Firing at the NEW atheists...

The people in this video do make some good points, especially about how Prof. Dawkins and Chris Hitchens allude to persons of faith being some how deluded. I do NOT share this view. However the speakers in this video are wrong to portray 'atheism' as some sort of disease that must be stamped out. I too, have very GOOD reasons for the world view I have. i did not wake up one morning and say: "Hey! I'm mad at God I guess I'm an atheist now!" Nor was i taken into some classroom at University and indoctrinated into atheism. This was a LONG slow and educational process for me. Nobody likes to have strawmen built from misunderstandings of their world view.

R.

R.

Some things require no comment...

An appropriate issue for Congress to address...

We have over a hundred-thousand servicemen and women in harms way...

There millions of American citizens without access to health care...

We have a growing energy crisis and a crumbling infrastructure...

We have growing evidence that climate change is a reality and we are contributing to it...

Social Security as we know it may not exist when 2030 rolls around...

And THIS is what our elected officials choose to address?!

I literally want to beat my head against my desk! Have our politicians lost their freakin' minds?!

"Hmmmm, what worthless pointless piece of meaningless tripe pretending to be legislation can I push through that will pander to the a politically radical and historically clueless segment of the electorate?"

Sam Brownback ponders thoughtfully as he munches his order of "Freedom" Fries in the Congressional dining Hall....finally it comes to him as if from on high... in his mind, a beam of light from above descends (read light dawns on marble head!)

"I know! I'll address the real world problem of the pseudo-motto of our secular country being relegated to the edge of the new Presidential Dollar Coins!"

Ah, Senator Brownback! We should all be so thankful we have the likes of you in Congress to remind good God-fearing Americans what's really important:

Personally ensuring that the meaningless, pointless and divisive phrase "In God We Trust", (which replaced a much more poetic and enlightenment inspired "E Pluribus Unum" which was ram-rodded through Congress in 1956 during the height of Joe McCarthy and his red-baiting B.S.), is given the prominence it so righteously deserves on the face of the coins rather than the edge.

Yes, fellow citizens, THIS is why we pay U.S. Senators at the minimum almost $170,000 a year!

I think you hear me knocking Senator Brownback! If we both had the time, Thomas Jefferson and I would wait for you outside the Capitol and when you approached the entrance to start your day of important legislative business I would hold you down and ole' Tommy Boy would batter you unrecognizable with a rolled up copy of the the Bill of Rights with the First Amendment highlighted!

Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to chew on something leather for a while....

R.

The BOOK meme

Ed from "The World Through My Eyes" tagged me to do this book meme.

This is the process:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4.Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people.

Are you aware that I am sitting at work where I am literally surrounded by no less than 100 books!? To be fair they are books of a technical nature. So, I'll reference the book that is in my attache case right now: "The Reason Driven Life" by Robert M. Price

Alrighty then here it is:

"I have said before that I believe any doctrine of creation is inimical to the sense of wonder, which I regard as the central spiritual experience. Why? Because we prematurely answer the question of where the world came from by referring it to a Creator, a pseudo-answer that leaches the amazement from an amazing thing."

WOW! this 'meme' is rather spooky! It managed to highlight one of the central themes of the chapter in question.

I will tag people later as I cannot get to a few of taggee's as my corporate firewall blocks myspace!

Yet another reason to vanquish myspace!

R.

The perfect chili recipe...

Super Bowl Sunday! What a perfect reason to make a spicy vat of chili.

Ask anyone who knows me. They'll tell you that I am quite the epicurean. I manage just fine in most manners gastronomic! Usually I'll see a recipe that piques my taste buds, I try it then put my own spin on it and make it my own. Such is the explanation for my chili recipe. This is based on the recipe from "America's Test Kitchen" I've made some alterations allowing for my own taste. I don't like kidney beans, so I use pinto or red or pink or even a medley of many beans. Chipotle pepper powder makes this recipe smoky and complex which I love. Enjoy!

• -2 tablespoons vegetable or corn oil
• -2 medium onions, chopped fine (about 2 cups)
• -1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, cut into ½-inch dice
• -6 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
• -¼ cup chili powder (I make my own using ancho & new mexico chilis)
• -1 tablespoon ground cumin
• -2 teaspoons ground coriander
• -1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• -1 teaspoon dried oregano
• -1 teaspoon Ground Red New Mexican Chipotle Pepper
• -2 pounds 85 percent lean ground beef
• -3 cans (15 ounces each) beans (black, red, pinto, pink whatever you like)
• -1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juice
• -2 can (28 ounces) tomato puree
• -Salt

1. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed non-reactive Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the onions, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, pepper flakes, oregano, and ground chipotle pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add half the beef. Cook, breaking up pieces with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and just beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the remaining beef and cook, breaking up pieces with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Add the beans, tomatoes, tomato puree, and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Remove the lid and continue to simmer 1 hour longer, stirring occasionally (if the chili begins to stick to the bottom of the pot, stir in ½ cup water and continue to simmer), until the beef is tender and the chili is dark, rich, and slightly thickened. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt. Serve with lime wedges and condiments.

Credit where it's due...

OK! I can admit it! The New York Giants did everything they needed to to stop the Patriots incredible run. I watched the game from the start and I have to say I had a BAD feeling very early. It just looked to my like the G-men wanted it more.

To the New York Giants:

Congratulations! You definitely earned the title!

It's not like Boston and New England as a whole have been wanting for sports success over the past few years!

When does spring training start?!

GO YANKEES!!!