1. So, when talking about a trip that he made to Iowa, Obama talked about a crop that is widely grown in Iowa. I must admit... I was really impressed that idiot right-wing commentators could spin that so well.

What's a little more depressing, of course, is that the left-wing meme that McCain is senile is probably not too far off the truth.

Posted by: demo kid on August 9, 2008 12:41 PM

2. a crop that is widely grown in Iowa

You forgot the addendum to that: AND CONSUMED LARGELY BY COASTAL ELITISTS, because endive (or as we Italians eat, dandelion greens) is much to pedestrian for their snobbish palates.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskold on August 9, 2008 01:02 PM

3. Jim, arugula is a salad green long used in Italian cooking. It's usually used in small amounts in mixed green salads. It has a strong peppery flavor, and I believe it is similar to mustard greens. Check Italian recipes, they cook with it too. I've only used it once or twice, and that was in a salad. When I first heard about it (in some fancy pants cookbook) it was called rocket.

demo kid, care to backup your claim that arugula is widely grown in Iowa? What facts do you have other than anecdotal evidence?

BTW, what dk conveniently left out was the exact quote from The One, "Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately? See what they charge for arugula?" There is not a single Whole Foods in Iowa. There's an inconvenient truth for you.

That's quite an accomplishment from the empty suit. He tries to pander to the working class voters in Iowa and ends up exposing himself as an effete snob. Regular folks don't eat arugula, and Iowans don't and can't shop at a Whole Foods, which is a very trendy upscale store with prices that ordinary folk can't afford. There's a reason many call it "Whole Paycheck."

Posted by: Obi-Wan on August 9, 2008 01:12 PM

4. Hmm, so I checked the Safeway shop at home site... Nope! No arugula!

Checked the QFC ad... Nope! No arugula!

Checked the Publix (Florida) ad... Nope! No arugula!

Checked the Giant Eagle (Ohio, PA, WV) ad... Nope! No arugula!

Now they DO all link to recipes that include arugula... but they don't appear to SELL it.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on August 9, 2008 01:25 PM

5. Since I doubt demo kid cares to prove that arugula is actually not widely grown in Iowa, I did a little research on arugula production in Iowa. I found:

Mariposa Farms. Can't tell how extensive their operation is, but they grow a wide variety of fresh herbs, and appear to have about 20 employees. Not a large operation.

Cleverly Farms. Six acres for a wide variety of fresh herbs.

Most of the arugula growers in Iowa are small operations and specialty farms, but I could find no large arugula producers.

So I guess what your definition of "widely grown in Iowa" is. If one means something probably on the order of two or three dozen acres on maybe one hundred different plots of land, perhaps.

There, dk. Did you homework for you. Now you have time to dream up your next fable.

Posted by: Obi-Wan on August 9, 2008 01:32 PM

6. So, Obi-Wan, it's not NOT widely grown OR sold!

LOL! Priceless!

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on August 9, 2008 01:36 PM

7. The first time I ever heard of arugula was maybe 10-15 years ago via passing reference to it on some TV commercial for some faceless product. A woman is admiring her friend's gardening efforts and says "Beatiful arugula, Jan." So I figured it had to be some kind of plant. Didn't really hear murch about it again til Obama mentioned it.

Posted by: Michele on August 9, 2008 01:42 PM

8. There's also:

Turtle Farm which has about 150 subscribers that receive between 5-15lbs of fresh vegetables each week for 20 weeks. Arugula is one of the vegetables.

SalAmander Farms which produces "fresh herbs" which supposedly includes arugula. No indication of the size of the operation.

Still no signs of "widely grown in Iowa."

Poor dk, the adults are picking on him. Maybe he should see a doctor about that senility that seems to be setting in.

Posted by: Obi-Wan on August 9, 2008 01:53 PM

9. @2: You forgot the addendum to that: AND CONSUMED LARGELY BY COASTAL ELITISTS, because endive (or as we Italians eat, dandelion greens) is much to pedestrian for their snobbish palates.

Arugula is Italian as it comes, and I've had it in places that are definitely not coastal, nor elitist. (And not Italy.) Heck, if you go into ANY store that has bagged salad you can find it. It was sold as "rocket" in the South for a long time, too.

The only thing I'll concede here is the absurdity of rebranding / renaming products to suit different markets. Of course, that's quite nonpartisan...

Most of the arugula growers in Iowa are small operations and specialty farms, but I could find no large arugula producers.

Point taken that the large arugula producers are in California (and Arizona, ironically enough). That's the way that agro-business largely works... produce from large farms California, corn and soybeans from large farms in Iowa.

On the other hand, many of the smaller farms in Iowa are niche farms, and have to grow other types of cash crops to compete. All those farmers that you're thinking that you're supporting with farm policy and changes to estate taxes? They're the ones growing arugula.

There, dk. Did you homework for you. Now you have time to dream up your next fable.

What was grown on the farm where Obama was making his speech? I'll give you a hint: it starts with "a" and ends with "rugula".

And to tell you the truth, you haven't done squat. Looking online for arugula farmers in Iowa for 10 minutes is not "doing homework".

Of course, if all of you are harping on this, I'll be more than happy to talk about McCain's ardent opposition to Martin Luther King Day, or how he seems quite willing to enter a topless prospective First Lady into the Miss Buffalo Chip contest.

Posted by: demo kid on August 9, 2008 02:35 PM

10. As I said, Grandma called them DANDELION GREENS!

I remember when I was a kid growing up in Ohio, she was all upset because she was yelled at for picking them... off the property adjacent to a local jail!

I guess DANDELION GREENS doesn't have quite the cache as argula! Who knew we Italian peasants were so ahead of our time when we ate them regularly... sauteed in olove oil and garlic, of course!

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on August 9, 2008 03:09 PM

11.
McCain was against setting aside yet one more day for a paid holiday for federal and state workers, not against honoring Martin Luther King. You see, he actually cares about your tax dollars. He sees beyond empty gestures.

Federal holidays are excuses for a day off with pay, to shop big sales.

Except for in Tennessee where Labor Day is being replaced with a Muslim holy day, so everyone can be off to pray five times during the day toward Mecca. Guess that trumps honoring all those union thugs.

Posted by: janet s on August 9, 2008 04:01 PM

12. @11: So we should eliminate Presidents' Day, too?

Posted by: demo kid on August 9, 2008 04:37 PM

13. #12: They DID eliminate one of the president's holidays. We used to celebrate lincoln's and washington's but they eliminated the first and joined it up together as President's Day in order to have MLK day. I didn't like the idea of yet one more paid day off for federal employees,either.

Posted by: Michele on August 9, 2008 05:00 PM

14. Years ago when I worked for a bank in Seattle, we used to get a paid day off for our birthday (to be taken within a week or two of said day). Since my birthday was near the end of May and my husband's was in the beginning of June, we would both take a Friday off and have a wonderful long weekend. Then, when the banks were forced to close for Martin Luther King Day, the bank took away our paid birthday day. When I mentioned to someone that I would rather have a Friday off in sunny May/June than to have a Monday off in January just after Christmas when I'm broke and the weather is lousy, I was hauled into the manager's office for sensitivity training! Kudos to McCain for standing against yet another waste of tax dollars for politically correct grandstanding! I'm not really a fan of his but on this issue, he was dead on and I wish that he would stand up and defend his vote!

Posted by: suzihomemaker on August 9, 2008 05:08 PM

15. I never knew what argula was before today. I've heard of it, but thought it was some kind of grain or pasta.

I don't get paid holidays off. Apparently, I make enough for the D's to tax to death, but not enough for Whole Foods or argula.

The new American dream--a motor scooter in every garage, and argula in every pot, brought home in a reusable canvas bag, of course. I can't afford the plastic or paper kind.

Posted by: Camille on August 9, 2008 05:59 PM

16. Arugula is a form of garrote resembling a flexicuff traditionally used to dispatch liberals before elections.

Posted by: The Pirate on August 9, 2008 06:19 PM

17. Suzi, that's terrible what they did to you! How uncalled for.

And demo kid should know that self-employeds NEVER get paid time off. When we don't work, we don't get paid. Period. Yet democrats constantly try to punish small-business people. I don't get it. We are all about earning own way completely, no freebies whatsoever, yet that's seen as a crime, rather than heroic!

Posted by: Michele on August 9, 2008 06:24 PM

18. Slavery Party Kid,

As MLK Jr. was a Republican, I bet he would have been closer to John McCain's stance - or at least understood the principles and reasoning for that stance, and respected it.

Michele,

The drive by the Left, especially in Washington State, is why I closed my business and moved it to China. Over there (yes, I'm in the US, avoiding the flurry of foreigners over the Olympics) the Government actually ENCOURAGES business with its policies. Taxation and regulations are simple, straight-forward, and easy. Success is rewarded.

Quite refreshing, after spending a decade fighting the systems here in the US...

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 9, 2008 08:37 PM

19. Pizzaria Fondi at Kent Station make a mean slice of pie called Prosciutto & Arugula. It's quite good -- but I'm a fan of dark greens from all nations -- bok choi, collards...and arugula is rich and tasty -- and green!

Pizzaria Fondi

Posted by: John Bailo on August 9, 2008 08:50 PM

20. @19: So I guess this makes you a coastal elitist, eh?

Posted by: demo kid on August 9, 2008 09:14 PM

21. right out of the chute, kid uses the term "widely grown" like arugula is widely known. Butter lettuce is more widely grown than arugula and for that matter so are chives. Both a heckuva lot easier to find than arugula.
Not quite the Iowa staple of corn, pork or soy.
And not quite "widely used".

Posted by: PC on August 9, 2008 11:29 PM

22. @18: So you've moved your business over to a Communist country to get away from the Left? Pardon me for thinking that's just a bit too amusing.

Posted by: demo kid on August 9, 2008 11:57 PM

23. I also once worked at a bank, and vaguely remember the birthday thing. I was born on New Years Day, so my birthday already was a holiday. It always seemed kind of dumb. But, then, it was kind of dumb to be born on New Years Day. Still don't do birthdays, because of it.

Arugula is a great peppery green. It is expensive and best used sparingly. That Obama brought it up just cracked me up. I'm betting McCain knows exactly what it is. He is a classy guy with a very rich wife, but doesn't let it change him. Obama, on the other hand, is an elitist who thinks one stays on top by holding airs over everyone else. It is already getting tiresome.

Posted by: janet s on August 10, 2008 12:07 AM

24. Slavery Party Kid,

Actually, rather than being amused you should be sad for the State of Washington - and the US in general. Why? Because even China is more business friendly and MORE open and free than the US at this stage in the game.

Think about it. In China, if I want to smoke, I can (I don't smoke). Businesses can choose to allow smoking, or keep no-smoking places inside. Not here in Washington.

In China, businesses are encouraged and actually get tax benefits to build and export. In fact, you can legally operate as a tax-free company, and that is encouraged. What taxation you do have is simple, and it takes less than 4 hours a MONTH to handle taxes on a 20 person company. No so in the US.

In China, if I have a dispute between myself and a supplier (which has happened), the courts take all of 3-4 weeks to hear and adjudicate the case. Not years to settle issues. Justice delayed is justice denied...

In China, there's none of the PC crap you deal with in the US. A kid acting up in a grocery store? Within 30 seconds a grandmother, father, or mother - no related to the child - will give him a swat on the butt and tell him to pipe down, and it works.

You can hire who you want, not to reach some mythical quota. If you don't have disabled people working for you, then you won't get fined for not having disabled-accessible fixtures. You want to limit your talent pool and hire only 5'9" or taller under 25 women from Dalian? Be my guest - no restriction there.

Everything is negotiable. At the grocery store, mechanic shop, dentist office. You can negotiate the deal you like, if you like. No offense taken for you making and offer, and none deserved either.

Now, it's true that I can't vote there - but then, I'm not a Chinese citizen. There are elections, and politically the larger cities and provinces are gaining more and more autonomy (following the Hong Kong model). The rapidly expanding middle class (remember what that was?) is starting to clamor for cleaner air, cleaner water, and more political freedom and - this is the kicker - the GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY LISTENS AND RESPONDS! Air is getting cleaner, water is getting cleaner, and more and more elections are allowed and even encouraged.

Religious freedom is fair to good. The evangelical church I go to has no problems, neither does the local Catholic church, the local mosque, or even the synagogue in Shanghai. Let alone the hundreds of Buddhist temples. Now, some religions are not tolerated (Falun Gong), but go to Germany and try to be a scientologist. Go to Saudi Arabia and try to find a church. The reality is that NO ONE is as religiously tolerant as the US, yet the US is trying mighty hard to change that...

Family size? Many families I know have more than one child. It just takes paying some fines to get the second, third, and fourth kids' official papers. If you can afford the kids, you can have as many as you want. Rather than give money to people to have more kids, you have to pay money to have kids. Think about it - it does make sense.

I see protests in the streets against the government for various reasons. What I don't see are protesters smashing windows. Protests, political commentary, editorials against the Government in both English and Chinese papers are quite common and expected. But vandalism and destruction are dealt with swiftly. And if you make a bone-headed point, don't be offended when 50 people call you on it.

I see homeless begging on the corner. What I don't see are the homeless accosting you to force you to give a few RMB. And they're not given million dollar condos to sit around drunk in, at the Government's expense.

I see anyone who can work having to work, because the social safety net is just that - a net to catch those who can't, not those who won't. It's not a free ride.

I see Chinese by the thousands and millions cheering George W. Bush because of what America is and still represents (Mei Guo - the Beautiful Country). The concept of America.

I see a country that lets YOU decide what you can become, and work to achieve. And celebrates that success rather than tries to penalize you by "windfall profits" taxes, or demonization of wealth.

I see a country where personal responsibility is WELL understood by everyone, as compared to here in the US where those on the Left refuse to even define what it is let alone practice it.

I see a country that doesn't mind I go and shoot my Sig Sauer P226 every week at the local gun club, or that I go trap shooting once a month. I'm not condemned as a gun-crazy NRA-supporting militia nut who obviously wants to go shoot up a school (yes, you can own and shoot guns in China).

Yes, it's sad when even Communist China is more open and straight-forward with its business environment, and more open than what the US Left wants to have.

Talking to Chinese about the US election, they are simply stunned that the US would actually consider electing Obama. Not because he's black, but because he has no accomplishments. They ask me how can a person with less than a year of experience qualify to be President?

And having owned and run businesses in Belgium, Chile, the US, and China, I can tell you that China and Chile get it right; the US and Belgium do not. Is it any wonder those two countries are growing so well? And it's stunning to me that the US is moving closer and closer to the Belgian model.

Think about this: 3 billion people - India, China and Southeast Asia, mostly in poverty - are moving their economies to where the US was, and politically opening up. We're move our economy and political culture to where those 3 billion people came from. Think there's a disconnect?

The Left in China exists, but you know what? They're a heck of a lot more rational and tolerant than the Left in the US. Hard-core Maoists still exist, and you meet them every day. You can express your differences and not be called a racist, or hate-monger, or screamed at and called a Nazi. You can be a "right winger" and still have a great evening, enjoy each others company, and you won't be shunned or ostracized for your political views. Your car won't be keyed for putting a bumper sticker on it.

Somehow I think that if you actually traveled to China and experienced it, you'd think their "left" and Communist government to be centrists or even right-leaning.

That says a LOT about the Left in America, where the last, large Communist nation would be too "right wing" for them...

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on August 10, 2008 07:15 AM

25. @20: So I guess this makes you a coastal elitist, eh?

Liking dark greens? Either that or an Alabama sharecropper...

Posted by: John Bailo on August 10, 2008 09:21 AM

26. So arugula is not an ancient Roman emperor. Now I know.
And knowing is half the battle...

Posted by: Don Ward on August 10, 2008 01:52 PM

27. My favorite "explanation" for arugula is from the Steve Martin movie, "My Blue Heaven." He goes to the local grocery store for the first time since he joined the Witness Protection Program and is approached by a store manager, who asks if he enjoyed his shopping experience and then tells him that if there is anything he wants that the store doesn't provide, to simply fill out a form. Steve's character says, "Arugula.You don't have arugula."
Manager: "What's that?"
S. M. character: "It's a vege-table." (He drew out the word, saying it ve-ge-ta-ble.)

My husband worked produce for a long time and has tried it. He says it's not too bad. I think they ate it raw and steamed.

Posted by: NoMoreWASL on August 10, 2008 08:05 PM

28. Plenty of restaurants have arugula-and-something salads. It is a bit too peppery for me just straight so I mix it with other greens.

Don't buy it. It is dead-easy to grow. Just throw down some seeds and stand back. That's one of its problems, it bolts awfully fast. And reseeds itself, which is not usually a problem. If anyone knows how to make it gorw more slowly, please advise.

Posted by: AnnL on August 10, 2008 11:41 PM

29. Yet again our SP leaders are way ahead of the pack!

Obama's Arugula Gap

John McCain may be gaining what Obama is losing among women because of Obama's "Arugula Gap." ...

...Obama, the organic liberal chicken, doesn't want to be the main course on McCain's dinner menu. He is, as Fred Thompson said, George McGovern without the experience. The Arugula Gap may well sink him in November.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on August 11, 2008 09:58 AM

Name:


Email Address:


URL:


Comments:

Remember info?