Hey Panda-Huggers*...Where's Your Daddy?!?

It looks like our good friends & global partners the North Koreans are at it again. Like a spoiled rotten over-indulged teenage headcase whose parents don't know what or how to deal with...when they want attention or a bigger allowance they kick up a shit-storm & do something destructive & stupid. Now Dear Leader is firing off artillery on a South Korean Island & there have been casualties (read: dead civilians & military). The main reason seems to be a show of strength as he ushers in his retarded son to replace him due to the fact that Dear Leaders physical health is starting to deteriorate to the same point of his mental heath.

Once again what does anyone do...next to nothing. He has 46 South Korean sailors killed...nothing...kills his own people...nothing...engages in all forms of illegal trade...drugs, counterfeiting, arms trade with rogue nations...nothing. Who's going to have to end up doing something? Take a guess...hint...when the world is in trouble who do they call for? When they do something on their own who do they decry? If you guessed America regardless of who & what party is sitting in the Oval Office you would be correct!

So my question is where is our other super awesome friend & global partner...China? If any country can really settle this problem it is China. Make no mistake...they have skin in this game. North Korea went from a proxy during the cold war to a bat-shit crazy nut for a neighbor. The Chinese already have a problem with NK's coming across the border & they don't want it to get worse. So why are they doing next to nothing you ask? Up till now it's been to keep as off balance & as leverage. The question is has North Korea finally crossed the line & can China continue to keep this mad dog on a leash before it bites & defecates all over it's owner...

For any of you Panda-Huggers who think that China is our good friend & partner & has the same goals as we do...sorry but their national interests are not aligned with ours (ie...they want the same resources as we do) & it pays for them to go against us in their quest to be the world's dominant player.

*panda huggers are total China advocates—people who feel that the world's future rests on the country's massive, burly shoulders, that the Western media gives the Chinese Government a raw deal and that China is simply the most exciting place in the world to be right now

Congratulations Nancy, Eric, Ahmed!!!

For those still licking their wounds after Black Tuesday the time to mourn & sulk is over & the time to rejoice begins anew! Ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been elected as the House Minority Leader! Way to go Nancy...you go girl! While Obama may be the leader of the Democratic party is there anyone who would disagree with the fact that it is Nancy who has led the Democratic party to where it sits today?!? Nancy P is the true face of the party today & I wish her the very best in staying the course she has charted & ignoring the wishes & will of the little people!

In other great news a huge win for Holder...Eric Holder...congrats Eric! Ahmed Khanlfan Ghailani (AKG- may have had something really really really minor to do with blowing up 2 US embassies in Africa & killing 200+ people) has been found innocent! That's right innocent of 284 convictions against him! Way to go AKG! Of course he was found guilty of 1 of the 285 & that one could have a prison term of 20 years to life. Please don't fret...his defense attorney Peter Quijano is already planning to appeal the 1 conviction that the jury got wrong! You are so right Peter in stating that our justice system is the greatest ever. Where else in the world can you kill a person, group of people of mass murder hundreds & get the right Left Wing Liberal Lunatic Scumbag to defend you by manipulating loopholes & hearsay & be found innocent!?! I'm guessing after the appeal Petey Q & co can then go after the US Government for 100's millions for wrongful incarceration. Then maybe get AKG a reality TV show & a producer for his music-movie-video game career! Only in American baby! Oh can you just see the beautiful smile spreading across Lynn Stewards beautiful face now! Way to go Eric & Peter...showing the world the awesomeness of our judicial system. Remember...people can always be replaced but a good rules of law with the right lawyers to back'em up...that's priceless(if it's pro bono)!

For those wondering if I was possibly be sarcastic at all here...let's just say I would throw Nancy, Eric, Ahmed & Petey Q in a wood-chipper...after I water-boarded them...with gasoline:)

Volenteer for a Good Cause: Mine...Chocolate

Sometimes it just feels good to do something just because you want to & not just because you're getting paid to do so.  Volunteering to help those less fortunate then you or to help a cause that yo truly believe in can be very rewarding in it's own right. In an act of great selflessness I recently volunteered my time & efforts to bring some joy to others in these trying times. I choose something I really believe in & that would be of great benefit to my fellow man/woman. I volunteered with my cousin at the NY Chocolate Show. Our duties included

Maintaining Chocolate Lounge: We made sure tables were clean, lines for espresso orderly, & crowd control. We also sampled espresso, chocolate & flirted with girls taking a break from eating chocolate. Difficult & challenging, but someone had to do it.

Line Crowd Control: The lines for the Chocolate show even with advanced ticket purchase were very long as were the lines for fellow chocoholics who tried to get in without advance purchase(not a a good idea...you could wait hours if you get in at all). In an effort to soothe the masses samples of chocolates were given out to those waiting on line. Of course as luck would have it they ran out of chocolate samples. Thus, my cousin, our fellow volunteer Faye & I got to give out chocolate hand lotion samples. We were given some lines to use to promote the product & the show. We "somewhat"improvised. I was amazed at how people not only on line but walking by went for the samples. My cousin was practially attacked when he went out on 6th Avenue. Regardless we held strong & did our part to offer those waiting some relief.

Chocolate Show Consultation: Since we were wearing Volunteer Badges...everyone thought we had all the answers to everything about the show. We had some.

After our shift was up we were able to walk the show (while continuing to consult) & sample the various vendors. It was good...but the amount of vendors was a little lighter then usual. One of the highlights was getting to sit in on one of Vikings (shameless plug) cooking/tasting exhibitions. We got to sit in on the Baker Eric Wolitzky of Baked in Red Hook Brooklyn (shameless plug). He's been a contestant on Top Chef Just Desserts.He is a "Baker...not a chef" who happens to be both very good & pretty entertaining. He made a Chocolate Holiday Spice Bundt Cake. We all got a mini bundt sample & it was even better then it sounds.

I went on to purchase Yuca Citrus Chocolates from Payard & Peppermint Bark & Chocolate Espresso Bark from 2Chicks(even more shameless plugging)

All in all the sacrifice of my time & efforts were greatly rewarded & I felt great after with the satisfaction of helping others, supporting a cause I believe in, & stuffing my face with free awesome chocolate.

Shout-out to my cousin's friend Sarah for giving us the opportunity to volunteer & show our support for the Chocolate industry & the joy it brings to others worldwide.

Barrio Chino Review:Killer Margarita's...Literally!

I love hot & spicy food & love to find beverages with some heat in them. Some years back I discovered the Blood Orange Jalapeno Margarita's (some heat...lots of flavor) at Stanton Social. Alexis at Poco mixes some great tasting drinks with some heat as well. However...if you want to both torture yourself & see what you got...then you need to try the Habanero Grapefruit Margarita at Barrio Chino on Broome St in the LES. In all fairness...they are tough to drink at first. The host actually questioned if my cousin & I really wanted them because most people send them back! I had one once before...yet I didn't remember them being so HOT!!! At first my lips lit up on fire...I tried putting them out with coffee w/cream while waiting for the food to come...worked about as well as it sounds. Eventually I started getting used to it & once the ice started to melt to water it down it got pretty good & I liked it (my cousin managed to finish his after adding half a glass of water to it...but he did finish it). So...if you like very spicy & want to try something different I would say give one a whirl...but do not say you were not forewarned...they are brutal upfront! Plus keep in mind they have a large selection of flavors for you & the other girls to drink instead (in this case in all fairness...you may actually want to Lady-up...seriously this drink is only for fellow- fire-breathers)

In regards to the food it's really good across the board. I had the Enchiladas Verde con Pollo & my cousin Rich & buddy Mike had the Chilaquiles Rojos con Bisteca. We shared a few sides including chorizo, spinach & mushrooms(needed something healthy) & the Copa Mexicana which was my favorite. Strips of watermelon, cucumber, & jicama with lime juice, salt & a pinch of chile. Simple...yet so delicious. While they don't have any brunch specials the food is all moderately priced & really good.

In regards to atmosphere it's a pretty cool little place with a long bar, community table & mix of tables for 2 & 4. While the food is all Mexican the place is decorated as if it is Chinese...I think it was a Chinese "on the fringe of Chinatown"deli in a past life. This is also one of those places that always gets a lot of good looking girls...all the time. As for the male population...you'll have to ask the 3 good looking girls sitting at the table across from us (or the 2 heavily tatted ladies across from them) if they felt the same about the male population...especially the table to their right...;)  

I Endorse Nancy Pelosi for Democratic House Leader/MSNBC

I implore that all of you contact your Congressmen/women & urge them to keep Nancy Pelosi as the Democratic House Leader. It is with Nancy's leadership that the Democratic party is where it is today! It is with Nancy's ability to hear what the American people really want & need that the Democratic party is where it is today! It is with Nancy's ability to reach across the aisle & work with the Republican party that the Democratic Party is where it is today! It is with Nancy's otherworldly negotiating skills to move bills through the House that has moved the Democratic party where it is today! Does anyone believe the Democratic party would be where it is this very day without Nancy's leadership! Join me in endorsing Nancy Pelosi for Democratic House Leader!*

As a side note for those of you foolish enough to believe that MSNBC is biased in any way whatsoever towards either party in any way...please see below to set the facts straight!

MSNBC suspends Olbermann for political donations (AP) - 1 hour ago
AP - MSNBC has suspended prime-time host Keith Olbermann indefinitely without pay for contributing to the campaigns of three Democratic candidates this election season.

*P.S. If you have any desire whatsoever to keep Obama in the White House, maintain the hold on the Senate & take back the House...you may want to rethink keeping Nancy on...

Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead/They were just Local Elections/The God Who Bleeds

For a change of pace I'm going to do brief write-ups on yesterdays election results from the Conservative, Progressive, & Independent points of view...& then of course my recap.

Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead

Nancy Pelosi...you're FIRED! In an historic election the GOP with strong Tea-Party backing have taken back the House, made major progress in the Senate & won significant Governorships that will greatly impact the elections in 2012. The American people have sent a clear message to the President & his Administration...You need to "change"...we "hope" you understand you are elected to serve "We the People" & not your partisan interests.

They were just Local Elections

Once again the American people have spoken & they have made it clear that they want & support Obama's agenda to change! Yes, of course there were some local elections that have had a modest effect on the House. The sad thing is that there are still many uneducated, poorly informed by FOX, full of fear, ignorant Americans that want to continue to cling to their religion, guns & hard-earned wages that they are too stupid to know how to properly spend so "We" need to tax it away from them.  While Party Leader Pelosi will no longer be Speaker of the House (now that it's full of Idiots who would want the job?) she can now concentrate on more important Party matters. With Harry Reid's slaughter of his rival in Nevada the Party remains strong! Of course a few Governorships in backwater states went to the GOP, but much like 09 when they won the Jersey Shore Garbage Soprano state of NJ & Scott Brown stole the election in MA...the real story was the HUGE win of NY23 by our party! This election has proven that we are moving the country in the proper direction & that 2012 will be a lock. It's almost not worth having the election other then to humiliate the GOP internationally with the historic landslide victory that yesterdays elections have clearly assured. More importantly though...will be come 2012 we will repeal the must misguided & reprehensible amendment ever passed...the 22nd Amendment! Once 22 is repealed we can continue re-shaping American in our glorious image!

The God Who Bleeds

In Kipling's classic The Man Who Would Be King an English Adventurer is mistaken for a God & treated as such. When it turns out that he can bleed & thus not a God...the people turn on him & he falls into a chasm. Well it looks like Obama can bleed. We "hoped" for "change" & voted for it. We didn't quite get the change we are looking for. Yesterdays elections gave us the chance to say so. We didn't just vote against Obama & his policies we voted against Washington.  As did many others. The current Administration can no longer push through change that "We the People" do not want! They will need to learn to work with the House or come 2012 they will hear our voice again! Furthermore, now that the GOP has the house...they need to step up. They need to come up with real ideas that will contribute to fix our Economy. If not...they will hear from  us as well! Government is elected by the people to serve the people...NOT the other way around!

I hope you all enjoyed my slightly over the top versions of how yesterday was likely viewed. From my humble point of view this is how I see it. A message was clearly sent to Obama that we are less then happy about what he's been up to & needs to change his direction. A message was also sent to the GOP. Get your act together & step up. More importantly I think most of us are sick to death of partisan politics. Our elected officials are elected to represent us...not what they think is good for us. The House win & Governorships were huge for the GOP & I'm glad the Democrats held onto the Senate. This both puts things in better balance & they have to work together. Plus with the Senate in Democratic hands Obama can't blame everything on the GOP if the Economy is still in the gutter. A real question here is can he pull a Clinton & "triangulate"? I'm not a fan of Slick Willie's..but you have to be a total fool not to respect his capabilities as a Politician. I don't know if Obama wants to in the first place or if he even can. I don't think he can do either. I would be fine if he proved me wrong.

Some other key things to take note of are:

40% of Americans are saying that they are with the Tea Party. I guess it's safe to say it's not a fringe movement & it's not going away so fast. Remember, it's named after the Boston Tea Party where we rebelled against "Taxation Without Representation". I hope ALL in Washington on either side of the aisle took note. Dismiss them at your own peril. 

The Governorship wins do not bode well for the Democrats in 2012

Even most Republicans are still pissed off at the Republican party

Only a third of the seats were even up in the Senate in the first place

Californians voted to keep Barbara Boxer a Left Wing Zealot in while the state is bankrupt but shot down  Proposition 19...are they all on crack?


Harry Reid kept his seat...which I think in the long run was a good thing. I'd rather have Harry in charge of the Democrats then Schumer...:) 


I think Marco Rubio was clearly the rising star of the night...but was pretty impressed with Manchin as well. 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Cuomo & hoping he brings change to NY. He could wind up with a star next to his name as well. 



In the end we showed the world why we are the Greatest Nation on Earth. The American people spoke & they spoke loud. We elected "change" & 2 years later put it on notice. Now...as a very wise man once said "The game is afoot"