Descendant's of God

Is it just me or do the pics from the front page of the online NY Times (at least the ones at 4:15 Central time) make it look like the passengers from the plane crash today are somehow all related to Jesus?

I am just all about the blasphemy today.

Just a quick green thought

I'm so busy at work I think my head might explode (though that might have something to do with the hangover I'm fighting through today) but I read an article by Thomas L. Friedman out of the Times that I wanted to share a section of. I thought this paragraph was great and would love to see it happen come next January. Read the whole article here.

Lastly, we need the next president to be an energy efficiency trendsetter,
starting by reinventing the inaugural parade. Get rid of the black stretch limos
and double-plated armored Chevy Tahoes inching down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Instead, let the next president announce that he will use no vehicles on
inauguration day that get less than 30 miles per gallon. He could invite all car
companies to participate in the historic drive with their best available
American-made, fuel-efficient, innovative vehicle.

Anger, Fear, and tiny bit of Hope

The biggest banking failure in history. Well to be truthful, I don't know if that's true, but it is the biggest failure in my history, of that I'm pretty sure. And I'm a part of it. This morning when I went to the Washington Mutual homepage I was greeted with this picture.

And it was with this picture that the reality of what is going on in the world around me finally started to sink in. I mean, I've been paying attention, in fact I've been having conversations for months with friends and family that we are in the middle of some serious shit right now in America. But this morning a company that I am a part of, a company that houses my money collapsed and was sucked up into the vortex of another company. Soon my statements will start to say JPMorgan Chase instead of the familiar WaMu, I will get a new card in the mail, I will have access to thousands of more ATM's (at least that is one of the selling points they are advertising to me).

I went in today at lunch to the branch next to my work. Got some cash for a baseball game tonight. So far the re-branding hadn't hit that location yet. Everything still looked familiar. I didn't ask about their jobs, or what was going to happen to them, I figured they had probably already had enough from customers and with a net asset of about $142 I didn't think I rated too high on the effected scale. But 30 minutes later when I was done with my meal I saw the CBS van outside the bank. I saw the newsguy standing in front of the window and could just imagine it being replayed on the 6 o'clock news tonight about the future of WaMu/Chase, the future of banking in general, the future of life.

I have avoided ranting in this arena about the fuckupedness of our current political and economic situation. There are many folks out there just like me who are doing it better, faster, and I personally am just fed up with it all anyway. But I wanted to log in today and give voice to my anger and my fear.

The world as I know it, as you know it, is gone. When you go back and look through the history books (as one sided as they may be) and wonder how could people not stand up and do something, how things could get so out of control - well folks this is how. The way we live, communicate, fend for ourselves and others is drastically spinning into a new time zone. We are hiding our heads in the sand if we think for one moment that any one out there is going to come in and save us - not after the past 8 years of leadership. And to be truthful, it goes beyond just the past 8 years. We have been screwing this planet, these cultures not our own, these civilizations beyond our borders for longer than that. We have held on to the top of the mound of tires, the king of the hill position through standing on the hands of others and those hands are ready to rip our throats out.

Holding off debates so one man can "fix" an economic crisis he didn't believe in a week ago, shielding a candidate for VP from the press to try and hemorrhage the geyser of ignorance and stupidity that seems to flow unceasingly from her whenever she speaks, 700 billion dollar buyouts, socialized debt but no socialized health care, this and so much more Freaks. Me. Out.

I don't know what the world holds. I know it will be radically different than I imagined as a child, but that's not so startling. I know it will be radically different than I imagined in my early 20's. That's a little more unnerving. But there are moments, there always are, of sunshine through the clouds, there are always some things I come across that give me hope. Today I logged into FB to see a friends status update that read ..."So-and-So* is amused by the looks from the businessmen at the hotel breakfast buffet when 1.0 says, “Mom, the bad President should go to jail. He lied to us.". " Now that's the kid I want running for president.

Pull out those old science fiction books folks, dust em off, re-read them for tips, and hang on for the ride.

* Name left out since it's not my status I'm sharing with the world - but she knows who she is.

Lake Vanishes

I'm sorry, but as an original Wisconsinite I have to admit that my first reaction is not concern that "One of the most scenic getaways for Chicagoans is devastated." Instead, I'm more worried about the actual fucking lake.

Change

It's been slowly breaking all day and now it's done. Obama is officially the Democratic nomination for president in 2008. I just watched his speech from Minnesota - CBS played it live and I watched it grainy and pixely on my computer. I watched it with tears in my eyes, and a few that escaped to my cheeks. I watched it with excitement and enthusiasm for the future. It's been a long time since I've had any enthusiasm for the future. 8 years to be more specific. Even in the past elections I don't think there was a Democratic candidate I was really excited about. I just wanted someone to beat Bush.

But now I'm excited. I want Obama to be my president. I want him to come through on the promises he has made tonight and in other speeches. I want to live in a country with universal healthcare. I want to see my military come home. I want to breather cleaner air, drink cleaner water, I want to have hope that we won't burn out this planet in mere decades.

I want Change. I believe he can deliver that. And for the first time in almost 28 years, I'm excited about November.

Part time jobs

Warning: This post contains slightly strong language.

Some fucked up shit happens in Chicago every day (so much for the self censoring). This time it has happened to someone I know. Of course the version I got was much more detailed, but since it's not my story to tell I won't divulge any more than the article lays out for you here. The short of it is the teachers in this school (my friend included) will be receiving their last paychecks on Friday. Bam. That's it. No warning, no preparation. Just a big fuck you from the charter school system. So if anyone knows of a good, relaxing, non stressful part time summer job that needs to be filled in the Chicago vicinity please feel free to let me know. Or if you have a connection with a school in the area that won't fuck it's teachers over - that would also be helpful.

I can't even imagine what it is like to not have a paycheck when I am legally employed. I've heard of these stories, even had friends that worked in slightly shady situations where paychecks were less than dependable, but never have I lived through it myself. Every job I've had it has been as regular as the sun rising that I would receive a paycheck every other week, or the first and the fifteenth, or whatever schedule the structure determined. I've never worked a job based on commission - the closest I've been is waitressing, but even then I got my $2.34 an hour (though after taxes it often wasn't worth it to pay the $5 fee to cash at the bank across the street if you didn't have an account somewhere else). It boggles my mind in a way that I can't begin to grasp, and I don't like that.

The logical, idea forming side of my brain has to believe that a plan will be worked out. Concessions will be made and lives may be altered for the next few months, but in the end she will make it. Thank god it's summer and the idea of walking places is not so formidable. The other side of me, the side that is ruled by my heart and my emotions though is wrecked. That side just doesn't understand how crazy, fucked up shit like this happens to good people. People who go out and try and make a difference in this crazy fucked up world.

So, I've had my rant - mini as it may be. Thanks for reading/listening and again, if you have a dog that needs walking or some other gig that you know of, feel free to let me know and I will pass along the information.

100 posts

According to my sign in page I currently have 99 posts...I wonder if that counts the dozen or so drafts that I never got back to? Either way "Happy 100 to me!"

The madness of my life is over for now and thank you to everyone who put up with me this past month while work was getting crazier and crazier. We did a smashing job and now I have time to breathe again, in fact I did such a stellar job that the boss let me take today off - and I'm going to use it the best of my ability. It's going to be in the 70's today here in the windy city and the brief outing I had this morning to forage for coffee from the deliciously staffed Beans and Bagels on Rockwell proved to be delightfully warm out at 9 am. I have since come home, dragged out my picnic blanket from the back of the closet and will be venturing out around noon for some Wells park lounging and reading. It's going to be great.

The weather is warming up which always puts me in better mood - the adventures of the past 24 hours haven't hurt either. Sorry folks, no sordid details on the blog on this one, I learned my lesson the hard way last time. Plus this is so far from conventional, regular, or typical that there really is not much to say except yes, that is a big old smile you see on my face.

The world around me? Let's see, Edwards has come out for Obama but the rumor is his wife hasn't (though since I haven't had time to read an article longer than 2 paragraphs long I'm not sure how much validity that rumor has). And honestly when I heard the news I wasn't too impressed - this election season has sucked the life out of me and I just want it to be done with an end result of McCain losing. California has overturned the gay marriage ban - which is about damn time, I have no room in my heart, ideology or belief structure for a culture that writes into its laws a ban on love based on the gender of the individuals involved, it's just fucking stupid. The polar bear has been moved to the endangered species list and the Tribune ran an article on Thursday with the saddest/most adorable picture of said polar bear on the front page. I wish I would have remembered to clip it and hang it on the fridge (those of us without kids have to improvise refrigerator art).

Coming up - my favorite camping trip of the year, Spring Fling, complete with bloody mary church service on Sunday, horseshoe tournaments, and late night whiskey. A girls night out with some of my favorite former co-workers. The formation of a kickball league in which I plan on sitting on the sidelines with a book and witty commentary. Public Enemy reuniting for the Pitchfork festival (please someone say they will go to this with me!). Half day Friday's for the summer. My best friend from high schools 30th birthday. A possible trip to Atlantic City (which I learned you can't actually fly to oddly enough, the closest Expedia.com can get me is somewhere in Pennsylvania and then I have to rent a car). My 2 year anniversary in Chicago which I believe necessitates a party or a new tattoo, or both.

I'm off to enjoy the sunshine - hope everyone else is having a fantastic day (and I also hope you all go see Iron Man, trust me it's worth it)

Just a few headlines...now back to work

Too busy today (and probably the rest of the week for that matter) to do a full blown post but came across a few news items I wanted to make sure I got links up to. First, with no link, it's start of baseball season but since I'm still knee deep in the madness I can't really pay attention to it - that and it's awfully rainy here in the city so I wonder if the cubs are even getting started. Second - I actually participated in this new (or new to me) concept of "earth hour" where on Saturday night I turned off my lights (but not my tv) between 8 and 9 pm. I heard the next day that the city of Chicago had a 5% decrease in energy demand which means nothing to me but then this article today provided a more relative number for me. Just think what we could do if this was a weekly, or even monthly event...too bad we can't focus for more than an hour in our society.

And finally, I have to admit that I have used someone's reading list (or lack thereof) as a make or break in my dating world. Granted, it was almost always more than just what was on his reading list that made me flee from certain ex's or drew me like a moth to a flame to others- but as you well know books are a big part of me and who I am so it is one of the things I look at in potential partners. Usually I don't care what you read, as long as you read something. And for me it usually isn't a level of intelligence thing but an activity to do together - one of my favorite pastimes is laying in bed Sunday (or really any day) morning with coffee and a book or newspaper, it would just be sensible if my partner was with me.

Okay - back to the grind, just one last link to a site that I may have to go back to when my one year blogging anniversary hits (whenever the hell that is). I don't do a lot of pictures but it would be neat to have a hard copy version of all this mish mash I'm spouting...and really I will take any excuse I can to add more books to mys shelves :)

Weekend Wrap Up

Well I am headed to vacation tomorrow for 5 glorious days so I figured I'd better do a quick, random thoughts in my head kind of post so I can clear it all out the way and simply relax for the next hundred hours or so.

First - right now the vote is one for and one against my plan to bring 5 pairs of shoes on vacation with me. Technically it would mean packing four pairs and wearing one - the breakdown is one pair of tennis shoes, one pair of low-top chucks, and three pairs of dress shoes. See I have to attend a wedding while I'm there and I think I should have options when the time comes to get ready....plus dress shoes are tiny(ish), right?

Next up - like the film industry needs any more of my damn money. I feel this is just some ploy to reach into my wallet and take an extra $15 from me, but like shiny advertising I am sure I will fall for it when the release date arrives. I read the book - forgot the beginning before I got to the end kind of read - so can't say with any authority if the claim that "there's just too much information for one movie" has any validity.

Want to see a picture of the cutest dogs ever? Come on, you know you do. Just click any one of the obnoxious word combos that I've made into links here in this paragraph. I like to claim they are my dogs, and while technically I did find them, they are 110% my mom's now. Awww, man I miss those guys.

In the news world there is the whole Spitzer thing - but really does anyone need to hear more about that? Didn't think so. I did however find this really depressing and scary section of the online Chicago Tribune. The section, titled "The Blotter", has a tagline that reads "Short takes on local crime and mayhem". The top headlines?

• South Side man charged in weekend slaying


• 2 shot on West Englewood street


• Man robs LaSalle Bank branch in loop


• Body found in garbage can in Englewood alley

Not exactly a warm and fuzzy section to start your morning.

Book update - 249 books owned (in Chicago). 15 books read so far this year (and almost done with #16).

That's all folks - I'm out for the great state of Oregon. If I get a chance I'll do a traveling hello from the West Coast. Have a great weekend.

The Ants Go Marching Two by Two...

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
government for a redress of grievances. Courtesy of the Cornell Law School Website

There you have it folks, the first amendment to the United States Constitution, the first section of the infamous Bill of Rights. We are all familiar with it either in theory or practice. It's thrown around a lot in arguments when people feel the man encroaching upon their lives...My first amendment right!, the bill of rights, freedom of speech, freedom from religion, right to assemble, right to bear arms (ugh), protection against unreasonable search and seizure....you know how the list goes. You've said them, you've heard them, you've stood up and righteously protested those that stomp upon them.

But Why you ask is this dear writer suddenly so wrapped up in the details of the constitution? Why is she looking up the exact wording of this beloved text? Because I came across this article today in the Chicago Tribune. 8 paragraphs long, I probably would of missed it in the actual paper but thanks to the joys of the Internet, the headline was on the front page. I think it was paragraph 7 that really caught my attention.

The proposal would ban indecent, profane or obscene language, songs,
entertainment and literature at bars.

Literature? First of all, the words literature and bar usually don't go in the same sentence for my brain. Secondly there is no reference point for who will deem what indecent, profane and obscene. This blogger is scared.

And the explanation for the post title...well there is none really except for some reason the song popped into my head after reading the article. Something about marching towards a dictatorship slowly and unknowingly while watching our freedoms slip away one by one, two by two...

What day is it?

The presidential race of 2008 has been the hot topic of politics for what feels like forever now (in fact I remember talking about it/praying for it to arrive quickly after the announcement of GW's re-election in 2004). The Democratic race has boiled down to three main contenders and if you can't name them I refuse to help you. The Republican side doesn't seem to have a strong front runner but that could just be because I pay less attention to them (that is of course except when one still refuses to even admit that global warming exists - what world are they living on?!*)

It's so much a part of our daily news and lives that honestly I've stopped paying much attention. I know that Iowa is the place to be if you want to find a politician, I know that primaries that used to be in late winter/early spring are now on the cusp of the new year and I know that there are still 11 months of this crap to put up with. So it is with a sigh and a laugh that I bring you this article, in which the democrats prove to us that it doesn't matter how much political clout, money or brain power you have in your camp, it all boils down to the $9/hour fact checkers.

*The quote this is from is a March 2007 interview in which Thompson seems to think that it's funny to try out a theory that it's a solar system wide problem instead our own fucking degradation to this planet.

Two reasons Australia is cooler than America

I'm sure there are many reasons why Australia beats out America in everything except alphabetizing races but here are my two for today.

1) John and Rob live there....boo, I miss them.
2) They understand that global warming is not a made up word.

English does not equal American

Two posts in one day, yikes! Just couldn't let this one slip by without throwing my two cents in... Now I love me some tattoos, have three of them myself and am working to eventually get more if I can rake up the cash and find a new Chicago based artist (spending 4 hours on a bus with a fresh tat does not sound pleasant to me at all). Personally, branding is taking it a step too far for my own tastes, but I have always been a to each his own kinda gal. But I am getting ahead of myself and digressing from my original reason for the double post. Let me set the stage for you.

Months ago I was introduced to a website called Fark - it's basically an aggregate of entertaining headlines and note worthy news from around the world. I check it out every couple of days, though sometimes the fark intro is better than the actual article. It keeps me up to date, provides me with entertaining retelling opportunities at the bar/coffee shops, and often makes me shake my head in disbelief at what is considered acceptable writing and grammar from our journalistic friends (and before you comment on my grammar fuck ups - I'm a blog, I'm usually sneaking these in at work, and I'm allowed to suck now and then).

So today, I'm cruising through the headlines list and saw this, listed under "stupid" and I couldn't resist...

Old and busted: tattoos. New hotness among idiots: branding.
""It was an incredible experience. There was smoke coming out of my arm and my
burnt flesh smelled like a cross between chicken and bacon"

Anything with "Bacon" in the title will get my attention. The link takes me to an article from the Daily Mail, which happens to be a UK publication (knowledge which I gathered by the web address ending in .co.uk and prices in the article having the funny little euro symbol instead of the $). The article goes on to say that branding is becoming more and more popular as a form of expression now that tattoos and piercings are becoming more commonplace. Not a big deal, pretty much what I was expecting from the lead in. But then I start to read the comments and come across this -

"I thought I seen it all with the tattoos and body piercings. We as a country
must have gone off on the deep end." (Emphasis all mine)

My problem with this comment? The guy is from Casper fucking Wyoming - which means (unless there is a Casper, WY in England) this guy is writing from the good old U.S. of A.

So basically what we seem to have is 1) a European article, 2) regarding a European trend (which may or may not be happening here in the states), and 3) an American commenter automatically assuming it's all about him. I love that the Internet has opened up an eight lane super highway of information, readily available to everyone/anyone (ie those with money and time but that's a post for another day), but apparently I need to point out that just because something is written in English, does not mean it originates from America.

Just a few bits of news to get that song out of your head

A day on the front page of the Chicago Tribune tells me this about the world....We are still senselessly killing each other and ourselves. Just when you thought that stupidity and hate were reserved for those obviously less educated then yourself, life smacks you in this face with this guy (complete with disturbing quotes, though the one about not reading the Bible might have some weight to it). A smoking ban I'm actually okay with since it makes sense and I don't spend a lot of time at the beach - my only question is can I get busted walking down the sidewalk next to a park? Cause that would suck. And the article that will hopefully keep a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Now I can stop the internal debate over the ethics of stealing (thanks Will!) and just get my Stewart for free.

If we continue to cut, we will eventually disappear

If you know me you know that I don't want kids. But you also know that I have the utmost respect for women that do. It's a hard and often thankless job. You bust your ass to create, breathe life into, and then raise the next generation and our society does very little to celebrate you, help you, or honor you. One day a year and 12 weeks maternity leave dedicated to mothers is not nearly enough to show the women out there who bear children that we love, respect, and are dedicated to them.

Child bearing is just about as natural a part of life as you can get. Women have been going through it for centuries of centuries, in what we would now consider unsafe and unhygienic situations. But you know what - they did it anyway, and some of those babies must of made it, because we are all here today as proof of their successes.

My body as a woman has the parts within to create and sustain life. From the age of 11 to whenever I cycle through menopause, as far as I know I will be able to bring about a child (given the necessary male contribution of course). My body will change, adapt, grow, shrink, swell and manipulate itself all to house a new life. And while I hope never to actually experience it, I think it's pretty damn amazing.

So it is with great sorrow and sadness for our culture that I read this article in the New York Times yesterday. We have created an economically profitable position in our society that revolves around making sure women are "feeling self-conscious or resentful about their appearance" post pregnancy. High end parenting magazines are running articles that describe "postpregnancy breasts as “the ultimate indignity”" All in an effort to promote the "Mommy Makeover". The cosmetic surgery industry is surging in post delivery liposuction, breast augmentations, and tummy tucks. Congratulations America, we have successfully disgraced and shunned the post pregnancy body. The same body that without its scientific, life giving processes we would not be here today.

This phenomena upsets me greatly. There is no stone unturned when it comes to attacking the female form. So far we have convinced ourselves that we are too fat, our breasts are never large enough, the laugh lines around our eyes and mouths indicating a lively life are now banished from sight. Mothers are paying for their teenagers nips and tucks. There is no stage, not maiden, mother or crone, that is safe from the prying eyes and scalpels of American ideas of beauty and happiness. And now, one of the oldest rituals and experiences of the female form - childbirth - has fallen under the knife. How do we survive in a world like this?

From scary to heartwarming...it's the news of the day

Just a few news links to round out the day...
First - in league with my previous post about being able to be fired for smoking, it now turns out that I can be denied a home because of my appearance. At this point, I still qualify for housing in Texas, but some day (soon if I can ever get the money) I may cross over the line of acceptable tattooage.

Second - this one falls into the no fucking kidding section of news items. Looks like a year ago a small town in New Jersey decided they had had enough of all this immigration nonsense and passed a bunch of laws prohibiting the hiring or housing illegal immigrants. Shock and awe to everyone, the members of the town that fit into this category vacated leaving boarded up businesses and vacant properties up and down main street. Now the town is saying maybe we didn't think this thing through enough and is back peddling on its decision.
Most disturbing quote from the article? Former Mayor, Charles Hilton - “The business district is fairly vacant now, but it’s not the legitimate businesses that are gone,” he said. “It’s all the ones that were supporting the illegal immigrants, or, as I like to call them, the criminal aliens.”

And finally third - on a much happier note, a darling story out of Boston where one guy got really creative in a marriage proposal. I don't do crosswords, but if any guy I knew was smart enough to come up with this idea, he would definitely be worth something.

If I can't be myself after 5:00, then who will I be?

I have not read 1984 - I switched (and skipped) schools so much that it fell through the cracks as I grew up. I am trying to go back and catch up on books like this (I just read Animal Farm the other day) but alas 1984 is still on the "to read" list. After today, I think I should move it to the "reading" pile....

***I get that most of the people out there don't like cigarettes. Please give me at least enough respect to understand that I'm not a fucking moron. They kill, they smell, they can turn your walls (and fingers) a pretty nasty shade of yellow/brown. I get that they not only can kill me, they can kill all the doe eyed innocents around me. I've seen the marketing campaigns that want me to understand that if not for my filthiness the world would be a happy sunshine filled place, with bunnies and rainbows, and peace on earth. The truth ads and the dirty looks from strangers have combined productively within me to create a giant sense of guilt and shame whenever I smoke in public. Now granted, it's not enough shame to actually quit, but it is enough that I try and avoid crowds, children, animals, and people in general when I partake in my dirty little habit. I am not always successful, but damn it I try.

Then I get up, go to work, and read this. That it is becoming a reality within my lifetime that I can and will be fired (or simply not hired in the first place) for what I do after I punch out and go home. Today it's cigarettes, tomorrow will be Big Mac's, who knows what next week holds. How far can we crawl into each other's personal spaces before there is no room left between us? How long until there really is a big brother camera on every light pole and front porch? On every doorway looking in?

I think I am heading out now for a smoke - while I can.....

*** - In order to truly understand this rant, if you know me, please insert the dry sarcastic voice I use when knee deep in storytelling :)

I'm disgusted. I'm outraged. I'm dissapointed. I'm scared. I'm trying to find a way within myself to understand how these things still happen. I'm praying for the next generation to make it out alive through this fire we are continuously stoking. I want to stand on the street corner screaming at and shaking people as they walk by, trying to get them to pay attention. I want to get on a bus, march through unfamiliar streets, join together with other like minded souls out there to know that I am not alone in my anger. I want to sit quietly on curbs of places that spill over with their hate, showing my solidarity with those who do not hate. I want to never have to read something like this again.

The only time I will wish I was in small town Louisiana

I'll come back later (hopefully) and get more in...but here is the moronic statement of the day.
"Our town is not racist like this is being depicted. The nooses were just a joke."

What kind of fucking idiots are these people. I wish I was in the protest march right now, my thoughts and support go to those that went.

A little Tuesday News

There is a gruesome and sad story unfolding just over the border of my fair city in the depths of hell known as Gary, Indiana. The story goes like this....car with four black teenage boys crashes early Saturday morning, two manage to crawl out and tell the cops that respond that two more are still in the ravine. Cops do nothing. Story gets out that cops ignored two survivors, uncle of one of the victims goes to crash site the next day and finds his dead nephew in less than 5 minutes. Cops still make no statement. Monday cops release statement that boys were drunk, they were not coherent and that they did look for the other two but found nothing at the scene. Coroners report comes out that the other two died instantly.

I was not there so I don't know if the cops looked for the other two. I don't know the state of the two that crawled out of the ravine. What I do know is that the overall feel from the reporting is that Gary is sticking with the statement that it does not matter what the cops did that night since the boys were dead anyway. This is what disturbs me. Statements like this...

• "I'm telling [the officer] about my injuries and my two friends and the accident, and he tells me to sit on the curb,"
• But Gary Police Chief Thomas Houston pointed out that no matter how fast the department's response had been, neither Green nor Smith could have been saved.
• "Law enforcement did not cause this accident and these deaths,"

Law enforcement might not have caused the death but they sure as hell didn't do a damn thing to prevent them either. The family of at least one of the boys is reported to have an independent autopsy done. I will be interested to see the results of it.

In more worldly news, it looks like Iraq is threatening to kick out all the Blackwater guards running rampant in their country. A friend and I had a conversation about it last night with the final thought being they will probably just reincorporate, rename themselves, and saunter right back in....So readers here is a poll for you - what do you think the new name will be?