Something beautiful

The "honesty" project marches on.  So far, I've reviewed current U.S. Senators from Alabama to Indiana and have found three I consider "honest".  Once I've finalized my list of Senators, I'll post them here and continue on to the House.

While I press on with the research and find time to rest to rid myself of a nasty cold,  I just finished watching the latest episode of Spectacle on the Sundance Channel. Anyone who enjoys music of any sort can find something to love about Tony Bennett. In to his 80's and he is still one of the best singers alive today.  Click here to view a clip of his performance from that show of the song "The Way You Look Tonight" (click here for lyrics -- it is possible the lyrics in the performance are slightly different from the ones you'll see here. Such is the way this goes with performances.)

Drowning and loving it!

I posted a challenge I made a couple of days ago to find at least five honest currently-serving U.S Senators and/or U.S. Representatives.

I just finished sifting through six different scorecards of the 110th Congress and have had underscored for me a few things most political junkies already know:

1. Give me an issue and I can tell you how any Senator or Representative will vote.  
2. There are Liberal issues and Conservatives issues.  This was personally disappointing and posed the biggest challenge to determining honesty.  What I am seeing is that there are legislators who "vote the party line" (scorecards are virtually the same) and those who are more inclined to vote using other means
3. What does "Other Means" mean?  See below.

I have narrowed the list of 535 voting legislators down to 11 Senators and 99 Representatives who, just based on the scorecards I reviewed, I would consider "honest".  I know these numbers will change as I review their biographies, controversies, affiliations, etc.  I have also determined that I can easily find at least 10 "honest" Senators and 44 "honest" Representatives (10% from each chamber) and hope to find more than that.

Here are the organizations whose scorecards I used:  Human Rights Campaign, League of Conservation Voters, the ACLU, and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (all of which seem to favor Democrats).  I chose the National Taxpayers Union and the National Federation of Independent Businesses who favor Republicans.

And, I'm even finding time to do other things!  I'll be going to the Crossing later today to support my sister-in-law as she becomes a lay counselor for her church as well as going to my own church tomorrow.  I'll need all the blessings I can get!

How I spent my first day of 2009

I can tell you first how I didn't spend it: reading all of my favorite political blogs!  Nope, not one story - only skimmed headlines before realizing everyone was taking today off.

After cleaning up, I grabbed the "honey do" list and hit the road.  Per request from my partner, I bought a page-a-day 2009 calendar (apparently, he cannot function with just the weekly planner for 2009 I bought at Target last week.  But, as he is chief money saver in the family, mine is not to question . . ).  I even treated myself to a short paper back novel, "The Road".  On the one hand, it won the Pulitzer in 2007.  On the other, this was an Oprah Book Club pick.  I feel so brave right now !

I then took in a movie.  In deference to my partner's desire to see all the awards movies with me in the next couple of months, I went to see "The Spirit".  The movie just looks freaking cool!  The dialogue is cornball and most of the 20-something dudes in the theatre (yeah, it was me and a bunch of other dudes nearly half my age) were chuckling along with me.  The dialogue was intentionally cornball and fit the look of the movie. 

Samuel L. Jackson was awesomely over-the-top as the bad guy Octopus!  This was the first time I remembered seeing Gabriel Macht in a movie and it sure won't be the last - wow-wee what a fine lookin' fellah!  And it was also the first time I remember Eva Mendes in a movie - wow, I questioned my own sexuality many times as I was watching her -- fun role and vampy/sexy as well.

Was what I felt today what straight dudes feel when they see Brad Pitt in a movie?  Well, no permanent damage done and, if I'm not worried, what might a straight dude be worried about thinking Brad was sooo hot in whatever movie he was in ?

Just a few hours ago, I had a nice round of on-line canasta and chit-chat with my buddy Randy. Earlier today I read up on the character Palpatine from the Star Wars movies as Randy offered Palpatine as a fascinating politician . . intelligent, manipulative and ultimately gobbling up as much power as he could stand and then some.  I created my own challenge to find five current U.S Representatives and/or U.S. Senators who, for the majority of their time in office, have used their power/influence for the greater good.  I have a starter list in my head and look forward to doing the legwork to build this list and, of course, will post the list here with rationale for my choices.

Isn't everyone's New Year's Day this busy ?

Gonzales To Write Tell-All Book

Hey . .wait! I was going to start my autobiography. Aww, nuts! I would wish you well on helping to get his book started for him, but I doubt any royalty check you'd receive would be worth the trouble of cashing.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

I know I'm better than . .

A guilty pleasure of mine for the last few summers (and there are sooooo many), "Last Comic Standing" , like most every other reality-competition show, has tried to develop it's own signature phrase to be used at the denouement.

The best know "signature phrase" comes from "Survivor": "The Tribe has spoken".

"Last Comic Standing" uses the phrase "I know I am funnier than . ." when the comedians challenge each other to an elimination stand-up performance at the end of the episode. (btw, the comedian's name uttered most often is first into the elimination and can choose their competition from the other comedians mentioned)

I had this phrase in mind when I read this Wall Street Journal interview (which I found from viewing RawStory) today.  No matter how bad my own unemployment situation becomes, I know I am better than this guy.  I'm usually the first to empathize or, at least, sympathize with someone's misfortune.

Nuh-uh.  No way.  Not gonna happen.  No freakin' way.  He's reaping what he's sown.  Too damn bad!

What a way to wrap up the year.