"The threat is that Iran might...

sell its technology to the highest bidder."

This is the latest reason the Administration is touting for going after Iran. It's not the oil, stupid it's the technology.

There's something wrong with this logic. If Iran has the technology but not the capacity to produce a nuclear weapon to whom would it sell its technology? Who would have the capacity to produce a bomb if, as yet, they had no technology?

Doesn't technology have to precede capacity?

Any country who has the capability to make a nuclear bomb already has the technology. Any country that is still shopping for technology obviously can't have any better shot at production than Iran has.

If I were in the market for nuclear technology I believe I'd talk with Russia, China or, maybe even, France (gasp). You know, buy from someone who actually has the product.

To me, using the argument that we must stop Iran from selling its technology to some crazed barbarian is more of this Administration's double talk. Keeping us on red alert right up to the mid-terms.

Oh, by the way, whether its WMD's, axis of evil or nuclear technology it's still about the oil.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I believe in compulsory cannibalism. If people were forced to eat what they kill, there would be no more wars." - Abbie Hoffman



MEXICO (as I see it):



THE STREET FOODS OF MEXICO
or
What's that they're eating?

We left off here:


32. Zorro: In the region around Tabasco this word is used to describe another variety of sugar cane liquor. I've never been to Tabasco but if I ever get there I've got 'Zorro' on my list.


SORRY!!

I'm having trouble connecting to Blogger plus I've been trying for three hours to re-new my subscription for Norton anti-virus and somethings gone hay-wire.

Just too many crazy things for an old boy. I'll continue the 'Food'
list tomorrow.

I never have been a whiz....

at logic. In fact, as I add on the years, I'm convinced that I don't even get the basics.

For example, is it logical that people who have been sexually abused use their humiliating experiences as an excuse to demean others by doing the same to them? What is that? Do they mean to say that since they suffered it is only logical that they make others suffer the same way? Is it some kind of Freudian twist on the 'what goes around comes around' axiom?

Oh, and how come these people never reveal their past until they've been accused of abuse? And, why do these human zeros immediately, after being caught, check into alcoholic treatment centers? Are they blaming the booze for relaxing their inhibitions so they could overtly degrade another person instead of staying home an playing with themselves?

They're giving booze a bum rap and I resent that. To me, it's just not logical.

Is it really logical that the United States, the possessor of 10,000 nuclear warheads, be the last word on who should have nuclear capabilities? I know we see ourselves as the benevolent father figure to the rest of the world but are we? While there might have been some truth to such an assertion in the past, when we were seen as fighters for justice, liberators and defenders of the weak, but the Bush Administration has pretty much exhausted our cache of admirable qualities.

The U.S. wants to dictate who has what, what elected official can stay and who must go, we bandy democracy about but are non-plussed when the ingrates want a democracy which reflects their own majority and not ours.

Is it logical the U.S. comes down hard on Libya, N. Korea and Iran for having nuclear ambitions but pussy foots around when it comes to Pakistan, India and China? Does logic have any rules? Shouldn't it be...well,...logical?

And for poor Allah logic seems to be out the window. How can He, logically, award martyrdom if He cannot determine who the bad guys are? It used to be easy. Anybody who wasn't Islamic could be decapitated, dragged through the streets and spat upon, and the doer got an automatic pass to martyrdom and 7, or is it 72, virgins. To Allah it was logical.

I can't imagine giving any man 72 virgins could be logical but, to each his own. For my part that would be the equivalent of getting 72 headaches all at once.

Now though, on whom does Allah bestow this honor? Is it to Sunnis who slit the throats of Shiites, or to Shiites who behead Sunnis? It would seem logical that He withhold martyrdom from both but, for such great deeds He must feel obligated to do something nice for His people. Certainly logic must come into play but its application is damn tricky.

I remember trying to study logic. I got embroiled in 'if A then B ought to be C' or some such crap. I gave up. It seemed illogical to me. The rest of the world appears to understand what's logical and what's not or, at least, they say they do.

As I study the current situation around the world I become very wary of the conclusions that are drawn, logically speaking, I mean.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

'Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it'. - G.B. Shaw



MEXICO (as I see it):


Another day in paradise. An in-law nephew and his wife ask if I would take them to the airport. They were returning home, to Tijuana, after a weeks visit here. I said 'yes' even though I heard demons hissing in my mind. Any time I commit to anything these same demons begin their noise making. I've learned through the years that sometime they are serious and sometimes they are relegated to nothing more than tired snores.

I said 'yes' and I meant 'yes', do your damnedest demons-o-mine.

I told Leti that we'll make a day of it. After we drop them off we'll go into the city and look for shoes. We both need new shoes.

A great day! Endless blue skies. Sunny and breezy. My nephew and his wife were ready when we arrived. Fabulous! Off we go. We had an hour to drive an hour's drive. Perfect!

We arrived twenty minutes before flight time. In Mexico that's a lifetime (unless your going to the U.S.). A 'maletero' (porter) was handy. We did our 'abrazos' (hugs) and said our 'despididas' (goodbye's) and waved as our nephews disappeared through huge glass doors.

I shifted into 'D' and almost touched the accelerator as my nephew jogged toward us waving a hand which meant 'Don't leave'. Why? The porter said the flight may have been canceled! Oh, shit! I'll wait right here. I put on my emergency blinkers to alert all the world that I'm not dilly-dallying I have a bona fide emergency.

Within a millisecond two boys masquerading as police officers came to my driver's side window to tell me I can't park there. I blurted that we were waiting for word on a canceled flight, perhaps. As they were describing that my emergency didn't mean jack shit my nephew, still jogging, waved to us that all was well and we may go, for sure.

On the road again, what a wonderful sensation. Looking for shoes in a city famous for its shoes. Beautiful!

As I wove amid roaring semi-trailers, delivery trucks, taxis and ordinary crazy bastards I took a wrong turn. I had entered the toll road entrance instead of the 'free' road we needed to buy shoes. Stay calm! There must be a way to correct this error. There must be a turnaround. A way to re-trace one's steps. A way to get out of this mess.

I drove at a modest speed to be certain I didn't miss the hoped for turn about. After ten miles or so we saw a sign telling us that our town was but thirty more kilometers straight ahead.

We paid the toll and that's where we headed. Back home. Shoeless. In silence, except for the hissing of demons in my head.

President Bush continues to treat....

us like a bunch of rubes at our first county fair.

His latest pitch is that he wants the upcoming elections to be decided on the economy and security. He wants us to pretend that the Iraqi war doesn't exist. That would be like not noticing a dead horse in your bathroom.

Imagine the gall it takes, after bullying, cajoling and slandering opponents of the war, to now try to make its consequences disappear. Please folks, ignore the nearly 3000 dead American military, the $300+ billion dollars (nine billion which we simply lost and don't know what the hell happen to it) that we have pissed away on a country whose idea of democracy is hooray for me and up yours.

How many people have died since we invaded Iraq? We have no idea. It's either 63,000 or 644,000! You know how tricky statistics can be.

There have been so many lies and legerdemain surrounding every aspect of Bush's war that the truth will never be known. Not a single word about this debacle can be believed. And, that is why the President wants us to concentrate on his latest snake oil; the economy and security.

If the United States voters really are such bumpkins that they are able to put a brutal killing war aside and fantasize that the economy and security are what's more important then we deserve to be duped.

The Bush administration should be known as 'The Greatest Show on Earth'. And we Americans? We are the hicks on the midway gawking at the merry-go-round.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices. --Edward R. Murrow



MEXICO: (as I see it):

STREET FOODS OF MEXICO


We left off here:

9. CHAMPURRADO: (champ-poor-RADO)

This is atole with chocolate and piloncillo (a kind of brown sugar).

10. CHAMPURRO: (champ-POOR-roe)

The same as above but thickened with wheat flour instead of corn flour.

cont.




11. CHARAPE: (cha-RAH-pay)

A drink made from PULQUE, PILONCILLO and other ingredients.

12. CHILOTE: (chee-LO-tay)

Mildly alcoholic drink made with PULQUE and CHILES seasoned with epazote and AJO. Popular along the Pacific coast, especially toward the south. May also be called CHILOCLE (chee-LO-clay).

13. CHINGUIRITO: (cheeng-ee-REE-toe)

This word refers to a liquor distilled from sugar cane and is really a synonym for AGUARDIENTE. There are, without a doubt, regional variations in the resulting liquor using these names.

In a country so steeped in local tradition and, until recently, with a stable, strongly territorial, population the combinations of similar products and the variety of titles that are given to them are endless.

Any list such as this one will invite contradictions. Most criticism will be justified in that it will be partly correct. But, I must be intrepid and offer, for your consideration, all references I have bumped into.

So, to cloud the issue even more, the words CHINGUIRE (CHEENG-ee-ray) and CHINGUERE (CHEEN-gay-ray) are also used to refer to TEQUILA or AGUARDIENTE. In many fine houses a shot of tequila is taken as a prelude to the COMIDA (ko-MEE-da)(afternoon meal) and is known as a CHINGUIRE. Go figure.

14. CHORREADO: (cho-ray-AH-doe)

An alcoholic potion made by mixing milk, AGUARDIENTE or other liquor, chocolate or Cinnamon, sugar, and ,occasionally, eggs. It is served cold. Also called POLLA (POE-ya) in some regions.

A fancy cocktail lounges version of POLLA is prepared in a blender using brandy, sherry, creme de cacao, milk and egg yolks. After a couple of these babies you'll feel like trying your luck in the bull ring.

COCTEL ESPECIADO DE JITOMATE: (kok-TAIL ess-pay-see-AH-doe day ee-toe-MAHT-tay)

This is the racy Mexican answer to V-8 juice for those who do not imbibe but still wish to catch the festive mood. The base of tomato juice is mixed with lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, chopped red or green bell pepper, chopped onions and salt and pepper.

If the drinker does change his mind, a pony of tequila shoots this concoction right to the top of the charts.

15. MARGARITA: (mar-ga-RI-ta)

Recipe: cup and a half of tequila, one half cup of triple sec, one half cup of lime juice. Shake with crushed ice and serve in a stemmed glass with salted rim.

This drink is probably Mexico's most famous export. It's invention has been claimed by several sources. Too many to delineate here but if you're interested in more information the INTERNET might be a good place to start.

16. NEVADO: (nay-VA-doe)

A cocktail made with AGUARDIENTE and fruit.

17. POZOL: (poe-soul)

A traditional drink from the state of Tabasco. Prepared with MASA and water. The mixture is allowed to ferment for a few days and is adorned with salt, pepper and sugar or chile. The drink changes names if chocolate is used. It is then known as CHOROTE(cho-RO-tay).

18. PUFFS DE RON Y PIÑA: (poofs day rone ee peen-ya)

This is one of those 'cute' but deadly cocktails. I don't know if this drink is really Mexican or simply a product of tropical regions to guarantee the tourists remember, or not, their dream vacations.

Whatever its history it can hold its own with any of the legendary big kids. How about this for a mixture: white rum, Jamaican rum, pineapple juice, milk and mineral water. Ole!

19. PULQUE: (POOL-kay)

A mildly alcoholic drink made by fermenting portions of the maguey plant. Some pulques called 'cured' are infused with fruit flavors or chocolate. This traditional drink has a long and rich history throughout the highlands of Mexico. Pulquerias (Pool-kay-REE-yas), establishments where pulque is drunk, are a colorful story in themselves.

Not as popular as it once was it may be difficult for a visitor to encounter a really top flight pulque in his normal rounds but, if one wishes to pursue it, even a tourist may be directed to an authentic 'pulqueria'. For a casual sampling pulque is often sold along the highways in Mexico's central plateau region.


20. REFRESCOS: (ray- FRAYS-koz)

Soda, pop or soda-pop depending on which part of the United States one was born. There is a rich variety of brands and flavors of soda in Mexico. One popular brand is 'Jarrito', with flavors like guayaba, Jamaica, limon and tamarind. There are many brands that produce a flavor known as 'Sidral' which in English means 'cider'. These are apple flavored drinks which are not real cider but are very popular in Mexico. Some companies specialize in the 'Sidral' flavor, such as 'Sidral Mundet'.

Another specialized soda is SANGRIA (sahn-GREE-ya). This is the brand name and the flavor; it is a carbonated, sweetened, version of the famous partner to tequila known as 'SANGRITA' (san-GREE-ta).
See also, SANGRIA below for yet another difinition. I told you it wouldn't be easy.

A common brand name is 'Aga'(AH-ga) a company which produces a complete line of exotic fruit flavors such as TORONJA (toe-RONE-hah)(grapefruit), GROSELLA (grow-SAY-ya)(gooseberry), let me add that I think that GROSELLA is what we called, in Arizona, good ole 'red pop'. Maybe it's gooseberry but it could be strawberry or something else red just as easily. Then, there's MANZANA (mahn-SANA) (apple or cider), piña (pineapple) and several more.

In Mexico city a long standing brand has been 'Pasqual Boing', a curious name I know nothing about, bottling several flavors of soda-pop. The name alone would make it worthwhile.

In spite of the many fruit flavored sodas available in Mexico the number one selling bottled pop anywhere in the country is, and always has been, Coca Cola. This marvelous example of international partnership has existed nearly a century.

"Una Coca" is still the most spoken phrase when it comes to ordering a soft drink.

Pepsi Cola has made significant inroads into the dominance of the Coca Cola industry in Mexico but it is safe to say that all Mexicans understand the word Coca Cola and only a percent of them identify with Pepsi. Sprite and 7-Up are also sold in Mexico. 7-UP is odered by the single digit "7" which is well understood by all.


21. ROMPOPE: (rome-POE-pay)

A drink resembling eggnog which was supposedly invented in Mexican convents. This nutritious beverage is prepared with egg yolks, sugar, milk and a slight amount of alcohol. Yummy and fattening.

22. SANGRIA: (sahn-GREE-ya)

Apart from the soda-pop of the same name there is a cocktail served in better restaurants called SANGRIA. It is red wine in a tall glass with fresh fruit as garnish. I think it's what we used to call a 'wine cooler' in the U.S..

23. SANGRITA: (sahn-GREE-tadefinition)

A spicy mixture of tomato juice, lime and orange juice, worchestershire sauce (salsa Inglesa here) ,salt and pepper, and a little hot sauce.

Although non-alcoholic, its reputation is that of the famous sidekick of tequila. A pony of tequila and a pony of sangrita, a little salt and lime wedges and the party's on.


24. SUBMARINO: (soob-ma-REE-no)

A new, modern, way to get the party rolling or something rolling. A shot of tequila is poured in a chilled beer mug and covered with beer. A Latino version of the old blue collar shot and a beer drink known as a 'boilermaker'. Strictly for the big kids.

25. TEPACHE: (tay-PA-chay)

This is a fermented drink made from pineapple and sugar.

26. TEQUILA: (tay-KEY-lah)

A potent liquor made by distilling the heart of the Blue Agave (agave tequilana). There are dozens of species of agave in Mexiorderedco and all of them are put to good use. The Blue Agave has been selectively cultivated for decades by growers in and around Tequila, Jalisco where the most noteworthy brands of the town's namesake are produced. This drink is another of Mexico's legends and, like PULQUE, could provide enough stories for a book of its own.

There are tequila connoisseurs who lord it over us quoting endless details we should be aware of concerning this exotic concoction and there are others of us who drink whatever is available. Either way you go at it TEQUILA is an experience unto itself. I have come to believe that the only difference between the better brands and the less expensive ones is the intensity and duration of the hallucinations.

Supposedly, no bottle labeled TEQUILA may contain anything except distilled Blue Agave but it is said that the cheaper brands are loaded with PILONCILLO (a type of brown sugar) to increase their potency and speed up their distillation.

There are 'white' or clear TEQUILAS which are indistinguisable from MESCAL and, which, are considered 'joven' (HO-ven) or young. The amber colored TEQUILAS, called: de Oro, Reposado or Añejo, words that mean 'aged', are considered superior.

All of this trivia aside, TEQUILA remains one of Mexico's truly great contributions to the world. There have been more great things accomplished under the influence of TEQUILA than under the Magna Carta.

27. TEQUILA ATARDECER: (ah-TARD-day-sair)

Not to be outdone by its more famous cousin the Tequila Sunrise (below). ATARDECER refers to sundown and submits a bid for your evening attention.

A pretty cocktail made, in a blender, with tequila, creme de cassis (a liqueur of currants popular in France), orange juice, and lime juice. Just keep in mind that pretty is as pretty does.

28. TEQUILA SUNRISE: An exotic product of modern Mexico. A superb blending of TEQUILA with orange juice and grenadine. With a little luck you may actually be around to see the sunrise.

29. TESGÜINO: Another of the many fermented drinks made from MAIZ. Popular in the north of Mexico. According to Carl Lumholtz, who conducted a dinfinitive study of the Tarahumara Indian tribe, an extremely shy and retiring people, it was by drinking TESQUINO, a drink which loosens one's inhibitions, that this race was kept extant and increasing in numbers.

30. TUBA:

Along the west coast, particularly in Colima, this is a popular drink. It is the fermented juice and/or flowers of certain palm trees . May be flavored with any of the following: pineapple, lime, CHILE, onion, celery, strawberries or cinnimon.

31. VAMPIRO: (vahm-PEE-roe)

Another up-to-date mind bender from south of the border. This baby cuts to the heart of the matter by mixing TEQUILA and SANGRITA and let the chips fall where they may.

32. Zorro: In the region around Tabasco this word is used to describe another variety of sugar cane licour. I've never been to Tabasco but if I ever get there I've got 'Zorro' on my list.

cont,

President Bush has come upon...

a golden opportunity to keep his mouth shut. Will he accept the challenge?

At last, North Korea has pissed off some other heavyweights besides the U.S.. China and Japan are seriously getting involved. What could be fairer? One is just a submarine ride away and the other shares a border with the funny looking guy from N. Korea. Both countries have far more to worry about if Kim Jong II decides to flex his dwarfish muscles than does the United States.

So, we have allies. We used to have them in Afghanistan before big mouth went after Saddam. We can only hope that the President realizes why and how he lost the support and friendship of so many countries over Iraq and decides to let the Asians handle an Asiatic situation.

If Mr. Bush can keep it zipped long enough for China and Japan to get some business done maybe we can save a few skillion dollars and some American lives at the same time.

But, for a guy who wishes to be known as the 'War President' it must be unnerving to hear the other bunch doing the wolfing while his own sword lies snugly in its scabbard with nary a rattle.


Something different: to paraphrase one of my favorite quotations which goes something like: "I would have committed suicide long ago if it weren't for Mozart."

I feel the same way about blogging. If it weren't for Gandhi Rules and Toasted Suzy I would have quit this nonsense long ago. I get such a kick out of each of them that I can't bring myself to pack it in. No matter how ridiculous my message they each have a way of making me feel I made sense.

So, on I slog.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. -- Ernest Hemingway


MEXICO(as I see it):

STREET FOODS OF MEXICO

We left off here:


11. TENTEMPIE* (ten-tem-PEE-yay)
A popular word in Mexico. It refers to a bit of food to 'tide one over' until the next meal. A composite word made up from a phrase meaning to maintain one's footing, that is, balance, so as not to drop from hunger.




BEBIDAS/DRINKS

NOTE: Some of this information is dated. Especially about what is or is not available in the U.S.. Practically every beverage in Mexico may now be found in the U.S..

Also, I have not tasted all of the drinks listed. However, I have drunk many of them many times, so my comments range from 'purely' opinion to gospel truth.


1. AGUAMIEL (ah-gwa-me-ELL)

The sap of the agave plant, which, when allowed to drain into a scooped out hollow in the heart of the plant, forms a nutritious, refreshing drink that has been used by desert dwellers.

2. AGUARDIENTE (ah-gwar-dee-EN-tay)

A generic name given to any strong drink derived from sugar cane. The name, regionally, may also refer to any spirits or liquors. What remains constant, however, is that any bottle labeled AGUARDIENTE will contain an inexpensive, clear, alcoholic liquid, which when drunk heartily will insure a superior hangover.

3. ATOLE (ah-TOE-lay)

Made from a re-fined corn meal, milk and sugar. It is served hot and is a favorite cold morning drink.


4. BACANORA (bah-kah-NOR-rah)

A fermented alcoholic drink made from TUNAS, (cactus fruits), popular in the northwest of Mexico. (Sonora/Sinaloa, etc.). Also known as COLONCHE.

5. BALCHE: (bahl-chee)

An ancient Mayan ceremonial liquor. It is the product of soaking in water the bark of a tree known by the same name. Not something one is apt to run into but interesting nonetheless.

6. CARDENAL: (kard-day-NAL)

A fancy 'ladies' drink (heh, heh), pink in color. Behind its innocent demeanor it sports white rum, orange liquor, grenadine and HORCHATA (a rice drink) with almonds. A cherry for garnish adds to its Little Bo Peep presentation.

7. CANCUN: (kan-COON)

A modern cocktail named for its place of origin. A mixture of white rum, orange liquor, creme de coco and coconut water the CANCUN is elaborately served in a coconut shell and is sure to improve your dancing skills.

8. CERVEZA (sayr-VAY-sah)

Mexican breweries produce very fine beers. Some of their beers are sold only regionally while others, most notably Corona, may be found though out Mexico but in the United States as well. It may come as a surprise to some but Corona is also enjoyed in Europe and as far away as Africa!

Corona is to the Mexican beer business what Budweiser is to the American beer business. It should be noted, however, that Grupo Modelo, the largest brewery in Mexico, produces several other brand names. Almost all of them are designed for export except Modelo. It is the top of the line of Mexican beers and is the favorite brand when one wishes to impress one's guests. Modelo is to Corona what Michelobe is to Budweiser.
By the way, in the Southwest U.S.,at least, Modelo is readily available on market shelves at a stiff imported price.

The makers of Corona also produce the brand Estrella, (ess-TRAY-yah) which I prefer because it's not quite as strong tasting and, perhaps more importantly, is also cheaper than Corona. Estrella, however, is one of those beers sold almost exclusively in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Even within a couple hours of the city the brand is practically unknown, so much so that vendors won't even accept Estrella empties as a bottle deposit for Corona! (more readily available today)

Allow me, one day, to relate the saga of bottle deposits in Mexico. It is a subject so historically complex I could do it justice only if someone like Michener would help me.

Among some of the other brands you might wish to try are: Dos Equis (Dose A-keys), the regular lager (clara) or dark (negro), Chihuahua (chee-WAH-wah) from the North and Pacifico, another personal favorite, from the state of Sinaloa. Still others are Sol, a good tasting beer, Carta Blanca and Tecate, sold in cans and the only beer I have ever seen Mexicans drink with a wedge of lime and a little salt.

When I got back to the United States I was surprised to see young men and women stuffing pieces of lime down the necks of Corona bottles. When I asked where that idea came from I was told 'That's the way they do it in Mexico'. I figured I must have been in somebody else's Mexico all those years.

Victoria, Superior and Bohemia are three more brands popular around the country. Bohemia is another of Mexico's premium brands.

9. CHAMPURRADO: (champ-poor-RADO)

This is atole with chocolate and piloncillo (a kind of brown sugar).

CHAMPURRO: (champ-poor-roe)

The same as above but thickened with wheat flour instead of corn flour.

cont.