Political Identity Crisis

I didn't say it was horrible... just very bland.My gf went to england and said the food was definitely worse there. Then again we both like english fish n chips, and I have to admit I am growing fond of batterfried hamburger and chip "butty" at a local authentic english diner. Thankfully my gf's mom liked foreign cuisine and had her own version of that which was delicious. One world culture marches on.

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holmes
"What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority." (M.Ivins)

If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, then I'd better not react, lest I be nipped in the bud, if you know what I mean. Oh, absolutely. Yes, conquering definitely counts. That's why all the delicatessen in Lower Manhattan serve exclusively Dutch food, as does the whole of South Africa, New zealand, Tasmania, Indonesia, The Netherlands Antilles, Ceylon, Ghana... need I go on?By the way, ever since William of Orange came to England to occupy its vacant throne, the things they serve there are, technically, also Dutch food. Not something we pride ourselves in, but still.This message has been edited by Parasomnium, 30-Jan-2006 12:56 PM

http://< !--UB EvC Forum: Let's talk about food -->http://EvC Forum: Let's talk about foodHere's a nice topic about food. When that one reaches 300 posts, it'll be closed. Feel free to start another topic about food.You know what they say: "Politics and food don't mix." With that in mind, let's move food discussion to another thread, and open up this thread for discussion about political identity.Questions? Comments? Please post to the appropriate thread below.

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What I am in favor of is a single payer system for some basic level (but not too basic) of health coverage. Those that can afford it would still be free to purchase their own additional health insurance or services.Basically everyone would be covered with decent insurance and those that want more can pay for it.

That might go over OK with the public. The reports on Hillary-care back in the early 90s were that it would be illegal to go outside of the system...something about making it fair.

Well Rand,The govt. certainly shouldn't cover everything (I'm sure we agree on that).... For example, cosmetic surgery, cosmetic orthodontia, etc. etc. should be elective and paid for through private funds or insurance.Of course the trick is to figure out what to cover... but the insurance companies don't seem to have a problem coming up with lists of covered things, so it can't be that hard.We really need a single payer system at some level because it is the most efficient (economies of scale) AND health care is really the most effective when everyone is covered. Every single uninsured person increases health care costs for those of us who are covered.

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I don't understand this. What difference does it make what we eat?

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I just eat whatever's available.

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We must eat to stay alive, and we also can choose in the US among a staggering aray of foodstuffs in an equally-staggering range of quality levels.What we eat has a direct impact upon our health both long and short term, mood, and quality of life.

What I eat affects my mood? Like if I eat hotdogs, I'll be in a bad mood, but if I eat fresh fish I won't be?

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What I eat affects my mood? Like if I eat hotdogs, I'll be in a bad mood, but if I eat fresh fish I won't be?

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Maybe.Tryptohan, which is present in foods like turkey, beans, and fish, is a precursor to seratonin, a mood-enhancing chemical. There are also several particular nutrients which are present in carbohydrates which increase the creation of seratonin from tryptophan.Chocolate also contains some mood-lifting chemicals.Spikes in blood sugar levels definitely affect mood and energy and thinking ability in a big way, as does caffeine and it's withdrawl sysmproms. So, foods that have a lot of refined carbohydrates tend to give you a big boost in energy quickly, but then crash you down later.

I always feel better when I eat chocolate.On another note, eating good food after being out and about the greater Bagdad area did wonders for my mood/spirit (as in, lift your spirits).

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Hamas Charter
What's your favorite line?

Not that I am for Hamas, but your attempt to make them look bad has me scratching my head.1) You quotemined the charter cutting off the full role they see women fulfilling... 2) How is what you quoted any more ridiculous than the mysogynist passages of the Bible.I mean there is plenty bad to say about Hamas, but what you chose seems to be something that shoots yourself in the foot.

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holmes
"What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority." (M.Ivins)

What's your favorite quote from the charter?

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Hamas Charter
What's your favorite line?

Why? This doesn't answer my points about your attempting to joke about it. Personally, I do not like Hamas, so picking out pieces to simply mock it is a bit ghoulish.

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holmes
"What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority." (M.Ivins)

I love hamas, like on a pita with some cheese, sprouts, and cucumber. I like the hamas made with roasted red peppers the best.

I guess this would be my favorite quote:

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"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt