Month: August 2013

Categories
Benghazi Benghazi News

U.S. Embassies in the Middle East Shutdown

“The threat appears to be much worse than it has (been) in a long time,”
“It all leads us to believe something could happen in the near future.”
These statements from U.S. officials are what has prompted the U.S. government to shut down its 22 embassies and consulates in the Middle East and North Africa. Of particular concern is Yemen, where the government is “on high alert against possible attacks in the days to come,” says a senior U.S. security official. Britain, France and Germany have said they too will close their embassies in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Sunday and Monday for security reasons.

The intelligence alert couldn’t come at a more opportune time for the intelligence gathering community particularly as the NSA has fallen from grace over the Edward Snowden debacle. And now that Snowden has received temporary asylum in Russia, there’s no telling how far down the rabbit hole he will go, taking United States “secrets” with him.

As frightened and horror-filled as I am of the possibility of another 911-like attack, the discovery of such plots — that are legitimate — by organizations like the NSA do a lot to validate the necessity of covert, high-tech surveillance operations in the country. The thing is, how do you prove there was a legitimate discovery of a terrorist plot unless, a) a culprit or culprits are caught in the act or b) a culprit or culprits actually commit the terrorist act?

And of course the unprecedented action of closing down all U.S. embassies in the M.E., possibly for the entire month of August, may also help stave off the lingering criticism of the Obama Administration over the September 11, 2012  attack of the U.S. compound in Benghazi Libya, which killed four Americans, including ambassador Christopher Stephens.

“House leaders have been briefed, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters, adding that the travel alert and embassy closings provided “some understanding of the seriousness of the threat. New York Rep. Peter King, a member of the House Intelligence Committee who has also heard such briefings, applauded the government’s decision to close its diplomatic missions.
“I give them credit,” the Republican said of the Obama administration. “I think the government is doing exactly the right thing here.”  — CNN Politics

Two birds, one stone.

Al-Qaeda leader Aymanal-Zawahri’s condemnation of the overthrow of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi last month; the resulting chaos in the state of Egypt; newly elected Iranian president Hassan Rouhani replacing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; “Highly charged emotions” coming off the Muslim religious holidays and Intelligence officials reporting a “high volume of internet chatter”  back and forth between groups suspected of terrorist activities, are reasons given for the change in climate and subsequent heightened security.

source: CNN Politics

Categories
Education Food And Recipes Health

10 Disgusting Facts About Fast Food

1. McDonald’s Milk Shake uses a ridiculous concoction of 50 chemicals, such as ethyl acetate, phenethyl alcohol and solvent, to “imitate” the flavor of a real strawberry.

2. Chicken? More like a disgusting sludge of pink paste, through a chemical process, causing excessive bacteria, so it is washed in ammonia and then re-flavored with more chemicals and dyed. Next time, think twice before ordering some “nuggets.”

3. The average fast food patron eats 12 pubic hairs in a given year.

4. Apparently it is approved by the FDA an average of 30 insect fragments, including rodent hair per 100 grams of peanut butter.

5. Shellac is used to improve the shine of wood and furniture but you can also find it in your delicious jelly beans, it is used to improve the shine of food.

6. The FDA approved the use of bacteriophages on processed food such as lunch meat and hot dogs.

7. Each can of coke contains 10 teaspoons of sugar, more than what your body needs daily, it is thanks to another additive called phosphoric acid, that cuts the levels of sugar, that you don’t vomit automatically after drinking a can.

8. Fast Food’s “healthiest” choice is a salad packed of antifreeze’s chemical compound, Propylene Glycerol, which causes eye and skin irritation.

9. Many fast food chicken items contain beef additives, listed as extract or essence, used to enhance flavor and change health stats.

10. Any cheese product labeled as processed is packed with additives, chemicals and flavorings, it is actually 49% of the product itself, half of the product has nothing to do with cheese. Visited (35544) times!

Categories
Featured Politics

Gay Couple Forced to Sit At the Back of the Bus

Apparently, they broke the law in New Mexico – sitting in the front seat of a bus and holding hands while gay.

Ron McCoy and his partner, Chris Bowers, flew into Albuquerque on June 28 for the city’s PrideFest and a Southwest road trip, according to local news station KRQE. After leaving the airport, they hopped on a Standard Parking shuttle bus and sat in the front of the vehicle holding hands.

“I saw him look at us… and he looked so angry,” McCoy told KRQE. “He just blurted out at me, he goes, “Okay, if you’re going to do that, you’re going to the back of the bus.”

Shocked, the two moved, but they had some questions for the driver once they arrived at their stop. When McCoy approached the driver and said he thought they were told to move because they were holding hands, the driver responded, “See, now you’re telling on yourself.”

Last month, weekly publication the Alibi spoke with the shuttle driver, Mychael Jones, about why he made the gay couple to move to the back of the bus. He said he didn’t want “women and children” to see the couple’s “inappropriate behavior.” When asked to identify the “inappropriate behavior,” he would not comment any further.

Categories
Food And Recipes

The Quik Cook! Crispy Crunchy Veggie Chips

Crispy Crunchy Veggie Chips

Prep Time: 45 min
Cooking Time: 3-8 min

Equipment:
Mandoline
Bowl of cold water
Microwave-safe plate
Paper towels

Ingredients:
1 or more potatoes or other firm, starchy vegetable, scrubbed clean
Any seasoning(s) of choice. Salt is very optional : )
Olive oil spray (like PAM Organic Olive Oil No-Stick Cooking Spray)

Instructions:
1. Thinly Slice the Potato – Cut the potato in half. Slice one half on a mandoline, aiming for slices 1/8 to 1/16-inch thick. Immediately put the slices in cold water to keep from turning. Repeat with the other half of the potato and any other potatoes you are preparing.

 2. Soak and Rinse the Slices – Rinse the slices in cold water until the water stays clear. If you have time, let them soak for a few extra minutes before rinsing.

 3. Dry the Slices – Dry the slices between two clean dish cloths or spin them in a salad spinner.

 4. Season the Slices – Arrange as many slices as will fit in a single layer on a dinner plate lines with a few paper towels. Make sure the slices do not touch or else they stick together. If desired, sprinkle with salt or other spices. For richer-tasting chips. Briskly spray with olive oil for 2 seconds.

 5. Microwave the Slices – Microwave the slices at 100% power for 3 minutes. Flip them over and microwave at 50% power for another 3 minutes. Remove any chips that are starting to crisp and brown. Continue cooking the remaining chips at 50% power in 1 minute intervals until they are all crispy and golden. Sprinkle with additional seasoning if desired.

 6. Repeat with Remaining Batches – Transfer cooked chips to a bowl and repeat microwaving with the remaining slices of potato.

Storing – Chips will stay crispy for a few days if kept in an airtight container or zip-lock bag. You can also prepare the raw slices ahead of time, store them in cold water in the refrigerator, and bake them up as you want them.

Categories
Tid Bits

New Age





Categories
Citizens United Politics

Bill Maher Urges Liberal Elites to Take Advantage of Citizens United

Citizens United is one of the Supreme Court’s most bogus decision, abd there’s been a few. Led by a conservative majority,  the court followed Mitt Romney’s definition of “people” and proudly proclaimed that Corporations too, are “people.”

And with that proclamation, the floodgates were opened for these newly discovered “people” to donate unimaginable, untraceable amounts of money to any political campaign of their choice. It happened just in time for the 2012 Presidential campaign.

Breaking News: Corporations generally donate to Republican candidates, so the Citizens United decision came just in time to guarantee record donations to Mitt Romney, thus, guaranteeing him and the Republicans the White House.  However,  the real “people” spoke with their votes, and Romney and his Corporate backers were sent packing.

Enter Bill Maher,  a liberal commentator who used the Citizens United decision and donated $1 million to president Obama’s reelection. That donation must have felt good because on Friday’s show, Maher took the opportunity to tell other liberal elites to do the same.

Steven Spielberg, you should be taking over Wyoming right now. For a mere $150 million, you could kick out Dick Cheney and his evil daughter, make it a liberal utopia and put E.T. on the state flag.

Tyler Perry, you could buy Montana and make yourself both senators and Madea the governor. And how great will it be on the day when people can get gay married in Oprahoma?”

And to Jay Z, Maher advised him that owning a state could give him the ultimate bragging rights.

If there’s anyone out there who’s done it all and is looking for some new thing to brag about, ‘Own a state, it’s my fate, it’s great’ — I’m just saying, the rhymes practically write themselves,” Maher said, before eyeing the rapper and entrepeneur and continuing. “‘Daft Punk got lucky, I just bought Kentucky.’”

Watch the clip below.

Categories
Music nicki minaj

DJ Khaleb Proposes To Nicki Minaj – Nicki Minaj Files Restraining Order

Was it a stunt? The internationally known DJ Khaleb used the far reaching powers of MTV to make an offer to Nicki Minaj he hoped she wouldn’t refuse – a proposal! Khaleb explains in the video posted below that he used this venue to make his proposal because he wanted her fans to know and family, along with his fans and family to know about his love for Nicki.

After brandishing a massive ring, the video ends with asking Nicki for her response. Well she’s responded, with a restraining order against Khaleb!

Categories
Politics

President’s Weekly Address – Securing A Better Middle Class

President Obama lays out his plan for the middle class and tells the American people that securing a better middle class builds on the progress we’ve made so far, fighting our way back from the worst economic recession of our lifetimes.

Over the past four and a half years, we’ve fought our way back from the worst recession of our lifetimes and begun to lay a foundation for stronger, more durable economic growth.  Today, our businesses have created 7.3 million new jobs over the last 41 months.  We now sell more products made in America to the rest of the world than ever before.  Health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years, and our deficits are falling at the fastest rate in 60 years.

But as any middle-class family will tell you, we’re not where we need to be yet.  Even before the crisis hit, we were living through a decade where a few at the top were doing better and better, while most families were working harder and harder just to get by.

Categories
Express Yourself

In The Key Of Life

Yes, I’m one of  ‘those people’.

One of those people who say “Never say never.” My friends, if asked, would be eager to tell you that I have annoyed each of them at least half a dozen times for various reasons to not begin a sentence with the words “I can’t”.

But at the risk of falling into hypocrisy, I have to begin this short text by keeping it real. I can’t dance…seriously. Also while I’m in ‘confessing-my-faults’ mode here, my attempts at singing have gotten me labeled ‘tone deaf’, ‘Luther Can’t-dross’ and on more than one occasion I’ve heard the words “Okay – okay just stop” in the middle of my hitting a note.

So since I shouldn’t say the words “I can’t”, I’ll just say that I currently struggle with (clears throat) ‘hitting certain octaves’ at this point in my non-career as a vocalist.

My struggles with hitting a note reminds me of our spiritually, mentally and politically misguided struggles as the Human Family to harmonize and arrange the notes of thought and action into pleasing, foot tapping, rhythmic tones.  Notes that would be strummed from the chords of our minds and allow our souls to dance as one.

The will and discipline to evolve an arrangement of melodic vibrations into timeless symphonies out of the disharmonious and confused collection of notes that we currently have jumbled on the page of our minds and planet still eludes us.

What healing can be found in the melodies of a well ordered arrangement?  The Son of Man says it would be a wise investment of time for us to plumb the depths of the answer to that question.

Excuse my language and my street colloquialisms but with the planet being poisoned, our food and water being controlled by corporations and our political leaders bought and paid for… shit done got real!

It has been said that “Music is a universal language”.  As a lover of music, yet a non-dancing-Luther-Can’t-dross singing type of guy, I can only relate to the truth of the question of this ‘universal language’ by my awareness of music being exactly what everything else is, vibrations and energy. That certainly is universal. The great scientist Nicola Tesla stated “If you wish to understand the universe think of energy, frequency and vibration”.

After meditating on what music actually is I see it –yes,  I SEE music — as a rhythmic timing of vibration and sound that allows us to be reminded of the harmony and serenity of a well ordered life (being life partners with a musician my definition better at least be close or I’ll never hear the end of it).

There are lessons in our music, in our universal harmonious symphony that is above us, beneath us and all around us. Wise Jazz aficionados are clear that John Coltrane and Miles Davis are prophets showing us ‘the way’ no less than those written of in the scriptures.

 Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin are proof that voices are angels and definitely have wings. 

Rakim showed us an example of  the effortlessness of life’s flow over the roughest terrain when the flow is done in Consciousness.

James Brown and Michael Jackson, are absolutely messengers of the rhythmic vibrations of life.

The tone and pitch of one’s voice can heal as well as harm. The rhythm of the vibration of one’s thoughts attract as well as repel. In 1976 the great music revolutionary Stevie Wonder released one of the greatest collections of ‘lessons’ ever recorded, “Songs in The Key of Life”… The Son of Man says LIFE IS MUSIC… LIVE HARMONIOUSLY WITH YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE HEARD.

To those that have an ear, let them hear.

SON OF MAN

Categories
Technology

Woman Pays $1200 for Two Apples… The Fruit

An Australian woman paid $1,200 for two new Apple iPhones over website Gumtree, but opened the box to find just fruit inside.

The 21-year-old had posted an ad asking if anyone had a smartphone for sale.

She was soon contacted by another woman who said she had “two Apples” up for grabs.

The pair met at a McDonald’s restaurant where the woman handed over her cash for what she thought were two new iPhone boxes.

Failing to check the product before leaving, it was only after arriving home that she realized the cartons only contained apples.

Cops in her Queensland town of Upper Mt Gravatt, near Brisbane, said it served as a warning for people to be “wary” when buying items online.

“Don’t stay away because most people are doing the right thing, but be smart about what you buy,” Senior Constable Jess Hopkin told the Herald Sun.

“If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. It’s really just common sense.”

Categories
News

SEC Brings A Lamb To The Slaughter For The Mortage Crisis

The sacrificial lamb that is Goldman Sachs banker Fabrice Tourre. 


Whew! We can all breathe a sigh of relief now that the financial crisis is over. The Securities and Exchange Commission has found former Goldman Sachs banker Fabrice Tourre liable on six counts of securities fraud.

I’m being sarcastic of course.

Fabrice Tourre

Mr. Tourre dealt out toxic mortgage deals under a company known as Abacus (you remember them home loan borrowers), which Goldman Sachs created in 2007 at the request of hedge-fund manager John Paulson. Paulson wanted to use the fund to bet against it, which he did considerably, garnishing him $15 billion before the Home Loans Crisis officially hit the fan and the news.

Suspiciously not on trial in the case was Goldman Sachs itself, although the bank paid all of Tourre’s legal fees, which was the least it could do for its sacrificial lamb. Earlier in 2010 Sachs settled with the SEC by paying a $550 million penalty without ever having to admit any wrongdoing.

A jury found that Tourre had misled investors about the nature of the deal, tricking them into thinking it had not been built for failure from the start. He now faces the possibility of heavy financial penalties and a lifetime ban from the securities industry.

 A hollow victory in the wake of all the terminal damage to our economy that was caused.

Categories
Food And Recipes

OMG! Red Velvet Cupcakes!


Makes 12 cupcakes

Cupcakes Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

4 tablespoons no-taste red food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

For the vanilla cream cheese frosting:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

6 ounces cream cheese

Directions:

For the cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a standard cupcake pan with 12 paper baking cups.

2. Sift together the flour and salt, and set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar at medium speed for 3-5 minutes or until light and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition.

5. Using a whisk, whisk together the red food coloring, vanilla and cocoa powder. Slowly add this to the mixer bowl, mixing slowly until well incorporated.

6. Add a third of the flour, followed by a third of the milk, and mix. Repeat. Stop to scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the last third of the flour, followed by the last third of the milk, and mix until incorporated.

7. In a small bowl, add the baking soda to the apple cider vinegar. You will see the baking soda and vinegar fizz up! Mix thoroughly and add this reaction to the batter. Mix until just incorporated.

8. Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into a cupcake pan so each well is 2/3 full. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting:

1. Place all ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer filled with the paddle attachment; beat until well combined. Be sure to beat on high speed at the very end for at least 2 minutes to ensure that the frosting is light and fluffy.

2. Transfer frosting into a plastic piping bag fitted with a round metal tip. Frost each cupcake with a swirl of frosting. Serve and enjoy!

*To make lower fat version:

Substitute whole milk with low-fat or non-fat milk

Substitute cream cheese with low-fat or non-fat cream cheese

source: The Cupcake Diaries: Recipes & Memories from the Sisters of Georgetown Cupcake

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