Iran
Topic: government issues
Maybe you've been hearing Iran in the news lately. Apparently the Bush policy is to take all the old reasons for invading Iraq and change the Q to N. Let's have a look at the situation there for a minute.
Way back in the 1950's we removed Iran's popularly elected leader and replaced him with a puppet ruler, the Shah. After about 20 years folks in Iran got tired of the Shah so they threw him out and replaced him with the Ayatolah. In the middle of this regime change (as Bush likes to call these overthrows) the Iranians took some hostages. They were very angry at the US for 2 decades of abuse. Since then things have been tense between us and them. Most people just assume the Iranians are nuts who want to kill us all just because they're nuts. Not many people know that we drew first blood.
Next item: nuclear capabilities. We have 'em. Pakistan has 'em. Lots of folks have these things. Is anyone crazy enough to actually use one? Yes! The United States is! Yet we refuse to allow Iran to have any. "They are building the bomb right now!!!!!!" is the word from the White House. They have no proof, and in fact evidence shows the opposite is true. But how hypocritical is it for our government to say someone else can't hyave something that we have, because they're a threat, but we're the only country to ever actually drop the bomb on someone. Not once but twice.
Think McCain and Obama are different? They both want Iran dead, just like Bush, who they both claim to not be like. Our irresponsible leaders even issued a Joint Resolution that expresses the sense (or senselessness) of Congress. It has very harsh words and suggests a naval blockade (act of war).
Iran also speaks aggressively to the US. However, they have yet to act aggressively since the hostages in 1979. President Ahmedahmajad (spelling?) talks tough because that's what a president should do. How would the people of Iran feel if their leader cowered in the face of belligerent behavior from another country? I'm sure every night his last thought is "Will tonight be the night the bombs start falling?"
The moral of the story: Every time the government tells you someone else is bad, ask yourself why and do a little research.
Baseball Fever!
Topic: sports
The trading deadline is nigh upon us and the Phillies are back in first! It looks like my prediction of Braves in the lead won't happen. Seattle baseball god Ken Griffey Jr. seems to be on his way to the South Side of Chicago.
In TriCounty news, Limeport wrapped up the top seed for the playoffs. Gabelsville is in unfamiliar territory as the #4 seed. They played to a 9-9 tie against the ICC Pirates in game 1, then tossed a 1-hit shutout in game 1 beta version. The Northern Yankees won their series against Cetronia 2 games to none and will next face the Fleetwings.
Sticking with the Lehigh Valley, Adam Eaton is the latest Iron Pig since being demoted from the Phils and the Eagles are holding training camp at Lehigh University. Football is right around the corner!
Plank Salmon
Topic: food
What a dinner! I planned to cook salmon on a cedar plank today. I had the plank soaking since yesterday. I got the fire going and went inside to make the marinade (featuring home grown dill 
) and when I went back out my extra wood was gone! The wood I was using was burning too fast so the coals weren't cookling the fish. I had it on the plank long enough to get the cedar flavor. So Heather threw the fish (minus the plank) in the oven. Dill planked salmon plus corn on the cob plus baked potatoes equals deee-lish!
Vacation Update 2
Topic: random
The visitors are gone. Alicia returned to the place of her birth with my mom and sister on Friday. While they were here we did some stuff. On Tuesday last, we hiked the Comet Falls trail at Mount Rainier. We scavenged for sand dollars at Dash Point. No, we didn't find any real dollars, just sand ones. On Wednesday we started going to "Tacoma" but really went to Seattle. Once there we parked the car at a lot that closes at 6 and trekked to Pike Place Market, home of the fish throwers. After we watched them throw some fish and crabs we moved on. Someone bought some stuff but I don't remember who bought what. But I did see a fighter jet fly over the Sound when we got outside. Next we took a street hike to Seattle Center. My mom and sister went to the top f the Space Needle while Alicia and Heather rode the rides at the amusement park. I went on the ferris wheel with them but otherwise took pictures of my kid having fun. Then the monorail (yes, Seattle has a monorail dating back to a time when they were cool) to lunch downtown. A short walk back to the car (I didn't know if we'd be back by 6) and then a drive that took us around the same block too many times had us at Pioneer Square. My mom is from Philly and she's afraid of Seattle, a city that lets tons of Red Sox fans run around unmolested. Anyway, we took Alicia to Klondike Gold Rush National Park. Seattle was where most of the miners headed north loaded up on provisions. It was big business in 1898. Alicia got another Junior Range badge there, She now has 7, all in less than a year and a half. By 5 PM, itwas time to go home. In the middle of rush hour. So it took forever. But we made it and everyone survived the trip.
Tanwax 911!
Topic: Days of Jeff's Life
Just when you think the DQ stories can't get any better they do. Last night we had a campfire going and I went over to the dumpster to empty my trash can. I looked over and noticed some flames. I thought DQ was having a campfire too. Then I noticed his car was gone. I went closer and saw the flames were coming from the golf cart he's "fixing". So I ran back to the house and got the fire extinguisher. Then some of the neighbors came over because they were searching for the smell. They found it. On the way back to the controlled fire we were having some kids asked me what happened. I couldn't keep a straight face as I told them the golf cart was on fire. Stay tuned for more highjinks!
Vacation Update
Topic: random
Our visitors have arrived from Pennsylvania!My mom and Chrstine are taking Alicia to Northwest Trek animal park today. Then tomorrow Heather and I are joining them, and going to Mt. Rainier and Dash Point State Park. Wednesday's schedule involves going to Seattle. I haven't been up there in a long time.
My mom's complaint is that there aren't enough mountains. In North Carolina there are mountains everywhere you go! She's expecting something like that I guess. I told her if it clears up we'll see some tomorrow and Wednesday. Assuming it's clear on Friday when they leave they'll see some too. From above.
Just Some Saturday Stuff
Topic: random
Item #1: I can't edit a post when I spell something wrong and catch it later. The Golf Cart Update posting from yesterday disappeared when I did that, and Pipe Bombs and Piracy posting is all messed up.
Item #2: My mom and sister are on their way. They come in late tonight. Lucy gets to meet new people. She can't wait!
Item #3: Did you know Russians drink beer? I always though they drank vodka, but they drink light beer and when they get caught drinking it at a non-alcoholic park they swear up and down (while drunk) that light beer has no alcohol.
Item #4: The sun came out today! Almost time for the AC. Washington weather is weird. If it's cloudy it's about 50-60 degrees until the sun comes out. Then it shoots up to 85 within 10 minutes.
Golf Cart Update
Topic: Days of Jeff's Life
Warning: This is a revised post to replace the one that disappared.
DQ got the golf cart running Thursday night and even let DQ Minor drive it. But alas, come Friday morning it runs no more. Apparently it only works at night. Right now it sits behind his camper next to his Suburban. No word on whether or not we're being charged for repairs right now. I expect to have the golf cart back in a month.
Piracy Update: The boat mentioned in the preior post "Pipe Bombs and Piracy" was NOT DQ' boat. It belongs to a friend of another resident. Add grand theft marine to the list of DQ's crimes. See "Crime Stoppers" bumper sticker on DQ's Suburban!
Pipe Bombs and Piracy
DQ took his "girlfriend" out on his boat because her son wanted to go fishing. DQ Minor went along. So the foursome is out fishing and DQ set off a pipe bomb. Right next to the boat. So the "girlfriend" (who isn't really his girlfriend) got just a little freaked out and told him to take them back to land. He refused. So now she's held captive on the high seas (OK, it's a lake, but it's probably a mile long and 29 feet deep in some spots) by this weird creepy guy. He finally put in for shore after she started yelling for help.
Continuing the saga of DQ's repair shop, the excavator's water pump came in yesterday (July 16) and it was the wrong part. So DQ decided to fix the golf cart. The problem is that it won't start. First he decided to charge the (brand new) battery. He wanted to charge each cell (you can charge individual cells?) so he could "rejuvenate" (his word, not mine) the battery. Didn't work. So he wanted to test if it was the solenoid by swapping it with the solenoid in the other golf cart, which now makes funny sounds it didn't used to make. Today DQ was out there working on the golf cart some more. He was tinkering with the basket and the rack, which somehow...... effects the electrical system? The steering? Well, it's running so I guess he'll drive it around for a few days towing DQ Minor in his little truck. All billable hours of course.
The Winner is...
The winner of the 2008 election as predicted by my highly scientific poll is....Other/Write-In! I'm sure President Other/Write-In will do a better job than the current President.
The new name for the website is..... The Rebel's Roost! I get this name based on my family history- a Continental soldier and 2 Confederates- and my totally unAmerican views pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for all.
Congratulations to the winner of the Name The Site Contest- ME!!! I will be awarded my prize- one (1) ice cream bar- at a later date.
