You are currently browsing the Down with Absolutes! weblog archives for October, 2007.
I may just have to endorse the foot-in-mouth motherfucker! During tonight’s debates, Sen. Biden said of “America’s Mayor” Rudy Giuliani: Giuliani’s entire message is “a noun, a verb and 9/11.” LOVE IT!!!
Go, Joe! Beat a BITCH down!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 11:15 PM PDT
I recently put up some small Bruce Ennis signs in a relatively unwatched place. I drove by today, and saw that Christian signs were put up in the same location. The Bruce Ennis signs were still there, even though it would have been real easy to snatch them.
I would like to thank the sign team for showing some class. Seriously; thanks. Its good to see there’s still a little integrity left. Perhaps we should pay less attention to those who seem to think stirring up trouble is the point of politics, and pay more attention to those who participate in a fair and honorable manner.
I’m leaving the comments ‘on’ for this post.
Posted by Discourse in General at 10:08 AM PDT
Ruth Ann Minner should never be given a microphone. Do we really need to hear a speech about how she’s saving cancer children? You aint running for governor again, big mama!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 7:25 PM PDT
Several months ago I voiced my opinion that I felt that John Atkins’s babysitter’s claim was a bit of s stretch and shouldn’t have been given the time of the from the start of the whole brouhaha. Turns out the Attorney General’s office found the same nothing I’d been touting then.
A bit of background first: If you remember, the babysitter watching John and Heather Atkins’s children on Oct. 29 at one time claimed the former Rep. Atkins asked her to lie to police about what happened that night. House Majority Leader Richard Cathcart on April 24 released an affidavit detailing the allegations made by the babysitter against Atkins on that night. Funny. Neither the babysitter nor her parents approached law enforcement to air these complaints. The babysitter’s politically-connected father thought it better to go the route of instigating his daughter’s erroneous claims via the House. Also questionable was Rep. Cathcart’s timing for releasing the affidavit; the special election for the 41st Rep. District was less than two weeks away.
Now comes word that Atkins has been exonerated of the ridiculous charges made by the babysitter. In an opinion written by the AG’s office on July 2, it was found the babysitter’s claims were without merit. Exonerated of this outstandingly harsh charge (possibly the worst of the three in terms of character quality), the letter sat in a House mailbox for months — allegedly. When the letter was finally brought to the attention of Rep. Cathcart, he sloughed off this business via a curt and non-descript fax, complete with girlie-man cursive-like font, to members of the House Ethics Committee. I’ve posted a copy of the letter at right. Click it to read the larger copy.
In response to receiving this email, I shot off an email to Rep. Cathcart on Friday afternoon; to date I’ve received no response and I’m thinking I won’t. Here’s the email, full of snark and rage. Does the angered bias come through?
Hello, Rep. Cathcart,
Blogger Mike Matthews here. I’m in receipt of a letter you sent members of the House Ethics Committee on October 18. It says you were never made aware of the letter dated July 2 stating the babysitter’s claims against former Rep. John Atkins until recently. Without editorializing, how in the world were you not made aware of that letter several months ago? Considering this was the biggest piece of news that emanated from Legislative Hall this year, should not a Legislative aide have known to forward this letter to you ASAP? Regardless of you allegedly not having received the letter, was there no one in the House staff that could have effectively disseminated this letter to the media? Cynicism and distrust hold root in many practices like this. Specific allegations were made against Rep. John Atkins. And several of these allegations have been proven to be false. The House dropped the ball by not more effectively disseminating this information.
If you’ve ever read my site, you know I’ll be writing with much snark and with tongue planted firmly in cheek. I will likely poke fun at the font used in your letter to House Ethics Committee members. I could barely read that letter!
Any comments you have will certainly be considered.
This Atkins story just won’t die. I’ve got my own ideas about former Rep. Atkins, but I’ll save them for later. No matter where you stand on this matter, the onus is on Rep. Cathcart. Whether or not he saw the letter is irrelevant. He needs to check his mail more often or else have someone in the House page him when a new piece of information has developed in what has been ostensibly the biggest political news story of the year.
House Republicans are scared from what I hear. As well they should be. Their days of hegemony are running real thin. I think I hear Speaker of the House Terry Spence running out the door…
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 4:49 PM PDT
Dick Cheney is going hunting (with a gun) in New York State this week. You know the drill.
(amazing how body armor makes you so conscious of the parts it doesn’t cover)
UPDATE: According to the Associated Press, a Confederate Flag was flown at the hunt club Dick “Waterboard” Cheney attended. I wonder what or who they were hunting?
Posted by Discourse in General at 12:06 PM PDT
The following is an example of how to perform the function of a lobbyist. Please note the lack of moral character and complete disregard for taxpayer money required in order for you to keep getting paid. For the sake of brevity, this approach will be called “The Polidori”.
Example: You are assigned to protect a union. The focus should not be on the rank-and-file union members, but on a few highly paid administrators who personally benefit from the union at the expense of the rank-and-file members, i.e., the teachers. Public School teachers love do-nothing public school administrators who get paid a lot more than the teachers and sit around all day second-guessing the teachers (the administrators have lots of time to harass the teachers, while the teachers have little time to defend themselves because they have to actually teach the kids all day).
You have just lost a smoke-filled backroom deal where your highly paid client members, who purportedly represent hard working union members, tried to block legitimate action by a charter school to obtain private funds from a private bank. Even though this is a loan that the charter school must pay back to the bank, with no taxpayer money involved, you tried (and failed) to screw the charter school in order to protect the jobs of a few highly paid administrators in the union.
What do you do?
If you’re a lobbyist, the answer is simple: try to screw the charter school again. This approach is based on the lobbyist creed “If somebody isn’t getting screwed for my personal benefit, I’m not doing my job.” Even though the charter school is operating from funds privately borrowed from a bank, you demand to ‘greased’ legislative friends that the charter school be required to pay its construction costs using an artificial, higher pay scale (i.e., the ‘prevailing wage’ scale used for state contracts). Even though construction of the charter school is being paid for by private money, with no taxpayer involvement, you somehow argue with free dinners, shows, or exclamations of “did you drop this $100 bill Senator?” that the charter school should be required to follow the same pay scale as State taxpayer funded construction projects. If you are successful in getting this legislation enacted, you will be able to keep the charter school from opening, make them default on the loan they received, and make sure layers upon layers of do-nothing public school administrators keep high-paid cushy jobs.
This argument makes no sense. However, if you can explain to legislators that common sense has nothing to do with it and you threaten to work against them when they come up for election, you should be able to enact legislation that screws the charter school and its students.
Successful completion of COURSE 201 will make you eligible for courses 301 and 302: Burning Down Orphanages and Molesting Nuns, respectively. In these two higher level courses, we will explain the concept of never screwing anybody unless you make a profit from it.
Posted by Discourse in General at 5:23 AM PDT
I’m thinking I’ll have to call Delaware Military Academy on Monday to confirm the below information as seen on Wikipedia:
The school is very limited in the funding it receives from the state, and is forced to raise funds for almost every activity in which its students participate. The school’s “Commandant” (equivalent to a principal) often meets with military groups in the hopes of receiving financial assistance for the school. Still in debt from its construction, the school does not have some of the technology and conveniences that other schools in the region have. For instance, it lacks cooking facilities, having only a handful of microwaves spread throughout the cafeteria. Full meals are unavailable; instead, the school offers several individual items with which students can create their own meal.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 10:03 PM PDT
Local loudmouth and former talk-radio host Gerry Fulcher has rejoined the Delaware Blogosphere. The crotchety old coot has taken shelter at Delaware Views Journal. Let’s hope he keeps this one going longer than the three days his former blog survived.
Click here to piss him off. Gerry’s first topic: taking down self-righteous Delaware bloggers. Funny.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Friends at 9:43 PM PDT
Kind of surprising for a candidate who is President of the Appoquinimink Public School System. Just got a flier from Joanne, known to us as ‘JC’, that she is making sure our kids receive a quality education while still holding costs down for taxpayers.
A quick look at the financials for the Delaware charter schools shows these schools are a much better taxpayer bang-for-the-buck than the public school system. I guess that means JC, as a school board member, is hell (oops, I mean ‘heck’) bent on aiding the spread of the charter schools in Delaware in order to protect us taxpayers.
That sort of makes her fall right in with the Democrat Levy Court here in Kent. Talk about the ultimate fusion candidate: Republican, Independent, AND Democrat. Looks like JC is covering all the bases. Almost seems as if she’s one of those politicians who will say anything depending on who she’s talking to in order to get elected. Must be the Republican third of her triumvirate of multiple-personalities.
Posted by Discourse in General at 2:44 PM PDT
Gotta love those Code Pink wackos. Mama Hen Cindy Sheehan would be proud. I’m a big fan of political protest and disruptions in the Capitol — this just about ranks at the top. As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was approaching to address the House Foreign Affairs Committee, a Code Pink charlatan confronted her with bloody hands in a purely genius demonstration of protest. This photo is so perfect on so many levels.
Click here for video of the showdown. Bill Maher would be proud.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Political Landscape at 11:26 AM PDT
Perhaps my penchant for political puffery will come back once I’ve attended the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Wilmington on Monday. For now, though, I’m quite satisfied spending lots of time experimenting in the kitchen and reading as many foodie-themed blogs and websites as I can.
The Delaware Blogosphere just got a bit more diverse now that I’ve discovered a hardcore food blog. Taylor is a food blogger who covers the Wilmington and Philadelphia beat. Most of you carnivorous conservatives may not take too kindly to her, though. She is a vegetarian. Those of you who know me well know I was a vegetarian several years back. My carnal craving for the flesh eventually brought me back to the darkside.
Either way, Taylor has earned a spot on my list of “Cultivated Deviants” at right. Her blog, Mac & Cheese, comes filled with some recipes I’d like to try right now — as well as some great photography. Check her out.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Food and recipes at 6:20 PM PDT
Few things make me laugh out loud these days. Howard Stern’s show is one of the things that I can still rely on to give me a good hearty chuckle from time to time. And this clip of comedian Artie Lange going head-to-head with Wack Packer Crazy Alice is just about the funniest friggin’ clip I’ve heard in a long time. Don’t listen if you’re easily offended. Foul, scatological language is used throughout. This is pure filth. Enjoy!
Posted by Mike Matthews in Dumb stuff at 10:10 PM PDT
Update: At the request of a reader, I’ve bumped up the clip of JayRock taking on Mayor James Baker to illustrate this torrid dichotomy.
As heard on The Rick Jensen Show today featuring guest hosts Tyler Nixon and Dana Garrett, here is the clip of Wilmington Mayor Jim Baker going wild at the Wilmington Awards several weeks ago. Looks like Baker needs to get into the acting business. Oops. Too late.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 3:20 PM PDT
Update: WDEL picks up the Collins-for-mayor story on its news page. Good stuff!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 11:00 AM PDT
Having recently purchased a mammoth bag of frozen blueberries at my local wholesale club, I didn’t quite know what to do, outside of smoothies, with these luscious pearls of deep purple. Having depressingly ignored my ice cream maker for about a week, I went searching for the perfect recipe for blueberry frozen yogurt. A cursory Google search brought me to a recipe shared on many blogs by one David Lebovitz, food writer and author of the book The Perfect Scoop. I came upon a website that had raved about Lebovitz’s recipe so I decided to take a leap.
The recipe:
1 1/2 cups plain Greek-style yogurt (note: can be substituted with 1 1/2 cups of “hung” plain, whole-milk yogurt. See note below)
3/4 cup sugar
3 cups blueberries (I used frozen)
2 tsp. lemon juice (I used lime)
1 tsp. kirsch (recipe calls for this cherry-flavored liquor. I had none so the recipe wasn’t graced with its presence)
Note: I could not find Greek-style yogurt at my local mega-mart. However, being the knowledgeable culinary whiz that I am, I do know how to prepare “hung yogurt.” You “hang” the yogurt to remove all of the excess water, which makes a creamier final product. In short, you take double (3 cups yogurt) to get what you actually need (1 1/2 cups yogurt). To do this, line a bowl with cheesecloth. Scoop 3 cups of yogurt into cheesecloth and then wrap and refrigerate for 6 hours. Upon returning, you should notice a large amount of cloudy yogurt-water at the bottom of the bowl. Of course if you don’t mind a slushier, yet still creamy, final product, just say “Screw it!” and make the damn recipe!
Recipe: Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Mix VERY WELL. Strain (Note: I did not. You heard right. I did NOT strain. I happen to enjoy the little blueberry seeds. I love coming upon one an hour after I’ve finished the frozen yogurt. Popping one of those babies between my teeth is a pleasant surprise.) Stir in kirsch and lemon juice and chill for 1 hour (I could only wait about 20 minutes. Heck, I was using FROZEN blueberries, so I don’t think I committed too much of a crime!) Place in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 25-30 mins.) Then, enjoy! Be sure to transfer the remainder to a freezer-safe container. It won’t last long, though.
Typically when I make ice cream, my first bite is savored while the machine is still running. I didn’t break tradition this time. I did almost fall to the floor in pure amazement at how delicious this concoction turned out. Some of you will be tempted to skip over the plain yogurt and head for vanilla yogurt. Do not, whatever you do, find yourself caught in that tragic scenario. Get the PLAIN yogurt. For without it your creation will lack the tangy, subtle creaminess and the full-on burst of blueberry sweetness.
This was also my first ice-cream-maker concoction in which I splurged on full-fat products in quite a while. I’ve been making a ton of sorbets and non-fat, no-sugar-added desserts in the machine. Mostly, they’ve turned out quite nice. But last night I wanted something more luxurious. Do yourself a favor and go balls-out with this one. Buy the full-fat plain yogurt and you’ll find yourself falling to sleep with a smile like I did last night.
Blueberry frozen yogurt for breakfast, anyone?
Posted by Mike Matthews in Food and recipes at 8:23 AM PDT
Well, at least it’s not me or my cell phone this time. My sister is a poor undergraduate at Hofstra University on Long Island. She’s majoring in film. She and a friend, one Molly Wedgwood, are doing a film. Maybe it’s just Molly’s film. No clue. Well, it seems they need some money. My sister begged me to put this up. Because she never reads my website and it will probably bring me a couple hits from Hofstra, I’m putting it up. Even if you don’t plan on giving, visit the page and watch the two YouTube clips provided. Not bad, I must say. Below is one of those clips.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Friends at 10:09 PM PDT
Thursday’s Christine O’Donnell Show mined quite a lot of clips. I may even have more. Now listen to this PRICELESS clip of Delaware activist Liz Allen RIPPING into The Lady O’Donnell live on air. Who won this tete-a-tete? Vote in the comments!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:54 PM PDT
Former Write-In Candidate for US Senate, Christine O’Donnell, did a bang-up job of hosting WDEL’s The Rick Jensen Show on Thursday. I’ve got some tasty clips of The Lady O’Donnell in action. First up is this scandalous piece! You may want to turn the speakers down!!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:45 PM PDT
McGonegal is asking him to determine whether a violation of Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act (Chapter 100, 29 Del. C.) took place when the subcommittee entered executive session to discuss public documents.
The Task Force is not represented by the Attorney General’s office but by a private attorney, David Williams.
In support of her complaint Maryanne McGonegal lists certain facts:
1) The subcommittee did not take a vote of members present to enter into executive session.2) The reason for entering executive session changed when the public challenged Mr. Williams’ defense of the reasons for the session.
3) The agenda did not state that The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) was invoking the Code of Federal Regulations as the reason that CMS would not discuss their report in open session. (45 CFR, Sec. 2.1.d.3.)
4) The News Journal had obtained a copy of the CMS Report and discussed its contents in the newspaper. The News Journal had a special link on their website for the public to read the report of CMS’ unannounced visit to the Psychiatric Center.
5) Dr. Rosen, subcommittee chair, had a private meeting in the hall outside of the meeting room to discuss CMS’ request that the meeting be closed to the public.
Ms. McGonegal has asked Mr. Biden to determine that a violation of FOIA has occurred and that he file suit unless subcommittee #1 agrees to comply with the mandates of FOIA and release the executive session minutes to the public.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:49 AM PDT
I’ll be announcing and introducing today the man who will primary Wilmington Mayor Jim Baker next year. Tune in to 1150 WDEL today around 3 pm.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 11:36 AM PDT
From my appearance on The Rick Jensen Show today. Feel free to add to the list:
Top
TenTwelveFourteenWhatever! Failures of Governor Minner.“In prisons, you almost expect this to happen.” (Reaction to prison counselor being kidnapped and raped)
Failure to fund Nursing School programs while aiding and abetting state purchase of golf courses.
Telling Bill, a Rick Jensen listener who donates full tuition scholarships to students, to “go talk to DelTech” when he called Governor Minner’s office to contribute to her University of Delaware “nursing initiative.”
Failure to appoint competent and effective people to manage the prisons.
Failure to appoint competent and effective people to manage the psychiatric center.
Allowed brutal felon with assault convictions to stay employed at Psych Center.
Failure to balance the budget without raising taxes.
Raised taxes in “Tax Free” Delaware.
Appeasing teacher union by refusing to allow the Delaware Military Academy to benefit from privately funded tax free bonds.
Traveling to Sweden to see Wind Farms and staying on shore.
Extracting millions of dollars from school districts without returning the money.
Allowing little John Carney to leave the house to do jumping jacks in public.
January, 2004: Urged lawmakers to SPEND 100 MILLION DOLLARS to improve education, create jobs, fight cancer and cut pollution. (Since only “fight” cancer has been achieved, where’s the money?
“We have nothing to base any kind of investigation on, except a newspaper article.” Minner’s outrageous response to reports of abuse at the Delaware Psychiatric Center.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:59 PM PDT