Breathe that Fresh Air!
Well it is a Salvador Dali so this title seems appropriate: “A Chemist lifting with extreme precaution the cuticle of a grand piano.” Okayyyyy. 1936. Oil on Canvas, located at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Well, one more day and the living room will be done. The Contrarian moved the wood cart to his office and tomorrow I’ll do the other set of cabinets and counter. That will leave only the wood stove and hearth to clean, and as I said, that has to wait until we are done burning. A couple of weeks from now, hopefully. Then on to the kitchen which I am NOT looking forward to. Digging everything from cabinets and pulling out the fridge sounds decidedly unfun. But I am looking at the downside now, and I’m thrilled with the results. I know it’s boring to you guys, but mentioning it every day has keep me focused, and the guilt of not finishing is enough to keep me going.
I also want to thank everyone for your comments. I of course read them all, and try to remark on each one. If you are like me, you don’t have time to come back and see if I replied. I do, and just wanted you to know. We all live for comments!
On to the news of the day:
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Jeffrey Feldman, author of a new book entitled “Outright Barbarous: How the VIolent Language of the Right Poisons American Democracy” explains in a long exerpt, how right wing pundits, both on the radio and TV are helping to make political discourse in America more difficult. He traces how this came out and where it is leading. A fine and worthwhile post, well worth your time.
Moqtadar Sadr, leader of a considerable Shiite force in Iraq, is considered a “bad guy” in the States. Roundly derided as “mookie” by right wingers, he remains a considerable power. His appeal is broad, he is not a military person and he has faced down Saddam long before we got there. He is a nationalist, and American leaders on the right seem unable to either grasp that concept or understand what it means. That to some extent is why they are unable to do anything about him. Read more at Blue Girl, Red State.
If language is your forte, and you just love words, then you might want to take a look at this site. Merriam-Webster has what it calls an “open dictionary”for additions that can’t be found in standard dictionaries but are finding their way into American speech. I’m wondering if they have wingnut, which I find everywhere these days to describe anyone who’s philosophy of anything you consider outside the bounds of rational thought. (my definition). The link will take you to Britannica blog which will then link you there.
Another mouth-watering recipe from Epicurioustoday. This one is of the Mediterranean persuasion. It’s a homemade flat bread filled with cheese. A bit on the time consuming side, since it requires a yeast bread, but heck, you can substitute with pitas quite easily. In fact you can substitute just about all the ingredients. TryTorta al Testo and see what you can come up with.
Free Sample Direct is a new site I found through Free Sample Forager. Mostly you will see the same offers, you may like one format better than another. Give it a look see.
Ever tried growing fuchsia? I have and watched them die every time. They always look so nice at the garden center, so I fall victim again and again. Well Gardening Tips ‘n Ideas has some tips for you to follow and you may, and I may, just succeed for a change. The key is water, not fertilizer.
The Iowa Independent reports that our own Senator Tom Harkin is supporting a bill that would allow same day registration for voters in America.The entire Iowa delegation is in agreement but for the usual holdout Republican, Rep. Steve King who raises the usual fear cry of “voter fraud” which is just a mask for the real reason–Republicans like very low election turn out cause that is the only way they win. King voiced a nonsensicalal argument: this bill somehow (he doesn’t explain) “erodes the integrity of the people who are legitimate voters.” Plenty of states of course have been using this method for years with no problems and no complaints.
Sr. Joan Chittister has a provoking essay on her take of the “mess” she claims the Democratic Party has fostered in its candidate selection procedures. To be sure, we are all tired. I’m not really convinced it’s been that divisive, and to be sure, I don’t think McCain has benefited much if any from it. He is almost completely out of the news these days, and when he is, he’s playing to very small crowds and looking rather pathetic in his attempts to garner attention. Nevertheless, Sr. Joan has a point. If we Democrats are the party of the people, what is all this discrepancy going on? Primaries versus caucuses, winner take all, versus proportionalism, raw votes versus super delegates, and even the committed delegates aren’t so committed after all. Read it and decide what you think.
It’s always something as Rozanne Rozanna Dana used to say. Now we have screaming stars. Yep, one got too close to a black hole recently and gave forth an agonizing scream that was picked up by astronomers on dear old Earth. Read more at Live Science and plug your ears!
This is really the second article from National Review, the magazine of the really out there folks. I didn’t bite the first time, but these wingnuts really really do believe this. We aren’t in a recession at all, and if we were, it’s over. Um. do they eat? drive? own a house? Apparently they do not. One report does not change the world. The evidence is in my fridge and in my gas tank. In their obsession to not lose this election, they have become down right schizo!
It has been the rallying cry of Republicans for a good long while. Democrats don’t care about the troops. Well, guess what? It’s a lie. Senator Jim Webb has sponsored a bill to expand educational benefits to veterans. He has bipartisan support from Hegal and Warner. He is backed by Obama and Clinton. Who is against it? Bush and his snuggle buddy McCain. McCain says he just following the Pentagon, but has now introduced his own bill, with a lot fewer co-sponsors and substantially smaller benefits. I mean are Republicans wanting to set a record for losing worse than any Republican in history or what?
Is it any surprise that the longer the primary season, and then election goes on, the less trust Americans have in the candidates on the issue of honesty and trust? Sure isn’t to me. As Clinton and Obama struggle to find meaningful “differences” to argue about, truth starts to slide to the side. As for the Republicans, it seems to me they redefine truth in their own bizarre way and make it a requirement to join the party. On Faith has this as its topic this week. The usual commentators weigh in and there are plenty of comments. Enjoy!
Kevin Drum has a deliciously fun and silly take on all the talk about McCain taking on some juvenile in Louisiana as his running mate. The dude is like 36 years old and has almost no experience. Yeah, good idea. This one is pushed by that ever idiotic, ever wingnut neo-con Bill Kristol. Read all the other fun pairings and read the voluminous comments that everyone has come up with. Thanks to Political Animal for the giggle. Actually the comments are hilarious!
Don’t know if you heard this, but I just did. It’s chilling to be sure. Turns out that within three weeks of 9/11, Mr. Rumsfeld, Rummy to those of us who abhor him, was making out his Christmas list of which countries he intended to take down in the Middle East. He had at least 6 countries he planned on invading or regime changing. I kid you not friends. We are well rid of the nut. We are now just learning how very dangerous the gang of Bush really is/was. Thanks to Politics Plus!
Religion in American History has an excellent post on liberation theology. (I’ve been engaged in the usual fruitless debate about it on Catholic Answers for a few days–upshot–if the Church doesn’t like it, its bad) This is an absolutely excellent beginner read taken from the NYTimes. Rev. J. Wright is a black liberation theologian by claim, which is how this all came about I’m sure. Cone, mentioned in the article is perhaps the leading theologian on the topic these days. A very nice list of sources if you wish to learn more. I read a huge amount on Latin American Liberation theology when I was in grad school, but all liberation theologies be they Latin, Black, feminist or womanist are basically the same.
Anyone catch Harry Reid on John Stewart’s “The Daily Show” last night? I was bleary-eyed and half asleep but I did hear this insane remark that Lieberman is on our side on everything but Iraq! Oh no he’s not. He’s supporting McCain for one thing. And Glenn Greenwald says on a whole lot more. Joe is not a Democratic friend, period.
Jicama! I love the stuff. Have you tried it? It’s kinda like kohlrabi, fairly nondescript, crunchy, good in salads. Simply Recipes has a wonderful salad featuring it. Jicama Salad is something different, and easy to find in your major grocers.
Paul Waldman has a great article at American Prospect on the issue of patriotism. It seems the Republican War machine is gearing up its swift boat tactics.Some have thought that McCain would stay “above” that sort of thing, given what Dubya and his gang did to him in North Carolina in 2000. Not so. Mac has no problem claiming his opponents are simply not good Americans. Witness his claim that “we all know who Hamas wants to win the election.”
I don’t know if any of you caught 60 Minutes last Sunday. One segment featured the story of a Dallas Prosecutor who ruled the roost for 30 or more years and has lately been found out to have suppressed a ton of exculpatory evidence. So far like 15 men have been released, some having served nearly 20 years for crimes they did not commit. Perhaps we can assume that most of the country is not quite as crazy as Texas or as execution happy, but still, it begs the question why killing states are so hellbent to return to killing now that they have been given the green light again by SCOTUS. Read an excellent report in The Nation about the death penalty.
Craft Tutorials has some ideas for gifts for mother’s day. There is a good long list, so you should be able to find something. There is some nice variety, and of course, they can be used as other gifts as well, or, God forbid, yourself!
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“Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.” Friedrich von Schiller
“The capacity of human beings to bore one another seems to be vastly greater than that of any other animal.” H.L. Mencken
“When you go into court you are putting your fate into the hands of twelve people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.” Norm Crosby
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More Bumper Stickers!
100,000 Sperm And You Were The Fastest?
A day without sunshine is like, night.
Age is a high price to pay for maturity
ANGER IS MERELY DEPRESSION WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM
As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
Be Nice To Your Kids; They’ll Pick Out Your Nursing Home
BEER, Helping people have sex since 1865.
Boycott shampoo, demand real poo instead.
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This past weekend, they celebrated the Worldwide Marijuana March on Saturday. The march went almost 200 yards before everybody sat down, smoked a joint, and fell asleep in the street. Jay Leno
I guess it’s neck and neck with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who have a big primary tomorrow. And they’re everywhere right now. Yesterday’s “‘Meet the Press’ was devoted to Obama while the “‘This Week with George Stephanopoulos’ was devoted to Clinton. Meanwhile, John McCain spent the day watching a “Golden Girls” marathon. Conan O’Brien
Can’t wait to get my tax rebate. Still haven’t decided if I’m going to blow it on a tank of gas or a bag of rice. Will probably flip a coin. If I can borrow one. – Will Durst
Tags: astronomy, crafts, death penalty, Democrats, economy, Election 2008, flowers, gardening, Iowa, Iraq, Italian, liberation theology, McCain, Media, Middle East, popular culture, rightwing, Rumsfeld, Salads, SCOTUS, Veterans, voting, words
May 6, 2008 at 7:53 pm
One of the doctors I work with says the Art Institute of Chicago is the best art museum in the world!!! I’m going to have to see it sometime.
May 7, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I’m still waiting on my “economic stimulus package” too. Unfortunately, I already have several places it can be placed once it arrives. LOL!
On my recent trip down south, it was really interesting speaking to family who had previously never experienced intense national political attention. They hated it, every moment of it.
My sister gave me a serious look and patted my shoulder, “I now understand what Iowans go through every four years. Do you know that during the course of a week I got three campaign calls at home?”
I just about died laughing before I confessed that it wasn’t unusual for me to get 10-20 such calls in a day during the height of caucus season. She nearly fell out of her chair. So, I have a feeling if they do a national vote after this Democratic process to see which state’s residents want first-in-the-nation, Iowa will easily have it returned.
May 7, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Josie: I was there once for a few hours. It’s sure a nice place. I’ve been to the MMA and spent several hours there, but you need at least a week I would think. They have 32 galleries of just Egyptian art and they have an entire temple complete with moat in one gallery. I’ve spent considerable time at the Detroit Institute of Art. The huge mural by Diego Rivera dominates the entrance. It is spectacular. They have Monets gladiolas too and I miss seeing that. Their webside has no pictures unfortunately. I think they have been in financial trouble for a number of years.
May 7, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Lynda, I’m glad others are suffering as we do with non-stop calls. I really think that after this mess, Democrats need to restructure the entire thing. I thought a 3 month primary with all states evenly divided and rotated every 4 years so every state ever 12 years gets to be first, but at aleast all states deserve a say so in the process. This has simply gone on too long.