A Simple Thank You

...to all of those who have served in the military and their families, to those who've risked life and limb to defend our freedoms and way of life, and to the millions who've given their lives for our country. Your sacrifice has made it possible for me to raise a beautiful family and live a good life in peace. You have my deepest and most sincere gratitude.

Invested In Our Defeat

“Since retaking Congress in November 2006, the top foreign policy priority of the Democratic Party has not been to expand the size of our military for the war on terror or to strengthen our democracy promotion efforts in the Middle East or to prevail in Afghanistan. It has been to pull our troops out of Iraq, to abandon the democratically-elected government there, and to hand a defeat to President Bush.

“Iraq has become the singular litmus test for Democratic candidates. No Democratic presidential primary candidate today speaks of America’s moral or strategic responsibility to stand with the Iraqi people against the totalitarian forces of radical Islam, or of the consequences of handing a victory in Iraq to al Qaeda and Iran. And if they did, their campaign would be as unsuccessful as mine was in 2006. Even as evidence has mounted that General Petraeus’ new counterinsurgency strategy is succeeding, Democrats have remained emotionally invested in a narrative of defeat and retreat in Iraq, reluctant to acknowledge the progress we are now achieving, or even that that progress has enabled us to begin drawing down our troops there.”

Sounds like a Republican, but it's actually from a speech former Democrat (and current Independant) Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut gave to the Center for Politics and Foreign Relations/Financial Times breakfast at The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.

Senator Lieberman also indicated, “…there is something profoundly wrong—something that should trouble all of us—when we have elected Democratic officials who seem more worried about how the Bush administration might respond to Iran’s murder of our troops, than about the fact that Iran is murdering our troops.

There is likewise something profoundly wrong when we see candidates who are willing to pander to this politically paranoid, hyper-partisan sentiment in the Democratic base—even if it sends a message of weakness and division to the Iranian regime.”

A Day In The Life

This video pretty much sums up a typical day for me (except for the Bud Lite part).

My Top 25 Favorite Beatles Songs

I don't remember the first time I heard The Beatles. It seems like their music has always surrounded me. As a child I remember being moved by the beauty and poignancy of "Yesterday." As a young teen, I remember playing "Day Tripper" on guitar with Wade on drums until his dad kicked us out of the garage at 10 pm. As an adult, I have come to appreciate not only their musical catalogue, but also the impact they have had on me and the music industry as a whole, including many of the bands and musicians I love to listen to today.

Ok, so I think Myke and I are like the only guys that remotely care about this list...but, still. It's meaningful to us in our own musician-nerd way. I've been procrastinating posting this list because it is so difficult to choose my favorites. I've loved different songs during different seasons for different reasons. I'm fairly certain that I'll feel completely different about the order of these songs within...oh, I don't know...about a week. But for now, here are my Top 25 Favorite Beatle Songs.

Yesterday -- See above.
Eleanor Rigby -- Two profiles in loneliness, a topic with which we are all well acquainted. Impeccable string section.
I Am the Walrus -- LOVE the psychadelic instrumentation and lyrics. Brilliant arrangement.
Hey Jude -- The anthem for all time.
Dear Prudence -- Simply beautiful. GREAT guitar work throughout.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds -- Wonderfully imaginative, Classic chord progression. Psychedelia at its finest.
Let It Be -- Almost feels like singing a sacred hymn when this song comes on.
Something -- Just gorgeous from start to finish. One of George's best guitar solos.
Here Comes the Sun -- A song of hope.
Hello Goodbye -- I don't know why, but this song always makes me happy. One of my favorite choruses.
Getting Better -- Another song of hope. Love John's contribution ("it can't get no worse"). Cool sitar in the third verse.
Come and Get It - Classic McCartney.
Strawberry Fields -- George Martin's brilliance shines through on this one.
A Day In the Life -- One of my faves in 7th grade. Remember singing it with a good friend who moved far away that summer.
All You Need Is Love -- Fused 7/8 time with a fantastic melody. One of the most memorable choruses of all time.
She Said, She Said -- Groovy.
The Long and Winding Road -- Some of the most beautiful string parts ever written. Gorgeous melody.
She’s Leaving Home -- This one is going to hit homefor me soon enough.
Happiness Is A Warm Gun -- Myke re-introduced me to it. Incredible verse melody.
I Want You (She’s So Heavy) -- What can be said about the ominous guitar riff? It...is...awesome.
Here, There and Everywhere -- Simple and lovely.
Penny Lane -- Catchy tune. Cool horn part. Another great melody.
We Can Work It Out -- "Life is very short..."
Mother Nature’s Son -- Makes me wish I was basking in the sun somewhere in the great outdoors.
Revolution -- John's vocal is sooooo cool in this song.

As I look at this list I am reminded that I could easily change a handful of these songs out with others, like "Fool On the Hill," "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window," "Paperback Writer," "Lady Madonna," "In My Life," "Helter Skelter, "Glass Onion, "Golden Slumbers, "For No One," and "Across the Universe." But, for now, this is it!

What are YOUR favorites?