Monday, March 23, 2015

SHRIMP and PASTA at its BEST!

I happened on a quick video of The Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) making Shrimp with Pasta and made it tonight .... OH MY GOSH WAS IT GOOD!

Cook one pound of pasta...I did a thin linguini

Sautee 1 1/2 cloves of minced garlic in a half stick of butter and about a cup of olive oil.....You know not to cook the garlic too long ... throw in 1 pound of peeled/deveined shrimp and sautee them until they're pink.......toss in about 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice and about 2 Tablespoons of fresh lemon rind zest......you can also throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes, or more if you like.

Toss the drained pasta into the shrimp/lemon mixture, mixing well to coat the pasta with that gorgeous butter/oil/lemon sauce, and throw in some finely chopped parsley.
Salt and Pepper and eat.

IT IS DEEELICIOUS!

ENJOY!

Z

Monday, June 2, 2014

Z is moving!

I am now on WordPress.   Please come visit me HERE and sign in and we'll be off and running.
I'm looking forward to continuing our talks, encouraging each other, avoiding the nastiness and hate from some who've commented here and feeling a LOT better!

Thanks, folks.....I think GeeeeZ is about 9 years old and I want to thank Elmer's Brother for helping me put it together back then and giving me so many  years of pleasure (Mr. Z enjoyed it so much, too.).  Thank you, Elbro.

I want to thank Mustang for the technical help and encouragement for the new Geeez Blog, and I want to thank Kid for his constant encouragement and help, too.  Mustang, I could not have done it without you. 

God bless you all. 

See you soon.

Z

Sunday Faith Blog

 
A Hymn by G. K. Chesterton
O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honour and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord.

Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.
What an amazing Hymn that fits America today so well.   I hope you find this as uplifting and hopeful as I do.
Have a wonderful Sunday,

Bergdahl is worth how many terrorists?

I find it sad to start my piece mentioning how elated I am that, after FIVE YEARS, we finally did enough to get Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl freed.   I say "sad" because it shouldn't be necessary to say  except that it's my experience that the first thing our libs here will say is "you and the Republicans didn't want a soldier out? I thought you loved soldiers?" :-)  
 
I think the article below, by Karen Tumulty (who did another fair job considering it's for the Washington Post) needs discussion.  I'm curious if any of you feel we've just equated one of our soldier's worth to that of five terrorists.  I'm perfectly open to disagreement on that but want to hear why. 

Amid jubilation Saturday over the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from captivity by the Taliban, senior they were troubled by the means by which it was accomplished, which was a deal to release five Afghan detainees from the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
 


“Trading five senior Taliban leaders from detention in Guantanamo Bay for Bergdahl’s release may have consequences for the rest of our forces and all Americans. Our terrorist adversaries now have a strong incentive to capture Americans. That incentive will put our forces in Afghanistan and around the world at even greater risk,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. McKeon (R-Calif.) and the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, James M. Inhofe (Okla.), said in a joint statement.

Lawmakers were not notified of the Guantanamo detainees’ transfer until after it occurred.
The law requires the defense secretary to notify relevant congressional committees at least 30 days before making any transfers of prisoners, to explain the reason and to provide assurances that those released would not be in a position to reengage in activities that could threaten the United States or its interests.

Before the current law was enacted at the end of last year, the conditions were even more stringent. However, the administration and some Democrats had pressed for them to be loosened, in part to give them more flexibility to negotiate for Bergdahl’s release.

A senior administration official, agreeing to speak on the condition of anonymity to explain the timing of the congressional notification, acknowledged that the law was not followed. When he signed the law last year, Obama issued a signing statement contending that the notification requirement was an unconstitutional infringement on his powers as commander in chief and that he therefore could override it.   *Z:  This stunned me.  He can just sign a statement and do away with the law?   On everything?

“Due to a near-term opportunity to save Sergeant Bergdahl’s life, we moved as quickly as possible,” the official said. “The administration determined that given these unique and exigent circumstances, such a transfer should go forward notwithstanding the notice requirement.”

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said that the detainees transferred from Guantanamo to Qatar, where they are to stay for at least a year, “are hardened terrorists who have the blood of Americans and countless Afghans on their hands. I am eager to learn what precise steps are being taken to ensure that these vicious and violent Taliban extremists never return to the fight against the United States and our partners or engage in any activities that can threaten the prospects for peace and security in Afghanistan.”   
Beyond this individual instance, some raised the larger question of whether it is sound policy for the United States to have, in the words of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), “negotiated with terrorists.”
Rogers said the action marked a “fundamental shift in U.S. policy.”- Karen Tumulty

So, particularly our military vets;  please let me know what you think.   Also, there appears to be some question about what he was doing when taken, does anybody know for sure?   
I hope we can carry on a good, informative, friendly exchange of ideas.  Thanks.

Z

 

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Sunday Faith Blog

Today, it occurred to me to say that I am so grateful that our blogs provide us with a place where old and new 'friends'  support us in our love of the Constitution and the importance of following it, in our pride in America as we celebrate her great achievements and as we work toward making her even better, who admire and support our military, believe in true religious freedom, who support the idea that helping others should come from our hearts and not from secular laws, who believe we were all better off when there was a healthy respect for morality and life, who believe in strong and God-inspired families.

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."  Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Have a terrific Sunday.......find a whole bunch of stuff to be grateful for.  I'm sure they're there!

Thanks, everybody,

z

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Maturity beyond her years.........

I had a chat with two young ladies at a high school yesterday.  I was sitting in at the very busy Front Desk for a friend.  One young lady stunned me when she said she went to public school before coming to this private Christian high school and that “I’d be a different person if I had continued in public school.  I know. I was there.”

This young 18 year old had the maturity and introspection enough to realize how getting out of public school helped her become a young woman with values and character.  I was stunned at her perception, her being able to verbalize it like that.  And  I was very touched and moved.

Earlier, about five guys and girls were in the Reception area talking about University High School, not far from my home.   They said it’s the worst school ever, with kids selling marijuana in the back of the classroom and teachers doing nothing about it.  I can’t begin to tell you the awful things these kids said some of those students did to other kids, including putting wax on kids and then feathers.  Tar and feathering in 2014.  No teacher gave a damn.

You all do know that most public schools are similar to that, don’t you.    Racial division, ethnic division, and nobody studying hard because the parents and the teachers don’t really care.  At the Christian high school, there isn’t any of that.  The school is, if I had to guess, 30% Black, 30% Hispanic, 30% White and 10% Asian.   You don’t see the Black kids ‘over there’ and the White kids ‘at the other table,’  EVER.  It doesn’t exist at this school.     They all sit together, they all talk together.  They are treated by administration and the teachers as equals, and so they treat each other as total equals, standing up for each other’s arguments during Socratic seminars, supporting each other in their dance or acting, totally supporting each other at sports.  It doesn’t matter what color, what religion (it’s a Christian high school which has had Muslims and Jewish kids and all love each other), what economic background. Nothing like that matters to them.  And they study. Hard.  Two girls today were standing by me today agreeing that Sartre was a loser and they felt they’d wasted their time reading him at all.   There they went, talking about why he was someone they couldn’t admire, a Christian and a non-Christian girl both agreeing that Sartre felt empty to them.  They knew Sartre well!  At 17 years of age.   The best part was they wanted to discuss him!  Outside class!

 At this school, two Hispanic boys whose parents I’d guess never graduated from high school and certainly didn’t go on to college, and are hard working people who’ve created loving, solid families, are now attending Carnegie-Melon and Case Western on total scholarships.   Arturo and Oswaldo are going to succeed in astonishing ways.   That is what a private school which makes itself affordable to many can do. It's hard for the school;  they could easily take in all rich kids and thrive,  but they don't.  They work at not doing that.

This school is approximately $18,000 a year, but very few pay that.  Located in a very upper class area, they don’t want all White, rich Christian kids.  They want all kids to excel, to build their character and be exposed to excellent values;  and they are.

This girl I spoke of above, Sophia, has been taught enough at the high school to know who she is now, the good she’s received, and that she’d not be the grand girl she is without it.  

Care about your children.  Encourage them.  Celebrate their successes and cry with them for any failures. Make sure their education is not just teaching them to KNOW but to LIVE WELL!  Kids will feel that, they will ‘wear’ that, they will internalize that;  they’ll make a better life for themselves and a far better America.

 z

Friday, May 30, 2014

Koch Brothers attacked again...wait till you see THIS

I guess every Conservative is scared today by what the Left can do to them?  Since I posted on the Kochs yesterday, I saw THIS ARTICLE and wanted to show you even more upsetting facts you should know about.
Here's the title:  Harry Reid’s attacks on Koch brothers send GOP donors into the shadows

Here's the first paragraph..."Yes, the derision of Harry Reid and so many other lefties is causing conservatives not only to rightly fear the IRS and their concentration on Conservatives, but to fear giving money to the Republican party."    Please read the rest of the article linked above and let me now what you think.  Read till the end, it gets more interesting.   Golly, 'fear giving money to the Republican party?"   NOW are you GETTING WHY THE KOCHS ARE BEING ATTACKED SO HARD BY REID AND OTHERS, FOLKS!?  NOW??   But it gets WORSE:

While researching this story, I found out this out!!:

Tonight the Capitol Visitors Center is hosting a screening for an anti-Koch brothers movie, Koch Brothers Exposed: 2014 Edition, by director Robert Greenwald. And both Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are attending the screening, and getting flak for having it at the Capitol in the first place.
Republican congresswoman Candice Miller sent a letter to Pelosi expressing concern that airing the film at the Capitol “may cross the line into partisan politics.” She cites rules saying no presentations in the Capitol Visitors Center “may premiere, preview, showcase, or publicize a film.” A Pelosi spokesperson, however, pointed out that particular room they’re using “is not governed by the rules she cites,” and furthermore, says it’s not a screening, but a “press conference in which clips from the film will be shown.”
And the Pelosi spokesperson used the opportunity to go after Miller and her colleagues for being too beholden to the Kochs, a line also used by Reid when he addressed criticisms today over the screening. Reid, who has been on a very anti-Koch tear as of late, says the outcry over the screening.

My stomach literally hurt when I read this.  "that room isn't governed by the rules?"   A "press conference in which clips from the film will be shown.." ....slamming the Koch Brothers?
ARE THEY KIDDING?     Do you GET THIS, people?   A Ranking Minority Leader and the Head of the Senate, both Democrats, are meeting in OUR CAPITOL to insult people who support Conservatives? 
I don't know what to say anymore, I honestly don't.   I hope you're not out of gas like I am?
Let me now your thoughts.  One thing is I know I am so grateful not to be a Democrat; these stories would HUMILLIATE me for my country.


You know, I have the oddest feeling that I want to go to teenagers and apologize and tell them this country was a fair and powerful one but isn't anymore.  I really feel like that. 


Z
 

Thursday, May 29, 2014

New Fox hire....DIVERSITY??

Fox News Hires ‘Clueless’ Actress Stacey Dash

It's official: Fox News Channel is diversifying its ranks.  (Z: "diversifying its ranks HOW?"  Because she's Black..?  I just checked and she's "Barbadian,  African American and Mexican"...whatever the mix, she's gorgeous!   But, what does this writer mean when he emphasizes 'diversity'??   It can't be race... please see my comments below. )

The network has added “Clueless” alum Stacey Dash to its roster, making the actress/activist a contributor, Fox News’ executive vice president of programming Bill Shine said Wednesday.
Dash, an outspoken conservative who's voiced her political views on her Twitter account (including a scathing condemnation of Jay Z and Beyonce for their Cuba visit last year) — will offer cultural analysis and commentary across various daytime and primetime programs.
 
Shine praised Dash, who endorsed Republican candidate Mitt Romney via Twitter in the 2012 presidential election. “Stacey is an engaging conversationalist whose distinctive viewpoints amongst her Hollywood peers have spawned national debates – we're pleased to have her join Fox News,” Shine said.
 
Some comments on Twitter, however, have been less laudatory since the hiring was announced. (Z:  this is the Left, isn't it.  They just can't ABIDE by another point of view!):
“WOW! I used to like you so much. You have proven yourself mentally ill, especially now by joining FAUX News. Pathetic bigot,” one user tweeted at Dash.
Said another, “WOW. Turncoat ass bitch"   (End of article)

Z:  So, you think the title from Yahoo is coincidence?  The "CLUELESS" Stacey Dash hired by FOX?    And, by the way, what does it mean, 'diversifying'?  How?  Is she black?  She's a lovely girl but I can't tell from the picture.  And, isn't it odd they mentioned diversifying when they have Harris Faulkner, Juan Williams, Kelly Wright, Arthel Neville and a couple of others....more than many other channels.   What's the diversity Yahoo's talking about!?

This Stacey Dash sounds great to me.  (P.S., I had a heck of a time finding an image with her clothes on, and she's led quite a 'busy' life :-)   I like her breaking the silly generalizations Leftwingers have about people with Conservative ideals!)   Go, Stacey!  (Guys...have fun Googling "images!" :-)

Z

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Charles KOCH....Educate yourselves to what he's about

Charles Koch: I'm Fighting to Restore a Free Society

I have devoted most of my life to understanding the principles that enable people to improve their lives. It is those principles—the principles of a free society—that have shaped my life, my family, our company and America itself.
Unfortunately, the fundamental concepts of dignity, respect, equality before the law and personal freedom are under attack by the nation's own government. That's why, if we want to restore a free society and create greater well-being and opportunity for all Americans, we have no choice but to fight for those principles. I have been doing so for more than 50 years, primarily through educational efforts. It was only in the past decade that I realized the need to also engage in the political process.

A truly free society is based on a vision of respect for people and what they value. In a truly free society, any business that disrespects its customers will fail, and deserves to do so. The same should be true of any government that disrespects its citizens. The central belief and fatal conceit of the current administration is that you are incapable of running your own life, but those in power are capable of running it for you. This is the essence of big government and collectivism.
More than 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson warned that this could happen. "The natural progress of things," Jefferson wrote, "is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." He knew that no government could possibly run citizens' lives for the better. The more government tries to control, the greater the disaster, as shown by the current health-care debacle. Collectivists (those who stand for government control of the means of production and how people live their lives) promise heaven but deliver hell. For them, the promised end justifies the means.

Instead of encouraging free and open debate, collectivists strive to discredit and intimidate opponents. They engage in character assassination. (I should know, as the almost daily target of their attacks.) This is the approach that Arthur Schopenhauer described in the 19th century, that Saul Alinsky famously advocated in the 20th, and that so many despots have infamously practiced. Such tactics are the antithesis of what is required for a free society—and a telltale sign that the collectivists do not have good answers.
Rather than try to understand my vision for a free society or accurately report the facts about Koch Industries, our critics would have you believe we're "un-American" and trying to "rig the system," that we're against "environmental protection" or eager to "end workplace safety standards." These falsehoods remind me of the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan's observation, "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts." Here are some facts about my philosophy and our company:
Koch companies employ 60,000 Americans, who make many thousands of products that Americans want and need. According to government figures, our employees and the 143,000 additional American jobs they support generate nearly $11.7 billion in compensation and benefits. About one-third of our U.S.-based employees are union members.

Koch employees have earned well over 700 awards for environmental, health and safety excellence since 2009, many of them from the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. EPA officials have commended us for our "commitment to a cleaner environment" and called us "a model for other companies."
Our refineries have consistently ranked among the best in the nation for low per-barrel emissions. In 2012, our Total Case Incident Rate (an important safety measure) was 67% better than a Bureau of Labor Statistics average for peer industries. Even so, we have never rested on our laurels. We believe there is always room for innovation and improvement.

Far from trying to rig the system, I have spent decades opposing cronyism and all political favors, including mandates, subsidies and protective tariffs—even when we benefit from them. I believe that cronyism is nothing more than welfare for the rich and powerful, and should be abolished.
Koch Industries was the only major producer in the ethanol industry to argue for the demise of the ethanol tax credit in 2011. That government handout (which cost taxpayers billions) needlessly drove up food and fuel prices as well as other costs for consumers—many of whom were poor or otherwise disadvantaged. Now the mandate needs to go, so that consumers and the marketplace are the ones who decide the future of ethanol.
Instead of fostering a system that enables people to help themselves, America is now saddled with a system that destroys value, raises costs, hinders innovation and relegates millions of citizens to a life of poverty, dependency and hopelessness. This is what happens when elected officials believe that people's lives are better run by politicians and regulators than by the people themselves. Those in power fail to see that more government means less liberty, and liberty is the essence of what it means to be American. Love of liberty is the American ideal.
If more businesses (and elected officials) were to embrace a vision of creating real value for people in a principled way, our nation would be far better off—not just today, but for generations to come. I'm dedicated to fighting for that vision. I'm convinced most Americans believe it's worth fighting for, too.  (end of piece)
 
Please, if we could only illuminate more truths about Conservatives, it might help?

Z

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Can ANY party survive this? Ever? Can our country?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican strategy for the fall elections seemed set: hammer Democrats on the health care law and "jobs, jobs, jobs."

As Democrats show increasing confidence on those fronts, however, House Republicans are gambling that ramping up new inquiries into old controversies involving the Internal Revenue Service and Libya will energize conservative voters without turning off moderates.

 

FILE - This May 8, 2014, file photo shows House Speaker …Over Democrats' heated objections, House Republicans voted this month to hold an IRS official in contempt for refusing to testify. They also launched a new investigation into the September 2012 terrorist attack on a diplomatic outpost in Benghazi, Libya, which killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.
Democrats say the moves reek of political opportunism and desperation.
Criticizing the president's health care law "has run its course," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, and Republicans "have to find something else to talk about." She called the new Benghazi inquiry a "political stunt." (Z:  Nancy, just wait till people start getting sick, then let's see how criticism has 'run its course')

Republicans say their actions are serious and justified, even if they also might be good politics. (Z: Oops...did the Republicans say that or the author added that second half? :-)
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the select committee on Benghazi will not be partisan or involve political "sideshows." But he declined to tell Republicans to stop using the Benghazi tragedy to raise campaign money.  (Z:  Have Democrats ever had to tell people to stop 'using' any story that would promote their success?)
Republicans acknowledge the hearings could backfire if their select committee members appear overly zealous.
"There's a real burden on us," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. "We need to not overreach" and simply "figure out what the truth is." He predicted the select committee chairman, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., will "lean over backward to be fair."

Democrats spend little time defending the Obama administration's role in Benghazi or the IRS' actions in scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status. Instead, they cite the multiple hearings and inquiries already conducted into the matters, which were fading from national headlines except on outlets such as Fox News.  (Z:  Finally, some truth.  Yes, looks like the Democrats are using this politically even more than the Republicans.  They don't want these stories scrutinized and they'll blame Republicans for looking into them.  unreal)

An inspector general's report blamed poor management in an IRS office that gave special scrutiny to conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status. But it found no evidence of political conspiracy.  (Z: Oops!  Someone hasn't read all the IRS emails, has he).

The division's director, Lois Lerner, infuriated Republicans a year ago by proclaiming her innocence at a House Oversight Committee hearing and then declining to answer questions, citing her constitutional right against self-incrimination. In a mostly party-line vote, the House voted May 7 to hold Lerner in contempt. It wants a U.S. attorney to take steps to force her to testify. (Z: Yes, testify and show America the Republicans are WRONG. GO ahead, Ms Lerner; why not?)

As for Benghazi, at least half a dozen inquiries have probed the terrorist assault of Sept. 11, 2012, generating more than 25,000 pages of documents. Main questions include: Did the Obama administration do enough to get military relief to those under attack? And did it try to mislead Americans about the attack's origins to protect President Barack Obama's record on terrorism with two months left in his re-election campaign?
Opinions mostly fall along partisan lines, although some Republicans express more outrage than others. House Armed Services Chairman Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif., said the military did what it reasonably could.  (Z:  WRONG.  Most polls say Americans feel Obama and Hillary are lying about this.)

The attack's origins were murky at first. At the time, Egyptians were rioting over an amateur American-made video mocking Islam's prophet Mohammad.
Then-U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice cited Islamic outrage over the video when she appeared on talk shows the Sunday after the Benghazi attack. Administration officials later said the assault was a calculated terrorist action, not a direct response to the video.
House Republicans have seized on a recently divulged White House "talking points" memo written to help Rice prepare for her TV appearances. The memo said one goal was "to underscore that these protests are rooted in an Internet video and not a broader failure of policy" by the administration.
Republicans say the White House deliberately hid the memo from investigators.   (Z:  Well, they didn't present the email, soo...  by the way, what about those "talking points" and their motivation?  It was pretty clear.)
Many Democrats say congressional Republicans want to injure Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, who was secretary of state during the Benghazi tragedy.

Several GOP political strategists said revived inquiries into Benghazi and the IRS will probably do their party more good than harm, provided their lawmakers appear more professional than partisan.
Undecided voters might not get excited about GOP accusations regarding the IRS and Benghazi, said Dan Schnur, a former Republican consultant who teaches political science at the University of Southern California. But given the administration's questionable behavior in both areas, he said, "They certainly don't line up on the other side."
GOP strategist Terry Holt agrees. The Benghazi assault, he said, was "the phone call Hillary Clinton warned us about in 2008 when she was running against Obama. They both blew it."
Democrats are banking on public revulsion.
"To make use politically and financially of the tragedy of the loss of four great Americans is beneath contempt," said Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y.  (END OF ARTICLE)   (Z: and, you know, Ms Slaughter?    Protecting your White House is REALLY "beneath contempt" at the cost of four Americans.)

SO, you see, America.  NOTHING the Republicans can do OR SAY is legitimate, according to the Democrats/this author.  Get it?   NOTHING.  

How does this country survive with the misinformation and mischaracterizations in this article and others?   We know by now about Ben Rhodes' delayed emails which finally came out and need review!  We know Lois Lerner isn't the only one involved in emails that finally were forced to come out!   We know CBS's News Department, which I believe hasn't mentioned Benghazi in the last many months and never ran the Ben Rhodes emails!, is run by Ben Rhodes' brother.  ABC and CNN have White House connections that are startling, too.    How about this author mentioning that?

How DO we get to the bottom of situations like those above, which NEED getting to the bottom of since, in the time since earlier hearings, more evidence has shown up?   Just bow to the Democrats and go away?

WOW.   What can we do about articles like this?   This piece wasn't in a liberal rag that runs all this kind of stuff, it's a Yahoo HEADLINE.    And the author has the NERVE to mention FOX above!?  REALLY?

Z