Anti-Americanism Waning In Europe.....

The Washington Times reports that Germany's elections, scheduled for next month, may bring about a realignment in the European Union, with Jacques Chirac's dream of a French-German anti-American alliance in tatters (...he he he) :

A new power lineup in the heart of Europe is expected after the forthcoming German elections, with more accent on trans-Atlantic relations and the role of East European countries.
According to French and German assessments, such a dramatic change would reflect disappointment with French President Jacques Chirac's anti-Americanism and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's political weakness.
Some German analysts say Mr. Chirac's strident opposition to the Iraq war has created a dangerous rift across Europe, pushing the new East European union members toward the United States rather than toward Western Europe. The new orientation is expected to crystallize after Sept. 18 parliamentary elections in Germany, with polls showing that voters favor the conservatives and their leader, Angela Merkel.

Recommended Tequila's....

My preferred type of tequila is reposado. Here are some recommendations.........you can take these babies to the bank.............and sip 'em!

Reposado:
Chinaco (even though it is from Tamaulipus and not Tequila, Jalisco!)
Lapiz
Herradura Antiguo
Casa Noble
Hornito's (best bang for your buck)
Cuervo Tradicional
El Tequileño Especial


Blanco:
Hacienda de Cristero
Patron
El Tesoro de Don Felipe
Cabo Wabo
Las Trancas
Chinaco

Añejo:
Herradura Selección Suprema
Oro Azul Artesanal
Corazon
Chinaco


I will update more later...........enjoy!

Where's Michael Moore now??

IN "FAHRENHEIT 9-11," Michael Moore went around telling members of Congress he was signing their children up to serve in the military (and then conveniently omitted their response if they said they had family members who were serving). I wonder what he would have to say about this son of a leading candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2008:


Teddy Pataki, son of N.Y. State Gov. George Pataki, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marines Corps on Saturday June 25.
Pataki, a 22-year-old native of Peekskill, N.Y., began seeking out information from the Marine Corps in February 2004 during his junior year at Yale. His interest peaked during a mundane summer internship working in a cubicle. He said at that time he wanted something more challenging, more adventurous.
As a football player and fraternity president, his peers respected and admired his choice to take the commission and become a Marine officer, however, it was a shock to Yale - as not that many of the students choose to serve in the military. “It doesn’t affect me,” Pataki said. “This is something that I wanted to do.”
He completed 10-weeks of training at Officer’s Candidate’s School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA in August 2004. “Succeeding in OCS meant a lot to me. IT MEANT MORE THAN GRADUATING YALE because it demanded so much from me as a person. I grew a lot during my time there.”
He added that graduates from Yale have a lot of options, but not all are as rewarding as being a Marine. “I wanted something more exceptional; something that would make the most out of me.”
Although following his family members footsteps at Yale, Pataki wanted to forge his own future after graduating. “The Marine Corps gave me a chance to make my own way. It was a way for me to prove myself,” Pataki said. “I chose the Marine Corps over all the branches because it’s respected throughout the world. It’s an elite brotherhood and I wanted to be a part of that.”
After receiving his lieutenant bars, he humbly admitted this ceremony was not about him, but more so a tribute to the family he is about to join. “The ranks I am privileged enough to join today have made this accomplishment significant through past bravery and loss of Marines throughout American history,” Pataki said.
WELCOME ABOARD, LT PATAKI!

Photos and details here.

Bob Interdonato wins!!

My good buddy Bob Interdonato redeems himself from his mediocre showing at The Memorial Day Golf Championship and wins The Men's Club championship at Dobson Ranch last weekend by 2 shots. BBOD (Bobby Bag 'o Donuts) eagles the first hole and goes 2 under from there for final round of four under par 68 to win by 2 shots. Way to go Bob! With rounds like that, we just keep getting more shots from 'ya! Keep it up neighbor!

Iraqi's Stand Against Terrorism

Haider Ajina sends us this translation of an article in yesterday's Kululiraq, an Iraqi newspaper:

Iraqis stood for three minutes of silence yesterday in commemoration of the lives lost in the two attacks in Baghdad Aljadedah and Almusaiyab, which claimed 105 martyrs, 32 of whom were children, and 128 wounded of whom 31 were children.Traffic of thousand of cars stopped in the Allawi & Tahrier area (central Baghdad) as children (from “Baghdad Aljadedah” area) entered “Tahrier” square (with some of the wounded children) carrying Iraqi flags and displaying victory signs in defiance of the terrorists. These children also stood silent for three minutes to commemorate their relatives and friends who died in the homicide bombing attack last week.Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahiem Aljaafary said in a speech regarding this incident: “We will not sway from our path and we will not kneel to those who commit these crimes.” He added, ”We are confident that all nations of this world stand beside us, because to day terrorism does not only affect us Iraqis but the whole world. We Iraqis have the honor of being in the front line in the fight against terrorism."Haider comments:
Tens of thousands of Iraqis stood silent for three minutes in over 130 Fahrenheit heat to commemorate victims of terror and in a sign of unified defiance of terrorism and I have not seen a single report on this. I waited all day Wednesday and all day today and nothing. The news reported the small anti America demonstration by Alsadar and some Baathists in April but some how missed the whole Iraqi nation standing still in defiance of terrorism.When was the last time you heard an Arab leader say that his nation was honored to be in the front lines fighting terrorism?
Good question. The terrorists know that Iraq is the front line in the battle against terrorism; the Iraqis agree. Now if only we could convince the Democrats.

Keep an eye on the U of A....

Why? Dr. Ray Woolsey who runs the Critical Path to Acclerate Therapies Institute (C-Path) at the U of A, has got all of the big pharma companies and biotech firms looking at him with great anticipation. Dr. Woolsey is in the final stages of getting FDA approval for his methodology and processes to cut the amount of time it takes for a drug to be approved by the FDA. Considering it takes approx. 8 years to get a drug approved and billions and billions of dollars, this is phenomenal news for all drug companies. Dr. Woolsey has credibility................the patent of Allegra is his. The U of A finally has something it can be proud of.............

Dierks Bentley rocks......

"Modern Day Drifter" - great album, "Lot of Leaving Left To Do" is my song of the year. Besides, my kids Juul, Daniella and even Derrek rock out to the video whenever it is on. Juul and Daniella know all of the words to the song as well. http://www.dierks.com/

Joke Of The Day: Why The British Were Called "Redcoats"

I dug this one up from the archives..........

"... We should remember the origins, history and tradition of the uniforms worn with pride by militaries around the world.
For example, a long time ago, Britain and France were at war. During one battle, the French captured an English colonel. Taking him to their headquarters, the French general began to question him. Finally, as an afterthought, the French general asked, "Why do you English officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"
In his bland English way, the colonel informed the general that the reason English officers wear red coats are so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.
And that is why, from that day to this, all French Army officers wear brown pants."

France is irrelevant.