Cocktail Family Tree!

I had to prepare a presentation for my new job, but fortunately, the presentation was called off. However, there is one part of the presentation that I spent a fair amount of time on and was slightly disappointed that I did not get to share it with others. It was a drawing I made, showing the evolution of cocktails, and the choices that one can make when constructing a cocktail and what those decisions can subsequently be labelled. Let me just share the drawing and you'll see

what I'm talking about.

The writing is RED is the class of the drink that you get when adding the ingredient or using the technique listed in BLACK. Enjoy!

To Strike, Or Not To Strike... That Is the Question

The public debate about whether To Strike, or Not To Strike Iran is not an actual intellectual debate. I've seen precious few pundits actually favoring a military strike (outside of some Republican candidates), as anybody who actually considers the consequences of such an action realizes that it would be ridiculous to start a war with Iran.

Yet the debate continues and the news is portraying this as an actual choice between striking and not striking. If the debate is bunk, why are we having it? Overall, the effect of having a public debate about whether or not to bomb Iran is palliative, preventative, and populist.

Having public discussions about possibly striking at Iran makes us feel better. It leads us to believe that we have more of a measure of control over a situation than we really do. (This is nothing new. Take prayer for example.) Preventing Iran from acquiring a nuke is within the US's capabilities, right? Americans don't want to hear a "no" in that respect, that's why hearing this debate on television is comforting. "Which option should we choose? So many to choose from! Oh, let's stick with sanctions now and keep the military option on the table. Just in case!" I feel better already! It wouldn't be comforting to hear, "A military strike on Iran would likely start a regional and possibly global war, all because the Iranians probably have the technical knowledge to build something the Americans built in the 1940's, and the Americans and Israelis don't like that." It's not a sexy statement.

Having a public discussion about striking Iran is also to some degree preventative, in a sense. It prevents Iran from doing whatever it wants to do out in the open. If Tehran didn't know that a military strike was an option for the US, they could openly seek assistance from any nuclear armed power in trying to build a bomb. In this regard, a public debate is necessary, because it informs Tehran of the options that the US and others have on the table (even if those options would be harmful to all involved).

And let's face it: it's popular and populist-politics to threaten military force. With great power comes great responsibility, and those who hold back from punching out the lights of the schoolyard bully in favor of a hardy shove and a "why I oughta..." clenched fist in the face are viewed as chivalrous and brave. As long as we can cheer ourselves and applaud our restraint and denounce the mullahs, we can continue to see ourselves as the good guys. Nationalism creeps into the argument, and turns a no-brainer "debate" into a battle for national pride (read: Who's got the bigger stick?)

Even though the debate about whether to strike Iran is ridiculous, it is meant to give you that warm fuzzy feeling. Insane.

I Pledge Allegiance to the... Internet?

In time, fewer and fewer people will identify themselves by their nationality and more by their ideas. In a globalized, mass communications world, where ideas are shared instantly and people can find others with similar interests, organize, and communicate with complete ease, the idea that you are where you are born will resonate much less. Allow me to twist Descartes slightly: I think, therefore I am what I think.

There are signs all around. Take this article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/opinion/sunday/friedman-made-in-the-world.html?

The idea that products are exported is becoming antiquated. No longer are they made in X and sold in Y, but now they are made in X and Y and sold in Z too! Commodities are a Made in the World.

I don't see individuals with access to vast resources at their fingertips maintaining an allegiance and self-identification to the place where they were born. It seems unnecessary.

It's early and I'm tired. I'll rewrite this later.

A well argued, sober perspective on tensions with Iran:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-brenner/iran-the-road-to-war_b_1233687.html

In the Spirit of Brotherhood

Check out this article on the West's need to calm down about the success of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Egyptian elections.

http://www.economist.com/node/21541404

Indeed, fear of the aftereffects of the victory of the Muslim Brothers in the Egyptian elections is shortsighted and a tad naive. To begin with, there wasn't a real "opposition" during Mubarak's reign-- except for the well organized, popular, and not-quite-underground Muslim Brotherhood. Considering their organizational skills, it should come as no surprise that once elections were held, the MB did very well as they were one of the few groups that could actually "get out the vote".

I'll allow myself the vanity of making a few predictions:

1. The MB will not Islamize Egypt. They will be moderated (not that they are extreme in any respect) by working with other organizations in parliament. In fact, I have high hopes for their ability to help the Egyptian populace. The following is from the Gallup website: http://www.gallup.com/poll/152168/egyptians-shifted-islamist-parties-elections-neared.aspx

"The same Gallup surveys that showed Egyptians shifting toward the parties found their opinions largely unchanged in terms of their views on key issues. Egyptians most often mentioned inflation/lack or shortage of money, lack of jobs/unemployment, and safety issues as the most important problem facing their families in multiple surveys through 2011, including in December. Few -- 1% or less -- mentioned moral decay. Further, despite the increase in support for the Salafi party, 95% of Egyptians in the December survey said they have confidence in al-Azhar University, an institution that is openly and historically hostile toward the Salafi movement."

Egyptians are not looking to Islamize Egypt. They want jobs, money, and safety for their families-- just like Americans.

2. Should the MB not deliver results, they will not stay in power. With time, other parties will become more organized, more vocal, and more popular. The MB's victory was a foregone conclusion; the next round of elections will show the true feelings and aspirations of Egyptians.

3. Don't expect a sudden change of policies regarding Israel. Keeping the Sinai demilitarized is in everybody's interest. To suddenly ratchet up the anti-Israeli propaganda wouldn't be a wise move. Expect that to come from the Salafist camp, which gives vent to popular frustration, but is distant enough from the MB to keep their hands relatively clean.

The Muslim Brotherhood is presented with a wonderful opportunity: They can dispel the fears that many in the West have of Islamic organizations and the popularity of Islamists in elections. They have responsibly attained power and they will hopefully responsibly use that power for the good of Egypt and the Middle East and the world.

The ability to define the Arab Spring rests upon their shoulders.

Squash the Carbs!

In an effort to shed the tummy pouch that I've acquired over the past few months, I'm giving up carbs for a few days. I'm still in that envious state of development where I can lose a couple of pounds pretty much at the drop of a hat. Believe me, I'm thankful.

Considering my excursions into the culinary arts over the past month or so, I decided I wanted to try something a little different. A stir-fry is too tame and a salad sounded plainly uninspiring. But, with the helpful coaching of a co-worker (Blair), we came up with tonight's dish:

Spaghetti Squash Marinara

Halve a squash, scoop out the seeds and membranes, and pop it in the microwave in about 1/4 cup of water for 12 minutes. That's that.

For the sauce:

1/2 red onion, diced

4 cloves garlic

a good bunch of basil

tomato sauce

I sauteed the onions and garlic, then added the can of tomato sauce and the basil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Pop the squash out, fork out the tender insides and pour on the sauce. I added some slices of fresh mozzarella. Boom. Done. I'm stuffed.

An ice cold Manhattan rounds out the evening rather nicely. Not a bad Tuesday night.

The Bronx Cocktail

In today's installment of Cocktail Adventures, I present to you: The Bronx Cocktail.

If ever a cocktail needed a re-naming, it's the Bronx Cocktail. This cocktail in no way reminds me of the Bronx, tastes like the Bronx, or really has any historical association with the Bronx. A reading from the Good Book, also known as The Essential Cocktail by Dale De Groff, tells us that the Bronx is reputed to have been invented by Johnny Solon of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Yeah, it needs a new name. I propose, "The Rough Night".

The Bronx Cocktail

1.5 oz gin

1/2 oz sweet vermouth

1/2 oz dry vermouth

dash of bitters (optional, but of course, I added it)

1 oz of orange juice

Shake and strain

It's not an impressive, orgasm-inducing drink. Let's get that right out there. It's "we just kissed, but nothing else really happened" nice. That's not to diminish the drink's flavor, which is nice, but getting a kiss when you're jones-ing for a romp in the sack can leave a man feeling blue.

The orange juice is sort of lost in the mix, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. One of my favorite cocktails is the Blood and Sand, and the OJ is completely lost in that drink, as it serves more of a texture function rather than a flavor function. Here, it's still there, but it is not the star of the show. Nor is the gin. Nor is the vermouth. In fact, this is more of an ensemble cast, with nobody taking the Oscar. This is the Mars Attacks of cocktails, but unlike the movie, this drink leaves a funky taste in your mouth when finished (say something negative about MA, and I'll fight you).

Honestly, if I could best classify this drink, I'd say it's a ballsy mimosa. It's a mimosa with a bigger kick (please excuse my mixing of the adjectives "ballsy" and "kick"). In fact, it might be a great hangover drink! I mean, what other reason would you put OJ in there for?

That being said, I could drink three of these with no problem-- and stave off scurvy too!

When to drink: It's 10am and you've been awake since 11am.

Where: Sidewalk seating, sunglasses on, JBF hair on full display.