The "right" is awakening...at least in NY-23. The electorate there has awakened and the (a)pathetic Republican leadership who endorsed Scozzafava (like Newt Gingrich) got a rude face-slap. Good.
Maybe the RINOs in charge of the GOP will realize that the McCains of the party are never going to go any farther then where they are right now. And, that the real life blood of the party is truly a little more to the right than they think it is.
The conventional wisdom in the GOP is that Palin cost McCain the last election. The conventional wisdom was wrong. McCain was going to fail. It was only his pick of Palin that caused the election to even be close.
If you look at who the media and the "elite" punditry and the hard-left political operatives targeted in the last election cycle and beyond, it wasn't McCain. It was Palin.
You don't waste ammo on targets that are no threat.
Do you see any attacks on McCain right now, one year post-election? Nope. They died at the same time as his electoral hopes did. And yet, Palin is still an object of scorn and ridicule and vitriol. She is still polarizing the left in much the same way that Bush still is. Why? Because she is still a danger to them.
Keep an eye on her. She is the most dangerous opponent for the Liberal Left, and they know it. She represents the same threat to their agenda that Reagan (PBUH) did, and for the same reasons.
Assuming we get to vote again in 2010 and 2012, look for a strong showing by people who support Liberty-be they Democrat, Republican, or third party. The Statists will do everything in their power that they can to destroy them if possible, but they will fail if the people are able to see through the lies. Our job will be to ensure that the clear message of Liberty is spread far and wide and that we show strong support for those people who value and protect Liberty.
In the meantime, keep your powder dry, and your eyes and ears open.
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Old Wisdom
The rich rules over the poor, and the Borrower is servant (slave) to the Lender.
Proverbs 22:7
3 questions: Who is the United States "slave" to? Who is our largest lender? What is going to happen when the bill is presented for repayment?
Answers: Bondholders; China; ???
For the proto-Marxists out there who hate Capitalism and all it stands for; and also for those who think that you can legislate compassion and then pay for your Utopian ideas by debasing the money and devauling our currency through profligate, wanton spending and irresponsible borrowing, hear this:
An honest country cannot consume more than it produces either. An economy based upon consumption and without a manufacturing (production) base is doomed to eventual failure.
Those who would loot an economy do so first by removing all objectivity from a monetary base by unhinging the currency from the Gold Standard. Then, they inflate the currency to hide the true cost of their programs.
And the productive members of society (the "wealthy") are held hostage at the point of a gun in order to drain their pockets into the gullets of those in power. If you think there is no threat of force...try not paying your taxes.
When the economy collapses due to crushing debt, worthless currency, and oppressive government intervention into all economic activity; when "pull" or political favoritism rules men's interactions, then we are one step removed from open warfare.
Some day the piper will come a-calling to collect his bill...
For the rest of the speech that the above quotes were pulled from, go HERE.
Pax,
Newbius
Proverbs 22:7
3 questions: Who is the United States "slave" to? Who is our largest lender? What is going to happen when the bill is presented for repayment?
Answers: Bondholders; China; ???
For the proto-Marxists out there who hate Capitalism and all it stands for; and also for those who think that you can legislate compassion and then pay for your Utopian ideas by debasing the money and devauling our currency through profligate, wanton spending and irresponsible borrowing, hear this:
"An honest man is one who knows that he can't consume more than he has produced"
An honest country cannot consume more than it produces either. An economy based upon consumption and without a manufacturing (production) base is doomed to eventual failure.
""Whenever destroyers appear among men, they start by destroying money, for money is men's protection and the base of a moral existence... "
Those who would loot an economy do so first by removing all objectivity from a monetary base by unhinging the currency from the Gold Standard. Then, they inflate the currency to hide the true cost of their programs.
..."Paper is a mortgage on wealth that does not exist, backed by a gun aimed at those who are expected to produce it."
And the productive members of society (the "wealthy") are held hostage at the point of a gun in order to drain their pockets into the gullets of those in power. If you think there is no threat of force...try not paying your taxes.
..."When money ceases to be the tool by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of men. Blood, whips and guns--or dollars."
When the economy collapses due to crushing debt, worthless currency, and oppressive government intervention into all economic activity; when "pull" or political favoritism rules men's interactions, then we are one step removed from open warfare.
Some day the piper will come a-calling to collect his bill...
For the rest of the speech that the above quotes were pulled from, go HERE.
Pax,
Newbius
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Another 1000 words
I received this picture in an email. I do not know where it originated, but I appreciate the sentiment.
Click to Embiggen
Pax,
Newbius
Click to EmbiggenPax,
Newbius
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Swine Flu - Send Prayers
Please send prayers up for Atilla-the-mom's son. He is in the hospital with H1N1 and needs all the help he can get right now.
Read about it here.
Pax,
Newbius
Read about it here.
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Blog Roll Addition
I truly thought Kurt Hofmann was already on the list. Please forgive the oversight! Kurt is the St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner and has a personal Blog - Armed and Safe.
Go read his stuff.
Pax,
Newbius
Go read his stuff.
Pax,
Newbius
Soros and Statism
Is it any wonder that George Soros backs Marxists?
From the Financial Times: Soros says that profits are "Gifts from the State". Go RTWT.
Newbius
|||
From the Financial Times: Soros says that profits are "Gifts from the State". Go RTWT.
Newbius
|||
New York 23
I think it is interesting the way the political parties are approaching the special election in NY-23. This is a seat that has been solidly Republican for a very long time. It is a red district in a blue state and is coveted as a "hold" for Brand-R and a pickup for Brand-D. So, in an effort to appeal to the conservative voters in the district, the two parties put up the following candidates:
In the Democrat corner we have: Bill Owens
Endorsed by: SEIU, Working Families Party (ACORN)
Issues: Pro-abortion, Pro-health care reform,pro gun-control, pro "Green jobs", Pro "Same-sex marriage", Pro-tax increases
In the Republican corner we have: Dede Scozzafava
Endorsed by: United Auto Workers Union, Working Families Party (ACORN)-in every previous election except THIS one, Newt Gingrich
Issues: Pro-abortion, pro-health care reform, Pro-"sensible gun controls", pro "Green jobs" Pro "Same-sex marriage", Pro-tax increases
And then there is the upstart Independent: Doug Hoffman
Endorsed by: Club for Growth, Susan B. Anthony List Fund, Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson
Issues: Pro-Life, Against government takeover of health care, Second Amendment supporter, pro-market solutions to energy issues, Pro-traditional marriage, pro-tax cuts
[ Edited to add: Listen to him in his own words in an interview on the Fred Thompson Show ]
If the voters in NY-23 are paying attention, they will notice that they have 2 nearly identical "choices" offered to them by the Big Parties. Heads or tails, it is still the same coin. Then there is the other candidate who is actually different than the other two.
If either Owens or Scozzafava wins, the likelihood that they would vote with Nancy Pelosi on most issues of importance to voters is high. Either one is a win for the Democrats. (Thanks, but no thanks, NRCC) If Hoffman wins, even though he is an Independent, he will likely caucus with the Republicans on most issues. This would be a win for the conservatives and libertarians left in Congress.
It will be interesting to see if the Republican voters in NY-23 recognize this and vote principles instead of party this time around.
Pax,
Newbius
[OCT 25 - EDIT] I was contacted by David Codrea regarding my reference above to Bill Owens being "pro-gun control". David rightly calls me to task to provide linked proof of that position and I cannot locate the original source I used for the reference. Since I cannot locate the reference I am striking through the line for now. If I locate the link, I will replace the strike-through with a hyperlink to the source.
As for Scozzafava, she voted for A.7733 which would strip a gun owner of his/her weapons and right to possess same for certain crimes. The vote was unanimous in the NY Assembly, but principles are principles in my book and the Second Amendment is sacrosant to me. She does not get a "pass" for this one, and the rest of her social positions are in line with Big Government and Statism. I wonder if the choice came to it, would she jettison her NRA "A" rating in order to support something that was for the "greater good"? She did the last time...
Newbius
In the Democrat corner we have: Bill Owens
Endorsed by: SEIU, Working Families Party (ACORN)
Issues: Pro-abortion, Pro-health care reform,
In the Republican corner we have: Dede Scozzafava
Endorsed by: United Auto Workers Union, Working Families Party (ACORN)-in every previous election except THIS one, Newt Gingrich
Issues: Pro-abortion, pro-health care reform, Pro-"sensible gun controls", pro "Green jobs" Pro "Same-sex marriage", Pro-tax increases
And then there is the upstart Independent: Doug Hoffman
Endorsed by: Club for Growth, Susan B. Anthony List Fund, Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson
Issues: Pro-Life, Against government takeover of health care, Second Amendment supporter, pro-market solutions to energy issues, Pro-traditional marriage, pro-tax cuts
[ Edited to add: Listen to him in his own words in an interview on the Fred Thompson Show ]
If the voters in NY-23 are paying attention, they will notice that they have 2 nearly identical "choices" offered to them by the Big Parties. Heads or tails, it is still the same coin. Then there is the other candidate who is actually different than the other two.
If either Owens or Scozzafava wins, the likelihood that they would vote with Nancy Pelosi on most issues of importance to voters is high. Either one is a win for the Democrats. (Thanks, but no thanks, NRCC) If Hoffman wins, even though he is an Independent, he will likely caucus with the Republicans on most issues. This would be a win for the conservatives and libertarians left in Congress.
It will be interesting to see if the Republican voters in NY-23 recognize this and vote principles instead of party this time around.
Pax,
Newbius
[OCT 25 - EDIT] I was contacted by David Codrea regarding my reference above to Bill Owens being "pro-gun control". David rightly calls me to task to provide linked proof of that position and I cannot locate the original source I used for the reference. Since I cannot locate the reference I am striking through the line for now. If I locate the link, I will replace the strike-through with a hyperlink to the source.
As for Scozzafava, she voted for A.7733 which would strip a gun owner of his/her weapons and right to possess same for certain crimes. The vote was unanimous in the NY Assembly, but principles are principles in my book and the Second Amendment is sacrosant to me. She does not get a "pass" for this one, and the rest of her social positions are in line with Big Government and Statism. I wonder if the choice came to it, would she jettison her NRA "A" rating in order to support something that was for the "greater good"? She did the last time...
Newbius
Changes to the CatHouse
Casa Newbius - AKA The CatHouse is about to shuffle the decks slightly with the cats. I have four, and they are mostly OK most of the time. Except...One of the three females (and the youngest of them all) has decided that she is the Alpha and will mark once in a while. Newbius is not amused. MrsNewbius is livid. Cleaning that up is a right-royal pain-in-the-@$$.
Teh Evill Ginger Kitteh
So...Ginger gets to discover the out-of-doors today. Since I live at the end of a cul-de-sac, and away from anything resembling a busy street (and right next to a wooded area with lots of birds and squirrels), I am not going to worry about her getting run over by a car. Her shots were updated yesterday and her new collar and tag arrived in the mail. She has all of her claws and enough fat on her that she won't be cold. We will bring her inside in severe weather, and during the day if she asks nicely. But, she is now an outside cat.
There is a lesson there for all of us if you think about it...
Pax,
Newbius
Teh Evill Ginger Kitteh
So...Ginger gets to discover the out-of-doors today. Since I live at the end of a cul-de-sac, and away from anything resembling a busy street (and right next to a wooded area with lots of birds and squirrels), I am not going to worry about her getting run over by a car. Her shots were updated yesterday and her new collar and tag arrived in the mail. She has all of her claws and enough fat on her that she won't be cold. We will bring her inside in severe weather, and during the day if she asks nicely. But, she is now an outside cat.
There is a lesson there for all of us if you think about it...
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, October 23, 2009
AlfredOMG! sauce
As promised kids, here is the recipe. I do not claim that this is an authentic Alfredo sauce. I only know that I judge Italian restaurants by their Alfredo, and the places whose sauce tickles my taste buds have stayed in business far longer than those whose sauces were thin, bland, and without character.
This is NOT "low-cal", "low-fat" or low flavor. This sauce is guaranteed to clog your arteries, raise your blood pressure, and spoil you for any other Alfredo-style sauce forever more.
You've been warned...
2-3 TBSP salted BUTTER
2 TBSP finely chopped garlic
2-3 TBSP flour
1/2-1 tsp Sea Salt (to taste)
1/4-1/2 tsp ground white pepper (to taste)
2 cups Heavy whipping cream -or- Half&Half
1/4 cup aged grated Romano (at least 9 months)
1/2 cup aged grated Parmesan (at least 18 months)
1/4 cup aged shredded Parmesan (at least 24 months)
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter on low heat until all is liquid and then increase the heat until the butter begins foaming off the whey.
Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted. DO NOT burn the garlic.
Add the flour and whisk thoroughly to ensure incorporation and cook for another minute. This is a white roux with garlic. We do not want the flour to toast or begin browning at all.
While still whisking, slowly add all of the cream (or half and half depending on the results of your last EKG and routine physical...).
Add the salt and pepper and continue heating the mixture while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble around the edge of the pan.
When thick, remove from heat and stir in the cheeses (in order), incorporating each one thoroughly before adding the next until all of it is smoothly incorporated into the sauce.
Serve over pasta, use as a bread dip, or as the base to the best Chicken and broccoli pizza you have ever tasted... :)
Enjoy!
Notes on the cheeses: I buy my cheese from Costco. These are the Pecorino Romano (green label), Grana Padano aged parmesan (green label), and Aged Shredded Parmesan (black label) cheeses that they sell in the deli section. I have also used good aged cheeses purchased in wedges from places like Trader Joe's or Wegman's with good results. The thing to remember is good ingredients yield good results. These are good results. The quality of the cheese isverycritically important. Do not expect this sauce to taste good if you are using Kraft cheese from a tube...
Edited to add the following:
This sauce is thick by design.
I make this most often as a base for chicken and broccoli pizza.
For pasta, you can thin it to suit your preference by adding up to another cup of cream or half and half. It is much easier to thin a thick sauce than it is to thicken a thin one. You may not even need to add any more cheese... ;)
Please use white pepper. For white sauces you will find that the flavor of a finely ground white pepper is much more compatible with cream-based sauces than black or red pepper is (and no black specks in your sauce making people wonder...). Buy good white pepper. You will be glad you did.
Yes, that really IS a 2:1 ratio of sauce base to cheese. This sauce is thick, velvety, and VERY rich. Truly a heart attack on a plate, but what a way to go!
Pax,
Newbius
This is NOT "low-cal", "low-fat" or low flavor. This sauce is guaranteed to clog your arteries, raise your blood pressure, and spoil you for any other Alfredo-style sauce forever more.
You've been warned...
2-3 TBSP salted BUTTER
2 TBSP finely chopped garlic
2-3 TBSP flour
1/2-1 tsp Sea Salt (to taste)
1/4-1/2 tsp ground white pepper (to taste)
2 cups Heavy whipping cream -or- Half&Half
1/4 cup aged grated Romano (at least 9 months)
1/2 cup aged grated Parmesan (at least 18 months)
1/4 cup aged shredded Parmesan (at least 24 months)
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter on low heat until all is liquid and then increase the heat until the butter begins foaming off the whey.
Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted. DO NOT burn the garlic.
Add the flour and whisk thoroughly to ensure incorporation and cook for another minute. This is a white roux with garlic. We do not want the flour to toast or begin browning at all.
While still whisking, slowly add all of the cream (or half and half depending on the results of your last EKG and routine physical...).
Add the salt and pepper and continue heating the mixture while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble around the edge of the pan.
When thick, remove from heat and stir in the cheeses (in order), incorporating each one thoroughly before adding the next until all of it is smoothly incorporated into the sauce.
Serve over pasta, use as a bread dip, or as the base to the best Chicken and broccoli pizza you have ever tasted... :)
Enjoy!
Notes on the cheeses: I buy my cheese from Costco. These are the Pecorino Romano (green label), Grana Padano aged parmesan (green label), and Aged Shredded Parmesan (black label) cheeses that they sell in the deli section. I have also used good aged cheeses purchased in wedges from places like Trader Joe's or Wegman's with good results. The thing to remember is good ingredients yield good results. These are good results. The quality of the cheese is
Edited to add the following:
This sauce is thick by design.
I make this most often as a base for chicken and broccoli pizza.
For pasta, you can thin it to suit your preference by adding up to another cup of cream or half and half. It is much easier to thin a thick sauce than it is to thicken a thin one. You may not even need to add any more cheese... ;)
Please use white pepper. For white sauces you will find that the flavor of a finely ground white pepper is much more compatible with cream-based sauces than black or red pepper is (and no black specks in your sauce making people wonder...). Buy good white pepper. You will be glad you did.
Yes, that really IS a 2:1 ratio of sauce base to cheese. This sauce is thick, velvety, and VERY rich. Truly a heart attack on a plate, but what a way to go!
Pax,
Newbius
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Not a good day
October 22nd is the anniversary of the passing of my father. On his birthday last week he would have been 73. He has been in the Lord's presence for 8 years now...
I love you Dad. I miss you.
Newbius
I love you Dad. I miss you.
Newbius
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Blogroll Addition
I have been remiss. I read Joe Huffman regularly but never added him to the blogroll. Please enjoy The View from North Central Idaho.
Pax,
Newbius
Pax,
Newbius
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Legal Plunder...
...and other musings from Frédéric Bastiat, found Here.
My favorite: "...But how is this legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime..."
Go RTWT. Then, follow the links.
H/T WRSA
My favorite: "...But how is this legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime..."
Go RTWT. Then, follow the links.
H/T WRSA
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday Pizza Perfect
Friday is always busy...
Between finishing my work for the day, making dough and sauce, and finalizing the list of attendees, it can get tense. But, this is a good thing. It is a good thing because Friday Night Pizza is also serious fun.
By the time 1700 rolled around, the oven was heating and everything was just about set. Lefty had her list of friends, Oldest told me about a couple of his friends, and Lord Obsidian agreed to drop by with a new board game to try out.
Making pizza is an interesting dance...the timing on my oven at 500 degrees is such that it takes about 12-15 minutes to do one 16" pie right. 7 minutes on the bottom rack, and 5-8 minutes on the middle, depending on the amount and type of toppings. So, first pie goes in on the bottom rack and then moves to the middle rack when number two goes in on the bottom. And so on throughout the cooking process. Since it takes about 7 minutes to toss the dough, sauce it, and top it, the kitchen becomes a busy place while the pies are going in and coming out. This also means that once I get going, I have a new, hot, steaming pile of "Goodness!" coming out of the oven roughly every 7 minutes. 6 pies takes less than an hour from start to finish.
First pie out of the oven is always chicken, broccoli, and bell peppers on AlfredOMG! Sauce (recipe to follow in a separate post). The early arrivers want this one first because it is the house favorite. It almost never lasts 5 minutes on the table and I always have to make two just to keep people happy. Since this one is so popular, I also make another one at the end of the night for the late arrivals and the people who want a third or fourth slice later in the evening.
I knew Lord Obsidian was arriving early due to a later commitment farther south so I put his fave (and one that I really like too) in next. This one is pepperoni, pineapple, and jalapeno on my special Red(state) Sauce. The hot of the jalapeno and the sweetness of the pineapple make a nice counterpoint for each other and the salt of the pepperoni combines nicely with the tang of the sauce. Another winning combination. Lord Obsidian walked in about a minute before the pie came out of the oven. Great timing, and an indicator of how the night was going to go.
OldestChild likes pepperoni (JUST pepperoni), and one of his friends is also particular about that, so that was the next pie in the oven. Oldest was waiting patiently for it to come out and his friend arrived just as I was slicing the pie on the board. Another timing win! The evening was starting to really hit stride.
Next to go into the oven was 6heese! No, that is not a typo...my cheese pizza uses mozarella, aged parmesan, and a 4 cheese blend for a total of 6 cheeses on the red sauce. As I put this pie into the oven, some of Lefty's friends came in who ONLY eat cheese pizza. It was almost like there was some kind of pre-ordained flow to the way things were going.
The party was in full swing by this time, with games and movies going, lots of talk, and laughter in every room. I had just two more pies to make and pie number 5 is another house favorite: smoked ham and pineapple. Toss the dough (watch the ceiling!) and throw it on the pan. Sauce it up, thick layer of mozzarella, generous portion of ham and lots of pineapple, a sprinkle of aged parmesan and into the oven it goes.
The last to go in was another Chicken AlfredOMG pie. This last one came out of the oven right about the time that the last of Oldest's friends came through the door and a few minutes before my beautiful wife got home. The last pie to come out of the oven did so less than an hour after the first one went in, and everybody got to have their favorite type - hot and fresh from the oven - upon arrival. I would call that a cooking WIN!
Now that the pies were out and everybody was NOMming, I got to play a new game (to me) called "Endeavor". This game is a winner and I am going to have to add it to the board game rotation at Casa Newbius. If you like Catan, you will like this one.
All in all, a good night. Lots of food, conversation, and fun. Less than a pizza's worth of leftovers...a few slices of ham and pineapple (BREAKFAST!), a couple slices of cheese, a slice or two of pepperoni (but no Alfedo). And, I got to try a new game. I am really looking forward to the next pizza night. Maybe next week??
Pax,
Newbius
Between finishing my work for the day, making dough and sauce, and finalizing the list of attendees, it can get tense. But, this is a good thing. It is a good thing because Friday Night Pizza is also serious fun.
By the time 1700 rolled around, the oven was heating and everything was just about set. Lefty had her list of friends, Oldest told me about a couple of his friends, and Lord Obsidian agreed to drop by with a new board game to try out.
Making pizza is an interesting dance...the timing on my oven at 500 degrees is such that it takes about 12-15 minutes to do one 16" pie right. 7 minutes on the bottom rack, and 5-8 minutes on the middle, depending on the amount and type of toppings. So, first pie goes in on the bottom rack and then moves to the middle rack when number two goes in on the bottom. And so on throughout the cooking process. Since it takes about 7 minutes to toss the dough, sauce it, and top it, the kitchen becomes a busy place while the pies are going in and coming out. This also means that once I get going, I have a new, hot, steaming pile of "Goodness!" coming out of the oven roughly every 7 minutes. 6 pies takes less than an hour from start to finish.
First pie out of the oven is always chicken, broccoli, and bell peppers on AlfredOMG! Sauce (recipe to follow in a separate post). The early arrivers want this one first because it is the house favorite. It almost never lasts 5 minutes on the table and I always have to make two just to keep people happy. Since this one is so popular, I also make another one at the end of the night for the late arrivals and the people who want a third or fourth slice later in the evening.
I knew Lord Obsidian was arriving early due to a later commitment farther south so I put his fave (and one that I really like too) in next. This one is pepperoni, pineapple, and jalapeno on my special Red(state) Sauce. The hot of the jalapeno and the sweetness of the pineapple make a nice counterpoint for each other and the salt of the pepperoni combines nicely with the tang of the sauce. Another winning combination. Lord Obsidian walked in about a minute before the pie came out of the oven. Great timing, and an indicator of how the night was going to go.
OldestChild likes pepperoni (JUST pepperoni), and one of his friends is also particular about that, so that was the next pie in the oven. Oldest was waiting patiently for it to come out and his friend arrived just as I was slicing the pie on the board. Another timing win! The evening was starting to really hit stride.
Next to go into the oven was 6heese! No, that is not a typo...my cheese pizza uses mozarella, aged parmesan, and a 4 cheese blend for a total of 6 cheeses on the red sauce. As I put this pie into the oven, some of Lefty's friends came in who ONLY eat cheese pizza. It was almost like there was some kind of pre-ordained flow to the way things were going.
The party was in full swing by this time, with games and movies going, lots of talk, and laughter in every room. I had just two more pies to make and pie number 5 is another house favorite: smoked ham and pineapple. Toss the dough (watch the ceiling!) and throw it on the pan. Sauce it up, thick layer of mozzarella, generous portion of ham and lots of pineapple, a sprinkle of aged parmesan and into the oven it goes.
The last to go in was another Chicken AlfredOMG pie. This last one came out of the oven right about the time that the last of Oldest's friends came through the door and a few minutes before my beautiful wife got home. The last pie to come out of the oven did so less than an hour after the first one went in, and everybody got to have their favorite type - hot and fresh from the oven - upon arrival. I would call that a cooking WIN!
Now that the pies were out and everybody was NOMming, I got to play a new game (to me) called "Endeavor". This game is a winner and I am going to have to add it to the board game rotation at Casa Newbius. If you like Catan, you will like this one.
All in all, a good night. Lots of food, conversation, and fun. Less than a pizza's worth of leftovers...a few slices of ham and pineapple (BREAKFAST!), a couple slices of cheese, a slice or two of pepperoni (but no Alfedo). And, I got to try a new game. I am really looking forward to the next pizza night. Maybe next week??
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, October 16, 2009
Pizza Friday
Casa Newbius will once again be alive with the sounds of raucous teens consuming mass quantities of homemade pizza and playing board games. It will be good to have some noise in the house again.
If you were invited, the first pie comes out of the oven at 1800. If you weren't invited...there must have been a reason. ;)
Cheers!
If you were invited, the first pie comes out of the oven at 1800. If you weren't invited...there must have been a reason. ;)
Cheers!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Rest, Recreation, Reflection
Thank you to my friends for forcing me to step back today and do a little nothing for a bit. I appreciate it.
Pax,
Newbius
Pax,
Newbius
The Feedback Loop
I get correspondence from friends, family, and followers that doesn't show up in the blog. In recent days, I have received feedback from a couple of different sources wondering if I have really become the dark, brooding, angry person that is coming through in my recent posts.
Yes and No.
I am a passionate person who believes in Liberty, and thinks that there is an awful lot wrong with our government currently. The current state of affairs, the continuing erosion of our Liberty, can be laid at the feet of every President going back 100 years, not just the current one. We have gotten here incrementally. Recent years, and these four most current Presidents, have accelerated the process dramatically, especially GWB and BHO.
This bothers me.
I have read the writings of our Founders. I have read the writings of Blackstone and John Stuart Mill. I have also read the Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf. Today, our government more closely resembles the vision of the latter two, than the former.
This also bothers me. So I write about it.
In truth, I am generally an optimistic person. I live in the greatest country the world has ever known. We have boundless opportunity in front of us, as long as we do not allow our government institutions to kill our future, stifle our creativity, and muzzle our freedoms to favor special interests for EITHER party.
So, with this said, today I am going to relax like Princess Sophie:
Enjoy your day.
Pax,
Newbius
Yes and No.
I am a passionate person who believes in Liberty, and thinks that there is an awful lot wrong with our government currently. The current state of affairs, the continuing erosion of our Liberty, can be laid at the feet of every President going back 100 years, not just the current one. We have gotten here incrementally. Recent years, and these four most current Presidents, have accelerated the process dramatically, especially GWB and BHO.
This bothers me.
I have read the writings of our Founders. I have read the writings of Blackstone and John Stuart Mill. I have also read the Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf. Today, our government more closely resembles the vision of the latter two, than the former.
This also bothers me. So I write about it.
In truth, I am generally an optimistic person. I live in the greatest country the world has ever known. We have boundless opportunity in front of us, as long as we do not allow our government institutions to kill our future, stifle our creativity, and muzzle our freedoms to favor special interests for EITHER party.
So, with this said, today I am going to relax like Princess Sophie:
Enjoy your day.
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, October 10, 2009
When opposing worldviews collide
This is old ground, but I am posting it as a refresher.
When world views which are diametrically opposed collide, there will be one of three outcomes. Either one or the other world view successfully convinces its opposite of their argument (through peaceful means), or there is war.
That's it.
If tyrants wish to force their will upon you, they will do it through regulation (with the thinly veiled threat of violence for failure to comply), or through open force.
We have tyrants in the Legislative and Executive branches of government right now.
They are trying regulation and economic coercion to achieve their aims at the moment. Resistance to their aims will get you undue scrutiny from the "compliance officers" who will attempt to marginalize you, or arrest you, or bankrupt you. They do not care for your rights. Continued resistance will brand you as a terrorist, outcast, or traitor to the State, since the State wishes conformity above all else.
This is not the path of Liberty. Pursuing Liberty in this environment will be tough, but will be necessary if our children and grandchildren are to enjoy the same freedoms we enjoyed in our own childhood.
My hope is that those who would oppress Liberty are successfully persuaded that this path is dangerous and unnecessary. Because the alternative is too terrible to endure.
Pax,
Newbius
When world views which are diametrically opposed collide, there will be one of three outcomes. Either one or the other world view successfully convinces its opposite of their argument (through peaceful means), or there is war.
That's it.
If tyrants wish to force their will upon you, they will do it through regulation (with the thinly veiled threat of violence for failure to comply), or through open force.
We have tyrants in the Legislative and Executive branches of government right now.
They are trying regulation and economic coercion to achieve their aims at the moment. Resistance to their aims will get you undue scrutiny from the "compliance officers" who will attempt to marginalize you, or arrest you, or bankrupt you. They do not care for your rights. Continued resistance will brand you as a terrorist, outcast, or traitor to the State, since the State wishes conformity above all else.
This is not the path of Liberty. Pursuing Liberty in this environment will be tough, but will be necessary if our children and grandchildren are to enjoy the same freedoms we enjoyed in our own childhood.
My hope is that those who would oppress Liberty are successfully persuaded that this path is dangerous and unnecessary. Because the alternative is too terrible to endure.
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, October 9, 2009
Nobel Peace Prize?
In a not-so-shocking display of irrelevance, the Nobel committee awarded the "Peace Prize" to another person whose accomplishments in the name of peace would not even fill a fortune cookie.
At least the lucky numbers on the back still have meaning...
Newbius
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At least the lucky numbers on the back still have meaning...
Newbius
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Blogroll Addition
Adding Kevin Jackson to the blogroll. An entertaining conservative voice in America. Check him out HERE.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
More FTC
OK...
In the interest of full disclosure, there are companies whose products I use and recommend. So far (hint, hint) none of them have deigned to give me a freebie...
I use Red Star yeast; Con-Agra and King Arthur flours; Kirkland (Costco) cheeses; Trader Joe's Salts, spices, and pasta; Contadina canned tomato products; Bertoni pasta; Land-o-Lakes dairy products; McCormick spices; Hormel sausages and pepperoni; and various fresh produce vendors.
Pizza is every Friday starting around 1800.
I use Winchester, Remington, CCI, Black Hills, Prvi Partizan, Federal, Norma, PMC, Lake City (Surplus), and RCBS ammunition. I could use a case from each manufacturer, in various calibers. (HINT HINT! FREE AMMUNITION FOR EVALUATION IS IN SHORT SUPPLY AT THE NEWBIUS HOUSEHOLD!)
I use Hoppes and Break Free. More than I should...
I have firearms by several manufacturers, all of which were either purchased with my own money or inherited, and which I will not detail here, except for the DPMS LR-308 STRIPPED LOWER which I recently acquired. (DPMS, you make amazing guns. Send me a free sample next time, will ya? Your stuff rocks the socks!)
I use Leupold scopes. Nothing better for the price. Yeah, I could use Swarovski...but I would rather spend the money elsewhere. Ditto Trijicon. (Swarovski, Trijicon: I might change my mind if you sent me a sample...No, Really!).
I like A.Fuente cigars, and will happily smoke Cohiba, Macanudo, Hoyo y Monterrey, Romeo y Julieta, and a few other brands...Ship to the house please.
I drink Smirnoff Vodka, Jim Beam or Ezra Brooks Bourbon, Bombay Gin, Cuervo Gold Tequila, and Bacardi rum. Most wines-red or white- are fine too. And I love champagne. Crystal could send me a case and I would heartily endorse it to my 9 readers.
Western Digital gets the nod on hard drives. ATi gets the nod for video cards, although nVidia could make me an offer and I would consider it. Chips? Intel or AMD...just as long as it is stable. Microsoft, Apple, or Linux? Depends on the system. I have all three. Logitech makes a lot of my peripherals, and Microsoft makes the rest. Wanna send me more stuff to review? I will take all offers.
Cameras? Canon right now, but Nikon runs a close second. Try and persuade me to use your stuff instead. Let me play with a sample for a year or so.
Cars? Honda, Acura (Honda), Chevy, and Geo. And, all were built in the USA. I have owned Toyotas too and would not hesitate to encourage someone to buy any one of the cars I have owned. Good products, all of them.
And so on...ad nauseum.
My point? None of this is any of the government's business. These are all personal choices made from an evaluation of the best products on the market at the time of purchase, representing the best value for the money I was willing to pay. The government is trying to use arcane laws to stifle people they perceive as threatening to their tyranny, using vague rules enforced by partisan bureaucrats.
Screw them. Stand up for Liberty, or perish trying.
Newbius
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In the interest of full disclosure, there are companies whose products I use and recommend. So far (hint, hint) none of them have deigned to give me a freebie...
I use Red Star yeast; Con-Agra and King Arthur flours; Kirkland (Costco) cheeses; Trader Joe's Salts, spices, and pasta; Contadina canned tomato products; Bertoni pasta; Land-o-Lakes dairy products; McCormick spices; Hormel sausages and pepperoni; and various fresh produce vendors.
Pizza is every Friday starting around 1800.
I use Winchester, Remington, CCI, Black Hills, Prvi Partizan, Federal, Norma, PMC, Lake City (Surplus), and RCBS ammunition. I could use a case from each manufacturer, in various calibers. (HINT HINT! FREE AMMUNITION FOR EVALUATION IS IN SHORT SUPPLY AT THE NEWBIUS HOUSEHOLD!)
I use Hoppes and Break Free. More than I should...
I have firearms by several manufacturers, all of which were either purchased with my own money or inherited, and which I will not detail here, except for the DPMS LR-308 STRIPPED LOWER which I recently acquired. (DPMS, you make amazing guns. Send me a free sample next time, will ya? Your stuff rocks the socks!)
I use Leupold scopes. Nothing better for the price. Yeah, I could use Swarovski...but I would rather spend the money elsewhere. Ditto Trijicon. (Swarovski, Trijicon: I might change my mind if you sent me a sample...No, Really!).
I like A.Fuente cigars, and will happily smoke Cohiba, Macanudo, Hoyo y Monterrey, Romeo y Julieta, and a few other brands...Ship to the house please.
I drink Smirnoff Vodka, Jim Beam or Ezra Brooks Bourbon, Bombay Gin, Cuervo Gold Tequila, and Bacardi rum. Most wines-red or white- are fine too. And I love champagne. Crystal could send me a case and I would heartily endorse it to my 9 readers.
Western Digital gets the nod on hard drives. ATi gets the nod for video cards, although nVidia could make me an offer and I would consider it. Chips? Intel or AMD...just as long as it is stable. Microsoft, Apple, or Linux? Depends on the system. I have all three. Logitech makes a lot of my peripherals, and Microsoft makes the rest. Wanna send me more stuff to review? I will take all offers.
Cameras? Canon right now, but Nikon runs a close second. Try and persuade me to use your stuff instead. Let me play with a sample for a year or so.
Cars? Honda, Acura (Honda), Chevy, and Geo. And, all were built in the USA. I have owned Toyotas too and would not hesitate to encourage someone to buy any one of the cars I have owned. Good products, all of them.
And so on...ad nauseum.
My point? None of this is any of the government's business. These are all personal choices made from an evaluation of the best products on the market at the time of purchase, representing the best value for the money I was willing to pay. The government is trying to use arcane laws to stifle people they perceive as threatening to their tyranny, using vague rules enforced by partisan bureaucrats.
Screw them. Stand up for Liberty, or perish trying.
Newbius
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Richard Epstein on Health Care Reform
Law, and Color of Law
Perhaps it is time to fire up the complaint machine and begin contacting the FBI about abuses of our civil rights under "color of law" when Bloggers and other conservative voices are censored under the new FTC statutes, and attempts at extorting fines are begun. The FBI is the lead agency for investigation civil rights abuses under law. HERE is the page detailing how to approach them.
Just sayin'...
Newbius
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Just sayin'...
Newbius
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
For the Record
In response to THIS: I do not accept free items in exchange for positive reviews. In fact, I have never been OFFERED an item for review, either positive OR negative. If I have ever reviewed anything, it is because I paid for it with my own cash and either liked or hated the product enough to write about it.
FTC: Kiss my ass. You are an intrusive waste of the taxpayer's dollars and should be abolished as an agency of the Federal Government. When you begin enforcing your rules equally, I might listen to you. When the Federal Government takes my money to fund agencies whose reason for being is to extract fines for exercising my freedoms, then it has grown too large and needs to be "changed". How about applying those same rules to communications coming from Government? Hmmmmm??? Like the DHS report endorsing the lies of SPLC and repeating them using government printing office funds? I wonder if any money changed hands in THAT transaction and endorsement? Want to look at it? I didn't think so. Clean up your own house before you try and clean up mine.
If you want reviews, how's this? My new (manufacturer redacted) rifle is easy to manage, and accurate to 1/2 MOA farther than I can reliably shoot it, and WAY Farther than an M16 can shoot. The manufacturer did not provide any discounts on parts or materials when I built it. They don't even know I exist. I would buy another if given the chance. Heck, I would buy 2.
My older (manufacturer redacted) EBR can reliably hit a 16" target with iron sights out to 300 yards with me behind the buttstock. The EBR manufacturer doesn't know I exist, or that I own their rifle. I would buy another one of these too. It is a good gun and every patriot should own one.
I heartily endorse the products of both of these manufacturers because they make quality products THAT I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR WITH MY OWN MONEY. If the products were crap, I would say so.
They aren't.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Newbius
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FTC: Kiss my ass. You are an intrusive waste of the taxpayer's dollars and should be abolished as an agency of the Federal Government. When you begin enforcing your rules equally, I might listen to you. When the Federal Government takes my money to fund agencies whose reason for being is to extract fines for exercising my freedoms, then it has grown too large and needs to be "changed". How about applying those same rules to communications coming from Government? Hmmmmm??? Like the DHS report endorsing the lies of SPLC and repeating them using government printing office funds? I wonder if any money changed hands in THAT transaction and endorsement? Want to look at it? I didn't think so. Clean up your own house before you try and clean up mine.
If you want reviews, how's this? My new (manufacturer redacted) rifle is easy to manage, and accurate to 1/2 MOA farther than I can reliably shoot it, and WAY Farther than an M16 can shoot. The manufacturer did not provide any discounts on parts or materials when I built it. They don't even know I exist. I would buy another if given the chance. Heck, I would buy 2.
My older (manufacturer redacted) EBR can reliably hit a 16" target with iron sights out to 300 yards with me behind the buttstock. The EBR manufacturer doesn't know I exist, or that I own their rifle. I would buy another one of these too. It is a good gun and every patriot should own one.
I heartily endorse the products of both of these manufacturers because they make quality products THAT I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR WITH MY OWN MONEY. If the products were crap, I would say so.
They aren't.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Newbius
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Monday, October 5, 2009
Lessons from the eco-terrorists
Yesterday, I posted a link to the ELF Press Office homepage as a question about the profligate waste of resources by our President (and their silence in the matter). While perusing their site, it struck me that they work together not as a band of people with a central leader, but instead as a group of people bound by ideology.
From their FAQ page:
Now, I do not promote terrorism, "eco" or otherwise. But, there is a lesson here. The lesson is this: If you are centralized, or have a meeting location, or have an identifiable leader, then you can be compromised by those who would defeat your aims. If you are fighting zombies, or Leviathan, or corporate entities, or organized thugs, you would be wise to learn the ways of effective resistance without detection.
Decentralized communication, with above-ground messages passed along by sympathetic but clean messengers, is effective at concealing the underground resister's identity. Use of bulletin boards, anonymous signage, and internet postings (via proxies and redirected traffic originating from publicly accessible computers) can also be effective at getting a message out without blowing cover.
Our President is effectively using the tactics of his Community Organizer's Marxist roots to change the paradigm in America...right under our noses. I think it is time to study the methods of organization and communication that the Radicals (even those currently in power) are using to see if something of value can be gleaned. If nothing else, it will prepare you for the time when the tactics will be used against you openly...
Newbius
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From their FAQ page:
How does one become a member of the ELF?
The ELF does not have any sort of physical membership list or meetings you can attend to become involved. Remember, the ELF revolves around not a physical base or classically-designed structure, but instead an ideology. If you believe in the ELF ideology and you follow a certain set of widely-published guidelines, you can conduct actions and become part of the ELF.
The ELF guidelines are as follows:
1)To cause maximum economic damage to a given entity that is profiting off the destruction of the natural
environment.
2)To educate the public on the atrocities committed against the environment and life.
3)To take all necessary precautions against harming life.
Now, I do not promote terrorism, "eco" or otherwise. But, there is a lesson here. The lesson is this: If you are centralized, or have a meeting location, or have an identifiable leader, then you can be compromised by those who would defeat your aims. If you are fighting zombies, or Leviathan, or corporate entities, or organized thugs, you would be wise to learn the ways of effective resistance without detection.
Decentralized communication, with above-ground messages passed along by sympathetic but clean messengers, is effective at concealing the underground resister's identity. Use of bulletin boards, anonymous signage, and internet postings (via proxies and redirected traffic originating from publicly accessible computers) can also be effective at getting a message out without blowing cover.
Our President is effectively using the tactics of his Community Organizer's Marxist roots to change the paradigm in America...right under our noses. I think it is time to study the methods of organization and communication that the Radicals (even those currently in power) are using to see if something of value can be gleaned. If nothing else, it will prepare you for the time when the tactics will be used against you openly...
Newbius
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
Hypocrisy
How come the groups who got the vapors when Corporate fat-cats flew into Washington are silent when The Won jets around the world on behalf of his cronies in Chicago? How come we hear no vapidities about the carbon footprint of Oprah, Michelle-my-belle, and BHO when they EACH take separate jets (at least two of which are JUMBO JETS) to Copenhagen to do what amounts to a conference call?
< crickets >
Does a 25 minute tarmac meeting with McChrystal justify the trip?
< crickets >
How about the carbon footprint of the dinner date in New York (when one of the best chefs in the world is in your own kitchen)?
< crickets >
How about the carbon footprint of the trip to Colorado to promote the Green Energy portion of the Stimulus (which got signed after a languid few days of idling over the weekend-AFTER it was passed in "an emergency").
< crickets >
Judging by the profligate use of energy by this President in promoting HIS agenda items, one would think that "saving the planet" wasn't one of the items. In fact, one could propose that by his actions, this President is actually hostile to the environment. What say you ELF?
< crickets >
I guess it is really about ideology after all...
Newbius
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< crickets >
Does a 25 minute tarmac meeting with McChrystal justify the trip?
< crickets >
How about the carbon footprint of the dinner date in New York (when one of the best chefs in the world is in your own kitchen)?
< crickets >
How about the carbon footprint of the trip to Colorado to promote the Green Energy portion of the Stimulus (which got signed after a languid few days of idling over the weekend-AFTER it was passed in "an emergency").
< crickets >
Judging by the profligate use of energy by this President in promoting HIS agenda items, one would think that "saving the planet" wasn't one of the items. In fact, one could propose that by his actions, this President is actually hostile to the environment. What say you ELF?
< crickets >
I guess it is really about ideology after all...
Newbius
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