Obama's Medicare Czar: It's Worse than You Thought

(Thanks Michelle Malkin for the link! )

(See also:  Dr. Death Panel Gets a Recess Appointment)

Here is Obama's pick for Medicare czar, Dr. Donald Berwick, explaining how the ideal medical system should act.  He is speaking to a British audience in 2008 about how wonderful their national health care system is.  He applauds them for choosing their system over a "simpler, less ambitious, less troubled plan than the NHS; you could have had the American plan.  You could have been spending 17% of your GDP to make health care unaffordable as a human right instead of spending 9% and guaranteeing it as a human right."

Yes, Berwick loves the NHS.  In fact, he criticizes "the darkness of private enterprise instead of accepting that a politically accountable system must act in the harsh and admittedly sometimes very unfair daylight of the press, public debate and political campaigning."

Berwick says you should use "your tax base to provide a single route of finance" instead of a "monstrous insurance industry of claims and rules and paper pushing."

He says the NHS recognizes that "sick people tend to be poorer and that poor people tend to be sicker."

And the kicker:

Berwick says that "any health care funding plan that is just, equitable, civilized and humane must, must redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and the less fortunate.  Excellent health care is by definition redistributional."

Hear it for yourself:



The buzz is building against this guy.

Red State had a detailed article about him yesterday.

Here are my earlier posts on Berwick here and here and here.

American Spectator also has some informative posts on Berwick by Robert Goldberg and Philip Klein. 

Mark Levin is all over this guy and I'm sure Glenn Beck must be too, although I don't watch him.

Naturally The New York Times does not report any of his controversial opinions; in fact, they conclude:

Dr. Berwick could help shield the White House from Republican charges that Mr. Obama’s policies would lead to the rationing of care or even a government takeover.

Their piece on his selection is here.

Berwick must be confirmed by the Senate.  Start making your phone calls now!

In Swoops Dr. Death Panel to Ration Your Care

Philip Klein at American Spectator has taken notice of Dr. Death Panel, aka Dr. Donald Berwick, who is Obama's pick for Medicare Czar.  This is the guy, you may remember, who is "starry eyed" over the NHS - the British Health Care system.  I researched several of Berwick's articles here.

At American Spectator this morning, Klein points out Berwick's tilt toward rationing:

In his writings and speeches, Berwick has defended government rationing and advocated centralized budget caps on health care spending. 

It is inevitable, of course.

"(T)he Holy Grail of universal coverage in the United States may remain out of reach unless, through rational collective action overriding some individual self-interest, we can reduce per capita costs," Berwick wrote in an article for Health Affairs he co-authored in 2008.
 
He went on to write that, "The hallmarks of proper financial management in a system… are government policies, purchasing contracts, or market mechanisms that lead to a cap on total spending, with strictly limited year-on-year growth targets."

So goes capitalism and the free market. It was nice knowing you.

And so, while everyone is worried about Elena Kagan's total lack of a paper trail or whether or not she's gay, Dr. Death Panel swoops in under the radar.  Is the mainstream media, now out of love with Obama, going to cover this one?  

Don't hold your breath.

Read the whole thing. 

Java Needs a Good Home!

Hey, Shreveport/Bossier:

This is Java.  Java's house caught fire, his owners moved, and now Java has no place to live.  Bossier Animal Control came and captured Java after the fire and took him in.  Java was scheduled to be euthanized tomorrow, Thursday,  until a caring neighbor went to Animal Control and rescued him by paying for boarding and a rabies shot.

This caring neighbor has dogs that don't like cats, and can't keep Java.  This is a very sweet, affectionate cat who enjoys living both inside and outside.

If you know of someone who could provide a good, safe home for Java, please contact me via e-mail and I'll put you in touch with the caring neighbor.  Java will be in quarantine at Animal Control as a precaution and can't leave until May 19.

He really is sweet!

White House Slashing NYC Anti-Terror Funds

This via The New York Post.

Because we're no longer in danger from terrorists...

The Obama administration will announce tomorrow it has slashed anti-terror funds for New York City, despite the attempted Times Square bombing less than two weeks ago that underscored the enormous threat to the city.

The Department of Homeland Security informed New York officials yesterday that grants to the city were cut 27 percent for mass transit security and 25 percent for port security.

The mass transit funds dropped $42 million, from $153 million last year to $111 this year.  Port security funds suffered a $11.2 million cut, from $45 million to $33.8 million, officials said.

Someone please tell The White House that despite the fact that this country elected Barack Obama as President, we are still terrorist targets.

Friends

The Traditional Media is Now "Frustrated" With The White House

It would appear that the "traditional media" is getting testy at being dumped by The White House for "the new media." 

This would be the same "traditional media" that helped drive Barack Obama's narrative during the campaign, that covered for him, that refused to chase down the real stories and hunt information on an unknown candidate while reporting instead on his latest HORSE game or his trip to the ice cream shack. 

The White House had a staffer interview Elena Kagan shortly after the briefing announcing her selection.  The interview was then posted to The White House website causing ire and rancor among the press pool who laments that the White House is filtering Kagan's message.  Via CBS News:

While the White House seems to believe the American people deserve to hear from Kagan, it has not made her available to reporters. That prompted some consternation at today's White House briefing.

"It appears that Solicitor General Kagan did an interview yesterday right after the president's announcement," said a reporter. "You've now posted that on the White House Web site. Who did the interview? And can I have one?"

"I think it's -- I think it's on the website if you want to see it," responded Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Soon after, the reporter can be heard saying, an edge in her voice, "So a White House staffer interviewing her."

Gibbs says yes, and the reporter asks if Kagan would like to do another interview.

"She has -- she's not told me that, no," replied Gibbs, prompting the reporter to respond, "Tell her we're deeply frustrated." 

"Deeply frustrated" indeed. That's how many of us felt when the mainstream media refused to investigate or report on the many dark and undisclosed areas in Obama's background.  Forget the birth certificate issue; I'd have been more interested in his associations with Rashid Khalidi, for example, (remember that tape the LA Times refused to disclose?), or those mysterious college transcripts and papers, among other things.

If the mainstream media is frustrated by the stonewalling by The White House they truly have no one but themselves to blame.

OTMs Crossing the Southwest Border

Via Dittos Rush! comes this video from WSB Atlanta.  Reporter Justin Farmer reports on the OTMs ("Other Than Mexicans") coming across our southern border.



Farmer says thousands cross who are from places like Yemen, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq among others. 

One Arizona rancher found a Muslim prayer rug on his ranch.  Justin Farmer examined a Congressional report from 2006 entitled "A Line in the Sand:  Confronting the Threat at the Southwest Border"  (PDF - 39 pages) which confirmed members of Hezbollah have crossed the border.  It also contains photos of military jackets found on the border, one in Jim Hogg County, with Arab insignia praising martyrdom and depicting pictures of planes flying into the Twin Towers.

In 2005, Border Patrol apprehended about 1.2 million illegals and of those about 165,000 were from "countries other than Mexico."  All of this traffic includes human smuggling, drug smuggling, and "special interest" individuals coming into the country and creating a threat to not just those border communities but to the nation as a whole.

The report also reveals the route taken by the Middle Easterners from Europe to the tri-border region in South America.  Then they learn Spanish, trel to Mexico,  blend in with other illegals and come on in.

Farmer reports on several terrorists seen in the U.S., in the Atlanta area, who likely came in from the southwest border, it is believed.

If the problem was this bad in 2006, I can hardly imagine how much worse it is now. 

Meanwhile, we've got John McCain tromping around down there saying "Complete the danged fence!" and the U.N. is worrying about the human rights of illegals.  The U.N. issued a statement today criticizing Arizona's new immigration bill saying  it could lead to racial profiling and also laments, "It also makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally."

The world is truly upside down.

Machete: Coming to a Theater Near You September 2010

Can you hardly wait to see this film?  (Trailer NSFW!)



It is, of course, Machete, an actual film inspired by a fake trailer from a 2007 movie.  The plot, in short, centers on a former Federale named "Machete" who is double crossed while trying to assassinate a corrupt senator who is deporting illegal immigrants.

Jessica Alba has the role of an ICE agent and her boss is played by Don Johnson.  She gets the plum assignment of hunting down Mr. Machete after he escapes from a hospital.  Steven Seagal is cast as, (what else?), a drug lord.  You also get the good fortune of a gun loving Lindsay Lohan (kidnapped by Machete) and a gang of pissed off machete wielding illegal immigrants seeking revenge on the guy that double crossed our hero.

Are you freaking kidding me?!

Try the LEGO version - probably better.






Update:  I might add also that the comments at the YouTube post of this video are just crazy!  To be honest, when I first watched the trailer I thought it was spoof.  Satire.  Imdb bills it as "Action" but even if it is campy satire I believe there's enough in there to incite the goofiest fringe out there, and no, I'm not talking about the Tea Party.  Irresponsible.

Quote of the Day

Oh that Bride of Rove!  She cracks me up!  I'm going to have nightmares now about Rahm jumping out of showers! I was trying to forget that story.

Awhile back the blogs posted that she is a lesbian, but the Whitehouse was pissed because she was not out of the closet on it even though everyone knows so no one is reporting that – and they won’t – because Rahm will strip down to the altogether and pounce the crap out of you in the showers if you say anything about her sexual orientation.

 Really, compared to Rahm, Janet Leigh had nothing to be afraid of, really!  Just kidding.  Heh!

*Love* Charles Krauthammer!

Awwwwwwww man!  I LOVE Charles Krauthammer!

On Brett Baier's Special Report Krauthammer just quoted Graham Greene in referencing Arlen Specter.  Krauthammer said, "You've almost got to feel sorry for Arlen Specter..." because he has so much trouble keeping his positions straight.  He said, "He's almost like that protagonist in that Graham Greene novel who said 'I prefer telling the truth because it's so much easier to memorize.'"

Heh!

I don't feel sorry for Arlen Specter at all, but I do love a man who can quote Graham Greene on a moment's notice!

Seal of Honor

A few summers ago I read Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell and have referenced Luttrell and his book several times on this blog.  I was even lucky enough to have Mr. Luttrell autograph my copy for me!  If you've never read the book, you should.  It's riveting and well written. 

There's now a companion book, Seal of Honor, about the life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, the Medal of Honor recipient Luttrell writes about in his book.  During a fire fight on an Afghanistan mountain, Murphy walked into a clearing so he could get a signal and radio for help.  He was killed as a result. 

I'm ordering this one today!

It's Elena Kagan

Word is out that Obama will nominate Elena Kagan for SCOTUS this morning.  The internet is already ablaze with buzz on Kagan and what her nomination might hold.

Start with Ed Whelan at The Corner who recognizes her intellect but lists several objections.  Call me odd, but shouldn't a Supreme Court justice have some experience on the bench?  Kagan has none.  This is not a plus for me. 

Meanwhile, Robert Stacy McCain has larger concerns:  Is Elena Kagan gay?  Is Elena Kagan a lesbian? 

Legal Insurrection notes the irony of the Kagan pick.

While she has no bench experience, The New York Times outlines Kagan's rise over the years.

Keep an eye on Memorandum today for the explosion of Kagan stories.  

{Photo credit:  Jose Luis Magana / ASSOCIATED PRESS

)

Are Tea Partiers More Dangerous than Ron Gochez?

There's a video making the rounds of  Los Angeles activist Ron Gochez, a high school teacher in Los Angeles, promoting revolutionary behavior in a speech at UCLA in 2007.  Gochez is a Social Studies teacher at Los Angeles' Santee High School. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is:


For some background on Gochez and his tactics, check Donald Douglas at American Power.  He's done some research on this guy.  He's not your average high school teacher.  On his MySpace page he posts "Viva La Raza!"

MEChA and La Raza are, of course, one in the same.  Many organizations consider themselves La Raza and MEChA is no exception.  MEChA, you might remember, is one of the organizations leading protests on university campuses against the Arizona immigration bill.  One university subjected to such a protest, and mock raid, was Cornell University.  Another was Yale. 

MEChA has chapters at nearly 300 American universities and a few high schools (partial list here) including University of Texas and University of Houston.

For more background, Michelle Malkin has a great post/column from July 2008:  15 Things You Should Know About The Race.  

In light of the events of this past week with Cinco de Mayo and the apparent growing tensions on some high school campuses between Latin American students and American students, what are we to make of all this?  Are we just becoming hyper-sensitive to this issue now?  I don't think so.  I think tensions are seriously on the rise.

As a sort of disclaimer, let me say this, though:  I teach in an inner city school where we have a real mix of kids.  Our entire population is about 650 and we have a true mix of whites, blacks, Asians, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern kids.  We don't have any racial tensions at our school whatsoever - none.  Zero.  Zip.  Oh, we have teenage angst and drama, but it's not racially motivated.  The kids at our school all get along and most have grown up together.  Many of the prejudices of their parents or grand parents just don't exist for them.  I know this to be the case in many schools.  But it does appear that this is a growing problem in some areas.

John Griffing has an article over at American Thinker that is worth your time.  He points out that this problem will only get worse unless it is addressed:

While not every Mexican immigrant desires the overthrow of the United States government, seventy percent of them say that Mexico comes first in questions of loyalty. Is this the kind of immigration America wants or needs? How can America be a nation if its inhabitants pledge allegiance to another flag? What about when those of Latino birth occupy a majority share of the U.S. population, as is predicted to occur by 2050? This is a problem that needs to be addressed now.  

Griffing goes on to provide some background on MEChA and its propaganda.

While the mainstream media and Janet Napolitano are worried about "Tea-Baggers" and radical right wing extremists personified in military veterans and Tea Party patriots, they seem turn a blind eye to the radical left fringe that Gochon represents.  This is the kind of person they should be worried about; Gochez and his followers have no interest in becoming Americans or assimilating into American culture.  They don't want to learn English or abide by the Constitution.  In fact, most of what La Raza represents or advocates is subversion of the Constitution.

Yes, America is a melting-pot; we're made up of many different cultures.  And we are not so arrogant that we think everyone should be like us.   We're made up of many different cultures.  But that's not what Gochez is interested in.  If you listen to him, and watch the video, he's advocating revolution and overthrow of everything we stand for.

And he's teaching high school kids.  How many more like him are out there?  And why isn't DHS paying attention?

As Bride of Rove said of this video, ignore it at your peril.

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Mother's Day Edition 2010

This is the Mother's Day edition because, of course, it's Mother's Day weekend.  This is a picture of the flowers that were waiting for me when I got home yesterday!  My daughter in Dallas sent them to me and they're lovely!  I'm taking my own mother some red geraniums for her front porch - she loves them, and hers died over the winter. 

Not much else is happening.  I'm counting the days until school is out for the summer.  It was Teacher Appreciation Week last week and so we were pampered and spoiled all week, treated with lunches, breakfasts, gifts, and Friday there were four massage therapists in the lounge treating us to massages!  Awesome!

Steve and I started watching America: The Story of Us last night.  We've TIVO'd it because it conflicts with The Pacific on Sundays.  I'm not sure about this series right now.  The narrative is interesting but the commentary I could do without.  I find seeing some Hollywood liberal telling me how important the Constitution  is a little disconcerting. I won't dwell on that right now...I'll give the series a chance, but the commentary is unnecessary, I think.

I've got a busy day ahead so let's get to the links:

Fishersville Mike points to a post by TaxProf Blog about cuts in pensions looming for professors; we're looking at that here in Louisiana for regular teachers, so I'm going to take a close look at this post. 

In related news, Wyblog says merit pay for teachers is coming in NJ.  Big mistake.

Reaganite Republican notes that BP's biggest financial recipient of political donations was Barack Obama.  Irony.

Ruby Slippers finds a bit of buyer's remorse with regard to Obama.  Not enough yet, I'd say.

No Sheeples Here is busy and doing exactly the kind of things I love to do!  (NOT the doctors appointments; I mean the house stuff!)

Pundette has been gardening too, and still keeps up with the world.  I'm envious.

Speaking of gardening, I don't think anyone has Sandy beat!  One kick ass garden!

Bread Upon the Waters has video of the Tennessee floods and how to help.  Gateway Pundit gets  in on the information sharing, too.

Sister Toldjah has a post on Gov. Jan Brewer (with video).

Smitty at The Other McCain has posted a sure-to-make-you-weep video.  Really.  I cried all the way through it.  I love our soldiers!

Doug Ross is having some fun with National Offend a Feminist Week.

Oh Jimmy, say it a'int so!  Really!  Please tell me this is PhotoShop...  Please!

Left Coast Rebel has more on the Live Oak High School brouhaha.  Pirate's Cove has the principal's apology.

Bride of Rove is trying to make sense of Wall Street.

Legal Insurrection has thoughts on Obama's upcoming Supreme Court pick.

I've got to go mow grass now so I can hit the showers before the Teenager does.  He's got bronchitis now, and has to go to work this afternoon.  (Yes, I took him to the doctor and got drugs!).  He's a trooper.

Have a great weekend!

A Patriot Every Single Day

By now you've heard about the kids in California who were sent home from school for wearing American flag t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo.  I wanted to point out, in case you missed it, the response Victor Davis Hanson left on The Corner yesterday:

A few youths were sent home from the local high school for subervisely wearing American-flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo. “I think they should apologize,’cause it is a Mexican Heritage Day,” Annicia Nunez, a Live Oak High student, said. “We don’t deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn’t do that on Fourth of July.”

Note the use of “we,” suggesting an ethnic allegiance that trumps the national one; note the equation of a Mexican Heritage Day with the Fourth of July; note the strange idea that the sight of the American flag leads to one being “disrespected”; and, of course, note the action by the school’s administration — banishing the boys for apparently politically incorrect, subversive behavior.

He is correct, of course.

At The Morgan Hill Times, one of the offended Latin American students says,

"It's disrespectful to do it on Cinco de Mayo," said Jessica Cortez, a Live Oak sophomore. "They can be a patriot on some other day. Not that specific day." 

I don't guess the First Amendment stands for much in California these days.  

With all due respect to Miss Cortez, I will be a patriot every single day; I'll be a patriot on the Fourth of July, on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, hell, even Boxing Day and Bastille Day.  I'll be a patriot on Thanksgiving, Christmas (oh yes, I can say Christmas here), and even on Cinco de Mayo. 


(Photo by: Lora Schraft:  The Morgan Hill Times)

Books, Tests and Criminals

Random thoughts -

We did, in fact, do steak night at Hangar 2 and it was great.  Steve cooked.  I sat on the deck under the fans.  Awesome.  We ate, drank beer, watched the magnolias bloom, and came home.  Total relaxation!

No new dog damage.

My copy of The Manchurian President arrived today.  I had to take the book jacket off though.  Disturbing.

Okay, Bride.  believe it or not, when I wrote that post I heard your voice in my head.  I made the call and am working out a schedule with the CAT scan guy.  My deal isn't fear of the test; it's just reluctance at taking off work YET AGAIN when I only have 3 weeks of school left.  But I know, and you're right, and I'll do it.  Thank you for caring!  :)

And in something not having to do with my personal life (imagine that!)  I want to point to Andy McCarthy's post about the car bomber.  I wondered this at the time but figured I was too unschooled in such things to understand what I was talking about.  Turns out I wasn't.  McCarthy wonders:

So why unnecessarily release a complaint that lays out valuable information and then refrain from holding the presentment? By doing that, the Justice Department has told the world — including anyone who might have been working with Shahzad — both what Shahzad has told investigators and that he is continuing to help investigators. Why would we want to do that? 

Why tell his cohorts that he's talking and cooperating and WHAT he's telling us, if we don't have to?  Why make it all public knowledge?  So fast?  And of course, he comes to the inevitable conclusion.  Read his post to find out what it is.  I bet you can figure it out first.


Okay so I'm going to read my new book and rest my pleurisy.  I'm making the appointment, Bride, I promise!

So I Get This Text Message From the Teenager...

...with this photo. The message said "LOL! Look at the
destruction!". Anybody want a dog? Or a teenager? (I'm kidding! You
can't have the dog!!)

Checking In

Ever have one of those days when you're so jammed up you can't get ten minutes to even throw a blog post together?  Or eat a sandwich?  Or empty the trash?  

Oh, I had three or four really great posts rattling through my brain throughout the day but couldn't get any of them posted. 

I was jammed up at school today - still killing Julius Caesar.  I went to mom's directly after school and got tangled up in battling with the Social Security office - don't even get me started on the computerized phone menus - and then had make phone calls to a handful of other places on her behalf because the Social Security office said I had to...*stress*.

From there?  Bank.  Post office.  Burger King for the teenager.  Got home in time to throw a roast in the oven which came out at 7:15 which is probably prime dinner time for most but about an hour late for me.  Clean-up detail after that and now, here it is, 8:00 p.m. and I'm wiped. Probably prime blogging time for most, but my brain function by now has crashed. 

About all the doctors can suggest for this damn pleurisy (outside of a bunch of tests that I don't want to do and am actively procrastinating) is plenty of rest and lots of anti-inflamatories but I'm not sure when I'm supposed to be able to do that.  Maybe after May 27 when school is out.

Tomorrow looks to be as busy as today except we're probably going to do Steak Night at Hangar 2 on Barksdale which thankfully means no cooking for me tomorrow!

So, except for this little pity-party-post, no further blogging for tonight.  I know...my blog is on life-support I think, but summer is coming and that means full time writing!  The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. 

I just hope it isn't a train.

Miranda or Not?

With the arrest of Faisal Shahzad in the Times Square car bomb incident, the inevitable debate over Miranda now begins. 

On Fox and Friends, Glenn Beck and Brian Kilmeade debated the issue of when to read the suspect his rights.  Beck took the position that the Constitution must be upheld and the guy should be read his rights; Kilmeade, whether out of conviction or just playing devil's advocate, chided Beck for "forgoing the intelligence." 

The Holder Justice Department caught a lot of flak (a lot of it from me) about reading The Underwear Bomber his rights after less than an hour of interrogation.

The difference here, of course, is that Shahzad is an American citizen.  I'm going to stand with Beck on this one.  As he said, it's probably not a "popular" decision, but you can't disregard the Constitution.  The popular decision would be to drop the guy in a vat of boiling oil, but we can't do that either.

Stay tuned to Stacy McCain's place today.  While I'm killing Julius Caesar (again), Stacy is all over this story and the rapidly developing updates.

For Dog Lovers

For all the dog lovers out there, a heartwarming video about a place that helps disabled dogs:



And if you can't watch the video because your work site blocks it, here's a transcript.

(H/T: The Dead Pelican)

Random Thoughts for Monday

We're on countdown now - 3.5 more weeks of school.  In English II, we're still working on Julius Caesar and beginning Act II today. 

We took it sort of easy around here this weekend as I'm still dealing with pleurisy.  I'm back to the doctor this afternoon for a recheck and progress report on that.  I won't bore you with details as many of you have been listening to me whine for 5 weeks now but I'll just say I'm sick and tired of it.  Pain when you breathe gets old fast and that increases exponentially when you have to cough or sneeze.  By the end of the day I'm worn out just from breathing.  How pitiful is THAT!?  Ye Gads!  Pity party!

I'm lucky to have Steve to put up with me.  He took me out to dinner Saturday night and surprised me with a lovely diamond pig necklace.  (Steve grew up on a farm in Iowa; he also works in law enforcement so...he's not cracking on my weight.)  We spent the rest of the weekend taking it easy and doing minor errands and then watched The Pacific last night. 

The Pacific is getting panned here and there, but I'm enjoying it.  It's not Band of Brothers, but it doesn't need to be.  We already have that.

The news on my desk this morning is all about the Gulf oil spill and about the Times Square car bomb.  The situation in the Gulf is just heartbreaking.  The wildlife that is in such danger now, and the way of life of the people there now at risk.  I live in north Louisiana so I'm well removed from the coast, but I know the way of life down there and those are some of the hardest working, best people you'll ever meet.  Fishing those waters is all some of those people know and many have been doing it for generations.  This spill threatens to take that away from them for a long time to come.

But no, the answer is not to abandon offshore drilling.

And I'm not ready to play the "Blame Obama" game like the libs did with Bush on Katrina. 

Just fix it, is all.  Make it stop.

At any rate, I must quit blathering and get to work.  Caesar is waiting.  Have a happy Monday and I'll check in with some weightier posting later.

Reading Table

I've just ordered my copy of The Manchurian President; thanks to Ed Morrissey for the tip!

Post Time! Do You Have Your Mint Julep Ready?

Ingredients

• 4 cups bourbon
• 2 bunches fresh spearmint
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar

Directions

To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whiskey. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.

To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.
To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.

Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it's right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to "marry" the flavors.

To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.

When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.

The Gulf Oil Spill (UPDATED!)

Scroll for updates.

There's a lot to be said about the Gulf oil spill.  For now, via The Dead Pelican, NOLA has a great up to date article with some excellent graphics. 

It seems that Jindal has declared BP's efforts to be "not adequate."  Meanwhile, fishermen are losing their livelihood as oyster beds and fishing areas are closed off.  In addition, several species of wildlife are endangered now.  The Brown Pelican was recently removed from the endangered list and had just begun breeding again.

The conspiracy theorists are out, and the environmentalists who declare all drilling should stop immediately!  Nonsense.  All of it.

But for now, check out that NOLA article.

LSU has satellite images here.

Update 4:20  More maps and graphics here. 

As long as we're talking about conspiracy theories and blame, be sure to check out Doug Ross's time line post.  He makes a valid point.  I'm not in that camp that says "it's Obama's fault!", nor is Doug, I don't think; but, to those who blamed Bush for Katrina - take THAT!   Bush couldn't have done anything more than he did for Katrina aid because of Mayor Ray Nagin and "Katrina Mary" Landrieu.  Bush's hands were tied.  Now Obama, in this case....I don't know.  Time will tell.

Update 4:43  Meanwhile, NOLA reports that:

The attorneys general from five Gulf Coast states are scheduled to meet in Mobile to discuss legal options that might be taken following the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alabama Attorney General Troy King is hosting the meeting of attorneys general from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama. The meeting will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile.

Dozens of lawsuits are expected in the wake of the spill which is threatening wildlife, beaches, the seafood industries and recreation along the Gulf beaches, known for their pristine white sand.

Obama is scheduled to visit the Gulf area tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

Update 5:00  The WSJ has an article on the spill, the blame game, and posts this picture of an oil covered Northern Gannet rescued yesterday.  Photos, maps and graphics there as well.

Lots more at Memeorandum.
 
(Top Photo credit:  Ted Jackson / The Times-Picayune)

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Kentucky Derby Edition

Boy did I oversleep this morning!  Didn't wake up until 10:00!  I haven't done that in years.  Man oh man.  Now I'll feel like I'm running behind all day!

Today is also the day for Bossier Parish voters to get out and vote YES on the tax renewal today to maintain the police and fire departments.  If this doesn't pass then residents can expect layoffs in those departments.  Just remember, Bossier, when the tornadoes came through and those police officers guarded your neighborhoods until stability was restored, you were grateful for them.  When the floods came and neighborhoods were threatened, and police officers again guarded and patrolled your neighborhoods, you were grateful.  When you call the fire department for help, they always answer, don't they?  If the city leaders screwed up by mismanaging funds (and they did!), don't take it out on your neighbors by risking their fire and police protection.

Today is also the day of the Kentucky Derby.  I like to watch the race, but I hate it when something awful happens as it sometimes does.  So I always sort of watch with one eye.  I like looking at the ladies with their funny hats and the old Southern traditions!  My mom loves the Kentucky Derby and my grandfather, in his later years when he was deaf as a post, used to sing My Old Kentucky Home at the top of his lungs.  Off key, of course!  Good times!

And today is the day that Steve is taking me to L'Italiano for dinner because he's awesome like that.  Best restaurant in Bossier City and we love it!  Looking forward to that later!

Okay, on to the links because, like I said, I'm behind already!

Stacy McCain and Sidekick Smitty lead off today with their rockin' coverage of the PA-12 special election.

The Daley Gator is crushed by Linda Ronstadt. 

Donald Douglas at American Power notes the expected May Day protests in LA.

Pirate's Cove reminds you what May Day is REALLY about.

The National Enquirer, who broke the John Edwards affair story, now reports that Obama has a mistress in Miss Vera Baker.  Bungalow Bill has pictures.  Reaganite Republican is all over this one.  No Sheeples Here is on this one, too with links.

Althouse got a laugh out of me today!  Ringo!  Heh! 

Troglopundit notes Peggy Noonan's column on Arizona.

Greta Perry has a message for Senator David Vitter as he blocks a promotion for Brigadier General Michael J. Walsh.  I have a message for Vitter, too:  don't piss off Greta Perry!

Gateway Pundit has a Rush clip and gets in on the sabotage theory on the BP oil rig explosion.

Don't miss Bride of Rove's post on Puerto Rico; she's also got an awesome round-up here and she has a message for Obama: "Hey Mr. President! Our men and women in uniform aren’t getting any so you need to reign that gerbil in until you bring our soldiers home."  Yikes!

I love Doug Ross's work.  *Love*.  Check out his time line on "Obama's Katrina."

Pundette also notes Obama's response to the BP disaster, and Legal Insurrection has some observations as well.

I know Fishersville Mike will be watching today's Kentucky Derby, too!

Camp of the Saints linked to my Dr. Donald Berwick post and expounded further.

Caught Him With a Corndog notes Arizona's move to demand proper English in the classroom.  Horrors!

And it's all about Arizona this week, with Left Coast Rebel covering the shooting of an Arizona deputy by an illegal. 

Bread Upon the Waters discusses New York's assumption of your body parts.

There's more, I know, but I'm behind!  Time to get moving!  I'll catch up with you guys later; have a great Saturday!