Why Wonder Bread can save the world

Tonight for dinner we’re having home made broccoli soup and bread baked by my son last Sunday and put in the freezer (we’ve already eaten half of it). I found this wonderful message about being grateful for our food on Ted Talks.

Ted.Com is a wonderful website where you can find speeches by experts on anything and everything. (Except Glenn Beck--he lectures 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week on everything from Crime Inc. to George Washington to Miranda rights, employs a number of researchers, has written best sellers and speaks at many special events, so he would be overlooked by the organizers of Ted as too commercial.) Nevertheless, you can find others who don't have audiences of 30,000,000.

This lecture by Louise Fresco (Dutch) is no different than what I knew back in the 1970s when I worked in the Agriculture Library. But the ordinary person is even further removed from knowledge of food today than they were then. It's hard to know who is more naive--the kids who thinks meat comes in Styrofoam, or the college professor who thinks oranges are "locally grown." She provides a fresh, non-confrontational explanation about the important of modern agriculture. She talks about why the much maligned white Wonder Bread is the solution to world hunger, not locally grown, sustainable farmers markets. The mythical image of life in the rural past that rich Westerners have (particularly western USAns aka Californians) is false and will condemn millions to hard poverty if they succeed in returning us (particularly women) to that era.

I would just make one correction--although yes, there are very few farmers today (in industrialized nations), there are still many millions employed in the food industy, from production of inputs, equipment, buildings, transportation, processing, packaging, marketing, merchandising, kitchen equipment and on to restaurants and fast food, all the way to bus boy and dishwasher at the Rusty Bucket where we go every Friday night. They are all part of our food chain. As Ms. Fresco takes her bread out of the oven she encourages her audience to think about their own food chain beginning with the farmer and the wheat.

How to kill jobs the Obama way

Greyson Chance sings "Stars"

He's the 6th grader who's had 15 million uploads of his Lady GaGa song. This is one of his original compositions and it's about a woman who dies of cancer. He's obviously got talent. Hope the voice makes it through the male change.



YouTube - greyson97's Channel#p/a/u/0/emblM4a76jg

What's happening to teachers?

Are they going around the bend? Brain washed skulls of nothingness? We've got coaches in Highland, IL playing politics by deciding that Arizona is unsafe because the drug runners might be stopped; there was a teacher who beat up a student and was caught on cell phone video (both were black so at least we're being spared the whole media circus on that issue); and now a teacher tells a student who draws an American flag that "it's offensive" and she won't give a reason or apologize?

US agency admits lax enforcement of oil drilling

Let's ignore for a moment that we have a government regulatory agency watchdog (MMS) that is supposed to be keeping this method safe, and that we (humans) would be much safer if the drilling were on land, the fact remains we are still dependent on oil. It is the left that is keeping us unsafe. Their only aim is to destroy the industry, the faster the better. And it's working. Obama needs to stop wagging his finger at others and man up. It's absurd for him to complain about others passing blame when all he does is blame Bush for everything.

US agency admits lax enforcement of oil drilling - Yahoo! News

NASA Shuttle Program Winds Down

We watched the 32nd and final voyage of Atlantis today. Isn't it amazing what Obama's been able to do to take this country down down down in such a short time? Don't expect any analysis in this puff piece from ABC, however. But the photos are good.

Space Shuttle Atlantis: On Florida's Space Coast, Sadness and Anger as NASA Shuttle Program Winds Down - ABC News

President Obama, who wants to own General Motors and all your medical records as well as all media sources, has decided private companies can take over carrying astronauts to the space station so NASA can focus on getting astronauts to an asteroid by 2025 and to Mars by 2035. President George Bush, in 2004, had set NASA’s sights on the moon. But Obama axed that program — seemed too small I guess. Isn't that just like Mr. No Experience in Anything? Dump a government program which does require massive amounts of money and support and build national recognition so the gummit has enough to take over private industries like health care or automobiles which really don't need the government at all.

SPACE.com -- Neil Armstrong: Obama's New Space Plan "Poorly Advised"

Holder hasn't read the Arizona law

So why all the hype from the media? How can Holder "be concerned" if he hasn't read it?  He's only "gleaned" ideas from reading newspaper accounts. And this man is making judgements that will affect all of us. Do you suppose this has led to a lot of misunderstanding, like from Highland IL high school administrators not allowing athletes to go there (although they can go to Communist China), and the governor of California and our own President making jokes about it at the expense of Arizonans?

Sue Bock

This morning at 11 we'll be gathering again with UALC family and friends -- second time this week -- to say good-bye. Sue and I hadn't been friends a long time, maybe 5 yeyears, but she was the kind of person you always wanted to be with more. She loved people and was a very special friend and volunteer for shut-ins and the elderly, and just a really enjoyable person to be around. We had a lunch date planned for next week. Now we'll have to wait for the resurrection.

From the Dispatch: BOCK (LAMBERT) Susan Lambert Bock, age 70, passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at home. She was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy and attended The Ohio State University. Susan retired from the insurance industry as a case manager. She was a long time member of the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. Susan is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Rosemary Putnam Lambert. She is survived by her only child, Lisa Bock married to Pete Estler and grandchildren, Ty and Cole Estler. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on FRIDAY, May 14, 2010 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 2300 Lytham Road. Pastor John Stolzenbach, Officiating. Private family interment at Green Lawn Cemetery.

The GM spoof that tells the troof

A patriot's history of the United States

History hasn’t been this interesting since 5th-6th grade in Miss Michael’s class in little Forreston, Illinois. My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying A patriot’s history of the United States by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen. And I’m still in the pre-USA days of New Spain, New France and New England, a period longer than our post-revolution years. An excellent reminder of how the colonial powers that searched for wealth and sent settlers all had very different systems. I love becoming reacquainted with all those names of the conquistadores we had to memorize and their incredible explorations, visions and dreams of wealth that lead them nowhere. Even the Italian Columbus died in poverty.

Spain stole gold mined by the Indians for their rulers and kept it all in the hands of the government. Spain was vastly outnumbered by the Indians, but it was able to defeat them through advanced technology and a superior social/cultural/political system which wasn‘t dependent of a rigid hierarchy of power. France too searched for a passage to wealth, but ended up bartering with the Indians for another kind, furs--so apparently even Indians could be influenced by greed (shock and awe!)--but didn’t do the hard work except for exploration and founding a few outposts along rivers. Also, France’s peasants were better off than those in England or Spain, so they had little interest in relocating to the unknown, difficult wilds of New France.  The few French Protestants that crossed seeking religious freedom were slaughtered by the Spanish even after founding colonies.

England got in the game late, and English pirates (I think in school these were called by the nicer term “privateers”) stole from the Spanish what they’d already stolen from the Indians. The authors don’t say it that way--that’s my interpretation. But the English had a different idea of wealth than the Spanish--grow it. They only of the colonial powers understood that wealth could be increased and developed, that it wasn’t a fixed commodity to be hoarded by the royal family. Hmm. Isn’t that interesting. Everyone’s wealth belongs to the government and don‘t take risks--a failed colonial (European) system except for a tiny island of entrepreneurs and investors that saw wealth differently.

From the publisher‘s page: “For at least thirty years, high school and college students have been taught to be embarrassed by American history. Required readings have become skewed toward a relentless focus on our country’s darkest moments, from slavery to McCarthyism. As a result, many history books devote more space to Harriet Tubman than to Abraham Lincoln; more to My Lai than to the American Revolution; more to the internment of Japanese Americans than to the liberation of Europe in World War II.”

Yes, since the 1970s when the homegrown, anti-American faculty wonks began to take over the college humanities and social science departments with the media and entertainment culture of TV and movies adding the icing, U.S. young people have been fed a steady diet of guilt, shame and lies. Marxists and socialists had been down this road in the 1930s and had to pause to fight the common enemy in WWII to save the Soviet Union.  But they had a vision, and it's coming to fruition today.  No wonder this book is a best seller and used by home-schooling parents whose children go on to out perform public school graduates. It’s a breath of fresh air.

Japanese skin care products coming ashore

According to an article in today's WSJ, Japanese women value their skin much more than we do. "Japanese women have long prized ageless, porcelain-white skin . . . [they] are the most sophisticated consumer in the world." It's called bihaku--"beautiful white." I didn't know that Japan's Shiseido Co. had purchased Bare Escentuals for $1.7 billion earlier this year. Japanese women spend 60% of their cosmetic budget on skin care--American women only 30%.
Japanese Makeup Companies Have Trouble Cracking the U.S. Market - WSJ.com
Hmmm. Like those annual soft drink consumption figures in the gallons, someone is obviously buying my share. I wash my face with soap and water once a day; moisturize; apply a small amount of Merle Norman foundation and a brush of coral tone blush. Whatever's still there at 9 p.m., goes to bed with me. My theory is that the less scrubbing, tugging and pulling on delicate facial muscles, the better. But even if my bathroom counter and shelves aren't loaded with expensive products, I do have my favorites--some cheap, some moderate. But ladies, nothing hides the wrinkles like a layer of fat.

The absolutely best thing for your skin is not creams, but avoidance--the sun (or tanning booths) and cigarettes. That way you'll pretty much avoid wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer until old age takes over. If you are 21, you think you'll enjoy that tight, perky look forever, but the next time you look you'll be 41, and then 61. That's when the "shoulda coulda woulda" complaints will be pretty empty. An ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of face cream. And regrets.

How to straighten curly hair

Years ago I got "curly perms." I could wash, moisturize, scrunch and air dry (about 5 minutes), or wash, moisturize and blow dry (about 20-30 minutes) with a strong, round brush. The blow dry took a lot of wrist and hand effort, but resulted in a smooth hair-do with lots of body and a thick look. If I did nothing, I had a very bad hair day--total fuzz ball.

So I was a bit surprised to read today's under the fold, front page article by Corey Dade in the Wall Street Journal about the styling salons of blacks from Dominican Republic undercutting and out performing African American traditional methods. Yes, I know African women have extremely fine hair, much more so than white or Asian women, but straightening with a hair dryer and a strong hand and wrist using a roller brush sounds a lot more simple than applying chemical goop and spending hours at the salon. This video has no instruction, but you can see how it's done.

Area studies that promote racism, separatism, and disrespect--look out

Arizona legislature is not only trying to clean up the border problem, the drug cartel problem and the diseases that cross over (TB, hepatitis, Chagas, etc.) but it's going after the hate mongers (school administrators and school teachers) who cross dress as agents of diversity and multiculturalism.

"THE LEGISLATURE FINDS AND DECLARES THAT PUBLIC SCHOOL PUPILS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO TREAT AND VALUE EACH OTHER AS INDIVIDUALS AND NOT BE TAUGHT TO RESENT OR HATE OTHER RACES OR CLASSES OF PEOPLE."

House Bill 2281

The law prohibits any school or charter school from including in its program of instruction any courses or classes that:

•Promote resentment toward a race or class of people;
•Are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group; or
•Advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals

What is Glee's agenda?

Bruce and John are a gay couple (Republicans) who enjoy watching Glee, but lately Bruce has become disturbed by the anti-America agenda (including slamming small towns like Lima, Ohio) of the show.

"This week, I noticed something else about Glee I hadn’t before. The McKinley high school students are not complex and interesting as characters at all. In fact, there is a surprising amount of stereotyping given that the writers are all supposedly liberal and open-minded. There is the overweight black girl with a large voice who is picked on by the dumb blonde cheerleaders. The only “good girl” is a great singer, socially inept, and appears to be the only Jewish girl in Ohio – convenient for the cheap Jewish jokes that have popped up from time to time. The most ridiculous stereotype is, ironically, Kurt the gay Glee club member. Despite what Murphy said at the GLAAD awards, Kurt puts his full gay victimhood on display. Kurt demonstrates his complete lack of self-esteem and stereotypically effeminate ways in the episode called “Home” aired on April 27. Watching that episode made me cringe and wonder how liberal gays are not livid about this over-the-top caricature of a gay teen. Here’s a thought – why not make the gay guy a football player? Kurt makes Richard Simmons look like John Wayne. Oh yeah, did I mention the gym teacher is a manly woman? Sue Sylvester, the meanie of the show, is played by Jane Lynch who has become a poster child for the Gay Left’s push for marriage. Come on, how stupid do the producers of Glee think we are that we can’t see through this crap? For the sake of humanity and to shine the light on the Glee agenda, I’m going to force myself to continue watching each week. So for now, there is a temporary household truce on Tuesday nights.

‘Glee’ Is Leftist Propaganda Aimed Squarely At Your Kids

Mr. President, this is not material for a joke, although your border plan is one

Couldn't believe the USA Today headline

"Voters' anxiety clouds his [Obama's] historic successes"

What historic successes? I asked. I didn't even read the article but here's the list I thought of in 2 minutes.

1. Healthcare--lies, distortions, and 70% of the nation didn't want it, and now CBO is slowly, slowly feeding us the real costs.

2. Unemployment--ARRA has been a complete failure--it dribbled the first year, and is now about 1/2 doled out although not spent, and the rest will be used to buy votes for 2012. He said we need to throw more tax money at the problem without even thinking it through or reading the bill so that unemployment wouldn't go above 8%.

3. Racial unrest has been inflamed by his intemperate words--worse than I can remember since the Rodney King days.

4. Terrorist risk has increased by his ignoring jihadists and trying to redefine terror, and by going after Tea Party people and the only news source that will stand up to him.

5. Sycophant, bowing and scraping to foreign powers.

6. Failure to protect the border--in this he continues a long line of failures, including President Bush.

7. Failure to act immediately in the recent Gulf oil spill. Compared to his 11 days, the response to Hurricane Katrina was lightning fast.

8. Failure to act quickly with troop requests for Afghanistan, the place he said during the campaign was the "real war."

9. Pushing a steady flow of socialist and marxist appointees and czars through for appointments. As each socialist agenda is revealed, Obama announces plans to tackle jobs, but only the government is hiring. He believes in BIG POWERFUL government and more regulations to restore the economy.

10. Making a mockery of the "peace prize," especially since he's selling out his own country every day.

Jim Bracken appointed Dean of University Libraries at Kent State University

Assistant Director of OSU Libraries Jim Bracken will become dean of Kent State University’s University Libraries effective August 1, 2010, announced Kent State Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert G. Frank. Bracken replaces Mark Weber, who is retiring.

OSU Libraries Communications Department » Jim Bracken appointed Dean of University Libraries at Kent State University

International Man of Mystery: Who Is Maurice Strong?

Glenn Beck's topic today. Maurice Strong. This piece is from 1997.

International Man of Mystery: Who Is Maurice Strong?

Maurice Strong, The Earth Charter and the Ark of the Gaia Covenant

40 years ago he was whipping up fear that required "controlling human activity." He built his power base and wealth by trafficking in fear.



"Strong explained: "Licences to have babies incidentally is something that I got in trouble for some years ago for suggesting even in Canada that this might be necessary at some point, at least some restriction on the right to have a child."

But, if the world didn't follow his instructions - if governments didn't heed the warnings of the doomsayers - then "this is one of the possible courses that society would have to seriously consider." Strong himself has five children."
Maurice Strong

Artemisia - One-of-a-Kind Artwear and Accessories

If I were into wearable art, here's where I'd look. Lovely. Lovely.

Artemisia opened its doors in March 2002. It only happened because of a broken leg: When Annette broke her leg skiing in March 2001, it made her sit still for quite a while - long enough to start fantasizing about transforming her interest in fabrics and design into a career.

Artemisia - One-of-a-Kind Artwear and Accessories

I clicked on a Facebook ad. I understand they are doing very well.

Interview seen at another website

Hobbies: I didn’t have any until I retired in 2000. I was very concerned about that so I wrote a story and a plan about possible hobbies. Now I write all the time--12 blogs, poetry, essays, and I sometimes paint and draw. I’m a better artist than many people, even better than some who make a living at it, but not good enough to satisfy me, and no burning desire so I do less and less. These are interests I had before I started kindergarten. My mother used to bring home discontinued wallpaper rolls for me to write and draw.

In college I drove a: Whatever my parents owned, and Dad changed cars frequently--every year or two. That Ford red ranchero was great fun for a teen-ager.

My worst subject in school: Algebra II in 11th grade. Panicked and dropped it and took Psychology which I really liked. I did get a C once--in tennis. The teacher was pregnant and I couldn’t even keep up with her.

College, undergrad degree: University of Illinois, Russian and Spanish with a whole lot of history. Also attended Manchester College, and two small schools, one in Maine and one in Indiana the names of which I’ve forgotten. Oh yes, and I took some classes at Ohio State and Ohio Dominican over the years.

College, graduate degree: University of Illinois, Library Science. Great school. Opened a lot of doors.

Best advice I ever got: It probably came from my mother. She never ran out--I guess the apple didn‘t fall far from the tree--but I can’t place my finger on just one thing. Probably to marry my current and only husband. She was never that thrilled with the other candidates I brought home and I think she took one look and thought I had a winner. I know we feel that way about our son-in-law.

Favorite coffee: Whatever I don’t make as long as it’s brewed in a coffee shop, not kept on a burner, and not in someone else’s kitchen. For years I drank black coffee only, but must have started adding cream sometime in the 70s. No sugar. Yuck. I started "going out" for coffee when I was in high school and never looked back. I write a blog about people I meet in coffee shops.