I've wanted to write about this for a long time. In no way would I try to discredit the memory of 911 by down playing the events that took place, or the loss of life that that was such a devastating blow to friends and relatives, but I do have a problem listening to the president constantly talking about foriegn terrorists having killed aprox. 3000 Americans since 2001, when American terrorists have killed about 90,000 Americans in that same time period with very little publicity. It's true! There are aproximately 18,000 murders in America each and every year and I can assure you that every murder victim, every family member, and every friend was as much terrorized by that incident as were those affected by 911.
Maybe it's time to address the issue of "American Terrorists" as candidly and aggressively as we do foriegn terrorists. Let's make America safe from ALL terrorists.

Can someone explain to me how tipping ever became as outrageous as it is today? Now waiters and waitresses, don't take this wrong. I tip between 15 and 25% regularly. My question is why it has to be this way.
Having owned a restaurant for 6 years, I am very familiar with the cost of food. I can go to Carabba's, (one of the most successful and profitable restaurant chains in America, and my personal favorite) and order a chicken dish for $13.95 that I know cost them about $3.00, and then pay 20% additional for someone to serve it to me.
Why is it that I have to pay their employees wages. The federal government requires restaurant owners to pay their waiters and waitresses aprox. $3.00 and hour less than any other company in America is required to pay. Why is that??? Who ever decided that it should be the customer rather than the employer who pays the wages?
I say change it!!! Restaurant owners should be required to pay wages that are consistent with the rest of the area wages. If they need to raise food prices to cover the loss, then so be it. Keep in mind though that these places make money so fast that they are able to open a new restaurant in every city in America. They could easily pay their employees a fair wage and continue to serve good food at fair or above fair prices that we are willing to pay. Imagine if we tipped everyone in the service business the same 20%. Store clerks, garage mechanics, plumbers, electricians, etc. etc. We'd be broke paying everyone else's employees. Let's stop the foolishness. Make restaurant owners pay their employees wages like every other business owner in America has to do. Maybe with that 20% savings, we could afford to eat out more often.