"No Compromise"?

Time for a breather. The President just talked about “compromise” and a news commentator listed all the areas where compromise between the parties would/could occur. The budget/debt crises I am talking about here. Sure Boehner and Obama agreed on a 4.something trillion deficit reduction and the house Republicans killed it by “No Compromise”. The gang of six, and the joint committee earlier both proposed compromises and the house Republicans killed each by “No Compromise”. Many tea partyers went on record saying essentially “let the wheels come off” (don’t extend the debt ceiling). And, oft heard from the Republican side of the isle was “No Compromise on revenue increase.”
So “No Compromise” comes from the Right, while the Left has compromised over and over again. Yes, I know there are hardasses on both sides and ideologues on both sides, but come on now. Every one of you knows that the intransigence of the Right led to the 11th hour “compromise” (read that “Right got 98% of what it wanted” quoting John Boehner, which also means that the Left didn’t get much in the way of compromise, did it?).
And that 11th hour 2.something trillion reduction wasn’t enough. And the process was completely one-sided. Even Boehner was dissed by the Right. How’s that for compromise?
The Tea Party (not a grassroots group at all, but financed quietly by the Koch brothers and other ultra-right billionaires) says that the government should/must be run like a business. I agree. Every business I know focuses on two aspects of operation: One, cut production costs by increasing efficiency and Two, INCREASE REVENUE. So how come the Tea Partyers say “No Compromise” to increasing any revenue at all? Not “One thin Dime”. Huh? Huh? Compromise when I was growing up meant “Give and Take”. Looks to me like the far side of the Right is only interesting in the “Take” part, with “No Compromise” for the “Give”.
http://pschroedcom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/no-compromise.jpg

Terrified in Ax-les-Thermes

I admit it. I am very uncomfortable on high places, near an edge. I don’t like to stand close to the guard rail at canyons, or on tall buildings. Forget tall bridges. Several years ago I walked up the steps to the top of the Pont-du-Gard, pictured above and started out on the top, also pictured above, to walk across. Never made it. Ended up crouched in the middle, slinking back to the steps. Don’t like HEIGHTS!!!



So, In Ax-les-Thermes there is a ski resort that in the summer caters to sight-seers and mountain bikers. Two lifts take you way, way up the mountain. The first is a closed gondola and the second is a bench with 6 seats and a movable bar to hold you in. No cage, no belts: just a seat, bar and the air. Sally talked me into going up. First ride not too bad. Gondola. Then we realized the second ride would be in an open lift chair. I watched a few people get on and go up, and decided to suck it up and go. The operator spoke only French. So, we waited our turn and watched what to do. We got on the seats and started to pull the bar down when the operator said something loudly. “Pardon?” I pulled the bar down. The footrests immediately got stuck on the edge of the platform and as the chair moved forward, inexorably, the chair began to tip forward, the foot rest being firmly stuck on the platform. The operator screamed something: “Pardon?” She pushed the emergency stop button. The cable stopped, gave a small shudder, and the chair popped lose. We hung there for a minute or so while the operator inspected for damage, then got going.
Suddenly we were flying up the mountain and then, crap!!! we started to go over a deep ravine. The ground was already 50 feet away, and then about 150 feet away. Breathe. Calm. Calm. I loosened my death-grip on the bar, looked straight ahead and around, and began to enjoy the trip. Going back down was fun, and now I look forward to another trip. I also know when and when not to pull down the damn bar.

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/7/2933882-Pont_du_Gard_Top_Languedoc_Roussillon.jpg
http://www.desktops4wallpaper.com/image_gallery/nature_wallpaper_30/city_town_wallpapers_46/france-
http://photos.igougo.com/images/p194832-Breckenridge_CO-My_Parents_on_the_Ski_Lift.jpg

Basilica and Church Music - What a TREAT!!

One of the many cathedrals and basilicas in Europe is the Basilica St Nazaire in Carcassonne. We were looking forward to visiting Carcassonne because it has a complete ancient curtain wall and a very well restored/preserved medieval village and basilica, possibly a cathedral. The term “basilica” refers to the shape of the building and the term “cathedral” is the home church of a bishop or archbishop. Anyway, we got there, parked (not an easy task) and walked up to the moated, draw bridged and portcullesed entrance (no charge to enter) and paid our euros to climb the wall. What a view! We walked around to the internal castle, looked around in that, and headed for the basilica.
I find most ancient churches places of spiritual power, no matter the religion or state of repair. St. Nazaire has this powerful spiritual mein and is in very nice condition, beautiful stained glass windows and lots of soaring columns and great architecture. As we were walking around, we heard some a capella music begin, sort of early monk music, and I said to Sal “there goes the tape”. It was pretty but I though the idea of playing this kind of music was a bit “touristy”. We stopped in the left transept to look at something and as I turned I noticed 4 men standing in the middle singing. No tape. Live. And it sounded familiar. The countertenor was very good, and the basso profundo was to die for. Then I got it: they were singing liturgical music in Russian. This was a Russian a capella group called “Doros” (only 4 when we were there), and they were really good. Goose pimple good.
The Basilica St. Nazaire was spectacular, but the addition of real music made it an even more special visit. In retrospect, I think maybe recorded music might be ok, if not overdone, but the addition of beautiful voices, singing in the near-perfect acoustics of the basilica, was astonishing. Further research showed that this group is at the basilica every summer. Worth a visit the next time you get to Carcassonne.
Image: www. mtholyoke.edu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRjdrOBNHTQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogdplCe99ZI&feature=related

Presenting the CIRQUE LONTAN!!!

We were sitting on the lower circle in Cordes-sur-Ciel when a young man came over to the table and handed us a small flyer. I thought “Oh boy, somebody trying to sell us something, or ask for money”. I know, cynical me. He was a member of a small traveling circus from Reunion Island called Le Cirque LonTan. He told us the circus was in town for several days and invited us to come see and have some fun. Later, we heard drums and other instruments, and the circus folks were parading around the town, “drumming” up business. We thought “why not?” and planned to go.
We went, I think, the following evening. Down a narrow lane to a small grassy field; a tarp curtain drawn across the field; a small table with someone selling tickets. We could see the tower for the aeriel acts behind the tarp. Inside, we found no tent and some homemade wooden benches. Lots of kids. A small band started playing and the band leader, now in ringmaster costume came out and introduced the circus with a few magic tricks, all in French. Everybody had a wonderful time, the kids especially. A couple of “curtain fliers”, a mystic walking on glass, a wolf (person inside), and a few other acts. Not exactly the Cirque-du-Soleil, but lots of energy, music, fun and good entertainment. No beer. Their license was only for 3 days and the day we went was not one of them.
If you see the Cirque LonTan someday, stop in and say ‘Hi” to the gang. See the show and enjoy. You might enjoy the YouTube videos to get a feel for a real circus for real people in small venues. What a treat.
Image: Cirque Poster, not very good image.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upVMH0Uu38k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScH4WLvnmPg

Food Adventures in France: Faux Fillet

One day we decided to look for some steak to grill on the great patio fireplace grill. Filet steak (of the Mignon variety) sounded good so we went to a big grocery story on the way home from somewhere and looked for the meat. WOW! Really pricey. I spotted some rib eyes, bought them, marinated with tasty balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Wonderful.
Next time we got an urge for steak we wanted to repeat the rib eye experience, or maybe a sirloin, but what to call them. Turns out rib eyes are called “Faux Filet” (false filet mignon) and sirloin is “Entrecote”. Off to the store. The entrecote looked fatty so I got the butchers attention and asked for faux filet, en français. Very brave. He got out a whole boneless rib eye and gestured with his knife “where to cut”. I kept moving the knife as he began to look surprised. Ended up with a 3 kilo piece, a little over 6 pounds. Brought it home, cut it into seven beautiful steaks, marinated as above, grilled (I think a little too close to medium, but nobody complained) and feasted on Faux Filet. Some good red wine, a salad, potatoes and a veg of some kind and we were all content. Naturally we ended the evening with a bottle of Hypocras. Very, very medieval.
(Interestingly, Wikipedia identifies “faux filet” as sirloin. Not in the part of France we were in. Also interestingly, Google Translator translates “rib eye steak” as "bifteck de faux-filet" )
Image: www. http://fr.123rf.com/photo_3909490_un-boeuf-faux-filet-steak-isol-sur-blanc.html

Food Adventures in France: Hypocras

Since my early years I have read of the Knights of old drinking Mead and Hypocras, and I never thought much about either. Then, one day in a small market in Cordes-sur-Ciel, there was a bottle of Hypocras. The real stuff. Wonderful spicy wine served cold, with a hint of honey. The family finished off several bottles before leaving for home.
When I got home I checked with two very knowledgeable wine guys to see if they had any Hypocras. Blank looks from both. Neither had heard of it. Looked it up: Not listed in supplier’s inventory.
But, Mr. Google (sorry Barbie) found a couple of easy recipes. Both are variants of the same theme: wine (merlot, rose` or white), spices such as pepper, cinnamon, ginger, honey, cloves and others. No cooking, just steeping. I am getting the ingredients together today for a 4 bottle batch. Stay tuned.
Image: www.lecarreaumedieval.hautetfort.com

They Sang as They Burned

I finished a novel about the Templars (1) the other day. In case you decide to read it, which by the way I recommend, I won’t unravel the plot too much. The Templars were a military order associated with the crusades and the protection of pilgrams. Much has been written about their legendary secrets, hidden treasures and religious artifacts.
One story indicates that the Templars had the bones of Jesus and the Gospel of Simon Peter which told of the death of Jesus as a man, not resurrected. The reality, according to the story, was later changed in the four adopted Gospels to make Jesus into a God. Without the resurrection, the entire mythos of Christianity would founder. So goes the story.
I began to think about this premise, and came to the same conclusion. Everything in Christianity is really dependant on Jesus being resurrected in physical body. But what if that didn’t happen? What if He died? And the rest was made up by subsequent followers to solidify their hold on the beginnings of a new religion? What if?
I guess it doesn’t’ t really make a difference. A belief in something by my definition is accepting as true without supporting facts. So actually true or not, the belief in a resurrected God is sufficient for all who profess the Christian faith. Others will demand factual demonstration and theory before any such “belief” is accepted as real. And, since the resurrection-or-not occurred more than 2000 years ago, neither the believers nor the fact demanders will ever be definitively judged correct.
Which leads to the Gospels (I know the definition of Gospel, so give me a break) According to Search. Simply this: the idea called Jesus emanates from within all of us, is a part of all of us, and can be found and used by simply looking for it. Some call it conscience, some moral compass, some claim to just know what is right while others seek guidance from without for direction. Whatever it is called, it provides a way to moderate the interactions with other humans and between humans and the rest of the world. It is an evolved characteristic of humans. The tendency of most humans to seek and create a supernatural being to oversee their lives is most likely a genetic trait. Not all of us have such a trait. Without the trait, belief in supernatural beings makes no sense. With the trait, anyone that doesn’t believe makes no sense. Chalk and Cheese.
What we have to do is put aside the diffenences and work together to keep the world alive and not slip into degradation and chaos. Believing won’t cure the problems, and knowing without action won’t either. Only identifying the problems of the world and acting, not praying, will help. Don’t forget the 1942 Loesser song “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition”. Or the phrase “the Lord helps those who help themselves”. These and others embody the solution to the seeming gulf: Engender both the religious and the secular perspective for success. Time to bury the hatchet and get going on solutions.

The Templars, by the way, were exterminated by "The Church", much like the Cathars. In 2 weeks I will stand on the ground where 200 Cathars were burned alive by "The Church". They walked into the fire willingly, and according to some reports, sang and smiled as they burned. Now THAT is believing. The Templars went down fighting for their order.

1. http://www.steveberry.org/berry-templar-about.htm
2. http://www.cathar.info/
Image: www.istop4books.wordpress.com

On the Train Wreck Ahead.

A new study (1) just published adds more information to the growing body of SCIENCE that predicts rapid and disastrous climate change in the near future. The aspect of this study that is alarming is the reevaluation of data and the conclusion that global temperatures might rise as high as 6 degrees C in the next century. That is a number that is really scary. The reason? Simple. The amount of CO2 going into the atmosphere. Even the most modest models of atmospheric CO2 show a continuing increase for the next 50 -75 years, and this modest amount is enough trigger climate disaster.
This has happened before. But not this fast. That is the wildcard in the mix this time around. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the world has been pouring fossil CO2 into the atmosphere at ever increasing rates. Fossil CO2 is a carbon source that has been trapped in the earth for millions of years. It would probably slowly leach out, slowly increasing the atmospheric levels. But we are releasing it by the megaton by burning coal, oil and natural gas. Never since the origin of the earth has this much carbon been put into the atmosphere so quickly. The results are 100% predictable. Atmospheric temperature increase.
Let the tea party have their way and deregulate industry so they can add more carbon to the air. It won’t matter. Let the Third World keep adding to the carbon load in the atmosphere. It won’t matter. We have already, as so elegantly stated in “The Phantom of the Opera”, passed the point of no return.
Image: www. freshtronic.com
(1) http://www.ajsonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/311/1/1
Video of real train wreck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhQhKWOZmk

On Rabbits and Life

Yesterday I saw a cute bunny hop in front of my home office window. Big eyes, fluffy small tail, wiggly nose. Then the bastard jumped into a raised bed and started nibbling a squash. It instantly changed from cute to bastard. Why, I asked myself?
Why indeed. I planted the garden, which is essentially a food plot for my family. And for anything else that can get into it. Birds peck at caterpillars and sometimes fruit. Insects steal a meal when they can. Probably rats and mice forage at night, and maybe snakes hunt for them as well. So why be surprised when wildlife is attracted, and why not share?
No, the problem was with me. And that quick change of attitude needs looking at and working on. I have met people at various times in life who turned on a dime: one minute friendly, the next raging about something. I just never thought of myself like that. And usually I am not. Just to make this clear, I didn’t get a gun and shoot the bun, or get an attack of apoplexy. It was even a bit of a joke. But still - - -.
When hunters and biologists come back from the field, they check themselves for ticks. Well, this is a check too. Check yourself for irrational swings, and if you find them, try to figure out what the “hot button” is and defuse it. You and everybody around you will be much happier.
Image: http://www.free-extras.com/images/wild_rabbit-8713.htm

Killing Blue Jays

A local weekly newspaper ran a short piece by a contributor who was having trouble with Blue Jays at her bird feeders. Her solution was to buy a powerful bb gun and shoot them. This revelation caused a small firestorm of response from readers, biologists and even the Georgia State Department of Natural Resources. It is, after all, a state and federal crime to kill any migratory bird. Blue Jays fall into this category.
Blue Jays are aggressive, noisy, pretty, funny and part of the natural world of birds. When I sit on my porch and watch birds, I watch them all. Even the bronze headed Cow bird. They are all part of the natural mix found in the woods and fields of this area. If you put up feeders they will come. It makes no sense to attract birds with a feeder, and then try to screen the clients. Consider the Jays as the clowns of the bird circus and enjoy them. Besides, they are usually the first to spot snakes, and have a very particular “I see a snake” call. I have never failed to find a snake when the Jays are telling me about it. The other birds are appreciative as well.
As for the snakes, well, they belong there too. It is axiomatic that if you increase the density of food, the predators will show up. So bird feeders are natural places for snakes. I don’t kill them either. Simply pick them up and move them away. Sure, they get a few birds, but after all, it is a “bird feeder” isn’t it?
Image: www. allaboutbirds.org
Youtube video of baby jay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdgKhHYEu_0