House of Representatives | Existential Ennui

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climate change, college students, DADT, Dick Cheney, election 2010, empathy, EPA, gay rights, GOP, GOP Machine, House of Representatives, insane right wing evangelicals, Iowa, John McCain, Megan McCain, potatoes, Recipes, wingnuttery

The Iowa Independent reports that a Sioux City “church” has made a video which it has been disseminating on YouTube, claiming that our same-sex marriage legalization will ultimately lead to legalized incest. Such unholy crap has been used again and again by the morally bankrupt right.

“Pastor” Cary Gordon is under IRS investigation for trying to organize other churches to back his efforts to unseat the three Iowa Supreme Court Justices who are up for re-election.

Groups are frantically trying to stem the tide of such bullies as Vander Platts and idiot boy Steve King (R-IA).

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I’m not fan of John McCain’s spawn, but I have to admire his daughter Megan who said that Christine O’Donnell was a “nutjob” and had no qualifications to run. We hear O’Donnell came back with a question about Megan’s credentials. OOOOh, that was a sharp comeback witchypoo.

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Michael Tomasky has a piece on a study done on whether college students are more empathic today than in the past. Seems empathy has fallen off sharply among present-day students. The fact that these kids were raised under conservative Republicanism is certainly no shock is it. Tomasky wonders how GOPers will twist out of this argument. It’s little wonder we got this teabagger–I’m out for myself–mentality so strong in Merika these days is it?

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As I’ve said before, I have trouble figuring out why right wingers are against the concept of man-made climate change. But they are. Some say it’s biblical, but frankly, that seems only the extreme fringe nut jobs. Most right-wing Christians that I’ve talked to claim they just came to it, based on the “lack of evidence.” Code for, I only listen to Foxy Noisebox for my news and information. Because certainly the evidence is there, in volumes, from every reputable science organization in the WORLD.

Rethuglians claim it is a left-wing conspiracy, though for what purpose I am not yet sure. Most are simply bowing to their corporate benefactors–filthy lucre sad to say. Some I think don’t much care, and it’s just part of the say NO to everything that comes from Democrats, country be damned.

This goes back to Cheney and his revision of EPA reports, sanitizing them of all references to climate change due to human endeavors. And Cheney, who benefited while in office from Halliburton success, apparent white-washing of everything to do with the subject has prevailed from 2000 onward. Sadly, Republicans cannot think for themselves, and care nothing for the country or the planet.

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Always fun, the Daily Beast gathers the top 25 wing nuts in the House. All our favorites are there! Yes, yes, crazy-eyes Bachmann and Steve (Needs a bag on head) King are on the list!

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Speaking of the utterly disgusting: the man who said he would abide by the decision of the military brass on DADT, and then of course, reversed himself to make himself appropriately palatable to the insane right just said this in reference to DADT:

“The President of the United States has no military experience, no impact with the military, went over to San Diego and called the corpsman ‘corpse’ man. I guess he thought it was ‘The Day of the Living Dead’. And has made this decision because of a political promise to the gay and lesbian community. Absolutely I will filibuster or stop it from being brought up until we have a thorough and complete study on the effect of morale and battle effectiveness.” – John S. McCain

Up yours John Sidney, dishonorable two-faced f**ktard of the decade.

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I guess I have to admit it, the Democrats are buffoonish organization-wise. Although Obama ran a brilliant campaign for election, he has run a pretty awful administration, all things considered. Democrats are never on the same page, never in line, never it seems tired of bickering among themselves. While I can admire that in some sense–they are somewhat more “real” as politicians, frankly it’s not enough when so much is at stake.

The GOP on the other hand, keeps its ducks lined up rather perfectly, and much as we boo them for it, it doesn’t seem to harm them. The message is always crystal clear, down to the exact phrasing. E. J. Dionne in an article for the Wash Po, says they have the 1-2-3 punch that is hard to beat. Yeah, I have t admit to being a bit jealous.

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Okay, You didn’t ask. But I’m tellin’ ya anyway. Cook’s Magazine has a simply to die for method for making “oven fries.” I know, I know, the Chicken Tandoori was a bust, not because it didn’t taste good, but it didn’t taste like CHICKEN TANDOORI. But the oven fries, I made ’em Saturday, and they were terrific. More work than usual, but still better than deep-frying and all that MESS.

Oven “Fries”

2 very large russet potatoes (enough for say three people)
1 TBSP oil
1 tsp salt

Pare and then slice into fries, trying to keep the size uniform as you can. Place in big bowl, with oil and salt, mix. Cover the dish with Saran wrap TIGHTLY and microwave for 2 1/2 min. Remove, shake bowl to remix and back in microwave for another 2 1/2 min. Remove and lay out on tea towel or paper and thoroughly blot, letting them cool as much as you can while:

Heat oven to 450
Place 5 TBSP of oil in a jelly roll pan

When oven heated, put the pan in the oven for 3 or so minutes to heat up the oil. Remove and quickly lay out the fries keeping them apart of course. I got them all on one pan but it was tight. Into the oven for 15 min. Remove and turn them over. (this is a total pain, but necessary because they are browning on the underside and will be too done on the one side if you don’t). I used a wooden skewer and my fingers to tip them over. Return to oven for another 10-15 min.

Spatula them off to a plate covered with towelling and then use more to blot off excess oil. Add some more salt.

They are simply the best!

On the stove today: slow-roasted barbecued boneless pork ribs, grits with jalapeno and cheddar cheese, cole slaw.