groups

So we've got some snow....now what?

I plan on going ice fishing as soon as the IDNR clears the Steuben lakes.

Labels: we choose to live here

This article is a re-post from about a year ago...and although I'm not typically into redundant work, there are a few reasons for this one. First, there is still time to get on the list for La Margarita's New Years Bash. If you've never been to one, go get your name on the list...it's a great, GREAT time. Second, Eric White (the artist formerly known as American White Guy) over at The Centerline has an ongoing dialog on his site discussing the "Best Mexican Food in Fort Wayne." Well, my vote is firmly with La Margarita, so I'm elaborating through this reposted restaurant review.

From 12-21-2006:

This restaurant review is long overdue. My family has been regularly visiting La Margarita for over 25 years (no, I wasn't old enough to attend back then...this was years before Leo and crew added a family dining room).

La Margarita
2713 S Calhoun St
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
(260) 456-5857
Get directions

I will preface this review by saying that Fort Wayne is pretty much inundated with Mexican food - much of it barely surpassing the benchmark of mediocre. I have been to most of them. I know on this site I have previously mentioned my affinity for Cebolla's, but I should qualify that for clarification. I dine at Cebolla's when I'm in the mood for cheap Mexican food. But when I want to experience the collaboration - nay, the fusion of Leo's distinctive southwest style with the ancestral recipies passed to him through the culinary prowess of his now-deceased relatives, Cebolla's might as well be a KFC.

The Atmosphere

There are two entirely different dining experiences avaialable at La Margarita, and both have their merits. The dimly lit bar area is my favorite by far. The atmosphere is complex, yet easy to absorb. A gorgeous depression-era (or possibly earlier) hand-carved hardwood bar, black leather booths, a little tasteful neon, a big-screen TV (always sports or game shows...), and a fun south-of-the-border motìf will delight and relax any guests.
In the brightly lit family dining room, children and adults alike will be thrilled by a full-wall mural of a quaint Mexican village scene, a life-sized Bandito statue, some cool indoor landscaping, tile-top tables, clean restrooms and some tasteful mariachi music playing in the background. Both scenarios are winners, pick your dining experience according to your tastes!

Beverages

If the decór isn't enough to calm the nerves, then it might be wise to have Freddy Jr. whip up a batch of the La Margarita's Famous Blue margaritas. I have sipped margaritas all over this country and even some in other countries, but never before have I had one so smooth, and yet so absurdly potent! It is not out of the question to end up needing a cab after drinking what outwardly appears to be a modest portion of The Blues. Rocks or blended...no matter...but if you leave without having at least a glass, you are truly missing out on a uniquely Fort Wayne experience. Not into fruity drinks? Ask Leo for a guided tasting tour of his all-star tequila lineup. Ranging in price from $10 to $150 per bottle (the most expensive shots are usually about $10...but worth every penny!), any guest is sure to find at least one that will smoothly take the edge off of even the most stressful of days.

Service

Depending on the day of the week and the time of the visit, the chances are pretty strong that guests will be treated to either the warm, motherly tableside service of María, or the dry, sharp wit of Chris. Both ladies are exceptionally unique, very fun and superbly responsive to the whim of the guests.

A Snack

Complimentary chips and salsa abound, but don't miss out on the guacamóle. It's rare to find any north of the Río Grande that is any better! None too salty, cold and fresh (not even a hint of bruising on the avacado...which means it was freshly mashed before being served to the table), served in a delicious deep-fried taco salad-like shell (only smaller).

Dinner is Served

For dinner, there are no wrong choices on the menu. I have literally tried everything they make, but most noteworthy are the fajítas, the chicken enchiladas, and the ribs (yes, BBQ ribs at a Mexican joint). The fajítas are plenty big to feed a family of four...so don't over-order, you'll regret it when it's time to stand up! The enchiladas are superb, and I have ordered those more times over my life than I can even count, and the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender in a very interesting hand-made BBQ sauce. With the purchase of dinner entreés, guests will be served an appetizer portion of a steamy, spicy Mexican potato soup that is certain to surprise everyone with its flavorful blend of savory and spicy.

Not looking for a burly portion? The menu contains an array of smaller meals for appetites that may be less...uhh...titanic. This coupled with the availability of Nachítos (individually prepared nachos) and a nice selection of uniquely American fare will insure a spectacular variety of choices for all.

I know that dessert is offered, but unfortunately I have no way to legitimately describe them as I have never before felt as if I needed desert after the main course settled in atop the lake of Blue in my belly.

The Damages

At lunch time, you will find La Margarita to be comparably priced to many other dining establishments, with lunches in the $6 to $9 range. Dinner, on the other hand, can make you question your sensibilities, but that will quickly fade. Entreés range anywhere from $8 to $20, but don't even let this dissuade you! You will get $40 worth of food and service for the $20 you spend! It is not uncommon for each guest of La Margarita to leave the restaurant absolutely stuffed to the gills, and literally carrying half of their food out the front door in a styrofoam box...and it reheats very very well.

The Skinny

Atmosphere: A+
Dining Room: A
Kid Friendliness: A+ (Leo loves the kids!)
Drinks: A+
Food: A+
Service: A+
Price: A- (It can be pricey, but still a good value!)
Date Night: ABSOLUTELY!!!

Final Grade: A+

I can emphatically and enthusiastically rate this as one of the best dining experiences in Fort Wayne, and I'm not easy to please. For over 3 decades, La Margarita has witnessed the coming and going of hundreds of fad and chain eateries, clubs and other attractions, yet LM has persevered and flourished by providing guests with consistent, top-notch service in a comfortable, relaxing - yet casual environment. Hey, if I was wrong about this, they would have gone the way of Chi Chi's and the Fort Wayne Hacienda years ago.

Read other J4TR.com restaurant reviews.

Read another guest's Yahoo Restaurant Review for La Margarita.

Labels: food, La Margarita, local food blogging

The 419Eater assassins teach us all how to deal with Nigerian scammers:

1. Convince the Nigerian that you're a bona-fide representative of a church that donates SHITLOADS of money to anonymous charitable causes.

2. Convince the Nigerian that he is not eligible for your "free money" until he's a member of your religious "sect."

3. Convince the scammer to get a (really embarrassing) tattoo (that reads "Baited by Shiver") proving he's a member of your sect. Also, make him jump through many more hoops before baiting him further.

4. Tell him he's approved for $40k in funding from your church.

5. Create an "alter ego" named "Ali Gee" and tell him you have hacked his inbox, basically making you a go-between for him betwixt himself and the "church" that is giving him the money.

6. Convince him that your "Ali-Gee" alter ego is a scammer just like him, and ask him to procure you a Nigerian passport like his.

7. Extort him using the fake $40k church payoff as leverage.

8. Keep the lines of communication open between the scammer, the fake church and your scamming alter-ego.

9. Proceed in this fashion until you are satisfied that the scamming Nigerian asshole is marked by his local mafia.

Read this link. If you don't, you're missing out on a piece of pure genius and something that will make you think twice before deleting the "Send money to Nigeria" emails you delete from your "porn only" email account every day.

Labels: funny shite, Nigerian scammers, pompous asses

Fascinating new shit from the 70's space probe Voyager 2 is now ready for analysis. Get some here.

EMAWKC from 3 O'clock A.M. sends news of a disturbing trend in alcoholic beverage consumption.

"...the "Millennial" generation (those currently between 21-30 years old), are drinking 12 percent less beer than the more manly and mature Generation X (31-44-years-olds).

It appears the Millennials are opting more often for more girlie drinks like Pinot Grigio, Cosmopolitans and Appletinis."

Which brings me to a question that just isn't asked enough these days:



WWJBD?

Labels: Beer, EMAWKC, limp wristed girlie looking guys sipping sissy drinks

JUSTIN STEELE ZANK

DECEMBER 7, 2007

CLASS OF 2007

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

1 Down, 2 to go!

The French are either really, really fucking stupid, or they really do think the universe revolves around them. Well, I guess it could be a combination of the two...

Labels: Eurotrash, funny shite, Is that your final answer, really stupid people, Stupid twats, The French