Iraq Oil

Why does Iraq have such a problem with forming a new government? Well if I could answer that question in full detail than I probably wouldn't be blogging. But I found a very succinct paragraph that gives some insight into the question.

Moses and the 10 Commandments Reintroduced

World War II was raging in Europe and the Pacific while I was sitting in my Sunday School class at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church on Twenty Eighth Street, Detroit Michigan. It was in the early 1940’s. I found myself looking at my lesson on the Ten Commandments. The lesson was printed on a 5” by 7” two page folder. There was a colored drawing of Moses standing on a rugged, jagged rock. His long beard was flowing in the wind. His extended arms held a flat rock. It was a tablet with two arches on the top and straight sides and bottom. On one side were three Roman Numerals I II and III. On the other side was IV through X.

My teacher said they were the Ten Commandments and Moses got them from God on the mount. I think that was the first time I heard the word mount for mountain. But anyway, I was told that I had to keep these commandments. They were to be obeyed. And most important, everyone had to keep them too because they came from God.

Fast forward to current times, while reading “Losing Moses on the Freeway: The 10 Commandments in America” by Chris Hedges I found what these sacred commandments do for everyone when followed and not routinely ignored.

Hedges was a foreign correspondent that covered several wars for nearly two decades. In the prologue of “Losing Moses on the Freeway” he points out the benefits of the Commandments when they are kept and what evil results when they are ignored and cast aside.

Hedges said: The commandments guide us toward relationships built on trust rather than fear. Only through trust can there be love. Those who ignore the commandments diminish the possibility of love, the single force that keeps us connected, whole and saved from physical and psychological torment. A life where the commandments are routinely dishonored becomes a life of solitude, guilt, anger and remorse. The wars I covered from Central America to Yugoslavia were places where the sanctity and respect for human life, that which the commandments protect, were ignored. Bosnia, with its rape camps, genocide, looting, razing of villages, its heady intoxication with violence, power and death, illustrated, like all wars, what happens when societies thrust the commandments aside.

The commandments do not protect us from evil. They protect us from committing evil. The commandments are designed to check our darker impulses , warning us that pandering to impulses can have terrible consequences. “ If you would enter life,” the Gospel of Matthew reads, “keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). The commandments hold community together. It is community that gives our lives, even in pain and grief, a healing solidarity. It is fealty to community that frees us from the dictates of our idol, idols that promise us fulfillment through the destructive impulses of constant self-gratification. The commandments call us to reject and defy powerful forces that can rule our lives and to live instead for others, even if this costs us status and prestige and wealth. The commandments show us how to avoid being enslaved, how to save us from ourselves. They lead us to love, the essence of life.
Thank you, Chris Hedges for reintroducing me to the 10 Commandments.

Tax War

After reading Seymour M. Hersh’s essay “The Iran Plans: Would President Bush go to war to stop Tehran from getting the bomb?” in the New Yorker magazine, April 17, 2006, I became somewhat depressed. In the piece he reports that there is a debate between the pentagon and the white house as to whether we should use a nuclear bomb in Iran to stop them from getting the Bomb. Well my initial response was ‘That’s ridiculous!’, ‘That’s ludicrous!’. Then I concluded that it was just plain crazy to use a nuclear bomb to stop someone from making one.

Then I asked why were so many insiders talking to Hersh? Perhaps it was not just to inform Americans as to what is being planned but to let the Iranians’ hear some of the speculation too.

Hersh’s column was a bit too much for me to handle. So I but some thought into a way to slow our president and congress from hyping another war. So here’s my idea.

Tax war. Let’s start by imposing a tax on the cost of the Iraq war which is over $274 billion. That turns out to be $1099 [click 'Entire U.S. 'box on the right then select 'per person']for each person in America. Congress would direct the IRS to require every tax return to include a separate section for the Iraq War Surcharge. The surcharge would total $1099 times the total number of persons in the household. A separate check would have to be submitted for the surcharge.

Currently we went to war on borrowed money and as the war continues we will borrow more money. Some day we and my grandchildren will be taxed for this war. But maybe if we have to pay the bill now for this war, just maybe, the American voters will not be so quick to support another war.

Well I can dream can’t I? It sure beats dwelling on Hersh’s “The Iran Plans”.

Chocolate Orange Torte

Last night I attended a Passover dinner. I was asked to bake the Chocolate Torte the one I made last year. Well sometimes I can't remember what I had for breakfast let alone what I baked last spring for Passover. I got out one of my favorite cookbooks, "A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking" by Marcy Goldman and looked in the Passover Feast of Freedom, the Exodus chapter and there it was the chocolate Orange Torte recipe. It follows this post. By the way I find worshiping at a dinner most rewarding. The traditional foods of course were served and the liturgy provided their meaning. Also the other guests brought dishes that were most delicious and flavorful. To be sure all of them met the ingredient requirements for this Feast of Freedom.

Chocolate Orange Torte

Torte
¾ lb. (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter or unsalted Passover margarine (not whipped style)
¾ C sugar
1 C orange juice
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 lg. eggs

Raspberry or Strawberry Sauce (optional)
1 (10 oz.) package frozen raspberries or strawberries, defrosted
1 -2 tablespoons sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Line the bottom of a 9- inch springform pan with parchment paper.
2. In a heavy saucepan over low heat, or using a double boiler, melt the butter or margarine, sugar and orange juice, stirring to blend.
3. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate, stirring to melt.
4. Cool very well, then whisk in the eggs until thoroughly incorporated.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. The cake is done when the top has a slight crust and seems set. If the cake rises too fast (that is, if the top is forming a crust yet the center seems uncooked), reduce the heat to 325˚ and let the cake more slowly.
6. Cool to firm up the cake while still in the pan. Then place in the refrigerator for several hours. Serve cold or at room temperature.
7. For the berry sauce, combine the berries with sugar in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add more sugar for a sweeter sauce. Before serving, dust the cake with unsweetened cocoa powder.

Gordon Parks A Treasure for Humanity

A couple of years ago I saw an exhibition at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) featuring black and white photographs by Gordon Parks. It showed that he was an artist of the first order. He passed away recently but with much gratitude his art remains. At Legends Online there is a quote that made me reflect on how people choose to live their lives so differently. Some choose to enrich life and others choose to destroy it. Legends Online quotes Gordon Parks:

"Those people who want to use a camera should have something in mind, there's something they want to show, something they want to say...," Parks explains. "I picked up a camera because it was my choice of weapons against what I hated most about the universe: racism, intolerance, poverty. I could have just as easily picked up a knife or a gun, like many of my childhood friends did... most of whom were murdered or put in prison... but I chose not to go that way. I felt that I could somehow subdue these evils by doing something beautiful that people recognize me by, and thus make a whole different life for myself, which has proved to be so."

Poetry From The UK

I'm always looking for something, a book, website or a magazine about poetry. Here is a website from the UK that provides you with poets reading their work. At this site there is something for poets, teachers, students and people like me who want tips on how to read and understand poetry.

Elect U.S. President by Popular Vote!!

To get rid of the Electoral College would require a Constitutional Ammendment. That is not likely to happen in my life time or yours. But there is a way to elect our President by popular vote. How? By changing a law in enough states to in effect require electors to split there votes. Right now we have a 'winner take all' method. For the details of this new way read Hendrik Hertzberg's column "Comment:Count'em", in the March 6, 2006 issue of "The New Yorker".

Love Sweet Love

How would you like to read something about two lovers? First read Josh's Feb. 20th posts 'found in the stacks' and then 'eight'and then read Zena's Feb. 19th post 'kids spell love t-i-m-e'. Those two are still in love! Isn't that grand? And it's not even spring. Who needs spring when we have these two telling us about love on their blogs? Love Sweet love.

Happy Birthday Maria

I hope you have a very joyous day dear daughter. And of course I wish you happiness throughout the year. I remember when you were born and how you brought joy to your family.

It's your special day. I love you.

Love and Flexibility

W. Somerset Maugham makes a very good point when he said:

"We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person."

Felxibitity is perhaps the most underated trait that is essential to staying in love. Could it be that far to many relationships fad away because one or both lack this essential trait?

The Chinese Artist Link

The Chinese Sculpture link takes some time to open up. But be patient. Trust me it's worth the wait. It was suggested today that the next big snow we have in SE Michigan she should make a snow sculpture. Now wouldn't that be a treat to brighten a winter day!

Happy Birthday Cousin

Don Stone I hope you have an enjoyable day today February 1st. Wow 71.

Its been said that a birthday is the start of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the ride!!

No matter how hard I try to catch up you're always 7 days older.

Happy birthday my older cousin.

A Chinese Artist in Michigan

Today was my first day tutoring in an English Second Language (ESL) class for this new semester. I met some very good students from India, Japan, Korea and China. Naigang,the Chinese student is an artist. Her work is varied and creative. It's too bad that I didn't know her before my visit to Beijing last May. I certainly would have made a point to see her work.

Understanding Two Dreams

Rick Steves' writes about two dreams one American and the other European in his:"A United Europe in the 21st Century: Eclipsing the American Dream?"

There is more to the American dream than what he states. However what Steves gives is adequated for the discussion.

For Americans who want to understand the differences between us and the Europeans would be well served in reading this essay.

Over the years I've tutored Europeans in an English Second Language (ESL) class. After reading this piece I was left with the thought that my students could have written the definiton that Steves gives for the European Dream.

Cranberry Streusel Coffee Cake

Here is one of my favorite recipes:

Cranberry Streusel Coffee Cake
Coffee Cake

½ C unsalted butter, room temperature
1 C granulated sugar
2 eggs, large
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 TBS grated orange zest
2 C flour, unbleached, all-purpose
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 C sour cream
2 ½ C whole fresh cranberries

Streusel Topping
¾ C light brown sugar, packed
½ C flour, unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 TBS unsalted butter
½ C walnuts, coarsely chopped


1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter and lightly flour a 13 x 9 baking pan.
2. Prepare the coffee cake: Mix the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt together. Set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla and orange zest.
4. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the sour cream to make a smooth, thick batter. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cranberries over the top.
5. Prepare the topping: toss the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon together in a small mixing bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in the walnuts. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the cranberries on the coffee cake.
6. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into squares.

From the kitchen of:
Bob Frank


For those who love it, cooking is at once child play and adult joy-Craig Claiborne

Burning Books Column

The 'earth quake' link in the burning books post didn't always work. So please read the column below:

To keep warm, library books sacrificed


By Munir Ahmad
Associated Press

December 12, 2005

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan -- When night fell after the Oct. 8 quake, many survivors burned broken furniture to stay warm. Some, however, stormed the shattered state-run Khursheed National Library, pulling out books and newspapers to make bonfires.

An estimated 10,000 books went up in smoke that night. Three days later, half the library's books--including Korans--had been turned into ashes. The army then stepped in and stopped the burning.

Mohammed Hanif, a clerk at the library for 14 years, "did not believe it" when his brother came rushing to Hanif's home and told him what was happening at the library.

"But when I rushed there, I saw several people taking books to a nearby park where they were staying with their families after their homes were destroyed," Hanif said. "The books are like my children. I wept when they were throwing the books into the fire.

"I tried to stop them, but they started beating me."

After the army halted the looting, Hanif came back and retrieved what was intact, salvaging copies of an American encyclopedia, a Koran, novels and non-fiction works.

The 25,000 books that survived are in two garages guarded by Hanif. They will be sent to a library in Mirpur, another city in the Pakistani part of Kashmir, and returned when the Muzaffarabad library is rebuilt over the next two years.

The 7.6 magnitude quake killed at least 87,000 people and left 3.5 million homeless, mostly in northwest Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir. Aid workers have been racing against time to get aid and suitable shelter to the needy with the arrival of the brutal Himalayan winter and plunging temperatures.

The library housed rare books on Kashmir, handwritten manuscripts hundreds of years old, government records and the works of local poets.

Some of the library's 1,500 members who borrowed books before the earthquake are returning them, Hanif said.

Nazir Durrani, a government official who frequented the library, said he did not believe people realized that copies of the Koran were going into the fire.

"The burning of these books was a tragedy. When I think of those who did it, they would never be forgiven by God," he said.


Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune

Burning Books

So much is lost when books are burned. Culture, ideas that could inspire new and better ways of living, enhancement of one's life are just a few things that are lost when people intentionally burn books.

But when an earth quake strikes people's basic survival needs must be met. If it is cold outside, people need to be warm. My thought was did they have to burn books? What other items were available rather than books? Was the burning done by people who have little or no regard for books?

As these questions continued to come to mind, I was sobered when reading that at least 87,000 people were killed and an estimated 3.5 million left homeless. More will perish as a brutal winter sets in.

Somehow book burning seemed less important.

Read a Review or Read the Book?

Sometimes I feel that it would be fun to read every book that I hear about. For example, I listen to an interview with an author on the Diane Rehm show. As I'm listening 'Very interesting', I think, 'Sure would like to read it'. But I know that that would not happen because there is just not enough time in the day or night for that matter to read all those books.

What's the alternative? Find a book review and read it. Often times that is enough information about the book to satisfy my curosity. Or my interest is heighten and then take the book out of the library if that is possible.

Recently my Plymouth Library 'Meet the Author' email newsletter arrived which featured an interview with Barbara Ehrenreich. Her latest book "Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream" was reviewed. After reading the review I was satisfied. However if I wanted to read more reviews then I would put a Google search command in starting with the word review followed by the book title. Usually the first page of hits reveals some well written reviews with varied points of view.

To be sure, reading the book is the last word on knowing something about the work.

Caution Writing Emails

Some emails are sent in such haste and then after it's gone perhaps it could have been said with more thoughtfulness. Jane Goodall gives some good advice about taking advantage of the high speed technology of email.

Also what is a good thing to do is click on spell check.

New Blog: Citizens For Peace District 11

The Citizens For Peace District 11 blog is up and running. Colleen's posting today, November 17, 2005 outlines the group's accomplihments for the past two years. All of the members have done an excellent job to promote peace and the Department of Peace and Non-violence legislation.