"Jefferson survives"

So spoke John Adams on his deathbed on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (unaware that his compatriot had died but hours earlier that day).

I've always been something of an American history buff -- especially the Revolution to Civil War... which is why I have so enjoyed the John Adams miniseries on HBO.

The book by David McCullough was brilliant enough, but the acting by Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney breath much-needed life into what most people see as mythic figures rather than simple human beings who transcended much to set in motion this noble experiment called the United States of America.

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Just Desserts: Double Peanut Butter Bars

This recipe takes the simple peanut butter cookie and "raises the bar"... with three layers: Peanut Butter Cookie on the bottom Rich peanut butter icing in the middle Topped with a chocolate shell Delicious and decadent! For the cookie base: Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x13 glass baking dish. 1 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon dark molasses 1/2 cup creamy peanut buter 1/4 cup shortening 1/4 cup butter, softened 1 egg 1 1/4 cups flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Prepare peanut butter cookie dough (per normal recipe) but do not refrigerate. Instead, spread dough evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for about 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. For the middle layer: 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups powdered sugar In a small bowl, beat the butter, peanut butter, milk, vanilla...

60 Minutes & Chevron

I don't normally post stuff about work, but after watching the drivel on 60 Minutes last night about the "Ecuadorian" lawsuit against Chevron, I had to relay this: Images are of Petroecuador sites and are not Texaco-remediated sites: The images of oil pits, and oil operations in general, that “60 Minutes” used are of locations that are the sole responsibility of Petroecuador, Texaco Petroleum’s partner from the days of the consortium. “60 Minutes” knew this fact, but chose to ignore it in its reporting. No responsibility was placed on Petroecuador: Petroecuador has been the sole operator of oil fields in Ecuador since 1992 and has compiled a well-documented record of environmental mismanagement. In addition, Petroecuador has repeatedly stated that it is responsible for the remaining cleanup work that is required in the Ecuadorian Amazon and it readily admits that it has not cleaned up the sites allocated to them under the remediation action plan 15 years ago. Again, “60 M...

Smoky Bacon Cheddar Dip

This recipe combines creamy cheese, smoky bacon, a hint of sweetness, and a touch of spice for a delicious and addictive dip. Ingredients: 4 oz cream cheese, softened 3 tbsp mayonnaise 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (variety like Monterey Jack or Colby for extra flavor, optional) 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp ketchup 1 tsp brown sugar 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference) 1/4 tsp black pepper Pinch of salt Instructions: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheeses, diced red pepper, and crumbled bacon. Add the apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to combine all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. You can add more cayenne pepper for a spicier dip, or a squeeze of fresh...

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