The many (nick) names of Bill Clinton
Former President Bill Clinton is still hot on the campaign trail, stumping and fundraising for Democrats across the country. According to CBS News, Clinton has hosted two private fundraisers for Obama in Los Angeles, spoke at rallies for four California Dems, rallied for the President and Senatorial candidate in Nevada, then went to Arizona for another Dem-Sen rally; then stopped in Iowa and Indiana to rally for more candidates, all in one week.
With high-octane energy like that, it’s no wonder Clinton has been dubbed the party’s “Surrogate-in-Chief,” a nickname journalists are fond of when referring to Bill Clinton’s relationship with the current White House administration.
But Surrogate-in-Chief to the Democrats is not the only nickname bestowed upon Bill Clinton; in fact, over the years, Clinton has received numerous epithets from a variety of origins.
During his first presidential campaign, Clinton was given the coveted moniker “Elvis,” because he was perceived as the King of Campaigning.
Once elected, Bill Clinton’s Presidential code name was “Eagle.”
When Clinton first landed in political hot water, he was dubbed “The Comeback Kid.”
Standup comedians quickly took to calling him “Bubba.”
A.k.a. “The Big Dog,” and “Big Dawg,” President Clinton actually was awarded this title early in his political career when he campaigned relentlessly and was quoted saying he’d stay in the race “Until the last dog dies.”
In his two-term Presidency, many Washington insiders called Bill Clinton a policy “wonk,” a term still used by many journalists today.
Many journos have also headlined Bill Clinton as the “Political Rock Star” of our time.
Some bloggers, myself included, have captioned BC “the Explaininator,” and President Obama famously gave Bill Clinton the title of “the Secretary of Explaining Stuff.”
And during Hillary Clinton’s run for the White House, the press dubbed the power couple “Billary.”
Last and absolutely least, Republicans came into the nicknaming fray with “Slick Willy” and “Big Billy.”
The internet loves Gangnam Style!
The latest craze sweeping the internet is a song called "Gangnam Style" by Korean pop star Psy. And the music video, and the dance. Oh yes, the silly dance.
Can dogs get tetanus?
I have had to get two tetanus shots in the last three years, thanks to a combination of rusty wire and a messy chicken coop. The last time it came up, it started me wondering: shouldn't we be vaccinating our animals against tetanus?
NFL Stats & Stuff for Week Seven
Lest we think running backs have gone out of style ... Week 7 presented a strong rebuttal.
Chris Johnson made a case for the running game for the Titans when they traveled to Buffalo. Johnson had 195 yards on 18 carries, including TD runs of 16 and 83 yards.
Johnson then had a key 27-yard gain as the Titans drove to the winning touchdown in a 35-34 win.
Johnson has had an up-and-down year, but he's definitely a major factor when he's going strong.
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Adrian Peterson (pictured) is the same way, and he had 153 yards on 23 carries at the Vikings held off the Arizona Cardinals, 21-14.
Peterson had a 13-yard TD in the first quarter, and the ground game allowed the Vikings to prevail with only 17 pass attempts by quarterback Christian Ponder.
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And Frank Gore of the 49ers gets a nod as well, earning 131 yards on 16 carries as San Francisco ground out a 13-6 win over division rival Seattle.
The Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch was no slouch, getting 103 yards on 19 carries, but Gore and the Niners won the slugfest by controlling just enough clock with 18 first downs to Seattle's 13.
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Oh, yes, there were quarterbacks in action as well. In particular, Aaron Rodgers, who has the Packers back to 4-3 (and, don't forget, they are one "simultaneous catch" away from 5-2).
Rodgers was 30-of-37 for 3 TDs and 0 INT as Green Bay got a 30-20 win over re-emerging St. Louis.
Both teams came into the game at 3-3.
But the Pack is hard to stop when Rodgers has his game going, and wideouts Jordy Nelson (8 catches, 122 yards, TD) and Randall Cobb (also 8 catches, 89 yards, 2 TDs) got the benefit.
[No fashionable running back in cheesehead-land, though. Alex Green had 20 carries for 35 yards or a measley 1.8 yards per carry.]
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Can the Saints come all the way back from 0-4? Apparently the only team to do it was the 1992 San Diego Chargers, who finished 11-1 after an 0-4 start. The Saints might not have to be that good, as an NFC team might slip into the playoffs at 9-7, but they'll have to be pretty darn good.
They're on their way with two consecutive wins, the latest a 35-28 win over Tampa Bay behind 4 TD throws from Drew Brees.
Feminazi meme is stupid but popular
Have you seen this incredibly messed up “feminazi” meme going around? I’m not giving it credit with a link, so I’ll just link to the Jezebel post about it. It’s a bunch of photos of a woman being a “feminazi,” complaining about men and this misogynistic world, then being negated by some inane commentary (often very poorly worded) to show that bros are like, so onto us ladies! Cuz you know we have it sooo much better.
They pick the stupidest things to whine about, too. The fact that there are gyms for women-only is one of their complaints. I suppose they don’t stop to think about how THEY are the reason why we need such gyms—not just WANT them to avoid being hit on or ogled or made uncomfortable, but NEED them to actually feel safe working out. One in three women will be sexually assaulted in her life; having a place to be safe while not fully clothed and moving our bodies is important to us. Besides, we’re raised in a rape culture that puts US to blame if we get raped, so we sure as hell better stick to working out with just the ladies.The same thing goes for ladies’ night at the bar, which I also hear men complain about. You know why they do that, guys? It’s to get US to get to the bar in the first place, which is why YOU go in the first place. We don’t want to go if we know we’re going to get our asses pinched and our breasts grabbed and generally be leered at by a bunch of drunken jerkwads.
Hell, once my friend and I were pulled over on the way to the club and ogled by two cops. They didn’t say a word about why we were pulled over; they just checked us out with their flashlights. I was terrified we were going to get hurt and no one would ever believe us since they were cops. Ever have that happen to you, fellas? So yeah, a free drink or no cover charge sweetens the pot for us to leave the house.
They also complain about women not wanting to serve on the frontlines while on active duty. Guess what? That’s a male political decision, not a female one. Most of my military female friends actually do want to serve. They are not allowed to.
I know most men don’t feel this way about women, but this kind of mentality sure as hell doesn’t help—and if you hate us so damn much, how about you boycott sleeping with us for a while to teach us a lesson? That’ll show us, won’t it!
The beautiful beaches of the Mekong
With beautiful beaches scattered all over Southeast Asia, it would be ludicrous to think someone would waste their time on a beach in a river, right? Wrong! The secluded, sandy beach found on the island of Don Khon in southern Laos is a great place to spend a few lazy days.
The island of Don Khon is found in the 4,000 Islands region of the Mekong River. Not to be confused with Don Khong, Don Khon is a sleepy little island, that is attached to its more touristy, but still quite isolated, island of Don Det. Both islands are accessible from the town of Ban Nagasang, and both offer cheap accommodation, great food and tranquility.
To find the beach, those staying on Don Det (where most accommodation is found) can rent a pedal bike for a little over 1 USD per day. These can be hired at literally ALL guesthouses, as well as any store. The bike journey consists of about 5 km on a dirt path, and boasts beautiful scenery, and lovely Laotian children chasing you down the path. You can cut the ride a bit short by taking the main road, instead of the bike trail, but be prepared to be blasted by gravel from speeding Tuk Tuks.
Once you cross over the bridge to Don Khon (you will be asked to pay 25,000 Kipp to see the waterfall, but you can avoid this by only going to the beach) you will see a turn off leading you to the beach. From this point, you can either head to a small waterfall, or head directly to the beach.
The beach itself is petite, sandy and beautiful. There is a small restaurant that offers good food and cold drinks, as well as boat tours. On the beach, fisherman and tourists swim together to the sound of the moving waters of the Mekong. The sun may be a bit oppressive, but the waters of the Mekong can counteract that with a quick dip.
After visiting the beach, you can add a 3 km loop to see the rest of the island, or head directly back to Don Det. The loop ends at a viewpoint overlooking Cambodia, and with a little luck, few glimpses of the illusive Irrawaddy Dolphin.
Though the sandy beaches of Thailand may be higher on the radar of most travelers, the secluded beach on Don Khon is a great place to visit for those traveling off the beaten path. Make sure to act quickly though, because the road less traveled is beginning to look a bit more worn then in years past.
Tham Kong Lor Cave in Laos
Certain natural phenomena are absolutely breathtaking. Be it gorgeous mountains, powerful waterfalls or tranquil beaches, travel is often dictated by finding these natural wonders, and braving any ride that may lie between you and basking in its glory. This, for me, was the case with Tham Kong Lor Cave in central Laos.
Laos is filled with natural wonders. The country arguably boasts the most beautiful drives in Southeast Asia while heading down route 13 and is abundant with caves and waterfalls. The limestone peaks found all throughout the north, as well as the dense jungle, make the country very aesthetically pleasing. With that being said, I found it necessary to drive 500 km, on a bike that topped out at 70, to see a 7 km long cave, far off the route to head south, but Tham Kong Lor is well worth the hassle.
Leaving from Vientiane, those interested in the cave (without their own transportation) can catch public transportation to Takek to either take a guided tour via mini bus, or rent a scooter and do a 2-4 day loop. Both of these options are relatively affordable and offer fantastic scenery, beautiful waterfalls and a plethora of build up caves while heading toward the main event.
For me personally, I decided to high tail it from Vientiane to Kong Lor in one day. This involves heading down route 13 until you see a tiny, hand painted, roadside sign that shows the turn off point for route 8, and 80 + gorgeous kilometers to the cave.
After my drive through the mountains and stopping off at a viewpoint looking out at a literal limestone peak field (imagine a field of lilies, but instead of flowers you have limestones cliffs!), I made my way to the cave’s entrance. Tham Kong Lor is actually a 7 km long natural tunnel that connects the village of Kong Lor to Nantes by creepy, dark waterway. Visitors must hire a boat at the mouth of the cave, and are guided through the watery abyss by rickety, wooden boat.
The cave itself takes about 45 minutes to tour through, but good guides will stop to allow you to walk through a small, lit area that boasts large stalactites and stalagmites. Make sure to bring your best torch though, because the cave is incredibly dark and the light on the front of the boat is only enough for a seasoned veteran of the cave to navigate the waterway.
On the other end of the tunnel, travelers are able to spend the night at a home stay in the Nantes village. There is no power, and meals and bedding are very basic, but the village itself is beautiful. Boats will return you to the Kong Lor side the next day around 8 in the morning.
Take the time to explore Tham Kong Lor Cave. It is an amazing sight, and is only going to become more expensive, and less special as time goes on.
Vientiane isn’t my favorite place on Earth
I’ve learned a lot about backpacking through word of mouth. Though the initial idea for many travelers is to pick up a guidebook and try and plan their trip, word of mouth is the best way for travelers to learn about great places to visit, and the happenings in countries they are hoping to wander in.
One polarizing topic of conversation for many backpackers is the capital city in Laos. Vientiane itself isn’t too loud nor raucous, as well as being clean and having some beautiful architecture. A number of travelers seem to hate it though. This, of course, prompted a stop over for me on my way down south.
As I pulled into the capital via motorbike, I found myself greeted by traffic. Though there was an abundance of cars and motorcycles, the driving itself was much less reckless than the rest of the country (as well as Southeast Asia). People primarily stayed in their lanes and motorcycles weren’t wreaking havoc. This was a false indication of how my trip would ensue.
After finding decently affordable accommodation (40,000 Kipp per night) and eating a tremendous Indian dinner, my travel mates and I sat on the boardwalk overlooking the Mekong River. This is a very busy place at night, frequented by both locals and tourists.
Though there were locals sitting in the same area, a few moments after sitting down, we found ourselves being questioned and then frisked by police. We weren’t being loud, nor were we out past the capital's 12 a.m. curfew. Regardless, the cops hassled us, then after becoming angry by not finding drugs, ordered us to return to our hotel rooms. We obliged, even though we were quite taken back.
I wasn’t too happy with the treatment by the police, but the next morning, as I drove around on my motorcycle, I was pulled over yet again. This time, a policeman at a guard station pulled me over. He told me there was a problem with my headlight, then ordered me back to his hut so he could quietly ask for a bribe out of the public eye. I essentially told the cop graciously to fuck himself and decided it was time pack up my things and leave.
I’m not sure exactly how I should take these experiences, but for me, Vientiane is not a place I will find myself traveling to again. After being hustled by “police,” and not feeling entirely welcomed by government officials while trying to extend a visa (another story for another time), I think that I’ll cut my loses and try to avoid the capital when traveling through Laos.
Don Det is a great place to run
Ah, running in secluded places feels good. It’s been awhile since these feet have run on dirt paths, without the prying eyes of interested locals gawking at my absurd appearance, but my friends, I have now seen the promise land.
My legs now remember what it feels like to cruise down pristine paths and my personal well being now remembers what it feels like to not be a spectacle every time I step out of my guesthouse. I am talking, of course, about the beautiful paths found on the island of Don Det, in the southern region of Laos.
Found nestled in the banks of the Mekong River, Don Det is a backpackers' haven that offers tranquility, fresh beer, as well as some great tubing and kayaking tours around the Mekong area. The island is incredibly affordable, and though some pretty nasty western-style bars are starting to appear, it still offers a secluded and authentic feel.
My run started on the sunset side of the island. My guesthouse was found near the pier on the northern ended of Don Det, so I head south toward the island of Don Khon. Sunset Blvd, as it is known, is a single track, dirt road that is lined with riverside bungalows and cheap places to eat.
As you continue down the path, though, it begins to head inland and sheds the lining of buildings. I found myself running down a brown dirt path, skirted with beautiful green rice paddies and the pink flowers that sit atop Lily Pads. Cows, chickens and smiling little kids appeared out of nowhere on the path, and accompanied me for much of my journey.
After about 4 km, I found myself crossing the small, concrete bridge to Don Khon Island. If you go in the afternoon, locals will try and stop you to buy a ticket to the waterfall, but early morning runners can avoid this. The path continued to wind through rice paddies, as well as some wooded areas, for another 4 km until I hit the island’s dead end. I stopped here for a moment to look out at the view of Cambodia and the Mekong, before heading back to avoid the sun’s increasing glare.
To add a few more km to your run, take a right after crossing back onto Don Det, and head down the Sunrise Blvd bike trail. Running loops and intervals are also extremely easy in this area. My run in Don Det was a breath of fresh air (literally). The secluded sights and tranquil attitude are a must for any wandering runner to visit.
The COPE Center in Vientiane, Laos
Among the hustle and bustle of Laos’s capital city, one can find many things to do. Though great food, massage and places to shop are in abundance, it’s not always the touristy destinations that offer the most rewarding experiences in a city. In fact, it’s rarely these destinations.
For those wanting to learn more about Laos, its people, and its history, look no further than the COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) Center. This local organization works with the National Rehabilitation Center, outside NGOs and the Lao Ministry of Health to help those who have been affected by unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War. According to their website, the four main roles of the center are:
- Skills development and training in physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Paying fees for patients who are unable to pay for treatment
- Securing and directing funds from the donor community and the Lao Government
- Finding clinics for patients living with impairments and disabilities derived from unexploded bombs.
The COPE center headquarters has a tourist center that operates daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can wander the halls for free, and learn facts about the life of Laotians during the Vietnam War, as well as the aftermath for those living in the country now. You can also imbibe in fresh Laos Coffee and homemade ice cream (proceeds going to COPE), or take their advertisement mountain bike for a free ride around the city.
Though the experience isn’t an easy one, the center’s tourist area gives a straightforward history of the country that was hit by an estimated 260 million cluster bombs in less than 10 years. This statistic, as well as Laos being the most bombed country per capita in history, are little known facts about the Vietnam War that the center is trying to make known.
Along with exposing statistics, and telling inspiring stories of those who have been affected, the COPE Center also introduces visitors to the Ban Cluster Bombs initiative. Over 100 countries have signed the petition to not use cluster bombs in modern warfare, and the COPE Center is a strong ally and advocate for making the list grow.
If you find yourself in Vientiane, take the time to visit the COPE Center, and learn a little bit more about Laos. It isn’t the easiest activity to stomach, but the knowledge and experience is well worth your visit.