Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Quit whining over $60 more a year

Today's Washington Post editorial shed some light on health care costs for veterans, retirees and their families.

Did you know:

  • Health-care costs consume 1/10th of the base-line defense budget.  Over $50 BILLION a year.
    • Costs have TRIPLED since 2001 - (Hmm wonder why?)
    • The Center for American Progress points out in a new report, the Pentagon is spending as much on health care as on the war in Iraq.  (YIKES!!!)
  • Tricare Prime premiums havent been raised since the program began in 1995.  
    • Family coverage is a WHOPPING $460 a year!  
    • How much do you pay??? 
  • Civilian federal retirees pay in the neighborhood of $5k a year.  
Sooooo what is the deal-io?  Defense Secretary Robert M Gates says health-care costs for military personnel, retirees and their famillies are "SIMPLY UNSUSTAINABLE."  

Then why are Veterans groups freaking out?  


How much is "modest"????   
  • From $460 to $520 PER YEAR
  • A TOTAL OF $60 BUCKS
  • 60 PER YEAR
  • ONLY 60.... 
Oh... and only the families of working age retirees (under 65) would have to pay this.  

Sooooo what is the deal again??? 

Huh?  


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

End of petroleum era... Start of alternatives era...

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Censorship is not the answer, education is! The N-word should stay!

Photo:cdrummbks
According to the LA Times, "NewSouth Books, a publisher based in Montgomery, Ala., announced plans to release an omnibus edition of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" with a couple of offensive words removed. Most prominent, of course, is "nigger," which appears 219 times in "Huckleberry Finn" and has been the source of repeated efforts to ban or restrict the novel since it was published 125 years ago."

Years ago a conservative group used similar arguments to censor books and other educational materials from the high school I attended.  That group passed petitions quoting the number of offensive words in each item they wanted banned.  Taken out of context, the number appeared just as extreme as 219 appears in the above reference.  But does 219 out of 110,253 total words in the entire text seem as extreme?  Funny how the LA Times doesn't mention the total number of words in the text.  Neither did the NY Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, Time's Newsfeed, or the Guardian.  Am I the only one who finds the ratio significant? 

Is another form of censorship the answer?  My gut response is that the book needs to be available in its original form, and taught as such.  But to teach our youth thoroughly about the good, the bad, and the ugly of those times takes skills.  Ones I am not sure most teachers have. 

I have never agreed with band aid solutions.  Is this a band aid or a stepping stone that leads people back in to study more about Twain?  Alan Gribben, the editor of this new edition, is a world-renowned Twain scholar and he hopes for the latter.  In fact, he does not favor censorship of Twain at all.  These efforts are the result of visiting so many teachers who could not teach Twain because of the "n" word.  I do admire his intentions but there must be a better way.  

Is the problem the text or teachers inability to teach effectively in the midst of difficult topics?  With such little faith in our teachers and the system, which do you think?  Next are we going to eliminate Vietnam just because it isn't pleasant to speak of, the Holocaust from World War II?  If we follow Gribben's logic, both could happen.   I refuse to believe teachers can't teach this topic or any other given proper tools.  I REFUSE!!!!!

Fix the system, don't censor it!  

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Logic on the Right.... Speak English or Get OUT!

Usually I know things are wrong just by that "gut" feeling.  Usually...  But articulating a concise reason to describe why is... well, complicated.   My response often consists entirely of a high squeaky "because it's just wrong!" My heart starts racing and I am immediately taken back to middle school where the most sophisticated argument was made up of an even louder, squeakier "DUUUUUUH" followed by the jutting out of one's hip and the obligatory eye-roll. 

More and more I see Facebook, Twitter and right wing media posts similar to the one in the picture above.  I KNOW it is wrong, on MANY levels.  Thoughts race in my head; who we are as a nation; as a country; what this country was founded on and was it built on such intolerance?  I refuse to believe so.  

The above photo is of a bumper sticker that sells for $4.99 from RightWingStuff. The website's slogan is "Back-handing the Left into Submission" and "The Largest Selection of Liberal-Baiting Merchandise on the Net!"  I found them by doing a Google search for "learn English or get out" and voila.   There are hundreds more out there just like this one.  Some sell items, some just spew hate and fear monger.

I don't understand a few things.  I have found similar left wing sites selling anti-right wing items.  But I have been doing Google searches for the last 1/2 hour and have yet to find a single one spewing similar venomous hate toward the right wing.  How can this be?  It can't be that only Right-wing folks prey on hate and fear mongering to gather its base, can it?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Carl Paladino is digging his own hole.... keep on digging

According to the Huffington Post,
State liquor license records show that New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino had once collected rent from two gay clubs located in buildings he owned in downtown Buffalo, according to a published report.
Paladino also has a gay nephew.  Also according to the Huffington Post,

In a brief telephone interview with the New York Post, the nephew, Jeff Hannon, said "Obviously, I'm very offended by his comments." He declined further comment.
The 23-year-old has not been seen at his uncle's campaign headquarters in Buffalo where he works since the remarks, the Post said.

Classy!!! 

If I were his nephew, I would go stump for Cuomo, since he doesnt seem to be a homophobic bigot, having no problem taking his daughters to Gay Pride. 

Paladino asked Matt Lauer earlier this week, "Is that normal? Would you do it? Would you take your children to a gay pride parade?"

Christian wackadoodles respond to suicides and homosexuality...its abhorrent because GOD SAID SO

I read this on Pharyngula: There's never a shortage of smarm among evangelicals:

There has been a recent rash of publicized suicides by young gay people who have been bullied and intimidated and shamed by their peers…and we're also getting a rash of Christian apologetics by the blind bigots of homophobia who simultaneously declaim their pious regrets that these poor children of God couldn't find their way to redemption, while continuing the slander of damning their sinning lives. It's hard to get more unctuously hypocritical than the odious Albert Mohler, who whimpers 'think of the children!' while protesting that as good Christians they must condemn the sin, and he sadly wonders where the good people to tell the suicidal that their lives are worth living are to be found (not in your ministry or any priesthood, that's for sure…if they want humanity and caring, they need to turn to Dan Savage).
Photo:See-ming Lee 李思明 SML
Well it turns out that some of the Christian wackadoodles need to work on their methods: (also from Pharyngula)
I don't (nor do the majority of confessing Evangelicals) believe homosexuality to be abhorrent because my "religion says so." Rather, I believe it to be so because God says so.
I have no doubt that America will eventually accept homosexuality as a legitimate lifestyle. Nor do I have a problem with it. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not equal to American values. Never has been and never will be. This world has to be destroyed in the end and I welcome it. That doesn't mean, however, that I won't stand firm in my position and continue to shout.
Do I want homosexuals to "feel isolated and ashamed to the point of suicide"? Of course not. I want them to feel isolated and ashamed to the point of repentance.

I understand Christian leaders need to respond to all this bad press.  Their followers look to them for guidance.  But they need to DIG a LITTLE DEEPER. Passing the buck by saying I believe it because GOD SAID SO, rather than offering clarity and enlightenment is irresponsible and, not unlike other right wing entities creating a bigger problem by fear mongering. 
 But that seems to be their agenda.....Yes???

Remember all those who criticized Cash for Clunkers and the Auto Bail Out????

My very mature response for you is :PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!

According to the New York Times,"Sales of Detroit’s vehicles have climbed 11 percent this year through August, compared with an 8 percent increase for the overall market".

Carl Paladino backtracks on Gay Bashing....

Paladino blames the media for spinning remarks into controversy.  According to the New York Times,  “I will reach out to leaders of the gay community to educate me on how to better represent my support for the rights of all citizens.”
Carl - this is NOT something you do MID Campaign.. it IS something you do MID life when you realize you dont know how to speak to different groups.  Its is called communication skills!!  

“This is not a question of choosing poor words or a misinterpretation of his
remarks. His beliefs are wrong and filled with hate.” said the City Council Speaker,
Christine C. Quinn, who is the city’s highest-ranking openly gay official. 
Photo: patkisgreat

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Shower Epiphanies...

I have often wondered why things are so much clearer in the shower. 

For years I have replayed arguments, discussions, emails written, etc., in my head while showering and come up with revisions or better ways I could have done things.  For the last several years I have come up with new ideas while in there.  Mostly about work.  A friend nicknamed these ideas "shower epiphanies". 

I suppose it makes sense.  Your pattern in the shower probably doesn't stray so your mind has a chance to wander.  It's not like I have to focus, it's just a shower.  Wash hair - wash face - condition hair - wash body - shave legs - rinse.  It doesn't matter if music is playing or not. 

The movie Dish Dogs suddenly comes to mind.  Finding 'zen' in the simple repetitiveness that life throws at you.  In the late 90's movie Dish Dogs, it was washing dishes; for me, it is in my shower.  Go figure.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Mechai Viravaidya on how condoms came to Thailand -- and then changed it:

Howlin' Wolf.... Amazing

NPR's All Things Considered did a special on this amazing man yesterday and I highly recommend it.


"His name was Chester Arthur Burnett, but everyone called him Howlin' Wolf. He played harmonica, but some say he was the greatest blues singer of all time. His unique voice mesmerized audiences and hugely influenced rock 'n' roll."
Photo: Kevin Dooley


 "In 1965, The Rolling Stones, fresh from England, appeared on the ABC TV show Shindig. They had one condition: Their idol, Howlin' Wolf, had to be there, too. Sure enough, he was. A hulking black eminence, he stood at the microphone in a dark suit, his huge head sweating as he stabbed the air with his finger, shaking his hips salaciously before a bevy of white go-go dancers."

Here is that video of the Wolf singing on Shindig

The Muppets - Bohemian Rhapsody YAAAAY!!!

This is an amazing video!  You will laugh!  I promise!

Sharron Angle - You MUST have your Rapists baby!!

Sharron Angle.... A Wackadoodle who says if you are raped and get pregnant - you MUST have your rapists baby, incest - sure in that case too. SHE suggests one make lemons out of lemonade.... REALLY?????



Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Since when do we proactively legislate?

Photo: Matt57  

"On November 2, Oklahoma residents will vote on State Question 755, the “Save Our State” constitutional amendment that would prohibit state courts from considering Islamic Sharia law in making rulings. Passed by the legislature in May, Oklahoma voters are expected to approve the measure and make Oklahoma “the first state in the nation” to impose such a ban."

"This effort is all about protecting our court system from being hijacked by an ideology that does not have America’s long-term future in
mind." (Read more at ThinkProgress.org)

 

When did we start legislating preventively? This isnt our thing! We are not pro-active law makers! We wait for deaths, destruction, lawsuits, millions in financial losses bef...ore legislation is written. So, are you REALLY going to try and sell this to us as preventative legislation; to protect Oklahoma from the possibility of invading Sharia Law?

Really? REALLY!!????

And I thought I had paranoid thoughts!!!!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Elections MATTER!!!!!!

This graph is the best visualization I've seen of Larry Bartels’s striking data showing how different income groups do under Republican and Democratic presidents... so yes ladies and gents... ELECTIONS MATTER!!!!!!!! SO GET OUT THERE AND VOTE - and to all my Republican friends - unless you are in the top 90% and making a million doll...ars a year - please remember WE Love you and could care less how you vote, in the end we all just want economic successes... RIGHT??
 
For more info click here.
 
bartelschart.gif

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

High Fructose Corn Syrup = Corn Sugar

The corn industry is trying to pull one over on us by selling us its new name for High Fructose Corn Syrup.  Their sales are WAAAAAAY down and so they are rebranding - renaming their product and trying to sell us a load of BULL in the process. 

Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are nutritionally the same, and there's no evidence that the sweetener is any worse for the body than sugar, said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The bottom line is people should consume less of all sugars, Jacobson said

While the "bottom line" according to Jacobson is true.  What he fails to mention is that HFCS is chemically processed and our bodies recognize this, meaning they have some difficulties breaking it down.  Sugar is "sugar" so its easier to break down and process.

But that is not all!!!!  

A Princeton University research team found:
Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same. 

In addition to causing significant weight gain in lab animals, long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup also led to abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen, and a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides. The researchers say the work sheds light on the factors contributing to obesity trends in the United States.

"Some people have claimed that high-fructose corn syrup is no different than other sweeteners when it comes to weight gain and obesity, but our results make it clear that this just isn't true, at least under the conditions of our tests," said psychology professor Bart Hoebel, who specializes in the neuroscience of appetite, weight and sugar addiction. "When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they're becoming obese -- every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don't see this; they don't all gain extra weight."

A study from Loyola University researched a link between kidney disease and high fructose corn syrup.   Using data from 9400 adults, they tracked consumption of sugary soft drinks, a major source of HFCS, and protein in the urine, a sensitive marker for kidney disease.  They found that overall, people who drank two or more sugary sodas a day were at a 40 percent higher risk for kidney damage. 

The Journal of Hepatology suggested a link between consumption of high furctose corn syrup in sodas and fatty liver disease. 

A Map of the Lands of Human Sexuality.....

Something I ran across by Franklin Veaux....


Monogamy is Simple - taken from Dan Savage

From Dan Savage:

...non-monogamy is complicated.
nonmonogamy2.5.1.gif
Click image for a larger version.

For all those who have FAITH in their religious leaders: BEWARE!

FBI arrests Lake Orion pastor attempting to meet 11-year-old, mom at hotel for 'sexual training' 

According to Mlive.com, Rev. Bendert was arrested Friday, Sept. 10th after using the AOL online chat name "Billthebear99" and arranging a meeting with a single mother who said she was willing to make her 11-year-old daughter available for sex.  That single mother was an undercover FBI agent. 

According to the affidavid:

  • In initial conversations, Bendert described himself as "married ...but obviously playful ...is that okay?" He went on to say, ""I don't have the 'guilt' gene ...so I won't go crying later on."
  • Early on, he attempted to clarify the situation.  "So your daughter is 11 ...no male influence ...and you want more male influence in her life ...as in discipline, or ...perhaps sexual training..."
  • He touted his experience with a 12 year old girl from Ohio and two Michigan teens.  "I have done this with other moms who want their daughters to be sexually 'trained'... to have a private sexual tutor."
  • He described his previous experiences as "like riding a rollercoaster ...at first it is scary, but the ride is incredible."
  • Bendert told the undercover officer he sometimes "introduced this 'process' like a game.  Most kids her age have heard of or played 'truth and dare' ...sometimes I use that to set the stage and get things rolling, as a way of making it a 'game' at first.  Might be something I use here for your daughter as well.  Although, mom might have to play along as well ...lol."
  • Writing from inside the church on Tuesday, Bendert suggested he meet the "mom" at a Troy restaurant on Friday, leaving several hours to meet with both her and her daughter at the nearby hotel.  "Are you ready mom to watch her go all the way?" he asked, noting Jenna may be "a little small" for intercourse but that he wasn't ruling it out.
The King of Kings Lutheran Church released a statement to the Oakland Press from officials saying: " “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the arrest of our pastor, the Rev. William Bendert. We first became aware of this matter after his arrest on Friday, Sept. 10.

“At this time we do not know the precise charges against him. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities as they investigate this matter."




 

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Sharron Angle Lies... She LIES LIES LIES

Sharon Angle answers a few questions today and perpetuates her extreme views.

Denouncing Florida Church's Planned Quran Burning

Seriously... Gen. Patraeus spoke out against this... The White House has spoken out against this, and now you are just grandstanding for your 15 minutes of fame.

YOUR 15 minutes are up SIR! 

Step down SIR and stop this self-aggrandizing television pissing match!!


Federal Inspectors of Oil and Gas Drilling Facilities Lack Support

In Dan Froomkin's most recent HuffPost Article, he shares how federal inspectors of our nation's offshore oil and gas drilling facilities were routinely harassed and bullied by personnel on the facility they were inspecting. 

Its not bad enough that they were harassed or bullied, that happens everyday, what is truly jaw-dropping is that the harassment WORKED!!  Not only because of external pressure from the facilities staff but internal pressure from their management! 

How is one expected to do your job if you have no support from your superiors? 


The lack of management support for inspectors was one of the most striking findings of the report. Here's what it found:
• Most inspectors interviewed stated that industry often exerted pressure on them to minimize reporting violations during inspections. For example, personnel on a facility may make comments such as "there goes my bonus," or "my wife is sick and I'll lose my job." Inspectors also reported that if they issued INCs [Incidents of Noncompliance], operators would sometimes call BOEMRE managers and complain about inspector behavior. For example, one inspector, new to the job, reported that on his first day on a platform he issued several INCs, and the company called to complain about his "rude and unprofessional behavior" before he returned to the office.
• During interviews, inspectors expressed the need for more effective leadership in daily operations and for greater management support when faced with pressure from industry....
• Operators that receive INCs may appeal to the District Manager to have the INC rescinded. A number of inspectors felt they were not sufficiently supported by their management and that in some cases management would give the benefit of the doubt to industry. Inspectors do not always have the tools necessary, such as sufficient training and adequate equipment (e.g., laptops), to effectively support the issuance of INCs.
• Inspectors who issue many INCs reported that they are especially subject to industry pressure, often without sufficient management support. A majority of the inspectors reported receiving ethics training. However, unique circumstances exist in the GOM [Gulf of Mexico], where many people are part of the oil and gas community and inspectors are likely to have worked in industry and to have family members in the business. For example, one inspector reported arriving at a facility to find that his brother, who worked for the operator elsewhere, had been flown to the facility to act as the compliance officer. The inspector informed the company that he could not conduct the inspection with his brother present. Another company representative worked with the inspector during that day.

Haley Barbour strikes back at Obama

Gee... do you think this is a backlash over the recent interview where he mis-remembered his college days as "integrated"? 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is.  It takes some of the focus off him and directs it back onto a worn out, tried - and - true hot button topic like Obama's religion.  But not just his religion, Barbour went for the trifecta!  He not only questioned his religion but his character and underneath it all was an air of 'birtherism'.  BRAVO!!



In case you missed it: Here is Gov. Barbour's history lesson on integration. It's interesting alright.  Maybe something right out of Texas history books.... but not actual history.  Sorry Gov. 

Monday, September 6, 2010

The Dumbing Down of America

Just some thoughts ..... 

Media, regardless if it is magazines, newspapers, TV, or books all cater to what they think their "public" wants.  Management within that company, we will use TV for this example, will study what its viewers want and try to provide it to get the most viewers and the highest ratings.  So if you have a cooking show and typically you have both international and local segments, but you notice that the "ratings" after your local segments are higher than your international segments, management would make a decision to run more local segments, because they had higher ratings.  Eventually they run less and less international segments because their ratings were lower, thus decreasing the opportunity for their viewer to learn about international cooking.  Anyone who wanted to learn about or watch a show about international cooking, now goes elsewhere.

What would happen if these types of decisions happened on all shows, in all media?  We would essentially be decreasing the diversity of material, possibly certain segments are more familiar and therefore brings higher ratings?  Maybe it is each individual entity to decide if their purpose is fundamentally to be that of 'educator' or that of 'entertainer'.  If it is educator and you are decreasing the diversity of material to meet ratings, aren't you decreasing the opportunity to educate?

But its just a TV show right!  Yeah, sure!  But what if it isn't.  What if it's news?  What if it's a combination?  What if someone never really realized what was happening and so just kept  flipping channels?  Some might turn the TV off, go to other sources for what they are seeking but what if they didn't? 

What are you being spoon fed?  

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Gov. Jan Brewer finally admits she was wrong about beheadings

According to the Huffington Post today, Gov. Jan Brewer finally clears up what we have all been asking. 

Gov. Jan Brewer, who gained national attention defending the state's tough new immigration law and warning of increasing border bloodshed, has spent the time since the gubernatorial candidates' debate earlier this week trying to repair the damage done from her cringe-worthy contest against underdog challenger Terry Goddard.
"That was an error, if I said that," the Republican told The Associated Press on Friday. "I misspoke, but you know, let me be clear, I am concerned about the border region because it continues to be reported in Mexico that there's a lot of violence going on and we don't want that going into Arizona."
She said she was referring to beheadings and other cartel-related violence in Mexico in comments she made earlier this summer about decapitated bodies found in the state's southern region.

Bill - O on Fox, Coercive Persuasion? News?

After watching ONE clip of Bill'O, it hit me. 

FOX uses simple visual memory/cognition techniques to reinforce ideas, pass along fear-mongering, and keep viewers coming back.  This clip shows him on the left side of the screen and his talking points on the right flashing across the screen. 

We remember only 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, and 30% of what we see.   They have the rolling CSPAN-ish scroll across the bottom of the screen that highlights more fear-mongering.

Does our news really need to have such techniques to either capture the attention of the viewer or reinforce the news?  Or is the goal to bring the viewer back?  Regardless, if the "news" they are spreading is questionable at best, and the tools used "by design" are going to reinforce the message a little harder than the average news program, what can we do to get the REAL truth out? 

Now who is drinking the Kool Aid?  Or are they being spoon fed?

Gov. Jan Brewer Can't Take the Heat!

So I am a little Rachel crazee.... Sorry, but she has terrific blips that make my points very easily!

Governor Jan Brewer doesn't like it when folks call her out on things. 

She doesn't like being investigated either.

When KPHO - a CBS affiliate - started digging into her staffs lobbying background and how it ties to Gov. Brewer's recent signing of the "papers please" law making it a little hot under the collar for her, what does she do?

She pulls all her campaign advertising from KPHO!  ALL OF IT!. 

Best yet is her campaign manager admits it was done in retaliation of KPHO's investigative journalism of Gov. Brewer. 

Rachel Maddow gives credit to the Bush administration for Iraq wars waste

Awww, did you think we were going to let it lie? 

Get it... LIE????

No way!  We will not let things lie when you start a war under false pretenses and then let it go on and on and on and on......

And when it is finally over, you want CREDIT???  For ending it?  When you started it in the first place?!! 

To quote Rep. Eric Cantor and his ridiculousness, "COME ON!!!" 
(By the way Congressman --as if you will ever read this-- please get a new expression of exasperation in relation to all things political! That one is old and tired and wants to go back to the college party from which you borrowed it.)


Thank you Former President George W Bush!!

 Keith Olbermann goes off.......

He gives credit where credit is due....

(rant starts at 2:35)


Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Boehner Urges Obama to Fire Economic Team

Mark Duncan/Associated Press
Mark Duncan/Associated Press

Today's article in the NY Times, describes John Boehner's latest antics.  Lets just face it - the guy couldn't talk any more out of both sides of his mouth if he tried. 

He recommends 'going through every line in the budget, line by line, asking if the spending is important enough to ask our kids and grand kids to pay for it, if not why the hell are we doing it.'  Yet he also is recommending extending the Bush-era tax cuts.  Um, I suppose he can justify one and not the other because one is SPENDING, and the other is CUTTING.  Obviously two completely different ideas!!  Right?  Just keep saying it John,  over and over... your audience will eventually buy into it.  Maybe the voices in your head too.  



Coordinated Attacks Strike 13 Towns and Cities in Iraq

As I reflect on the last few days of activity in Iraq,  our troop levels winding down to the goal number of 50 thousand, and I read about these coordinated attacks in the NY Times, I can only think "what are we doing?" 

What have we done?

What didnt we do?

Watch this clip from Rachel Maddow's show to see how many we are leaving behind.  According to Richard Engel we have 72K Department of Defense contractors.  With over 72K Dept of Defense contractors and who knows how many State Dept contractors left behind on top of the 50K US Troops.... it should be interesting to see if this new "training mission" can accomplish anything more toward assisting to reinforce an internal governmental structure.  One that can provide things like electricity, and public services, public safety, all things we take for granted.



Calorie Counts Are Coming To The Menu

Burger menu with calorie counts
Chris Hondros/Getty Images

I caught this on NPR.ORG this morning.  Soon we will be able to see exactly how many calories we are stuffing our gluttonous faces with.  Once all restaurants are in compliance they will also have a "succinct statement concerning suggested daily caloric intake" according to the National Restaurant Association.  (By all restaurants, I mean any restaurant with 20 or more locations nationally).  "The statement must be posted prominently on the menu to help guests understand the calories in the context of a daily diet" according to the FDA.  Parents need to know how much FAT they are feeding their kids and themselves.  I hope once they can see that one jumbo meal constitutes over 3/4 of their recommended daily caloric intake, changes will be made.  The FDA is also requiring that restaurants provide in writing, on premises, but only on request: Calories, Calories from fat, Total fat, Saturated fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Carbohydrates, Sugars, Dietary fiber, and Protein.  All of this is required for self service menu items like buffets and salad bars.  The law took effect when the bill was signed March 23, 2010, but mandatory requirements arent expected to take effect until after the FDA finalizes telling restaurateurs how to comply.  The FDA has until March 23, 2011 to do this and then restaurants will have 6 months to come into compliance.  (See article from NPR.ORG below)




Are you ready for the truth about how many calories are lurking in your favorite fast food or chain restaurant meal?

The Food and Drug Administration unveiled some ideas Tuesday on how it plans to implement requirements under the new federal law overhauling health care for better nutritional labeling on the menus of restaurant chains with 20 or more locations.

First, though, you may have noticed calorie counts popping up pn some menu boards already. The requirement for posting calories went into effect March 23rd. And over the weekend we noticed our local Panera was already in compliance. We opted for a Power Breakfast Sandwich (360 calories) over an Apple Crunch Muffin (450 calories) as a result.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Sexy New Fashion Statement ???

Woo Hoo.....????


From the countryside to sophisticated urban centers such as Beijing, men of all ages....

The Truth Speaks..... Sunday Shows

For any of you who caught the Sunday political shows and want the truth....


Congress is still on recess as the summer comes to a close, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) isn't taking a vacation from spreading misinformation. On Sunday's Meet the Press, Sen. McConnell unleashed a torrent of false claims. After blaming President Obama for the uproar over the...

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Reid vs. Angle.... Round One... DING BATS for all!!!

Yaaaay!! Crazee pants McGee-Angle faces off against Harry Reid. This should be a GREAT one!!

Hillarious!! He's as crazee as our beloved Ms. Angle. He wants to privitize social security (so we can watch it all disappear if Wall Street takes a dump), raise the retirement age and lacks what one would call a significant voting record (his excuse is lots of kids in my generation are like that- though he does admit fault). Maybe his parents never bought him congressional aspirations for dummies.


Opponents of Ben Quayle, Republican candidate for Arizona's 3rd Congressional District, watch out, he just went there! (He called mommy and daddy.)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Ted Olson on the NY Community Center

In an interview with MSNBC's Andrea Michel, Ted Olson, former George W. Bush solicitor general, attorney behind the case against California's gay marriage ban, and husband of a woman who died on the plane that crashed in the Pentagon on 9/11, said President Obama was right. 

"Well it may hot make me hap-- popular with some people, but I think, probably, the president was right about this.  I do believe that people of all religions have a right to build edifices, or structures, or places of religious worship or study where the community allows them to do it under zoning laws and that sort of thing, and that we don't want to turn an act of hate against us by extremists into an act of intolerance for people of religious faith.  And I don't think it should be a political issue.  It shouldn't be a Republican or Democratic issue, ether.  I believe Gov.  Christie from New Jersey said it well, that this should not be in that political, partisan marketplace."

Gotta Love Morning Joe vs Newt on Muslim Community Center

Here is a Huff Post highlight reel of Scarborough and frequent guests Mike Barnicle, Rich Haass and Pat Buchanan over the last few days.....




GM Files Registration Statement with United States Securities and Exchange Commission for Proposed Initial Public Offering

GM's Press release.....

GM Files Registration Statement with United States Securities and Exchange Commission for Proposed Initial Public Offering

DETROIT – General Motors Company today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed initial public offering consisting of common stock to be sold by certain of its stockholders and the issuance by the company of its Series B mandatory convertible junior preferred stock.

The amount of securities offered will be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of the offering. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan (representatives of the underwriters), BofA Merrill Lynch, Citi, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Barclays Capital, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank Securities, RBC Capital Markets, and UBS Investment Bank will be the joint book-running managers for the offering. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained for free, by visiting the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you may obtain a copy of the preliminary prospectus, by contacting:

  • Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, telephone 1-866-718-1649, or by sending email to prospectus@morganstanley.com
  • J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Attention: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, telephone 1-866-803-9204

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements:

In this press release and in related comments by our management, our use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” “believe,” “commit,” “intend,” “continue,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “project,” “projected,” “positioned” or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: our ability to realize production efficiencies and to achieve reductions in costs as a result of our restructuring initiatives and labor modifications; our ability to maintain quality control over our vehicles and avoid material vehicle recalls; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt, including as required to fund our planning significant investment in new technology; our ability to realize successful vehicle applications of new technology; and our ability to comply with the continuing requirements related to U.S. and other government support.

GM's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provides information about these and other factors, which we may revise or supplement in future reports to the SEC.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Unemployment Crisis Across the U.S.

Unbelievable!!!

Kudos to Latoya Eguwuekwe, for the chart below showing a time-lapse look at the rise of unemployment in the U.S. from 2007. 

** NOTE** This does not account for the unemployed and those who have simply given up looking for work.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Unpaved America from Rachel Maddow

Un-paving roads in MANY states, cutting teachers jobs, in Hawaii a 4 day school week, taking down streetlights, closing entire bus transportation systems, laying off police officers, closing down firehouses...... But - the GOP and the Tea Party says NO to any help! More from the parties of NO....



Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Strange But Good... Pot at the VA

After working at the VA for a few years, I saw heavy abuse of narcotics... This is a good thing!

WASHINGTON — Patients treated at Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics will be a...ble to use medical marijuana in the 14 states where it's legal, according...

Over Repented???!!!!! Huh? I don't get it...

According to too many sources Rev. Ted Haggard has turned the corner and is claiming according to Talking Points Memo and the Wall Street Journal Profile  "he over-repented for an affair with a male prostitute.   He also insists he's not gay -- and that his affair was just a massage gone wrong".

A "massage gone wrong"?  Hmmm...


He told the Journal:
"Tiger Woods needs to golf. Michael Vick needs to be playing football. Ted Haggard needs to be leading a church."
"Mr. Haggard said that is ridiculous. He portrays his encounter with the prostitute as a massage that went awry and said he doesn't have same-sex attractions. He dismisses as a "witch hunt" the findings of his former church that he engaged in a pattern of misconduct, including sordid talk and inappropriate relationships. (He said his only fault was cracking a few crude jokes.) But his assurances have raised some eyebrows. "
Last night on Countdown with Keith Olbermann - Lawrence O'Donnell sums it up by saying that "the preacher now apparently has some extra sinning to do, that he‘s already repented for, or maybe he can transfer that balance to me, since I have a tendency to under-repent for my sins".

Whatever the case, Ted Haggard has made the COUNTDOWN "Apology hall of Fame"...

Sigh.... Who are Angle's handlers? She must have borrowed them from Palin!

And still Angle wont answer a direct question.. or any question from the media.....

"I think Sharron Angle is like Sarah Palin's twin sister," she said. "I
don't think she's for women's rights, you can't get an answer out of her
when you ask her something. She talks to the far Christian right, but
...that's about it."

 I understand that this election is not about those who support Angle, it's about taking Reid's seat.  But seriously, who are Angle's handlers?  Are they rejects from Palin?  

Whoever they are - I applaud them!  They are doing everything right!  Dont let her answer a REAL question, or talk about the issues.  Just let her point fingers and give her a few talking points that will make folks in the audience elicit the approving Pavlovian nod.  So go on Ms. Angle - make 'em nod and rush off in your car just like your handlers tell you to do, but DON'T SPEAK!!!  Good Girl!  Let's hope you get a treat for being so obedient. 

Harry Reid Sharron Angle (Credit: CBS)

Harry Reid and Sharron Angle Leave Nevada Voters Wanting More

LAS VEGAS -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his Republican opponent Sharron Angle are locked in a tight battle to represent Nevada. And they both addressed their partisan bases this weekend at dueling political conferences in Las Vegas. The residents of Las Vegas, meanwhile, are still wondering exactly what either candidate will do for them.

 

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Get ready for the BACON POLICE!!!!!!

 C'mon Folks!!!

Seriously???

Bacon Police!!??

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Wait, I thought my health ins premium went to my care, not R&D and administrative costs...

nyti.ms
Health insurers are lobbying over a rule that 80 cents of each dollar in premiums must be spent on patient welfare.

According to this article in the NY Times,
‎"insurers and their compatriots have submitted nearly 160 comment letters, totaling more than 600 pages, to the state regulators. Consumer advocates have submitted just 23,"

"The insurers say they also need to be allowed to count the cost of promising experiments, even if they have not yet been able to produce hard proof that they help patients."
Why have consumer advocates only submitted just 23?  Hmmmmm......... I bet you can find POGO.com tallying up the all the donations lining the pockets of all sorts of folks who are making decisions related to this.  

What I am fuzzy on is the second part.  Are our insurance premiums paying for R&D?  I really don't know for sure if they are supposed to.  My first impression is no.  R&D should come from other sources.   But maybe I am misinterpreting the article.  I am not taking it out of context, but maybe the writer was not clear in their intentions.

Its something that would be interesting to check up on. 

 

‎"Madam" Maddow vs. "Milord" O'Reilly..... .....

www.youtube.com
Clip from July 22, 2010, Rachel Maddow Show where Rachel responds with humor to Bill O'Reilly and his pompous, ad hominem, post Shirley Sherrod attempt to put Rachel down by crowing that he gets better ratings than she (and msnbc) does. Rachel deftly responds by pointing out some of the shows that b...

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

WAPO's latest series... giving credit where it's due??

Everyone seems to be talking about the WAPO's latest series, Top Secret America.

More GRITtv

But what no one has pointed out with the exception of Jeremy Scahill of the Nation was that "there is little in the Post series that, in one way or another, has not already been documented by independent journalist Tim Shorrock, author of the (actually) groundbreaking book, Spies for Hire: The Secret World of Intelligence Outsourcing".

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Banks are cutting back

I just called Bank of America to inquire about some ongoing problem. I was sick of dealing with a different agent each time I wrote in, having to explain my issue all over- and getting nowhere. I placed my call at just before 8 pm PST only to find no one in customer service available to take my call.

How is this possible!??!!

They have a call center here in town!

Unbelievable......

Sent from my iPhone

Sunday, July 4, 2010

BP Spends ZIP On Spill Research

Thanks again to Rachel and her staff for terrific coverage of this .... Crap!! 

To summarize: BP doesn't do it's own spill response research. They contract out to Marine Spill Response Corporation. 

The research budget for cleanup at Marine Spill Response Corp. Is.... ZERO!!!!
Marine Spill Response Corp isn't even an R & D company, they are operations only! 

<GASP>

Watch.... And learn...