Free Speech and Money...

I remember in law school, in more than one class, being presented with the concept of the "marketplace of ideas." Loosely interpreted, that concept analogizes the arena of speech to a marketplace, wherein the best ideas will battle the worst ones, like products, and win based on their value and quality. Sure, someone with a bad product, or idea, could use money to market it better and try to push it upon the buyers, but we're smart people, we'll figure it out eventually.

Unfortunately, I'm starting to feel like the good ideas are losing. They're drowned out by the Mainstream Media, which is significantly better funded than any other source of political or social discourse. The Mainstream Media repeats whatever money tells it to, and ignores good ideas from little places with no money, or with no profit to be gained. Our general level of education is too low, or people are in general, too willing to join in with the mob to scapegoat whomever is nearest for our troubles, rather than ignore the bad ideas and search for the good ones.

Spicy Hummus with Toasted Pine Nuts and Cumid Seeds

Modification of a Epicurious recipe.


•1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus 1 tablespoon
•3 tablespoons pine nuts
•1 teaspoon cumin seeds
•two 19-ounce cans chick-peas
•4 garlic cloves
•2/3 cup well-stirred tahini
•2/3 cup water
•5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
•1 teaspoon salt


First, toast the pine nuts and cumin seeds for about 10 minutes. Remove from pan and in the same pan cook 2 cans of chickpeas on a medium to low heat with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and jalapenos/serranos. Add water or broth, just enough to cover the chickpeas, and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain out liquid.

In a food processor blend chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, evoo, and water. Add an additional jalapeno or serrano for more heat. Optionally add pine nuts and cumin seeds as well, or save to top finished hummus.

Making This Blog more Useful

Food posts that don't fit on OMG Beer! because I'm not doing a pairing with beer for them.

First two posts coming up after this.

Also, I was right about the super bowl and congrats to the Packers. I called a 27-24 final score.