Author: kenwheaton

Robert George: New Day Rising

Posted on by kenwheaton in politics

OK, even I feel a little guilty for raining on everyone’s inauguration parade. If you’d all quit running around like Russians at a Stalin rally …. but never mind (and no, I’m not suggesting Barry O. is a commie).  Robert George gets at all the optimism and meaning without making my skin crawl. Robert concludes:

Goodness knows there will be many times for policy and political disagreements with this new president. The dire challenges of the time will require earnest and heartfelt debate. But, those are put aside for now. I am optimistic that he is, a fundamentally good man (with a generous spirit who honors both trailblazing forebears and one-time rivals). I am proud to call him my president and thankful that I am able to watch his bold step into history today.

Historic Inauguration Jumps Shark?

Posted on by kenwheaton in politics

Super Liberal Scrabble Runner-up and wannabe poker champion Dawn Summers says: “If I hear the phrase ‘historic inauguration’ one more time…it will mean that I have the TV on again.” (Except she spelled inauguration wrong, which may explain the inability to go the distance in those Scrabble tournaments. That and she’s a Patriots fan.)

But seriously, America’s biggest and best party ever? I’d accuse the networks of being in the tank and forgetting that close to half the country voted for that other dude and the lady with the annoying accent. But the truth is, the TV networks are so hard up for mass-market “event programming”–the kind that people watch live, rather than TiVoing–they can’t really be blamed for trying to pretend that this is the Super Bowl. Especially since the Super Bowl’s going to suck this year.

But things are bad when even media watcher Rachel Sklar, who’s Twitter feed has been basically quivering with historical excitement (or cold) as she tweets from D.C., wrote this morning: “I may get a *little* tired of the word “historic” before the day is out.” (On a slightly related note, I wonder if the Twitterati, texters and Blackberry pilots are going to freak out when they overload the system today and shut down the cellular and wireless services.)

Dawn Summer’s post is a pretty good one and shows that she’s not completely crazy. I say that mostly because she’s with me on this one. The same people who point and laugh at those who praise Ronald Reagan are running around like Jehovah’s on the day Jesus comes back — and Barack Obama hasn’t even done anything yet (except make white people feel like they’re no longer racist).

Dawn continues: “I’m all for great minds running the country for a change, but Obama’s got another election to win, the US will never win any world popularity contests and there will always be war.”

For that remark, Dawn Summers will get a complimentary trip to Guantanamo, where she’ll be allowed to stay until it’s closed at some point during Obama’s second term.

Red Beans and Rice (are kicking)

Posted on by kenwheaton in Cajun, Recipes

This weekend, I went over to my former roommate’s home to try to teach him to make Red Beans and Rice. Why? Because it’s tasty, cheap and one of the easier things to cook. Even better, this is one dish that you don’t need all sorts of fancy Cajun ingredients. (That said, replacing or supplementing the ham with smoked pork Cajun sausage will make the dish taste better.) Recipe after the jump.

Continue reading “Red Beans and Rice (are kicking)” →

About That Sophisticated New York Electorate

Posted on by kenwheaton in politics, Rants

After eight years of whining and bitching that George W. Bush is “using fear” to manipulate the masses, New Yorkers scared shitless about their real estate prices and stock portfolios are told by Michael “Hugo Chavez” Bloomberg that if they don’t do away with term limits (“Just this one time. Promise.”), they’ll face even MORE finanical ruin. Scared, they happily grant him his wish.

And now, after an election cycle of crapping all over the mush-mouthed and anti-intellectual Sarah Palin for being too inexperienced (and unable to speak a coherent sentence to the media), will gladly allow Caroline “Um, You Know” Kennedy to become their U.S. Senator.  I don’t like the knuckle-headed strain of the Republican party Sarah Palin came to represent, but she was elected to two offices and took on the established corrupt political dynasty in Alaska. Caroline Kennedy, on the other hand, hasn’t even run for PTA and IS the latest generation of an established corrupt political dynasty. But, hey, god forbid we embarrass her or anything.

Next time a New Yorker starts blabbing about the rubes out in the sticks, it might be fun to remind them that they’re the ones living in a banana republic.

How I Start My Day

Posted on by kenwheaton in Uncategorized

If you’re reading this blog, you’ve undoubtedly developed a fascination with the way I live my life. You sometimes probably find yourself thinking, “WWKD?” or “What’s Ken doing now?” And sometimes, you probably guess exactly wrong. But that’s my fault, because I don’t provide enough guidance.

For example, you may think I start my day with a thick mix of political news, heavy reading and a lot of opinion just to get the engine started. You’d be wrong. Exactly wrong.

Continue reading “How I Start My Day” →

A Puggle and His Poop

Posted on by kenwheaton in dogs

I may have to reconsider my mostly fond feelings about dogs. Yesterday, while sitting in the Starbucks on the corner of Court and Dean, a fellow patron tied up her Puggle to the bench and came inside to get a coffee. There was a bit of a line, so the little guy had to wait out in the cold longer than expected. He, being the nervous sort, began to yip. When master didn’t come running, he yipped a little more, then — being the nervous sort — deposited about five or six logs on the sidewalk while moving. Then — and here’s where you may want to avert your eyes — he proceeded to gobble up every last bit of it.  If that’s not gross enough, consider that the owner was completely unaware of it and that at some point later in the day she probably let that dog lick her face.

Check Out The Subway Chronicles

Posted on by kenwheaton in Books, Subway, Writing

I’m adding my good friend Jackie Cangro’s blog to ye olde blogroll. I’m probably not going to make it a habit to announce additions, but since Jackie was the first person to publish me in book form, I owe her. Big Time. While you’re at it, order a copy of the book she edited, also called The Subway Chronicles. I’m in it, so you know it’s good! (It’s also very cheap.) Also featured in the book are Calvin Trillin, Jonathan Lethem and some other people.