"Butterflies are free to fly and so they fly away"

I wish I were a butterfly!

"we can go forward with confidence..."

"...because the State of our Union is strong, our cause in the world is right, and tonight that cause goes on."

As is my custom, I shall post a couple of my favorite quotes from last night's State of the Union address. Obviously, the theme of the speech was "hope and opportunity." I am not sure how many times the President used that phrase, but it seemed like each time he began a new topic, he used those words. Interesting choice, I thought, considering we are still in the middle of a war and we sill be sending more guys into those war-torn countries.

"American foreign policy is more than a matter of war and diplomacy. Our work in the world is also based on a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required."

"Congress has changed, but our responsibilities have not. Each of us is guided by our own convictions – and to these we must stay faithful. Yet we are all held to the same standards, and called to serve the same good purposes: ...to guard America against all evil, and to keep faith with those we have sent forth to defend us. "

"over 90 percent of earmarks never make it to the floor of the House and Senate – they are dropped into Committee reports that are not even part of the bill that arrives on my desk. You did not vote them into law. I did not sign them into law. Yet they are treated as if they have the force of law."

(as R. would say: "dis, dis!")

"For too long our Nation has been dependent on foreign oil. And this dependence leaves us more vulnerable to hostile regimes, and to terrorists..."

"America is on the verge of technological breakthroughs... These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment – and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change" .

(is he joining the Gore camp?)

"And the United States Senate has a duty as well – to give those nominees a fair hearing, and a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor."

(I could not believe the Democrats booed this one. Maybe we should advocate an unfair, delayed system so we can get the Democrats on board... I mean, come on, people!)

"With the distance of time, we find ourselves debating the causes of conflict and the course we have followed. Such debates are essential when a great democracy faces great questions. Yet one question has surely been settled – that to win the war on terror we must take the fight to the enemy."

Our success in this war is often measured by the things that did not happen. We cannot know the full extent of the attacks that we and our allies have prevented – but here is some of what we do know: We stopped an al Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the tallest building on the West Coast. We broke up a Southeast Asian terrorist cell grooming operatives for attacks inside the United States. We uncovered an al Qaeda cell developing anthrax to be used in attacks against America. And just last August, British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up passenger planes bound for America over the Atlantic Ocean. For each life saved, we owe a debt of gratitude to the brave public servants who devote their lives to finding the terrorists and stopping them.

(hear, hear!)

Every one of us wishes that this war were over and won. Yet it would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our own security at risk. Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory.

(I think this one was my favorite of the evening)

There were a number of other interesting things said, but my goal here is not to post the entire speech, so here is where I shall end it. Overall, given the circumstances, I thought it was a good speech.

Rio De Janero may be the place to go!

If you want to sell your hair that is. Apparently, you can get as much at "$250 for top-quality hair extensions." A couple of theives thought it was worth it to steal some lady's hair as they rode the public bus together. What will criminals think of next?!

Red-neck Holiday... NOT!

Upon arriving in NC, I saw (to no surprise) a "port-a-john" decorated for Christmas.
Soon after that, a tree that had fallen smiled at me as I walked down the street.

And while this seemed to confirm my suspicion that I was in red-neck territory, the assuption was far from the truth! After walking through the neighborhood for a little while, I came upon my house. It was perfect in EVERY way (complete with a pool in the backyard!).

And finally, as I walked down streets named Westwood, Eastchester, Ferndale, and Hillcrest, and traipsed about on the country club golf course, I realized this is a definitely an UP-SCALE neighborhood! I am proud to say I know someone who lives there. =P
 

Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

"An Australian zoo has put a group of humans on display..." Reuters reported yesterday. The name of the exhibit is Big Brother behind bars. Why any human being would degrade himself and willing choose to be treated like an animal is beyond me! There was a time when man took his place over the animals as was intended from the beginning. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (Gen. 1:26) But now some would rather "relate" to their "poor, exploited, ancestors." Also in the news was an article about how NJ wants to take the phrase "no idiot or insane person should enjoy the right of suffrage" out of their constitution so that people with some mental disabilities won't be barred from voting. I think the truth is that 50% of the population falls into that category (ok, so that is a bit of an exaggeration, but I can't help being frustrated by the absolute stupidity of my on genus).

Eragon

Ok, so I had NO desire to see this movie whatsoever (my little brother wanted to see it and kept talking about it while I was home - I told him "absolutely not!"), but as the irony of life would have it, I did see it. And in the end, I really liked it! For those of you who do not like hocus pocus movies, you will not like it (there are spells and various forms of magic). It was very much on the line of Lord of the Rings (which I totally expected from the previews). The violence was much less graphic, though, and the storyline much less complicated. My favorite part of the whole movie: baby Sephira. I mean, what is cuter than a baby dragon?! =P Here are a couple of memorable quotes:

Eragon: "But I am not without fear."
Saphira: "Without fear, there is no courage."

Durza : "I knew you were young, but I expected you to be more... well, more."

King Hrothgar: "I was expecting someone - "
Eragon: " - more. I know. I've heard it before."