Let us pray for the people of Afghanistan - updated

Elections are taking place in Afghanistan. The Taliban is trying to intimidate voters and keep them from participating. Allah only knows how many forces are struggling in the politics of that nation and the United States is intimately linked with it right now.

Update:
Afghan election: security by region
BBC News - ‎53 minutes ago‎
On the eve of Afghanistan's presidential election on Thursday, a snapshot survey by the bbc's Afghan service suggests the government has limited or no control in just over 30% of the country.

Let us pray for peace, justice, and the well being of the people of that land. Let us pray for our troops there and for their safe withdrawal and return home

--the BB.

Traditions can be way cool

Granted, traditions can also become straitjackets, but they also provide rhythm and stability, identity and comfort. I am emphasizing the positive side right now.

One tradition of cooking that emerged over the years with my ex is the once-a-year raspberry and fig clafouti. Tomorrow is the designated evening. I am running off after work to enjoy a lovely meal with friends, with the clafouti for dessert. Heaven!

Julia Child's recipe for a cherry clafouti may be found here and a blackberry-lemon clafoutis here (whence I snaffled the photo above).

[The word is clafoutis in French and clafouti often in Anglophone countries, in case you were wondering.]

Bon appetit!

--the BB

Her Magnificence, the Black Lion

I have written very little since last Friday. Too much going on. Tonight I thought about logistics, about an escape scene in the first volume, some visits to the capital in volume three, and the battles raging all about the capital now. What is the layout of the walled city? Of the castle within it? Of the outbuildings around it? Where are the gates and what are their names? The main streets?

One must make certain these various scenes are consistent. Every description in the first volume circumscribes descriptions in subsequent tomes. Fortunately, there is one more revision of volumes 1-2 before they go off in hopes of publication. My last chance for coherence!

From this evening's exercise in more specific layouts I learned at last how to say "Her Magnificence, the Black Lion" in my artificial language.

It is, after all, the title many have longed to ascribe to our princess - the title she reluctantly now accepts.

I borrow almost all the roots of my words from European languages, with occasional Armenian and Hebrew thrown in. I amuse myself with the modification of sounds and blending of sources. There is actually a sloppy theory behind why this blend would occur in my parallel world. Göran will know instantly where I borrowed "magnificence."

Sweet dreams, my leaping lioncels!

--the BB

Caption Competition

From the blog: Hoff Hoopla

With all the disgusting things going on in political circles I thought I would toss out something for Mimi to coo over. (If you are new to this blog, these are my twin great-grandnieces.)

OK, then, get those thought bubbles going!

(Jonathan, behave.)

--the BB

Quick note on the opera

While I really did not care for the snippets posted at the Santa Fe Opera site, when it comes to the totality of the experience this evening I really enjoyed The Letter. Well sung, well acted, well staged. I was, I admit it, dreading atonal bellowing but what we got instead was lyrical, with some nice harmonies and orchestration. The portrayal of racism by British colonials against Asians was absolutely painful, but a good reminder of how far we have come and how far we have yet to go. I think my favorite line is when "the Chinese woman" (she is never given a name) tells the sleazeball attorney "I forgive you." That contains volumes on topics of wrongdoing, power, race, culture, the overthrowing of assumptions, etc.

More later. A good night (and delicious dinner at Gabriel's north of the opera beforehand).

--the BB

Newly discovered "principles"

GOP officials John Boehner, Thaddeus McCotter, Johnny Isakson, and Chuck Grassley all voted in 2003 for a measure very similar to the one in the current House health care bill they now suggest in various ways could lead to government-encouraged euthanasia.

As Time’s Amy Sullivan reported late last night, Grassley voted for the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill, which — ready? — provided coverage for “counseling the beneficiary with respect to end-of-life issues and care options, and advising the beneficiary regarding advanced care planning.”

The only difference between the 2003 bill and the House Dem one that’s inspired the “euthanasia” talk, Sullivan reports, is that the earlier one “applied only to terminally ill patients.”

--Greg Sargent at The Plum Line

Sort of like their horror at deficit spending after enabling Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy and throwing unaccounted for money at his Iraq fiasco so Halliburton et al. could get rich. When money is spent to save our own economy or create jobs they are suddenly outraged. Very strange.

--the BB

No blogging tomorrow night - I'm off to the opera!

My third and final opera ticket for this season is The Letter tomorrow night.

Special delivery from composer Paul Moravec and librettist Terry Teachout. A hard-boiled dame cooks up her own little Singapore fling. Her double-crossing lover gets a lethal dose of lead as a lovely parting gift. Her sap of a husband helps her get away with murder. Almost… Opera’s classic ingredients—lust, adultery, and revenge—are dished up noir style in this world premiere production. The Letter will be conducted by Patrick Summers and staged by Jonathan Kent, with scenery by Hildegard Bechtler and costumes by Tom Ford. Patricia Racette stars as the venomous Leslie Crosbie, Anthony Michaels-Moore plays her husband and James Maddalena is their ethically challenged lawyer.

You may see and hear snippets here.

I am not that big on contemporary opera but a guy's gotta broaden his horizons.

Behave while I'm away, you naughty kittens.

--the BB

While I'd love to see the play again....

... my Congressman is holding a Health Care Town Hall this coming Saturday at 3:00 p.m. I think I need to be there, not off enjoying myself.

If you live in NM-01, this invite's for you:

Health Care Town Hall - Saturday, August 22, 2009, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich will host another town hall meeting on the critical issue of health care reform with constituents in the First Congressional District. The event will bring together New Mexicans from across the district to ask questions as Representative Heinrich works to address the health care crisis in our country.

Where: UNM Continuing Education Building, 1634 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131

I just sent Martin an e-mail tonight too, reminding him of my advocacy for a strong public option and hoping he will stand firm for us.

Public Option is among his principles, btw. Just want to keep them there.

My principles for health care reform

I have some key principles that I am keeping in mind as we work through this debate:

Create Stability – stable coverage, stable costs and stable quality
Contain Costs – Slow the growth rate of premiums and invest in prevention
Guarantee Choice – If you like the doctor and plan you have now, you can keep them
Improve Quality – Ensure people get the treatment they need when they need it
Ensure Coverage – Reform must put us on the path to cover all Americans
Public Option – Give the insurance companies some competition and the public an option

--the BB

Vile and viler

Ah, torture: the one thing that can still get Dick Cheney hard.

Marcy has more information on the role of Dusty Foggo in torture and black sites. For those who follow this degrading history, she's always a good read (along with mcjoan). She concludes:

So Goss--installed at CIA to be Cheney's mole--fired the people who were trying to prevent him from promoting Foggo. The next year, Foggo was traveling with other high level CIA people to calm the torture site hosts. That same year, the torture tapes were destroyed. Then the following year, Foggo became a problem in the Cunningham aftermath. And Foggo and Goss got fired as a result. And, at the one time Goss had an opportunity to make a statement about his role in all this, he allegedly lied about knowing Foggo and all his problems (and, of course, all the skills that led people to ask him to set up the black sites in the first place).

Interesting. Very very interesting.

Priceless quote:

“It was too sensitive to be handled by headquarters,” he said in an interview. “I was proud to help my nation.”

JimWhite comments:

WTF? Too sensitive for HQ, but fine for an interview with the Times? I realize the sites are known now and shut down, but this stinks of standard misdirection. I read it as “Cheney wanted this done and HQ wouldn’t do it, so I had to.”

As Göran keeps reminding us, we need a new set of Nuremberg trials.


--the BB

Not being George W. Bush is not enough!

Now, I do recommend being more articulate than I was. But if they want my opinion, by God, I'm going to give it to them.


My letter to the White House this evening:

Dear Mr. President:

I want to be sure that a STRONG PUBLIC OPTION is central to any reform that takes place. Without it you are playing with window dressing and it would be better to do nothing than saddle us with coops or some other benefit to the insurance industry.

Fight for the people who elected you and stop being so appeasing toward those who will oppose you to the last breath.

Frankly, I am disgusted by the weak message coming from the White House. It's past time go LBJ on Congress, twist some arms, and make public option happen. It is not just one piece, it is central and the Democratic Party will lose big if we do not make it happen.

Stop coddling the Blue Dogs! Stop letting Senator Baucus bully the entire nation. If Chuck Grassley is going to foster lies and fear in public we should NOT be listening to him.

We cannot afford to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It is time for the White House to be more decisive, exercise leadership, be clear, point the way, and kick some rears. I know you can do this with class, but please do it.

I realize I am rattling on at this point but my feelings are very strong and my sense of disappointment, disgust, and anger is rising every day. Not being George W. Bush is not enough. We need progress in caring for the health of the American People. If you back off on a strong public option I, and many progressives, will lose the hope that inspired us last fall.

You know that the 20% on the far right will always be angry with you. Why alienate the entire progressive wing of this nation?

Thank you!

You can give them your piece of mind too.



--the BB

785

08/17/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Cpl. Nicholas R. Roush, 22, of Middleville, Mich., died Aug 16 in Herat, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Psychological Operations Battalion...

08/17/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, 21, of New Portland, Maine, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force...

08/14/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Sgt. William J. Cahir, 40, of Washington D.C., died Aug. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 4th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Washington D.C.

08/14/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Capt. John Tinsley, 28, of Tallahassee, Fla., died Aug. 12 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group...

08/17/09:
Name not released yet, U.S. Army

Now that's Greek tragedy

Medea by Evelyn de Morgan (British, 1850-1919)
[Wikimedia Commons]

Ex-wife admits starting Kuwait wedding tent fire, say reports
guardian.co.uk - ‎45 minutes ago‎
A fire that swept through a tent at a wedding party in Kuwait, killing at least 43 women and children, was started deliberately by the groom's ex-wife as an act of revenge, reports claimed today.

Reminds me of Medea's wedding present for Glauce/Creusa.

Creusa was the daughter of King Creon of Corinth, Greece. After Jason divorced Medea, he married Creusa. Medea obtained her revenge by giving Creusa a dress which Medea had cursed. The curse caused the dress to stick to Creusa's body and burn her to death as soon as she put it on. Also known by Greek authors by the name Glauce, e.g. in Apollodorus's Bibliotheca 1.9.28. [Wikipedia]

May the souls of the departed rest in peace.

--the BB

Stop being a pussy and just make it happen

Sen. Kent Conrad told Fox News' Chris Wallace that there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass a public option for health insurance. "The fact of the matter is there are not the votes in the United States Senate for a public option. There never have been," said Conrad.

Conrad is one of six Senators attempting to negotiate a bipartisan health care bill.

--Crooks and Liars

Well, if you would stop negotiating with those who will not negotiate in good faith but only want to obstruct... we might have enough votes for a bill. Get off the fucking fence, Conrad, and do your job, which is serving the American people, not the GOP's tender sensibilities (hint, they have none, they just whine as a manipulative tool) and not the insurance and pharma crowd. Because if the public option dies, you'll have helped kill it. Asshat.

--the BB

An afternoon with the Atrides

If you are in northern New Mexico and you have in interest in (or, in my case, passion for) Greek mythology, Greek tragedies, or simply live theatre, I commend Iphigenia and Other Daughters by Ellen McLaughlin to you. There are two more performances: Friday, August 21, at 8 pm and Saturday, August 22, at 3 pm. It is playing at El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, 555 Camino de la Familia, near the rail station. You may order tickets at Umbrella Hat Productions.

Penny Lynn White and Natasha Warner
(Clytemnestra and Iphigenia)
Courtesy of Umbrella Hat Productions website

Why am I recommending it? Well....

Greek mythology is personal for me.

As a child I devoured books on mythology. This was probably around the 4th through 6th grade, possibly sooner. Then I took four years of Latin in high school. I wept when translating scenes from the Aeneid. Decades later I translated one of those scenes from Latin to Spanish to share with a Spanish tutor, and I cried again. The whole matter of Troy, and the story of the house of Atreus, and the adventures of Aeneas somehow touch me deeply. I let the cathartic nature of classical tragedy intermingle with whatever in my own life moves me. One afternoon in Berkeley I watched the Shotgun Players' production of Troilus and Cressida and bawled like a baby. One summer I read all the extant Greek tragedies. Recently I caught the production of Antigone at the Vortex in Albuquerque. I have watched several movies of these classic tales, caught the Oresteia at Berkeley Rep the year they initiated their new theatre, and every other production I could find. On some level I know these people and I feel strongly about them.

So today Bill and I drove up to Santa Fe to see Iphigenia and Other Daughters, having been lured into this adventure by the young actor who played Iphigenia and is also Umbrella Hat's director of outreach. She and her colleague (Ashlynn?) were touting the play at the Plaza in Santa Fe last Saturday and at the mention of Greek tragedy my ears perked up. I would not miss an opportunity for this and Yes, it was possible.

It was fun picking up our tickets and saying, "See, we told you we'd come see it!" And see it we did.

It was a simple set with few props. At the center was a large sandbox used effectively in a variety of interactions between the characters and the earth. A chorus of maidens sang, provided movement, and finally spoke in one of the later scenes. Costumes, props, and language played with time, linking Ancient Greece with nearer periods, resonating with our own day.

The play speaks to human vulnerability and the evils of which we are capable. Orestes, the only male figure, enters late in the story. This is a tale of society's treatment and mistreatment of women, though Orestes is eloquent on the brutalizing of men as well. Of course, in the House of Atreus, there are complex interactions in family roles so we see the ways we are defined, damaged, and restricted by the spots we occupy in our family histories. Humor and horror mingle in the dialogue between the insane Electra, haunted by her father's murder and driven to bear witness to it, and her sister Chrysothemis, the classic "middle child" who is invisible, dutiful, sensible, and ordinary.

There is so much pain in the tale with even more painful consequences. Everyone here is "damaged goods," seriously damaged goods. The cycle seems endless as we are watching the actions of the great-great-grandchildren of Tantalus who started it all. Serving one's children as dishes to the gods takes many forms. Consider how many ways we sacrifice new generations to war and greed in our own day. The "drug" of war comes through in multiple ways and I think of Chris Hedges' book War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. Scott Thomas, the actor who plays Orestes, mentioned the drug of war when we chatted with him after the play.

Killing one's relatives truly "ran in the family." After generations of violence the characters and the audience alike yearn for resolution and peace. Orestes is finally delivered from the Furies and the way McLaughlin brings story elements together is moving and beautiful, with siblings offering each other deliverance and healing.

It was a joy to be able to meet and talk with Warner, Lynn White, Thomas, and Anna O'Donoghue (who played Chrysothemis) after the play and also Ethan Heard who directed. The energy of the people connected with this play was a shot in the arm and reminded my why I love live drama so much.

We learned that McLaughlin, the playwright, came out and worked with them. The program also informed us that she created the role of the Angel in Tony Kushner's Angels in America. I have ordered a copy of this and other dramas in McLaughlin's book The Greek Plays so I can savor the language (and get to know her work better).

For more background on Umbrella Hat Productions and their debut in Santa Fe for the 2009 Santa Fe Theatre Festival, check out Jeffrey Laing's article at SantaFe.com.

Detail of a wall painting:
Iphigenia. 1st century A. D.,
Carnuntum. Klagenfurt Landesmuseum.
(Image: Haines Brown, "Images from History," 6.viii.00

A tip of the hat to the entire cast and crew for the pleasure of this production. I'm already wondering if I can squeeze in another drive to Santa Fe. I'd love to see it a second time. I was saddened that the theatre was not full, so I hope this encourages some folks to fill those seats and enjoy!

--the BB

Mad Priest on English health care

Since MP allows folks to nick from him, I am sharing a post he put up today in its entirety. (Really good, Maddy, thank you!).

People in England do lose their jobs.

People in England do have their homes repossessed if they can't pay their mortgage because they are unemployed.

But, when people lose their jobs in England, nothing, absolutely nothing, changes in respect of the healthcare they can expect to receive from the NHS. They still receive exactly the same service as a person still in employment but with the added benefit that they do not have to pay prescription charges for medicines or pay for dental treatment.

Furthermore, when they return to work, they continue with the same full health cover. They do not lose any cover for illnesses they may have developed since they started their previous job. Pre-existing illness and higher risk are not relevant in an universal, public healthcare system.

Therefore, English workers do not have the threat of losing healthcare cover for themselves and their families whilst they are at work. This means that they can change jobs without worries about healthcare provision which results in a more fluid job market which allows capitalism to function in one of the few ways it actually benefits the employee more than the employer. But, more important than this, even, it means that employers do not have a Sword of Damocles to wield over the heads of their employees, allowing them to get away with all sorts of abuse and bad practice in the workplace.

Universal healthcare in the United States would result in a happier workforce which would lead to a more productive and vibrant economy. Therefore, far from being creeping socialism, such a healthcare system could be viewed as a mechanism which allows a market economy to function with more freedom. In other words, a national, single payer healthcare system enables capitalism to do its job for the benefit of all citizens.

--the BB

Heart thread - 08/15/2009

Roseann reports at FB:

I'm in the hospital again. Good news is, it is not Swine Flu.

Tender-hearted God, we hold before you our sister Roseann who struggles with bodily affliction and endless uncertainties. Look mercifully upon her and sustain her, grant her courage and the peace that passes understanding, enfold her and Gary in your love, make your face to shine upon them. Guide those who minister to her that they may do so with knowledge, wisdom, skill, and compassion. May your holy angels guard and defend her. May Christ illumine her and console her. Amen.


I did not get a chance to put this up yesterday - requests from David @ Montreal:

i'd ask your prayers for Johnnie & Vaughan
Johnnie is a post-graduate student in ministry who has had to put aside his academic year to look after Vaughan his beloved spouse who has been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive cancer.
Johnnie and Vaughan are a truly beautiful couple and were married in the United Church of Canada just a year ago by Rev. Arlan Bonner.

i'd also ask your prayers for the successful realization of public health coverage in the United States. for the safety and protection of all those who speak truth to power, speak truth to insanity, speak truth to greed and fear.

prayers for the American Church, that those who have been able to afford vacations will return refreshed and ready to lovingly support those in reduced & frightening circumstances, and that together they will be open to the wondrous work the Holy Spirit is working in their province, that together they will take strength & comfort from the post- Anaheim realities for God' larger Church.

I'd also ask prayers for Terry & Demi, and all those personally impacted by the drastic budget cuts in the American Church.

(Yes, I'm still Canadian, and gratefully so, but the prophetic place the Episcopal Church finds itself in right now has been much on my heart)

and lastly a Mary Oliver poem which was waiting for me when I returned home fromr a lovely evening, a wonderful meal and fellowship and a viewing of' Susan & Louise's 'Claiming the Blessing.' (at long last!)

David@Montreal



Thirst - by Mary Oliver

Another morning and I wake up with thirst
for the goodness I do not have. I walk
out to the pond and all the way God has
given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord, I
was never a quick scholar but sulked
and hunched over my books past the
hour and the bell; grant me, in your
mercy, a little more time. Love for the earth and love for you are having such a long conversation in my heart. Who
knows what will finally happen or
where I will be sent, yet already I have
given a great many things away, expect-
ing to be told to pack nothing, except the
prayers which, with this thirst, I am
slowly learning.

(emphasis, mine-e.g., David's)

I offer thanksgiving that Padre Mickey, the Lovely Mona, Srta. Chompita, and their traveling companions are safely returned to Panamá.


At OCICBW we learn this:

From MARY (Massachusetts):

I'm asking for prayers for my friend Mardi and her husband Patrick. Mardi has just been diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and will be starting a long and difficult odyssey through surgery and chemotherapy.

For the people of Burma and for Aung San Suu Kyi, who have been in the headlines of late. Offering thanksgiving that Senator Jim Webb was able to secure the release of the idiot who swam to see Suu Kyi.

For those who perished and those who deal with the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot that hit Taiwan.

For the people of the Diocese of South Carolina (we've been here before).

For peace, stability, and justice in lands torn by civil strife.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us, unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

--the BB

Dry rub for barbecue

Inscribed many years ago on a flyleaf in my Fanny Farmer Cookbook are several family recipes. One is not really from my family but I am using it today.

Dr. Rich Davis invented KC Masterpiece ® Barbecue Sauce. Back when that brand was made national he shared a recipe for a dry rub. I copied it down and and we have always called it "Dr. Dick's Dry Rub." We put it on meat for barbecue (indirect heat, not grilling). I am about to put it on two racks of ribs. Here it is (translated from ounces to easier measurements):

1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons black pepper
2 Tablespoons paprika
2 Tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon onion powder

Mix thoroughly and apply to your trimmed (and patted dry) meat. I prefer doing it the night before but I was not organized, so gonna put it on right now.


In the last 20 minutes slather KC Masterpiece on the ribs.

This has never failed us. Finger-licking good.

Enjoy!

--the BB

KC MASTERPIECE is a registered trademark of The HV Food Products Company (as in Hidden Valley). I doubt they will object to such a shameless (and unpaid, I assure you) plug. Full disclosure: in 1995 I worked as a temp for the Clorox Corporation which owns Hidden Valley and Kingsford Charcoal (and I won't use any other brand of charcoal but that's because it's a good product).

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Of course I've had both volumes of the classic for decades. We were a household where my ex and I each had a copy of it and just as Julie Powell in the movie thanks Julia for teaching her how to cook, so my ex constantly referred back to basic recipes in Julia's volume one... and still does. One need neither reinvent the wheel nor try to improve on perfection.

Much of what I have learned from Julia over the years came from watching my beloved cook from Julia's techniques, such as drying meat with paper towels so it will brown properly. Today I will dry my two racks of ribs before putting the dry rub on this morning.

Hence, do I need to tell you I enjoyed Julie and Julia last night?

This morning I came across an article in Newsday titled "Critiquing 'Julie & Julia' food scenes."

Trailer from the movie site:



I think a great deal of what works so well when learning from Julia is that her cooking is honest. It may often, though not always, take longer than we are accustomed to in our American haste. But things like drying the meat so it will brown, not crowding the mushrooms, or using lots of water when you blanch your haricots verts (green beans) are simple, straightforward techniques that were learned by generations of cooks and make a huge difference in your result. The goal is not something pretentious but something delicious.

And delicious is not what we usually treat ourselves to. We settle, more's the pity. We settle for cookies with vegetable shortening instead of real butter. We settle for bland, for way too long on the shelf instead of fresh from the garden, for homogenized, for crammed with additives. We need to respect and love ourselves and those with whom we share food far more than we do.

I say this as one too lazy to cook for himself, who eats cheese and crackers for supper because it's quick. Granted, I eat better cheeses than I knew as a child. And even by junior high school my mom and I had switched from American "cheese" to sharp cheddar. (If it's processed, it ain't cheese. End of discussion.)

Bon appetit!

--the BB

Looking forward...

... to the weekend because there is nothing new to report for today.

Watered the yard tonight (before there was a light rain). Explained some of my comments in a venue that is neither here nor FB (imagine!). Ate madeleines.

But I am looking forward to the next three days.

Friday night at the movies - Julie and Julia with my friend Diane. Two foodies watching a foodie movie.

Saturday - friends coming here for barbecued ribs prepped with a dry rub and cooked for hours over indirect heat.

Sunday afternoon - driving to Santa Fe with Bill to see live theatre: Iphigenia and Other Daughters by Ellen McLaughlin. Last Saturday on the Plaza we met two energetic young members of the troupe hawking Greek tragedy. I can never resist Greek tragedy. (Long story for another day) One of them was the actor playing Iphigenia.


For the record: I love Greek tragedies; I deplore many of the deeds and motives therein. The sacrifice of innocents for testosterone poisoning was evil then and is evil now. Just saying.

And dang! the expression on Irene Pappas' face, playing Clytemnestra in the movie... that last scene as the wind blows, her cart heads home, and you know Agamemnon will get a homecoming he'll never forget.



--the BB

Heart thread - 08/12/2009

My friend's brother-in-law Bill died Saturday. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. May the family and all who love him be comforted and sustained in this time of loss.

Let us continue to hold Roseann in our hearts. She posted this on FB today:

I am sick. I hate my life.

To which I replied:

While you are hatin' on your life, we're lovin' on you.
(((((((((((( Roseann ))))))))))))

May we all pray that lies will be countered with truth? This side of glory, I mean. Here. Soon. Now.

--the BB

780

08/12/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Bruce E. Ferrell, 21, of Perdido, Ala., died Aug. 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC

4331

08/11/09
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Spc. Richard A. Walters Jr., 41, of Cleveland, Ohio, died Aug. 10 in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 14th Combat Support Hospital, Fort Benning, Ga.

Young heroes dream of glory

A. was amused watching the lads vie for any notice by the princess and her husband, the duke. They were like her own children—wanting attention, eager to show what they could do, and dreaming of a future devoid of loss or setback.

“How much they have yet to learn,” she thought to herself and once even said as much to V. He was the same age as H. but A. could see how the burden of rule added years to his soul. The duke chuckled.

“We are all children faced with an ancient world. We have much to learn and suffer and discover. Stars be thanked, we also have much to taste and enjoy. Imagine the years of [the goddess of wisdom]. Do you think that if we lived that long we might have her compassion?”

“The [sea] must be a small drop of lifeblood in her great heart, Cousin. She embraces all things, and I cannot begin to fathom that. May she help us hold the small fragments of the world we know.”

“I believe,” said the duke, “that your forest nurtures sages.”

It was A’s moment to laugh. “I believe, [Your Grace], that your court nurtures flatterers, but it was kindly spoken and I thank you.”

They looked at each other and giggled. It was a comforting moment of humor amid the grim business of war and they knew how precious and fleeting it was.
--Excerpt from Chapter 61

I commend Марко's recent post to you.

Also his citation of William Porcher Dubose.

Sweet dreams, my mischievous muskrats!

--the BB

Another deather

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) continued the thoroughly debunked right wing euthanasia/death panel meme today, telling a town hall crowd, "You have every right to fear....a government run plan to decide when to pull the plug on Grandma."

--Rachel Slajda, TPM



At long last, Senator, have you no shame?

If he is willing to pull a stunt like this (and he has to know better) then there is NO reason whatsoever to pretend he is acting in good faith. The only thing that needs to have the plug pulled is the pretense that bipartisanship will accomplish anything in the Senate. Ignore Grassley, produce some decent legislation, and move on. He has just forfeited any right to be given credence.

--the BB

ALL presidents must be held accountable

I voted for Obama. Enthusiastically. I support him. I criticize him. I want him to succeed. And I intend to hold him accountable. I'm already pretty pissed about several issues.

The Obama administration has, alas, a less than stellar record so far on some significant legal issues.

bmaz writes today on the issue of rendition.

Just to keep y'all informed. And to keep the President on his toes.

We must also remember: (1) He was not and is not the Messiah... or the anti-Christ; (2) he is not a liberal or progressive, he is a left-leaning centrist; (3) he's human; (4) he's trying to clean the Augean Stables of Bush's crime spree and clusterfuck; and (5) it is the job of the People to make him do the right thing.

--the BB

Americans have a right to organize and speak, and we have a right to know who they are and what they're up to - updated

Dr. Maddow takes on FreedomWorks and their connections. Because y'all should know.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

UPDATE:
Rachel will educate you about FreedomWorks, their background, their ties, their methods.

From the transcript of Rachel's show, the conclusion of this segment:

Washington lobbyists and health care executives and former Republican Party officials have just as much a right to shout down the policy debate about health care reform as anyone else does. These folks have just as much a right to try to derail this entire process as anyone else does.

But we have a right to know who they are and who is paying them for their efforts. These guys are pros. This is an industry. This is beltway politics being organized and played out in town halls across the country.

And as we have said before-and I fear we will have to continue saying and saying and saying again-this should be reported as such.

[Emphasis mine]

--the BB

The princess ponders

“And what would I do if I had them? Mount their heads on pikes at the city gates? Will that heal the land?”

Damn, I'm glad I'm not in charge of anything.

It has not been a good few days for writing. The weekend was busy, and so have the last two days at work been. At night I get caught up on reading, post a bit, get through e-mail and the evening is gone. Poof.

I eked out a few paragraphs finally today.

Time and focus.

How can life be so busy when I don't have pets, children, or a heavy social calendar?

Sweet dreams, my playful pandas!

--the BB

Disingenuous twaddle

"Child raised by wolves." We all know the idea and there are stories. Well, in my case it was, "child raised among fundagelicals."

By the mercies of Godde there are also stories of those who have experienced their own exodus from Pharaoh's fulminating fruitcakes. And horror stories of those who did not make it out.

I was more than ready to leave my spiritual past. I hoped to take the best with me: being steeped in scripture, a love of storytelling, a message of grace, a message of God's love. I also hoped to leave the crazy behind: the paranoia, the literalness, the bibliolatry, the visceral fear and hatred of the other, the enforced uniformity, the anti-intellectualism, the platitudes that do not square with life as it is really lived, the coercion, the hatred of the world and the flesh while there is altogether too much fixation on the devil.

So I came to Anglicanism, as many do, as a "foreign" immigrant. I was not just fleeing from some things, I was joyously running toward historical rootedness, sacramental mystery, respect for individuals, celebration of history and embodiment, symbolic expression, etc.

It seems that many of the types who most lament the state of The Episcopal Church have come from traditions not unlike the one I left. But they brought the crazy with them. They have no idea that bibliolatry is not Anglican (or, to be more pointed, outright heretical) or that demanding everyone have the same experience or same beliefs is, well, coercive and disrespectful and almost certainly an anti-mark of the Spirit. If God did not make us all alike and the Spirit does not give us all the same gifts, then why would anyone conclude that God wants us all to think, teach, and worship alike?

The same sort of codswallop that infects our political discourse these days appears in our church as well.

The rector and vestry of a local church, that will go unnamed, has written to the standing committee. One paragraph:

For the last six years, Episcopalians in the Rio Grande have drawn comfort from the knowledge that, while the Episcopal Church believed that the Spirit was doing a new thing with respect to the sacrament of marriage, we were not. And while other bishops and dioceses in the Episcopal Church might believe otherwise, the Diocese of the Rio Grande confirmed the apostolic witness that "Jesus Christ died for you," and shared that Good News throughout our congregations every week.

Now, for the latter half of the paragraph, even folks like me who reject most Anselmian atonement theories still believe that Jesus Christ died for us and love to share Good News not only in our congregations but in the world where we live. I would say that it is more Good News that he rose from the dead for us than that he died for us, being the kind of guy who sides with the early Church on which side of the Paschal mystery to emphasize, but I still wonder where this putative divide exists.

As to the first half of the paragraph, I wonder how anyone but a drama queen could possibly claim to speak for Episcopalians in a diocese as diverse and sharply divided as this one.

Granted, this perspective is not that of one small enclave. An earlier bishop spend years poisoning this diocese. But no one can speak for all the Episcopalians of this or any diocese.

And I must say, monoliths are not healthy in any social body.

Alas, I am forced to conclude that the missive constitutes disingenuous twaddle.

Distortion, straw men, histrionic tone, and the most outrageous hyperbole make it difficult for me to judge otherwise. I do not speak for Episcopalians in general, for any body within this diocese or the one in which I am canonically resident, et cetera; only for myself.

Which leads us to today's phrase for popularizing:


I encourage its use, if only because there is so much of the stuff going about.

--the BB

* The lower illustration is from a manuscript illustrating the preaching of a crusade.

When the appatus of the state serves a political party....

Remember the Bush Crime Team? Ah, good times, no?

Papers have finally been released of testimony by Turdblossom and la Harriet. It seems Rove was very involved in attempts to fire the New Mexico US Attorney, David Iglesias. Imagine my surprise. Pressure from Pyjamas Pete Domenici and Heather "think of the children" Wilson and from the White House to fire someone who was not actively helping get Heather elected by pursuing scancals among Dems.

Anyone recall that the Department of Justice is supposed to operate in independence of the White House as a law enforcement agency for the nation and not as legal thugs for current incumbents and their party? No? I see. We can forget a lot in eight years, can't we? Of course, if the Supremes had stayed out of it and let the 2000 election proceed with all legitimate votes counted we would not have entered the eight years of the Bush Crime Team.

Poisoned water under a falling bridge.

Last time I checked some war criminals were still on the loose. Pity.



You can read sordid details at emptywheel and at TPM.

I really do want these motherfuckers behind bars.

And I am so proud that New Mexico turned solid blue last election.

--the BB

Visual tour of Bishop Lamy's Cathedral

Baptismal Font
Cathedral and Basilica of St Francis
Santa Fe, New Mexico

You may see my album of photos of the Cathedral here.

--the BB

779

08/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Staff Sgt. Tara J. Smith, 33, of Nashville, N.C., died Aug. 8 in Bagram, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident that occurred Aug. 4 at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan,. She was assigned to the 50th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade...

08/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Patrick W. Schimmel, 21, of Winfield, Mo., died Aug. 9, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine

08/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Javier Olvera, 20, of Palmdale, Calif. died Aug. 8, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force...

08/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Dennis J. Burrow, 23, of Naples, Fla., died Aug. 7, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division...

08/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Spc. Matthew K.S. Swanson, 20, of Lake Forest, Calif., died Aug. 8 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over July 19 in Logar Province, Afghanistan.

08/10/09 :
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Sgt. Jerry R. Evans Jr., 23, of Eufaula, Ala., died Aug. 7 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment...

08/07/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties (4 of 4)
Cpl. Christian A. Guzman Rivera, 21, of Homestead, Fla...assigned to the 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force...died Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Farah province...

08/07/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties (3 of 4)
Sgt. Jay M. Hoskins, 24, of Paris, Texas...assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force...died Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Farah province...

08/07/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties (2 of 4)
Lance Cpl. Travis T. Babine, 20, of San Antonio, Texas...assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force...died Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Farah province...

08/07/09 :
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties (1 of 4)
Lance Cpl. James D. Argentine, 22, of Farmingdale, N.Y...assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force...died Aug. 6 while supporting combat operations in Farah province...



Father of all, we pray to you for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Morally reprehensible - updated

From an Investor's Business Daily editorial 10 days ago:
People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn't have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless.

--from MLDB's post at Daily Kos

IBD's editorial also turns to Betsy McCaughey who was a leading figure in destroying the Clinton health care plan by, er, catapulting propaganda - i.e., misstatements. She's back with a vengeance and Ezra Klein has a lot to say about her and her track record.

Here's a tidbit:

Betsy McCaughey first came to prominence for a New Republic article entitled "No Exit." The conceit of the piece was that unlike everyone else, McCaughey had pored over every page and paragraph of the massive Clinton health bill and come back with a clearer view of the legislation's contours than anyone had previously presented. And what she'd found was worrying. "The law will prevent you from going outside the system to buy basic health coverage you think is better," McCaughey wrote. "The doctor can be paid only by the plan, not by you." Hence, "No Exit." You were trapped in the system.

McCaughey, it turned out, isn't a very good reader. Section three of the Clinton health legislation ("Protection of Consumer Choice") held that, "nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting the following: (1) An individual from purchasing any health care services.” But in a policy debate, it's more important that your opinions prove convenient than accurate, and McCaughey's argument was certainly convenient: She got first one cover story in The New Republic and then a second. George Will picked up her views, as did the rest of the right wing media and legislative infrastructure. And this wasn't a "provocative" argument. It was simply wrong. It argued that the legislation said X when the legislation said not-X. It remained an enduring black mark on The New Republic's reputation. When Frank Foer took over as editor, among his first acts was making amends. “We recanted that story in the first issue and apologized for it," he says. It was that bad.

But enough about this highly-paid liar, let's get back to the IBD comment about Hawking. Don't they know he is a UK citizen and always has been and gets cared for under the UK health system? Can they possibly be that stupid? The alternative is that they know and are actually that mendacious. Either way it is morally reprehensible.

And that, boys and girls, is the phrase of the day that badly needs repopularizing. Let's practice saying it out loud now:


Very good!

Now, let's be sure to use it in conversation, correspondence, and blogging. We may add it to codswallop, twaddle, and barking mad.

By the way, I consider willful ignorance (not just ignorance but willful ignorance) to be an act of moral culpability. If you could and should know better, it's your own fucking fault that you don't and it falls within the sphere of sin. Just saying.

And that goes double for "journalists" who don't bother checking facts and challenging lies.

UPDATE:
Hawking himself refutes this sort of idiocy.

--the BB

It's like getting a new pair of glasses.

I need to adjust to the immense screen of the new computer. I feel as though I need to sit back another five feet. I'm quite overwhelmed. Big adjustment from three years on a laptop only.

The "kids" are going to help me remember the rule about turning it off by 10:30 each night. I will need their help. Though right now I feel rather bed-ready and it's just minutes past 9:00.

I've done three loads of laundry, watered the yard, folded laundry, and transferred all the data from the laptop to the iMac. Took a nap while waiting for that to happen. I am a very file-intensive computer user, but what is somewhere more than 80,000 files between friends?

And oh! The bliss of transferring with a firewire. I would have had to leave both my computers at the Apple Store overnight to have them do it. Right. Can y'all imagine me without a computer for 24 hours? Not a pretty thought, is it? This transferred all my applications too, so the hours I thought I was going to spend loading software: not needed. Hallelujah, praise King Jesus and Holy Mother Mary!

[This is where I do my happy dance but you will be spared the visuals.]

-the BB

Beware of smiling bears

Yesterday in front of Bishop Lamy's cathedral in Santa Fe

A more beatific face:

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

--the BB

La Conquistadora

Here is a teaser, one photo of many I took yesterday afternoon in the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis, Santa Fe. This is the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, La Conquistadora, "[t]he oldest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States to whom a constant public devotion has been maintained."

A very devout history of the image may be found here.

You may click the photo to embiggen.

The quick report:
Lovely seeing old friends and meeting new ones at breakfast yesterday in Bernalillo. Since there was wifi at the Flying Star, I hung there until 1 then drove to Santa Fe. Met my BFF at the Plaza and we toured the cathedral, with my snapping away (about 60 photos). Then off to the condo on the north end of town, some time by the pool, and dinner at Max's. The food was really fine, from salads through entrées to dessert. We ordered different dishes, tasted each others, it was all superb. Washed it down with a couple of bottles of St Sulpice Bordeaux. Then to the Santa Fe Opera for Don Giovanni. Good strong singers. Lovely evening. This morning breakfast at Zia Café. Terrific. My friends, meanwhile, discovered two other good eateries yesterday at breakfast and lunch, Clafouti and Tart's Treats. All on Guadalupe in Santa Fe. Major eating weekend.

I think I'm going to open some boxes and play with computers later today.

--the BB