Pink Eyed Jim’s Blog

I cut this out and scanned it from the bottom of a McDonald’s bag this morning because I found it so hilarious.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will lay out U.S. plans for a diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Hezbollah fighting Friday, an administration official said.

Rice plans a trip to the Mideast as soon as early next week, and will carry the U.S. strategy for ending the 10-day-old warfare and establishing stability in southern Lebanon, a senior Bush administration said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because Rice has not yet made her plans public.

I’m so glad that we’re in a position to lecture other countries on how to keep the Middle East “stable.” The Bush Administration has such a great track record on Middle East stability.

But I guess they have to at least say something about this whole catastrophe…

I’ve also been reading a wonderful article over on The Age, called “A Farewell to Beirut” which damn near makes me want to cry. The article’s author, Robert Fisk, gives an interesting synopsis of the tragedies of ancient Berytus.

In The year AD 551, the magnificent, wealthy city of Berytus — headquarters of the Romans’ East Mediterranean fleet — was struck by a massive earthquake. In its aftermath, the sea withdrew several miles and the survivors — ancestors of the present-day Lebanese — walked out on the sands to loot the long-sunken merchant ships revealed to them.

That was when a giant tsunami returned to swamp the city and kill them all. So savagely was the old Beirut damaged that the Emperor Justinian sent gold from Constantinople to every family left alive.

(more…)

‘(Decatur) After one hour of voting, the McKinney campaign has received numerous calls that the voting machines are malfunctioning. Voters casting votes for McKinney are reportedly having their votes switched by the machines for Hank Johnson. This is not a new problem with Diebold machines. Lawyers for the campaign have been alerted and said that If this situation is not corrected, Cynthia McKinney for Congress will be forced to take additional measures.’

Diebold machines mafunctioning? Color me surprised.

Update: Letter from Cynthia McKinney

By now you’ve heard the news that I am in a runoff election. For those of you who have seen the film American Blackout, you know that in 2002, crossover voting was used successfully by Republicans to oust me from Congress. I have received anecdotal information today that crossover voting by Republicans occurred in my Primary Election yesterday. That is, that Republicans want to dictate to loyal Democrats who their representative can or must not be. We are analyzing the returns now–such that we can–with Diebold’s electronic voting machines, to see if our anecdotal information is reflected in the numbers.

Additionally, turnout around the state was extremely low. We are also analyzing the turnout numbers for our district to see what they reveal. Of course, when that analysis is completed, I’ll be sending that to you.

By now you’ve heard the news that I am in a runoff election. For those of you who have seen the film American Blackout, you know that in 2002, crossover voting was used successfully by Republicans to oust me from Congress. I have received anecdotal information today that crossover voting by Republicans occurred in my Primary Election yesterday. That is, that Republicans want to dictate to loyal Democrats who their representative can or must not be. We are analyzing the returns now–such that we can–with Diebold’s electronic voting machines, to see if our anecdotal information is reflected in the numbers.

Additionally, turnout around the state was extremely low. We are also analyzing the turnout numbers for our district to see what they reveal. Of course, when that analysis is completed, I’ll be sending that to you.

You probably are aware of the other issues that arose for voters during the voting day. Such as showing up to vote and finding closed precincts that had been moved to different locations, malfunctioning electronic voting machines, election officials undertrained on the new Diebold electronic pollbook, and not to mention a Tom DeLay-inspired mid-decennial redistricting.

Right now, I need your help for an August 8 runoff election.

This begins a new election cycle and therefore donation limits are $2100 per individual and $4200 per couple. However, if you have already given as much as you can give, please pass this on to your family and friends and ask them to help. Every contribution is needed. I thank you for your help.

If you have not yet given, please help us make a difference before election day on Tuesday, August 8th.

It’s hot in Georgia and we need to feed, ice, water, t-shirt, pamphlet, gas up, and otherwise encourage our volunteers. Ours has been a volunteer effort, including the website that will process your e-donations.

Please send what you can by mail to:

Cynthia for Congress
PO Box 371125
Decatur, GA 30037

or contribute online at

www.cynthiaforcongress.com/donate.php

The news is still breaking… but apparently seven bombs went off on a major commuter rail line in Mumbai, India.  The death toll is currently 135. As things unfold, I’m sure we’ll all become aware.

BBC News Article

But for now, my heart goes out to the people of Mumbai, or anyone who has friends or relatives in Mumbai who may have been affected by this tragedy.

Part of me really wonders, if the guy is supposedly responsible for one of the largest cases of fraud in American history, then why couldn’t he have faked his death for insurance purposes or to get out of prison?

It’s just a question. What do you think the answer is?

*Update*

Four hours of slow smoking wasn’t quite enough. I am now ammending this recipe to read 8 hours.

Other than that this is great. Salty, sweet, and sour all at once, it kinda tastes a bit like jerky. I like it.

I know what you’re thinking:

“WTF?”

It’s the 4th of July and I got a 3-lb Corned Beef Brisket at Stop and Shop for $2 a few weeks ago. Shannon and I got the idea… Why not barbecue it?

The Facts

• Corned beef needs to be slow cooked.
• Barbecued brisket is awesome.
• Brining meat makes it flavorful and moist.

It seems to follow that Barbecued Corned Beef Brisket should be awesome by these standards. Well, I’ve got a brisket on the smoker as I type this. In a little over three hours, I should be too busy wolfing down some brisket to update this. But I promise that I’ll let you know by tonight.

Barbecued Corned Beef Brisket

• Thaw your brisket.
• Allow it to sit out at room temperature for 45 minutes prior to putting on the smoker.
• While your brisket is sitting, start your fire.
• Wood fires are best, though charcoal and wood chips can work well too.
• After smoker has preheated and brisket has come to room temperature, place the brisket on the smoker.
• Every 45 minutes or so (every half hour is GREAT) mop the brisket with my Briney Beer Brisket Mop (recipe below)
• After 7 to 8 hours, brisket should be done. Allow to rest 15 minutes to 1/2 hour before slicing.
• Enjoy.

Briney Beer Brisket Mop

• 6 oz beer (your favorite, I used Yuengling)
• 2 oz ketchup
• 1 tblsp Tobasco jalapeno sauce
• 2 oz pickle juice
• Salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 tsp sweet paprika

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
• Voila