News The Morning News
posted by on April 3 at 7:26 AM
Recession?: Fed chairman admits the possibility.
But: Silver Lining?: Hard economic times may strengthen willpower.
Out: Mugabe’s party loses control of Parliament.
In: Albania and Croatia, the newest members of NATO.
Not Quite There Yet: Mayor, Conlin propose ban on foam containers… and a fee for plastic bags.
Tentative Deal: Senate Dems and Republicans finalize assistance package for homeowners facing foreclosure.
Stuck: Would-be transplants unable to sell their homes in faltering real-estate market.
Another Day: Another prostitution scandal.
Creepy: McCain welcomes endorsement of plastic Hills star Heidi Montag.
Unsustainable: Heavy troop deployments put too much stress on ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And That’s Why People Shouldn’t Buy Big Stupid Trucks: Streetcar clips parked truck protruding onto track.
Recipe of the Day: Chicken With Salsa Verde (via New York Times)
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons lard or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
4 chicken leg-thigh pieces, each cut in two (or use 8 thighs)
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups pepitas (pumpkin seeds)*
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
4 medium poblano or other mild green fresh chilies, diced, stemmed, seeded and chopped
2 serrano, jalapeņo or other hot green fresh chilies, stemmed, seeded and minced, optional
1 pound tomatillos (16 to 20), husked and rinsed (canned are O.K.; include their juices)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or marjoram leaves
Lime juice to taste
Optional garnishes: diced avocado; sliced scallions, radishes, cabbage; lime wedges.
1. Put lard or oil in a large, deep skillet or casserole that can later be covered. Turn heat to medium-high and wait until lard melts or oil is hot. Add chicken, skin-side down. Season with salt and pepper and brown well, turning pieces as necessary, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove chicken; pour off excess fat from pan.
2. Brown pepitas lightly in same pan over medium heat; remove with a slotted spoon. Add onion, garlic and chilies; cook until soft, stirring occasionally and seasoning with salt and pepper, about 10 minutes. Add tomatillos and their juices (if using fresh tomatillos, add about 1/2 cup stock or water). Stir, then reduce a bit over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes.
3. Return pepitas to pan, then add chicken. Cover and finish cooking, about 15 minutes, adding stock or water if necessary. Remove chicken. Finish sauce with herbs and lime. Serve with whatever garnishes you like.
*Note: I disavow the use of the pretentious word “pepitas,” but I like Mark Bittman, so it stays.
Prostitution sting near Big Beaver. Heh.
Re: the housing market. We live in southeast Michigan, and the market here is pretty awful. Homes in our town (arguably one of the more desirable towns in SE MI) are now selling at around 2001 prices.
Fortunately for us we sold our home last summer in anticipation of our move to the east in May '08. This is a bummer for folks looking to leave, though.
I love you for posting this so early. The other news item I found particularly interesting in my perusal was this: Solo drivers will be able to pay for use of the HOV lanes on Hwy 167.
Erica, big stupid trucks are needed by people who work in fields like construction, so disparaging the entire existence of trucks smacks a big idiotic. However, I do agree with the sentiment that they are best left outside of the dense urban core. I get pissed whenever I see a Hummer or a Ford F-150 in a parking garage. I'm just hoping they rip off their side mirrors on a concrete pillar and perhaps learn that a giant vehicle is best kept in the suburbs, or at the very least not downtown.
eletoral math update via NBC site chuck todd:
Obama vs. McCain
Base Obama: CA, CT, DE, DC, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, NY, RI, VT, WA (168 electoral votes)
Lean Obama: NJ, MN, OR, WI (42)
Toss-up: CO, IA, MI, MO, NV, NM, NH, OH, PA, VA (112)
Lean McCain: AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, MT, NC (81)
Base McCain: AL, AK, AZ, ID, IN, KS, KY, NE, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV, WY (135)
Clinton vs. McCain
Base Clinton: CA, CT, DE, DC, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, NJ, NY, RI, VT (172)
Lean Clinton: AR, MN, OR, WA, WI (44)
Toss-up: FL, IA, MI, NM, NH, OH, PA (101)
Lean McCain: CO, LA, MO, NV, VA (47)
Base McCain: AL, AK, AZ, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, MS, MT, NE, NC, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV, WY (174)
Games playing: you'd have to go find polls for each state to review how Obama's doing; you can use 270towin.com to color in the maps to adjust the ECV math.
Re: Prostitution Ring
It wasn't a politician, but the second husband of one. Its just another case of the geeks trying to imitate the popular people and failing miserably.
Or:
Michigan matters! SEE? They have their own prostitution scandal! Just like the big boys!
And to Mr. Poe: That was actually my first thought.
interesting political map article:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/no_really_hillary_has_a_decent.html
[summary: Dogpatch rules.]
[Tufte (that visual presentation of information guy)-- he'd love this link.]
Almost all of the giant trucks I see are spotlessly clean in the bed, which suggests not a lot of construction work is being done with them.
But, sadly, the point of the story is the opposite of what Erica implied; the SLOG was taken out of service with loads of damage; the truck was unmarked. Hopefully the owner of it got a $2,000 ticket.
Assholes in all kinds of vehicles block the train tracks behind the Lockspot in Ballard all the freakin' time. I'm always sorry when they wait for the driver rather than just towing him immediately to the crusher.
unPC, do you have a life outside of politics?
Goddamn giant trucks breaking our beloved SLOG! I fear The Stranger is going to have to double its cover price to pay for repairs.
Everyone who derails SLOG should get a $2k fine. I agree.
Lots of construction where this truck was parked. LOTS...
I bet it was just some guy who actually works for a living who got his trucked fucked up. And now he's got some dumbshit writer, who hasn't done a days worth of honest work in her life, bitching about the political statement his truck makes.
Way to show not only how retarded and ignorant you are Erica, but how stupid and insulated most Seattlites are.
I bet you think that food comes from PCC too.
Holy shit that chicken looks so good. Its making my stomach eat itself. Thank god for Slog or I would never know what to make for dinner.
And speaking of chicken, I actually left my Blackberry *IN* a rotisserie chicken last night. WTF? My life is weird and retarded. I can only hope it has a chicken grease forcefield and survives until I get off of work.
OK, I made a boo-boo. Sorry.
The truck was undamaged, fuckhead homo.
re: senate housing deal
a $7000 credit to buy forclosed homes? if i pencil this out correctly, you're getting a 2% discount at 350k, 5% at 140k, and 10% at 70k. That part of it is stupid and ineffectual.
tax credits for home builders to take against previous years profits? to the tune of 15 billion of lost revenue? Great, lets cut government revenues while increasing government spending. That'll instill confidence in the security of T-Bills etc.
Fnarf I hate to correct you, actually I don't but that's how the saying goes, but the article clearly says:
The streetcar's left bumper is dented near the driver's seat on one end, and a white scrape runs about six feet down the side. The right-rear corner of the pickup was damaged.
Fuckhead Homo has a nice ring to it. Work it!
@13,
Your chicken is ringing.
Hey Fnarf,
You prove my point.
Did you actually read the story before you threw your tired and overplayed wannabe arteeeste shtick into the ring?
Man, you really are a piece of work.
I bet it was just some guy who actually works for a living who got his trucked fucked up. And now he's got some dumbshit writer, who hasn't done a days worth of honest work in her life, bitching about the political statement his truck makes.
So what, working for a living makes you unable to fucking park your truck so that it's not in the path of traffic, or something?
Erica,
Please use you skills at deleting comments to remove Poe at #17.
It is offensive and off topic.
Yeah, that'll happen.
Why is Zimbabwe all of a sudden on the front pages of the news? Why the sudden interest? No offense to anyone, but is it filler news while we're taking a breather from caucuses-primaries? Is it a distraction from news from Iraq? From the economy? Is it that important to the NYT to get front-page treatment? Can someone put it to me in perspective, on the world politics map? Thanks.
The problem isn't the big truck. The problem is the city putting streetcar tracks in the right lane, despite every recommendation and proven best practice to the contrary.
#20
No it doesn't.
But that is one thing.
The thing I hate is a bunch of pasty white office monkeys and wannabe artists who have never worked a real job in their lives, complaining about some nefarious political statement someones car makes.
@25,
Owning an oversized pickup truck is a political statement?
You are such a fucking moron.
#26
Did you even READ what the fuck I wrote?
You are a fucking moron.
I read this:
"some nefarious political statement someones car makes"
A car does not make a political statement.
As I said: fuck off, moron.
Nobody actually "reads" your regurgitated bile, Ecce. We occasionally make an effort to call you out on your idiocy, if only to remind you that we are aware of your adverse existence.
i didn't like the idea of the street car. and what not? three recorded accidents since december?
a truck -- whether construction or not -- shouldn't be parked where the street car could hit it. if it was a truck used for construction, especially, you'd think it'd be on site.
Wow 28 keshmishi...
retarded and defending it.
I said it DIDN'T make a political statement you fucking idiot.
Jesus, they really don't teach reading comprehension in school much anymore.
Hey Poe!!
Still sucking that homeless guys cock down at Cascade park while getting it from behind bareback from the Parking enforcement feller? Dude that was pretty awesome to watch.
Just remember you might give them AIDS. :(
those buying foreclosed homes would get a break? i agree with bellevue. not only are these plans hardly effective, they would potentially cut gov funds when they are needed.
not only that, but who, specifically is that aimed to help? i was under the impression that most buyers of foreclosed homes aren't using them for their primary residence. i think the government should be concerned with preventing an economic collapse, yes. but bailouts should -- if at all -- be given to the primary home owners. not businesses, or landlords.
@31,
OK, then I'm assuming you're too stupid to figure out what nefarious means. Is that the element that's supposed to indicate that the car isn't making a political statement? Go consult a dictionary and get back to me.
P.S. You are a pathetic, little bitch.
if that statement @ #32 is correct, yikes! Someone needs help.
@35,
Yes, the commenter who wrote it needs help. Serious help. Preferably in a mental institution under involuntary commitment.
Keshmeshi,
I can only say this one more time.
Erica is the one that implies that there is some nefarious political or cultural context involved with large (and small)vehicles.
Man, you must really like looking stupid.
these colorful banters make my day.
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