Spine or no spine-not spatchcock chicken on the BGE-some real world commentary

lousubcap

From the Atlantic-and merits an Egghead Forum front porch discussion despite its likely short run:

(Spacing a result of the copy/paste deal.)

Tom Nichols STAFF WRITER

The elected officials who quietly defend Donald Trump’s immorality even though they know better are just as bad as the comically devoted Trump courtiers.

Mushy Equivocations   “I didn’t come here,” Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina complained last week, “to have the president as a boss or a candidate as a boss. I came here to pass good, solid policy.” Tillis was referring to Republicans who were abandoning a deal on border security because they thought reaching a solution with President Joe Biden would hurt Trump’s electoral chances in the fall. It is immoral, Tillis added, to look “the other way because you think this is the linchpin for President Trump to win.” As Bruce Willis’s fictional cop John McClane would say: Welcome to the party, pal. In theory, Republicans care deeply about the situation on the southern United States border. In reality, most of them seem to care only about whatever Trump wants at any given moment, and what Trump wants is to take refuge in the Oval Office from his multiple legal problems. Tillis’s outburst, although welcome, was a rare moment of candor from a senior Republican senator about the degree to which the party’s once and future nominee has gutted the GOP of any remaining principles. For years, Trump has attacked and obliterated anything like virtue in the Republican Party, a process that regularly features Republicans pulling their political souls from their bodies and handing them to Trump in jars for display on his mantle at Mar-a-Lago. (Ted Cruz going from the potential conscience of the 2016 GOP convention to a Trump-praising, phone-banking flunky is only one such example.) But some of the less noticed enablers in the GOP are those who remain quiet in the face of Trump’s ghoulish attacks on others rather than risk Trump turning his ire—and his MAGA mob—on them. When challenged, they speak up only long enough to make excuses for Trump and engage in moral obfuscation over issues that they must certainly know are not remotely complicated, such as whether the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party should defame a woman he’s been found liable for sexually abusing. Senators Tim Scott and James Lankford, for example, were both asked over the weekend about the $83.3 million defamation jury verdict against Trump. Scott’s Trump sycophancy has now filled the core of his political existence, so there’s no point in discussing his excuse-making and what-abouting. But Lankford was hardly better. On Face the Nation, Margaret Brennan asked him about the huge penalty levied on Trump “after a separate jury found that he had sexually assaulted” E. Jean Carroll. Brennan then lobbed the Oklahoma senator one of the softest of softballs: “Does it give you any pause about him returning to office?” Lankford politely refused to swing at the pitch. Instead, he picked up the ball and tagged himself out: It doesn’t. Obviously, these are legal cases. I don’t want to jump in the middle of a legal case. It’s been interesting the number of legal cases that have come up against President Trump and then have failed and had been dropped or had been kicked out of the courts … He’s already said he’s going to challenge [this one]. So let the courts actually make their decisions and let the American people make their decisions. Despite Lankford’s senatorial circumspection here, these “legal cases” have already been decided, and Trump can only challenge the awards, not the verdicts that he’s liable for sexual abuse and multiple instances of defaming the victim. How hard would it have been for Lankford—a former Baptist minister—to say something about how he does not care for the way Trump speaks, and about the need to be respectful to all women? I worked for a senator; I know that they can summon such phrases from the ether at will. And yet, Lankford resorted to mumbling about the cases against Trump that “failed,” implicitly supporting the idea that Trump’s legal troubles stem from partisan prosecutions and not because the former president was found liable for sexual abuse, defamed his victim, and may have engaged in several felonies. Republicans such as Lankford are, in their mushy equivocations, possibly more destructive than people such as Cruz and Scott, or even Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, all of whom have chosen to become comically obsequious Trump courtiers. When Stefanik refers to people convicted in the January 6 insurrection as “hostages,” the vapor of her 180-proof ambition is so enveloping, its fumes so eye-watering, that few but the MAGA faithful can take her seriously. When Lankford quietly throws shade at the entire judicial system, however, he is offering an escape hatch not for Trump but for ordinary Americans who otherwise would be appalled at what Trump has done. Such statements are part of a years-long Republican effort to create a permission structure for Trump supporters, to model how a reasonable person can dismiss Trump’s astounding disregard for the law and even for basic decency and yet still vote for him and other GOP candidates in the name of some greater good. The greater good, of course, is to ensure that Republicans can keep living in Washington, D.C., and exercising power on behalf of a shrinking political minority. Republicans might phrase this differently: The party’s overall position is that the Democrats are so awful, and so dangerous to the nation, that the ends will now always justify the means. Rather than oppose or even criticize Trump, they retreat into the fog of “supporting the nominee” and saving the country from Biden and the left-wing deep-state cabal that supposedly controls him. A tiny handful of elected Republicans have said that they will not vote for Trump. (They won’t vote for Biden either, of course, and if Trump wins—well, such is the price of saving the republic while keeping one’s hands clean.) Lankford cannot muster even that much principle. But his refusal to criticize Trump can’t save the senator from his own party: The Oklahoma GOP just censured him merely for doing his job and participating in the effort to create border legislation. Lankford is not up for reelection until 2028. When GOP leaders cannot express even a hint of principle on fundamental moral issues for fear of angering one of the most immoral presidents in modern history, then it remains a mystery what, exactly, conservative Republican leaders are hoping to conserve—beyond their own power and a home inside the Beltway."

As was said of the late Howard Cosell-Tell it like it is...

Canugghead

To stay on topic... I prefer single cut right through the spine, not removing the whole spine with two cuts. Reason? spineless chicken shrinks too much, there you have it

Botch

....

Gulfcoastguy

I foresee a quick depth charging. Spine removed is th way to go.

HeavyG

If I'm going to take the trouble to remove the spine I'm gonna go ahead and cut the bird into halves - just easier to deal with on the grill.

kl8ton

I cut the spine out as well as the wing tips.  I use those and any extra neck and/or tail for chicken broth.  Raw bones contain more nutrients than cooked bones.  But, I do throw the cooked bones in for the smokey flavor it imparts.  FWIW.

Gulfcoastguy

My dog gets the spine , he loves Thanksgiving!

FlyOverCountry

THE ONLY SPINELESS CHICKENZ IS BARRY OBAMA AN HIS PUPPET WEEKEND AT BIDENS ZOMBIE PUPPET.

FlyOverCountry

AN DON FORGET ABOUT THAT CHICKENSHIT HUNTER BIDEN AN HIS SEX DRUGS AND LAPTOP THAT STOLE!!!

fishlessman

i like to cut out the spine, cut off the legs and wings, toss it in the lake.  if it floats its a witch and i burn it at 500 dome temp on a raised rack

HeavyG

fishlessman said:

i like to cut out the spine, cut off the legs and wings, toss it in the lake.  if it floats its a witch and i burn it at 500 dome temp on a raised rack

But... what also floats...

... very small rocks...

lkapigian

I prefer when when cooks from both states sides contribute to the cook respectfully whether the agree with the menu or not , that way we can put a satisfying meal together for all guests at the event 

dbCooper

lkapigian said:

I prefer when when cooks from both states sides contribute to the cook respectfully whether the agree with the menu or not , that way we can put a satisfying meal together for all guests at the event 

@lkapigian - Your single sentence contains more wisdom than found in many books.  I can remember a time when there was compromise and adequate meals were served.  May be naive in my holding out hope for such meals again but, I still believe our kitchen protocols will return to being respected.

Ozzie_Isaac

I was bamboozled.  Came for discussions on spines.  Most of these turkey’s have no spine, so it isn’t really debatable.

fishlessman

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I was bamboozled.  Came for discussions on spines.  Most of these turkey’s have no spine, so it isn’t really debatable.

so no spine it is

Legume

Legume

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

fishlessman

Legume said:

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

i dont see anyone defending trump or biden, its not just the right, its the choices........

Legume

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

i dont see anyone defending trump or biden, its not just the right, its the choices……..

Defending Biden?  Not sure I understand your point, that’s an odd equivalency you’ve put out there.  

I don’t love that he’s solidly in his 80’s and running again, you’re right, no other reasonable choice has come up as tends to happen with incumbents, but I don’t think he’s hijacked the party or taken it in a dangerous, divisive direction.  I don’t agree with all of his actions, his non-actions, policies, etc., but are we better off on whole?  Hell yes, I believe we are.  He’s certainly not holding his party hostage.

Legume

I’ll add, Fish, you should probably read the article.

JohnInCarolina

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

i dont see anyone defending trump or biden, its not just the right, its the choices........

Classic “both sides” take here, fish.  

fishlessman

JohnInCarolina said:

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

i dont see anyone defending trump or biden, its not just the right, its the choices........

Classic “both sides” take here, fish.  

Carter was a better president than Biden😁 is that better

Botch

Legume said:

I had to do some digging to figure out who this guy is; sounds like a good flick, worth watching for a guy who isn't into movies much?  

Legume

Great flick Botch

HeavyG

Legume said:

Great flick Botch

"I like to watch."

Definitely a great film and one of my top 20 films.

fishlessman

Legume said:

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

i dont see anyone defending trump or biden, its not just the right, its the choices……..

Defending Biden?  Not sure I understand your point, that’s an odd equivalency you’ve put out there.  

I don’t love that he’s solidly in his 80’s and running again, you’re right, no other reasonable choice has come up as tends to happen with incumbents, but I don’t think he’s hijacked the party or taken it in a dangerous, divisive direction.  I don’t agree with all of his actions, his non-actions, policies, etc., but are we better off on whole?  Hell yes, I believe we are.  He’s certainly not holding his party hostage.

maybe if he could find someone that spoke joe, he could put captions under his speeches so we could know what he is saying....its really not just being in his 80's, he just isnt on top of his game anymore. its going to get crazy in a few months, his campaign  is already pivoting on the border.... he is going to visit the train wreck.....he is the train wreck.......trumps no better, he just cant shut the xxxx up.  this whole election cycle is a bad joke........

JohnInCarolina

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

i dont see anyone defending trump or biden, its not just the right, its the choices……..

Defending Biden?  Not sure I understand your point, that’s an odd equivalency you’ve put out there.  

I don’t love that he’s solidly in his 80’s and running again, you’re right, no other reasonable choice has come up as tends to happen with incumbents, but I don’t think he’s hijacked the party or taken it in a dangerous, divisive direction.  I don’t agree with all of his actions, his non-actions, policies, etc., but are we better off on whole?  Hell yes, I believe we are.  He’s certainly not holding his party hostage.

maybe if he could find someone that spoke joe, he could put captions under his speeches so we could know what he is saying....its really not just being in his 80's, he just isnt on top of his game anymore. its going to get crazy in a few months, his campaign  is already pivoting on the border.... he is going to visit the train wreck.....he is the train wreck.......trumps no better, he just cant shut the xxxx up.  this whole election cycle is a bad joke........

I don't think anyone is suggesting that Biden is as sharp as he was say back when he was Obama's VP.  Many of us have elderly parents and are aware of what folks in their 80's are like.

But at the end of the day, it seems clear there are very large differences between these two men in terms of character and judgment, as well as the actual policies likely to come out of their administrations.  It's a binary choice and as much as we don't like that, pretending they're both the same is just lazy.

fishlessman

JohnInCarolina said:

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

fishlessman said:

Legume said:

Good insights Frank and I see it spilling over into the general population. I don’t hear many conservative voices that are ok saying it’s not Trump’s party.

We’ve lost our way when the focus is the other team losing above all else, and that’s where we are. There are no conservative voices on this forum any longer. Not that they’ve left, but perhaps Trump’s GOP is too hard to defend and maybe it’s hard to speak up as a conservative in that narrow middle space. Labeling people as RINOs did exactly as intended, it put the heel to any dissenting voices from within the Republican party - politicians and citizens.  I’m sure a lot of us are glad that our fathers and grandfathers aren’t around to see it.

i dont see anyone defending trump or biden, its not just the right, its the choices……..

Defending Biden?  Not sure I understand your point, that’s an odd equivalency you’ve put out there.  

I don’t love that he’s solidly in his 80’s and running again, you’re right, no other reasonable choice has come up as tends to happen with incumbents, but I don’t think he’s hijacked the party or taken it in a dangerous, divisive direction.  I don’t agree with all of his actions, his non-actions, policies, etc., but are we better off on whole?  Hell yes, I believe we are.  He’s certainly not holding his party hostage.

maybe if he could find someone that spoke joe, he could put captions under his speeches so we could know what he is saying....its really not just being in his 80's, he just isnt on top of his game anymore. its going to get crazy in a few months, his campaign  is already pivoting on the border.... he is going to visit the train wreck.....he is the train wreck.......trumps no better, he just cant shut the xxxx up.  this whole election cycle is a bad joke........

I don't think anyone is suggesting that Biden is as sharp as he was say back when he was Obama's VP.  Many of us have elderly parents and are aware of what folks in their 80's are like.

But at the end of the day, it seems clear there are very large differences between these two men in terms of character and judgment, as well as the actual policies likely to come out of their administrations.  It's a binary choice and as much as we don't like that, pretending they're both the same is just lazy.

well i find them both to be divisive and dangerous, but other than that you are right.....they are not the same.......

alaskanassasin

Picking Biden to be your horse 4 years ago was lazy. Honestly, I don't know how we are going to get out of this tailspin. I suppose in 4 more years both these guys will be pushing daisies or close to it, hopefully by then the American people have had enough crazy and we can recenter.  But honestly, I don't have much hope, when I was a young lad and first learned of politics I thought to myself, why the **** is there basically only 2 parties, I don't fall into one camp or the other so how are they supposed to come together to make a decision when there is one winner and one loser.

lkapigian

alaskanassasin said:

Picking Biden to be your horse 4 years ago was lazy. Honestly, I don't know how we are going to get out of this tailspin. I suppose in 4 more years both these guys will be pushing daisies or close to it, hopefully by then the American people have had enough crazy and we can recenter.  But honestly, I don't have much hope, when I was a young lad and first learned of politics I thought to myself, why the **** is there basically only 2 parties, I don't fall into one camp or the other so how are they supposed to come together to make a decision when there is one winner and one loser.

We are the losers @ the end of the day, follow the money trail, that is all it is about anymore....Special Interests, and America is no longer a special Interest..........Who is the best candidate is both subjective and objective .....The two glaring differences is One is controlled by the party and One is not 

As always, I will always respect the person in charge no matter!

JohnInCarolina

alaskanassasin said:

Picking Biden to be your horse 4 years ago was lazy. 

This seems to imply that this was some kind of a decision made by a small group of individuals or something, or that those of us here were mostly responsible for him being the nominee.  That's just not the case.  There was a process, and he was the one who received the most votes.  Frankly by the time the primaries got to my state, it was over.  And I voted for someone else, by the way. 

But my guess is that you'd actually have a hard time naming a single Democrat who was running that you would have supported as the nominee, right?  

How are they supposed to come together, you ask?  Well if the last four years have shown us anything, some of them are capable of coming together.  Several major pieces of legislation have been passed with bipartisan support.