Full conference discussion, including the President's opening remarks and the full Q&A afterward. The Q&A is well worth watching.
Run time: 86 minutes
Full transcript of the President's remarks
The President Holds an Open Discussion Across the Aisle
From The White House Blog. 2010, January 29.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Running barefoot turns out to be better for you
Apparently the modern running-shoe has only existed since the 1970s, but people have been running for the entirety of human existence. This study finds that barefoot running ends up being much better for your body and is not prone to repetitive action injuries. I'll certainly miss buying expensive shoes that only last 3-4 months of running. ;-)
Running barefoot is better, researchers find
Katherine Harmon (2010, January 27). Scientific American.
Running barefoot is better, researchers find
Katherine Harmon (2010, January 27). Scientific American.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Government Officials Ignorant on Supreme Court Ruling
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Monday, January 25, 2010
Supreme Court Decision Gives Power Foreign Companies
This is just a side comment on the whole issue of the Supreme Court legalizing companies to spend any amount of money on advertising and media programming to advocate their own political positions. First...I agree with a friend of mine who recently stated that they don't believe that most people in the United States are even aware of this decision...much less the implications of it.
But one of the things that makes this decision even more crazy is that people need to realize that many companies have foreign arms or heads. For example...Sony USA now has the legal right to give as much money as they choose to advertise a specific political agenda...but Sony USA answers to their company's head in Japan. So, basically now their influence has very direct inroads to the U.S. political system.
Americans need to ask themselves not only if it is a good thing that a non-person corporation have such sweeping influence over politics and people, but if it is good that foreign companies with U.S. subsidiaries...like British Petroleum (BP) from the U.K., or Celestica from Canada, Infosys from India, Scitex from Israel, Honda from Japan, SAP from Germany.....or any number of foreign companies operating in the United States, should have the right to advertise their political position to the masses concerning who people choose to elect in a public election of the citizens of the United States of America.
Decision may mean more foreign cash
Josh Gerstein (2010, Jan 21). Politico.
But one of the things that makes this decision even more crazy is that people need to realize that many companies have foreign arms or heads. For example...Sony USA now has the legal right to give as much money as they choose to advertise a specific political agenda...but Sony USA answers to their company's head in Japan. So, basically now their influence has very direct inroads to the U.S. political system.
Americans need to ask themselves not only if it is a good thing that a non-person corporation have such sweeping influence over politics and people, but if it is good that foreign companies with U.S. subsidiaries...like British Petroleum (BP) from the U.K., or Celestica from Canada, Infosys from India, Scitex from Israel, Honda from Japan, SAP from Germany.....or any number of foreign companies operating in the United States, should have the right to advertise their political position to the masses concerning who people choose to elect in a public election of the citizens of the United States of America.
Decision may mean more foreign cash
Josh Gerstein (2010, Jan 21). Politico.
Valuable information in the chaos
Just wanted to take a moment to clarify a couple things, since I spend a lot of time posting social and political commentary that I feel is particularly pointed or ridiculous. In that light I've been posting a lot of the commentary of Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann. Both of these people are considered extremely liberal by the conservative media. But the reason I post their videos is because those videos happen to accurately depict or comment about a problem or issue with the political or social landscape.
If Rush Limbaugh or Gretchen Carlson or Dick Morris would accurately depict the news in commentary, I would find it just as valid to link to their work. But equally, Maddow and Olbermann do not always represent reality either. For example, recently Keith Olbermann had a number of defamatory comments to say about Scott Brown, the new Senator in Massachusetts...of which I think most of those comments are baseless, regardless of what Brown's background or ability as a Senator may be.
So, the point is that in politics I'm looking for reason, and reasonable explanations for issues, as well as actual straight talk...and not double-standards. So, when certain Republicans talk about free-speech for the middle-class, but then legalize free-speech for a non-person (a corporation)...that is double-speak. It should be obvious that allowing a company to advertise about political issues has nothing to do with a middle-class individual's rights. Or take people who talk about health care legislation and refer to it as "Obamacare", even while Obama has no hand in authoring any of it...I'm less inclined to accept as authoritative much that those people say about health care reform. As a third example, when a politician just simply has his or her facts incorrect, as John McCain recently did talking about the one-way ticket of the "Underpants Bomber"...when in fact the ticket was a round-trip ticket...and gets angry when he is corrected, then I'm less likely to trust him on what he has to say about the situation considering that he is regurgitating inaccurate reporting from a news organization, and not sticking to the facts the the DHS actually has.
So...just looking for reason in the midst of the rhetoric and chaos. I can already hear many of you saying "good luck with that". :-) If my alternatives are to buy into punditry, to just not listen at all, or to listen and seek the truth...I'll pick that last choice.
If Rush Limbaugh or Gretchen Carlson or Dick Morris would accurately depict the news in commentary, I would find it just as valid to link to their work. But equally, Maddow and Olbermann do not always represent reality either. For example, recently Keith Olbermann had a number of defamatory comments to say about Scott Brown, the new Senator in Massachusetts...of which I think most of those comments are baseless, regardless of what Brown's background or ability as a Senator may be.
So, the point is that in politics I'm looking for reason, and reasonable explanations for issues, as well as actual straight talk...and not double-standards. So, when certain Republicans talk about free-speech for the middle-class, but then legalize free-speech for a non-person (a corporation)...that is double-speak. It should be obvious that allowing a company to advertise about political issues has nothing to do with a middle-class individual's rights. Or take people who talk about health care legislation and refer to it as "Obamacare", even while Obama has no hand in authoring any of it...I'm less inclined to accept as authoritative much that those people say about health care reform. As a third example, when a politician just simply has his or her facts incorrect, as John McCain recently did talking about the one-way ticket of the "Underpants Bomber"...when in fact the ticket was a round-trip ticket...and gets angry when he is corrected, then I'm less likely to trust him on what he has to say about the situation considering that he is regurgitating inaccurate reporting from a news organization, and not sticking to the facts the the DHS actually has.
So...just looking for reason in the midst of the rhetoric and chaos. I can already hear many of you saying "good luck with that". :-) If my alternatives are to buy into punditry, to just not listen at all, or to listen and seek the truth...I'll pick that last choice.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Conan O'Brien Gives Great Message on His Last Show
Conan O'Brien left the Tonight Show with class, and a good message for people's lives.
Catch his last show in its entirety at NBC.com:
http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/video/episodes/#vid=1196131
Catch his last show in its entirety at NBC.com:
http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/video/episodes/#vid=1196131
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Exit democracy, enter corporatocracy
Sorry for the three Keith Olbermann videos in a row, but I think that his commentary on the present concern over the issue is right on. The Supreme Court Judges have decided to support the "free speech" of non-persons (corporations), in that they can now spend any amount of money they choose on a campaign, candidate, or any advertising for them or any political issue.
People's complaints about those that govern is very often that they seem to be bought and sold by special interests. To date there have only been a couple-thousand political action committees (PACs). Now, corporations will have no reason to have them, and no oversight concerning how much money is spent promoting their 'special' political interests.
Here is the website that Rep. Alan Grayson mentions:
http://www.savedemocracy.net/
Further reading:
"When Corporations Rule the World"
David C. Korten (1995).
People's complaints about those that govern is very often that they seem to be bought and sold by special interests. To date there have only been a couple-thousand political action committees (PACs). Now, corporations will have no reason to have them, and no oversight concerning how much money is spent promoting their 'special' political interests.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Here is the website that Rep. Alan Grayson mentions:
http://www.savedemocracy.net/
Further reading:
"When Corporations Rule the World"
David C. Korten (1995).
Supreme Court makes politics even more dishonest
In a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Count overturned a long-standing limit on how much money a company could contribute for public election campaign advertisements. This is a complete affront to the citizens of the United States and their public elections. Corporations should have more restrictions concerning public elections, not less.
Is it clear yet that this 'incorporation' thing has gotten way out of hand?
US Supreme Court overturns campaign spending limit
BBC News (21 January 2010).
UPDATE:
The Pinocchio Project:
Watching as the Supreme Court turns a corporation into a real live boy.
Dahlia Lithwick (21 January 2010). Slate.
Explaining the Supreme Court on Campaign Finance
The Associated Press
Is it clear yet that this 'incorporation' thing has gotten way out of hand?
US Supreme Court overturns campaign spending limit
BBC News (21 January 2010).
UPDATE:
The Pinocchio Project:
Watching as the Supreme Court turns a corporation into a real live boy.
Dahlia Lithwick (21 January 2010). Slate.
Explaining the Supreme Court on Campaign Finance
The Associated Press
God Must Be Angry
With the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti and all the suffering it has caused, people ask what God is angry with those people about. This is the question that Pat Robertson sought to answer with his comments. I think that Robertson's response misrepresents the character of God, and would submit instead that God did not cause the earthquake there and that there is no 'lesson' to learn from the destruction...except for the merit or lack of merit of OUR OWN ACTION for the people of that nation now that the tragedy has occurred.
Greg Boyd from Woodland Hills in St. Paul, MN gives a good sermon about the problem of evil, considering situations like this one in Haiti:
"God Must Be Angry" - Greg Boyd, Woodland Hills Church, 8/22/2009
http://www.whchurch.org/
Greg Boyd from Woodland Hills in St. Paul, MN gives a good sermon about the problem of evil, considering situations like this one in Haiti:
God Must be Angry from WHChurch on Vimeo.
"God Must Be Angry" - Greg Boyd, Woodland Hills Church, 8/22/2009
http://www.whchurch.org/
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Massachusetts Senate Race Garbage
The Senate special election in Massachusetts is ridiculous, from the people running (on both sides) to the way it has been handled (on both sides). This election pretty much sums up how I feel about politics in general though, for the most part. So, enjoy!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Mass Backwards | ||||
| ||||
Martin Luther King Jr.
Perhaps should have posted this yesterday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but his words are applicable every day.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Monday, January 18, 2010
Help Haiti
There is still desperate need in Haiti. No one organization is able to take care of everything. There are not enough aid workers or doctors. Food and water are in short supply, and disease is a huge threat.
Please take a moment to see what things are like there at this moment. Many of the images are very graphic.
Haiti Six Days Later
Alan Taylor (18 January 2010). The Big Picture. The Boston Globe.
Please make a contribution to one of these organizations to help this impoverished nation in their time of need.
You can also give a donation to the American Red Cross via your iTunes Store account, or give $10 on your cell-phone bill by texting "Haiti" to 90999.
Please take a moment to see what things are like there at this moment. Many of the images are very graphic.Haiti Six Days Later
Alan Taylor (18 January 2010). The Big Picture. The Boston Globe.
Please make a contribution to one of these organizations to help this impoverished nation in their time of need.
- The American Red Cross
- Habitat for Humanity
- UNICEF
- Oxfam America
- World Vision
- The United Way
- Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
- Haiti for Christ
You can also give a donation to the American Red Cross via your iTunes Store account, or give $10 on your cell-phone bill by texting "Haiti" to 90999.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Robertson, Haiti, the Devil, and generational curses
Mr. Robertson...oh, how you do wonders for people's opinions of Christians. Perhaps you should shut up, as you misrepresent us.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Why is Wall Street getting bonuses?
Too good not to post.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Clusterf#@k to the Poor House - Wall Street Bonuses | ||||
| ||||
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Find Water Polluters Near You
A great many of our water supplies are polluted. Find out what water pollution violations there may be near you.
http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-waters/polluters
Here is why you should care:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water.html?_r=1
http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-waters/polluters
Here is why you should care:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water.html?_r=1
Friday, January 08, 2010
The Republican Trail to Nonsense-land
The pre-show is a few crazy things in national news concerning airports, airlines, and the TSA:
And on with the show...starting with Obama's press-conference about where the breakdown is letting the "Underpants Bomber" on a plane...software and a misspelling. And then discussion of the response of the GOP:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
And on with the show...starting with Obama's press-conference about where the breakdown is letting the "Underpants Bomber" on a plane...software and a misspelling. And then discussion of the response of the GOP:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Move your money to a community bank or credit union
Put your money back into your community. Remove all your money from banks like Citibank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Capital One, etc. Find a good, local, community bank or credit union:
http://moveyourmoney.info/
Encourage your community's economy and keep your money local.
http://moveyourmoney.info/
Encourage your community's economy and keep your money local.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Republicans and Conservative News Lie About Obama's Use of the Terms "Terror" and "War"
Perhaps the Republicans have been sleeping during this administration, or like unruly children been too busy yelling out things like "I object" or "You lie", instead of listening when the President was speaking.
Republican and conservative media criticism has been that it is the Obama Administration's policy to not use terms like "terrorist" or "terrorism" or "war" to describe conflict that the United States is engaged in, and how they could not trust a leader that didn't call these conflicts what they actually are.
The Republicans and conservative media are just completely wrong on this issue, as evidenced here:
Republican and conservative media criticism has been that it is the Obama Administration's policy to not use terms like "terrorist" or "terrorism" or "war" to describe conflict that the United States is engaged in, and how they could not trust a leader that didn't call these conflicts what they actually are.
The Republicans and conservative media are just completely wrong on this issue, as evidenced here:
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Keep those vampires out!
This is an issue we can all agree on. We need to keep the vampires out of the town!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Food Rules
My favorite line on this Daily Show clip is where Michael Pollan gives this advice about diet:
Enjoy the clip.
"Food Rules: An Eater's Manual" by Michael Pollan
One of the big things to avoid is food with high-fructose corn-syrup in your food...and for a number of reasons. For example, much of the high-fructose corn-syrup comes from genetically modified corn...usually corn that is technically classified a pesticide. Another big issue is how your body deals with high-fructose corn-syrup:
So, follow this Pollan's guideline here again...avoid "food-like" substances: high fructose corn syrup, aspartame (Nutri-Sweet), sucralose (Splenda...which is chlorocarbon, meaning that sucralose is a chlorinated sugar...which is a toxin), artificial colors and dyes in food, hydrogenated oils, etc. I've heard a number of nutritionists say that one can lose weight easily merely by removing these types of substances from their diets and their hidden calories, and then controlling portions.
Eat food. Avoid edible "food-like" substances.
Enjoy the clip.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Michael Pollan | ||||
| ||||
"Food Rules: An Eater's Manual" by Michael Pollan
One of the big things to avoid is food with high-fructose corn-syrup in your food...and for a number of reasons. For example, much of the high-fructose corn-syrup comes from genetically modified corn...usually corn that is technically classified a pesticide. Another big issue is how your body deals with high-fructose corn-syrup:
Gabe Mirkin, MD writes: "Several recent studies have shown that fructose is processed differently in the body than the far more common sugar, glucose (3,4). Glucose causes the pancreas to release insulin which drives sugar from the bloodstream into cells. Glucose causes fat cells to release leptin that makes you feel full so you eat less. Glucose prevents the stomach from releasing ghrelin that makes you hungry. On the other hand, fructose does not cause fat cells to release leptin and does not suppress ghrelin. This means that fructose increases hunger to make you eat more. Furthermore, the liver converts fructose far more readily to a body fat called triglyceride, than it does with glucose. High triglyceride levels raise blood levels of the bad LDL cholesterol and lower blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol, which increases heart attack risk." http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/3021.html
So, follow this Pollan's guideline here again...avoid "food-like" substances: high fructose corn syrup, aspartame (Nutri-Sweet), sucralose (Splenda...which is chlorocarbon, meaning that sucralose is a chlorinated sugar...which is a toxin), artificial colors and dyes in food, hydrogenated oils, etc. I've heard a number of nutritionists say that one can lose weight easily merely by removing these types of substances from their diets and their hidden calories, and then controlling portions.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Security failures and GOP responses
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Terror 2.0 by Yemen | ||||
| ||||
Health spending / life expectancy scatter
Something look wrong here to anyone?
from Samantha Cook's website, posting by Andrew Gelman:
http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~cook/movabletype/archives/2009/12/healthcare_spen.html
from Samantha Cook's website, posting by Andrew Gelman:
http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~cook/movabletype/archives/2009/12/healthcare_spen.html
Sunday, January 03, 2010
The Future of Food
I found a really interesting documentary about food production and genetic modification of foods. I think that there is a lot to be learned from this film, and a great deal that you will find that you didn't know about genetically modified foods and the practices of the companies that engineer them. I think that you will find that you will want to be more choosy about what foods you eat, and where they come from.
The film is 1 hour 29 minutes long.
Watch this film on Hulu.
Or watch it right in this window:
The film is 1 hour 29 minutes long.
Watch this film on Hulu.
Or watch it right in this window:
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Holiday attacks...from the GOP
It is a four-video morning. Yeah...it is a lot of video...but they are good. The GOP is using the media, and their warped vision of the past, to score points. And largely it works...hopefully only until facts are presented. Of course even that doesn't work with the crazies. But what is this all really about for the GOP? RE-ELECTION and MONEY.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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