Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Barbecue an American Tradition

Barbecue is as American as apple pie. It's aroma evokes memories of baseball games, swimming and family vacations. Mouths water when the grill is fired up. Preparing meat for the barbecue is just as important as the cooking itself. Marinating infuses flavor into the meat, ensuring a delicious family meal that will not be easily forgotten. Marinating is the process of steeping meat in a mixture of an acid (i.e. vinegar, lemon juice, or wine) and spices (i.e. salt, pepper, and herbs.) The acid tenderizes the meat causing it to hold more liquid, making it juicier and more flavorful. Care must be taken when making the marinade, as too much acid will toughen the meat. When marinating poultry, poke holes in the meat with a fork, or use a needle injector. Removing the skin allows the marinade to fully penetrate the meat. (Leaving the skin on compromises the flavor.) Poultry can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to 2 days in a marinade. (Meat should always be covered in the refrigerator.) The time for marinating depends on the size of the pieces as well as the kind of meat. Chicken breast takes longer than steak because it is firmer. To reduce the amount of time needed for marinating cut the meat into smaller pieces. You can also pound chicken flat to cut time. There are a variety of containers appropriate for marinating. Metal, plastic, and glass bowls all work. My favorite containers, however, are plastic bags. When a bag is used a smaller amount of marinade is needed because the air can be squeezed out. The meat is covered completely which allows for the flavors to be infused more quickly and evenly. Plus, the bag can be tossed when the job is done, making clean-up fast and easy. There are a few safety tips to remember when marinating poultry, meat and seafood. Raw meat and fish contain juices which may harbor harmful bacteria. To avoid contamination never reuse a marinade. Do not reuse containers without carefully washing them with dish soap. Don’t marinate meat past the grocer’s "use-by" date. And finally, always marinate in the refrigerator--never at room temperature. Italian Chicken Marinade Place 2 lbs. sliced chicken in a plastic bag. Add 8 oz. Italian dressing, the juice of 1 fresh lemon, a few turns of fresh pepper, and a little salt. Marinate a few hours in the refrigerator. Remove from the bag and place on a heated grill. During the last few minutes of grill time, lay thin slices of lemon over the chicken. Serve the grilled chicken with a small amount of the unused Italian dressing.

Breed Profile: American Quarter Horse

The jury is still out on whether the American Quarter Horse is the first breed to be produced on American soil. Regardless, if it wasn't the first horse to be bred here it was certainly one of the first, and its history traces back to before the earliest days of the American colonies, back to the official royal breeding farms established here by the Spanish. Today, according to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), there are more than 4,000,000 Quarter Horses registered worldwide, and approximately 150,000 Quarter Horse foals registered each year. The Quarter Horse has a rich and varied pedigree, including Spanish Barbs, Colonial mid-Atlantic Quarter-Pathers, English Thoroughbreds, Andalusians, Mustangs, and Rhode Island Racing Stock, to name just a few. While the Quarter Horse was established before the English Thoroughbred could have a significant influence on early breeding, the greatest influence on early Quarter Horses was Sir Archy, a distance horse to whom many of the greatest 19th and 20th century Quarter Horses can trace their lineage. While Quarter Horses were initially used to race in shorter style races on the eastern seaboard, the longer, four-mile heats that came into fashion in the 1850s pushed the Quarter Horse to the sidelines while leggier horses such as the Thoroughbred prevailed. The Quarter Horse may have all but died out if settlers moving West hadn't capitalized on the strength, quickness, and athleticism that made them naturals for pulling wagons and plows, managing livestock, and doing ranch work. As cattle ranching became in indispensable industry in the United States, so did the Quarter Horse. Quarter Horse range in height from 14.2 hands to 17 hands, and typically weigh 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. The Quarter Horse is known for its short, fine head with small, alert ears and alert eyes set wide apart. The profile of the Quarter Horse is usually straight. The neck of the Quarter Horse is well-muscled, well-formed, and a bit arched. Well-defined withers are set prominently into a short, straight back. The croup is usually strong, muscular, and rounded, and drops subtly to the haunches. The wide, deep chest and long, muscular, and well-sloped shoulders are other characteristics of the Quarter Horse. The legs of the Quarter Horse are usually solid and well-formed, with very muscular thighs, gaskins, and forearms. The joints are broad and clean. Quarter Horse feet are usually strong and sturdy, though they can sometimes be smaller than body size warrants. The most common color for Quarter Horses is sorrel, which makes up about one-third of all registered horses. The AQHA also recognizes bay, black, brown, chestnut, dun, red dun, grulla, buckskin, palomino, gray, red roan, blue roa, bay roan, cremello, and perlino. White markings on the face and lower legs are not only permitted, they are quite common. AQHA does not allow white above the knee or hock, and white body patches are also not allowed. The fact that Quarter Horses started out as short-distance race horses on the East Coast, moved to the West to specialize in ranch work, and now excel in every discipline imaginable is testament to the breed's amazing versatility. While the breed is still best suited for ranch work, short distance racing, cutting, and reining, you can find Quarter Horses in the hunter jumper, dressage, park saddle, pleasure, and trail disciplines. Quarter Horses also have wonderful, willing, and calm temperaments and are good for riders of all ages and abilities.

American Indian Art Auctions: Beadwork

The artworks made by the American Indian incorporate numerous varieties of arts and crafts. The diversity of the American Indian art ranges from the traditional beadwork, pottery and other conventional Native American art to the fine paintings, sculptures, photography and other sophisticated works. And because of that, there are numerous art auctions, of which are found either online or offline. These art auctions feature almost types of American Indian artworks. Later on, we will tackle the American Indian artwork that has the most traditional and historical feature, of which, are the beadworks made by the Native Americans. The beadworks made by the native American Indians have rich meanings in terms of symbolisms; these beadworks also are highly decorative and utilitarian. The process and the beadwork itself is one of the oldest crafts of the Native American Indians. The beadworks are mostly made of stones, bones, shells and other semi precious stones. The some of the beadworks made by the native American Indians that are available these days are made very much the same way as their forefathers had made them. Although few of them are made using today’s modern technology, little has been changed and the process is somewhat the same as the ancient ways. The most popular American Indian artworks are those made of sea shell materials. These types of beadworks are highly popular. Almost every American Indian beadworks are made from sea shell material, from necklaces to purses to almost everything. In the old times, the beadworks made by the American Indians were made mostly of the turtle shells and animal horns and hooves. These native American artworks were often used for rattling or tinkling materials that are used for their dances. These artworks were also worn by hunters in a form of necklaces and were mostly made of wolf and bear claws. They serve as trophies of their kills, and serves as a symbol of the hunter’s expertise. While some of the American Indian beadworks are made of steamed bones and seeds. They were often used for stringing and are mostly blended into various forms. Because of their ever increasing popularity, oriental factories has been replicating, manufacturing and importing beadworks of the Native American Indians. They have been doing it for several decades now. Therefore, has been a competing factor in the beadwork industry of the American Indian arts. And because of that, the craftsmen in the industry of American Indian art industry are greatly affected, losing a considerable amount of income (millions and millions of dollars) because of the fake native artworks made by these oriental factories. In terms of string beadworks of the American Indians, they were mostly made of animal sinews that are finely divided and are attached on clothing. Sometimes, sturdy plant fibers were utilized for this reason. These days, Navajos and some traditional aboriginal American communities still manufacture an ancient type of beadwork that is called the “heishii”. The “heishii” or referred to as “legend necklace” is the most popular type of beadwork, and are used to refer to a legend. Even today, heishii is still used to narrate a legend, with every single bead symbolizing a character. The craftsmen of today’s American Indian art create designs using the today’s technology, by creating actual beadworks through digital means. Thus, the sophisticated and complex beadworks and its designs can be tested digitally before actually manufacturing the piece. Therefore, adding creative process for the craftsmen. These American Indian artworks and its components are essential factors of in the field of archaeology. Not only do they survive history, they also provide numerous fascinating tales and stories that most of which are still untold. As a matter of fact, ancient American Indian artworks are found thousands of miles from seas. Of which is an indication of the numerous trade routes and contacts thousands and thousands of years ago by various cultures. Beadworks crisscross itself through time not just through the history of native American Indians but also in the modern technology of today. The most vital aspect of the American Indian beadwork is the value it represents when it is given among family and friends. Their true meanings are associated with aspirations and essential judgments of a person.

Gangster Movies: America's Love Affair With the Bad Guy

No matter how much we like to see the good guy triumph in the end and those who have committed crimes be punished for them, we can never quite shake off that sneaking enjoyment that comes from bad guys doing what they do and being good at it! Gangster movies have been a part of American cinema from the beginning and by taking a quick look at the genre, we definitely can see why. The two movies that are considered the grandfathers of this film genre are Little Caeser, starring Edward G. Robinson and Public Enemy, starring James Cagney. In both of these films, the gangsters get their comeuppance, but often, that's not what the audience remembers. In Little Caeser, you remember the scenes of Robinson's character Rico living it up in the lap of luxury and in Public Enemy, you fondly remember Tom Powers, played by Cagney doing a delighted little two step on a public street when a girl smiles at him. Gangsters in Hollywood come in a variety of different flavors and Al Pacino has played two extremely different archetypes. In the Godfather movies, he is the elegant and doomed Michael Corleone, the war hero who got dragged reluctantly into the family business, while in Scarface, he plays the crazed killer Tony Montana, a Cuban who rose from immigrant to drug kingpin. Both of these characters were (in very different ways) extremely charismatic and its easy to see how we're drawn to them. There are also quite a few movies that pay homage to the classic gangster movies, or satirize them, depending on your point of view. The prime time show, The Sopranos, features a modern day organized crime association where the members are quietly and sometimes not so quietly obsessed with Goodfellas and The Godfather and will quote them at any opportunity. Brick, a movie about love and death in high school, was heavily influenced by the classic Miller's Crossing in terms of tone and language. The story of the gangster can be seen as the American Dream that is played in fast-forward. It usually starts with a young boy looking for a way out of poverty and with some luck and some help, he makes it to the top. Maybe that's the appeal of the gangster genre, and maybe that's why we're so willing to forgive the things they do to get there. Don't look for a morality lesson when you watch gangster movies. You'll end up rooting for the wrong guy and when he inevitably gets what's coming to him, you'll be annoyed and disappointed. Gangsters top the charts in charisma, but their life expectancy and chances for lasting happiness are practically nil.

Objections To A Single-Payer Plan In America

1) The government can't run anything. I don't trust the government. The current gang in Washington may be a good reason not to trust the government to do ANYTHING right. However, Medicare and Social Security are good examples of systems that run well and on time. People receive their checks the same time every month and health care is provided: on time. 2) I'm a free market person and don't want any part of "socialized medicine." Single Payer Insurance is defined as a single government fund with each state which pays hospitals, physicians and other health care providers, thus replacing the current multi-payer system of private insurance companies. It would provide coverage for the fifty million people who are uninsured. It would eliminate the financial threat and impaired access to care for tens of millions who do not have coverage and are unable to afford the out-of-pocket expenses because of deficiencies in their insurance plans. It would return to the patient free choice of health care provider and hospitals, not the choice that only the restrictive health plans allow. It would relieve businesses of the administrative hassle and expense of maintaining a health benefits program. It would remove from the health care equation the middleman-the managed care industry-that has broken the traditional doctor-patient relationship, while diverting outrageous amounts of patient care dollars to their own coffers. It would control health care inflation through constructive mechanisms of cost containment that improve allocation of our health care resources, rather than controlling costs through an impersonal business ethic that robs patients of care so as to increase profits for the privileged few. Single Payer Universal Health Care would provide access to high quality care for everyone at affordable prices. 3) Canadians have long waiting periods and come to the U.S. for their health care needs. Therefore, such a plan would make for waiting periods in the U.S. First of all, ask almost any Canadian if they would trade our system for theirs. The answer is a resounding "NO." They may have to wait for elective surgeries, for instance, but we have to wait for these kinds of surgeries, as well. Canadians have the option to buy extra coverage to get heroic measures covered, say in the case of Cancer treatment. At 9% of their GDP, they are spending much less than we are as a nation. We, the wealthiest nation on earth, spend 14 % of our GDP. 4) Our country cannot afford to insure everyone. Our country already has enough funds dedicated to health care to provide the highest quality of care for everyone. Studies have shown that under a single payer system, comprehensive care can be provided for everyone without spending any more funds than are now being spent. Not only do we have more than sufficient funds, we are also a nation that is infamous for our excess health care capacity. Typical of these excesses is the fact that there are more MRI scanners in Orange County, CA than in all of Canada. With our generous funding and the tremendous capacity of our health care delivery system, the delays would not be a significant limiting factor in the U.S. 5) Americans do not want "Socialized Medicine." Socialized medicine is a system in which the government owns the facilities, and the providers of care are government employees. In sharp contrast, a single payer system uses the existing private and public sector health care delivery systems, preserving private ownership and employment. The unique feature of a single payer system is that all health care risks are placed in a universal risk pool, covering everyone. The pool is funded in a fair and equitable manner so that everyone pays their fair share in taxes, unlike our current defective system in which some pay far too much while others are not paying their share. The funds are allocated through a publicly administered program resulting in optimum use of our health care dollars. A single payer system has no more in common with socialized medicine than our current Medicare program. Socialism is a dirty word in this country. Universal health care for all has been equated with socialism, and much propaganda has been communicated by the press, by right wing politicians, by medical groups such as the AMA or anyone else who has an agenda to keep the 1500 plus health insurance companies a thriving market with profits that undoubtedly help to pay for their agendas. 6) A Universal Single-Payer would lower the standard of care to a level of mediocrity for everyone, preventing the affluent from exercising his or her option to obtain the highest level of care. Our current system is characterized by essentially two alternatives: either no insurance with severely impaired access to even a mediocre level of care, or being insured by a managed care industry that has whittled down what is available until mediocrity has become the standard of care. Only the relatively affluent have access to unlimited care. The generous level of funds that we have already dedicated to health care, adding to this a more efficient administration with an exclusive mission of optimum patient care well above the mediocrity that we now have, lays the foundation for a universal health care system in America. A single payer system does not preclude the affluent from paying, outside the system, for a penthouse suite in the hospital, or for cosmetic surgery or for any other service that would not be part of a publicly funded program. But if Americans knew the truth, and would turn off their TVs and use that time instead to change this country, using the power of grassroots politics, to make a single payer universal system a reality for all, then we would finally have the best health care system in the world. Any group with the passion to change the world, one issue at a time, with a loving intent, can do it.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Differences in Style of Dress Between Russians And Americans

When you visit Russia, you will be stunned to see so many well-dressed beautiful women on the streets. Miniskirts and dresses are very popular and Russian women have the figures to show them off to advantage. Russian women enjoy looking their best and they are very neat and stylish. As Lynn Visson's "Wedded Strangers" says: “Both Russian men and women find American women badly dressed. Fashion in Soviet Russia was dictated by the regime. In the Soviet era, trying to look attractive and feminine was not easy.” “Obtaining fashionable clothes was both incredibly important and difficult. Looking good was a way of asserting control over oneself in a controlled and drab Soviet existence.” Russian women have a completely different style of dressing than in western countries. They wear short skirts and makeup to make them look as attractive as possible. They like to look sexy. A Russian woman might wear a tight fitting leopard skin top with a short miniskirt. To her, she is dressing stylishly to show off her good figure. To westerners, her suggestive clothing makes her look ‘cheap’ and ‘available.’ Once Russian women come to America, many of them adopt the casual clothing of Americans. That certainly is the case with my wife, who now finds herself in tee shirts and jeans most of the time when at home. Of course, when we go out, she knows how to look her best. When she is in Russia, she would never go out of the house like she is dressed in America.