Be still my beating heart....

Rove bowing out, Rummy quiting, Santorum, you remember sanctimonious Santorum swept aside, Burns, Allen, gone, all gone.

All, rubber stamp, war mongering, Bushies, poof. Will there be others taking hemlock? Dare we hope? I suppose it's too much to expect that Cheney might join the lemmings going over the cliff.

It makes one giddy. Why do I feel like Jack Armstrong, All American Boy has returned? Rosie the Riveter, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Marshal Dillon, all back in the American picture.

Can we return to the tenets envisioned in that "Just a goddamn piece of paper", as the President views it, known to the rest of us as the U.S. Constitution?

Can we ratchet down the runaway Patriot Act. How about turning our backs on this bullshit 'torture' scheme the President and his staff are so fond of. Can't we simply say: Americans don't do torture? We have gotten to the truth of many grave issues not having to resort to torture why must we begin now?

Phone tapping citizens, imprisoning and not charging people, allowing the President to obey only the laws he agrees with and the whole 'don't talk back' epidemic is not the American way.

Yes, yes I know I am indulging in a moment of euphoria. My bubble will burst. The gray dawn of tomorrow and its even grayer events of the day will sober me up.

But, for now, this sweet respite from the grim is most enjoyable. I feel like an American again and it feels great!


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

People place their hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution. They don't put their hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible. -- J .R. (?)


MEXICO (as I see it)

We have two presidents in Mexico. One elected and one affected. Is that democracy in action or what? The one you got to choose the other there was no choice.

Mexico has managed to shoot itself in the foot almost every time it tries to get cute. The outcome I can see for this debacle is it will probably shoot itself in both feet.

It would appear what Mexican political candidates have to learn is that they must work harder to win before the election not after.

Tomorrow's the day folks....

many of us have pissed and moaned about the erosion of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights under this administration. We have been shocked at the chaos we've created in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We've heard congressional level debates on the subject of torture! Should we use it? Is it worthwhile? Can we circumvent the Geneva Convention? If not, can we re-interpret it? If not, can we ignore it?

We've watched as, Habeas Corpus, the very foundation of American law has been suspended at the government's behest. We now hold people incommunicado for years without charging them with a crime. Just like they do in Africa, Chili, China and North Korea.

We've watched as our system of checks and balances has been made subservient to Presidential powers. Laws which once were inviolable may now be ignored by the President. If in his opinion the law interferes with his administration agenda he now has the power to scrap the law and make up another in its place.

We've witnessed legislature that makes it illegal for the Justice system and its courts to challenge the government's decisions if the government says its decisions are a matter of 'national security'.

We've seen the truth of a matter turned around and called a lie. We've watched as losing was called winning. Saddam is the culprit and Osama bin Laden is of little interest to this administration.

We've gone along for six years watching America's reputation and standing in the world fall to abysmal levels. As we threaten and cajole to get our own way even countries like Mexico, Venezuela and Nicaragua ignore us and choose to face sanctions and embargoes rather than prostitute themselves for our monetary aid. Europe,Russia and China are now being very careful not to ally with the U.S. on any major point because of the feared backlash within their own countries.

Tuesday is the day. We have talked the talk for six years now it's time to walk the walk. Let's begin the long journey back to the America we learned about as children. A place where any human being might look to for help, for protection and for counsel.

Basically we are still the same people who fought against Nazism, who planted the American flag atop mount Hibachi on Iwo Jima and who rode into Paris amid the cheers of the multitudes.

That's what liberation is. What we have participated in these past six years is a reckless, irresponsible worsening of the world.

Please vote. They will. I only wish I could join you.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

No man should advocate a course in private that he's ashamed to admit in public. -George McGovern

Nationalism is believing ...

your country is superior to every other. Based on, as George Bernard Shaw put it ,“because you were born there”.

Patriotism is believing that your country’s opinions and positions are worth dying for.

Religion is believing that your God supercedes all other Gods and can, easily, kick any other God’s ass.

It is under these absurd theories we are trying to achieve civilization.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders...Tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism." -- Herman Goering

AND

If God's on our side why are they on their knees praying?


MEXICO (as I see it)


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.


1. ACOCILES (ah-ko-SEE-layz)

A type of fresh water shrimp which is served in tacos popular in the southern coastal regions.

2. ADOBO (ah-DOE-bo)

A spicy chili-vinegar paste thinned with water and used to marinate pork which is then barbecued or broiled.Adobo gives the meat a deep reddish brown color. Common to the central states of Mexico.

3. AGUACATE (ah-gwa-KA-tay)

This is the avocado. Extremely popular as garnish for every thing from tacos to egg dishes . And,of course, from this fruit comes the exquisite dip, guacamole.

4. AJO (AH-hoe)

Mentioned only because of its indispensability to Mexican cuisine, ajo is garlic. Along with onions, limones ,chilies and cilantro they are the heart of most Mexican dishes. Also, ajo is thought to have strong curative powers.

5. ALGODON (owl-go-DOAN)

Cotton candy, beautifully displayed, white, pink and blue, on long poles carried about by vendors. Irresistible to the children and pretty hard for us geezers to pass up as well.

6. ALMEJAS (owl-MAY-haz)

Clams; commonly served in sea food cocktails or campechanas . Sold practically everywhere in the country but, obviously, most popular along the coasts.

7. ARRAYANES (ah-rah-YAH-nayz)

A small, yellow, berry-like fruit from which a candy is made. Also eaten raw with lime juice and chili powder sprinkled over them. In their natural state arrayanes are are very sour.

8. ATES (ah-TAYZ)
There are two forms of ate, one is a sort of jellied fruit which is cut from a large chunk and sold by weight. The second is a heavy paste of guayaba (guava) or membrillo (quince), used in cooking and also sold by weight.

9. BIRRIA (BEE-ree-ah)
Sold in fondas and tianquis in the mornings. A rich stew with mutton or goat meat in a wonderful red soup. Very Mexican.

10. BOCADILLOS (bo-ka-DEE-yoz)
one of several words meaning 'sandwich'.

11. BOLLIO (bo-LEE-yo)
A roll similar to French bread, though its golden brown crust is a bit softer. If one finds out what hours the local 'panaderia' (bakery) make their bolillos they may be bought warm. For my part a fresh baked bolillo has no equal in the bread world.

12. BURRITOS (boo-REET-toz)
Burritos and their big brothers 'burros' are found mostly in Northern Mexico. As with tacos, burritos may have as a filling almost anything, including yesterdays leftovers. A large, thin, flour tortillas is wrapped around meat and /or beans to prepare the common type of burritos.

13. CAFE CON LECHE (ka-FAY cone LAY-chay)
In big cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara it's still possible to find this delicious combination served piping hot and frothy from an expresso-type machine. Mainly though, a half cup of strong corree is mixed with a like amout of hot milk. It's great either way.

cont.