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Saturday, April 3, 2010

Unsexy, Unpopular and Unflattering Political Cartoons - 3 Apr 2010

From Denny: Politics and the economy sure are wearing on people. On top of that all these new sex abuse scandals in the religious sector has people hopping mad and the cartoonists along with them.

Religious Sex Scandal Cartoons

Then there is the bombardment from the negative conservatives in this country: Conservative Republican politics joined at the hip with talk radio and flooding the airwaves with lies, deception and hate propaganda. There statistics are that 91% of talk radio is conservative hate talk and only 9% is progressive or liberal. So, who do you think is winning the war on "the hearts and minds" of the average guy? Hmmmm, a lot of weak minds out there who can't resist being programmed to believe obvious lies.

Yet with the bondage sex club scandal and other sex scandals from the national Republicans people actually are still funding these guys - to do it again! Where does the negativity, emotional stupidity and enabling end?

The same could be said of the Catholic Church. Well, at least one piece of good news in Europe. Austria is a country that has been rife with sexual abuse and pedophilia for centuries. When I visited there I certainly heard plenty from local Austrian women about how much they hated Austrian men, especially the fathers, brothers, uncles and cousins who abused them. It was shocking to hear just how much it was tolerated.

In light of the current garbage spewed out by the Catholic Church to enable the pedophile priests there is a Bishop of Vienna, Austria, who challenges that notion. He is demanding validation and healing for the abuse victims and a change of course in the Church. Well, at least one man has the courage to stand up against the establishment.

Follow him for the next few months and it will be interesting to see if he gets recalled to Rome and stripped of his authority. Hopefully, that won't happen. He represents those good priests who are doing right by their authority and looking out for the people and children. Unfortunately, Pope Benedict's arrogant refusal to purge the Church of this true perversion of goodness - which is evil by any definition - tarnishes the reputation of the quality priests doing good work.

The Pope's constant defense of "The Business" rather than attention placed upon true spiritual development is driving people away from God. What the frustrated, disappointed and angry people should be doing is walking away from organized religion that is corrupt like the current Catholic Church. These abuse charges are nothing new and have continued for centuries, helping to cause the Protestant Reformation.

Looks like the Catholic Church as we know it is now toast. On a spiritual level, the Church has already fractured and broken off. Expect the "Roman" part of Catholic Church to disappear from the title except in Italy. Things will evolve into each country's centralization of the Church, each country or continent with its own Pope. Rome as the center of the religious world to govern one billion church members is cooked. Put a fork in them because they are done. God has been trying to discipline them for the past 50 years and each time they spit on Him. When you spit on little children you are spitting on God in my book.

Moving on to President Obama's waning popularity it was to be expected with the long drawn out drama from this health care mess of which the Democrats did an horrendously bad job of selling to the public. Too much foot dragging, not enough countering of lying media and not enough factual information put out there on a continual basis as the legislation was fought. If the Democrats had any sense they would have mobilized all the liberal and progressive bloggers.

The CBS polls in regard to the President's popularity as well as other issues do tend to poll older Republican voters as opposed to fewer Democrats. The CBS demographic is elderly and older Baby Boomers. I'd like to see an NBC poll as NBC News is more female oriented and a cross section of ages. You often discover gross misrepresentation from the media when you go to read the internals of the polls - how the questions were framed. It's obvious the questions were set up to predict a particular outcome to please who was bank-rolling the poll. That fact explains why two polls about the President's popularity produced strikingly different results.

In spite of that, President Obama needs to get a grip on his weak campaign to constantly court and therefore enable the Republicans to screw over the middle class in this country. That is the heart of the anger in this country - how the Republicans so broke our government and economy and continue to defend those criminal actions that our lives continue to have surprise problems hitting us from every angle.

Now President Obama proposes extra oil drilling off American shores? Is he allowing them to go for the continental shelf? Has the Democratic Party so quickly forgotten the damage done to Louisiana, especially New Orleans, by the oil and natural gas companies? It's the very reason for the excessive flood damage from Hurricane Katrina. And now you are going to allow the same damage up and down the Atlantic coast? Are you crazy???

Oh, by the way, Mr. President, did you at least broker a good deal for the middle class from the oil companies and Wall Street to quit artificially inflating prices at the gas pump? Do you know how to play political hardball and slam back the serve to Big Business? Big Business and Wall Street are lucky I didn't become President because I would be hell on wheels with Speaker Pelosi looking like the sweetness Tooth Fairy.

Mr. President, you are simply not "leading from the front" and taking the best care of the American people. Get on the job and quit talking about an "A" game and get serious about walking the talk. And, if you don't know how to get more bills passed in the Senate, go seek out former Senator Tom Daschle who does understand. Quit allowing the tail to wag the dog, start barking and take a bite out of these nasty junkyard dogs who are killing the soul of the American people. There is no simply no excuse for the fact that Speaker Pelosi passed 291 bills and the Senate passed only one. Take care of the American people; quit talking and start doing.

The Republicans have never been the answer for America when it comes to quality of life or good government. The Democrats had better not sit down on their laurels thinking what they have done so far is enough. In my book you are still far behind the starting line without much of anything to show for your time in office.

The public is justifiably angry they have an unresponsive government, slow to react on major issues. You can't keep up a two front war and expect the public treasury to continue to bail out the economy every time. You passed weak credit card legislation and for the past 18 months the Big Banks have raped the wallets of the American people, good accounts along with the bad. Big Banks continue to take cheap money from the federal government and plunk it down on their bottom line, refusing to even fund car loans for the average person or help small businesses. Your mortgage loan relief fizzled because you did not pay attention to details and administer it correctly.

You took 18 months before you finally worked up the nerve to decide to finally fill needed government positions as recess appointments. How can you work without a government in place? What or who are you afraid of - what the whining Republicans might say? Who cares what they say about anything? They are going to lie about it every time. They have already been found in lie after lie.

Insurance companies continue to raise premiums beyond the average person's ability to pay. They even have the nerve to crow on the rooftops about how the current health care law will not set back their profits. CEOs on Wall Street continue to receive billion dollar bonuses. Where is the change, Mr. President? Where is the change?

You have no time to waste before the November elections, Mr. President. Get busy and lasso Big Business. While you are at it it's time to break up the Big Banks into smaller regional banks. If you are unwilling to break up the monopoly banks then nationalize the rat bastards because they are doing no good to the economy and no longer truly serving the people. You could also allow the smallest banks the same borrowing privileges as the current monopoly banks enjoy and you will see a lot of the middle class's issues melt away quickly. America needs positive change.






Yet more weak minds spreading violence and think it's funny:





















































Health care:





President Obama and foreign affairs:






















Senator Ted Kennedy who championed health care but did not see it pass in his life time:





The religious sex scandal mess:














NASA helping Toyota find their car problems:





U.S. Post Office in dire straits and cutting back services:





The flunking state of Education in America:





A teacher who pushed against a corrupt and lazy public educational system of low expectations and little teacher effort to graduate and develop some of the best minds in the country today:





How the average American is feeling right now:











And from our endearing beloved Vice President Biden who has a tough time minding his funny words making important moments funnier:





















Crazy Tax Season:


















President Obama's waning popularity:






And someone far less popular than the President:
















*** ALSO over at Dennys Funny Quotes blog:

Religious Sex Scandal Cartoons

Funny Marriage Quotes

Funny Surfing Peruvian Alpaca


*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Flourless Passover Chocolate Cake

From Denny: This recipe comes from the Sephardic Jews' traditional Passover dishes from the culture of Spain and Portugal and is based on Mediterranean cuisine.

Before the years of the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century, many Jews were affluent, well educated and held high positions in the Spanish royal court. Once the Spanish Inquisition got geared up they forced two choices upon the Jews: leave the Iberian Peninsula or convert to Catholicism. Those that did not convert settled in the Caribbean Islands, eventually these Sephardic Jews migrated to the American South centuries later.

Most Jews in America are considered Ashkenazic, tracing their roots back to France, Eastern Europe and the Germanic countries.







Passover Chocolate Cake

From: Chef Ann Amernick in “The Jewish Holiday Baker” by Joan Nathan (Schocken Books 1997)

Serves: 10 to 12

Chef Ann Amernick: She created the recipe because people were always asking for a good chocolate Passover dessert. Most Passover chocolate cake recipes call for cocoa and potato starch. Chef Amernick uses real chocolate, giving the cake a denser texture. Strictly observant Jews during Passover would substitute pareve margarine for the butter if the cake is to be served with meat dishes. Chef Amernick prefers real butter to margarine for this cake.


INGREDIENTS:

10 ozs. good imported bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces
1/2 cup unsalted butter (or pareve margarine)
1/2 cup sugar, divided
5 large eggs, separated
1/3 cup finely ground almonds (done in a food processor)
2 tbls. brandy
Confectioners’ sugar
Whipped cream, optional
Fresh raspberries, optional


DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and grease well a 9-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with baking parchment.

2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering water. When the chocolate has melted, turn off the heat and leave it over the hot water to cool slowly.

3. Meanwhile in a large mixing bowl of the electric mixer, beat the butter or margarine with 1/4 cup of the sugar until the mixture is fluffy and almost white. Add the egg yolks and beat for 1 minute. Add the almonds and brandy and beat for 2 minutes more.

4. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until light and foamy while gradually adding the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Continue beating the whites until they are stiff and shiny.

5. Add cooled melted chocolate to the egg-yolk mixture and mix with a rubber spatula until well combined. Fold one-quarter of the chocolate mixture into the egg whites, then gently fold the egg-white mixture back into the rest of the chocolate mixture, taking care not to deflate the batter.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until a tester comes out covered with a thick, moist (not wet) and crumbly coating.

7. Allow cake to cool for 30 minutes in pan. Loosen edges with a knife, remove the sides and carefully turn the cake upside down onto a plate. Remove the baking parchment.

8. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled with whipped cream and raspberries on the side, if desired.



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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Yummy Homemade Coconut Cream Pie



Coconut Cream Pie by little blue hen @ flickr


From Denny: When it comes to holidays, new Spring weather and the coming summer, Southern cooks in my area often turn to making coconut cream pie. It's a real crowd pleaser and great for school functions, family gatherings and holidays.

If you don't have the time to make your own pie crust just purchase one from the refrigerated section of your grocery store as many of them are quite good. If you never have made your own, take the challenge and enjoy the fun of "making it from scratch" as the old cooks used to say.

If you don't like meringue to top the pie you can always use a whipped cream topping, preferably the real thing and not the imitation. Also, if you get in a hurry and forget to place the coconut on the topping to toast as it bakes just add toasted coconut later to each individual piece as you serve!





Coconut Cream Pie

From: Food writer Corinne Cook @ 2TheAdvocate

Makes: 1 ( 9-inch) pie

Ingredients:

1 (9-inch) pie crust, baked

Coconut Cream (or Custard) Filling:

2/3 cup sugar
3 tbls. cornstarch OR 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Small pinch of salt
2 cups milk
3 large eggs, (separate whites from yolks and place in separate bowls)
1-1/2 tbls. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup grated coconut
1/2 cup grated coconut for topping

Meringue:

3 egg whites at room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
6 tbls. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Coconut Cream (or Custard) Filling:


1. Prepare pie crust and bake. Allow to cool completely.

2. In medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch or flour and salt.

3. Gradually stir in the milk and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Boil for about 1-1/2 minutes more, then remove from heat.

4. Beat egg yolks with a fork until they’re well blended. While stirring, slowly stir about 1 cup of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks; then add it back to the hot mixture. Cook, while constantly stirring, another 1 or 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat.

5. Stir in the butter, vanilla and 3/4 cup grated coconut. Pour into baked pie shell which has cooled completely.


Directions for Meringue:

1. Using a mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar together until frothy. Gradually start adding sugar a little bit at a time. Beat until stiff and glossy and sugar is dissolved. Beat in vanilla.

2. Drop spoonfuls onto hot custard in pie shell and spread meringue to meet edges of crust to prevent shrinking and weeping. Make swirls or dab spoon on top of meringue to make points. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup coconut.

3. Bake in preheated 400-degree oven until lightly browned, about 7 to 9 minutes.


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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Funny April Fools Day

From Denny: Check out the latest Cheeky Quote Day over at The Social Poets! Here are a few of the funny quotes:

* April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four. - Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

* Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed. - Mark Twain

* A fellow who is always declaring he's no fool, usually has his suspicions. - Anonymous

* Politicians never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge. - Thomas Reed

* Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. - Chinese Proverb

* Don't approach a goat from the front, a horse from the back, or a fool from any side. - Jewish Proverb


Hike on over to The Social Poets to enjoy a funny video, funny photos, and - I totally guarantee you haven't seen this fashion outfit - it's the weirdest fashion statement yet. Not even Lady Gaga wore this crazy thing! :)

Check it out the full post of laughs: Funny April Fools Day - Cheeky Quote Day 31 Apr 2010


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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Play Fun With Your Food: Mini Frittata Crostinis, Mini Wonton Quiches

From Denny: Do you like to play with your food? Do you like to take simple everyday items like eggs, toast and wonton wrappers and create something fun and exciting? Do you want the recipes to be quick and easy?

These two recipes are sheer delight from over at the Incredible Egg . If you have ever walked the streets of European cities, you will remember those wonderful small open-faced sandwiches which are satisfying savory snacks while you are seeing the sites. Like in Vienna, Austria, you can walk the main streets between tourist sites and pop into one of those little shops that offer snacks and coffee and pastries, tanking up to fortify yourself for more enjoyable hours of walking tours and shopping. The locals eat a couple of hours before lunch with a snack like this and the same in the afternoon and late at night. These guys eat all the time!

For those who do not know a frittata is an Italian omelet. A crostini is simply translated into "little toast." This crostini recipe is basically a little veggie and cheese omelet perched decoratively on a little toast, appetizer style. To hold the omelet on the toast there is a small bed of "food glue" in the form of a chive and onion cream cheese, bursting with flavor.

You can always add to your omelet anything you enjoy like chopped zucchini, bell pepper and red onion. If you don't have the time to make the cream cheese mixture just use some spreadable cream cheese on hand and add some dried chives and favorite seasoning like Beau Monde.






Mini Frittata Crostini

From: Incredible Egg

Serves: About 2 to 3 dozen crostini

Crostini:

36 thin baguette slices (about 1/4-inch thick)
3 tbls. olive oil
3/4 cup chive and onion spreadable cream cheese

Frittata:

6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ozs.)
3/4 cup finely chopped zucchini (I grated it on a cheese grater)
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
2 tbls. finely chopped red onion

Directions:

1. To make the crostini: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush both sides of bread slices lightly with olive oil, place in single layer on baking sheets. Bake in 375-degree oven until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes; cool on wire racks.

2. To make the frittata: Reduce oven setting to 350 degrees. Coat 36 minimuffin cups with cooking spray.

3. Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper in medium bowl until blended. Add cheese, zucchini, bell pepper and onion; mix well. Spoon about 1 tablespoon egg mixture into each muffin cup.

4. Bake in 350-degree oven until just set, 10-13 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes; remove from cups.

5. To serve: Spread about 1 teaspoonful cream cheese on each crostini, top with frittata.

*** Make ahead: Crostini can be toasted the day before; cool completely and store in airtight container.

*** Lighter option: Recipe can be made with reduced-fat cheese if desired.

Nutrition:

calories: 145
total fat: 5g
saturated fat: 2g
polyunsaturated fat: 1g
monounsaturated fat: 2g
cholesterol: 43mg
sodium: 291mg
carbohydrates: 19g
dietary fiber: 1g
protein: 6g
vitamin A: 192.5IU
vitamin D: 4.7IU
folate: 46.6mcg
calcium: 45.3mg
iron: 1.3mg
choline: 27.4mg

Good Source: protein and folate




Mini Wonton Quiches

From: Incredible Egg

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes
Makes: 2 dozen

Ingredients:

24 wonton wrappers (3-1/4 x 3-inch)
4 EGGS
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp. finely chopped ham (1 oz.)
2 Tbsp. finely chopped green onion
2 Tbsp. finely chopped red bell pepper

Directions:

HEAT oven to 350°F. COAT 24 mini muffin cups (1-3/4 x 3/4-inch) with cooking spray. Gently PRESS 1 wonton wrapper into each cup, allowing ends to extend above edges of cup.

BEAT eggs and flour in medium bowl until blended. ADD ham, green onion and bell pepper; mix. SPOON about 1/2 Tbsp. egg mixture into each wonton-lined muffin cup.
BAKE in center of 350°F oven until filling is set, 12 to 15 minutes.

Serve with sweet and sour sauce and hot mustard.

Nutrition:

calories: 38
total fat: 1g
saturated fat: 0g
polyunsaturated fat: 0g
monounsaturated fat: 0g
cholesterol: 37mg
sodium: 68mg
carbohydrates: 5g
dietary fiber: 0g
protein: 2g
vitamin A: 71.6IU
vitamin D: 2.9IU
folate: 12.1mcg
calcium: 8.7mg
iron: .5mg
choline: 22.0mg


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