<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140</id><updated>2011-11-28T00:52:01.454+01:00</updated><category term='self employed'/><category term='extremists'/><category term='PETA'/><category term='Valentine&apos;s Day'/><category term='pride'/><category term='wonderful world'/><category term='baby'/><category term='Family'/><category term='Hillary Clinton'/><category term='Hilary'/><category term='Obama'/><category term='Global Warming'/><category term='Barak'/><category term='love'/><category term='President'/><category term='raising a child'/><category term='Earth First environment'/><category term='Presidential race'/><category term='dream election'/><category term='Grandfather'/><category term='Iraq'/><category term='money'/><category term='Bill Clinton'/><category term='Colin Powell'/><title type='text'>Reflections of a Warped Mind</title><subtitle type='html'>An American expatriate's opinion about America. Since I lived in Germany (moved here in 1995), my views about America have changed.

These are my warped observations. I hope you enjoy.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>9</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-3846691186079447947</id><published>2007-03-11T11:55:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-03-11T12:04:51.638+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='raising a child'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Iraq'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Family'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pride'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='baby'/><title type='text'>Life</title><content type='html'>The most rewarding aspect of parenthood is watching a life grow. Most parents try to do the best possible job within their circumstances. However a parent does not truly know if he or she is a good parent until you watch YOUR children raise theirs. I am happy to watch my daughter care for her son. She shows patience and love to her son. Her husband is currently serving in Iraq. My daughter had the good sense to stay here while he is over there. Africans are right; "It takes a village to raise a child." That village starts with the family. Our family, including my twelve year old son, is involved in taking care of the newborn. I see my son hold and enjoy his nephew and I caanot help but feel pride. All the work, sacrfice, and love is worth it to see your children express a paternal or maternal instinct. I do not know how some people cope without family. I am blessed that I have one.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-3846691186079447947?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/3846691186079447947/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=3846691186079447947' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/3846691186079447947'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/3846691186079447947'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/03/life.html' title='Life'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-6539358111867846760</id><published>2007-03-01T21:55:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-03-01T21:59:57.697+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wonderful world'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grandfather'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='baby'/><title type='text'>I am Grandfather!</title><content type='html'>The world is all right. Today I became a Grandfather today. My daughter brought a beautiful baby boy into this world. Both Mother and baby are doing well. The baby's father is serving his country in Iraq. I am praying that he will return to raise his son. Life is about family. "You make a living at what you take but you make a life at what you give." Winston Churchhill.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-6539358111867846760?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/6539358111867846760/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=6539358111867846760' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/6539358111867846760'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/6539358111867846760'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-am-grandfather.html' title='I am Grandfather!'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-573646829199332589</id><published>2007-02-23T10:04:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-03-01T22:01:57.696+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Global Warming'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='PETA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Earth First environment'/><title type='text'>Environment</title><content type='html'>I am finally convinced! We must do something about the environment. Whether Global Warming is a natural or man made problem is not the issue; it is occuring. We must save our planet. But can we? I don't know if we can. We must give up our wasteful lifestyle. Get rid of SUV's, invest more in public transportation, and research alternative energy that can be grandfathered in into existing facilities. However, to the radical assholes I say, GET A LIFE! PETA, Earth First and others who resort to violence and destruction to forward their agenda; You are part of the problem not the solution. I don't have the answers because I am ubsure of the questions.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-573646829199332589?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/573646829199332589/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=573646829199332589' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/573646829199332589'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/573646829199332589'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/02/environment.html' title='Environment'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-2317061594925821289</id><published>2007-02-10T23:15:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-02-05T17:51:23.645+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='President'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barak'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Presidential race'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Obama'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hilary'/><title type='text'>It is Official!</title><content type='html'>Senator Obama has done it. He has threw his into the ring. Hilary's worst nightmare has come true. A Black man seeking the Democratic nomination. How will she react? Will she use the race card? I think she will be very subtle. She cannot alienate the African-American vote by being overt about his race. She will concentrate on Barak's past, especially about his time in Indonesia.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How will Bill affect the race? He will be her money maker, but he will step on it. It will be a joy to see this election. The first without a sitting President or Vice President since decades.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I will provide cutting edge commentary through out the race.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-2317061594925821289?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/2317061594925821289/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=2317061594925821289' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/2317061594925821289'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/2317061594925821289'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/02/it-is-official.html' title='It is Official!'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-1506866185288773313</id><published>2007-02-03T16:24:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-02-03T16:28:01.947+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='money'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Valentine&apos;s Day'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='love'/><title type='text'>Love and Money</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:14;" lang="EN-GB" &gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:14;" lang="EN-GB" &gt;Well it is that time of year again; that time of year when most men are extorted or made to feel guilty into that wonderful tradition to show women our love. Yes I am talking about Valentine’s Day. The day that has been popularized by those wickedly sadistic people at the greeting card companies, in conspiracy with florists, candy makers, etc., whose sole desire to spread warmth and love all over the world, at a healthy profit.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:14;" lang="EN-GB" &gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;Of course, a woman would never imagine forcing a man to show his love in this way, but if he forgets, he is dead meat. Actually it is not an imposition for men to celebrate Valentine’s Day and make her happy but it is the principal of the thing. Why force a man to show his love based on other’s selfless greed? My wife is subtle about Valentine’s Day. She usually will ask me ‘So what are you going to get me?’ Once, my wife even enlisted outside help to remind me. The local grocery store owner kept reminding me prior to the day said I should surprise her with a gift of flowers, which he was selling. I bought what he was offering but was perturbed. So, the next year I thought I would strike a blow for men everywhere by not buying her a present. My goal was to show my wife I could not be bullied and then she would see the light. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;I would be free and men everywhere would say my name in awe. Was I an idiot! Whoever said ‘Hell has no fury as a woman scorned’ probably did not buy his wife a present. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;o:p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:14;" lang="EN-GB" &gt;&lt;o:p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;Gentlemen, take the path of least resistance and lay down your money to show her your love and save your skin. She is worth it. If you forget, play dumb. Women think that this is a natural state. But we know better. It is a highly refined self defense mechanism.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-1506866185288773313?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/1506866185288773313/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=1506866185288773313' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/1506866185288773313'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/1506866185288773313'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/02/love-and-money.html' title='Love and Money'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-4981368667933298412</id><published>2007-01-28T16:18:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-01-29T11:15:43.338+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='extremists'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barak'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='dream election'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hillary Clinton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Colin Powell'/><title type='text'>The 2008 Dream Election</title><content type='html'>&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Dream Election&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Although the election is far away, there is a possibility that my Dream Election would become a reality. My dream team would energize the election and anger all of the extremists, left and right. I don’t know which I like better.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;My Dream election would be:&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Republicans: Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Versus&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Democrats: Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barak Obama&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Why is this dream?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;ol style="margin-top: 0cm;" start="1" type="1"&gt;&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;No white man.&lt;/span&gt;      That would be first in Presidential politics. Many other countries have      had women or minorities as leaders; it is time for the &lt;st1:country-region st="on"&gt;&lt;st1:place st="on"&gt;USA&lt;/st1:place&gt;&lt;/st1:country-region&gt;.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Extremist      conservatives&lt;/span&gt; would have a fit. A woman as President or Vice President      and/or a minority leading our country. Most conservatives are not bigots      but they are not color blind either. Most would accept a minority      Republican President or VP but not Democrat. Extreme conservatives are      people who talk the talk about equality but don’t walk the walk.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Extremist      liberals would be upset&lt;/span&gt; that maybe THEIR minorities will not win. Think      what these people will do to stop Republican minorities from winning. Of      course they would say that they don’t oppose African-American Republicans      BUT……! I don’t know which extremist is worse.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Which pair      would the media side with? &lt;/span&gt;The media would drive themselves crazy trying      to promote one side only while claiming that their reporting is objective      and fair. Oh please! I would have more respect if the media would say “Yes      were bias, so what?” Cable and the Internet have polarized the media into      camps. I would enjoy watching both sides attack each other.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Spin&lt;/span&gt;- We would      see spin like it never was before. From Hillary’s White House past to      Condoleezza’s martial status, the Spin Doctors would reign. A spin doctor      believes: "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of      the American public."&lt;span style=""&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;--      Henry Mencken&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;Look forward to more Seriously Warped Reflections on my blog.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:12;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Thank you, William&lt;/span&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"  style="font-size:12;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-4981368667933298412?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/4981368667933298412/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=4981368667933298412' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/4981368667933298412'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/4981368667933298412'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/01/2008-dream-election.html' title='The 2008 Dream Election'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-4658550040784823105</id><published>2007-01-27T17:09:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-01-27T17:22:27.364+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='self employed'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='money'/><title type='text'>Reasons</title><content type='html'>The reason I started a blog and website (&lt;a href="http://www.reflectionsofawarpedmind.com"&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;www.reflectionsofawarpedmind.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;) is that I want more control over my life. I have had a good life full of hope. I want to start being able to make money through my own efforts.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-4658550040784823105?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/4658550040784823105/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=4658550040784823105' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/4658550040784823105'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/4658550040784823105'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/01/reasons.html' title='Reasons'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-4661760947537651868</id><published>2007-01-27T16:49:00.001+01:00</published><updated>2007-01-27T16:50:34.201+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='President'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bill Clinton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hillary Clinton'/><title type='text'>What will Hillary do?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;Poor Hillary&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;Poor Hillary Rodham-Clinton, in approximately 92 weeks&lt;a style="" href="http://www2.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=4661760947537651868#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:16;"  lang="EN-GB" &gt;[1]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; the next president will be chosen. She has many hurdles to overcome to win. However if she does win, she will face her biggest hurdle of all:&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;What is she going to do with Bill?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;If Hillary becomes the 44&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; President, she will be the first woman to be President AND be married to the first man to occupy what has been an exclusively female club. Controversies of the past are nothing compared to her having Bill Clinton in the White House.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;1&lt;sup&gt;st&lt;/sup&gt; Controversy: What will he be called? The first name that comes to mind is ‘First Gentleman’. &lt;span style=""&gt; &lt;/span&gt;I cannot imagine the Head Usher of the White House announcing “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President and the First Gentleman” and have it sound dignified. I like the title of “First Dude”. It fits Bill.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;2&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt; Controversy: How will she keep him on a short leash? Let face it, Bill lives for politics. He has achieved the highest political prize of all and still cannot get enough. He brings in too much money and experience for Hillary to ignore. If he is giving power, he will grab for it like a drowning person would a life preserver. He will not stop until he is saved or he drowns the both of them. Hillary should keep Bill on speaking tours. They will need the money for all the legal fees from lawsuits that a 2&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt; &lt;st1:city st="on"&gt;&lt;st1:place st="on"&gt;Clinton&lt;/st1:place&gt;&lt;/st1:city&gt; as President will bring.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;3&lt;sup&gt;rd&lt;/sup&gt; Controversy: Would an unscrupulous politician or government employee circumvent the Chain of Command or established governmental procedures by using Bill as a back channel for their pet project? Knowing Bill’s need to be loved and in the center of things, this is a strong possibility. It is best if Bill is bound and gagged for four years or the Internship Program is moved out of the White House.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:16;"&gt;If Hillary wins, I hope she has considered this question. What she does will set precedents, good and bad.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;div style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;hr align="left" size="1" width="33%"&gt;  &lt;!--[endif]--&gt;  &lt;div style="" id="ftn1"&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoFootnoteText"&gt;&lt;a style="" href="http://www2.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=4661760947537651868#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;font-size:10;"  lang="EN-US" &gt;[1]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;As of 26 January, 2007&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;/div&gt;  &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-4661760947537651868?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/4661760947537651868/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=4661760947537651868' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/4661760947537651868'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/4661760947537651868'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/01/what-will-hillary-do.html' title='What will Hillary do?'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471237104048530140.post-6208846002712781963</id><published>2007-01-27T16:17:00.000+01:00</published><updated>2007-01-29T11:17:18.997+01:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='President'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barak'/><title type='text'>Can Barak win the Presidency</title><content type='html'>&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Can Barak win?&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Senator Barak Obama is the first African-American with a strong possibility to win a party’s nomination for Presidency. In a crowded field of declared and speculative candidates, does this newcomer to the national political stage have any chance to win? &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;His advantages are: &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Name &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;– His is a politician’s dream name. It is unique. Only two Presidents in the 20&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; Century, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Woodrow Wilson have had names that are in the U.S. Census’s list of the Ten Most Common Last Names. &lt;a style="" href="http://www2.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=6208846002712781963#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;"  lang="EN-GB"&gt;[1]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. Senator Obama also has the enviable position to be identified by one name only, ‘Barak’.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Accent&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt; – When Barak speaks one hears no strong discernable accent that can ridiculed by comics and candidates alike.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Story – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Americans love a good story. From his bi-racial background to his pop star like popularity he is living the American dream. &lt;st1:city st="on"&gt;&lt;st1:place st="on"&gt;Hollywood&lt;/st1:place&gt;&lt;/st1:city&gt; could not write Barak’s story better.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;His disadvantages are:&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Political Office –&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;Senators do not win elections. Since 1960, seven sitting or former Senators (John F. Kennedy, Barry Goldwater, Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Bob Dole, Al Gore, and John Kerry) have won their party’s nomination. Only one, JFK went on to win. The favored political office for presidential aspirants is Governor. In fact, of the last 20 Presidents, eleven were Governors at one time.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Age – &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;If elected, Barak will be the fifth youngest President. Although &lt;st1:place st="on"&gt;&lt;st1:country-region st="on"&gt;America&lt;/st1:country-region&gt;&lt;/st1:place&gt; is obsessed with youth, the voters prefer a President that is older as indicated by the average age of presidents (mid 50’s)&lt;a style="" href="http://www2.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=6208846002712781963#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;"  lang="EN-GB"&gt;[2]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;    &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt; &lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;st1:place st="on"&gt;&lt;st1:placetype st="on"&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt;Home&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/st1:placetype&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt; &lt;st1:placetype st="on"&gt;State&lt;/st1:placetype&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/st1:place&gt;&lt;b style=""&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;– American population migration in the last 30 years has hurt Mid-Western political clout. Middle America has lost Electoral Votes to the South and &lt;st1:place st="on"&gt;Far  West&lt;/st1:place&gt;. The last truly elected Mid-Western &lt;span style="font-family: times new roman;"&gt;President was Harry S. Truman.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-GB"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;These and other factors as race, finances, competitors, the War in &lt;st1:country-region st="on"&gt;&lt;st1:place st="on"&gt;Iraq&lt;/st1:place&gt;&lt;/st1:country-region&gt; will influence his chances; Barak has a good chance as any to win the nomination. I wish him well.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;  &lt;div style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;  &lt;hr style="height: 3px;font-size:78%;" align="left"  width="33%"&gt;  &lt;!--[endif]--&gt;  &lt;div style="" id="ftn1"&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoFootnoteText"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;a style="" href="http://www2.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=6208846002712781963#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;"  lang="EN-US"&gt;[1]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt; www.census.gov/genealogy/names/dist.all.last&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;/div&gt;  &lt;div style="" id="ftn2"&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoFootnoteText"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;&lt;a style="" href="http://www2.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=6208846002712781963#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;&lt;span style=""&gt;&lt;!--[if !supportFootnotes]--&gt;&lt;span class="MsoFootnoteReference"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:&amp;quot;;"  lang="EN-US"&gt;[2]&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;!--[endif]--&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"  style="font-size:100%;"&gt; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidents_by_age_at_ascension_to_office&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;/div&gt;  &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/471237104048530140-6208846002712781963?l=reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/feeds/6208846002712781963/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=471237104048530140&amp;postID=6208846002712781963' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/6208846002712781963'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/471237104048530140/posts/default/6208846002712781963'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://reflectionsofawarpedmind.blogspot.com/2007/01/can-barak-win-presidency.html' title='Can Barak win the Presidency'/><author><name>Seriously Warped Reflections</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/07035583464107056400</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
