Pap Attack: McCain and the Keating 5

Where is the corporate media in connecting the dots between today's financial meltdown and McCain's earlier Keating 5 scandal?

RDC Honored

RDC Honored
Originally uploaded by Kate Anne

Ridgewood Democratic Club received a NYC Council proclamation from Council member Joe Addabbo in honor of their 100 years.

Thirteen Cars?!?

Air America Radio mentioned today that Cindy and John McCain own 13 cars. Michelle and Barack Obama own one hybrid. They didn't ask it, but I will: now who calls whom the elitist? 

Is it Soup yet?

I'm off to pick up our CSA share (Community Supported Agriculture) at Sunnyside Community Services and the newsletter posted on line shows eggplant among the offerings. I've made soup twice and it is worth sharing:

GRILLED EGGPLANT SOUP

1 medium large eggplant (1.5 lbs). Cut in half lengthwise, rub olive oil on cut sides (1 T ?), cook for 30 minutes or until soft in 375 degree oven (I use my toaster oven).

Meanwhile, in a soup pot fry 1 cut up red bell pepper, 1 large onion (cut up), 3 cloves of garlic (smashed and cut), ¼ teaspoon red pepper in about 1 T+ of olive oil until softened (8 minutes?) over med-low heat, stirring frequently. Add 4 cups of vegetable stock (or chicken stock), cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes over low heat.

Scoop out grilled egg plant from skins (discard skins) and add to soup pot. Puree in blender or food processor in batches. Add 2 T cilantro (minced) and some salt. Heat soup up for about three minutes. Serve with a dollop of Plain yoghurt or sour cream. Yummy.

Sunnyside theft

Sunnyside theft
Originally uploaded by Kate Anne

Woke up Saturday to the voices of neighbors discussing this tire theft. Ouch!

"My" GUACAMOLE*

1 Ripe Avocado
2 teaspoons Chopped onions
½ teaspoon + Minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon +/- chopped jalapeno (pickled slices fine)
¼ cup (skant) chopped fresh cilantro
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Mash these together (vary amounts according to taste). Then stir in about ½ cup chopped fresh tasty tomato (winter suggestion: Holland or Israeli or those sold on the vine). Best to make just before use though will hold for several hours.

*This recipe is based on that made at the much missed Casa Mexico on Hudson Street, New York City, back in the early 90s. My brother David and I would go there for their great guac and their terrific garlic soup. The guac was made table-side and I asked them questions as to what they were using and caught the hang of it. At the request of a work colleague I created this more standard measurement version but I have never tasted a guacamole any better. Enjoy!

"Where's the Bush?"

On her Air America Radio show last night, Rachel Maddow pointed out that no where on their website documenting their convention, did the Republicans acknowledge the speeches or even presence there of either George Bush or Laura Bush. The other speakers and speeches were there. Furthermore, NONE of the those speakers or speeches used the word Bush either. "Where's the beef, err Bush?"

Hightower Lowdown Highlights

Just heard a couple of great quick podcasts (2 minutes) from Jim Hightower. You can can read and/or hear them on line. The first is THE PRICE OF AUTOCRATIC ARROGANCE on the outrageous cost that Mayor Bloomberg allowed to be expended through the prosecution/persecution of 52 peaceful protestors during the last Republican Conventiion. The second is about more job outsourcing, including Waterford IRISH crystal now being made in Eastern Europe (Will those pieces be labeled as tainted or fake? The CEO plans to keep the prices the same on the 20% of the pieces made there. I'm warning my Aunt Betty Murphy and her chief buyer, my cousin Pat, as to this corporate fraud: East European "Irish" crystal.) Listen to: CUT-RATE LABOR FOR ANY JOB.

And while at Jim's site, consider subscribing to his snailmail Hightower Lowdown.