the good old days

One out of every 10 people in America is employed in a service that is related to the U.S. auto industry.

That’s a statistic from the Center for Automotive Research, via GM Facts and Fiction. It’s actually plausible; there are factories around the nation, not just in Detroit, that are somehow related to putting a car together. (I will note, though, it’s not clear how many of those sub-suppliers also work for Honda, Toyota, BMW, or “foreign” companies with US operations.)

The “Big Three” will never simply vanish — they (and the extended support structure of dealerships, suppliers, mechanics, etc.) are simply too large and too integral to the country’s manufacturing landscape. The job loss, health care loss, and tax income loss would be spread over the course of a few years. And it’s also worth noting that, to a large extent, the American Auto Maker crisis is largely of its own making; the recession is simply pinching them harder and sooner than expected.

I’m not against bailing out the auto industry, because the ripple effect around the country would be incredibly bad. At the same time, I haven’t decided if I’m in favor enough to write to my elected officials about it. (Yes, Visteon, when you fire loyal employees, they’ll hold a grudge and not help YOU out when the time comes. Payback’s a bitch, ain’t it.) But I am in favor, just enough, to mention it here. The issue is worth awareness and discussion and thought. And perhaps a large dose of nervous worrying as well.

If it is decided that they deserve a second chance, then the automakers need to be held to a much higher standard than they currently are. It would be inspiring to see them remade into an industry that is a leader in sustainable design and manufacturing, rather than grudgingly hoping global warming is a passing fad. But given the firmly entrenched old-style industry and infrastructure they have, I’m not holding out much hope.

Another Historiann Recipe, this time for Tuesday instead of Thursday because hopefully nobody will be election-obsessed in two days time. (Seriously, Nation, I would like an election that’s over the same day it starts this time. Is that too much to ask? No more 2000/2004 drag-it-out bullshit, there’s a good country.)

Considering today’s long lines, it’s a good thing there was a tasty cake waiting at home. Even though I got to cut in line because I had a toddler with me. Did you know that parents with kids under 6 and anybody over 65 years of age gets to cut in line at the polls? I didn’t. I thought the person who said we could go to the front was kidding. Part of me felt bad, like I took advantage of my son to get out of there faster — but another part says to hell with that, I didn’t want to stand in the cold drizzle with him for two hours. (If you do take an adorable child to the polls with you, just make sure you don’t let it push the buttons for you. My kid kept trying to change the selections. If Chuck Baldwin takes South Carolina, I blame the “under two” voting contingent.)

Hartford Election Cake
1/2 cup each yellow and dark raisins
4 t dried coriander seeds
¼ C brandy
2 packages active dry yeast (2 T)
2 ½ C warm water
½ C nonfat dry milk
7 C all-purpose flour
¾ C sugar
½ lb. butter (2 sticks)
¾ C brown sugar
4 eggs
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
½ t freshly grated nutmeg
½ C sliced citron
Molasses

Soak the raisins and coriander in the brandy for 3-4 hours.

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in ½ C of the warm water and let stand a minute. Add the remaining water, the dry milk, 4 C of the flour, and ¼ C of the sugar and beat well, about 100 strokes by hand or 3 minutes on the electric beater. Cover with plastic wrap and let this sponge rise for about 3 hours.

Cream the butter* with the remaining sugar and the brown sugar, then beat in the eggs, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Turn this mixture into the sponge, stir in the remaining flour, cup by cup, using enough to form a soft dough. Add the citron and the raisins and coriander, along with their juices, and a little more flour, if necessary to make a cohesive dough. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise again until double in volume.

Beat down the dough, adding a little more flour again if it is too sticky. Divide in half and placed in two greased 9-inch cake pans, cover lightly with a towel, and let rise again for 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 55 minutes. Turn out of the pans onto a baking sheet. Drizzle molasses over the tops and slip the cakes under the broiler until the glaze bubbles. Let cool on racks

* This is an excellent time to realize you don’t have as much butter as you thought you did, swear for a while (”I have coriander but I’m out of butter?“), then drag a sleepy toddler to the store to buy more. When you arrive home, inhale deeply to appreciate the mingling aromas of brandy and yeast and realize your kitchen smells like a brewery (and not in a good way). Definitely adds something to the baking experience.

The only brandy we have in the house is Armagnac. Now, Armagnac is one of those drinks that you hear about and think, “Wow, that’s really expensive, it must be totally awesome. Why would you be using it to make alcoholic raisins?” In fact, Armagnac tastes like liquid leather. We have been trying to get rid of this for years, and twice managed to get Buzz’s father to drink a shot because he believed it was totally awesome. (Unfortunately, he’s learned his lesson by now, so we are resorting to eggnog and alcoholic raisins to get rid of it.)

The initial “sponge” wasn’t terribly interesting. When the sponge, creamed butter, and additional flour came together, however, things got messy. Extremely messy.

I got batter up inside my mixer and had to finish combining everything by hand. Luckily I remembered to take rings off beforehand, or we’d be able to play a fun election game where the person who finds my ring gets to be vice-president for the next year.

And doesn’t the cake batter liook like Clayface? Maybe it’s just because I’ve been playing too much Lego Batman, but the resemblance is uncanny.

No?

I tried to draw an elephant and donkey with the molasses but they turned into runny blobs. So, in a fit of pique, I just dribbled the molasses all over the place instead.

I haven’t actually tasted this yet, although it smells good enough. I’ll have it tonight, though, while watching poll results come in. It’s a massive cake (two massive cakes!) and not the typical flat, only-slightly-risen cake that you would frost and top with candles… definitely suitable for an election festival day.

UPDATED 11/4 — It’s delicious! I really like the citron, it’s got a very bright flavor that goes well with the cake. (The raisins are decidedly “meh”, in contrast.) I agree with Historiann’s recommendation, it’s probably best without molasses but with a generous slather of butter on each piece.

However, without a version which calls for baking powder instead of so many rises, I don’t know if I’d make it again. At least Election Day only comes once a year, right?

Guess what you get to do today: vote!

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Because if you don’t, THE COMMIES WILL WIN!!!

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Unless you’re familiar with Steven Colbert’s semi-regular Threatdown, you might not appreciate the blog post title. Either way, this vaguely threatening commercial as much is still worth watching.

I’m not entirely sure what to make of the last clause. “If they do exist?” Are we supposed to be scared of the bear, or are we supposed to be hallucinating the bear, or is this bear just a cunning disguise to distract me from the socialist bear standing behind my couch waiting to eat me as soon as I turn off the TV?

I lived most of my life after the Berlin wall was down and communism became simply a place which makes really inexpensive plastic stuff. I thought I could laugh at lurking bears. But, some people still think the woods are full of bears.

At least, that’s what I initially thought when he mentioned “the ageless hope of people everywhere.” Turns out Nixon just meant freedom from tyranny.

Do you remember the Monroe Doctrine from your US History class? Me neither, so I looked it up.

The three main concepts of the doctrine–separate spheres of influence for the Americas and Europe, non-colonization, and non-intervention–were designed to signify a clear break between the New World and the autocratic realm of Europe. Monroe’s administration forewarned the imperial European powers against interfering in the affairs of the newly independent Latin American states or potential United States territories. While Americans generally objected to European colonies in the New World, they also desired to increase United States influence and trading ties throughout the region to their south.

An 1820’s political theory was considered important during the Cold War? Wow. I wonder how many people who saw that 1960 commercial had any idea what he was talking about.

As an added bonus for Drivers Safety Films day, enjoy this campaign ad in which Eisenshower explains that good bus driving is critical to America’s future.

Crazy women Democrat drivers!

You’re probably familiar with the “I LIKE IKE!” campaign, but have you heard the full jingle that goes along with it?

Contrast that to the lounge singer trying to sell you on Adlai Stevenson.

The Ike song definitely sticks in your head better. Indeed, I can’t get it OUT of my head. (Damn you, Ike!)

Found the Living Room Candidate site via Feministe. I expect to find a few other fun clips in upcoming days — anything to distract me from the current campaign season.

Feeling nostalgic? Well, The Responsibilities of American Citizenship will help you remember just how incredibly exciting you found civics class in high school! It’s part of the “American Adventure Series”, which must just be jam-packed with exciting action… or at least, fascinating information.

The instructor, Dr. Clifton Ganus Jr., was a professor at (and later president of) Harding University, a Christian university.

The Harding American Studies Institute is designed to… promote “a complete understanding of the institutions, values, and ideas of liberty and democracy.” In doing so, the ASI exhibits a generally conservative political stance, focused on going “back to the fundamental values that made this country great.” — Wikipedia

This film was produced as part of their educational mission.

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Dr. Ganus reminds his students that forces in society are at work, gradually destroying the pillars of our nation’s value. (You’ll notice that FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF IN GOD is at the foot of these pillars.) America is the number one target of socialists, and socialist forces among us are working to establish a worldwide dictatorship.

Oh dear. What can we do?

Well, it’s important that everyone learn as much as they can about why our nation is so wonderful, what makes it so, and how we can keep it that way. There’s a quick run-through of our Obligations of Citizenship…

1. Understand What Makes America Tick
2. Understand Tactics of Communism — its basic, godless philosophy, and so on
3. Understand Disguises of Socialism — these aren’t just disguises, they’re cunning disguises
4. Understand Propaganda Techniques (of communism and socialism, of course; capitalist propaganda is A-OK)
5. Take Interest in Education — not learning anything yourself, mind you, but finding out what’s being taught in your schools (in other words, are your neighborhood children learning Godless Socialist Propaganda.. perhaps cunningly disguised?)
6. Become Active in Government
7. Strive for Spiritual Growth
8. Dedicate Part of Every Day to Citizenship

Now, on one level, this film is funny. You never know what new prop Dr. Ganus will pull out to illustrate his point — a globe, a bunch of flags, a troop of boy scouts frying some eggs — and he kept managing to surprise me with his creativity. Looking deeper, however, the discussion emphasizes eternal vigilance against a very vaguely defined “enemy”, not to mention defining religion as the fundamental difference between the American way of life and the Godless Commie Bastards way of life. Paranoia runs rampant as students are encouraged to watch for socialism; the enemy is “cunningly disguised” so there isn’t much one can do except be suspicious of everything. When a full four of your eight “Obligations of Citizenship” consist of watching out for THE ENEMY, something’s just not quite right.

The Berlin Wall may be down, but much of the 1955 rhetoric is still present in American society, albeit with a different enemy to replace “socialists.” While I’m certainly not per se opposed to religion, this film helps make an excellent argument for keeping it separated from government. It should certainly not — and, legally, can not — be included as an obligation of citizenship. Historically, being convinced the country has a divine mandate to do something has always led to trouble.

Drawing comparisons to modern paranoid incitement and propaganda are left as an exercise to the curious reader. It shouldn’t be all that hard.

An open letter to bloggers who have discussed McCain’s choice for Vice President…

The Vice President of the United States of America does not live in the White House. He (or she) lives in the Naval Observatory. Stop talking about the Palin family living in the White House, because whether the Republicans win or lose, they are not going to live there. If I hear one more person mention her living “in the Oval Office” I will scream — not even the President lives there.

That is all, and now I’m off to make something disgusting because an advertisement told me to. Or maybe knit until my family is coated with patriotic scarves. Or perhaps I should steal a car and crash into a cliff. Why? Because ANY OF THESE THINGS IS MORE FUN THAN MORE SARAH PALIN!!!