Ron Paul: 2nd in Louisiana Caucus, Zero in media coverage

Not only that, once again Louisiana hands voters a steaming heap of corruption, to which justice may never be served.


I prayed fervently this morning for our country to be saved from the evil that is within our own government.

Since the United States is now toying with a Fascist system (a government in which big business and corporations run the agenda for everything), it's clear that Ron Paul is gaining in popularity with his message more and more each day, and the powers that be will do anything they can to discredit him or make him go away.

Savory Soup.

So this is a total accident that turned delightful:

Green Chile Cream of Chicken Soup.

Wanna know more? It's really, really good. And easy. Here's how to do it:

1 little can diced green chiles, mild (or hotter, per your tastes)

1 regular can green enchilada sauce

1 regular can cream of chicken soup

1 cup of milk

1 to 2 cups cooked chicken

two roma tomatoes, diced

half a green pepper, diced


In a larger pan, dump the green chiles, the soup, and the enchilada sauce. Warm up and stir. Stir in the milk slowly, a bit at a time. Add the chicken. Let the mixture start to bubble a little. Bring it back to a simmer, add the tomato and the green pepper. Simmer a little more, maybe five or ten minutes.

Okay, you're done. You now have awesome, flavorful cream of chicken soup, perfect with corn chips. You could top it with shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese. MMMmmmm...

New Hampshire

I came thisclose to going to this year's Liberty Forum, which happened to coincide with the New Hampshire primaries, which would have been a totally fun extended weekend.

Alas, I was offered full time employment, and the start date happened to be immediate.

Oh well. I know that I'll eventually get up to New England; I just don't know exactly when that will be. Perhaps summer would be a better time to visit, anyway--election excitement aside.

I really wanted to see Ron Paul. And those funny Free Talk Live guys. And everyone else that would have happened to be there.

Damn it.

Missing GA Hiker Thoughts

Agents question man about missing hiker - Yahoo! News

So here are my thoughts on this story:

First of all, this girl is originally from Colorado. After living and hiking out west, I know from my own experience that you become complacent in trusting that other hikers on the trail are just that--hikers. It takes a lot of gumption and physical effort to get anywhere interesting to hike in the Mountain West.

In the East, along the Appalachian Trail, anyone can just drive up to the trail, get out of their car, and start bothering people at will. There is no "wilderness filter" or "terrain boundary" that keeps the dross out.

This young woman, I think, took for granted that hiking alone was safe, since she really was safe hiking out west. When I lived in Utah, I had girlfriends that went on solo backpacks; I would drive off from town by myself and go on awesome day hikes. I was never bothered, and I usually never saw another person.

But hiking here, so close to interstate highways and urban areas, you are going to get the odd percent of psychopaths and miscreants.

I suppose if I were to hike by myself here, the first precaution I'd take is having a can of mace in a VERY handy place. If I was grabbed from behind by my pack, that would leave my arms and legs flailing...but I would have plenty of time to get the mace ready. If a man approached me, I tell him to get lost right away and get my cell phone out. Criminals count on you being a nice, friendly person--believe me, I would be a total bitch to somebody that just walked up to me and tried to talk to me that was obviously not a hiker.

The second precaution I'd take is not hiking by myself if I could at all avoid it. The East is too populous, and parks and trails are too easily accessible; there will be a criminal element variable that is much higher than hiking in the West.

I am reminded of the case not long ago of the two girls that were murdered as they slept in their tent along the Appalachian Trail. I don't know if that case was ever resolved--but that was an anomalous, vicious thing that could have happened anywhere, town or country.

If you are a hiking nut and you just can't help hiking alone, just remember: don't be nice, try to put space between you and an unknown male as quickly as possible, even if that means running along the trail, have your cell phone ON, and carry mace. Practice scenarios in which you have to use mace.

UPDATE HERE...

So this story ended NOTHING like it began. Turns out the suspect was a known hiker AND possibly a serial killer. This is such a rare thing, a hiker with real blood lust. I've met some weird-o people hiking to be sure, but never anyone that I thought was the killing kind.

I would guess that the chances of meeting a someone like this on the trail is about the same as being randomly murdered in a city. It's more probable you'll be hit by lightning and die.

FBI Looking for D.B. Cooper

FBI makes new bid to find 1971 skyjacker - Yahoo! News

Could it be that the FBI has found every murderer, terrorist, and psychopath out there on their own top ten list?

Has Osama been found?

Wasn't D.B. Cooper a pivotal plot point in the recent comedy "Without A Paddle" (I really liked that movie)?

Can this really, really, really be so important that, after 36 years, D.B. needs to be found?

Is this a real news story? I love this quote from the agent:

"Maybe someone just remembers that odd uncle."

Yeah. I'm sure they remember that odd uncle.

The New Year.

2008 isn't looking up to be a very "happy" new year. From the housing crisis, to instability in the world in general, increasing prices for everything, to another contrived and uninspiring election year, I have to say that 2008 could be very unhappy.

I am going to be alright...I am now officially employed, and in a contrary turn of living situations, my husband and I are looking at urban lofts. Our little farm house is just too far out from where I am going to be spending most of my time, and admittedly, as much as we love the country, a house, and all that owning one entails, neither one of us is motivated enough to putter around a house or a yard right now. I for one am too busy working, and too tired when I come home.

And home prices are still inflated from the former bubble, anyway. I say in another year you'll see property for sale for half of the amount that it is selling (or more likely not selling) at now.

With my new job, this will be the first time I've had health insurance or any kind retirement benefits in over ten years. I've been really lucky and really healthy; my husband, too. Aside from the normal stuff that comes with getting old, like eyesight and tooth issues, we're very fit.

I'm still in shock that I was offered this job permanently, and actually it has come at just the right time. I can only hope that the economy doesn't sink so badly that I have to be let go.

No matter what happens, I will land on my feet. I always find my way. I'm glad that I have the intellect, the drive, and the discipline to do what it takes to make a living in the corporate world again. My small town days served my well in that regard; once again, I find myself a part of a 900+ person community at this firm, which is about the same size as the town I moved from last year.

Now if Ron Paul could get elected, 2008 would end really well regardless of how it began.