Who Speaks for Earth?

Tags

Democrats, energy, environment, John McCain, Oil, Republicans

I get sorrowful, then angry, then hopeless, then determined, and it circles round and round. I never stay in one place too long. A day or so ago, there was a report that bathers off the east coast were having a tough time because of a huge increase in jelly fish. While not deadly as they are in some places, they apparently sting quite strongly and are a bane sometimes to long distance swimmers. The reason for the upsurge in jelly fish? Something about how the oceans are changing, being over fished and polluted.

Today, I was treated to Sam Champion, from GMA showing us the “largest” garbage fill in the world–in the Pacific Ocean. Scientists who have collected samples over the years, claim the mess is growing at exponential rates, and many fish now eat the plastic, which certainly can’t be good.

We all have heard of the coral reef devastation that is occurring on many of our shorelines throughout the world. The oceans are being fished clean, and the refuse and other pollutants are making it inhabitable to many creatures. We are facing a bad situation, and I don’t know how long this can go on.

Of course, the oceans are only a part of the problem. This all collides with the shrinking ice fields at the poles. Those change the heat/cold cycles in the oceans which drive the currents, which drive weather of all kinds. All that impacts again on wildlife of all sorts. It also impacts on agriculture through the world with new drought, longer drought, and on and on and on.

The Democrats are taking some heat from Republicans on this “off shore drilling” idea. Nancy Pelosi says she’s attempting to help save a planet. At least, as Paul Krugman points outthat at least chief Republican wingnut Senator James Inhofe, who claims global warming is a “giant hoax” is not in control of the senate committee on the subject any more.

From what I have learned, McCain is just pandering to fear, the type of tactic he has become enamoured of since he has no real policy position on the issue, when he clamours for “off-shore drilling.” Such will not have any short term effect on prices at all, and many believe it can have dire consequences on the life of this planet, when coupled with a list of other bad things we are doing.

McCain of course, might know this, it’s hard to tell. As Krugman points out, he was a bill sponsor of cap-and-trade, but his recent remarks suggest he may not understand the subject much at all. He was against off-shore drilling of course, before he saw it as some floating life jacket for his campaign. So now, he’s a strutting proponent.

The American people, never long on facts, are for relief, and they will grasp at any straw that is pro-offered. It’s not clear they are “for” off-shore drilling at all. It depends, as it usually does, on how the question is posited. It seems there is a majority if, and I say IF there are environmental controls in place that make it safe.

What is going on in Congress is a joke. Democrats want oil companies to drill on land they already have leases for. Republicans want to move to off-shore drilling. They know a campaign tactic when they see one. Reid and others are also attempting to pass legislation that would cut down on oil speculators, something most agree has some impact on prices

. It’s all bogged down because Republicans won’t give up on the idea of off-shore drilling. They have precious few campaign ideas this season and they smell that this could be a big one for them, if they can continue to bamboozle the public that off-shore drilling will make a difference.

One can only hope that Dems won’t take the bait and cave, fearful that the public will turn against them. I submit that what they need to do is hammer it home that this Republican tactic will not make a difference to anyone for years to come, some say as late as 2017, and then hardly a difference anyone would realize. Take out ads if you have to, but don’t cave. We have been down that road before; it lead to the Patriot Act, and Iraq.

I know this planet will survive me. I am not so sure it will survive the next generation, but I suspect it probably will. After that? I have a sinking feeling it may be too late. To all those who say that global warming is not “proven,” I say, well little in science is. Gravity isn’t proven if you want to get technical. And even if this is normal cycling that the planet is going through, we are going to be just as dead if we can’t survive the changes. It behooves us to do what we can, while we can to give our children and their children a place they can live in not under.

Tracks up the Hill

Tags

abstinence, Barack Obama, death penalty, economy, Election 2008, energy, environment, Family values, FISA, fundamentalism, Hillary Clinton, Iowa, Iraq, John McCain, Justice Department, lobbyists, Media, Military contracts, Oil, SCOTUS, Zimbabwe

“Self Portrait, Interlocking Fingers #19, by John Coplan, 2000.

Ah, a busy morning and so we should just get to it, time is running!

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Let’s start with a good story about the media’s failure to alert us on the cause of this war of choice in Iraq. Remember, they said, whatever it was about it was certainly not about oil. As we are now learning, and what some of us have always said, it was and is all about oil. Sorry to keep saying it, but it’s a truth that needs to be shouted around the land until everyone understands. Read Alternet‘s fine piece by Tom Engelhardt.

I find it amusing and frankly a little sad that a story I brought to you maybe two months ago is finally making it to the mainstream media. Congressional hearings regarding the ridiculous contracts issued to a 21-year old shyster for weaponry in Afghanistanhave finally turned on the lights of the media. Congress people are overtly shocked, and of course the military just blinks in confusion. “Why no, Mr. Waxman, no one has been fired.” It seem like an idea that has never crossed their useless minds.

Just a couple of days ago, we mentioned a new look at affirmative action directed at the poor in general instead of just a racial group. I don’t think this is what was in mind. It seems the Bushites, (oh this is nothing new of course) have been busily trying to stack the justice department with new recruits who are appropriately conservative both politically and ideologically. Of course, this grows out of the scandal of last year involving the firing of a number of Attorneys General of various places for not instituting prosecutions of Democrats as demanded by Bush and his minor-minded minions. Remember that many of the do-wrongers were from that bastion of Christian honesty, Liberty University run by the late Jerry Falwell. Thanks Blue Girl Red State.

Family values is kinda quiet as a topic this year. Probably because Old McBush has some issues  that he probably would rather not have delved into too deeply. But I am constantly assaulted by the wingnut right with claims that there has been this deep and awful downturn in morality. And of course, back when “we were kids” things were ever so much different. Were they really? According to Britannica Blog, the answer would be NO. Promiscuity and out-of-wedlock children have been with us since time began pretty much, and mostly no body was all that concerned about it. Follow the link and read more.

I’ve been fairly ambivalent about a Obama/Clinton ticketfrankly, and thought there was little likelihood that it would happen. Arguments are being made however, that are more and more convincing that this is the safest way to go. It is I assume the ticket McMac and his hardy harbingers of hateful harangues wish least to see. I am concerned that McStupid will find a willing ear among just too many by playing the fear card. Ezra Klein has a good post, read it and see what you think.

It is undeniable that the “surge” in Iraq has had success in reducing violence. But exactly what kind of reduction is it? Mostly, at best, American troop level increases and new policies there are responsible for 1/4 of the new peacefulness. The rest is due to other factors which may change quickly and at a moment’s notice. Read another post from Ezra Klein for the explanation.

If I Ran the Zoohas a letter to “Cathy” explaining rather succinctly why a vote for McCain is simply wrong headed. I thought it said it all rather well, and figured you might like the talking points set down for you to use as you need with neighbors, co-workers, family and well anyone else you get a chance to convince.

I always hit the feed update on Inside Iraq with mixed feelings. I know I’m not likely to find a story that has any joy in it. And today, well, it’s no better. I hate these stories yet I insist you need to read them. You need to see what exactly it is like living in this war-torn region. Mostly you need to accept that this is your responsibility. It is our responsibility. We did this. We allowed this. We gave a jerk four more years to do four more years of this. Are we going to give another jerk another four years to do this?

Remember the other day I gave you the votes of Iowa congressmen who voted in the house in favor of that “compromised” FISA bill? Well wouldn’t you just know. It seems that Boswell and others who voted for it, shockingly are the highest receivers of telecom campaign contributions. Shame on him and all others who again put the public interest after their own greedy re-election interests. Thanks to Iowa Independent, we got this story.

Some question the Obama decision to campaign on a 50-state strategy. They see little reason to waste resources in states that he cannot possibly carry. However, first and foremost, the electoral map is changing, and assumptions cannot be drawn quite so simply as one might suspect. Moreover this requires McCain to respond and deplete his resources in places he would not ordinarily have to spend in. Most important, there are tons of very important local races that can be helped by Obama and may change in the long term the dynamics of that state’s political stance. Read about the strategy at MyDD.

I find it odd, but welcome that lately Maureen Dowd and I have been on the same page. She makes a fun and very pointed argument againstthe Karl Rove mentality to try to demonize Barack Obama with the elitist label.Such will patently not work it seems to me and Ms. Dowd. See what you think.

It’s not unusual, we do this all the time. We did it in Dafur, we did it in Myanmar, we will undoubted do it again in Zimbabwe. What is it we will do? NOTHING. Other than a “dear me, you are terrible. This  has got to stop. Mercy me, I may faint. ” It’s disgusting, it’s absurd, but we (internationally or otherwise) will do nothing. We have a long history of propping up dictatorships, as long as they are stable and don’t interfere with our plans you see.

Well SCOTUS is doing some good stuff lately. They have struck down a state law allowing for the state murder of a man convicted of child rape. Heinous as such a crime is, the Court refused to extend the death penalty to anything other than murder. The case came out of Louisiana. You can read further details at this Reuter’s link.

Of course Bush and his joined at the hip granddad, old Johnny Mac are both calling fordrilling for oil off everybody’s shore line these days. Of course it will have zero impact on the price of gas and they know that. But it does sound good no? The Salon tells us the real story and why it is environmentally dangerous and politically unwise.

It’s Wednesday and that means Susan Posner has another of her insightful posts on Fundamentalist issues. Don’t miss her. Some very interesting topics today, including the weird state of Texas, Latino evangelicals, and more.

Oh, and just so you have no question. Johnny McBush is shouting for that off-shore drilling now, and well, could it be? Oh yes it could be, and it is. The Macster is beholden to big oil interests to the tune of 1MILLION dollars so far in campaign contributions. Worse yet of course is the fact that his lobbyist bloated campaign is also chock full  of what? lobbyists who have lobbied for big oil. Read it at The Nation. And could it get worse? McMyster claims he actually knows off-shore drilling won’t garner any real help in the short term, but he claims it will be psychologically helpful! He said the same about the tax break at the gas pump thing too. No real help. Sorry dope, but I would like some real help, let me worry about my psychological state, thank you.

Everyone is talking about the skyrocketing prices of everything, especially food. The media, in it’s best, “we care about you” tradition is giving us all kinds of helpful hints on how to save (working five jobs is the only solution I see). Yet little time is spent on the real issue. how did this happen. If we are ever to get out of a hole of repeating the same mistakes, it might be very important to learn how we got here. Hint: look at where we buy our food! Read the story about Argentina in The New Republic.

See, this is what I don’t get. You have independent evidence that a program has zero effect on its target, and you continue funding it. That is what has happened in our knuckle headed Congress once again. Although it is proven by studies that abstinence only “sex” education doesn’t have ANY impact on kids sexual behavior, Congress has passed more funding for it in a Medicare spending bill. This when nearly 1/2 of all the states have already opted out of the program BECAUSE IT DOESN’T WORK, and another two are planning to. And there have been congressional hearings on this already. Don’t these fools even read anymore? Sad report from the Washington Independent.

We are starting to be a big fan of Michael Hart at Urantian SoJourn. He is witty, and dead on much of the time. Read his amusing and pointed remarks today in the post entitled “Dicking around at Dickapedia.” It’s about the third or fourth one down from the top on the main page. Still can’t activate any single posts.

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“An intellectual is a person who has discovered something more interesting than sex.” Aldous Huxley

“You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.” Ray Bradbury

“All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.” Aristotle

“If I had to live my life again, I’d make the same mistakes, only sooner.” Tallulah Bankhead

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It’s been very difficult for the firefighters to get things under control because the vegetation up in Northern California where the fires are is about 40% marijuana plants. So the poor crews, they’re supposed to be bringing in supplies, but they keep bringing in Doritos and chocolate milk shakes. And it’s not helping. Jimmy Kimmel

Don Imus claims his so-called racial remark about suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones was just a sarcastic comment about the unfair treatment of blacks in the criminal justice system. This guy is so desperate, he was spotted after the show wearing an Afro wig and begging a black person to call him a “nappy-headed host.” Paul Seaburn

Regarding all the recent floods and overflowing levees: FEMA announced they are going to do much better this time, and by the end of this week plenty of food and rescue supplies will definitely arrive in New Orleans. – Janice Hough, Palo Alto, Calif.

John McCain says that if elected president, he will give a $300 million prize to anyone who can design a new car battery. McCain can get a new type of battery invented because he’s the guy that came up with the idea of not cranking the car up at the start. Craig Ferguson

An Inconvenient Truthiness?

Tags

abortion, abstinence, Barack Obama, energy, Muslims, Oil, Sunday Editorial, truth

I found myself last week justifying at least a skirting of the truth for political expediency. It got me to thinking.

What are the parameters of what is acceptable in shading, avoiding or otherwise manipulating the truth? Is there ever an occasion when lying is appropriate? Is silence lying or simply good manners? Is truth obligatory even when no one is asking for it?

Have no fear, you are not going to find the answers to these questions, and a hundred others, here. I simply want to explore the edges, determining if it is possible to elicit a ground rule or two, flush out a general point around which we all can agree.

Some Muslims, perhaps many in fact, object to Senator Obama posting on his new site Fight the Smear the fact that he is not Muslim. Attaching this correction to this site makes it appear they claim, that it is a smear to be called a Muslim. I explained that the claim, is untrue, and that the smear word is simply the title of the website. Of course, my reply is but an excuse. I went further of course, and explained that given political realities, Mr. Obama needs to make it most clear that he is a Christian. The reality of course is that he does not. Those that continue to believe and espouse that Mr. Obama is Muslim know better. They are lying for quite obvious reasons.

This sort of thing is indicative however today in American politics. A number of black “intellectuals” have pointed out that many blacks are somewhat disgruntled over Obama’s failure to address typically “black” issues. And this is noticeably true. Again, this is political expediencey, for the biggest obstacle that the Senator has is to convince white working class folks that he will put their interests on an equal footing with those of black folk.

This certainly explains the stance or failure of stance, but it does not address the core issue. Is this right? It seems that all national campaigns devolve into this kind of skirting of the truth these days. Each candidate willingly compromises his/her truest beliefs often times in an attempt to be “all things to all people.” Every single vote can be critical and every possible effort is made to offend the least amount of people. So everything is watered down to the degree that is deemed essential to preserve on “our side” the greatest numbers of potential voters.

Could it be possible that in fact the electorate my respond with utter joy to a candidate who really did speak her mind? I mean in every respect? I really don’t know, but I am confounded that we don’t ever seem to try. Or have they tried and been soundly defeated. I confess that I have paid little attention to Dennis Kucinich over the years. I find him a delightful elf of a man, and I agree with his doggedly truth speaking ways. The same can be said for Ralph Nader. Are they losers in the public arena because they speak the truth? Or are they losers because the truths they speak are not the ones that resonate with the public? 

Al Gore certainly understandings about an issue whose time has come. He has talked about the environment for years to no avail for the most part except to those of us who are typically called “tree-huggers.” Now his time has come, and his message is thoroughly embraced by most all the electorate, except for those still stubbornly buying into certain Republican rhetoric that not so secretly simply speaks for big business (read oil).

So, it is you see a bit harder to define what is going on that one might believe at first glance. Now some say that truth is also subject to another important disclaimer. If the issue is quite complicated and if your audience is let’s say not well versed in its intricacies, perhaps a certain untruthness is necessary. Why? Because the truth might get “misused” by those not able to negociate the tangle of facts necessary to place it in proper prospective. That is a nice way of saying, “you’re just a tad too stupid to understand the complexities here. Trust me, I understand them, and will represent your interests properly.”

This lovely excuse has been the stalwart “truth” of the Bush administration. It still it. It is practiced most ingeniously by Dick Cheney, who I don’t think has ever met anyone as smart as he thinks he is. His utter and complete disdain for the rest of his American citizenry is palpably both absurd and obscene. But he is far from alone.

 This technique has been used to extremely well by Rove and his cohorts. They sucked in the working class religious right with exactly this type of thinkspeak.  A class of people who have exactly NO native interest in Republicanism find themselves voting like little robots under promises that Republicans will turn the country into their glorified version of a City on the Hill. They re-enforce that by gunning the American ideal that “real” Americans make it on their own by good hard work.  That allows the big business element to go blithely on their way without being questioned as they rape the economy and move their money into safe havens overseas.

All the while, Republican Bigwigs laugh at the silly duped public who buy their rhetoric. It of course re-enforces their thinking that they are right in their conclusions. A segment of America is just that gullible. Unfortunately for them, or fortunately for us, enough of us failed to surrender our brains, figured out their game, and have mounted a rather effective counter-offensive.

I watched this week as we continue the debate on what to do about our increasing energy problems. Republicans claim they submit bill after bill for “comprehensive” energy policies which Democrats continue to block. Is that true? Nope. Let’s look back a bit, and then examine what we now are learning.

Remember once upon a time there was a big flap about how big energy interests met with Cheney? It was a closed-door meeting. Try as we have, no one has yet learned who was there and what was said and decided. We do know that oil interests wanted to drill in Anwar. We know they were against environmental claims that promoted “alternative” energy technology. When the public refused to be pushed into drilling in Alaska, what happened?

The administration dug in its heels; it did nothing. It ignored and suppressed environmental concerns and pushed no meaningful funding for other alternative sourcing. Saddam Hussein  had thrown out four major American oil companies from Iraq. The stage was set.

A war is manufactured in Iraq to get rid of Hussein. Today the big 4 US oil companies have magically won the contracts to get back into Iraqi oil.

A refusal by oil companies in this country to drill on millions of acres they do have access, and a refusal to put any real money into alternative sources of energy has helped to drive up prices to astronomical levels. Last year, I believe Exxon-Mobil garnered profits in excess of 40 BILLION dollars. Guess what? Thirty-two BILLIONS of it went not to drilling, exploring or development, but they used it to buy back their own stock!

Now, given the serious concerns of the consumer, with prices going through the roof what have we now? Increased Republican calls for drilling in Anwar and off all our coastlines. Hoping no doubt that the public in its fear with finally go along with oil company demands. This is what they call “comprehensive” new energy policies.

Does it take a genius to figure out what might have occurred at that secret meeting between Cheney and the Oil companies? It seems that every single thing they wanted, they have got or are on the way to getting. That is what shading the truth, (read out right lying) gets you folks. And of course all done for your benefit. Bullshit as they say.

I can go on. Pro-lifers argue that abstinence is moral. It is God’s way. It is the only acceptable manner in which to advise our children. They argue that Roe v. Wade must be overturned because their sensibilities are offended. Perhaps all of our sensibilities need to be offended. That is not my argument. I don’t like, plain and simple, telling another woman what she may do regarding her own body. I am loathe to do so. But I no doubt can make exceptions. What to do with the pregnant woman who does not want to abort, but continues to use drugs during her pregnancy, making for serious health problems for the infant? That’s a corker isn’t it? I can’t answer that one either, given my loathing for interference in another’s body choices.

But a truth they avoid, and it is a truth, is that when it comes to abstinence vs. good sex education and access to artificial birth control  (ABC as known by Catholics), the truth is simply that the later is productive of far fewer unwanted teen pregnancies and fewer abortions. This is what promotes most effectively the policies of fewer abortions so demanded by the religious right. That it conflicts with Catholic dogma about ABC is an inconvenient truth.

Let me bring it closer to home. You have moral precepts that you have received from your Church, and true or not, believe they therefore come from God.  Do you have the right? duty? to tap your neighbor on the shoulder and advise them of their “sinfulness.” Do you have the right and duty to advise your pastor that some are “living in sin” or otherwise not following the tenets of the faith? How far is too far? What is truth here?

I have a lot of questions like this. I’m not smart enough or wise enough to have many answers. I tend to land on the side of keeping my mouth shut about how others conduct their lives when I don’t know the answer, especially if I’m not sure it’s a universal truth as opposed to a more personal morality, where ever garnered from. Unless someone is breaking an actual law, I pretty much figure it’s not my business. Some disagree. Admonish the sinner is getting a lot of press these days among a vocal minority. I’d be interested in what others think. It’s just what I’ve been thinking about today.

Questioning Inevitability

Tags

American History, biology, Crafts, crochet, economy, energy, Flowers, Gardening, muffins, Native Americans, Oil, pasta, Raisin Bread, Sauces, vegetables, Women's history

The artist is Sebastiao Salgado. The print was done in 2004, and is called “Agashya, Mt. Sabyinyo, Rwanda.”  I thank Senor Salgado for taking this nice photo of the Contrarian and me. Just a nice stroll in the Meadow!

Another week has slid by so fast that I realize that June is quickly going by. I hardly feel that I have had a chance to enjoy it at all. It seems we are still trying to get organized. The Contrarian has done a lot of weeding in the garden, both by hand and by the little weed tiller. My lettuce is going great guns and we will probably be able to harvest some soon for salads. I’ve got the house all spiffy clean and feel rather satisfied with myself. I’ve ordered a beef brisket from the meat locker in Walker to pick up next week. I think it will be a fun 4th of July meal to make. I’m tired of the usual fare of ribs or steaks.

We are getting some sun, but it’s sporadic, and we may get some rain this afternoon. I surely hope not, we are down to mostly mud now in a few places. We can move the vehicles around with ease now. The Contrarian has weed eaten around the house pretty good and it’s at least looking a bit more lived in.

 I have to seriously think about painting the office now. I think perhaps I’ll do some tomorrow. The Contrariansincerely wants little to do with the process, and that’s fine. If he takes over, he will do it all, since he can’t stand painting, so he wants to do it all at one time. I am happy to do a bit a day until it’s done. We often find that some chores are not things we can do together, since we work quite differently. If we try to do it together, we end up snapping at each other, which is senseless to me.

Doing this craft, recipe, history etc blog post is ever so much more stressful for some reason. The feeds seem so reluctant to come up and it seems forever before I’m done. I don’t know the reason, I can only surmise that the blogging platforms that I and so many use are just not as receptive as dot com sites for whatever reason. Perhaps it’s just the pictures that are so much more prevalent on crafty blogs. I dunno, but I just go nuts sometimes wasting time, waiting!!!!

Anyway, let’s see what is what today:

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We open with A Mingling of Tastes which has an interesting side dish or main vegetarian dish, Smoky Lentils with Roasted Sweet Potatoes. I like lentils, and like lentil soup. I love Egyptian food which features lentils in many varieties with lots of different spices. This is not the type of summer dish I would make, but it would be fine in the fall or winter.

Martin’s American History Blog focuses on the industrial revolution of the 19th Century. I guess we are in some kind of new one now, though I’m not sure I can yet define what it is. A technological revolution? A world market revolution? Perhaps we should spend some time looking backward to discover how to better handle what we are going through now.

We have a cute new pattern for crochet from Sandi’s Crochet Blog. I think her patterns are so nice, and they are so easy to follow as well. She suggests that this pattern works well for a washcloth. I like making these simple and quick items for home use. They can be used, and do up in a one or two sessions quite easily.

Well this is a surprise. It seems that a major Revolutionary War relic has been located. An entire ship found in Lake Ontario! It was a British ship, called the HMS Ontario and was a 22-gun warship sunk by American forces. Read all about the find and the excitement is has engendered at American Revolution Blog.

From As the Garden Grows, we get a wonderful list of annuals and perennials that attract butterflies. We love all the hummingbirds and butterflies that come around to feed on nectar from our flowers. This is a rather extensive list, and one that is worth copying for a hard copy file for later use this fall and next spring when planting is more appropriate. Some are herbs, so you get a bonus!

Boy this recipe sure brought back some memories. Raisin Bread! Doesn’t that sound wonderful? I remember it so well from my childhood. I can’t eat a lot, because of the concentrated sugar in the dried fruit, but a slice or two, once in a while can’t hurt, and I adore her idea of using it for chicken salad sandwiches. Take a peek, it’s not hard to make. We got this recipe from Baking Delights. Remember if you have a heavy duty mixer, you can use the dough hook to do the kneeding for you! The entire process takes less than 30 minutes to get to the oven.

Oh the minute I saw this, I said, whoohoo, I’m making this! It’s a great little condiment spread for hamburgers. Hamburgers are one of my favorite meals, and truth be told, we have them usually twice a month on Friday or Saturday. I know this will be a hit with the Contrarian as well. I will of course half this recipe for the two of us. I’m thinking what other things would this be good on? Maybe some of that brisket with lots of barbecue sauce as well? Oh I think I may be on to something here. Coconut & Lime, a huge kiss from me for Chipotle Cheese Sauce. I guess it would go okay with the traditional celery sticks too.

It won’t be long before summer squash comes into it’s own. Not here of course, we have to replant, our first planting rotted out and never came up. So, under the theory that there are never too many recipes for zucchini, I found this nice one from Epicurious which makes a lovely side dish. HerbedSummer Squash and Potato Torte with Parmesan sounds like a winner to me.

We watched the Robin Williams movie “RV” the other night, and I thought it was hilarious, if quite predictable. You might enjoy Garrison Keillor‘s take on the wonderful (for some) adventure of traveling with a home behind you. Things are changing what with gas prices. This may be a relic of the past soon.

Today’s edition of History of American Women focuses on the Indian tribes of South Carolina.I am really enjoying her series here of the various tribes that were prevalent during the colonial period. and beyond. It is without question, an area of our history that most of us have not had the benefit of very much information about. I’m sure it’s better today than it was in my time in high school, but I’m sure it still neglects a lot as well. A great chance to improve our understanding of those who greeted us when we first arrived on the shores of “America.”

Oil and it’s price has become a hot button issue. It’s hard to know whom to believe, since it seems everyone has a reason to fashion an answer to support a previous opinion. Live Science has an article which may come from a more scientific point of view, and thus may actually shed some light on the true causes of the prices were are swearing at these days.

I am growing to just love these pasta roundupseach week. What interesting and tantalizing recipes I continue to find. I made the Pastitsio one earlier in the week. After a questionable start, the Contrarian gave it a thumbs up. He was utterly taken aback by cinnamon in a meat dish at first. After he got over the shock, he actually liked it. I personally didn’t think it tasted much of cinnamon so much as had the aroma. So, make sure you peruse through the offerings and find something truly delectable for dinner tonight. Once Upon a Feast is our supplier of these weekly gems.

There are many who think that a lot of science is just a waste of money. There have even been a Congress person or two and a network or two that have made it their business to inform you of scientific studies they found ludicrous and wasteful. And some may in fact be. But here’s food for thought. Scientists have long pondered exactly how pattern emerges in nature. The stripes on a zebra for instance, or the intricate pattern of a butterfly. They may be closer to an answer of figuring out how cells move around and differentiate in such a way as to form the patterns of say a spiral sea shell. And guess what? The answers may help scientists in understanding how cancer cells metastasize. So, before you decry the expenditure of funds on silly science, think again: It may some day save your life.

We are truly blessed this week. Scandalous Women has another entry for us! This one is about Elizabeth Chudleigh. Never heard of her? Neither had I frankly. But I know who she is now. And mercy me, she was scandalous, and that’s enough to peak your interest no doubt. Here’s a hint: She was the Duchess of Kingston and she was tried for bigamy in the 18th century. My oh my, that’s a new one on me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a woman being charged with that crime before.

For reasons unknown to me, there often seems a serendipitous thing going on around here. Today it seems to be Zucchini. Another recipe, this time from Simply Recipes. I think this is another definite keeper. Zucchini Muffins is both easy, tasty sounding, and something that will freeze well for use during the interminable winters of Iowa.

Tip Junkie is featuring a whole slew of crafters of varied types this week. I’ve given you the main site so you can scroll down and see if anything interests you. Most  of the items are for sale, with links to the site of the seller and probably her Etsy shop as well. Of course, just looking is fine too, and you might get inspired to think of something you would like to make yourself. I find these sites enticing to say the least. I’m trying to figure out how to carve a bit more time for crafts out of my schedule. Top priority right now is to start getting my recipe’s in order in my big 3-ring binder. Then again, I may have to add more binders! LOL.

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Famous, or not so famous last words:

I think it’s trying to communicate…

“Na, I don’t think we need to go to the hospital.”

“This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.” — Western Union internal memo, 1876.

“We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.” — Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.

“Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You’re crazy.” — Drillers whom Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist in his project to drill for oil in 1859.

“No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris.” — Orville Wright.

I wonder where the mother bear is.

“I eat guys like you for breakfast!” — Jeffrey Dahmer

I’m sure this isn’t the poisonous kind.

Con’t again?

Tags

appetizers, beef, bread, Iraq, Oil, tex-mex, US Gov.

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Big Oil on TV. Did you see it? The boys lined up and were prepped and ready to reply in unison to all those nasty questions. Perhaps with those gigantic profits you might forgo the billions in tax breaks? NO! They shouted, that would be absurd. Well then, how bout a little break for the consumer at the pump? NO! They chimed, whatever for? A fine post by Washington Independent gives you the gory details as the RWM have a go in Congress. (RWM= Rich White Men) Read it and well. . . . PS–their advice to us: drive less!

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Breadsticks! Now that is something I’ve never made before, and I adore them. So good with pasta dishes, so good with nothing. Baking Beauties has the recipe.

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Oh, did I mention that I loved Tex-Mex? Perhaps you have concluded there is not a great deal I don’t like where food is concerned. You would be pretty much spot on. Anyhoo, you might want to try this spicy little Beef Empenadas, for either an appetizer or main dish. Just adjust the size for either. A nice submission by Uncommon Artistic Endeavors. I would only make my own pie crust rather than buy it ready made.

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Urantian Sojourn has a fascinating take on our excursion into Iraq and why it failed so badly. I tend to agree with them. I said a lot of similar things quite a number of years ago about Vietnam. Nobody listened, but then I didn’t have a blog either! They give you plenty of YouTube to make their points, which I can’t of course watch, but I got the point just fine without. Hope you enjoy it and learn a thing or two. I sure did.

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The Farmer’s Almanac says:

It’s time to dig up and divide horseradish!

What is the origin of the trapdoor in long underwear?

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“There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.” Sir Francis Bacon

“I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.” Albert Einstein

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Comedy Central that bastion of truth, Superman, the American Way, and tulips, has decided that it’s time to endorse a candidate in this ’08 election year. I thought their choice was well thought out as you will undoubtedly agree. They have come with powerful evidence to support their choice, and if you just think a minute, undoubtedly you will agree. Don’t lock yourself out on this one. Order your lawn signs and car bumper stickers before it’s too late!