Google this set of letters and numbers--R136a1. It's a star 265 times larger than our sun, and 10 million times brighter. And it used to be even bigger and brighter—but is now middle aged. I'm a Christian—I believe God spoke the world into existence (His word) in 6 days, sent his Son (the Word) and gave us Scripture to tell and remind us of the creation/salvation story (the word). Jesus created and is in charge of the physical universe and reveals himself that way from turning water into wine as a miracle at a marriage of a man and woman, feeding 5,000+ people with a tiny amount of bread, to offering his body and blood in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. It’s simply the physical elements he created, whether bread or star, and he’s in charge. If you think this is crazy talk, how come the brilliant minds of today didn't know about this enormous star until it was discovered in 2010? What other simply obvious and enormous things, right out there in plain sight, don’t you know about?
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Quiet Jihad--ethnic cleansing bigger than Hitler's
Try again. It seems almost unbelievable that on the eve of World War I, the Turkish capital of Istanbul (then called Constantinople) had a population that was about 50 percent non-Muslim. Today, with a population well over 90 percent Muslim, it has the aspect of any Muslim capital that is increasingly hostile to an intimidated non-Muslim population; and that is after seven decades of being hailed as a model of secularism."
Read the whole article. New English Review
Pelosi wants to repeal the first amendment
“Nancy Pelosi and congressional Democrats, frustrated by the fact that the Bill of Rights interferes with their desire to muzzle their political opponents, have proposed to repeal the First Amendment.”
She wants to make it this big.
Fancy eating at the trough
Our nation's capital boldly depicted on porcelain! These plates measure 12" across, with DC's downtown core printed on a black background. Key buildings and monuments are represented with red icons, while rivers and public spaces are shown in blue and green. Each plate is boxed and includes a key to the buildings and spaces included on the plate.
This is an item for sale at the AIA Convention website. National convention in DC in May. Architects struggle without government money.
Apostle Claver T. Kamau-Imani
Abortions in Ohio: 37.1% African American. Population of Ohio: 12.2% African American. Americans are as blind to this race problem as the Germans in the 1930s were to their problem with the Jews. The press inflates the Florida Martin/Zimmerman case and ignores what's right in their own back yard. President Obama is the only president ever endorsed by Planned Parenthood. In 2007 speaking to Planned Parenthood, Obama said he would “not yield” on abortion and attacked the Supreme Court decision saying the national ban on partial-birth abortions is constitutional.
Report
Monday, April 23, 2012
Think on this
Within the past six months. The past six months. The past six months. The past six months. And still people are willing to vote for him in November after all he's not done. How many small businesses decided not to expand or hire just because of the uncertainty of Obamacare? How many regulations have been added that have stifled job growth? How in the world will we ever pay for the increased debt he's added? Why is he demonizing success and calling it unfair? When will he ever accept responsibility for his own presidency and stop blaming others? Why is he the only President ever endorsed by Planned Parenthood?
Need any talking points about women?
Historically, the Democratic Party always attracts more women voters than Republicans. This year however, women voters are disenchanted with Barack Obama’s leadership, and that is why we see the unexpected windfall of FREE contraceptives for women! It’s quite a generous offer, especially considering that there hasn’t been a peep out of women from either party, complaining about a shortage!Continue reading here for the talking points.
More than six percent of democratic-voting women already confirm that they will not repeat their votes for the President. It is no surprise then that Obama strategists are desperate to find a way to distract women who feel the pinch of a bad economy.
What is Occupy planning for your city on May 1?
Vermont
Michigan
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Radical Islamism, terrorism links for research
American Enterprise Institute
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Council on Foreign Relations
The Counterterrorism Blog
Defend America
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
The Jamestown Foundation
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA)
Long War Journal
Michael Yon
The National Interest
9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America
Small Wars Journal
StrategyPage
Threats Watch
Victor Davis Hanson's Private Papers
Winds of Change
Radical Islamism, The Middle East and Reforming Islam
Apostasy and Islam
Arab Media & Society
Asharq Alawsat
Center for Liberty in the Middle East
Center on Islam, Democracy, and the Future of the Muslim World
Daily Star (Lebanon)
Daniel Pipes
Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism
Hammorabi
Healing Iraq
Initiative for an Open Arab Internet
Interfaith Strength
Iraq the Model
Iraq Updates
Irshad Manji
Islamist Watch
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Jihad Watch
Laura Mansfield
Martin Kramer on the Middle East
Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
Middle East Transparent
Secular Islam
Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Watch
Khairat al-Shater on "The Nahda Project" [renaissance] (Complete Translation). . .
Deputy Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Khairat Al-Shater outlines the strategy after his release from prison in March 2011.
“Everywhere, the Ikhwan [militant Islamic brothers] are working to restore Islam in its all-encompassing conception to the lives of people, and they believe that this will only come about through the strong society. Thus the mission is clear: restoring Islam in its all-encompassing conception; Subjugating people to God; instituting the religion of God; the Islamization of life, empowering of God’s religion; establishing the Nahda of the Ummah on the basis of Islam. All of these synonymous phrases give the same meaning, intention or definition, and that is the overall mission which we are seeking to accomplish as Ikhwan.
We were also taught in method of the Muslim Brotherhood that with regard to this overall mission: Imam Al-Banna, may he rest in peace, through his understanding of the Prophet’s method (PBUH) and his way of instituting religion, outlined for us a number of stages or secondary objectives which, after their completion, eventually lead to the achievement of this overall mission. Thus we’ve learned [to start with] building the Muslim individual, the Muslim family, the Muslim society, the Islamic government, the global Islamic State and reaching the status of Ustathiya[12] with that State. If all of these secondary objectives are completed, the overall mission is achieved, that is the Empowerment of God's Religion.”
Further details. It’s very detailed, with some history, words defined at the end, but not difficult to understand. First the individual, then the family, the society and the globe. “A fundamental transformation”
The problems with Protestants
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
Protecting Human Life
Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology, 2009
Married Love and the Gift of Life, 2006
On Embryonic Stem Cell Research, 2008
Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: A Campaign in Support of Life, 2001
Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics, 1998
Faithful for Life: A Moral Reflection, 1995
A Matter of the Heart: A Statement on the Thirtieth Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, 2002
Resolution on Abortion, 1989
Documentation on the Right to Life and Abortion, 1974, 1976, 1981*
A Call for Bipartisan Cooperation on Responsible Transition in Iraq, 2007
Statement on Iraq, 2002
A Pastoral Message: Living with Faith and Hope After September 11, 2001
Sowing the Weapons of War, 1995
The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, 1993
A Report on the Challenge of Peace and Policy Developments, 1983-1888, 1989*
The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response, 1983
To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Physician-Assisted Suicide, 2011
Nutrition and Hydration: Moral and Pastoral Reflections, 1992
Statement on Euthanasia, 1991
Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities, 1999
Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities, 1984
Confronting a Culture of Violence, 1995
A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death, 2005
Statement on Capital Punishment, 1980
Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (Fifth Edition), 2009
Promoting Family Life
National Directory for Catechesis, 2005
Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium, 2005
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, 1998
Principles for Educational Reform in the United States, 1995
To Teach as Jesus Did: A Pastoral Message on Catholic Education, 1972*
When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women, 2002
A Family Perspective in Church and Society, 1998
Blessings of Age, 1999
Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions, 2003
Walk in the Light: A Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse, 1995
Follow the Way of Love: A Pastoral Message to Families, 1993
Putting Children and Families First: A Challenge for Our Church, Nation and World, 1992*
Pursuing Social Justice
Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (Fifth Edition), 2009
"For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food": Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers and Farmworkers, 2003
Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, 2003
A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children, 2002
Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, 2001
Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice, 2000
A Commitment to All Generations: Social Security and the Common Good, 1999
In All Things Charity: A Pastoral Challenge for the New Millennium, 1999
One Family Under God, 1995*
Confronting a Culture of Violence: A Catholic Framework for Action, 1995
Moral Principles and Policy Priorities for Welfare Reform, 1995*
The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, 1993
A Framework for Comprehensive Health Care Reform, 1993*
Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on the Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, 1992
Putting Children and Families First: A Challenge for Our Church, Nation and World, 1992*
New Slavery, New Freedom: A Pastoral Message on Substance Abuse, 1990*
Brothers and Sisters to Us: Pastoral Letter on Racism in Our Day, 1989
Called to Compassion and Responsibility: A Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis, 1989
Homelessness and Housing: A Human Tragedy, A Moral Challenge, 1988*
Practicing Global Solidarity
A Call for Bipartisan Cooperation on Responsible Transition in Iraq, 2007
A Call to Solidarity with Africa, 2001
A Jubilee Call for Debt Forgiveness, 1999
Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes, 1998
Sowing the Weapons of War, 1995
One Family Under God, 1995*
The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, 1993
The New Moment in Eastern and Central Europe, 1990*
Toward Peace in the Middle East, 1989
Statement on Central America, 1987
Saturday, April 21, 2012
The lede—Grassley vs. the Scandal
Best: The lede paragraph with the least inflammatory language (uses the verb “ask”), but with the most detailed information is Fox News.
Second is CBS also using the word ask, but doesn’t note the working relationship which apparently is a phrase in the letter.
The most biased is probably HuffPo which uses the odd and wordy, “has engineered an inquiry into” instead of “ask.”
Why he is “Chuck” to conservatives and “Charles” to liberals, probably means something, but what I don’t know. Not mentioning his name in the lede at all probably also means something. “Ranking” and “top” can go either way.
I didn’t check the entire internet, but in the first 50 listings I didn’t see New York Times, Washington Post, or LA Times, all members of the tight non-vetting, Obamedia, even though New York Times in an earlier article noted that the agreed on price for the call girl was $800.
GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is asking the Secret Service whether members of the White House advance team are connected to the Colombian prostitution scandal, considering their “close working relationship” with federal agents. [Fox News, cable conservative]
As the Secret Service prostitution scandal deepens, top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee has engineered an inquiry into whether more individuals were involved.[Huffington Post, online liberal]
Senator Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the head of the Secret Service Friday evening asking if White House staff are also subjects of the investigation into the Colombian prostitution scandal. [CBS News, mainstream broadcast]
Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is questioning the U.S. Secret Service about possible involvement of White House staff in the Colombian prostitution scandal. [Washington Times, conservative]
The prostitution scandal which has devastated the Secret Service could be set to spread to the White House. A senior Republican has urged the investigation into what happened in Colombia ahead of Barack Obama's trip there to extend to presidential staff who were preparing for his visit. [Mail online, UK celeb news]
The ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee has asked the U.S. Secret Service about the potential involvement of White House staff in the prostitution scandal in Colombia. [CNN cable, liberal]
Defunding Planned Parenthood in Ohio
Planned Parenthood will still function with its donations from people who want to end babies lives, especially those of minority and low income women and girls. It has a strong income stream.
State of Denial and Obama's wars
Friday, April 20, 2012
Let the market work
By Chip Wood, The North Dakota Oil Boom, http://personalliberty.com/2012/03/16/the-north-dakota-oil-boom/
[North Dakota] has the lowest unemployment rate in the Nation, at just 3.3 percent. California’s, by contrast, is 11.1 percent. That doesn’t even count the unemployed people who have simply stopped looking for work. The true unemployment number is probably closer to 20 percent.
According to the Census Bureau, North Dakota led the Nation in job and income growth in 2011. While California is losing millionaires every day, North Dakota is creating them faster than anyplace else in the country. But even entry-level positions are benefiting. For example, a job flipping burgers at McDonald’s pays $18 an hour plus a “signing bonus” for new employees.
And while the State of California can’t begin to pay all of its bills — it even issued IOUs last year in place of tax refunds — the biggest argument in North Dakota’s State Capitol is how to spend all of the money that’s pouring in. Legislators in Bismarck have approved hundreds of “shovel ready” infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, railroads and pipelines. But even while spending more on worthwhile projects, legislators also agreed to cut the State income tax.
What’s happening in North Dakota is a classic example of the one thing that would solve our energy problems everywhere — and most other problems in the economy, too. Unfortunately, it’s the one thing Obama and his team won’t even consider.
The solution is simple: Let the market work.
That’s odd—it’s not racial? Not a hate crime?
In describing an attack on a tourist, beaten, robbed, stripped, and ridiculed while someone taped it, no one helped and bystanders laughed. But it wasn’t racial.
“While the victim appears white and his attackers black, there has been no suggestion that the attack was a hate crime or racially motivated. There has also been relatively little outrage nationally about this attack.”
Teaching as a subversive activity redux
Most academicians are liberals. Also librarians, journalists, lawyers. They want to “save the world.” Not in the sense of open minded, fair, thoughtful, more humane, examining all sides, and in line with the ancient principles of western civilization or the renaissance. But liberal in the modern sense—leftists. Socialists. Progressives. That’s why I say, “Liberals aren’t.” After saying, “We need to have a ‘conversation,’ ” they will then tell you that your share of the information is not “fair,” or “reasonable,” and therefore you need to shut up or or they will leave.
From Teaching as a Subversive Activity: [a talk based on a book of that title from 1969]
Professor Brown's talk focuses specifically on this problem: His basic thesis is that it is no longer sufficient to simply tell students to think for themselves, because then we lose the ability to influence them, and there's no guarantee that the students will then develop progressive worldviews. The "Revisited" part of the lecture's title means that these days, we must be more blunt and to the point: Since the good guys are now in charge, let's just dispense with all the experimentation and instead directly indoctrinate the students in leftist thought and ideals. . .
Includes the transcript and audio of 6 questions/answers.
. . .
Code Phrases Alluding to Indoctrination
If you hear or read academics using any of these tell-tale terms, they are actually discussing how to indoctrinate students:
&bull Critical pedagogy
&bull Agent for change
&bull Moral imperative
&bull "Critical" anything
&bull Subversive
&bull Mandate
Apparently, it’s not race
Based on his recent study published in PLoS, Stanford University School of Medicine researcher Mark Cullen explained, “Once certain factors — such as the fraction of adults in the county who finish high school, the fraction with managerial or professional jobs and the fraction of adults who live in two-parent households — are accounted for, even geography, such as being in the South, is moot.”
Another study pointing out the importance of marriage to health.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Do speechwriters stutter?
This is simply amazing. I'd never heard the expression "punch above their weight" before, but I'll never forget it now.
Food deserts are a myth
If you're overweight it's not because there's a fast food business near-by and no fresh fruits and vegetables. I didn't even need the research. I have no shortage of information or healthy food. And I don't eat fast food (except an occasional McD's sausage biscuit). But you should watch me go through a block of healthy, white cheddar cheese or homemade buckeye candy (chocolate and peanut butter).
"Living close to supermarkets or grocers did not make students thin and living close to fast food outlets did not make them fat."
http://www.nationalreview.com/home-front/296485/jig-food-deserts/julie-gunlock .
This sort of junk nutrition by social scientists results in a steady stream of government grants from USDA and HHS for public employees for a non-problem. I was looking at one of the "fast food" and stress sites today at OSU and the director (showed a photo) of the program was overweight!
Delicious coleslaw recipe
Years ago I submitted my mother’s coleslaw recipe to Old Farmer’s Almanac 2000 and it got in (p. 204). Mom got to see it in print before she died since it was published in 1999. This isn’t it.
I've learned a really fast, delicious way to make coleslaw. 1) buy a very small container of it from the deli case, 2) buy a large package of shredded cabbage, 3) mix, add chopped apples or raisins if you wish, 4) serve, 5) enjoy the compliments. The deli version has way too much dressing, but mixed with a bunch more cabbage, it's just about right. Also, you don’t have shredded cabbage all over the kitchen and no skinned knuckles.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Lifetime Movies, Five cancer stories
The story lines of Five
Directed by Jennifer Aniston, written by Wendy West and told in a series of humorous and dramatic flashbacks, Mia is a survivor’s tale that highlights all of the highs and lows of Mia’s (Patricia Clarkson) two-year journey from diagnosis with breast cancer. During this time, she gives away all of her worldly possessions, holds a hilarious mock funeral while still alive and enters into a second marriage to Mitch (Tony Shalhoub), the new love of her life. Mia also features Kathy Najimy as Mia’s friend Rocky.
Lili, directed by Alicia Keys and written by Jill Gordon, follows Lili, a fiercely independent, career-minded woman (Rosario Dawson), who recruits her sister (Tracee Ellis Ross) to help tell their hard-nosed mother (Jenifer Lewis) that she has breast cancer. As they work through their past issues, Lili’s mother and sister ultimately become her strongest allies when she needs her family the most. Lili also stars Jeffrey Tambor as a male patient diagnosed with breast cancer.
In Cheyanne, directed by Penelope Spheeris and written by Howard Morris, sexy young stripper Cheyanne (Lyndsy Fonseca) and her handsome newlywed husband Tommy (Taylor Kinney) struggle to redefine their passionate relationship, as well as who they are as individuals, when Cheyenne is shocked with a breast cancer diagnosis. Looking at a severe prognosis, Cheyanne’s aggressive treatment ultimately results in the removal of both of her breasts, which have defined her life physically, financially and emotionally.
Directed by Demi Moore and written by Stephen Godchaux, “Five’s” opening film, Charlotte, takes place the night in July 1969 when man first walks on the moon, and when a young Pearl (Ava Acres) is more concerned about why her family is not letting her see her mother, Charlotte (Ginnifer Goodwin), who lies in her bedroom dying from breast cancer.
In Pearl, directed by Patty Jenkins and written by Deirdre O’Connor, Pearl (Jeanne Tripplehorn), the successful oncologist we have followed from childhood, suddenly finds herself in the patient’s seat when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. Through this process, she finally understands what her parents experienced that night in 1969 and finds the strength to tell her young daughter that everything is going to be OK … something she never heard as a child.
Press goes to the dogs
No one would have brought up Obama eating dog meat in Indonesia (according to his book) if the Democrats in the Obamedia hadn't kept hammering on that Romney story from the early 80s of their dog riding on top of the car (huge dog, 6 kids in the car). So, animal lovers, putting him in a kennel for 2 weeks would have been better? But they just won't let go. Really, who cares? Will someone please get down to business and discuss important issues? The economy. Expansion of the wars. Destruction of the first amendment. Just a few examples. Democrats, you go first. You're in office.
Will Obama get smacked around with this latest story of the military misbehavior the way Bush was about Abu-Grab? Or will the Koran story follow him? Or how about soldiers urinating on dead bodies? How the military might be involved in the growing scandal in Colombia? No. He. Won't. He's not Bush. And that's a fact.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/us-marines-soul-searching-urinating-video/story?id=15353762
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-27/nine-killed-in-latest-afghan-violence/3855416
Perhaps you support Planned Parenthood
But I support Pregnancy Decision Health Centers. Here's where my money goes. Do you know where yours is?
Ted Nugent translates for Debbie Wasserman Schultz
(who didn’t ask about what Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam, meant when he said to a black audience their leaders would die in a few days)
“First of all, I’m the master of metaphors,” Nugent told radio host Joe Pags, and then went on to take a shot at his critics: “…and nobody needs an interpreter when i speak except [DNC Chair] Wasserman Schultz and the Marxist czars in the Obama administration and the ultra-leftist America-hating media out there. So I think everybody knows what I meant.”
“Obviously our American dream is dead if this president continues to spend our great great grandchildren’s money at an irresponsible and unaccountable pace. And certainly we‘re in jail because we’ve become subservient and addicted to Fedzilla — the wasteful, money-burning monster that is the federal government right now.”
He added: “When I say ‘rip their heads off,‘ I’m talking figuratively that we need to go to the voting booth and fire these people!”
Technology flattens your wallet
When we bought our home on Abington Rd. in 1968, it was our third, and I was 28, my husband 29. Other than the mortgage (paid off in 1988), our housing expenses included a phone bill for one phone, and utilities--gas, electric, water. That’s it. No cable TV. No cell phone. No internet. No news service via the internet. What does the homeowner or renter pay today? According to the Journal of Accountancy:
Fifty-six percent of U.S. adults said they believe that technology has made it easier to spend money, and just 3% said it has made it easier to save. Thirty-seven percent said technology has made it easier to both spend and save, according to the national telephone poll, which consisted of 1,005 responses.
The survey found that Americans who subscribe to digital services spend an average of $166 monthly for cable TV, home internet access, mobile phone service, and digital subscriptions such as satellite radio or streaming video. That’s the equivalent of 17% of their average monthly rent or mortgage payment.
Respondents who download songs, mobile applications, and other products spend an additional $38 per month, on average, according to the survey.
JaVale, the basketball player
His mother was a professional basketball player who was scheduled for an abortion, then prayed to God for guidance, got a pretty clear answer the next day in a sermon at church and cancelled her appointment at the abortion clinic.
“JaVale McGee is 7 feet, with a 7'6½" wingspan and a 31½-inch vertical leap, unfathomable for a man his size. At 24, he can tap the front of the rim with his forehead. He can slap the top of the square with his palm. He can dunk a cookie in a bowl of milk 11 feet off the ground. When McGee was at the University of Nevada, an opposing player once explained to his coach why he couldn't guard him: "He jumped over me."
Read the whole story and how she told JaVale.
This man owes a billion in back taxes
Warren Buffett's actual tax rate is around 50%, and no his secretary isn't taxed at that rate. The president lies; his cronies lie; even Buffett, a self-made billionaire lies. The "Buffett rule" was smoke and mirrors, to get your eye off the real problem--Obama owns this recession.
Barack Obama on live birth abortion
No legislator or politician in the history of this country has been this adamant about “choice” to kill a baby—even if it is born alive. Jill Stanek tells about “working for a year at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, as a registered nurse in the Labor and Delivery Department, when I heard in report that we were aborting a second-trimester baby with Down’s syndrome. I was completely shocked. In fact, I had specifically chosen to work at Christ Hospital because it was a Christian hospital and not involved, so I thought, in abortion. It hurt so much that the very place these abortions were being committed was at a hospital named after my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was further grieved to learn that the hospital’s religious affiliates, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and the United Church of Christ, were pro-abortion. I had no idea that any Christian denomination could be pro-abortion!” Link
Shame on the ELCA. Shame on the President.
An apple a day—the Kanzi
I eat an apple every day for breakfast. Every day. My very most favorite is Honey Crisp, expensive and only available about 3-4 months in the fall, and the taste varies depending on which state provides the soil (I think Minnesota is best). My second most favorite is Braeburn, then Gala or Fuji. For pies, use 3 or 4 varieties and include at least one Pink Lady for color. Jonathon are good for color in a salad, but generally are tasteless.
Today for the first time I am eating a Kanzi, so I looked it up. The word is from Swahili and means “hidden treasure.” It is the daughter of the Braeburn and Gala—isn’t that nice to know the family tree—and a sister of the Jazz apple. The Orange Pippin web site describes and contrasts the Jazz and Kanzi:
The colouration is very similar, but we think Kanzi is arguably the prettier apple. Jazz can look a little bit too tall, whereas Kanzi is more rounded -quite similar to Ariane (although the parentage is completely different).
Looks are important commercially, but for us it is mainly about the flavour of the apple. The flavour of both Kanzi and Jazz is extremely good, but also quite different.
The Jazz apple has the stronger flavour, with its distinctive peardrop aftertaste and dense flesh. Kanzi is more delicate, with a less pronounced flavour and lighter flesh. In our tests so far most tasters prefer Kanzi (by a margin of at least 2/3rds to 1/3rd), partly because Jazz can be just a bit too solid to bite into sometimes. The milder flavour of Kanzi is also easier and less demanding, although perhaps a bit less memorable too. However your objective author should here state his own preference: Jazz wins because of its more distinctive flavour.
I’ve only had a few bites (I slice them and eat with either carrots or oranges and walnuts. So my taste buds haven’t decided yet. But nothing matches a Honey Crisp.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
When should you floss--morning or evening?
If you floss in the morning, because you have to say hello to people and want nice teeth, that is useful—but less so from a biological point of view. Although it should be noted that this has never been researched—call it the Kinane Hypothesis.
WSJ link
It’s not about jobs—that’s why the economy hasn’t recovered
It’s about something called “fairness.” But no one knows what that is. Is it 35%? But Warren Buffett actually pays 50%. Would that be fair? And if 50% is fair, why not 75%. Why not really kill all job growth? Wouldn’t that be fair?
It’s about fairness,” Secretary [of Labor] Solis said while explaining President Obama’s re-election platform.“It’s about fairness in the workplace; it’s about fairness in education; and it’s about fairness in terms of what services are provided by government. And if we can’t have say-so in that, then this isn’t the dream that all of us have aspired to be a part of.”
Bullying
Now, popularity cliques (ingroup, inner circle, pack) at least among girls were a different matter. By high school, all the mixing and matching we did in 4-H, Girl Scouts and junior choir, camp, and church group was set aside when it came to parties and Friday night get togethers. Also, I dated a lot in high school, so I didn't even go to all the parties, or after game events with my "clique," but I did make it to the birthday events. Maybe I would have been bullied if I'd showed up?
My experience, and that of my children, was that "exclusion" was a bigger hurt than bullying. You could be tall, athletic, good looking and get away with a lot in my children's schools and circles, but if you weren't an outstanding student, then you could easily be excluded by the "in-crowd." Over the years I've talked to other parents who had children in the Upper Arlington school system and I know that their kids were "excluded" from some social circles, but excelled in other areas. They might be homely and awkward, but in the band or orchestra they could excel; or they could have low grades but be outstanding in baseball or track; theater and drama clubs, or singing, saved the self esteem of many. That doesn't mean the top soprano might not make fun of the kid who couldn't carry a tune, or high hurdles guy wouldn't tease the boy with a limp.
But psychological or emotional problems from the taunter? Not sure about that one, Dr. Arca. What do you think?
Senator Obama debates with President Obama on the debt limit
This is the first and last paragraph of a longer message, which he disavowed just a year ago on Good Morning America.
“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America 's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America 's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, ‘the buck stops here.' . . . Instead,
Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.” ~ Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006
And yes, I ran it through Snopes for accuracy.
One percenter Axelrod buys new Chicago mansion
David Axelrod, 57, guided the 2008 campaign for President Obama, and is now in charge of the 2012 campaign. His thing is media. He also worked as “a senior advisor in the Obama White House from 2009 until 2011, when he departed to begin work on the president's re-election campaign. Despite his time in Washington, Axelrod always has kept a home base in Chicago.
Now, Axelrod appears to have decided to trade up. The new seven-room unit he purchased first had been listed as part of an estate sale last May for $2.25 million, and was reduced to $1.9 million in November. Features in the 42nd-floor unit include views to the south and east, including of the lake. The unit also has 4-1/2 baths, a marble foyer, his and hers baths in the master suite and one garage space.”
Serving the President pays very well. Probably puts a person in the 1% or higher since so many owe you favors. All he has to do to pay more taxes is not use the loopholes available only to the rich. . . like the ones that reduced the President's taxes.
Farrakhan's threats
Monday, April 16, 2012
Architecture of Thomas Jefferson
Here’s an index of the architectural designs of Thomas Jefferson.
Today I noticed an article about two Utah architects running for Congress. “Søren Simonsen, 44, is an architect and city planner from Salt Lake City, where he serves on the city council. He’s running as a Democrat in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District. Republican Stephen Sandstrom, 48, is an architect from Orem who was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2006. He recently resigned to run in Utah’s newly created 4th Congressional District. Both face June primary challenges from other candidates.”
And that’s wonderful. But what I found amusing was that the lede called Jefferson an amateur. Have you seen some of the designs of the 21st century? Who’s calling who an amateur?
Thomas Jefferson may be the most celebrated American architect, albeit an amateur one, to lead a political life, and he certainly wasn’t the last. But oddly, there are no architects currently serving in the U.S. Congress, and according to the AIA, there was only one during the entire 20th century. This year, however, two architects are running for Congress, and they both happen to be from Utah.
"Jefferson believed that architecture was the heart of the American cause. In his mind, a building was not merely a walled structure, but a metaphor for American ideology, and the process of construction was equal to the task of building a nation. The architecture of any American building should express the American desire to break cultural--as well as political--ties to Europe. American architecture, Jefferson believed, would embody the fulfillment of the civic life of Americans, and he sought to establish the standards of a national architecture, both aesthetically and politically." From Thomas Jefferson, the Architect of the Nation
Why both parties would rather debate about women who stay home to raise children
Figures on government spending and debt. The government’s fiscal year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.
•Total public debt subject to limit April 4: $15,574,371,000,000
•Statutory debt limit: $16,394,000,000,000
•Total public debt outstanding, April 4: $15,617,723,000,000
•Interest fiscal year 2012 through February: $99,386,000,000
•Interest same period 2011: $94,459,000,000
http://www.mygovcost.org/2012/04/06/u-s-government-spending-and-debt-by-the-numbers/
Bernanke’s Fairy Tale Recession Story for Kids
Rather than admitting to the arbitrary and capricious nature of the bailouts, Mr. Bernanke would have us believe that he and his band of bureaucrats executed a cogent strategy to pull from the brink of disaster companies—and, indeed, a nation—that were too big to fail. The fact is that they guessed their way through the bailouts and cannot point to any cogent analysis of the costs of “inaction.” "
Bernanke’s Fairy Tale Recession Story for Kids: Newsroom: The Independent Institute
Hilary Rosen vs. Ann Romney
The GOP and radio/TV talkers (I’m listening to Rush at the moment) should get off the choice of women to work at home or at the office, and get on with the important stuff--defeating Obama. They keep letting him define the topic. Democrats are too clever to talk about real issues, they want slogans like "hope and change" and "war on women." And the GOP always fall for it.
The issue is that today most “stay at home moms” are at opposite ends of the social spectrum. Women in the top 20% are more likely to be married, have a good income, have good educations, and will be staying at home with their smart, well cared for children at least during their critical formative years, kids who have the advantages that only good genes can buy. At the other end, you have welfare moms who didn’t have their first baby after they got married, or didn’t marry at all, and maybe didn’t finish high school. These are the “stay at home moms” that Uncle Sam parents.
If Republicans continue down this road, defending moms at home, the Democrats will turn on them and start defending welfare moms at home.
What is the difference between garden peas, snow peas and sugar snap peas?
This is from today WHFoods newsletter. When we eat peas, it’s usually shelled garden peas. I remember shelling fresh peas from my mother’s garden. For lunch I often diced some onion and pepper, then add frozen garden peas and frozen corn.
Garden Peas
Garden Peas need to be shelled before eating. Fresh garden peas have rounded pods that are usually slightly curved in shape with a smooth texture and vibrant green color. Inside garden peas are green rounded pea seeds that are sweet and starchy in taste and can be eaten raw or cooked. Garden peas have more nutrients and more calories than snow peas or sugar snap peas. However, they require more work to prepare because they must be shelled before eating. As most people do not want to spend the extra time to shell their peas, the demand for fresh garden peas is very low, and they can be more difficult to find than other varieties of peas. Garden peas are sweet and succulent for three to four days after they are picked but tend to become mealy and starchy very quickly if they are not cooked soon after harvesting.
Ninety-five percent of garden peas are sold either frozen or canned. Frozen garden peas are a good substitute for fresh Garden Peas. They are already shelled, and because they are blanched before freezing, they take no time to prepare - just heat and serve. They also retain their flavor and nutritional value because they are frozen soon after they are picked. Frozen peas are more flavorful, contain less sodium and have more nutritional value than canned peas.
Snow Peas or Chinese Pea Pods
Sometimes called Chinese pea pods, this variety is usually used in stir-fries. Snow peas are flat with edible pods through which you can usually see the shadows of the flat Pea seeds inside; they are never shelled. Fresh and frozen Snow Peas are available.
Sugar Snap Peas
A cross between the garden and snow pea, they have plump edible pods with a crisp, snappy texture; they are not shelled. Both snow peas and snap peas feature a slightly sweeter and cooler taste than the garden pea. Like snow peas, snap peas have fewer nutrients and calories than garden peas. Fresh and frozen sugar snap peas are available.
Security? No problem?
Just last Friday we were told there was no compromise of the President's security with the news about the Secret Service security detail being sent home and replaced. I thought then that the writer of that story must not watch TV or movies with an international crime plot. There’s often a woman (or man these days) selling sex for secrets. This is not about dignity, it's about the president's safety. And it's probably not the first time this has happened. Oldest trick (excuse the pun) in the book.
Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), whose panel maintains jurisdiction over all federal agencies, said he had reason to believe that more than 11 Secret Service personnel were involved but never specifically explained why.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
God must be weeping over the American culture of death
Planned Parenthood Federation of American shows 528,000 active donors on it's most recent tax filing ($1.04 Billion budget). What are the donors thinking? Is there not enough death, destruction and disease in the world without claiming it on their income tax as a charitable deduction? The primary "beneficiaries" of these gifts are the poor and black.
According to its 2009-2010 report it provided 329,445 abortion procedures and just 841 adoption referrals.
Always civil, the Democrats
State Rep. Chuck Kruger, the Democratic chairman of the Maine Legislature’s Moderate Caucus, tweeted in August, “Cheney deserves same final end as he gave Saddam. Hope there are cellcams #cheney.” The Maine Wire first reported this, and preserved a screen shot of the now-deleted tweet.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer at Union Seminary
Accustomed to the rigors of German scholarship and theology, the visiting young student Bonhoeffer not yet 25 writes in 1930 about his colleagues—faculty and students—at Union:
“The theological atmosphere of the Union Theological Seminary is accelerating the process of the secularization of Christianity in America. Its criticism is directed essentially against the fundamentalists and to a certain extent also against the radical humanists in Chicago; it is healthy and necessary. But there is no sound basis on which one can rebuild after demolition. It is carried away with the general collapse. A seminary in which it can come about that a large number of students laugh out loud in a public lecture at the quoting of a passage from Luther’s De servo arbitrio on sin and forgiveness because it seems to them to be comic has evidently completely forgotten what Christian theology by its very nature stands for.”
“Things [outside the seminary] are not much different in the church. The sermon has been reduced to parenthetical church remarks about newspaper events. As long as I’ve been here, I have heard only one sermon in which you could hear something like a genuine proclamation, and that was delivered by a negro. . . One big question continually attracting my attention in view of these facts is whether one here really can still speak about Christianity. . . There’s no sense to expect the fruits where the Word really is no longer being preached. But then what becomes of Christianity per se?”
The American seminaries had, of course, taken their lead from the 19th century German theologians, even though as Bonhoeffer noted they were not even up to the level of the fundamentalists they ridiculed. America had long since lost the fervor of the “awakenings” that had shaped it, at least in the seminaries. At that time, Hitler’s small party was gaining ground in Germany. Germany has since recovered from that disastrous time—at least politically and economically. I’m not sure the American mainline churches have been able to expunge the demons of the liberal seminaries.
From p. 105-6 of Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas
On reading Bonhoeffer
I’ve decided to recommend Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas for next year’s book club selection. In order to have it finished by the next meeting in May, I have to read at least 22 pages a day. The following description is from Truth and Triumph, for which he’d done an interview:
“Eric Metaxas is the New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery. His work has been published in The New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, Regeneration Quarterly, Christianity Today, National Review Online, Beliefnet, and First Things. He's also been featured on CNN, The Fox News Channel, and National Public Radio. He lives with his family in Manhattan.
Last fall, Metaxas' newest book, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy, became a New York Times No. 1
bestseller. In the book, Metaxas explores what happened when the German theologian's profound faith convictions ran up against a Nazi regime determined to co-opt, corrupt, and then neutralize the voice of the church in Germany.”
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cooking
My goodness she has written a lot of books. It took me awhile to find the right cover photo! I got it for 90 cents today at the resale shop. I don’t do a lot of “scratch” cooking these days, and hers are guaranteed “nothing is made from scratch.”
Overview
- Recipes for every palate and mood—the Semi-Homemade way creates an inspiring pairing of fresh ingredients and packaged foods.
- Quick-to-the-table, delicious recipes to satisfy any culinary whim any time of the day. Delectable breakfast fare, light lunch bites, family-pleasing dinners, simple appetizers and snacks, sassy cocktails, and more.
- Most recipes prepared in 30 minutes or less.
- All-new bonus chapters on red-hot topics: slow cooker favorites, restaurant remakes, and kid’s cooking.
- Time-saving tips for shopping, prepping, leftover storage, and Sandra’s brand recommendations for success.
- Wine suggestions to create delicious dining occasions every day.
- Beautiful photo of every recipe.
My Valentine by Paul McCartney
Natalie Portman and Johnny Depp
You won't find anything prettier. . .
“The videos were shot on 35mm and Paul worked with Academy Award winning cinematographer Wally Pfister (Inception, The Dark Knight), editor Paul Martinez and producer Susanne Preissler to create these elegant and powerful films based on an original idea by Stella McCartney.
'My Valentine' is the second Paul McCartney music video Natalie Portman has starred in, the first being the Michel Gondry directed 'Dance Tonight' in 2007. For this new performance, she was exclusively dressed by Stella McCartney. Johnny Depp also plays guitar in his version and recorded the track's guitar solo live. His guitar take was then mixed and mastered into the final track. The original guitar solo on the studio version of the song was performed by Eric Clapton. “
Adjusting to the poor house
The Obamas’ adjusted gross income was their lowest income since 2004 when he wrote his best-selling memoir, “Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.” This was the first year since 2006 that the Obama family income dipped below $1 million. In 2010, his adjusted gross income was $1.7 million; in 2009, it was $5.5 million.
I wonder how much the fabulous vacations they’ve had since January 2009 would rack up in any other family’s budget, the incredible state dinners, the gifts of clothing from designers, the servants to attend to every need, the limo service and celebrity entertainment? I’m sure it’s a stressful job, but for the wife and kids, it’s pretty nice—especially considering how that life style is condemned almost weekly in his speeches. If we elect Mitt Romney, I’m guessing he’ll pay his own way for many of the perks Michelle has come to demand.
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