Lagging Way Behind Portugal on Gay Marriage

Many religious groups have been fighting vigorously against the passage of legislation that would allow gay marriage in the USA: the Mormons, the Catholics, and several Protestant denominations. The very size of the Catholic church, though, make its objections particularly influential.

Frankly, all these religious objections seem entirely bogus to me. Not all religions have to define marriage the same way. That is what religious freedom means. For example, although people of other faiths can get divorced and then marry other people in their churches, this does not force the Catholic church to perform, recognize or permit these unions for their congregants. Catholics who wish to remarry must do so outside the church.

So, even if gay marriages were recognized by our civil institutions, the Catholic church and all these other faiths could keep right on not defining marriage that way for their own congregants.

In fact, it is a grotesque violation of the separation of church and state for the State to prefer the definitions of marriage of some denominations over others. Many religions already accept a definition of marriage that includes gay unions, so all these faiths are being discriminated against by our government's policy.

The Catholic church is now throwing its weight around again, threatening to stop feeding the homeless over objections to a city provision (in DC)that would allow same sex marriage. Read (and enjoy) Allison Kilkenny's offensive (in a good way) screed about this flap.

Here is a snippet:

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

Yup, that's right. If gay folk can marry, the Catholic church refuses to feed the homeless.

Well, that all seems very reasonable. After all, the state would force the Catholic church to perform gay marriages, and celebrate the beastly unions, right?

Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

Oh. So this "Please Stop Being An Asshole, You Guys" law is really the thing that has sent the Archdiocese flying off a cliff. The child molestations, and filing sticky-fingered priests from diocese to diocese is all part of God's grand plan, but showing the slightest bit of consideration for gay couples is just too much.

Meanwhile, Portugal (not a city, nor a state, but an entire country, and a Catholic one at that!) is poised to accept gay marriage.

Bye bye brokerages

The Brazilian stock exchange is now allowing trading without using a brokerage; the trading allowed uses the awesomely cool algorithms that previously were only available through extremely expensive hedge funds. Wow. I'm trying to get my head around this.

Here's a bit of the Bloomberg article:

International algorithmic trading will allow investors to trade using computer programs though UBS without going through a brokerage, Switzerland’s biggest bank said in a press release. Zurich-based UBS began so-called direct market access in Brazil on July 2008, allowing stock traders to complete orders anonymously without going through a brokerage.

Don't Get Me This For Christmas

This is for people who want to run outside, but are frustrated that their treadmills are indoors and stationary! Hmmmmm, how could a person manage to run outside?

Ta-dah!



I could be wrong, but it seems like the whole thing is filmed on a piece of road that is running very slightly downhill. Can you imagine the embarrassment of being stranded halfway through the workout, unable to muster the force necessary to get this heavy machine back up the hill?

In one important respect though, the actual product performs better than in the advertisement------the runner would not be subjected to the incredibly insipid music. (Have they done studies? Does this kind of upbeat music really make people want to buy crud? The answer must be yes; after all, they use it in virtually all infomercials.

I Don't Think I'll Ever Practice This....

But he sure is good at it!

When You're Bored In Your Cubicle......

I came across this at The Daily Dish.

Such control!
This reminds me a little bit of what I did to enjoy swing music when recovering from an ankle injury. Except he's much better at it....

I'm glad to see that he posted this on u-tube rather than subjecting people on elevators and public transportation to his antics.

A Thought For Next Halloween

I just saw this jackolantern and am feeling inspired to try something like this next year.

In other pumpkin related news, seeing how much our pumpkins' faces were caving in, we decided last night that this morning we would toss them. Then this morning we found that the local wildlife had beaten us to them. (They were on the stoop, two feet from our front door.) Presumably it was the handiwork of the clan of groundhogs that treat our yard as their family compound. That, or maybe ravaging hordes of vorpal deer, ripping the collapsing faces off our gourds, attacking us in effigy. (I like to blame the deer for everything.) Whatever it was, they did not make a big mess, so presumably it was not the wild turkeys.....

Me, at the Berlin Wall, Nov. 8, 1989

Rupet Murdoch Is A Liar

Earlier this year Beck accused Obama of exhibiting racism "...over and over and over again." This prompted a campaign to encourage advertisers to boycott his show.

Then Rupert Murdoch (Fox News is part of his media empire.) stepped in and said that although Beck was right factually about Obama's racism, Beck should not have said such a thing about the President. (Yet another point of disagreement here; if a President is guilty of such a thing, then the media have a responsibility to cover it!!!)

Now, of course, Murdoch is backpedaling through the cowardly use of a spokesperson. He says that Obama made a racist comment, so Beck was right to make such a claim although he, Rupert Murdoch, does not agree.

So, just what is this racist comment? The two of them keep insisting that he has done racist things, and they never back it up with anything substantial. Just like the rest of their "news"...

Please visit this site to complain to advertisers about Murdoch's complicity in promoting racism and other misleading news coverage. It's time to pull their plug.



But also take a minute to enjoy Stewart revealing yet another example of the unprincipled, deceptive practices employed at Fox News.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Sean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck's Protest Footage
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National Organization for Marriage Scores big with Carrie Prejean.

Looks like the National Organization for (only some)Marriage(s) spokeshater Carrie Prejean (that's her at the top of the post, looking supiciously happy) suddenly dropped her million dollar suit against the California Miss USA pageant after an explicit sex tape of her emerged.

You'd think these Busy-bodies who wish to get all over our rights would think up at least some novel way to screw up. But, no. Just someone who can't even keep to her own loudly proclaimed rules who wishes to legislate a set for you. Lovely.

That Berlin Wall.

I was there. When it came down. With my brother. Twenty years ago, today, I'm pretty sure. It's confusing; there were tiny little Trabants that sounded like poorly-tuned lawn mowers driving around; they'd stop, a towering blond man, an equally towering blonde woman would get out, invariably dressed in acid-washed jeans and clutching bananas. Often, a little child, roughly my height, would also somehow tumble out. Clutching an Alf doll. Always. I can't find any of my pictures.

The West Germans were surly; the East Germans were bewildered. The Russian guards were huge, and had seemingly-all set up little tables where they were selling their various medals; they always had their truly terrifyingly-looking but actually quite sweet German Shephard guard dogs. According to the guards, the dogs were never vicious, but were just used for the visuals. Dunno. I got one of my brothers' a wonderful frock-coat styled military jacket.

There were a number of amazingly annoying (all blonde, don't ask me why) American female college students, all talking with high voices, and all complaining about their accomodations: "My hotel doesn't have an elevator!" "My elevator was slow and scary!" "You can't get a taxi!" "I got served liver last night and I swear it didn't say 'liver' on the menu!" "I don't like the butter." (That last comment is totally bewildering, I'm guessing it was because it was unsalted.)

"It's cold!" "Why do they only play bad euro-disco everywhere?" (Ahem, those last two are me.) It was cold. I lost my big down coat in Duisberg, where I was working at the time, and so was wearing a tweed jacket of my brother's plus all other clothing items that I owned.

I think I saw Frank Zappa, filming. I didn't bother him, except to notice that he'd cut his long hair.

A West German woman at a bus stop told me how upset she was about the "easties" because she was convinced her children would never be able to get apartments of their own. A bevy of long-legged West German under-dressed beauties (don't they worry about chest colds?) were handing out pamphets complaining that the East German underdressed long-legged beauties were undercutting their prices.

Actually, there were many surly West Berliners handing out pamphlets complaining about the easties.

There were many people from Eastern Europe with suitcases full of money (actual suitcases full of actual East German money) exchanging it for hard currency.

I did't feel much love. All the excitement was at the wall. All those excited seemed to be foreigners.

My memories. Hey, James, what do you remember?

Why Didn't I Try This Before?

I had always put off poaching pears in spiced wine. Maybe peeling them seemed daunting, or perhaps it seemed like a waste of wine....

In any event, I am glad I finally got around to it because I discovered it was easy and tasty.

Basically you peel several pears leaving the stem intact (however many will fit in one layer of your pot, so it depends on the size of the pears) . Add them to a pot in which you have already combined I bottle red wine, 1 cup sugar (I used half brown sugar), a couple of cloves, a couple of cinnamon sticks, a vanilla bean or some vanilla (Since they are expensive, I used an old bean that had been flavoring sugar already for a year and a half), and the zest of 1 lemon and one orange. You can also toss in a few prunes to impart and soak up flavours.

Simmer gently for about 15 or twenty minutes depending on ripeness and pear size. Reposition them gently a few times in case parts of them are sticking out. You can remove them to chill, or leave them overnight to soak and become more richly colored as I did. The recipe suggested mint leaves for the garnish, but I tried a leaf from my scented geranium (they're edible!), and the fragrance really complements the pear.

The recipe says to reduce the sauce after removing the pears, and add some jam for flavour and thickness, but at this point I am tempted to buy more pears and simmer another batch......

I'll Have the Crabhat With a Side of Sauciness

When I first saw the crabhat, I thought it was utterly ridiculous-----though part of me wanted one. After all, it is a hat!

But then after seeing this over-the-top, shark-jumping extravaganza of photo-shoot mania, I decided the crabhat was really a rather conservative, restrained statement of style and mood. "Come too close, and I just might pinch you!" it whispers alluringly.



This look, on the other hand boldly proclaims, "I am an idiot, and if you touch me, I'll slap you and get paint all over you! And yes, those are open toe boots! Whoops, I forgot my knickers!" For a better look at her.....ahem...... paint, just left click on the image.)

(Lower image from French Vogue.)

Extra-easy single-pan fall soup. Plus too delicious for left-overs.

My dear sis told me about this soup; I modified it a bit to make it easier; it turned out quite simple to make and unexpectedly tasty!

For starters, you'll need an oven-proof pan big enough to hold the finished soup, but preferably not with really steep sides, to more effectively roast the vegetables. I use a steep-sided frying pan that doesn't seem to be made anymore; a dutch oven would work as well, but mine died a sad, sad death of overwork after about 25 years, and has yet to be replaced. So, in retrospect, any pan big enough to hold the finished soup, that will fit in the oven, and can be heated on the stove will work.

Recipes

Four slices Bacon: (Optional) Fry them up the the pan that you're making the soup in till they're nice and crisp. Take the bacon out, but leave the rendered bacon fat. Chop the crispy bacon into a fine dice.

A winter squash, about 2 pounds, or so. I used a butternut squash, but banana squash, a leftover pumpkin, or any of those odd types whose names I can never remember would also work.

Two-three apples, depending on size
A medium-sized onion

Prepare the squash. If it is a whole squash, cut it in half, and clean out the seeds. If it's a piece of a much larger squash with no seeds, just put it in the pan, being sure to remove any sort of plastic wrap (long story not told here, but I'm sure you can imagine.)

Peel, core, and chop the apples. Put in pan. If you like apple peel, you might want to leave a bit on.

Chop onion in about a 1/2 inch dice and put in pan.

(You can put some garlic in here, too, should you care to.)

Stir everything to cover with the bacon grease.

If you're not using the bacon, then put in about 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over the mixture in the pan, and cover all the vegetables. I use my hands. I also try to place the apples and the onions in the hollowed out portions of the squash.

Place in oven, at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Check about half-way through, If it looks like some onion bits are getting burned, pour in a little liquid.

Afer about 45 minutes, tale the pan out of oven; poke squash to make sure it's done. If not, back in the oven for a bit.

Once you're convinced squash is pretty much squishy enough to eat, take out of oven and let sit for 10ish minutes.

Then, scrape squash (in the pan) from the squash peel on the outside. Throw the peel out. I find this method of dealing with squash much easier than hacking some uncooked cement-like vegetable into cubes, and then individually peeling them.

Pour in about two cups of broth--chicken is what I used; for you vegetarians, vegetable broth works as well.

Add the bacon.
Chop up the sage, and add. Fresh Rosemary could also be used. 1/2 teaspoon sage can be substituted for the fresh sage.
As an added bit of interesting and unexpected tast which deepens the flavor, sprinkle in a bit of nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon) and ginger (to taste, about 1/2 teaspoon). The sweetness of the squash and the apple is brought out by the unexpected flavors of the nutmeg and ginger, plus the ginger give it just a hint of a bite.

Salt and pepper to taste. I used about 1/2 teaspoon alder smoked salt (yum yum) and about 12 turns of the fresh pepper grinder.


If you are using it, pour in about a half cup of white wine--marsala is preferred. You could also use some sherry or port--something with a nutty flavor; though I'd only use about 1/4 cup of those. If no wine, add some sort of acid such as lemon (preferably) or even a bit of balsamic vinegar (no more than a tablespoon).

Cook to a full boil (this will evaporate all alcohol.) Stir and scrape the pan to get all the yummy bits from the baking up into the soup itself. If you have a potato masher, mash away to mix all the roased vegetables. You may need to add more liquid to the soup.

At the last minute, stir in a half-cup or so of cream/ half & half or yogurt; heat a bit more, but do not boil. Serve.

In spite of the pages of instructions, this soup really takes just a few minutes to prepare--15 minutes slicing for the original vegetable mixture; a nice break while everything is baking quietly in the oven; the finishing touches on the stovetop requires very little extra work. Plus, that one pan clean-up is a total breeze.

I made this last night and there was not a single leftover. None. I was hoping for some for breakfast.

I'll try to make this again, with pictures!

Here's a shopping list. for three people.

4 slices bacon, diced; or 2 Tbsp Olive Oil.
One 2 or so pound squash, cut in half and cleaned
2 or so apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 medium onion, in about a half-inch dice
A couple cloves of garlic, chopped

a couple sprigs or fresh sage or dried sage (or a sprig of rosemary)
a bit of nutmeg and ginger
Salt and Pepper

Two-three cups of broth (chicken or vegetable)
1/2 cup wine or other liquid with a bit of acid (such as a squeeze of lemon, or some balsamic vinegar)

A half cup or so of one of heavy cream, half and half, or yogurt

Thanks to http://tinyfarmblog.com/tag/acorn-squash/ for the squash picture. I hope to take one one of my own at farmers market today.

A special thanks to George who, truth must be told, did most of the work. But I can point and order around with the best of them.

Happy Guy Fawkes Day, all.

Today I wanted to post a live version of John Lennon singing "Remember," since it quotes the Guy Fawkes children's nursery rhyme "Remember, remember, the fifth of November," but he didn't sing a live version. (Brief pause for reflection and grief.)

So, I previewed the only live concert, essentially, that he performed of his Plastic Ono Band material, and it sucks. Instead, I posted the album version that doesn't have graphics. We can imagine what it'd look like; him singing and strumming his beautiful Epiphone hollow-body electric guitar with Yoko popping up randomly in the background. Just look into the distance when the music is playing, and remember, remember.

Ps., a special thanks to Allie for reminding me.



Remember. Many things.

Love, djinn.

Down with Different-Race Marriage!

In May 2009, the New York Times wrote an article about high schools with proms segregated by race. Let me repeat. In 2009. If it were left to the people of the US, who doesn't believe that there would still places where it would be illegal for people of different races to marry?

Maine just voted down same-sex marriage. We the people always seem to lag behind liberty, freedom, equality. Hey court system....


Photograph by Gillian Laub. [Minor editing for clarity.]