ASPIRATIONAL COMMENT

CHICAGO -- In his first public appearance since leaving the White House in January, President Barack Obama told young leaders here Monday that "special interests dominate the debates in Washington" and that he had failed to realize his "aspirational" goal of uniting Americans in red and blue states.

"That was an aspirational comment," the former president said of his famous 2004 Democratic National Convention speech, prompting laughter from the audience at the University of Chicago. He added that when talking to individual Americans from different political backgrounds, you learn that "there’s a lot more that people have in common" than it would appear. "But, obviously, it’s not true when it comes to our politics and our civic life."

aspirational [as-puh-rey-shuh-nl] 

relating to or characterized by aspiration or a strong desire for something

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back in 2013, our former President was telling us that how he had prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Obama Says Deal Is 'Best Means' For Preventing Iranian Nuclear Weapons

Back when Obama was defending the deal with Iran that he said would prevent Iran from continuing to develop nuclear weapons - most people with a functioning brain realized that this 'deal' was no deal at all and virtually assured that Iran would simply continue their nuclear weapons program. At the time, I thought that Obama was simply lying. NOW I KNOW DIFFERENTLY.  It was simply an 'aspirational' comment. Obama had a strong desire to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons. He never meant that that had been actually accomplished. Ok, I am glad that this has been cleared up.

Your Food Diary For:

Monday, April 24, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Safeway Kitchens - Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
L U N C H
Fresh Market Cafe - California Sushi Roll	700	124	11	22	3,389	18
	700	124	11	22	3,389	18
D I N N E R
Wonton soup	200	16	8	16	850	1
Chinese Food - Shrimp and Broccoli	750	39	17	56	2,904	14
	950	55	25	72	3,754	15
S N A C K S
Smartfood Popcorn - White Cheddar	120	10	7	3	180	1
	120	10	7	3	180	1
Totals	2,550	351	52	115	8,343	106
Your Daily Goal	2,041	255	68	103	2,300	76
Remaining	-509	-96	16	-12	-6,043	-30
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

WHEN DEMOCRATS SOLVE PROBLEMS

With North Korea firmly back in the news making threats and headlines, I thought it would be a good idea to reprint an editorial from the New York Post that was originally published more than a year ago on January 6, 2016.  When a Democrat announces that an agreement has been made to eradicate chemical weapons (Obama, Syria) or eradicate a nuclear weapons program (Obama, Iraq) one should always assume the opposite. Many years ago, in 1981, the Israelis did not need to announce that they had prevented Iraq from getting nuclear weapons. They simply bombed the facility. Chemical weapons programs and nuclear weapons programs are apparently impervious to paper agreements or treaties. I have no idea what the correct policy should be in North Korea - apparently all the choices are very bad. It is likely that doing nothing, may still be the worst choice. At least now, we have a President that does NOT announce his intentions prior to taking action. This may explain why Trump's approval ratings are back to about 50%. 

OPINION

EDITORIAL

You can thank Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton for North Korea’s nukes

By Post Editorial Board

January 6, 2016 | 8:54pm

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North Korea’s boast that it just detonated its first hydrogen bomb met instant doubts from the White House and arms experts. If they’re right, Pyongyang “only” has plain-old atomic bombs. What a . . . relief? But, as one Chinese expert told The Wall Street Journal, the H-bomb claim still shows that tyrant Kim Jong-un is “marching in that direction.” For all this, thank Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. North Korea couldn’t have done it without their gullibility. Back in 1994, President Clinton prepared to confront North Korea over CIA reports it had built nuclear warheads and its subsequent threats to engulf Japan and South Korea in “a sea of fire.” Enter self-appointed peacemaker Carter: The ex-prez scurried off to Pyongyang and negotiated a sellout deal that gave North Korea two new reactors and $5 billion in aid in return for a promise to quit seeking nukes. Clinton embraced this appeasement as achieving “an end to the threat of nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula” — with compliance verified by international inspectors. Carter wound up winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his dubious efforts.

But in 2002, the North Koreans ’fessed up: They’d begun violating the accord on Day One. Four years later, Pyongyang detonated its first nuke. Now, the Obama administration (long content to kick the North Korea can down the road) says it will never “accept” a nuclear North Korea. Funny: The president said the same thing about Iran, then cut a deal that guarantees the ayatollahs go atomic. Yet North Korea is more of a wild card, a concentration camp of a nation run by a tiny, ruthless elite. If it ever lives up to its boasts and unleashes that “sea of fire,” will Carter, Clinton and Obama shed public tears for Pyongyang’s victims?

      Your Food Diary For:

Monday, April 17, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal	520	108	6	12	680	48
Nature Valley - Oats 'n Honey	190	29	7	3	180	11
	710	137	13	15	860	59
L U N C H
Caseys - Turkey Club Wrap, 1 Wrap	390	42	15	21	1,310	0
	390	42	15	21	1,310	0
D I N N E R
Chick-fil-A - Original-Chicken Sandwich	440	41	18	28	1,390	5
Chick fil A - French Fries	400	48	21	5	180	0
	840	89	39	33	1,570	5
Totals	1,940	268	67	69	3,740	64
Your Daily Goal	2,787	348	93	140	2,300	104
Remaining	847	80	26	71	-1,440	40
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, April 17, 2017

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
5 Mile Urban Hike	86	747
Daily Total / Goal	86 / 30	747 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	86 / 210	747 / 4,130

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LIFE GETS INTERRUPTED

Every day I blog. I try to be interesting. I try to be amusing. I try to be funny. I try to be informative. Today, I will be mostly somber. Late yesterday afternoon my daughter was winding down from another busy day and her one week visit to Paris, France. We received a text from her requesting permission for her to skip brushing her teeth as she was preparing to go to sleep. (I guess she was tired.)  While receiving this text, my wife and I were at the hotel where our out-of-town guests will be gathering to celebrate our daughter's Bat-Mitzvah in three weeks. And while that was going on, my phone started lighting up and buzzing.  It did not take long to learn that Civilization was attacked.  This time, in Paris, France (again.)   While I was learning how to operate the audio visual projector to show photos to our guests in three weeks, I was concurrently learning that there were multiple deaths in Paris, France at the hands of terrorists.  The true scope of these murders were not known to us for an hour or so more.  What to do?  We already knew that our daughter was snug as a bug, safe and sound in the home of her Parisian hosts.  Shortly thereafter, we received emails from the chaperones in Paris, as well as Sara's Principal back here in Chicago - that every child and all four teacher/chaperones were safe.  I received phone messages, and/or texts from family and friends over the next hour or so.  After assuring all that Sara was indeed safe, and possibly oblivious to what had transpired (at least until she awakens in Paris on Saturday morning) all we could do was watch the news and hope that Sara's plane departs Paris as scheduled on Saturday. We monitored her aircraft that departed Chicago four hours late which made necessary that Sara's flight would be delayed by some hours as well.  That is where we are now.... Waiting and hoping that Sara's flight departs as scheduled on Saturday, even if it delayed by a few hours.  

Now, I want to make one 'political statement.'   Every time I visit a building with the 'warning' sticker on the front door that this location is a gun-free zone - I know that the person that cheerfully applied that sticker is among the biggest morons in the universe.   I have noticed that criminals, murderers and terrorists tend to not attack police stations where people are known to be armed.  They do, however, seem to enjoy attacking places where they know people are not armed.  Way to go liberals, thanks for broadcasting the absolute safest places in the world for criminals, murderers and terrorists to 'apply their trade.'  

I guess I am not being my amusing, chipper self today... I apologize to readers of my blog who visit only to be amused and/or learn how a guy who used to be 309 lbs turned into a guy who is not about 220 lbs. Life Gets Interrupted sometimes.  And today, was one of those days.

Why are there so many morons that think that this sign is a sign of intelligent life?

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PLEASE STOP VOTING FOR THE MORONS THAT THINK THAT GUN FREE ZONES ARE INTELLIGENT.  PLEASE STOP SENDING YOUR CHILDREN TO UNIVERSITIES WHERE OUR CHILDREN ARE BRAINWASHED TO THINK THAT GUNS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MURDER.  MURDERERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MURDER. PLEASE STOP VOTING FOR POLITICIANS WHO CANNOT NAME OR IDENTIFY OUR ENEMY.  PLEASE STOP SUPPORTING DEMOCRATS WHO ESPOUSE LEFTIST IDEAS.  PLEASE STOP LIVING A LIFE OF BLISSFUL IGNORANCE.  PLEASE EXCUSE MY ANGER THIS MORNING. 

...and now, I return you to my regular blog...

Another reminder that winter is on the way.  When I got underway this morning in Chicago, the temperature was 39° F and the windchill made it feel more like 28°F.  I dressed in four different layers and I did what I have been doing... I took off for a 10 mile walk to start my day.  As many of you know, one of the milestones of fitbit use is to (at least) surpass 10,000 steps per day.  A ten mile walk insures that the fitbit will be satisfied for the day. 

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Your Food Diary For:

Friday, November 13, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
tasteeos - Cereal, 3 cup	300	63	5	9	480	3
Kashi - Dark Chocolate Coconut Bar, 3 bar	360	63	11	12	150	21
	660	126	15	21	630	24
L U N C H
Ak Mak - Sesame Cracker, 20 Crackers	440	80	8	20	892	0
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 52.0 g (approx 6 pieces)	143	36	0	3	1	26
	583	116	8	23	893	26
D I N N E R
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts, 1 cup	65	13	3	6	23	0
Teriyaki - Salmon, 120 g	270	3	8	47	0	0
Ronzoni - Gemelli., 56 g (2/3 cup)	200	42	1	7	0	2
Little Sald Bar Spinach (Aldi) - Spinach, 0.99 cups	7	1	0	1	21	0
Crab Salad - Imitation Crab, Deli, 1 cup	225	18	2	26	680	2
	767	77	14	86	724	4
S N A C K S
WHOLE FOODS - YOGURT PRETZELS, 34.0 g (approx 8 pcs)	162	24	0	2	153	16
Whole Foods - Dancing Star - Chunks of Energy - Carob Spirulina, 3 chunks (28g)	195	23	11	6	15	12
WHOLE FOODS - CHEDDAR SESAME STICKS, 36.4 g (1/3 cup)	195	17	13	4	624	1
WHOLE FOODS 7089 - 42% CACAO SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS, 48.0 g (approx 2 TBSP)	224	32	13	3	0	26
General Mills With Whole Grain - Kix Cereal (Net Carbs), 2.5 cup	220	50	2	4	360	6
	996	145	38	19	1,152	61
Totals	3,006	464	75	148	3,400	115
Your Daily Goal	3,985	498	133	200	2,300	149
Remaining	979	33	58	51	-1,099	33
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,055 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Friday, November 13, 2015

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace	128	2,043
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	12
Daily Total / Goal	129 / 30	2,055 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	691 / 210	9,130 / 4,130

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TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 3006 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED (10 MILE WALK) 2043 CALORIES
TOTAL NET CALORIES 963 CALORIES
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

220.4 lbs

I weigh 220.4 lbs.

I gained 1.8 lb this week (It's gotta be muscle mass!)

I have lost 88.6 lbs in 325 days. Today begins Day 326.

I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.

I weigh 220.4 lbs (325 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)

I have lost 28.7% of my weight since Dec 24.

I have a BMI, body mass index of 29.48

I had a 42.0 BMI on Dec 24 just 325 days ago (Class III obesity)

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fitbit day 72

30009 steps

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a little before 9:00AM Chicago time, my daughters flight took off from Paris...Now due to arrive Chicago a little after 6:00PM.