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Allah-u-Akbar: U.S./NATO Bombs Kill 26 Paki Soldiers

Nov 262011

The ever merciful Allah smiled upon us today with some good news.

We just returned from a trip to NYC and turned on our PC.

Boy, what should we see?

Yippee, 26 Paki soldiers killed!

Apparently, a NATO air-strike deep into Pakistan territory killed 26 Pakistani soldiers oops Paki pigs at a couple of military posts.

American and Paki newspaper say the attacks happened at two military posts in Salala, a village in Pakistan’s Mohmand tribal district. The area is close to the border with Kunar Province in Afghanistan.

Time to Rejoice

Every Paki soldier dead is one terrorist less for our two countries U.S. and India to handle.

A lot of Pakistani soldiers are in reality terrorists wearing military fatigues.

Pakistani soldiers have been involved in attacks on U.S. and NATO bases in Afghanistan and routinely sponsor large-scale violence in different parts of India.

A death of any Pakistani soldier is a time to celebrate for it’s one less terrorist for the world to deal with. And we’re doing just that with a bottle of Guinness Extra Stout beer.

Pak Retaliation

Pakistan has retaliated by closing two supply routes to NATO bases in Afghanistan and ordering the closing of a drones air-base at Shamsi in Pakistan.

Folks, we should not be too worried about the Paki action.

After all, the Paki leadership has to stage a tamasha (drama) to its people that they won’t stand this attack blah blah blah.

Ever since the U.S. attack in May on Paki soil killed the 9/11 terrorist Osama bin Laden, the Pakis have been extremely upset with the U.S. The drones attack on terrorists has made the mongrels angrier.

But let’s not forget that Pakistan aka Terroristan is a beggar nation surviving on the alms and crumbs thrown by our country, the U.S.

We suggest, and surely this will be done, throw these Paki mongrels some bones and soon the curs will be licking the bottom of your boots and thanking you for the privilege.

Inshallah, this will be the first of many more bombings by U.S./NATO on Pakistani military posts and the killing of more Paki Soldiers.

Screw the Kindle, iPad Tops U.S. Kids Wish List

America, Tablets 6 Responses »

Nov 182011

For the second holiday season in a row, American kids 6-12 are lusting for the iPad more than any other product, according to a Nielsen survey.

For the 2011 holiday season, the iPad has increased its appeal with this age-group.

Nearly half (44%) want an iPad this year compared to 31% last year.

The second and third most wanted products were also Apple devices, iPod Touch (30%) and iPhone (27%).

Only 25% of the kids looked forward to a non-iPad tablet, computer or Nintendo 3DS gaming device.

Barring the iPad, all other tablets are faring miserably in the market with few takers.

After a pathetic reception from consumers, HP jettisoned its tablet business and disposed off the remaining inventory in a fire-sale for $99.

Despite a steep starting price of $499, the Apple iPads are selling briskly.

Take a deko at the Nielsen figures below:

U.S. Kids Want the iPad for Holiday Season 2011

What About Older Kids

For kids in the 13+ age group too, the iPad is the most desired product.

The Nielsen study shows 24% of kids in this age group drooling over the iPad this holiday season compared to 18% last year.

Computers and e-readers were salivated over by 18% while both non-iPad tablets and TVs found favor with 17% of the kids 13+.

U.S. Kids Want the iPad for Holiday Season 2011

We’ve played around with most of the major tablets and none of them come anywhere near the iPad in ease of use, finesse and quality.

Lemont Rama Temple Cafeteria – Abundant Blessings

America, Food, Reviews 1 Response »

Oct 182011

By Naveen

Besides cultural inclinations what else can lure a non-religious person to Hindu temples in the U.S.?

What else but the thought of gorging on an array of fine food at the temple cafeterias!

The Chicago land offers some fine temples for devout Hindus to congregate, places like the Aurora Balaji Temple, Lemont Rama Temple, Swaminarayan Mandir etc.

For me, a visit to Aurora Balaji temple or in this instance the Lemont Rama Temple a.k.a. Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago is a good excuse to feast on the fine “Prasadhams”.

For a long time I was unaware the Lemont Rama Temple had a cafeteria and only recently did I discover the existence of this hidden gem.

Ram Temple Ambiance

A drive to the Lemont Rama Temple is a relaxing experience in itself.

The temple is built on a small landscaped hill (or a large mound depending on how one looks at it).

Plenty of parking, soothing greenery and quiet surroundings bring instant peace as you enter the Temple campus.

Lemont Rama Temple Rama Temple Lemont

Lemont Rama Temple has multiple entrances including a Gopuram visible from a distance.

The temple has multiple blocks linked via a hallway.

I entered through the Siva temple where the Hindu gods Siva, Parvathi, Ganesh, Murugan, Durga, Aiyappa Swamy and Navagraham are worshiped. This is a spacious hall.

Sometimes you may find yourself getting free Prasadham as you move from this block to the other side of the Temple. Alas, I wasn’t lucky during my latest visit.

On the way from here to the main Rama temple, there is a fine auditorium used for cultural events and fund raisers, a Gift shop, Library, couple of footwear removal area, restrooms, the Cafeteria and finally the Rama Temple.

Radha – Krishna, Balaji, Mahalakshmi, Hanuman, Satyanarayana Swamy and, of course, Sita – Rama – Lakshmana are worshiped in this block. If the Siva temple was spacious then the Rama temple is big enough to host an event.

Lemont Rama Temple campus is very clean unlike the ever-present filth one encounters in temples back home in India.

You can see an interesting mix of North and South Indian styles in the Rama Temple’s architecture.

While the interior of the temple shows a North Indian influence, it has an impressive traditional South Indian Gopuram outside.

While a lot of visitors are North Indians, the Priests hail from the South and so is the food in the Cafeteria.

Ah… I finally come to the purpose of my visit… the Cafeteria.

The Cafeteria sports a modest appearance. It just has the basic essentials and a small kitchen.

Thankfully for the diners, although the kitchen is small the food is made with a large heart and a fine taste.

Cafeteria Service

Like most Hindu temple cafeterias in the U.S., the Lemont Rama Temple cafeteria too is self service.

During our visit, the line was short, ordering and billing were quick and the items were served quickly.

There were sufficient tables available during our two visits, on Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening, which are the peak periods.

Lemont Rama Temple Canteen

There were enough water jars, cups and spoons.

However, sugar was kept in an open bowl instead of a sugar dispenser. This is a hygiene issue.

Lemont Rama Temple Sugar Sugar in an Open Bowl – Unhygienic

The full menu is available only on weekends.

Ram Temple Canteen Menu

The menu is basic but adequate for a temple cafeteria.

Here’s the stuff that made me forget the world and had me in an ecstasy.

The first item my starving stomach and hungry eyes targeted was Idly-Sambar, a South Indian favorite.

Lemont Rama Temple Idly Lukewarm Idly, Delicious Chutney

Idly was not as warm as I would have desired but the delicious fresh Coconut Chutney and the lip-smacking Sambar more than compensated for the lukewarm Idlys.

Now, the Sambar deserves a special mention.

Although at first glance it looked watery and unimpressive, a few gulps later I could not get enough of that addictive little bitch!

With a fine flavor and right temperature it was as good if not better than any Sambar I’ve ever tasted! And hailing from South India, if I know anything in life it’s my Sambar.

Lemont Rama Temple Sambar Superb Sambar

What’s next?

Of course it’s the ever reliable Medu Vadai, a spongy delight that after soaking in the warm Sambar had my taste buds in sheer rhapsody.

Lemont Rama Temple Vadai Medu Vadai – Spongy Delight

The caterers at Lemont should be proud of the fantastic Pongal they serve.

To say that the Pongal was yummy would be an understatement but I was not pleased when the “Hot Pongal” was served at lukewarm temperature.

Nevertheless, one spoon of this enchanting stuff sent me into waves of euphoria.

Lemont Rama Temple Pongal Fantastic Pongal

Lemon Rice was a perfect preparation with a fine tangy flavor, light yellow color and chunky rice.

This naughty medley was so palatable that I wanted to skip a few other menu items and do an encore.

Lemont Rama Temple Lemon Rice Fine Lemon Rice

Very rarely does Mango Lassi find its way into my list of must have items but the Rama Temple cafeteria’s Mango Lassi was truly exceptional.

Creamy in color, whipped frothy and light, sweet but not cloyingly sweet, this Lassi was so good that I greedily slurped three cups and still yearned for more.

Lemont Rama Temple Mango Lassi Excellent Mango Lassi

Here is stuff at the Rama Temple that was good and tasty but not exceptional…

Masala Dosai was as expected very appetizing although I personally prefer a slightly thicker crust and a hotter version (temperature-wise)!

Lemont Rama Temple Masala Dosai Masala Dosai – Good but not Great

Curd Rice was ok.

Although it was quite palatable, for me the benchmark for temple curd rice is the exceptional offering at Aurora Balaji temple Cafeteria which ranks several notches above any other curd rice that I have tasted.

Lemont Rama Temple Curd Rice Curd Rice – OK

This curd rice had excess of Jeera and Ginger that interrupted the flavor of the curd.

After going through the assortment of sweets, I picked Badusha as it is one item I rarely eat.

Man, that was one good decision.

The Badusha wasn’t too sugary but packed enough sweetness in it to qualify as a fine dessert.

Lemont Rama Temple Badusha Badusha – Sweet Temptation

Now for the Ugly

Here is stuff for which the caterers need a tight slap.

Surprisingly, the Tamarind Rice turned out to be huge disappointment.

It lacked the enticing smell, savory taste and nice feel of fresh Puliohare and coming from a temple cafeteria it deserves to be frowned upon.

Lemont Rama Temple Badusha Dissappointing Tamarind Rice

The lousy Pickle that they provided for 50 cents was extremely unpleasant.

Who would want to taste an utterly bitter thing in the middle of a fine lunch!

Hell, the pickle wasn’t even pickled enough.

Lemont Rama Temple Pickles Bitter Pickles

Masala Tea was too thin and had absolutely no Tea Masala flavor.

After a few sips I abandoned it.

Lemont Rama Temple Masala Chai Flavorless Masala Tea

By the way, which moron decided that Indians visiting temple cafeteria would have black Coffee?

This was the one item that truly annoyed me among all the items in the cafeteria.

Lemont Rama Temple Coffee Black Coffee

Low Price, High Quality

A key attraction of eating at a Hindu Temple cafeteria in the U.S. is the low price for most items.

For the high quality you generally get at Hindu temples here, the prices are a steal.

Here’s a look at the Lemont Rama Temple menu:

Rama Temple Menu

If Hindu Temples can sell their fine fare at such modest prices, why is it that Indian restaurants here try to palm off crappy food at exorbitant prices. The only explanation we can think of is rapacious greed of the restaurant owners and rank incompetence of the chefs.

Rama Temple Cafeteria – Overall Verdict

Despite a few stumbles the Lemont Rama temple cafeteria is a fine place to visit for good South Indian Lunch or Dinner.

Their fantastic Pongal, swoon-worthy Sambar and frothy Mango Lassi amply make up for the few deficiencies I found in some of the other items.

Just in case you’re wondering, you don’t have to be a Hindu to partake of the cafeteria’s many pleasures.

Your favorite blog SearchIndia.com strongly recommends the Lemont Rama Temple Cafeteria.

And during your visit if you happen to see an Indian-looking character with a laser-like focus on the third plate of Idly-Medhu Vadai or slurping the fourth glass of Mango Lassi you can be sure that person is yours truly.

Go for it, folks!

America – A Land of 45 Million Crazies, Watch Out

America, Health 11 Responses »

Oct 062011

After several years of living in America, we most definitely knew our adopted land was a nation of many crazies, whackos, fruitcakes and screwballs.

How else can you explain the popularity of Glenn Beck, Fox News, Cheerleading, Eric Cantor, Baseball, Sarah Palin, Tattoos and the Superbowl.

Come on, which sane person sports a tattoo or jumps up and down jiggling her tits because some big, fat zombies are engaging in another weird act, playing College Football in which you carry the ball and run.

But even we, yes, we, the immensely wise souls at SI never realized the extent of craziness that lurks beneath the Hi, How are You masses here?

A new study has put out the disturbing conclusion that nationally, 44.5 million adults in America aged 18 or older experienced mental illness in 2010. This works out to a rate of 19.7% of the adult population.

Well, this means that every fifth person we see in the U.S. is some kind of nut-job.

No, we’re not making up these ‘crazy’ numbers.

The study was conducted by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Remind us never to visit Rhode Island because that northeast state had the highest number of crazies at 24.2%.

Maryland had the lowest at 16.7%.

45 MIllion Americans are Mentally Ill

Serious Mental Illness

The study found 10.4 million adults aged 18 or older (4.6% of that population) experienced a serious mental illness in the past year with rates ranging from 3.5% in Hawaii to 7.2% in Rhode Island.

Arkansas, Idaho, Rhode Island, Utah and West Virginia had the highest rates for both serious mental illness and any mental illness.

We definitely believe that the really, really crazies hail from Arkansas.

After all, Bill Clinton hails from Arkansas.

Yeah, the same dickhead who was busy in the Oval House inserting his cigar into Monica Lewinsky’s twat and then shoving it in his mouth or shoving his dick into her mouth, all while he was talking to Senators and Congressmen on the phone on matters of national importance. Or, maybe he was ordering his generals to bomb Bosnia while he torpedoed and unloaded in that bombshell Monica’s mouth. Hell, if that’s not serious mental illness nothing else qualifies for crazy. Continue reading »

Bad Day for American Workers – U.S. Postal Service Says F-You to 35,000 Employees

America 3 Responses »

Sep 152011

Things are getting worse for U.S. workers.

The bozos at the U.S. Postal Service are preparing to fire 35,000 employees.

Arguing that its massive nationwide infrastructure is no longer financially sustainable, the USPS is considering shuttering 250 processing facilities, reducing mail processing equipment by 50%, dramatically decreasing the nationwide transportation network, throwing 35,000 employees under the bus and lowering service standards for First-Class Mail.

The post thinks it can save $3 billion a year by implementing the above slash-and-burn techniques.

With the advent of e-mail and other electronic forms of communication, mail volume has declined by 43 billion pieces in the past five years and continues to decline. First-Class Mail has dropped 25% and single piece First-Class Mail (letters bearing postage stamps) has declined 36% in the same period and nearly 50% in the past ten years. Apparently, the decline has created substantial excess capacity within the postal processing network.

Ha Ha Ha

Never let it be said that the USPS bozos are without a sense of humor.

After announcing plans to kick out 35,000 employees, USPS Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said:

Our employees continue to do a terrific job for our customers and are among the most dedicated workforce anywhere.

By the way, the USPS receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Yeeks, America Turning Into India – 46m Americans Languish in Poverty

America 9 Responses »

Sep 132011

Who says unbridled, unregulated capitalism does not produce prosperity?

Of course, unregulated capitalism produces prosperity.

For a tiny sliver of the population – The Bankers, Lobbyists, Corporate Titans and the Politicians.

As for the rest, let them eat grass.

That’s what more and more Americans will be increasingly reduced to.

We’ve already read reports of Americans foraging for mushrooms and other food substances outside.

A record 46.2 million Americans were living in poverty in 2010, the highest level in the 52 years for which poverty estimates have been published, the U.S. Census Bureau said today.

America’s official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1%, up from 14.3% in 2009 ─ the third consecutive annual increase in the poverty rate.

So, is it any surprise then that food banks across America are straining to meet requests from unemployed Americans and their familes.

Feeding America’s network of food banks distributed 3.1 billion pounds of food in 2010, an increase of 500 million pounds over 2009.

Hey, that’s not all.

Nearly 50 million Americans, a sixth of the population, struggle without health insurance.

Other highlights of the Census Bureau report:

* At 27.4%, the poverty rate for Blacks was more than double that of Whites (13%)

* Hispanic poverty rate of 26.6% was also more double that of Whites

* Poverty rate for children under 18 increased to 22% (16,401,000 children) in 2010

* By region, the South had the highest poverty rate (16.9%) and highest number of poor (19.07 million)

The two tables below tell a poignant tale of America’s inexorable, irreversible decline:

46 Million Americans Languish in Poverty

50 Million Americans Without Health Insurance

Who Says NYC Restaurants are Just for Eating

America, Food 3 Responses »

Aug 252011

People do it in the strangest of places.

In closets. In the air (you schmucks heard of the Mile-High Club?). Under water. In the car while driving. In the White House Oval Office. In school staff rooms (we’ve seen it). In trains. In churches. In buses (we’ve seen heard the noise). On the office table (a famous Indian newspaper baron was once caught inflagrante delicto with a sweeper woman).

No place, it seems, is a safe haven from the urgent priapic impulses that must be sated before it gets out of hand and all sanity is lost.

Times have changed and so have people.

They no longer do their best work in bed alone (Thank you, Mae West)

Now, we’re told by the high priests of low culture at Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post that New Yorkers do it in restaurants too.

No idea if that includes the Indian curry houses on Lexington Avenue or in Jackson Heights.

Here’s an excerpt from the NY Post piece:

Here in the Big Apple, randy diners are better off heading for the bathroom, advises Couture [i.e. Joseph Couture, author of “Peek: Inside the Private World of Public Sex].

“The men’s room is the best option,” he says. “Taking a lady into a stall in the men’s room doesn’t generally create as much concern . . . it merely causes envy.”

For more on how randy New Yorkers cum with their Steaks and Samosas, read this NY Post piece.

By the way, where are the strangest places you’ve done it or seen people do it?

OMG, Did Delaware Just Experience an Earthquake?

America 11 Responses »

Aug 232011

OMG.

A few minutes back, around 1:49PM ET, we felt the whole house shake.

Not a mild shake but something more severe.

You know, this side and that as if it was going to collapse. It lasted about 15-20 seconds.

We rushed out in fear.

Only to see our African-American neighbor running out of his house yelling, What the Hell.

As we looked down our road, we saw children and elders rushing out to the street.

People started frantically calling on their cell-phones. Who were they calling? Loved ones, police?

Down the road, we heard a middle-aged white lady telling her neighbors, I’m glad it was not just me.

Smyrna Town – Strong Quake

The Earthquake or whatever it was struck powerfully in Smyrna Town in Kent county of Delaware.

Going by the magnitude, we’re guessing the quake must have been 5-7 on the Richter scale.

A shelf-stockist at the Acme grocery store on Glenwood Ave in Smyrna told us that some boxes had fallen off the shelves but there was no damage otherwise.

Some Boxes Fell of the Shelves during the August 23, 2011 Earthquake Some Boxes Fell off the Shelves at Acme

Reactions to Delaware Earthquake

Crazy, isn’t it? The first time I’ve been through something like that.
- A Teller at Wilmington Trust Bank/M&T, Smyrna

I felt the floor move.
- Kirit Patel, Liquor Store Owner, Reba Liquors, Smyrna

Kirit Patel of Reba Liquors in Smyrna Felt the Floor Move Kirit Patel (owner) felt the Floor Move

At this time, we’re unsure if New Castle County and Sussex County were also hit.

Update: The quake was felt from Virginia to NYC and beyond.

Certain Damage

We have no doubt that the quake must have caused serious damage in parts of Delaware, particularly to older buildings.

On the positive side, we’ve not heard any police or ambulance sirens.

Quake Hits Philadelphia Too?

Going by the IP addresses of our visitors, it looks like the quake might have hit Philadelphia and other parts of Pennsylvania too.

Quake Strikes DC, Virginia, NYC

Media reports say that a 5.8 earthquake in Virgina was felt in Delaware, Washington DC and New York City and North Carolina.

The White House was evacuated for a short while.

We’re heading out now to see if things are all right near Rt-13 in Smyrna, DE.

Update:
No visible damage in Smyrna that we could see during a short drive around town.

Of course, there could be structural damages to buildings that can’t be discerned by the naked eye.

All in all, despite the powerful effect of the earthquake it does not look like there’s been any loss of life or serious injuries.

Deven Sharma Out-graded for Downgrading America

America, Diaspora, People 3 Responses »

Aug 232011

Deven Sharma Out at Standard & Poor's Deven Sharma, president of tainted credit rating firm Standard & Poor’s, has been out-graded (take that neologism, schmucks).

Sharma, 55, is stepping down as head of the firm effective September 12 but will remain an adviser of the parent company until the end of the year.

The official reason cited for Sharma’s departure is that he “was ready for new challenges.”

But we suspect Standard & Poor’s decision on the leadership change today is the outcome of pressure from the Obama administration.

Citibank’s Chief Operating Officer Douglas Peterson will succeed Sharma as the new president.

Under Fire

Standard & Poor’s has come under fire after it recently downgraded America’s long-term federal debt credit rating to AA+, a notch below the top grade of AAA. Continue reading »

America Says Fuck You to 77 Million Tamils

America, General 13 Responses »

Aug 132011

Question: How many Americans does it take to bugger 77 million Tamils?

a) 100,000 Navy Seals
b) 10 CIA Agents in Virginia operating 50 Drones
c) 1-million highly trained U.S. soldiers
d) 1 weaponless White Woman

Correct Answer: d i.e. Just one White Woman without weapons

Ouch, the backsides of 77 million Tamils must be hurting today.

Hurting real bad after an American woman diplomat strapped on a big dildo and buggered the shit out of them.

U.S. Vice Consul in the South Indian city of Chennai Maureen Chao might look like your friendly White neighbor who enjoys the Garlic Naan at the $12.99 Sunday Lunch buffet at the local Taste of India.

But make no mistake, Maureen Chao is one tough woman. Her words are hotter than Chettinad Chicken.

Here’s what the White woman told a gathering of students at the SRM University in Chennai on Friday:

I was on a 24-hour trip on a train from Delhi to Orissa. But, after 72 hours, the train still didn’t reach the destination due to some strike and, earlier, due to a rail block by some cows or camels. At the end… my skin became dirty and dark, like the Tamilians,

Yes, poor Maureen’s skin became dirty and dark like that of Tamilians.

By the way, if you’re a Tamil and if your backside is hurting Maureen Chao regrets it.

Because it was not Maureen’s intent to hurt you while she buggered you. So, move on now.

The U.S. Consulate in Chennai Vice Consul said Maureen Chao’s speech reflected ‘positive memories from her own study abroad experiences in India 23 years ago.’

Say, has Maureen Chao seen what color her President’s skin is?

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