Happy Thoughts and a Chili Recipe
I think I’ve fallen into a trap of writing too much about stuff that pisses me off. I am not an angry person. I wish nothing more than for the enemy, the Islamofascists, to find peace, God’s love. It would be a miracle, but then so was Easter. I pray for them to find true grace, and understanding that the one God is a loving and kind god, compassionate and merciful. Not angry. Not a God of war and conquest.

So Lord, give me the strength and vision to see the good in this world.

Good things. I think I’ll start with a chili recipe. Not just any recipe, but a good one. An award winning one. One my loving wife made for me this afternoon.

First some philosophy. Everyone has a favorite “chili” recipe. Unfortunately, some are not worthy of the name. Why? People forget that chili is a pepper dish. Chili is a pepper dish, not tomato, not something else. If the chili tastes more of tomato than chili pepper, it’s not chili. Chili pepper must be the core of the sauce. Always. Keep this foremost in mind.

Second, the only valid debate about ingredients is “beans” or “no beans.” The debate is unwinnable. Both arguments have good basis in authenticity, taste and nutrition. I can go either way. My personal preference is to use beans with ground beef, and no beans when the beef is sliced. Canned or home cooked is personal preference. With time, I like to use home cooked black beans. For speed, I’ve taken a liking to Bush’s chili beans. Where I won’t go is noodles. Gross. Chicken? Turkey? No thanks.

Third, the chili pepper is key – but is a matter of taste. You can use whole pods to make a sauce, powdered chili pepper, or even a good chili powder (chili “powder” usually has additional spices added in like oregano and cumin). I prefer to blend powdered New Mexico, California, Anaheim, del Arbol, and or Spainish smoked hot paprika, depending on mood. Fresh pods are essential to the mix, but more often than not they take the form of plain old bell peppers, but others can find their way into the mix too. There’s something about the roasted pepper taste that’s key to my sense of what a good chili is.

Here’s a basic quick recipe. Guaranteed good or your money back.

1 large Fresh Onion
1 large Fresh Green or Red bell pepper
5 cloves Garlic
1 lb ground beef
3 tbls powdered chili
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp cocoa
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 small (8oz) can of tomatosauce.
1 can of Bush’s chili beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can pinto beans

Dice the onion, green pepper, and garlic. Brown in a pan with olive oil. When well browned, add the ground beef and brown that too. Then add the spices and mix well. Add the tomato sauce, mix, then add the beans. Simmer an hour or more and serve. I like to serve with rice, cheddar cheese, and sour cream .

Bon Apetit!


Back to Mudville

Germany Builds Drive-In Brothels for World Cups.

From MSNBC "...Dortmund, one of 11 other cities to host World Cup matches, has said it will install drive-in wooden “sex garages” in time for the tournament in a bid to keep the trade off the streets...."

Heh... gives a whole new meaning to the term "Park and Ride"

Back to Mudville.

Is the Republican Party Listening?

I got a survey in the email from Republican Party Chairman Ken Mehlman on Party Issues and how to win the elections this fall. I thought I'd share my comments to them here..

"Congress has squandered my goodwill such that I'm not even sure I'll vote this year. With Congress' big government, big spending, stay-in-power arrogance - they have betrayed the legacy of Ronald Reagan. Six years in power and government is bigger than ever. Shame on the Republicans in office. The ONLY reason to even CONSIDER voting Republican is to allow the President continue the war on to victory. Otherwise, I'll be wishing there were a decent libertarian candidate in my district."

I'm really of the mind that it's too late to believe they'll return to the party's Reagan roots. "Compassionate Conservatism" turned out to be code for "more big government but Republicans in power."

On yeah... in the survey, several times they ask for how important I rank the "the war on terror." That surprised me becuase the President clearly (finally) defined the enemy in a speech last October...
"... their attacks serve a clear and focused ideology, a set of beliefs and goals that are evil but not insane.
Some call this evil Islamic radicalism. Others militant jihadism. Still, others Islamo-fascism. " In the January 2006 state of the Union address he called it "Islamic Radicalism."

The President said it correctly both times, I guess the Republican party didn't get the memo. Still not listening? Listen! Don't backtrack. Key word is Islamic.


Head on back to Mudville or go to my main page...

The CIA and their arrogance.

Well, finally they’ve fired one of those arrogant CIA assholes. It’s about time. Although I’m several years out of the “business,” it’s been obvious that many of the recent big stories were all about sources and methods, therefore harmful. This person did grave damage to the United States, and should be prosecuted next.

What did she do wrong you ask? Isn’t “leaking” part of the Washington game? That is true – but there is a difference between between leaking political strategy and disclosing classified information. One is part of the game, another is a crime. Yes, by sharing classified information she violated the law. Everyone granted access to classifed information is knows what the security classifications means.

Here’s a refresher from the Brits. Information is classified because unauthorized disclosure of the information can be expected to damage the interests of our nation:

TOP SECRET Exceptionally grave damage to the nation
SECRET Serious injury to the interests of the nation
CONFIDENTIAL Prejudicial to the interests of the nation

Before you think that the classification system would be abused to protect politicians, know that there are specific prohibitions against classifying information simply because it would cause embarrassment.

“….Goss, the former chairman of the House intelligence committee, said that "the damage has been very severe to our capabilities to carry out our mission..."

Bottom line. She put her own agenda over that of the nation. She violated a trust and should be held to account for it.

Back to Mudville...

Dear Eric,

I followed you to your site from Fun with Hand Grenades after your honest observation that you had a desire to serve but were a coward.

That's such a powerful assertion... it got me wondering... is cowardice a permanent condition, damning one to a lifetime of fear and inaction? Or is it something that can be overcome... more akin to fear? Are you confusing fear with cowardice?

Fear in the face of danger is normal. Cowardice when your friends are in danger is permanent dishonor.

The great thing about military service is that ordinary men find that they are capable of extraordinary effort. Prior to deployment, this is accomplished through training, exercise, and more training. Training through exhaustion, stress, and adversity. The training is what allows you to function when fear comes.

A coward? I don't know. Fearful of the unknown? Surely. Everyone is. The big question is, are you willing to find out? Is it time to grow up, and pitch in, and do something honorable.

God... how miserable it would be, years from now, a grandchild on the knee.... "...yep, a lot of men brave men fought there...but I didn't go..."

Or conversely "....yes, there was a war... I served..."

What are you afraid of? Death? Death can come at any time... it's how you live that matters.

Where Have the Reagan Republicans Gone?

There's an old joke I thought of today... What's the difference between a Republican and a Democrat?

If you're drowning 50 yards from shore, the Democrat will throw you 100 yards of rope... and let go of his end. The Republican will throw out 30 yards of rope and tell you to do the rest yourself.

I think today's Republicans would do it differently...new answer: the Republican will buy his friend a boat, then give him a contract to rescue you.

I'm pretty sick of the whole rotten bunch. Not sure that I'll vote against Republican candidates this year (no Libertarians running here), but if they lose their will against the jihadis... there is certainly no reason to vote for them.


Back to Mudville Open Post

Terror Wins - Southpark Censored

I watched the 1st amendment episode of SouthPark last night. They didn't show Mohammed.

According to a report over at Michelle Malkin, the censorship screen on the show where the scene of Mohammed should have been was real. Not a part of the show.

My God... didn't they watch the 1st Amendment episode themselves? Have they checked the dictionary for the word "irony?"

What will they censor next?
Jon Stewart?
Mencia?

The fact is that they didn't not show Mohammed in the 1st Amendment episode of South Park because of sensitivity to religion. The clip of Jesus crapping on Bush rules out that argument. No, the fact is that they censored the episode becuase Muslims blow shit up when they're offended. Comedy Central has given in to the Nazis.

Cowards. With more of this, we'll soon find ourselves in the cattle cars on the way to the showers.

SHOW MOHAMMED!