Max

Bill Moyers show NOW on WNET tonight (Friday) was a discussion about this very subject in the context of the coexistence of religion and democracy. There was discussion of atrocities committed in the name of Christianity and Islam. The contradictions between religious ideology and Americn democracy. Fascinating stuff. I wish I had a tape of it. There were some very insightful views and and excellent panel. It was like watching this thread come to life (or at least some of it).

In Mojitos and Piña Coladas. Somehow I never became a "serious" rum drinker. I have access to the best rums inthe world, but they never appealed to me the way single malt or armagnac do.

Does the reverse imply a healthy liver?

SteveP, you wil find much sustanance for your point of view about religion in the article at the link below: A skeptics view of Christianity

A lucid summary of Sir Steven Runciman's three volume A History of the Crusades, written by a reader and posted on Amazon's site. I haven't read these books, but plan to.

Crusades from a church perspective Here's a look at the Crusades through a "biblical" lens.

An excerpt from another source describing the social, ploitical and economic conditions prevailing in Europe during the period that gave birth to the first Crusades. As you read this, contrast the situation to the great noble story of "Onward Christian Soldiers" then tell me that the "lord's" work was behind the Crusades... Source of excerpt

Causes of the crusades According to Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Not a bad exposition. I'll look for further historical interpretations.

Did the boy score a nickle or a dime bag of scallops? and now's you're back, how 'bout heppin us po chatterin squirrels out with some a that cleah country logic. We seem to be really foundering heah. Have we reached the mindless drivel stage?

"If god does not exist, I paid too much for my carpeting."__Woody Allen

No worry about religious dietary laws down south...

All wars, at the root, are fought over resources. Access to fertile land and water, then stored food was the locus of wars early in man's history. Slave labor became an objective of warriors. The wars between the tribes of Native Americans were about resources. Over time, control of natural resources replaced food, and control of cheap labor replaced slave labor as objectives of war. Organized religion, allied with the ruling class, was the handmaiden of the war makers. Name a major war and dig deep and you will uncover an economic base of the conflict. More death and destruction has been justified in the name of one god or another but really fought to control some resource.

I'm asking. I'm asking. Any '85s?

I presume a generous champagne flute will hold about 250 cl of the stuff. You'll have to make the comparison. '82 Dom, if kept well, should be fantastic. '82 was a great year. It is drinkable and should be at its peak now. It would be easier to drink it from a flute, unless you are double jointed, like the guy in my avatar.

Last I looked, 1990 Dom was $180 for 750 ML. Where do you get it at $100? That's a good price.

I am alway disappointed by Dom. It lacks the depth and roundness that I like in an older vintage chamagne. So even at $100, it is no bargain for me. I would rather drink Ayala '95 at about $30 a bottle.

Recovering addicts and "lost" souls are drawn to very restrictive cults for just that reason.

Yes, you're right. Cristal. I just am conditioned by the German spelling. Don't know why. I do prefer the older vintages. Toasty, rich taste. Not the thinner, acidic taste of the NV stuff. But I drank up all my '73 Cristal between Thanskgiving and Christmas. Went through three magnums of the stuff. I have a case of '88 Clos de Mensil, 750s but I couldn't get to it in time. All I could get on short notice at the local store was the '96 Cristal, so I thought I'd make do. Sometimes one has to compromise. say la vee. I have a case of the '95 Egly-Oriat in the cellar which I've yet to crack. It gets very good reviews. I'll probaly crack a bottle this weekend. Let you know what I think of it. I also like the Veuve Cliquot Grand Dame '95 and Philipponnat Clos des Goisses 1982. Despite its prestige image, I have often found Dom Perignon lacking in finesse and depth, even in the older vintages. There's a classic case of branding supporting an undeservedly high price.

That's what I said a while ago but with many more words.

Just me and my sweetie. 4 oz of Iranian osetra with Creme Fraiches. Frozen FRIS Vodka Jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce 1996 Kristal Shaved Brussel sprouts with peccorino cheese Aged prime porterhouse steaks with pepper crust. Chocolate truffles '67 Ch. Suduiraut Bed Fireworks (hope that's not too explicit) Sleep.

I love your metaphoric eloquence.

You put your left foot in.... Oh shit, you are totally right. I had too much wine tonight.

My point is that it has nothing to do with dietary law. But dietary law has a lot to do with control. Which was the original question Tony asked. Control what people eat, and control their sexula activity and you effectively control their lives. And, like the hucklebuck, that's what it's all about.

True, but who is it that are converting. the poorest and most oppressed. African-Ameicans adopted Islam. Why, one has to ask, if they were part of the "system" and benefited from it in proportion to the rest of the population, would they have had as much incentive to convert. The Anglo-Christian church betrayed them. Are Americans of European extraction converting? I think not. I don't think it has anything to do with dietary laws today. it is more about poilitics and economics.

Interesting article on this topic