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Wednesday Open Thread

It's a jail day for me. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome, including Zimmerman. (Shelley Zimmerman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor perjury today.).

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    AN AXE LENGTH AWAY, vol. 110 (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Dadler on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:51:26 AM EST
    LINKY

    And all California TLers, take a look at this and do something. Governor Brown needs to summon a Governor Moonbeam here. (LINK)

    oh gawd (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by CoralGables on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:54:19 AM EST
    will the Pandora's box of Voldemort commenting reopen today?

    So, who's got a great gazpacho recipe? (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 12:12:02 PM EST
    I've got tomatoes like crazy, and I've got a taste for some fresh gazpacho; my mouth's kind of watering thinking about it...

    And I'm going to can more salsa - last year's batch went quickly because it was so damn good!

    [shhhhh...just lay low, don't make eye contact, and maybe - maybe - we can avoid going "there"...]


    Parent

    Yes, we have a great gazpacho recipe (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Peter G on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:49:11 PM EST
    that our daughter brought back from a school trip to Spain.  Will send later.

    Parent
    Ok, here goes: Gazpacho for 6 (ok to double) (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by Peter G on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:11:00 PM EST
    2 slices of bread, crusts removed, stale ok
    4 large ripe tomatoes (recipe says peeled; we don't)
    2 small green peppers
    1/2 cucumber (ditto)
    1/2 onion
    2 cloves of garlic (at least, I would say)
    4 Tbsp olive oil
    2 tsp salt (or less)
    1/4 tsp ground cumin (or more)
    5 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
    1/4 to 1/2 liter water
     Soak bread in water to cover. Cut tomatoes into chunks and put in blender or food processor with peppers, cukes & onion, also all cut in pieces. Puree, then pour off and set aside.  Puree wet bread in blender slowly adding oil.  Add salt, cumin & vinegar, adding back a bit of the tomato puree if necessary to maintain liquidity.  Mix the two purees. Stir in water to desired thickness.  Correct seasoning if you like (salt, vinegar, cumin).  Chill.  (Both the liquid salad and yourself, that is.)
     Garnish when serving with any of: cut cherry tomatoes, chopped tomato, chopped onion, chopped pepper or cucumber, croutons, mint, coriander, parsley, basil, pimiento, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, or even fruit.  Or not.

    Parent
    Thanks, Peter - that sounds yummy... (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:24:24 PM EST
    I made a fresh tomato sauce for pasta tonight - mmmmm...

    Parent
    Love Gazpacho (none / 0) (#58)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 10:57:22 PM EST
    Will do this one up this weekend.  Something to look forward to.

    Parent
    Oooh...thanks, Peter - I'll keep (none / 0) (#13)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:52:56 PM EST
    an eye out for it!

    Parent
    And speaking of Spain (none / 0) (#42)
    by Nemi on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:27:04 PM EST
    and tomatoes, I for one would much prefer the people of Bunol to make Gazpacho, instead of this: La Tomatina.

    What a waste of good food. :-(

    Parent

    What I need (none / 0) (#4)
    by CoralGables on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 12:22:09 PM EST
    is sound advice on what summer items available on the cheap freeze the best. As a semi-clueless kitchen person, I've only recently discovered that blueberries freeze far better than strawberries.

    If Voldemort sightings mean I have to resort to Butterbeer down at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade to survive the day, so be it.

    Parent

    Maybe these can get you started: (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:03:22 PM EST
    Green beans and peas (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by shoephone on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:13:59 PM EST
    freeze really well.

    Still waiting for my Juliet tomatoes to all ripen so I can turn them into sundrieds.

    kdog got me thinking about doing a fall produce garden this year, with his question a couple months back regarding shady vege gardening.

    If only young Tom Riddle could have been saved by vegetable gardening. With magical powers at hand, his broccoli might have won trophies.

    Parent

    Grouper, Tuna, and Swordfish (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by fishcamp on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 05:52:32 PM EST
    freeze best and Yellowtail Snapper not so well.  Lobster tails last a long time frozen if you use a light baggie but quad wrap them in cling wrap going endo and regular wrap several times.  We get a lot of Mahi-mahi down here so it's always fresh and the least expensive at the fish markets.  We truly have many kinds of fresh fish.  C'mon down for a fish fry.

    Parent
    From my experience, ... (none / 0) (#55)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:43:19 PM EST
    ... mahimahi is a delicate meat that does not freeze very well at all, and I think it's best cooked when it's fresh.

    Mahimahi is wonderful when grilled and served in a quesadilla with brie cheese and a fresh pineapple salsa.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    And yet (none / 0) (#5)
    by jbindc on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 12:24:18 PM EST
    You are the one who has now brought it up - twice.

    Parent
    It was just one of those pieces (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:21:25 PM EST
    of incredibly bad luck:the only time in thier lives the Zimmermans ever lied about anything they were caught doing it on tape.

    How to explain it? That obscure tape snippet is like the last fleeting glimpse of the last Ivory Billed Woodpecker caught on a cellphone camera (..right before Wayne Lapierre blew it to smithereens for swooping menacingly.)

    Parent

    He's the one who complains (none / 0) (#19)
    by jbindc on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:23:50 PM EST
    about the discussion about Zimmerman, so maybe he shouldn't keep bringing it up.

    But you are probably right - it was about as rare as young Mr. Martin getting himself into trouble.

    Parent

    He's not the only to be (3.67 / 3) (#20)
    by Anne on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:32:27 PM EST
    disappointed that the only refuge we've had from Zimmerman was gone - he's just the only one who expressed it.

    And I don't know if you realize it, but in attempting to be clever and slam Trayvon Martin, you pretty much classified George and Shelley as habitual prevaricators.

    Parent

    "got himself into trouble" (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 10:47:31 AM EST
    ..to the extent that you're apparently fine with him in-effect getting the death penalty..

    But then, you're o.k with tazing grade schoolers to keep 'em in line, too..

    So many people to punish, so little time..

    Parent

    Hyperbole much, jondee? (none / 0) (#89)
    by jbindc on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:12:10 PM EST
    No surprise. You never can add substance to the discussion.

    Move along.

    Parent

    I don't consider that hyperbole (none / 0) (#121)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:30:57 PM EST
    sorry to say..

    Parent
    Just shows your ignorance in this matter (none / 0) (#125)
    by jbindc on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 04:02:31 PM EST
    So what? (none / 0) (#88)
    by jbindc on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:10:58 PM EST
    She confessed, got probation and will pay a fine.  She is paying the consequences for her actions as she should.

    He's already been tried and acquitted, as he should, as that's what all the evidence showed.  His crime wasn't one of lying, and even his story was borne out by the evidence (or at least, couldn't be disproved).

    What's your point?

    Parent

    "His crime wasn't one of.." (5.00 / 2) (#124)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:58:34 PM EST
    And here I thought he didn't commit any crimes..

    And of course, if "all the evidence" had been as clearcut as you're trying to make it out to be, there wouldn't have been any trial in the first place. Speaking of hyperbole..

    He's now been definitively outed for being, at the very least, an accessory to his wife's hamhanded lies. Which of course leads us back to the question of his credibility and the credibility of his "story".  

    Parent

    To which obscure tape snippet... (none / 0) (#51)
    by unitron on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:21:14 PM EST
    ...do you refer?

    Recordings of their conversations while one of them was "inside"?

    I know (and they knew) that those conversations were subject to being recorded and listened to by the authorities, but I never heard anything about either husband or wife having been placed under oath just prior to the calls, or any rules that said they couldn't speak in code.

    And he was hardly in a place where it would have been good policy to advertise having a large amount of money at their disposal.

    Parent

    Which is why Shelly went right over (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by jondee on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 10:53:19 AM EST
    after she got off the phone and candidly set the record straight..

    Please..

    Parent

    She lied in the bond hearing, where (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 11:17:01 AM EST
    she most certainly was under oath; without those recorded conversations, maybe she'd have gotten away with it.

    And, please - it's not like George had the money with him in his jail cell, so I don't think the code was about keeping it a secret from his fellow detainees.  

    Parent

    Detainees and guards... (2.00 / 1) (#84)
    by unitron on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 11:49:41 AM EST
    ...actually. It would be nice if we could assume all corrections department personnel everywhere in the world were absolutely incorruptible, but it would be prudent to allow for the possibility that some aren't.

    They knew the government could listen to the phone calls and they knew the government could look at their bank and other financial records, so why would the bother with the code if it was just to hide from the government that which they had no hope of hiding from the government?

    What exactly would she have "gotten away with"?

    Not knowing to the penny and the second the amount donated to a PayPal account?

    Parent

    Two things: (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:19:18 PM EST
    One, why bother with the code?  Because they thought they were smarter than the mouth-breathers running the lock-up, and I think they really thought they could hide the money.  Why else does she lie about it in court?  Come on, please stop playing dumb on this.

    Two, what would she possibly have gotten away with?  Or think she could get away with?  Lying to the court about their resources.  Duh...

    And when no one questioned her more carefully at the bond hearing, I think she thought she was successful.

    Parent

    Straw assumptions and arguments (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by Yman on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:19:37 PM EST
    We have no idea of the Zimmerman's motives were or what they thought they could "get away with" when they were speaking during the jail conversations, but we do know she wasn't charged with perjury for making those statements.  The jailhouse recordings weren't under oath, but they were evidence that she knew about the money raised by his website.  We also know she wasn't charged with perjury for "not knowing to the penny and the second the amount donated to a PayPal account", but for giving testimony she knew wasn't truthful under oath at the bail hearing when she said they had no money to put towards his bond (her characterization of her testimony).  She has already admitted to this in her letter to the judge.

    Parent
    Hmmm (5.00 / 2) (#93)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:20:53 PM EST
    Your comment leaves out one little fact.

    Shellie Zimmerman did not plead not guilty using the excuse that she could not know "to the penny and the second the amount donated to a PayPal account." She plead guilty to perjury for lying under oath during the bail hearing.

    Parent

    Odd turn of events (none / 0) (#83)
    by CoralGables on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 11:29:19 AM EST
    When asked why [that guy] was not in the courtroom for his wife's plea hearing Wednesday, defense attorney Kelly Sims would only say, "That's an excellent question."

    In an interview aired on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer Wednesday night, [that guy's wife] said she felt "very much alone" because of her husband's lack of support.



    Parent
    More on the subject (none / 0) (#94)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:25:23 PM EST
    Asked if she and George Zimmerman are still together, Shellie Zimmerman said, "I'm not going to answer that."

    She added that she "wants to have children and stay married."

    "With George?" the interviewer asked.

    "That's something I'm going to have to think about," Shellie Zimmerman replied.

    In the interview, she also revealed that she wasn't at their home the night of the teen's controversial shooting because she'd had a fight with her husband. link



    Parent
    Already on the forum (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by SuzieTampa on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 08:31:48 PM EST
    I posted this interview on the forum when it broke. In case anyone wonders ... she didn't say that she lied because GZ told her to do so.  She said she was trying to be supportive of him.

    She also said she believed his account of what happened on 2/26/12.

    Parent

    Good thing no one but you (none / 0) (#131)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 09:36:55 PM EST
    even suggested that she lied because GZ told her to do so.

    Parent
    I know that no one on this thread (none / 0) (#135)
    by SuzieTampa on Sat Aug 31, 2013 at 09:33:44 AM EST
    said that. It was a pre-emptive strike.

    Parent
    I agree with Anne- look at the websites (none / 0) (#15)
    by Zorba on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:02:19 PM EST
    that she provided. If you have a whole lot of Italian plum tomatoes, they also freeze well. Boil a pot of water, and put them in briefly, until you see the skins starting to wrinkle just a bit. Take them out, plunge them into cold water, then slip the skins off. Really easy to do. (Don't overcook them!) Then freeze them in quart freezer bags. Actually, even better, if you have a vacuum-packaging machine, this is the ideal. I have one, and it sucks the air out of the bags and seals them. It makes for a much better freezing result when you use the frozen produce. I agree about blueberries. As for strawberries, I have never tried to freeze them, because I make them into strawberry jam.

    Parent
    I'm roasting some of mine before freezing (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by nycstray on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:57:45 PM EST
    so I have a stash for roasted tomato soup and other dishes. I have some fresh corn for the salsa and I'm going to experiment freezing some and see how that works :)

    Parent
    Yum. (none / 0) (#27)
    by shoephone on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:59:13 PM EST
    What time should we come over?

    Parent
    I made a batch last year and froze it (none / 0) (#31)
    by nycstray on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:04:31 PM EST
    it's a nice thing to find in the freezer :)

    Parent
    You know, I have a cousin ... (none / 0) (#23)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:54:20 PM EST
    Zorba: "Actually, even better, if you have a vacuum-packaging machine, this is the ideal. I have one, and it sucks the air out of the bags and seals them."

    ... who can suck all the air out of the room. Will she suffice in a pinch?

    ;-D

    But seriously, Mme. Zorba, will that freezing process work for cherry tomatoes and tomatillos? We're having an insane bumper crop of both this season, and I hate to see them spoil and get tossed, especially if we can freeze them for later use. Do you have any other suggestions what we can do with them?

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Tomas you can just freeze straight up (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by nycstray on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:03:25 PM EST
    no prep aside from husking. For the cherry T's, you can cut them in half and sun dry them for tossing in pasta or on a pizza etc later. I froze a big bag of sun dried yellow pear tomatoes the other day. They also make a good candy like snack in the afternoon  ;)

    Also, salsa verde freezes fine. I froze what I want to use on eggs, for dips etc (to keep the freshness taste) and canned anything that would be cooked into a recipe.

    Parent

    Thanks. I'll give the sun-drying a try. (none / 0) (#56)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:46:45 PM EST
    That sounds promising, and I love sun-dried tomatoes in cooking. We've already got lots of salsa verde in reserve.

    Parent
    Tomatillos, yes (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Zorba on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:21:18 PM EST
    I have done this. Remove the husks, wash them, pick through them for the best specimens, dry them carefully, then freeze them on a baking sheet. I recommend placing parchment paper on the sheet before freezing, but that may not be entirely necessary. When frozen, put them in quart-sized freezer bags, and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Or, do what I do and get a vacuum sealer. ;-) Cherry tomatoes? I have never worried about preserving them, since we have so many other kinds of tomatoes. A google link suggests this, however.

    Parent
    Muchos Mahalos, both of you. (none / 0) (#54)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:33:33 PM EST
    ;-)

    Parent
    Who knew the FL legislature was (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:48:04 PM EST
    so generous w/the taxpayers' money?

    Florida Today

    Parent

    Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh! (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by Zorba on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:07:05 PM EST
    I'm not listening! I'm not listening! Fingers in ears, chanting "Lalalalalalala." Ommmmm. Deep, cleansing breaths.

    Parent
    You can run but.... (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:18:17 PM EST
    Zorba can't run. (none / 0) (#29)
    by Visteo1 on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:03:01 PM EST
    Those appear to be labor pains, if I were to suppose or guess.  

    Parent
    Sweetie, it has been (none / 0) (#36)
    by Zorba on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:25:24 PM EST
    well over 30 years since I have had any labor pains. And, yes, I did natural childbirth for both my kids, so I well know what labor pains are like, all the way through to the very end. ;-)

    Parent
    That's depressing. (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:41:58 PM EST
    Why, that's almost as bad as you guys in San Diego having to pick up the legal tab for Mayor McGropey's Most Excellent Two-Handed Adventure.

    ;-D

    Parent

    It is all a gigantico media conspiracy. (none / 0) (#34)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:19:01 PM EST
    Ugggh... (none / 0) (#37)
    by Visteo1 on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:41:36 PM EST
    I hope that replaces ginormous.

    Parent
    I have no idea how SD media has been ... (none / 0) (#50)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:20:34 PM EST
    ... covering L'Affaire Filner, and I've instead been following it through the L.A. Times, which has been on the story from day one. A good buddy of mine used to co-anchor San Diego's Channel 8 News there before he bolted for the big time in New York, so now I have no source to consult on such scandalously scandalous matters.

    I do find it interesting that San Diego's resident white wingbat community is presently attempting to take credit on behalf of conservatives for Hizzoner's departure, particularly since the initial whistle was clearly blown on him six weeks ago by former City Councilwoman Donna Frye (a liberal Democrat) six weeks ago, and I bet most wingbats probably didn't even know who Bob Filner was prior to this scandal.

    Suffice to say that your hometown newspaper, the former Union-Tribune -- now known simply as the U-T -- has become a crackpot magnet and bad right-wing joke under Doug Manchester's ownership, and as for the U-T's cable TV affiliate, well, nuf ced.

    (Given that Robin Thicke's controversial unrated version of his "Blurred Lines" video -- the one with the naked women dancing and the misogynist rap lyrics alluding to rape -- is itself a crude paean to modern American sexism, the U-T's questionable use of the tune to parody Filner is beyond distasteful and just plain creepy.)

    Aloha.

    Parent

    The U T, always an embarrassment, is even worse (none / 0) (#60)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:00:29 PM EST
    under Doug Manchester. Who in their right mind would pay to read it on line?  I follow Tony Perry (LAT).  

    Parent
    The people who brought the charges (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by itscookin on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:29:42 PM EST
    they couldn't prove represent the people of Florida. The charges were "the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman", right? If the law says the people pay for the mistakes of their representatives, why should Zimmerman be treated differently than any other defendant who is found not guilty? That individuals offered money to help him pay his bills is immaterial.

    Parent
    Well, he probably is entitled to reimbursemen (none / 0) (#61)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:03:40 PM EST
    under FL state law, which, in my experience, is unique.

    Parent
    A full accounting (1.50 / 2) (#39)
    by Adirolf on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 05:38:25 PM EST
    of all the money Zimmerman has received as a result of his killing TM should precede any disbursing of state money.

    Parent
    Problems (3.67 / 3) (#43)
    by Cylinder on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:28:25 PM EST
    The statute is not needs based - it is meant to reimburse certain expenses incurred as a result of the state exercising its powers. Also, since Zimmerman set up the fund for legal costs and living expenses, these would have to be deducted in any accounting. Zimmerman's attorney costs alone would probably top $2 million with proper accounting - well more than the ~$500-$700K range raised by his defense fund.

    These expenses weren't extravagant. When the state added voice and forensic experts to its witness list, Zimmerman was obliged by common sense to consult his own experts. When the state failed to disclose expert reports on potentially exculpatory information from Martin's phone, Zimmerman was prudent to have his own experts parse the data for himself.

    Parent

    I'm not sure that this applies to attorney costs. (none / 0) (#66)
    by EL seattle on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:14:47 AM EST
    At least, that's what I read/heard somewhere.

    This sounds like a good rule to me. I hope that other states have something like it. Otherwise it seems as though it would be really easy for a state to financially devastate someone, even if the state can't prove any criminal conduct. (Definitely not just Zimmerman. This sort of thing can be applied to anyone who seems somehow "undesirable" and lacks reliable media support or really deep pockets.)

    Parent

    Needs based? (none / 0) (#73)
    by Adirolf on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 07:44:32 AM EST
    No one said a word about "needs based". The issue is that funds were solicited to pay for Zimmerman's defense expenses, and whether he is entitled to be paid double for those expenses.  Is that so hard to understand?

    Parent
    It would hardly be getting paid double... (none / 0) (#87)
    by unitron on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:08:19 PM EST
    ...since both anything from the state and everything from the donations are still not as much as the total of expenses once you add in living expenses, security expenses, and even a fractional payment of O'Mara and West's billable hours.

    Parent
    Even if... (none / 0) (#114)
    by Cylinder on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:48:57 PM EST
    Even if the money was raised specifically for the covered expenses (which it wasn't) the law doesn't specify unpaid expenses or expenses beyond the ability to pay.

    If I wreck into your car, I have to pay to get it fixed regardless of your income level - even if your friends chipped in to get the car fixed for you.

    Parent

    If you read the link provided by Oculus ... (none / 0) (#123)
    by SuzieTampa on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:41:08 PM EST
    ... you would see that Mark O'Mara said the law says that any costs already paid can be refunded with the approval of a judge. Thus, donations used for defense expenditures could be refunded to the Zimmermans for future expenses.

    The defense fund has an independent fund manager. MOM has posted twice on the use of funds.

    The Trayvon Martin Foundation lists donors, including those in the media, such as Tom Joyner and Cox Media, which gave more than $500 each. Others in the media, such as Al Sharpton and Roland Martin, are listed under "donors & supporters," without any amount specified. On the website, I couldn't find any details on how the money has been used and who decides. The website says the fund is administered by the Miami Foundation, although I couldn't find it on the Miami Foundation's website. (Perhaps it's not official yet.)

    The TM foundation advertises its merchandise on its home page. The latest T-shirt appears to be one showing a face, with one side TM's and the other MLK's.  It includes information that contradicts the prosecution. The website says none of the money will go to criminal or civil litigation involving the case.

    Before the Miami Foundation, the Justice for Trayvon Martin campaign raised $35,447.83, according to this site. One commenter who seemed to be involved said the money would go for legal expenses and the family's expenses. It says efforts were being handled by "MediumFour the marketing agency of Parks & Crump."

    Parent

    adirolf has been banned (none / 0) (#133)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Aug 30, 2013 at 01:25:02 PM EST
    for character attacks on Zimmerman. And false information about the expense reimbursement statute.

    Parent
    Victoria Duval (5.00 / 4) (#8)
    by indy in sc on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:17:51 PM EST
    Did you guys see the 17 year old American girl who upset Sam Stosur at the U.S. Open yesterday?  Aside from being adorable, she has quite a fascinating back story.

    Fantastic story (none / 0) (#9)
    by shoephone on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:24:52 PM EST
    Thanks for posting it! Her family has endured so much. What a victory for her and them.

    Parent
    Talked it up on Mike & MIke ESPN2 (none / 0) (#24)
    by Slado on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:57:25 PM EST
    this morning.

    Great story.

    Parent

    Leak (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by squeaky on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 01:38:01 PM EST
    Last Wednesday, in the hours after a horrific chemical attack east of Damascus, an official at the Syrian Ministry of Defense exchanged panicked phone calls with a leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people. Those conversations were overheard by U.S. intelligence services, The Cable has learned.

    Doesn't this leak compromise our intelligence operation in Syria?

    Huh? Not a leak but PR? WTF?

    We aren't in the espionage business (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Slado on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:58:19 PM EST
    We're in the Obama PR business.


    Parent
    NYPD labels mosques terrorist organizations (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by shoephone on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 02:26:23 PM EST
    According to the AP:

    The New York Police Department has secretly labeled entire mosques as terrorist organizations, a designation that allows police to use informants to record sermons and spy on imams, often without specific evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

    Designating an entire mosque as a terrorism enterprise means that anyone who attends prayer services there is a potential subject of an investigation and fair game for surveillance.

    Interesting that the NYPD keeps some of these "terrorism enterprise investigations" open for years, and yet, the FBI has not been on board.

    Many TEIs stretch for years, allowing surveillance to continue even though the NYPD has never criminally charged a mosque or Islamic organization with operating as a terrorism enterprise.

    The documents show in detail how, in its hunt for terrorists, the NYPD investigated countless innocent New York Muslims and put information about them in secret police files. As a tactic, opening an enterprise investigation on a mosque is so potentially invasive that while the NYPD conducted at least a dozen, the FBI never did one, according to interviews with federal law enforcement officials.

    And who is it that Obama is considering for head of Homeland Security?

    otoh... (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by kdog on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 05:23:48 PM EST
    what organized religion couldn't loosely be classified as a terrorist organization? ;)

    Sh*t...the NYPD certainly meets a loose definition of terrorist organization too. Violence and intimidation, violence and intimidation.

    Those of us opposed to all forms of terrorism best find a deserted island...or finally get our pirate ship to sea!

    Parent

    Come on down here, dude (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Zorba on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:56:07 PM EST
    We have tons of food and meat (if you don't object to venison). I'll teach you how to garden and preserve your own food. ;-)

    Parent
    Since (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by lentinel on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 04:20:44 AM EST
    Obama & Cameron have been doing their best impression of Bush & Blair, we haven't heard anything about Manning, Snowden or the domestic spying of the NSA.

    Mission accomplished.

    My cynicism is, admittedly, unbounded.

    Lol. (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 05:15:54 AM EST
    well, sort of.

    But not entirely. We have Clapper and obama touting the wonders of redacted surveillance to support his desire to go down in history as a hard nosed war prez willing to make those tough choices no one else wants to make that will involve him killing a bunch of syrians because some other syrians whom he sent al qaeda in to help kill other syrians killed other syrians on his behalf and he's gonna vanquish that evil, dammit.

    I keep telling everyone I can that the man's a pro, and they argue with me. Sheesh.

    Parent

    OK (none / 0) (#70)
    by lentinel on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 05:40:03 AM EST
    He's a pro.

    But what is he a pro at?

    Parent

    Heh. Well... (none / 0) (#71)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 05:43:36 AM EST
    No republican would ever have a hope in hell of getting but except the most far right wing deluded nutbars to cheer the things he does and wants to do.

    This guy is good. Maybe the best there ever was.

    Parent

    I agree (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by sj on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:01:02 PM EST
    I thought the same thing about GWB. Everyone (including me, initially) thought he was so incompetent. But he accomplished a great deal. Not for the citizens, to be sure, but the haves and the have-mores received great benefit from that administration.

    I think the haves and the have-mores are going continue to be beneficiaries of the WH actions for some time to come. Unless, as Anne has said repeatedly, campaign financing goes 100% public the citizens are not going to be the actual constituents.

    Parent

    On an even creepier note (none / 0) (#92)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:20:39 PM EST
    I half expect, since obama can't run in 2016 and of course republicans are scary terrists, and since she's even better at the con then obama is, that we might see the bankers Elizabeth Warren has been shrieking about bankroll her into a presidential bid.

    Parent
    What's Warren's con, Edger? (5.00 / 3) (#104)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:20:41 PM EST
    I'm sure they'd like to buy her, but it remains to be seen whether she'd be interested in taking their money.

    Unless you know something I'm not aware of.

    Parent

    Elizabeth (none / 0) (#115)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:03:43 PM EST
    What does her stance on war have (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:11:19 PM EST
    to do with bankers and Wall Street money?

    Parent
    Who has been (none / 0) (#118)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:14:32 PM EST
    into the oval oval by them for decades?

    War is very profitable.

    Parent

    "bankrolled into the oval office" (none / 0) (#119)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:26:23 PM EST
    Doing ten things at the same time makes my fingers type faster than my eyes can see, apparently.

    Anyway, she definitely has the 'charisma' ;-) to bring in the votes, someone will need to make the two party scam look like a real choice again in 2016, and I also doubt very much you'd ever see them bankroll anyone like a Kucinich or a Sanders or a Gravel.

    Parent

    I know only the public face (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by sj on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:35:19 PM EST
    of Elizabeth Warren; she is not my Senator. But the public Elizabeth Warren has been asking the right questions, not the easy ones. She is not as liberal as I am, but I've known that for quite a while.

    I don't know what will happen in the future. I believe that the banksters will try very hard to become ...pimps, as it were. How she chooses to deal with that is entirely up to her. As time goes by, I will watch with interest. But I'm not going to presume that I know what her response will be. So far, overall, I'm satisfied with her execution of her duties. But -- again -- she is not my Senator.

    Parent

    Aaah (1.00 / 1) (#95)
    by christinep on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:53:32 PM EST
    'Must be an enemy or conspiracy around every corner.  That must be scary.

    Parent
    As if (1.00 / 1) (#99)
    by sj on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:58:12 PM EST
    I hadn't talked about how I feel about this. Repeatedly. Go scold somebody else. I'm not in the mood for you today.

    Parent
    Apologies (none / 0) (#100)
    by sj on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:00:31 PM EST
    This looked like it was attached to my comment. It isn't. So I'm sorry for implying... whatever.

    I'm still not in the mood for scolds.

    Parent

    sj (3.33 / 3) (#102)
    by CoralGables on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:12:45 PM EST
    Unless I'm reading his comment wrong, I'm eagerly awaiting a response from you shoephone and lentinel on what appears to be Edger's attack on Elizabeth Warren.

    Parent
    That's straight up troll-baiting (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by shoephone on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 07:23:26 PM EST
    Where you ever got the idea that Edger, sj, lentinel and I are all the same person, I don't know. Sounds like a good fantasy you've got going there.

    Parent
    Why ask me? (none / 0) (#108)
    by sj on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:10:14 PM EST
    It's not my comment. I'm waiting to see what it's based on just as much as you are.


    Parent
    Obviously, it based upon (1.00 / 1) (#128)
    by christinep on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 06:41:43 PM EST
    the speculation (and weak at that) from not trusting or accepting anyone who is elected by the people in the US today.  A bit of an overstatement on my part, sj...but that is what all this whiny tidbit about how horrible everything is amounts to.  Edger clearly doesn't agree with anything Obama or any other Dem elected Senator does; that is very obvious.  Equally obvious is your rush to "defend" that matter, and attack via rating whoever would dare disagree.  That tactic is getting more than old, more than immature, more than enough.  Frankly, I've also had more than enough of your self-righteousness.  If you can say it, I can as well.  Stuff it.

    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#132)
    by sj on Fri Aug 30, 2013 at 12:35:31 PM EST
    you just can't keep yourself from being a scold.

    Parent
    Almost as bad as you, uh (none / 0) (#134)
    by christinep on Fri Aug 30, 2013 at 01:40:54 PM EST
    Was curious as to your take (none / 0) (#110)
    by CoralGables on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:30:31 PM EST
    Okay (none / 0) (#111)
    by sj on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:36:43 PM EST
    Well, so far I have none.

    Parent
    And, a growl to you too (1.00 / 1) (#103)
    by christinep on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:14:38 PM EST
    Maybe you shouldn't so quickly assume that it is that bad ole Chris again...as we talk about scolds.

    Yea, I'm not in the mood for that kind of back & forth either.

    Parent

    I (none / 0) (#79)
    by lentinel on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 10:34:12 AM EST
    guess he's good at something.
    But I don't know what it is.

    Parent
    What's a poor damm liar (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 05:35:58 AM EST
    to do, anyway?

    This is hilarious - or depressing - (5.00 / 5) (#72)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 07:20:58 AM EST
    or both:

    Ordering a Pizza in 2015

    The wave of the future?

    It should get even better than that (none / 0) (#76)
    by Edger on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 09:25:37 AM EST
    May not be long before you even think about ordering a pizza and the system will automatically bill your credit card. And cast your vote for you in the next election.

    Parent
    Thank gawd for rubber bullets (4.00 / 1) (#96)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:54:22 PM EST
    A state senator who is advocating for arming teachers in the aftermath of the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, accidentally shot a teacher with a rubber bullet during a training course, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.

    Arkansas Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson (R) recently participated in "active shooter" training and mistakenly shot a teacher who was confronting a so-called bad guy. The experience gave Hutchinson "some pause" but failed to shake his confidence in the plan. link

    Not to worry though, if and when they arm the teachers, the Clarkville School District will provide them with real bullets.

    With all the talk about (none / 0) (#97)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:55:54 PM EST
    bad guys and good guys, I sometimes feel we are in the midst of a bad spaghetti western.

    Parent
    I keep wondering if you are (none / 0) (#101)
    by Visteo1 on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:09:59 PM EST
    anywhere close to "The Landing" and how does it compare to 30 years ago?  Is Pop's still across the river or do you prefer "The Oz" down the street?

    Parent
    Within driving distance to the Landing (none / 0) (#105)
    by MO Blue on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:27:25 PM EST
    Still a lot of activity down on The Landing with a lot of nice restaurants and bars. There is a blue festival down there this Labor Day weekend with some good groups. Don't know if the really hot (high temps and high humidity) weather will keep down the crowds or not.

    Got my PHD in party around 25 - 30 years ago and decided I didn't need to continue my education in that field and went on to other endeavors. Never really spent too much time partying on The Landing or over in the east side, so I can't provide you with an update. Sorry.  

    Parent

    A single beer would give me a buzz (none / 0) (#109)
    by Visteo1 on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:29:03 PM EST
    these days.  There are lots of good memories between Eureka and Carlyle Lake.

    30 years ago, the streets would close on Friday and Saturday nights on the Landing and the crowds would spill into the streets from the many establishments.

    Parent

    Where's the posing with gun manufacturer thread? (3.50 / 2) (#33)
    by obsessed on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:15:59 PM EST
    I was looking forward to hearing you guys defend that one.

    Calling BTD! (none / 0) (#21)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:33:03 PM EST
    Wake up, dude! College football kicks off its 2013 tomorrow with 17 games on tap, including North Carolina at South Carolina and USC at Hawaii.

    (Guess where I'll be tomorrow evening, nudge, nudge, wink, wink?)

    Don't you be going AWOL now, and abandoning us to the mercilessly mindless likes of ESPN's Fowler, Corso, Herbstreit & Associates.

    Let the "investment advice" begin. Aloha.

    1/2 game suspension? (none / 0) (#28)
    by Slado on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 03:59:16 PM EST
    ESPN is reporting the Johnny Football gets a 1/2 game for his signature fiasco.

    Parent
    I saw that. (none / 0) (#53)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:29:10 PM EST
    A half-game suspension is ridiculous.

    Personally, I think the NCAA's rules are a little murky regarding player autographs and their commercial value, and since the young Mr. Manziel received no monetary compensation or remuneration they probably shouldn't have even gone there, given some of the other shenanigans at other schools to which they've turned a blind eye.

    Serves Texas A&M right if Rice springs the upset.

    Parent

    Are You Going to Post on the Hasan Death Penalty? (none / 0) (#32)
    by msaroff on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 04:13:25 PM EST
    At the very least, some perspective on his co-counsels, who were not happy to be a part of what appears to be a suicide by court martial.

    If the Convening Authority has any sense (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by Peter G on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 10:58:46 PM EST
    the Army will commute Hasan's death sentence to life without parole, as was imposed last week on Sgt. Bales for murdering a similar number of Afghans.  Hasan would be deprived of his (apparently) desired martyrdom, the penalty would arguably be harsher on him, and the world could be sent the message that we do not value Afghan lives less highly than we do our own.

    Parent
    Couldn't agree more (none / 0) (#62)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:08:38 PM EST
    He won't be alone (none / 0) (#64)
    by CoralGables on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:26:37 PM EST
    on death row at Leavenworth. He'll join 5 others, one of whom has been there for 25 years. No matter the sentence, the odds are good he'll remain alive and at Leavenworth until he dies on his own since there hasn't been a military death sentence carried out in about 52 years.

    I'd much rather they change all 6 to life without parole, but there is no reason to only alter that punishment for Hasan when his crime was far worse than the others now residing there.

    Parent

    I don't believe convening authority (none / 0) (#65)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:31:28 PM EST
    Will allow him to be put to death.  It could enrage extremists and paint even more of a target on Americans and troops.

    Parent
    I, too, would like to see (none / 0) (#75)
    by Peter G on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 09:21:33 AM EST
    capital punishment abolished, and all death sentences commuted to life (with or - in rare and unusual cases - without parole).  But it is not so that there is "no reason" to distinguish Hasan's case.  MT and I have both articulated the specific reasons that exist for doing so.

    Parent
    Peter (none / 0) (#77)
    by CoralGables on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 09:48:05 AM EST
    Fully understand your reason for the belief the Hasan verdict should be altered. However, if I were the one making that decision I would reject your particular argument when considering it as a mitigating circumstance.

    Although I mentioned that no military person has been executed in 52 years, a death warrant was signed by George W. Bush (not surprising) for Leavenworth's longest residing death row inmate but due to appeals was never carried out.

    Parent

    The Convening Authority does not have to (none / 0) (#86)
    by Peter G on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:02:54 PM EST
    consider only "mitigating circumstances." The commander can consider the international impact of executing the sentence, or anything else s/he cares to consider.  The commander can, but need not, consider comparisons with the other personnel who find themselves on the military's death row.  The heinous nature of the offense is not the only thing in play here.

    Parent
    Go DUCKS... (none / 0) (#41)
    by fishcamp on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:03:49 PM EST


    If the Ducks don't win against Nichols State (none / 0) (#45)
    by caseyOR on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:35:39 PM EST
    this weekend, well, they should be drummed out of BCS football. The Ducks team faces stiffer competition during intra-squad games than it will against NS.

    I understand that for teams like NS, these cupcake games are all about the Benjamins. NS will walk away this weekend with nearly $500,000, courtesy of Oregon. While that kind of money is probably less than what the Ducks spend on coffee for the coaches, it is everything to athletics at NS. So, I get why the small schools agree to this kind of ritual on field humiliation.

    But why do the elite programs play these games? The fans hate them. Who wants to shell out the major lettuce one forks over for Ducks' tickets to watch these games? NO ONE!!

    Stop the madness, please.

    Parent

    That's got to be a betting (none / 0) (#46)
    by Visteo1 on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 06:52:53 PM EST
    nightmare.  A 59 point spread...when do the Ducks bring in the 2nd string?  The 3rd string?  

    Parent
    The Ducks (none / 0) (#49)
    by CoralGables on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 08:19:53 PM EST
    get an extra home game each season adding millions to the athletic department. Nichols funds their athletic department with their biggest payday of the year. The businesses around Eugene absolutely love it. The fans may not like it but they'll be there in droves...about 54,000 worth.

    Parent
    You can blame TV money and the race ... (none / 0) (#57)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 10:33:03 PM EST
    ... for the mythical national championship. Most of the major D-1 programs used to play much more competitive nonconference schedules back in the day, and generally weren't afraid to take their show on the road.

    Nowadays, TV sports tends to prefer a predictable storyline with marquee names, and the marquee programs -- particularly in the SEC (sorry, BTD) -- have decided that they like the taste of cupcakes in the autumn because it enhances their prospects for a big postseason payday come January. If the endgame is to reach that postseason undefeated or with only one loss, why jeopardize that by scheduling the cantankerous nonconference likes of Notre Dame, BYU and Boise State in September?

    Every so often, though, one of the supposed nonconference cupcakes goes down like a hefty slice of a moldy three-year-old Xmas fruitcake and we get an upset, as when Appalachian State went to Ann Arbor and knocked off No. 5 Michigan in 2007. But I'd also note that the notoriety garnered by Appalachian State after that upset made it a helluva lot harder for them to schedule so-called "payday" games with the big boys, because it's only worth their while if you lose.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    One of the more humorous contracts (none / 0) (#63)
    by CoralGables on Wed Aug 28, 2013 at 11:13:48 PM EST
    on that note involved FSU back when they were a member of the Metro Conference and Bobby Bowden was trying to put FSU on the map, and they couldn't get big name schools outside of the Metro to travel to Tallahassee.

    Bobby Bowden trying to make a mark for his team egged on LSU and finally managed to get LSU to agree to a contract. Home and home? Nope. LSU agreed to a 5 year deal if FSU would travel to LSU all 5 years. Done deal. FSU won 4 of the 5 in Baton Rouge.

    Parent

    Pozole (none / 0) (#74)
    by SuzieTampa on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 09:16:58 AM EST
    I'll be making some variant of pozole soup today. I don't have my own recipe, just a bunch of cilantro, chicken, limes, corn tortillas and hominy from Native Harvest.

    (Native Seeds also has some great blue posole!)

    I found this simple recipe.

    That sounds yummy... (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 09:58:57 AM EST
    I don't know why, but lately, I have had a real taste for that flavor profile.

    I found a recipe for a Mexican soup with chicken that I find myself making often, though I usually skip the chicken.  It's so easy, and delicious - I've actually tinkered with the recipe and probably don't always make it the same way twice.

    Here's the basic recipe:

    A large sweet onion, diced
    4 or 5 good-sized cloves of garlic, finely chopped (I use my microplane grater)  Sometimes I use more - I like the garlic!
    1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (since the heat is in the ribs and seeds, use your judgment about removing all or leaving some behind)
    1 tsp Cumin
    2 tsp Chili powder
    1 tsp Oregano
    1 can Rotel, your choice of heat level
    1 4 oz can of green chiles, diced
    Lots of chopped tomatoes: you can use the canned San Marzanos, you can use fresh ones (remove the skins first).  When using canned, I usually use a 28 oz can, and just smush up the tomatoes with my hands.  You want the juice, so don't discard that!
    16 oz of fresh or frozen corn
    1 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained
    32 oz of chicken broth or stock
    2 cups cooked rice (I usually cook it ahead while I'm doing all my chopping - if you add it raw, you will need a ton more liquid, so I add it cooked)
    Lots of chopped fresh parsley and cilantro -  divided
    Salt and pepper to taste.

    Saute the onion, garlic and jalapeno in a couple tablespoons of olive oil until the onion starts looking translucent - 5 minutes or so.
    Add the dry spices, stir well, and let them "bloom" in the oil for a couple of minutes.
    Add everything else, reserving some of the chopped herbs to be added at the end.
    Bring the soup to a simmer, and let it bubble for about 20 minutes.  If it doesn't seem "soupy" enough, add more broth - or what I did recently, some generous glugs of pre-made Bloody Mary mix (without the vodka, of course).  What the heck - it was tomato-y and spicy!

    If you do want to add cooked chicken, add it at the end.

    It makes a lot, so you could freeze some, or invite friends over and serve with a good, crusty bread and a salad.  Avocado, tortilla chips and sour cream make a nice garnish!


    Parent

    Copied it - but for the meat lovers (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by Yman on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 01:55:27 PM EST
    I've been on a Mexican binge lately, too - maybe the summer weather?  Anyway, here's a carnitas recipe for the meat lovers out there - basically, a Mexican, pulled-pork, soft taco.  I just made this a couple weeks ago for a family gathering, and it was a hit from the picky, pre-schoolers to my parents in their 80s.  The really great thing is you can make it ahead of time and just crisp the meat under the broiler when you're ready to serve.  It also freezes very well.

    Easy Carnitas in a dutch oven


    Parent
    This looks really tasty - I've copied it and (none / 0) (#107)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:08:25 PM EST
    pinned it to my Pinterest board.

    Have you been on Pinterest?  There is some a-ma-zing food there.

    Parent

    I've tried to avoid it (none / 0) (#112)
    by Yman on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:40:53 PM EST
    Afraid that I would get sucked into it ...not to mention the fact that, based on some of the food posted by friends that I've seen through FB, I'm afraid of how many new suits I'd have to buy due to weight gain.

    ... but your soup recipe seems very healthy. :)

    Parent

    I found the soup recipe on Pinterest, (none / 0) (#116)
    by Anne on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:09:27 PM EST
    and it came from Fitness magazine, so it really is pretty healthy.

    As long as you don't actually make any of the fattening food on Pinterest, you're good...I tend to look at a lot of that stuff as more special occasion food - things you wouldn't eat every day, but would make an impressive and delicious addition to a special meal.

    The recipe I found there for green beans has become one of those please-please-please-will-you-make-these? dishes, that isn't too hard on the waistline.  The only thing I do differently is that I mix the brown sugar with the other ingredients over heat on the stove, and instead of garlic salt, I use fresh garlic that I grate with the microplane grater.

    Parent

    Lot s of green beans from the garden this (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by caseyOR on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 04:40:30 PM EST
    year. My favorite way to cook them is to roast the beans with whole peeled shallots and whole peeled cloves of garlic.

    Just toss all three with olive oil, salt and pepper, spread on a baking sheet or roasting pan or whatever, I use a cast iron skillet, and roast for 40 minutes at 400 degrees. Less time if you want a less-charred green bean.

    So very good.

    Parent

    Wow - another one to save (none / 0) (#120)
    by Yman on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 03:28:26 PM EST
    I'm always looking for new ways to get the kids to try beans ... this looks like a winner.  Plus, it looks like a fun presentation in those bundles for guests.

    Thanks!

    Parent

    The soup sounds yummy (none / 0) (#126)
    by Zorba on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 04:34:11 PM EST
    I saved it, calling it "Anne's Mexican Soup."   ;-)

    Parent
    I aplologize if this is a repeat... (none / 0) (#98)
    by Visteo1 on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:56:01 PM EST
    FP reports...

    Last Wednesday, in the hours after a horrific chemical attack east of Damascus, an official at the Syrian Ministry of Defense exchanged panicked phone calls with a leader of a chemical weapons unit, demanding answers for a nerve agent strike that killed more than 1,000 people. Those conversations were overheard by U.S. intelligence services, The Cable has learned. And that is the major reason why American officials now say they're certain that the attacks were the work of the Bashar al-Assad regime -- and why the U.S. military is likely to attack that regime in a matter of days.

    But the intercept raises questions about culpability for the chemical massacre, even as it answers others: Was the attack on Aug. 21 the work of a Syrian officer overstepping his bounds? Or was the strike explicitly directed by senior members of the Assad regime? "It's unclear where control lies," one U.S. intelligence official told The Cable. "Is there just some sort of general blessing to use these things? Or are there explicit orders for each attack?"

    "We don't know exactly why it happened," the intelligence official added. "We just know it was pretty fucking stupid."

    And what would happen if Assad announced an arrest of officer(s) in his regime for the chemical attack?  (not holding my breath)

    IMO, all the saber rattling would stop (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by vicndabx on Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 02:47:37 PM EST
    at least from responsible parties.

    Parent