(e:Paul) - I was about a week away from entering Officer Training School for the U.S. Air Force before I got my current job. At least you're willing to admit that there is nothing you'd die for... a lot of people with your perspective don't have the guts to admit that. That kind of a retort is a last-resort copout but I respect the fact that you are principled. Even if I disagree with somebody 110% on an issue if they are principled and do not resort to some kind of moral relativism bullshit then I have an enormous amount of respect for them. Alot of anti-war people don't have principle and are protesting because they think its cool... and no I'm not belittling protesters. Don't try to set up the chickenhawk argument, its old and unapplicable to me.

And stop calling me conservative - I'm moderate. Being pro-war on terror doesn't mean you are conservative. Millions of Democrats are pro-war on terror, and in November the Democrats lost because of this and other issues. Ask me about some social issues and I think your predisposition about me (someone you haven't met, by the way) would be shattered.

I think my views on social issues is my redeeming factor with the liberal girls... when it comes to day to day real-life issues I don't like to see people be oppressed. Gay marriage shouldn't be banned, we should do more for the poor for our country (although a full blown socialist welfare state is unacceptable), at the very least kids should be provided some kind of basic health care, our social system causes us to be overworked, we should find some real and practical energy alternatives so we can put the brakes on global warming or at least shift the blame to India and China (plus give the Middle East and Venezuela the finger, a bonus), and in general I think that we Americans should learn to live with a bit less so that doing something for the common good isn't such a big deal.

Anyhow, onto other non-terror or war related issues. I decided to do the fiscally irresponsible thing and get a forebearance on my $40,000 worth of school loans. I don't want to pay them right now. The problem with education is that you can't win no matter if there is an abundance of or lack of a welfare state. If I wasn't paying $40,000 for school out of my pocket I'd be paying for it partially out of my pocket directly, partially out of someone elses pocket via taxes (fucking unacceptable) and out of my own pocket via taxes.

Bonobo + Lazlo Hollyfeld at Nietzsche's tonight - $10. (e:Jason) and yours truly will be there and if you are into quality instrumental music you won't be disappointed.

My argument is not without logic, although I admit that this is an emotional topic - not just for me, however but for all of us. Suggesting however, that my previous post was an emotional rant etc. was just plain stupid... there is no other way to describe it. I would have expected better from you (e:Paul). (e:Rebecca) however is a peach. :) And I don't mind apologizing, (e:Paul), for calling people that don't think they way I do "unintelligent" - however these same people were very unapologetic about saying the same thing to me when President Bush was elected in November. Thats says more about them than about me.

What I said is not an opinion - its a statement of fact pure and simple. They are going to keep killing people until they are stopped, and if a person thinks that negotiating our way out of this is a workable option I feel sorry for them. I'm not saying that its a perfect world but that is the current reality we are in. I'm also not saying that I like seeing people die. War sucks. War is a necessary evil when you are dealing with people whose only language is violence. Tolerance of these types of people is not only irresponsible but is dangerous in its idiocy. Right now the real world is a violent place, and its not about to change anytime soon. Even if we did what liberals wanted, and just GIVE UP... these same people are going to keep doing the same things. Thats unacceptable to the American public.

Our natural reaction as Americans is to fight back if someone slaps us in the mouth. With my job I've been able to actually physically meet, see, shake hands with and eat with mainstream Americans - unfortunately most in Buffalo, the northeast, or those in California don't get that chance. They don't buy what the left is selling concerning how we should handle the war on terror. Mainstream America isn't stupid - they see the left acting this way and is a primary reason why the left can't win national elections. Lets not forget that I used to be liberal (voted for Clinton and Gore), and once I graduated from college I grew up a bit and saw things for how they were, not how I thought they were in my little liberal academic bubble. The real world is a bitch, and its the current real world we are in that some people don't have the intestinal fortitude to deal with.

People that think that George Bush invented terrorism are not being intellectually honest. This is not about 21st C. American politics - this is about a subject that makes liberals very uncomfortable - religion. Religion and also ideology. If you don't trust GWB, fine - thats your opinion and theres nothing wrong with that... I respect it. The subject is much more complicated than blind hatred for a President you don't like.

Anyhow, its funny that I pretty much date 100% liberal girls.

Al Qaeda decided to bomb a train station in London today - 45 people or more are dead, and close to 1000 are injured. These fucking terrorist scumbags aren't going to stop until either we are all dead or they are all dead... my money is on us surviving in the end.

And before I see the less intelligent liberals start saying, "See, see? If we didn't go to Iraq this wouldn't happen!" YOU ARE FUCKING WRONG AGAIN.

Buffalo is a shithole, but its MY shithole. There are things I love about this place, and because of the nature of my job it seems to magnify itself due to a bit of homesickness.

1. When I'm actually home, anywhere I go I see people that I instantly recognize as residents of my neighborhood. I don't give a shit where you go, every time I go places in or around Elmwood you are guaranteed to see people you recognize yet don't know their name. To me that means that the same people that live here also support the local businesses... I love that. I saw 2 (e:peeps) in SPoT Coffee this afternoon, although I couldn't tell you their names. I think one of them might have been (e:Drchlorine) portraying his real-life alter ego.

2. Stupid crazy shit goes on here that I haven't seen anywhere else. The past 2 months have brought me to 3 of the 4 corners of the continental US, many points in between and an international trip... and definitely more interesting things can happen here it seems. Tonight I wrote my name and number on a girls back with a permanent marker. That is cool as hell.

3. Living here is cheaper than in 90% of the United States. Can't hate on that.

Anyway, its been a stinkin' pleasure to be able to stay home for once and know that I have a whole week more of it. My plan is to spend a bunch of money, put my beer goggles on for the 4th, get more color on my pale ass body, use my undeniable charm to woo a lady into the spiderweb known as the rear bedroom at 750 upper front, go to Hardware (haven't been there yet!), and if possible meet more (e:peeps) while I'm actually home.

I <3 U Buffalo!

And I'm planning on working some of that 2-liter bottle of Brugal into my belly... hauling that shit for a week in a half out of Republica Dominicana was a bitch.

Its nice to be home but for me since I spend a majority of my time in other places it actually takes me time to readjust to being here... then as soon as I get comfy again I have to pack my shit and leave.

The hotel I stayed at this week was in a Mennonite community. I have to say though, the hotel was ridiculously nice. The rooms were huge, we had balcony access overlooking a waterfall loaded with goldfish, and the lanterns in the hotel were handmade by a blacksmith that works in the adjacent living history community... complete with leaves and vines made of iron!

This coming Sunday I leave Buffalo once again :( for sunny Southern California. We are staying a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean in Hermosa Beach. I'm getting an iPod before I go, and I have some ideas for music to put on it that I do and do not have...

1. Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits
2. Pink Martini
3. various latin music (bachata is my favorite)
4. Some classic rock
5. MMW's latest
6. Coldplay's latest
7. Some 80's tunes

Anybody have some ideas for my new iPod?

Wait, was the Pink last night or tonight? If its tonight I'm clearly instructing my brother to buy shots for the ladies. Guys... as usual you have to fend for yourselves!

(e:drchlorine) and his opposites day post referring to his ex -

"You were never one for drama. So, how are things going?"

Bravo. Chalk one up for the fella!

P.S. Brodo waitresses aren't that hot at all. And no, that isn't an opposites day comment. If (e:jason) bothered I'd be disappointed. That would be like paying $800 for a can of shitty sardines when for $50 you could go to another locale and get smoked salmon.

Who is that girl that is talking about her clit pulsing? That is making me e-blush! Contrary to popular belief I love feminists.

For sticking up for yourself and not taking any bullshit - if his face looks like it went through a cabbage shredder so be it.

Anyhow, Dominican Republic was great - eventually if (e:jason) helps me post the pics I have I'll share them. I've definitely been bitten by the international travel bug... except for Europe. I truly have no desire to visit there whatsoever.

You'd be surprised about how many companies in the United States utilize some very extensive recycling programs. One of the companies I've visited recycled 100% of their waste products and were able to reintroduce that material back into their product cycle. Its truly amazing to see.

The problem is that the amount of recycling that can be done is highly dependant on the product. Some processes are virtually impossible to introduce extensive recycling programs, however the majority of companies can find at least some way to either recycle waste or use products vital to the process that are harmless to the environment. I was at a furniture manufacturer in St. Louis this past week that used a type of glue that they could pour right down the drain with no problems whatsoever. 2 weeks before that I was at a 3M plant in Kentucky where Post-It Notes are made. This place recycled a vast majority of their waste products. Also, most places that produce injection molded items simply grind up rejects and melt the plastic back down to reuse.

I think companies have a responsibility to their community and their shareholders to pursue this type of thing... for a lot of companies good recycling programs is good business. Learn about manufacturing and come up with some brilliant ideas... maybe one day they will name a recycling process after you!

I see the elmwood blogathon is still rolling along - good to see!

(e:Ladycroft) - some friendly advice. If you are wondering why you attract the lowest percentage of guys in the world, perhaps its because they are sick and tired of hearing from you about how everything they do, think and say is wrong. 99% of the guys I know (college educated, attractive, high earners, hard workers, non-cheaters) would run away from a girl with that attitude in a heartbeat... its a lot easier to just go home and jerk off than deal with that kind of thing. Don't take that as a personal criticism because its definitely not - I'm sure that you are an absolute peach and there is nothing wrong with setting standards... but you need to give these guys a break!

Poor (e:Jason) is left to his own devices 3-5 days a week while I do my new job. The company I work for is very small, but its a specialized and very young industry so I'm excited to be a part of it. Large corporations (Wal*Mart, Levi-Strauss, DKNY, etc.) hire my company to go out to various locations globally to audit their suppliers to ensure they are up to legal and ethical standards so that they don't end up like Kathy Lee Gifford and have egg on their faces. Sweatshops are a BAD thing. We take tours of the facilities, do some OSHA work, interview management, audit their financials to make sure the workers aren't being taken advantage of, we do worker interviews and review personnel files to ensure no illegal aliens are working there, and review a shitload of documents to ensure that these companies are doing right by their employees. The human rights componentof our work is definitely the most important thing - hell, its the entire reason why we do what we do.

The best thing? The travel, definitely. We travel to 27 states and most countries in Central and South America, as well as some select countries in Asia. Mind you, this is not your stereotypical white people vacation package - I leave for the Dominican Republic Monday morning and I assure you that I'll be going places that Americans typically don't go to. However, the good part of that is that I'm getting some experiences that a vast majority of people never will get. Another plus is that because I'm literally the youngest person on the planet doing this work and its specialized, the earning potential for such an intelligent and attractive Northern gentleman like myself is very, very high. Plus, all travel expenses and food are covered so we eat like kings (healthy kings though!).

The worst part? Having to see things that make you nervous for the workers, and some of the squalor that these people live in. Haiti is without question the worst country - Cite Soleil section of Port Au Prince is completely polluted with garbage stacked 20 feet high, raw sewage running along the sides of the dirt roads, dead people stacked on top of said garbage... people literally live like animals out there. It makes you very, very sad to see those types of things - then when you go to where these people work (typically they earn less than $2 a day, $1 of which they have to pay for on-site food) your jaw just drops at how messed up these places are. It makes you appreciate what we have here stateside that much more. Our self-absorbed lives have miniscule problems in comparison. Domestically a big problem is competition with China, who have a laundry list of human rights issues of their own. What am I supposed to say to workers, 75% of which got pink slips because their jobs are moving to China where people make 20 cents an hour... assuming that they aren't bonded laborers or straight up prison laborers? I hate that part.

Granted I do have a lot of international and domestic travel ahead of me, so I don't get to see much of my brother or my humble bachelor pad (best location on the strip... don't hate!). Screw it though... I'm young, unattached and have no looming priorities. By far my favorite place is the southern area of the United States. Don't get me wrong... I love my Buffalo girls... but ladies in the north aren't even on the same radar as the ladies down south!

Keep it real B-lo - when I'm actually home you'll be seeing me on the patio pulling ice cold Coronas out of my cooler! And don't forget - its "Be Good to (e:Jason) Week" every week I'm gone... if I'm not here he won't cook for himself! Haha.