|
What's new in the World??
President Obama's Plan
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama chose federal appeals judge
Sonia Sotomayor to become the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, praising her as "an inspiring woman" with both the intellect and
compassion to interpret the Constitution wisely.
Obama's nomination is the first by a Democratic president in 15 years.
One conservative group did not wait for the formal announcement. Wendy Long of the Judicial Confirmation Network, issued
a statement calling Sotomayor a "liberal judicial activist of the first order who thinks her own personal political agenda is more important that the law as written."
Abortion rights have been a flashpoint in several recent Supreme Court
confirmations, although Sotomayor has not written any controversial rulings on the subject.
As a federal appeals court judge in 2002, she ruled against an abortion
rights group that had challenged a government policy prohibiting foreign organizations receiving U.S. funds from performing
or supporting abortions.
In her opinion, Sotomayor wrote that the government was free to favor the anti-abortion position over a pro-choice position
when public funds were involved.
Sotomayor has spoken about her pride in her ethnic background and has said that personal experiences "affect the facts
that judges choose to see."
"I simply do not know exactly what the difference will be in my judging," she said in a speech in 2001. "But I accept there
will be some based on my gender and my Latina heritage."
From the moment Souter announced his resignation, it was widely assumed Obama would select a woman to replace him, and
perhaps a Hispanic as well.
Obama came to office at a time when several potential vacancies loomed on the high
court. Justice John Paul Stevens at is 89, and Ginsburg recently
underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer.
You ever wanted to now what people would rate you as, well now is your chance. Anything from look, personality,
intelligence, to whether you are a pirate?. All this in this website just click HERE http://blogthings.com
Ria's Delicious Delights
Double Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup a.p. flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 stick melted (unsalted) butter
- 1 slightly beaten egg
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
Method
Combine in large bowl dry cocoa powder, flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, &
salt. Combine and add melted butter, egg and peppermint extract. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded Tablespoon onto
cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes
Caramel Crunch Mix
Ingredients
- 9 cups popped popcorn
- 9 cups Crispix cereal
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 3 cups pretzels
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Method
Mix together popcorn, cereal, almonds and pretzels in a large bowl. Over medium heat, stir together
butter, brown sugar and syrup. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook 5 minutes. Remove from
heat and add baking soda. Stir well and pour over popcorn mixture. Mix well so all pieces are coated. Cook at 250 degrees
for 45 minutes on two large cookie sheets, stirring every 15 minutes then cool completely.
Fudgy Brownie Pie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup pecans (optional)
- 1 pre-packaged pie shell
Method
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt chocolate chips and butter on low heat until melted. Remove from
heat. Stir sugar, eggs and vanilla in medium size bowl until well blended. Pour melted chocolate chips and butter mixture
into bowl. Mix well. Stir in pecans and pour into pre-made pie shell. Place pie onto baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees
for 30-45 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 20 minutes and serve slightly warm
Dreamy Creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups oatmeal, ground finely in food processor or blender
- 1 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup Splenda for baking
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Method
Grind oatmeal in the food processor to a fine consistency, yielding 2 cups, and set aside. Melt 1 1/4
cup peanut butter and butter together in microwave, about 45 seconds or until butter is melted thoroughly. Mix well, add powdered
sugar and Splenda. Add ground oatmeal and mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into an ungreased 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Set in
fridge to chill for a few minutes while you make the topping. For topping, combine chocolate chips and remaining 1 tbsp peanut
butter. Microwave until chips are melted and easily blended, about 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds or so. Be careful not
to overheat, as chocolate chips will burn. Stir thoroughly until mixture is of a smooth, creamy consistency. Remove bars from
fridge and spread chocolate peanut butter mixture evenly on top. Chill for about 10 minutes or until chocolate topping sets
up nicely and bars are easier to cut. Cut and serve at room temperature.
Lemony Lemon Bars
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups flour
- Filling:
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 5 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Powdered sugar, optional
Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 X 13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl
blend crust ingredients until crumbly. Press into prepared pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until just golden. Meanwhile in
a medium bowl blend filling ingredients until well mixed. Pour filling over baked crust and continue baking for 20 more minutes.
Cool on wire rack and dust with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
|
 |
|
Healthy Horoscopes by Judith
Today, take any opportunity you can to watch other people
dealing with a conflict. Being observant about how people handle their disagreements will help you get a better handle on
any future conflicts you might have with them -- and definitely give you the upper hand. Today is not the time for major action
or big decision-making, however. It's a more introspective time, when your mind needs to work, but your body should stay relaxed.
But that doesn't mean a lot can't get accomplished.
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 - May 20)
Sometimes connecting with others can be more of a drain
than a pleasure, but you need to suck it up and put on a cheerful smile today. Too many people are counting on you to show
up and shine your bright charm on the scene, and you can't let them down! The wonderful thing is once you act energetic and
social, you will start to be energetic and social! Your genuine nature is still genuine, even when it needs a little bit of
a kick-start.
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 - Jun 20)
If people are putting restrictions on you right now, tell
them to get lost -- even if that person is the big boss (though you might want to be more tactful about it). Your goals, your
wishes, and your hopes are your own and you deserve the right to make them come to reality however you see fit. Sometimes
people project what they want on you, and you can't let them do that. They need to spend more time working on their life and
less time working on yours.
Cancer Horoscope(June 22 - July 23)
In any close relationship, open communications is critical! So
if you think that someone you love is holding back their true feelings, don't wait another day to get to the bottom of it.
They have been sending mixed signals your way, and it's been understandably frustrating for you. But you don't have to put
up with it. The two of you have a solid foundation, which means you can cut to the chase and ask them directly what is really
going on.
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 - Aug 22)
Today you will have a good time doing just about anything
-- washing dishes, taking a walk, sitting in a marathon meeting, even washing your car! You're in a phase of life where your
expectations are low. You don't want much more than a good night's sleep and a good friend to laugh with. This isn't a great
time to set any goals, though. You will want to wait for a better time, when you're more hungry for challenges and eager for
a life change.
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 - Sep 22)
Group situations are to be avoided today -- there is too
much diversity of purpose in the people you will be around today. Not everyone is on the same page, and it could cause some
conflicts that frustrate your day. So be careful of others and focus on activities that are best done alone. Reading, napping,
relaxing and even just thinking about things will be a much better way to use your time.
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 - Oct 22)
Anyone who is telling you to get more discipline and structure
in your life is someone you should ignore -- you're doing just fine! This person is just projecting their own worries and
guilt on you, so feel free to ignore it. Do not let their status or powerful position intimidate you either. When it comes
to your life, only you know how to run it properly. All that matters is that it works for you -- and they have to just deal
with it.
Scorpio
Horoscope (Oct 23 - Nov 21)
The most beautiful words can have an ugly interpretation, so look more closely for the meaning behind what people
say today. Focus more on substance than on style. And watch out for people who are candy-coating their criticism and trying
to hide what they really mean. They're wasting your time and underestimating your intelligence. Disingenuous people have two
faces, and they are carefully choosing which one to show you right now.
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov
22 - Dec 21) You can get lots
done and have fun doing it today, because your enthusiasm is gigantic. Don't worry if you don't have every little wrinkle
of a situation ironed out -- what matter is that the overall goal has been met, and you enjoyed the effort of meeting it.
You can talk your way through any tricky spots today and use your bright smile to blind any skeptics. And if you can keep
someone talking about themselves, it won't occur to them to ask anything about you.
If you are feeling uncertain or nervous about your career
right now, don't suppress it. Turn to your family for the comfort you need -- even just a short phone call could make you
feel ten times better about this situation. You are an imperfect human and it is a healthy thing to process all your feelings
-- and who better to process those feelings with than the people who love and care about you the most? Let them cheer you
up by reminding you that no one is perfect.
Your cynical side is in charge today, which means you're
going to be suspicious of people who act like saints. To you, these folks don't have altruistic motives -- they are helping
someone only with the goal of helping themselves in the end. But the big question is, are your suspicions correct? Resist
the urge to warn others about this person being a wolf in sheep's clothing. You don't know for sure, and you could hurt their
reputation.
Pisces
Horoscope (Feb 19 - Mar 20)
This new project will create more confusion in your life than you originally thought possible, but this might
not be that big of a problem if you get organized. Sure, you might feel as you are in a fog until you can sort things out,
but luckily it won't take too much time. Prioritize your tasks by placing a greater importance on the things for which other
people depend on you -- and then take care of your own needs if you have the time.
Your
weekly weather:-)
MONDAY WEATHER: partly
cloudy high of 71f lows of 61f.
TUESDAY WEATHER: mostly cloudy high of 71f lows of 61f.
WEDNESDAY WEATHER: T-storms high of 75F lows of 59f.
THURSDAY WEATHER: few showers high of 66f lows of 56f.
FRIDAY WEATHER: partly cloudy high of 69f lows of 56f.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
