Dumplings and my so called rant
"Is that what it's come to? We don't even need to have the TV on, or video games? We just play, 'Let's debate with Danny?'" My close friends and I were sitting in the living room. They tried to help me decipher why another friend (we'll call him UPenn because that's where he went to school), had crazy ideas. We talked about how change takes time and how impatient I am. This happens every four years because I'm one of those people that get really into the election. It's like how some people have regular refrigerators and they just open the door and stick their hand to pull in what they want. For me, presidential election is like my walk-in freezer. I gotta get all up in that shizzle and feel it. And I'm taking the long weekend as a chance to throw this post in case you want to skip it. There will be detractors who say this doesn't belong in a food blog. Well guess what, it's my blog. While it's mostly concentrated on food, sometimes I'll veer away to my liking. Opinions are welcome, but I do not pander to those who say this does not belong. Leave if you want.
In the unlikely event that you stayed, let's first talk about some dumplings before I get all serious. Like all obsessions, once you get into it, it is hard to stop. I made more dumplings and this time I thought maybe it would be a good idea to try pan frying it. How hard could it be? Silly Danny.
Fried dumplings are generally pan fried not deep fried. The frying part is supposed to produce a crusty outter shell at the bottom. You are supposed to finish the cooking process by steaming the dumplings. If you ever go to Dumpling House or Eton, then you see that they cover the dumplings during the cooking. I thought it was that easy. The problem was that a crust is hard to attain. Once I added water, it made the wrapper soft again. I also wonder if the thickness of the dumpling wrapper contributes to the 'crustability' of the dumpling.
Last chance to leave before I get all crazy and stuff. Ok, fair enough. I'm going to vote for Obama in this presidential election. Perhaps you will vote for McCain. Part of the fun is finding out who your friends and family are going to support. Even more interesting is the reasoning behind what causes a person to support one candidate versus the other.
I'm going with Obama for a variety of reasons. I prefer his decision to disagree with a suspension of a federal gasoline tax. I like his stance against offshore drilling. Mostly though, I like that he's with the party that does not make serious concessions on social issues. Basically, I'm pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-embryonic stem cell research, and pro-affirmative action. And even though Obama is not completely in agreement on those issues, he's close to it than McCain.
Maybe different issues hit home for you. The economy, universal health care, and capital gains tax are issues that come up consistently. Few of my friends and family pledge their vote based on progressive social issues the way I do. That's fine, whatever floats your boat.
But I've also heard some disappointing view points. I've heard from someone close to me that she believed Muslims are not fit to be president of the United States. Curiously enough, last I checked, both candidates are Christian. I've also heard from UPenn that he believed race is an important deciding factor on whether a President will be effective.
This makes me sad. Maybe I come from a background that is different than yours. And perhaps my world view is different. I've lived on two different continents, and while in the U.S., three different states (one in the Midwest, one in the South, one in the Northeast). So yes, I've seen a few things here and there. Maybe I'm too naive to believe that everyone wants to seek out the best in themselves, in their world view. The truth is that good people are everywhere, and overwhelmingly this world and this country is full of good people.
As an immigrant to this country, I deeply treasure certain ideals that make this country special. Whether it's freedom of speech and religion or it's the pursuit of happiness or that all men are created equal. I love it all. I remember when I was in a court house ready to be sworn in as an American citizen along with other fellow immigrants. The judge told us that being an American also requires that we help protect the ideas that make up the country. A country is about people within a border, and also about the ideals that we choose to uphold together.
When my friend said race was a determining factor for him, I was deeply disappointed. My friend who made these remarks went to UPenn! Clearly he's not all dumb, but how can he have such unenlightened views of humanity? I love that this country is about certain ideas. Racism is not one of them. I refuse to help anyone uphold such beliefs. Is it wrong that I think UPenn is better than that? That my friend has the intellectual capacity to understand more? He actually has the audacity to tell me his views are based on statistical research! WTF?
Aren't we better than that? In Obama's nomination acceptance speech last week, he said, "That's the promise of America, the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation, the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper." Does this nation need backwards thinking? I know that change takes time. But sometimes you need a it needs to happen faster. And even though I'm not perfect, I still have to ask of UPenn and others like him, "Are you an honorable man, brother? Do you look inside yourself about the beliefs that you hold? And are you ready for a revolution?" Because unless you are, I do not want to be your keeper, I do not want to be your brother. I do not want to be your anything.
(I invite you to follow me on Twitter so you can get more of my non-sense in another medium.)
I'm glad to see another person who is voting for Obama and interested in most of his goals. It is sad that even today, after so many years of change and revolution in America that racism exists. How can your friend or anyone judge someone by their skin's color? One should choose from what that person has to offer...and it is so clear to me that McCain is definitely not what I want America to turn into. (His ideals are too close to Bush imo which pretty much says enough.)
Anyhow, how did those dumplings turn out or taste? :o
Kumi
September 1, 2008 12:42 pm
Three thoughts on convictions:
One needs to be slow to form convictions, but once formed they must be defended against the heaviest odds.
--Mahatma Gandhi
We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others.
--John F. Kennedy
It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs.
--Albert Einstein
You seem to follow all three. Not a bad list of men to follow.
Jonathan
September 1, 2008 12:51 pm
Kumi,
The dumplings were slightly disappointing! I wanted a crust! Can't always get what you want it seems ;)
Jonathan,
Hmmm... those are better men than me. But yes, convictions. And cookies too.
Danny
September 2, 2008 12:01 am
here's a thought for UPenn. How would he feel if UPenn decided against his admission based on his race?
Ang
September 2, 2008 5:26 pm
my mom just told me that she is going to vote for obama because his sister is half asian.
then later she told me that they're still waiting for me to make them proud
jeremy
September 2, 2008 11:10 pm
Ang,
Seriously. WTF right?
Jeremy,
Your mom is awesome. haha
Danny
September 2, 2008 11:47 pm
I choose to be prejudiced against white heterosexual anglo-saxon protestant men.
So I can only support JFK and Obama of all of our presidents. Maybe FDR too cause he was in a wheelchair.
:D
Janice
September 3, 2008 11:58 am