An Egyptian activist says that the U.S. is still providing the teargas the Egyptian military has been using to crackdown on protesters this week.

[snip]

"In terms outside -- if you are talking about financial aid and things like that, all of that is going to the military," Abdalla explained. "The U.S. government, the British government -- of which, I am a citizen of Britain -- you know, European governments, all over the world Western governments are supporting this military."

"The teargas, which is clinging to my lungs, which was bombed in the square last night, is from stocks which have been replenished over the last nine months. Every canister says it's come from the U.S. And that's something that causes me great sadness."

The Guardian confirmed Monday that Combined Systems Inc (CSI) of Jamestown, Pennsylvania was providing some of the teargas to the Egyptian military.

For example, every year we do roasted chestnuts, which I always assumed was a normal thing, but I'm starting to realize maybe not.

What are some of other people's staples?

the mother-to-be is quite . . . uncomfortable, to say the least

the rest of us are putting $10 each into a betting pool & guessing the baby's birth date, birth time, weight & length - all proceeds go to the baby

I am making a yummy sweet potato casserole my dad's wife taught me. You boil the potatoes, slice them and lay flat in a baking dish, and top them with a sauce made from orange juice, shredded orange peel, brown sugar,  cinnamon, raisins, dried apricot pieces, and pecans. Then bake for 45 minutes. Delish!

My own mom was not a fancy cook at all - we just boiled the potatoes and put butter on them, which I love just as much. But it is nice to have some fallback family recipes.

All of your meals sound wonderful too - someday we will all descend upon Zorba!

The church, working with the group Occupy Faith DC...

...threw open its basement and laid out a spread of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and pumpkin pie, plus kosher and vegan options, for the afternoon, with enough on hand to feed 500.

Organizing the feast was Occupy Faith DC, an inter-faith coalition set up a month ago to give food, equipment and spiritual support to Occupy DC in McPherson Square and Occupy Washington DC in Freedom Plaza.

"We understand and we are in total solidarity with you," James Lee of Occupy Faith DC and the Network of Spiritual Progressives, a faith-based social justice movement, told the diners.

"There's a lot of love for the Occupy movement," he added. "There are millions of people who want you to succeed, so don't stop... The goal is to have hundreds of thousands in the streets by springtime."

"Unlike counterparts in New York and elsewhere, the two Washington occupations -- located in public spaces belonging to the National Park Service -- has so far been tolerated by local authorities, with few serious incidents", notes AFP via RawStory.

Barack Obama. Because no matter what you think of his policies, you got to admire his ability not to get involved in them.

[snip]

The entire Democratic Party, for failing to realize they're in the middle of a war. Republicans attack them with torches and pitchforks and the Democratic response is to introduce legislation to reform pitchfork safety standards.

You can't make stuff up like this. See, I'm telling you. Life is good. Thankfully yours.

I bet you when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and they had the whole of the American continent for themselves, and all they had to do to get an extra hundred and sixty acres was shoot another Indian... Well, I bet you anything they kicked on the price of ammunition. I bet they said, "What's this country coming to!" You know, what I mean... like we're doing now. "What's this country coming to! We have to spend a nickel for powder."

Of course, they got the lead back after they dissected the Indian, but...