Mr. President, Wake Up

This quote from a senior intelligence official in the Bush administration caught my eye, while reading this article in the Washington Post: "The current situation, with regard to governance in Iraq, was probably irreversible in the short term, because of the world views of many of the [Iraqi] government leaders, which were shaped by a sectarian filter and a government that was organized for its ethnic and religious balance rather than competence or capacity."

Does this strike anyone as ironic, as it seems that our government is looking more and more like this assessment? Our leaders are following ideology rather than facts, blinded by their narrow world-view and utter belief that they are right, lacking balance and competence. Bush & Co. continue to ignore the assessments of the Iraq study group and any recommendations by those who oppose their pre-conceived notions, regardless of fact or truth. Our President's continued optimism is a joke and shows us either how blind or how deceptive he really is. He will be asking for us to "just give it more time" until he is out of office and someone else can handle the mess.

Your Inner Chimp

For fans of public radio, check out the program "Radio Lab" of New York Public Radio. We don't have this program on our local station, but through the beauty of the internet you can listen for free. It is very similar to This American Life, and that is where I first heard an excerpt of a show from Radio Lab on "Morality". The two hosts talk to scientists and people on the street about morality, where it comes from, why we have it. Very interesting social and scientific commentary in an entertaining format. I can't wait to hear more.

Costs of War

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are costing us $12 billion a month. Nancy Pelosi made this statement yesterday about the costs of the war and why we should start pulling out of Iraq:

“Think about what $10 billion a month would mean to protecting Americans from terrorism, improving security at our ports and airports, and increasing border security. Think about what $10 billion a month would mean for the 47 million Americans who don’t have health insurance, for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and for the education of our children. Think about what $10 billion a month would mean to lowering the deficit so that future generations are not burdened with debt.

“The American people are outraged at the Bush Administration’s misplaced priorities -- that is why Congress will hold the Administration accountable with votes this month to end the war and redeploy the troops. This will include a vote on legislation to begin redeployment of our troops within 120 days and to conclude by April 1, 2008, with the exception of those remaining in Iraq to fight terrorists and protect our diplomats."

No money for education or healthcare, billions available for killing. But that's OK, we're fighting for a just cause. Right?

Quiller Quesadillas

That title doesn't have quite the effect I was going for....like Kountry Korner. Oh well.

I made these Quick-ass Quesadillas the other day and thought I would share. It's easy.
In your food processor, dump 2 handfuls of shredded mexican cheese, handful chopped cilantro, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 inch of hot chili pepper, and then chop it up. Get a skillet nice and hot, butter up a tortilla and put it in the skillet butter-side down. Then top the tortilla with some of the cheese mix and top that with another buttered tortilla (butter-side up). Brown and flip. Repeat with more tortillas until cheese mix is gone, or save the mix for later. Top quesadillas with sour cream and salsa. Tasty.

On a lighter note...

A friend and I were talking about human atrocities throughout history and how when we look back it is inconceivable that mankind committed these acts: slavery, genocide, nuclear war. I always think about the possibility of my own complicity had I lived during those times. I could never be involved in such things. I would rise above the common thought of the crowds. But we are blind to the evil of our own times. What will our grandchildren say of this time in history? We allowed wars for oil, apathy towards African genocide, interminable imprisonments and torture of our alleged enemies, destruction of the planet, intolerance and unequal rights for gays, corporate greed, an isolationist bigotry towards foreigners and immigrants. I know in the past there were people who went against the government or fought racism and war, but history shows they weren't powerful enough to stop the horror of the moment. The majority let those in power have their way, just as our government has been given license to their wrongdoing through the manipulation of the masses. I hope to keep my eyes open, to be able to look back with a clear conscience that my attitude, my words, and my support were on the side of right.

Once

I saw Once this weekend. It is a story of two struggling people who find each other in Dublin and discover they are a perfect musical match. The two characters are Glen Hansard, lead singer of The Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a young multi-talented singer/songwriter from Prague. The movie is so lovely in its simplicity and in its truthful portrayal of music making. The songs are achingly beautiful and memorable, making you want to run out and download the soundtrack immediately. I felt a stab of longing when the couple began creating songs together, missing that part of myself. Rent it or make a trip to Indy and enjoy.