Kangaroo Meat and Kangaroo Courts

This is, in theory (and once I am through with finals will be in practice) a blog about food, bars and politics. Rachel Maddow sent me an article this evening that I must post if only because it is the perfect Speak Easy story. So perfect in fact, I am not sure if I am horrified because one of the lawyers in charge of Saddam Hussein's laughable "trial" is double-billing as he simultaneously runs a restaurant in New York from Baghdad, or if I am outraged by Paul Bremer's early interest in New York lawyers rather than armor for our troops. Then again, I may be displeased that my mom likes the restaurant owned by the aforementioned Bremer loyalist who botched the Hussein trail so badly he must have confused his order for kangaroo meat with the kind of court we needed to set up.

Kangaroo courts like this one put the notion of international justice itself in jeopardy. Holding tyrants, rebels, dictators, authoritarians, kings and all state leaders responsible when they wantonly kill their own people is a relatively new phenomenon, and one built on a very precarious foundation made weaker by disingenuous Bush officials and appointees like this one.

LINK

Today's Blog Entry Is Brought To You By The Number 23, As In Congress's Approval Rating

I don't trust polls, no one does, really. Especially not 6 months before an election. But everyone loves polls and statistics because they let our hunches develop scientific aspirations. That said, LA Times political writers Janet Hook and Ron Brownstein (who, interestingly, is married to one of John McCain's top aides) wrote a fantastic, easy to swallow breakdown of the latest numbers that will make you the smartest cookie in the office cookie jar. If you care to read their words or take a closer look at some key races, click here, or just look at the national numbers I have cut and pasted below.

*****

Presidential job approval rating

1994: 46%

2006: 34%

*

Congressional job approval rating

1994: 23%

2006: 23%

*

Does your member of Congress deserve reelection? Yes:

1994: 54%

2006: 59%

*

Do most members of Congress deserve reelection? Yes:

1994: 38%

2006: 38%

*

In the congressional election do you intend to vote*:

Democratic

1994: 44%

2006: 54%

Republican

1994: 51%

2006: 39%

*1994 asked "likely" voters; this year asked "registered" voters

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The Senate races

Democrats need a six-seat gain to capture the Senate. The races below will be crucial to determining whether they can upend the GOP majority.

The Senate today

Republican: 55

Democrat: 44

Independent: 1

*



The House races

Republicans hold 18 districts that Democrat John F. Kerry carried in the 2004 presidential race. The Democrats need to take several of these seats to control the House.

The House today
Republican: 231
Democrat: 201
Independent: 1
Open seats: 2

Hillbilly Name

In honor of my southern history final Tuesday, I went to my new favorite site that catalogues all generator websites.

I found a hillbilly name generator, and mine is Lil' Dolly Rambler. You can find yours here.

Beer Cocktails

I found recipes for what are now known as beer "cocktails," drinks so foul they require beer goggles prior to imbibing. LINK

1. Michelada

Pour your beer into a glass filled with ice and add the juice of one small lemon. Add a dash of soy, Tabasco and Worcestershire. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. For some, a true Mexican Michelada is not complete without a shot of Tequila mixed in.

2. Beer Margarita

1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate

8 fluid ounces vodka

3 (12 fluid ounce) cans or bottles beer

Empty lemonade concentrate into pitcher (do not add water!). Pour in vodka and beer. Serve over ice.

3. Spicy Red Beer

(12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer

1 (5.5 ounce) can tomato-vegetable juice cocktail

1 dash Louisiana-style hot sauce

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

1 pinch seasoning salt

In a frozen beer mug combine tomato-vegetable juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and seasoning salt. Pour in cold beer.

4. The Read-Headed Step Child

1 pint beer

1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger whiskey

1/2 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger grenadine syrup

Pour one pint glass of beer. Measure a shot of whiskey, and pour in. Top with 1/2 shot of grenadine.

5. Zima Plus

1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle of clear malt liquor

1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger of blackberry brandy

Pour the malt liquor over ice in a tall glass. Stir in a shot of blackberry brandy.