Fast Wine Facts

1 grape cluster = 1 glass of wine
75 grapes per cluster
6 clusters = 1 bottle of wine
36 clusters = 1 vine
1 vine = 6 bottles (caberent produces smaller clusters, Zinfandel larger)
1800 clusters makes one barrel
1 barrel = 60 gallons
60 gallons = 25 cases
50 vines = 1 barrel
600 vines = 1 acre
1 acre = 5 tons
5 tons = 332 cases

Everything approximated of course, yields will vary based upon the year, weather, etc.

Myth

Let's not debate the War in Iraq for the moment, and just thank our women and men
in our Armed forces for putting their lives on the line to protect our Nation, and thank the many
Veterans who have faithfully served our Nation.

Dina, I agree that I would like to see more soldiers "in the know" find a way to protest the war, ie, like not fighting as an example. That aside I do admire people commiting to the Armed Forces to protect and serve this Country. It's not their fault, we have power mad leadership in the White House.

As we reflect on their sacrifices let's look at what financial sacrifices the Nation is making to supportour troops? We aren't really, at least not today. We are basically passing along this debt to generations upon generations of American's yet to be born into this world.
Let's dispel once and for all the myth that Democrats are Tax and Spenders and Republicans are fiscal conservatives. It is Presidential administrations that propose the annual budgets
of this Nation, not Congress.

President Reagan increased the National debt from $930 Billion, to $2.602 Trillion (8 years).

President Bush 1 increased the National debt from $2.602 Trillion to $4.064 Trillion (4 years).

President Clinton increased the National debt from $4.064 Trillion to $5.674 Trillion (8 years).

A large increase in absolute dollars, but the % added to the debt declined every year in
office (1.2% in 2000).

President Bush 2 has raised the National debt from $5.674 Trillion to $8.506 Trillion in his first 6 years in office. Current projections show National Debt climbing to $9.848 Trillion by the time Bush 2 leaves office.

The numbers don't lie, Politicians do.

Ideology over Safety

I noted today, an Associated Press report, that our Military has terminated 3 more U.S, Soldiers. Experts in the Arabic language. "Linguists" who search for hints of Terrorist plots against American interests. They were relieved from Duty under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy (regarding their sexual persuation).

To date, the Military has terminated 58 Arabic linguists under this "don't ask, don't tell"
policy.

Let me get this straight (pun intended). We have loyal military personnel, who are willing to protect our national interests against, Terrorist efforts, yet we are going to put our country at a greater risk of Terrorist attack because people who can protect this Nation have a sexual persuation, that is supposedly sinful, and therefore unfit for Duty. However they are fit for Duty if they stay in the closet.

So it's ok to die for your country if you don't make it evident which side of the plate you Bat from.

Ok, homophobes, here's a question for you? Do you think we have Homosexuals in Congress or the Executive Branch? You betcha. Guaranteed both places.

Do we have people in the CIA, FBI, NSA who are homosexuals? You betcha.

Do we have Border Patrol, or Coast Guard personnel who are homosexuals that are protecting our borders? You betcha.

Do we have Sheriff's, or local, State Police who are homosexuals? You betcha.

Do we have clergy who are closet homosexuals? You betcha.

Are you going to stick your head up your arse and pretend they aren't there, and assume all is ok, as long as you don't really know? You bet you are.

Here's a scenario for you. Assume you are being assaulted on a dark street, by someone holding a deadly weapon, and you are screaming for help, and someone runs up to save your life or your virtue. Are you going to accept their help unconditionally, or are you going to ask them first, "you aren't Gay are you?" If they tell you first, they are Gay, but will save you, you aren't going to say "ewww, you fag, go away". You are going to let them save you, then you are going to continue to live your life, in your holier than thou way, aren't you?

That my friends, is Wingnuttery in it's finest.

Hello McFly. Who's running this insane asylum? Don't answer that.

I already know.

An email from my sister and my response

This is a comment by Jay Leno and if you aren't a fan of him it is worth reading anyway.

We don't often stop to think about what we have and more always think about what we don't have. "The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. & nbsp;The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed peoples on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative." "With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunders storms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" Jay Leno

My reply.

Sharon, thanks for sending this out. Yes, upon reflection there is a lot to be happy with in life, and too many Americans view their situation through pessimistic eyes. Too many Americans expect someone else to take care of them, because they have an inflated sense of entitlement, and lack of accountability for their actions.

The primary fallacy of the argument is that just because Americans are not happy with the President, has nothing to do with how you and I, or anyone feels about themselves or their lot in life..

Just because I happen to think dubya is a childish, petulant, mama's boy, has nothing to do with how happy I am, or how happy I am with my family, or my quality of life.

Is the President responsible for my running water, my job, my air conditioning? No.

So, yes I am happy with my life. My kids are all doing well, my extended family is all doing well, and I thank my parents and my grandparents for their sacrifices to make a better world for me, as we're doing for our children, and I expect our children will do for their children.

What has Dubya done for me? Absolutely nothing, except ignore the 911 commissions recommendations to make our country safer, ignore the Iraq Study groups recommendations to make our country safer, and when he is done, will have added close to $4 trillion dollars to
our National debt, which is a staggering 25+% of ALL THE DEBT IN THE WORLD! He is the only President in the history of this country that has cut taxes during a time of war.

The funniest thing about this whole mess is Jimmy Carter is dissing on dubya, and Carter has a strong case!!!! That's almost as bad as Pat McKim making fun of you and being able to get away with it.

Anyway, I hope you are happy, and are hopeful about the future.

Enjoy your weekend, and pat yourselves on the back, for your own happiness. You've worked hard, and you have earned your happiness, despite dubya not because of him. We all live life at too fast a pace, like life is a race. We all need to learn to slow down, and just enjoy the moment. It is my hope that the poor souls over in Iraq can come home soon, so they can resume pursuing the American dream, and can immerse themselves in the simple things in life, that we take too much for granted.

Love,

Chris

Supporting our troops?

Supporting our Troops, fact or fiction?

The following words are from a speech made by Dubya to our troops in Kosovo in 2001, at CampBondsteel:

"...we need to have a Commander-in-Chief with a clear vision, who sets clear goals for our military. And those goals are to be well-equipped and well-trained,to be able to fight and win war."

Hmmm. Benchmarks for success in Iraq?

Body Armor, and Armored Humvee's perhaps?

"I know how hard frequent deployments are on you and your family. I know that America owes you a decent quality of life."

Hmmm. Repeated deployments, and now extending tour of Duty?

Hmmm. Threats of a White House veto on military payraises of 3.5% and benefits for survivor families?

"When I ran for promise -- I promised America that help is on the way for the men and women who wear our uniform."

Hmmm. Crony deals, War Profiteering, no accountability? Is this the help we are providing to our troops. Help is on the way? Puhleeze.

What should we be talking about?

I finally got around to watching "Bobby" this past weekend, the movie based upon Bobby Kennedy's last day alive during the Democratic Primary's in 1968. A well made film, and worth a look see.

The film shows actual clips of some of Bobby's speeches, or photo op talks he is giving in downstrodden communities.

He portray's an image of hope, and describes a future state of where this country should be, without detailing exactly what sacrifices we have to make. He basically challenges the nation to figure out a way.

What a difference from today. We have to learn to work together. At the same time I feel almost compelled to punch these attack dog Conservative loyalists, who are blind to any sense of reality, square in the nose.

Note to self. Take a deep breath, and sing 100 bottles of beer on the wall....