Tags
casserole, crochet, Israel, Middle East, Military, Presidents, psychology, religion, Rome, salad, tex-mex, Veterans, voting, world history
This photograph is from California in the period 1850-1925 and shows Chinese laborers. I believe the man in the dark pants is the white foreman of the crew. This photo is from the Library of Congress. Sorry about the bottom, I am rather dull when it comes to operating stuff on the computer and could not figure out how to crop it. I think I can figure it out, but now I have got to move on if I’m going to get this done.
I learned today that Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley voted against cloture that would have allowed debate to begin on the Fair Pay Act (HR 2831). This act was designed to overrule the recent SCOTUS decision that disallowed suits for wage discrimination claiming the statute of limitations had run and plaintiff had no standing. The Bill would have made issuance of each paycheck a starting point for a new beginning for a statute of limitations. Grassley apparently is uninterested in fair pay for women. I have written him and expressed my displeasure. Please take the time to do so as well.
On the home front, things are going well. We are drying out and plan on shopping tomorrow. So don’t expect much of any blog, certainly not the usual one. The Contrarian got the truck running and is now off getting a couple of tires fixed. I’ve begun the spring cleaning of the living room and have made a good start.
Let’s get on with the days news:
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101 Cookbooks has a simple salad that is always welcome, especially as the days grow warmer. (We’re still waiting for Spring for the most part, but we can dream!) In any case this kind of thing can go through endless variations. Her tip for crisping up salad greens is EXACTLY what I do. I works wonderfully.
Ancient/Classical History Blog has a profile of Hannibal. He was a major thorn in the side of Rome. Which reminds me of the funniest thing we ever saw on “Millionaire” that show that started with Regis Philbin. A contestant went out after the first question: What animal did Hannibal use to cross the alps? Our intrepid contestant said with great confidence: Llamas! The Contrarian and I still laugh about it.
If you are looking for some quick and easy crochet projects, skip over the Sandi’s Crochet blog and see her easy patterns for a headband, an afghan square or a cell phone bag. I think I’ll take a look at the headband. That might be nice for summer.
More news on the status of veterans and their attempts to get proper health careafter returning from war zones. Penny Coleman reports on efforts of the DoD to cover up the suicide attempts being made by veterans under care in hospitals across the country. How the DoD is attempting to cover up and to deny benefits to our vets is a shame of unprecedented magnitude. Read this and weep.
American Presidents Blog has a fascinating look at how 19th century presidents reacted to the Mormon church.You just never know the interesting things you can uncover on the internet. We learn our poster is a librarian, and so has all the know how to find this wonderful stuff.
Blue Girl, Red State is a better woman than I. I do believe she puts up about four times the material every day than I do. I especially like her Nightowl Newswrap. You get a bit of everything, just like here. Check it out today, and everyday.
Free Sample Forager has some AquaFresh Toothpaste for you from Walmart. Hey It’s Free has a link to a site that gives you listing for free shipping codes to use on sites you are interested in ordering from. I’ll have to give this one a look see myself a bit later. If it’s as good as it appears, this is one you will want to bookmark.
How would you explain the electoral process and how one should determine how to vote? I mean if you were trying to explain it to a person who was young or unfamiliar with our system? I thought that this post by the History News Network, entitled: Letter to my Granddaughter: How to decide whom to vote for, was informative and also thought provoking. See what you think.
Even saying the phrase makes one shudder, “Black Death,” scourge of so much of the world during the 14th century. This plague otherwise known as the Bubonic Plague really did sweep around the globe, wreaking devastation wherever it hit. Read all about how it changed the world at Live Science.
Niki’s Venturesis at it again. She moves around the internet a lot and finds some good stuff. I thought this one most interesting. A Swiffer cover that you crochet. Now I’ve not gotten Swiffer products, mostly because they are not cost effective in my opinion when you have 2 dogs and 4 cats who get their nasty little feet dirty and then walk on my floors and tables leaving delightfulfootprints everywhere. This might be more do-able. These can be made quickly and discarded once they get too ragged to use again. I’m wondering how I can jerry-rig this to my existing mop and skip buying the Swiffer start up at all.
You no doubt heard that SCOTUS has upheld a restrictive voting law in Indiana. Republicans were for the law, Democrats against. Republicans are a minority party in terms of registered voters and always want to restrict voting as much as possible. The conservative bent of this Court favors them of course. So now we face the prospect of more “red” states enacting more restrictive voting requirements in an attempt to make it hard for people to exercise their rights. About what you would expect. But another reason why it is imperative to elect a Democrat this time around. We cannot afford another ultra conservative on the Bench, who will simply “legislate from the Bench in a new direction.”
Of course we all know that nothing is going to be fair in the trials at Gitmo. Former Chief Prosecutor, Col. Morris D. Davis is testifying to all the nasty dirty tricks and play of the Government. Virtually ordering that there be “no acquittals” the Bush Government shows its true colors (as if we needed more proof) as a repressive, secretive, and dangerous band of lunatics. Politics Plus has the scoop.
We know that the neo-cons favor a pro-Israeli policy that is right in it’s outlook. Generally speaking they favor little or no talking to Hamas or others they don’t like. They of course choose as their friends and buddies those Jewish folks who are in agreement with them. Progressive Jews have said enough, and are now forming their own group to press for more liberal and I would suggest realistic solutions in the Middle East. Read Gary Kamiya’s fine post at the Salon today, and learn more about this important issue.
Is all decision making done on the basis of what’s good for me? One would assume so, however broadly one might interpret “me.” However, recent research suggests that this may not be true. Humans may act in the best interest of the “team” however they view that, often to their own detriment. One can only wonder if this is some innate understanding that none of us is likely to survive well without some others in our group. Read more at Science Digest.
I’m starting to get that feeling that Tex-Mex needs to be on my agenda soon. I cannot go too long before the desire for heat and spice calls me to some recipe that contains my favorite concoction of cheese and chilies. Chile Relleno Casserole seems likely to fit the bill. Thanks to Simply Recipes.
More information on the Bush Admin policy of secretly using retired military as expert analysers on news shows to promote Iraqi policiesthey favor. Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns have weighed on and suggested that further investigation is warranted. McCain has not issued any comment although asked. The Pentagon has said it will suspend the program until further notice. Read more at The Nation.
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“America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.” Arthur Toynbee
“Behind the phony tinsel of Hollywood lies the real tinsel.” Oscar Levant
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In this world today where insults are taken where none were meant, it’s oh so important we are politically correct. Here are some new phrases you might want to adopt so that you are not accused of being racist, sexist, and all the rest:
A Criminal – unsavory character
A Crook – morally (ethically) challenged
Abortion – Near-Life Experience
Alcoholic – Anti-Sobriety Activist
Alive – temporarily metabolically abled.
An Immigrant – a newcomer
Assassination – involuntary term limitation
Bald – comb-free
Bald – folically independent
Bald – follicularly challenged.
Battle Fatigued – shellshocked
Blind – optically darker
Blind – photonically non-receptive
Blind – visually challenged
Body Odor – nondiscretionary fragrance.
Broken Down Automobile – mechanically challenged
Broken Home – Dysfunctional Family
Bum – Displaced Homeowner
Bum – Homeless Person
Bum – Involuntarily Domiciled –brought to you by www.bored.com
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Today, John McCain campaigned across the state of Florida. Yeah, McCain likes campaigning in Florida because everyone there calls him “the kid.” Conan O’Brien
You know what movie I watched over the weekend? “Mad Max.” Remember that movie from the ’80s, about people trying to kill each other over a few gallons of gasoline? Remember, it took place in the future? It was July, 2008. Jay Leno
I just got back from the nation’s capitol. While I was there, I was the entertainer at the White House correspondents’ dinner. I was very nervous. I was sharing the stage with the most powerful man in the world. Right there, Dick Cheney. Sitting right there. George Bush was there too. Craig Ferguson
Existential Ennui 