Michael Russell

Ron Paul has declared his candidacy, he participated in the Republican debate at the Reagan Library last night. Incidentally, I cast my first vote for President for Ron Paul when he was the Libertarian candidate in 1988. Unfortunately, the voices of the libertarian wing of the Republican Party have have been drowned out by the insane shouts of the Christian kooks. In the debate last night three of the Republican candidates raised their hand when the candidates were asked who didn't believe in evolution. Scary! Mick

Further evidence that the Republican Party is controlled by religious zealots: From Ron Gunzburger's Politics1 Why can't we have a viable third party in the United States? Mick

I also love Exile on Main Street, another Stones homage to Americana.

One of my favorite rock albums of all time is Sticky Fingers. The Stones' don't get enough credit for their contribution to and influence on alt-country music. Mick

I'm more inclined to believe that Jefferson fathered a child with Sally Hemmings than is Greybird. That said, who cares if he did? Does the fact that Jefferson owned slaves and may have fathered children with one of them diminish his accomplishments? Does it render the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom meaningless? Jefferson wasn't perfect, but is ideas were and still are darn close. Mick

No worries Chris; I'm a recovering lefty and I often slip back into their way of thinking. Mick

Victor, you'll be missed; I enjoy reading your posts and you are an excellent artist. Best of luck to you and Angie. Mick

My remarks were knee-jerk and hyperbolic; Ronald Reagan was not evil. He may have been, as Barbara states "far and away the greatest president of the 20th century", but considering the presidents we've had in the 20th century that's damning with faint praise. Reagan is rightly credited with restoring the optimism of the American people, and his policies helped to grow the economy, but government spending spiraled out of control and the federal deficit ballooned. Like Ba'al I can't forgive him for sacrificing the lives of 241 marines, for no apparent reason, and then doing nothing about it. In fact he later illegally sold arms to the sponsors of the perpetrators of that dastardly deed. "A few months ago, I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's true. But the facts and the evidence tell me it is not." Ronald Reagan

A Rendezvous With Destiny : Reagan's excellent speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater. Although I'm not a fan, the man certainly had presence. This speech is appropriate for today with regard to the War on Terror. Mick

I remember the first time I saw Irshad Manji; it was a year or so ago, when she made mincemeat out of that pompous ass Richard Belzer on "Real Time with Bill Maher". I watched her PBS special tonight; I, too, encourage everyone to check it out. Her visit with her mother to her mother's Mosque, and their stoic response to the unreasonable indignities visited upon them by the two goons at the Mosque was very moving. Mick

Victor, Reagan certainly played up his cowboy image, so where's the cowboy hat in your caricature of him? Chris, I don't deny the legitimacy of Reagan's victory in the election of 1980; he trounced Carter, Anderson, and Clark among those registered voters who bothered to vote. I merely wanted to point out that he wasn't supported by 50% + 1 of registered voters. You made the claim that a majority of Americans supported his candidacy in 1980; I disagree. As for 1984 ... ... I don't want to talk about it. Mick

Chris, Registered voters in the U.S. (1980) 113,043,734 Votes for Reagan (1980) 43,904,153 Reagan received 39% of the vote of all registered voters in 1980, not "Half and more". It is true that Reagan kicked off his campaign in Philadelphia, MS, where 3 civil rights activists were murdered in 1964. It is a fact that the Reagan administration sold arms to Iran, a supporter of Hezbulla, which murdered hundreds of U.S. Marines in Lebanon in 1983. I am not a fan. Mick

The fact that in 1980, Ronald Reagan began his campaign for the Presidency in Philadelphia, MS speaks volumes. He was certainly the candidate of the white racists and fundamentalist christian kooks. And exactly who were the hostages for whom he was trading arms to Iran? He wasn't a Bozo, he was evil. Mick

Nice, two days after the massacre at Virginia Tech and this asshole Steyn impugns the courage and manhood of its students. Why do I have the feeling that if Mark Steyn were ever in the same situation as these students, he'd be cowering under a desk somewhere in soiled panties? Mick

After a terrible tragedy like the shooting at Virginia Tech, I like to step back from the politics of it all. Now is a time for healing; judgment should come later. Let's remember the victims, such as the heroic Liviu Librescu. Mick

Yes, Dio had a great "set of pipes", but Sabbath ceased to be Sabbath when Ozzy left. There's more to music than having good chops. Mick

Thanks for sharing this link Michael. I was a meth addict for about 10 years, from age 15 to 24. I didn't want to comment on this thread; what's past is past. But Michael, those video's moved me to tears. I tried so many things to help me win the battle against addiction: therapy, religion, ... etc .... All to no avail. But the one positive of my struggle was, that no matter how daunting the odds, I finally realized there was only one person who could free me from the madness of my chrystal meth addiction, ME. I had a lot of help from some kind people along the way, but I was the one who conquered my demons and liberated myself from the depths of hell that is addiction. And for that, I'm damn proud of myself. Mick

It's still Easter here in California; happy Easter everybody, and happy anniversary Kori. Although I, too, am an atheist, I love Easter; it's a resurrection thing. Try as I may, I'm not perfect GOD DAMN IT! I love the idea of a do over. Mick

I'm Dominique Francon; Peri is Dagny Taggart. My favorite Rand charactor (I wouldn't call him a Rand hero) is Andrei Taganov.

Watch out Frank Sinatra; William Shatner sings .

For a good Easter movie, I suggest Jesus Of Montreal; this charming and moving film exposes the absurdity of religious fundamentalism.

This recipe is from one of my favorite hometown (San Diego) chefs Su-Mei Yu Vegetarian Mah Peh Tofu(Makes 4 serving) 1 tablespoon Sichuan hot bean paste ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon dry Vermouth 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, dry-roasted and ground ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 tub (19 oz.) firm tofu, sliced into ¾ inch cubes 1 cup vegetable broth 1 tablespoon minced ginger ½ teaspoon spicy sesame oil 1 tablespoon minced green onion In a small sauce bowl, mix the bean paste, sea salt, soy sauce and dry Vermouth together and set aside. Mix Sichuan peppercorn and black pepper together in another small bowl and set aside.Bring a pot of water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add the tofu and parboil for 3 to 4 seconds, transfer to a strainer.Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a large non-stick skillet. Add the tofu and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the ginger, and continue to stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the bean paste mixture and stir to mix. Stir-fry for another 1 to 2 minutes before adding the Sichuan peppercorn, black pepper mixture and stir to mix. Turn off the heat and add the spicy sesame oil. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with the green onion. Serve with hot cooked rice.

Hey Victor, thanks for the Blue Rodeo links. Blue Rodeo is definitely in the artists deserving of greater recognition category. The alt-country magazine No Depression had a good write up on Blue Rodeo here. Mick

More words of wisdom from expert climatologist Ann Coulter.

Ann loses me right about here: I'm sorry; comparing liberals to Stalin and Hitler is patently absurd. Ann Coulter, LaRoucheite.