$100,000 for Punxsutawney Phil

The Countyr Press (Suburban Philadelphia) ^ | 2-8-06 | William w. Lawrence

[Temple Owl]

Well, Groundhog Day came and went. Punxsutawney Phil came out of his Gobbler's Knob hole at sunrise on Feb. 2 and saw his shadow. This means that we will have six more weeks of winter.

But I could have told you that simply by looking at the calendar.

Did you know that the Punxsutawney rodent and U.S. Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.) were once named co-porkers of the month? Peterson and the rodent were chastised by Citizens Against Government Waste a couple of years ago for picking $100,000 out of the taxpayer's pockets. The federal grant was for a weather museum. Peterson sneaked the grant in as an earmark in another bill. If these clowns are going to pick our pockets, they should do it for things of which we approve. I would not complain if they had earmarked $250,000 to keep the St. Cyril of Alexandria Elementary School open.

An even better way would be to approve school vouchers.

***

[Temple Owl]

Let's get rid of earmarks and rodents too.

[Semper Paratus]

"If you have to shoot aim high, don't want to hit the groundhog"

[Temple Owl]

See if you can find any groundhog recipes.

[theDentist]

There were several posted on groundhog day, including groundhog stew and groundhog cake.

[Rakkasan1]

Congresscritter ping

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Oriental Groundhog

Recipe By: Hunters Information Service

Amount Measure Ingredient Preparation Method
1 Ground hog
2 quarts Water
1/4 cup Salt
1/2 cup Soy sauce
2 cloves Garlic whole
3 Hot chili peppers whole
1/4 Onion
1/4 teaspoon Paprika
1/4 bunch Parsley whole
4 Beef bouillon cubes
1/4 teaspoon Freshly-ground white pepper
1 cup Beef or chicken broth
Teriyaki glaze

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cut meat into serving pieces and soak in 1 quart water and salt
for 3 hours. Transfer meat to 1 quart clear water and soak 4
hours. Drain and dry meat. Place meat in a baking pan with beef
broth, soy sauce, garlic cloves, chili pepper, onion, paprika,
parsley, bouillon cubes and white pepper. Cover and bake at 350
degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Baste frequently. Brush with
teriyaki glaze while cooking.

---

Waco Groundhog in Sour Cream

Recipe By: "Indian Cookin'", compiled by Herb Walker, 1977

Amount Measure Ingredient Preparation Method
1 Groundhog, skinned & cleaned
1/2 cup Vinegar
1 tablespoon Salt
2 quarts Water
2 teaspoons Soda
1/2 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Allspice
1/2 cup Bacon fat
3 small Wild onions
1/2 cup Water
1 cup Sour cream

Skin and clean the groundhog. Wash and dry and put in an earthen
crock. Cover with water and a half cup of vinegar and 1 T. of salt.
Let stand in a cool place overnight. In the morning, remove from
brine, wash and pat dry with a damp cloth. In a large soup kettle
combine 2 qt. of water and 2 T. of soda. Bring to a boil, lower the
heat and simmer for 15 minutes, removing the scum as it rises to the
surface. Drain and rinse the groundhog meat and cut into serving
pieces. Combinethe flour, salt and allspice and dredge the pieces of
meat in the mixture. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Melt the bacon
fat in a heavy iron frying pan until smoking. jBrown meat on all
sides. Transfer the browned meat into a greased 4 qt. casserole.
Arrange sliced onions on top, add water, cover and bake in a
preheated oven for 2 hours or until the meat is tender. Transfer the
meat to a heated platter to keep warm. Put the casserole on top of
the stove over medium heat and spoon in the sour cream stirring
constantly. Do not let the sauce come to a boil. Put the meat back
into the casserole and simmer for about 15 minutes. Delicious served
with creamed dandelion leaves.

[Temple Owl]

It sounds like something Louis Lamour would cook up.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

When I saw the article, I thought this was going to be news of a fatwa on Phil for impersonating the 'Prophet' Mohammed.

[Temple Owl]

You got any recipes for pocket-picking congress-critters?

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I know I wouldn't. I just googled it and sure enough...

[Luke Skyfreeper]

"This is pitiful. A THOUSAND PEOPLE freezing their BUTTS off, waiting to worship a RAT. You know, Groundhog Day used to MEAN something in this town. They used to pull the hog out... and they used to EAT it! You're HYPOCRITES! All of ya!... Am I upsetting you, princess?"

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

You got any recipes for pocket-picking congress-critters?

Yes, but I can't post it.

[Graymatter]

[Tribune7]

Let's get rid of earmarks and rodents too.

Ditto that.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, removing the scum as it rises to the surface

Mmmmmmmm....groundhog scum.

[Tim Long]

[advance_copy]

The only good groundhog is a dead groundhog. They make holes that cows step in, which makes them only good for target practice. Mauser 8mm blows 'em up nice.

[retiredcpo]

If I understand this right, you're only against earmarking if it's for something you don't like? Groundhog museum - no good, Philadelphia school - good.

[Tribune7]

ping

[Temple Owl]

You got it all wrong. Vocuhers, homeschooling good. Teacher's union .. fill in the blank.