Clipmarks | Socratoad's Pops

Opposing wind farms is as “socially unacceptable” as “not wearing a seatbelt”.

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:44:40 GMT

clipped by: amgumen

The Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, timed his jibe impeccably last week when he said that opposing wind farms is as “socially unacceptable” as “not wearing a seatbelt”. Britain’s largest windfarm companies are pulling out of wind as fast as they can. Despite 100 per cent subsidies, the credit crunch and technical problems spell an end to Gordon Brown’s £100 billion dream of meeting our EU target to derive 35 per cent of our electricity from “renewables” by 2020.

Meanwhile the Government gives the go-ahead for three new 1,000 megawatt gas-fired power stations in Wales. Each of them will generate more than the combined average output (700 megawatts) of all the 2,400 wind turbines so far built. The days of the “great wind fantasy” will soon be over.

A Fearful Price

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:07:16 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: "The reason it is so easy for the U.S. to declare wars, and to continue fighting year after year after year, is because so few Americans feel the actual pain of those wars. We’ve been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan longer than we fought in World Wars I and II combined.

I don’t think our current way of waging war, which is pretty easy-breezy for most citizens, is what the architects of America had in mind. Here’s George Washington’s view, for example: “It must be laid down as a primary position and the basis of our system, that every citizen who enjoys the protection of a free government owes not only a proportion of his property, but even his personal service to the defense of it.”

What we are doing is indefensible and will ultimately exact a fearful price, and there will be absolutely no way for the U.S. to avoid paying it".

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

The idea that fewer than 1 percent of Americans are being called on to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq and that we’re sending them into combat again and again and again — for three tours, four tours, five tours, six tours — is obscene. All decent people should object.

The air is filled with obsessive self-satisfied rhetoric about supporting the troops, giving them everything they need and not letting them down. But that rhetoric is as hollow as a jazzman’s drum because the overwhelming majority of Americans have no desire at all to share in the sacrifices that the service members and their families are making. Most Americans do not want to serve in the wars, do not want to give up their precious time to do volunteer work that would aid the nation’s warriors and their families, do not even want to fork over the taxes that are needed to pay for the wars.

Gobi Desert Horses Re-classified From Extinct in the Wild to Critically Endangered

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:13:45 GMT

clipped by: celestialdancer
clipper's remarks: More reading at the source...

Clip Source: ecoworldly.com

The Przewalski’s horse of Mongolia’s Gobi desert–considered the world’s only remaining, “true” wild horse–has had its share of existential challenges over the centuries. Once considered “extinct in the wild”, due primarily to habitat loss, the horse’s status has been upgraded recently to “critically endangered”, based upon criteria set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UICN) in Switzerland.

The “upgrade” requires that at least fifty mature individuals be “free-living” in the wild for a minimum of five years.

There have been previous attempts to reintroduce the horse

to the Central Asian steppe country from China’s zoos (going back to 1985), but these were considered unsuccessful.

Now, after assessments of two horse projects–one at Hustai

National Park

and the other at Takhin Tal

ecologists and wildlife conservationist are confident enough in the animals’ chances for long-term survival to make the official announcement

Greece downgraded over high debt

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:38:56 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie
clipper's remarks: Europe is falling. What will the order be: 1) Greece, 2) Ireland, 3) Italy, 4) Portugal, 5) UK, 6) Spain? What could Germany and France do then, but follow. What happens then is the $64 trillion question. Hyperinflation? More deflation? Nobody knows, but they will know soon. The knowledge is liable to be depressing for believers in eternal economic growth.

Clip Source: www.ft.com

Greece saw its credit ratings downgraded to the lowest level in the eurozone on Tuesday as fears mounted over its deteriorating public finances.

Heavy selling of Greek stocks and bonds came amid fears that the country was heading for financial disaster unless politicians tackled dangerously high debt levels. Shares on the Athens stock exchange fell more than 6 per cent.

Fitch cut ratings on Greek debt to BBB plus with a negative outlook. It is the first time in 10 years a leading ratings agency has given Greece a rating of below A grade.

Greek finance minister, said the country would do “whatever is required” to reduce a record budget deficit and achieve its medium-term fiscal targets.

Analysts also warned that the downgrade could pose problems for Greece in raising money in the bond markets and through the European Central Bank’s liquidity operations.

Tags: 1-depression, 1-insolvancy, 2-increase, 2-risks, 3-forecast, 3-reported, 4-eu, 4-greece

Face charges of Cruelty after killing and eating a rat

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:41:50 GMT

clipped by: wiganfootie

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner Gino D'Acampo and Stuart Manning face charges of animal cruelty after cooking and eating a rat in the show.

The RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia, said it was "not acceptable" that a rat had been killed by the pair as part of a performance.

Police confirmed they had issued court attendance notices for 3 February 2010.

The Italian chef and actor ate the rat after they were "exiled" and reduced to rations of rice and beans on the show.

D'Acampo, 33, told the show's video diary room, the Bush Telegraph: "I saw one of these rats running around. I got a knife, I got its throat, I picked it up."

"Production staff have to submit a notification form to the RSPCA or Animal Welfare League - both are charged with responsibilities under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

"They are due to attend court at Murwillumbah local court on 3 February 2010."

Vegan Cabbage Rolls

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:07:44 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula
clipper's remarks: *see source for cooking directions*

Clip Source: shmooedfood.blogspot.com

Cabbage Rolls

This dish can be made in advance and refrigerated; it reheats well.

makes 10 cabbage rolls

1 cup walnuts
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup canned garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup oat bran
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
18 to 20 large cabbage leaves
1 cup tomato-vegetable juice blend
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Tags: vegetarian, vegan, recipes, main dishes, cabbage, rice, walnuts, chickpeas

Cabbage Rolls with a Quinoa-Nut Filling

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:40:09 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula
clipper's remarks: This is not vegan as written, but I'm sure that you could easily omit the egg.

*see source for cooking directions*

Clip Source: www.alive.com

Cabbage Rolls with a Quinoa-Nut Filling

Cabbage rolls:
1 large head of cabbage
4 cups (1 L) quinoa, cooked
2 cups (500 mL) carrots, finely grated–you also may use pulp leftover after juicing carrots
2 medium size onions, diced
4 Tbsp (60 mL) butter or coconut butter
2 Tbsp (30 mL) Bragg’s all purpose seasoning or tamari soy sauce
4 Tbsp (60 mL) tomato paste
1 cup (250 mL) walnuts, cracked and coarsely chopped
1 free-range egg
dash of cayenne pepper
sea salt to taste if necessary
round toothpicks

Sauce:
1 28-ounce can (798 mL) stewed tomatoes
1 cup (250 mL) water
2 Tbsp (30 mL) Tamari soy sauce or maggi
1/2 tsp (2 mL) herbal salt
1 clove garlic, crushed
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp (15 mL) sour cream

Tags: cabbage, carrots, main dishes, quinoa, recipes, vegetarian, walnuts

A Chicken Bus and Other Lovely Portents of the Future

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:06:59 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie

Clip Source: energybulletin.net

The Wooster Local Foods Cooperative, under the banner of Local Roots and Cafe, is an example of where local food distribution is heading.

When renovation is complete, there will be room and equipment for processing grains and preparing foods for them, a butcher shop, and a demonstration kitchen. Customers will soon be able to order food online and pick it up on designated days.

The large building that the cooperative is renovating for their indoor market is in the center of the town.

The increased consumer traffic will benefit all of downtown so everyone in officialdom seems to be enthusiastic. The center will also act as a place where local food-related workshops can be held

The co-op also makes every effort to keep customers closely informed about the membership farms supplying the food.

Both buyers and sellers can become members of the cooperative but one does not have to be a member to shop there.

co-op puts out a colorful monthly newsletter. Included in it is a list of foods in season

Tags: 1-buying, 1-collaboration, 1-farming, 1-localisation, 1-policy, 2-opportunities, 3-reported, 4-us

This is one of the odder photos I've seen in a while

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:02:26 GMT

clipped by: Lexica

Clip Source: www.sfgate.com

Men at work: While many folks in Sydney haven't been able to find jobs, Luke Taylor (left), Paul O'Keeffe and Jeremy Davies can thank their stars that there still is a demand in Australia for men who impersonate kangaroos. They'll be performing at the Sydney Festival in January.

Tags: costumes, kangaroos, performers, australia

GOP ‘purity test' just a pledge to stop thinking

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:29:19 GMT

clipped by: wiccantexan

Clip Source: www.mysanantonio.com

Some people can't stand prosperity, my father used to say.

Today, he might be talking about Republicans, who, in the midst of declining support for President Barack Obama's hope-and-change agenda, are considering a “purity” pledge to weed out undesirables from their ever-shrinking party.

Just when independents and moderates were considering revisiting the GOP tent.

Just when the GOP was gaining traction following gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey ... Republicans perform a rain dance at their own garden party.

Things were just going too well.

Thus, some conservative members of the party have come up with a list of principles they want future candidates to agree to or forfeit backing by the Republican National Committee.

The so-called purity test is a 10-point checklist — a suicide pact, really — of alleged Republican positions. Anyone hoping to play on Team GOP would have to sign off on eight of the 10 — through their voting records, public statements or a questionnaire.

Tags: gop, republican, politics

Spicy Sweet Potato Coins

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:30:25 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula

Clip Source: 28cooks.blogspot.com

Spicy Sweet Potato Coins

2 sweet potatoes, peeled
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1/4 tsp salt or seasoning salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp sesame oil

Preheat oven to 425 and cover a baking sheet in parchment paper. Cut sweet potatoes into 1/4" slices and place into bowl. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and remaining spices. Drizzle olive oil over potatoes and toss well with hands to coat. Sprinkle spices over potatoes and toss well again with hands to coat. Drizzle with sesame oil and toss briefly to coat slices.
Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and place in preheated oven. Bake for 7-10 minutes, then flip. Bake an additional 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to make sure they don't burn. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Potatoes will crisp up more as they cool. Serve and enjoy!

Tags: vegan, vegetarian, side dishes, sweet potatoes

Brown Vegan Gravy

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:34:14 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula
clipper's remarks: *see source for cooking directions*

Clip Source: tofu-n-sproutz.blogspot.com

Rich Brown Non-Cow Gravy

28 oz. Vegetarian "beef" or vegetable broth (I usally use "Imagine" Foods in the aseptic box, but you can mix your own from bullion and water, or do whatever you want).
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup coarsely chopped celery
2 Tbs. red wine (the alcohol cooks off, or just use more broth)
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 tsp. sage (1 Tbsp. chopped fresh is awesome here if you have it)
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tbsp. Earth Balance or other margarine
2 T. all-purpose flour

Tags: gravies, holiday, recipes, sauces, vegan, vegetarian

Vegan Apple "Cheesecake" Puff with Caramel Sauce

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:48:04 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula
clipper's remarks: *see source for cooking directions*

Clip Source: www.vegalicious.org

2 pieces frozen vegan puff pastry, thawed

For the cheesecake filling:

2 apple cut in 1/2″ pieces
1/4 cup apple juice
1 tbs. cornstarch
1 tbs. brown sugar
pinch of cinnamon
1 cup vegan cream cheese or Tofutti
1 apple, peeled and grated
2 tbs. powdered sugar
pinch cinnamon
1/4 cup semolina flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

For the caramel sauce:

1 tbs. vegan margarine
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbs. soy milk

Tags: vegan, vegetarian, desserts, apple, puff pastry, recipes

Bunnicula's New Amplify Page

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:31:40 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula
clipper's remarks: I just signed up for Amplify so that I can post to Clipmarks from Safari. Feel free to follow me there - though I will likely cross-post everything to Clipmarks.

-Danielle

Clip Source: veganlibrarian.amplify.com

Name: Danielle
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Twitter: @veganlibrarian
Web: craftyveganlibraria...
Bio: A giant brain is basically a giant nerd, and where would a giant nerd be? ... The library!

Posts

Speshul

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:03:56 GMT

clipped by: celestialdancer

Clip Source: icanhascheezburger.com