Just in case you’re wondering what it is you’re drinking…
Caffeine
This is why the world produces more than 16 billion pounds of coffee beans per year. It’s actually an alkaloid plant toxin (like nicotine and cocaine), a bug killer that stimulates us by blocking neuroreceptors for the sleep chemical adenosine. The result: you, awake.Water
Hot H2O is a super solvent, leaching flavors and oils out of the coffee bean. A good cup of joe is 98.75 percent water and 1.25 percent soluble plant matter. Caffeine is a diuretic, so coffee newbies pee out the water quickly; java junkies build up resistance.2-Ethylphenol
Creates a tarlike, medicinal odor in your morning wake-up. It’s also a component of cockroach alarm pheromones, chemical signals that warn the colony of danger.Quinic acid
Gives coffee its slightly sour flavor. On the plus side, it’s one of the starter chemicals in the formulation of Tamiflu.
There’s more, of course, and if you want the absolute best-quality of that bad-sounding delicious stuff, you order it from The Mystic Monks, whose stuff tastes better than anyone else’s (I am convinced) because of all the prayers! Also, of course, when you order Mystic Monk Coffee through this site, you help the Monks build their monastery, and you help Buster stay in college!
A few morning headlines to go with your Java:
The Bishop of Rome, aka Pope Benedict XVI is going to be staying at Buckingham Palace as the guest of Queen Elizabeth II. That is head-turningly fascinating and I wonder what it portends.
The Obama enabling press continues to enable Obama. Just more openly.
Bookworm: A tale of heart-stopping bravery and spirit among our troops, who deserve the CIC’s full attention, some misbegotten politics where there should be none and she basically beats up Paul Krugman with her left-over energy.
Mother Angelica: Gets highest award from Pope. Fascinating woman – here is some background from a piece by Kathryn Jean Lopez:
Mother Mary Angelica founded Eternal Word Television Network in 1981 with $200 in the bank. EWTN would become the world’s largest religious broadcasting network. This Poor Clare nun did what the U.S. Catholic bishops couldn’t do—set up a network people would tune in to. And she conveyed her message the world over—from her humble Irondale, Ala., studios.
…
Mother Angelica was no communications major, but followed what she felt called to do. She knew pretty much zip about making television and radio work. In fact, when I interviewed her in 2000, she told me that along the way “A lot of things didn’t make sense.” But the little sister had faith and that kept her show running. She joked: “I think if you are ignorant enough, the Lord helps you out or you wind up in jail.” I’m pretty sure that must have been her attitude when running St. Peter’s Fishing Lures, a mail-order business fundraiser back before there was an EWTN.And, no, she didn’t know anything about fishing, either.
This book of hers is one of my favorites; very useful little volume.
The Illogic of An Abortion Provider (H/T New Advent, which brought you most of today’s links!)
One woman recalls her abortion, her “ghost son” and more.
How can someone have such reverence for the tiny miracle of a spider (which I share, by the way), yet believe that a human embryo, burrowed into the wall of a womb and growing and unfolding its design with a dizzying impulsion, is “nothing”? I know exactly how, because I’ve been there.
Don’t miss it.
A Personally re-worked Psalm of Joy: Brilliant. If you want to feel joy, you begin with gratitude!
Related to this piece from the other day, more about Israel and civilization
What is it with Countries that begin with the Letter “I”? New Wineskins wants to know
A Letterman Flashback: I can’t say I want us to win in Iraq, because I’m thoughtful
Ace really doesn’t like Letterman, who still gets a pass from the feminists, who can’t be bothered to be outraged unless it’s politically expedient. I guess their getting old too, the energy just isn’t there, anymore.
When someone says “nonsense” to you, say “yes, please!”
Remember when we talked about the stuff priests are made of? Here is more on Fr. Emil Kapaun
Unfair to Obama: quoting his own words back to him
Largest denier of health services: take a guess
Obama’s Blog: I’ve never seen a president (or his office) insert themselves into so many things in such an unpresidential way. And man, he hates Israel!: If it’s not scrubbed by now, read “The majority of the Israeli policies are the exact copies of the Nazi policies”
Are the Democrats smoking crack?
An All-Time Dumb Idea: Clunk!
Obama WH makes questionable appointment: then seems to blame FOX News for it
When you think you have nothing left to learn: The Power of Legend
White Heat: A great James Cagney film, a keeper!
Movies to avoid: If you are inclined
Patterico: he has class
Stephen Harper: Fun and talented!
October 6th, 2009 | 11:50 am | #1
Yannow, I was sooo tempted to buy Mystic Monk at the Marian conference I went to this weekend, but then I thought of you.
Next paycheck, you, me and Mystic Monk are gonna have a little pow-wow.
[I thank you! Buster thanks you, too! -admin]
October 6th, 2009 | 1:23 pm | #2
I drink Redbush every morning- just some loose leaves & hot water, no milk or sugar. I find it goes round my body & gives short shrift to indigestion, hangovers (on the rare occasions I drink) etc.
I’ve don’t do caffeine. (Redbush contains none). I count myself fortunate in that I don’t like cola or other fizzy drinks & never have. I am a rarity in that
October 6th, 2009 | 1:30 pm | #3
Is this the first time in the last couple of centuries that a Pope has stayed at the residence of the monarch of England?
A tiny typo: “I guess their getting old too, the energy just isn’t there, anymore.” s/g they’re getting old…
I agree ,BTW – and if I could care, I would be infuriated. But I’m all outraged-out, so to speak.
October 6th, 2009 | 1:43 pm | #4
Amanda Marcotte on Polanski.
October 6th, 2009 | 2:19 pm | #5
Another one: Barry’s pal Hugo is doing exactly what his type does: Look for
Confiscación de Tierras en Calabozo Edo
on youtube.
October 6th, 2009 | 2:30 pm | #6
Coffee is something that you have to learn to like and I never learned. I wish the monks would make some nice Earl Grey tea.
October 6th, 2009 | 2:44 pm | #7
The abortionist’s story made me gag, but I finally figured it out.
Most physicians take the Hippocratic Oath. I guess there are some who must take the Hypocritic Oath.
These would be the ones who give lethal drugs when asked, while those who take the Hippocratic Oath do not. These would be the ones who prescribe and provide a pessary (an abortifacient suppository), while the others don’t.
If I was inclined to do so, I could probably say something about the ones who cut for stones when it is clearly not appropriate AND beyond their skills and training.
Sigh.
October 6th, 2009 | 2:46 pm | #8
They do make Chartreuse. Lovely warm feeling it gives you after dinner. Have as many as you can
October 6th, 2009 | 10:49 pm | #9
Regarding His Holiness staying at Buckingham Palace, one would be advised to moderate any thoughts/hopes of revolutionary turning back of time.
The Anglican Communion is not, in the worldwide context, as distressed as it is the United States. It is only right and proper that the British Monarch should extend courtesies to His Holiness. I, as a conservative member of the Anglican Communion and as a member of the Episcopal Church of the United States, have immense regard for the Pope in his capacities as Bishop of Rome and as the Ruler of Vatican City.
I would hope that Her Majesty and His Holiness have much in common besides their generation and that both of them would extend to the other any and all courtesies without the world expecting any major reversals of history.
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