2016 archive
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
One element that seems to be missing in discussions about the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is this: Supporting Bernie Sanders does not ipso facto mean repudiating Hillary Clinton. I suspect that the great majority of caucus- and primary-participating Democrats could vote quite happily for either one in November.
The “repudiate Hillary” meme seems stronger amongst Sanders supporters, but is not, in my opinion, indicative of any quality unique to them or their candidate. Rather, I think it’s reflective of his position as a long-shot underdog.
Supporters of long-shot underdogs tend to see themselves as crusaders. They are more likely to “crusade” than to “campaign,” and “crusading” tends to excess.
That Big Bad Scary Idea 0
Martina Essert marvels at the intellectual cowardice that results in banning literary classics from schools, such as, I kid you not, Orwell’s Animal Farm, because, to quote a bit from Ms. Essert,
I got a dollar to a doughnut that many of those who would ban Animal Farm see nothing wrong with the NRA’s idea that Hansel and Gretel should pack heat.
We are a society of stupid.
Full Disclosure:
I have read Animal Farm, but have not read 1984. I did read Brave New World and that was quite enough dystopia for me, thank you very much.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Politeness takes practice.
Authorities are saying that at this point in their investigation it seems like the victim was struck by accident by someone target shooting in the area.
Plus Ca Change 0
Bruce Lowry has seen it before:
Then go back and look at the expressions on some of the faces — almost all of them white — at a Donald Trump rally today.
You don’t need me to point out the eerie similarities, and, God help us, they are all too real.
He’s quite correct, you know.
Follow the link for the rest.
Shirred Eggs 2
This is a little breakfast recipe that’s elegant in its simplicity. It’s my spin on a recipe from the Nero Wolf Cookbook.
Ingredients:
- 2 link sausages
- 2 eggs
- butter
- spices (salt, pepper, paprika, tarragon, chives to taste)
Procedure:
1, Brown sausages in skillet, then drain on a paper towel.
2. Generously butter a shirred egg dish (I use a six-inch cast iron skillet inherited from my mother).
3. Sprinkle with pepper and other spices of choice.
4. Bake 15 minutes in oven preheated to 350 Fahrenheits.
5. Gently slide out of baking dish and serve.
Serves one.
Serving Suggestion:
Serve over cheese toast, that is, toast topped with melted cheese.
Shrinking Violence 0
Noz suggests that ISIS is not living up to its press releases.
Facebook Frolics 0
Research says, “Don’t go there.“
Birds and Bees* 0
Meet the old white men who just don’t get the “facts of life.”
Honest to Betsy, you can’t make this stuff up. (And Betsy was just as aghast as I. She told me so.)
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*Put me out of my misery here. What the hell do “birds and bees” have to do with it, anyway? Do birds do it with bees?
Inquiring minds want to know.