Californians, have any of you waded through the Indian Gaming Propositions?

Not in detail, but basically they want to expand the number of slot machines they're licensed to have. In order to do that, the state has to approve it; in return, the state gets a bunch more money from each of those tribes.

My position, FWIW: I voted against them. These propositions are privileging four particular individual tribes, which are already very successful in the casino arena -- anyone in LA has likely driven past the Morongo Casino out on I-10, for instance -- and the only advantage to the state is more cash flow.

Which is not an insignificant advantage, true. This is not a question about sovereignty or giving poverty-stricken tribes an income stream. These are among the richest tribes in the state already.

I voted for Measure 5, back in 1998 or whenever, because yeah, the tribes do and did need something. But this? It's not going to make a difference to the tribes who really need it, and gambling itself is a questionable way to raise money anyway, as far as I'm concerned: it's taking money from people on fixed incomes and people who can't afford to lose it.

IOPoliticalNews, that "Fired Up, Ready to Go" vid, with the choir? Gave me chills. As did the "Yes We Can" vid. Entertainingly, I recognized very few of the faces except for wassname, "Michael" from LOST.

I'll try the library, Plei. I do have the Moosewood Cookbook, though glancing through it, it seems like there are way too many recipes that take more than an hour to work with my lifestyle--my cooking runs to Mark Bittman and the less fussy end of Rachael Ray, because it's *fast*.

I was vegetarian for a number of years and still mostly cooked that way until I discovered Sous Kitchen. The only Moosewood Cookbook I've liked was "Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home". I've given away the others I had, but that one has some favorite standbys. And the recipes are simple and fast. I've been fairly disappointed with Deborah Madison's books--too many ingredients for too little oompf.

I like Bittman too and just got "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian". Since it's new, there is a probably a pretty long wait for it via the library though. I haven't yet tried anything yet (as I also got Jamie Oliver's latest) but it looks good.

Susan,

If you want, I can send you a few of my favorite recipes that I've typed up for people over the years (couscous with artichoke hearts and walnuts, penne à la ratatouille, penne with five cheeses, black bean chili, West African peanut pineapple stew). I can poke around in my files when I get back from the library.

I just got a call - telling me to vote - ok. but they wanted to know if I am decided. and if I was going to vote for the 'right' person - but they never told me who they were calling for - but my phone said Romney for president.

We get calls from both sides - DH is reg with no party affiliation ( independent is different in CA) so they all call for him. But this call was for me. a registered democrat.

and I know why polls are wrong. I may not flat out lie to people polling or calling to ask my support, but the callers that sound like idiots get idiot responses.

Chili is made, but my house is not even close to ready for Super Bowl. I'm alternating office work with house work.

Clinton got my vote in our didn't count anyway primary. This round of elections is very different than 2000 and 2004. I was a useless blob of despondent nothingness after the election the last couple times. Fearful of the damage that would and could be done. This time around I am not afraid of any of the major challengers. I don't think any of them are going to destroy the environment. I don't think any of them are going to be hot to trot on invading countries. They are all intelligent, thoughtful, capable people. At least I don't think their supporters are totally blind fools. This is a relief.

I'm a Democrat. My country has been harmed so very much in so many areas by the horrifying policies of the last 7 years. It is going to be a huge and difficult task to right the wrongs and get us on the right track. Of the candidates that were presented by my party I believe Clinton has the best shot of righting the wrongs. I could be wrong, but that was how I voted. I won't be emotionally devastated if another candidate wins and I don't think any of the front runners are Evil. That is a relief.

My first memory of a campaign was Kennedy. Likely because I attended Catholic school and it was a Very Big Deal. Remember the assassination like it was yesterday. JFK, RFK, MLK. There was a lot of heavy political news in my early youth. My first election was Nixon/McGovern. I was 18 and incensed that people could support Nixon. Not the last time I have been in the minority.

Right now I just want a good football game to enjoy. If the primaries on Tuesday result in clear winners that would be good because it would be better to have the focus on November. In conclusion: Go Football!

If you want, I can send you a few of my favorite recipes that I've typed up for people over the years

Thanks, Megan! Profile addy is good.

Do you have the Buffista cookbook, Susan? I think there are some veg recipes in there!

Hey all, how dangerous would meatless pasta in a butter-based sauce that was left out overnight in 60° temperature be? Hil's advice made for very tasty tortelini, but with the balsamic vinegar I can't tell if it's gone bad or not.

I'd say it's probably OK. The thing that would make me slightly hesitant is the butter, but I think the wine and vinegar might counteract that. (I probably wouldn't eat it, because I'm paranoid about stuff like that, but plenty of saner people probably would.)

Susan, if you want any recipe advice, let me know. (I've got way too many cookbooks and recipes to pick out anything in particular at the moment, but give me a direction, and I'll let you know what I've got.)

Do you have the Buffista cookbook, Susan?

No, I don't, but I'd like to have it--is it still available?

I am attempting the cauliflower soup Kat made at tg. So far, it smells good. I'm contemplating the logistics of pureeing it. I've got a blender and handmixer. The volume would require multiple batches in the blender.... I'll probably try the mixer first.