THE REAL AMERICA!!!

THE REAL AMERICA!!!

The one thing I cannot stand about politics are the euphemisms and cliches' politicians use to gain one's vote, or to inflame the passions of their supporters.  You all have heard them before.  Terms such as "bipartisan", "reach across the aisle", "Washington is bad", "liberal media", etc., etc.  But there is one term that ticks me off to no end, and that is the term, "Real American".  What distinguishes "Real Americans" from so-called "Fake Americans"?  Although both sides of the political ideological spectrum use the term, it is those on the ideological "right" that unfortunately use the term to awaken the passions of those who arrogantly feel like they are losing "their" country.  Let me clarify what the term "Real Americans" mean, from a conservative point of view.  It means:  (1) White, (2) Male, (3) Straight, (4) Christian, (5) Working Class or Middle Class, (6) Native Born and (7) Rural and Southern.  I know what I am going to hear next.  That I am some bleeding heart liberal, picking on conservatives, with no evidence to the contrary.  Well...if you don't believe me, just look at almost anything that Ann Coulter ever wrote or said, or read Patrick Buchanan's ridiculously-titled book, "Suicide of a Superpower:  Will America Survive to 2025", a book dedicated to WASP ideology and supremacy.  Hannity, O'Reilly, Santorum, Gingrich, Bachmann, so on and so forth, have all put forth views that border on racial/ethnic paranoia and xenophobia.  That somehow, diversity is a negative.  Social justice is something to be mocked.  Compassion and empathy is a sign of weakness, and that change is to be resisted at all costs.

The irony of those who believe that way, are the same people who romanticize the history of immigrants coming to the United States, and how it fits into the narrative of the "American Dream". They paint a Hollywood-scripted picture of wary immigrants, in search of a better life, and that life will be realized in America (Which is fine).  Immigrants from then-Palestine, Italy, France, all walking through the doors of Ellis Island, under the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, the iconic symbol of the freedom.  It is a source of so-called pride, which is often used as a bumper sticker-like cliche', instead of something that is genuine.  The WASP Power Structure ("WPS") in this country never has fully embraced the idea of diversity that comes as a direct result of immigration.  The "WPS" in the mid-1840's looked upon the Irish who immigrated to this country, due to the potato famine, as the "White Trash of Europe".  The Jewish immigrants that came through Ellis Island, were ignored by the "WPS", due to their religious affiliation, culture and economic standing.  As a result, they were pushed into sections of New York City, called "ghettos".  The term "ghetto" originally was applied to Jews throughout the Jewish Diaspora, who were purposely segregated to certain parts of a city.  Italians were considered the "Niggers of Europe" due to their dark skin, and all were unfairly associated with La Cosa Nostra, commonly referred to as the Mafia.  100-plus years later, the same attitudes still exist.  When one talks about a "Real American", most are not thinking of a person named Jaime Gonzales, Tyrone Jackson, or James Wu.  It speaks to a country that is trying to hold on to some false notion of what this country is, and using political tools to preserve a culture of entitlement, instead of celebrating the idea of diversity and difference.  America is changing, whether people like it or not.  So we have two choices...either embrace the wonderful diversity that is the United States of America or align oneself with an faulty and archaic paradigm of what this country is supposed to be.

WHY AM I WRITING THIS BLOG ENTRY?  I'm glad you asked.  I was inspired to write this entry based on an event, that occurred on the 26th of October.  It showed me what America can be, if we embrace change, show Christian compassion, and think of people as just that...PEOPLE.  I was invited to a wedding.  My good friend, Velginy Hernandez ("Vel") was getting married to her now-husband, Thien.  Vel and I met back in 2009.  She was a fresh-faced, recent college grad who was interning for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.  I was working on the committee as staffer.  Vel worked hard, proved her worth to the committee, and was asked to stay on as a paid staffer in the Committee's Communications Department.  Over the next two years, Vel became close to myself and my wife, Alicia.  We went out to dinner with each other, and visited each other's homes.  Vel asked for my advice on "life matters", which I was happy to give.  And she has helped me in many ways.  She became a little sister to me.  A part of my family, and she embraced me in the same way.  I was more than honored that she invited Alicia and I to the wedding.  Her now-husband, Thien is a great guy, despite being a Dallas Cowboys fan.  What does this have to do with the "Real America"?

Vel and myself at Alaiyah's Baby Shower in December, 2010

What made this day unique was the collision of race, class, gender, religion and nationality, that spoke to what America should be.  Let me break it down:  (1) I attended a wedding in which Vel, who is half-Vietnamese, half-Salvadorian married her now-husband, Thien who is full-Vietnamese.  (2) The wedding ceremony was held at the Dahlgren Chapel on the campus of Georgetown University, a Jesuit university, which is one of the most prominent and costly universities in the world, and Vel's alma mater.  (3) Alicia and I enter the chapel, and soon noticed that we were the only African Americans there.  I'm a "good ole' boy" from Loudoun County, a descendent of slaves who toiled on the Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Virginia, and my New York City-born and bred wife who is of Jamaican-descent.  We sat down, and was in awe of the stained glass, and the ornateness of the chapel.  Before the wedding started, my friend, James and his wonderful wife, Ruth sat next to Alicia and I.  James also worked with Vel and I on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and became a big brother-like figure to Vel.  (4) James is of Lebanese and Scott-Irish descent, and his wife, Ruth is half-Philipino and half-caucasian.

James and his lovely wife, Ruth, at the wedding reception

The wedding starts.  Thien's parents walk him down the aisle to the alter, so he can receive his bride. (5) Vel's father, Mr. Tran (A Vietnamese immigrant, who came to this country, worked hard, saved and invested his money, opened several businesses, and became wealthy as a result.  He now runs an organization which helps out those back in Vietnam.  He is a very nice, down to Earth man, who is an inspiration to me) walks Vel's stepmother down the aisle to their respective seats.  The groomsmen walk the bridesmaids down the aisle to their respective places around the alter.  Mr. Tran races back to the entrance of the church for the main event...the entrance of the bride.  Vel walks down the aisle in all her splendor.  I have to admit, I was close to tearing up.  (6) Mr. Tran rejoins his wife.  Two Buddhists, watch as their daughter/step-daughter and Thien have their Catholic wedding ceremony presided over by a priest.  The wedding was full of Catholic ritual, that I didn't necessarily understand, being a (7) Southern Baptist, but I happily embraced it.  (8) Vel's Salvadorian-born mother, Mrs. Hernandez-Colon, and Thien's Vietnamese mother light a unity candle at the alter, to celebrate the union of their families.  Vows and rings were exchanged, as was saliva when Thien was told that he could kiss his bride.  

 

You May Kiss The Bride

The two turned to the crowd, and then walked out of the chapel with their arms locked together.  The reception wasn't immediately after the wedding ceremony, so Alicia and I had some time to kill.  Later on that evening, (9) the reception was held at a Chinese restaurant located in Falls Church, Virginia, one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the Northern Virginia, if not the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.  (10) At the reception, a more diverse crowd of individuals were there...White, African American, Jewish, Indian, etc.  (11) They had a Vietnamese band playing and singing songs from African American R&B artists like Roberta Flack, Peabo Bryson and Whitey Houston, and doing a good job at it.  Ruth and James sat next to Alicia and I, as was other people at the table.  The venue was really nice, and we had a lot of fun.  Then Alicia and I had to leave early to pick up Alaiyah from my father's house.  While on the road, I was telling Alicia how great of a day it was.  Not just because of Vel getting married, which would have been sufficient, but how blessed we were to be part of an event where there was such a happy collision of cultures, religions, races, etc.  Nobody looked at each other as black, white, rich, middle-class, Buddhist, Catholic, or Protestant...we were all equals.  The day truly exemplified the American Dream.  

A week later, Alicia, Alaiyah and I were invited over to Vel's parents' house for a BBQ.  This wasn't our first time over at Mr. and Mrs. Tran's house, but it was the first time for a BBQ.  Mrs. Tran made some great Vietnamese classic dishes, such as grilled-Lemongrass Chicken, marinated and grilled beef ribs, and rice noodles with spicy fish sauce.  Mrs. Tran also made a respectable potato salad.  All the while, Thien and some of Vel's relatives were watching the Redskins game, drinking beer, laughing and having a good time.  Alaiyah went downstairs to play with Vel's little cousins, and was having so much fun we didn't see her until we left.  Family member after family member came into the house.  More food...more beer...more football.  Crawfish, Shrimp, Pork Ribs...I nearly exploded.  As things died down, Thien and I talked about married life, and what he should expect.  At the same time, Alicia was talking to Vel about the same thing.  Alicia and I talked to Vel's family, who are all awesome people.  One family member was "geared up", wearing Washington Redskins swag, and wearing a Washington National's hat.  There was about 20-30 people there, and Alicia, Alaiyah and I were the ONLY people not of Vietnamese descent there.  But in no way, did we feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.  It was truly blessed evening.  If you want to know what America is about...I just told you.  If you missed it, it is because you wanted to miss it.  Embracing all that this country has to offer, is what America is supposed to be about.  It's not about how loud you can sing Lee Greenwood's song, "I'm Proud To Be An American", how much apple pie you eat, or if you know all of the words to the "Star Spangled Banner" (The latter, all citizens should know).  America is about people.  People from different walks of life, co-existing together peacefully and with understanding.  It is my hope that we can evolve into a society where we judge each other solely by the content of one's character, and that differences and diversity are words that will be celebrated, and not looked upon as a threat to so-called American Society.  Velginy Hernandez is a REAL AMERICAN...Anh Thien Nguyen is a REAL AMERICAN...James Latoff is a REAL AMERICAN...Ruth Back is a REAL AMERICAN...Mr. and Mrs. Tran are REAL AMERICANS...myself and my wife are REAL AMERICANS.  WE ARE ALL REAL AMERICANS!!!  This is dedicated to Vel and Thien.  Wishing you a happy and blessed marriage.

AND THAT IS THE MARC UP!!!

IT'S WHAT WE DO-JOHNSON FAMILY FOOD LOVE

IT'S WHAT WE DO-JOHNSON FAMILY FOOD LOVE-APPLES

I come from a family of cooks and caterers.  My grandmother, Mary Reid, was an accomplished cook, who left an indelible culinary mark on my family.  Cooking is in our blood.  We don't look at food as something that you simply consume.  Food is a craft...it's an expression of love.  It's nothing to take lightly.  In my family, food is taken so seriously, that it is a form of competition, and praise does not come easily.  Some of us grow our own food, and all of us are dedicated to making dishes (and components of the dishes) from scratch.  We make our own vinegars, stocks, sauces, pie crusts, etc.  IT'S WHAT WE DO!!! "Johnson Family Food Love" will be a category that I will include in my blog, dedicated to highlighting culinary creations of the Johnson Family.  In this post, I will highlight creations made with apples.  It's apple season, and we were fortunate enough to get a large amount of gala, ginger gold and honey crisp varieties of apples.   These creations are courtesy of myself, my cousins, Stacee and April Johnson, and my aunt (and their mother), Faye Johnson.

We are going to start with the culinary creations of my cousin, Stacee.  Stacee is passionate about food.  So much so, that she grows her own food.  She is creative, her execution is above board, and as a result, her food is delicious.  Here is what she has done with the humble apple.

Apple Turnovers-Made with phyllo dough, instead of the often-used puff pastry.  It gives the turnover a lighter feel, as well as crispy texture and flavor.  The turnover is filled with caramel and apple chunks.  Courtesy of Stacee Johnson (c) (2013)

Turkey Apple Sage Breakfast Sausage-Made with a combination of ginger gold and honey crisp apples, and sage that came from Stacee's garden.  Breakfast sausage never tasted so good.  Courtesy of Stacee Johnson (c) (2013)

With as many apples as Stacee had, she has to make apple cider.  Although it took a great deal of apples to make only 3 cups of cider, it was a great way to use apples.  She strained the juice, and then saved the pulp.  For what, you may ask?  Check out the next picture.  Courtesy of Stacee Johnson (c) (2013)

To go with that terrific Turkey Apple Sage Breakfast Sausage, Stacee made Apple Cinnamon Rolls.  She used the apple pulp from apple cider in the dough and used the rest of the turnover filling in the middle of the rolls along with toasted pecans and spices.  We don't waste anything.  She then made a glaze using Pecan Praline Balsamic Vinegar, powdered sugar, and topping the rolls with additional toasted pecans.  Some turkey sausage, some apple cinnamon rolls, and a cup of coffee.  Life is good!!!  Courtesy of Stacee Johnson (c) (2013)

Continuing the theme of "waste not...want not", Stacee used to the leftover apple cores and skins as a base for making Apple Cider Vinegar.  It will take a month or so, for it to become vinegar.  I know for me, I love apple cider vinegar as a condiment for greens.  Courtesy of Stacee Johnson (c) (2013)

Next up is Stacee's sister...my cousin, April.  April is another one who believes in executing and taking the craft of cooking seriously.  She is also very creative, recently making Strawberry-Basil Pretzel Ice Cream.  Using gala apples, April was able to transform them into something that was absolutely delicious.  Check it out.

Apple Yogurt Cake.  Really, that is all you need to say.  DROP THE MIC...EXIT STAGE LEFT!!!  Courtesy of April Johnson (c) (2013)

Now we have Stacee's and April's mother...my Aunt Faye.  Although many of us pay tribute to our grandmother when it comes to culinary influence, however it is evident that Stacee and April learned a great deal from their mother, who is an accomplished cook, especially when it comes to baked goods.  This is what she did with her gala apples.

There are oatmeal cookies, and then there are OATMEAL COOKIES..."THIS IS NOT A GAME"-OATMEAL COOKIES.  My aunt made Apple-Walnut Oatmeal Cookies drizzled with a burnt butter frosting.  Burnt Butter Frosting...who does that?  Oh...SHE DOES...WE DO!!!  Courtesy of Faye Johnson (c) (2013)

and last, but certainly not least...

we have me.  For those who see my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/marcbjohnson), my culinary skills speaks for itself.  Regarding my apple creation, the classics are the best dishes.  I didn't do anything laborious or fancy.  But when you do the classics, the execution has to be on point.  I made a simple apple crisp, using gala apples.  Generally when I make apple crisp, I use Granny Smith Apples, because they stand up to heat, and I like the tart flavor.  But I used what I had, and it came out well.

A simple, yet delicious apple crisp.  I toasted some oats, and combined the toasted oats with flour, ice cold butter, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt.  I sauteed the apples in butter, with a combination of brown and white sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt.  I cut the apples in chunks, because galas tend to break down, and I want people to eat apple crisp, not an apple sauce crisp.  Put it in the oven for about 45 minutes, pull it out, let it set, and serve with vanilla ice cream.  Life is good.  Courtesy of Marc Johnson (c) (2013)

Again, this is WHAT WE DO.  Johnson Family Food Love...Apple Edition.  More food pics coming soon.

AND THAT IS THE MARC UP!!!

FOOD LOVE

FOOD LOVE-THE FOOD TRUCK MOVEMENT IN TYSONS CORNER

Food Trucks lining Solutions Drive in Tysons Corner-October 9, 2013

One of the great perks of working in the Tysons Corner-area of McLean  (Virginia) is that I am near a bustling Food Truck scene.  Instead of having to choose from the flavorless and mundane (Subway, McDonalds, etc.), the food trucks provide a variety of awesome treats that I occasionally go to.  Most of the food trucks in Tysons Corner, line up on Solutions Drive, right off of Greensboro Drive.  Most of the customers they attract come from the nearby offices of government contractors Booz Allen Hamilton (And "NO"...I never saw Edward Snowden lining up to get a Korean taco) and SAIC.  I have been going to these food trucks for the last two years, and my taste buds have been pleased. 

There is a great website called FoodTruck Fiesta (CLICK HERE).  It posts in real time, where food trucks are in the DC Met Area, which is how I find these food trucks.  Some people also subscribe to these food trucks' Twitter and Facebook pages to find out their times and locations.  They usually arrive at their location(s) at 10:00-10:30 a.m. to set up, and usually start serving at 11:00 a.m.  Today was a good day for eating.  There was about nine or ten trucks out today, the most I have seen in awhile.  Some of them are pictured above.  If you work in the Tysons-area, or even Vienna, go to FoodTruck Fiesta (They also have an app), check out the offerings at Tysons and check it out.  And if you can...buy me a sandwich.  I'll pay you back (Wink).


From left to right:  District Foodies, Lime Tree, Tortuga (A favorite of mine), Fava Pot, and Bada Bing.

The DC Sliders Food Truck.  Oh YES...a sliders food truck.

On the left is the Chef on Wheels Food Truck.  I went there yesterday and today...great tacos and burritos.  Not authentic, but quite tasty.  On the right is the El Fuego Food Truck, which serves Peruvian Fusion Cuisine.

AND THAT IS THE MARC UP!!!

POLITICAL COMMENTARY

POLITICAL COMMENTARY-WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS?  TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

"The best argument against Democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter"-Sir Winston Churchill

When there is a problem with this government....whenever the citizenry of this country feels that they are left out of the process, they like to remind their elected officials that the Unites States is a democracy.  Unfortunately they would be incorrect.  The word "democracy" comes from the Greek word "Demokratia".  "Demos" means "people" and "Kratia" means "power".  This refers to the direct democracies of Ancient Greek city-states where ANY citizen who wanted to be heard could be heard, and could fully participate in the operations of government.  The principles behind this form of governing were laudable, but the execution of this form of governance proved to be ineffective.  Entire city-states of people debating issues, with little organization, and most citizens not having a grasp of the issues.  These direct democracies became "bitch-fests" for those who were charismatic, manipulative and were able to inflame the passions of people for political advantage.  A more effective form of government had to be created using Democratic principles, yet operating in an organized and more streamlined fashion.  This form of government is known as a "Representative Democracy"....or commonly referred to as a Republic.  The United States is a Democratic Republic, where the power is vested in the people, but laws are made by persons that citizens elect to represent their interests.  There is one main problem with Republics.  A Republic requires its citizens to be well-informed about issues (community and nationwide), and have the ability to properly "vett" candidates for public office who have the intelligence, ability and integrity to serve them.  Republics are successful, when they have a citizenry that constantly petitions their elected officials, and holding them accountable during their time in office.  You all are probably asking yourselves, "Why is he giving us a political science lesson on democracy?".  I'm getting to that. 

Like everyone else, I have an opinion about the government shutdown.  It is an awful situation which seriously affects the daily lives of government workers, impedes the economy of the United States, hurts the security of this country and sullies the reputation of the United States.  I have friends of mine who have been furloughed because of this mess.  I'm not going to get into the politics behind the budget, because that is not the subject of this blog post.  I won't get into a debate about the Affordable Care Act either.  I will say that certain Members of Congress are going about their business the wrong way, and they ought to be ashamed of how they are representing themselves, their constituents, and the country at large.  On the issue of the budget, the debt ceiling, or any number of important issues, Members of Congress continue to make asses out of themselves, while the country has to suffer for it.

With all of that said, in the past few days, weeks, months and years, I have read the Facebook posts of friends and family frustrated by any number of issues, in addition to the budget and subsequent shutdown of the federal government.  Friends and family constantly talk about how bad "the system" is, and how bad politicians are.  After awhile, I get frustrated by the constant self-righteous moaning and groaning of an electorate that believes civic participation begins and ends on Election Day.  The "Just Enough" Paradigm of Civic Participation has contributed greatly to the malfunction, dysfunction and decline of the American Political System.  If the American People want to know what's wrong with politics today, they need to take a long look in the mirror.  I am not outright blaming the citizens of this country for the current budget crisis.  However, if the American People were more proactive and attentive, instead of being reactive and disinterested, then perhaps we would have a well informed electorate who would know the issues, elect the right people to represent them, and to care enough to make sure that elected official do their damn job.  In the Bible, specifically in the 2nd chapter of James, it says "Faith without works is dead."  As for the American People, outrage without action contributes to an ineffective government.  Yelling, ranting, posting ignorant status updates, will not change the way Washington works, and is not a substitute for civic participation.  Calling someone a "conservative" or a "liberal" as if they are epithets, doesn't inspire constructive dialogue.  Like any Democratic Republic, politicians are merely a reflection of the people they represent.  If you have dysfunctional politicians, more than likely, you have a dysfunctional electorate.  If you still don't understand, let me provide you with an example.

A 25-year old kid is looking to buy his first new car.  He was just hired to be a courier for a delivery company.  Buying the right car and maintaining the car is key to his employment, in addition to driving it for personal use.  First, he must do research on the car he wants to buy.  He asks himself some questions:  What's the price of the vehicle?  Do I want a car or a SUV?  What kind of gas mileage does this vehicle get?  Does it have a reputation for being reliable?  Will this vehicle make my insurance go through the proverbial roof?  Will the vehicle be able to accomodate the items that I will be delivering?  He is what is known as an "informed consumer".  He then goes through the process of buying the vehicle.  Then comes the matter of maintenance.  He has to change his oil every 3,000 miles, or every 3 months.  He has to make sure that his brakes work properly, and has sufficient brake fluid.  He has to make sure that his wheels are aligned.  The tires on the car have to be the right size, the tread can't be worn, and they have to have the right amount of air in them.  This is called "preventive maintenance".  By consistently maintaining his car (In a timely manner), he will save money, he won't be stressed out, and because he is not taking his car to the mechanic all the time, he will not miss time at his job.  He treats his car well, thus the car treats him well.  Let's take another 25-year old kid, who was also hired to work as a courier for the same delivery company.  He is also looking to buy his first new car.  Like his co-worker, buying the right car and maintaining his car is key to his employment, in addition to driving it for personal use.  Unlike his co-worker, this young man is more concerned about the aesthetics of the vehicle, as oppose to it's cost, reliability, gas mileage, or the reputation of the vehicle.  He wants an expensive sports car that has a shaky reputation and costs a fortune to maintain.  His insurance will be sky-high, the gas mileage is crappy, and the vehicle will not have the room to transport the items that he is paid to deliver.  All he is concerned about is how good the sound system is, and if the vehicle has chrome rims on it.  To hell with the fact that Consumer Reports gave this vehicle a failing grade.  Despite all of the information provided, he goes on and overpays for this expensive "statement" car.  He doesn't take the time or money to maintain it.  He doesn't take it to get cleaned.  The front end is misaligned, which takes a wear and tear on his tires.  He gets the oil changed every now and then, thus placing pressure on the transmission to do more than what is required.  His car is constantly in the shop, and he is paying more in repair costs than he should.  He is constantly calling his boss, requesting time off, due to problems with his vehicle.  Lastly, his car note and insurance premiums are ridiculously high, and because of the high performance-nature of the car, he has to fuel his car with premium gas, which costs him $250 a month.  He didn't rule the car, the car ruled him.  He eventually lost his job, is in debt, and can't go to job interviews because his car remains in the shop.  If he was proactive, instead of reactive, he would have a better quality of life.  

Most Americans, with regards to civic participation, are like the latter car owner.  They don't do their research on the issues.  The electorate tend not to "vett" candidates who are running for elected office, instead voting the party line.  Most people are attracted to the unqualified, unintelligent, communication-deficient, ideological candidate, instead of the sensible, intelligent, practical candidate, who happens to be an effective communicator.  Because people are too lazy to do their own research, they rely on Fox News and MSNBC, and hyper-partisan websites to provide them with sometimes questionable information that play to their ideological leanings.  They don't attend town hall meetings, call their Members of Congress, and/or write their elected officials.  They just vote on Election Day, go home to scratch their collective asses while watching "American Idol", and the only interaction they have with the government after the election(s) is getting their drivers license at the DMV or filing their federal income tax with the IRS.  Government does not operate on remote control.  Government requires a citizenry that cares enough about the government to put the right people in charge to run it.  Citizens need to be proactive and maintain the quality of their government by monitoring their public officials, reading the party platforms, tracking legislation, attending meetings and making your voice heard.  It doesn't take a lot of time to do these things.  It is your duty as an American Citizen to take "intellectual umbrage" with the government.  The Greek philosopher, Plato once said that "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."  If Americans continue to be slothful in their approach to politics, then they are ensuring that inferior politicians will govern them with impunity, take them down the road of malfunction and dysfunction, and cause political paralysis.

We call politicians "idiots", "assholes" or worse.  Are they?  Maybe!!! Americans are demanding that Members of Congress not take salary during the shutdown.  Will that help Americans feel good?  Will it change the American Political Landscape  No, to both questions (And by the way, regardless of how people feel about Congress, Members of Congress are essential employees, for the mere fact that Congress is essential to the operation of the Federal Government)!!!  Should Americans be considered "idiots" and "assholes" because they take an inactive role in their government's activities?  Should Americans have to forgo their salaries, because they are bad citizens?  If Members of Congress and their staffers were polled, I wonder what the approval rating would be of the American Public?

I have heard from a few people that because of Congressional Ineffectiveness, Members of Congress should be term-limited.  I always laugh when the issue of term limits come up.  When someone mentions that to me, I give the same answer, "WE HAVE TERM LIMITS...THEY ARE CALLED ELECTIONS".  The conspiracy theorists will say "The fix is in...elections are rigged".  The 2010 mid-term Congressional Elections prove that theory wrong, when the Republicans obtained control of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Many Democratic Staffers lost their jobs because of that election, including myself.  If you know of an ineffective elected official, you organize, you volunteer, you donate to a responsible candidate who can replace that official.  A restaurant will continue to serve the same crappy food, with the same level of crappy service until enough patrons demand change.  You wouldn't ask a restaurant to stay open only for a few years, because a certain number of restaurants around the neighborhood are culinary f**k-ups.  Get off of your ass and get involved.  Term Limits are for the lazy and weak, who can't take enough time from their so-called busy lives and perform a duty that people have died for.

Some people genuinely do not know where to go to obtain information.  Some people do not know what information is reliable.  If anyone does not know what to do, please contact me.  I can direct you to proper sources, explain the legislative process, how to gauge media information and instruct you how to petition your elected officials.  If you don't know who your elected officials are, which a great many people don't, then I can get that information for you.  A smart and active electorate can be creators of positive change in this country.  We can avoid situations like the government shutdown, simply by voting in the right people, and being as smart, if not smarter than those who we chose to represent us.  Stop falling for propaganda...ignore Rush, ignore Rachel, and search your own hearts as to who and what you are, and what issues you support and don't support.  Just because your father was a Republican, doesn't mean you have to be.  But again, the most important thing is to stay informed, maintain and act.   

AND THAT IS THE MARC-UP!!! 

POLITICAL COMMENTARY

POLITICAL COMMENTARY-"THIS IS NOT POLITICS...THIS IS PERSONAL"

ROBERT WHITE, II (His wife, Christy on his left) formally announcing his candidacy for an at-large seat on the DC Council.  (Picture Courtesy of Robert White)

On a slightly overcast day in the Brightwood Section of NW DC, a bright ray of sunshine has now emerged on the DC Political Scene.  Robert White, a former congressional staffer with DC Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, formally announced his candidacy for an At-Large seat on the DC Council.  Robert is running because he wants to be about "....public service, not self-service".

I first met Rob on the Hill back in 2009 while working as a staffer on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.  He was working for Delegate Norton (I also "staffed" for Delegate Norton back in 2000), who is a member of the committee, and Rob advised her on issues pertinent to the committee.  Being that I "clerked" committee hearings, I would always see Rob standing against the wall near where I was sitting, in case Del. Norton needed to seek his advice and counsel.  I also communicated with him, and other staffers concerning committee-related business.  After awhile, you get to know people.  You talk to them about life outside the ivory walls of the Hill.  I was always impressed by how Rob dressed (I always used to say to myself, "Damn...I need to step my suit-game up!!!"), and how he always seemed to stay cool under pressure.  That's something that is hard to do in our field, especially when working for arguably the busiest Member of Congress.  He was always pleasant, nice, had a swagger about him without being pretentious.  He was also a source of support.  I remember a time where he had a really long markup, which is a hearing where bills referred to the committee can be amended.  Markups can be short, but they can also be incredibly long.  One night, our committee had a really difficult and partisan markup.  A lot of amendments were being put forth, and I didn't have as much experience clerking them.  I didn't eat much that day, I was tired, and I was nervous.  I was passing out amendments to the members when it was called upon me to do so.  I remember I handed the wrong thing to the wrong committee member, I remember sweating a lot, and I even tripped.  As each amendment was called, I would again get up, pass the amendments around to the members, and praying that the markup would end.  Obviously, people could read my face and knew that I didn't want to be doing this.  I mention all of this to say, that Rob was one of the few people to encourage me to keep at it, and that I was doing a good job.  It may not seem like a big deal to you, but to me, it meant a great deal, and it helped me get through the rest of the markup.  EMPATHY and COMPASSION!!!  Some thing that is often not found in the halls of Congress.  If he acted that way towards me, just think about how he can bring that same level of empathy and compassion towards the citizens of the District of Columbia.  Rob continues to show support for me since I lost my job on the Hill back in 2011 as a result of the Republican takeover of the House.  We talk on Facebook, debating fellow "Facebook-ers" on the importance of civic involvement.  He has helped me with job leads.  He has offered prayers to myself and my family. So when Rob told me that he was running for council, and invited me to his announcement, I enthusiastically accepted the invitation.

The District of Columbia needs a guy like Rob.  Someone who is from DC and about DC.  A charismatic young man who will use empathy and compassion as an engine for social and political change.  A lawyer and former congressional staffer, Rob will use his knowledge of the law and politics to uplift the community.  I'm not a DC resident.  I'm a child of Virginia, but DC is my city.  I was born and raised in the DC Metropolitan Area.  When DC prospers, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland benefits.  When Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland prospers, DC benefits.  We need elected officials in this region that can represent their constituencies, but also have the common sense to know that we rise and fall as a region.  Rob has the personality to work with other elected officials in the region on issues that are mutually beneficial to the entire DC Metropolitan Area.  Like the Winans song goes...."IT'S TIME, TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE, WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO IT!!!".  It is time for the citizens of DC to make a change, and they are the people who can do it.

Hill Staffers Reunited.  Myself and Rob at his campaign announcement (Picture Courtesy of Marc Johnson)

If you are a DC Resident, I ask that you click HERE to check out his campaign website.  Find out what Rob is about, the positive plans that he has for the District, and help financially support the campaign.  You can also follow the campaign on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RobertWhiteAtLarge  and Twitter:  https://twitter.com/robertwhiteatlg.  Help Rob help DC, and elect him as the next At-Large Councilman for the District of Columbia.  Pray for Rob, his beautiful wife,Christy, Rob's family, and the great people of the District of Columbia.

AND THAT IS THE MARC-UP!!!

FOOD COMMENTARY....

FOOD COMMENTARY...FOODIE-ISM AND FOOD FETISHISM

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am passionate about food....not just eating, but cooking food.  I have always been interested in food (Mainly eating it), and food has been the catalyst in bringing family together.  I come from a family of cooks and caterers.  My grandmother, while working for a well-connected Loudoun County (Virginia) lawyer, had the opportunity to cook for First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.  My father, mother, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and most of my cousins are all cooks, and in some cases, exceptional cooks. I was also fortunate to marry into a family of cooks...my wife, mother in law, and sister in laws can "burn" in the kitchen.

But for me, I didn't REALLY get into food until 2003.  I was working as a Staff Assistant/Systems Administrator for Former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick.  The staff assistant is the lowest paid and most under appreciated position in a congressional office.  It can also be one of the busiest positions, depending on which Member of Congress one works for.  Because of the stressful nature of my job, I needed to find something for which I can channel that stress.  Something that was fun, yet meaningful, and I found that by getting interested in food.  Since that time, I have been interested in eating and cooking different cuisines, studying and applying the techniques of cooking, learning about the quality of food and studying the history and cultures behind food. It has been a positive experience that has affected my life in very unexpected, yet positive ways.

Eating some great Korean ramen at Super H Mart Grocery Store in Fairfax, Virginia

Because of my passion for food, I am often called a "Foodie"...a term that I have come to dislike.  Why?  It sounds a bit "cultish" and fetish-like.  It reminds me of those people who are referred to as "Furries", you know, the nut jobs who come together at conventions dressed up as Chuck E. Cheese and Scooby Doo to shoot the breeze about who has the latest and greatest costume.  I am sure that the activities of these people are benign, and the people who are in this sub-culture are nice and intelligent people.  But again, this kind of fetishism is odd.  Food is necessary.  Food is comforting.  Food is an expression of love and culture.  One can be passionate about food, without going overboard with it.  I would prefer being called a "Food Enthusiast" rather than a "Foodie".  Perhaps this is an exercise in semantics, but I am not a food fetishist, which leads me to the main topic of this blog entry.

You do have some people who do take their interest in food far too seriously.  They engage in a certain level of food fetishism that is unhealthy, and borders on idolatry.  This Summer, marked a watershed moment in food fetishism with the introduction of the "cronut" into the American Culinary Lexicon.  For those who have been in a cave, the cronut is a pastry created by Chef/Owner Dominque Ansel, at his eponymous bakery in New York City.  The cronut, which is essentially a hybrid of a doughnut and croissant, and was introduced to the world in May of 2013.  Since it's introduction, it became a phenomenon.  People have lined up 2 to 3 hours before Ansel's Bakery opens (8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday).  There has been such a demand  for the cronuts, Chef Ansel has set up a page on the bakery's website, specifically addressing the cronut, called "Cronut 101", which explains everything from the origin of the cronut, to ordering procedures for the cronut.  Stories about the cronut are abuzz in the culinary blogosphere.  Mainstream media outlets from the Wall Street Journal to the New York Times have reported extensively on the cronut.  On "Piers Morgan Live" on CNN, former chef and television personality, Anthony Bourdain, was guest hosting PML, and talked about the cronut and interviewed Chef Ansel.  Check out the clip below.

 

Bakery companies have taken note of the cronut craze, and are attempting to create their own versions of this pastry phenomenon, known as "imposter cronuts" (Think of fake Gucci bags). You have people out there paying people serious dough (Pun intended) to to wait and deliver cronuts throughout the five boroughs.  Aside from the idiots who are willing to pay $250.00 for a cronut, you have deviants who are willing to offer cronuts for sex.  WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?  I told my wife the only way I would ever wait 2 hours in line for food is if Jesus was serving the food himself.  Other than that, it's just plain stupid.  This kind of food fetishism is not just relegated to pastries.  In Texas, Franklin Barbecue, a renowned BBQ joint, have people lining up as early as 6:30 a.m. to get Chef/Owner Aaron Franklin's award-winning brisket.  Mind you, Franklin Barbecue opens at 11:00 a.m., and closes when all the product is sold out (Which usually happens soon after they open).  Even Aaron Franklin, in a segment on "Dan Rather Reports", thinks people are crazy for waiting that long for BBQ.  Although I have to say, with my love for BBQ, I would seriously think about it (((Laughing))).  Check out "the wonder" that is Franklin BBQ in the clips below.

Franklin BBQ Clip #1

 

Franklin BBQ Clip #2

Whether one is willing to shell out $250 for a pair of Air Jordans, or willing to trample a person for a new IPhone, this is a sad commentary about America.  We have a society that is so wealthy and spoiled, that people are willing to spend a good portion of their day in a line to get food (good food, I am sure), and denounce poor and supposedly lazy people who wait in line at a soup kitchen.  We have people who have the luxury of waiting in the early-morning cold to get cronuts, while not too far from Chef Ansel's Bakery, you have people freezing their behinds off, who would do anything to be inside of a warm place.  Chefs and restaurants like these deserve the praise and patronage that they receive, if what they are producing is good.  But they would be the first to tell people to...CALM DOWN, IT'S JUST FOOD!!!  There is a huge difference between enthusiasm (Me) and fetishism (The Line Waiters).  

Oh, by the way, while typing this blog entry, I have been enjoying a cronut.  Don't believe me?  I took a picture of it (Below), and NO, I won't tell you where I got it from, or who my supplier is (((Laughing))).  OK...you got me, it's a cronut imposter, but it was delicious, and I didn't have to wait in line for it. 

AND THAT IS THE MARC-UP!!!

TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

Another tragic mass shooting has occurred in this country, this time in Washington, D.C. at the Navy Yard.  I am not going to go into some long diatribe about this issue or that issue.  I have my views...views which I will share in a later blog entry.  However, there are politicians and advocates on both sides of the political spectrum, who do not understand a simple concept that parents teach their children from an early age..."There is a time and place for everything".

Aaron Alexis' gun barrel still has smoke coming out of it.  Bodies are still in the process of being claimed by family.  Evidence is still being collected.  And we have politicians and advocates who are exploiting this tragedy for their own gain, regardless of the validity of their claims and the righteousness of their position.  And we have a story-starved press, who do not have any problem producing inaccurate news stories for a reality show-addicted culture who thinks that Miley Cyrus' "twerking" is a controversy worthy of a "BREAKING NEWS" alert and front page billing.

Let the families grieve.  Let the police do their job.  Let the employees of the Navy Yard collect themselves.  Let the community heal and get themselves together.  This is not an episode of "NCIS", where Gibbs and DiNoso solve the crime within an hour.  This is real life.  Wait a few days...maybe a week, and then we can hope for sensible conversations about gun control, mental illness, the fallibility of background/security checks., etc...that is if we are even capable of having sensible conversations.

AND THAT IS THE MARC-UP!!!