Freedom, truth, love, beauty.
The American Conservative -- No Exit
“An alternative reading of our recent military past might suggest the following: first, that the political utility of force—the range of political problems where force possesses real relevance—is actually quite narrow; second, that definitive victory of the sort that yields a formal surrender ceremony at Appomattox or on the deck of an American warship tends to be a rarity; third, that ambiguous outcomes are much more probable, with those achieved at a cost far greater than even the most conscientious war planner is likely to anticipate; and fourth, that the prudent statesman therefore turns to force only as a last resort and only when the most vital national interests are at stake. Contra Kristol, force is an “instrument” in the same sense that a slot machine or a roulette wheel qualifies as an instrument.”
Chili-Lime Chicken Wings
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 4 lbs Chicken Wings, seperated with tips discarded
- 1 tsp ground Cumin
- 2 Tbsp ground Coriander
- 1 Tbsp Kosher Salt
- 1/4 C Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Sauce:
- 1/2 C Sriracha-brand Chili Sauce
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1/4 C Cilantro, chopped
- 2 Limes worth of zest and juice
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
Notes: You can double this recipe, no problem.
Directions
Combine coriander, cumin, salt, and oil in a bowl. Toss wings. Cover and refrigerate 1–4 hours.
Preheat an oven to 375. Spread the wings on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Don’t over-crowd the wings; do two batches if necessary. Roast for 20 minutes.
Combine the ingredients for the sauce, reserving two cloves-worth of garlic. In a separate bowl toss the wings in small batches with just enough sauce to coat them well.
Return the wings to the baking sheet and roast another 20 minutes.
Combine any remaining sauce with finished wings and reserved garlic. Serve hot.
15 mins to prep, 1–4 hrs to marinate, 40 minutes to cook; serves 4
Braised Beef and Peppers
Ingredients
- 8 medium tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded, & diced
- 2 bell peppers, 1/2 slices
- 1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 lbs flank steak, cut across the grain into thirds and liberally seasoned with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 C long-grain white rice
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 C fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Notes: You can replace the tomatoes with a 28oz can of diced tomatoes, but canned tomatoes tend to have strange things added as preservatives that I’m trying to avoid. Things like calcium chloride or various sodium and potassium preservatives. That’s just not necessary.
Directions
- In a slow cooker combine the tomatoes, peppers, onion, oregano, and cumin. Nestle the steak among the veggies. Cook on low while you are at work.
- About a half hour before serving, cook the rice.
- Shred the beef in the veggies. Serve with the rice and top with the avocado and cilantro.
20 mins to prep, 8 hrs to cook; serves 4
The leftovers make for a great sandwich on slightly stale buns the next day.
Pee-Wee Gets an iPad
So much awesomeness packed into two minutes.
Apple
The iPhone changed our culture.
The iPad is going to change it again. It is an amazing device and should not be underestimated.
If you do not understand that the iPad is an amazing, world changing device you need to study it until you do understand that and know how to beat it.
Three years later competitors are just coming up with ways to equal the iPhone and Apple bests their own leading devices.
Can you do better? Put up or shut up.
New Orleans: the city that knows how to party.
Minneapolis: the city that knows how to suffer stoically, knowing that it is somehow their fault even though they have lived honest, Lutheran lives.
"Self Portrait" 2009 by John Rodenbiker (1979- ) Digital Photograph 34,763 bytes; 640x480 pixels
This is why I’ve stopped posting most anything even vaguely related to politics. Every time I try I devolve into sputtering about the incompetence of Congressional Democrats, the ambivalence towards the electorate by the Obama administration, and the evil of the Republicans.
