Have a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year

If you're a Christian and grumpy that the signs at the stores all say, Happy Holiday, keep in mind you still have the freedom to greet people any way you wish!

"Jesus loves you--happy Christmas."

"Have a blessed holiday with your family."

"May the New Year bring you blessings from God."

"God bless you for your help."

"I'm really enjoying the Christmas music in your store."

And so forth. No one can steal your joy unless you hand it over.

Former SEIU Boss Andy Stern Becomes Albatross then gets a Columbia appointment

I noticed that Andy Stern, former boss of SEIU, and frequent visitor at the White House and Obama confidant had been appointed to a faculty position at Columbia, Senior Fellow for the Richard Paul Richman Center for Business, Law, and Public Policy, an interdisciplinary academic center jointly administered by Columbia Business School and Columbia Law School.

I thought that was odd since I had a vague recollection he'd had some legal problems--does that make him qualified for a position with a pricey Law School? Then I found out that just a month before his Columbia appointment he'd been declared an albatross by Publius Forum. They were certainly wrong about that!

Former SEIU Boss Andy Stern Becomes Albatross « Publius Forum

I stopped donating to the University of Illinois because of Bill Ayers being on the Chicago campus--each time I'd get a request I scribble a note across and mail it back. I think Columbis graduates should do likewise.

This should be fun!

A friend has given me her book manuscript to read--world history. Will be a challenge. I'd learned a lot just reading the forward. I can tell we have different ideas for adverbs, but I think that's just writing style.

Before the Closer, we enjoyed Moonlighting with Bruce Willis

Moonlighting was Bruce Willis' first really big break with Cybil Shepherd. Then he married Demi Moore and they have 3 daughters, all with very odd names. He remarried about 2 years ago. I don't follow his movies, maybe he needs the money. Lots of people have been hurt by the reession.

As was reported earlier in the week by various celebrity real estate gossips, Golden Globe and Emmy winning actor/action star Bruce Willis listed one of his many properties in the rural and rugged mountains of Hailey, ID with an asking price of $15,000,000.

The Real Estalker: Is Bruce Willis Bailing on Hailey?

Compensation Report for Architects

"Payroll employment at U.S. architecture firms was in excess of 240,000 at the end of 2007. By the end of 2010, firm employment levels fell to under 156,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, producing more than a 25 percent decline in payroll positions over this period." But strangely enough, compensation is up for the industry. "Architecture compensation increased 32 percent between early 2002 and early 2011, compared to 27 percent for all professional and related staff in the economy, and 25 percent for all private workers. Architect compensation increased faster than economy-wide compensation during the period of strong economic growth between 2005 and 2008, but slower during the economic downturn. . ."

The American Institute of Architects - AIA Compensation Report, Economics

Olive and Obama on Iran violence

My Mom (d. 2000) would have voted for Barack Obama--she and Dad (married 65 years) always crossed out each others votes. Mom also didn't spank us when we misbehaved. She would have said, "I'm deeply disturbed by your behavior," and given us "the look" or lectured us about our responsibility. Sometimes, we wished she would just spank us and forget the lectures. Thought about that today hearing Obama's "harsh" criticism of Iran. What a wuss--even though I think he's invaded without Congressional approval three countries.

Obama faults Iran for British Embassy violence

Can you define "Health Care Provider?"

You see that term, health care provider, everywhere. "Call your health care provider if you have signs xyz" or "Check with your health care provider to see if. . . " People zone out and fill in the blank--usually thinking DOCTOR. But that's not what it means. Go to Google and check an on-line dictionary. Yes, according to the CFR, it does include an MD or DO, but also, "Any other person determined by the Secretary to be capable of providing health care services." Also, podiatrists, dentists, clinical psychologists, optometrists, and chiropractors; nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, clinical social workers and physician assistants; any health care provider from whom an employer or the employer's group health plan's benefits manager will accept certification of the existence of a serious health condition to substantiate a claim for benefits;

but also

Church of Christ practitioners, if listed with the Church of Christ Scientist in Boston; and Native Americans including an Eskimo, Aleut, and Native Hawaiian recognized as "traditional healing practitioners."

ACORN Housing is at it again--with more government money

ACORN got busy changing its name after some bad publicity, but there are 170 ACORN affiliates and it is difficult to track them and their mischief. They are still hard shell socialists and a little nutty on the inside regardless of the name. Plus, they are just old fashioned crooks. "Organizing" was also removed from Obama's election campaign name, our Organizer in Chief, but it's still the same Alinsky principles.

HUD’s office of general counsel and the GAO have both claimed that Affordable Housing Centers of America, or AHCOA, is not affiliated with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. AHCOA formerly called itself ACORN Housing, but changed its name after the 2009 ACORN meltdown.

The Obama administration has awarded more than $700,000 in taxpayer funds to AHCOA despite a 2010 law stipulating that no taxpayer funds could be awarded to ACORN “or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or allied organizations.”

ACORN Housing | Housing And Urban Development | GAO | The Daily Caller

What is this called? Stammering in print?

I was looking through a very dull book which I found could hold my attention if I just wrote down useless, parenthetical type phrases. Eventually, I could find one or two sentences that contained the core of the author's intention. The following is from ONE paragraph on page 185 of The freedom of a Christian, Chapter heading, "Why Remember."

Perhaps, therefore,
--though there is something to be said for that--
but, rather,
to be sure
perhaps, . . . or perhaps
but, in any case,
--in which, presumably--
at any rate

The few paragraphs leading up to this indecisive stew contain the phrases:

Clearly, the question is actually. . .
Whatever we may think of . . .
though, as we shall see
but it is clear
Or, to take a very different sort of. . .
nevertheless, we can think of instances
granting that these people should
perhaps we could argue
and, as it were,
and, more important still,
we have to ask
perhaps, therefore,
even granting that, however,
Quite often, to be sure,
--though there is something to that--
at least in part
Or, perhaps better,
it is not fitting, therefore,
if, on the contrary,
perhaps, in so doing,

Whew! Don't you just start looking for a buzz saw or hay mower?

This particular chapter first appeared in First Things, no. 135 August/Sept. 2003, pp. 20-24.

Reaganomics and American Character by Phil Gramm

I never voted for Ronald Reagan--I was a Democrat in those years, more by habit than by thought or investigation. I've since come to see my error. Interesting piece in Imprimis (Hillsdale College) by Phil Gramm.

"Ronald Reagan did not believe America was in decline, but he did believe it had been suffering under wrongheaded economic policies. In response, he offered his own plan, a program for creating economic freedom that came to be known as Reaganomics. Of course, most of Reaganomics was nothing new. Mostly it was the revival of an older understanding that unlimited government will eventually destroy freedom and that decisions regarding the allocation of scarce resources are best left to the private sector. Reagan explained these old ideas well, and in terms people could understand.

But there was also a new element to Reaganomics, and looking back, it was a powerful element and new to the economic debate. It was the idea that tax rates affect a person’s incentive to work, save and invest. To put it simply: lower tax rates create more economic energy, which generates more economic activity, which produces a greater flow of revenue to the government. This idea—which came to be known as the Laffer Curve—was met with media and public skepticism. But in the end, it passed the critical test for any public policy. It worked."

Read the rest here. Hillsdale College - Imprimis Issue

Radio talk on the internet

Listening to Jason Mattera on 77 WABC AM New York on the internet. He writes Human Events, conservative web site. First time listener. Discussions have been food vendor laws in New York City, concealed carry, and Al Sharpton and Obama's reelection campaign.

It's the end of a wonderful day. Beautiful church service, great sermon by Pastor Eric on Jesus asking Peter, "Do you love me," and greeting many old friends. Wonderful turkey tetrazinni for lunch with pumpkin pie (all from leftovers). The tree is up and decorated while a new Christmas CD from Nancy Sponseller played in the background. Then back to church at 2:30 for a very well attended art show reception--Pusecker 3 generation show. Then home for a nap.

Art show at Mill Run church

Preventive or Preventative?

Apparently, wordsmiths and experts don't agree. Some say "preventive" is an adjective; "preventative" is a noun. As in, "The doctor of preventive medicine suggested aspirin as a preventative."

Others, like WordMall, say it doesn't make any difference. Both have been around about 300 years.

The first instance of preventive given by the Oxford English Dictionary is by Francis Bacon in 1626. The first citation for preventative is from Roger Boyle Orrery in 1655.

The conclusion? Neither one is a corruption, but many contemporary grammarians favor the shorter version.

Wordmall: Preventive, Preventative

Latex-food allergy

I don't have food allergies, nor an allergy to latex (that I'm aware of), but allergies are problems for others. I saw this in my newsletter from George Mateljan, World's Healthiest Foods website. His articles are long and detailed, and he carefully cites his sources in major, peer-reviewed journals (at the website). I personally have not studied this, but found the information interest--and didn't know trees had stress mechanisms.

"The only commercial source of latex in the marketplace is Hevea brasiliensis, the genus and species of rubber tree native to South America. When the gene stock for this tree was transported by the British to Asia, this tree began to express more of its "defense proteins" in response to the abrupt stress of a non-native environment. Included in these defense proteins were chitinase enzymes.

When rubber trees are tapped for their sap, which in turn gets processed into latex, some of these chitinase proteins get carried over into the latex. One particular 3-dimensional section of these proteins is a fairly common trigger of antibody reactions in humans. This immune system reaction to a section of the chitinase protein constitutes a latex allergy.

Certain foods have what is called a "Hevea-like" domain in their proteins. In other words, they have a 3-dimensional section of their proteins that is identical to the 3-dimensional section found in the chitinase proteins of latex. The existence of this identical spot allows for cross-reactivity between latex and certain foods. This cross-reactivity is called latex-food allergy, or latex-food syndrome. The primary foods associated with latex-food allergy are: avocado, kiwi, banana, and chestnuts and to a lesser degree, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, passion fruit, strawberry, apple, fig, grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple, cherry. Pear, peach, mango, tomato, carrot, celery, sweet pepper, tomato, spinach, coconut, and paprika have at times also been associated with latex-food allergy.

We are not aware of any genetic modifications for the above food list that increase their Hevea-like protein domains. Although genetic modifications of food do introduce new proteins into those foods, we have not seen any research suggesting that these new proteins have any connection with latex cross-reactivity."

'Occupy Wall Street' Steadily Becoming Just Another Big Labor Protest

"News that two major labor unions will co-opt an “Occupy” protest in Washington next month solidifies two facts about the waning protest movement: it is an entirely ordinary function of left-wing activism, and it is wholly unserious about addressing special interests’ influence over the political process. The Washington Post reports that the Service Employees International Union and the Communications Workers of America will stage a protest at the Capitol next month in conjunction with occupiers."

'Occupy Wall Street' Steadily Becoming Just Another Big Labor Protest

Unions are the political shock troops for the Democratic Party. United Auto Workers, Teamsters, United Steelworkers, Transportation Workers, Industrial Workers, National United Nurses, and Laborers’ International. With AFSCME, the SEIU, and the CWA, those account for some of the largest and most politically active labor unions in the nation. And they are all backing (and financing) the Occupy movement.

The Non-Green Jobs Boom

On the way to the coffee shop this morning I was listening to the local NPR news and it was an interview about alternative energy sources in Ohio. It was an excellent presentation and very balanced. The guest (don't know his name) said 2 things worth remembering: 1) alternative energy production in Ohio now exceeds that of nuclear; and 2) by 2025 we are required by law to have a quarter of our energy from non-fossil fuel sources.

So this article in today's WSJ is timely.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported recently that the U.S. jobless rate remains a dreadful 9%. But look more closely at the data and you can see which industries are bucking the jobless trend. One is oil and gas production, which now employs some 440,000 workers, an 80% increase, or 200,000 more jobs, since 2003. Oil and gas jobs account for more than one in five of all net new private jobs in that period. . .

Good news? You'd think so, but liberals can't seem to handle this truth so they are now trying to discredit the jobs that accompany it. The American Petroleum Institute recently commissioned a study by the Wood Mackenzie consulting firm, which estimated that better federal energy policy would create an additional 1.4 million jobs by 2030. . .

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue recently noted that federal revenue from offshore bonus bids (from lease sales) in fiscal 2011 was merely $36 million—down from $9.5 billion in fiscal 2008. The Obama Administration has managed the nearly impossible feat of turning energy policy into a money loser, pouring taxpayer dollars into green-energy busts like Solyndra. The Washington Post reported in September that Mr. Obama's $38.6 billion green loan program had created a mere 3,500 jobs over two years. He had predicted it would "save or create" 65,000.

Review & Outlook: The Non-Green Jobs Boom - WSJ.com#printMode

Sarah Palin's Thanksgiving Tribute to Trig

"This need for selflessness [in Alaska, American's last frontier] – and the blessings that come with it – sharpened for me almost four years ago when I was given the gift of broader horizons, clarified priorities, and more commitment to justice and compassion for my fellow man who faces challenges and fears. I was granted this through a gift that arrived in a tiny, six-pound, awe-inspiring bundle. We named him Trig."

Sarah Palin Gives Moving Thanksgiving Tribute to Her Son Trig | LifeNews.com

More than 90% of Down Syndrome babies are aborted. This little survivor was ridiculed on late night TV shows, and if he'd had parents who didn't want him, our president would have favored killing him as he was in the birth canal.

Chicago Teachers' Union President on tape

Pro-unionists will see nothing wrong here with the exception it was on Fox News: she was caught on tape "mocking Arne Duncan, the education secretary; discussing her own Dartmouth College drug use; and deriding a Chicago Tribune editorial cartoon of her." Upset and pushed into an apology, she challenged people to watch the whole video, which James Warren did and then wrote about it.

Karen Lewis, Chicago Teachers Union President, Apologizes for Remarks in Seattle - NYTimes.com

More on the wealth gap

The NBA. Millionaires arguing with billionaires.

A great day of thanksgiving

Not all churches have services on Thanksgiving, but Upper Arlington Lutheran does--7:30 last night at Mill Run, and 10 a.m. today at Lytham Road. We sang some wonderful hymns of thanksgiving and praise. Now thank we all our God; Come, you thankful people, come; We praise you, O God; O God beyond all praising; O beautiful for spacious skies; For the fruit of all creation. An inspiring sermon by Pastor Buff Delcamp on the 10 lepers who were healed and only one came back to say thank you. Our Senior Pastor Paul Ulring announced that it was Buff's 34th year with the church. Our son in law's father, Paul, attended with us, and because our congregation is so scattered over 9 services on Sunday, it is really great to see and greet people we haven't seen in maybe a year.

Then over the river and through the burbs to our daughter's lovely home and a fabulous meal. There was a huge turkey and honey baked ham, butternut squash, mixed vegetable salad (cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, onions with sweet dressing) stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry salad, hot rolls, deviled eggs, cherry pie and pumpkin pie. Everything was yummy and we brought home many leftovers.

Occupy Wall Street Just Getting Started

"What is the real point of "Occupy Wall Street"? The violence in Oakland offers the first clue. Now with politically connected union bosses and Acorn involved, it might just be worth looking at its links to Democrats."

Occupy Wall Street Militancy Just Getting Started - Latest Headlines - Investors.com

Supporters: President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, United Steelworkers, Apollo Alliance, Teamsters (454 incidents of violence since 1991), New York Communities for Change (NYCC), various anti-Israel groups, SEIU, Acorn, Mayor Bloomberg, Communist Party of the USA, Socialist Party, even American Nazi party (which is also socialist). The point is not to get college loans forgiven, or foreclosures stopped. If that were the case they'd be picketing the White House. The reason for the "occupation" is to bring down the American government and replace it with some form of Communism/Socialism.