Whats Happening in America This Week - Political Cartoons 17 Apr 2010

From Denny: This has been quite the eventful news cycle. The terrible tragedy that happened to Poland, losing all their top leaders all at once, was quite a shock. Now with the Icelandic volcano spewing ash all across northern Europe it's impossible even for President Obama to cross the Atlantic and fly in for the state funeral. Many leaders could not attend. Perhaps this was meant to be a private moment just for the Polish people...

The week was also dominated by President Obama meeting with other world leaders in a nuclear summit to determine what they will do to curb their own stockpiles as well as prevent proliferation - notably volatile irrational Iran.

The wing nut brigade returns center stage to blast any quality nominees for the Supreme Court replacement of Justice Stevens as he retires. And why does the President even listen to these guys? These are the same people who encourage their followers to issue death threats to Democrats and the President on a regular basis. They are inciting civil war, one not of political fights but of blood. Why would anyone consider their desires when they are the same people trying to kill you?

The tax season wound up this week too, much to everyone's relief - until next year's annoying frustration. :) Cartoonists were still churning out some goodies concerning tax season to make you laugh till your sides hurt.

Obama also announced this week cuts and redirection of the NASA program. Sounds like he cut off at the knees the Bush and Cheney paychecks of those excessive over run programs like the Constellation. We all knew that eventually something would have to give over at NASA. I would hope we do not turn too much of our security and scientific advancement over to private business that could end up like Wall Street: a gorilla too big to tame. Perhaps a cautionary tale, Mr. President?

Tiger Woods was back in the news for returning to golf to play the Masters tournament he did not win. The cartoonists had fun lampooning his return.

Make sure to visit back here next week. The best is yet to come: oh, baby, the cartoonists will be lampooning Wall Street and Goldman Sachs for their recent indictment by the government for just the beginning of their sleaze and fraud. There should be high drama this next week in the news and the cartoons to follow will prove entertaining! :)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend with the advent of the warmer Spring weather! Enjoy the cartoonists and their commentary...






In honor of Poland's terrible tragedy this week of losing their President, First Lady and heads of all their government agencies in one shocking unbelievable plane crash:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Bob Englehart - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Choosing a new Supreme Court Justice to replace Justice Stevens who is retiring:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Pat Bagley - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Monte Wolverton - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jimmy Margulies - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

As usual the Republican cartoonists just have to be nasty about Hillary. They really do have a "hate on" for the Clintons:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Joe Heller - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Those pesky little governments causing so many problems in the world:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Nate Beeler - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Pat Bagley - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Paresh Nath - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Obama:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Randy Bish - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Eric Allie - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Paresh Nath - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Chappatte - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Petar Pismestrovic - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jeff Parker - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Trever - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Paresh Nath - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Nate Beeler - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Eric Allie - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Stephane Peray - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Cameron Cardow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Darkow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Oh, those wing nut Republicans:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Cole - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by J.D. Crowe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Bob Englehart - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jim Day - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Eric Allie - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jimmy Margulies - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Adam Zyglis - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Remnants of the Holocaust:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Steve Greenberg - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

More iPad funnies:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Manny Francisco - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Milt Priggee - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Where science meets the tax season:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Mike Keefe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Jeff Parker - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Randy Bish - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Bob Englehart - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Mike Keefe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Bob Englehart - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Dave Granlund - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by J.D. Crowe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Larry Wright - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Controversial NASA cutbacks:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Darkow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

First there was airport security now there's volcano terrorism:

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Mike Keefe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

Tiger Woods is baaaack!

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Cameron Cardow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Mike Keefe - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by John Darkow - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Taylor Jones - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Terry Mosher - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Peter Broelman - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Dario Castillejos - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

See Cartoons by Cartoon by Paul Zanetti - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

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2 Crowd Pleasing Easy Casseroles: Mexican Lasagna, Turkey Tetrazzini

From Denny: Our local newspaper often runs some very easy recipes that are real crowd pleasers. They are great to have on hand for entertaining, gatherings for christenings, homecomings, reunions or funerals. Even though this is a big city people still rally together when there is a death in the family. When that happens neighbors always bring over a dish of food so the grieving family does not have the burden of cooking during a stressful time when friends and relatives gather.

Other times neighbors pull a dish out of their freezer, ready to go, when there is a new baby born or other special homecoming like a soldier returned from Iraq or Afghanistan. Around here in south Louisiana people love to cook and love to share their simple food with everyone. It's just tradition to give of your food!

Both of these recipes can be made ahead and then reheated, often tasting better as the flavors have a chance to sit and have a long conversation of mingling. :)

The Mexican version of lasagna will please all your beef eaters in the family. Ground beef is cooked along with green bell peppers and taco seasoning spices and diced Ro-tel tomatoes (jalapenos and tomatoes). Then this ground beef mixture gets layered up with a cream cheese and sour cream combination, then layers of lasagna noodles, yummy cheese and olives.

Now Turkey Tetrazzini is one of those comfort food casseroles you like to make for someone when they are recovering from a cold or the flu. You can also make it with chicken or include bits of ham.

This recipe comes from the local newspaper food writer, Carol Anne Blitzer. She adapted this recipe from Mrs. Lenton Sartain’s Chicken Tetrazzini recipe from local but nationally popular cookbook, “River Road Recipes.” She doubles the recipe so she can freeze one casserole to have ready to go.





Another version of Mexican lasagna by moacirpdsp @ flickr


Mexican Lasagna

From: Lynette Nolan, "This makes a big dish so I always make this for company. It’s one of those dishes everyone likes, and all you need to go with it is a vegetable and a big green salad."

Makes: 12-15 servings

Ingredients:

2 tbls. vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs. lean ground meat
1 (10-oz.) can Ro-tel tomatoes and green chilies (original or mild)
2 tbls. chili powder
1 (1-oz.) pkg. taco seasoning mix
2 (8-ozs.) cans tomato sauce
8 ozs. lasagna noodles (either the precooked or the type you cook)
1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 or 2 green onions, chopped
1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese
with jalapeño peppers (or plain, if desired), shredded
1 (2.25-oz.) can sliced black olives
1/4 cup sliced pimento-stuffed olives

Directions:

1. In skillet, heat oil and add onions, bell peppers, garlic and ground meat. Cook until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are beginning to soften. If any fat accumulates around edges, remove it with a spoon. Add Ro-tel tomatoes, chili powder, taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Continue simmering for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile preheat oven to 325 degrees and cook the noodles according to package directions. Some brands do not require cooking beforehand.

3. Blend sour cream and cream cheese together until smooth. Stir chopped green onions into cream cheese mixture and set aside.

4. Spray 9x13-inch baking dish or pan with nonstick coating. Layer bottom of dish with lasagna noodles. Spread half of the meat mixture over noodles. Add half of the sour cream/cream cheese mixture. The easiest way is to drop spoonfuls of the creamy mixture over surface and then spread. Sprinkle with half of the cheese.

5. Repeat layers but add olives before adding grated cheese: (noodles, meat, sour cream/cream cheese mixture, olives, then grated cheese). Cover with foil but tent it slightly so top will not stick to cheese.

6. Bake in preheated 325-degree oven for 1 hour or until bubbly and noodles are tender.








Another version of Turkey Tetrazzini by jasonlam @ flickr


Turkey Tetrazzini


From: Mrs. Lenton Sartain from “River Road Recipes” is adapted by Carol Anne Blitzer, food writer from 2theadvocate.


Fills 2 (9 x 11-inch) aluminum foil, deep-dish pans, each of which serves about 8.

Ingredients:

1 to 1-1/4 lbs. spaghetti
1 stick butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 qt. whole milk
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning, to taste
4 to 5 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 (8-oz.) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 to 1 lb. cheddar cheese, grated


Directions:

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions to the al dente stage.

2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter and blend in the flour. Slowly add the milk, stirring over low heat until mixture forms a medium white sauce. Add dry mustard, black pepper, lemon juice and Tony Chachere’s seasoning.

3. Mix in the turkey and the drained mushrooms.

4. Drain the spaghetti and add into the sauce mixture.

5. Divide into 2 casseroles. Top with cheese. At this point, Carol Anne Blitzer freezes the casserole(s) until needed. When ready to serve, thaw casserole in the refrigerator and reheat at 350 degrees until bubbly. Be careful to make a tent of a sheet of aluminum foil to place over the casserole as it bakes so that the cheese does not stick to the foil and the spaghetti doesn’t dry out.






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