Fake Chef Shows

I do like watching cooking shows--competitions or ones run by trained professional chefs who actually have good ideas to share.

I am noticing lately.....there are more and more useless shows. The usefulness of the shows tends to be negatively correlated with the education + experience level of the 'chef'.

Some are not even real chefs.

Down Home with the Neeleys. Please. Who doesn't know how to batter and deep fry, throw together a sauce made from a can of soup, and serve it with Jello mixed with Cool Whip? Why are you on tv? I want the last 30 minutes of my life back.

Paula Deen. Histrionic deep south accent, sayings, and mannerisms. Just be yourself, Paula--no need to be so phony. And again, I know how to cook with refrigerated biscuit dough, cake mix, marshmallow fluff, butter, butter, and butter. Big whoop.

Whatsername with the 30-minute meals. Gross ideas. Crumble some ginger snaps over pork and put it in the oven. Or non-ideas, such as warm some berries and serve them over sorbet. How do I get a multi-million-dollar gig cooking uncreative things and selling cookbooks?

Whatsername with the semi-homemade stuff. Should be called 'barely homemade'. Put some food coloring and flavored extract into *gag* a can of frosting and call it a cooking show? And did you notice there's always a lot of alcohol...?

I'm not trying to be snobby, but sheesh, isn't it disrespectful to the profession when hobbyists pretend to have the equivalent level of quality to offer us?

Should we be concerned over the nomination of a born-again evangelical Christian to head the National Institutes of Health?

Some have made the argument that President Obama's nomination of Francis Collins, a born-again Christian geneticist, to head the National Institutes of Health is a disservice to the science community because it promotes someone who is known as an apologist for religion. Are they correct? Does the fact that Collins is considered so unique because of his open embrace of religion demonstrate that most scientists believe there is a conflict between science and religion?...click the link to read the rest of the story...

Congress Wants "God" in Capitol Visitor Center

Congress earlier this month passed legislation requiring the words "In God We Trust" as well as the Pledge of Allegiance to be etched into the walls of the cavernous complex, which sits underneath the Capitol building and greets thousands of tourists each day.

The Los Angeles Times, however, reports that the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based association of atheists and agnostics, has filed a federal lawsuit to stop the engraving.

The group argues the engraving would be unconstitutional because it would "give actual and apparent government endorsement and advancement of religion," while excluding nonreligious Americans.

Physics and Physicists: Solar Eclipse Pits Superstition Against Science

Physics and Physicists: Solar Eclipse Pits Superstition Against Science

Jimmy Carter Leaves Church Over Treatment of Women -- Politics Daily

Jimmy Carter Leaves Church Over Treatment of Women -- Politics Daily

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Oh, My. Obama Appoints Theist as NIH Chief

This man is now one of the most powerful scientists in the entire world. *shudders*

Is this a sad day for science?

Interviewed on Religulous

Discussed on Bill Maher Show

Britney Spears Saved My Life

Sad, sad--new depths of sadness previously unplumbed. A documentary of people saved from their tragic lives by Britney's lyrics.

And a video on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrqQBFHSQ_M&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.longislandpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F07%2Fbritney-spears-saved-my-life%2F&feature=player_embedded

What will life be like for Michael Jackson's kids if his mom gets custody?

Michael Jackson's mother is allegedly a Jehovah's Witness and his dad is not.

In that "religion", the male is the "head of the household" and the wife must obey him. That means if he orders her to let them do certain things normal kids do, she can't override his decision.

Usually in families like this, which the "religion" calls "divided households", the wife does as much as she can to get the kids to comply with the multitude of liturgical rules, even if she must do so secretly ("theocratic strategy").

Depending upon how much Mrs. Jackson is able to do regarding the kids' lifestyles, here are some of the things they can look forward to.

1. No birthdays, Christmases, Easters, etc.
2. No celebrations or activities that elevate an individual or make an individual the center of attention.
3. Limited or no use of the Internet or cell phones.
4. No participation in contact sports or games like chess that involve competition.
5. No participation in anything to do with other religions, even swimming at the YMCA.
6. No dating. (Only exception: Both parties are at the legal age of marriage and are interested in marrying the other.)
7. No socializing with non-JWs, including school dances, proms, clubs, etc.
8. No college.
9. No jobs that involve other religions, magic, tobacco, giving blood transfusions, or carrying a weapon.
10. Attend 4 hours of church meetings each week.
11. Attempt to convert nonbelievers by visiting at their homes or handing out literature on street corners.
12. No psychiatrists, counselors, or self-help groups.
13. No medical treatment that entails or could lead to use of products made from human blood, even your own.
14. No swearing.
15. No porn or PG-13 movies.
16. No toasts (the kind with wine).
17. No wind chimes.
18. No wearing clothes that are tight, revealing, brightly colored, skirts above the knee, or skirts/dresses without slips/camisoles, or wearing too much makeup.
19. No wearing crosses, Stars of David, or any religious items.
20. No throwing rice at weddings.
    

How happy do you think they'll be?