re: #244 Killgore Trout

I think the whole thing is a great example of the overly politicized point that Gates made. Those last week who were outraged about the Gates quotes criticizing Obama labeled Gates a wingnut, a traitor, a criminal (because of Iran Contra) and claimed he had no credibility at all. Today, upon learning that the quotes were out of context (or a least there’s more to the story), the same people hail him as a hero and patriot because the quotes now fit the political agenda.
Nothing has changed. Gates is still himself, his opinions haven’t changed, he’s still the same person but he becomes a new hero to some and a new villain to others but nothing in reality has actually changed. Very few people will actually read his book or care what he says unless it furthers their agenda.

And the ones that were praising him now call him a RINO and much worse. Fewer and fewer sources provide in-depth nuanced coverage and analysis (on a mass media basis) and the pressure is to be the first one out with ‘analysis’ which usually consists of the house pundits simply repeating their talking points de jure.

As much as it pains me, I’ve been guilty of believing the first thing I heard that confirmed my own beliefs, and didn’t demand the degree of intellectual honesty in myself that I criticize others for.

On the plus side, I did a different way of doing some backribs, and like the results. comes clean from the bone, meat still has some ‘chew’ to it, and not mushy at all. Cook wrapped in foil for 2 hours, 1 hour foil opened up, (300 deg), then about 10-15 minutes at 450 to glaze them up.

RBS