fat outlawed

could you imagine if something like this happened here in the states? talk about a country taking control. is it wrong? think about soaring health costs here in the states due to obesity & i think you'll understand why such an approach would be considered. if people can't control themselves, maybe the government should step in...

beginning to rid the U.S. of trans fats was a good start!

4,000 US soldiers killed in iraq

as a result of the 4 most recent US soldier deaths just reported (march 23 2008), the number of american soldiers reportedly killed in iraq since the beginning of this war is now 4,000. let's put these numbers into perspective... this war was launched just over 5 years ago. (4,000 / 5 = 800) 800 soldiers a year on average have died in iraq. (800/365 days in a year = 2.19) 2.19 is the average number of american men & women killed each day in iraq.

tomorrow when you get up & enjoy our morning breakfast & coffee & then go to work & come home to complain about how hard your day was - think about the two US soldiers that gave their life that day so you could complain about that "hard" day at work.

*** this post was *not* published in support of or against this war, bush, or any candidate running in this year's presidential election. it was simply an observation of the US men & women paying the ultimate sacrifice for what most of us to often take for granted - our freedom. ***

the 1.7 cent penny

i heard this morning on NPR that due to the current cost of copper it costs the U.S. mint (really costs the american tax payer - you & me) almost two cents ($0.017) to create the penny.

once again this has sparked discussion about eliminating the penny altogether. the U.S. mint has already drastically reduced the amount of copper that goes into producing the penny. pick up a penny created in 2008 & one created a few years ago & you'll notice that the 2008 penny is much lighter & thinner than the previous generation of pennies that were manufactured. in fact, the existing penny is only copper plated & the percentage of copper used is only 2.5% & it still costs more to create the penny than it is actually worth.

i for one would be a BIG fan of seeing the penny disappear. i've felt this way ever since my first trip to australia 8 years ago. items that you purchase still ring up in pennies but this is where rounding comes into play. if an item rings up as a $1.77 - you pay a $1.75 & if an item rings up as a $1.78 you pay a $1.80. doesn't it just frustrate the crap out of you when something rings up for a $1.71 & you know that when you hand that cashier a $1.75 you are going to get back 4 dirty old pennies?

i can't stand carrying coins - let alone nasty corroded copper plated pennies. outside of items ringing up for values not easily divisible by 5 what good is the penny? can anyone name something that you can buy with a single penny?

i just don't get the fascination folks have with the penny. is it some significant artifact in U.S. history that we really need to hold on too?

obama is on a roll!

obama has taken 8 straight primaries now & for the first time he has taken a lead over clinton with the number of delegate votes. a lot of folks remarked about mitt romney's exit speech from the race & how he really let it all hang out there & show his true feelings. if you think romney's exit speech was charismatic i hope you got to listen to obama last night in virginia.

images of our early founders, lincoln, & dr. king flashed through my head. he's steadfast on addressing change & hope. as a man, he exemplifies what we refer to as the american dream & the opportunities this land & our government provide for us all. remember he was born to two very young college students. his biological father split when he was two years old. there was never a lot of money - they weren't rich. he worked very hard in school from the beginning - he graduated from columbia & harvard. my point is, the guy worked very hard to get where he is - he earned it!

in last night's speech in virginia he began to say "when i am president" versus "if i am president." it's just a matter of time folks! he won me over again last night when he addressed pumping more cash into education reform (grants to college students). he said he would do it, but these kids would have to work for it - volunteer at VA hospitals, volunteer for community service, join the peace corps, etc. this is what i'm all about. our government should provide assuming we give back too! this isn't what i'm used to hearing from the democrats.

obama & clint are coming to austin next thursday – i can’t wait to see him in person.