I love this video from the White House blog. Interesting tidbits about the Marines who stand sentry outside the West Wing. For example, I didn’t know that there are only 4 of them and they work in 30-minute shifts (30 min on, 30 min off) anytime the President is in the West Wing.

Having served myself in the Army, I’m definitely proud and appreciative of our Armed Forces.

Unless you’re living under a rock, you know about the Nigerian psycho who tried to set off explosives aboard an international flight from Amsterdam to Detroit earlier this week. As a result, TSA regulations now restrict the use of electronics on US-bound international flights and also prohibits anyone from leaving their seats for the last hour of the flight. Yes, you read this right, you cannot leave your seat at all. Nature’s call? Tough luck big man (or woman), hold it!!!!

Now, I ask how exactly is this ridiculous rule keeping us any safer?

From an LA Times article:

The new guidelines limit on-board activities by passengers and crew members while in U.S. airspace. Among other things, passengers must remain in their seats during the last hour of flight and cannot have access to their carry-on items or place any personal belongings in their laps.

There you have it…..bring an empty bottle so you can relieve yourself to the astonishment of your seat neighbor in the event you have to pee and can’t hold it! Definitely puts a different perspective on international travel.