Archive for 30 May 2007

Chili Cook-off

Posted: 30 May 2007 in Humor

Got this in an email today at work. I was unable to finish reading it because everyone now thinks I am a raving lunatic.  Sitting in my cube laughing at apparently nothing.

Enjoy. 

The annual San Antonio Chili Cook-off takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the city park.
Here are some notes from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL:

Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a Chili Cook-off.  The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in.  I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.”

Here are the score cards from the event: (Frank is Judge #3)

Chili #1 – Eddie’s Maniac Monster

Judge #1 – A little too heavy on the tomato.  Amusing kick.

Judge #2 – Nice, smooth tomato flavor, very mild.

Judge #3 – (Frank) Oh, my God, what is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway.  Took me two beers to put the flames out.  I hope that’s the worst one.  These Texans are crazy.

Chili #2 – Austin’s Afterburner Chili

Judge #1 – Smoky, with a hint of pork.  Slight jalapeno tang. 

Judge #2 – Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously. 

Judge #3 – Keep this out of the reach of children.  I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain.  I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver.  They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili #3 – Ronny’s Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili

Judge #1 – Excellent Fire house chili.  Great kick.  Needs more beans. 

Judge #2 – A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers. 

Judge #3 – Call the EPA.  I’ve located a uranium spill.  My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano.  Everyone knows the routine by now.  Get me more beer before I ignite.  Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest.  I’m getting plastered from all the beer…

Chili #4 – Dave’s Black Magic

Judge #1 – Black bean chili with almost no spice.  Disappointing. 

Judge #2 – Hint of lime in the black beans.  Good side dish for fish or other mild food, not much of a chili. 

Judge #3 – I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it.  Is it possible to burn out taste buds?  Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills.  That 300 lb woman is starting to look HOT. . . just like this nuclear waste I’m eating!  Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili #5 – Lisa’s Legal Lip Remover

Judge #1 – Meaty, strong chili, Cayenne peppers freshly ground adding considerable kick.  Very impressive. 

Judge #2 – Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato.  Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement. 

Judge #3 – My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes.  I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics.  The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage.  Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher.  I wonder if I’m burning my lips off.  It really irks me that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.  Forget those rednecks.

Chili #6 – Pam’s Very Vegetarian Variety

Judge #1 – Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili.  Good balance of spices and peppers.

Judge #2 – The best yet.  Aggressive use of peppers, onions and garlic.  Superb.

Judge #3 – My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous Sulfuric flames.  My last fart was liquid and I’m worried it will eat through the chair.  No one seems inclined to stand behind me except good old Sally.  Can’t feel my lips anymore.  I need to wipe my rear with a snow cone.

Chili #7 – Carla’s Screaming Sensation Chili

Judge #1 – A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. 

Judge #2 – Ho hum- tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last

moment.  **I must note that I am worried about Judge #3.  He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably. 

Judge #3 – You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I would not feel a thing.  I’ve lost sight is one eye and the world sounds like it is rushing water.  My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth.  My pants are full of lava to match my shirt.  At least during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me.  I’ve decided to stop breathing…  it’s too painful.  Forget it; I’m not getting any oxygen anyway.  If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4 inch hole in my stomach.

Chili #8 – Karen’s Toenail Curling Chili

Judge #1 – The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili.  Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. 

Judge #2 – This final entry is a good, balanced chili.  Neither mild nor hot.  Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 passed out, fell against the chili pot and pulled it down on top of himself.  Not sure if he’s going to make it.  Poor fella, wonder how he’d have reacted to a really hot chili?

Nine Lies About Global Warming

Posted: 30 May 2007 in Politics

 Nine Lies About Global Warming

By Ray Evans.

This is a good read. Debunks a lot of the BS perpetrated by the loony left. 

The Nine Lies

1. Carbon dioxide is a pollutant.


2. The twentieth century has been the hottest in recorded history
and the decade 1990–2000 the hottest ever.


3. The evidence linking anthropogenic (man-made) carbon dioxide
emissions and current warming is decisive.


4. The scientific consensus is that anthropogenic CO2 emissions
have already caused significant global warming and must be
severely curtailed to prevent future climate catastrophe.


5. Anthropogenic emissions of CO2 and the global warming
caused thereby are responsible not only for higher temperatures
and more droughts than in the past, but also for more
blizzards, unseasonal snow, and freezing weather. They are
also responsible for increasing numbers of cyclones.


6. Because of anthropogenic emissions, the polar ice caps are
melting and sea levels are rising. The rising sea levels threaten
low lying island states in the Pacific and Indian Oceans with
complete inundation.


7. Unless anthropogenic emissions of CO2 are reduced by 50–
60 per cent of current levels by the year 2050, by 2100 our
descendants will have to endure global temperatures of between
1.4 to 5.8°C warmer than the present.


8. Tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever will spread
from the tropics to the temperate regions.


9. Shutting down coal-fired power stations and replacing them
with renewable energy sources such as windmills and solar
panels (or even nuclear power plants) will not cause unemployment
or economic deprivation.

There is an explanation for each of the lies.

This is a .pdf document.

Profile in Incompetence

Posted: 30 May 2007 in Politics

This is from IBD

In this exclusive 10-part series, IBD takes a hard look at Jimmy Carter’s administration and compares it to that of George W. Bush, which Carter has called the worst ever.

Installments will cover the economy, foreign policy, human rights, dealing with dictators, fighting Communism and the Democratic leadership in general during times of war.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven 

Good news from Iraq

Posted: 30 May 2007 in Terrorism

Picked this up at Blackfive:

Baghdad tribes close to fighting al-Qaida

By Zeke Minaya, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, May 21, 2007

TAJI, Iraq — Mirroring a nationwide trend, tribes near Baghdad are on the verge of banding together against al-Qaida and have met with U.S. military officials seeking aid and guidance in fighting the terrorist network.

Acceptance of — if not outright support for — al-Qaida among the tribes eroded after the strict Islamic law imposed by insurgents clashed with the authority of the sheikhs, according to U.S. military officials.

On Saturday, a group of local chieftains met with military commanders and a representative of the State Department at Camp Taji, about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad, and tentatively agreed to form a council that would oversee the creation of a provincial security force similar to the tribal militia created in western Iraq.

“I think we all agree that our common enemy are extremists and that’s who we must defeat,” Col. Paul E. Funk II said to the roughly dozen sheikhs at the gathering. Funk, commander of the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Tam, 1st Cavalry Division, presided over the meeting.

I met COL Funk at the NTC when I used to work out there. Good man. The Brigade is well led.