We’ve all heard that phrase at one point or another, almost always close to the end of an argument. It amuses me how often this phrase is used to try to prove a point (and hopefully end the argument). What stuns me is how often it’s accepted as viable (and does end the argument).

What does being entitled to your opinion have to do with what we were discussing? Odds are that we were not discussing whether you were entitled to it or not.

I want to make a request of everyone who may come across this blog post: Never ever let “I’m entitled to my opinion!” be the end of the discussion/argument. Keep discussing…keep arguing…keep pressing until they say something that makes some sense! (or until they storm off…that’ll work too :) )

Statement: “I’m entitled to my opinion!”

Reply: “And? Your feeling of entitlement by itself makes your opinion neither correct nor factual.”

(Side question: Did George Carlin ever do a bit on this? Feels like something he’d talk about)

I’m still around…but my web focus has been centered elsewhere as of late. So, if you’d like to see what’s going on with me on the more recent tip, feel free to check out my Facebook and Twitter accounts. This blog isn’t dead by any means…I just need to figure out the best way to incorporate it back into my social networkiing life…

I’ll write more later, but I need to ask this question: Why wouldn’t McCain even look in Obama’s direction?

He can turn his neck and/or torso, right? That not something that was damaged when he was a POW, was it?

And I’m soooooo looking forward to the VP debate…I’m trying not to have a fit of premature laughter… ;)

(C’mon…someone had to say it…)

Rock on, Moses…

Is it possible for men to have pre-natal regrets…those about themselves and not their children? One of mine would be missing out on the great space race. I was born a few years after Mr. Armstrong set foot on the moon and was too young to appreciate the Skylab & Apollo/Soyuz missions at the time.

My love of space came from reading up on the past NASA missions, watching the brand new Space Shuttle fly in the yonder, and enjoying fiction on the subject in a number of mediums (”The Right Stuff” and a slew of 70s sci-fi films immediately come to mind). While what I experienced was immensely influential and exciting, everything I’ve read about the cold war nature of the 60s space race leaves me wanting for a similar feeling of importance and excitement.

Fortunately, within the next ten to twenty years, we’ll all get a second shot at it. Enter the race for the first to back to the Moon and in conjunction, the first to the planet of Mars! China has stepped up their space program in leaps and bounds by becoming the third country to ever send it’s own citizens into space. They placed a satellite into orbit around the moon last year and have stated they foresee a manned mission in about 10 years. Soon after that announcement, the Bush administration announced NASA’s plans to return to Luna by 2020. Russia has also mentioned returning in roughly the same time frame. Welcome to our second space race, folks :)

While we’re waiting, we have brand new pictures and videos of the moon to enjoy. JAXA (The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) has a satellite called KAGUYA (aka SELENE) orbiting the moon and taking the first High Definition pictures and video ever of our favorite satellite. For example:

I’d highly recommend taking a gander of the HD movies KAGUYA is taking…they’re quite breathtaking. A little taste of the glory that is to come. :)

Is your life so busy? Can you not take even a minute to head towards the sink? Is “99 44/100% pure” an offense to your soul?

It still boggles my mind how often I see people head from the urinal to the door. From the stall to their lunch. It’s almost infuriating, especially when you see them touching door handles and shaking hands afterwards.

Anyone want to participate in a YouTube project? It’s called “Drive-By Cleansing”. We roll up on those who’ve just exited without washing and confront them with a resounding “Go back in there and WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS!” (Protection will be provided by always clean fighting legend Kimbo Slice)

Seriously folks…your mama taught you better. You make life harder every time you do that shit…

And…Purell is *NOT* a substitute…it’s a compliment.

(And don’t even get me started about folks who bring food into the stall to eat….@_@ )

May your day be as enjoyable as that certain cape cod parade… ^_-

I had the good fortune of almost always going to schools that were racially/ethnically mixed. My high school was a beautiful mosaic of black, white, asian, middle eastern, white trash, dumb-ass, and hairspray.

My AP English class was a perfect microcosm of the greater whole. In addition to our normal schoolwork, we had been drafted into managing the school’s literary journal. At the beginning of one such journal meeting, we each grabbed a carbonated beverage and sat down at a long table. I sat at one of the ends.

At one point, someone pointed that all the white & asian kids had picked Coke, while all the black kids had picked Sprite. They all found this rather interesting and amusing. Then, all at once, they looked down the table at me. “What are you drinking, FUBB?”

“Dr. Pepper” ^_^

On a future MME episode, watch Jay trying to convince an Egyptian that he’s not a fellow countryman…

I assure you it wondrous gem, and something those of you of legal drinking age should try your next party. I’m dubbing it the Tanny J.

The future of this drink involves a two part project:

• Mixology: Discovering the best types of root beer and peach schnapps to use in the drink
• Promotion: Going to bars and asking for a Tanny J. Then when they don’t know, give them the mix and tell them to try it.

Seriously, give it a try!

(Note: I know there’s a recipe for something similar called a ‘Fuzzy Root’. F that. You know it’s real name now. ^_^)

After taking a nearly year long blogging sabbatical, I hath returned!
(So sayeth the shepherd, so sayeth the flock)

Welcome to my new self named website! It’s a conglomeration of personal thoughts, comedic moments, observations on world events, expressions of wonder (and disgust) involving the political process, travel photos from world wide trips, solutions for the future, re-evaluations of the past, and recommendations of the highest caliber fruit juices and hot sauces. :)

Feel free to comment on my posts to your hearts content. All voices will be heard!

For those interested in the past, this site does contains most of the content from my previous personal site. Just bear in mind that the blog posts here cover a period of more than seven years (we all change over time) and that I’m a big fan of the ‘tongue-through-cheek’ concept. ^^

So sayeth Tanny J :)

(Besides, we’re knee deep in the midst of the 2008 US election. There’s no way I couldn’t have my say on the whole shebang. ^_^)