In the news...

I am still dumbfounded by the horrifying, insulting, completely lacking in any scientific knowledge or understanding, misogynistic, crude and all other descriptions of that ilk comments made by idiot Missouri representative, and U.S. Senate hopeful for the love, Todd Akin. If you know not of which I speak, read this article. There are so many things wrong with his comments regarding a woman's body being able to block pregnancy after being "legitimately" raped that I do not even know where to start. I think about his statements and am struck dumb anew. A) This guy is on the House of Reps Science Committee. WTF?! Has he ever taken a biology class? Sex ed? Really? A woman's body can, no tries to, block a pregnancy when raped? That is despicable, inaccurate and grossly judgmental in suggesting that if she does become pregnant, the rape must have been not really a rape.

B) He says he misspoke. You think? How in god's name would one ever think to use the adjective "legitimate" when discussing rape? If he were ever raped, do you think any morsel of his being would consider it "legitimate"? Please, what a ridiculous, rhetorical question. He says he meant to say "forcible" rape. What other kind of rape is there? Jesus, man, come on.

C) Is he married? I can't seem to find basic biographical info on this guy. However, in researching this cretin, I did find that back in '06, he declared, ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, that gay marriage destroys civilization. This guy is just chock full of love and empathy.

D) His reply to the many calls for him to drop out of the Senate race is that he's not a quitter. That has absolutely nothing to do with his being an asshole. Maybe he's not a quitter, but questions about his ability to finish a race are not why swaths of his own Republican peers are calling for him to drop out. Granted, they're probably urging his exit not because they're SO offended by his statements but more likely (or to be fair, equally) because they realize what a loser this guy is and are worried about losing the seat to McCaskill.

E) GO CLAIRE MCCASKILL. ~~~~~ On a more positive (but it came from something awful) note, did you see that the USDA shut down a beef plant (can you even believe it's called that?) after receiving footage of grossly inhumane treatment of cows heading for slaughter? Reading about this makes me sick to my stomach and is just another bit of supporting evidence regarding why I am SO committed to buying and eating meat ONLY if I know where it comes from, how it was raised and how it was slaughtered. This is just sickening, but kudos to the USDA's action. You might thrill to also know that the company in trouble was, several years ago- not sure if they still are- one of the three main suppliers of beef to the School Lunch Program. The only way we're going to change the food system in the U.S. is to get mad and take action. Hop to it!!

Pizza, welcome back Bill

I just can't publish our pizza pics from tonight, as they wouldn't make your mouth water. The color balance is just.not.there. and really, I was disappointed in my photos. In any case, do try this combo: olive oil, red pepper flakes, slivered garlic, green tomato slices, lots of fresh basil, mixed baby kales/collards, mozzarella di bufala, Maldon. Delicious! Especially on the grill. Y'all, we ate our 'za while in hysterics during last night's Real Time. Welcome back, Bill! Reihan Salam is still an overly-amped up shill for the Repubs, Alex Wagner is infinitely appealing, why is Mark Cuban a frequent guest?, and Chelsea Handler's got a great dead-pan. I about peed in my pants laughing 3-4 times. Thank goodness for folks like Bill who might, just might, make the months until the election tolerable.

Cod, cantaloupe, quinoa, coconut

Somewhere between saying goodbye to my mom and getting the kids to bed, I lost my sense of humor. I opened a bottle of Chablis in hopes of finding some bit of it, but so far, no dice. Nonetheless, I did turn out a good dinner, and the alliterative aspect of it, per the post title above, is charming. Quinoa with lemon zest, fennel and sultanas, cod roasted with shaved fennel, olives, more lemon, garlic, salt and fennel fronds, and the best cantaloupe we've enjoyed this summer.

I love quinoa, love that each grain looks like a tiny Saturn, love that it's so good for you and is so versatile. And while I don't often buy cod because the poor fish is being fished to death, literally, I saw some rated yellow at Whole Foods today and decided to splurge a bit. I love cod, and this did it justice, although it's unfortunate that the one time I over-salt anything happened to such a delicate meal.

The cantaloupe was ridiculous, and T and I ate a whole half. We're now trying to finagle some room for the magnificent coconut cream pie that's waiting for us in the fridge.

Did y'all hear about the John Sununu-Soledad O'Brien confrontation over Medicaire? She won, and when did he become such a wing-nut? Is NH considering disowning him? When did facts become opinions?

Bill and Real Time return on Friday! Two days hence! Yay!!