Kanye West...sad, sad, sad

Racist and bad mannered...what could be worse.

When Kanye first started recording, I avoided him but the last couple of albums pursuaded me that he had talent. Unfortunately whatever talent he might have has been outshone by his douche bag antics. I will never spend another dime on this embarrasment of a human being. Take off the GD sunglasses too, damnit!

Congrats to Beyonce on a class move inviting Taylor Swift to finish her speech.

Almost Live Blogging POTUS at VFW

Below are a few choice quotes from President Obama from his appearence this morning (PST) at the Veterans of Foreign Wars 100th Annual Convention. Since he was speaking to the largest and oldest veterans organization in the country, he chose to address military concerns, which was a nice respite from the health care discussion. He made all the right proclamation about protecting and caring for our troops in the field and for our veterans on their return.

I have but one question for the President: How do we pay for all this? I completely agree that the country owes a special obligation to those who spill their own blood for their country. What we must remember is the budget for veterans does not exist in a vacuum. If there is going to be a substantial increase in funding for Veterans Affairs and the military as it fights two wars (as their should be, especially on military pay, housing, etc and health care for wounded warriors), what in the budget will lose funding? To pander to a crowd of veterans by promising them everything they could possibly want, with no explanation of how to pay for it is unfair at best and pandering at worst.

"I will only send you (soldiers) into combat when absolutely necessry and only with the equipment that you need to accomplish your mission"

The policies that have been put in place by the Obama administration wil "put an end to stop loss."

The goal of the defense budget is to "equip forces with tools necessay such as helicopters, protective gear, training and intelligence."

"As Iraqis take control of their destiny they will be tested...the US will keep its obligations."

In Afghanistan: "Diplomacy, development and good government" are what are needed.

"This is not a war of choice but war of necessity. Fundamental to the defense of our people."

"Must prepare our forces for challenges of tomorrow, adapting to the post Cold War world." He stated that twenty years after the end of the Cold War, it was unacceptable that the military was stilled mired in 20th century thinking on combat and war.

Twenty-first century preparedness means: "Conventional and unconventional. Ability to defeat armored division and loan suicide bomber and 21st century pirates."

Refering to F-22: "Impulse in Washington to protect jobs back home has a cost."

All defense budget items must: "Cut the waste, save taxpayer dollars, support the troops."

The government has a responsibility to military families in many ways, therefore the defense budget includes: "Increasing military pay, better housing, more opportunity for Fed jobs for military spouses, millions of dollars for wounded warriors

"PTSD and traumatic brain injuries are defining I juries of today's war with billions of $dollars for treatment."

Talking of the new GI bill, "You pick the school, we'll pick up the bill" and it school will be "available to all including reservists and children of soldiers"

Obama hopes to create a "21st century VA--dramatically increasing funding"

"No one is going to take away Veterans health care--we're expanding coverage."

One goal of new rules for VA: "Medical care never to be held up by budget delays."

Goal of Obama's VA: "End veteran homelessness--zero tolerence"

"After fighting for America you should not have to fight through red tape to get your benefits."

"Largest increase in VA budget in 30 years--billions more to come"

Eating Your Way Across The Crescent City

New Orleans has been one of my favorite American cities since before I even visited. Having spent the last few days there again on my third trip, I am renewed in my belief that this is one of the greatest culinary cities in the world. So far, I have nearly confined myself to destination eating...testing out the great restaurants that everyone raves about.

Every culinary tour of NOLA needs to begin at Cafe du Monde. This Jackson Square stalwart offers just one thing, the heavenly French donuts known as beignets. Dusted in a mountain of confectioner's suger, these delicacies, paired with a cafe au lait, are as good as anything you will eat in New Orleans. Monring, noon, or night, there is nothing like a beignet.

In addition to my daily sojourn to Cafe du Monde, I sampled for different first rate Crescent City eateries. My first night I went to Emeril Legasse's NOLA. Now there are those who are Emeril haters, though I find his TV personality grating, I love Emeril's cooking. My first trip to New Orleans I sampled Legasse's fare at Del Monico's, and it was one of the best meals I have ever enjoyed. At NOLA I start with BBQ shrimp, an Emeril special, with a side of cheese grits, then had a braised short rib to die for with Brie Cream "Mac & Cheese" and honey baked white beans. It was my kind of meal, not a green vegetable to be found. Coupled with a beautiful Petite Syrrah, I could not have asked for more. Dessert was a chocolante bourbon pecan pie with sweet potato ice cream and caramel drizzle. The cloying sweetness of the pie was nicely balanced by the ice cream which should remind any good Southerner of grandma's sweet potato pie. All in all, NOLA was everything I have come to expect from Emeril Legasse: creative cooking with local flare and quality ingredients.

The second dining experience came at Galatoire's on Bourbon Street. One of the oldest establishments in the French Quarter, Galatoire's is still a family run affair the closely guard its ancient recipes. Jackets are still required for gentlemen, and the tuxedo clad waiters are some fo the best in the business. This slavishness to tradition makes for a wonderful experience in the dining room, but the food is second rate. I began with the escargot bordelaise, one of my favorites. It was spot on perfect. Unfortunately, the Pompano with crabmeat Yvonne was seriously disappointing. Though well cooked, it was pedestrian. Even the wine was m'eh. Steeped in tradition, the lack of creativity at Galatoire's broke the illusion I had of traveling back in time. Culinarily, I'm too attached to the present.

Commander's Palace, on the other hand, was one of the highlights of an illustrious dining career

. Though as old as Galatoire's, Commander's is no where near as stuffy. Upon sitting down, I was greeted by two waiters and a captain who saw to my every whim throughout the evening. Lally Brennan, the owner of this Garden District landmark, made her rounds through the dini

ng room, stopping to talk for several minutes in a genuine conversation that made me feel welcomed and wanted. After a refreshingly dry Bombay Sapphire martini (with a twist of course), I dove into what can only be described as one of the most decadent appetizers of all time, the Foie Gras "Du Monde," a tribute to everyone's favorite riverside donut stand. A sauteed lobe of Hudson Valley foie is placed over a bourbon briased fig and foie gras beignet with vanilla cracked coffee beans, foie gras cafe au lait and chicory coffee mist.

Though the foie was a tough act to follow, the kitchen a Commander's Palace continued the decadence with a fourteen ounce veal chop that was nearly two inches thick. Paired with asparugus and resting atop a bed of grits and goat cheese, the chop was as delicious as it was beautiful. A hot summer day demanded an appropriate wine, and petite syrrah rose did just the trick, with enough complexity and body to stand up to the veal, but the lightness to be quaffed with abandon. The meal ended with the "Queen of Creole Desserts," Commander's bread pudding souffle. It was lighter than any bread pudding I have ever sampled, with just a hint of spice to make it nice.

What would a foodie tour of New Orleans be without Bananas Foster? Incomplete. Another of

the old establishment restaurants, Brennan's in the Quarter is the spot for brunch, so I stopped in on my last morning. This is another place bound by tradition, but not yet moribund. My waiter informed me that the house tradition is to buy a drink for solo diners, so my brunch began with a mimosa to kick things off. I then proceeded to devour a three course breakfast that included a Southern baked apple with double cream, the Brennan's original Eggs Hussard (poached eggs atop Holland rusks, Canadian bacon, and Marchand de Vin sauce, all topped with Hollandaise Sauce), and finally Bananas Foster. Created in 1951 at Brennan's, this world famous dessert is bananas sauteed in butter, brownsuger, cinnamon and banana liqeuor and then flamed in run and served over vanilla ice cream. Some might say Bananas Foster is New Orleans in a bowl.

Iran Protests: In the Face of Certain Death

Protests continue in Iran today, even after Ayatolla Ali Khamenei warned the people that any further protests in the street would be suppressed by the power of the state. My favorite line from the speech might have been when Khamenei tried to explain that up to a millian votes might be stolen, but not the eleven million Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole.

Below are picture from the live blogging on Huffington Post. They show Basiji militia waiting to stop the protestors before they reach Ferdosi Square. Pictures were taken at approximately Noon local time.

The bravery of the Persian people, especially the women who are treated as little more than chattel, deserves our support. I am so proud of the US House of Representatives for their resolution supporting the Iranian people and their right to protest this hoax of an election and condemning the crackdown threatened by the Supreme Leader. My own Congressman, Republican Jim Gerlach (PA-6) tweeted the good news just after the vote was official. I am disgusted by Ron Paul and is single 'Nay' vote. A true isolationist, he deserved to be isolated. Never again will I acknowledge him as a leader.

It is being reported that a bomb has gone off near the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini. Tweets fast a furious denying that this is the work of the green protesters. Most believe this is the government's attempt to discredit the movement and impose martial law. Violenece will beget violence, and Ahmadinejad is playing a dagerous game. May God look down upon the Persian people and guide them through this darkness.

Democracy in Iran?

The Iranian elections have been proven once again to be the fraud tyranny relies upon, pretending to serve the will of the people, but really just securing their own power. It seems that a reall protest movement has been born of this fraud. Led by their students, and most importantly, their women, Persian society is exhibiting what I hope is the first signs of re-mergence from the Islamic Revolution that is thirty years old. Persian society, that ancient and beautiful society, that shares nothing with the fundamentalists who oppress their intellectuals, their women, and their own history, has taken a book from the Chinese protestors of Tienaman Square, refusing to lay down in the face of overwhelming force. Hopefully, these brave souls can hold on, and the world will begin to apply the pressure that can afford Iran to emerge from three decades of darkness.

The following pictures are from boston.com's Big Picture. Please visit to see the complete set. These are the ones I found most poignant. Notice the dignity of the protesters in the face of violence, abuse, and death, even to the point of rescuing an Iranian police officers.

Sexist Subaru Ad from 1970

After reading this on Buzzfeed, I felt compelled to post it. My favorite line: "...as you take hold of her rack...." At least we have one example of how things have improved. In light of the third woman nominated to the highest court in the land, this seems even more appalling, and more impossible, today. This is not to say things are perfect, but good Lord they are better than this.

ACLU v Veterans (Memorial Day Outrage)

This post from from the blog "This Ain't Hell, but You can See It from Here" is about the latest attack on religious Christians and veterans. The ACLU is suing to have a veterans memorial--a cross that was placed in the Mojave desert by World War I veterans in the 30s--because it divides veterans of different creeds on how to memorialize their own sacrifice.

This is incredibly offensive, on the part of the ACLU. Unfortunately I was not shocked to learn that the offended party was an National Park Service employee (not a veteran) who was hiking, came across the memorial, and initiated the suit to have the memorial replaced. As someone who works with veterans groups on a regular basis (I will be attending the VFW, AmVets, and American Legion conventions this summer), I can tell you that no veteran I know, of any (or no) faith, is offended by a cross left in the desert by a group of fellow veterans more than seven decades ago. 

This is nothing more than the continuation of the ACLU's campaign against God, and this time those who have sacrificed most for this country and its Constitution are caught in the middle.