Now bashing a candidate on a food issue (however superficial) is an appropriate topic for a "Food and Dining" blog. However, I still wish if you want to rant about things outside of your area of expertise and the advertised topic of this blog - you get your own personal blog to do it.

Tonight's Palin coping mechanism: Palin Bingo (www.palinbingo.com). And a lot of wine. Semi-food-related, yes?

Sorry, Tim dude but when it comes to Democracy in America it is the right and duty of every citizen to make politics their "area of expertise."

WTF? Area of expertise? Do you want some kind of elite theocratic oligarchy where only old men in chambers and robes have the right and "expertise" to sit down and discuss political ideas? Do you want people license and permission granted by a central authority to share their opinions in public?

This IS Andrew Zimmern's blog! So don't go telling him if he wants to express opinions to go get his own blog to do it.

Are you a stoner because you are amazingly disconnected from the rational world by the words that come out of your mouth. Your comments remind me of college kids who in a state of THC induced buzz, would impulsively bark out opinions without knowing a single thing about what they are saying. It's as if language and the brain no longer collaborate and have become disconnected.

I think I'm going with a Sarah Palin drinking game. One sip every time she says or does the following:

-"The Good People of America."
-"Reform"
-Makes a strange hand gesture
-"Alaska"
-"Drill, Baby, Drill"
-"John McCain was a POW"
-Changes topics three times within one answer
-"Dude"
-"Trig"
-"Joe Six-Pack"
-"Main Street"
-"Like, you know"

It should be an interesting debate no matter what side of the aisle you fall on.

Just you wait, Andrew Zimmern, Sandra Lee's going to come out with a Semi-Homemade Ramen Noodle Cookbook and it's going to top the charts!

You know you'll buy it!

I'm no fan of Sandra Lee. I'd rather not cook than semi-cook her semi-recipes. However, she's going to be whipping up some semi-cocktails at the MOA? I might just elbow my way to the front of the crowd. This Minnesota Mom could use a good, easy to whip up cocktail made from the cans in her pantry!

Keep on blogging whatever you need to be blogging about!

From a former fan from way back, Met you personally when you were a chef at Un Deau Trois, took cooking classes from you, watched your show and read your blog, you are a blow hard ego maniac with a guard dog named Robb. We tuned in for food topics, something we have in common. You couldn't care less that you insult half of your fans. Bye Andrew. Your shtick of eating elephant crap is growing old.

Seriously? don't make me have to un-subscribe to your blog because you consider yourself a celebrity "worthy" of foisting your unqualified political opinions on us... stick to the food Zimmern, and you'll retain the respect you deserve.

Hi Andrew,

I recently heard from a friend that you might be going to Seoul, South Korea for Bizarre Foods, but didn't see the city listed as part of Season 3 scheduled airings..Will the city be on the show sometime soon? Being from Seoul, I know it would be a great addition for your palate! :)

Danny B, you forgot "Maverick".

Let's not forget:

"There ya gooo Joooooe"

"You betcha"

"I'll have ta get back ta ya on dat one"

If she doesn't get elected the Coen Brothers should certainly cast her in the lead role in Fargo 2

Andrew - how is the food in the French countryside? I'll be looking @ real estate there if Palin and Pop-Pop somehow make it to the White House

Robb, please do not classify Tim as a stoner as that is an insult to stoners everywhere. I would say he is more along the lines of a narrow minded meth head. If he believes everyone should stick to their area of expertise maybe he should stick to cleaning toilets and leave the blog commentaries to the rest of us. For the record. I believe Palin won all 3 of the debates.
Russ, please do move to France and take all those people with you that said they were going to move their when Bush got elected, aka Susan Sarandon and Gary Senis. If you can't stick with America through thick and thin we don't need you

I agree, our free speech allows us to speak freely about ALL of our views and opinions. So what if Andrew brings up politics. If you agree with him, then you'll get a chuckle. If you disagree with him, then disagree. Just because a person is a celebrity doesn't mean they have to censor what they say publicly. When did this country get so scared of healthy political discussion?

I don't need to defend or guard Andrew Zimmern, that's for sure, he can do just fine on his own.

But there is a principle that needs to be defended regarding political opinions, criticism and the duty of citizenship to speak up and engage in matters hugely affecting the future of the country.

I don't know if Andrew agrees with me for what I say but, if some of you simply want to live in a protective bubble or cocoon that ONLY reflects your narrow subjective point of view on politics OR culinary taste, that go away and be be GONE.

Mary and Samsonite, you keep threatening to leave this dinner party but never fulfill on your promises. We are not going to cry at your absence. At least I'm not.

And I apologize for remarks that may have cast stoners in a bad light Dave Camaro. I may not have been sensitive to their special needs and tender feelings, although, I suspect they just zoned it out, man, and went in search of more munches. 8)

ohpulease, who is the celebrity we are talking about, if you are refering to AZ, that is a loose interpritation.bye the way if anyone wants to bring a video camera to my back yard I will be eating random grass, sticks, insects and some dog poop from the neighbors chow chow.

I just heard this morning that two of my favorite places are closing....JP's and Sam's wine shop. Is this true?

Can I just add some perspective. Everyone read Robb's second and third paragraphs.

Then consider the following: This is a freaking chow blog! Some people just might come here as a respite and diversion from the ubiquity of hardcore politics and their "Solemn Duty to Country and All That Is Politics."

If you think it's patriotic and your duty as an American to sit in your cubicle or coffee shop or wherever and anonymously blast away at people in the Chow & Again blog, you've completely fallen off the Chinese-made donkey (or elephant) you rode in on.

My frustration is that I can't spend five g-damned seconds of my life enjoying my (former) favorite leisurely pursuits (of which, reading this blog is one) without someone screaming their political ideology in my face.

Robb, I like my protective bubble or cocoon or whatever. I happen to call it leisure time. I wish it was you and your equally perspective-lacking opponents on the Right that would "go away and be gone" from our bubble/cocoon and take your hardcore political blathering to one of the 700 trillion (convenient number) political fora.

Go call in to Rush Limbaugh or something. Let us have our fun back.

I at least appreciate that Andrew lightly veils his strong (and rightful) opinions in a bit of tongue-in-cheekness for the most part. I got a chuckle out of the cheesesteak nonsense and appreciated that it was more an actual chow comment than a real political statement.

Only the greatest of rubes would think Palin chooses where her stupid cheesesteak photo op occurs. Some unchowish handler dragged her there. Or maybe she actually did go on-line to pursue a better sandwich joint but all the great chow knowledge was on hiatus because of, or drowned out by, stupid political blathering and arguing.

p.s. - Can we really trust Obama to be President when he goes to (gasp) the Copper Dome for takeout pancakes?!? (insert rim shot) Ooo...MSPD can be a funny guy too!

Again...please. For the love of God and Country. Let us have our fun back.

You just couldn't resist could you? You have turned into a boring fat slob of a carnival eater Andrew. You suck. Sad that the Travel channel even bothers with your talentless ass. How's the ratings? Decrees them by half and see how things go for you fatass.

I've seen enough of Sara Palin to realize that she is actually quite a bit more intelligent than Mr. Zimmern. He hates her for what she stands for. Be honest Zimmy! By the way, does Zimmy too believe that Obama is "the first clean, articulate African American to run for office"? Since this is a food blog, I was wondering if the long lines outside Cosetta's have died down yet.

Mimilarue,

Yes, the jP's rumor is true. It's all over the Internet today and their website confirms it. Sad indeed.

I haven't heard anything about Sam's. I tried to go to their webstire and it says the website has been cancelled. So you might be on to something there.

I think we're starting to see how Main Street Restaurants and Retail are being affected by the Wall Street Credit Crunch. This is only the first wave and I'm bracing myself, most unfortunately, for more.

The posse comitatus flamers are back with a vengeance!

Hey Mimilarue,
I am flattered that we made your list of Favorite Places! And we love JP's too. I'm not sure where you got your info, but
rest assured that we are not going anywhere. We will be here to serve all of your wine needs both now and in the future at Sam's Wine Shop.

--Sam Haislet

Danny B,
It is sad to hear about jP's, greatest calamari I ever had in this town was there, among other brilliant offerings.
I just checked the website and it seems to be running fine. Are you sure you went to www.samswineshop.com?

Cheers,

Sam Haislet

Sam,

Your site is working now. When I posted my comment earlier today, the page said the wesite had expired and there was a link to building your own websites. I went through Google and clicked the link. I just went back the same way and now it came up fine. I am not internet savvy enough to know if it was my computer or server or what. However, that along with the earlier post had me concerned. I'm wondering if that happened to anyone else and that is how the thought got started?

In any event, I'm really happy to hear that things are well. I hope that everyone here continues to support their independent restaurants and retailers whenever possible.

And I, like you, will miss the the people and the spirit of what was one of my favorite restaurants in town. I know they'll be back behind the stove, bar, and serving tables again soon.

AZ:

As far as i am concerned, i do not think that your political comments (asides, really) are at all out of line. Keep them coming, as they are making things interesting. I enjoy seeing other people lose their cool and get all hot and bothered.

So who cares that you are not a politicial professional--doesn't mean you can't express an opinion. And if people don't like your opinion, that is fine, too. They can let you know if it means that much to them.

The only thing that bothers me just a little bit is that some people seem to feel that they have to defend their point of view everywhere--that if they do not, for instance, defend Sarah Palin here in this blog, McCain might lose and the world come to an end. Give me a break!!! Get real, people!!!

I am a poltical pro--worked for a long time in DC, and on Presidential campaigns and as a lobbyist. And as a Republican and as a Democrat. And I can tell you it won't make that big a difference in your lives. Both sides spout all sorts of crap, but the bottom line is that what they will each do will be pretty much constrained by events beyond their control. Neither Obama nor McCain will be able to enact their tax cuts now. The economic crisis won't allow it--cutting taxes will mean huge deficits and a dramatic fall in the value of the dollar and a huge increase in inflation. No President is going to do that. That is simply one example--there are many more.

So go ahead and argue, but enjoy yourselves. This is a choice that is just exactly as important as that between "less filling" and "tastes great". It is not life and death, and those of you who think so are the real fools.

-PM

Danny B:

I would def agree about this becoming an interesting commented on blog. Whats funny is those who are bashing him about other things unrelated to his political views. clearly poster #1 tim is a palin fan and whatever but the following:

" Posted by: MSPD | October 03, 2008 at 12:14 PM You just couldn't resist could you? You have turned into a boring fat slob of a carnival eater Andrew. You suck. Sad that the Travel channel even bothers with your talentless ass. How's the ratings? (Decrease) them by half and see how things go for you fatass."

I wonder why that person is even reading this blog? Emril is fat, chris farley was fat but people loved them should they not because they are fat? their arguement just proves how dumb they really are I guess.

glad to see someone else can be like whatever and enjoy something. haha

the qoute about was actually from

"Posted by: Anthony | October 03, 2008 at 12:22 PM"

i copied the wrong part. sorry MSPD

I just wanted to chime in and say that overarching the political battle remains the fact that this blog is hosted by Mpls-St.Paul Magazine. Can I just say how very impressed I am that they even allow Andrew to voice his opinions in the first place and for all of these comments to be posted. Props to them for allowing the open conversation as it is completely unexpected.

Second, there is no denying the fact that food is politics. Maybe not so much at the presidential level of conversation occuring but every time a child eats lunch at a public school or when a new chicken coop is built on an alley in Uptown, government and politics has been involved. If we clear the political conversation, we can't have a realistic conversation.

Finally, I would argue that even politics is partially to blame for the sad closing of JPs in my neighborhood. If the roadwork on Lake and Lyndale was able to be completed as quickly and efficiently as say the 35W bridge, we wouldn't have the retailers at that corner struggling. And, by gosh, way to finish most of the work right as winter sets in. Sigh.

Politics effects everything.

One more thing:

Three years ago I planned a conference at Harvard Business School where Sandra Lee was one of our speakers. She didn't show up. No phone calls. No apology. No nothing. To me, that is completely unforgiveable and I have zero interest in supporting any of her endeavors.

folks, if you don't like it, you'd be best served to just go away. Leaving a petty, small-minded ad hominem attack not only shows what a small person you are, it provides additional traffic to the site, which allows MSP to charge more for web ads, which puts more money in Andrew's pocket. Making you 2x as dumb as you type.

I can't believe how many un-American people have commented... Here's a reminder for those America-haters. In the USA, we have the freedom to express our opinions and you have the freedom NOT read to Andrew Zimmern's blog.

Funny how "Republicans" forget that and threaten to stop reading and unsubsribe in an effort to "hurt" someone for their OPINIONS.

I applaud Andrew Zimmern for his OPINION. We don't have to be rocket scientist (like me) to have an OPINION.

In fact, I'll ask my friends to subscribe to this blog to replace the crybabies that want to go bye-bye.

Mr. Zimmern it is obvious that you are a MAVERICK for you are ruffling feathers and advocating REFORM. I believe you are closer to MAIN ST and JOE SIX-PACK then Palin claims to be.

YOU BETCHA'

Over and out!

Love ya AZ! Don't stop what you're doin!

I completely agree with Dave_C.

quoting Matt Damon is not helping your standing here any... Either Mpls St Paul Magazine gets a food guy that will stick to food or get your own blog ... I mean really - your naivete is endless...