Billy Graham on technology and faith

Billy Graham gave a talk in 1998 to the TED (usually technology) which seems really well done and appropriate for the audience. If you have techy friends they might be interested in this presentation of the gospel. What problems can't technology solve?

What a farce

Today's NYTimes reports on the first conviction from a Gitmo detainee So first they hold a mock trial after 5 years of detention. But just in case their puppets don't sentence their man for long enough, there's a backup plan.

The Bush administration has long asserted that it could continue to hold detainees even if they were acquitted or given short sentences because they are designated enemy combatants who, according to the administration, can be held until the end of the war on terror.

And when, exactly, was the war on terror ending? We have always been at war with Eurasia haven't we?

The treatment and "trial" of Guantanamo detainees has been a disgrace from the start to finish (except that it's never set to finish). One can only hope the next US president might restore a modicum of credibility to the process.

Ginger beer

For 4 x 1.25L bottles
1 tsp dried yeast granules
2 tsp sugar
½ cup warm water

2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp lemon essence
1 tsp tartaric acid
2 litres hot water
2 litres cold water

Stir the first three ingredients together in a glass and leave to stand in a warm place.

Measure the remaining sugar, ginger, lemon essence and tartaric acid into a clean bucket. Pour on the hot water and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the cold water to cool the liquid down.

When you are sure the lemon syrup is no hotter than lukewarm, add the bubbling yeast. Leave in the lightly covered bucket for 24-36 hours, then strain into four thoroughly clean 1.25 litre plastic soft-drink bottles. Fill each bottle up to within 3 cm of the top.

(From my mummy, I think originally from Allison Holst)

Mango float

Ingredients:
  1 can/packet of whipping cream
  1 can of condensed milk (Carnation)
  3 packs of Graham crackers
  1 kg of fresh mangoes

Procedure:
1/ Mix the cream with the can of milk
Using a wide dish/pan
2/ Make a layer of Graham crackers
3/ Put a layer of thinly-sliced mango on top of the crackers
4/ Spread a layer of the cream/condensed milk on top of the mango
5/ Repeat #2,3,4 another two times (giving a total of 9 layers)
6/ Sprinkle a layer of crushed Graham crackers on top of the final
cream layer
7/ Place in freezer until ready to serve.

Baked oatmeal

1 cup milk
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 T sugar
1 egg
2 T oil

Mix it all together and place it in a baking dish and cook till a toothpick comes out easily.

(from mother)

Chocolate self-saucing pudding

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 80g butter, melted, cooled
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• thick cream and berries, to serve

• Sauce

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease an 8-cup capacity ovenproof baking dish. Sift flour and cocoa into a large bowl. Stir in sugar.
2. Combine butter, milk and egg in a jug. Slowly add to flour mixture, whisking until well combined and smooth. Spoon into baking dish. Smooth top.
3. Make sauce: Sprinkle combined sugar and cocoa over pudding.
4. Slowly pour boiling water over the back of a large metal spoon to cover pudding. Place dish onto a baking tray. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until pudding bounces back when pressed gently in centre. Serve hot with cream and berries.

Notes & tips

• Hint: Pouring the boiling water over a spoon prevents the water from disturbing the sugar mixture too much.
• For an adult twist on this pudding, try reducing milk to 1/3 cup and adding 2 tablespoons of Kahlua to the pudding mixture in step 2.
• To reheat leftovers, spoon into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Heat for 2 to 4 minutes on MEDIUM (50%) power.

(from Taste.com.au)

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