I have gone numb... I think I have hit the wall with politics

[Peacetrain]

I think I have finally had my fill.. I am full.. I who loves politics more than her Wheaties, is tired of politics.

I can't tell you what finally did it.. North Korea hiccuping again.. the Prop 8 situation not being settled.. The SCOTUS pick..The economy, .. will the Big 3 go bankrupt, will it not..But it happened this weekend.

I just don't care. I definitely do not want to hear another word out of the far right.. talk radio.. Fox News..but.. I do not want to hear Keith either or Ed for that matter.

My brain is mush.. mushy mush.

I suddenly envy low information voters.. All the possibilities of what if, does not roll around in their brains.

I need a piece of pie.. preferably lemon meringue, and a huge cup of coffee.

Now all the tomatoes I grow are adding to Global Warming

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/26/are-you-willing-to-change-your-diet-to-combat-global-warming/

And if that were not bad enough, every washed up rocker or rapper will now have his own reality show..

Pie and coffee please.. or doughnut..

:donut:

[babylonsister]

1. "Now all the tomatoes I grow are adding to Global Warming"

:rofl:

Ain't it fun to be edumicated? :hug:

[Peacetrain]

6. Tomatoes? is nothing sacred

"When it comes to tomatoes, 2.2 pounds generate more than 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. Compare that to just one pound of carbon dioxide produced by 2.2 pounds of potatoes.":rofl:

[NYC_SKP]

15. About those Tomatoes... I have the original Times article right here in my hands...

er, on my laptop screen which is in my hands.

Ahem:

"A government-sponsored study into greenhouse gases found that producing 2.2lb of lamb released the equivalent of 37lb of carbon dioxide.

The problem is because sheep burp so much methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Cows are only slightly better behaved. The production of 2.2lb of beef releases methane equivalent to 35lb of CO2 Tomatoes, most of which are grown in heated glasshouses, are the most “carbon-intensive” vegetable, each 2.2lb generating more than 20lb of CO2 Potatoes, in contrast, release only about 1lb of CO2 for each 2.2lb of food. The figures are similar for most other native fruit and vegetables.

“We are not saying that everyone should become vegetarian or give up drinking but moving towards less carbon intensive foods will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve health,” said Kennedy.

The climate committee is analysing emissions from farming and will suggest measures to reduce them. However, it has concluded that people will have to change their habits."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6350237.ece
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Others disagree:

"Eat beef only once a week and reduce C02 emissions by 3,028 pounds and save 207,920 gallons of water. According to New Scientist Magazine, every one kilogram of beef produces the equivalent of 36.4 kilograms (80 pounds) of C02. Based on the numbers from a 2003 study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the average person eats 44 kg (97 pounds) of beef per year, averaging out to .1025 kg of beef per day (.266 pounds) and 1601.6 kg C02 per year (3,531 lbs). There are approximately 52 weeks in a year. If you eat beef only once a week, assuming that you stuck with the average serving of .266 pounds, you’d be eating 6.2685 kg (13.832 lbs) of beef each year (.1025 lbs X 52), resulting in 503.0305 lbs of C02 (6.2685 lbs of meat X 36.4 lbs C02 = 228.1731 kg C02 X 2.2046 lbs = 503.0305 lbs C02). This means you’d be saving 3027.85 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere (3530.887 lbs C02 – 503.0305 lbs C02 = 3027.85. Approximately 2,500 gallons of water are used to produce one pound of beef. That is 242,500 gallons of water per year (97 lbs X 2,500 gallons). Eating beef only once a week uses 34,580 gallons of water. That saves 207,920 gallons of water each year. CC water savings are listed in savings per month (17,326.667 gallons saved per month).
http://www.creativecitizen.com/solutions/87-Eat-Less-Beef

I'll agree that agribusiness tomatoes may have a carbon output, but homegrown tomatoes probably have none over only marginal output.

:P

[damntexdem]

18. So when my cardiologist told me "no more red meat," he was just saving the planet.

But why do tomatoes burp so much methane? ;-)

[NYC_SKP]

19. Well, yes, that, too!

Burgers, SUVs and Greenhouse Gases:

"Jamais Cascio, futurist and co-founder of the environmental blogWorldChanging.com, has calculated the carbon footprint of the cheeseburger and concluded that “the greenhouse gas emissions arising every year from the production and consumption of cheeseburgers are roughly the amount emitted by 6.5 million to 19.6 million SUVs.” To put that in perspective, consider that that there are about 16 million SUVs on the road in the United States."

I heard this same thing at an ACEEE conference last year (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy).

Tomatoes do NOT generate methane, they absorb CO2 and emit O2.

Greenhouse operations and modern agriculture practices DO emit greenhouse gases, and rotting tomatoes emit methane.

The Times article, (big surprise) is filled with inaccuracies and misleading statements.

Go eat a tomato!

:hi:

[beac]

40. Whew! What a relief. For a minute there, I was afraid I had the equivalent of

a coal-fired power plant on my front steps:




Funny about the livestock "burping." I had always heard it was emissions from quite another end of the beasts that was the problem. ;)

[tridim]

2. Confessions of a information junkie

We're all pretty much the same.

I almost gave up in 2004. Glad I didn't.

On edit: Homegrown tomatoes go from the plant to your plate, no transportation, no processing and no chemicals. GYO is always the greener option. Don't sweat it. :)

[rug]

3. We're all destined for Springfield.

[Peacetrain]

7. Uhh .. hmmm let me rethink this plan of mine

Just coffee please :)

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. now take that vacation and come back energized

it's called burn out

[rvablue]

5. I, too, sometimes envy the low-infos... n/t

[masuki bance]

8. Make sure the eggs used in the pie are free range

and the coffee fair trade.

[NC_Nurse]

9. My sympathiesIt all gets to be too much sometimes, doesn't it?

Take a break, relax and have that pie. ;-) One piece won't turn you into Homer Simpson.

[Peacetrain]

12. It just really did, and I don't know why..

But I feel tons better just saying it. I maybe one step from opening a window and screaming "I am not going to take this anymore" :hi:.. but I think the pie and coffee might do the trick.. Taking my cue from the President..

[Clio the Leo]

10. Did someone say PIE!!!?

Eagle Brand Lemon Pie Recipe

Ingredients

2 (9 inch) ready-made graham cracker pie crusts .
2 c whipping cream .
1 1/2 c fresh lemon juice .
3 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk .
1/4 c sugar .
6 egg yolks, lightly beaten

Directions

Step #1 Whisk together first 3 ingredients.
Step #2 Pour evenly into crusts.
Step #3 Bake at 350° for 15 mins.
Step #4 Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Step #5 Cover up & chill 4 hrs.
Step #6 Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; slowly add sugar, beating until soft peaks form.
Step #7 Spread evenly over chilled pies.
Step #8 Top with fresh lemon slices & a mint sprig before serving, if desired.
Step #9 Cook time does not include 4 hr chill time.
Enjoy the Eagle Brand Lemon Pie recipe


I cant cook CRAP but I've been doing this one since I was five! Easy Peasy!

[Peacetrain]

11. Copying this recipe!! Looks like just the ticket

[NorthCarolina]

52. Here's the one I use

Lemon Meringue Pie

Ingredients:

Pie Shell:

* 1-1/4 cup all purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon white sugar, or 1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
* 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

Combine all dry ingredients. Break the shortening into large chunks, and butter into small chunks, then add it to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut the shortening and butter into the flour mixture. As you work, periodically scrape the dry flour from the bottom of the bowl and scrape any shortening/butter off of the pastry blender. When you are through, some of the mix should be in small pea sized pieces, while the remainder should be the consistency of coarse crumbs or cornmeal. The mixture should seem dry and powdery, not pasty or greasy. Drizzle 1-1/2 oz. ice water (without the ice of course) over the mixture. Cut the water into the mix using a rubber spatula until it looks evenly moistened. Roll out dough and transfer to a 9-1/2 inch pie pan. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the remaining portion of the pie. Poke holes randomly in the crust using a fork (to allow trapped air to escape during baking). Bake crust in a preheated oven at 400o for 20 minutes.

Lemon Filling:

* 1-1/2 cups water
* 1-1/4 cup sugar
* 1/3 cup cornstarch
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 5 large egg yolks (reserve egg whites at room temperature)
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 cup strained lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
* 2 to 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Combine all dry ingredients in a medium heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk the water, lemon juice, and lemon zest into the dry ingredients. Vigorously whisk in the egg yolks until completely blended and no yellow streaks remain. Add the butter (broken into small pieces). Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat proof spatula. Continue to cook for another minute or so. Mixture should be very thick.

Spoon the filling into the prepared pie shell and cover with a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling.

Meringue Topping:

* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1/3 cup water

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil, stirring constantly, until a thick translucent paste is formed. Set aside.

* 5 large egg whites at room temperature
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
* 1/2 cup sugar

In a clean and grease free glass or metal bowl (do not use a plastic bowl or your egg whites will not beat correctly), beat the 5 egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Add the vanilla and the cream of tarter to the egg whites and continue to beat until soft but definite peaks form. Very gradually beat in the sugar. Beat on high speed until the peaks are very stiff and glossy, but not dry. Reduce the mixer to low speed and beat in the cornstarch paste, 1 tablespoon at a time.

After removing the plastic sheet, pour the meringue over the filled pie. Using a rubber spatula or the back of a large spoon, arrange the meringue so that it is mounded in the center tapering to the edges of the pie. the meringue should completely seal all edges of the pie crust. Bake the pie in a preheated oven at 325o for 20 minutes. Let pie cool completely on a wire rack.

[DangerousRhythm]

26. That is about the most delicious looking thing I've seen today...

I LOVE lemons and lemon pies... oh, heaven! *drool*

[DangerousRhythm]

27. Question: This calls for fresh lemon juice...

I assume this means the juice has to come from freshly squeezed lemons? Or can I use my Goya lemon juice? I actually want to make this and don't wanna screw it up! :rofl:

[DangerousRhythm]

29. Sorry for the repeated posts but I am totally confused now!

Okay, this says to whisk together the first 3 ingredients. The first 3 listed are graham cracker pie crusts, whipping cream and lemon juice! The fourth one (because duh, you don't whip in pie crust) is the milk, but step #6 says to beat whipping cream after the 3-ingredient mixture has been poured... so which ones do you beat together first? I'm going to assume it's the egg yolks, sugar, milk and lemon juice? BUT that's four ingredients...

*brain explosion*

HELP! :cry:

[myrna minx]

39. LOL, I thought the same thing.

:rofl: How hilarious is it to have a confusing, yet delicious recipe in a thread about having an exhausted, mushy brain. :hi: I think we're ALL tired.

[DangerousRhythm]

47. Haha! I think so!

*collapses*

[madmom]

41. Here is the original recipe, maybe this will help....

http://www.recipezaar.com/Eagle-Brand-Lemon-Pie-200382


:9

[DangerousRhythm]

48. Thank you!

I will definitely have to make this. That picture of it posted here looked fantastic!

[Beacool]

34. Thanks for the recipe!!!

I'm going to try it out. I love to cook.

I would like to add that I would use meringue (as in the pic), instead of the whipping cream. Besides, it's a way to use the egg whites of those 6 eggs. Waste not, want not.....

:9

[windbreeze]

35. Something seriously wrong

with this recipe??

I think I would lightly beat the egg yolks, lemon juice and condensed milk together, pour it into the crusts, and bake at 350 for 15 minutes..(forget the whipped cream)...whip the egg whites with the 1/4 C sugar, and AFTER the filling has baked, spread meringue on top, and pop them back into the oven to toast under the broiler for 5 minutes or so, and call it good...(but I wonder if a person couldn't put the meringue on the top before baking and just brown it as the filling cooks?)wb

[Phx_Dem]

13. I hear ya. I get the same way sometimes and have to completely

tune out for a while (usually a pretty short while). I listen to music, watch movies, and read books instead of watching Cable news and reading blogs. It's like a vacation and it does a mind wonders!

Enjoy your pie and coffee!

[CreekDog]

14. This has been happening to me lately

Found myself watching National Geographic Channel instead of Keith and Rachel (not always but frequently)...or Simpsons reruns, or whatever movie was on.

I'm wearing out.

I'm paying attention to print (via web) so that I know what's going on, but sometimes I need a break.

[SharonAnn]

44. Me too. I think it's just that with this president and congress, I'm not afraid of what they'll do.

I may not like all of it, I may not agree with all of it, but I'm not scared to death of it like I was with the former president and the Republican congress.

Or, it could just be that I'm worn out.

[CakeGrrl]

16. Whoever coined "Ignorance is bliss"

might've had something like this in mind.

I have a couple of friends who are worn down by all of it, and I'm pretty much there too.

Do I want to know who the president nominates to SCOTUS, or what he signs into law or where certain legislation stands in Congress? Yes. Do I want to hear all the talking heads weigh in on any of that, especially when the media has a political dog in the hunt? No. And no. And no. I understand perfectly why President Obama skips cable news.

Just give me the actual facts of what took place with Obama or his administration, and I'll weigh in with whitehouse.gov if I feel the need.

In the meantime, I'll look for and enjoy the photographic record. ;-)

[Arkansas Granny]

51. Here's the best cartoon ever on ignorance and bliss, IMO.

I feel like this a lot these days.

[damntexdem]

17. You shouldn't hit the wall with politics! I mean, do you want that stuff sticking to your wall?

Don't you realize that fecal matter is nonhygienic?

[Jennicut]

20. I know. I almost hit a wall. You have to step away from it for awhile and then

come back. Its healthier that way.
Plus, too many VH1 reality shows will mess with your brain. :)

[jillan]

21. I saw that on tomatoes - I grow them too.

hmpfff.

[vaberella]

22. I've been through that several times.

I actually get so emotionally involved that I have to take a step back. Just spend a few days relaxing and not watching any news, read some fiction and you'll be ready to go again. Although you will be overwhelmed by all you missed when you get back. You'll have a bit of renewed vigor. I regularly do this.

[PopSixSquish]

23. I Hear You Brother or Sister

I swear some of these folks were dropped on their heads as children...repeatedly...

No wonder I drink...

[DangerousRhythm]

24. Aw, I know how you feel.

I've tuned out of my favorite radio shows a bit in the past weeks, little by little, and even missed some Keith and Rachel, which I've been watching every day probably since the start of the primaries. There's only so much one can take of one subject, even one you love, before you need a break from it. Take some time to do something else you enjoy, take your mind off of things! :)

[applegrove]

25. Cheny on the air made me feel like I wanted to quit politics. I can't stand

to hear neocons getting attention. But two days later I am getting over it.

[akbacchus_BC]

31. Why is that idiot getting so much air time? This is unbelievable for me

as a Canadian! We don't insult our PM that way. Some of us do not like him and yet he got voted in but there is no way, any talking heads on the air can blatantly abuse him. Guess President Obama is fodder for the bigots, kinda sad! Let me not say how I feel!

[applegrove]

37. I'm Canadian too. I wish Cheney would do what Rummy is doing and disappear.

[Patsy Stone]

28. Been there.

Right after the election I stopped watching the news and avoided politics and just listened to music, read, or watched crappy, mindless TV. I had been so overloaded the past eight years, I had to take a break. It took me a few weeks but somehow, I found myself right back on the bicycle.

[K Gardner]

30. Been going t hrough the same thing. Feels like absolute nothingness. Someone suggested it might be

PED: Post Election Depression. Could be.

I think I'm just fed up with hypocrisy, the meanness of it all, the insanity. The voices on the teevee want conflict and I've had enough of it. I have my President, now I want some peace in my life (and mind) after 8 years. Well, hell, if you count the vileness that started when Clinton was President, make that 16 years.. damn.

I think I'll go grow tomatoes.

[politicasista]

32. Been watching sports, listening music, and reading

blogs about education.

I am not a big political news junkie, so I do NOT watch Tweety, Rachel, (though I do look at Keith from time to time) AC360, or the other Sunday morning talking heads.

[JNelson6563]

33. I can relate

And I put in 6 years of hard labor (full time) as a volunteer. Did a 2 year stint as the Dem Cong. district chair and everything. Got tired of them alwyas wanting more, got tired of non-stop lunacy from the wingers, the back-stabbing of my own party and the utter hysterics here at DU over every single thing (big or small).

I pretty much disengaged. All my real life political contacts have come to understand I am out of the game and have stopped asking me for assistance. The DU stuff, I simply come in, skim for interesting info, skip the coporate media style nonsense and go on my merry way.

Now I care much less, give only cursory glances at what's going on and I feel much lighter and less angry/frustrated.

Julie

[snooper2]

36. smoke some crack

that will make you feel better :rofl:

[boomerbust]

38. Right before falling asleep last night

I told myself, tomorrow I will not watch teevee or go on the puter, I am just to burned out from all the bullshit politics you see on these forms of communications. Now here I am on DU and watching CNBC. It's a disease.:eyes:

[beac]

42. I hear you, sister!

I've had to cut WAY back on my previously-voracious consumption of all things politics. Still consider myself a way-above average information voter, but I needed a break from worrying 24/7 about the state of this wretched world.

Oddly, I've taken up gardening as a stress reliever. Hoping my vegetarianism offsets whatever harm my innocent-looking tomato plants are doing. :)

[ItNerd4life]

43. Sure, we finally get our president and now you're tired?

You should be excited, happy, and energized. The time for despair and numbness was
when Bush was in office. Hitting the wall was with your head back then.

Think of the positives, not the negatives. That usually helps.

[Bucky]

45. I did not get the memo where hitting the wall was thrown under the bus

Perhaps the Morans just jumped the shark.

[tigereye]

46. take a break - that's how I felt after modding during the Primary wars...

[Zodiak]

54. Modding this site is very hard

I could not take it for more than a couple of months. I felt like a volunteer pooper-scooper, cleaning up the turds left by irresponsible dog owners. And then the irresponsible dog owner would just lay another turd without even taking the time to reflect on who and why the last turd was removed.

It almost made me quit as a DUer. I learned WAY TOO MUCH about people's behavior here, and I lost respect for dozens (none of my fellow mods are included in that bunch, though...it is a thankless dirty job).

[Vinca]

49. I've often thought life would be a lot more pleasant being an uninformed

dim bulb whose biggest worry in life was whether my Idol vote counted or not. We're cursed, Peacetrain.

[Kitty Herder]

50. I know the feeling. I still try to stay informed. But...

I've been feeling horribly apathetic for about two months now. I'm just so sick and tired of it all right now.

[OwnedByFerrets]

53. You too?? I find myself moving further and further away from

anything politic. It just feels very useless to care. Corporate america runs everything and there is so little we can do to stop/change that. Maybe thinking local is the answer.

[Flying Dream Blues]

55. I was really there a few weeks ago, and could barely stand to

come to DU, which meant I had NO idea what to do with all that time. And lately Keith and Rachel wear me out by seeming to give the wingnuts more airtime; even though I realize they are in protest to the crap spewed forth it just seems repugnant to me. I want Rove, Cheney and Limbaugh to STFU already and I don't need to hear it from K&R. (Oh, never noticed that one!)

Anyway, it's better but I'm taking it all in small doses and avoiding all the posts that would just piss me off. :)

Good luck...:hi:

[demo dutch]

56. Bin there, isn't it just awful?

[ChiciB1]

57. Words Right Out of MY Mouth!! And I MEAN IT!! And I've Been An

addict for so so many years! Can't even watch my morning C-Span anymore!!!

[annabanana]

58. Take a little break. . We all reach our limit now and then.

It doesn't have to be a permanent divorce.

Go to the beach. Make a dent in that bookcase, fiction shelf..

[Samantha]

59. You are not alone

I have been a political junkie most of my life. I am so sick and tired of listening of the fake outrage coming from both Dems and Republican talking heads that I seldom listen to any commentary any more except for Olbermann. I just take my news from DU and a couple of other written sources.

It is pitiful really.

I am trying to pay attention to the issues that I feel are important, but most of those issues are getting very little traction in the news.

Sam

[and-justice-for-all]

60. Sometime I get to that point and I just have to go do something else for awhile..

Take a break my friend.