OK, it is almost Pesach. I will be posting a Passover recipe before Seder.
In the meantime, here are a few links that I enjoyed:
Enjoy!
UPDATE: Sorry I didn't get the recipes posted. I owe you recipes for haroset and kneidlach, which I will write ... sometime.
Thursday, April 21
Wednesday, April 20
Wulfgar! is doing a great job in his coverage of the Bozeman School Board Race
On May 3, the voters in Bozeman face a clear choice in the race for their Elementary School District.
The Bozeman electorate can vote for two reasonable people who want to make their school board better (Sarah Garcia and Gary Lusin) or vote for a racist neo-nazi who represents a group that wants an education system like the one that "enjoyed an all-too-brief revival earlier this century in National Socialist Germany, before being outlawed by the advocates of permissiveness."
Cheers to Wulfgar! for keeping track of this. Link.
The Bozeman electorate can vote for two reasonable people who want to make their school board better (Sarah Garcia and Gary Lusin) or vote for a racist neo-nazi who represents a group that wants an education system like the one that "enjoyed an all-too-brief revival earlier this century in National Socialist Germany, before being outlawed by the advocates of permissiveness."
Cheers to Wulfgar! for keeping track of this. Link.
Tuesday, April 19
Jan Cahill; Please Explain What Happened in White Pine County, NV in 1995
First and for the record, I don't have a dog in the East v. Paris closure fight. No matter which school is closed, my kids will have to get on a bus and go halfway across town.
That said, I now delve into a subject that I believe needs to be addressed before the Great Falls School Board election on May 3.
One of the candidates, Mr. Jan Cahill, was the Superintendent of Schools for White Pine County, Nevada in the early 1990s. During his tenure, a series of financial improprieties occurred (see the linked minutes of the Nevada State Senate Committee of Governmental Affairs for March 23, 1995 and April 10, 1995). These financial improprieties led to Mr. Cahill's resignation, and the eventual receivership of the White Pine County School District.
In a nutshell, it appears that Mr. Cahill recommended, and the White Pine County voters secured, an $8 Million bond for the construction of two buildings, a new high school and a new middle school. As work progressed, costs for the new high school soared to over $12 Million. By late Spring 1995, the State Legislature had to pass an emergency bill (S-1948, for $2.8 Million) for White Pine County so that they could meet payroll. The legislature also passed at least two bills to audit the finances of the White Pine County School District, and those audits found a shortfall of $3.5 Million.
Allegations also surfaced that Mr. Cahill and the Board of Trustees went to great lengths (closed School Board meetings, misleading statements, etc.) to hide the state of the School District's finances from the public.
Instead of bringing up the subject himself and explaining the situation, at the School Board Candidate debate tonight Mr. Cahill spoke of his leadership in cutting costs at White Pine County.
I don't pretend to know all the details here. Mr. Cahill may have been the one honest man in a tough situation. However, before we give him the power to vote on how our school funds will be used, he needs to explain his involvement in the financial receivership of the White Pine County School District in Nevada in the mid 1990s.
That said, I now delve into a subject that I believe needs to be addressed before the Great Falls School Board election on May 3.
One of the candidates, Mr. Jan Cahill, was the Superintendent of Schools for White Pine County, Nevada in the early 1990s. During his tenure, a series of financial improprieties occurred (see the linked minutes of the Nevada State Senate Committee of Governmental Affairs for March 23, 1995 and April 10, 1995). These financial improprieties led to Mr. Cahill's resignation, and the eventual receivership of the White Pine County School District.
In a nutshell, it appears that Mr. Cahill recommended, and the White Pine County voters secured, an $8 Million bond for the construction of two buildings, a new high school and a new middle school. As work progressed, costs for the new high school soared to over $12 Million. By late Spring 1995, the State Legislature had to pass an emergency bill (S-1948, for $2.8 Million) for White Pine County so that they could meet payroll. The legislature also passed at least two bills to audit the finances of the White Pine County School District, and those audits found a shortfall of $3.5 Million.
Allegations also surfaced that Mr. Cahill and the Board of Trustees went to great lengths (closed School Board meetings, misleading statements, etc.) to hide the state of the School District's finances from the public.
Instead of bringing up the subject himself and explaining the situation, at the School Board Candidate debate tonight Mr. Cahill spoke of his leadership in cutting costs at White Pine County.
I don't pretend to know all the details here. Mr. Cahill may have been the one honest man in a tough situation. However, before we give him the power to vote on how our school funds will be used, he needs to explain his involvement in the financial receivership of the White Pine County School District in Nevada in the mid 1990s.
Sunday, April 10
What A System!
Our State legislature meets for ninety-days every two years. During these this time, our elected representatives discuss weighty issues and make informed judgements on how Montana law is to treat these issues.
At least, that is the idea. As in most sessions, this legislature is significantly overhauling our tax code. Has anyone ever noticed that no tax accountants serve in the legislature?
No tax accountant could. To do so would mean giving up their practice, and the majority of their annual income, since the legislative session runs during an accountant's "tax season."
So, none of the people writing our tax law have beyond a passing familiarity with the operation of that law. What a system.
At least, that is the idea. As in most sessions, this legislature is significantly overhauling our tax code. Has anyone ever noticed that no tax accountants serve in the legislature?
No tax accountant could. To do so would mean giving up their practice, and the majority of their annual income, since the legislative session runs during an accountant's "tax season."
So, none of the people writing our tax law have beyond a passing familiarity with the operation of that law. What a system.
Saturday, April 2
RIP to a very good man
As the entire world now knows, Pope John Paul II has died. Although I have always thought to forego discussion of religion (in a blog ironically called "Treasure State Judaism), please indulge me a moment.
In the decades since Karol Jozef Wojtyla became the pontiff for the Catholic Church, relations between Jews and Catholics have become significantly stronger. This Pope declared that Jews and Catholics were brothers, and that we have a right to live as Jews. Given the history of the Catholic Church, such statements have strong meaning, as they renounce actions by his predecessors that caused misery for generations of my coreligionists.
Today I join my friends and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church, and I mourn the passing of a great man.
In the decades since Karol Jozef Wojtyla became the pontiff for the Catholic Church, relations between Jews and Catholics have become significantly stronger. This Pope declared that Jews and Catholics were brothers, and that we have a right to live as Jews. Given the history of the Catholic Church, such statements have strong meaning, as they renounce actions by his predecessors that caused misery for generations of my coreligionists.
Today I join my friends and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church, and I mourn the passing of a great man.
Friday, April 1
Wizardry, Ultima and Oregon Trail ... Oh My!
There were recently some posts on /. for http://www.virtualapple.com/.
On the site, there is an Apple IIe/IIgs emulator, and the binaries for over a thousand old Apple programs. Children of the late 70s, rejoice!
How long will it take you to reach Oregon? How much will you make selling Lemonade? Can you defeat Wizardry?
Enjoy!
On the site, there is an Apple IIe/IIgs emulator, and the binaries for over a thousand old Apple programs. Children of the late 70s, rejoice!
How long will it take you to reach Oregon? How much will you make selling Lemonade? Can you defeat Wizardry?
Enjoy!
Monday, March 21
I Don't Understand the Hooplah over the Schiavo Case
All the hooplah over the Schiavo case just strikes me as silly, and a waste of everyone's time.
First and foremost, the Congress just should not be in the business of writing laws for individual cases. When I voted for my Congressman and Senators, I did not expect them to interfere in a single case affecting a single person, or family. That is why we have a judiciary. In fact, I would like someone to explain why Congress' actions last night do not represent, at least in spirit, a violation of our doctrine of the separation of powers.
Can you imagine what could happen with the precedent set here? The losing party in any lawsuit may now consider it their right to appeal to Congress for an individual law to overturn the verdict against them. Our justice system should not have a second tier and bite at the apple, which bypasses the court system entirely, for the politically influential.
My sympathies are with the Schiavo family. This political circus helps no-one.
First and foremost, the Congress just should not be in the business of writing laws for individual cases. When I voted for my Congressman and Senators, I did not expect them to interfere in a single case affecting a single person, or family. That is why we have a judiciary. In fact, I would like someone to explain why Congress' actions last night do not represent, at least in spirit, a violation of our doctrine of the separation of powers.
Can you imagine what could happen with the precedent set here? The losing party in any lawsuit may now consider it their right to appeal to Congress for an individual law to overturn the verdict against them. Our justice system should not have a second tier and bite at the apple, which bypasses the court system entirely, for the politically influential.
My sympathies are with the Schiavo family. This political circus helps no-one.
Thursday, March 17
Not many posts lately
My posts lately have been few and far between. I can't say that I will be ratcheting up the frequency anytime soon. With tax season in full swing, my time is spent at work and taking care of the kids and I haven't had the time or inclination to prodigiously post.
In the meantime, three cheers for the snow! The moisture condition was getting pretty scary for North-central Montana. The Little Belts have received FEET of new, wet snow. If it keeps up, Belt creek might not go dry until mid to late July!
In the meantime, three cheers for the snow! The moisture condition was getting pretty scary for North-central Montana. The Little Belts have received FEET of new, wet snow. If it keeps up, Belt creek might not go dry until mid to late July!
Friday, March 11
Wednesday, February 9
Wednesday, February 2
Ever Wonder What Happens to Low-Skill Jobs When the Minimum Wage Increases?
With the legislature considering a minimum wage hike, I have been considering a post to put in my 2¢. Personally, I think that any hike is a very bad idea.
Why? Well, the net effect is to eliminate low-skilled, entry-level jobs from the workforce. As the productivity of higher-paid, higher-skilled employees increases, an employer will just not fill a minimum wage position, if the wage that must be paid for that position is greater than the benefit that will be accrued by the employer.
The traditional response to this view is to point out that there are a number of menial jobs that must be performed at any workplace. However, that is getting less and less true.
Today, when you talk to a customer service rep on the phone, the odds are that you are speaking to someone in a different state or in many cases even a different country. In fact, our low wage base is what brought telecommunication companies, like NEW, to Great Falls.
Nothing illustrates this better than this news report from the KIRO-TV station in Seattle. Apparently, a McDonald's in Oregon found a unique way of circumventing Oregon's $7.25/hour minimum wage -- they patched all conversations through their drive through to order-takers in Grand Forks, ND (a state with a $5.15/hour minimum wage). Is that the sort of thing that backer's of the minimum wage hike want here?
Thanks to Craig at mtpolitics.net for finding that gem or an article. It was originally posted on his blog here.
Why? Well, the net effect is to eliminate low-skilled, entry-level jobs from the workforce. As the productivity of higher-paid, higher-skilled employees increases, an employer will just not fill a minimum wage position, if the wage that must be paid for that position is greater than the benefit that will be accrued by the employer.
The traditional response to this view is to point out that there are a number of menial jobs that must be performed at any workplace. However, that is getting less and less true.
Today, when you talk to a customer service rep on the phone, the odds are that you are speaking to someone in a different state or in many cases even a different country. In fact, our low wage base is what brought telecommunication companies, like NEW, to Great Falls.
Nothing illustrates this better than this news report from the KIRO-TV station in Seattle. Apparently, a McDonald's in Oregon found a unique way of circumventing Oregon's $7.25/hour minimum wage -- they patched all conversations through their drive through to order-takers in Grand Forks, ND (a state with a $5.15/hour minimum wage). Is that the sort of thing that backer's of the minimum wage hike want here?
Thanks to Craig at mtpolitics.net for finding that gem or an article. It was originally posted on his blog here.
Monday, January 24
Too Warm for January
It is waaay too warm outside. Better than 60 degrees.
Skiing on Saturday was not too pleasant -- the hill had lost about 10 inches from the week before. I actually (gasp) took a snowboarding lesson rather than scratch up the bases on my skis.
Great Falls looks dry and dusty. We need cold weather and lots of precipitation. Anyone thinking that this weather is nice is not thinking ahead to the fires we will be having in August (or maybe June/July).
Anyone know a good snow dance? Here's hoping for 10 feet of snow and forty below.
Skiing on Saturday was not too pleasant -- the hill had lost about 10 inches from the week before. I actually (gasp) took a snowboarding lesson rather than scratch up the bases on my skis.
Great Falls looks dry and dusty. We need cold weather and lots of precipitation. Anyone thinking that this weather is nice is not thinking ahead to the fires we will be having in August (or maybe June/July).
Anyone know a good snow dance? Here's hoping for 10 feet of snow and forty below.
Wednesday, January 19
My Tu B'Shevat Gift to You!
In honor of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat (the new year for trees), I have created the following recipe. Enjoy!
This recipe is designed to be milchig (dairy), and as such does not include any meat products. To make a fleishig (meat) meal, simply replace to tofu with ground lamb and the veggie stock with beef or chicken stock. In that case, I would change around the spices (a little oregano would be nice; think Greek), sear the ground meat first and then use the lamb fat in which to cook the miripoix. Of course, if you use meat, ixnay on the eesechay!
This recipe is designed to be milchig (dairy), and as such does not include any meat products. To make a fleishig (meat) meal, simply replace to tofu with ground lamb and the veggie stock with beef or chicken stock. In that case, I would change around the spices (a little oregano would be nice; think Greek), sear the ground meat first and then use the lamb fat in which to cook the miripoix. Of course, if you use meat, ixnay on the eesechay!
Mediterranean Apples Stuffed with Dates and Figs
Ingredients:
- Apples (small and crisp bakers)
- Jasmine Rice
- Miripoix (diced). [You are reading this on a computer. Go to Google and look it up!]
- Dates (pitted and chopped)
- Figs (pitted and chopped)
- Extra firm tofu
- Fresh spinach (washed and spun-dried)
- Feta cheese
- Vegetable Stock
- Garlic (to taste, chopped fine)
- Walnuts (chopped and toasted, please)
- Crisp white wine (suggest Riesling or similar; since this is for a Jewish dish, keep it kosher!)
- Suggested Spices;
- NaCl (pref. kosher sized flakes)
- Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Ginger (powdered)
- Cumin
- Allspice
- NaCl (pref. kosher sized flakes)
Serve with the remainder of the white wine and a tabouli salad.
Tuesday, January 18
Is Schweitzer buffaloing us with his Bison Plans?
Sarpy Sam is spot on in his analyis of the Governor's newly announced plans to make the Yellowstone Bison herd brucellosis-free by depopulating Yellowstone of its sick animals.
Every report I have read on this situation since the late 1980s has indicated that the bison contract brucellosis from elk. The elk herd in Yellowstone carries brucellosis. I am far from an expert on the subject, but I would like someone to explain why the bison in the park will not just re-contract the disease from the Yellowstone elk herd.
Or does the Governor have a plan for the Yellowstone elk, as well?
Every report I have read on this situation since the late 1980s has indicated that the bison contract brucellosis from elk. The elk herd in Yellowstone carries brucellosis. I am far from an expert on the subject, but I would like someone to explain why the bison in the park will not just re-contract the disease from the Yellowstone elk herd.
Or does the Governor have a plan for the Yellowstone elk, as well?
Monday, January 17
*nix Powered, Temperature Controlled Brewing Chamber
I greatly enjoy my own homebrew, and am usually frustrated in my attempt to keep my wort at a specific temperature (which is absolutely necessary for lagering, and very helpful for brewing ale).
Anyway, today on /. is a link to the code and hardware instructions to convert an old fridge into a *nix-powered controlled temperature chamber. Slick!
Anyway, today on /. is a link to the code and hardware instructions to convert an old fridge into a *nix-powered controlled temperature chamber. Slick!
Listen to Another World
The European Space Agency has posted audio recorded by the acoustic sensors in the Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (HASI), taken during Huygens' descent to the surface of Titan on Friday.
The sound of another planet, and it sounds quite a bit like the wind on a cold day on a Montana prairie. If you take a drive out by Judith Gap this week you should hear something similar. The temperature there, at least last week, also bore a great deal of similarity to that experienced by Huygens on Titan!
The sound of another planet, and it sounds quite a bit like the wind on a cold day on a Montana prairie. If you take a drive out by Judith Gap this week you should hear something similar. The temperature there, at least last week, also bore a great deal of similarity to that experienced by Huygens on Titan!
Neither Red Nor Blue
|
You Are a "Don't Tread On Me" Libertarian |
 You distrust the government, are fiercely independent, and don't belong in either party. Religion and politics should never mix, in your opinion... and you feel opressed by both. You don't want the government to cramp your self made style. Or anyone else's for that matter. You're proud to say that you're pro-choice on absolutely everything! |
EXIF data script
Happy Monday! The cold front broke yesterday, and now all of Great Falls is basking in the balmy 40ºF. Too bad. I love every part of the "bitter" cold, except the heat bill.
Anyway, I spent much of yesterday arm deep in my *nix box (Mandrake 10.1), trying to write a regular expression that would help organize my image directory. I just rebuilt the machine, and when I tranferred over my files, the file date/time was adjusted to system date/time of the transfer.
Anyway, I want write a script that will parse out the EXIF image creation date/time for every file in my image directory (including the entire subdirectory structure), and change the file date to the EXIF date. I would also like the file name prepended with the YYYY_MM_DD-hh_mm in those EXIF headers. The script should look at every file in the directory and only adjust those with a valid EXIF header. Because of the different programs/devices used to capture images, it should be able to find images with non-standard file extensions (i.e., *.JPG; *.jpg; *.jpeg; etc.)
I played around with jhead, to no avail so far. Any ideas?
Anyway, I spent much of yesterday arm deep in my *nix box (Mandrake 10.1), trying to write a regular expression that would help organize my image directory. I just rebuilt the machine, and when I tranferred over my files, the file date/time was adjusted to system date/time of the transfer.
Anyway, I want write a script that will parse out the EXIF image creation date/time for every file in my image directory (including the entire subdirectory structure), and change the file date to the EXIF date. I would also like the file name prepended with the YYYY_MM_DD-hh_mm in those EXIF headers. The script should look at every file in the directory and only adjust those with a valid EXIF header. Because of the different programs/devices used to capture images, it should be able to find images with non-standard file extensions (i.e., *.JPG; *.jpg; *.jpeg; etc.)
I played around with jhead, to no avail so far. Any ideas?
Saturday, January 15
My son Max, the only skier I saw today wearing a cape!
What a beautiful day! It is Saturday, so that means Youth Ski League at Showdown ski hill. My daughter skied her first intermediate-level run, and my son zoomed down the rope tow. More later ...
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