Hi folks,

I suppose everyone has seen the crude attack ads put out by the US Republican Party with wolves circling around menacingly. Two things you may not know, however:

1 - According to the Pro-Wolf Lobby, no one has ever been killed by a wolf on US soil, and

2- George W. Bush is Pro-Wolf.

The Pro-Wolf Lobby is a good thing: fighting to prevent the wolf from being wiped out through ignorant historical superstitions and fears associated with the animal, now in danger of extinction. So why would George W. Moron agree to allow the wolves to be identified with Terrorists, whom he has avowed to hunt down and kill without mercy, in these offensive campaign ads? The key lies in the meaning of the man's last name: MORON: " 1910, from Gk. (Attic) moron, neut. of moros "foolish, dull" (probably cognate with Skt. murah "idiotic;" L. morus "foolish" is a loan-word from Gk.). Adopted by the American Association for the Study of the Feeble-Minded with a technical definition "adult with a mental age between 8 and 12. "

Either that or he's just plain stupid.

Well, it's hard to believe but this will be my last newsletter to you before the US elections. I've been hammering home my GET BUSH OUTTA HERE message now for about two years. I originally planned to stop my newsletter as soon as Kerry was elected, but I have now decided to keep it going, for as long as I am able, in order to help monitor and insure that President Kerry does what we expect him to do. He wasn't my first choice but he's not bad and he's all there is to work with so let's work with him. (In other words, if Van Gogh couldn't find oil paint, he would've used house paint. But he still would've painted.) By this time next week, we WILL have a NEW President in the USA. (I will not consider the alternative.) In fact, I have promised my mate, David Bridie, that I will fork out the $100 to buy a bottle of both of our favourite Scottish smoked single malt whiskey, Lagavulin, for a victory toast. (If anyone out there hasn't tried this Essence of the Gods, put in on your short list. I call it the whiskey for people who don't drink whiskey!) However, David, in the micro-minuscule possibility that there is another Republican swindle in Florida or Ohio, all bets are off, and I plan to finish the entire bottle myself that night. I'm only thinking medicinally here.

FAVOURITE SPAM OF THE WEEK

Subject: Your Yahoo! ID

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Thakn you.

(Note: Don't it just make you want to click on it and give them your credit card information?)

FAVOURITE READER FEEDBACK OF THE WEEK

Re: Cognizant vs Cognisant

G'day again Joe,
 Not in Australia: My Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary gives "cognisant" (as does the Macquarie Dictionary) as the head word ... with a note in brackets, further down in the entry: ... (also cognizant). Perhaps ze Americans prefer to celebrate zeir greater Germanic background in their spelling preferences. (OK - I admit that the English tend more to 'z's in such words ... but Australians preserve the 's' of the Old French root word conoisant and the Latin source cogniscent [3rd person sing. of cogniscere].) Regards, Bob Bolton (inter alia, Plain English advocate and monitor in the Technical Publications published by EnergyAustralia)

Joe,
Cognisant is optional. You must abandon these American conventions of yours. For a start, swap your Webster's for Oxford. Noel Delbridge.

(Note: You say tomahtoes. I say . . . pomodori . . . All right! You two! Lighten up . . . . Eh? No speak-a da English.)
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Hi Joe!
I happen to be a fan of your 1981 LP SHADDAP YOU FACE - not so much for the title track, but for the wonderful IF YOU WANNA BE HAPPY, AIN´T NO UFO GONNA CATCH MY DIESEL and, best of all, REGGAE MATILDA. The latter is a song I intended to use in my work as a teacher, but I would prefer to have a CD version of the song. I know that a CD version was released... Could you tell me where I could get hold of one? (Sorry this does not refer to your more recent activities, and this letter is no lsight (sic) on them. Just to make things clear... ;-) Here's wishing you all the best! J.N.

(Note: No lsight taken, JN.)

Joe,
I, too, (as did Blue the Shearer) experienced you for the first time at Jamberoo. I hadn't realised what a multi-talented man you are! In a word association test I would have scored Joe Dolce? - Shaddap You Face! Now It's clear, you are a troubador, a chef, a comedian and entertainer par excellence and your newsletters are a very welcome addition to my hard-drive. Thanks Alex Legg
www.alexlegg.com
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Film Review

'Outfoxed - Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism'

I saw this great documentary over the weekend and I recommend it! Chronicles the degeneration of Journalism-into-Propaganda in the US media especially as practiced by the Fox Network. An important and well put together warning bell. And our own little ex-aussie Rupert is the main culprit. Shame on us!
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Book Review

SISTERS

" Okay wait, this is a book about lesbians written by the 2nd lady of the United States whose husband is embarrassed by his lesbian daughter and whose boss is a homophobe. LOL, LOL, LOL, oh my God I can't control my laughter!" R. Hamilton, Marietta, GA, Amazon.com review.

A rare out-of-print book written by Vice President Dick Cheney's wife, Lynne. Currently going for $500.00 on Amazon.com

There's Nothing About Mary
by Peter Kurth

. . . Mrs. Cheney may have considered it "cheap and tawdry" that Kerry, by mentioning Mary, deftly evaded the whole gay-marriage flap. But she wouldn't want to repeat the phrase too often, lest "cheap and tawdry" bring to mind the essence of her own 1981 "lesbian romance novel," Sisters, a steamy potboiler, reportedly slated for republication this year, that "celebrates" Sapphic love, according to The New York Daily News, promotes the use of condoms and other "preventative devices" and features a woman character "who has unmarried sex with the widow of her sister."

Wait a minute ­ hold everything. How can a woman have sex with her sister's widow unless the sister and the widow were married to start with? Hmm " (article)
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MISOGYNY
By David Podvin

" Three quarters of Americans surveyed say they admire Laura Bush, while only one third have a favorable view of Teresa Heinz Kerry . . . As viewed by Middle America, Heinz Kerry suffers greatly on a comparative basis: Laura is ingratiatingly mundane, while Teresa is disturbingly brilliant. Laura is pleasingly subservient, while Teresa is annoyingly independent. Laura is obediently traditional, while Teresa is maddeningly nonconformist. And Laura cares about her own little world, whereas Teresa cares about the whole, wide world. . .

. . . Our nation constantly sends an implicit but unmistakable message to girls that they must know their roles and shut their mouths. Laura reinforces the message, so she is admired. Teresa blasts that bullsh*t straight to hell, so the public disapproves of her. It does not matter that she is smart and charming and funny ­ that simply makes her unwillingness to conform all the more provocative. It also doesn't matter that she is good looking; even in this carnal culture where the ultimate trump card is to call a woman "ugly", being beautiful is still not a passport to equality. Attractive females aren't supposed to ruin the effect by thinking for themselves. . ." (article)
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FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF

I love this! This is what a computer is supposed to do! Click on the link below and then type in your first name...
(Click Here!)
(THANKS TO CARL PANUZZO)
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MUSIC

Honky Tonkers for Truth

Music City is full of singers, songwriters, players, engineers, publishers and producers who support our troops overseas, believe in family, faith and freedom, and who deeply love their country. HOWEVER.....they can see that the plans and policies of the current president are not working. They want to make sure that all the mistakes don't continue for another four years. More importantly, there are millions of Country music lovers who feel the same way.

Listen to the song: Takin' My Country Back. Free downloads here: (download site)

Excerpt from the lyrics:

Medical Journal Estimates 100,000 Civilian Deaths in Iraq War
By Voice of America News

A new report in the British-based medical journal The Lancet estimates that more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the March, 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

The survey found the major cause of death was from airstrikes, and many of the victims were women and children. A very small proportion of deaths in the study were related to terrorism. (article)
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BetaVote.com

What if the WHOLE WORLD could vote in the U.S. presidential election?

An online internet poll - still in progress so you can cast your virtual vote - which shows how people in every country of the world would vote if they had to choose. The ONLY country where George W. Bush gets a clear margin is NIGER! Even the Saudis prefer Kerry! In France, it's 95% Kerry - 5% Bush. (What's the matter with those Froggeoise? Just because they were RIGHT!)
(Virtual Vote Here!)
(thanks to Alicia Bay Laurel.)
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OBSERVATIONS

If you're being chased by a police dog, try not to go through a tunnel, then on to a little seesaw, then jump through a hoop of fire. They're trained for that. Milton Jones

Spending an hour with a prostitute is like making your cat dance with you on its hind legs. You know it's wrong, but you try to convince yourself that they're enjoying it as well. Scott Capurro

A dog goes into a hardware store and says: "I'd like a job please" . The hardware store owner says: "We don't hire dogs, why don't you go join the circus?" The dog replies: "What would the circus want with a plumber". Steven Alan Green
(thanks to Joe Creighton)
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FEMA CONCENTRATION CAMPS: Locations and Executive Orders

There over 800 prison camps in the United States, all fully operational and ready to receive prisoners. They are all staffed and even surrounded by full-time guards, but they are all empty. These camps are to be operated by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) should Martial Law need to be implemented in the United States and all it would take is a presidential signature on a proclamation and the attorney general's signature on a warrant to which a list of names is attached.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10990
allows the government to take over all modes of transportation and control of highways and seaports.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10995
allows the government to seize and control the communication media.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10997
allows the government to take over all electrical power, gas, petroleum, fuels and minerals.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10998
allows the government to seize all means of transportation, including personal cars, trucks or vehicles of any kind and total control over all highways, seaports, and waterways.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 10999
allows the government to take over all food resources and farms.

Full List of Executive Orders and Specific Locations of all known FEMA Camps
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Wine in Melbourne

Darebin Homemade Wine Festival
'Singing, Dancing 'n Staggering'

I've been invited to be the Honorary Celebrity 'Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged' Wine Judge for the Darebin Homemade Wine Festival.

So far, there are about 35 entrants. That means downing at least 35 glasses of home-made rocket fuel. (Tip for Entrants: I think the ones near the end of the session will probably have the best chances of getting a user-friendly opinion!) Seriously, there will also be a REAL judge who knows something about wine. I only know what I like (usually from the $10 cleanskin bins). But I guess that's something and I plan to have some fun with the little I know. There will be prizes and I will sing an old song of Jesse Colin Young's called, 'The Wine Song,' if I can remember how it goes. With a selection of the best wine toasts I can find. So if anyone knows any especially good bottoms-ups, send them to me! Example:

Free Entrance.
Saturday November 13th
2pm - 5pm
Preston Shire Hall
(Cnr of High St & Cramer St)
Preston, Vic.
Information: David Diaz on (03) 9230 4589

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Perchè La Gallina Deve Traver'sare La Strada ?

Bob Dylan : How many roads must one chicken cross?

Saddam Hussein: Because it is the Mother of all Chickens.

President Clinton : I did not, and I repeat, I did not have sexual relations with that chicken.

Louis Farrakhan : The road, you will see, represents the black man. The 'white' chicken crossed the "black man" in order to trample him and keep him down.

Nietzsche : Because if you gaze too long across the Road, the Road gazes also across you.

Sir Isaac Newton: Chickens at rest tend to stay at rest. Chickens in motion tend to cross the road.

The Bible : And God came down from the heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the Chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing.

Malcolm X : Because it would get across that road by any means necessary.

Martin Luther King : It had a dream.

Julius Caesar : It came. It saw. It crossed.

Hamlet : Because 'tis better to suffer in the mind the slings and arrows of outrageous road maintenance than to take arms against a sea of on coming vehicles..

Jack Nicholson : You can't HANDLE the reason the chicken has to cross the road!

Dr. Seuss : Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes! The chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed it, I've not been told!
(thanks to Lucky Ocean)
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FOOD

The Cuisine of Trentino-Alto Adige

The Dolomites were among the most isolated places on earth until a century ago, reachable only on foot over Alpine passes that remained snowbound throughout the winter. Conditions were tremendously difficult, and as a result few outsiders were particularly interested in the area, despite it's being quite close to the Val D'Adige, the main migration and invasion route between Italy and Germany.

The fact that the local population originally lived in conditions of extreme poverty meant that the typical dishes of Trentino became very uniform and substantial in character. In some secluded valleys, this archaic flavour has been preserved in certain recipes, which are still in use in farm kitchens open to the public.

In the Noce valleys for example, the main condiment was butter. Pork was the most respected meat bred in the "tres" of the farmstead: the "lucaniche" and the "l'osocò", especially if smoked, conserved at length the secret flavour which the family butcher had given them. Lamb's meat and tripe were very popular. Tripe was cleaned, the fat removed, and then boiled for several hours. It was eaten with a soup made from home grown vegetables and flavoured with oil and onion.

The meal was served almost always with polenta which was a meal in itself in the "monchi" recipe: spoonfuls of "polenta" were put on a plate, similar to large "gnocchi", sprinkled with grated cheese and flavoured with melted butter and sage. Another tasty dish was "polenta rostida", slices or pieces of polenta reheated in pig's fat, with cheese and chopped potato.

Bread was made from rye flour and was baked in the village oven by the women four times a year and was then stored in a dry place on wooden racks. Important dishes were "menestra dei frigoloti": "minestra da orzi" with pig or mutton bones added, gnocchi "de comède" (mountain spinach), potato and garlic soup: milk was the main ingredient. For breakfast it was common to eat fried potatoes with "ciciole", the leftovers of pork fat dripping, or with lard; for lunch or dinner, after a bowl of "menestra da orzi" (barley soup), "torta de patate cruve" (potato cake) was served (finely chopped potato was put into a copper plated pot, with a pinch of salt and a spoonful of white flour and pig's fat was added; it was then placed in a very hot oven for about three quarters of an hour, until the dough started to turn golden).

In Valle del Fersina, situated in the east of Trentino, where a language of German origin is still spoken today, "mocheno", "kropfen" and "stròboi" are very common. These cakes have a particular flavour and are eaten during holidays and local village feasts. The basic ingredients are eggs, milk, sugar, beer, flour, grappa and yeast but the secret lies in being able to pour the dough through a funnel into a frying pan of hot oil. The "mochen" women are capable of creating a sort of circular net of mixture which when cooked is sprinkled with icing sugar.

In Valle di Fiemme "canocèi", typical ravioli of the Alpine area have a fundamental ingredient, potato filling, which acts as an absorbent. They were the main dish during holidays, and even though they didn't constitute a very substantial meal they took time to prepare and the women farm workers had more time available during their days off. The filling is made with potato, cheese (usually "Puzzone di Moena" or "Nostrano di Cavalese", nutmeg and chives. This is rolled into dough cut into rounds and folded in half moon shapes. After cooking in boiling salted water, parmesan cheese, melted butter and sage, and a sprinkling of poppy seed, can be added.

Strangolappreti - Strangle the Priests
(Intriguingly named Trentino dish: spinach dumplings!)

Salt
2 1/2 cups stale bread trimmed of crust and cut up
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons bread crumbs
4 to 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 to 8 sage leaves preferably fresh, or 1 small onion finely minced
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano cheese

Cook spinach in a covered pan with salted water over a low heat for about 5 minutes. Drain and when cool squeeze gently to force out moisture.

Place bread in large mixing bowl and steep in milk. When fully steeped, add spinach and return to pan; cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes, then let cool. When cooled fold in 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon flour and bread crumbs as necessary, to produce a firm consistency.

In a large pot bring to a boil 4 to 5 quarts salted water. With a teaspoon form a dumpling from spinach mixture and immerse in boiling water. Note: for the dumpling to successfully detach from teaspoon, immerse fully in the water on the teaspoon. Continue until the spinach mixture is entirely used up. As soon as the dumplings rise to surface, remove with skimmer and drain thoroughly. Arrange on a serving dish.

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. When foam subsides and butter has turned a rich gold but not yet brown, add sage leaves or minced onion. Toss once or twice and pour contents of pan over spinach dumplings Sprinkle with grated Parmigiano and serve.
Serves 4
Source
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