TGIF Chocolate Blogging

How can you pass up this:

Chocolate Cake:
4 bars (1.5 ounces each) Godiva Dark Chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
6 large eggs, separated, at room temperature

Raspberry Glaze:
2/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
1 tablespoon water

Chocolate Ganache Frosting:
2/3 cup heavy cream
5 bars (1.5 ounces each) Godiva Dark Chocolate, coarsely chopped

Finishing:
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon raspberry flavored liqueur

Garnish (optional):
1 pint fresh raspberries

Follow the link to get instructions on how to put it all together. Although with those ingredients I think that any way you put them together it would have to taste good.

That's When the World Tilted and I Slid Into a Melting Clock....

I have a friend who works at a hotel, and I have to say - what a lot of crazy stories. But this one trumps all the rest. A wing-nut discussion broke out near the front desk where the following was heard:

"The problem is... at some point we are going to officially take over Canada. I mean, we control it now, but I think they are still thinking they run their own country."

If you're a fan of Lewis Black like I am, you see this as a, "If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have gone to college" sort of quote. If you don't know what I mean, may I recommend Rules of Enragement. Excuse me, I need to go to IHOP and eat syrupy pancakes until my head explodes.

Canadians, start your comments.

Big Brother is Watching You

"The only thing that saves us from bureaucracy is inefficiency An efficient bureaucracy is the greatest threat to liberty. "
--Eugene McCarthy

From a LiveJournal:

A couple of weeks ago, following the last presidential debate, I said some rather inflammatory things about George W. Bush in a public post in my LJ, done in a satirical style. We laughed, we ranted, we all said some things. I thought it was a fairly harmless (and rather obvious) attempt at humor in the face of annoyance, and while a couple of people were offended, as is typical behavior from me, I saw something shiny and forgot about it, thinking that the whole thing was over and done and nothing else would come of what I said.

I was wrong.

At 9:45 last night, the Secret Service showed up on my mother's front door to talk to me about what I said about the President, as what I said could apparently be misconstrued as a threat to his life. After about ten minutes of talking to me and my family, they quickly came to the conclusion that I was not a threat to national security (mostly because we are the least threatening people in the entire world) and told me that they would not recommend that any further action be taken with my case. However, I do now have a file with the FBI that includes my photograph, my e-mail address, and the location of my LJ. This will follow me around for the rest of my life, regardless of the fact that the Secret Service knows that I am not a threat.

If I recall correctly, threatening the life of the President is actually treason (someone with greater knowledge, please comment, because I don't have time to research). So, in a way, I'm glad that I know my employees (I've come to decide that if my taxes pay for their work, all government employees must ultimately be 'my' employees - I'm a shareholder) are taking their job seriously. I assume that they lack a sense of humor. (Based on the way that the current post is written I would have to think that in the context of this writer's work you shouldn't take them too seriously.) But I figure it's like the signs I used to see at the New Orleans airport even before 9/11 - "We have no sense of humor. We must take all threats seriously." In case you haven't been there, New Orleans is full of pranksters and jokesters and they love to tell a good yarn, yank your chain, and tease you. Add a little alcohol provided by the airport lounge and, well, you can imagine. So I have to say - I understand, I appreciate what the Secret Service is trying to do...... But this is still scary, and potentially a threat to freedom. And as Zift Pryme, who gave me the link, said: "So, why can't they just find all of the people who are posting to these 'terrorist websites' we keep hearing about?....And how many people like this kid have they arrested that we never heard about?"

Chef's Sweaty Chocolate....

Of course there's brown sugar in this recipe.

Chocolate Balls for (Southpark) Kids
Yield: 48 Servings

Ingredients:
1 c Brown sugar
1 c Granulated sugar
1/2 c Milk
1 t Vanilla
1/2 c Cocoa powder
3 c Quick cooking oats
1 c Sweetened desiccated coconut
1 c Diced glac‚ or maraschino Cherries
1/2 c Chopped walnuts
optional Icing sugar

Instructions:
In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder and milk. Over medium heat, bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Pour into bowl; stir in vanilla, add oatmeal, coconut, cherries and walnuts if using. Cool to room temperature (about 1 hour). Shape into 1 1/2" balls. Roll in icing sugar. Store in airtight container in single layers between waxed paper.

You might want to put a little salt on them. Music for your kitchen inspiration...

So, Who's the Moral Party Again?

Anything that makes anyone pine for the good ole days of Trent Lott's leadership should make us stop to think. These are the people who promised moral leadership? And the best leadership they have to offer is some bigoted, out of touch, good ole boy? (I know someone who went to school with his son. Really, I don't think I'm far off the mark.)

The Page of Another Sad American

I got this link via email this week.

How can the polls be even close? How can they?

Redeem Darth Nader

So I was thinking about how Ralph Nader is on the ballot in all of these states, and it was making me pretty mad. He killed the 2000 elections for Al Gore. He's gotten funding from the Republican machine for this election. Grrrrr.

Then I had a moment of blinding insight. Let Nader take votes away from Commander Bunnypants this time.

A lot of Republicans who can't stand Bush also can't stand the thought of voting for Kerry and/or a Democrat. Many of these people also can't stand the thought of not voting - it's their civic duty.

We just need to popularize the thought that a vote for Ralph Nader is a vote for no confidence in George Bush. I'm not worried about Kerry not carrying the election anymore. He's going to win. Making it common knowledge that votes for Nader equal votes of no confidence from Republicans for Bush would be that extra rub on the face when Nader pulls 1-3% (maybe more under this plan?) in the states he's on the ballot for. While Bush pulls puny numbers.

Equating Nader to malcontent Republicans would probably also force the die-hard Greens into making a rational vote - Kerry will protect the environment a hell of a lot more than Bush. Don't waste your vote on someone who can't help you. If you want a Green influence in Washington, DC, start with the House and Senate.

Is it a plan?

Don't "Cross" Jon Stewart

If you haven't seen Jon Stewart on Crossfire you really need to. If he keeps this up we will all have to worship him as our Lord Savior of Journalistic Integrity. Can't you just imagine Walter Cronkite? "Thank God.... But how in the hell did that happen?"

It was definitely great watching Jon rip F Tucker Carlson a new one. In the past year I have had to swear off of TV news. The only thing that gets close to being news on my TV is The Daily Show. I get my real news online - blogs, foreign news sources, and some trusted online American papers.

How do people live on a steady diet of CNN or MSNBC, much less Fox News?? I don't understand. It's hard to believe that I miss Ted Turner, but CNN seemed to have so much more integrity when he owned it.

Oh, and when I watched the debates, I watched them on CBS instead of CSPAN (which is what I would usually do) because I am showing support after MemoGate. Reporting the correct information on the wrong piece of paper should not a scandal make. And they had the secretary herself on there before everyone got their panties in a twist. She said she did not type that letter, but that the information was factually correct. Wasn't that supposed to be the whole point??? THE INFORMATION????

And that's why we love Jon. He would be all over that. I think that Jon needs to have Dan Rather on his show so that they can commiserate over how everyone has lost sight of the real issues.

Friday Chocolate Bloggins

What could be more fun than creating your own assortment of political adversaries, then biting their little heads off?

Try chocolate clay from Chocolate Recipes dot net.

Modeling Chocolate

Ingredients:
6 oz choc, no need to temper
5 teaspoons corn syrup

Instructions:
Mix and chill for 5 hrs, knead until plastic, if you require it softer add a few drops of water when kneading.

Add RightWing Nuts as needed.

Frank Burns Eats Worms

I had a sudden epiphany. Our nation must be have at least 50% Frank Burns-types. That explains the polls.

The Grand Old Party

Finally, some people are coming around that deserve to be called The Grand Old Party again. First it was John Eisenhower. Now it's Elmer L. Anderson, former governor of Minnesota:

This imperialistic, stubborn adherence to wrongful policies and known untruths by the Cheney-Bush administration -- and that's the accurate order -- has simply become more than I can stand.

Although I am a longtime Republican, it is time to make a statement, and it is this: Vote for Kerry-Edwards, I implore you, on Nov. 2.

Angels and ministers of grace defend us

Pardon a break our regular broadcasting to read this story about a Seattle girl who survived for 8 days after her car crashed into a ravine.

There's more in heaven and earth than is dreamt of in our philosophy...

Vive le Fromage!

I am a cheese with a complex flavor. My moods are affected by my current environment. I am sophisticated and mature but sometimes a little superstitious.

Cheese Test: What type of cheese are you?

Historical Notes:
Brie is the best known French cheese and has a nickname "The Queen of Cheeses". Several hundred years ago, Brie was one of the tributes which had to be paid to the French kings. In France, Brie is very different from the cheese exported to the United States. "Real" French Brie is unstabilized and the flavor is complex when the surface turns slightly brown. When the cheese is still pure-white, it is not matured. If the cheese is cut before the maturing process is finished, it will never develop properly. Exported Brie, however, is stabilized and never matures. Stabilized Brie has a much longer shelf life and is not susceptible to bacteriological infections. Brie, one of the great dessert cheeses, comes as either a 1 or 2 kilogram wheel and is packed in a wooden box. In order to enjoy the taste fully, Brie must be served at room temperature. [ Country: France || Milk: cow milk || Texture: soft || Recommended Wine: Bourgogne ]

Now if they would just come up with a global test....

I found these great tests while I was checking out the late night political jokes.

The George W. Bush Loyalty Test
I scored zero on a scale of 1 to 10.

The John Kerry Loyalty Test
I scored 9 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Share your scores if you take the quizzes.

The only people more annoying than Britney Spears fans (well, other than Britney herself) are Jesus Freaks.
Posted by Hello

Chocolate The Consuming Passion

With the debates tonight I think that An Old Soul had a good idea of posting some nice chocolate recipes. Comfort food for these last, harrowing days.

When I found this recipe for Cappuccino Flats I thought, "I totally have to try those". I haven't made them yet, but maybe I will put them on the menu for the Liberal Nest we will be hosting at our house on November 2nd. Yes, a safe place to watch the election results with supportive friends around. Although caffeine may sound like a bad choice for a group of nervous election watchers, I figure we can bust them out when the results start being questioned. If it's anything like 2000 we will have days to be sleepless.

By the way, Chocolate the Consuming Passion is my favorite book EVER. And this is from a person who loves many, many books very, very much.

Just Say NO

I knew that the warlords were ruling large sections of Afghanistan. I knew that people were being shot for carrying voters registration cards. I knew that the opium production had increased.

After reading this, I realize that I knew nothing.

"The Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that opium production in Afghanistan has soared since the end of Taliban rule in 2001, from 74 metric tons in 2001 to 2,965 metric tons last year." -NY Times

That is beyond staggering. That is beyond irresponsible. That is criminal. That is a crime against humanity.

You Know You Want It

More Things that Make Me Laugh

I just got my copy of America (The Book) last night, which is a riot. I found an interview with Jon Stewart on Amazon.com and the following made me snarf:

Stewart: By the way, do you guys have to sell everything?
Amazon.com: We're getting there.
Stewart: I'd like to buy the Earth's core.
Amazon.com: I don't know what tab that's under.

Denied!

Time Magazine is doing a Reality Check for Dubya. Some goodies include:

[Bush's] Claim:
The difficulties facing the U.S. in Iraq are a product of foreign terrorists showing up to fight the America there.

Reality Check:
The U.S. military on the ground says that the overwhelming majority of the insurgents fighting the U.S. in Iraq are Iraqis, not foreigners.

[Bush's] Claim:

Bilateral talks with North Korea would be a fatal mistake that would precipitate the collapse of the six-party talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program.

Reality Check:
Some of the key parties to those talks, including China, Russia and South Korea, are in favor of the U.S. talking directly to North Korea in order to provide Pyongyang with security guarantees that would improve the prospects for success in the six-party process.

They also printed a reality check for Kerry. Most of the rebuttals I found myself thinking, "Well, why didn't Bush point that out at the debate?" It's pretty point on point stuff. This one, though, strikes me as a "Well, duh. Of course he was talking about the coalition."

[Kerry's] Claim:
The U.S. is suffering 90 percent of the casualties in Iraq.

Reality Check:
The U.S. may be recording upward of 90 percent of coalition casualties, but the overwhelming majority of the people killed in Iraq over the past 18 months have been Iraqis.