Meet Anza and Gnocchi. Both are male and of different (but closely-related) species. They've been pair-bonded (birdie life partners) for a year now. They feed each other, groom each other and insist on sharing a sleep cage. If one has to go away for a vet visit, both of them spend their entire time doing loud "contact calls" until they're reunited.




Now meet Clipper and Pixley. These two wild girls come from the San Francisco flock (as does Anza) and they are inseparable. Clipper had a neurological parasite that left her disabled and she relies on Pixley for a lot of her care. It's Pixley who checks out all new food, toys and perches, and she often brings tastes back to Clipper before helping her over to the food dish. Even though Pixley is the smaller bird, she never hesitates to put her body in between Clipper and any bird (or human) who might seem the least bit threatening.



Just like Anza and Gnocchi, they show all the signs of a permanent pair bond: mutual grooming, food sharing and close sleeping arrangements.


Out of 14 parrots that we've fostered, we've seen 4 pair bonds develop. Three were same-sex and the only heterosexual bond was more of a parent-child relationship between a medium-sized conure and a tiny lovebird.

Anyone who has kept a parrot flock knows this. The birds are almost oblivious to gender when it comes to pairing up for life. Since it's impossible to determine the sex of these birds by sight, I wonder how many of the observed "male/female" pairs in the wild are actually same-sex couples.

Is this what they mean by Polly-Amory?

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 15, 2006

Press Briefing by Tony Snow
James S. Brady Briefing Room


Q Tony, American deaths in Iraq have reached 2,500. Is there any response or reaction from the President on that?


MR. SNOW: It's a number




And every time there's one of these 500 benchmarks people want something.




The President would like the war to be over now.




Everybody would like the war to be over now.




And the one thing that we saw in Iraq this week is further testimony to the quality of the men and the women who are doing that,




and the dedication and determination




to try to ensure that the people of Iraq really do live in a free, effective democracy of their own creation and design.

Fresh Peach Ice Cream

This also works GREAT for both strawberries and blueberries, producing a very intense fruit flavor. For blueberries, add a healthy pinch of cinnamon and use a potato masher to press them lightly into the sugar in order to get the juices flowing.

Both the cooked peaches and the custard mixture must be cooled to 40 degrees before you churn them. Since they are fine in the refrigerator overnight, you may want to prepare them the day before you plan to churn and serve the ice cream. You’ll get the very best results from using in-season, fully ripened peaches, but in a pinch, you can substitute 2 cups IQF (individually quick frozen) sliced peaches and replace the vodka with peach-flavored liqueur. The ice cream is at its peak when eaten within four hours of churning, although covered, it will keep in the freezer for up to two days.

Makes about 1 quart

3	medium-size ripe peaches , peeled, pitted, and 
        cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1/2	teaspoon lemon juice from 1 lemon
        pinch table salt 
1	cup granulated sugar 
6	tablespoons granulated sugar 
1 1/4	cups whole milk 
1 1/3	cups heavy cream 
6	large egg yolks 
1	teaspoon vanilla extract 
2	tablespoons vodka 

1. Stir peaches, lemon juice, a pinch salt, and 1/2 cup sugar in medium-size nonreactive saucepan to combine; let stand until a pool of syrupy liquid accumulates and peaches soften slightly, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

2. Position sieve over medium bowl set in an ice-water bath; set aside. Heat milk, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar in medium-size heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steam appears, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off heat. Meanwhile, whisk yolks and remaining 6 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until pale yellow. Stir half the warmed milk mixture into beaten yolk mixture until just blended. Return milk-yolk mixture to saucepan of remaining warmed milk mixture. Heat milk-yolk mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon until steam appears, foam subsides, and mixture just begins to thicken (see illustrations below) or instant-read thermometer registers 172 degrees (mixture must not boil or eggs will curdle). Remove from heat, and following step 3 in illustration, immediately strain custard into prepared bowl. Cool custard mixture to room temperature, stir in vanilla, then cover and refrigerate until instant-read thermometer registers 40 degrees, at least 2 and up to 24 hours.

3. Meanwhile, heat softened peaches and their liquid, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat until peaches are tender and flesh has broken down, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl, stir in vodka, and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 and up to 24 hours.

4. Strain chilled peaches, reserving liquid. Stir reserved peach liquid into chilled custard mixture; pour into ice cream machine canister and churn, following manufacturer’s instructions, until mixture is frozen and resembles soft-serve ice cream, 25 to 30 minutes. Add peaches; continue to churn until combined, about 30 seconds longer. Transfer ice cream to airtight container. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.




STEP BY STEP: Step By Step to Smooth Custard

1. During the early stages of cooking, there is a thin layer of foam on top of the custard.


2. When steam begins to rise from the custard and the foam has almost totally subsided, it is near 180 degrees.


3. Remove the custard from the heat and pour it through a fine sieve into a bowl placed over an ice-water bath.



From Cook's Illustrated, my favorite food site on the web. It's a pay site, but for $20/year, you get access to every issue they've ever published.

Apr 1st, 2008

Clinton campaign buoyed by new numbers

RALEIGH, SC -- The Clinton campaign today cited new numbers for pledged delegate and popular vote counts that they believe will have a significant impact on the race for the Democratic nomination.

"We're very encouraged by the new numbers we're seeing," said Clinton chief strategist and pollster Mark Penn. "Especially promising are threeve and sixen, but elevion, hundrety and twillion have some real potential for helping us win the popular vote."

"The finance committee has been using numbers like this for months and they're very happy with the results," said Penn. Penn, whose salary is reported to be florpteen kajillion dollars a month, dismissed more "traditional" numbers as having a strong anti-Clinton bias.

Penn said that many of the new numbers will only function in large primary states (excluding Illinois, Virginia or Texas) while others are specifically tailored for counting angry white women over 60.


Clinton campaign strategist Mark Penn,
shown here cleaning his fingers after
pulling out the latest polling numbers.

Experts agree that this is a natural extension for the Clintons, who are already considered pioneers in the area of political parsing and word redefinition.

"What Bill did for the word 'is', Hillary is doing for 'more' and 'less' and 'zero chance whatsoever'," said Penn, pointing to a new tracking poll in which Senator Clinton was leading boogeda-boogeda-boogeda to SCREEEEEE.

March 26th, 4:45 pm
Hillary Clinton called on to explain 60-year association with herself

Candidate's ties to controversial politician may spell trouble for campaign


SCRANTON, PA - Following several questionable "misstatements" about her trip to Bosnia, Hillary Clinton is once again being asked to justify her continuing affiliation with her campaign's most controversial figure, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Many supporters and political commentators are starting to wonder aloud why Senator Clinton has continued this relationship when it seems to be the source of so many of her problems.

"This is not just some random confidante," said Clinton expert and close friend Richard Mellon Scaife. "It's no secret that Hillary Clinton is probably the most important person in Hillary Clinton's life. There really is no one else that even comes close. She should have expected that she would come under increased scrutiny, especially when she's been causing this many problems for Hillary's presidential campaign."

For her part, Senator Clinton addressed concerns in a press conference today. "I fully reject and denounce any offensive statements that may have been made," said the candidate. "But honestly, is it really fair that I be held accountable for everything said by me over 35 years of public life?"

She continued: "Did I know of my tendency to make untruthful statements in the past? Yes, I did. But so far, no one has been able to prove that I was even present when those things were said."


Hillary Rodham Clinton (left) attempting to distance herself from
controversial statements made by Hillary Rodham Clinton (right).

Clinton confidant James Carville was less than sympathetic. "She's a Judas!" screeched Carville. "After all the things Hillary has done for herself over the years, I can't believe she would betray herself in such a cowardly and unprofessional manner."

Aides contend that Clinton has been trying to cut ties with herself for years. They point to her heavy use of consultants, her forced speeches and manufactured tears as examples of recent attempts to develop a more acceptable persona. They are also quick to point out how unlikely it is that Hillary Clinton will play more than a token role in any upcoming Hillary Clinton administration.

March 17th, 2008. 12:18 pm
Troubling questions emerge about Obama campaign staff

Candidate admits several more advisors "may not be Martin Luther King, Jr."


The Barack Obama campaign said today that they were looking into new allegations that several of the candidate's campaign advisors were not, in fact, Martin Luther King, Jr. This new scandal, coming so close on the heals of My-Retired-Pastor-is-not-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-gate could spell serious trouble for Obama's bid to be Black President of the United States.

"In earlier campaigns, only the candidate was expected to be Dr. King," said Black Spokesperson Jesse Jackson. Jackson, whose own 1988 campaign for Black President collapsed amid rumors that he, himself, was not Martin Luther King, Jr., said the new requirements that a candidate's staff, family and acquaintances consist of no one but the slain civil rights leader may be difficult to overcome.

Senator Obama addressed the issue himself in a phone interview this morning. "I assure you that we take these charges very seriously," he said. "If anyone on my staff or advisory board can be shown to not be Martin Luther King, Jr., they will no longer be a part of my campaign."

Obama did not say whether he would reject or denounce such staffers. He did, however, vehemently deny rumors that he had ever laughed at a black comedian who was not Bill Cosby or listened to any black musician who was not Hootie and/or the Blowfish.


Retired Pastor Jeremiah Wright, left, shown here next to a
photograph of revered civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.,
whom Rev. Wright is not.

Hillary Clinton's campaign responded with a brief statement by Chief Campaign Strategist, Mark Penn. "Enough with the math and the insurmountable leads," said Penn. "The Democratic party cannot afford to nominate a candidate for Black President who the white voters of Pennsylvania are not comfortable with."

Penn took care to downplay charges of race-baiting on the part of the Clinton campaign. "This has nothing to do with race. The people of the United State of Pennsylvania will happily support a black candidate, as long as he and all his friends, family and associates are absolutely above reproach in everything they do or say."

Penn ended his statement without taking questions, citing a previous commitment to lead the weekly Atrocity Glossing seminar at Blackwater USA.

Actually, pie is pretty hard...

I make mine one batch at a time. It tastes way better than Heinz and lasts forever in the fridge:

1 6 oz can tomato paste
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground cloves

Just stir everything together and bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often. Let it cool and then funnel it into a mason jar or glass milk jug.

If you don't want to deal with all the whole and ground spices, you can substitute a spice mix called ras el hanout. Add a couple tablespoons to the tomato paste and make sure you fry it just a little before pouring in the wine.

For those who don't happen to have a jar of preserved lemons sitting in your pantry, you can make a pretty good facsimile by peeling the zest from 2 or 3 lemons (leave the white stuff) and simmering it for about 15 minutes in a strong brine made of salt, lemon juice and a bit of the whole spice mix and aromatics listed below (add a little water if you don't have enough juice to cover). Let the zest cool in the brine, rinse and use as described below. Store any extra in the brine for future use.

Oh, and don't be turned off by the prunes -- the long braising time turns them into sweet little pillows of lamby goodness. They're probably the best part of this recipe.


(Thanks to hippywife for the inspiration. )

Moroccan Braised Lamb Shanks with Prunes and Preserved Lemon

6 lamb shanks, trimmed

salt and ground pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

whole spice mix

1 tablespoon whole cumin seed
2 teaspoons whole fennel seed
12 whole peppercorns
6 whole green cardamom pods
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
6 whole allspice berries

ground spices

2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon mace
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

aromatics

2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon lavender
1 teaspoon ground ginger

mirepoix

one large onion, chopped (~2 cups)
3 carrots, chopped (~1 cup)
3 ribs celery, chopped (~1 cup)
large pinch salt
large pinch sugar


2-3 tablespoons tomato paste

6 whole cloves garlic, lightly smashed and peeled

36 pitted prunes (about 10 oz)
2 preserved lemon rinds, cleaned, rinsed and chopped

1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, dissolved in 1/2 c warm water
2 cups dry red wine
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups double-strength meat stock (I used frozen homemade turkey stock)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Preheat oven to 300F, set rack to lowest or second-lowest level.

Generously season lamb shanks with salt and ground pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven medium heat. Add shanks in 2-3 batches and brown well. Set aside.

Spoon out all but 3 tablespoons fat from the pot, return to heat.

Add whole spices and fry for 30 seconds. Immediately add mirepoix, salt and sugar and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low.

Sweat vegetables and spices until soft and well-caramelized.

Add tomato paste, ground spices and aromatics , stir to combine and cook on medium until tomato paste and spices begin to fry in the oil.

Pour in red wine, deglaze and simmer until reduced by half.

Add white wine, saffron and stock

Return lamb shanks to the pot, add prunes, garlic and preserved lemon.

Cover tightly and bake for 2 hours.

Increase heat to 350, uncover and bake for 30 min -- top surface of shanks should be nicely browned.

Turn shanks over to expose bottom surface, bake for another 30 min.

Meat should be fall-off-the-bone tender at this point. If the shanks are still a bit al dente, re-cover the pot and bake at 300 for another 1/2 hour or so.

Remove from oven, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.



(This is even better the second day. Store the pot in the fridge and scrape off any visible fat after it cools. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a bit more stock before reheating.)





Side suggestions: Steamed pumpkin and/or couscous with onion and toasted almonds.

Chamber of Commerce vows to
punish anti-business candidates

The group indicates it will spend in excess of the approximately
$60 million it put out in the last presidential cycle.

WASHINGTON -- Alarmed at the increasingly populist tone of
the 2008 political campaign, the president of the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce is set to issue a fiery promise to spend millions of
dollars to defeat candidates deemed to be anti-business.



"We plan to build a grass-roots business organization so
strong that when it bites you in the butt, you bleed,"
chamber President Tom Donohue said.

<snip>

Reacting to what it sees as a potentially hostile political climate, Donohue
said, the chamber will seek to punish candidates who target business
interests with their rhetoric or policy proposals, including congressional
and state-level candidates.

Although Donohue shied away from precise figures, he indicated that his
organization would spend in excess of the approximately $60 million it
spent in the last presidential cycle. That approaches the spending levels
planned by the largest labor unions.

The chamber president is scheduled to announce the broad outlines of the
organization's plans for the 2008 election and beyond at a news conference
here today. Donohue also plans to fire a rhetorical warning shot across the
bow of candidates considered unfriendly to business.

"I'm concerned about anti-corporate and populist rhetoric from
candidates for the presidency, members of Congress and the media,"
he said. "It suggests to us that we have to demonstrate who it is
in this society that creates jobs, wealth and benefits -- and who it
is that eats them."

More (if you can stand it) at http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...

January 5th, 2008

Three Hospitalized After Obama Drinking Game

Three Iowa State students remain hospitalized today with alcohol poisoning after participating in a post-caucus drinking game.

"We were watching Barack Obama," said student Randall Caughlin, "and someone suggested we take a drink every time he says 'Change'. Then we started drinking on 'Hope'."

"Next thing I knew, I woke up in the emergency room."

Iowa Board of Health Chairwoman Cheryll Jones said that this was the worst political drinking accident since the Republican National Convention, when 9/11-themed drinking games resulted in seven deaths nationwide.

Jones warned revelers to beware of rules that could lead to dangerous levels of consumption. "If you're drinking every time Huckabee says 'Jesus' or McCain says 'bomb', you're asking for trouble."

She suggested that if you must drink to political speeches, to restrict your sips to actual policy statements. An even safer approach is to only drink to speeches by Hillary Clinton or Mitt Romney, who rarely say anything of consequence.

Moderator: Welcome to the first of three presidential debates. I'd like to welcome Senator Obama and Mayor Giuliani to the stage. Mayor Giuliani, your one minute opening statement.

Giuliani: Nine-Eleven.

Moderator: . . . You have 58 seconds left.

Giuliani: Terror.

Moderator: Okay. Senator Obama, you have 30 seconds to respond.

Obama: Hope.

Moderator: 29 seconds, Senator.

Obama: Change.


Moderator: Well, I guess that concludes our first presidential debate. Thank you, gentlemen. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming, which hasn't actually started yet.

Since Hillary supporters continually have to answer questions about why they're supporting her, I thought it only fair to post a list of reasons why I am working against her nomination. One common way that the pro-Hillary folks justify their support is to paste in a long list of her accomplishments in the Senate.

I have a similar list of her Senate work and, as you can imagine, it paints quite a different picture. What I see is a politician afraid to stick her neck out and unwilling to challenge what she sees as the current conventional wisdom on an issue. The conclusion one is left with is that Hillary Clinton is unable or unwilling to lead, especially if it involves a significant departure from the status quo.

Here's my list. I may have a few facts incorrect -- it's much more difficult to research lack of action. I'll happily make any corrections (or additions) to the list if people point them out.

~~~~~~~~

Senator Clinton said and did nothing to prevent the Senate confirmation of John Ashcroft.

Senator Clinton said and did nothing to prevent the Senate confirmation of Alberto Gonzales.

Senator Clinton said and did nothing regarding the failed Senate confirmation of John Bolton.

Senator Clinton voted FOR cloture on the nomination of corrupt corporatist Priscilla Owen, clearing the way for her confirmation to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Senator Clinton voted FOR cloture on the nomination of unqualified fascist Janice Rogers Brown, clearing the way for her confirmation to the DC Court of Appeals.

Senator Clinton voted FOR cloture on the nomination of religious zealot and homophobe William H. Pryor, clearing the way for his confirmation to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Senator Clinton voted FOR cloture on the nomination of John Roberts, clearing the way for his confirmation as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Senator Clinton said little or nothing during the Senate confirmation of Samuel Alito.

Senator Clinton missed the Senate confirmation vote on Michael Mukasey.

Senator Clinton said little or nothing during this summer's vote on the Iraq War Supplemental.

Senator Clinton said little or nothing during the vote to extend FISA.

Senator Clinton said little or nothing on the Walter Reid scandal, even though she sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Senator Clinton has said little or nothing during the current debate on Telecom Immunity.

Senator Clinton has said little or nothing on the possible impeachment of Dick Cheney.

Senator Clinton has said little or nothing on the possible impeachment of George Bush.

Senator Clinton has said little or nothing on the myriad scandals surrounding the current administration. (Yeah, I'm too lazy to list these one-by-one)

Senator Clinton campaigned for Joe Lieberman against Ned Lamont

Senator Clinton proposed legislation to ban flag burning.

Senator Clinton voted FOR the USAPATRIOT act.

Senator Clinton voted FOR the Iraq War Resolution.

Senator Clinton voted FOR the Kyl/Lieberman amendment.

~~~~~~~~

Yes, many other Senators have failed to lead on these issues, but they aren't asking for a promotion to the highest office in the nation. As Hillary loves to point out, she is not a newcomer to Washington politics. She says she's "ready to lead" and experienced at fighting the right-wing. Why then, does she always seems to fade into the woodwork whenever a contentious issue comes before the Senate?

Holiday Eggnog

Serves about 6-8

This started out as a Cook's Illustrated recipe, but I've tweaked it a few times over the years. For some reason, each tweak adds a bit more fat, sugar and alcohol. Go figure...

Custard Base:
    6 whole eggs
    3 egg yolks
    3/4 cup demerara or turbinado sugar
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    3 cups whole milk
    1 cup half-and-half
    1 cup dark rum (bourbon is also good but packs a punch)
    1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus extra for garnish

Instead of half & half, you can use 1 12-oz can of evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk) and reduce whole milk to 2 1/2 cups. This adds a nice caramelly flavor to the nog.

If you don't have the fancy sugar in your cupboard, substitute 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup light brown sugar.


Cream Mix:
    3/4 cup heavy cream
    1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
    1 tablespoon dark rum
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    pinch salt
    a sprinkle of nutmeg


For the custard, Cook's wants you to whisk cold milk into the eggs in small increments and then heat over the lowest possible flame. That takes waaay more patience than I have. A faster method is to preheat the milk and then whip out your handy-dandy braun stab blender and just go to town. Also, if you use a whisk to stir the custard you can give it a bit more heat and cut the cooking time. The key is to keep it moving, sweep out every part of the pan bottom and don't heat it beyond 165 degrees, unless you happen to like sweet, wet, scrambled eggs.

1. Heat milk, half-and-half and 1/4 cup of the sugar in a heavy 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the temperature registers 150-160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.


2. Whisk eggs, yolks, remaining sugar, and salt together until blended. Slowly pour in in hot milk, blending continually with a hand blender until completely smooth. Return custard to pan and heat over low to medium flame (depending on how brave you are), stirring constantly, until custard registers 160-165 degrees. Pour custard through a fine mesh sieve set over a large bowl in an ice bath. Once cool, stir in rum, vanilla and grated nutmeg. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least three hours and up to two days.


3. Just before serving, whip cream mix ingredients in a chilled bowl to very soft peaks. Gradually whisk in custard until well incorporated. Serve immediately, garnishing with optional grated nutmeg.

Good career advice: if you're making this for a work party, you might want to cut the rum in half. Reduce the the cream mix by 1/3 to keep the right consistency. If making it for the kiddies, cut the cream mix by 2/3 and the rum to 2 tbsp (you still need a tiny bit o' rummy goodness to make it taste right).

Enjoy!

September 25th 2007, 4:28 pm

Kerry: I was not aware that a campaign had occurred

Following allegations that he was involved in a 2004 campaign for president, John Kerry issued a statement today clarifying his obscure role in the incident.


Kerry also noted that he spent much of 2004 standing on stages or inside auditoriums, apparently referring to the well-known phenomenon in which a person on stage is unable to see or hear events happening right in front of them.


John Kerry reacts to news
that he actually ran for
president in 2004

For their part, most long-time Kerry supporters took the news in stride. "I know a lot of people were disappointed, but John Kerry is only one man," said Melissa Torinelli, regional spokesperson for The Senator McDreamy Foundation. "I'm sure had he known what was going on he would have acted differently. But, seriously, did anyone expect him to just jump into the fray and start raising important questions or responding to slanderous attacks? I mean, it's not like he's a superhero."

When They Say: Pragmatic
They Mean: Corporatist
Example: "Rahm Emanuel's campaign was a pragmatic success."

When They Say: Grown-up
They Mean: Corporatist
Example: "Unlike Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Clinton is a grown-up."

When They Say: Rational
They Mean: Corporatist
Example: "Harold Ford advocates a rational approach to foreign policy."

When They Say: Reasonable
They Mean: Corporatist
Example: "Steny Hoyer wants to adopt reasonable restrictions on greenhouse gasses."

When They Say: Centrist
They Mean: Corporatist
Example: "Diane Feinstein's centrist views have not been popular in the more liberal areas of her state."

When They Say: Bipartisan
They Mean: Corporatist
Example: "Joe Lieberman led a bipartisan effort to compromise on the Roberts nomination."


Any others that I've missed?