Chuck Norris

And you thought you knew the guy.

Disgusted and Angry

Is now the time when most americans will rise up and say "enough"? The angry, partisan debate in the House last night and the response from pundits that called it out for what it was -- a cheap political opera intended to smear the opposition -- seems to indicate a monumental shift in the political winds. Is an era of accountability nearly upon us? Frankly, it couldn't happen soon enough.

Evolution

Hey, maybe Darwin was on to something. The NYTimes thinks so.

HABEAS CORPUS

In Brown v. Vasquez, 952 F.2d 1164, 1166 (9th Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 112 S.Ct. 1778 (1992), the court observed that the Supreme Court has "recognized the fact that`[t]he writ of habeas corpus is the fundamental instrument for safeguarding individual freedom against arbitrary and lawless state action.'

Republicans in the senate are trying to deny this most important right to the prisoners being unlawfully held at Gitmo.

Kevin Drum reveals one of the many reasons this is bringing ever more shame to this country.

I'm Not a Religious Man...

but I'll say a prayer for Helen.

Fallen Fruit

LA is rich with vegetation and a lot of it is fruit-bearing trees in public spaces. These trees can be picked and FallenFruit.org has the community and maps that will guide you to that ripe Avocado tree (ripe now!).

Melting the skin of children

A good point worthy of a read.

The Election

Looks like things are looking up...for some of us, at least.

Pig Fuckers

Maybe that doesn't even best describe them. The Republican lead House voted to approve $35billion in cuts to mostly poor people to offset (by only half) the $70billion tax cut directed at mostly rich people.

Two democats -- Landieu of LA and Nelson -- voted with the Republicans.

Have our leaders no shame?

You're either a man of your word or you're just a fuckin' liar

Yeah, that's it. I think Rude Pundit says it best.

New York Doesn't Smell Like Ass

And New Yorkers are perplexed.

Sing along if you know the words...I love New York...

Brown Humor in Red States

Well, not really. But, according to Atrios, The Onion was chastised for using the Presidential Seal in a story and, well, this is their decidedly undiplomatic response.

I guess The Onion can throw mud with the best of them.

2000+ Dead

Why?

Rosa Parks

Sarah Vowell on Ms. Rosa Parks.

Rosa Parks

God bless her soul. Proof that one person can make a difference. Speak out against injustice. A just voice will be hear and joined. Ms. Parks proved it.

Have You Seen a Celebrity?

Kyle's started a site. Why don't you play along?

Or perhaps, you'd rather talk about douchebags. Well, you can do that, too.

Walmart

JibJab takes a jab. You can save a little money in the short term and shop there or save a lotta money in the longterm and shop local.

Jeff is Cool

No, really.

Happy National Coming Out Day

Now, I'm not a big proponent of outing people with one exception: outing people who are actively trying to squash glbt civil rights. So, in honor of the day, meet these prominent gay republicans.

I wonder how they rationalize their actions. It's sad really.

An argument...

against user-created content.

Greensboro, NC

Just got back from Greensboro and not much can be said for this quaint little town. Well, it does have the historic Woolworth's where in the 1950s, brave activists sat down at the food counter and protested their policy of discrimination. It's said that this is one of the most important events of the Civil Rights Movement. I don't know if it's really one of the most important, but it certainly was important. In any case, it's all boarded up now and its windows contain blown up black and white pictures of seminal moments in the Civil Rights Movement.

Other than that, though, Greensboro has a nice college campus, a lot of churches, one gay bar (in the warehouse district, which no sane person would take a cab to or from) and the sidewalks pretty much roll up after dark, except on the weekends.

Also had a couple good pubs on Elm Street or just off it, but the bbq was absolutely horrendous. Ate at Stamies, across the the Greensboro Bowl, and it was like a scene from a David Lynch movie -- very very odd people dotted around and a waitress serving tasteless, cold shredded pork on paper plates. Gimme The Salt Lick any day!

An Auction

You might be interested if you ride a harley --

Progress...

Documented. It's steady and sometimes it's 2 steps forward one step backward and sometimes it's many steps backwards, but inevitably, it's forward. It takes boldness and courage and more and these two had it, in spades.

The Greatest

May be the greatest blog ever.

eh, or not.

Yahoo News

The concept of Kevin Sites' daily dispatches is so -- and I don't want to say groundbreaking -- comprehensive and unusual and seemingly right for this time. I don't know if he'll pull it off and I suspect he's very pleased with himself, but I'm guessing that this may be a site to go back to on a regular basis just to see if it is groundbreaking, a trainwreck or somewhere in between.

Color me intrigued.

Mike Marmer

Continue to make God laugh. You are loved.

Don Adams

RIP -- Maxwell Smart. The day ofthe birthday of one of the great writers of Get Smart -- my stepfather, Mike Marmer -- Don Adams moves on.

Now, almost the entire cast and crew are gone. Must make for quite a show up there.

Katrina

Bush rehires Brown to look into what went wrong with the federal response. What's next? A medal of freedom?

Eating in Chicago

Spent 6 days in Chicago and was really hoping for more spectacular fare. The chop house we ate at was only average, the sushi was less than average, but the Italian and the fast food rose to the occasion.

Details to follow.

Katrina

A most personal chronicle of the aftermath. Get tissue first. Then read.

Fuck

You know you want to. Click.

Duck Fetus

Deep End Dining gives us the lowdown...and, yes, it is fowl.

(oh, and be warned...
this
is
not
for
the
squeamish.)

Gays Banned from Catholic Church

It's time for some outings.

No Lessons Learned

The poor are fucked... again.

Support Planned Parenthood

http://www.ppsp.org/PledgePicket-index.asp"Here's how it works: You decide on the amount you would like to pledge for eachprotester (minimum 10 cents). When protesters show up on our sidewalks, PlannedParenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania will count and record their number each day from October 1 through November 30, 2005. We will place a signoutside the health center that tracks pledges and makes protesters fully aware that their actions are benefiting PPSP. At the end of the two-month campaign, we will send you an update on protest activities and a pledge reminder. "

The Administration

Is being revealed more and more...

Hooray for the Bay State

The Mass legislature has seen the light. After a year and 6,000 gay marriages, the people of the Bay State have determined that there is no ill effect from gay marriage. Go figure.

Maybe, the Governator will change his mind. Somehow, I doubt it.

Elway's Steakhouse

Denver plays host to a steakhouse owned by fomer Denver Bronco John Elway and, though, it has some issues, it serves amazing plates of meat. Between us, we had a NY strip, Prime Rib, Rib Eye and Filet. Two had their meat covered in some sort of "Elway" sauce made of crab cake and cream and cheese. Well not a light entre, still very lovely.

For me, the prime rib was as good as Lawry's.

What disappointed was the sides... we had asparagus, potato au gratin and creamed spinach. All paled in comparison to previous recent steakhouses.

That said, there was one dessert entre which commands mention: fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and milk.

All I can say: spectacular spectacular.

Eating in Denver

Last night, we ate at a restaurant called North in the Cherry Creek area of Denver. Think that's what the area is called. In any case, it was a big scale, urban Italian trattoria...and it was delish.

I started with a warm artichoke heart appetizer. It was grilled, topped with parmesan and drizzled with truffle oil and balsamic vinnegar. Truly, a great dish.

Moving on, for my main dish I had rissotto with seared scallops and asparagus. Though, each piece of rice was not distinct and not all al dente, it was seasoned spectacularly and the scallops were fantastic.

Michael had the osso bucco which was tender and tasty and Nikos had the seared duck, which was chewy. I won out on the meal.

For dessert, we split a tirra missou, cheesecake and sorbet. None of our choices were standouts, but the sorbet was better than the rest.

Overall, a good meal in a nice atmosphere with great service.

Tonight is steak...probably at Elways. Hope he can cook as well as he quarterbacked.

That Sounds About Right

Thousands die and Bush's friends end up making money of it.

Cheney, Go Fuck Yourself

Watch. Via crooks and liars.

USA or USSR

You decide. They will not be let away with this.

9/11 Anniversary

This weekend, Discovery is airing an original movie called THE FLIGHT THAT FOUGHT BACK. It's a pseudo-doc about flight #93 that crashed in rural Pennsylvania.

It's a moving tale told from the perspective of the family members of those on board the flight and what they think might have happened.

During this time, after Katrina, it's inspiring to see a story about regular every day people who took action.

Hopefully, with the most recent catastrophe behind us, we can look forward to a more proactive government...but, somehow, I doubt it.

Anyway, this doc -- narrated by Kiefer Sutherland -- is compelling.

Find out more about it here.

Gay Marriage in California

Via friends Mike and John August. Read, sign, support.


STEP ONE:
Call the Governor's office. In general, you'll reach a voice mailbox to express your support; if you get a busy signal or a full mailbox, try again later or just call a different office:
Statewide: 916-445-2841.
Fresno: 559-445-5295
Los Angeles: 213-897-0322
Riverside: 951-680-6860
San Diego: 619-525-4641
San Francisco: 415-703-2218

STEP TWO:
Sign the online petition for Equality California regarding this issue (click on "Take Action"). The petition will be delivered to Gov. Schwarzenegger next week.
http://www.eqca.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=9oINKWMCF&b=1022279

Government Lies

CNN has what the government said and what was really happening. Staggering.

A Story From NOLA

Read and weep.

A National Travesty

Read and if you're american, be ashamed. Then, do something.

Congressional Republican Response

I'm sorry, but this must be noted. How do the republican leaders want to first respond to the disaster continuing to unfold on the Gulf Coast? A permanent repeal of estate taxes.

Have they no shame?

Two Americas

John Edwards says it well. But, in the end, will it -- will we -- make a difference?

Watch Anderson Cooper...

as he doesn't take this fucking bullshit anymore. Here he's looking for answers.

Help Now

Give to the Red Cross. (not Pat Robertson)

Racism

Check out the racism in the coverage.

FEMA & Pat Robertson

Third on the list of charities to donate to is Pat Robertson's?

WTF?

Starbucks or Starfucks

Either might make you gay. A conservative woman's org wants to boycott Starbucks. Seriously, ladies, aren't there more important issues out there?

More Austin Food

BAR B CUE. BBQ. Yeah.

On Wednesday, we drove 22 miles out to The Salt Lick and, Lord, honey, it was worth it. This place -- this cavernous shrine to beef -- had heaping helpings of beef. All kinds of beef.

We shared family style, beek brisket, pork ribs, hot links, tri-tip, beans, potato salad, cole slaw and more beef. The pork ribs, I swear to God as my witness, had meat that fell of the bone and swan dived into your mouth. The brisket was so tender, it could have been taken as communion. The hot links surpised with juicy squirts of hot grease with every snapping bite.

And, then, the dessert. Blackberry cobbler and pecan pie. I opted for the pie slice which came more like pie size with a giant scoop of heavenly ice cream on top.

I did not eat dinner that night.

NEXT DAY, we went to Stubs for more bbq. I had -- recommended by many -- the pulled pork sandwich. The pork was sweet and musky and tender as all get out, but the bun must have descended from heaven. Great space, great service, great food. And, do order the onion rings, you will NOT be disappointed. However, that vegetable that looks like a gerkin is NOT a gerkin. It is hot and when you mistakenly bite into it, the juice the squirts out of it and on to the back of your throat is HOT. Be warned.

Sullivan's Steakhouse in Austin, TX

Last night had delightful meat meal in Sullivans. Room is warm and masculine and the service was quick and amiable. Started with a lovely and rich mushroom and truffle fondue. Thought it was too thin to start, but as it thickened, it became an inviting and warm way to begin.

Next up: the classic wedge. It came large, cold and covered in delicious blue cheese dressing. A success!

The main event: a petit filet with peppercorn sauce. The meat was heavenly seasoned and the peppercorn sauce was rich and biting and not too sweet. The sides we shared were creamed spinach and potato au gratin. Both the best we've had yet.

Creamed spinach, we've decided will be compared from city to city. Thus far, we have a winner: Sullivans.

Finally, we ended with chocolate raspberry soufle -- a light and sweet way to end a fine meal.

Circle Jerk Gets the War

Rude pundit perfectly describes the Bush Mandate.

Six Feet Under

RIP

A great show has, fittingly, died.

I haven't spoken to anyone who did not weep last night. It was all so real and touching.

Read the salon article about it.

And HBO has obits.

Tamales

There's a great mouth-watering story at The Left Coaster that has me thinking of my tamale man.

I live in Atwater Village, a small part of greater LA that has it's fair share of Latinos (but what part of the city, state and country doesn't?). In any case, every Sunday, one man drives every street very slowly in his bullhorn-equipped car and every 20 seconds or show, he shouts over his bullhorn "Tamales".

And I haven't once bought one. Next time, I will.

Food Blogging

As it turns out, it looks like I'll be travelling for 3 days a week for the next six weeks. In fact, I just hit San Francisco and soon I'm off to Austin, Boston, Memphis, Denver and Chicago with probable repeat visits to Chicago and Memphis. And, all on the company's dime...which mean's good meals in good eatin' towns. So, what's an itinerant blogger to do but blog about food.

Unfortunately, I just thought of it today, so we'll miss out mostly on San Francisco...excpet to say I had two lovely meals in Beldin Alley (down Nob Hill, near Chinatown). This is a wee alley that's crammed with 5 or 6 great cafes. First, we ate at Pleuth -- famous for its mussels -- and it did not disappoint. The next day, we ate (and mostly drank) after a long day of work at Cafe Tiramisu. We had amazing ravioli dishes -- one with goat chese and mushrooms, which was absolutely sublime and another with lobster and crabmeat which was somewhat less so. But, then, the kicker was the dessert. You would think that a place called Cafe Tiramisu would make a good Tiramisu and in this case, you would be RIGHT. Stunning, light, little lady fingers from heaven. That's what they were.

Next up will be Austin, where we hope to have some good bbq and I hope to have pics and stronger details to follow.

Tonight's the Night

Happy Birthday Carl!

Should be quite the fete...

Details and pics to follow in the days ahead.

More on Iraq

Is the Pentagon planning on adding several brigades to Iraq this fall? Read the note.

Anti-War

Well, I am. I would think most people are. But you wouldn't really still know that by what's going on in the country. Still, though, the mood of the country seems to be shifting. Was it necessary to go to war against a country that was not a threat? Almost 2,000 americans have died, scores of thousands of Iraqis have died, more than 200 billion dollars spent and all for what? Looks like the only ones who have benefitted have been the Haliburtons of the world. Can anyone show anything or anyone else who's benefitted?

Watch the new Green Day anti-war video here.

Happy Birthday

Thanks to my parents, step-parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sister, boyfriend and friends, I somehow, against all the odds, am still alive and am not typically described as an undecent person.

Don't know how that happened, but I'm grateful to all who have shaped me in one way or the other to help make me who I am today.

Hopefully, I'll continue to grow.

Posted with love.

WTF

The pentagon is planning a military march on 9/11 to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the attacks? Are they insane?

Disrespect

Why won't the president meet with Cindy Sheehan? What's he afraid of? This is isn't the first time and I suspect it won't be the last time that I say, "Shame on you". At long last, sir, have you no decency? This woman would like you to explain why his son gave his life for your war.

Remember Hiroshima

Not sure if this link will work or not; if it doesn't visit today's NY Times op-ed page and consider.

David Shaw

L.A. Times writer and gourmand David Shaw passed away this week. Few writers could match his skill in interpreting media or food and wine. He was a great voice in Los Angeles and the world. He will be missed.

Bush and Cheney Indicted

Posted without comment (via Billmon).

Ok, one comment: I seriously doubt it, but, boy, wouldn't it be both sweet and depressing?

2000 Dead

"Coalition" forces. Where are the protests? Where's the outcry?

Remember this war was "marketed" after August 2002 as a way to end Saddam Hussein's threat to America. The threat was described in various ways as being imminent, nuclear, chemical and otherwise. All proven lies. When the lies came out, the reason to go to war -- once we were fighting -- changed with every month.

All who remain silent are just as guilty as those who led this country into war and kept it there.

There is a collective shame to be shared.

Oy

There's a new master plan for the magnificent Griffith Park...and if you think Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" is a paean to paving paradise, then you'll like this plan.

If maybe you cherish the park and want to keep it as natural as possible, it's time to speak out.

Two Steps Forward...

California honors equal rights. It's a good day to be a Californian!

Labor

The movement is definitely going thru a major transition in this country. Who knows if it will be good or bad...but this guy is doing good, nonetheless.

Deep End Dining

I listened to food blogger/writer (aren't we over the difference? isn't blogger and writer the same?) Eddie Lin on KCRW's Good Food this morning (so, sue me. it's on the radio when I come out of my saturday yoga class, which, btw, was absolutely on fire this morning -- and, yes, I am somewhat of a California cliche -- again, so sue me.) and color me a fan!

Great writing, good comedy, eccentric dining.

Take a peek at this one entry and become a fan.

Repeat After Me

What are you trying to hide?

As usual, the rude pundit breaks it on down and tells us what we should be asking...and not a moment too soon.

So, join me, why don't you?

What. Are. You. Trying. To. Hide?!

Ribbit Redux

Any more ribbits and we should be looking for a fairy tale prince. Sadly, this is no fairy tale; it's reality and our country has been hurt by it. Those responsible are paying and will continue to pay dearly. There's no tax cut on this, darlin'.

Rove's Resume

Ok, well, so what. Most of my posts recently have been about the one-who-shall-be-frogmarched. So, sue me. (Thank God for Tort reform.)

It looks like Auntie Karl may be looking for a new job soon and somebody at Kos has helped him with his resume.

Take a look.

Repuglican Rovian Talking Points

Debunking them here.

Schandenfreude

Ok, well, there is some joy in mudville.

Is it Just Rove

Or is the bigger story really about the coverup of false evidence leading up to the war in Iraq? Josh Marshall asks the pertinent questions.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Choo Choo

The Turd Blossom Express has reached it's final stop. Question is: Is there one frog-marched passanger or many? Details to follow gradually and then all of a sudden (to paraphrase Gatsby).

Release the Gates

The flood waters are coming and it is not going to be pretty...but it is justified.

Raising Corn

And lambasting the cowed media and the soon-to-be-frogged Karl Rove -- via Atrios.

Ribbit

Now that Karl Rove has been fingered -- and i'm sure not for the first time, but usually it takes two or three fingers or a full fist -- his frog march shall commence shortly.

Though, he may be in criminal and political trouble, rest assured even when he disappears from the front, he'll still be pulling strings behind the scenes as long as Cheney's in the Oval office. Ah, I mean dubya.

Fair and Balanced?

Not really.

Insensitive? Why yes.

Motherfuckers

What can you say? At least 40 dead and 350 injured.

May the injured get well soon and the dead rest in peace.

More on the Fourth

A day late and probably more than a buck short, but this insightful essay will get you to think about where we came from, where we are now and where we're going.

It's worth a read.

Costa Rica

I have finally gotten around to finding a photo hosting site that's easy to use and free -- buzznet.

And I found it by rightclicking on Franklin Avenue's pics -- so, kudos and thanks to them, I am now more picture and pixel friendly.

Huzzah.

Monkey See

Monkey do.

A Costa Rican Sloth

He comes down the tree once a week to relieve himself. Well, at least he's regular.

Horsing Around

Contrary to popular belief, these weren't nay-sayers.

Tom Cruise

He so silly.

Paint Ourselves Blue and Grunt Like Pigs

Happy Independence Day, yet again. Now, instead of celebrating the machinations of war, perhaps we can look at the story from a fresh angle. Let us honor those that suffered and those that gave their lives so that we could be more free (work with me, this hasn't happened a helluva lot recently -- don't get me wrong, people are suffering and people are dying but unfurtunately not in the cause of freedom) by celebrating the attempt (any attempt) to prevent future wars and, what the hell, try to stop the current ongoing ones.

People are dying.

Happy Independence Day

Is it time to reread the Declaration of Independence? Yes.

Oh Canada y Viva Espana

Well, at least two countries are heading in the right direction...equal marriage rights for all people! Wow, what a concept! Oh, and look, the Lord God hasn't yet struck them down, the rivers have not dried up, the sun has not disappeared. Simply, people who love each other who are adults and of the same sex can now marry each other.

I thought I loved Spain before, but now, oh, Lord, honey, let me in. (Ah, I'm sure that I should probably rephrase that.)

As for Canada, I never really loved it or hated it; I was ambivalent. Though, I did once have a nice week in Toronto and did drive across a bit of it to go from Niagra Falls to Chicago (i think) on a cross country drive from Boston to L.A. Anyway, I like Canada now too. So, bully for them.

The Duke is Puke

Josh Marshall has been all over the story. It's quite possible, as I said to my good friend (digitally, natch) Gary this weekend, that this and the Rove thingy will bring down the administration.

Start reading about it here, here, here, here, here, here...

More on Froggy

Rove's lawyer is a big fat lying liar.

Gosh, will surprises never cease?

To celebrate, I think I'll go to karaoke at Akbar tonight. Not that you care or that it really has anything to do with the above, it's just that I feel like I need to link to local places from time to time. Maybe more so. Am actually, of narrowing my focus...but probably won't.

Alas.

Frog March

More than a year ago, Joseph Wilson talked about how he looked forward to watching Karl Rove be frogmarched out in front of the world for exposing his wife Valerie Plame as a spy.

Well, it seems that Karl should be getting fitted for a frog suit soon...but will he be arrested for perjury, for consipiracy, or for treason? Does this case only involve the outing of Plame or does it have something to do with forged documents from the buildup of fake evidence to support the illegal and unholy (soon to be holy) war?

Billmon speaks. You listen.

Sandra Day O'Connor Traitor?

Well, this is a different perspective that I haven't seen too much of from the left side of the aisle...and I gotta say there's some truth to it. If only she had stood up and not appointed Bush as President (with the other 4 felons), the country would certainly be in a better place today.

Check out the The Left Coaster.

The Muppets

They make funny "journalists".