The First 2016 Democratic Presidental Debate

And for possibly the first time ever-in-life...I find myself agreeing with Trump on one thing...

(the horror)

only I have to modify the statement: There were THREE who didn't need to be on the stage at all. It was a waste of their time and money. 

Chaffee may be sincere and "scandal-free" but he is totally off-putting and unelectable.

Webb is still in the jungles of Vietnam and some of his answers were a bit wonky.

Who is your worst political enemy? 

" The guy who threw that grenade at me back in Vietnam" 

And then alluded to the fact that he had taken the guy out...WTH???

O'Malley, who overall talked a good show, but isn't even liked in his own State. If you can't even carry your own State...how on Earth do you think you can compete Nationally?

Leaving, of course, Hillary and Bernie. 

Before this debate, I was one of the people who was up Wasserman's Ass to get more debates scheduled.

Now...I think six will be more than enough.  

Hillary was polished and smooth. She has spent a lot of time in this rodeo and it was a performance piece for her. Live Art.

Bernie was uncomfortable and it was obvious this was his first ever debate of this kind.  The man who can move nearly 30,000 people from a stage was out of his element in this format...and his discomfort was palpable. You kind of wanted to give him a hug. Seriously.  He even reached reassuringly to comfort Webb when the man was being grilled...and spoke out in defense of Hillary when she was questioned ad nauseum about her emails saying

"I think the American People are getting sick and tired of hearing about Hillary's damned e-mails"

Producing instant relief to Clinton...and Violating the Presidential Debates Unspoken Rules of Engagement, probably.

Aiding and Abetting the Enemy. 

Except Bernie really didn't view anyone on that stage as The Enemy. I found the moment kind of endearing, actually. More than anything it showed us his character. What he was made of. No, he wasn't some slick and pre-packaged candidate who would do or say anything to get elected. He was just Bernie being Bernie. A decent human being. And I have to admit, I LIKE that.

About the saying anything to get elected question posed by Cooper to Hillary...I call Bullshit.

First...how does anyone respond to that question. Did they expect her to say:

"Why YES, Anderson...that is certainly the American Political Way."

Seriously...of course she refuted this claim.

I might have even believed her, had I not seen her in action for years.
Complete with the application of a Southern Accent when she visited the South. Make no mistake about it, this woman can morph quicker than any Mighty Morphing Power Ranger ever thought about doing.

Everyman...er woman.  I will BE whatever you need me to be, to get your vote. From a NY Power Suit to Bibbed Overhauls and a Hayseed Accent. I have witnessed this transformation, personally. And we aren't talking over a number of years...we are talking from one State to the Next.

Hearing The Who

"Who are you..."

And about that "woman" thing.  Over and Over she reminded us that she is

...a woman...

I am certainly not discounting the fact that she has spent an enormous amount of time scratching and clawing her way up through the glass ceiling or fighting for reproductive rights...but don't ask me to think of you as the best candidate for the job simply because you were born with a vagina...okay? Carly Fiorina has one of those things, too. As I understand, they come stock.

So despite CNN's proclamation that Hillary Won the Debate even going against their own polls (as well as several other major sources that solidly gave The Win to Bernie).

As far as I am concerned Bernie (and the American people) were the Winners in this debate.

I am not interested in slick, pre-packaged, comfortable politics as usual. I want REAL.

I want Bernie Sanders in 2016.

As an aside, I was extremely impressed by the way the candidates (for the most part) limited their attacks on each other, and even limited them on the Republican Party, to deal instead with the real issues. It wasn't a mud-free zone...but it was a hell of a lot more positive than the GOP debates have been thusfar.

 


And Hillary...maybe, just maybe, we can learn a thing or two from Denmark. I think people are tired of hearing

"We can't do it that way."

and are finally beginning to ask

"Why Not US?"



More anon...

 

A Fall (Sunday) Cup

A Perfect Fall Weekend!

Nicole and I whisking the grands (after their soccer games) off for an Afternoon of backroads photography...playgrounds and parks.

The colours are creeping in now...everything is beautiful!

Yeah it was kind of like that!  And soon we are headed to the Orchard for Pumpkins. Ended the day with Home-Made Ginger-Molasses Cookies

(...recipe to follow....)

Sunday...very slow and laid back.

Brought in some of the Morning Glory Seed Pods to dry...and there are hundreds still out there to bring in later.

Which becomes this next year...and there are plenty to share.

And pruned the Bayberry Bushes and Roses.

And trying my hand at rooting the cuttings this year. Pinterest says it works. We will see.

Also weeded and tidied the border and trimmed back my variegated Ivy that was slowly eating my boulders and Seiseki stone. A little looks charming...but this had enveloped everything kind of like kudzu.

Trimmings, I am also rooting in water to sprig and pot later.

Started that new Warhol book "The Trip" by Debbie Davis...about his Coast to Coast Adventure in the 1960's from New York to California.

And finally managed to start my second Impressionist Canvas which will eventually be "Early Evening Skies (with Lilies) on the Pond"  A work in progress...just beginning with the sky that will be filpped to create the illusion of reflections.

More as it emerges.

And, as I promised...

Grandma Rose's Ginger Spiced Molasses Cookies

1 1/2 cup of flour.

1 stick of butter

1 whole egg.

1 tsp. ginger (ground)

1 tsp. cinnamon.

1 tsp. cloves (ground)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup Blackstrap Molasses.

1/2 tsp. baking powder.

pinch salt.

2 tablespoons milk.

Mix together and drop by rounded tablespoon full  on a baking sheet.

Sprinkle tops with sanding sugar.

Bake for 15 -18 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cool before removing from pan.

Enjoy!

(this dough freezes well)



Soon to call it an evening...French Wine and Cheese tasting next weekend!

More anon...

                                             

Bringing in the Herbs....Rattlesnake Chili...Politics...and a Harper Lee Review

Slowly bringing in and preparing the last of this summer's herbs. The oils in the air while doing this are intense. Even the cat is squinting.

Some of the remaining Basil and Rosemary I am infusing in Olive Oil.  Sorted and stripped Oregano today until I smell like a pizzeria. The last of the sage will probably be used for this November's Turkey and Dressing.

No more fresh basil for Chicken Caprese... unless...what I have read recently is true. Saved a few sprigs to put in a wineglass filled with water. Supposedly it will re-root and can be planted inside for year-long fresh basil.  Here's hoping. I don't mind the dried stuff in the winter for cooking...but Bruchetta and Caprese really need fresh florets.
We will see.

So finally finished de-boning that damned reptile I purchased earlier.

BLEAH. And that goes for the smell that cooked rattlesnake leaves in the kitchen as well. And the cat even had the good sense to turn his nose up at the meat. Wouldn't touch any of it.
Tried to cover up his food dish.

Finely chopped with red and green peppers and onions...mixed with a tomato base, copious amounts of chili peppers and powder...and I have to admit I am severely underwhelmed. It did remove all trace of the smokey chicken flavor of the rattlesnake, but did nothing in term of the texture. Seriously, I could have chopped rubber bands up finely and achieved the exact same results...hell, it might have been tastier. And the prep time (de-boning) would have been cut exponentially.

You live. You learn.  

So much for Rattlesnake Chili. 

 So excited about next Tuesday's Democratic Debate!  Begins at 8:30 PM and since there are only a handful...well it should be easier to get a grip on the players.

Thus far, after taking an oh-too-close look at all of them from both sides...and you cannot even IMAGINE how excruciating some of that was.  There were times when I finished with a particular candidate  (Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz) and felt like I needed to go in and take a very hot shower.  And on nearly all of them when I reached the  On Drugs: portion...well, I can't tell you how many times I muttered distractedly to myself

 "They MUST be...and so is anyone who votes for them!"

Anyway, as I mentioned in a prior post, I am fairly certain that Bernie Sanders is my candidate...so I hope he gets the nod in the primaries. I will certainly be voting for him in May.

About the only serious offering the GOP has is Bush or Kasich. And sorry Jeb...the LAST thing this Country needs is another Bush in office...and after examining Kasich closer...no...possibly even hell no. 

Trump...is a buffoon and completely unelectable by sentient beings. 

Hillary is (thankfully) completely unelectable, as well...and even if she were not...we would face the same horrible gridlock for 4-8 more years as we have seen for the last 6 years...in short...we would be wasting our tax dollars at breakneck speed and absolutely NOTHING would get accomplished. And as I said with Jeb...I am done with Clintons in office, too. The LAST thing we need is Clinton in Office.

So yeah.  I am thinking President Bernie Sanders.

A Democratic Socialist Jewish Guy from Brooklyn.

Oy Vey...

Your "Uncle Bernie".

Like Alf used to say:

"You could do worse."

I think he may actually be able to turn things in our political system around.
(Bernie...not Alf) Okay...maybe Alf, too.

I like the idea of spending our taxes on US. 

I think that Universal Healthcare is something we ALL need.

I think we should invest (like every other civilized Nation in the world) in OUR people, their education, and OUR infrastructure.

And I am tired of Politicians depending on us to vote against our own best interests.  Really, I am. 

Anyway...

The Book of the Week is Harper Lee's:  Go Set A Watchman

Not just a book to be read...but a book to be experienced!  This is hands-down the BEST book I have read this year to date. Seen as a sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird, this was actually the original manuscript written but not published. Her publisher made the suggestion to pull all of the background sequences out and publish a different story...that story... now a classic...made history. This book went back into the Writer's Trunk and did not re-surface for over 55 years.

Go Set A Watchman is set 25 years in the future after Atticus' famous trial. It begins with Jean Louise (Scout) coming back home from New York for a visit to Maycomb during the heights of the Civil Rights Movement. Completely engaging as we watch Scout "grow up" and realize that sometimes the people we put on a pedestal and proclaim "gods" are, in fact, just human beings. 

If you only read one book this year...make sure it is THIS one.

Absolutely 10/10 rating.

And...my French Wines arrive next week!  So soon to have an Adventure in French Wines and Cheese...which has to be better than the Rattlesnake.

Just Saying. 

ALIVE...A Rattlesnake Adventure...Soccer and the Grands...and "Feeling the Bern"

Seriously...is there ANY better feeling than waking up after many days of feeling pretty horrible...and finally feeling GOOD!

No...GOOD was yesterday.  Today I feel GREAT!
And have spent the last two days picking up...tossing out...and re-claiming the house after a week of more-than-a-cold but less-than-the-flu.


Anyway it is over and I am grateful! 

Broke out the Rattlesnake Meat with James and Nicole yesterday for a taste of it Smoked before making chili this week.

Which is a lot like this...because Hector's warning was spot on. "Beware the bones"

And judging from the size of the vertebrates and ribs we had to pick through (and that I am still removing today before making Rattlesnake Chili out of the bulk of it) this was one big side-winder.

The meat was pre-smoked and tasted...well...a lot like chicken. Except for the texture. It had the texture of over-done calamari. Kind of like rubber bands, actually. So Rattlesnake (should anyone ever ask you) tastes like Smoked Chicken Rubber-Bands...which sounds a lot like an INDIE Band.
Going to chop it fine and add it to my Rattlesnake Chili.

Not something I will probably ever eat again...but now Nicole and James and I have experienced Rattlesnake Meat together. Maybe a bonding thing...lol!

And it is marked off my Bucket List.

So there is, that.

Nice surprise yesterday as I opened the door and greeted not only the kids and my "usual grands" but also Preston...who I hadn't been able to see in ages!  13 now and he is soooooooooooooo tall. Completely outgrew me.  James and Nicki had taken him with them to watch Brenden play soccer! Brenden was absolutely thrilled his big brother was there...and Preston videotaped him playing then played it back for him when they arrived here. 

                                             Brenden and The P-Man

                                                  Reviewing the Soccer Game

                 
And wonderful seeing four of my six grands together!

Missing the girls...we all are...and hoping the situation gets sorted soon. It looks as though only lawyers and a judge can enforce the court ordered visitation. I feel sorry for my grand-daughters who are being treated like objects and possessions instead of children. They are not only being deprived of a loving caring father, but also a normal happy childhood with family and siblings who love them.

The Team Soccer Shots:

                          Although she is not one of ours...you have to love the
                          little girl on Brenden's team with the big floppy yellow bow!

Also enjoyed watching Bernie Sanders at his event in Boston MA. last night. The man was "on" and I have to say I'm "Feeling the Bern" .  More and more I am convinced that he will be our next President. I know he is my candidate in the Primaries.

Just an old hippie...like a lot of us.

Join the Revolution!

Republican Candidate: John Kasich

John Richard Kasich is an American politician and the 69th and current Governor of Ohio, elected to the office in 2010 and reelected in the 2014 election.John is married with two children, and is currently seeking the 2016 Presidential Nomination.

On The Issues

Conservative

On Abortion:

• Admire pregnant women who don't treat cancer to protect baby. (Jun 2010)
• Pro-life except rape & incest; supports litmus test. (Apr 1999)
• Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
• Opposes federal abortion funding. (Aug 2010) 

On The Economy:

• Lift everybody and build a stronger America. (Aug 2015)
• National tour to call for a balanced-budget amendment. (Mar 2015)
• Balanced Budget Forever: promote constitutional amendment. (Feb 2015)
• 1989 had 3 budgets: Democrats'; President's; and Kasich's. (May 2006)
• 1995 shutdown led to first balanced budget in 40 years. (May 2006)
• Sarbanes-Oxley deters legitimate American business. (May 2006)
• Against ethanol subsidies, and all subsidies. (Apr 1999)
• Supports balanced budget amendment & line item veto. (Sep 1994)  

On Social Security: 

• More 18-year-olds believe in UFOs than in getting Soc.Sec. (May 2006)
• Personal Retirement Savings Accounts invest 2% privately. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits. (Jul 2000)
• Reduce taxes on Social Security earnings. (Sep 1994) 

On Civil Rights:

• I attended a gay wedding; accept the Supreme Court ruling. (Aug 2015)
• Admires courage of Aung San Suu Kyi & Rosa Parks. (Jun 2010)
• Made speech in high school to ease tensions during race riot. (May 2006)
• End “racial profiling” locally, or federally. (May 1999)
• Affirmative action OK via recruitment; not via quotas. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
• Supports Amendment to prevent same sex marriage. (Aug 2010) 

On Gun Control:

• Cool off before making new gun laws after Littleton. (May 1999)
• More parenting better than more gun laws. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
• Opposes restrictions on the right to bear arms. (Aug 2010) 

On Drugs:

• The tsunami of drugs threatens families. (Aug 2015)
• 50% lower chance of drug use if kids hear "don't do drugs". (Feb 2015)
• Refuse to celebrate the drug-filled lifestyle. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana in DC. (Oct 1999) 

On Eduction:

• $120 million student debt relief fund; plus online college. (Feb 2015)
• Daughters attend a Christian school. (Jun 2010)
• Bible stories are historical facts. (Jun 2010)
• Did earth come about on its own? Evidence says No. (Jun 2010)
• Our broken public school system is beyond fixing. (May 2006)
• Competition is what's missing from public school monopoly. (May 2006)
• Not enough money for public schools? Aw, give me a break!. (May 2006)
• Send 95% of federal funds to classrooms. (May 1999)
• Redirect AmeriCorps funds to college and mentoring. (May 1999)
• Teach character in public school classrooms. (May 1999)
• More after-school programs with federal plus local funding. (May 1999)

  School Choice

• Empower local people instead of bureaucrats. (May 1999)
• Create competition in public schools. (May 1999)
• Tax money for entrepreneurial private schools. (Apr 1999)
• Voted YES on allowing vouchers in DC schools. (Aug 1998)
• Voted YES on vouchers for private & parochial schools. (Nov 1997)
• Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
• Supports a Constitutional Amendment for school prayer. (May 1997) 

On Enerhgy and Oil:

• Raise severance tax on oil & gas from 20 cents upward. (Feb 2015)
• Voted NO on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol. (Jun 2000) 

On The Environment:

• Manage the environment to bequest it to future. (Apr 1999)
• Environment and economy are not at odds. (Apr 1999)
• Devolve enviro policy-making to State and community. (Apr 1999)
• Examples of local enviro policy successes. (Apr 1999) 

On Families and Children:

• Nothing is more important to me than faith, family & friends. (Aug 2015)
• Being a father is all about setting an example. (May 2006)
• Yesterday's R movies have become today's PG fare. (May 2006)
• Expand day-care choices; remove subsidy restrictions. (May 1999)
• “Family-friendly” flex-time helps parents and business. (May 1999)
• Restrict liability lawsuits to allow more on-site day-care. (May 1999)
• Entertainment should not sabotage American culture. (May 1999)
• Use tax code to reinforce families. (Sep 1994) 

On Foreign Policy:

• Heed the clear warning of the Cox Report. (May 1999)
• Engage internationally but choose missions carefully. (Apr 1999)
• Focus on terrorism, oil, & nuclear development. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
• Voted YES on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
• Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999) 

On Free Trade:

• Voted NO on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998) 

On Government Reform:

• Skinny-down bureaucracy & kick out special interests. (Nov 2010)
• Bible study group swelled during 1992 House banking scandal. (Jun 2010)
• Separating church and state is goofy misinterpretation. (Jun 2010)
• Limited government supported by our Judeo-Christian ethics. (May 2006)
• 1970s: No judge pay raise until state employee pay raise. (May 2006)
• Money affects ability to honestly assess policy situation. (May 2006)
• Allow faith-based institutions to address social ills. (May 1999)
• Ax Commerce and Energy Depts. (Mar 1999)
• Voted NO on banning soft money and issue ads. (Sep 1999)
• Limit punitive damages; term limits on Congress. (Sep 1994)
• Government is too big, too intrusive, too easy with money. (Sep 1994)

On Healthcare: 

• Expand Medicaid; everybody has a right to God-given purpose. (Aug 2015)
• Shift funding from nursing homes to home-based care. (Mar 2015)
• Accepted ObamaCare's Medicaid expansion statewide. (Feb 2015)
• Expand Medicaid to 275,000 poor Ohioans, but not ObamaCare. (Oct 2013)
• $776B tax cut plan helps people afford health care. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on banning physician-assisted suicide. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts. (Oct 1999)
• Opposes government-run healthcare. (Aug 2010)
• Opposes physician-assisted suicide. (Aug 2010)
• Loosen "one-size-fits-all" approach to Medicaid. (Jan 2011)
• Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998) 

On Homeland Security:

• $1B per plane for B-2 is a colossal misuse of money. (May 2007)
• Cheap Hawk: Strong on defense; tight with a dollar. (May 2006)
• Walked out when preacher opined against missiles in Europe. (May 2006)
• Fire professor who said 9-11 victims brought on attack. (May 2006)
• Limited military use, only under US command. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on deploying SDI. (Mar 1999)
• No US troops under UN command; more defense spending. (Sep 1994) 

On Immigration:

• Open to pathway to citizenship, but doesn't like it. (Feb 2015)
• Post-Sept-11 open-door melting-pot is essentially intact. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on more immigrant visas for skilled workers. (Sep 1998)
• Declared English the official language of the US. (Jan 1999) 

On Jobs:

• Limit collective-bargaining rights for public employees. (Mar 2015)
• 2011: Public employee union reforms overturned by voters. (Feb 2015)
• No strikes allowed for public employees. (Nov 2013)
• Incentives to businesses create jobs & raise wages. (Sep 1994) 

On War and Peace:

• Congressional debate before sending in ground troops. (May 1999)
• Russian mediation with Milosevic instead of a ground war. (Apr 1999)
• Should have used economic tools with rest of world. (Apr 1999)
• Russia should mediate; Congress should vote on escalation. (Apr 1999)
• Maintain aggression but negotiate with Milosevic. (Apr 1999)
• Ground war not in humanitarian nor international interest. (Apr 1999)
• Goals should be: help refugees & regional development. (Apr 1999)
• Rambouillet goals breached sovereignty of Yugoslavia. (Apr 1999)
• Use neutral mediators; be flexible on post-war force. (Apr 1999)
• Make clear-cut goals and timetables, then commit. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999) 

And so that is it.

It is OVER...

(thank goodness)

Choose wisely, people.