Sunday, April 29, 2007

Listen to the Imam….

...and ‘learn’ the Truth.

For those of US who still do not think that there is a serious problem inside of Islam, I offer you the words of the Imam. This is a tape of Abu Izzadeen talking inside London’s Regent Park Mosque before he was arrested.

I’m reminded of that scene with Cary Grant from Gunga Din, where the maniacal guru [played by Eduardo Ciannelli] is saying to his followers, “Kill. Kill for the sake of killing. Kill for the sake of Kali! Kill. Kill! KILL!”

Enjoy....

Friday, April 27, 2007

Connections: Gun Control and Leaving Iraq

What is the connection?

What is the connection between more demands for gun control and the cut-and-run-from-Iraq vote in Congress?

We should all become victims.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, and especially ladies, we should give up our attempts to defend ourselves, give up on demonstrations of strength, and give up the means to defend ourselves.

Why did I say “and especially ladies?” Because back in my day the women’s lib movement preached empowerment to women. We should no longer think like victims, taking second place to men, we were to be equal, strong, and assertive. We were to demand justice if we were abused and our children harmed. We were to mentor others and defend the weak. Men were to “get in touch with their feminine side,” be sensitive and caring.

Now we have strong, assertive women like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton, bolstered by sensitive, caring men like John Kerry and Al Gore, telling us we should cut-and-run from Iraq. We should stop mentoring the Iraqis, abused for years by the Husseins, and leave them to heal on their own, if they can. We should give up our personal means to defend ourselves, and allow ourselves to be abused and murdered by criminals and unrestrained nutjobs.

Why this seeming disparity between the messages of my youth and the reality of today? The only way it is explained is Thomas Sowell’s oft-repeated observation that the “elites” (liberals) believe that they have all the answers and that no one else is capable of rational thought. They cannot abide any threat to their illogical conclusions and refuse to admit they are based on emotion and not reason. They must have the power to impose their will and the only way they can do that is to make sure everyone is a victim, even many of their supporters. Because if I’m a victim and they’re not, then they must be stronger, smarter, more worthy of power.

Everyone must be a victim. Even our military. How dare those people succeed, using guns yet! They must be stopped!

Garbage.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

A Contentious Continuation….

...of a discussion of honor, valor, home, hearth, country and life.

There’s been an interesting discussion going on over at Little Green Footballs, relating to the comportment of 15 Royal Marines and swabbies.

At this point, it has boiled down to two camps. Those who think these people reacted and behaved badly and those who say, “We should not judge them.”

Oddly enough, it seems that the most vehement of the latter camp seem to be Viet Nam veterans.

I’m not sure WHY that is the case, but I’m (1) curious and (2) confounded by why these gentlemen think that it’s okay to either ‘give up’ in a fight or do a Monty Python ‘Run Away!’.

So I’ve invited them to come here and discuss it.

We’ll see if they’ve got what it takes to do anything as reprehensible as face the ‘enemy’ on their own ‘turf’. However, anyone is welcome to join in here. So, as my sensei would put it, “Fight!”

Indoor Gardeners Beware!

How to have a visit from your local SWAT team.

An interesting visit by your friendly neighborhood horticulture police.

I’d better warn my garden club! Not to forget the Master Gardeners Program.....

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Post-Kelo Colorado

Don’t believe everything the politicans are telling you.

There’s an interesting report over at the Volokh Conspiracy regarding the state of the world after Kelo v. New London and an election.

I tend to agree with Ilya Somin; things are not as ‘bright’—for property owners, e.g., homes and small businesses—as politicians would like us to believe.

As part of Susan’s run for the Colorado legislature, we looked into what that august body had accomplished in the wake of Kelo v. New London. We were not impressed.

For all the fanfare regarding the multiple bills submitted to the Colorado legislature—bills written to protect the rights of home and small business owners against government seizure of their property in order to improve tax revenue by bringing in more business—there was little accomplished, save a more organized approach of how governments can seize homes and small businesses in order to move in bigger and more taxable business. Or so we understood what was written and enacted into law in Colorado.

So, if you’re sitting fat-dumb-and-happy in your home, you might want to keep an eye on your City Fathers and County Commissars.

Personally....

....I’ve kept a close watch on the 8-million pound gorilla that resides a block away from my home. And I’ve seen their ‘vision’ for the future, being on the city Zoning Board of Appeals. And seeing such, I’m obviously going to have to recuse myself when they come before the board, as I am certain that my neighborhood is going to be VERY upset, when THEY see that ‘vision’. [Note: I had been sworn to secrecy. However, thank goodness, someone else let the cat out of the proverbial bag. Now things are going to get ‘interesting’.]

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Personals SMGHO Seeks SFGHO….

Hooters! The original.

There’s been a lot of hoot’n and holler’n around the house of late.

....for seasonal or lifetime companionship. Enjoy starlit flights, mouse sushi dinners and a love nest with a great view of the surrounding area.”

Key: SMGHO = Single Male Great Horned Owl
SFGHO = Single Female Great Horned Owl

Actually, we’re not too sure whether Great Horned Owls get together for a lifetime or not, but some poor fella (we guess it’s a fella) has been hooting his heart out the last few weeks, trying to get some action. The call exactly matches what we found on the internet; supposed to be a mating call. Either he’s looking for love in all the wrong places, or the hooter just can’t get enough. I mean, we ususally hear the call at 7 am, when most people are through for the night.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Here There Be Monsters

What is it with Denverites and their parochial attitudes?

People from the Denver Metro area say I’m unfair when I accuse them of thinking Denver is the State of Colorado (possibly including the ski areas), but we have an outstanding example of that mind set in today’s Pueblo Chieftain.

It seems the Western Dairy Council has figured out how to color milk orange and blue, so they thought a tie-in to the Denver Broncos would be a good idea, and they thought the tie-in should appeal to children, who are notorious imbibers of milk and brightly colored foods. And wow, if it could be educational, wouldn’t that just make it all too, too perfect?

So they had a book written with Miles, the Broncos’ bronco mascot, as the protagonist, and sent a copy to elementary school libraries, where there are hordes of those imbibers of milk and brightly colored foods. Miles goes throughout the state visiting places. Except he doesn’t visit any place south of Colorado Springs or east of Westcliffe. In fact, no place names are given in that area of the book’s map, whether or not Miles visited.

What, did the author not know there are football fans in this part of the state? Broncos fans? Or did he just assume none of us know how to read? As Dolores Gersick, librarian at Desert Sage School put it, “Do they think our kids are stupid, or we just don’t matter?”

MORE...

The 2008 AG

Imagery, anyone?

We have an opportunity to develop and print our own signage, banners and posters for this activity.

To lift a line from Ghostbusters; “We have the tools. We have the skill.” And indeed we do.

We’ve got a number of talented people in the group. We’ve access to a number of tools; computers, software, printers.

I know a number of us have talent with respect to graphic design. Others are talented with cameras. Some of us, including myself, have powerful computers and graphic software, e.g., PhotoShop and Illustrator. Then again, we’ve got access to a large-format (44” width) printer that is capable of printing for outside use, as well as inside.

Why shouldn’t we avail ourselves of all of this and create our own marketing program?

Therefore, I solicit our fellow Ms to contribute to the development of the logos, signage and other advertising to support the coming event. Just comment here on what you think would be a good motif and/or what you could contribute to this effort.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

More Thai!

A fascinating dish. And where to buy ingredients in Denver.

Ever since I bumped up against Thai cuisine a few years ago, I’ve been fascinated by it.

Unfortunately, here in Pueblo, we don’t have as many opportunities to enjoy it as the folks up in Denver have. So, what to do....

...learn to make it yourself is the only answer. So that’s what I’ve been trying. But it helps to have (1) good recipes and (2) good ingredients.

I’ve succeeded in item 1 with a small book I got from the bargains table at the local Barnes & Noble. The book, Thai, is a collection of superior recipes. I’ve tried a dozen of them and each one has been a smash hit. And, in light of how ‘frugal’ most Mensans are, getting this book for as little as $2 (plus shipping) via Amazon, ain’t bad.

That was the first part; good recipes.

The second part, good ingredients, is dicey, at best, here in Pueblo. However, in Denver, things are much easier.

If you’re serious about spicey food, in Pueblo, all you’ve got is Mexican cuisine. But you get great opportunities on the ingredients for such. However, for spicey Thai ingredients you need to go up to Denver. And, as far as I’ve determined, THE place to go is Viet Hoa Supermarket, on West Alameda. They’ve got it all. And at great prices.

For instance, Green Curry Paste. I made the Quick Green Chicken Curry (page 52) for dinner last night. Served it over a bed of egg noodles. As a side dish I made the Stir-Fried Green Vegetables (page 62). [Note: The sauce of 1 Tbls Fish Sauce, 1 Tbls Oyster Sauce and 1 tsp Sugar was the kicker on that dish.] Presented in a big, deep bowl, like they do at Thai Hiep; noodles underneath, meat dish on one side above the noodles, veggies on the other side.

Sure, you can get green curry paste at Vitamin Cottage; at $6 for a couple of ounces. However, at Viet Hoa, Mae Ploy’s Green Curry Paste is only a couple of bucks for about a pound. That’s just ONE example. The big, old supermarket is choke full of great ingredients for whatever form of oriental cooking you’re interested in. And we all know how ‘frugal’ Mensans are.

Whenever we’re passing through Denver, for whatever reason, we always stop in at Viet Hoa to restock on various ingredients for fine oriental cooking. The people who live in Denver, and put up with the crazy drivers, can visit Thai Heip or Singapore Grill. We in the hinterlands, who live a more laid-back lifestyle, just need to visit Viet Hoa and learn to cook for ourselves.

Heck....if I wanted to spend 14 hours a day on my feet, I could open a Thai restaurant here and make a killing. I’m certain that even Mexicans get tired of chili all the time.