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Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Muslim speaker warns Canadians (and us) about jihadists
A Canadian-Indian-Muslim-Marxist-cancer survivor (not sure how this works) talks about Communism and Islamo-Fascism and how blind the western governments are. We are illiterate when it comes to Jihad, he says. The Muslim Brotherhood is dangerous yet welcome in the White House.
Book Club--beginning a new year
Monday our book club (I joined in 2000) met for our first day time meeting. The group is about 30 years old with some of the original members, and many of us preferred meeting during the day and not going out at night. Our first selection was "Two Girls of Gettysburg" and we had a wonderful time talking to the author Lisa Klein, who is actually a Shakespeare scholar. She got into Young Adult fiction when her career didn't go the intended direction, and I think I'll look at some of her other books, too. She talked a little about her Shakespeare interests, the genre of YA, and the thrill of the research.
She told us that one of the main characters in this book, Lizzie, is based on the memoir of Tillie Pierce of Gettysburg. Next month's title is a whopper.
For a very quick review, here's the rest of the selection:
She told us that one of the main characters in this book, Lizzie, is based on the memoir of Tillie Pierce of Gettysburg. Next month's title is a whopper.
For a very quick review, here's the rest of the selection:
October 3A number in our group had recently visited Gettysburg (our hostess just this past month) and if I had a bucket list, I would add this. I visited in 1949, but visitor centers in all parks and memorials have really changed.
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe led by Dorothy.
November 7
In a Heartbeat: sharing the power of cheerful giving by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. Led by Justine.
December 5
Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed by Philip Hallie. Led by Peggy.
January 9
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (562 pages!). Led by Judy. January's meeting will be at Panera's Beechwold meeting room from 2-4 PM
February 6
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the fire that saved America by Timothy Egan. Led by Jean. February's meeting will be at Panera's Beechwold meeting room from 2-4 PM.
March 5
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck. Led by Patty. [I read this in high school--thought it was a great book.]
April 2
Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Led by Carolyn A.
May 7
Hold Up the Sky by Patricia Sprinkle. Led by Carolyn C.
The Slow, Certain Death of the Global Warming Theory
You certainly don't read about the death of global warming anywhere but conservative websites. If I link to Alan Caruba (this author), my comment window sometimes has to suffer from deletions. Wow. People get so angry when confronted with the facts which disturb their political views. And it isn't just liberals either. I listened to a Christian dispensationlist Sunday give exactly the same list of decade long disasters that Al Gore sites for his case--only he was using the list to call people to repentence because God was giving us a wake up call. Both have a very US-centric view of their own religion, whether it is environmentalism or dispensationalism.
Do you really think today it is worse than the little ice age when millions died of starvation in Europe? Are the wars today worse than the 70,000,000 killed by the Chinese Communists in the 1940s and 1950s? And do we even know how many were taken out by tsunamis or earthquakes in the days before recorded history?
What we do know in the U.S. is that we have more man made disasters with modern technology and disaster insurance enabling people to build homes along coast lines, or live in terrible climates because of air conditioning and central heating. But that can hardly be called God's warnings about the second coming of Jesus, or even climate change.
The Slow, Certain Death of the Global Warming Theory | CNSnews.com
Do you really think today it is worse than the little ice age when millions died of starvation in Europe? Are the wars today worse than the 70,000,000 killed by the Chinese Communists in the 1940s and 1950s? And do we even know how many were taken out by tsunamis or earthquakes in the days before recorded history?
What we do know in the U.S. is that we have more man made disasters with modern technology and disaster insurance enabling people to build homes along coast lines, or live in terrible climates because of air conditioning and central heating. But that can hardly be called God's warnings about the second coming of Jesus, or even climate change.
One need not be a climate scientist or meteorologist to conclude that humans have nothing to do with the climate or the weather. Watching huge hurricanes wreak havoc, along with other weather-related events should be enough for anyone to conclude that humans do not “cause” such things.
Occam’s Razor is the ancient principle that the simplest explanation is the most likely the correct one, but billions in public funding, taxpayer’s dollars, have been diverted to the “research” that corrupt scientists have used to justify the global warming fraud.
The Slow, Certain Death of the Global Warming Theory | CNSnews.com
Hiring the unemployed
When I was on a search committee at Ohio State for a new librarian, we looked at the resume/vita pretty carefully for gaps. Or unusual positions. There are so many questions you CAN'T ask, you have to read between the lines. If there was spit up on her shoulder, that could explain some gaps. But if the guy had been a used car salesman for 5 years after graduate school, it did raise some questions about just how committed he was to being a science bibliographer.
The Obama 2012 election campaign is coming to Ohio this week. Oh, wait, it's the jobs bill campaign. Yeah. You betcha. Did you known that this bill prohibits discrimination against the unemployed when hiring? Think about that! How long "unemployed?" Do you want a med tech doing your lab results who has been out of work 5 years? Or a computer repairman? And what about academe? Or a chef? A lawyer?
Maybe the person's unemployment was a result of a down economy, but maybe it wasn't: when employers began tightening their belts and cutting the dead wood, that employee was let go, and with all the extension of "unemployment benefits" he just continued in that mode and didn't try very hard to find a job.
And now you get to interview him. Do you even want him bussing tables, or changing tires?
The Obama 2012 election campaign is coming to Ohio this week. Oh, wait, it's the jobs bill campaign. Yeah. You betcha. Did you known that this bill prohibits discrimination against the unemployed when hiring? Think about that! How long "unemployed?" Do you want a med tech doing your lab results who has been out of work 5 years? Or a computer repairman? And what about academe? Or a chef? A lawyer?
Maybe the person's unemployment was a result of a down economy, but maybe it wasn't: when employers began tightening their belts and cutting the dead wood, that employee was let go, and with all the extension of "unemployment benefits" he just continued in that mode and didn't try very hard to find a job.
And now you get to interview him. Do you even want him bussing tables, or changing tires?
Monday, September 12, 2011
How the Great Society harmed Blacks--Mychal Massie
In 1964, Republicans – led by Sen. Everett Dirksen, R-Ill. – were responsible for the Civil Rights Act, which overturned 80 years of Democratic opposition to ending race-based and gender-based inequality. It was intended to provide all peoples, regardless of race and/or, sex, the right to service in all public facilities, and banned the unequal application of voter requirements insuring all the right to vote. Sexual consideration pursuant to employment could only be considered where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the job.
The Act should have ended there . . .
Read more: How the Great Society harmed blacks
The Act should have ended there . . .
Read more: How the Great Society harmed blacks
Blackburn Demands Feds Give Answers on Their Gibson Raid, Inquest
Why is the government attacking a successful U.S. business that is actually hiring? Maybe it's just easier than guarding the border?
Blackburn Demands Feds Give Answers on Their Gibson Raid, Inquest - HUMAN EVENTS
Blackburn Demands Feds Give Answers on Their Gibson Raid, Inquest - HUMAN EVENTS
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Classmates dot com settlement--it isn't a hoax--apparently
Today I received an e-mail notice about a settlement ($10.00, woot!) in the Classmates.com class action law suit. Although I've never heard of "hoax-slayer" I think this information is interesting if you want to pursue this. For $10, I won't, but it always pays to be careful and not jump into the viral/virtual mess of "free money" which requires some personal information. Since it wasn't offering $10 million and only $10.00 I thought it might be legit.
9/11 ANNIVERSARY: Leaders in tears as America begins ceremonies to remember | Mail Online
Incredibly beautiful photographs at this site.
9/11 ANNIVERSARY: Leaders in tears as America begins ceremonies to remember | Mail Online
9/11 ANNIVERSARY: Leaders in tears as America begins ceremonies to remember | Mail Online
Whatever happened to the presidential book race?
When it came out in 2008 that President George W. Bush was an avid reader--about 100 books a year, non-fiction--the left, particularly librarians, were incredulous, critical of the selections, or used the word "allegedly" when reporting it. Then about two years later it was revealed that Obama was more into fiction, and read very little--maybe 10 books a year. Then they just made excuses. This past summer it was explained as "escapist fiction" for his vacation and books for his daughters. Well, maybe there will be something for the ALA Banned Books Week, because I'm sure there's a good reason Obama doesn't read and George Bush does.
Some people get Obama loud and clear
In 2008 we were in a recession cycle and an election cycle. But even those of us who had to hold our noses to vote for McCain could tell a growth candidate from a non-growth. As senators, Obama's growth record votes were zero, and McCain's 94%. Is it any wonder he's floundering in restoring the economy. Look at his record!
According to the Club for Growth it costs $80,000 for a small business to create a new $40,000 job--a so called "middle class" salary. That's because of taxes, benefits, mandates, etc. Now how big of a government stimulus and additional tax breaks would a small businessman need to create a job and hire you? The first stimulus in 2009 failed to create or save jobs. The money went to save unions (public and private) and to create new government jobs (unemployment hovering around 3.5 in that sector). The second will too. Why? Obama is pro-growth for government, and anti-growth for the private sector. His record as a senator said it; his record as a president proves it.
Last night I attended a gathering of "like minded" conservatives. They were all Christians, but members of a number of different churches from Lutheran to Roman Catholic to Pentecostal to "not a member." And their issues were diverse, too--abortion (Heartbeat bill), Issue 2 (public unions), Issue 3 (defeating Obamacare), protecting Israel from extremists to confronting jihadism. But none of these issues will matter if Americans continue to struggle financially, because they'll lose interest in the highly charged and critical moral issues.
People are waking up about Obama. The Tea Party gets it; the 9/12 Glenn Beck groups get it; the libertarians get it; about 50% of the Republicans get it; and about 25% of the undeclared, fence-sitters get it. Time to shake things up in local elections this November and nationally next November.
According to the Club for Growth it costs $80,000 for a small business to create a new $40,000 job--a so called "middle class" salary. That's because of taxes, benefits, mandates, etc. Now how big of a government stimulus and additional tax breaks would a small businessman need to create a job and hire you? The first stimulus in 2009 failed to create or save jobs. The money went to save unions (public and private) and to create new government jobs (unemployment hovering around 3.5 in that sector). The second will too. Why? Obama is pro-growth for government, and anti-growth for the private sector. His record as a senator said it; his record as a president proves it.
Last night I attended a gathering of "like minded" conservatives. They were all Christians, but members of a number of different churches from Lutheran to Roman Catholic to Pentecostal to "not a member." And their issues were diverse, too--abortion (Heartbeat bill), Issue 2 (public unions), Issue 3 (defeating Obamacare), protecting Israel from extremists to confronting jihadism. But none of these issues will matter if Americans continue to struggle financially, because they'll lose interest in the highly charged and critical moral issues.
People are waking up about Obama. The Tea Party gets it; the 9/12 Glenn Beck groups get it; the libertarians get it; about 50% of the Republicans get it; and about 25% of the undeclared, fence-sitters get it. Time to shake things up in local elections this November and nationally next November.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The media, the Tea Party, and the President
"We have seen Obama in numerous cowboy movies. Obama is the loud mouth guy standing on the steps of the jail-house yelling at the crowd. He works the crowd into a frenzy causing them to overrule the sheriff and the law, drag out the prisoner and hang him without a trial.
Since the beginning of his presidency, on numerous occasions, our community-organizer-in -chief has worked his minions into a frenzy to punish white police, banks, Wall Street, corporate CEOs, private jet owners, Arizonians, insurance companies, doctors, the rich, and anyone opposing Obamacare.
As testimony to the effectiveness of the Tea Party, Obama has instructed his minions, Congressional Black Caucus and unions to escalate their slander and level of vitriol which now includes threat of violence. The left has set aside September 17th as their National Day of Rage. Lord knows what evil they have scheduled. The left has created a violent hate-filled game titled, "Tea Party Zombies Must Die". www.teapartyzombiesmustdie.com
Meanwhile, the liberal media appears tone deaf to the lies, hate, anger and violence coming from the left. When Obama instructed his minions to "push back twice as hard" against those who opposed Obamacare, black conservative Kenneth Gladney was beaten and sent to the emergency room by SEIU thugs. Clearly, Obama's new enforcers are misinformed flash mobs of black youths attacking whites across America."
Lloyd Marcus
Since the beginning of his presidency, on numerous occasions, our community-organizer-in -chief has worked his minions into a frenzy to punish white police, banks, Wall Street, corporate CEOs, private jet owners, Arizonians, insurance companies, doctors, the rich, and anyone opposing Obamacare.
As testimony to the effectiveness of the Tea Party, Obama has instructed his minions, Congressional Black Caucus and unions to escalate their slander and level of vitriol which now includes threat of violence. The left has set aside September 17th as their National Day of Rage. Lord knows what evil they have scheduled. The left has created a violent hate-filled game titled, "Tea Party Zombies Must Die". www.teapartyzombiesmustdie.com
Meanwhile, the liberal media appears tone deaf to the lies, hate, anger and violence coming from the left. When Obama instructed his minions to "push back twice as hard" against those who opposed Obamacare, black conservative Kenneth Gladney was beaten and sent to the emergency room by SEIU thugs. Clearly, Obama's new enforcers are misinformed flash mobs of black youths attacking whites across America."
Lloyd Marcus
PBS alters transcript to hide Obama gaffe
Timothy Birdnow notes the mistakes Obama made about Lincoln in his "pass this jobs bill now speech," and how PBS covered for him. Well, you can't complain he is stuck to the teleprompter and then gripe that he's not reading the words written for him. He can't be a Lincoln scholar, a Keynesian economist, a climate scientist and a military expert all at the same time.
Blog: PBS alters transcript to hide Obama gaffe
Blog: PBS alters transcript to hide Obama gaffe
Democrats and Socialism
Fifty three percent of Democrats and 61% of liberals have a positive image of Socialism according to a 2010 Gallup Survey. 42% of Democrats in a recent Rasmussen survey thought the government should control the economy completely. Somehow they are able to separate the disasters from the dreams--afterall, "Nazi" is short for National Socialism where the government controls all business, and Communism is just Socialism with goals beyond the national borders, but everything is owned and directed by the government.
What’s meant by "socialism" in these surveys by Gallup and Rasmussen is that government needs to direct as much of the economy as possible. So how's that working out for us? The Obama Administration isn't the first to gobble up huge portions of the private sector, or take what used to belong to the states. I remember when there was no Department of Education, no HUD, no HHS. Now our biggest cities like Detroit and Cleveland are Democrat controlled, but with holes in the center from constant federal funding feeding on their problems. Our state universities couldn't survive without sucking on the teat of the federal government for "research grants."
The War on Poverty is nearly 50 years old and it's being fought by poverty-pimps commanded by wealthy bureaucrats and the fox holes are fatherless homes. So when the Tea Party, the Conservatives and Republicans, call Democrats and their Presient what they themselves have self-identified--socialists and communists--why the retaliation and name calling of racist, homophobe, fear monger, hater, etc.?
Dreamers Refusing to Wake by Fred Siegel - City Journal
What’s meant by "socialism" in these surveys by Gallup and Rasmussen is that government needs to direct as much of the economy as possible. So how's that working out for us? The Obama Administration isn't the first to gobble up huge portions of the private sector, or take what used to belong to the states. I remember when there was no Department of Education, no HUD, no HHS. Now our biggest cities like Detroit and Cleveland are Democrat controlled, but with holes in the center from constant federal funding feeding on their problems. Our state universities couldn't survive without sucking on the teat of the federal government for "research grants."
The War on Poverty is nearly 50 years old and it's being fought by poverty-pimps commanded by wealthy bureaucrats and the fox holes are fatherless homes. So when the Tea Party, the Conservatives and Republicans, call Democrats and their Presient what they themselves have self-identified--socialists and communists--why the retaliation and name calling of racist, homophobe, fear monger, hater, etc.?
Dreamers Refusing to Wake by Fred Siegel - City Journal
Thursday, September 08, 2011
The debate--Romney and Perry
For now until and unless I find out something I don't like, Perry is my pick since Jindal and Ryan don't seem to want to run. I've had enough of pretty boy socialism, limp wrists and bowing and scraping, and the White House filled with union goons and Chicago hoodlums. Let's have a little cowboy bluster to fill the sails of the economy instead of just hot air.
Romney said that his business experience makes him more qualified than "career politicians" to create jobs as president. But Perry took some air out of his balloon by pointing out that that business experience didn't help Romney create jobs in Massachusetts. It ranked near the bottom of the country in that category. Perry noted that Texas had created more jobs in a few months than the Bay State under Romney created in four years. Romney tried to explain quickly the difficulties of governing in a liberal state but primary voters probably don't care about Romney's misfortune.American Spectator
Romney, though smooth enough for most of the debate, played a dangerous game by cheap-shotting Perry on Social Security. How dare Perry call Social Security a "Ponzi scheme," said Romney, who presented himself as a champion of Social Security and Perry as a destroyer of it. But Social Security is a Ponzi scheme for the young and Perry properly stood by his remark and calls for Social Security reform.
Henry Clay ran for president 5 times and lost each time
He also served in the Senate before he was 30 (the age stated in the Constitution). However, he's an important American statesman. The Contenders starts tomorrow night on C-SPAN with the story of Clay.
C-SPAN The Contenders
C-SPAN The Contenders
Who's the genius on the staff who scheduled it?
I think Boehner did Obama a big favor by not accepting his jobs speech/campaign speech timing. It was an idiotic plan made by a troll. What politician (besides Obama) schedules a campaign speech opposite the other team's debate? He has nothing to say and chose a huge venue for its release. The bigger the venue the smaller the speaker. He was taking a chance that Republicans wouldn't even show up (then in addition to blaming Bush, the Tea Party, and riots in Muslim-land, he could blame the House).
“It is a big deal that the House said ‘no’ to the president from our end,” a White House source with intimate knowledge of what took place between the House and the president told me Thursday. “This confirms what we all know: They will do anything in the House to muck us up.”Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/62505.html#ixzz1XN2HVlhM
Thursday Thirteen--13 memorable music programs at Lakeside, Summer 2011
We have a summer home in Lakeside, Ohio--a Chautauqua community estblished as a Methodist campground in 1873 with educational and cultural programming every day. Here are 13 of the musical shows we really enjoyed. Lakeside has a large auditorium that seats over 2,500, plus a bandstand in the park, and a theater called "Orchestra Hall," but most musical events are in Hoover Auditorium. There are 2 hotels, several B&Bs, plus private cottages for rent. Lots of planned activities for children. Gated community. No alcohol.
1. On Aug. 27 Helen Welch provided a tribute to “ladies of song,” including Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Karen Carpenter and Patsy Cline. She is British, lives in Hudson, Ohio, and belts out some fabulous songs.
2. Shiloh Mountain Trio sang at the bandstand the Sunday night of the last week, Aug. 28. A Christian group, they are siblings and children of a Baptist pastor. They are named in honor of Mt. Shiloh Baptist Church in Cadiz, Ohio. We stayed for the whole concert and even bought a CD. YouTube of how they make their music.
3. Mike Albert is the Big-E (an Elvis impersonator) and very popular at Lakeside. He always puts on a fabulous show--this is probably the 8th time we’ve seen him.
4. Although it wasn’t billed as an evening program at Hoover Auditorium, Thomas Lloyd who is the band director at Columbus State (didn’t know they had one) gave an interesting lecture on the Music of the Civil War Era, and we in the audience had an opportunity to sing many of the songs with his leadership. This was the 8th Civil War Week at Lakeside.
5. The closing concert of the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra on Aug. 19 featured guest pianist Dr. Angelin Chang, professor of piano at Cleveland State. Our friends David and MaryAnn enjoyed the show with us.
6. Another winner with the Orchestra was Chad Hoopes on Aug. 16, a violinist who at 16 has a fabulous career ahead. I was enchanted. Instead of giving him a bouquet of flowers, he was presented with a print of one of my husband’s paintings (the orchestra).
8. We actually weren’t here on July 23 to hear the OSU Alumni Band, but if we had been, we would have heard a fantastic concert.
9. The Lakeside Symphony Orchestra opened its 48th season on July 27 with a program of “Light Classics.”
10. Carpe Diem String Quartet on June 21 originated at Ohio Wesleyan University and provides many educational programs, but they also can really wow an audience.
11. If you ever have the opportunity to hear the Raleigh Ringers Handbell Choir based in Raleigh, NC, don’t miss it. I’ve never seen such huge handbells!
12. And oh do we love Riders in the Sky who’ve performed in all 50 states, and here at Lakeside a number of times. They sing cowboy music.
13. Usually we don’t have secular music programs on Sunday evening, but this year on May 29 (Memorial Day week-end) the performers were Phil Dirt and the Dozers. This incredibly talented group can sing anything, but are particularly famous for their 50s and 60s music, and are great fun to watch and listen to.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
The last sunset
Summer for the Bruces is over on Labor Day week-end. We returned to Columbus on Sunday, so this last Sunset was either Friday or Saturday. Sunsets and sunrises this summer were not as spectacular as some--the heat and haze blocked a lot.
Obama's New Old Jobs Program
It's busy work Mr. President. The stimulus (ARRA) didn't stimulate--that one mile of sidewalk in my neighborhood didn't produce anything the community couldn't afford. And FDR's WPA didn't create jobs it was a relief program for able bodied workers. And no business can take a "tax break" if they don't have a product or a market--and you've killed both.
On a visit to Asia, the late economist Milton Friedman observed workers digging a canal, using shovels. He asked a government bureaucrat why they weren't using modern excavation machinery. The answer: "You don't understand. This is a jobs program." Friedman replied, "Oh, I thought you were trying to build a canal. If it's jobs you want, then you should give the workers spoons, not shovels."Gov't Is Job Killer, Not Creator - Investors.com
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Dear POTUS: If we can’t believe you on civility… | The Anchoress
The Anchoress writes:
"I have one question. When you get up there before the joint-session of Congress, with your “You-are-the-only-folks-keeping-the-barbarians-from-the-gates” Vice President seated behind you, and you tell us you have a plan, and that it is a plan for all Americans, knowing that the whole nation (and every man and woman in that chamber) is aware that Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa referred to “your army” and called for the opposition “sons of bitches” to be “taken out” while you said nothing, gave no correction, made no rebuke — not even by way of a later statement, how will you make them believe you?
Mr. President, we all remember your eloquence in Arizona last January, when you declared that irresponsible rhetoric had no place in public discourse. You said,
Dear POTUS: If we can’t believe you on civility… | The Anchoress
"I have one question. When you get up there before the joint-session of Congress, with your “You-are-the-only-folks-keeping-the-barbarians-from-the-gates” Vice President seated behind you, and you tell us you have a plan, and that it is a plan for all Americans, knowing that the whole nation (and every man and woman in that chamber) is aware that Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa referred to “your army” and called for the opposition “sons of bitches” to be “taken out” while you said nothing, gave no correction, made no rebuke — not even by way of a later statement, how will you make them believe you?
Mr. President, we all remember your eloquence in Arizona last January, when you declared that irresponsible rhetoric had no place in public discourse. You said,
“At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized – at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do – it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.”"
Dear POTUS: If we can’t believe you on civility… | The Anchoress
Whodathunkit?
"Single women are in much worse financial condition than other Americans, according to an analysis of the Federal Reserve Board’s most recent Survey of Consumer Finances." an OSU College of Education prof was quoted as being surprised. I'm not.
Labor On--his thoughts about "Labor Day"
"I have wondered how a nation so rich, so vibrant and so innovative could allow its wealth-creation mechanism to be controlled by elected career politicians and appointed bureaucrats. They are not creators or generators of wealth and value. They are parasitic blood-sucking consumers of the labor and inspiration of others." Charles Earl
Little Stuff-minoosha: Labor On
Little Stuff-minoosha: Labor On
Illegal Immigration--where Bush and Obama were joined at the hip
However, whereas amnesty hurt Bush with his constituency, it helps Obama. So he just commanded it like any petty dictator who wanted cheap votes and even cheaper labor.
Immigration Dispute Has Constitutional Undertones | The Barr Code
"Facing a difficult reelection climate, and frustrated by the inability of his party to move immigration reform legislation through the Congress, Obama has decided to simply ignore existing federal law requiring deportation of illegal aliens in custody. He has decreed that hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who would otherwise be subject to mandatory deportation, will be permitted to stay in the United States; including many illegals currently enrolled in schools."
Immigration Dispute Has Constitutional Undertones | The Barr Code
Today is G-Day
The last of my hair color will be cut off this morning. It was a shock to me when my mother, aunt, sister, etc. went for the natural look. I felt like I'd aged. My husband and daughter both suggested I go blonde, which brown fades to anyway, but I never really cared for that look. Deborah says she loves saving the money. So, we'll see--if I don't like it I can always go back to color.
Brown, 2007
Blonde, 2003
Brown, 1981
Brown, 1971
Brown, 1964
Ask Amy: Husband’s crisis throws wife a curveball
It's really naive for a wife left behind to assume "no other woman is involved" after the husband decides to leave after 30 years. Wake up and smell the coffee, lady. Or maybe it's another man. But something doesn't pass the sniff test here.
Ask Amy: Husband’s crisis throws wife a curveball - The Washington Post
Ask Amy: Husband’s crisis throws wife a curveball - The Washington Post
Monday, September 05, 2011
Did you evolve from slime, ooze and sludge?
Here's what the guys who think you did, think of you if you believe the Bible (In the beginning God. . .; In the beginning was the Word. . .; He is before all things. . . ; Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?. . . ):
"It is very troubling to think that with all the billions of dollars we have spent on "education" that we have so may uneducated people. It's even more troubling to think about how the trillions of dollars wasted on religious "stuff" (buildings and properties, salaries, lawsuit settlements, velvet slippers and gold chapeaux, etc., etc.) could have been better served invested in new technology, basic research, infrastructure construction and maintenance, "real" education, social services, etc.). Shameful foolishness."
Found at a "science" blog comment.
"It is very troubling to think that with all the billions of dollars we have spent on "education" that we have so may uneducated people. It's even more troubling to think about how the trillions of dollars wasted on religious "stuff" (buildings and properties, salaries, lawsuit settlements, velvet slippers and gold chapeaux, etc., etc.) could have been better served invested in new technology, basic research, infrastructure construction and maintenance, "real" education, social services, etc.). Shameful foolishness."
Found at a "science" blog comment.
Late July Organic Dark Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
I picked up two boxes of these dark chocolate sandwich cookies at Giant Eagle today. Oh my, they are just as good as I'd hoped they would be.
Remember ladies, dark chocolate is good for you!
Ingredients: Organic wheat flour, organic evaporated cane juice, organic palm oil, organic powdered evaporated cane juice with organic corn starch, organic whole wheat flour, organic cocoa, organic cocoa (processed with alkali), organic chocolate liquor, organic cocoa butter, organic brown rice syrup, organic evaporated cane juice syrup organic roasted barley, organic vanilla extract, sodium bicarbonate, soy lecithin, sea salt and natural flavors.
Other bits of information from the box: We are family owned and operated and all our products are certified USDA Organic (Steve, Nicole & Family). Logos for USDA Organic (green and white), whole grain (gold) and Vegan (white).
On box: (Cardboard box, plastic tray and foil wrap.) Produced without dangerous pesticides. No trans fats or high fructose corn syrup. No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Kosher and Vegan. Antioxidants. 2 g whole grains per serving (3 cookies, 33 g).
The name (Late July): “Late July is a moment in time when life is simple, pure and good. It’s watching your child laughing and playing with his dog on the beach. It’s the middle of summer when you’re knee deep in sand castles and problems are a million miles away. . . A constant reminder that our ingredients need to be a special and pure as the moments they represent.
Remember ladies, dark chocolate is good for you!
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Erie Spirit Sailing
If you like to sail, and didn't bring your sailboat, you can rent the experience with Captain Jim. captainjim at lakeeriesail dot com. My husband, his friends Jim and Eric, and Eric's brother David did just that earlier in the summer. Captain Jim was my husband's sailing instructor some years ago. I'd won sailing lessons in a pie contest, but wasn't interested, so my husband used them. He loved it!
English is a strange language
"Underserved populations" is the term used for groups for which researchers and politicians get government grants, so there may be lack of resources somewhere, but "underserved" they aren't. There are special programs to track them down to offer them more entitlements.
"Bloombito" is a Twitter acount which ridicules Mayor Bloomberg's attempts to woo the Spanish speaking population of NYC with the worst Spanish you've ever heard.
"Public servant" is a government employee who may earn 3x more than a private sector employee who pays his salary.
"Family balancing" is aborting the female fetus through sex selection.
"Intellectual disability" is a new term used by those wordsmiths who gave up on "mentally retarded" and "developmentally disabled," but the word intellectual used to have some snob appeal and usually meant people at the other end of the IQ spectrum.
"Current thinking" is a sloppy euphemism that usually throws out what was current 3-4 years ago, but it it used rather than citing the document.
"Adopt a pet" is something you do when you can't give birth to one.
"Bloombito" is a Twitter acount which ridicules Mayor Bloomberg's attempts to woo the Spanish speaking population of NYC with the worst Spanish you've ever heard.
"Public servant" is a government employee who may earn 3x more than a private sector employee who pays his salary.
"Family balancing" is aborting the female fetus through sex selection.
"Intellectual disability" is a new term used by those wordsmiths who gave up on "mentally retarded" and "developmentally disabled," but the word intellectual used to have some snob appeal and usually meant people at the other end of the IQ spectrum.
"Current thinking" is a sloppy euphemism that usually throws out what was current 3-4 years ago, but it it used rather than citing the document.
"Adopt a pet" is something you do when you can't give birth to one.
"Reality TV" is completely unreal.
"Food insecurity" has replaced "hunger" because not enough people were hungry to fund 25 programs and all the government workers dependent on them.
"Food stamps"--we don't have them anymore, they are now SNAP, supplemental nutrition assistance program, and I think it's a plastic card.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Ratio Of Takers To Givers Reaches A Tipping Point
Minimum wage increases hurt blacks the most. Larry Elder
Ratio Of Takers To Givers Reaches A Tipping Point - Investors.com
Economist Milton Friedman called minimum-wage regulations among the "most anti-black" laws on the books. Why? A disproportionate number of blacks are unskilled and, therefore, are disproportionately harmed when laws force employers to pay more than the market value of labor.
Uncle Omar and Aunt Zeituni
President Obama has at least 2 relatives living in the United States illegally. When it was first revealed right before the election of 2008, President Bush, always soft on illegal immigration anyway, tried to play the nice guy, not that it was ever appreciated.
America's Uncle Omar Problem - Page 2 - Michelle Malkin - Townhall Conservative
Bush administration officials ordered immigration authorities across the country to halt all deportation enforcement actions until after the campaign season was over. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) source familiar with Western field offices told me at the time: "The ICE fugitive operations group throughout the U.S. was told to stand down until after the election from arresting or transporting anyone out of the U.S. This was done to avoid any mistakes of deporting or arresting anyone who could have a connection to the election, i.e., anyone from Kenya who could be a relative. The decision was election-driven."
Now, we know there was at least one other Obama deportation fugitive hiding in plain view who benefited from the freeze.
More damningly, we know that both Republican and Democratic administrations continue to play politics with homeland security while paying lip service to the 9/11 dead.
America's Uncle Omar Problem - Page 2 - Michelle Malkin - Townhall Conservative
Kurt Cobain lunchbox
It's in the 90s today, but I decided to bike up to the train station (Lakeside, OH) for the Archives sale. On my way there I looked at the last hill and decided it was too hot, so I turned around, and as I did, I saw the sign that said it was at South Auditorium rather than the Train Station, so I was already there. Nothing much to interest me, but maybe the good stuff was gone. I thought everything was over priced, using the Volunteers of America store as my guide. I did see a Kurt Cobain lunchbox ($3.00)that really puzzled me. I tried to imagine who in the 1990s would have bought a kid a lunchbox like that. When I got home I googled it (mainly to see what the going rate was). It wasn't issued until 2006 or 2007 when his widow, Courtney Love, sold the rights to some songs and his image. Probably only women bought such an item, and showed it off at work once or twice then put it away.
So I read through his biography. What a sad, sad, empty life. Proof, if you needed it, that money can't make a person happy who's taken a bad situation and made it worse with drugs.
On e-bay someone wanted $50.00 for a Kurt Cobain lunchbox. Good luck--it's going for $3 in Lakeside, and even then, had no takers.
So I read through his biography. What a sad, sad, empty life. Proof, if you needed it, that money can't make a person happy who's taken a bad situation and made it worse with drugs.
On e-bay someone wanted $50.00 for a Kurt Cobain lunchbox. Good luck--it's going for $3 in Lakeside, and even then, had no takers.
We love Brenda as The Closer
Unfortunately, Mr. James Duff (story coordinator), we also see certain themes from the very beginning--favorites of Hollywood: 1) anti-religion, particularly Christianity, but there's nothing kind about Muslims either; 2) sensitivity to gay issues, but with almost vicious reality about gays being the perps as well as the victims; 3) guys as slime balls (except Fritz) when it comes to sex, and women being powerful and smart; 4) southern stereotypes from Brenda's oozing "thank you," to her mother's solicitous, hovering behavior; presenting the right political spectrum in the most unflattering roles possible while not making them either the perp or the victim--just hauling them in for questioning so they can be mouthpieces for the hostility of the writers and producers (nothing similar for the left or socialist view--afterall, that IS Hollywood); people within the legal system, lawyers, police, DAs, private investigators, etc. as criminals. Much of this we'd come to expect on Law and Order--which was particularly hostile to conservatives and Christians, but had good story lines.
Still, even understanding how Hollywood sees those of us in fly-over country as soggy Tea Bags, I'd like to see a little respect once in a while. We pay cable bills too, and buy advertised products. Brenda Leigh Johnson and her crew are great--just too one dimensional and predictable in their dislike for American values.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Get over it!
The VFW is miffed that neither Obama nor Biden were going to attend their convention--they agreed to send "second tier" officials. Really? They did come in 2009 and 2010 as I understand it. How often do you think the guy can leave his golf game? Besides, you don't like him, and he doesn't like you. He's just not that into you. Get over it and move on. Be the big boy he isn't.
Advice to a young friend still in an ELCA congregation--get out while you can
The recent battle in ELCA was supposed to be about ordained ELCA gay pastors being released from the celibacy vow. The 2009 vote to OK "committed relationships" (it's been in play and voted down since 1988) won't stop there. Obviously, this inclusiveness conference your pastor is attending is the next step. And it won't stop with gay marriage or anything similar, because polygamy and sex with minors are waiting at the door for approval. Lutherans who mistakenly believe all this will go away if we are just "loving and accepting" of differences are badly mistaken. If it were me, I'd find a believing church while you are young enough to establish new friendships and outlets for service. Our new synod is North American Lutheran Church, headquartered at UALC--about 400 churches right now. It will grow, but ELCA is moving to make it more difficult for congregations to leave. Get out while you can.
Among Six Types Of Failure, Only A Few Help You Innovate
When I see the term FAILURE, my mind immediately strays to the Obama Administration. Fail early and often certainly seems to be their motto, although I'm not sure I see much innovation resulting from this, as the article (about computer design and problem solving) suggests. And even the examples the author gives for "abject failure"-- BP oil spill and the mortgage meltdown --haven't been failures, but rather golden opportunities, for BO. Yes, he appeared weak and ineffective, but he did manage to drive all those oil rigs into the deep water off other countries where they can't contribute to the U.S. economy, but can still spoil the oceans. And the collapsed housing market was just another reason to rachet up government regulations, one of the primary causes of that failure. These failures have contributed to his assuring us we just need more of the same, and for many voters on the left, that works. It's soothing and familiar.
Among Six Types Of Failure, Only A Few Help You Innovate | Co. Design
Among Six Types Of Failure, Only A Few Help You Innovate | Co. Design
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
He must have gotten bad news from the doctor!
Today I saw a man jogging. Lots of people jog, but I've only seen this guy do two things, 1) sit on his porch, and 2) walk slowly around the block with his even slower dog looking for a yard to poop in. Now he's jogging? And sweating? Must have been told by the doctor that he needed to do some exercise.
Actually, I couldn't jog even if the doctor prescribed it. Besides walking is better for you and rarely damages the knees.
Actually, I couldn't jog even if the doctor prescribed it. Besides walking is better for you and rarely damages the knees.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Week 11--Senior Venture Week at Lakeside
This week we're learning about notable Ohioans. Sunday night I watched a movie on the Wright Brothers, and yesterday I attended a program on Ohio Astronauts. I didn't know we had 24 astronauts! The speaker covered just a few of the highlights, like John Glenn, James Lovell, Judy Resnick (died in the Challenger explosion), Sanita Williams, and Neil Armstrong. I'd sort of forgotten what rock star celebrities these guys became. We got our babies up on the night of July 20, 1969 to watch the "first step".
But we learned that NASA isn't going away even though manned space flight (now called "crewed space flight" so as not to use the word man) is being discontinued. A young female employee giving her first presentation talked to us about her research in radioisotopes and about the Discovery Mission. There is still a lot going on.
I had no idea someone had written a song about the astronauts, but I found this on the internet.
Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins
were launched away in space
Millions of hearts were lifted,
proud of the human race
Space control at Houston, radio command
The team below that gave the go
they had God's helping hand.
Yes, it was a very proud time for Americans.
But we learned that NASA isn't going away even though manned space flight (now called "crewed space flight" so as not to use the word man) is being discontinued. A young female employee giving her first presentation talked to us about her research in radioisotopes and about the Discovery Mission. There is still a lot going on.
I had no idea someone had written a song about the astronauts, but I found this on the internet.
Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins
were launched away in space
Millions of hearts were lifted,
proud of the human race
Space control at Houston, radio command
The team below that gave the go
they had God's helping hand.
Yes, it was a very proud time for Americans.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Get the shingles vaccine!
Desperate for jobs boost, Obama taps labor economist
Really? This is what he spent his "vacation" working on? More of the same with Alan Krueger. ". . . advocated for hiring tax credits for businesses and increased government spending on infrastructure, two programs Obama aides are considering proposing this fall. There's a reason for this rut. 80% of people in government, at any level, have never held jobs in the private sector. They don't know that there's no hiring if you're being choked to death with regulation, red tape, and threats of higher health care costs.
Desperate for jobs boost, Obama taps labor economist for top White House post - The Washington Post
Desperate for jobs boost, Obama taps labor economist for top White House post - The Washington Post
Nero in the White House
"Three significant historical events have been eclipsed by Obama: 1) Jimmy Carter will no longer be looked upon as the worst president in American history; 2) Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton will no longer be recognized as the greatest liars in presidential history; 3) Clinton's stain on Monica's dress, and what that did to White House in general and the office of the president specifically, will forever pale in comparison to the stain and stench of Obama."
Murray sent along this good read by Mychal Massie. I guess Massie is a racist?
Nero in the White House
Murray sent along this good read by Mychal Massie. I guess Massie is a racist?
Nero in the White House
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Unequal Harm: Racial Disparities in the Employment Consequences of Minimum Wage Increases
Increases in minimum wage are very popular with politicians--Democrats run on it, and Republicans don't want to appear to be meanies, so they shuffle along and agree to it. But it is those in the lowest job ranks who get cut first as employers look for ways to save (it doesn't increase their income, you know). When Democrats took over both houses in 2007, it was the first step downward for the coming recession--hit employers hard, then the poor. And most of all, young and black. Unemployment in the current recession is about 25% for young white males without a high school diploma, but 50% for young blacks. But why?
Here's how one small businessman (RV parks in Arizona) handled the problem of a 41% increase in 2 years of minimum wage in a heavily labor intensive business. In his case, it was the retirees who were let go, a trade off of experience for younger, faster, healthier workers.
The authors find that they’re more likely to be employed in eating and drinking places–nearly one out of three black young adults without a high school diploma works in the industry. Businesses in this industry generally have narrow profit margins and are more likely to be adversely impacted by a wage mandate. There’s also substantial variation in regional location, as black young adults are overwhelmingly located in the South and in urban areas.Unequal Harm: Racial Disparities in the Employment Consequences of Minimum Wage Increases | EPI Study
Here's how one small businessman (RV parks in Arizona) handled the problem of a 41% increase in 2 years of minimum wage in a heavily labor intensive business. In his case, it was the retirees who were let go, a trade off of experience for younger, faster, healthier workers.
Light & Tasty
The Lakeside Antique Show was yesterday and I bought a few goodies, one of which wasn't actually at the sale, but next door at the Methodist Church book sale. It was the Premiere Issue of Taste of Home's Light & Tasty, for cooks "who are looking for light recipes that don't sacrifice flavor," and it was 10 cents. I'll be writing about it at my hobby bloggy, In the Beginning.
I would never use egg substitutes, or low-fat cheese or fat free evaporated milk, but the photos are good and I've come up with a few ideas about how to use zucchini and tomatoes.
When Reiman's Taste of Home began diversifying, it wasn't unusual to find more than one cover for a premiere issue. The photo of the cover on the far right with the raspberry cream cake with chocolate topping is the one I have. Inside, they are pretty much the same.
Technically, I'm no longer looking for first issues because they were taking over my house, but if one falls in my lap (hands) at a sale, well . . .
I would never use egg substitutes, or low-fat cheese or fat free evaporated milk, but the photos are good and I've come up with a few ideas about how to use zucchini and tomatoes.
When Reiman's Taste of Home began diversifying, it wasn't unusual to find more than one cover for a premiere issue. The photo of the cover on the far right with the raspberry cream cake with chocolate topping is the one I have. Inside, they are pretty much the same.
Technically, I'm no longer looking for first issues because they were taking over my house, but if one falls in my lap (hands) at a sale, well . . .
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Week 10 at Lakeside--Civil War Week
Because of our trip back to Columbus for a meeting and a quick visit to the vet for our cat, we missed the Monday and Tuesday daytime programs by Dale Phillips, Howard Strouse and the dinner with "President Lincoln" (Robert and Barbara Brugler of Columbus as Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln). However, later in the week Randy Koch who spoke on the Presidential Election of 1860 mentioned that at the Monday night dinner he shook the hand of a WWII veteran, whose grandfather had been wounded at Gettysburg, and he had been visited by President Lincoln and shook his hand. He said he got chills thinking about it.
There were 3 women presenters this week, Marjorie Wilson of Cleveland gave a very informative talk on Mortimer Leggett, one of Ohio's generals. She's a retired school teacher who got interested in the Civil War because she's a volunteer docent at Lakeview cemetery where 800 Civil War veterans are buried. Carol Zeh, a Civil War historian from Akron, provided great maps and explanations about the Battle of Gettysburg with graphic details on the injuries and deaths. She said if you want to be a volunteer guide at Gettysburg, it's harder than getting into medical school! That same day (Thursday) I attended "Horses of Gettysburg" a PBS documentary. Other than numbers and a few bad photos, there wasn't that much, but good information on the statuary that includes horses. Joan Cashin of OSU spoke on Black & white women of the Old South, which I didn't attend. Those who did said she gave good current information on slavery today--which in numbers is higher than the 18th century. On Friday Tom Lloyd of the music faculty of Columbus State led us in some rousing songs of the Civil War era with very interesting background about instruments, military bands, song writers and publishers. I had no idea that Columbus State even had a music department.
Socially, it's been a busy week. Dave and MaryAnn were with us Friday and Saturday and we had lunch at the Hotel Lakeside; Tuesday evening we had Dan and Joan here for dinner on our deck; Wednesday evening we went to the community picnic with Rob and Lynn; then Thursday morning we were at Dan and Joan's B&B for breakfast with Marsha, a former architecture colleague of my husband; then Friday night we went out to Crosswinds for great perch with Wes and Sue and then back here for dessert and an evening program of eclectic music--mostly Celtic.
With Dan and Joan at the Idlewyld B & B in Lakeside.
With David and Mary Ann at our cottage.
With Rob and Lynn at the picnic in the park.
There were 3 women presenters this week, Marjorie Wilson of Cleveland gave a very informative talk on Mortimer Leggett, one of Ohio's generals. She's a retired school teacher who got interested in the Civil War because she's a volunteer docent at Lakeview cemetery where 800 Civil War veterans are buried. Carol Zeh, a Civil War historian from Akron, provided great maps and explanations about the Battle of Gettysburg with graphic details on the injuries and deaths. She said if you want to be a volunteer guide at Gettysburg, it's harder than getting into medical school! That same day (Thursday) I attended "Horses of Gettysburg" a PBS documentary. Other than numbers and a few bad photos, there wasn't that much, but good information on the statuary that includes horses. Joan Cashin of OSU spoke on Black & white women of the Old South, which I didn't attend. Those who did said she gave good current information on slavery today--which in numbers is higher than the 18th century. On Friday Tom Lloyd of the music faculty of Columbus State led us in some rousing songs of the Civil War era with very interesting background about instruments, military bands, song writers and publishers. I had no idea that Columbus State even had a music department.
Socially, it's been a busy week. Dave and MaryAnn were with us Friday and Saturday and we had lunch at the Hotel Lakeside; Tuesday evening we had Dan and Joan here for dinner on our deck; Wednesday evening we went to the community picnic with Rob and Lynn; then Thursday morning we were at Dan and Joan's B&B for breakfast with Marsha, a former architecture colleague of my husband; then Friday night we went out to Crosswinds for great perch with Wes and Sue and then back here for dessert and an evening program of eclectic music--mostly Celtic.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Solar Manufacturers Slowly Closing Up Shop In U.S.
Even with loans from China and subsidies from local governments, solar is having a problem catching on in the U.S. and "green" jobs are evaporating as solar plants close.
Solar Manufacturers Slowly Closing Up Shop In U.S. | Institute for Energy Research
Solar Manufacturers Slowly Closing Up Shop In U.S. | Institute for Energy Research
Thursday, August 25, 2011
What you can do to make sure your kids don't smoke
This is the heading of a 2 page ad in a women's magazine--sponsored by Lorillard Tobacco Company! Hmmm. Not sure that's the best source. Anyway, this tobacco company which is dedicated to getting your kids hooked into a life time habit that costs about $4,000 a year, says these things will keep them from smoking: 1) Reinforce the immediate consequences, 2) instill strong values and beliefs. Ha, ha, ha. That's rich.
What 13 year old have you met who could weigh the risks of bladder and lung cancer against being included with the kids he admires? Peers win every time.
I'm guessing this advertisement is included as part of a law suit.
What 13 year old have you met who could weigh the risks of bladder and lung cancer against being included with the kids he admires? Peers win every time.
I'm guessing this advertisement is included as part of a law suit.
Sonia Hermosillo Arrested For Throwing Her Baby Off A Parking Structure
An uncanny resemblance to Casey Anthony, another killer mom.
Sonia Hermosillo Arrested For Throwing Her Baby Off A Parking Structure
Sonia Hermosillo Arrested For Throwing Her Baby Off A Parking Structure
An Overview of the U.S. Department of Education-- Pg 2
Is there anything in this expensive federal agency that actually improves education? I realize it pays a lot of salaries which in turn buys groceries, pays mortgages, and shops for new clothing, but really, what has it done for education of our young people if we're still so far behind other first world countries?
An Overview of the U.S. Department of Education-- Pg 2
An Overview of the U.S. Department of Education-- Pg 2
Sustainability--the new squishy buzzword
Like nailing jello to the wall. Here's some meanings for the corporate world.
Key Practice Area - Sustainability - What is Sustainability - NAEM
Key Practice Area - Sustainability - What is Sustainability - NAEM
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Living with an aging parent--JAMA Aug 17, 2011, vol 306.no.7
JAMA has a bimonthly series called, "Care of the Aging Patient; from evidence to action," and the most recent was Living with an aging parent, a well written summary with citations to the medical literature of one family's exerience. In the library field, we used to call these articles, "How I done it good" papers. JAMA solicits these articles from actual experience, assures the authors of "peer review" status to put on their CV, and gives a $500 honorarium.
The three authors tell a story of a healthy couple, 89 and 86, who move across the country in 2006 to live with their daughter and husband after the husband begins showing signs of dementia. The daughter invites them, rather than have them go to a retirement community. The backstory is that for 15 years, the parents lived with this family in the summer to take care of their children while the parents worked. The article describes the health condition and living arrangements and how things changed between 2006 and 2011. There are 3 tables which would help anyone considering this type of living arrangement, and one list of "issues."
I could have written this article myself, and I don't have an MD, PHD or MSPH, but my good frinds Jim and Jackie did a similar move to Colorado a few years back with similar results. Nor would I need 5 grants from the U.S. government, or various awards from foundations, all listed as an appendix to the article.
Now I say this for two reasons: 1) the article is an interview with 46 citations from medical databases to confirm the points made by either the interviewer or the interviewees. There is nothing wrong with this method--it's informative, easy reading, and although it would seem to be common sense, many people don't have that, so it will be very helpful for anyone considering a multigenerational living arrangement; 2) this type of writing isn't rocket science, but for the tax payer it is very expensive.
As near as I can determine, Alabama has received nearly $9,500,000 from the federal government of Title VIII just in 2010. Glancing through the list I think this is all geriatric health issues. That's just one state, one issue. The lead author, Christine S. Ritchie, according to her vita which I looked up, has at the moment, 7 simultaneous positions/titles, and if my experience in academe is to be trusted, she's being paid for each one. I found two different amounts for Dr. Richie, both over $200,000, for grants that supported this research--research that I could have written given a few days off my regular duties. The other two authors also report (disclosure) support from grants.
The three authors tell a story of a healthy couple, 89 and 86, who move across the country in 2006 to live with their daughter and husband after the husband begins showing signs of dementia. The daughter invites them, rather than have them go to a retirement community. The backstory is that for 15 years, the parents lived with this family in the summer to take care of their children while the parents worked. The article describes the health condition and living arrangements and how things changed between 2006 and 2011. There are 3 tables which would help anyone considering this type of living arrangement, and one list of "issues."
I could have written this article myself, and I don't have an MD, PHD or MSPH, but my good frinds Jim and Jackie did a similar move to Colorado a few years back with similar results. Nor would I need 5 grants from the U.S. government, or various awards from foundations, all listed as an appendix to the article.
Now I say this for two reasons: 1) the article is an interview with 46 citations from medical databases to confirm the points made by either the interviewer or the interviewees. There is nothing wrong with this method--it's informative, easy reading, and although it would seem to be common sense, many people don't have that, so it will be very helpful for anyone considering a multigenerational living arrangement; 2) this type of writing isn't rocket science, but for the tax payer it is very expensive.
As near as I can determine, Alabama has received nearly $9,500,000 from the federal government of Title VIII just in 2010. Glancing through the list I think this is all geriatric health issues. That's just one state, one issue. The lead author, Christine S. Ritchie, according to her vita which I looked up, has at the moment, 7 simultaneous positions/titles, and if my experience in academe is to be trusted, she's being paid for each one. I found two different amounts for Dr. Richie, both over $200,000, for grants that supported this research--research that I could have written given a few days off my regular duties. The other two authors also report (disclosure) support from grants.
Monday, August 22, 2011
No heroic measures
We came back to Columbus on Sunday and I got an early a.m. appointment today with the vet. Our cat stopped eating on Thursday, and has had very little since then and has lost a pound. The vet could find nothing in the physical exam and recommended some tests--blood, urine, etc. We've been through this before with 2 other cats, and know that not only are the tests expensive, but that more medications will follow and usually something uncomfortable for the cat or the owners. I decided against the "panel" and requested an appetite stimulant and rehydration. I went to the store and bought some "people" food she might like--tuna and salmon--and cooked her a little chicken. At this point, anything she will eat is OK.
Red Tape: Rising Cost of Government Regulation
Full employment for regulators creating and monitoring red tape.
In the first six months of the 2011 fiscal year, 15 major regulations were issued, with annual costs exceeding $5.8 billion and one-time implementation costs approaching $6.5 billion. No major rulemaking actions were taken to reduce regulatory burdens during this period. Overall, the Obama Administration imposed 75 new major regulations from January 2009 to mid-FY 2011, with annual costs of $38 billion.Red Tape: Rising Cost of Government Regulation
What Do We Do With Barack Obama?
Michael Wolff said this 11 months ago--September 2010
What Do We Do With Barack Obama?
Some mass misperception put Barack Obama in the White House and now nobody knows what to do with him.
What Do We Do With Barack Obama?
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Five Best Saturday Columns: Obama Takedown Edition - The Atlantic Wire
This is one way columnists, generally supportive of only one view point, get to be "balanced;" they link, point or cite people they don't agree with. Atlantic is quite left of center, and here the author summarizes the latest unflattering stories about Obama. However, I took a look at the "tags." I'm a former cataloger of essentially Soviet propaganda, but I had to learn all the basic rules. None of these 5 writers are members of the Tea Party (even if such an organization or party actually existed), yet the tag is Tea Party. I suppose that's closer than "racism," which used to be the charge for anyone against Obama's policies. But Blow, the first link, is a black writer, and Peggy Noonan was so far out of favor with the Bush crowd and such an admirer of Obama during the 2008 campaign, she's lucky to have any readers at all. And one of the cited authors is British. So just who tagged this beef stew as left-over fried rabbit?
Five Best Saturday Columns: Obama Takedown Edition - Politics - The Atlantic Wire
Five Best Saturday Columns: Obama Takedown Edition - Politics - The Atlantic Wire
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Anti-American President--or why we want him to fail at destroying the U.S.
It is no secret that Obama doesn't like us or the country. He's not stupid; he's not inept. He wrote about it, and apparently either no one read his books, listened to his speeches, or no one believed him then. Believe him now?
Articles: The Anti-American President
"Obama gets dreams from his socialist father. His mother was a fellow traveler. Obama lived in anti-American Indonesia as a child. Later, granddad decided Obama needed a Communist mentor. O got into Harvard on the recommendation of anti-Semitic Khalid al Mansour, an adviser to Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. In college O chose his friends carefully -- "the more politically active black students, foreign students, Chicanos, Marxist professors and structural feminists." As a professor he taught Marxist Saul Alinsky tactics, and as a constitutional scholar he believed that there are fundamental flaws in the Constitution, such as restraint on governmental power. As a community organizer and counsel he pushed sub-prime mortgages which helped buckle our economy.
He's a trench-mate with voter-fraudsters ACORN and quasi-commie SEIU. He had house parties and sat on boards with an unrepentant, revolutionary communist, who probably ghostwrote one of O's autobiographies. He attended the social-justice church of Jeremiah Wright, where he was preached at on collective salvation and black liberation. Illinois state senator and communism-lover Alice Palmer, picked O as her chief of staff. As a U.S. senator, he had the most leftist voting record. His wife's only source of American pride came in her 40s as a result of O's own success. He was endorsed by the Communist Party in 2004, and in 2008 Obama got CPUSA's endorsement again, basically running on the CPUSA platform. (And yes, CPUSA have endorsed him again for 2012!)"
Articles: The Anti-American President
Friday, August 19, 2011
Rick Perry on evolution
If there's anything the media hate more than a pro-life candidate, it's one who doesn't believe the theory of evolution has all the answers to origins. On the other hand, maybe they love these candidates because they get so much press out of these gotcha comments.
According to the New Testament, Jesus existed before everything and created everything. Now why would he devise such a loopy plan that would take millions, maybe billions of years of death, disease and destruction before the final product finally evolved, and then have the audacity and duplicity to blame Adam and Eve for bring death into his "perfect" creation?
Paul's letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,[e]
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.[f]
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
According to the New Testament, Jesus existed before everything and created everything. Now why would he devise such a loopy plan that would take millions, maybe billions of years of death, disease and destruction before the final product finally evolved, and then have the audacity and duplicity to blame Adam and Eve for bring death into his "perfect" creation?
Paul's letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,[e]
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.[f]
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Canadian luxury bus ferries U.S. President Barack Obama through Midwest - US Bus News
Another way for Obama to thumb his nose at American workers. Go on a jobs tour in a bus made in Canada. If it were anyone else I'd call him dumb, but I think this was intentional.
Canadian luxury bus ferries U.S. President Barack Obama through Midwest - US Bus News
Canadian luxury bus ferries U.S. President Barack Obama through Midwest - US Bus News
Where is Obama's beer summit on the race riots of 2011
In 2009, the President got off on the wrong foot with most thinking, law abiding Americans by sticking his nose into a Boston local law enforcement issue--Professor Gates being mistaken for a burglar while breaking into his own home. He was reported to the police by a neighbor who didn't know him. His handlers tried to repair his butinski image by the famous beer summit.
Now there have been "flash mob" riots in a number of large cities, and many have been created by black youth using cell phones and social media. These are not poverty or "race" riots; the people are gleeful and having a great time, but they are also intimidating law abiding citizens and other young people--especially if they are white. The President has decided he will be silent on this generation that has been subsidized with food stamps, rent subsidies, Earned income tax credits, two meals a day plus snacks at school, WIC (and about 25 other food and nutrition programs), Medicaid plus free treatment at any ER and endless jobs programs. I seriously doubt that any of these young men (although there were a few women chasing them) grew up with married parents, or ever held a job that wasn't subsidized by the government.
Many in the media are ignoring the racial aspect of these riots and only showing photos of the police, not the rioters, or they are attributing the problem to "social media." It's like SUVs being blamed for accidents instead of the driver. The media will consistently report on the racial profile of a peaceful gathering of the Tea Party, but almost never if a roving band of young blacks break into and loot a department store, or disrupt a state fair.
This obvious media blindness is fodder for the white supremist web sites--you can find them by googling "flash mob riots."
Articles: Lessons from a Milwaukee Mob
Now there have been "flash mob" riots in a number of large cities, and many have been created by black youth using cell phones and social media. These are not poverty or "race" riots; the people are gleeful and having a great time, but they are also intimidating law abiding citizens and other young people--especially if they are white. The President has decided he will be silent on this generation that has been subsidized with food stamps, rent subsidies, Earned income tax credits, two meals a day plus snacks at school, WIC (and about 25 other food and nutrition programs), Medicaid plus free treatment at any ER and endless jobs programs. I seriously doubt that any of these young men (although there were a few women chasing them) grew up with married parents, or ever held a job that wasn't subsidized by the government.
Many in the media are ignoring the racial aspect of these riots and only showing photos of the police, not the rioters, or they are attributing the problem to "social media." It's like SUVs being blamed for accidents instead of the driver. The media will consistently report on the racial profile of a peaceful gathering of the Tea Party, but almost never if a roving band of young blacks break into and loot a department store, or disrupt a state fair.
This obvious media blindness is fodder for the white supremist web sites--you can find them by googling "flash mob riots."
Articles: Lessons from a Milwaukee Mob
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
These flash mobs probably won't help the Obama campaign
The media is reporting it and not mentioning race, but it's fairly easy to see. These are just punks gleefully plundering. And Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia definitely has noticed.
"Pull up your pants and buy a belt 'cause no one wants to see your underwear or the crack of your butt," he said. "If you walk into somebody's office with your hair uncombed and a pick in the back, and your shoes untied, and your pants half-down, tattoos up and down your arms and on your neck, and you wonder why somebody won't hire you? They don't hire you 'cause you look like you're crazy," the mayor said. He added: "You have damaged your own race."The Social Degeneration Of The West: Part I - Investors.com
Is there a hole in the bucket for Obama water carriers?
What is going on? Tonight on NBC news I heard a negative report on President Obama! They actually doubt his staff that this bus tour isn't part of his campaign. Wow! Followed that with news about food inflation, caused in part by bio-fuels (aka green, or alternative energy sources).
And in a lecture today where the presenter had Obama's inaugural address on the screen and we were looking at Biblical references, a man actually said that reading the content of the speech was enlightening especially since things were so much worse today than when he took office. In Lakeside he said this. I was stunned (it's a pretty liberal place). Of course, the retired Presbyterian pastor sitting behind me, disagreed. He thought things were better. I wonder what--another war front? Inflation? The national debt? A floundering Congress? The stock market? Pretending he's not campaigning?
I guess everyone sees what they want to see, including me. Maybe I imagined that NBC story. And maybe the guy who spoke up was on the far left and thought Obama had disappointed his supporters.
And in a lecture today where the presenter had Obama's inaugural address on the screen and we were looking at Biblical references, a man actually said that reading the content of the speech was enlightening especially since things were so much worse today than when he took office. In Lakeside he said this. I was stunned (it's a pretty liberal place). Of course, the retired Presbyterian pastor sitting behind me, disagreed. He thought things were better. I wonder what--another war front? Inflation? The national debt? A floundering Congress? The stock market? Pretending he's not campaigning?
I guess everyone sees what they want to see, including me. Maybe I imagined that NBC story. And maybe the guy who spoke up was on the far left and thought Obama had disappointed his supporters.
Wisconsin Recall, Fleebaggers face the music
I know some Illinois women who have gone to Wisconsin to help the Fleebaggers. Seems like a fair exchange. They fled their responsibilities by fleeing to Illinois, now Illinois which has huge problems of its own created by years and years of crooked pols in Chicago and local union strikes, is going to head for Wisconsin. The unions are importing truckloads of money from outside the state, and when that isn't enough, they find volunteers.
Michelle Malkin » Wisconsin Recall, Part Two: Fleebaggers face the music
Michelle Malkin » Wisconsin Recall, Part Two: Fleebaggers face the music
What happened to Obama? Absolutely Nothing
Some moderates are surprised, but many life long Democrats see no problem with his behavior. The social wish list of the last 40 years is what they wanted, and he looked like he could do it, plus he was a 2-fer, a guy who could absolve their guilt for a history they didn't create. Most white liberals wanted him for his racial make-up, pure and simple. His politics was a plus. No white liberal could have defeated the Clinton machine with so little experience.
But whereas the communists had in their delusional vision of the Soviet Union a model of the kind of society that would replace the one they were bent on destroying, the new leftists only knew what they were against: America, or Amerika as they spelled it to suggest its kinship to Nazi Germany. Thanks, however, to the unmasking of the Soviet Union as a totalitarian nightmare, they did not know what they were for. Yet once they had pulled off the incredible feat of taking over the Democratic Party behind the presidential candidacy of George McGovern in 1972, they dropped the vain hope of a revolution, and in the social-democratic system most fully developed in Sweden they found an alternative to American capitalism that had a realistic possibility of being achieved through gradual political reform.Norman Podhoretz: What Happened to Obama? Absolutely Nothing. - WSJ.com
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Timeless knowledge and skills
"We can’t predict the future, but we can teach “timeless knowledge and skills that all students must master to succeed in any environment,” writes Kathleen Porter-Magee on Flypaper."
I think I can count them on my 10 fingers. And they all deal with the basic building blocks of everything else I need to know.
1. Reading, writing and spelling. And I think this is a package.
2. Basic math--addition, subtraction, multiplication tables, fractions, decimals. I wish I'd had some basic statistics--it would be much easier to read medical and economic articles.
3. Simple cooking skills. White sauce. Pie crust. Lightly steaming fresh vegetables. Setting a pretty table. How to pick beans or strawberries (from the vine, not the store), and pit cherries.
4. A few basics about physics and chemistry, like hit the nail not your finger, and water that turns to steam can cause a bad burn. Why there are snowflakes and clouds and who created the world.
5. How to use a few research tools like an encyclopedia, dictionary, thesaurus, phone book, table of contents, index, appendix, etc. particularly those concepts that are transferable to the internet and mobile devices. Call me a crazy librarian, but knowing where to find information is useful when you can't remember all of the world of knowledge.
6. Basic hygiene and health tips like don't smoke, eat all the colors, get plenty of exercise and brownies have more calories than carrot sticks.
7. Typing and a few things about basic bookkeeping.
8. First verse of at least 10 hymns and some Bible verses to use in foxholes.
9. Driving a car. I learned that about age 15 and am still doing it. Otherwise you're terribly dependent on others--although I drive less and less as I get older and never did long distances.
10. Basic music reading skills, like maybe 3 years of piano and some time in the band with a trombone.
What would you add? Or subtract?
Notice I haven't added sewing, although I used to find that useful; or gardening, although I did try that and was required to do my share as a child; or team sports (hated that); I actually think learning to swim is very important and the younger the better, but the only time I almost drowned was before I learned to swim so actually knowing how has never been very useful.
I think I can count them on my 10 fingers. And they all deal with the basic building blocks of everything else I need to know.
1. Reading, writing and spelling. And I think this is a package.
2. Basic math--addition, subtraction, multiplication tables, fractions, decimals. I wish I'd had some basic statistics--it would be much easier to read medical and economic articles.
3. Simple cooking skills. White sauce. Pie crust. Lightly steaming fresh vegetables. Setting a pretty table. How to pick beans or strawberries (from the vine, not the store), and pit cherries.
4. A few basics about physics and chemistry, like hit the nail not your finger, and water that turns to steam can cause a bad burn. Why there are snowflakes and clouds and who created the world.
5. How to use a few research tools like an encyclopedia, dictionary, thesaurus, phone book, table of contents, index, appendix, etc. particularly those concepts that are transferable to the internet and mobile devices. Call me a crazy librarian, but knowing where to find information is useful when you can't remember all of the world of knowledge.
6. Basic hygiene and health tips like don't smoke, eat all the colors, get plenty of exercise and brownies have more calories than carrot sticks.
7. Typing and a few things about basic bookkeeping.
8. First verse of at least 10 hymns and some Bible verses to use in foxholes.
9. Driving a car. I learned that about age 15 and am still doing it. Otherwise you're terribly dependent on others--although I drive less and less as I get older and never did long distances.
10. Basic music reading skills, like maybe 3 years of piano and some time in the band with a trombone.
What would you add? Or subtract?
Notice I haven't added sewing, although I used to find that useful; or gardening, although I did try that and was required to do my share as a child; or team sports (hated that); I actually think learning to swim is very important and the younger the better, but the only time I almost drowned was before I learned to swim so actually knowing how has never been very useful.
Abortion opponents have a new voice
A very interesting story about the niece of some of my Facebook and blogger friends--particular for its anti-prolife point of view. From "antiabortion" to "seeming candor" to "like any smart girlfriend" to "stoking" her belief to "dictating the national conversation" this writer definitely sees your niece and any of us who don't want babies killed in the womb as a huge threat to women and society. I will read CSM with a fresh eye from here on out.
Christian Science Monitor isn't a Christian publication, but the word Christian is still in the title. I find it hard to imagine that this reporter asks pro-abortion mothers of their subject what type of contraception they use. Rude!
And the author actually refers to our "pro-abortion rights president" not noting his deplorable record on life and that he is more extreme than anyone in Congress and believes late term, born alive abortions are legal.Yoest frames her argument similarly. "You either believe it's a life or you don't," she says. "The intellectual underpinnings really do matter. And they matter for our culture. If you can't draw the lines, you lose your bearings. You lose true north if you can't defend innocent human life."
Abortion opponents have a new voice - CSMonitor.com
Jennifer Skalka--you've got some explaining to do to the creator of life.
Christian Science Monitor isn't a Christian publication, but the word Christian is still in the title. I find it hard to imagine that this reporter asks pro-abortion mothers of their subject what type of contraception they use. Rude!
And the author actually refers to our "pro-abortion rights president" not noting his deplorable record on life and that he is more extreme than anyone in Congress and believes late term, born alive abortions are legal.Yoest frames her argument similarly. "You either believe it's a life or you don't," she says. "The intellectual underpinnings really do matter. And they matter for our culture. If you can't draw the lines, you lose your bearings. You lose true north if you can't defend innocent human life."
Abortion opponents have a new voice - CSMonitor.com
Jennifer Skalka--you've got some explaining to do to the creator of life.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Taking of Private Property for Public Use
I'm watching a video on c-span about the abuses of eminent domain to seize federal public housing to reduce black population. Most of us probably feel eminent domain in the taking of private property can certainly be unfair, particularly as it destroys homes and neighborhoods in the name of public good. But this is different--it's about taking federal public housing.
Perhaps you recall, if you're from Illinois, all the neighborhoods that were destroyed in the 40s and 50s because they were "slums" and required "urban renewal." Cabrini-Green is famous. Huge, impersonal, Soviet style architecture blobs were erected. Families and neighbors were scattered. Then 40-50 years later, those buildings came down, the families and neighbors were again scattered, and the yuppies moved back into prime real estate in Chicago. The friends of the Chicago Housing Authority probably did quite well--and may even be serving in Washington DC these days.
Taking of Private Property for Public Use - C-SPAN Video Library
Notice how young and articulate the first speaker, Ilya Somin, is. He's a Russian immigrant who came to the U.S. at about age 9--he still remembers life in the Soviet Union. Wish our home grown children did this well--and could preserve and protect as he has the ideas of the importance of private property and free markets or even the rights of people who must live in public housing. It would be a good project for a young person to track some of the wealth created for unions and building trades of condemning, building and then condemning again and rebuilding again in the same neighborhoods. And don't forget the freebies and tax rebates that the city government hands out.
Perhaps you recall, if you're from Illinois, all the neighborhoods that were destroyed in the 40s and 50s because they were "slums" and required "urban renewal." Cabrini-Green is famous. Huge, impersonal, Soviet style architecture blobs were erected. Families and neighbors were scattered. Then 40-50 years later, those buildings came down, the families and neighbors were again scattered, and the yuppies moved back into prime real estate in Chicago. The friends of the Chicago Housing Authority probably did quite well--and may even be serving in Washington DC these days.
As public housing developments go, Cabrini-Green was never the largest, toughest or most troubled in Chicago. It was, however, the closest to the city’s rich and influential neighborhoods and perhaps the most widely known housing development in the country. It was made famous by the 1970s CBS television sitcom “Good Times,” which was set in Cabrini, and it also became known for its gang wars and headline-grabbing crimes — prompting Mayor Jane M. Byrne to move into the development in 1981 with her husband and a large contingent of police officers.
Taking of Private Property for Public Use - C-SPAN Video Library
Notice how young and articulate the first speaker, Ilya Somin, is. He's a Russian immigrant who came to the U.S. at about age 9--he still remembers life in the Soviet Union. Wish our home grown children did this well--and could preserve and protect as he has the ideas of the importance of private property and free markets or even the rights of people who must live in public housing. It would be a good project for a young person to track some of the wealth created for unions and building trades of condemning, building and then condemning again and rebuilding again in the same neighborhoods. And don't forget the freebies and tax rebates that the city government hands out.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Day by Day cartoon on Fast and Furious
Use scroll bar to see all 3 frames
http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/
The Politicized Hiring of Eric Holder’s Voting Section
All sixteen new hires to the Voting Section have far-left resumes — which were only released following a Pajamas Media lawsuit.
Recently released documents — disclosed by the Obama Justice Department only after a court battle — reveal that the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice is engaging in politicized hiring in the career civil service ranks. Typical Washington behavior, you say? Except the hiring in question is nearly unprecedented in scope and significantly eclipses anything the Bush administration was even accused of doing. And the evidence of the current political activity is far less impeachable than what was behind the libelous attacks leveled at officials from the Bush years.
Pajamas Media » Every Single One: The Politicized Hiring of Eric Holder’s Voting Section
Remember, Holder is the guy who says he won't go after blacks intimidating whites at the polls because there is no violation of civil rights if blacks are the perps. And to prove his point, he hires radicals and ACLU lawyers.
Recently released documents — disclosed by the Obama Justice Department only after a court battle — reveal that the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice is engaging in politicized hiring in the career civil service ranks. Typical Washington behavior, you say? Except the hiring in question is nearly unprecedented in scope and significantly eclipses anything the Bush administration was even accused of doing. And the evidence of the current political activity is far less impeachable than what was behind the libelous attacks leveled at officials from the Bush years.
Pajamas Media » Every Single One: The Politicized Hiring of Eric Holder’s Voting Section
Remember, Holder is the guy who says he won't go after blacks intimidating whites at the polls because there is no violation of civil rights if blacks are the perps. And to prove his point, he hires radicals and ACLU lawyers.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Growing Bipartisan Consensus--Obama is worse than Carter
I really hate to see these unflattering comments about Jimmy Carter. Yes, he made himself look spiteful and resentful when he was a has-been, but he did many good things. He is a devout Christian, and he is a patriot who loves our country. Obama can't tie his shoes. And these journalists who think Obama is oblivious and dumb need to get some new tea leaves. I believe he knows exactly what he is doing.
The American Spectator : The Growing Bipartisan Consensus on Obama
The American Spectator : The Growing Bipartisan Consensus on Obama
Self esteem and housing bubbles
If you were a child or a parent in the 1970s-1980s, you were caught up in the self-esteem bubble. Even Christians like James Dobson did well on this misguided movement with books, TV shows, government grants, workshops for teachers, special session for child psychologists, NIH grants, etc. I know I certainly bought into it. Even Seseme Street got into the act. The idea was that instead of deriving healthy self-esteem from accomplishments, children could become accomplished by artificially ratcheting up their self-esteem. Although that’s been disproven (very evil and narcissistic sociopaths as well as deprived, abused and homely people can have very high self esteem) the memory and movement lingers on in “fairness” and “everyone is a winner” education movements. Everyone gets a prize, everyone is a success--and even 5 years ago during the booming Bush economy supervisors were looking for ways to reward workers (besides a paycheck) by inflating titles and having gimmicky staff awards for those employees who‘d had their self-esteem artificially inflated by these 30 year old, disproven concepts.
And along came the housing bubble of the Bush years. Although the idea that housing changes people instead of the other way around didn’t originate in the GWB presidency (it was birthed during the Carter years), it certainly flourished . Brilliant, educated academicians looked around and saw that very often successful, educated, well off people owned their own homes. So the idea developed, and then caught on with the unions, construction trades, real estate, and city planning professions, that if the poor and lower class and less educated or immigrant peoples could live in nicer homes and have mortgages like those people living in the suburbs who also paid higher taxes to support better schools, streets, parks, police, etc., then gradually people with a completely different set of values, would want to mimic middle class values. The pride of home ownership would somehow transform them! They would want to sit down with teachers and plan IEPs for the kids, they would decide to get married, they would not leave cars sitting on rims in front of trash filled lawns, they would choose chocolate Labs instead of white Pit Bulls, crime rates would go down, and it would all be kum ba ya.
Banks, lobbyists, think tanks, politicians, and all construction trades and their unions, did very well. The poor didn’t change. With no skin in the game, and still with that pesky low self-esteem they just moved with their values and standards, just like an earlier generation had done with public housing (now torn down because yuppies want to live downtown).
But, just as with the self-esteem movement, the memory lingers on, and the government is still shelling out billions to rescue the poor through housing--even though we all know that it’s the industries surrounding housing that are being propped up and controlled by the government. People still need shelter; they don’t need big brother or even big church to manage their lives.
And along came the housing bubble of the Bush years. Although the idea that housing changes people instead of the other way around didn’t originate in the GWB presidency (it was birthed during the Carter years), it certainly flourished . Brilliant, educated academicians looked around and saw that very often successful, educated, well off people owned their own homes. So the idea developed, and then caught on with the unions, construction trades, real estate, and city planning professions, that if the poor and lower class and less educated or immigrant peoples could live in nicer homes and have mortgages like those people living in the suburbs who also paid higher taxes to support better schools, streets, parks, police, etc., then gradually people with a completely different set of values, would want to mimic middle class values. The pride of home ownership would somehow transform them! They would want to sit down with teachers and plan IEPs for the kids, they would decide to get married, they would not leave cars sitting on rims in front of trash filled lawns, they would choose chocolate Labs instead of white Pit Bulls, crime rates would go down, and it would all be kum ba ya.
Banks, lobbyists, think tanks, politicians, and all construction trades and their unions, did very well. The poor didn’t change. With no skin in the game, and still with that pesky low self-esteem they just moved with their values and standards, just like an earlier generation had done with public housing (now torn down because yuppies want to live downtown).
But, just as with the self-esteem movement, the memory lingers on, and the government is still shelling out billions to rescue the poor through housing--even though we all know that it’s the industries surrounding housing that are being propped up and controlled by the government. People still need shelter; they don’t need big brother or even big church to manage their lives.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Waller book gets dropped off at the Hotel reading room
I wrote about buying a "bag of books for $1.00" in Sunday's Women's Club Book Sale. Only one was fiction, James Waller's Slow excrutiating waltz somewhere in Iowa. PW gushed: "Only little old ladies with blue permed hair need be wary of Waller's second foray into fiction: this time around, his saccharine tale of middle-aged lovers gets to sex scenes right away. When Michael Tillman, an Iowa economics professor with a rebel streak, first lays eyes on his colleague's wife, Jellie Branden, he immediately wonders ``how it would feel to grab a big handful of her hair and bend her over the dean's kitchen table.'' A few pages later--still in the first chapter--he is fantasizing about stripping Jellie naked and flying to the Seychelles."
As a male romance writer, Waller just doesn't cut it. After an excrutiatingly boring page or two (autobiographical apparently) about his basketball career in college, I decided even for $.20 this book had no merit. Save your time to cut your toe nails or clean up dog poop from the yard.
So in search of a stronger internet connection today, I left it off in the reading room of the Hotel Lakeside. It's in excellent condition. I don't think any of the previous owners got past his huge ego and male parts.
As a male romance writer, Waller just doesn't cut it. After an excrutiatingly boring page or two (autobiographical apparently) about his basketball career in college, I decided even for $.20 this book had no merit. Save your time to cut your toe nails or clean up dog poop from the yard.
So in search of a stronger internet connection today, I left it off in the reading room of the Hotel Lakeside. It's in excellent condition. I don't think any of the previous owners got past his huge ego and male parts.
"Fast and Furious" Goes All the Way to the White House
"Who exactly was behind the Gunwalker and Fast and Furious operations. Was it the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)? Yes. Was it also Attorney General Eric Holder? Well, there’s no doubt he was instrumental in Gunwalker, and it’s now known that his chief of staff was briefed on Fast and Furious. So how about President Obama? What did he know? According to information that has surfaced during ongoing investigations by Rep. Darrell Issa (R.-Calif.) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R.-Iowa), it’s certain that knowledge of Fast and Furious went all the way to the White House."
"Fast and Furious" Goes All the Way to the White House - HUMAN EVENTS
"Fast and Furious" Goes All the Way to the White House - HUMAN EVENTS
Physical Activity Levels of High School Students
Healthy People 2020 recommends 60 min. a day 7 days a week of aerobic exercise for teens. What is it now (self reported)?
Nationwide, 15.3% of high school students met the HP 2020 objective for aerobic activity. A higher percentage of male (21.9%) compared with female (8.4%) students? Combined with muscle activity, only about 12% of today's teens meet the HP 2020 objective.
Physical Activity Levels of High School Students—United States, 2010, July 27, 2011, 306 (4): 367 — JAMA
But here's the phrasing you need to look out for--it's where the money is. This will be a cash cow for every city block grant, non-profit community organization and probably even churches. The KEY phrase is "multisector approach." NEPLB. No exercise plan left behind.
Nationwide, 15.3% of high school students met the HP 2020 objective for aerobic activity. A higher percentage of male (21.9%) compared with female (8.4%) students? Combined with muscle activity, only about 12% of today's teens meet the HP 2020 objective.
Physical Activity Levels of High School Students—United States, 2010, July 27, 2011, 306 (4): 367 — JAMA
But here's the phrasing you need to look out for--it's where the money is. This will be a cash cow for every city block grant, non-profit community organization and probably even churches. The KEY phrase is "multisector approach." NEPLB. No exercise plan left behind.
These strategies are being included in programs such as the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign, CDC's Communities Putting Prevention to Work program, and the Safe Routes to School program. Additionally, the National Physical Activity Plan identifies the need to use a multisector approach involving schools, communities, families, and the private sector to facilitate integrated approaches to increasing population activity levels. Continued efforts to implement these evidence-based strategies and programs will help to meet the HP 2020 objective target for aerobic activity as well as the targets for muscle-strengthening activity and both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities (once these targets have been set based on findings from the 2011 national YRBS). Public health efforts to improve participation in aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities among U.S. high school students might be most relevant for female students, students in upper grades, and students with obesity.
Review & Outlook: A Downgrade Awakening - WSJ.com
"Let's recall how we arrived at this crossroads. A credit mania of several years that no one wanted to end suddenly turned into a financial panic in 2008. In their anxiety, and with Republicans holding the White House but having no explanation, the voters turned to the candidate who seemed coolest under fire. Though relatively unknown, Barack Obama was at least promising "hope and change."
Upon taking office, Mr. Obama proceeded to unleash the entire liberal economic and social policy arsenal in the name of ending the panic. Whether or not these were his own convictions, the President allowed the Pelosi Congress to use that rare political opening—and 60 Senate Democrats—to pursue a 40-year wish list."
Review & Outlook: A Downgrade Awakening - WSJ.com
Upon taking office, Mr. Obama proceeded to unleash the entire liberal economic and social policy arsenal in the name of ending the panic. Whether or not these were his own convictions, the President allowed the Pelosi Congress to use that rare political opening—and 60 Senate Democrats—to pursue a 40-year wish list."
Review & Outlook: A Downgrade Awakening - WSJ.com
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
How did purchasing this van help the economy?
I noticed a white van parked at the hotel this morning. There are several high school sports teams in town for sports camps--we see them running past our cottage with their coach on a bike. I suppose this was their transporation. Just curious how this van helped either the town or the state since federal stimulus funds were used to purchase it. I looked up Louisville, Ohio + ARRA and discovered it received about $330,000 to fix an intersection. Didn't see anything about purchasing vehicles for the schools.
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