Thought we could use a new open thread, a couple of articles on BP, and a bit of randomness. Soooooo... I'm sending mail, so give me some action, mooses!
It's the middle of February. Spring still seems far away. Politics is in its usual effed up condition. The economy is still in the doldrums. Life sucks. Except when you have a cat in your lap. Here are a few pet pics to cheer you up.
My love is sweet and soft and warm, comforting and supportive.
It is a long-distance relationship. We haven't even met, yet. But we will.
Oh, Yes. We will.
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, my new favorite show, highlighted the The Nickel Diner in Los Angeles last night (well, last October, but my affair started February 9, 2010 at 8:07 PM). I can't begin to say how much I love this place, but a picture does say a thousand crisp and mapley words:
Consider this a warm, sweet and crunchy Open Thread.
Any Brittany Murphy fans here besides me? Seems she died this morning, seemingly of... well, I'm not quite sure anymore. Rather saddened by it, personally. More pics below the fold. Consider this an open thread for whatever's on your minds.
Thanksgiving is over. If you are a political junky then the next month will give you plenty to cheer or moan and groan about.
First up is Afghanistan. I wish I could wave a magic flag and bring the troops home tomorrow. I wish we could find an honorable way out of the region. But, wishes are what you resort to when reality isn't cooperating. All I can really say about this mess is that I'm glad we have a President who thinks through his decisions even when pressured to do otherwise. Don't doubt this man's backbone. Brains and courage. Great combination.
Health care is about to heat up, also. You betcha. The opposition is going to throw everything they've got into the gears to try to bring it screeching to a halt. The advantage held by the pro-reform side is razor-thin. It will take supreme effort to see it through to success.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and a hearty blessing to you and your family this day. We have many things to give thanks for today- go share them with your family and friends.
In the meantime, I wanted to share a short prayer with you:
Almighty God, we thank you for our good fortune with full and grateful hearts. We thank you for our family and friends; we thank you for this community we've built and share. We ask your blessing this day, and to watch over us, especially in these troubling times; to keep us, our friends, our family, our country on the path to righteousness; for those suffering with medical bills and health care concerns; for our men and women overseas who can't share this day with their families; for President Obama, to help keep his judgment clear and sound, to lead us through the specter of darkness facing our great nation. In your name we pray; Amen.
Thanks for our community, guys. God Bless, and have a great day.
PICO DE GALLO 2-3 ripe tomatoes
1/2 Large white onion, diced
3 fresh, medium jalapenos, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro
Salt, to taste
Pico de gallo (Spanish for "rooster's beak") is an uncooked salsa
In Mexican cuisine, Pico de gallo is a fresh uncooked salsa made from chopped tomato, onion, and sometimes chiles (typically jalapeños or serranos). Pico de gallo is Spanish for "rooster's beak", a name it picked up because if you eat pico de gallo the way it was meant to be eaten- by itself, using only your thumb and index finger- the grasping motion used to pick it up resembles a rooster's pecking beak. To make this right, you need the freshest vegetables you can get your hands on, and you need to make sure to cut pretty good-sized chunks, so they'll stay on your chips, scrambled eggs, or whatever else you want to put 'em on. And if you want to keep 'em from getting too runny, make sure you drain some of the juice from the tomatoes.
If you've got a party, you can easy double or triple the recipe. Keep in mind, though, it doesn't keep long- it'd be best if you prepare it the day you're going to use it.
A recent Paul Krugman column titled "Right-wing paranoia getting out of hand" has outraged wingnuts. It is doubtful this surprises anyone since wingnuttery outrage is the norm rather than the exception. The sad reality is that their outrage is usually misplaced.
A recent example of misplaced outrage was the absolutely over-the-top reaction to the announcement that President Obama planned on addressing students on the first day of school. The fact that other presidents have done the same meant nothing to the outraged Teabaggers. So what if St. Reagan did the same and made it into a political speech? That is certainly different than a black Muslim president who has an interest in education giving a speech to students.
A recent Paul Krugman column titled "Right-wing paranoia getting out of hand" has outraged wingnuts. It is doubtful this surprises anyone since wingnuttery outrage is the norm rather than the exception. The sad reality is that their outrage is usually misplaced.
