What Do I Know?

Some Hot Links

Gotta link to this, from the associate publisher of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (what a strange name for a newspaper!) where he offers a mea culpa of sorts for the lack of mainstream media coverage of the Kennedy piece on the Ohio election results published in Rolling Stone. (Andrew Tobias found this first, bless him.)

In it, Kenneth Bunting says:

In terms of bad news judgment, this could turn out to be the 2006 equivalent of the infamous "Downing Street memo," the London Times story that was initially greeted by the U.S. media with a collective yawn.

And one more, before I succumb to the 86 degree heat: A New Perle Harbor, about Richard Perle's visit to Oxford the other day. (via, in a roundabout way, Larry Johnson) After reading this:

Because of his chronic unpopularity, Bush is already in a complicated political predicament. Bush is facing the loss of his American political hegemony in the midterm elections this November. If Bush loses even one house of Congress, he will face the immediate threat of official probes led by partisan special prosecutors and a rising demand for his impeachment. In his game of poker with Ahmadinejad, Bush has nothing to lose by upping the ante and wrapping himself in the American flag while dropping a massive bombardment onto the primary vortex of his Axis of Evil, Iran.

I'm convinced we all need to change our opinions about Bush, at least in public and particularly when the pollsters call. If his low poll numbers mean he's got nothing to lose when it comes to Iran, then please God give the man some higher poll numbers! Forget the damn ponies, Atrios, and get on board the Bush Bandwagon, or rather cartload. Otherwise we're looking at a very scary September and October in the Middle East.

I like George Bush, okay? Got that, Zogby, Quinnipiac, and the rest of you pollsters? LIKE him. Yes I do, honest, and I will vote for him again. Twice. (Especially if Ken Blackwell is counting.)

86 degrees, on the 51st parallal, which is like the same latitude as Saskatoon. Is this what global warming's like?

A Dialogue About Socialized Medicine

Sometime before the next election we need to get rid of the "socialized medicine" bogeyman. Kevin Drum addresses the question and provides a good answer:

In any case, the basic answer to "Is national healthcare socialist?" should always be no, not yes. We are not in favor of command economies, ownership of the means of production, or state control of doctors, and that's what most people think of when you say "socialist."

But of course no one ever asks the thoughtful question Kevin posed, "Is national healthcare socialist?" It might be more helpful to practice the more likely dialogue you'll have with, say, your brother-in-law at your Fourth of July cookout:

I'm don't want any of that "socialized medicine" they've got over in Europe!

Answer: I don't care what you call it—socialized medicine, universal healthcare, single-payer, etc., what it means is that everyone gets treated for what ails them. Period. Every other industrialized nation has it, and in not a single one do the citizens want to get rid of it.

But what about the problems? I hear there are long waiting lists in Britain.

Answer: For some elective procedures, yes. And there are scary stories about bad service from the NHS. But no one, no one, would rather scrap it than improve it. And in most other countries in Europe and elsewhere, there are no waiting lists and everyone is treated promptly. But they spend more than Britain is willing to.

Well, there you go! It costs too much, and would raise our taxes.

Answer: You are already paying for someone else's health care, with your taxes, with your consumer dollars, and with your exorbitant medical bills. In fact, health care in the U.S. costs much more per person than in any other country (while at the same time covering fewer people) precisely because we don't have "socialized medicine."

I won't be able to choose my doctor.

Answer: Millions of Americans now don't exactly choose their doctor. And no one is talking about limiting doctor choice any more than it is already. No two systems of "socialized medicine" are alike, and our system would be uniquely American. We'd be able to choose our provider, and not wait an inordinate amount of time for an appointment.

But poor people have medical care now. They just go to the emergency room!

Answer: When someone goes to the emergency room for flu symptoms, it's like firing up a 747 to take a trip across town.* Thousands of dollars of resources come to bear, resources that are necessary if you have a knife sticking out of your heart. For the flu, or any other non-emergency ailment, you need to go to a family doctor, and the uninsured do not have access to general practitioners who will keep their flu symptoms from becoming pneumonia at much less expense.

I'm still not going to vote for anyone who's in favor of "socialized medicine".

Answer: What about "socialized pensions"? We call it Social Security, but it works very well, as does "socialized medicine for retirees", which we call Medicare. All these government programs cover everyone, work well, have low overhead costs, and are by no means the hallmark of a socialized country. National healthcare would work the same way.

But we don't owe everyone health care when they get sick!
Why is it accepted that we "owe" children an education, but not health care? Either we're a civilized society that takes care of its citizens' basic needs or we're not. And employers—even big ones like GM—are getting tired of shouldering the administrative costs and responsibility of insuring Americans when other countries do that, at much lower costs, for them.

Okay, maybe we do need "socialized medicine" or whatever you call it. But it's a slippery slope, and next thing you know you're going to make me eat those tofu hotdogs!

They're actually quite good, and will keep your cholesterol levels down, but you're free to eat what you want. And to vote for who you want. Just don't lose your job, and then have a heart attack, because then you might go bankrupt trying to pay your medical bills. And Congress just made it harder to file for bankruptcy when your exorbitant medical bills have made it necessary to pick and choose which bills you will pay.

When's the next election? And where do I buy those tofu dogs anyway?

The next election is November 7. And you can get them at just about any supermarket now. 

*(Analogy courtesy of Dr. Miles Nelson, former candidate for U.S. Congress and ER physician.)

Suicide at Guantanamo: A "Good PR Move"

Someone get this woman a PR consultant:

A top US official has described the suicides of three detainees at the US base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as a "good PR move to draw attention".

Colleen Graffy told the BBC the deaths were part of a strategy and "a tactic to further the jihadi cause", but taking their own lives was unnecessary.

A good PR move. I suppose so. They're dead, but now the world will know this: During the four years the men were held at Guantanamo they never had access to a lawyer. They were never charged with any crime. They had no access to news of the outside world. They had been on hunger strike and were force-fed.

Yet apparently they know a good PR move when they see it.

In other comments, the camp commander said the suicides were an "act of asymmetric warfare waged against us."

Does no one even bother to coach these people on the use of appropriate language before they are interviewed?

Writers Write, and Then Complain About Others Who Write

Giant books at Hay.

If you have ever received a rejection letter, you will like Barnard's response.

Wondering where the apostrophes are? Read no further. Internet grammar is my pet peeve: the misuse of apostrophes, the word "teh" for "the" and "lol" to indicate laughter. The joke is over, people. Grow up and type like adults. (I know language changes, but it shouldn't happen in less time than it takes Apple to update their OS.) (via)

I went to see The DaVinci Code the other night; since when is Tom Hanks doing voiceover for animated features? Oh, you mean it's not a cartoon? Could have fooled me. I haven't heard so many clichés since, well, since I was a kid watching Josie and the Pussycats.

Read anything good lately? I'm looking for books to take to Scotland on vacation next weekend. Preferably with their apostrophes in the proper places. (I am one to talk, having misplaced plenty of apostrophes myself. When I reread an old manuscript the other day, I discovered I'd typed the word "twin's" repeatedly. That is wrong as often as "parent's" is.)

Name That Calf Contest Results

In last week's Friday Cow Blogging I stupidly introduced a contest to Name That Calf and now I have to pick a winner. I like the name Roswell, suggested by Barb and enthusiastically endorsed by others, but then AuntiePam pointed out the resemblance the calf's patterned hide bore to a zipper. She's dead right; the little guy does look like a zipper.

So we'll call this one Zipper, and reserve the spacier Roswell for another one. I think I have the one; he's got rings around his eyes. I'll try to get a picture of him soon.

And KathyR suggested Percy, which is also a perfect name for a calf, don't you think?

That leaves seven more to name. There's an adorable solid red one I have my eye on. I'm thinking of calling him Ginger. Maybe another will be Mary Ann. Hope they don't get in a cow pie fight.

A Driving Tip

During the early afternoon I was driving around, running errands, and I noticed the traffic was pretty heavy for a Saturday. Then I passed a pub, and heard a loud cheer. A minute later the radio presenter announced that England had just kicked off in their first game of the World Cup against Paraguay.

After that the roads were deserted, not even the usual ant lines of cars creeping round the M25. Next time I'll plan all my errands for during the World Cup games.

Go England.

Friday Cow Blogging

The cows give up the chase.

As I mentioned earlier, we were chased by cows during our walk around Minster Lovell on Saturday. We'd already walked through one pasture of placid cows, who barely lifted an eyelash when we tromped through their weeds, and then we'd walked across the pretty River Windrush, where the dog went for a dip. From there we heard loud mooing up ahead, and when we got closer, we saw fellow ramblers hurrying toward us, their faces a portrait of fear. (No they weren't but this story was getting boring.)

They warned us the cows in yon pasture were riled up, and pointed out an alternate route in the adjoining pasture. The only problem was, the only way to get to that pasture was to first enter the angry cow pasture, go down a ways and climb over the gate, which was the only entrance into the adjoining field. The cows were already running toward us at full tilt, determined to protect their babies from the invading forces. (Again, I exaggerate, but it's important for the villains in the story to have motivation, they told us at novel school.)

We made it just seconds before the outraged mothers. My husband, who will never be mistaken for Sir Galahad, went over first, pulling the dog under, and I scrambled over just as the first angry cow arrived. I immediately turned around and stuck out my tongue. No I didn't; I started taking pictures. Then they crowded around, all of them wanting to get their photo taken. (For a close up see below.) You'd never have suspected they'd earlier tried to kill me.

I actually don't think they would have trampled us in cold blood. They probably would have given us a stern lecture, about how if things had gone slightly differently during the evolutionary process, they'd be the ones herding us humans around and jerking our teats long after the proper time for weaning.

At least I'm pretty sure that's what would have happened.

Scary Statistics

You people living in the U.S., beware your beds! More than twice as many people have died from a fall involving a bed in the United States than in the next highest country, Japan.

Fortunately in the U.K. my risk of falling out of bed and dying is minimal; only 5 people met their end in such a way here compared to a whopping 450 Yanks.

I cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear that.

Unfortunately I am slightly more likely to fall from a cliff here than in the United States. Oh shit.

(Stop laughing Canada. Otherwise you'll fall out of your chair.)

For Transport Geeks

Underground transport systems, presented at the same scale. Call it a tube, underground, metro, or subway. They all look like deformed neurons, some less tingly than others. I couldn't figure out which line was the one I usually take into the city, until I remembered the London Tube Map bears little resemblance to real life.

How many have you ridden? I've been on the underground in London, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Paris, and Berlin. Maybe San Francisco. I need to get out more. (via Londonist)

Keeping Our Eyes on the Ball

While the rest of the world wonders and worries about Wayne Rooney's left metatarsal (or is it the right?) there are bigger problems facing the women of Iraq. From the Independent:

The women of Basra have disappeared. Three years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, women's secular freedoms - once the envy of women across the Middle East - have been snatched away because militant Islam is rising across the country.

Could the Bush administration be remembered for being the one that shut down the UN? From the Guardian, the money quote is at the end:

A senior UN official, Shashi Tharoor, said on Tuesday that the UN risked having to shut down if the US and Japan carried out a threat to withhold funding because management reforms had not been sufficiently implemented.

Remember Katrina? No? Okay, do you remember Trent Lott's house? I thought so. Arianna Huffington, pinch hitting at The Washington Note, is reminded why the levees failed. It wasn't Katrina's fault, it was your government at work. Unfortunately, they were never taught to clean up their mess:

Over nine months later, 250,000 are still homeless or displaced, bodies are still being found, tens of thousands of homes still need rebuilding, disaster preparedness for New Orleans has been cut in half, and hurricane recovery funding is still slogging its way through Congress.

Remember, the World Cup starts tomorrow. Keep your eyes on the ball™.

Wednesday Food Blogging: Polenta with Southwestern Black Beans and Tequila

Polenta goes to the Southwest, discovers tequila, was later seen dancing naked in a cantina.

I knew if I put tequila in the title it would grab your interest.

I made polenta with mushroom sauce the other day, and when we'd all licked our plates clean with second helpings we still had more polenta pieces than mushroom sauce. The next day I decided I was in the mood for southwestern food (don't you dare say Tex Mex around me!) so I came up with this.

It was easy peasy, too, since I already had the polenta made. (Actually, I made a bit more, about a third of the recipe, which took about twenty minutes while I listened to a discussion about GMO crops on Radio 4. I'm pretty sure I was using non-GMO corn... )

The bean mixture I've made before, and served over rice, but having a crusty plank of polenta to cut into added a whole new dimension. So does the tequila. We should cook with it more often. Once the alcohol evaporates it leaves an interesting glow to the dish.

I'd have used fresh corn, but at two pounds (four dollars) for two ears I'll stick with frozen. (Why are they putting that precious stuff in fuel tanks, I want to know.) But if you live in a corn growing region, go for  the fresh.

I added a dollop of sour soy cream, but I also thought it would be good with the Cilantro Tofu Lime Cream from the Millennium Cookbook. I also might take the time to make my own enchilada sauce next time round, but for an easy meal opening a can of Hatch Fire Roasted Enchilada Sauce can't be beat. If you cannot buy it where you live make friends with someone from New Mexico.

The whole thing was on the table in less than an hour, but it tasted like I'd spent hours in the kitchen. And you all know better: when would I blog if all I did was cook? And drink tequila.

Fooding Around on the Internet

Super-size your plonk. Or not.

Want to be put off your food? Tour Europe. (Contains the classic line "a country that considers a Bath bun a sensuous treat must be dead from the waist down.")

Remember the Mad Cowboy? You can subscribe to his newsletter by going here. (via Jessiegirl at Journey of a New Vegan.)

Read the final post of The Vegan Lunchbox and don't ever listen to anyone who says kids won't eat vegetables or that being a vegan is boring.

Sad-but-true diet news: Americans are eating too many sofas.

I found this when someone googled "vegan diet saves water:" It takes 3 gallons of water to produce a serving of tomatoes. It takes 61 gallons of water to produce a serving of corn. It takes 408 gallons to produce a serving of chicken. It takes 2,607 gallons to produce a serving of steak.  This is why I do not feel guilty taking long showers.

Widen your pasta repertoire, followed by some dos and don'ts. (I'll add one: Don't throw your spaghetti on the wall after you've added the sauce. Unless you're making an abstract painting.)

Finally, Heston Blumenthal cooks something I'd eat: Peaches and lavender. I love this line: "without the support of a thick syrup, the cell walls of the fruit collapse." That is so true.

I Bet You Didn't Know This

Fred Barnes: Jeb Bush is the best governor ever! Well, best Republican governor. Okay, best Republican governor everyone wants to suck up to. (With how many people they've kicked off Medicaid roles being the standard by which they are judged, of course.)

Most telling line:

During a discussion of policy ideas after George Bush was elected Texas governor, George interrupted Stephen Goldsmith, who'd lost a campaign for governor of Indiana, to nick Jeb. "You'd like my brother," he said. "You both forgot you have to win before you can govern."

Unfortunately George never got past that winning part. (I didn't know the name for this was "visionary". Is "visionary" the new "vacant"?)

(via TPM)

Parties Are Not Just for Fun Anymore

(This is a gratuitous dog picture posted solely to elicit strong emotions. You wouldn't want anyone to have to leave her behind in a natural disaster would you? Plus she would really really like to be invited to your party.)

Host a party to help save pets from the next disaster and promote the No Pet Left Behind bill.

From the sample invite: "Congress is considering a bill that would create better rescue plans for companion animals in disasters.  The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) is currently being debated in Congress and we must make sure it passes before the next hurricane season."

Or you can find a party to attend in your area. I see some party animals are hosting pet softball games, a Bow Wow Brunch, and a pet poker party. And quite a few are hosting "virtual parties"—isn't that an oxymoron?

I wish I were in the States so I could have a party. (Those of you who worked on campaigns with me know I'm the party person!)

If you are the more reclusive type you can donate to the legislative fund of the Humane Society here.

P.S. There are no parties yet in New Mexico! Haven't I trained you people?!

Al Gore Filmography

For the Al Gore fans: The unseen campaign video Part 1 and Part 2. (via) It's extra footage shot by Spike Jonze before the 2000 campaign. I'm telling you, the man needs his own comedy show. Forget the presidency. He could be the next Kelsey Grammer.

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

The other day I asked my gardener what these pretty yellow flowers were. "Weeds," he told me.

"But those blue ones? Surely they're not weeds..."

Yes, they're weeds too. In fact, whenever I ask about anything coming up in my garden, the answer is usually the same. Although I would call them wildflowers instead of weeds.

Forget-me-nots, bluebells, poppies, daisies, cow parsley, and whatever these lovely things are called, grow in wild abandon here, along the roadsides, in the woodlands, in pastures, in my shady garden.

I wondered, why is it the only wildflowers I can identify are dandelions? I've lived around the States—South, North, East, and West, and I've never noticed such a variety of wildflowers, i.e. weeds, before.

Maybe it's because in the U.S. we've eradicated them. Those herbicides that keep our lawns spotless and our crops free of Johnson grass also take out the wildflowers. Over time this has to have had an effect, despite the best efforts of wildflower enthusiasts like Lady Bird Johnson. I don't think herbicides are used as frequently over here, in fact the E.U. has banned quite a few of our favorites, according to Michael Pollan.

So maybe that's why I've got all these lovely weeds popping up in my garden. I like them; they come up every year with no prompting on my part. Unfortunately, the stinging nettle comes up too, in amongst the blackberries.

I guess you have to take the nettles along with the flowers.

Exploring the Ruins

"If you let me off the lead I can see if there's anything archeologically significant up here."

Yesterday we went on a hike in the Cotswolds, near Minster Lovell, which is my very favorite place. Maybe I'll write about it later, but for now, here's a photo of the dog, exploring the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall.

Oh yeah, and we got chased by some cows.

Sometimes I Just Want to Help These Poor People

If you are the googler who searched for this: "what happens if you are having trouble with a friend and she is my best friend what do u do" and you ended up with my site as the number one hit, I am sorry you will not find the answers here. I'm not a psychologist, nor am I related to Ann Landers. I'm just a blogger.

There's an idea: maybe you should start a blog. I did, and now I have lots of friends. Haven't pissed too many of them off, either, so that's good. (But it would help if you learned the difference between first person, second person, and third person usage and use them consistently.)

Terror: Not in My Back Yard

So, are terrorists these days only targeting the U.K. and Canada, or are the law enforcement agencies in the U.S. just incompetent?

Friday Calf Blogging: Name That Calf!

Can you name me?

Announcing the Name That Calf contest!

I have been hesitant to name this year's crop of calves. Last fall my heart was broken all to pieces when Socks and Stretch and all the others disappeared. I cried almost as loudly as their mothers.

So have at it, folks. This one has interesting markings on his back. He seems quite curious, too. There's another couple of photos of him below the fold. I like the one of him chewing a tuft of grass.

There are 10 calves this year, and 12 cows. I guess some are co-mothers. The bull is in the field too, but he hasn't shown too much interest in listening to my baby talk.

Bulls are standoffish like that.

As for a prize, I will send you photos of your named calf periodically. You can then use them for marketing purposes. Say you invent a new soda; you could name it after your calf. Or you could brew an IPA, name it after the little guy. "Spotnose Ale" or somesuch.

Post suggestions in the comments. Any names not chosen for this little guy will be used for the other nine calves, who are also nameless. (Votes will be tabulated by Ken Blackwell, so be sure and vote twice, since the first one won't count.)