GM (Government Motors)

With the Government take-over of GM and its warrantees, and moving executives out of the corner office and the board room, I have an image of GM’s next vehicle – from The Simpson’s, Season 2, Episode 15 - I present to you "The Homer".

- POTUS

I Heart Angie

Even though her hubby is a chump and was a terrible NFL Cornerback (his only real achievement was that at one time he was the only caucasian starting Cornerback on an NFL team), I Heart Angie Harmon!!!

From Foxnews:

Angie Harmon is not afraid to come out and say she doesn’t like how President Obama is handling the job — but she’s sick of having to defend herself from being deemed a racist.
"Here's my problem with this, I'm just going to come out and say it. If I have anything to say against Obama it's not because I'm a racist, it's because I don't like what he's doing as President and anybody should be able to feel that way, but what I find now is that if you say anything against him you're called a racist," Harmon told Tarts at Thursday’s Los Angeles launch of the new eyelash-growing formula, Latisse. "But it has nothing to do with it, I don’t care what color he is. I’m just not crazy about what he's doing and I heard all about this, and he’s gonna do that and change and change, so okay … I'm still dressing for a recession over here buddy and we've got unemployment at an all-time high and that was his number one thing and that's the thing I really don't appreciate. If I'm going to disagree with my President, that doesn't make me a racist. If I was to disagree with W, that doesn't make me racist. It has nothing to do with it, it is ridiculous."

Speaking of dislikes, the starlet has also had enough of the double-standards in the media.
"I do think McCain would have done a better job, only because I think he has more experience. I also think if W or John McCain or Reagan would have gone and done a talk show, the backlash would have been so huge and in his face, and ‘What is our president doing? How unclassy!’ But Obama does it and no one says anything," Harmon said.

And in spite of the scornful opinions most of her Tinseltown counterparts have shared on Gov. Sarah Palin, Harmon remains a true fan.

"I admire any kind of woman like her. My whole motto is to know what I stand for and know what I don't stand for and have the courage to live my life accordingly and she does exactly that. The fact that this woman has made the decisions she's made and literally lived her life according to that and takes heat for it is absolutely disgusting to me," she added. "People cannot look at this woman. I really think they're afraid of her and her morals, ethics and values and the fact that she hangs on them. Is she the most experienced person in the world? But she was running to be the Vice President, so we then put the most inexperienced person as the President. That didn't make any sense to me." . . .

--G

Home on the Range

What a long strange weekend it was. We celebrated the Rabbi’s waning days on the market this weekend with a CLE send-off like no other in recent memory. And speaking of memories, the whole crew is collectively trying to reconstruct ours. We started off the evening at the Rabbi’s place with some excellently prepared dry-rubbed 2.5 inch filets (pictured) and some sides by Mrs. Brunson. We then hopped on the party bus for our long strange trip. Cadillac Ranch was packed and the bull was rockin’. Then off to a couple of Cleveland’s other fine establishments and that’s about the time memories get fuzzy. The night ended, unknown by us until the morning, with about $2500 in damage to the Silver Bullet (soon to be known as the Gray Lady) as the party bus was pulling out of the lot.

POTUS

WHAT WHAT WHAT?!?!

Are you friggin kidding me?! The White House asks the CEO of General Motor's to resign...and he DOES?! I just can't believe this.

Look, I'm not defending the guy. I have no idea if he's capable of running GM or not--nor have I read up enough to know what he's done wrong--or not. What I do know is that the Board of Directors or the shareholders should be calling for his head---not the friggin' President.

We all need to study up and learn this anthem over the next 3-plus years. Because this is exactly what this guy is doing to us.

--G

Motivation is the Key

As with most things in life, the key to accomplishing any goal is to identify and leverage something that motivates you to accomplish said goal.

Unlike past attempts to lose weight, I'm focused this time. I'm enjoying the different foods im eating, and perhaps just as importantly, I'm not missing the foods that ballooned my weight to a mere 205. My heights of my spirits are exceeded only by my energy.

This morning's weigh in: Below the Mendoza line at 199.

Good times!

--G

A Man and His Dad

I always joke with my good friend, who happens to be the author of the article below, that he's an "Old Man". In fact, he's 61 years old--the same age as my father (Dad was born in 1947--so they're close in age, anyway).

Indeed, almost every piece of electronic coorespondence I send him, I conclude with a good-hearted insult or two (I'll spare our more prudish readers from the insults I've thrown his way). Believe me, though, the old man gives as good as he gets. Almost always, I'll finish my email with an affectionate: "Later, Old man".

I wanted to share a piece he wrote today for the Columbus Dispatch. You see, John's father, "Sig" Meyer, died two years ago today. I remember stopping at calling hours on my way back from Cleveland that evening--and i was suprised to see just how good of a mood John was in. He was upbeat, he was happy--he seemed content. I didn't understand that at the time, to be honest. After reading this article, some two years later--I now understand. John and his dad had a special relationship. They spent alot of time together, just the two of them, working, talking, sharing--and sometimes I imagine, just being together and not needing to talk. So John, I presume, knew his dad lived a good life--and was content himself. I only pray I'm as calm and content the day my father passes. As usual--John was an example.

Mr. Sig Meyer raised a good boy. I remember since the day I met him (John), he's always treated me with respect and was a great mentor when we worked together (for some 5 years). I'm proud to call him a friend---just as I'm sure Sig Meyer was proud to call him son.

With pride, dedication, surveyor served city

Saturday, March 28, 2009 3:10 AM

By John Meyer

First Person is a weekly forum for personal musings and reflections from readers.
My dad went to work for the city of Columbus in 1949, eventually becoming chief of the field-survey crews.

His work took him to all areas of the city -- where he and his crew mates staked out new streets, road widenings and water and sewer lines.

"Sig" Meyer toiled in plain view, yet few people probably ever noticed him or what he was doing.

Still, he woke up faithfully on weekdays and battled the elements -- including baking sun and bone-aching cold, ankle-deep mud, nasty insects and thorny brush, not to mention speeding cars and angry drivers, unfriendly dogs and unappreciative property owners.

Dad's work played a key, if largely unrecognized, role in the city's incredible growth of the 1950s and '60s. As the Columbus boundaries burst outward in all directions, he was among the front-line workers who carved the shape of things to come.

To help make ends meet, he moonlighted for three decades with a private engineering company.
Along the way, when I was attending Columbus North High School, he decided that I should join him as a moonlighter on Saturdays.

At age 15, I was essentially allergic to labor and didn't find his line of work all that interesting. Even now, I can't shake the memories of those Saturdays when Dad would flip on the upstairs lights and head toward my room to drag me out of bed. (Sometimes I fell ill with a sudden cough, but I can't recall Dad ever buying the ruse.)

Into my college days, I worked on the survey crew full time during the summer. Vanity enabled me to appreciate the bronze tan I developed each year, along with the slight definition that swinging a 16-pound sledgehammer added to my puny frame.

Later, after I began teaching at a Columbus high school, I continued to moonlight with Dad on weekends and in the evenings. Often, we worked alone -- just the two of us.
As I matured into my 20s, I came to realize how fortunate I'd been to spend so many extra hours with my dad: Despite his sometimes-gruff German demeanor, he was one of the sweetest, kindest souls I've known.

Eventually, with my sister and me both out of college and age catching up to him, Dad stopped moonlighting.

He continued to work for the city until 1985, when he finally hung up his plumb bob, 100-foot measuring tape and work boots.

Dad passed away in March 2007 of prostate cancer.

During the previous summer, I'd picked him up one August day and driven him to some of the sites where his work had taken him -- a final victory lap for the old surveyor.
He basked in the opportunity to relate stories about the rigors he had faced, the pranks he and his buddies had played on one another and the way the city had looked back then.
We even visited a few places where he and I had surveyed together.
The day is one I won't forget.

Sig Meyer genuinely loved his job. He took pride in what he did.
And he knew that he'd made a difference, even though few people noticed.

John Meyer, 61, of Worthington lost his father two years ago today.

--G

Biggest Loser

Well folks, I'm at it again. God willing, I'll have the resolve to see it through. The goal: 25 pounds. The timeline: June 20th. Current weight: 203.

Pray for me.

--G

The Wire

This damn cold, politics and the economy have me in the ditch. I’m in need of a break. NetFlix delivered the last disc of The Wire, Season 5 (the final season). I’m turning off the cable and gonna sit back and watch how it all ends for Jimmy McNulty.

And a long overdue shout-out to Jackie Moon for hooking me on this series. It was a little rough at the start, but filled a nice slot following Sopranos and Entourage.

POTUS

That Alan Keyes!

Alan Keyes is a better orator than BHO ever dreamed of being. You may not agree with his "far-right" positions. But, unlike most politicians, he is consistent in his views and steadfast in his defense of them. Unfortunately, he has been demonized by the media as well as most in the african american community. I think he's a little wacko sometimes, and a terrible political strategist, but at least I know where he stands. The attached video is compelling. Most will disregard it as just another Keyes "rant". But I'm telling you folks...this world is getting crazy, and Alan is all over it. Thanks for passing it on, Sarge.

--G

Daniel Hannan MEP: The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government

This speech needs to be given by someone in Congress. BHO---pay attention. It's as if he is speaking to you as well.

--G

Government Seizure

“We never want to serious crisis to go to waste.”
- Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff, Office of the President

They’ve already demonized the banks and financial institutions. They’ve demonized the auto industry and its executives. Now that the country is up in arms over AIG, the President is making a move to allow the government to take over non-banking entities, within the financial sector.

My question: What’s next?

And my follow-up is this: If this doesn’t scare the HELL out of you, I don’t know what will.

It was private jets. Now bonuses, executive compensation, and confiscatory taxes. And in order to correct all of this, Treasury floats the idea of being able to take over companies that we ‘can’t afford to let fail’. All under the guise of, if we had this power, we would have been able slowly unwind AIG.

Please. This is a power grab of epic proportions. We are losing our country and our freedoms of both liberty and economy and its happening right before our eyes.

If you care one bit about this country and system that it was founded on, you will contact your member of Congress and your Senators and tell them that they have a responsibility to put this action in check.

Oh yeah, and as for the quote that opened this piece, watch the complete video. Emanuel goes on to reference several items that should be addressed in this time of crisis – energy being the first.

So dear readers of SteakMatters, what is next? I’ll tell you – the energy industry. Mark my words, as gas prices begin to creep up through Spring and into Summer, Congress and the President will be calling these executives to the dais to talk about what they are doing, or not doing, and asking ‘How can you sit there making ‘obscene’ profits’ when the country is in a recession.

Let’s hope they fly coach.

- POTUS

Another reader at a time

Congratulations to Jackie Moon and Marcia Clark on the birth of their second child. Mother and baby healthy and bonding at home. Once I get over this cold, we’ll be by to properly welcome her into the Family.

POTUS

The Real Cost of an Ambassadorship

In a break from the serious, here's something that made me laugh, while putting into perspective (hopefully) for others, the direction in which this county is headed.

Thanks to Jaws for sharing this ESPN 'story' with SteakMatters, who as a Stillers fan, reports his disappointment at loosing 3 trophies, but joy that none are going to Cleveland. -POTUS



March 32, 2009
Steelers to loose Super Bowl Trophies
Pittsburgh, PA. The Super Bowl XLIII Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the only team to win six titles, will soon be loosing half of those trophies. After a meeting between NFL Commissioner Rodger Gadel and President Barack Hussain Obama, Obama decided to redistribute half of their Steeler Super Bowl victories and trophies to less fortunate teams in the league.
“We live everyday in the country that invented the Super Bowl.” said Obama “We are not about to lose this Great American tradition in the wake of these difficult times.” Obama’s plan calls for the Steelers, who are a successful NFL team, to give half of their Super Bowl trophies to teams that are not successful or have not been as successful as the Steelers. “The Detroit Loins are just as much a part of the same fiber of the NFL as the Steelers and they should, no rather will, be entitled to a Super Bowl Trophy as well.” Obama explains in his plan that he has imposed on Godel and the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who by virtue of hard work, excellent team play, stellar draft choices, responsible investing of free agents, careful hiring of coaches and excellent community service and commitment to their fans, has prospered greatly during the past 30 years and have won six Super Bowl Trophies. But President Barack Hussain Obama’s plan calls for the Pittsburgh Steelers to carry the larger burden of the NFL’s less successful teams. Obama went on to further proclaim, “In these difficult times we are all in this to work together. We must reclaim the NFL Championship Dream for every team, for every city and for every fan.”
“My plan will not affect 31 of the 32 teams in the league.” Obama assures. That’s over 95 percent of the teams in the NFL will not have to worry about loosing any Super Bowl Trophies. “The worst teams in the NFL and the teams that can’t seem to get a break and win a championship will no longer have to worry about going without a title.” Obama promises. “We are a country and league of hope. We all need to make a change. It does not matter the color of the teams uniforms, the personal decisions that the teams make or their performance but rather if they are a member of this great American league.”
The Super Bowl XLIII trophy will be redistributed to the 0-16 Detroit Lions. Through no fault of their own incompetence, the Lions could not manage a victory all season and this trophy will help ease the pain of their lack of performance and give them hope once again. The redistribution of Super Bowl XL trophy will go directly to the Steeler’s division rival the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals who also have fallen on hard times have never won a Super Bowl. This victory will bring a smile to hundreds of Bengal fans all over the world as they can now celebrate. Finally, one of the Steeler’s two Super Bowl victories over the Dallas Cowboys will go back to the Cowboys since the league needs to provide hope in the face of difficulty and provide hope in the face of uncertainty. This is a heavy burden for the Steelers but together we can all prosper.
All hope is not lost for Pittsburgh fans, Barack Hussain Obama has another plan in place. Obama has meet with MLB and commissioner Bud Selig on a similar plan. The New York Yankees will redistribute two of their world series trophies to the Pittsburgh Pirates as a supplement to their loosing 16 straight seasons and counting. This plan will help stimulate the Pirates and enable them to regain the American Dream. Barack Hussain Obama will be meeting with the NHL and Michael Phelps in the upcoming weeks as this issue is high on his agenda for “Hope and Change.”
Obama provides hope to NFL teams.

The Will of the People

Be it politics, sports, culture or...beer...George is the greatest.

The Toxic Assets We Elected

By George F. WillTuesday, March 24, 2009

With the braying of 328 yahoos -- members of the House of Representatives who voted for retroactive and punitive use of the tax code to confiscate the legal earnings of a small, unpopular group -- still reverberating, the Obama administration yesterday invited private-sector investors to become business partners with the capricious and increasingly anti-constitutional government. This latest plan to unfreeze the financial system came almost half a year after Congress shoveled $700 billion into the Troubled Assets Relief Program, $325 billion of which has been spent without purchasing any toxic assets.

TARP funds have, however, semi-purchased, among many other things, two automobile companies (and, last week, some of their parts suppliers), which must amaze Sweden. That unlikely tutor of America regarding capitalist common sense has said, through a Cabinet minister, that the ailing Saab automobile company is on its own: "The Swedish state is not prepared to own car factories."

Another embarrassing auditor of American misgovernment is China, whose premier has rightly noted the unsustainable trajectory of America's high-consumption, low-savings economy. He has also decorously but clearly expressed sensible fears that his country's $1 trillion-plus of dollar-denominated assets might be devalued by America choosing, as banana republics have done, to use inflation for partial repudiation of improvidently incurred debts.

From Mexico, America is receiving needed instruction about fundamental rights and the rule of law. A leading Democrat trying to abolish the right of workers to secret ballots in unionization elections is California's Rep. George Miller who, with 15 other Democrats, in 2001 admonished Mexico: "The secret ballot is absolutely necessary in order to ensure that workers are not intimidated into voting for a union they might not otherwise choose." Last year, Mexico's highest court unanimously affirmed for Mexicans the right that Democrats want to strip from Americans.

Congress, with the approval of a president who has waxed censorious about his predecessor's imperious unilateralism in dealing with other nations, has shredded the North American Free Trade Agreement. Congress used the omnibus spending bill to abolish a program that was created as part of a protracted U.S. stall regarding compliance with its obligation to allow Mexican long-haul trucks on U.S. roads. The program, testing the safety of Mexican trucking, became an embarrassment because it found Mexican trucking at least as safe as U.S. trucking. Mexico has resorted to protectionism -- tariffs on many U.S. goods -- in retaliation for Democrats' protection of the Teamsters union.

NAFTA, like all treaties, is the "supreme law of the land." So says the Constitution. It is, however, a cobweb constraint on a Congress that, ignoring the document's unambiguous stipulations that the House shall be composed of members chosen "by the people of the several states," is voting to pretend that the District of Columbia is a state. Hence it supposedly can have a Democratic member of the House and, down the descending road, two Democratic senators. Congress rationalizes this anti-constitutional willfulness by citing the Constitution's language that each house shall be the judge of the "qualifications" of its members and that Congress can "exercise exclusive legislation" over the District. What, then, prevents Congress from giving House and Senate seats to Yellowstone National Park, over which Congress exercises exclusive legislation? Only Congress's capacity for embarrassment. So, not much.

The Federal Reserve, by long practice rather than law, has been insulated from politics in performing its fundamental function of preserving the currency as a store of value -- preventing inflation. Now, however, by undertaking hitherto uncontemplated functions, it has become an appendage of the executive branch. The coming costs, in political manipulation of the money supply, of this forfeiture of independence could be steep.

Jefferson warned that "great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities." But Democrats, who trace their party's pedigree to Jefferson, are contemplating using "reconciliation" -- a legislative maneuver abused by both parties to severely truncate debate and limit the minority's right to resist -- to impose vast and controversial changes on the 17 percent of the economy that is health care. When the Congressional Budget Office announced that the president's budget underestimates by $2.3 trillion the likely deficits over the next decade, his budget director, Peter Orszag, said: All long-range budget forecasts are notoriously unreliable -- so rely on ours.

This is but a partial list of recent lawlessness, situational constitutionalism and institutional derangement. Such political malfeasance is pertinent to the financial meltdown as the administration, desperately seeking confidence, tries to stabilize the economy by vastly enlarging government's role in it.

--G

Ray's the Steaks Redux...

Sorry for my absence Gents, but as you all know we have been tremendously busy with our lovely government spending like drunken sailors, but I digress.

Anyways, as you know my favorite Steakhouse, Ray's the Steaks, just upped their game and moved down the street to a place that is 4.5 times the size of the shoebox in the strip mall. This is long overdue because they have had lines out the door for years, and after going the other night they are still filled open to close.

I was happy to see that the character is still there: the bare walls, no table clothes, cramped quarters and still the raucous of people floating around the doorway. I was very pleased to see that really nothing has changed besides the menus being laminated and the capacity going up. The steaks are the same price and they are still has tasty as the first time I went. So Cheers to Chef/owner Michael Landrum for pulling this off because most restaurants lose some character when they expand.

Oh yeah, and in the old location, he is planning on opening up a fish joint aptly called, Ray's the Nets...

-BR

My First Time

No you freak, this post is not what you think its about. Its about SteakMatters.com's first video posted to YouTube. And yes, possibly, like that other first time, this one isn't the best performance, but I know we can do it better with practice....

The video is from Thurs' Cavs game intros taken on my newly minted, video enhanced, Black Berry.

JD knows Jack

You don’t have to tell me or the Conductor. We already knew: Buick builds a quality car. And JD Power & Associates just announced it. I just turned 148k and Conductor took his to 277k.

Jaguar and Buick tied for the top ranking in an influential vehicle-dependability study, supplanting Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus brand, which had held or tied for the No. 1 spot 14 years in a row.

Congrats to Rick Wagoner and the team at Buick.

POTUS

The Loser File

From the I’m a loser who lives in my parents basement file – “Hey I think you are the hottest Cavs Girl. Can you sign my calendar?” Really buddy!?!

Jaws is a Shark.

POTUS

Eating right while traveling

Our bodies tend to need a lot of protein to work properly, and that’s especially true when we travel. “Protein, as opposed to carbohydrates, may help you to feel more alert,” Woolsey says. “That may come in handy if you have a tough travel schedule and your sleep patterns are therefore being disrupted.”

I know that I have this problem; I’m all set for have a nice big, tasty salad, and then I get a ring on the celly from Lefty or Big Red and they say, “Hey, let’s do [insert steakhouse here].” Oh, OK. Now, I know. Skip the salad. Steak’s protein. I’m good to go.

Thanks to Ron “Jaws” Jawarski for the submission. Read the full article here.

POTUS

Wealth Redistribution

Congress may be pissed about the AIG bonuses, I think we all are. But having worked in financial services for a time, I’m also aware that many of the employers consider the ‘bonus’ more in line as part of one’s salary. So just because a very small number of AIG employees were responsible for creating, marketing and selling the instruments that contributed to this fiasco, doesn’t mean you stick it to the rest of the employees. Sure there are some recipients that got ridiculous bonuses - $4+million, but so did Dante Stallworth (that may not be a good example).

This all could have been avoided, if that’s what the Government wanted. Hell, they…I mean WE…own 80% of the friggin’ company. We’re the shareholders. This should have been stopped at the Board Room.

Anyhow, what scares the crap out of me is Sen. Chuck Schumer’s statement on the Senate floor that they will tax those who received the bonuses at 100%. If that isn’t dangerous, I don’t know what is!?! The last thing I want is the US Congress creating legislation that specifically targets an individual’s salary, bonus, employment package, WHATEVER!!

A show of hands: Who wants Congress deciding how much someone should make!?! What someone should NOT make!?! All of a sudden CONGRESS is the head of HR, the COO, and the CFO for every worker in America!?! [Well comrade, yes.]

You’ve read it here first – if this happens it won’t stop there. And while you and I may not be the ones in the crosshairs today, sooner or later we will be.

It started with limiting executive compensation. It’s moved to bonus claw-backs and 100% tax rates.

Prepare yourself now. The mid-term elections are less than 2-years away.

POTUS

Speechless...

I don't even know what to say here.... At least she's hydrating....?

OMG!

From the WTF section of the closet. Why are clothes like this OK on St. Patrick's Day?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

From SteakMatters to you, enjoy a wonderful St. Patrick ’s Day filled with corned BEEF, cabbage and beer. [And don’t forget the drunk chicks in short-shorts, short skirts and bare midriffs all drunk and “woo whooing” throughout downtown. Video at 11:00p (I hope).

In all seriousness, for those who will partake in the festivities of the day, please do so responsibly and remember the Saint for which the day is named.

POTUS

Support the Troops. Oppose the war.

How many times since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have we heard the phrase, “I support the troops, but I oppose the war” or any variation of that? I can’t count the times. But either way, it was OK for the Left to say that or at least the media didn’t go after them with a vengeance.

Well much has been said and made of Rush Limbaugh’s comments about wanting BHO to fail and to be clear, it was his policies – socialism – that he was referencing. Now I’m the last person that will apologize to or for Limbaugh. I believe that he is indeed an entertainer, who certainly does believe in his ideology and has done a superb job of ‘monetizing’ it. Good for him.

But I ask you loyal readers of SteakMatters, what is the difference between what Limbaugh said and what the Left has said? Limbaugh, being one conservative voice in the field, essentially said, “I support the troops, but oppose the war.” He supports this country and the ideals it was founded on – heck it’s made him rich - and he opposes those who would destroy that which he so admires (besides himself) and is the bedrock principles that have made this country great.

Support the Troops. End the War. Support the Country. Oppose the President. Ok for the left, but wrong for the right. Give me a break.

Have we gotten to a place where questioning policy allows the BHO White House and the (new/old) Clinton Machine to demonize you? (You have to give ‘em credit, they played it perfectly for the crowd.) Say what you want, but we got a glimpse with Joe the Plumber/Reporter/Plaintiff. Limbaugh was second. Who’s next?

Michael Steele (and Kevin DeWine for that matter) need to take a lesson from Frank Luntz and rework their message and more importantly their responses. It’s not about Limbaugh, it’s about the preservation of bedrock foundations that this Great American Experiment we call the United States of America is built upon.

POTUS

T(bone) for Two

So it’s me, Lefty and Rainbow Warrior for dinner two weeks ago. (Yeah I know. I’m a bit tardy with this post). We went to dinner at Bobby Van’s across the street from our hotel, another Priceline score – Thank you Shat! As I reported previously, I was disappointed in my last meal there, but since it was right across the street – twist my arm; I’ll have more steak.

Anyhow, we grabbed a drink in our bar, to ward off the winter chill, and ventured across the street. The night’s specials included this superbly described spicy, dry-rubbed strip as one of the specials. And after my Kansas City Sirloin at Capital Grille I had a really ooley (craving) for another. But as I pursed the menu, Lefty noted the Porterhouse for Two on the menu. [Sidebar: I had wanted to get that the last time I was at BV’s but couldn’t find a second to go in with me. So I figured….]

Yeah we got the T(bone) for Two – it was voted the “Best in DC” by Washington Magazine - not that there's anything wrong with that, if you know what I mean, and I know you do. The preparation was perfect. It came to the table presented as a 2 ½ inch steak, but upon closer inspection, it was noted that the tenderloin and the strip were already sliced with exacting perfection. Now a purest may not approve, but what I loved about it was the au jus that resulted. When spooned over the perfectly charred beef, the favor exploded on the tongue. As before, we got a hashbrown side (killer); mushrooms (Lefty’s favorite); and steam asparagus (my favorite). Oh yeah, I forgot Rainbow Warrior. She got the salmon special, not for the entrée, which she didn’t eat, but for the rice that came with it as a side. Had I a refrigerator in my room, I would have taken her perfectly grilled trout home for a midnight snack. (It won’t have been the first time I’ve taken food off her plate.) As it was, she was happy with her meal, but took a good ribbing from both of us for not cleaning her plate.

We wrapped the dinner with another round, in preparation for the 80 foot walk from the restaurant to the hotel; ya' know, to fight the cold. It’s good to the President.

POTUS

Editor's Note: Unfortunatley, no pics. My camera was down.

Steak and Lefty are Back!!!

Steakmatters! But so does my day job which has kept me from this website for the past couple of months. However, I am returning at warp speed because today - it was all about steak and my man - Lefty - who won at Doral to move up to #2 in the world. And Lefty deserves some credit... when asked about how close he has gotten to #1, he brushed off the question since Tiger has missed so much golf. 100% class - as Lefty always is. By the way, all that talk of Tiger being better than ever is still just talk...but don't be surprised if he storms back just in time for Augusta...and I think Lefty may be waiting... can't wait to watch.

In the meantime, since Spring sprung a little early here on the north coast - I took Lefty Jr. out for 9 holes today. In the whole world, I can't think of much that is better than enjoying the greatest game of all time with your kid. And man do I wish I had his swing!!! We came home and continued the great day with some filets cooked to perfection on the grill. Even Lefty Jr. ate steak - a noteworthy event in itself!

Happy to be back in the saddle!
Lefty

March Madness

After today's loss vs. Purdue, Ohio State ensured they'll be, at a maximum, a one-and-out tourney team. They'll face Siena in Dayton on Friday. What do they get as a reward if they happen to beat the Saints? Louisville---the overall #1 seed in the tournament. Another predictable year of OSU basketball.

--G

my new blackberry

I love my new blackberry. Pics AND video! Thx EdIT. Stay tuned...

How we roll…Only in a Jeep

You’ve seen us roll in an H3 and you saw the DC pics of my next car, the Chevy Volt. I even got to roll in a Lincoln Town Car (pic’d included) in a recent trip to FLA. And don’t forget the minivan back a year ago on the excellent adventure with Lefty and the fams. And of course the Silver Bullet which is kissing 150k.


Well, recently the First Mother in Law rolled in her Jeep Cherokee. Not once. Not twice. Not three times. But four. Four times she rolled her 1990-something Jeep after hitting black ice on the highway. She finished wheels up, shinny side down, cut out of her seat belt and walked away!! Now if that’s not a product endorsement, I don’t know what is.

Check out the pics! Not even a broken window (the driver’s side window was rolled down post crash).

That is why FLOTUS, Prince and Princess roll in the Princess Jeep.

Now if we could just get those asses at All State to pay her claim.
- POTUS

Elevated to High

A quick trip in and out of our Nation’s Capital today. Rather interesting day, not for the meetings (no smoking former Soviet bloc countrymen), but for the vibe. It wasn’t the fact that the Senate passed the earmarked spending bill, but the heighten state of security. Apparently, and this must come from the dumbest criminals file, a person traveling through area asked for directions from the Police, and it was noticed in his car that he was armed. Yeah, that’s not good.

So Capitol Police were on a heighten state of alert and yes, the AR15s were out. Then I heard from a very reliable source that police presence was evident throughout the Metro system and that a “5 minute” loitering rule was being enforced which, in this case, prevented a bunch of ‘punk’ kids from hanging out on the platform waiting for a train. Then this one, a lady in the security line on the House side – while waiting for the Metro last night, a mystery train that came through Union Station. It was an unannounced arrival of a black train, with blacked out windows. When it pulled into the station, a well armed, well built individual stepped out of the door nearest her; stood guard; then reentered the train prior to departure. No words. No announcements. No nothing. Now I’m not a conspiracy theorists…oh whom I kidding…but something’s up in DC and it’s not (necessarily) the national debt.

Now I await the black car following me home; the black van parked on my street; the weird clicks on the phone line; and of course the black helicopters and planes over head.

POTUS

Deep in the Heart of Texas

There is HOPE, deep in the Heart of Texas. And it ain’t that fake plastic dog crap that this nation has been served up the BHO. Check out the video. And special thanks to Godmother for the clip.


And if the video doesn’t inspire you, Chuck Norris will!
“I may run for President of Texas!”
Check it out at World Net Daily.

POTUS

Only in Medina, OH

Childish - Yes. Funny - Hell Yes.

Zac Brown Band

If you're reading the blog lately, you're getting a serious lesson in Good Music. Today, I'm bringing you a quality, quality song--from a group of very talented musicians.

They're the Zac Brown Band--and they're singing Chicken Fried. A song about all that we enjoy in life (or at least I do): Fried Chicken, a cold beer, family, and my country.

I don't think I could relate to a song anymore than I relate to this one. If, after you watch this, and you want to learn more about the band and their music go to:

http://www.myspace.com/zacbrownband

You're welcome.

--G

Careless Whisper

It's almost a universal truth that when you "man something up"--generally it becomes better (I look forward to the hate mail for that comment). Music is no exception. To these ears, gruff voices, tribal screams and electric guitars almost always sound better than alto's and synthesizers---I'm just sayin'.

In this case, Seether (one of my all-time favorite bands) rocks out a timeless classic from the mid-80's (84, i think) called Careless Whisper. I know, right?!

Growing up, I couldn't stand George Michael and the music that he and his "band" WHAM played (You have to capitalize all the letters for some reason)--just wasn't my thing. I was more into New Edition (yea, i said it--Cool It Now was the shiznit), The Fat Boys (human beat box), and Ozzy. George Michael---yea, not so much.

Have a listen to Seether's version---then go watch and listen to the old school version on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQtlrBziyzI.

I mean, that hair! He must have been carelessly whispering to his blow dryer.

Tell me which one you think is better. No, really---go do it.

--G

Eternal Damnation

It seems that Obama's "optimism" is spreading to even the most godly among us. Enough of the scare tactics. It's time leadership of this country start telling the American people that things aren't as bad as they seem. A little reassurance would go a long way. But what do I know. I'm just a nasty, special-interest lobbyist.



--G

What's On G's iPod

I'll return by sharing a song that I am just wearing out on my iPod these days. It sounds even better on my new Bose, over-the-ear headphones.

I love this song--and this genre, really. As you know, I've just recently acquired the taste for country music (well mainly just Alan Jackson), but I've always loved Bluegrass. It's likely the affinity comes from having grown up with just about every relative of mine being able to play the instruments that are so essential to the music--i.e. the acoustic guitar, the banjo, mandolin, etc.

Anyway, I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow. Give it a listen.

It's playing now (frequently) I G's iPod.

--G

Off Hiatus

I'mmmm Baaaackkkk! I hope you missed me---whoever "you" are. I needed a break from the blog--POTUS did his best, I'm sure, to pick of the slack. Lefty and Big Red clearly did not.

I had a chat with a friend tonight that inspired me to get back at it--thanks Mulch.

So, I'm back in the saddle again, girls!

--G

Family Reunion

So I'm back polishing the Crown waiting for Lefty to wrap up his mtg. We’re doing dinner with Rainbow Warrior at a location TBD. All I know is I f'in hungry and this f'in small bowl of pepper popcorn ain't doin' it for me.

POTUS

Child of the Cold War

So I'm making the rounds with a delegation from a former Soviet bloc country. It’s been great. They want to increase trade and biz opportunities between the U.S. and there. But each time they talk, in very good, albeit accented English, I can't help but think of the movies of my youth – The Day After, Red Dawn, Firefox, Rocky IV, etc. Oh yeah, the WWF and the Iron Sheik and what was the name of his Soviet counterpart? Anyone? Nikolai Volkoff.

And don't forget the 1980 and 1984 Olympic boycotts. Talk about a Gold Rush.

So as these folks are conducting business in our country, speaking English as their second or third language, I'm here thanking God, Reagan and the US military for being victorious in the Cold War otherwise we'd all be screwed, drinking vodka, and trying to learn another language.

As it is, we're still fighting a war; it’s just a little bit different.

POTUS

Back in the Saddle Again

Back to our nation’s Capital. (Holy shit its cold!) I had an excellent adventure on the way out - up at 5a, missed the PC, only to be delayed at the gate while our Captain came in on a flight from c-bus(?). So anyhow, we load late with the hope of getting into DCA in between whiteouts and snowplows. Well after 45mins above DC, we had to turn back to Pittsburgh (!) of all places for more fuel (!) of all things. (Let me tell you Pittsburgh is beautiful this time of year.) An hour on the ground in our seats, a bag of pretzels in our guts, and were back in the air to give it another try.

After another 25mins in a holding pattern, our Buckeye pilot, battling 40mph winds, put it down on the deck. From there it was off to the races trying to make up for meetings missed. Barely time to eat, I grabbed a real, hand sliced roast beef sandwich at this little deli around the corner from Lefty's office and 2 doors down from the Conductor's favorite DC watering hole. What an excellent sandwich!

Back to the Hill for back-to-back-to-back meetings, grab the bags at the office, grab a cab on the street, and check in to the hotel. I’ve got two days with an overseas delegation and using intermediaries makes me a bit nervous. So I finally connected with my contact and worked out the logistics. More emails, some research, I headed around the corner to advance the day. (What a bitch! Its mother f'er cold out here.)

And of course there's no place open at this hour to get a reasonable sandwich. So here I am, eating a 16 dollar Angus burger, polishing the Crown and watching Rachel Maddow on the bar. Well, the burger and crown was good (ha!).

It’s good to be back in the saddle.

POTUS