http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13506794/
Near the beginninig of this article it says "The recent flurry of accusations against U.S. servicemen has stunned military analysts and experts."
If these people were experts, they wouldn't be surprised.
1) Previous studies have found that 95 percent of soldiers in active warfare showed psychological problems after 6 months of combat. The ones that didn't were those who were already sociopaths (aka psychopaths) with violent inclinations.
2) In role-playing studies, when groups were divided into "prisoners" and "guards", many of the guards immediately started behaving abusively towards the prisoners.
3) There are many cases of those in power in various settings abusing those they have power over, whether it be children, elderly people in nursing homes, prisoners, mentally ill, memtally retarded. It would be surprising if there were no people with abusive tendencies in the military. And I would expect that being abused in boot camp, while it might be necessary to inculcate needed military discipline (or might not be necessary, for all I know), would increase tendencies to abuse others.
4) As in other occupations where people have power over others, a certain proportion will be atracted to the occupation because they are abusive personalities. For people who don't understand logic, I will point out that I don't at all think that all or most people attracted to these occupations are abusive.
Not all experts are surprised.
John Pike, director of Globalsecurity.org, a Washington-based military think tank says, “Anybody who contemplates a decision to use force, anybody who contemplates putting boots on the ground has to understand that part of what they’re assuming responsibility for is stressed-out soldiers are going to massacre civilians. It just comes with the territory.” Still, Pike said that even if true, the number of abuse cases isn’t shocking, given the number of troops and three-plus years of combat: “If this is the worst that the troops have done, the chain of command would appear to have done a pretty good job.”
Military commanders should know to expect such problems, and be pro-active in trying to prevent them. People who choose to be president and send our troops into battle have a duty to educate themselves about the realities of the situation.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Why less time in nature?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13460467/
This study found that Americans are spending less time in natural surroundings like national parks because they are spending more time watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet.
I expect this is true.
However, I also expect that part of the reason fewer persons are visiting natural areas is that it costs more. Entrance fees to national parks have been increased, or created where there were none before. To the working poor, $20 can be the difference between whether or not they can afford to go somewhere.
This study found that Americans are spending less time in natural surroundings like national parks because they are spending more time watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet.
I expect this is true.
However, I also expect that part of the reason fewer persons are visiting natural areas is that it costs more. Entrance fees to national parks have been increased, or created where there were none before. To the working poor, $20 can be the difference between whether or not they can afford to go somewhere.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Offending delicate sensibilities
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13346897/
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave a nod Thursday to a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from desecration.
I used to get teary-eyed over the American flag. But that was before the conservatives turned it from a symbol of our country, into a symbol of silliness and there eagerness to punish people. Protestors who burn the American flag are annoying, but they do it for the very reason that it gets a strong reaction from immature people. We tell our children to ignore teasing, that reacting simply encourages it, but these congress people are setting a poor example. If you are a wienie with such a delicate sensibility that you simply can't bear to watch attention seekers damage the flag, then turn the channel, or go in another room or something. Burning the flag produces a little bit of air pollution. The big vehicles many people drive do far more harm to our country than a few attention-seeking flag burners. My pets are too smart to do tricks for a picture of a treat.
The Senate Judiciary Committee gave a nod Thursday to a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from desecration.
I used to get teary-eyed over the American flag. But that was before the conservatives turned it from a symbol of our country, into a symbol of silliness and there eagerness to punish people. Protestors who burn the American flag are annoying, but they do it for the very reason that it gets a strong reaction from immature people. We tell our children to ignore teasing, that reacting simply encourages it, but these congress people are setting a poor example. If you are a wienie with such a delicate sensibility that you simply can't bear to watch attention seekers damage the flag, then turn the channel, or go in another room or something. Burning the flag produces a little bit of air pollution. The big vehicles many people drive do far more harm to our country than a few attention-seeking flag burners. My pets are too smart to do tricks for a picture of a treat.
Punishing the messanger
http://editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002687978
Pentagon Orders U.S. Reporters to Leave Guantanamo. Is this supposed to reassure people that the place is being run right? It just brings up the question as to what they are trying to hide.
Pentagon Orders U.S. Reporters to Leave Guantanamo. Is this supposed to reassure people that the place is being run right? It just brings up the question as to what they are trying to hide.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Is unemployment good for the poor?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13300931/
This article doesn't mention that inflation that includes increases in salaries helps many poor people because it decreases the relative value of their debts. Of course, the poor (and middle-classed) have not been getting an income benefit from the good economy we keep being told is occurring. The Fed's strategy for holding down inflation is to increase interest rates, which slows down the economy, causing job loss, so that there is less demand for goods. And of course it's the poor and middle-classed who suffer the job losses. I guess those who lose their jobs for the sake of inflation should be grateful; if you don't have a job, you really need prices held down!
Of course, the article also doesn't point out that those whose income derives from lending money (i.e., many of the rich) are hurt by inflation because it decreases the value of the debt they are owed.
This article looks to me like one of the common bits of propaganda that permeate supposed business news, whose purpose is to mislead people from seeing who things really work.
This article doesn't mention that inflation that includes increases in salaries helps many poor people because it decreases the relative value of their debts. Of course, the poor (and middle-classed) have not been getting an income benefit from the good economy we keep being told is occurring. The Fed's strategy for holding down inflation is to increase interest rates, which slows down the economy, causing job loss, so that there is less demand for goods. And of course it's the poor and middle-classed who suffer the job losses. I guess those who lose their jobs for the sake of inflation should be grateful; if you don't have a job, you really need prices held down!
Of course, the article also doesn't point out that those whose income derives from lending money (i.e., many of the rich) are hurt by inflation because it decreases the value of the debt they are owed.
This article looks to me like one of the common bits of propaganda that permeate supposed business news, whose purpose is to mislead people from seeing who things really work.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Guantanamo suicides
http://www.newsdaily.com/TopNews/UPI-1-20060611-23075000-bc-us-meetpress.xml
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13286154/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10704032/
Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey said Guantanamo has become a political problem for the United States.
" This was an act of political warfare by the three people that committed suicide, the same as a suicide bomber in downtown Baghdad."
Colleen Graffy, deputy assistant U.S. secretary of state for public diplomacy, told the British Broadcasting Corp. that the suicides at the U.S.-run camp in Cuba were a “good P.R. move to draw attention” and “a tactic to further the jihadi cause.”
Navy Rear Adm. Harry Harris, the camp commander at Guantanamo, told reporters Sunday that the detainees “have no regard for human life, neither ours nor their own.” “I believe this was not an act of desperation but an act of asymmetric warfare against us,” Harris said.
I would like to say these people are warped and crazy, but unfortunately, humans have a tendency to believe that that other racial or ethnic groups are different from one's own. But even at that, these statements seem to me to be unexcusable for people at their level of responsibility. With leaders like this, no wonder some of our troups have committed atrocities.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060522093156.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/10/981012074004.htm
It should not be hard for us to understand that being imprisoned for 4 years with no end in sight, w/o trial, under the conditions at Guantanamo would drive some people to despair. It sure would me!
A few years ago, one of the weekly news magazines (I think it was Time), had an article which tried to find ways to define "consciousness" so that humans have it and animals don't. It was really amusing, because my observations are that many humans don't exhibit the conditions that were supposedly needed to show that one has a consciousness, while animals sometimes show these traits. One of these traits is empathy. It is my observation that even normal people are often/usually/?always not capable of empathy for a situation that they have not experienced themselves. Now, this is not really surprising. But many people show little if any empathy even for situations they themselves have experienced. We all feel we are exceptional.
If empathy is a requirement for consiousness, what about people who aren't able to feel empathy - eg., people with narcissistic personality disorder, sociopaths (also known as psychopaths).
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13286154/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10704032/
Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey said Guantanamo has become a political problem for the United States.
" This was an act of political warfare by the three people that committed suicide, the same as a suicide bomber in downtown Baghdad."
Colleen Graffy, deputy assistant U.S. secretary of state for public diplomacy, told the British Broadcasting Corp. that the suicides at the U.S.-run camp in Cuba were a “good P.R. move to draw attention” and “a tactic to further the jihadi cause.”
Navy Rear Adm. Harry Harris, the camp commander at Guantanamo, told reporters Sunday that the detainees “have no regard for human life, neither ours nor their own.” “I believe this was not an act of desperation but an act of asymmetric warfare against us,” Harris said.
I would like to say these people are warped and crazy, but unfortunately, humans have a tendency to believe that that other racial or ethnic groups are different from one's own. But even at that, these statements seem to me to be unexcusable for people at their level of responsibility. With leaders like this, no wonder some of our troups have committed atrocities.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060522093156.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/10/981012074004.htm
It should not be hard for us to understand that being imprisoned for 4 years with no end in sight, w/o trial, under the conditions at Guantanamo would drive some people to despair. It sure would me!
A few years ago, one of the weekly news magazines (I think it was Time), had an article which tried to find ways to define "consciousness" so that humans have it and animals don't. It was really amusing, because my observations are that many humans don't exhibit the conditions that were supposedly needed to show that one has a consciousness, while animals sometimes show these traits. One of these traits is empathy. It is my observation that even normal people are often/usually/?always not capable of empathy for a situation that they have not experienced themselves. Now, this is not really surprising. But many people show little if any empathy even for situations they themselves have experienced. We all feel we are exceptional.
If empathy is a requirement for consiousness, what about people who aren't able to feel empathy - eg., people with narcissistic personality disorder, sociopaths (also known as psychopaths).
Neanderthals vs humans
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060118210756.htm
(Neanderthals Were As Good At Hunting As Early Modern Humans.)
There has been much theorizing about what caused the extinction of Neanderthals. One possibility (?probability) I have seen mentioned is that early humans killed them off because they were simply more violent. Now, I'm sure I can't be the only person who has considered that possiblity, but nobody else seems to want to admit it.
(Neanderthals Were As Good At Hunting As Early Modern Humans.)
There has been much theorizing about what caused the extinction of Neanderthals. One possibility (?probability) I have seen mentioned is that early humans killed them off because they were simply more violent. Now, I'm sure I can't be the only person who has considered that possiblity, but nobody else seems to want to admit it.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Eating worm eggs for health
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13232481/
Eating parasitic whipworm eggs might be good for us.
Besides helping our immune systems, I would add that the idea of eating whipworm eggs could be good for us if we make a habit of thinking of it just before we eat, to reduce our appetite! :)
Eating parasitic whipworm eggs might be good for us.
Besides helping our immune systems, I would add that the idea of eating whipworm eggs could be good for us if we make a habit of thinking of it just before we eat, to reduce our appetite! :)
Puff's happy ending
I saw a Peter, Paul, and Mary on PBS TV last night. I love them! Of course, they played "Puff, the Magic Dragon" to a group of children. Some of the children appeared solemn. PP&M seemed to think that making the last verse "Puff ... lives by the sea", instead of "lived", would be a help. However, as someone who used to cry everytime I heard this song, this change is no help at all. The reason the song made me cry was that I feel it as a song about the lost of friendship, and being alone and lonely. It might especially affect me because I was an army brat; we never lived anywhere more than 3 years when we were growing up. Changing the tense just makes it even worse, if anything, because it implies Puff is still lonely.
I finally wrote my own ending, and now when I hear the song, I don't cry, because I remember my verse. Here it is for anybody else who wants a happy ending for this song.:
Puff's Happy Ending
copyright 1983 Patricia M. Shannon
If Puff could see the future, he would not be so sad;
for Jackie soon will marry, and have a little lad.
He will tell his son why his own youth was not a bore,
then Puff the magic dragon, will have a friend once more.
I finally wrote my own ending, and now when I hear the song, I don't cry, because I remember my verse. Here it is for anybody else who wants a happy ending for this song.:
Puff's Happy Ending
copyright 1983 Patricia M. Shannon
If Puff could see the future, he would not be so sad;
for Jackie soon will marry, and have a little lad.
He will tell his son why his own youth was not a bore,
then Puff the magic dragon, will have a friend once more.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Lying by omissions
John Stossel has written a book which has a good title : "Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know Is Wrong" . I read a transcript of an interview with him about his book, and considering his silliness about overpopulation, I would suspect anything he says.
He said "All those new babies are brains that may cure cancer some day."
Of course, all those new babies are brains that may create a biological weapon that devastates the earth. Many medicines come from other species. We may have already driven to extinction the species that this hypothetical "brain" would use to cure cancer.
He said "The population density of New Jersey is equal to that of India. And New Jersey is doing OK. Hong Kong is one of the most prosperous places in the world, one of the nicest places to live, has 20 times as many people per square foot as India."
I don't have the time to investigate whether these figures are accurate, but even if they are, they are misleading. Places that have such high population densities depend on much larger places, that have low population densities, for food, oil, lumber, water, steel, concrete, rubber, and other resources. Places like Hong Kong import most of their food and other resources from elsewhere. Much of the earth's land is desert, not suitable for farming, and areas that are suitable for farming are losing top soil, when they are not being covered with buildings and roads. With the number of people we currently have, we have already caused the extinction of many species, and greatly decimated the population of many species of ocean species, including fish and whales. We put such quantities of chemicals such as freon into the air, that we destroyed large areas of the ozone layer that protects us from ultraviolet radiation from the sun, before we realized what we were doing and cut back on the use of these chemicals. We put polluted the air with acid rain, damaging our forests, art, and the outside of our own buildings. We have polluted a large percentage of the waters in the U.S. so badly that they are not safe to swim in, or eat fish from. We have put so much greenhouse gases into our air that we putting ourselves at danger. We have probably already been damaged from these effects - stronger hurricanes, droughts, floods.
Stossel made an apology to his audience in 2000 after it was discovered that some of the research for a segment he ran discrediting organic foods was misleadingly and incorrectly cited; in fact, he referred to studies that didn't even exist.
Stossel is a libertarian. He believes free enterprise and private property will cure all ills, and government is the source of all evil. But he ignores the fact that for the sake of immediate profits, farmers in some areas of the country are irrigating their crops with water that has a high mineral content, and is killing the soil. He ignores the fact that for the sake of profits, drug and car manufacturers have hidden the fact that their products were lethal.
What is needed is balance. Too much government power is indeed bad. But too little is also bad. Parts of the world where there is no functioning government are not nice places to live! And in fact, it is because of the high population density that he defends that we need government. But that is a subject I'll talk about more another time.
He said "All those new babies are brains that may cure cancer some day."
Of course, all those new babies are brains that may create a biological weapon that devastates the earth. Many medicines come from other species. We may have already driven to extinction the species that this hypothetical "brain" would use to cure cancer.
He said "The population density of New Jersey is equal to that of India. And New Jersey is doing OK. Hong Kong is one of the most prosperous places in the world, one of the nicest places to live, has 20 times as many people per square foot as India."
I don't have the time to investigate whether these figures are accurate, but even if they are, they are misleading. Places that have such high population densities depend on much larger places, that have low population densities, for food, oil, lumber, water, steel, concrete, rubber, and other resources. Places like Hong Kong import most of their food and other resources from elsewhere. Much of the earth's land is desert, not suitable for farming, and areas that are suitable for farming are losing top soil, when they are not being covered with buildings and roads. With the number of people we currently have, we have already caused the extinction of many species, and greatly decimated the population of many species of ocean species, including fish and whales. We put such quantities of chemicals such as freon into the air, that we destroyed large areas of the ozone layer that protects us from ultraviolet radiation from the sun, before we realized what we were doing and cut back on the use of these chemicals. We put polluted the air with acid rain, damaging our forests, art, and the outside of our own buildings. We have polluted a large percentage of the waters in the U.S. so badly that they are not safe to swim in, or eat fish from. We have put so much greenhouse gases into our air that we putting ourselves at danger. We have probably already been damaged from these effects - stronger hurricanes, droughts, floods.
Stossel made an apology to his audience in 2000 after it was discovered that some of the research for a segment he ran discrediting organic foods was misleadingly and incorrectly cited; in fact, he referred to studies that didn't even exist.
Stossel is a libertarian. He believes free enterprise and private property will cure all ills, and government is the source of all evil. But he ignores the fact that for the sake of immediate profits, farmers in some areas of the country are irrigating their crops with water that has a high mineral content, and is killing the soil. He ignores the fact that for the sake of profits, drug and car manufacturers have hidden the fact that their products were lethal.
What is needed is balance. Too much government power is indeed bad. But too little is also bad. Parts of the world where there is no functioning government are not nice places to live! And in fact, it is because of the high population density that he defends that we need government. But that is a subject I'll talk about more another time.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
An inspiration
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12995881/
A top New York heart surgeon who was doing a mercy-mission operation on an 8-year-old boy in El Salvador had to scrub out in the middle of the procedure so he could donate his own rare-type blood to the patient.
A top New York heart surgeon who was doing a mercy-mission operation on an 8-year-old boy in El Salvador had to scrub out in the middle of the procedure so he could donate his own rare-type blood to the patient.
Army to ok mistreatment of detainees?
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-torture5jun05,0,7975161.story?coll=la-home-headlines
The Pentagon has decided to omit from new detainee policies a key tenet of the Geneva Convention that explicitly bans "humiliating and degrading treatment," according to knowledgeable military officials.
This would send a message to other countries that it is ok to treat our people to humiliating and degrading treatment. Do we really want to do this?
This is especially bad timing coming on the heels of the revelations of the deliberate killing of innocent Iraqis by our own military. It sends a destructive message to our own military people, who are stressed out by multiple tours of duty in Iraq.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13053200/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11911144/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13137362/
The Pentagon has decided to omit from new detainee policies a key tenet of the Geneva Convention that explicitly bans "humiliating and degrading treatment," according to knowledgeable military officials.
This would send a message to other countries that it is ok to treat our people to humiliating and degrading treatment. Do we really want to do this?
This is especially bad timing coming on the heels of the revelations of the deliberate killing of innocent Iraqis by our own military. It sends a destructive message to our own military people, who are stressed out by multiple tours of duty in Iraq.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13053200/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11911144/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13137362/
Monday, June 05, 2006
Reparations for women
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13072926/
It's true that Afro-Americans were held as slaves, and denied rights long after slavery ended. Things are much better today than 30 years ago, even. But women were also oppressed and denied rights, and churches supported the oppression. I don't hear anybody calling for reparations for women. We should oppose discrimination and strive to give equal opportunity to all children to reach their potential, but I think reparations for conditions that occurred 140 years ago is ridiculous.
It's true that Afro-Americans were held as slaves, and denied rights long after slavery ended. Things are much better today than 30 years ago, even. But women were also oppressed and denied rights, and churches supported the oppression. I don't hear anybody calling for reparations for women. We should oppose discrimination and strive to give equal opportunity to all children to reach their potential, but I think reparations for conditions that occurred 140 years ago is ridiculous.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Atlanta drivers are courteous???
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12819552/
A recent survey claimed that Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta were rated as the cities with the most courteous drivers.
I live in the Atlanta Metropolitan area, and I felt that I was less traumatized by the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 is that I am used to be terrorized by Atlanta drivers. The only way Atlanta could conceivably be rated as positive is if the other cities are really, really, really horrible, or if the Atlanta drivers who took the survey have very low expectations. Or maybe their brains are damaged from the air pollution and the stress of driving here. Birmingham, Alabama, has much more courteous drivers, and it wasn't listed.
A recent survey claimed that Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta were rated as the cities with the most courteous drivers.
I live in the Atlanta Metropolitan area, and I felt that I was less traumatized by the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 is that I am used to be terrorized by Atlanta drivers. The only way Atlanta could conceivably be rated as positive is if the other cities are really, really, really horrible, or if the Atlanta drivers who took the survey have very low expectations. Or maybe their brains are damaged from the air pollution and the stress of driving here. Birmingham, Alabama, has much more courteous drivers, and it wasn't listed.
What is God telling Robertson?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13105641/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12851397/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9053929/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10728347/
Two people died and three others were injured after a plane owned by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson went down in heavy fog today.
Not being Pat Robertson, I take no joy or satisfaction from this, but given past pronouncements by Robertson, I wonder what he thinks God was trying to tell him?
As for Robertson's prediction that the U.S. coastline will be hit by storms this year, I predict that it will rain somewhere in the U.S. this very week. When doesn't a storm hit the U.S. coastline sometime in a year?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9995578/
I wonder how God feels about the fact that Robertson doesn't think God is smart enough to create evolution?
People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder are usually religious, which fits my personal experience with these people, and Pat Robertson certainly seems to be a candidate for this condition.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12851397/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9053929/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10728347/
Two people died and three others were injured after a plane owned by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson went down in heavy fog today.
Not being Pat Robertson, I take no joy or satisfaction from this, but given past pronouncements by Robertson, I wonder what he thinks God was trying to tell him?
As for Robertson's prediction that the U.S. coastline will be hit by storms this year, I predict that it will rain somewhere in the U.S. this very week. When doesn't a storm hit the U.S. coastline sometime in a year?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9995578/
I wonder how God feels about the fact that Robertson doesn't think God is smart enough to create evolution?
People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder are usually religious, which fits my personal experience with these people, and Pat Robertson certainly seems to be a candidate for this condition.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Talk sense?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060522093156.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060131092225.htm
"Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish," Euripedes once said.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060131092225.htm
"Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish," Euripedes once said.
Do you want to be Methusalah?
The discussion of whether a greatly increased life span is good reminds me of a verse from George and Ira Gershwin's song "It ain't Necessarily So".
Methus'lah lived nine hundred years.
Methus'lah lived nine hundred years.
But who calls dat livin' when no gal'll give in
To no man what's nine hundred years
Methus'lah lived nine hundred years.
Methus'lah lived nine hundred years.
But who calls dat livin' when no gal'll give in
To no man what's nine hundred years
How Mexico treats immigrants
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13006798/site/newsweek/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13063238/site/newsweek/?nav=slatefrom/RSS/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12967877/
Mexico criticizes us because we don't open our borders to their citizens, but they treat immigrants from countries south of them worse. If Mexico improved their own country, they wouldn't be sending so many to our country.
I have read that 1/4 of Mexican men between the ages of 18 and 35 are in the U.S. And our president and Senate want to open the gates. Is it really good for Mexico to lose so many of their people, esp. because the ones with the most initiative are most likely to immigrate?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13063238/site/newsweek/?nav=slatefrom/RSS/
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12967877/
Mexico criticizes us because we don't open our borders to their citizens, but they treat immigrants from countries south of them worse. If Mexico improved their own country, they wouldn't be sending so many to our country.
I have read that 1/4 of Mexican men between the ages of 18 and 35 are in the U.S. And our president and Senate want to open the gates. Is it really good for Mexico to lose so many of their people, esp. because the ones with the most initiative are most likely to immigrate?
Does clean air make hurricanes worse?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13083495/from/RS.2/
Kerry Emanuel, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology climatologist, and Michael Mann of Pennsylvania State University, contend that the aerosol particles, which reflect sunlight and cool the atmosphere, have been masking the effect of global warming on Atlantic Ocean hurricanes for several decades. The researchers say that it is only in recent decades, as aerosol emissions from North America and Europe have declined due to clean air standards, that the full impact of greenhouse gas emissions on hurricane strength has been realized.
So it seems we have a choice : to smother or bake.
Any day now, I expect to hear of ads funded by Mobile/Exxon saying that aerosol emissions from cars are "life".
Kerry Emanuel, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology climatologist, and Michael Mann of Pennsylvania State University, contend that the aerosol particles, which reflect sunlight and cool the atmosphere, have been masking the effect of global warming on Atlantic Ocean hurricanes for several decades. The researchers say that it is only in recent decades, as aerosol emissions from North America and Europe have declined due to clean air standards, that the full impact of greenhouse gas emissions on hurricane strength has been realized.
So it seems we have a choice : to smother or bake.
Any day now, I expect to hear of ads funded by Mobile/Exxon saying that aerosol emissions from cars are "life".
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
'Rhythm Method' May Kill Off More Embryos Than Other Methods Of Contraception
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060526180749.htm
Professor Bovens says the rhythm method of birth control may owe much of its success to the fact that embryos conceived on the fringes of the fertile period are less viable than those conceived towards the middle. Professor Bovens calculates that two to three embryos will have died every time the rhythm method results in a pregnancy. It will be interesting to see if this affects the extreme fringe of the so-called "right-to-lifers." My own experience with having conversations with them is that their real motivation to opposing contraception and abortion, even for a clump of a half-dozen cells, is that they consider pregnancy a fitting punishment for people having sex, more than any caring about the welfare of the potential baby.
Professor Bovens says the rhythm method of birth control may owe much of its success to the fact that embryos conceived on the fringes of the fertile period are less viable than those conceived towards the middle. Professor Bovens calculates that two to three embryos will have died every time the rhythm method results in a pregnancy. It will be interesting to see if this affects the extreme fringe of the so-called "right-to-lifers." My own experience with having conversations with them is that their real motivation to opposing contraception and abortion, even for a clump of a half-dozen cells, is that they consider pregnancy a fitting punishment for people having sex, more than any caring about the welfare of the potential baby.
global warming leading to more earthquakes?
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0819/p16s01-sten.html
I made a tentative prediction on 10/22/2005 that global warming might cause increased earthquakes, and least in some places, because of melting of glaciers releasing pressure on earthquake zones. I also made comments about this subject on 03/23/2006. At least two geophysicists (Jeanne Sauber with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and Bruce Molnia with the US Geological Survey in Reston, Va.) are predicting this. They point out that it has happened in the past. For example, earthquake action picked up in places where the ice masses retreated some 10,000 years ago, Dr. Sauber notes.
I made a tentative prediction on 10/22/2005 that global warming might cause increased earthquakes, and least in some places, because of melting of glaciers releasing pressure on earthquake zones. I also made comments about this subject on 03/23/2006. At least two geophysicists (Jeanne Sauber with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and Bruce Molnia with the US Geological Survey in Reston, Va.) are predicting this. They point out that it has happened in the past. For example, earthquake action picked up in places where the ice masses retreated some 10,000 years ago, Dr. Sauber notes.
dinosaur die-off, chicken or egg
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/08/050810130729.htm
There is an argument among some scientists about what caused the climate changes 65 million years ago that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Some believe it was due to an asteroid impact. Others blame it on massive volcanic action. Both have been shown to have occured at that time. It seems to me an obvious possibility that an asteroid impact could have triggered these massive lava flows, but I haven't seen this possibility discussed.
There is an argument among some scientists about what caused the climate changes 65 million years ago that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Some believe it was due to an asteroid impact. Others blame it on massive volcanic action. Both have been shown to have occured at that time. It seems to me an obvious possibility that an asteroid impact could have triggered these massive lava flows, but I haven't seen this possibility discussed.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Too much of a good thing
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12857723/
The oil industry is running ads with the slogan “Carbon dioxide: they call it pollution; we call it life.” Unfortunately, our citizens are so poorly educated in science, and so well-trained to not think, that many people will probably be taken in by these ads. Presumbably, they were market-tested and found to be effective before being released.
Of course, carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential for life; w/o it our world would be an ice cube. However, a substance or activity in small or moderate quantities can be harmful or fatal in larger quantities. Eg., fat-soluble vitamins A and D. In fact, polar bear liver contains so much vitamin A, it is toxic.
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears-in-depth/physiology/
Small amounts of arsenic have been shown to be necessary for the health of at least some animals. That doesn't keep it from being a poison and carcinogen at more than trace amounts.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/ars_0026.shtml
Of course, if our citizens had a minimum of scienctific understanding, they would see the silliness of these ads. CO2 is a waste product for animals. Too high a concentration kills us by crowding out oxygen. We aren't likely to be in danger from that. The big problem is that we are increasing the amounts of greenhouse gases too quickly for much of nature, of which we are a part, and on which we are dependent, to adapt.
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/09/297818.shtml
http://www.chriscodes.com/store/detail/books/related_result/Book/1572304510/
I have been feeling for awhile that the leaders of Mobile-Exxon, who fund many or most campaigns to resist dealing with the threat of increasing greenhouse gases, are sociopaths (the modern term for psycopaths), and now am really convinced.
The oil industry is running ads with the slogan “Carbon dioxide: they call it pollution; we call it life.” Unfortunately, our citizens are so poorly educated in science, and so well-trained to not think, that many people will probably be taken in by these ads. Presumbably, they were market-tested and found to be effective before being released.
Of course, carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential for life; w/o it our world would be an ice cube. However, a substance or activity in small or moderate quantities can be harmful or fatal in larger quantities. Eg., fat-soluble vitamins A and D. In fact, polar bear liver contains so much vitamin A, it is toxic.
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears-in-depth/physiology/
Small amounts of arsenic have been shown to be necessary for the health of at least some animals. That doesn't keep it from being a poison and carcinogen at more than trace amounts.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/ars_0026.shtml
Of course, if our citizens had a minimum of scienctific understanding, they would see the silliness of these ads. CO2 is a waste product for animals. Too high a concentration kills us by crowding out oxygen. We aren't likely to be in danger from that. The big problem is that we are increasing the amounts of greenhouse gases too quickly for much of nature, of which we are a part, and on which we are dependent, to adapt.
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/09/297818.shtml
http://www.chriscodes.com/store/detail/books/related_result/Book/1572304510/
I have been feeling for awhile that the leaders of Mobile-Exxon, who fund many or most campaigns to resist dealing with the threat of increasing greenhouse gases, are sociopaths (the modern term for psycopaths), and now am really convinced.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Poor reasoning by jury
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/12/13/peterson.case/index.html
This is not very recent, but it has always troubled me, and the problem it presents has not disappeared.
Scott Peterson is the man who was found guilty of killing his pregnant wife, and sentenced to death, on the basis of circumstantial evidence. I would guess he probably did it. But it seems to me that when there is only circumstantial evidence, the death penalty is not appropriate. Especially troubling is the reason some jurors gave for deciding on the death penalty in this case.
Three jurors spoke at length in an emotional news conference after issuing the verdict, saying Peterson's own lack of visible emotion during the trial helped convince them it was the correct decision.
"A big part of it was at the end, the verdict -- no emotion, no anything. That spoke a thousand words," juror Richelle Nice said. Three jurors spoke at length in an emotional news conference after issuing the verdict, saying Peterson's own lack of visible emotion during the trial helped convince them it was the correct decision. (Full story)
"It just seemed to be the appropriate justice for the crime, given the nature and how personal it really was, against his wife and his child," said jury foreman Steve Cardosi.
"A big part of it was at the end, the verdict -- no emotion, no anything. That spoke a thousand words," juror Richelle Nice said.
I have seen similar comments reported in other trials, sometimes in regards to people who were retarded or psychotic.
This makes no sense to me. Children, especially boys, in our culture are often taught not to express emotion. I have often seen little boys who have been hurt being told to be a man, not to cry. I saw a baby girl, old enough to crawl, but not even yet a toddler, whose when the mother was leaving, and the baby started to show unhappiness, the mother scolded her and insisted she smile. I felt so sorry for the baby. I myself remember one time when I was feeling really miserable, people kept telling how good I looked! I have seen a study that found that some women who insist they are never unhappy, and who give the appearance of being happy, have high levels of stress hormones, and increased risk of death. The researchers felt the women had learned to suppress their awareness of negative emotion so they were not consciously aware of it, but it still had negative physical effects. I have had this happen myself. But someone smart enough to serve on a jury, which decides the fate of other people's lives, should know that you can't necessarily tell how a person is feeling by their outward appearance. Unfortunately, it's not the only cases that makes one wonder about the competency of the jurors.
This is not very recent, but it has always troubled me, and the problem it presents has not disappeared.
Scott Peterson is the man who was found guilty of killing his pregnant wife, and sentenced to death, on the basis of circumstantial evidence. I would guess he probably did it. But it seems to me that when there is only circumstantial evidence, the death penalty is not appropriate. Especially troubling is the reason some jurors gave for deciding on the death penalty in this case.
Three jurors spoke at length in an emotional news conference after issuing the verdict, saying Peterson's own lack of visible emotion during the trial helped convince them it was the correct decision.
"A big part of it was at the end, the verdict -- no emotion, no anything. That spoke a thousand words," juror Richelle Nice said. Three jurors spoke at length in an emotional news conference after issuing the verdict, saying Peterson's own lack of visible emotion during the trial helped convince them it was the correct decision. (Full story)
"It just seemed to be the appropriate justice for the crime, given the nature and how personal it really was, against his wife and his child," said jury foreman Steve Cardosi.
"A big part of it was at the end, the verdict -- no emotion, no anything. That spoke a thousand words," juror Richelle Nice said.
I have seen similar comments reported in other trials, sometimes in regards to people who were retarded or psychotic.
This makes no sense to me. Children, especially boys, in our culture are often taught not to express emotion. I have often seen little boys who have been hurt being told to be a man, not to cry. I saw a baby girl, old enough to crawl, but not even yet a toddler, whose when the mother was leaving, and the baby started to show unhappiness, the mother scolded her and insisted she smile. I felt so sorry for the baby. I myself remember one time when I was feeling really miserable, people kept telling how good I looked! I have seen a study that found that some women who insist they are never unhappy, and who give the appearance of being happy, have high levels of stress hormones, and increased risk of death. The researchers felt the women had learned to suppress their awareness of negative emotion so they were not consciously aware of it, but it still had negative physical effects. I have had this happen myself. But someone smart enough to serve on a jury, which decides the fate of other people's lives, should know that you can't necessarily tell how a person is feeling by their outward appearance. Unfortunately, it's not the only cases that makes one wonder about the competency of the jurors.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
The American Idol auditions remind me of research I saw a few years ago that found that people often thought they were good in areas in which they were not. (Not a unique finding). The researchers noted that the reason was that, usually, the same qualities that are needed to do something well are also the qualities needed to judge whether a task was done well. Eg., in the case of American Idol, if someone is tone deaf. (Obviously this is not an absolute rule. A person could be not very good at sports, but be a good coach, including a good judge of how good a player is). In fact, people who are very good at something often did not value their gift because it came so easy to them, that it didn't seem anything special. When I asked someone at the start of the current A. Idol season if they were going to watch the audition show that night, they said no, they didn't think it was funny to see people being made unhappy. In general, I myself feel that way. But I think the reason I react differently to A. Idol is that the producers choose to show the people who are obviously narcissistic, and react with the typical narcissistic rage, and insisting that they are great. If they showed a lot of nice people who were just tone deaf, and were crushed by not getting into the show, that would not be funny. The singing is so pitiful, it is hilarious. And I'm not as nice a person as my co-worker. I kind of wish I were, except that since there are people who will take advantage of others with no qualms, we need people who will oppose them, which is the category I feel I am in. I would prefer to live in a world where everybody was nice, but that is not the way it is.
Polite drivers would be faster
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060524093736.htm
"If All Drivers Were Polite, They Would Get Where They're Going Faster"
Included in the article is the point that letting people merge helps traffic flow, if you don't have to slow down to much, because the person merging is able to enter traffic at a higher speed. Shouldn't be surprising, but I've actually seen AJC vents criticizing mergers who slow way down before merging. Well, since people on Atlanta highways usually tail gate and try to keep people from merging in front of them, what do they expect the merger to do if they can't get into traffic right away?
Now, this is not inevitable human nature. People learn to be more or less competitive from their culture. Eg., driving in Atlanta, Georgia is vastly different from driving in Birmingham, Alabama. In Birmingham, it is the norm for drivers to let in other people who need to merge or change lanes. I don't know how to change Atlanta culture, but maybe somebody else can figure it out. That would solve a lot of problems that people complain about in other drivers (such as me) who are reacting to the prevailing conditions. Eg., in Atlanta, if I'm going to have to make a left turn, I get in the left lane way before my turn, in order to make sure I can make my turn. When I first moved here, I missed several left turns because people wouldn't let me over. If people were more polite, I would wait until I was closer to my turn to move into the left lane.
"If All Drivers Were Polite, They Would Get Where They're Going Faster"
Included in the article is the point that letting people merge helps traffic flow, if you don't have to slow down to much, because the person merging is able to enter traffic at a higher speed. Shouldn't be surprising, but I've actually seen AJC vents criticizing mergers who slow way down before merging. Well, since people on Atlanta highways usually tail gate and try to keep people from merging in front of them, what do they expect the merger to do if they can't get into traffic right away?
Now, this is not inevitable human nature. People learn to be more or less competitive from their culture. Eg., driving in Atlanta, Georgia is vastly different from driving in Birmingham, Alabama. In Birmingham, it is the norm for drivers to let in other people who need to merge or change lanes. I don't know how to change Atlanta culture, but maybe somebody else can figure it out. That would solve a lot of problems that people complain about in other drivers (such as me) who are reacting to the prevailing conditions. Eg., in Atlanta, if I'm going to have to make a left turn, I get in the left lane way before my turn, in order to make sure I can make my turn. When I first moved here, I missed several left turns because people wouldn't let me over. If people were more polite, I would wait until I was closer to my turn to move into the left lane.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
cloning people?
There is a lot of concern about the possibility of closing people. No doubt, the kind of people who are a negative force in the world, such as Rush Limbaugh, would clone themselves if they could. But I am undecided whether I think it should be banned. All new technology has unexpected consequences, usually or almost always including negative consequences. But I have to say there are some people I would like to see cloned. Eg., Leonardo Da Vinci. Considering the things he was able to invent that would have worked if technology had been advanced enough, I would love to see what he could do today. I would like to see some composers cloned, esp. those whose died young, such as Mozart. I would like to have been able to clone my favorite cat!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051005074900.htm
There may be good arguments against cloning people, but the one about it depriving people of individuality is nonsense. Being a clone would not automatically deprive people of their own identity. Identical twins are clones. The five Dionne quintuplets were identical, thus clones, but each was an individual. Some chromosomes are randomly turned off and on in different cells of the body, esp. the X chromosome. The problem I would see in this regard is that I would expect that narcissistic people and power freaks would especially be attracted to cloning, seeing the children as an extensions of themselves, and being even less likely to allow the children to be themselves than with there regular children.
It's conceivable that it might be a good thing to have the capability, in case it would be helpful at some time. Eg., we might someday be in the position of the human race being decimated by some disease, and find the only person who is resistant to it is not fertile. I think that is highly unlikely, but it is also not impossible.
In regards to the recent research on the possibility of greatly increased life spans, the ability to find out what happens to humans and the rest of the world in the future is one of the big reasons I find the possibility of a greatly increased life span appealing.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051005074900.htm
There may be good arguments against cloning people, but the one about it depriving people of individuality is nonsense. Being a clone would not automatically deprive people of their own identity. Identical twins are clones. The five Dionne quintuplets were identical, thus clones, but each was an individual. Some chromosomes are randomly turned off and on in different cells of the body, esp. the X chromosome. The problem I would see in this regard is that I would expect that narcissistic people and power freaks would especially be attracted to cloning, seeing the children as an extensions of themselves, and being even less likely to allow the children to be themselves than with there regular children.
It's conceivable that it might be a good thing to have the capability, in case it would be helpful at some time. Eg., we might someday be in the position of the human race being decimated by some disease, and find the only person who is resistant to it is not fertile. I think that is highly unlikely, but it is also not impossible.
In regards to the recent research on the possibility of greatly increased life spans, the ability to find out what happens to humans and the rest of the world in the future is one of the big reasons I find the possibility of a greatly increased life span appealing.
special treatment for Limbaugh?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12536446
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3158209/
Rush Limbaugh has acknowledged abusing prescription drugs.
“Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. ... And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up,” Limbaugh said on his television show on Oct. 5, 1995. During the same show, he commented that statistics that show blacks go to prison more often than whites for the same drug offenses only illustrate that “too many whites are getting away with drug use.”
So what happens when he, a millionaire makes his living by telling lies, is caught abusing drugs? He spent no time in jail. If he remains free of drugs for at least 18 more months (or at least is not caught using drugs), his criminal record will be erased.
I would like to see somebody investigate whether this judge shows such mercy to poor people. Our prisons are full of people whose only crime is non-violent drug offenses. When they get out, their record is not erased, making it hard to get a job. In some states, such as Georgia, their right to vote is permanently lost, unless they can get a waiver.
I would have liked to this wimp get at least 3 months in jail, so he could experience the reality of what it's really like.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3158209/
Rush Limbaugh has acknowledged abusing prescription drugs.
“Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. ... And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up,” Limbaugh said on his television show on Oct. 5, 1995. During the same show, he commented that statistics that show blacks go to prison more often than whites for the same drug offenses only illustrate that “too many whites are getting away with drug use.”
So what happens when he, a millionaire makes his living by telling lies, is caught abusing drugs? He spent no time in jail. If he remains free of drugs for at least 18 more months (or at least is not caught using drugs), his criminal record will be erased.
I would like to see somebody investigate whether this judge shows such mercy to poor people. Our prisons are full of people whose only crime is non-violent drug offenses. When they get out, their record is not erased, making it hard to get a job. In some states, such as Georgia, their right to vote is permanently lost, unless they can get a waiver.
I would have liked to this wimp get at least 3 months in jail, so he could experience the reality of what it's really like.
Monday, May 22, 2006
longer life
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12916099/
Researchers are looking for ways to extend our healthy life spans. I know I would like to have more time to do such things as music. However, how will we support ourselves? It's easy to say we can change careers, but will employers hire a 60-year old with a new degree, but no experience in the new field? If we have to spend 100 years working and going to school, with little time for what we want to do, what's the use of that?
Gregory Stock, director of the Program on Medicine, Technology and Society at UCLA’s School of Public Health, says a doubled lifespan would "give us a chance to recover from our mistakes, lead us toward longer-term thinking...".
Since people are so resisting to changing opinions once they are formed, I'm afraid I am not that optimistic.
Researchers are looking for ways to extend our healthy life spans. I know I would like to have more time to do such things as music. However, how will we support ourselves? It's easy to say we can change careers, but will employers hire a 60-year old with a new degree, but no experience in the new field? If we have to spend 100 years working and going to school, with little time for what we want to do, what's the use of that?
Gregory Stock, director of the Program on Medicine, Technology and Society at UCLA’s School of Public Health, says a doubled lifespan would "give us a chance to recover from our mistakes, lead us toward longer-term thinking...".
Since people are so resisting to changing opinions once they are formed, I'm afraid I am not that optimistic.
Friday, May 19, 2006
illegal immigration is not a capital offense
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12869693/
Federal authorities shot and killed the driver of a sport utility vehicle headed for Mexico Thursday after somebody reported seeing it pick up suspected illegal immigrants near the U.S. side of the Otay Mesa border crossing.
What in the world is going on here? I have some problems with the enormous numbers of Mexicans moving to the U.S., but illegal immigration certainly shouldn't be a capital offense. And this car was headed toward Mexico.
I notice that the accident that ended the career of a racehorse has been followed closely by the news media. I like animals, and I am interested in how this turns out. However, it seems like the press is giving more attention to this than to the killing (I would say murder) of someone because he he was suspected of transporting illegal immigrants.
Federal authorities shot and killed the driver of a sport utility vehicle headed for Mexico Thursday after somebody reported seeing it pick up suspected illegal immigrants near the U.S. side of the Otay Mesa border crossing.
What in the world is going on here? I have some problems with the enormous numbers of Mexicans moving to the U.S., but illegal immigration certainly shouldn't be a capital offense. And this car was headed toward Mexico.
I notice that the accident that ended the career of a racehorse has been followed closely by the news media. I like animals, and I am interested in how this turns out. However, it seems like the press is giving more attention to this than to the killing (I would say murder) of someone because he he was suspected of transporting illegal immigrants.
lousy U.S. textbooks
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12705167/
This is an article on the poor state of textbooks, caused by the need for textbook publishers to satisfy politically oriented school boards.
Examples are easy to find. I explained to a young man that when oil is hydrogenated, it means that hydrogen atoms are added to the oil molecules. He insisted there was no change to the makeup of the fat, that hydrogenation was appled to the outside of the canned oil. Presumbably being cold, and thereby causing it to solidify from the low temperature. I tried to point out that if that were the case, the oil would return to liquid form at room temperature, but he was sure I was wrong. He appeared to be in his late teens, possibly early 20's, and he was about to go to some kind of science fiction event.
I also met several people said that they couldn't eat food cooked with solid vegetable shortening, because it was good for their hearts, but that they could eat all the beef they wanted, that it was not harmful.
No wonder the citizens of our country are overweight and unhealthy.
This is an article on the poor state of textbooks, caused by the need for textbook publishers to satisfy politically oriented school boards.
Examples are easy to find. I explained to a young man that when oil is hydrogenated, it means that hydrogen atoms are added to the oil molecules. He insisted there was no change to the makeup of the fat, that hydrogenation was appled to the outside of the canned oil. Presumbably being cold, and thereby causing it to solidify from the low temperature. I tried to point out that if that were the case, the oil would return to liquid form at room temperature, but he was sure I was wrong. He appeared to be in his late teens, possibly early 20's, and he was about to go to some kind of science fiction event.
I also met several people said that they couldn't eat food cooked with solid vegetable shortening, because it was good for their hearts, but that they could eat all the beef they wanted, that it was not harmful.
No wonder the citizens of our country are overweight and unhealthy.
short-term vs long-term
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060404092234.htm
In this article on hermaphodite nematodes, University of Maryland biology professor Eric Haag notes that "Over the years, there have been numerous species of nematodes that have become hermaphrodites. They can survive for millions of years, but eventually they go extinct. Meanwhile, the old-school male/female species seem to stick around long-term."
I guess to most of us, the idea of "millions of years" being short-term is kind of mind-boggling. But anyway, this is an example of how characteristics that may be beneficial in the short-term may be harmful, even fatal, in the long-term. Human nature may turn out to be an example. I sure hope not.
In this article on hermaphodite nematodes, University of Maryland biology professor Eric Haag notes that "Over the years, there have been numerous species of nematodes that have become hermaphrodites. They can survive for millions of years, but eventually they go extinct. Meanwhile, the old-school male/female species seem to stick around long-term."
I guess to most of us, the idea of "millions of years" being short-term is kind of mind-boggling. But anyway, this is an example of how characteristics that may be beneficial in the short-term may be harmful, even fatal, in the long-term. Human nature may turn out to be an example. I sure hope not.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Why punish victims
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12857161/
66% of Saudi women are obese or fat. They are restricted from exercising by Muslim fundamentalist. A writer named Muhammad al-Habdan distributes booklets that warns against such things as girls taking PE in schools and women going to fitness clubs. He writes : "There is no faster way to corrupt nations than the emancipation of women — that is getting her out on the street to entice men and ruin their morals."
Since men are so easily enticed and lacking in self-discipline, they are the ones who should be locked up and isolated from society, so that they can avoid temptation.
66% of Saudi women are obese or fat. They are restricted from exercising by Muslim fundamentalist. A writer named Muhammad al-Habdan distributes booklets that warns against such things as girls taking PE in schools and women going to fitness clubs. He writes : "There is no faster way to corrupt nations than the emancipation of women — that is getting her out on the street to entice men and ruin their morals."
Since men are so easily enticed and lacking in self-discipline, they are the ones who should be locked up and isolated from society, so that they can avoid temptation.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Why not return of income averaging
With all of the tax cuts for the ultra-rich, it would be nice to see a return of one that Reagan did away with, that can be really helpful to the middle-class : income averaging. Income averaging taxes on the average for a certain period of years, eg., 5 years. So if your income greatly increases or decreases, you have the option of calculating your average income for the last five years, and recalculating the taxes that would have been owed. If you would pay less tax by income averaging, you have the option to choose to do so.
For example, if you earned $10,000 for four years, then earned $35,000 , the average income for each year would be $15,000.
(These hypothetical tax rates are made up on the spur of the moment; they are only to show the mechanics of the calculations).
If the tax rate on $10,000 is zero, and the tax rate on $35,000 is 15%, the total taxes for the five years without income averaging would be 0.15*35,000 = $5250.
If the tax rate on $15,000 is 5% (which is 0.05), then with income averaging, the taxes for the five years would be 0.05*15,000*5 = $3750. So there would be a savings of $5250 - 3750 = $1500. In this example, if the tax rate on $15,000 was 7% or greater, you would be better off not doing income averaging.
For example, if you earned $10,000 for four years, then earned $35,000 , the average income for each year would be $15,000.
(These hypothetical tax rates are made up on the spur of the moment; they are only to show the mechanics of the calculations).
If the tax rate on $10,000 is zero, and the tax rate on $35,000 is 15%, the total taxes for the five years without income averaging would be 0.15*35,000 = $5250.
If the tax rate on $15,000 is 5% (which is 0.05), then with income averaging, the taxes for the five years would be 0.05*15,000*5 = $3750. So there would be a savings of $5250 - 3750 = $1500. In this example, if the tax rate on $15,000 was 7% or greater, you would be better off not doing income averaging.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
biofuels, other aspects
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060423191907.htm
There is increasing interest in biofuels, created from organic matter.
There was a discussion of them on NPR this morning, which was interesting, but showed the usefulness of having a variety of inputs. The report was totally positive. I do think it is a largely positive development. But there are other aspects. NPR referred to the remains of crops in fields that would otherwise be burned or left to rot. Well, if they were going to be burned, going directly to greenhouse gas and particular air pollution, converting them to biofuels would certainly be a positive thing. But people who are into gardening or farming could have pointed out that when organic matter rots, in returns nutrients to the soil that have been taken out, enriching it, and improving the quality. In fact, this is how topsoil is created. We are losing large amount of topsoil every year. The program stated that burning biofuels would not affect the amount of greenhouse gases, that it would simply be returning to the atmosphere material (mostly carbon dioxide) that had recently been removed by plants using the energy of the sun. However, if left to decay naturally, much of the carbon would be taken up by new plant growth, and so not get into the air right away. Also, a certain amount would remain in the soil for some amount of time. Since most of the carbon might end up eventually as carbon dioxide in an agricultural setting, then to the extent that biofuels replace a like amount of fossil fuels, we would still have a some increase in greenhouse gases, but perhaps much less than relying solely on fossil fuels.
Another aspect is shown by the discovery a few months ago of a new mammal species. Scientists are concerned that it may become extinct before they can study it because the jungle is being cut down to plant palm trees from which to harvest oil to make biofuel. It would be unfortunate if in an effort to help the environment in one way by switching to biofuels, we hurt it in another way by encouraging the cutting down of forests and jungles.
We could cut back on our use fuel immediately with little effort. For example, we can turn off lights when we are not using them. I turn off the lights at my desk, as well as a nearby conference room and two printer rooms before I go home from work. We can keep our speed down and avoid quick starts and stops. We can buy fuel efficient cars, and energy efficient appliances. We can turn off the water while brushing our teeth. Etc. With 300 million people in the U.S., small actions add up.
There is increasing interest in biofuels, created from organic matter.
There was a discussion of them on NPR this morning, which was interesting, but showed the usefulness of having a variety of inputs. The report was totally positive. I do think it is a largely positive development. But there are other aspects. NPR referred to the remains of crops in fields that would otherwise be burned or left to rot. Well, if they were going to be burned, going directly to greenhouse gas and particular air pollution, converting them to biofuels would certainly be a positive thing. But people who are into gardening or farming could have pointed out that when organic matter rots, in returns nutrients to the soil that have been taken out, enriching it, and improving the quality. In fact, this is how topsoil is created. We are losing large amount of topsoil every year. The program stated that burning biofuels would not affect the amount of greenhouse gases, that it would simply be returning to the atmosphere material (mostly carbon dioxide) that had recently been removed by plants using the energy of the sun. However, if left to decay naturally, much of the carbon would be taken up by new plant growth, and so not get into the air right away. Also, a certain amount would remain in the soil for some amount of time. Since most of the carbon might end up eventually as carbon dioxide in an agricultural setting, then to the extent that biofuels replace a like amount of fossil fuels, we would still have a some increase in greenhouse gases, but perhaps much less than relying solely on fossil fuels.
Another aspect is shown by the discovery a few months ago of a new mammal species. Scientists are concerned that it may become extinct before they can study it because the jungle is being cut down to plant palm trees from which to harvest oil to make biofuel. It would be unfortunate if in an effort to help the environment in one way by switching to biofuels, we hurt it in another way by encouraging the cutting down of forests and jungles.
We could cut back on our use fuel immediately with little effort. For example, we can turn off lights when we are not using them. I turn off the lights at my desk, as well as a nearby conference room and two printer rooms before I go home from work. We can keep our speed down and avoid quick starts and stops. We can buy fuel efficient cars, and energy efficient appliances. We can turn off the water while brushing our teeth. Etc. With 300 million people in the U.S., small actions add up.
Friday, May 12, 2006
desparate recruiters
http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/roberts050806.html
Recruiters in Portland, Ore. signed up an 18-year old autistic man for the army.
Recruiters in Portland, Ore. signed up an 18-year old autistic man for the army.
More problems with Diebold voting machines?
http://www.newsdaily.com/TopNews/UPI-1-20060512-08451500-bc-us-voting.xml
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~jgm5f/mdst110/lab3/diebold.html
Officials in Pennsylvania and California have issued urgent directives in recent days about a potential security risk in Diebold Election System touch-screen voting machines. Computer scientists said the problem might allow someone to tamper with a machine's software. The owner of Diebold is a fervent Republican.
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~jgm5f/mdst110/lab3/diebold.html
Officials in Pennsylvania and California have issued urgent directives in recent days about a potential security risk in Diebold Election System touch-screen voting machines. Computer scientists said the problem might allow someone to tamper with a machine's software. The owner of Diebold is a fervent Republican.
Contestants for dumbest crooks
http://www.newsdaily.com/TopNews/UPI-1-20060512-17490200-bc-us-burglar.xml
Four young males thought to be involved in six Minneapolis burglaries left a video camera with a tape of themselves in a stolen car.
Four young males thought to be involved in six Minneapolis burglaries left a video camera with a tape of themselves in a stolen car.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Results of lack of birth control
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1945981&page=1
In Romania, there are horrifying conditions for children abandoned by parents who can't afford to care for them. The government has not provided adequate funding for their care. A good conservative government, I guess, saving the taxpayers money.
In Romania, there are horrifying conditions for children abandoned by parents who can't afford to care for them. The government has not provided adequate funding for their care. A good conservative government, I guess, saving the taxpayers money.
Chinese age bank
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/10/eveningnews/main1608214.shtml
What a neat idea. In a city in China, volunteers who help the elderly get credits for help when they are elderly.
It wouldn't work very well here, though, with people moving so much.
What a neat idea. In a city in China, volunteers who help the elderly get credits for help when they are elderly.
It wouldn't work very well here, though, with people moving so much.
Health care costs
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12703029/
Private insurers like Aetna pay 80 cents of every dollar for health care, while the rest goes for overhead, including executive salaries and the lobbying efforts in Congress.
Medicare pays 98 percent of what it collects for health care.
Private insurers like Aetna pay 80 cents of every dollar for health care, while the rest goes for overhead, including executive salaries and the lobbying efforts in Congress.
Medicare pays 98 percent of what it collects for health care.
More tax cuts for the super-rich
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3626796/
The House passed today, and the Senate is expected to pass Thursday, Pres. Bush's tax cut bill. Middle-income households are expected to get an average tax cut of $20. But 0.02 percent of households (2 out of 10,000) will receive average tax cuts of $42,000.
At the same time, the national debt is baloonning, putting Social Security and Medicare at risk.
The House passed today, and the Senate is expected to pass Thursday, Pres. Bush's tax cut bill. Middle-income households are expected to get an average tax cut of $20. But 0.02 percent of households (2 out of 10,000) will receive average tax cuts of $42,000.
At the same time, the national debt is baloonning, putting Social Security and Medicare at risk.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Poor having more unwanted pregnancies
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12636318/
Poor women in the U.S. are having more unwanted pregnancies. State and federal programs have increasingly focused on abstinence rather than contraception. Many social conservatives say woman should refrain from sexual intercourse until she is ready to have a child. So it's not enough to be poor and unable to afford many kinds of entertainment or activities, and stressed out because you don't have enough money for your expenses. Poor women are supposed to give up sex, unless they are ready to have a child.
Poor people are human beings. They have a need for closeness with a romantic partner. They have normal physical urges, which have to be strong enough, in enough people, to ensure that people procreate, or else the human race would die out.
Over the years, I have observed that conservatives seem to consider poor people as machines, here to serve the better-off. At the same time they criticize poor people for not being superior to those better off. Eg., they shouldn't spend money to buy a TV. Well, they can't afford to go to the movies, unless they live close enough to walk to a $.99 second-run theater, or can take the bus there. They can't afford to go to concerts or to travel. It seems they should spend their free time staring at the walls. Oh, I forgot. Conservatives don't think they should have free time. They should be working two jobs. The actuality is that even if a person is capable of working two jobs while staying healthty, and doesn't have any children or elderly who need care, many low-wage jobs have erratic hours. The workers find out by looking at the schedule whether they are supposed to work the next day, and what time. If they don't come, they may be fired or suspended. Besides, they are living beings. It is wrong to expect them to live in misery, in order to make others more comfortable.
Poor women in the U.S. are having more unwanted pregnancies. State and federal programs have increasingly focused on abstinence rather than contraception. Many social conservatives say woman should refrain from sexual intercourse until she is ready to have a child. So it's not enough to be poor and unable to afford many kinds of entertainment or activities, and stressed out because you don't have enough money for your expenses. Poor women are supposed to give up sex, unless they are ready to have a child.
Poor people are human beings. They have a need for closeness with a romantic partner. They have normal physical urges, which have to be strong enough, in enough people, to ensure that people procreate, or else the human race would die out.
Over the years, I have observed that conservatives seem to consider poor people as machines, here to serve the better-off. At the same time they criticize poor people for not being superior to those better off. Eg., they shouldn't spend money to buy a TV. Well, they can't afford to go to the movies, unless they live close enough to walk to a $.99 second-run theater, or can take the bus there. They can't afford to go to concerts or to travel. It seems they should spend their free time staring at the walls. Oh, I forgot. Conservatives don't think they should have free time. They should be working two jobs. The actuality is that even if a person is capable of working two jobs while staying healthty, and doesn't have any children or elderly who need care, many low-wage jobs have erratic hours. The workers find out by looking at the schedule whether they are supposed to work the next day, and what time. If they don't come, they may be fired or suspended. Besides, they are living beings. It is wrong to expect them to live in misery, in order to make others more comfortable.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Fill 'er up with Day-gas
The AJC this past weekend had a small column about a series of comments in the Vent section.
It started with the charming claim : "My grandson is more beautiful than a Degas pastel."
It culminated with the comment : "It takes so much Monet to buy Degas to make da van Gogh, one fill-up and you're baroque.
It started with the charming claim : "My grandson is more beautiful than a Degas pastel."
It culminated with the comment : "It takes so much Monet to buy Degas to make da van Gogh, one fill-up and you're baroque.
Americans sicker than British
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060502174532.htm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5377794
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12595624/
A recent study shows that white, middle-aged Americans are much sicker (on average) than their counterparts in Britain.
Although researchers included as possible factors more stress in the U.S. from job insecurity, longer hours on the job, and fewer vacation days, not mentioned was the amount of sleep citizens get in each country. It would not be unexpected that the longer hours and more days of work in the U.S. are resulting in less sleep. Previous studies have shown that the average U.S. citizen does not get enough sleep. Since insufficient sleep lowers the immune system, increases the likelihood of obesity because of effects on hormones (a non-instinctive result), and increases the risk of death from all causes, if we get less sleep than the British, that should explain part of the difference.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5377794
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12595624/
A recent study shows that white, middle-aged Americans are much sicker (on average) than their counterparts in Britain.
Although researchers included as possible factors more stress in the U.S. from job insecurity, longer hours on the job, and fewer vacation days, not mentioned was the amount of sleep citizens get in each country. It would not be unexpected that the longer hours and more days of work in the U.S. are resulting in less sleep. Previous studies have shown that the average U.S. citizen does not get enough sleep. Since insufficient sleep lowers the immune system, increases the likelihood of obesity because of effects on hormones (a non-instinctive result), and increases the risk of death from all causes, if we get less sleep than the British, that should explain part of the difference.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Pesticides in cotton
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060501232015.htm
Bt (Biotech) cotton has been genetically engineered to contain Bt toxin, a naturally occuring insecticide. The good news is that farmers need fewer chemical insecticides, and insect diversity is not affected, when compared with conventional cotton. I noticed that although evaluations included uncultivated fields beside the cotton fields, this article did not mention how the uncultivated fields compared with the cotton fields in terms of biodiversity.
A factor of concern is the effect of the Bt or other insecticides on humans. In the past, cotton has not been subjected to the same restraints on the use of pesticides as food crops, despite the fact that cottonseed oil is widely used in processed foods. Many pesticides are fat-soluble. Since the current administration has repeatedly decreased standards for public health in favor of business profits, I doubt that this has changed for the better.
Another aspect not mentioned in this article is that insects have been evolving resistance to pesticides. Bt is unlikely to be an exception. Breeding it into cotton seems likely to hasten the development of resistance.
Also ignored is the likelyhood that the Bt cotton will interbreed with other wild and domesticated crops. Since it confers protection to some insects, I would expect the spread of the Bt genes to spread rapidly in plants, at least until insets gain resistance. This should result in resistance developing even more quickly.
If the Bt genes do spread to other plants, what will be the effects on human and animal health?
Bt (Biotech) cotton has been genetically engineered to contain Bt toxin, a naturally occuring insecticide. The good news is that farmers need fewer chemical insecticides, and insect diversity is not affected, when compared with conventional cotton. I noticed that although evaluations included uncultivated fields beside the cotton fields, this article did not mention how the uncultivated fields compared with the cotton fields in terms of biodiversity.
A factor of concern is the effect of the Bt or other insecticides on humans. In the past, cotton has not been subjected to the same restraints on the use of pesticides as food crops, despite the fact that cottonseed oil is widely used in processed foods. Many pesticides are fat-soluble. Since the current administration has repeatedly decreased standards for public health in favor of business profits, I doubt that this has changed for the better.
Another aspect not mentioned in this article is that insects have been evolving resistance to pesticides. Bt is unlikely to be an exception. Breeding it into cotton seems likely to hasten the development of resistance.
Also ignored is the likelyhood that the Bt cotton will interbreed with other wild and domesticated crops. Since it confers protection to some insects, I would expect the spread of the Bt genes to spread rapidly in plants, at least until insets gain resistance. This should result in resistance developing even more quickly.
If the Bt genes do spread to other plants, what will be the effects on human and animal health?
Motivation to change job
One of the Austrlians trapped in a mine has resigned since being underground, and asked for a newspaper to look for a new job.
Can't blame him.
Can't blame him.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Daylight Saving Time
I don't know anybody who likes daylight savings time (DST). But it has been coming earlier and ending later for several years. In fact, it has been decreed that next year it will begin 3 weeks earlier, and will end later. The excuse is saving energy. Now, I care deeply about our environment, upon which our very lives depend, as well as the economy. But I am not persuaded that DST helps us in that respect. What are the effects.
1) People are likely to stay up later, getting even less sleep.
2) More people will be driving home from work in the heat of the day, with all there individual car air conditioners on, lowering gas milage, and increasing smog levels.
3) This is the one I suspect is the real reason for this increase in DST.People will be more likely to go to the store and recreational aread and spend money.
Now, this is supposed to be a democracy, but we have never been offered a chance to vote on this matter. Looking at how our leaders have been delaying and blocking solutions to our environmental problems for the sake of profits for big business, it is ludicrous to believe them when they say DST is for the good of the environment.
1) People are likely to stay up later, getting even less sleep.
2) More people will be driving home from work in the heat of the day, with all there individual car air conditioners on, lowering gas milage, and increasing smog levels.
3) This is the one I suspect is the real reason for this increase in DST.People will be more likely to go to the store and recreational aread and spend money.
Now, this is supposed to be a democracy, but we have never been offered a chance to vote on this matter. Looking at how our leaders have been delaying and blocking solutions to our environmental problems for the sake of profits for big business, it is ludicrous to believe them when they say DST is for the good of the environment.
Claims about capital gains
The Bush administration cut capital gains taxes. The excuse is that the cuts will supposedly make people more likely to invest in companies, which will be good for the economy. This argument was mentioned this morning on NPR. What supporters ignore is that most people who buy stock do not buy them from the company. They buy stock from other individuals. The stock was probably issued by the company years ago. So you're not helping the company any by buying its stock. However, you might be helping the company officers who have large stock options.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Atlanta Driving
Atlanta Driving
copyright Patricia M. Shannon 2000
(all of this is true)
(chorus)
Driving on Atlanta's highways
can make me feel I've gone to hell.
Well, the reason is not hard to tell you,
pollution's killed off their brain cells.
(verse)
When I'm driving the speed limit
the car behind me will pass and pull in front;
right away he'll start to slow down,
because to turn is what he wants.
But when I signal, then I slow down,
because a turn I want to take,
if he's behind me, he will hold his horn down,
he thinks the world is only made for his own sake.
(chorus)
For many miles I've been in a straight-ahead lane,
with many miles before I get to my next turn,
when suddenly this lane is now an exit,
with no warning that I could discern!
When I exit from the freeway,
the lane I choose has a stright arrow on the road,
but when I get down to the intersection,
this lane will only turn the way that I don't want to go.
(spoken)
I really can't believe it costs all than much to paint a bent arrow than a stright one.
(chorus)
When my road, merging with another,
puts me in the left lane where I don't want to be,
the car behind will tail-gate 'til a space comes,
then cut me off so he can get in front of me.
(spoken)
And yes, I had my turn signal on.
(verse)
When I wait for a pedestrian,
or stop for a traffic light that's just turned red,
the car behind will start to honking,
are these people really so imbred?
(chorus)
copyright Patricia M. Shannon 2000
(all of this is true)
(chorus)
Driving on Atlanta's highways
can make me feel I've gone to hell.
Well, the reason is not hard to tell you,
pollution's killed off their brain cells.
(verse)
When I'm driving the speed limit
the car behind me will pass and pull in front;
right away he'll start to slow down,
because to turn is what he wants.
But when I signal, then I slow down,
because a turn I want to take,
if he's behind me, he will hold his horn down,
he thinks the world is only made for his own sake.
(chorus)
For many miles I've been in a straight-ahead lane,
with many miles before I get to my next turn,
when suddenly this lane is now an exit,
with no warning that I could discern!
When I exit from the freeway,
the lane I choose has a stright arrow on the road,
but when I get down to the intersection,
this lane will only turn the way that I don't want to go.
(spoken)
I really can't believe it costs all than much to paint a bent arrow than a stright one.
(chorus)
When my road, merging with another,
puts me in the left lane where I don't want to be,
the car behind will tail-gate 'til a space comes,
then cut me off so he can get in front of me.
(spoken)
And yes, I had my turn signal on.
(verse)
When I wait for a pedestrian,
or stop for a traffic light that's just turned red,
the car behind will start to honking,
are these people really so imbred?
(chorus)
Asteroids vs. Lottery
Scientists and mathematicians will point out that the probablity of winning the lottery is less than that of getting hit by an asteroid, and therefore it is irrational to buy lottery tickets. They base the figures on the probability that a given person will win the lottery or will be killed by and asteroid. Well, I can't deny the odds of winning the lottery are so low, it is not really raional to buy them; I also admit I buy one about once a week.
However, the scientists ignore some basic facts. The odds that any particular person (this means you) will win the lottery tomorrow are extremely low. However, the odds are 100 percent that SOMEONE will win the lottery, if not tomorrow, then in the near future. Whereas the odds that an asteroid will kill ANYBODY in the near future is very low. So I would argue it makes more sense to buy a lottery ticket than to buy insurance against getting hit by an asteroid.
However, in the long run, the odds are probably 100 percent that the earth will eventually be hit by an asteroid big enough to devastate life on earth, unless we develop means to detect and prevent this from happening. I wish I were more optimistic that our civilization will last long enough to do so; looking at the past history of human behaviour, and our current actions, I fear we are in the process of self-destructing. Society has gone in cycles of progress and decay many times, but what makes thing different now is our technology, and what we are doing with it.
However, the scientists ignore some basic facts. The odds that any particular person (this means you) will win the lottery tomorrow are extremely low. However, the odds are 100 percent that SOMEONE will win the lottery, if not tomorrow, then in the near future. Whereas the odds that an asteroid will kill ANYBODY in the near future is very low. So I would argue it makes more sense to buy a lottery ticket than to buy insurance against getting hit by an asteroid.
However, in the long run, the odds are probably 100 percent that the earth will eventually be hit by an asteroid big enough to devastate life on earth, unless we develop means to detect and prevent this from happening. I wish I were more optimistic that our civilization will last long enough to do so; looking at the past history of human behaviour, and our current actions, I fear we are in the process of self-destructing. Society has gone in cycles of progress and decay many times, but what makes thing different now is our technology, and what we are doing with it.
U.S. Flag
Last year when I was working at a booth at the County Fair, we were giving out small U.S. flags to those who wanted them. One lady said she would have liked one, but she avoided getting flags because she was worried about what to do with them when they were worn out! It is pitiful that the right-wing has people so scared that they are afraid to fly the flag for such a reason!
I used to get tears in my eyes over the flag, but the right-wing extremists have spoiled it for me, making the flag more into a symbol of their mean hatefulness than what it should be, a symbol of my beloved country. To seek to put people in prison because they mistreat the flag is immature. It just gives the protestors attention, which is what they want. Just ignore them. What actual harm are they doing to our country, other than a little air pollution, which is nothing compare to our cars. My pets know the difference between a picture of a steak and the actual thing. It seems that the extreme right-wingers don't.
I used to get tears in my eyes over the flag, but the right-wing extremists have spoiled it for me, making the flag more into a symbol of their mean hatefulness than what it should be, a symbol of my beloved country. To seek to put people in prison because they mistreat the flag is immature. It just gives the protestors attention, which is what they want. Just ignore them. What actual harm are they doing to our country, other than a little air pollution, which is nothing compare to our cars. My pets know the difference between a picture of a steak and the actual thing. It seems that the extreme right-wingers don't.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Saving gasoline
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12502313/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12517107/
I have found a way to lower gas milage that I haven't seen elsewhere, at least not the specifics. Articles on reducing gas milage do recommend avoiding carrying heavy items around in the car on a continuing basis. But nobody else points out that gasoline is heavy. If you've ever run out of gas on the highway and had to carry a can of gas back to your car, you already know this!
Several years ago, I kept track of my gas milage when I filled up the tank every time I got gas, and then when I filled up about half-way each time. I got a noticable improvement when I only filled up half way. This should be no surprise, because the heavier your car, the more energy, i.e. gas, it takes to move it. Now I can understand that people might not have thought about it. Who has time to think about every conceivable aspect of the universe? But what I don't understand is people who say it can't be so. It's just simple physics and common sense. If someone doesn't believe it, it's easy to check it out.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12517107/
I have found a way to lower gas milage that I haven't seen elsewhere, at least not the specifics. Articles on reducing gas milage do recommend avoiding carrying heavy items around in the car on a continuing basis. But nobody else points out that gasoline is heavy. If you've ever run out of gas on the highway and had to carry a can of gas back to your car, you already know this!
Several years ago, I kept track of my gas milage when I filled up the tank every time I got gas, and then when I filled up about half-way each time. I got a noticable improvement when I only filled up half way. This should be no surprise, because the heavier your car, the more energy, i.e. gas, it takes to move it. Now I can understand that people might not have thought about it. Who has time to think about every conceivable aspect of the universe? But what I don't understand is people who say it can't be so. It's just simple physics and common sense. If someone doesn't believe it, it's easy to check it out.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
"Earning" your way into music business
At songwriting forums, I have heard people in the music industry express the belief that songwriters should have to earn the right for their songs to be heard by writing a quantity of songs, over a period of time. This is an example of one of the problems with the music industry, why there is so much discontent by the public over what is available. A song is good or not good irregardless of how many other songs the writer wrote. If someone loves music, I would expect them to want a great song to be heard, even if it is the only song the writer ever wrote. Some of my favorite songs, which were great hits, were "one-hit wonders." I never heard anybody say that "To Kill a Mockingbird" should not be published because Harper Lee has chosen not to write anymore books, or at least not to publish any. The idea is ridiculous.
Of course, the problem is that the music business today is not being run by people who have a burning desire to bring great music to the public, but by business people whose burning desire is to make money. Of course, they have to make money to stay in business, but they are apparently lacking the ability to make the emotional connection to music that is necessary to choose great music.
Of course, the problem is that the music business today is not being run by people who have a burning desire to bring great music to the public, but by business people whose burning desire is to make money. Of course, they have to make money to stay in business, but they are apparently lacking the ability to make the emotional connection to music that is necessary to choose great music.
Official secrets
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12466719/site/newsweek/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12187153
A former CIA officer has been reported to have been fired for allegedly telling a reporter about alleged CIA secret detention operations in Eastern Europe.
Bush claims he wants to bring democracy to other countries, but he doesn't seem to want it in our own country. Why is the government sending people to be tortured in other countries, and hiding it from us? How can we have a democracy if we don't know what the government is doing? It seems to me that if the administration is doing this, and there is some evidence for it, that it is the duty of those who know to reveal it.
At the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, it was ruled that obedience was not a defense. In the U.S. military, it is illegal for soldiers to obey illegal orders. But I forgot; according to Bush, whatever he does is legal, because he is the president. If he decides it to be necessary to do away with elections altogether for the good of the country, I guess that would be ok - not. Of course, he stole the election in 2000, and there is evidence it was stolen in 2004, in Ohio, so he didn't have to do away with elections in order to ensure that he would become president, without having to worry about being democratically elected by the citizens of the U.S.
It is especially hypocritical to the max for Bush to criticize others for leaking classified information. To authorize the leaking of the name of a CIA agent because her husband disagreed with Bush is an act of treason, in my opinion.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12187153
A former CIA officer has been reported to have been fired for allegedly telling a reporter about alleged CIA secret detention operations in Eastern Europe.
Bush claims he wants to bring democracy to other countries, but he doesn't seem to want it in our own country. Why is the government sending people to be tortured in other countries, and hiding it from us? How can we have a democracy if we don't know what the government is doing? It seems to me that if the administration is doing this, and there is some evidence for it, that it is the duty of those who know to reveal it.
At the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, it was ruled that obedience was not a defense. In the U.S. military, it is illegal for soldiers to obey illegal orders. But I forgot; according to Bush, whatever he does is legal, because he is the president. If he decides it to be necessary to do away with elections altogether for the good of the country, I guess that would be ok - not. Of course, he stole the election in 2000, and there is evidence it was stolen in 2004, in Ohio, so he didn't have to do away with elections in order to ensure that he would become president, without having to worry about being democratically elected by the citizens of the U.S.
It is especially hypocritical to the max for Bush to criticize others for leaking classified information. To authorize the leaking of the name of a CIA agent because her husband disagreed with Bush is an act of treason, in my opinion.
Monday, April 24, 2006
An effect of the "dumb" gene?
Somebody has come up with the idea of putting anti-virals into a wide variety of common items, such as doorknobs. Because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which kill bacteria but do not fight viruses, we have already caused the rise of dangerous bacteria that are mostly resistant to all known bacteria. People are dying from these bacteria. We don't have very many anti-virals. So now, somebody wants to make sure we create the conditions where the few anti-virals we have become useless. Is this a case of absolute stupidity, or of sociopaths for whom monetary gain is more important than the future of the human race? Or maybe its an example of someone who got his/her credentials by cheating. Eg., wealthy parents have been known to pay bright students to take college entrance exams in place of their own less bright children.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060417124050.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060417124050.htm
Wy do humans preserve "dumb" gene?
Recently, I read of genetic mutation that causes slower response times in a large variety of organisms. It was noted that this mutation was quickly cleared from the gene pool of all organisms except humans. Also, it was found that in people who have this mutation, the average IQ was lowered, although no effect on the IQ of an individual could be predicted. So why don't humans clear this mutation from our gene pool? I would guess that there are multiple reasons.
I would say that one obvious reason has to be that, at least in modern times, men prefer women who are less intelligence than themselves.
Another likely factor is that more intelligent people of both genders tend to have fewer children.
Also, it is probably desirable for complex human societies to have people of a variety of capabilities, because different jobs require different skills. In fact, one study found that people of average intelligence make the best drivers. Those with lower IQs had slower response times, causing them to be less able to avoid accidents. Those with higher IQs got bored, and were not able to maintain a focus on driving.
Maybe people with this mutation are less impulsive, and therefore less likely to get into fights, etc.
Maybe this mutation has a positive effect of some kind when paired with other genes.
I hope more is discovered about this during my life-time, as it really arouses my curiosity.
I would say that one obvious reason has to be that, at least in modern times, men prefer women who are less intelligence than themselves.
Another likely factor is that more intelligent people of both genders tend to have fewer children.
Also, it is probably desirable for complex human societies to have people of a variety of capabilities, because different jobs require different skills. In fact, one study found that people of average intelligence make the best drivers. Those with lower IQs had slower response times, causing them to be less able to avoid accidents. Those with higher IQs got bored, and were not able to maintain a focus on driving.
Maybe people with this mutation are less impulsive, and therefore less likely to get into fights, etc.
Maybe this mutation has a positive effect of some kind when paired with other genes.
I hope more is discovered about this during my life-time, as it really arouses my curiosity.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Why have young people lost interest in IT jobs?
It really is hard to understand why fewer young people are going into Information Technology (IT), or Computer Science (CS), or whatever they decide to call it next. Who wouldn't be eager to major in a subject for which it will be hard to get the first job, because they don't have experience. Then, if and when they finally do get an IT job, they will become obsolete every three years unless they are lucky enough to work for an employee who adopts the newest technology and allows them to work on it. If they take courses in the new technology, it doesn't help to get a new job, if one is needed or desired, because employers only want people with several years experience in that specific technology. Then when they get to be 40 years old, it gets increasingly difficult to find work in IT. If you're in your 50's, you may end up working at Waffle House, as a teacher's aide, on the floor of Home Depot (real life examples). There was a loss of 400,000 IT jobs between 2001 and 2004.
And business "persuaded" (aka bribed) Congress to change the overtime laws so they don't cover most IT professionals, so that they are often required to work 50-60 hours a week for a salary with no Overtime. Golly, who wouldn't jump at such a job.
And business "persuaded" (aka bribed) Congress to change the overtime laws so they don't cover most IT professionals, so that they are often required to work 50-60 hours a week for a salary with no Overtime. Golly, who wouldn't jump at such a job.
Is this what we want our country to be?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12354291/
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal Monday from two Chinese Muslims who were mistakenly captured as enemy combatants more than four years ago and are still being held at the U.S. prison in Cuba.
a federal judge said the detention of the ethnic Uighurs in Guantanamo Bay is unlawful, but that there was nothing federal courts could do.
Lawyers for the two contend they should be released, something the Bush administration opposes, unless they can go to a country other than the United States.
They cannot be returned to China because they likely will be tortured or killed.
German officials are being pressed to take them, according to a report over the weekend in a newspaper there.
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal Monday from two Chinese Muslims who were mistakenly captured as enemy combatants more than four years ago and are still being held at the U.S. prison in Cuba.
a federal judge said the detention of the ethnic Uighurs in Guantanamo Bay is unlawful, but that there was nothing federal courts could do.
Lawyers for the two contend they should be released, something the Bush administration opposes, unless they can go to a country other than the United States.
They cannot be returned to China because they likely will be tortured or killed.
German officials are being pressed to take them, according to a report over the weekend in a newspaper there.
brain hijacked by parasites?
You may have noticed the phenomenon that sometimes, right before getting sick, one has a burst of energy. I had thought it might be the bodies way of preparing for downtime; esp., getting well fed. (Talking to others, they had the same thought).
However, after learning of the effects of certain parasites on their host's behaviour, I see another possibility. Eg., there is a parasite that that infects worms or catapillars, and causes them to climb to the top of grass stems, where they are more likely to be eaten by cattle, which are required for the completion of the parasite's life cycle. There is a parasite of mice that causes them to be attracted to cats, for the same reason.
So when we get that burst of energy just before getting sick, maybe it's the germs' way of keeping us up and about while we spread them to others. And/or maybe it's their way of getting us to get well-nourished so that they will benefit.
However, after learning of the effects of certain parasites on their host's behaviour, I see another possibility. Eg., there is a parasite that that infects worms or catapillars, and causes them to climb to the top of grass stems, where they are more likely to be eaten by cattle, which are required for the completion of the parasite's life cycle. There is a parasite of mice that causes them to be attracted to cats, for the same reason.
So when we get that burst of energy just before getting sick, maybe it's the germs' way of keeping us up and about while we spread them to others. And/or maybe it's their way of getting us to get well-nourished so that they will benefit.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
blood shortage and conservatives
I read recently that conservatives are having more children than liberals. We can see the results in the continually low supplies of blood. From my experience of company blood drives, conservatives rarely give blood. I am 5 feet tall, weigh just enough to give blood (a little over 110 lb), have a low threshhold of pain, and have given blood at least 8 times, and plan to give more. When I have been able to persuade/shame tall, healthy conservaties to give blood, the poor things are absolutely traumatized afterwards. But these wimps are eager to send other people to war and inflict torture on others.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Addiction?
I have heard some people think lip balm is addictive, that one's body comes to be dependent on it. That is a feasible idea. Our bodies adapt to conditions. But also, if you have been using lip balm, it's probably because you had dry lips in the first place. If you stop using it, there's no reason to think you won't still have dry lips. We would need a controlled, scientific study to determine the facts of the matter. Now, I don't consider this to be important enough for a scientific study, I'm just raising the issue because it's a simple, easily understood situation that shows our first instincts about a matter may be wrong.
return to New Orleans?
I can fully understand why people who fled the flooding of New Orleans long to return to their homes. But is that necessarily the best thing for them? The poor miss the support of their social networks, of course. But there is also the problem that people, especially children, living in a neighborhood where everybody is poor, learn to be poor. New Orleans had a low average standard of living before the storm. Some people might be better off in the long run in a more prosperous area, where they can get better-paying jobs. I realize hypothesizing about a possibly better future doesn't help people who are grieving over their losses now. I myself had to relocate, leaving my friends, in order to find work awhile back. lost my house to repossession when I couldn't find a job several years ago. I hope for the best for the victims of Katrina and Rita.
Cut project time in half
If you think you can cut the project time in half by doubling the number of people working on it, then I expect you believe that two pregnant women can give birth to a full-term baby in 4 1/2 months. :-)
Euthanasia
Some people are trying to block legal, voluntary euthanasia. Some disabled say it sends the message that they are disposable. I really disagree. The reason I support voluntary euthanasia for some people is that it would give them power. I dread the possible that I might be in great suffering, but not have the means to escape - to be powerless over my own fate. I have seen my grandfather and mother die from lung disease (caused by smoking), suffering for years. Since I had bronchitis years ago, I know how horrible it is not to be able to get enough oxygen. My grandmother died from cancer. She chose to end her suffering by stopping eating. I really don't see starving oneselves to death to be preferable to euthanasia.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
PMS tea
I recently saw mention of still another study of the causes of PMS; I expect it's sponsored by a drug company hoping to make big profits. This is a big problem. When I had this problem, besides the bad mood and bodily discomfort caused by water retention, it felt like my brain was bloated, which evidently it was. Natural food people have known for years that PMS can be treated with herbal diuretics, which cause the body to get rid of fluid. There is even an herbal "PMS tea". Also, there are pills with herbal extracts. They are inexpensive, and they work. So it seems to me that scientists' time could be better spent on other matters.
When does soul begin?
Some say the soul begins when a cell is fertilized. But what about identical twins, Siamese twins, and chimera?
Of course, identical twins and Siamese twins start out as a single fertilized cell. So, according to this theory, they start out with a single soul. But surely each identical twin has its own soul. (I'm using "its" to avoid boring repetitions of his/her).
Chimera start out as fraternal twins whose cells merge, so that the person has cells that originated from two separate fertilized eggs. So, there are two souls to start out with, for what turns out to be a single individual.
Siamese twins start out as a single fertilized cell, which goes part-way to being identical twins. There may be two mostly separate bodies sharing a small band of tissues or sharing major organs. There might be mostly one body with one head and more than two arms. And various other combinations. Are there one or two souls?
It should be possible for a chimera to end up being Siamese or semi-identical twins, but I think we already have enough options to show the problems.
My feeling is that there is a soul for each distinct brain. I wonder what other people might think/feel.
Of course, identical twins and Siamese twins start out as a single fertilized cell. So, according to this theory, they start out with a single soul. But surely each identical twin has its own soul. (I'm using "its" to avoid boring repetitions of his/her).
Chimera start out as fraternal twins whose cells merge, so that the person has cells that originated from two separate fertilized eggs. So, there are two souls to start out with, for what turns out to be a single individual.
Siamese twins start out as a single fertilized cell, which goes part-way to being identical twins. There may be two mostly separate bodies sharing a small band of tissues or sharing major organs. There might be mostly one body with one head and more than two arms. And various other combinations. Are there one or two souls?
It should be possible for a chimera to end up being Siamese or semi-identical twins, but I think we already have enough options to show the problems.
My feeling is that there is a soul for each distinct brain. I wonder what other people might think/feel.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
The beginning of the end?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/06/030609011959.htm
I have long believed that we are likely to develop technology, or technologies, that will accidentally cause our own extinction, as well as those of other species. I would say we are already on the way, if you look at such things as decreasing sperm counts in men, and increasing rates of childhood cancer. We are continually putting increased amounts and kinds of pollution into our environment, many of which take decades, even hundreds of years to break down. Combinations of some chemicals can have a far greater effect than would be predicted from their individual actions.
Scientist are currently developing a kind of antibiotic that could do the job fairly quickly. If it gets into widespread use, and bacteria develop a resistance to it, as they have to all other antibiotics, they would also be immune to our own bodies' defences against bacteria. It is claimed that bacteria will be unable to develop resistance to them; of course, our technology always produces side effects we didn't foresee. They say they will test that bacteria will not be able to develop resistance before they put it into widespread use. But how can they guarantee that the bacteria will not eventually do so?
If we manage to survive direct effects from our own technology, I believe they might still be our downfall. I expect that we will eventually develop a dependency on technology for our survival. Eg., the antibiotics such as the ones mentioned above. Actually, we have already started doing so. Over a long period of time, human bodies will become less able to defend themselves against bacteria. When mutations occur that weaken our immunity, those that have them do not die because they are treated with antibiotics. So, the genes will continue in the gene pool. Many women may need artificial hormones to conceive and carry a child to term. Our bodies will become weaker because of dependency on machines, etc. There will come a catastrophe, such as severe global warming, or a hit by an asteroid, that might not kill everybody, but would devastate the planet so much that we might lose the technologies on which we have become dependent for our existence. The combination might well do us in. Societies in the past have lost knowledge of technologies. How many of us know how to mine ore, and do all the steps necessary even to make a simple ax, much less something like a car? But there will always be those who tell us, for the sake of short-term profits and convenience, that we needn't worry about such things until they have been proven without an eyelash of doubt. Of course, by then, it will be too late.
The existence of our species, with its ability to understand the world, and appreciate the wonder of the universe, is wonderful. But, since we seem to be unwilling or unable to refrain from devastating our environment, on which we depend, I guess we have to accept that if we cause our own extinction, we will have proved that we did not deserve to continue.
I have long believed that we are likely to develop technology, or technologies, that will accidentally cause our own extinction, as well as those of other species. I would say we are already on the way, if you look at such things as decreasing sperm counts in men, and increasing rates of childhood cancer. We are continually putting increased amounts and kinds of pollution into our environment, many of which take decades, even hundreds of years to break down. Combinations of some chemicals can have a far greater effect than would be predicted from their individual actions.
Scientist are currently developing a kind of antibiotic that could do the job fairly quickly. If it gets into widespread use, and bacteria develop a resistance to it, as they have to all other antibiotics, they would also be immune to our own bodies' defences against bacteria. It is claimed that bacteria will be unable to develop resistance to them; of course, our technology always produces side effects we didn't foresee. They say they will test that bacteria will not be able to develop resistance before they put it into widespread use. But how can they guarantee that the bacteria will not eventually do so?
If we manage to survive direct effects from our own technology, I believe they might still be our downfall. I expect that we will eventually develop a dependency on technology for our survival. Eg., the antibiotics such as the ones mentioned above. Actually, we have already started doing so. Over a long period of time, human bodies will become less able to defend themselves against bacteria. When mutations occur that weaken our immunity, those that have them do not die because they are treated with antibiotics. So, the genes will continue in the gene pool. Many women may need artificial hormones to conceive and carry a child to term. Our bodies will become weaker because of dependency on machines, etc. There will come a catastrophe, such as severe global warming, or a hit by an asteroid, that might not kill everybody, but would devastate the planet so much that we might lose the technologies on which we have become dependent for our existence. The combination might well do us in. Societies in the past have lost knowledge of technologies. How many of us know how to mine ore, and do all the steps necessary even to make a simple ax, much less something like a car? But there will always be those who tell us, for the sake of short-term profits and convenience, that we needn't worry about such things until they have been proven without an eyelash of doubt. Of course, by then, it will be too late.
The existence of our species, with its ability to understand the world, and appreciate the wonder of the universe, is wonderful. But, since we seem to be unwilling or unable to refrain from devastating our environment, on which we depend, I guess we have to accept that if we cause our own extinction, we will have proved that we did not deserve to continue.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
effects of immigrants on the poor
NPR had an interview with international economic advisor Adam Davidson on the effect of large numbers of legal immigrants on the U.S. economy. He argued that they don't hurt the economy because they things they buy creates enough new jobs to offset the number that they take, and they keep prices low. He claims that low-wage workers are not hurt. He totally ignored the fact that there are so many immigrants from Mexico, that many low-wage jobs, and the low-level management jobs, now require employees to be bi-lingual in English and Spanish. This makes it harder for most low-skilled U.S. born citizens to get ahead.
Also, he said that the "average" citizen benefits about 1% from illegal immigrants, because they hold prices down. This sounds like all those other defenders of the current economy who talk about the economic situation of the "average" American, when they are really talking about the average for all Americans. The very small upper class is doing so well, it distorts the economic statistics.
Also, he said that the "average" citizen benefits about 1% from illegal immigrants, because they hold prices down. This sounds like all those other defenders of the current economy who talk about the economic situation of the "average" American, when they are really talking about the average for all Americans. The very small upper class is doing so well, it distorts the economic statistics.
Monday, April 03, 2006
My Computer Has a Mind of Its Own
My Computer Has a Mind of its Own
copyright Patricia M. Shannon 1998
(Can be sung to the tune : My Heart Has a Mind of its Own,
sung by Connie Francis)
I said to my PC, You are so mean to me,
why did you lose the file that my boss wants right now to see?
I try to type in “GO”, but my machine says “NO”!
Guess my computer has a mind of its own.
I never thought I’d be in abject slavery
to a glass and metal box on my desktop.
My deadline is past due; all my machine will do
is tell me “System Error SJ19342”.
I can’t save my spreadsheet, must Control-Alt-Delete.
Guess my computer has a mind of its own.
Yes, my computer has a mind of its own.
copyright Patricia M. Shannon 1998
(Can be sung to the tune : My Heart Has a Mind of its Own,
sung by Connie Francis)
I said to my PC, You are so mean to me,
why did you lose the file that my boss wants right now to see?
I try to type in “GO”, but my machine says “NO”!
Guess my computer has a mind of its own.
I never thought I’d be in abject slavery
to a glass and metal box on my desktop.
My deadline is past due; all my machine will do
is tell me “System Error SJ19342”.
I can’t save my spreadsheet, must Control-Alt-Delete.
Guess my computer has a mind of its own.
Yes, my computer has a mind of its own.
Friday, March 31, 2006
where is it made?
I try to avoid buying things made in China as much as possible. Evidently, I am not the only one, because I have been finding that nowadays, when something is made in China, the label that shows this is inside the sealed package. If this is not illegal it should be, but with Congress firmly in the pocket of big business, I don't expect it to be remedied in the near future.
foreclosures
NPR was interviewing a financial adviser on Tues. Mar. 28, 2006 about the high rate of house foreclosures. He made a statement about "people who get themselves into financial problems". Of course, many people handle money unwisely. But many people encounter financial problems because of such things as medical bills, loss of jobs, divorce. (Of course, medical problems can cause unemployment.) Such statements have the effect of right-wing propaganda, whatever the intent of the speaker. I have found that much of what I believed when I was younger, from reading news columns, including the business pages, is really what I would have to call propaganda for the protection of the powerful.
what to do with excess donations
When there is a highly-publicized disaster, relief agencies typically get more donations than they need for that particular disaster. But they don't get enough for other disasters. I, like many others, have been motivated to donate at times of well-publicized disasters. But I never designate my donation for a particular disaster. I will designate for "disaster relief". That, the agency can use my donation where it's really needed. I don't understand people who get upset when more donations are received for a disaster than are needed by the agency, and the agency uses them for other people in need.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
I am as interested as anybody else in preventing terrorists from hurting people. However, it seems to me that there is something wrong with calling for the death penalty for Moussaoui because he didn't tell authorities about the 9/11 plot. Wouldn't this be mandatory self-incrimination, which is not allowed by the 5th amendment to the U.S. Constitution? It just doesn't seem reasonable to me to impose a sentence on a terrorist or criminal for not confessing to something that will get them in trouble with the law. And what good purpose will be served by killing a terrorist who was planning on committing suicide in the commission of a terrorist act? It just shows that the real purpose of the death penalty is to satisfy our own blood lust, which is what we are objecting in the criminals. If we execute a suicide terrorist, it would seem to me that that might satisfy their criteria for getting into heaven in the same way if they had been killed doing the actual deed, so it certainly wouldn't be a deterrent; if anything, it would be an incentive.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Selective readings
I've never seen a mention in a Bible Concordance of Ephesians 6:4, which says
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, "
Thursday, March 23, 2006
building may cause earthquakes
http://www.livescience.com/forcesofnature/ap_051203_tallest_building.html
The weight of the world's tallest skyscraper, in Taiwan, could be causing an increased number of tremors.
So for sure, the effects of changing weight under glaciers and oceans could change the incidence of earthquakes.
mad cow testing not allowed - update
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11978122/
Here is a story just about the meatpacker I had mentioned a few days ago, who wants to be allowed to test all his cattle for mad cow disease, so he can sell it in Japan. He is suing the government to be allowed to do so.
glacial quakes - additional info
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11975255/from/RS.4/
Well, here is a really speedy update. I thought I had reached the end of the article, but there was more a ways down, after some advertising. "Melting water from the surface gradually seeps down, accumulating at the base of a glacier where it can serve as a lubricant allowing the ice to suddenly move downhill, ... “Some of Greenland’s glaciers, as large as Manhattan and as tall as the Empire State Building, can move 10 meters in less than a minute, a jolt that is sufficient to generate moderate seismic waves.”
global warming causing quakes
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11975255/from/RS.4/
Recently I put out a guess that global warming might have an effect on the incidence of earthquakes because of changes in distribution of mass caused by the melting of ice. I felt that an increase was most likely, due to the release of pressure, but since I didn't know if the increased weight of the oceans might lead to a decrease in earthquakes in other areas that might offset these potential increases, I didn't hazard a guess as to whether there might be an increase or decrease in the total number of earthquakes in the world. I still don't know about that, but it turns out that the faster than expected warming in Greenland and Antartica are triggering "glacial quakes". From the rest of the article, it did appear that they were indeed talking about earthquakes, triggered by glaciers "the size of Manhattan".
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
CO in meat
There was a big brou-ha-ha recently because some companies have been treating meat with carbon monoxide (CO) to keep the color looking good. But the articles I read were did not address important issues in judging whether treating meat with CO is good or bad. The reason people want fresh food is that it is safer, more nutritious, tastier. How does CO affect these properties? Botulism, the deadly food-poisoning, grows in an oxygen-free environment. Does it grow in a CO environment? If CO’s improvements are only cosmetic, that is bad. If CO actually stops the aging process, than what’s wrong with it? I myself am a vegetarian, but I would be interested in whether CO stops the growth of bacteria and loss of nutrients. This is an example of why we really need better reporting on scientific matters.
Note: Carbon monoxide (CO) is not the same as carbon dioxide (CO2).
Democracy is not a magic bullet
President Bush wants to bring democracy to other countries. I think that is a great goal. But he apparently thinks it is a magic bullet that will solve all problems. Of course it isn’t. Just look at the history of our own country. Becoming a democracy didn’t keep us from slavery, lack of rights for women, civil war, legal segregation. Maybe all democracies naturally grow in maturity. Only time will tell.
But if Bush is such a believer in democracy, why is he working so hard to reduce democracy in our own country?
Friday, March 17, 2006
impeachment?
Some democrats are calling for the impeachment of President Bush. Does that mean they want Vice-President Cheney to become president?
productive speeds
A recent computer study of the relation between drivers speeds and the number of cars that a road could carry in a given amount of time, found that the highest throughput would be at about 50 mph; this was because at higher speeds, the increased distance between cars needed for safety more than outweighed the higher speed. Of course, in Atlanta, few drivers allow a safe distance. The result is a high number of accidents that reduce the average speed (I expect to well below 50 mph) and cause many injuries and deaths. I myself have been on I-285 when I timed the average speed at 4 (four) mph! Since the minimum legal speed on I-285 is 40 mph, just think of all the money that could be made in tickets, if it were enforced! Many people don’t seem to be aware of how many people in the Atlanta metropolitan area die in auto accidents, because most aren’t reported by the news media. The only thing that seems to matter to the news media is the effect on commuters. In Gwinnett County alone, there are almost 2 fatal traffic accidents a week. I have a 4-cylinder car that gets more than 30 mpg; the trade-off is that it does not have great acceleration, which fits with the way I drive anyway. So I often have people speed around me when we the light turns green, only to have me catch up with them at the next traffic light. My advice to people in Atlanta is to learn to meditate! You can do it while you’re stopped at a traffic light, or even in slow traffic. It will improve your mood and blood pressure at the same time!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
mad cow (non-)testing
The government tells us that we are safe from mad cow disease in this country because it is so rare. But how do we know it’s so? Testing is voluntary. So, we are only testing a small portion of our cattle. Only about 650,000 of the total US herd (some 35 million slaughtered annually) have been tested (1.86%) - a rate far lower than the percentage tested in Europe (25%)or Japan (100%). In fact, they outlaw independent testing of cows in this country. They won't let companies run their own mad cow tests. It is ILLEGAL for a rancher to test his own cows for this disease. In the case last fall, the first USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) test was positive. So, they ordered another test by the USDA, which turned up negative. They then sent a sample to England, which confirmed that it was positive for mad cow disease. A few years ago, I read of a small farmer who was having all his cattle test, because that allowed him to sell the meat overseas for a higher price. He was ordered to stop by the U.S. government! And the USDA budget calls for only 40,000 tests annually.
No human cases have been reported in this country, but that of course, there may be cases that were attributed to other causes. We have no way of knowing.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
automatic organ donors
Some people want everyone to be automatic organ donors unless they specifically opt out. I very much disagree. If you can’t show that you can afford the treatment to maintain the organ after it’s transplanted, you won’t get a transplant. Many people don’t have health insurance, and the percentage is growing. Even if you have insurance, it may not cover the immediate and continuing transplant costs. If we made people automatic organ donors unless they take action to prevent it, what we will have is the poor and working-class being used as organ donors by the more well-to-do people, while not being able to get organ transplants when they themselves need them.
UAE ports management
I disagree with those who say racism is to blame for all of the opposition to the deal to hand over management of many U.S. ports to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates. Human nature being what it is, some of it surely is due to racism. But there are other reasons. I would have at least as big a problem if the company were owned by China, which is a dictatorship that mistreats its citizens. I wouldn’t have a problem if the company were owned by India or Mexico, because these are democracies. They aren’t perfect, but neither are we.) I know from experience that when I have feelings about such things, that I am not alone.
The silliness of objecting because two of the 9/11 terrorist came from the UAE has been pointed out by others.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Walk a mile in their shoes
Bush wants to do away with the $255 death benefit because it has not been changed since 1952, and now only goes a small way toward funeral expenses. For the working poor, $255 is a lot of money. Also, he wants to eliminate monthly survivor death benefits for 16- and 17-year-old high school dropouts. Of course, these kids are more likely to be poor. I am sure that the grief and loss of income from losing a parent causes some youths to drop out; they may need to get a job to help the family survive. Making them even poorer is not going to help them. Bush seems to be doing his best to show that inherited wealth damages a person's understanding of reality.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/bush08.html
Fair is fair
There is plenty to legitimately criticize in the Bush's administration lack of timely response to hurricane Katrina. However, I think it's unfair to criticize Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for going shopping for shoes while hurricane Katrina was ravaging the Gulf Coast. The Secretary of State deals with other countries. What do people think she should have done? What did her critics do during the hurricane? I admire the people who collected supplies and drove down there, but I have to admit I couldn't afford to do that. How many of Ms. Rice's critics did that? None that I know of. Since the Republicans have been so savage and unfair toward Democrats, acting like piranhas, does not mean Democrats should do the same. There is plenty of legitimate criticism that can be made. Something I would like to know is how much Ms. Rice donates to charities that aid the unfortunate, such as the hurricane Katrina victims.
I haven't seen anybody take note of where people such as the secretary of education or the head of the FDA were when hurricane Katrina was devastating the Gulf Coast, as they did for Condoleeza Rice. Is it because Condoleeza is a high-powered woman?
I haven't seen anybody take note of where people such as the secretary of education or the head of the FDA were when hurricane Katrina was devastating the Gulf Coast, as they did for Condoleeza Rice. Is it because Condoleeza is a high-powered woman?
Unemployment rate
Statistics on the U.S. unemployment rate show it lower than reality. Others have pointed out that it only counts those who are actively looking for work. Those who have gone back to school because they can't find work are not included. Those who worked for only an hour in a month would be included in the employed category. People working part-time who want to work full-time are counted in the employed. People who have had careers in IT and now are working in low-wage jobs because they can't get anything else are counted with the employed.
A factor I have not seen discussed in relation to the unemployment statistics is the fact that our country has one of the highest percentages in the world of people in prison. When someone is in prison, they are not counted in the unemployment rates. Large numbers of prisoners means more jobs for prison guards, construction jobs to build prisons. They may also cause an increase in jobs for providing food for the prisoners. When people get out of prison, I would assume they would be added to the unemployment roles until they find a job. However, they usually have a very hard time finding a job that makes enough to support themselves, which is one of the factors that cause them to often land up back in prison, and back out of the employment statistics. If our prison rates were comparable to those of other countries, our unemployment rates might be much higher.
How to give back
I have seen people complain in letters to the editor when they let someone into traffic, and the person doesn't wave their thanks. To tell the truth, before I read these letters, it never occurred to me that it was expected, whether I was the giver or receiver of the favor. But now, I try to wave when someone lets me in (at least, as soon as it's safe to take my hand off the steering wheel). For myself, it is more important to me if I do people the favor of letting them in, that they pass it on to others.
On the way to my present work, there is an intersection where we are normally backed up both ways. My lane has the right of way, but is going very slowly. It is really nice to see that most of the people in my lane will let someone in from the side road.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Killing the organic goose?
Some Republican members of the U.S. Congress, acting at the food producers who want easy profits, are trying to make it lawful to label food "organic" when the food producer or farmer claims they can't get organic products to feed their animals, etc. They must have been ingesting too many pesticides. People won't be willing to pay those higher prices the producers crave if they buyers don't believe they are actually getting organic products.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
someone needs career counseling
Former FEMA Director Michael Brown is starting a disaster preparedness consulting firm. This is not a joke.
mickey
I found this out on a quiz program on public radio a few days ago.
What kind of unit of measure is a mickey? It is the smallest movement measurable by a computer mouse = 0.1 mm.
Being in mainframe computers for so long, I already knew a nibble is half a byte, i.e. a nibble = 4 bits.
What kind of unit of measure is a mickey? It is the smallest movement measurable by a computer mouse = 0.1 mm.
Being in mainframe computers for so long, I already knew a nibble is half a byte, i.e. a nibble = 4 bits.
non-nurturing culture
I have noticed that every article on job hunting says to network with friends and acquaintices, let them know you need a job. But I have found that if you do this, many people will put you down for not being positive, or for feeling sorry for yourself, etc.
Besides, if a person is in a situation that would cause them to feel sorry for another person in the same situation, why should they be faulted for feeling sorry for themselves?
Besides, if a person is in a situation that would cause them to feel sorry for another person in the same situation, why should they be faulted for feeling sorry for themselves?
Where to put abused children
I heard on NPR news a few days ago about programs to put abused children who have been removed from their families with relatives. It is said to be best for them. That may well be true in many, maybe most cases. But of course, these are the same families who raised the parents who abused their own children. So we cannot assume they will be the best place for the children.
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