Cooking with Tim

I am cooking frequently with a Franklin Chef Vertisserie Plus that I acquired for free. It is basically a rotisserie, except it spins on a vertical axis. I have been cooking pork loins, chicken, cuts of beef, and anything I can skewer and fit inside. I have been very pleased with it. Everything comes out tasty and very juicy. It has a non-stick pan on the top to that cooks veggies very well. Guess what I cooked yesterday? Correct, a turkey breast.

The recipe for the turkey breast called for coating the carcass with poultry spices. After spearing the turkey, or setting it on the poultry attachment, the recipe called for making a pocket on the front of the breast, between the skin and the breast meat, as big as it could be made leaving 1/2 inch connected on the bottom and sides. Next the pocket is filled with mashed whole berry cranberry sauce. Finally cook for an hour and 45 minutes. The pocket ended up burning, and finally breaking after a while. I had to use bicycle spokes to hold it into place to finish the cooking- what else is a cyclist going to have floating around the house? In the end, I had one fantastic turkey!

I had a great Thanksgiving with family! The turkey was presented on a platter surrounded by baked apples and pears, which my gf contributed. We had ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes with cheese, string beans, sweet potatoes, and all kinds of good stuff. Desert was pumpkin pie and pecan pie.

I hope everybody's Thanksgiving was as good as mine! I have much to be thankful for, and always try to keep that in mind. I will need a few bike rides to work off the treats.

      your note []

Confederate flag wavers plan to protest KKK rally.

With both sides waving the Confederate battle flag, how will you be able to tell the two sides apart? Of course, one side obviously went to an after Thanksgiving white sale on the way to the march.

To steal a Richard Pryor line: I hope they march through the projects; they could use the sheets.

      your note []

Bush cuts federal employee's raise.

How many of these people voted for him? How do they feel now?

This won't be the last blow to the American middle class by Bush and the Republican administration.

      your note []

Paul Krugman of the New York Times on the media.

This week Al Gore said the obvious. "The media is kind of weird these days on politics," he told The New York Observer, "and there are some major institutional voices that are, truthfully speaking, part and parcel of the Republican Party."

The reaction from most journalists in the "liberal media" was embarrassed silence. I don't quite understand why, but there are some things that you're not supposed to say, precisely because they're so clearly true.

With the abolishment of the fairness doctrine in the '80's and loosened restrictions on media ownership, major media has a vested interest in supporting Republican policies that favor major corporations. Any sense of fair and balanced reporting has vanished, and blatant partisan bias has become the norm.

      your note []

Bush's State Department recommends sadomasochist weapons inspector.

No, you read that right. From MSNBC.com:

The United Nations launched perhaps its most important weapons inspections ever yesterday with a team that includes a 53-year-old Virginia man with no specialized scientific degree and a leadership role in sadomasochistic sex clubs.

McGeorge said yesterday that a State Department official invited him to apply for the U.N. team, and officials at State and the U.N. did not ask about his S&M background.

And they were all pissed off about a blowjob? I guess a little bondage, torture, and other hardcore fun is different? McGeorge is a former president of Black Rose, a pansexual S&M group, and has no degree in any specialized area that could be useful in weapons inspection. How did he get this job? It seems nobody is checking the background of these inspectors.

"Bad Saddam, bad Saddam! I told you no weapons! Now bend over while I spank your butt! How does that feel? Have you been a bad boy? I'm going to spank your butt again! There! What a bad boy!"

Edited on 12/1/2002 to add: Hans Blix, Chief United Nations weapons inspector rejected McGeorge's resignation offer. While McGeorge has only an associate's degree in security management from a community college, he also has extensive BDSM management experience, so Blix felt "McGeorge is a highly qualified and competent technical expert." In the BDSM field McGeorge specializes in various techniques involving knives, ropes and choking apparatuses. Story from Gulf News.

Edited on 12/1/2002 to add: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution choose to not cover this story, or at least I have been unable to find any mention of it. It was not widely covered, as the media is still reluctant to mention anything critical of the Bush administration. The Australian press is giving the story a good bit of play. Check out this search on google to see what coverage is out there.

      your note []

Jeff Berry of Creative Loafing really likes some of Governor Elect Perdue's ideas.

And now these clueless crackers are running amok, planning to embarrass us all by restoring the confederate emblem to the state flag and transforming zombie-like Democratic state Senators into right-wing Republicans by the busload. And it's all being orchestrated by Ralph Reed. God help us.

We have gone from Maddox Country signs in the 60's to Sonny Country signs 40 years later. Georgia is one progressive state!

      your note []

CNN first reports then removes story from website about anti-media demonstration outside Atlanta offices.

More info at Blah3 and Atlanta Indymedia.

Edited to add .pdf link for cached google page: Link.

Sounds like somebody at CNN got in trouble for reporting news.

      your note []

Gore has taken the gloves off against the conservative press.

"The media is kind of weird these days on politics, and there are some major institutional voices that are, truthfully speaking, part and parcel of the Republican Party," said Mr. Gore in an interview with The Observer. "Fox News Network, The Washington Times, Rush Limbaugh-there's a bunch of them, and some of them are financed by wealthy ultra-conservative billionaires who make political deals with Republican administrations and the rest of the media .... Most of the media [has] been slow to recognize the pervasive impact of this fifth column in their ranks-that is, day after day, injecting the daily Republican talking points into the definition of what's objective as stated by the news media as a whole."

"Something will start at the Republican National Committee, inside the building, and it will explode the next day on the right-wing talk-show network and on Fox News and in the newspapers that play this game, The Washington Times and the others. And then they'll create a little echo chamber, and pretty soon they'll start baiting the mainstream media for allegedly ignoring the story they've pushed into the zeitgeist. And then pretty soon the mainstream media goes out and disingenuously takes a so-called objective sampling, and lo and behold, these R.N.C. talking points are woven into the fabric of the zeitgeist."

The myth of the "liberal" media has finally been dying. There has never really been a liberal media. However, with the emergence of Fox News, the continued conservative slant of papers like the Washington Times, and conservative lapdogs pundits like Rush, the media has lurched strongly to the right. The 2000 election is one of the best examples. The press continued to carry the Republican's misrepresentations and lies about Gore, even after they were proven to be incorrect. Gore was absolutely hammered by the press. Meanwhile, stories about Bush deserting the National Guard, his drug and alcohol abuse, and his frequent shows of pure stupidity were all but ignored.

The reporting of the resulting recount battle continued to be slanted. Gore's residence was surrounded by hordes of bussed in Republican thugs hollering obscenities 24 hours a day, and the press barely mentioned it. Republican thugs rushed the building where Florida officials were performing a recount of ballots, in an illegal effort to prevent government officials from performing their elected duties. The press never batted an eye. Anything the Republican's did became good, and anything the Democrats did became evil. Any unproven allegation the Republican's made became "fact." There was definite conservative bias.

Our press, whose job it is to present impartial news stories and facts, choose to misrepresent a person they disliked. They used their "Sword of Truth" to maim somebody for personal reasons, and alter the course of a presidential election. They have chosen which course our country's government should take by slanting the information our people receive.

Freedom of the press is one of the most important institutions our founding fathers left us. They knew its value; they saw the printing presses destroyed by the English. Freedom of the press is the most important right we have as a country. This allows for the honest distribution of information. No people or portion of government is supposed to be able to corrupt or control this system. Freedom of the press is always what has separated us from communists, fascists, and other non-democratic forms of government. People in America died for this right, just as people in other countries continue to.

Now, thanks to the Republican's deregulation of media ownership, our free press has been bought and paid for by big business. Media conglomerates continue to buy up all forms of the media they can get their hands on. "Ultra-conservative billionaires" now decide what news we hear, and how it will be presented. Be wary of what you hear, and where you hear it from.

Gore is doing American's a favor when he attacks the conservative media. Not only to we deserve fair and impartial reporting, but we should demand it! When the attacks against Gore start again, and he is labeled as unpatriotic for questioning our press and government, do not be swayed. Remember that freedom of the press is our country's most important right. It is what we need to be watchdogs to out elected officials and government. Demand your press to be unbiased. Use the phone, use a typewriter, use your email. Demand the truth. Stand behind Gore in this battle.

      your note []

Sign Avenger may retire.

Joe Chao started his campaign against the illegal practice of putting small temporary signs at intersections and on right of ways in 1997. He has torn down, or spray painted the ads for five and a half years. He briefly retired in 1999, only to be encouraged by Cherokee County residents to continue. The effort and expense have taken its toll, however. His vigilante methods have him waiting for his second court battle. He feels it is time for somebody else to take over.

The signs are there for a new superhero to emerge. One who relentless against evil doers, and illegal sign placers. Preferably a hero with a law degree, so they don't have to pay legal fees when they are dragged into court. Having a truck to haul off the signs would help. Actually, good gloves to avoid splinters would be advisable. Available time on weekend mornings should also be mentioned. So....... any new superhero out there?

      your note []

That didn't last as long as some of Elvis's binges.

Have any of these "stars" ever heard of "dating?" Maybe "going steady?"

      your note []

Come on people, lets push a tax cut that actually helps the middle class!

A simple new tax cut idea that is much better than Bush and the Republican's tax cut. Cut out the taxes on the first $20,000 earned by everybody. Think of the money you will save, and that EVERYONE will save, not just the very wealthy. Also, since companies have to match payroll taxes, they will save money and this could save jobs now. The vast majority of money will go to working people and the middle class, who will be likely to spend it, helping our economy.

How much would a tax cut like this cost? Exactly the same amount the tax that Bush wants to give permanently to the rich. Just do away with his tax that favors the rich (that means incredibly wealthy), and institute this one. Instead of hundreds, most people will save thousands of dollars. Why settle for that little $600 rebate check Bush sent you so that the VERY rich can save hundreds of thousands if not millions?

Trickle down economics has never worked, and it will not work now. Demand a tax cut that will help the everyday people. If you earn $80,000 a year, think of the first 3 months without any taxes for federal income, social security and Medicare. Would you rather have that money or your little $600 rebate from Bush. If we don't get a change, the difference between the two amounts is going into the pockets of the rich! Do you think they need it more than you?

Rea d the story and make up your mind. Then call your elected representative. Make them change the tax cut to help people who need it.

      your note []

Crack whore seen in court with Bobby Brown.

Whitney Houston's appearance in court did not help Bobby Brown. Brown's lawyers argued that since he had evaded prosecution for so long witnesses memories would be unreliable, and so charges should be dropped. No I am not making that up.

[Attorney Xavier] Dicks tried to convince Judge Purdom that too much time had passed since Brown's initial arrest.

"Who knows what witnesses really remember, what they remember is probably what they're told to remember," Dicks said.

The judge wasn't buying that, nor any old Bobby or Whitney CDs. Brown is still out on bail.

      your note []

Hiker who was shot by hunter does not want charges filed.

Rachel Ferguson was hiking the Appalachian trail last Sunday with a group from Venture Scouts, a Boy Scouts of America sponsored program. Matthew Bryant was hunting in the area, and fired at movement in the woods. The movement turned out to be Ferguson looking for a place to relieve herself, so to speak. She is still in the hospital with a bullet resting against her collar bone.

Union Sheriff Scott Stephens said Bryant had hunted previously, but had "limited" hunting experience.

Bryant has not said what made him mistake the girl, dressed in jeans and a gray sweatshirt, for a deer. However, he has asked several time about how many points her rack had.

Bryant did stop and render first aid and CPR, which is why Fergusen does not want charges pressed against him. There also will be very little scaring where Bryant tried to field dress her with a cheap pocket knife.

      your note []

A story out of Chicago about the sale of illegal tiger and lion hides.

This crap just makes me sick. Slaughtering 8 tigers caged in a trailer with a hail of bullets. To think these guys are getting off with very light sentences. We are supposed to be stewards of the earth. Not only are we now polluting and destroying it, we are also killing endangered animals so some schmuck can pretend like they have big balls by having a stuffed tiger in their "safari room." One of the defendants is comparing killing the tigers and lions to killing livestock since they were not purebred. Just lovely.

A photo gallery of of the animals and people in the story. Notice the mullet on one of the losers.

      your note []

I see frat boys following these two girls around waiting for them to get totally drunk.

Like sailors off a ship for the first time in 6 months, Jenna and Barbara will probably be out hitting the bars with no holds barred. They had problems staying out of trouble when they legally couldn't drink, now they should be bouncing off the walls.

More at The New York Daily News and The Herald Tribune.

Updates at TheFirstTwins.com.

      your note []

Questionable Ebay tactics.

I have been bidding on Ebay for a new trainer to use for indoor cycling. After losing a few close auctions I finally got a very good price of $58 on a CycleOps Wind Trainer. I was real happy. I can use this one while I warranty/upgrade my current fluid trainer, and then give it to my girlfriend to use. Seems to be a good deal all around.

After winning the auction, I emailed the seller to get the total with shipping, including my zip code. On 95% of the trainer auctions I have looked at, the shipping to anywhere in the lower 48 was $15. The most I have seen listed for shipping was $20 on one auction. I have seen a few with shipping of $10. The auction said "Buyer pays actual shipping." Using his zip code and a very generous weight and size, UPS gave a cost of $20.60 for ground service insured. USPS Parcel Post, using a very generous weight and size, gave a shipping rate of $20.23. This guy wants $38 for shipping! So what I thought would be about a $78 price has jumped to $96.

At first I was just going to pay the shipping and forget about it. The more I think about it, the more I get pissed off. It has gotten to the "principle of the thing" stage now. I have sent an email to the seller asking for the rational behind the high shipping cost. I have listing as auctions myself as "buyer pays actual shipping," but then I charged only actual shipping. I may end up backing out of the sale, and then the seller and I can trade negative feedback. The whole deal has ruined any good feeling I previously had.

Any comments?

      your note []