After This Tragedy, What Is Left To Say?

            After watching President Obama address the crowd at the University of Arizona, I am at a loss. What is there to say after the President has so eloquently spoken? I feel that anything I could say would sound trivial.

            I could say that guns don’t kill people. People kill people. Nevertheless, if  Loughner hadn’t had such easy access to guns and ammunition, he would have had to use a knife, his fists, or another less lethal weapon and the six victims may have been beaten up but would still be alive. Now isn’t the time to say it, so I won’t. Maybe we can think about it next week or next month as we try to make our country live up to its better self.

            In the meantime, I am grateful that Martin Luther King Day is coming this Monday. I can focus away from this tragedy and work on the events planned in Evanston, Illinois by the Community Of One for Monday, January 17^th. For more information on the event, visit our website at www.acommunityofone.org. During events throughout the day, all participants will be encouraged to sign a peace pledge. At our first event, a coffee at the First United Methodist Church, nonprofit organizations and local government agencies, will be on hand to recruit volunteers to help their fellow citizens in various projects  throughout the year. In light of all the tragedies of the past year, it is a small step but I think it will be a good step in the right direction. If you live nearby, I hope you come to one or more of the events.

            Another way for me to focus on something else is to cook. It felt appropriate for me to try another recipe from Peace de Resistance, the Women’s Strike for Peace Cookbook. their recipes are always quick and I wanted to be finished with dinner in time to watch the memorial. It also felt soothing to remember people who had worked hard for peace.

            I tried their recipe for Oven Fried Chicken. It serves four and the preparation time is 15 minutes.

                                                         Oven Fried Chicken

1 frying chicken disjointed

¼ cup margarine

½ cup dry white wine

½ teaspoon tarragon

½ teaspoon basil

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chives to taste

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Put chicken on a shallow baking dish skin side up. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil, and chives. Melt margarine or butter in saucepan and add tarragon. Slowly add wine. Spoon a little of this mixture over the chicken every 15 minutes. Cook for about one hour.