People in Kentucky are just now hearing about one of the state’s priorities in fighting terrorism, as stated in the 2006 anti-terrorism law. The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security’s list of core duties includes “stressing the dependence on Almighty God as being vital to the security of the Commonwealth.” This includes the duty to post a plaque at the Emergency Operations Center praising the Almighty. It is the work of State Rep. Tom Riner, a Southern Baptist minister, who not only does not appear to accept the separation of church and state but believes that he has every right to use homeland security to advance his religious views.
The legislatively required plaque contains a 88-word statement that begins: “The safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God.”
This duty to advance belief of God now takes precedence over other homeland security duties. Riner, however, sees nothing wrong with his use of the homeland security law: “This is recognition that government alone cannot guarantee the perfect safety of the people of Kentucky. Government itself, apart from God, cannot close the security gap. The job is too big for government.”
I get it now. God allowed those thousands of people to die in New York on September 11th because New York did not properly praise the Almighty. Of course, there are those godless people in Oklahoma, who would still be alive if they praise the Almighty as an official requirement. Then there is the massacre in Mecca and the stampedes in India: faithless people killed for their lack of praise.
It was not until this week that many learned of the plaque from coverage by the Herald-Leader.
Thomas Preston, Gov. Beshear’s Homeland Security chief, has decided to ignore the obvious abuse of both the constitution and homeland security legislation with a shrug: “I will not try to supplant almighty God. All I do is try to obey the dictates of the Kentucky General Assembly. I really don’t know what their motivation was for this. They obviously felt strongly about it.” That is what we need in a homeland security chief: passivity in the face of extremism.
For the full story, here.
Happy Birthday, and thank you for taking the discussion away from the depressing news from Kentucky.
Happy Birthday Mespo!
Glad you enjoyed. It’s a keeper in our house. I fill my freezer with it by Labor Day, usually. The parsnips make it special.
When you told me it was your birthday last week, I did some ‘virtual’ shopping.
You can’t even buy St Magdalene 19 year old single malt scotch, but I came close:
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/B-40-St._Magdalene.aspx
and for ‘5-oh’ – definitely, a copy of ‘The Yale Book of Quotations’
http://
yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/reviews.asp?isbn=9780300107982
after singing Happy Birthday continue with
…for he’s a jolly good fellow
for he’s a jolly good fellow
for he’s a jolly good fellowwwww
which nobody can deny
…which nobody can deny
which nobody can deny
REPEAT (louder) etc etc
Patty C:
The reviews are in and the soup was magnifique! I supplemented with a merlot I’d been saving. Thanks to all for the sentiment and the good suggestions. And FFLeo, pleeease you hold your own in this group just fine.
Mespo72,
Congratulations with becoming a year older, wiser, and with the added ‘notches’ to your litigator skills.
Although I lack the wisdom exhibited by the regular forum members here, I *do* hold the status of being older than most, by a decade or more.
Mespo,
Happy Birthday. May I recommend a bottle of Old Nick and some Stilton cheese to celebrate?
Jill:
I do love that clip!
mespo,
What you wrote was very sweet. Many happy returns of the day!
And in case you may have forgotten the proper decorum for lawyers, I remembered this from a prior post.
To JT, Patty, rafflaw, Bob,Esq., gyges, FFLeo, Jill, Buddha & all my other friends here:
“If there was a way to throw you a virtual party, I would do it with all of your friends on this blog.”
******************
Thank you so much for your kind sentiments. I always consider my time here a virtual party so that wish has already been granted. During the day, you have so little time to think about what’s really important, being tied up with the mundane aspects of living and making a living. [Maybe that’s what prompted Socrates’ famous observation about an unexamined life.] This blog gives me the chance to examine things with the keen assistance of others whose opinions I respect and admire. That opportunity is a wonderful birthday gift for one approaching the back half of life. As for JT’s wish that I be spoiled rotten, my wife contends that has already occurred. As in most things, she is likely correct.
BTW, the red velvet cake’s remnants are in the freezer,and I confess to sampling the Dewars Signature (eschewing the bourbon this go ’round) as my indulgences for the week.
PS to Patty:
I am making that Garden Summer Soup on this rainy cold day in Richmond. Reviews to follow!
Words of wisdom, Prof. Turley.
Buddha:
I had to look up red velvet cake, but I concur. However, one should not drink and blog at the same time. The alcohol level for blogging is hire than driving, but the consequences can be equally dire.
Indeed, mespo, what JT said.
May your year be filled with fine bourbon and red velvet cake.
Mespo:
Happy 50th Birthday!!! I am approaching that milestone myself. If there was a way to throw you a virtual party, I would do it with all of your friends on this blog. Like many, I often look forward to your take on the various cases and controversies that appear on the blog. I am so grateful that you continue to share some of your time with us. Tell your family that we expect you to be spoiled rotten for at least a week and treated as nothing short of nobility. If they have any doubts about your elevated status, just have them check out this blog.
Happy Birthday, Mespo from all the guys and gals of the blog!
Jonathan
mespo, Happy millstone – I means milestone.
I can get away with that cause we’re ‘BB’s and I’m older
– by a smidge. I didn’t know this was such a big deal event, you
turkey! You didn’t tell anybody!
How can we support you?
~Patty
…….
I love turkey sandwiches, turkey hash, and turkey soup and in honor of your birthday and out of concern for declining vigor, I typed up all my favs and helpful hints.
I sliced up the bird, already, for sandwiches etc, of course.
BUT this year, I also set up a fast-food production-line of ZipLoc type ‘TV’ dinners consisting of small portions of the pile of meatwith ladles of gravy and after they hardened a bit, I slipped a separate packet of stuffing in the bags for an easy entree
or as hash fixings, for later when the inspiration strikes, again.
I usually make enchiladas, so this is different. I also had a special request to make ‘Sweet Potato/Turkey Shepherds Pie’ to try . It sounds good.
http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1127
Otherwise, the carcass has simmered with the miripoix and some seasonings and cooled and is in the frig forming a nice layer of congealed fat for me to skim later. I haven’t decided what do there, but ‘The Garden Vegetable soup is my all time favorite to make at the end of summer harvest when everything is abundant, fresh, ripe, and cheap.
You can make it anytime. Ripen the Roma tomatoes in a bag, and if you don’t grow your own herbs or a have bunch left over from Thanksgiving dinner, buy them fresh – it’s worth it.
*******************
COZY TURKEY HASH
from New Basics Cookbook
Sheila Lukins/Julie Rosso
Makes 2-3 portions.
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
1.5 cups cubed cooked potato
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
3 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
6 Tbs heavy cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp good curry powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
pepper
1 Tbs vegetable oil
–Preheat broiler
–Combine first 6 ingredients.
–In a separate bowl combine the next 8 ingredients. Add to the turkey mixture and let stand for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
–Heat oil in a 10 inch, oven-proof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey mixture, cover and cook unti lthe bottom is set, 5 minutes.
–Transfer to broiler and broil until the top is set and golden, 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
——–
GARDEN SUMMER SOUP
From the New Basics Cookbook
Sheila Lukins/Julie Rosso
3 leeks, well rinsed
2 c. water
2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
4 carrots, peeled
3 parsnips, peeled
6 lg. cloves garlic, minced
8 tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 c. chicken stock or canned broth
8 sm. red potatoes, quartered
12 ripe tomatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks
1/4 c. coarsely chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
12 lg. fresh basil leaves, slivered
1 1/2 tbsp. dried tarragon
1 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
Salt, to taste
12 oz. hard chevre, such as Crottin, rind removed, coarsely grated
1. Trim the leeks, leaving 1 inch of green. Cut the leeks in half lengthwise.
2. In a small bowl combine the water and vinegar. Soak the leeks for 15 minutes to remove sand. Rinse well under running water and cut into fine dice. Place in a bowl.
3. Cut the carrots into fine dice. Add to the leeks.
4. Cut the parsnips into fine dice. Add to the vegetable bowl. Add the garlic.
5. Melt the butter in a heavy deep casserole over low heat. Add the diced vegetables and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the stock and potatoes and continue cooking, covered, for 10 minutes.
7. Add the tomatoes, parsley, basil, tarragon, pepper, nutmeg and salt. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes longer.
8. Remove the cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook another 30 minutes.
9. Serve topped with grated chevre.
8 portions
————–
WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP
From the New Basics Cookbook
Sheila Lukins/Julie Rosso
4 Slices bacon in 1 inch piece
4 tb Unsalted butter
2 c Diced leeks
1 1/2 c Diced onions
1 c Diced celery
1 1/2 ts Dried tarragon
1/2 ts Dried thyme
Salt Pepper taste 5 c Chicken stock (homemade preferably)
2 1/2 c Diced potatoes
1 lb Rinsed spinach 1/8 inch sliv
1 1/2 c Sliced carrots*
1 1/2 c Shredded cabbage*
1. In large soup pot, cook bacon till fat is rendered (5 min), remove & discard.
2. Add butter, then leeks, onion and celery. Cook over low heat till wilted (15 min). Season with tarragon, thyme salt & pepper. Stir well.
3. Add stock, potatoes & carrots. Simmer till tender but not mushy (15 min).
4. add half the spinach and the cabbage, simmer 1 minute.
5. Remove from heat. Puree half the soup in a food processor or blender & return to pot.
6. Simmer over low heat and add the remaining spinach and the cream.
Heat well but don’t boil. Adjust seasoning and serve.
6 servings
rafflaw:
I refuse to recognize any more of these things.
Mespo,
Congrats on the 50th! I survived mine 7 years ago. The pain will go away in a few months!
Patty C:
I ‘ve been enjoying my 50th birthday with my wife and kids. We took in a playoff game at JMU in Harrisonburg and upon my return I thought I would look around to see if my blog pals were still penning! Thanks for asking. I am actively soliciting turkey hash or turkey soup recipes since our 20 pound bird looks to stiil be only about 10 pounds light. How many turkey sandwichs can you eat?
Jeff: “For the life of me I have never been able to find the word “church” in the US Constitution. Maybe I have an old version……or just maybe separation of church and state doesn’t appear in the US Constitution”
James Madison: “The Constitution of the U. S. forbids everything like an establishment of a national religion.”
James Madison, Detached Memoranda
ca. 1817W. & M. Q., 3d ser., 3:554–60 1946
Jeff: “For the life of me I have never been able to find the word “church” in the US Constitution. Maybe I have an old version……or just maybe separation of church and state doesn’t appear in the US Constitution”
James Madison: “The Constitution of the U. S. forbids everything like an establishment of a national religion.”
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/amendI_religions64.html
Homeland Security, die vaterland, C.G. Jung’s “Undiscovered Self”
I’d laugh but it’s just too sad.