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J. Edgar Hoover at Oval Office, White House, W...

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Conspiracy Theory Wednesday

I wonder how many readers of this blog are wondering when is she going to stop with this conspiracy thing? Well here’s the answer – this is week 29 of our delving into COUP D’ETAT which is what this theory has been called.  I know you know the meaning of the phrase BUT just in case there is someone  out there who does not, let me explain; Coup d’etat; “the sudden overthrow of a government usually by a small group of the existing state establishment…”. We have six more weeks to go and each week now the strands of  information are coming together to form a very tangled web.  We started at the ends (corners) of the web and are working our way to the middle.  As we explore, you see that the names are becoming more and more familiar.  Our middle is the upward climb to power and those that used their power to attain more power, ultimately a Coup d’etat.

I’m not alone in this long-held belief that President Kennedy’s murder was planned, plotted and executed by a group of individuals who had much to gain if John F. Kennedy were out of power and out of the picture.  Last week the New York Post featured an article about the auction of note handwritten by Evelyn Lincoln, John F. Kennedy’s personal secretary wherein she names possible suspects behind his assassination.  This historical piece of ephemera is estimated to sell for $30,000!! The link to the article is below.

John F. Kennedy secretary’s list of assassination suspects going up for auction – NYPOST.com.

FUTURE TARGET – ROBERT KENNEDY

When Robert Kennedy became Attorney General in 1961, he found FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover uncooperative with his anti-crime campaign, so he formed his own intelligence unit, initiating massive illegal wire-tap operations against James Hoffa, Carlos Marcello and other mobsters, and political enemies such as State Department Security Evaluator Otto Otepka, who had rejected several Kennedy appointments as security risks.  Although Robert Kennedy had once worked for Joseph McCarthy and Otepka assisted the McCarthy-inspired Senate Subcommittee on Internal Security, in mid-1963 Otepka was suddenly moved to a less sensitive post, and his safe was drilled open.  Inside was found a study on American defectors to the U.S.S.R., including Lee Harvey Oswald, on whom Otepka hadfailed to issue a State Department “look-out card”.

While Robert may have suspected conspiracy in his brother’s death, he never publicly challenged the FBI’s findings.  Meanwhile, Hoover removed his private phone link to the Attorney General and did not speak to him for the next six months, after which Robert left his post.  Four years later, on the verge of capturing the Democratic nomination for the 1968 presidential race, Robert was killed by another lone nut, Sirhan Sirhan.  He may have taken to his grave the secret of his brother’s missing brain, which was removed (along with photos and 119 slides of tissue section) from the autopsy materials  before 1967, probably on orders from Robert himself, according to the HSCA.  Did he take this evidence into safe-keeping because he intended, once he became President, to reveal a conspiracy cover-up?

Have I caught y0ur attention? If you’re new to the blog or these posts, you can go back to the beginning of the theory by clicking on Conspiracy Theory Wednesday in my category column.

TASTY  TIDBITS  TUESDAY

I served this dessert at Christmas for several years.  Of course, the dessert table was laden with other choices, however, this is one of my favorites because it incorporates two of my favorite foods: chocolate and ice cream!  This year it may be resurrected.

ESPRESSO BISCUITS

1  1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup Dutch cocoa

1 TBS ground espresso beans

2 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)

3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees with two racks spaced evenly apart. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift together flour, cocoa, and espresso beans; set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine the butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture, scraping down sides of bowl twice.
  • Roll 2 1/2 tablespoons of dough between the palms of your hand to form a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining batter, spacing cookies two inches apart. Using a dinner fork, press tines into dough, and gently press into biscuit shape. Bake biscuits just until firm to the touch, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve these dessert biscuits with coffee** ice cream.
  • Read more at Marthastewart.com: Espresso Biscuits – Martha Stewart Recipes

    I have also served these delicious (not too sweet) biscuits with Peppermint Ice Cream.

    chocolate cookie, espresso, christmas dinner dessert,coffee ice cream, peppermint ice cream

    Yum Yum Yummy!


    A Classy Christmas Cocktail

    I came across this blog post today and the cocktail looked so crisp and fruity and as Hawlie says in her blog”…Everything is either too fatty, too creamy or too pepperminty…”  I hope to concoct this myself this year and you’re invited.

    A Classy Christmas Cocktail.

    Love & Heartbreak Cover

    Image via Wikipedia

    You would think I had a real office where I had to be in the office from 9 to 5 because that’s how this Monday feels.  I’m having weight depression again which means I don’t want to put on real clothes or go anywhere – definitely a Blue Monday!

    On the bright side I do have some Six Word Memoirs from readers to share:

    I’m a winner mystery song guesser – Esther

    Baby it’s cold outside – bundle up! – Gail

    Standing in lines, it’s the holidays! – Susan Celtic Lady

    Can you overdose on Sole Meunier? – Heide

    Habit not diet causes weight loss Me

    So I’m back to beseeching my readers to contribute their own Six Word Memoirs, it’s fun, it’s introspective and it’s clever. Join in the fun.

    **Write about Sex. Learn about Love – Martha Garvey

    **Stole wife. Lost friends. Now happy. – Po Bronson

    **Fourteen years old. Story still untold – David Gidwani

    **One long train ride to darkness

    ** Excerpts from the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure.

    I really am some kind of Christmas junkie.  For me the addiction is in decorating the house.  Over the years I have varied the look from time to time and when I had a large Victorian-style home in Connecticut, we had Christmas trees that were 9′ to 10′ tall and full of ribbons, flowers, bows, lace and confection.

    Then there was the year of The Toy Story Christmas; My daughter and I were living in a bungalow-style small house and there really wasn’t room for a real tree.  I spent hours making a good size Candy Tree.  That was a treat (no pun intended), so colorful and sticky too.  Presents were piled on and around an old golden oak hall seat, stuffed animals sat here and there, Woody himself  was near the tree.

    One year I went full-out Martha Stewart! I made the cookie ornaments featured in the magazine and a small flock of penguins hand-painted in blue and black frosting set in snow (salt), strung cranberries and popcorn and wrapped all the presents in brown paper tied with raffia.

    When I married Peter (who’s Jewish), Christmas was still very much present, however, now I was living in a New York City apartment and soooooo;  the living room which has an Art Deco look became a silver and crystal wonderland.  Reindeer inhabited every room, shelf and nook – they’re so ecumenical, don’t you think?

    Fast forward to the present and this year Christmas will be in our little cottage at the shore.  La Vie en Rose is a true confection of a cottage, at least I like to think so.  A small cottage can only handle so much decoration so again there’s no tree and by the way, that’s okay because over the years I have given all of the ornaments of their youth to my two now grown up kids.  The cottage is Victorian on the outside and eclectic on the inside.   Color is the key and this is what it looks like today.

     

    La Vie en Rose, Christmas tree, Ocean Grove

    A Pink Christmas is Perfect

    The tree really isn’t supposed to have any ornaments and comes pre-wired with tiny lights but I guess I couldn’t resist hanging a couple and now that I see the photo, I think I’ll remove them.

     

    flamingo, penguin, ornaments, bowl of ornaments

    Flamingo and Penguin Co-exist at Christmas time

    I love the reflections.

     

    ocean grove,nutcrackers,wooden soldiers

    My Army of Nutcrackers

    Joel and Chiara Berti, pink ribboned tree

    Pink Ribboned Tree

    I have been looking at photos from other Christmases in the cottage and I see that this tree has been promoted to the first floor!

     

    Christmas light bulbs, C-9 bulbs, canning jars, Ball jars, zinc lids, santa sleigh, pine cones

    The First of the Ball Jar Bulb collection

    There’s a few more jars and bulbs and a jingle bell wreath on the door.  I need to take a few more photos to do this all justice.

    Merry Christmas to All!

    Well not really! A couple of readers treasure the sound of the ocean, however  in a different manner and form.  It was wonderful to receive the responses (of course always wish more had replied) and as promised I’m publishing their favorite sounds, so listen carefully.

    Justin:

    shooting the curl, tube surfing

    Surfing in the Tube

    My mom wheezing when she laughs so hard that no sound comes out of her mouth.
    My father’s cackle when he laughs so hard and then he also wheezes where no sound comes out! These are my 2 favorite sounds!

    A very close 2nd is the sound inside of the tube of a wave. It’s the best white noise known to man. Not only is it the most beautiful site of all time, when that waves closes over you, there is a silence that is deafening!! Only a surfer would know!

    Chiara and Joel’s laughter remind me of my childhood and so many amazing board games. Those 2 laughs are so contagious! Basically I love laughter!!

    Karen:

    I love the sound of a baby breathing, my son, Christopher’s, voice, smacking of the ocean’s wave against the sand, children laughing, & most of all, my mother’s ghost telling me that I should feel guilting about something..

    Gail:

    I agree with you about the thunder, ocean waves and purring! Also, the sound of a heavy rain banging against the window when you’re nice and warm and dry inside. Also, the sound of the first notes of songs that you love.

    Heather:

    I am Taurus on the cusp of Gemini but I have one sound above all others that I love:  the sound of a constant rain on the roof/skylight/lanai/patio/deck/tent.  Nothing is more peaceful to me.  You got me with the sounds of being on a boat and hearing the sounds of water alongside and I do sleep peacefully with that BUT my ear is always awake listening for a deep engine too close, fog horns or waves on rocks (meaning the anchor has dragged and our boat is too close to shore!).  I can fall asleep in an instant sitting at the beach and listening to the gentle lapping of the waves and the sounds of seagulls but, again, not as good as rain.  Mind you, all these things have to do with water which, as you rightly suggested, is reminiscent of the womb. Nuff said.

    Sooooo what do think or hear for that matter?  If you wish to express your thoughts on your own favorite sound, please send to me here in the blog or at pbenjaytoo@gmail.com

    Footnote: The Christmas carol, “Do You Hear What I Hear” was written by a married couple who wrote it during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a plea for peace.

    With Christmas around the corner, 15 days and counting, red is popping up everywhere.  Well actually if you’re looking for it, it really is everywhere or in our case, where you find it. So in this season of RED (and green) I thought it a good idea to continue the series of I See Red and Red Is Where You Find It.

    Central park pond, autumn, fall, artist, red

    Artist in Central Park

    Photo by Murray Head

    red jacket, Central Park, Colombia, Salsa

    Salsa not coffee

    photo by Murray Head

    RED, berries, bird, Central Park, New York city, Murray Head

    Berries for Breakfast

    photo by Murray

    New York city, camera, knit hat, Times Square

    Red Hat in Times Square

    photo by Murray Head

    red tights, Times Square, red legs

    RED legs!

    photo by Murray Head

    Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

    Image via Wikipedia

    This was sent to me by my friend Gail and it is so apropos for the season, I thought well why not post in my blog? And so here it is – T’is the season to enjoy holiday music BUT really how many times do you want to hear The Chipmunk Song? This is so interesting with the background and origin of the songs.

    Stacy Conradt

    q10

    I’ve finally decided it’s OK to listen to Christmas songs. Stores have been playing them since Halloween (I so don’t miss that about working retail), but I’ve banned them in my car until recently. I think that goes for Quick 10 posts too – it’s finally late enough in the season that I feel OK about sharing a few Christmas song facts. Pour yourself a cup of eggnog and enjoy!

    1. “Santa Baby” was co-written by Joan Javits, the niece of Jacob Javits, a Republican Senator from New York.
    2. “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is based on the poem “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
    3. John Lennon and Yoko Ono may have written the lyrics for Happy Xmas (War is Over),” but the melody was taken from an old folk song about a racehorse called “Stewball.”
    4. “Do You Hear What I Hear” was actually a protest song of sorts. Written in 1962, the lyrics encouraged peace in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
    5. “Silver Bells was called “Tinkle Bells” until co-composer Jay Livingston’s wife pointed out to him that “tinkle” is commonly used as slang for “pee.” It was quickly changed to “Silver.” Another interesting tidbit: Livingston and his writing partner, Ray Evans, were also responsible for “Que Sera Sera” and the theme songs to Bonanza and Mr. Ed.
    6. When Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas” in his head, he said to his secretary, “Grab your pen and take down this song. I just wrote the best song I’ve ever written — heck, I just wrote the best song that anybody’s ever written!”

    7. In “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the fifth gift of “five golden rings” doesn’t mean jewelry – it refers to ring-necked birds such as the pheasant. The meaning has gotten a little skewed over the years. Also, it wasn’t originally “four calling birds,” it was “four colly birds,” which is a rather old-fashioned term for a blackbird.
    8. The song “Christmas Why Can’t I Find You,” later restyled as “Where Are You Christmas” by Faith Hill, was first sung by Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who (pictured) in the 2000 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Yeah, THAT Taylor Momsen. Interestingly, Mariah Carey wrote the song but wasn’t allowed to sing it because of a contract issue with her ex, Tommy Mottola.
    9. Aimee Mann’s “Christmastime” written by Michael Penn, Sean Penn’s brother.

    10. The Chipmunks’ “The Chipmunk Song” has hit the Billboard Hot 100 over and over, most recently in 2007, when it was rereleased with the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. You know the one, but here it is just in case you don’t have a song wedged in your head right now. And here’s the 2007 one, which I kind of hate.

    I don’t know why I ever try to define anything that is my favorite.  It goes so against my Gemini twin-like indecision!  Like I could ever pick ONE movie that was my all time favorite.  Noooo I am the poster-child, er in my case, woman of Variety is the Spice of Life. I can’t make up my mind quickly when I’m in my favorite ice cream shop so I always get two scoops in two different flavors.

    I don’t think I have a favorite song, I have a couple.  And now this??  What is your favorite sound? This is an attempt, an avenue, an opportunity to get more readers more involved in the blog postings.  Blatant? Maybe, but I’m pretty up front about it!.

    So please send me your favorite sound or sounds because honestly I have more than one and I’m going to tell you all of them, so you can do the same.  I would love to post them and you can leave them here on the blog or email me at pbenjaytoo@gmail.com.

    And how does someone choose a favorite sound?  Is it because that particular sound engenders a nostalgic memory or feeling?  Does the sound serve some need of yours?  Well let me tell you about my favorite sounds and maybe you can relate to them or you’ll get to thinking about the sounds in your life and what they mean to you.

    I love the sound of ocean, the crashing of waves and the gentle lapping of waves on the shore.  However best of all I like the sound of the water splashing up against a bell buoy when you’re sleeping on board a boat.  That sound along with the gentle rocking and rolling of the boat surely must be a memory embedded from the womb.

    I love the sound of thunder!  The rolling, rumbling gathering of nature’s forces that climax in a vibrating thunderclap really excites me.  There is a majestic power in this lightning-charged explosion of air and the booming, banging, cracking and crashing of thunder puts me ever in awe of Mother Nature.

    I love the sound of silence. The deep, dark, thick silence that surrounds the cottage on a winter night.   The stillness is secure, safe and cozy to me.  Peter hates it-well, born and bred in the City, this kind of silence is totally foreign to him.  He can’t fall asleep, he says it’s too quiet.  I say, “that’s how it’s supposed to be”.  I can snuggle my head into my down pillow and let the darkness and silence envelope me and drift into sleep…the sound of the silence filling my head until dreams replace it.

    And I love the  sound of a cat purring! As an adjunct to my love of the  sound of silence, when in the City, I love to have Nora sleep on top of my pillow and purr and purr.  She is my very own sound machine.  All I have to do is rub her belly or stroke her head and she is off and running on another round of a fairly loud purrrrring.  Sometimes she purrs herself to sleep before me!

    And so I ask you again, What Is Your Favorite Sound? Please share them with us.

     

    purring, Nora

    Nora

    The Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

    Image via Wikipedia

    Over the years there have been HUNDREDS of articles filled with speculation that the MOB, MAFIA and CIA were involved in the murder of President John F. Kennedy.  COUP D”ETAT is a conspiracy theory and the title says it all – READ on….

    THE MOB

    In the last months of the Eisenhower Administration, secret meetings mediated by ex FBI agent and Howard Hughes aide Robert Maheu were held between CIA agents and organized crime figures for the purpose of plotting to kill Fidel Castro.  By 1960, the Cuban leader had nationalized U.S. interest, closed casinos, shut down drug labs and deported most of the mobsters.  The gangster with the most to gain from the elimination of Castro was Santo Trafficante Jr., former Mafia boss of Havana who with his partner, casino developer and financial wizard, Meyer Lansky, had inherited Lucky Luciano‘s heroin operations.  Trafficante financed terrorist raids against Cuba run by CIA agent Frank Sturgis‘ Miami-based International Anti-Communist Brigade.  In 1962, Trafficante told Cuban exile and FBI informant Jose Aleman that “Kennedy is in trouble and he will get what is coming to him…Kennedy is not going to make it to the election.  He’s going to be hit.”  West Coast mobster Johnny Rosselli, another CIA-Mafia plotter, later alleged that Castro was warned of plans to kill him by a double-agent, possibly Trafficante, and that Castro, assuming the plots to be official US policy had killed Kennedy in retaliation.

    The Kennedy brothers did not know about the CIA-Mafia plots until 1962, when Robert Kennedy found the CIA interfering in Justice Department prosecution of first Mafia leader contacted by Maheu, Chicago boss Sam Giancana.  Participation in CIA-Mafia plots wasn’t Giancana’s only protection.  His girlfriend, Judith Campbell and President Kennedy had been lovers for two years.  In 1963, the Justice Department ordered the FBI to curtail surveillance of Giancana.