Cathy Seipp says that Futurama is coming back. Hooray!

Ron Radosh reviews Bruce Springsteen’s return to musical roots. In a technological century, I am gratified to see more and more musicians unplug.

Well, actually, there is no more. Arthur Schiff has died.

Well, actually, there is no more. Arthur Schiff has died.

Well, actually, there is no more. Arthur Schiff has died.

A previously undiscovered piece by Bach has turned up. Cool.

A previously undiscovered piece by Bach has turned up. Cool.

A previously undiscovered piece by Bach has turned up. Cool.

Lileks’ Newhouse column is a partial replay of his earlier screed, but still entertaining. I thought this line encapsulated the nuttiness of the people who worry about theocrats in the White House, but seem indifferent to the ones who actually havea theocracy, and would impose it on us if they could:

…one could make the case that the greatest threats to the freedoms of the West are posed by the head-choppers, plane-exploders, their many merry supporters, and the nuke-seeking state that supports them.

But don’t expect the artists to make the case. They saw what happened to that Theo Van Gogh fellow. Pay no attention to that imam behind the curtain. Here’s the ghost of Eisenhower. Booga-booga!

The artists seem more concerned with a culture that won’t let gays marry than one that won’t let them live.

And I got a dark chuckle over this:

They take the easy way out, these brave souls; they’ll perform “The Diary of Anne Frank,” but only because now some people think it has a happy ending.

Some people, unaccountably, are curious as to how my rib barbecue turned out last night.

Pretty good, though not as tender (read, falling off the bone) as the Fourth of July version, because I was attempting to avoid that, so the meat wouldn’t fall off the bone while grilling it and be wasted in the nether regions of the grill.

I made up a marinade of apple vinegar, lemon juice, a bottle of Shiner Bock (just to piss off the Texas haters in the crowd), garlic, hot sauce and other chile derivatives, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, fresh-ground pepper, and whatnot (sorry, I’d provide quantities, but I didn’t pay much attention–you’ll have to do it to taste, and I know that novice cooks hate those words…). I put it in the bottom of the pan and slow cooked the ribs, rib side down, in the oven at 250 F for about three or four hours. Then I put the ribs on the grill (indirect heat) and continued to baste with the marinade, turning occasionally, for another hour and a half or so. I took about half the marinade, added honey and tomato sauce and paste for a sauce, and heated it on the stove. I basted this on for the last few minutes (so as not to allow the sugar to burn), then saved the rest for adding at the table.

They came out pretty good, definitely cooked, and little left but bone after eating, but they held together throughout until time to actually pull the meat off with teeth.

So I’d say it was a success.

Oh, and I should add, not to name drop or anything, that the guests were fellow and recent (though he was born and raised here) south Floridians Bob Poole and his wife Lou Villadsen, of the Reason Foundation. I may have an interview with him on the current airline security fiasco shortly, in conjunction with the fifth anniversary of 9/11. Which makes it all the better that the ribs came out well…