Half an hour back, I had no idea who Cindy Sheehan was. I now think she is an awesome and spirited woman with the energy and guts to pursue her ideals and convictions.
How many among us -- obscure civilians, with no "power" to speak of, would channel our grief at the loss of a loved one to campaign tirelessly against corruption, greed and lies, fearlessly crossing party lines??? I am guessing the answer is no-one. We are too comfortable in our lives, in our jobs, in our little niches gasping at atrocities and pointing fingers at people who actually step out of their comfortable homes to make a difference and take on the establishment. It's so easy for us to judge these fine brave warriors of change and label them as loons when they do something intrepid that the complacent among us don't even want to think about.
I cannot help but admire her for her will power, her ardent support for the truth and her activism. She has dared to do what one in a ten million do -- raise from a "normal" unprivileged existence, and attempt to use a personal and powerful experience to shape not only her future but the future of millions caught up in the aftermath of a meaningless war and economic misjudgements.
Her platform is her vision for reform.
Sheehan is running on a platform of Single-payer health care, media reform, overturning all free trade agreements, repealing the Patriot Act, renewable energy, nationalizing oil and electricity, ending the War on Drugs, legalizing Cannabis (drug), ensuring all talks in the Middle East are fair to all parties, ending torture, closing Guantanamo Bay detention camp, Overseas commitment to cleaning up Superfund sites, ending deregulation, ending No Child Left Behind, legalizing gay marriage.
The French revolution had a weaker platform. Isn't it time we re-evaluated all our positions and appreciate the fact that some of us are willing to do what it takes to shake us all out of this iron-wrench of an oligarchy?
I use whole peppercorns in my cooking, yes, but I don't just sit at the table and shake whole peppercorns over my food! I put the peppercorns into a grinder and grind them over my food before i eat it.
That's what (e:zobar) was referring to, I think. Sure, cooking with them-- I'd expect you would, especially if you lived somewhere they grow. (How awesome would that be, incidentally? This native North American of European stock is totally bowled over by the thought of just going in the backyard and picking some peppercorns. Wow! I routinely get bowled over at the thought of doing the same with lemons or limes, incidentally.)
But you don't just shake them over your plate, such that you would need a shaker-top dispenser on your container of peppercorns.
MAN!!! WHY does EVERYONE get to go home except me????? I am SO JEALOUS!
I had to comment! I am going to be home -Bangalore - for 6 months doing fieldwork in slightly over a month from now and cannot wait to indulge the south indian in me. Btw, I regularly use whole peppercorns in my cooking.
I love food porn!
Jesus Christ Tiny. You can't put up pictures of delicious food without making me some.
my tummy is growling after looking at these yummy looking, I mean, "Deranged" food pics. Take me home with you. hehe
Sure, just pop 'em like Tic-Tacs.
- Z
I need to make all these more often. Though I can't deep fry at home, I can steam/season. Thanks to (e:zobar), I remembered many things I have stopped making just because I don't recall what they taste like, over the past couple years.
I miss home. I need to complete this proposal and visit home as soon as can. :(
This food all looks great!