State of the WHAT?!?!?!

[The following takes place between the hours of 9 and 10:15pm EST. Editor's note: all typos and formatting will be corrected after the speech]

As I am writing this, every news station in the country is introducing the State of the Union Address which is set to begin in about 5-10 minutes. For those who know my political views, the analysis that follows should not be looked at with hatred towards anyone. In fact most of what you will read is not even the opinion of DotCW, rather a sarcastic, cynic, and humorous commentary of the speech itself. Calling the Commander in Chief "Barry" is not to mock, but simply shows how close he and I are.

Okay, so two old guys just introduced our President and he came out to a thunderous applause. My first observation is that he's wearing a red tie so he's out for blood. That can't be right, as he hasn't made a single important decision yet or wielded that big presidential stick. C'mon, we're the US of #$@%'n A.

He's making his way to the podium, stopping to shake hands with everyone on the way. In all my years watching this speech, Barry is the first to relish his celebrity status. He might as well sign autographs along the way. It's like I'm a kid at a ballgame catching players before the game who make their way down the lines greeting fans during warmups and signing anything you put in their faces.

And we begin....

[Editor's note: If someone wants to count how many times Barry drops an "um..." or refers to himself in the speech (I, president, myself, etc), I would greatly appreciate it and may offer a nice reward]

He opens with the history of the State of the Union and followed by recounting all the problems when he took office. Mind you, many of which were exacerbated by his actions and inactions.

What a great country we are--the strength and resilience of the people. CLAPPING. [Wow, Nancy Pelosi really does clap like a seal!]

And here comes the scaring. Put all your kids to bed or don't let them watch this. Barry is not a supporter of the bank bailouts but called them necessary. [Hey Biden, wipe that stupid grin off your face--don't you know you're on camera.]

TAXES: I didn't file yet but he's saying that taxes were cut for 95% of the people. [That isn't entirely true.] Theoretically there are tax cuts and credits available or eligible for up to 95% of the people BUT that doesn't mean that they will take advantage of them. Will everyone making less than $150,000 actually buy a home just for an $8,000 credit?

Mr. President thinks he's a comedian. [I just flew in from Camp David and boy are my arms tired.]

JOBS: Yes, we need jobs. [DUH!! But to create jobs we need to spend money. We can't spend money because we just instituted a freeze, you've spent in records amount in the past year, and for other reasons this economics major can't think of right now.] Hmmm... take bank money repaid from the bailouts to extend credit to small businesses. [Uh, Barry, we have a problem. Banks aren't too keen on lending right now. Maybe you missed that memo.]

There goes Pelosi again clapping like a seal because Barry gave a shout out to the House. [Kudos Madame Speaker but feeding time is at 11am sharp.]

So far Mr. President has impressed me for not yet using his trademarked "uh." He does still like to refer to himself a lot. What happened to "WE the people"? I get it, I love myself too. But there are times when humility is a little more important.

Finally something both Democrats and Republicans can both stand up and cheer for: this country should not take second place to any other nation in the world. CLAPPING!

Here comes more talk of spending lots of money. ENERGY. Nucular! [Sorry, still thinking about the past 8 years.] Energy and climate bill? [That doesn't work for me. I will drive whatever I want, whenever I want. Let the hippies mock me in their Priuseseseses. I'll give them the courtesy wave as I blow right past them.]

[Where does he come up with some of these numbers???] Double our exports to create 2 million jobs? [I've got a better idea: make it more difficult for foreign products to enter this country so cheaply. Do you know why American cars can't compete in Japan? It's because they make it so difficult by charging high taxes making it cost prohibitive to import or even manufacture American cars in Japan. We should treat them the same way with their goods.]

EDUCATION: [Been there done that. I spent my 21 years in school.] Let's make it more affordable. And onto student loans. Nice incentives for working in the public service. Loan forgiveness for those who want to make $30,000 for 20 years. [Totally worth it!]

HEALTHCARE: Yes, we need reform. [But do we need a ridiculously expensive program that's over 1700 pages long?] Ooooh another joke by Barry. LAUGHS. Barry just promised he will not walk away from this issue. [Here's an idea: keep it simple stupid.] Barry just asked both houses of Congress and both parties for any better ideas they may have. [Hey guys, go do what you're paid to do and get on it! Git-r-dun!]

THE BLAME GAME: The deficit. All of this was Bush's fault. [Uh, not exactly. The wars and attacks on this nation were not his fault and at the time necessary. And for those calling out for a full troop withdrawal, that's going to cost a lot more and not just in dollars. When a recession hits, let's not spend in record amounts.]

Wow. I really thought he was going to say that he's freezing national security expenses. Turns out that was one of three areas that would not be frozen. [PHEW!]

This is a fun game. When Barry says something dem Dems like they stand up and clap, and when it's something the Republicans like they stand and clap.

Camera just panned through the crowd. Who are the two women wearing bright yellow suits? Didn't you know the dress code for the evening was a dark suit with a white, gray, or blue shirt? Men must only wear red or blue ties.

BARRY vs. SUPREME COURT:

Barry: Hey you guys in the robes down there. You blew it with your last decision on special interest funding.

Judges: [just sit there with blank stares or give him the "oh no he di'nt" head stare]

[You can't call out the Supreme Court in the State of the Union. That's one of those unwritten rules. It's also unprofessional, in poor taste, and beyond arrogant]

BIPARTISANSHIP: Can't we all just get along? Why does one party have to win at the expense of the other? [I blame the Democrats for that one.] Barry just called for monthly joint meetings with leaders from both parties. [Funny, the Republicans have been excluded from everything for the past year and it was your doing. Did you see the light? Was there a tunnel?]

THE WARS: I can't believe it took almost 50 minutes to finally mention the war beyond a quick mention of it in discussing the deficit. He thinks all the troops will be out of Iraq by August. [Anyone wanna place bets on this?]

Ooops. Pelosi almost stood up when she was not supposed to. Slightly embarrassing but it least she wasn't caught using her middle finger to "scratch an itch on her face."

PEACE TREATIES: With Russia? Guess he doesn't watch all those spy movies. The Russians cannot be trusted. There's a reason that Russians have been the bad guys in so many Bond movies and that Jack Bauer is chasing them in 24 [Editor's note: that's my second 24 reference without ever watching the show.]

PROMISES: Well he's made lots so far but here are a slew of new ones. End employment discrimination. [Honestly I thought that ended when we finally allowed (read: voted) a black man to the office of president.] Oh wait, he meant between men and women. Put an end to don't ask don't tell and sexual discrimination in the military. [Hey, if there's enemy fire and I'm in the trenches, let a gay soldier jump on me and shield me.] He's winding down and he finally touched on gays and women. [Can you make them more of an afterthought?]

I just got a shout it!!!! Okay technically he called me out but I'll take what I can get. Barry mentioned there's too much cynicism out there.

THE END. And may dog bless America. (sorry, keyboard dyslexia)

San Diego is Evil!

I know just from the title that I've already insulted a certain friend. She plans to move out west as soon as possible. Not just out to California, to San Diego. She constantly talks about going out there, finding any (respectable) work to pay the bills, and then find her true calling (with or without that law degree).

This friend talks more about the greatness that is San Diego than she does about the virtues of the most awesome movie masterpiece of the century--Slumdog Millionaire of course (which I still have not seen nor intend to see). This friend also happens to also be one of my closest friends while I was in law school and if I ever find myself out west, I will make a point to visit her. I'm sure she will be happier out there than I am in NY.

The purpose of this post is not to dwell on my friend but to let out some anger. As you all know, I'm working on developing a number of business ideas. I also recently got back from a trip to Canada which was both business and pleasure. This story relates to the business side. The friends happen to be my marketing consultant and graphic designer.

Late one night over Presidents' Weekend we were trying to come up with a business name. Because of the nature of the business, certain names can be twisted into something dirty while my business is child friendly. So I asked my friends for some help. During a brainstorming session (around midnight) , the graphic designer came up with the best idea. I was thinking about it all weekend and up until today and really took a liking to it. I even started doodling on a pad to see what I can do for a logo. [I am fairly creative and artistically talented both on and off the computer.]

Earlier today I started doing a due diligence search to see if the name is already being used. First I checked in New York and the name was not in use. Then I checked nationally just in case my company makes it big. Sure enough, the first result in my search was a business operating out of San Diego, California. That business was somewhat related but the model is completely different. Unfortunately, the business (which shall remain nameless) took my name and had the domain name up and running for some time now. Back to the drawing board for me!

The moral of the story is that the founder of that business is evil, the city of San Diego is just as evil, and California is beyond evil. Don't get me wrong, I wish the owner and the business lots of success because I have nothing against him or his business. Plus, everyone knows that karma is a [censored].

[Editors Note: I know I'm blaming the entire city in a state I know little about (other than the fact that the people are weird and their governor is Kindergarten Cop) but I am miffed. It's always easier to blame a large group and make generalizations rather than go after the individual or small group who is/are the source of the problem. I don't actually hate La Ciudad de San Diego or the people of California (except the hippies, Nancy Pelosi, and the illegals).]

Please direct any and all complaints about this post or any other post on this blog to (212) 479-7990.

Finally a reason to go to California

As fun as it would be to continue a certain blog war with Danielle, I don't think it needs to go beyond "I HAVE NO INTEREST IN SEEING SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE REGARDLESS OF HOW CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED IT WAS!"

There were other topics of conversation that night. For one, we also discussed her desire/plan to move to California. I have never been to the left coast. [Been as far as Edmonton, Alberta Canada, which is in the Canadian Rockies for those non-moose loving or geographically challenged folk.] I want to go out there and ride along the coast on my most awesome Cannondale roadbike, and also see friends, hit the beaches and check out the girls. Not that there aren't enough fake or enhanced girls in New York!

[NOTE: I would never go out there and escape the seasons. I am perfectly content with my New York summers and winters. I love the beach and love to ski. I can do without spring and fall.]

ANYWAY, Danielle asked me if I would visit her if she moved out there. Considering that in my many years of existence I have never ventured out there, was this enough to tip the scales, and go west (albeit for a brief vacation)?

I said yes because that's always the right thing to say, but then yesterday I finally got a good reason to go to California. After that football game last night (which I did watch very intently), I went online to re-watch the Audi commercial with Jason Statham ("The Transporter" or "El Transportador" south of the border). I also found this other Audi commercial which did not air in the US.

And THIS is why I need to go to California: