IRON MAN II

"He hopes to have all other Iron Man 2 details locked down — even though he's sending dispatches via Twitter from the set. "It's never easy with summer movies, but we're trying to keep as much a surprise as possible," he says.

That means no new dirt on replacing Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle, or how the crime-fighting team S.H.I.E.L.D. will ultimately come together. Or how he'll work in new characters. Among those signed on for this go-round are Mickey Rourke as Whiplash, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer."

The Obama Administration Screwed Up

That's right. I wrote those words.

I've been criticized by some readers (mostly anonymous trolls whose opinion means as much to me as my ex-wife's, but also some of my cherished, regular, contrarians) for my seemingly blind, unwavering support of the Obama administration. Which is mostly true and I don't apologize for it a bit.

But they fucking screwed the pooch with his move.

"NEW YORK (CNN) -- A White House official apologized Monday after a low-flying Boeing 747 spotted above the Manhattan skyline frightened workers and residents into evacuating buildings.

Witnesses reported seeing the plane circle over the Upper New York Bay near the Statue of Liberty.

"Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision," said Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption."

Witnesses reported seeing the plane circle over the Upper New York Bay near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River. It was accompanied by two F-16s."

Are you fucking kidding me right meow?

No one thought that this might be a bad fucking idea?

Seriously?

"The president was furious about it," one of the officials said. The incident outraged many New Yorkers, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"First thing is, I'm annoyed -- furious is a better word -- that I wasn't told," he said, calling the aviation administration's decision to withhold details about the flight "ridiculous" and "poor judgment."

"Why the Defense Department wanted to do a photo op right around the site of the World Trade Center defies the imagination," he said. "Had we known, I would have asked them not to."

I take the president at his word. I can't imagine he knew about this. But he should have. As my Independence neighbor, Harry Truman said, "the buck stops here". The president is the captain of the ship and this never should have been allowed to happen.

It didn't require a public policy expert, a renowned historian, or a public relations consultant to prevent this from happening.

All it required was someone older than 8 years old with more than 32 brain cells to say "Nah, that's all kinds of fucked up stupid. Don't do it. It will scare people."

If I were the conspiratorial sort, I would be tempted to suggest that some ill-wishing insiders set this up on purpose to embarrass Obama. Yes, I think the enemies of this aministration are just that devious and self serving.

In reality I think this was just a MASSIVE FUBAR. But this type of shit cannot continue.

The Resolute Desk

I love the history of The President's desk. It was made from the oak timbers of a former British warship and was a gift from Queen Victoria.

"The President's Desk
Many presidents have used the Resolute desk in the Oval Office or the their study in the Residence. It was made from the timbers of HMS Resolute, an abandoned British ship discovered by an American vessel and returned to the Queen of England as a token of friendship and goodwill. When the ship was retired, Queen Victoria commissioned the desk from William Evenden, Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham, England, and presented to President Rutherford Hayes in 1880.

The desk has twice been modified. Franklin Roosevelt had the whole desk raised on a 2 inch base to accommodate his wheelchair. He also requested that the kneehole be fitted with a modesty panel carved with the presidential seal (he preferred people not see his leg braces and often placed a waste basket in front of his desks), but he did not live to see it installed. However, President Truman liked the eagle motif and had it installed when he came into office in 1945.

Every president since Hayes—except Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford—has used the Resolute desk, although some chose to use it in their private study in the Residence. The desk was made famous in part by a photograph of John Kennedy at work while his son, John Jr., peeked out the front through the kneehole panel"

I mean, it's not as cool as MY desk...



...but it's a pretty cool fucking desk.

Soldiers' Angels

When I headed out to the monthly Outlaw Cigar Party this morning my only focus was free beer, free BBQ, and free eye candy.

But when I got there I noticed a change.

Instead of everything being completely free, they were asking for a $5.00 donation if you wanted a paper plate to put your food on.

Five dollars for a paper plate?!

Hell yes!

Happily paid with much gratitude. Because the money was going to an organization called Soldiers Angels.

I'd never heard of this organization before. But they are amazing.

Today's focus was on First Response Backpacks

"When military personnel are injured or wounded, treatment and transportation occur with such speed that sometimes their gear and personal items never catch up with them. They are often evacuated wearing the same clothing they wore when they were wounded--clothing that is often damaged in action or removed during treatment--and soon find themselves without easy access to basic supplies.
To address this situation, Soldiers' Angels created the First Response Backpacks in partnership with The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and Minimus.biz. The backpacks provide a full set of travel-sized toiletries and accessories (such as toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, shampoo, and soap), an international calling card, and a handmade Blanket of Hope. Each backpack includes clothing specially-designed by Sew Much Comfort to be easily donned by those with serious wounds and to give relief from drafty hospital gowns. We also include a zippered, hooded sweatshirt with the Soldiers' Angels logo."

When I got home and investigated Soldiers' Angel's further, I was even more impressed. The support they provide to our troops is amazing.

Adopt a Soldier - Individualized support throughout deployment

"The length of each adoption depends on the branch of service your soldier is in and a number of other factors, but generally averages between six (6) months to twelve (12) months. On occasion, they can be extended, but this is the average. When you adopt you are committing to sending a card or letter each week, and a minimum of 1 or 2 care packages a month. This is one of the most important things that can be done to help bring home a healthy hero; it is so very important for each of them to know they are loved and supported, and your letters and care packages prove just that."

Angel Bakers - Homemade treats for the deployed.

"The Angel Bakers are a group of highly dedicated Soldiers’ Angels who bake homemade treats for our deployed military heroes.

Each month the Angel Bakers send specially-made cookies, brownies, and other treats to units identified by Soldiers’ Angels as needing extra Angel love. They may have been through an especially difficult experience during their deployment, living in especially trying conditions, or in need of a morale boost for a job well done. Our aim is to show our heroes how much people back home appreciate and care about them."

Blankets of Gratitude - Handcrafted love for hospitalized veterans

"This winter, thousands of veterans will spend time in a VA hospital or facility, away from the warmth of home, family and friends.

We want them to know that they are remembered, that we are thinking of them, and that we are grateful for their past service. Since we can't visit them all in person, our goal is to wrap 25,000 of these Veterans in lap robes, representative of our support and appreciation, called "Blankets of Gratitude." The lap robes will be a physical reminder that they are not alone. When a veteran receives a Blanket of Gratitude, he or she will know that somebody remembered them, that somebody labored over a handmade robe with thoughts of them and hopes or prayers for their health and comfort."

Blankets of Hope - Handcrafted comfort for the wounded

"The Blankets of Hope team creates unique, handmade blankets to send hope, support and gratitude to America's wounded and veterans. Used on hospital beds, wheelchairs, and transport litters on medevac flights, Blankets of Hope bring the message that each servicemember is loved and not forgotten. They are included in our First Response Backpacks and Vet Packs sent to Combat Support Hospitals in the war zones, major medical facilities in Germany and around the world, and selected military hospitals and veterans centers here at home."

Cards Plus Team - Extra TLC for soldiers & families

"The Cards Plus Team is dedicated to supporting service members, their families, and even Angels with encouraging or celebratory cards and notes. Cards can be requested for deployed soldiers for:

Birthday

Encouragement

Thinking of you/Get well

Anniversary

New baby

Welcome home"

Chaplain Support Team - Help chaplains support the troops

"The Chaplains Support Team (CST) provides direct support to the military chaplains as they bring comfort and assistance to the soldiers they serve. The chaplains perform most of their duties in a non-denominational capacity, and it is these non-denominational activities that the CST supports.

We supply Chaplains with requested items related to their mission, and requested numbers of hand-out letters and gifts that can be easily distributed to those needing assistance whom Soldiers' Angels may not otherwise be able to locate and support. Items shipped can include everything from non-denominational chapel supplies to delicious food items for special group meals, cards for the deployed to send to family members for holidays and birthdays, and things like games, sports equipment, or books for recreation."

Community Team Leaders (CTLs) - Representing Soldiers' Angels at home

Eagle Cane Project - Handmade canes for the wounded

"Inspired in 2004 by a national news story on returning veterans suffering limb loss, Jack Nitz realized that there was something that he could do as a woodcarver and cane maker to demonstrate support for and bring honor to wounded veterans. He conceived of carving symbolic "Presentation" canes - not as an every day use object - but as an artistic representation of support and respect. The Eagle Cane Project was born in 2004 at Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarvers Association meetings and has since spread to a nationwide network of carving associations.

Where possible, canes are made by woodworkers in the veteran's home state and presented in person. When that is not possible, Soldiers' Angels covers the cost of shipping these valuable and beautiful canes to their recipients. Since February 2007, Soldiers' Angels has shipped over 229 presentation canes for the Eagle Cane Project nationwide, as well as several boxes of therapy canes for use in rehabilitation facilities. Visit the Eagle Cane Project webiste to request a cane or join the project."

First Response Backpacks - Supplies for wounded in-country
(As referenced above)

Hero Flights - Emergency travel assistance

"Hero Flights' mission is to serve our heroes and their families in times of great need by providing airline flights and other travel accommodations.

When our deployed troops need to get back home immediately because of a death or serious family illness, Hero Flights is activated. When a spouse or parent of a wounded service member needs to get to the hospital where their loved one has been transported, Hero Flights is activated. When the family members or our fallen heroes need to get to their memorials, Hero Flights is activated. These men, women and families have made great sacrifices for us, and we stand ready to assist them at all times. In the first three months of 2008, Hero Flights provided 286 flights, as well as lodging for six families while they visited wounded service members, and transportation for three units to go home on their pre-deployment leave."

Hero Packs - Care packages

"Send Care Packges to your aSoldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman or Any hero!
For a donation of $23, a Hero Pack will be sent out to a new hero to Soldiers' Angels or your hero of choice. This kit includes:

A note from you
Or a thank you for your service letter
1 - Lip Balm
2 - Powdered Drink (Hot Cocoa in the winter, Gatorade in the summer)
2 - Hygeine

Welch's® Fruit Snacks (1), Sun Maid® Raisins (1), Planters® Honey Roasted Peanuts (1), Planters® Sunflower Kernels (1), Kars® Sweet 'N Salty Mix (1), Lowrey's Original Beef Jerky (3), Nature Valley® Oats 'N Honey Granola Bar (1), Kellogg's® NutriGrain Blueberry Cereal Bar (1), Nabisco® Mini Chips Ahoy Cookies (1), Act II Butter Popcorn (1), Nabisco® Ritz Bits® with Cheese (1), Chex Mix (1), Pringles® Original Potato Crisps (1), Pringles® Sour Cream & Onion Potato Crisps (1), Wrigley's® Juicy Fruit Chewing Gum (2), Lifesavers® 5 Flavor (1), Thank you

Plus, you can add one of the following items to the Hero Packs if you would like:

Snack Pack +$6.00

Sand Scarf + $6.00
Cool Scarf + $6.00
AT&T Global Calling Card + $11.00
COMBO: Sand Scarf and AT&T Calling Card + $15.00
COMBO: Cool Scarf and AT&T Calling Card + $15.00
BEST VALUE!!! Add Sand Scarf, Cool Scarf and AT&T Calling Card for an additional $17
10 Otter Pops + $3.00"

K-9 Support - Caring for military working dogs and their handlers

"We are the lifeline of Soldiers' Angels to the U.S. military dog teams, making sure both dogs and handlers have what they need when they need it, whether it be for work or a well-earned break.

Military working dog teams are very special, highly-trained units. The dogs perform important duties such as sniffing out explosives and weapons, chasing down bad guys, and alerting their handlers to danger. A happy dog is a dog that loves his job and does it well, but the dogs can stress out just like their handlers or any other soldier, affecting their job performance. So, we work to help both dog and human have down time, and make sure they know we support them."

Ladies of Liberty - Extra TLC for deployed females

"The Ladies of Liberty team of Soldiers' Angels focuses on the needs of deployed female servicemembers. We understand that females are instrumental in the current war (as in the past), and make special efforts to support them in their missions while showcasing our appreciation for their service. We assist with supplies for their unique health and hygiene needs, and help them experience a few pampering moments to rejuvenate and "be good to themselves."

Letter Writing Team - Personal letters for the deployed

"The Letter Writing Team (LWT) is made up of registered Soldiers' Angels who enjoy writing to our heroes, and who know how important it is to hear your name called at mail call (sadly some soldiers get no mail at all from back home). We select names from those that submit themselves through the Soldiers' Angel website and have indicated that they would like to receive additional support. These soldiers are also assigned an Angel to provide ongoing support, but our team provides them with some extra cards and letters."

Living Legends - Remembering the fallen and their families

"The Living Legends team conducts one of the most delicate and demanding missions of Soldiers' Angels: comforting the loved ones left behind when a warrior falls on the battlefield. Our goal is to make sure families and friends of America's fallen heroes know that they are supported and that their loved ones' sacrifices are honored and respected.

Living Legends began in May 2005 with a very small team of seven dedicated angels. It has grown significantly since then, and is now staffed entirely with trained volunteers.

Members of this special team send sympathy cards to grieving families to convey our compassion and heavy hearts--we reach out and wrap our "Angel Wings" around the families and loved ones who have lost so much. We also offer each family a wreath or live memorial tree to be planted as a symbol of our deepest sympathies and respect for their loss. Our hope is that this tree will grow and flourish, giving the family and friends a living monument to the honor and bravery of their loved one. In addition, we send out "Remembering" emails or cards on the anniversary of a fallen heroe's death, so that their families know we will never forget them and their sacrifice."

Memorial Portraits - Drawings for families of the fallen

"Using the family’s favorite photo, portrait artist Michael Reagan creates professional, custom, hand-drawn portraits free of charge to the families of all servicemen and women who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in America’s War Against Terrorism from portrait artist Michael Reagan."

Operation Birthday Cake - Shipping gourmet birthday cakes to deployed troops

"Thanks to a cooperative project between Soldiers' Angels and Bake me a Wish, deployed service members can receive birthday cakes from patriotic Americans. For every Freedom Cake purchased on Bake Me a Wish, a birthday cake will be sent to a service member in the customer's name. Bake Me a Wish will generously donate their delicious birthday cakes, and Soldiers' Angels will send each one on its way."

Operation Outreach - Supporting families waiting at home

"Although our primary request is for cards and letters of support for family members, Operation Outreach also provides gifts to help with make a birthday or holiday special, coordinates with Angels in local areas to provide ongoing support, links military families with "e-pals" or pen pals who know what they're going through, and provides limited financial assistance in special situations."

Operation Phone Home - Calling cards

"Time with loved ones is one of the most treasured things for a deployed soldier and family. With that in mind, Soldiers' Angels has partnered with AT&T to create special Soldiers Angels/AT&T Global PrePaid Calling Cards. AT&T calling cards are the most widely-accepted phone card in the Middle East, and in some areas they are the only brand that can be used. These special cards include a recorded message of thanks from Soldiers' Angels, and can be used from wherever service members are stationed around the world, on land or at sea."

Operation Top Knot - Handmade gifts & virtual baby showers

"Founded by college student Audri Cid in November 2003, Top Knot is a nationwide network of service clubs and individuals who sew, knit and shop to create gift baskets for infants and expectant mothers in military families. Deployments are difficult on the entire family unit, but even moreso when that family is expecting or has an infant child. Our mission is to commend the women and children at home for their strength, to let them know we are proud of their sacrifices as well as their husbands' and fathers', and most importantly, to do what we can to support them during the emotionally challenging times of deployment.

Our dedicated volunteers knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and design blankets, booties, hats, onesies, bibs, and many more homemade gifts. We also assemble and deliver gift baskets full of goodies such as bottles, diapers, onesies, pacifiers, washcloths, grooming kits, and more. Additionally, we make sure to remember Dad by sending "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl!" bubblegum cigars to wherever he is stationed."

Scarves - Handmade heat and sand protection

"Made of 100% knit cotton, Sand Scarves are used to protect wearers from the elements of the deserts of the Middle East. They keep sand from nostrils and mouth, and when tucked into the shirt, prevent sand from getting inside clothing. They are simple to make, but extremely effective.

Protect face, neck and ears from dust, sand, mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, etc.
Assist with breathing in blowing wind, and protect from sand and other debris
Good for all weather climates
Great for sand, desert and wooded environments

If you would like to help make Sand Scarves, see "How You Can Help" for the link to join the team! If you know of deployed personnel who could use Sand Scarves, or you have questions about the Scarves program that are not answered in the information and links above, please email the Sand Scarves Leader."

SOS:Kids - Helping deployed soldiers help local kids

"In response to these needs and opportunities, Operation SOS:Kids sends humanitarian relief through shipments to American soldiers for distribution to children in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other areas where our heroes are deployed.

Some of the heroes this project has supported:

A sergeant with a medical unit requesting candy and small toys for the children they treat
A first lieutenant requesting school supplies to help get local schools going
A staff sergeant in Afghanistan requesting school supplies and other items to help local children
A tech sergeant seeking items for the children his unit comes in contact with every day

People in war-torn areas have so little and have been through so much. The children need food, clothing, school supplies, and personal hygiene items. And the occasional toy or treat puts a huge smile on a child's face! By reaching out and helping to meet some of their needs, our soldiers can also establish all-important good relationships with the people they're living near and working with--developing the friendship, trust, and intelligence sources that help keep our troops safe and secure in the areas in which they're based."

Tank Support - Helping Veterans Travel to Medical Appointments

"Help a Returning Veteran Get Proper Healthcare!



Thousands of troops are returning home and require regular trips to their local VA Hospital for evaluation, treatment or rehabilitation, and regular healthcare. However, these vital trips can be a financial burden for some veterans. Now SVM and the Soldiers’ Angels VA Team are stepping up to help with the Tank Support program.


Grateful Americans can help give a veteran some “tank support” by purchasing gasoline gift cards from SVM. All gift cards received will be used to help ensure returning OEF/OIF veterans get the regular checkups and medical care they need, and SVM donates $1 to the Tank Support effort for each purchase made through their website (up to $10,000).

“It’s so important that our returning heroes get regular evaluations"

Valour-IT - Adaptive laptops for the wounded

"Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries."

VA Crochet & Craft - Handmade comfort & dignity for hospitalized Vets

"The VA Crochet & Craft Team makes and sends lapghans (blankets), hats, scarves, trach/stoma bibs, catheter bag covers, ditty bags, wheelchair/walker totes and slipper socks to VA medical facilities around the country. Members use their sewing, knitting, crocheting and other crafting skills to help provide comfort and dignity to hospitalized veterans while showing them that they are loved and remembered."

Veterans Support - Assisting veterans facilities

"The Soldiers Angels Veteran Affairs Support Team assists patients at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, nursing homes and Stand Downs. This support can range from visiting patients to providing comfort items and clothing, to sponsoring special events like BBQs or assisting VA facilities with large-scale efforts to improve in-patients' quality of life."

Wounded TLC - Letters and care packages for the wounded

"The Wounded TLC Team is comprised of registered Soldiers’ Angels who want to make a big difference and lend support during the difficult time when a hero is ill or wounded. Knowing they continue to be remembered when no longer deployed can be a huge boost to wounded warriors who face months and years of recovery.

This team is the core of the Wounded Warrior Support efforts of Soldiers' Angels, and a vital part of helping the wounded recover both physically and emotionally for their challenges. Team members send cards and letters of support to service members who are sometimes suffering catastrophic injuries and need to know they are not forgotten. The only commitment is to send a card/letter a week. Individual packages are not sent, but sometimes there are requests for supplies for hospitals or a particular soldier's need."

Boy finds forgotten gun, accidentally shoots self in head

"MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- A Florida boy remains in stable condition just days after he found his parents' long-forgotten handgun in a closet and accidentally shot himself in the head.


Police are deciding whether or not to charge parents after their son found a forgotten gun and shot himself.

Sheriff's detectives in Pinellas County, Florida, near St. Petersburg, say the boy found the .25-caliber European semi-automatic handgun in a box in a closet in their home."

Okay.

As a responsible parent, how the fuck do you "forget" you own a loaded fucking gun? How do you not know EXACTLY where it is and whether it's loaded or not 24/7?

You have to prove knowledge of applicable laws and demonstrate before a qualified instructor that you know how to operate a vehicle safely before you can be granted a license to operate a motor vehicle.

But any ignorant, hillbilly, fucktard with a pocketfull of cash can buy a gun and have a kid.

That's fucked up.

There's A Gay Storm Cumming!

I Love Janeane Garofalo

Things That Make Me Happy and Give Me Hope

THE RETURN OF DIALOGUE

"Obama: 'We can move U.S.-Cuban relations in a new direction"

"Obama: U.S. Seeks 'New Beginning' with Cuba"

"Obama eases Cuba travel restrictions"

"Obama, Venezuela's Chavez shake hands at summit"

"If Chavez initiates talks, Obama would likely agree"

"Obama offers Iran 'the promise of a new beginning"

THE RETURN OF RATIONALITY

"Obama Ends Stem Cell Research Ban"

"Obama Makes Climate Change a National Priority"

"Obama selects Steven Chu as Energy Secretary"

"Barack Obama: Advancing the Frontiers of Space Exploration"

THE RETURN OF OVERSIGHT

"Key Obama financial regulation reform proposals"

"Obama: Fix market regulation"

THE RETURN OF AMERICAN VALUES

"Obama publishes 'torture' memos"

"Obama releases torture memos that guided CIA"

"Bush Torture Memos Released By Obama: See The Complete Documents"

"Obama orders Guantanamo Bay closed, bans torture"

Conservatives Are Freeloaders!

Conservatives want to accumulate wealth, and enjoy all of the other advantages of living in a free, safe, capitalist society without having to pay for any of the physical, legal or societal infrastructure that makes that way of life possible.

They want to be absolutely free and unfettered to manipulate us and sell us shit and devise creative ways to separate us from our money to enrich themselves.

They want to ride us like Red Pollard rode Sea Biscuit without so much as a happy-finish rub down after the race.



But they don't want to be taxed to pay for the Interstate Highway system that makes commerce possible. That's "pork".

They don't want to be taxed for Unemployment Benefits, Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security because that's "socialism". Never mind the fact that the people collecting those benefits are folks on the edge of poverty that the conservatives fired to increase their profit margins so that they don't have to give up one of their 7 houses.



They don't want to be taxed to provide full medical end education benefits to the young men and women who serve in our Armed Forces and keep our country safe. "It's an all volunteer force! Nobody forced them to enlist! We paid them, put a roof over their heads and gave them 3 MREs a day. They knew what they were getting into! What's the problem?"



They don't want to be taxed to provide full medical and education benefits to the citizens of this country who work their asses off to make the rich richer. Shit happens. If you get bad sick, be prepared to sell your house, your car and beg everyone in your family and town to do the same so you can afford the medical treatments that MIGHT keep you alive from the doctors who make over $250,000.00 a year.

They don't want to be taxed to fund the basic research conducted by scientists and students at our universities that make the major scientific breakthroughs that create new products, new markets, and new opportunities for new wealth. I feel compelled to remind all readers that the precursor to the Internet that you are using right now was the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) which was tax payer funded research project. It was not a "small business, entrepreneurial" effort.

They don't want to be taxed to fund government institutions designed to look over their shoulders to make sure they aren't lying to people and stealing their money. They have been enabled in this by 8 years of the Bush administration. Which is exactly why we are where we are today. Because we let the financial industry run wild, create "vapor wealth", while the people in charge looked the other way knowing that as soon as they got out of government service they could hump that pooch for all the cash it was worth.



Today, these selfish, greedy conservatives are overestimating the attendance of other selfish, greedy, brainless Fox-Zombies at their inherently racist "Tea Parties".

I say racist because the Boston Tea Party on which these "Taxed Enough Already" protests are modelled involved colonists committing what were at the time criminal acts while dressed in such a way as to deflect the blame to our indigenous population.

"It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominated the tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and hands with coal dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I first appeared in the street after being thus disguised, I fell in with many who were dressed, equipped and painted as I was, and who fell in with me and marched in order to the place of our destination."

If they were true patriots, why did they try to blame Native Americans? Why didn't they stand up and declare themselves as True American Patriots and consequences be damned!

Because just like the Tea-Baggers faux-protesting today, they are hypocrites. They want the benefits of America without paying the costs to support America.

You want "small government"? I have a role model for you. Somalia. They haven't had ANY government in 18 years! It's a Republican paradise! Unfettered capitalism! Entrepenuers Gone Wild!



Freeloaders.

Finally. The Supremacy of Rationality.

As you may know, I follow a handfull of radical, right wing blogs.

The most rabid, foaming at the mouth, insane, right wing nut job is without a doubt "Mike's America".

This guy had his panties in a twist over (his headline) "Michelle and Barack Behaving Like Low Rent Tourists at London Summit"

Putting aside for a moment the blatant racism in referring to our President and First Lady as "low rent tourists", let's look at his specific complaints.

These two were supposed to improve our image around the world?

"With all the faux pas coming from both Michelle and Barack Obama during the London summit one wonders whether it might be necessary to install a teleprompter in the room to give them instructions.

Curt has the photo of Obama bowing to the Saudi King in the presence of other world leaders. No previous American President has ever bowed to a foreign leader. Doing so here suggests submission to the ruler of the land of Islam's holiest sites. But of course we all know Obama is not a Muslim (he told us so didn't he?) so why bow?"

Again, you have this not-so-subtle suggestion that our President is some sort of Manchurian Candidate Muslim sleeper agent. I'm no expert on diplomatic protocol, but paying respect to the leader of another soverign nation, especially at the first meeting, seems entirely appropriate to me.

Every American President on an international diplomatic trip is coached on what to do and what not to do to show respect and not give offense to the leaders of other countries. Foreign Leaders coming to the United States recieve similar coaching from their advisors on how to engage and address our president.

For President Obama to give a brief, polite (not subservient) bow to the King of one of our allies (that's a whole other issue...don't even get me started) at a G20 Summit does not seem to be that big of a deal.

Certainly not as big of a deal as President Bush holding the same King's hand on a long, romantic walk at the ever so private and secluded Camp David.





You tell me, who comes away with more Presidential dignity intact...Obama or Bush?

Then there was the whole matter of Mchelle Obama "touching" the Queen of England! Egads! What cheek! Rather! Bloody Hell!



Michelle Violates Royal Protocol By Embracing the Queen

"Nearly everyone but a Chicago politician's wife knows you don't go up and touch the person of the British Monarch. It... is... just... not... done!"

[xo - he says this as if he were still a subject of the British Crown! Such righteous indignation!]

"But Michelle Obama did it and the usual apologists are knocking each other over trying to make excuses."

[xo - Apparently, the "usual apologists" include Buckingham Palace - "It was a controversial moment as Michelle Obama broke royal protocol and puts her arms around Queen Elizabeth II. However, what may be unclear to some is that it was the Queen who first made the warm gesture of friendship, putting her arm around the First Lady.


The now-controversial embrace happened at a Buckingham Palace reception for world leaders. No one can remember a similar gesture by the Queen during her entire 57 year reign.

Traditionally, no one is supposed to touch the queen so informally, but a Buckingham Palace spokesman told INSIDE EDITION:

"It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation between the Queen and Michelle Obama. There is no offense. There's no breach of protocol."]

But apparently Mike disagrees.

"Whatever you want to say about former President and Mrs. Bush they knew how to behave. They were well schooled in the do's and don't of protocol and formal events. Barack and Michelle are proving to be embarrassing bumblers who are making the U.S. a laughingstock overseas."

*** sputter ***

"They were well schooled in the do's and don't of protocol and formal events"

Oh, so George Dubya Bush just knew that German Chancellor Angela Merkel secretly wanted an impromptu shoulder rub from the American President in front of the international press at the G8 Conference?



"How 'bout you Berlusconi? You want a shoulder rub?"



Oh yes. Such dignity.



Apparently it is also OK to spew obscenities about one country to the leader of another country while chomping around a mouthful of food like a Ray County hillbilly. Nice!

Obama is absolutely right to be apologizing to Europe and the world for the last 8 years of arrogance on the part of the United States.

I hope we keep apologizing until the rest of the world only vaguely remembers that brief, embarassing, and ultimately inconsequential period of history when The United States of America suffered through 8 years of temporary insanity, completely abandonded everything it ever stood for, and sank to the lowest depths of the enemies it swore to fight against.

It's time to start the long, slow climb out of the deep hole of shame and hypocrisy we have dug for ourself.

A Public Service Announcement

This is Frodo Baggins

This is Frodo Baggins on crack

Don't do crack.

That is all.

The Stupid, It Burns

BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- A polar bear attacked a woman at Berlin Zoo Friday afternoon after she climbed a fence and jumped into its habitat during feeding time, police said Saturday.


The bear attacks the woman during feeding time at the zoo.

One adult polar bit her several times after she plunged into the moat, police said.

Zoo workers tossed rescue rings toward the woman to hoist her out and distract polar bears swimming nearby, said Goerg Gebhard, a Berlin police officer.

"They saved her life," Gebhard told CNN.

The woman was severely injured and was being treated at a hospital, police said.

It's unclear why the woman entered the bear habitat, but police issued her a citation for trespassing.

Vintage Neckties Make a Come Back

After seeing my uber-cool Silver Surfer tie hanging in my closet, my 15 year old daughter, young Galadriel Tanqueray Onassis, asked if she could wear it.

So I put it on, tied it for her, slipped it over my head and let her have it.

She liked the way it looked on her and asked if I had any more ties.

Of course, I do. I worked for the biggest telcom in the world for almost 20 years. Suits and ties were required. "Dress down Friday" just meant that you could wear Dockers, a dress shirt and a sport coat without a tie.

I gave away all of my suits years ago, but I still had a rack of ties. So I pulled out a few I thought she might like.

The first was the one I always thought of as my "12th & Vine" tie.


It had a cool jazz vibe and brought me comfort in the cultural desolation that was Corporate New Jersey in the late '80's.

She declared it hideous and wanted nothing to do with it. Fine! H8R! Whatevies!

She likes The Beatles so I thought she might like this tie.


Yeah, she didn't get the connection either, so I had to show her the label.


Didn't matter. She still thought it was stupid and didn't want it.

So I pulled out one of my old favorites.


She liked that one a lot!

So now she has this one and the Silver Surfer tie in her stylin' teen wardrobe. I wonder if she'll notice the name on the label.


That's right. Its a Jerry Garcia tie.

Because, as we all know, Garcia's biggest claim to fame was being a well-groomed, GQ clothes-horse who refused to perform or be photographed in anything approaching "casual attire".







As for necktie knots, I use the Half Windsor.

This Is Interesting

I stumbled across a quiz on beliefnet.com that matches you up with a religion. Kind of like Yahoo Personals, but it hooks you up with a God.

So I'm going to call this a meme and ask whoever is interested, particularly people of faith, to go and take the quiz, post the results on their blog, and then talk about how that matches up with their denominational choice or inherited faith.

Not doing this to make fun of anyone...not my purpose at all, I just think it will be interesting and informative.

For instance, I'm not at all surprised by my top match of Secular Humanism at 100% (although I like to think of it as Secular Hedonism because that's just how I roll).

Nor am I surprised by the bottom match of Jehovah's Witness at 4%. Howver I'm curious where the 4% match comes from.

But the fact that Roman Catholic was only 2 steps above Jehovah's Witness was interesting.

The fact that Jainism came in at 18 with 21% was surprising considering I have no fucking idea what Jainism is. Is it the belief in a goddess named Jain? Is she a librarian? Tell me more!

I do like the fact that Scientology came in at least two steps above ANY flavor of Mormonism. That's reassuring.

Go. Take the quiz. Have fun! But don't take the results too seriously.

1. Secular Humanism (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (93%)
3. Nontheist (76%)
4. Liberal Quakers (74%)
5. Theravada Buddhism (67%)
6. Neo-Pagan (64%)
7. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (59%)
8. New Age (49%)
9. Taoism (47%)
10. Reform Judaism (43%)
11. Orthodox Quaker (37%)
12. Mahayana Buddhism (36%)
13. Baha'i Faith (30%)
14. Sikhism (30%)
15. Scientology (29%)
16. New Thought (27%)
17. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (23%)
18. Jainism (21%)
19. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (20%)
20. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (17%)
21. Seventh Day Adventist (15%)
22. Eastern Orthodox (14%)
23. Islam (14%)
24. Orthodox Judaism (14%)
25. Roman Catholic (14%)
26. Hinduism (10%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (4%)

Social Media

This is all Meesha's fault. As are most things.



He went and got his yak-hair panties in a twist over a cyber-media event promoting the Fork & Screen in Olathe. I'm not linking to them for reasons that will become apparent later. Pay attention.

This is a new movie theatre where you can be distracted and annoyed by wait staff coming and going and talking while you and a bunch of people you don't know make lots of noise eating an over-priced dinner and watching an over-priced movie.

Imagine trying to watch a movie you really want to see during Thanksgiving dinner, except it's not Thanksgiving, you had to pay extra for the movie and extra for the food, and you don't know none of these motherfuckers.

That's what I imagine the Fork & Screen to be like.

Anyway, Meesha put a post up on his blog cynically wondering how many gullibly positive reviews published by bloggers were influenced by the free tickets and preferential, pre-opening treatment they received. This generated a bunch of comments and a vigorous debate ensued.

Then Shane Adams decided he needed to jump in with a post on his blog defending commercial manipulation of social media.

Here is what all this bullshit comes down to.

Somebody comes up with a cool "social media" app like Twitter, or Face Book, or MySpace and it takes off as the Next New Thing. It spreads. All of us techno-geek early adopters pick it up and run with it. It feels good because we are out in front of everyone else, doing our own thing and creating something new.

Then the Marketing Fucktards catch up to us. They see all of this free and open communication occurring. And, being Marketing Fucktards, their first thought is "How can we piggyback on this shit and manipulate it, without people knowing we are manipulating it, and use it to sell our useless crap to people for $19.95 (But wait! There's more!) so as to make the rich fuckers we work for even richer?"

Then they get defensive when the native inhabitants of this new environment call shenanigans on their intrusive abuse of the media.

One of the sweet things about Twitter is you choose who you want to follow. If you don't follow someone, you won't see whatever they tweet.

Which sounds GREAT, in theory. But it's not quite that simple. I'm sure you know about the Six Degrees of Separation theory.

"Six degrees of Separation (also referred to as the "Human Web") refers to the idea that, if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth. It was popularised by a play written by John Guare."

So, Acme Marketing's sole purpose in life is to spread viral advertising via Twitter. But I don't follow @acmemarketing so I won't be subject to their bullshit, right?

Oh no, my friends. Because other people DO follow @acmemarketing. And they have people who follow them. And those folks have people who follow THEM! So eventually, I get a "retweet" (a tweet beginning with RT where someone gets something they want to share, so they copy it and send it out to everyone who follows them).

But here's the thing.

I do not wish to be marketed to via a media that I pay for, nor do I wish to have my responses collected and quantified for the enrichment of others.

I have a plan for combating this. In a blatant marketing counter-strike, I call it The XO Plan.

If you are on Twitter and you get a tweet that contains unwanted marketing, advertising, polling or otherwise commercially manipulative information, stop following them.

If you are a blogger and you start receiving similar stuff in your Google Reader (are you not using Google Reader? Seriously? You really, really need to.), then delete that feed.

If you are on MySpace or Facebook...then do whatever the fuck MySpace and Facebook users do to block shit they don't want to get. I have no idea. I hate MySpace and Facebook.

You do what you like, but I am shutting these fuckers out of my cyberlife. I will be culling my blog feeds and twitter following links of anything that reeks of commercialism.

It's bad enough that marketers reach into my home via broadcast TV, cable TV (that I pay for), and even into the movie theatre (that I pay even more for) with their commercials.

Now they are reaching into my fucking pocket where I carry my cell phone with offers to sell me shit. My front pocket is uncomfortably close to my back pocket where I carry my wallet. I'm sure they are working on a way of infiltrating this market as well.

"We know that if you knew our product existed, you would want it! So we are going to just go ahead and take the money right out of your billfold and send you our product! It's not robbery! It's proactively e-fulfilling your anticipated needs via a minimally interactive interface. You're welcome! You're convenience is our highest priority!"

I will firewall my life from marketing, advertising and media manipulation to the greatest degree possible.

Go sell gullible somewhere else. I'm too busy tweeting inappropriate comments to librarians to fall for your marketing ploys.

The Three Stooges

O'Reilly, Hannity & Beck.

The Triumvirate of Stupidity.

The Critical Mass of Spin.

These are my favorite sitcoms. Watching these flaccid, impotent, hate filled, narrow minded, bigoted, gas bags, foam at the mouth and try to find creative, new ways to scream racist epitaphs, generate FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) and divide the country is FUNNY AS HELL!

Because NO ONE IS LISTENING! They are on the last ship of conservatism sailing into oblivion, yelling back to the people on the shore who have turned their backs and headed in a new direction.

The People have spoken. We tried Your Way.

It resulted in an unwinnable, undeclared war on a military tactic rather than an actual enemy.

It resulted in us walking away from everything this country used to stand for.

It resulted in the United States of America imprisoning and torturing people in perpetuity without a single shred of credible evidence of any wrong doing.

It resulted in a complete stripping away of any assumed right to privacy or anonymity of American citizens.

It resulted in spreading our military forces so thin, for so long, that we are no longer a credible military threat to anyone and everyone knows it except us. This is why Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons and North Korea is about to launch a "satellite". Because they don't think we can do anything about it. And they're right! We can't!

It resulted in rampant, unregulated, corruption and greed in the financial industry that has completely bankrupted this country and thrown over 8% of the population into unemployment. And it ain't over. Unemployment will top 10% before we hit bottom.

It resulted in a Fuck You Culture. "I have mine, fuck you! Go get yours, if you can, I could give a shit."

Well, the pendulum has swung the other way and it is your own fault if it smacks you square in the balls.

The political winds and the ethnic demographic of this country have changed. For the better.

Buh bye bigoted, old, conservative, religious, white, Republicans. Have fun stormin' the castle!

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Required Reading

Founding Faith: How Our Founding Fathers Forged a Radical New Approach to Religious Liberty

by Steven Waldman




Terry Gross interviewed the author here.

Fresh Air from WHYY, February 16, 2009 · Author Steven Waldman writes that the religious basis for the United States is "religious liberty" rather than Christianity. Waldman describes "religious liberty" as the practice of promoting faith by leaving it alone.

NOTE: Do a text search of The Constitution. You will not find the words "god" or "creator" anywhere in the document that legally defines our country and which our presidents are sworn to protect and defend.

The founders of our country went to great pains in the text of our Constitution to ensure that there was NO religious rhetoric or hyperbole. We were founded as a SECULAR NATION that

respected the beliefs of ALL of it's citizens.



Constitution for the United States of America

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article. I.
Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons [Modified by Amendment XIV]. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof [Modified by Amendment XVII], for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies [Modified by Amendment XVII].

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December [Modified by Amendment XX], unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section. 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States;[2] If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; — And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section. 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws; and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article. II.
Section. 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President [Modified by Amendment XII].

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected [Modified by Amendment XXV].

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: — "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section. 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article. III.
Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; — to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; — to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; — to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; — to Controversies between two or more States; — between a State and Citizens of another State [Modified by Amendment XI]; — between Citizens of different States; — between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. IV.
Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section. 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due [Modified by Amendment XIII].

Section. 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate [Possibly abrogated by Amendment XVII].

Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article. VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, The Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson
Secretary

done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

Go. WASHINGTON — Presidt.
and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire {
JOHN LANGDON
NICHOLAS GILMAN
Massachusetts {
NATHANIEL GORHAM
RUFUS KING
Connecticut {
WM. SAML. JOHNSON
ROGER SHERMAN
New York . . . .
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
New Jersey {
WIL: LIVINGSTON
DAVID BREARLEY.
WM. PATERSON.
JONA: DAYTON
Pennsylvania {
B FRANKLIN
THOMAS MIFFLIN
ROBT MORRIS
GEO. CLYMER
THOS. FITZ SIMONS
JARED INGERSOLL
JAMES WILSON
GOUV MORRIS
Delaware {
GEO: READ
GUNNING BEDFORD jun
JOHN DICKINSON
RICHARD BASSETT
JACO: BROOM
Maryland {
JAMES MCHENRY
DAN OF ST THOS. JENIFER
DANL CARROLL
Virginia {
JOHN BLAIR
JAMES MADISON jr
North Carolina {
WM. BLOUNT
RICHD. DOBBS SPAIGHT
HU WILLIAMSON
South Carolina {
J. RUTLEDGE
CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY
CHARLES PINCKNEY
PIERCE BUTLER
Georgia {
WILLIAM FEW
ABR BALDWIN
In Convention Monday, September 17th, 1787.

Present

The States of

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, MR. Hamilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Resolved,

That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and that it is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legislature, for their Assent and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which have ratified the same, and a Day on which the Electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution. That after such Publication the Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Constitution.

By the Unanimous Order of the Convention

Go. WASHINGTON — Presidt.
W. JACKSON Secretary.


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Notes:
1. The title was not a part of the original document. It was added when the document was printed.

2. Our scanned images show this as a semi-colon, but an image at a congressional site shows a comma.


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Original date: 1995 September 25 — Updated: 2002 April 3