FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Cobert vs spacemonster
explanation HERE
If it wasn't for Your tube, I wouldn't be able to see Cobert at all...
Cooking for engineers
The link is for shrimp scampi...
It's actually a discussion group where engineers analytically discuss how to cook.
LINK is a technical discussion on how to cook water...
It's actually a discussion group where engineers analytically discuss how to cook.
LINK is a technical discussion on how to cook water...
Hype, anyone?
While reading opinion essays on JWR, I ran into this
advertisement:
Global Poverty
Sign the ONE Declaration today. Make Poverty History!
www.WorldVision.org
RIGHT. Just sign a petition, and voila: Everybody's rich...
My opinion? Go to my screedblog to find out...
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Hyping embryonic stem cells is almost a crusade...Now a corporation has lied to get publicity (and investment capital) for their stem cell research, and some people ask: Why so many lies about embryonic stem cells and cloning research?
Link one
Linktwo
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I never saw the reason for the hype about Plamegate...well, here is Christopher Hitchens sardonic observations...
I like Hitchens...and always pray to Mother Teresa to heal him...
UPDATE: Wa Post agrees with Hitchens, and their editorial includes this scathing comment:
it now appears that the person most responsible for the end of Ms. Plame's CIA career is Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson chose to go public with an explosive charge, claiming -- falsely, as it turned out -- that he had debunked reports of Iraqi uranium-shopping in Niger and that his report had circulated to senior administration officials. He ought to have expected that both those officials and journalists such as Mr. Novak would ask why a retired ambassador would have been sent on such a mission and that the answer would point to his wife. He diverted responsibility from himself and his false charges by claiming that President Bush's closest aides had engaged in an illegal conspiracy. It's unfortunate that so many people took him seriously.
------------------------------------------------
and finally, ManoloBlog covers the Emmys... and wonders why the hype...
Botox angels anyone?
advertisement:
Global Poverty
Sign the ONE Declaration today. Make Poverty History!
www.WorldVision.org
RIGHT. Just sign a petition, and voila: Everybody's rich...
My opinion? Go to my screedblog to find out...
----------------------------------
Hyping embryonic stem cells is almost a crusade...Now a corporation has lied to get publicity (and investment capital) for their stem cell research, and some people ask: Why so many lies about embryonic stem cells and cloning research?
Link one
Linktwo
---------------------------------------------------------
I never saw the reason for the hype about Plamegate...well, here is Christopher Hitchens sardonic observations...
I like Hitchens...and always pray to Mother Teresa to heal him...
UPDATE: Wa Post agrees with Hitchens, and their editorial includes this scathing comment:
it now appears that the person most responsible for the end of Ms. Plame's CIA career is Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson chose to go public with an explosive charge, claiming -- falsely, as it turned out -- that he had debunked reports of Iraqi uranium-shopping in Niger and that his report had circulated to senior administration officials. He ought to have expected that both those officials and journalists such as Mr. Novak would ask why a retired ambassador would have been sent on such a mission and that the answer would point to his wife. He diverted responsibility from himself and his false charges by claiming that President Bush's closest aides had engaged in an illegal conspiracy. It's unfortunate that so many people took him seriously.
------------------------------------------------
and finally, ManoloBlog covers the Emmys... and wonders why the hype...
Botox angels anyone?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Whoops....I forgot (AKA Deficient Noun Disease)
TeapotTantrumsBlog writes about a well known syndrome found in busy moms: DND, aka Deficient Noun disease:
"...:Deficient Noun Disease (DND) is a common affliction among mothers of small children (older children too). While not a dangerous illness, DND is an exasperating and frustrating one which increases in severity in direct proportion to the number of children in the household.
Common symptoms of DND include the following: Calling children by each other's names, forgetting the proper names for common household objects, and casually referring to other adults not as "John and Jane" but as "those people with the pool who barbecue every Friday." ...
Go to link and enjoy...
"...:Deficient Noun Disease (DND) is a common affliction among mothers of small children (older children too). While not a dangerous illness, DND is an exasperating and frustrating one which increases in severity in direct proportion to the number of children in the household.
Common symptoms of DND include the following: Calling children by each other's names, forgetting the proper names for common household objects, and casually referring to other adults not as "John and Jane" but as "those people with the pool who barbecue every Friday." ...
Go to link and enjoy...
Quiet stories of the day
TCS notes the politics behind the DDT ban that has led to the deaths of thousands to protect a few bird...Link
And the BBC4 will be talking to bloggers including Lileks and Instapundit, in a series starting in Sept...LINK
While catching up on my podcast listening, I ran across this gem Garrison Keiller reciting a poem by John Cianti about...doggiepoop...(scroll down to Wed)....
And above all the politicization of Katrina, an essay here about the difference between the media and reality:
as I traveled New Orleans neighborhoods that had stood in the path of Katrina's monumental levee breaks. What struck me about the area was its eerie silence, a natural consequence of communities completely emptied by the flood waters - and still desolate months after the storm.
And the BBC4 will be talking to bloggers including Lileks and Instapundit, in a series starting in Sept...LINK
While catching up on my podcast listening, I ran across this gem Garrison Keiller reciting a poem by John Cianti about...doggiepoop...(scroll down to Wed)....
And above all the politicization of Katrina, an essay here about the difference between the media and reality:
as I traveled New Orleans neighborhoods that had stood in the path of Katrina's monumental levee breaks. What struck me about the area was its eerie silence, a natural consequence of communities completely emptied by the flood waters - and still desolate months after the storm.
It's the kind of quiet not easily conveyed on cable news channels...And although journalism is frequently derided for its embrace of mindless repetition, the industry's understandable desire for what is new and interesting has not inclined it to capture the frequent monotony of existence in post-Katrina New Orleans.
Ironically, this is the same thing that I am hearing on a lecture about post disaster recovery on my Family Practice Audiodigest...that much of the anguish is the loss of the ordinary things around one, and much of the early euphoria that one is still alive is followed much later by depression, blaming, and inaction of a person who lacks the landmarks and human relationships of the predisaster life...Family News
We've had blackouts on and off for the last two days. We run the generator, but alas when the workmen are welding, it's not strong enough to run our aircon, so I've been flat with the heat.
This is the reason I bought my own generator, but with the building, they "stored" it in the back and I can't use it.
I'm ready to go to the farm to relax. They have brownouts, but since it is located on a hill, it gets lots of wind, and it's not too hot right now. Also, I can't go outside here with the construction dust (I have asthma) so it's like being in a prison, and I'm in a foul mood.
So the email from Col. Updraft is a welcome cheer for me.
Lolo however is okay. And everyone else is busy with tradefairs selling our rice. We are expanding selling to a few supermarkets, so that is good news for both us and the local farmers who supply us with raw rice....since it is a "gormet" or "health" type brown rice (not as bitter as old fashioned brown rice due to special milling techniques) the price is better.
This is the reason I bought my own generator, but with the building, they "stored" it in the back and I can't use it.
I'm ready to go to the farm to relax. They have brownouts, but since it is located on a hill, it gets lots of wind, and it's not too hot right now. Also, I can't go outside here with the construction dust (I have asthma) so it's like being in a prison, and I'm in a foul mood.
So the email from Col. Updraft is a welcome cheer for me.
Lolo however is okay. And everyone else is busy with tradefairs selling our rice. We are expanding selling to a few supermarkets, so that is good news for both us and the local farmers who supply us with raw rice....since it is a "gormet" or "health" type brown rice (not as bitter as old fashioned brown rice due to special milling techniques) the price is better.
The Positive side of life
THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE:
Living on Earth is expensive,
but it does include a free trip
around the sun every year.
How long a minute is
depends on what side of the
bathroom door you're on.
Birthdays are good for you;
the more you have,
the longer you live.
Happiness comes through doors you
didn't even know you left open.
Ever notice that the people who are late
are often much jollier
than the people who have to wait for them?
Most of us go to our grave
with our music still inside of us.
If WalMart is lowering prices every day,
how come nothing is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world,
but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun
to only make once.
Don't cry because it's over;
smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons:
some are sharp, some are pretty,
some are dull, some have weird names,
and all are different colours....but
they all exist very nicely in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who
can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Have an awesome day, and
know that someone
who thinks you're great
has thought about you today!..
"And that person was me."...
----Your email of the day from Col. Updraft
Living on Earth is expensive,
but it does include a free trip
around the sun every year.
How long a minute is
depends on what side of the
bathroom door you're on.
Birthdays are good for you;
the more you have,
the longer you live.
Happiness comes through doors you
didn't even know you left open.
Ever notice that the people who are late
are often much jollier
than the people who have to wait for them?
Most of us go to our grave
with our music still inside of us.
If WalMart is lowering prices every day,
how come nothing is free yet?
You may be only one person in the world,
but you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun
to only make once.
Don't cry because it's over;
smile because it happened.
We could learn a lot from crayons:
some are sharp, some are pretty,
some are dull, some have weird names,
and all are different colours....but
they all exist very nicely in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who
can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Have an awesome day, and
know that someone
who thinks you're great
has thought about you today!..
"And that person was me."...
----Your email of the day from Col. Updraft
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
one year later: The heroes of Katrina
The weather channel is busy with tornadoes, and hurricane Ernesto.
But Mike Bettes also takes time to remember those who saved lives during Katrina...
The first day I arrived in Long Beach, Mississippi I was talking to some search and rescue crews about being there. They were from Utah and Pennsylvania. They had worked non-stop since the hurricane struck 3 days earlier. The work they did was heroic and tragic at the same time. They worked from sunrise to sunset, going house to house with rescue dogs looking for any sign of life. They were noticeably exhausted but determined to do their job. The grim truth about it was that although they were putting on a good face they never found any survivors. They are all trained to work under the most grueling physical and emotional conditions, but I could tell that Katrina really affected them, as it did all of us. I spent the next five days in Long Beach. I will remember those 5 days for the rest of my life. I'll remember the rescue workers the most. Even though they didn't find any survivors I think just knowing that they were there, gave the families some comfort.
But Mike Bettes also takes time to remember those who saved lives during Katrina...
The first day I arrived in Long Beach, Mississippi I was talking to some search and rescue crews about being there. They were from Utah and Pennsylvania. They had worked non-stop since the hurricane struck 3 days earlier. The work they did was heroic and tragic at the same time. They worked from sunrise to sunset, going house to house with rescue dogs looking for any sign of life. They were noticeably exhausted but determined to do their job. The grim truth about it was that although they were putting on a good face they never found any survivors. They are all trained to work under the most grueling physical and emotional conditions, but I could tell that Katrina really affected them, as it did all of us. I spent the next five days in Long Beach. I will remember those 5 days for the rest of my life. I'll remember the rescue workers the most. Even though they didn't find any survivors I think just knowing that they were there, gave the families some comfort.
the Stockholm syndrome
Vienna, Austria (AHN) - An Austrian teenager who was abducted eight years ago at the age of ten and kept in an underground cell called her kidnapper "part of my life" and said he was always kind to her. LINK
“We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint. Don’t get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it.” link
We docs see the Stockholm syndrome all the time in abused wives and children...and it is frustrating to us when we see the women return again and again to an abusive spouse, explaining to us that they "love" him...
From LINK
---------------
The problem with the press covering both the kidnapped teen and the kidnapped reproters is that some of the articles/reports take the victim's statements at face value, as if the statements were true, without noting that "reality" has been distorted in the victims by terror and psychological manipulation...
------------------------------------
Aug 30: Several psychiatrists discuss the stockholm syndrome HERE at SanitySquad
“We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint. Don’t get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it.” link
We docs see the Stockholm syndrome all the time in abused wives and children...and it is frustrating to us when we see the women return again and again to an abusive spouse, explaining to us that they "love" him...
From LINK
Every syndrome has symptoms or behaviors and Stockholm Syndrome is no exception. While a clear-cut list has not been established due to varying opinions by researchers and experts, several of these features will be present:
- Positive feelings by the victim toward the abuser/controller
- Negative feelings by the victim toward family, friends, or authorities trying to rescue/support them or win their release
- Support of the abuser's reasons and behaviors
- Positive feelings by the abuser toward the victim
- Supportive behaviors by the victim, at times helping the abuser
- Inability to engage in behaviors that may assist in their release or detachment
- The presence of a perceived threat to one's physical or psychological survival and the belief that the abuser would carry out the threat
- The presence of a perceived small kindness from the abuser to the victim
- Isolation from perspectives other than those of the abuser
- The perceived inability to escape the situation
---------------
The problem with the press covering both the kidnapped teen and the kidnapped reproters is that some of the articles/reports take the victim's statements at face value, as if the statements were true, without noting that "reality" has been distorted in the victims by terror and psychological manipulation...
------------------------------------
Aug 30: Several psychiatrists discuss the stockholm syndrome HERE at SanitySquad
Monday, August 28, 2006
Cowslippers
and what could be more relaxing than sitting around your barnyard wearing home made cow slippers....
Link is to patter, via Michael's craftshop...
Indonesia halts execution of Christians
CosmosliturgysexBlog reports that the Christians accused of terrorism in Indonesia will not be executed (for now)....
But points out this little overlooked fact:
But points out this little overlooked fact:
“One of the most amazing aspects of this case is that in attacks from 1998 to 2003, there were approximately 10,000 Christians murdered, 1,000 churches burned down and 80,000 homes burned down. In that orgy of violence directed against Christians, the only individuals the government chose to convict were these three [Christian] men. This is quite alarming especially considering all the indications that local and regional government officials aided and abetted these attacks against Christians.”
The attacks were by the “Laskar Jihad” who vowed to “to sweep ALL christians out of the area”...Sulawesi Island
This group was founded by LINK
Jafar Umar Thalib, who studied in Pakistan and fought with the mujahidin in Afghanistan in the late 1980s. Jafar admits to having met Osama bin Laden there but dismisses him saying the al Qaeda chief "knew nothing about true religion". ...Between May 2000 to December 2001 an estimated 10,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands had to flee their towns as Laskar Jihad burnt indigenous Melanesian Churches and communities in Ambon and other Moluccas islands as well as Christian communities in Sulawesi. A video of the group being welcome to Ambon by Indonesian authorities was later joined by allegations of murdered, torture, forced conversion to Islam, and forced circumcision. During 2001 and 2002 Laskar Jihad began to expand its activities sending militants to the provinces of Aceh and Papua, at opposite ends of the country.
Note: Papua is 78% Christian...and used to be called Dutch New Guinea...
Although the group after the Bali bombing in October 2002 announced it was disbanding, during 2003 it requested the Indonesian government provide office space in Papua. In May 2003 reports smuggled out of Papua claimed fire and machete had been used to destroy ten townships, their food gardens and live stock sending the surviving women and children into jungle hidding from Indonesian forces.
In case you are wondering what that is about, it's probably about the oil and gas...LINK
So the Indo gov't is supporting ethnic Indos to settle there...and this is stirring up a local independence movement...
And LINK says they get a lot of support from the Indo army and Islamic charities...
Video footage of an alleged Laskar Jihad training camp was broadcast in May 2005, and during June 2006 witness statements were gathered concerning three jihad training camps with 2500 troops allegedly training with TNI assistance near the PNG border.
Note: Melanesians and Papua...that means New Guinea...where people are not Indo/malaysian Muslims but black skined Melanesians who are largely Christian...racism, anyone?
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Hello kitty....got eaten
Actually, I was surfing Hello Kitty and found that her parent company makes animatronics...like giant dinosaurs and giant insects...
oh yes, they also have human looking robots...
"This robot has developed to recreate the human-like natural yet charming expressions with high functionalities retained.
Emphasizes on its own realistic presence with smooth gestures.
It has news hooks and high eye-catching effects. It can be utilized to play active part for many occasions as a chairperson with fluent narrations and booth bunny."
Heidi Fleisch, call your office, there is a new girl in town...
Rapunzel update number four
Rapunzel is my name for the Pinay housemaids locked up in Lebanon so they wouldn't leave their employers when things got dangerous...two died jumping out windows, and at least three others were injured doing this.
Well, the government now is going to investigate the abuse of maids.
A total of 5,696 OFWs have been repatriated from Lebanon...(since) July 23...the DoH said 377 OFWs had been debriefed, including 14 who claimed to have been sexually abused by their employers.Also, at least 80 percent claimed to have been abused physically or orally and deprived of food, and 20 percent said they were locked up during the war. Most of them, or 80 percent, experienced delayed or non-payment of salaries.
Now, since there were an estimated 30 000 Pinoys in Lebanon, the percentage might be higher in those who used the war to flee home. However, it is also possible that some of those who did not seek to return home were prevented from doing so by their employers...
Philippine center for investigative Journalism link
Human rights watch report on abuse of domestic workers
And, of course, it makes one wonder: If a similar survey was done of others working as maids in the Middle East, would a survey pick up a similar high level of abuse? The HRW report suggests it is so...and not just for Philippine citizens, but for Indonesians, Indians, Bengalis etc. who similarly feel such work is the only way to support their families...
Well, the government now is going to investigate the abuse of maids.
A total of 5,696 OFWs have been repatriated from Lebanon...(since) July 23...the DoH said 377 OFWs had been debriefed, including 14 who claimed to have been sexually abused by their employers.Also, at least 80 percent claimed to have been abused physically or orally and deprived of food, and 20 percent said they were locked up during the war. Most of them, or 80 percent, experienced delayed or non-payment of salaries.
Now, since there were an estimated 30 000 Pinoys in Lebanon, the percentage might be higher in those who used the war to flee home. However, it is also possible that some of those who did not seek to return home were prevented from doing so by their employers...
Philippine center for investigative Journalism link
Human rights watch report on abuse of domestic workers
And, of course, it makes one wonder: If a similar survey was done of others working as maids in the Middle East, would a survey pick up a similar high level of abuse? The HRW report suggests it is so...and not just for Philippine citizens, but for Indonesians, Indians, Bengalis etc. who similarly feel such work is the only way to support their families...
Saturday, August 26, 2006
The day the earth fell over
Did the earth flip 800 000 years ago? We report, you decide...and for related stories:
Turtles?
Looking for eyedrops for the special Turtle in your life?
How about buying some freeze dried crickets for a special treat?
How about a vibrating food dish, so the Turtle thinks that his dry food is actually a live insect?
Well look no furthur...
How about buying some freeze dried crickets for a special treat?
How about a vibrating food dish, so the Turtle thinks that his dry food is actually a live insect?
Well look no furthur...
Air Force video
Check it out.
One short film is about responders from Minot ND to help with Katrina rescue.
Another is about practicing for a "dirty bomb" explosion...
and down on number six: American Idol....
One short film is about responders from Minot ND to help with Katrina rescue.
Another is about practicing for a "dirty bomb" explosion...
and down on number six: American Idol....
No wonder
So THAT's my problem...My touchpad keeps freezing...I have to go to delete and remove a file every time I boot it...
ON the other hand, Apple notebooks, like Dells, also have exploding batteries..
Misc headlines.
13 cases of Bubonic plagues so far this year in the US...
-------------------------
Nino Acquino's patron is El Nino...Jesus as a child...here is an essay the discusses the santo Nino and the Philippine psyche LINK
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And the latest four letter word? MEOW
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Nino Acquino's patron is El Nino...Jesus as a child...here is an essay the discusses the santo Nino and the Philippine psyche LINK
---------------------
And the latest four letter word? MEOW
The dirty little secret of Plan B
If you read the press, the "plan B" for pregnancy prevention is either
A) The greatest invention since sliced bread, or
B) killing babies, oh my...
I'm a bit cynical about the ideological wars over Plan B, which stops ovulation and fertilization, although it can stop a fertilized egg from implanting (only the third scenerio is "abortifactant")...
But from a practical standpoint, the antinatal activists ignore a couple dirty little secrets about taking it:
One: Nausea and vomiting...so how many women who are so careless they can't use contraceptives will take the pills correctly: i.e. bother to go to the pharmacy, take them within two days, and take them on schedule and will continue to take them even though they are throwing their guts out?
Two: If you are already pregnant, you are taking medication that can malform your growing baby. So these women will be "advised" to abort the child. (in rape cases, we check a pregnancy test before we give the pill).
Three: it lowers the pregnancy rate by 75% (NOT 100 percent) when take CORRECTLY...LINK
This study divides three groups of well organized women...one group was given the pills to keep at home to take as needed, one group got it at the clinic, and one group didn't use any plan b...and guess what?
Those doing the study claim that those who keep Plan B pills at home for back up have no more unprotected intercourse than those who are on birth control but don't use it, or those who went to the clinic to get it...but when you get to the actual numbers, it shows that 37.5% of participants reported having unprotected intercourse..... but 54.9% of women who had the pills already in their medicine cabinet admitted that they used Plan B for unprotected intercourse.....
Silly me...I would think that 54 is statistically higher than 37...
ironically, the article also claims No difference in pregnancy rate, or STD rate between those who had Plan B on hand, those who had to go to the clinic for plan B, and those who never used plan B...
What's wrong with this picture?
A) The greatest invention since sliced bread, or
B) killing babies, oh my...
I'm a bit cynical about the ideological wars over Plan B, which stops ovulation and fertilization, although it can stop a fertilized egg from implanting (only the third scenerio is "abortifactant")...
But from a practical standpoint, the antinatal activists ignore a couple dirty little secrets about taking it:
One: Nausea and vomiting...so how many women who are so careless they can't use contraceptives will take the pills correctly: i.e. bother to go to the pharmacy, take them within two days, and take them on schedule and will continue to take them even though they are throwing their guts out?
Two: If you are already pregnant, you are taking medication that can malform your growing baby. So these women will be "advised" to abort the child. (in rape cases, we check a pregnancy test before we give the pill).
Three: it lowers the pregnancy rate by 75% (NOT 100 percent) when take CORRECTLY...LINK
This study divides three groups of well organized women...one group was given the pills to keep at home to take as needed, one group got it at the clinic, and one group didn't use any plan b...and guess what?
Those doing the study claim that those who keep Plan B pills at home for back up have no more unprotected intercourse than those who are on birth control but don't use it, or those who went to the clinic to get it...but when you get to the actual numbers, it shows that 37.5% of participants reported having unprotected intercourse..... but 54.9% of women who had the pills already in their medicine cabinet admitted that they used Plan B for unprotected intercourse.....
Silly me...I would think that 54 is statistically higher than 37...
ironically, the article also claims No difference in pregnancy rate, or STD rate between those who had Plan B on hand, those who had to go to the clinic for plan B, and those who never used plan B...
What's wrong with this picture?
Attention reporters: a little more cynicism please
Was the "ethical stem cell" story of a few days ago merely hype, and worse, blatently untrue? link
KJLopez notes "Two recent papers published in top scientific journals suggested that there might well be ethical ways to produce stem cells that would be a genetic match for patients. A third paper, about a different method of producing stem cells, leaves important ethical concerns unmet and would not result in stem cells genetically matched to anyone. Yet the first two papers have received little attention, and the third has been all over the news. The difference? The third paper was the product of Advanced Cell Technology, a commercial firm with a publicity apparatus....."
=============================----------------------------
And in the WSJ, Taheri (an ex Iranian newspaperman) insists: "Having lost more than 500 of its fighters, and with almost all of its medium-range missiles destroyed, Hezbollah may find it hard to sustain its claim of victory. "Hezbollah won the propaganda war because many in the West wanted it to win as a means of settling score with the United States," says Egyptian columnist Ali al-Ibrahim. "But the Arabs have become wise enough to know TV victory from real victory.""
==================================================
As a child, I remember reading in a "girl's" novel about a nurse where her boyfriend wrote that "despite the propaganda, I believe there are good reasons to fight the war"... the book was written in 1943, and he was talking about World War II.
That's why I found THIS LINK interesting...Alastair Cooke's new book reminds us of "morale" problems on the home front of WWII....
Here is Mark Steyn's review of the book...
KJLopez notes "Two recent papers published in top scientific journals suggested that there might well be ethical ways to produce stem cells that would be a genetic match for patients. A third paper, about a different method of producing stem cells, leaves important ethical concerns unmet and would not result in stem cells genetically matched to anyone. Yet the first two papers have received little attention, and the third has been all over the news. The difference? The third paper was the product of Advanced Cell Technology, a commercial firm with a publicity apparatus....."
=============================----------------------------
And in the WSJ, Taheri (an ex Iranian newspaperman) insists: "Having lost more than 500 of its fighters, and with almost all of its medium-range missiles destroyed, Hezbollah may find it hard to sustain its claim of victory. "Hezbollah won the propaganda war because many in the West wanted it to win as a means of settling score with the United States," says Egyptian columnist Ali al-Ibrahim. "But the Arabs have become wise enough to know TV victory from real victory.""
==================================================
As a child, I remember reading in a "girl's" novel about a nurse where her boyfriend wrote that "despite the propaganda, I believe there are good reasons to fight the war"... the book was written in 1943, and he was talking about World War II.
That's why I found THIS LINK interesting...Alastair Cooke's new book reminds us of "morale" problems on the home front of WWII....
Here is Mark Steyn's review of the book...
Friday, August 25, 2006
Family News
Today is the last day of the "tsinalis festival" i.e. Sandals festival.
It is the day of the big Parade...
Chano is one of the judges of best tsinalis design. Ruby and the other school kids have their posters up. There are ten foot speakers in the center square, so it looks like another dance.
I will post photos later. I'm still looking for my Clio driver software to download photos from my palmpocket. So I asked Chano to take photos with his camera, and will post them later.
It is the day of the big Parade...
Chano is one of the judges of best tsinalis design. Ruby and the other school kids have their posters up. There are ten foot speakers in the center square, so it looks like another dance.
I will post photos later. I'm still looking for my Clio driver software to download photos from my palmpocket. So I asked Chano to take photos with his camera, and will post them later.
Slander, calumny and lies
I didn't see it on CNNI, but several Asian papers covered the claim of a doctor who said he saw bodies killed by Israeli "chemical weapons".
But to a doctor, the description suggested something different: people who died from a nearby fire, and died of heat and fumes. (I won't go into the gory details, except to say I've seen bodies that fit the description...)..so why did this doctor make the claim? Ignorance? or was he lying? And why didn't the press question his statements?
Well, now a German newssite checked for chemical residue in tissue samples, and found none. the "blackened" bodies were caused by smoke.
Video link HERE
---------------------------------
And in a related matter, EUReferendumblog has the story on how Hizbollah "spun" the accidental bombing of civilians in Qana.LINK
But to a doctor, the description suggested something different: people who died from a nearby fire, and died of heat and fumes. (I won't go into the gory details, except to say I've seen bodies that fit the description...)..so why did this doctor make the claim? Ignorance? or was he lying? And why didn't the press question his statements?
Well, now a German newssite checked for chemical residue in tissue samples, and found none. the "blackened" bodies were caused by smoke.
Video link HERE
---------------------------------
And in a related matter, EUReferendumblog has the story on how Hizbollah "spun" the accidental bombing of civilians in Qana.LINK
Bubba the Grouper, RIP
The 154-pound "super grouper" was abandoned at the Chicago aquarium in 1987, left at the reception desk in a bucket. Shedd officials nursed the fish — then a she — to health and put her in a tank. Bubba changed gender in the mid-1990s, which is not uncommon for certain kinds of fish.
Bubba was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, and two years later, Shedd officials took the unprecedented step of administering chemotherapy.Cancer survivors, particularly children, were inspired by Bubba's story of resilience...
The Singing Neanderthals
A great name for a rock group (to quote Dave Barry)
and if you are interested, FREEPERS have more links
and if you are interested, FREEPERS have more links
Computer trivia
Techrepublic has an article on Windows Vista...
The beta was released...and you can pick up a pirated version of it in the Palenke for 200 pesos ($4)...those Chinese pirates are really efficient...
And, if you are tired of your old browser, try downloading Little Twin Star Browser....
The beta was released...and you can pick up a pirated version of it in the Palenke for 200 pesos ($4)...those Chinese pirates are really efficient...
And, if you are tired of your old browser, try downloading Little Twin Star Browser....
Thursday, August 24, 2006
The Prarie Home companion reads Virgil
segment four.
Headsup from MyspaceVirgel but don't click his link unless you like Roman hillbilly music
And I ran across Garrison Keillor writing on writing here
and like the previous link, you can LISTEN TO IT ON LINE...on demand.
Archive HERE
Headsup from MyspaceVirgel but don't click his link unless you like Roman hillbilly music
And I ran across Garrison Keillor writing on writing here
and like the previous link, you can LISTEN TO IT ON LINE...on demand.
Archive HERE
"ethical" stem cell lines created
BBC reports they are now able to take stem cells from embryos without killing them, so they are ethical. This is good news
Two problems with the story.
One: "ETHICAL" is in quotation marks.
Two: there are plenty of "ethical" stem cells, from bone marrow, from fat, from umbillical cord blood and umbillical cords, etc.
And adult stem cells are already being used to cure people.
LINK
Science News article here
Two problems with the story.
One: "ETHICAL" is in quotation marks.
Two: there are plenty of "ethical" stem cells, from bone marrow, from fat, from umbillical cord blood and umbillical cords, etc.
And adult stem cells are already being used to cure people.
LINK
Science News article here
Are you part Neanderthal?
Plagnol says different parts of the genome have different ancestry, so an individual could have a fraction of a certain chromosome that is inherited from a Neanderthal, but then possess "very typical Homo sapiens mtDNA".
The scientists are not certain which early human group could have contributed to West African DNA, but both Europeans and Africans in the study showed about the same 5% archaic contribution.
Freeper discussion, complete with photo of Raquel Welsh, has other links.
The "gods,graves,glyphs" pings on Free Republic are usually interesting...but since FR is blocked at work as a political site, you might not want to open the link.
The scientists are not certain which early human group could have contributed to West African DNA, but both Europeans and Africans in the study showed about the same 5% archaic contribution.
Freeper discussion, complete with photo of Raquel Welsh, has other links.
The "gods,graves,glyphs" pings on Free Republic are usually interesting...but since FR is blocked at work as a political site, you might not want to open the link.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The Joy of shoes
Manoloblog pointed us to this link...
As noted before, we are having our sandal festival...and I actually found it men tioned in a sandal blog here...hmmm...probably a friend of Bryanboy's...
As noted before, we are having our sandal festival...and I actually found it men tioned in a sandal blog here...hmmm...probably a friend of Bryanboy's...
Attention Spies
Tired of eating that high fiber, bland tasting paper to destroy evidence?
Well, here's the link for you: Edible Memo Pads.
Computer cat feeder
Hint from Ursi
Go to link
Turn up speakers
Click on exclamation point after Yahoo...
------------------------
And she also has a link to How to tie a turban
However, they are only SIKH turbans, not Islamic turbans...
For women LINK about how to wrap a sari is fascinating...and includes links to alternative ways to wrap...This sari shop has instruction on classic saris, and sells them...
Here in the Philippines, we have beautiful dresses, but the "everyday" wear outside of shops and parties is shorts or jeans and a teeshirt...
Turn up speakers
Click on exclamation point after Yahoo...
------------------------
And she also has a link to How to tie a turban
However, they are only SIKH turbans, not Islamic turbans...
For women LINK about how to wrap a sari is fascinating...and includes links to alternative ways to wrap...This sari shop has instruction on classic saris, and sells them...
Here in the Philippines, we have beautiful dresses, but the "everyday" wear outside of shops and parties is shorts or jeans and a teeshirt...
Tolkien lecture: The Language of Beauty
Peter Kreeft has a new lecture on the beauty of language and Lord of the Rings.
I am not an artist, but one of the problems of the modern arts is that the avant gard type is politicized, so that artists see their calling as one to shock people, not to proclaim beauty. Lileks ironic essay on this is HERE
People have been complaining about modern art since that hack Marcel Duchamp hung some bathroom plumbing and called it sculpture.... These are the values of the West? We must pay for this, and you call it freedom?
Good question. What is Western culture all about these days, anyway? Little but narcissism, lassitude, sneers and muted despair, it seems. No, correct that; it's European/U.S. elite culture that seems unmoored. Standard lowbrow American culture is quite clear about what it likes: snakes on planes, loud cars going around in circles with the occasional airborne detour into the stands, high-quality TV shows, mediocre pop music, naked people without the whole arty pig thing.
Yet beauty is all around us...as a daily check on Ursi will show...
One of her links today is HERE
Enjoy!
I am not an artist, but one of the problems of the modern arts is that the avant gard type is politicized, so that artists see their calling as one to shock people, not to proclaim beauty. Lileks ironic essay on this is HERE
People have been complaining about modern art since that hack Marcel Duchamp hung some bathroom plumbing and called it sculpture.... These are the values of the West? We must pay for this, and you call it freedom?
Good question. What is Western culture all about these days, anyway? Little but narcissism, lassitude, sneers and muted despair, it seems. No, correct that; it's European/U.S. elite culture that seems unmoored. Standard lowbrow American culture is quite clear about what it likes: snakes on planes, loud cars going around in circles with the occasional airborne detour into the stands, high-quality TV shows, mediocre pop music, naked people without the whole arty pig thing.
Yet beauty is all around us...as a daily check on Ursi will show...
One of her links today is HERE
Enjoy!
Snakes on a plane: Suggested Sequels
Bunnies on a gurney?
Yaks on a Yacht?
Puppies on a Pirate Ship?
Llamas on a Limo?
We report...you decide
Yaks on a Yacht?
Puppies on a Pirate Ship?
Llamas on a Limo?
We report...you decide
Killings in the Philipines
LINK2
Summary: GMA is trying to clean up the NPA.
Killings are blamed on both sides...
But farmers killed who back the NPA were probably killed by government hit squads. Some ex communists were probably killed by the NPA.
And then there are the soldiers, mayors and barangay leaders assasinated by the NPA...
And then we have people like my nephew, killed by an NPA hitman who was hired to kill the owner of the cockpit, and was probably hired by a rival businessman...
This "fuzzyness" in murder explains "amoks" like the son who killed two barangay leaders at his father's wake...
The talk tv seems to think a new commission will be a whitewash...given the confusion and complexity, one sees little hope for justice...
And before Americans point fingers, think of all of this as the war on drugs. How many pushers go to jail while the kingpins continue to kill and the banks that cooperate with the laundering of drug money hob nob with politicians?
Oh well...we might have to be inspected by the Army when we visit our farm, but in a nearby area the push means that maybe the roads will be fixed...link
Summary: GMA is trying to clean up the NPA.
Killings are blamed on both sides...
But farmers killed who back the NPA were probably killed by government hit squads. Some ex communists were probably killed by the NPA.
And then there are the soldiers, mayors and barangay leaders assasinated by the NPA...
And then we have people like my nephew, killed by an NPA hitman who was hired to kill the owner of the cockpit, and was probably hired by a rival businessman...
This "fuzzyness" in murder explains "amoks" like the son who killed two barangay leaders at his father's wake...
The talk tv seems to think a new commission will be a whitewash...given the confusion and complexity, one sees little hope for justice...
And before Americans point fingers, think of all of this as the war on drugs. How many pushers go to jail while the kingpins continue to kill and the banks that cooperate with the laundering of drug money hob nob with politicians?
Oh well...we might have to be inspected by the Army when we visit our farm, but in a nearby area the push means that maybe the roads will be fixed...link
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Hairdressers to the rescue
The oil spill has reached Panay...and to help them clean it up, Hairdressers to the rescue!
"....In Manila, the owner of a chain of hair salons has ordered all his 200 branches and franchises nationwide to collect customer’s hair after learning from international environmental group Greenpeace that human hair can prove valuable in containing the oil...."
Another link HERE
"....In Manila, the owner of a chain of hair salons has ordered all his 200 branches and franchises nationwide to collect customer’s hair after learning from international environmental group Greenpeace that human hair can prove valuable in containing the oil...."
Another link HERE
Reporters under fire
Here in the Philippines, reporters know that they risk their lives to report certain things.
And one of the undercovered stories about the recent war in Lebanon was revealed on CNN reliable sources tvshow when the reporter admitted he was monitored by Hizbollah, who had his passport...
I pay for the CSMonitor, so am following this story about Jill Carroll, who was held hostage...
And now, two Fox reporters have been kidnapped in Gaza, and the government says they can't find them...
Ummm...silly me....isn't that a pretty small country? And don't cops everywhere know who the bad guys are? What's the reason behind it, and what is the coverup about?
Enquiring minds want to know...
And one of the undercovered stories about the recent war in Lebanon was revealed on CNN reliable sources tvshow when the reporter admitted he was monitored by Hizbollah, who had his passport...
I pay for the CSMonitor, so am following this story about Jill Carroll, who was held hostage...
And now, two Fox reporters have been kidnapped in Gaza, and the government says they can't find them...
Ummm...silly me....isn't that a pretty small country? And don't cops everywhere know who the bad guys are? What's the reason behind it, and what is the coverup about?
Enquiring minds want to know...
Trivia
Transformers...the movie? Yup. And the trailer isn't half bad..
Spengler of the Asian Times is giving dour predictions ....interesting if true...
and HERE is an article on the AndreaDoria...
And HERE is an article about Hmong in Laos wanting to resettle in the USA...the article mentions that there are 180,000 Hmong in the US, 70thousand in Minneapolis area....Two reasons I posted it: One, I once worked with a Physician assistant who was a Green Beret and worked with the Hmong, and second, I used to work in Minnesota...
Spengler of the Asian Times is giving dour predictions ....interesting if true...
and HERE is an article on the AndreaDoria...
And HERE is an article about Hmong in Laos wanting to resettle in the USA...the article mentions that there are 180,000 Hmong in the US, 70thousand in Minneapolis area....Two reasons I posted it: One, I once worked with a Physician assistant who was a Green Beret and worked with the Hmong, and second, I used to work in Minnesota...
It's Bush's fault
....The major reason for Idoko's success is the Bush administration's AIDS program, which in the last three years has sent billions of dollars to Africa and helped save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people...``The greatest impact in HIV prevention and treatment in Africa is PEPFAR-there's nothing that compares," Idoko said.
Only you wouldn't know it in America-or Canada, or Europe, for that matter-given the tenor of the AIDS debate in Washington and the nature of the international media coverage.....
Only you wouldn't know it in America-or Canada, or Europe, for that matter-given the tenor of the AIDS debate in Washington and the nature of the international media coverage.....
Monday, August 21, 2006
Local news
I'll have to get the permenant link later.
It discusses how certain barangays (neighborhoods) are having the army go from door to door asking for tax certificates, to prove people are not the mobile non tax paying NPA.
They are also going to get walkie talkies so people can report crimes...guess texting to 911 won't work...
they also have an article saying that importing cheap onions will be stopped by the government, which is good news for local farmers.
And, they have some nice photos of the Sandal festival...the Palenke (open air market) has lots of different sandals out front on main street, as the photo shows...Festival includes concerts and dances in the square...
For your viewing pleasure
While getting the SNAKES link on yourtube, I ran into this oldie but goodie...I've seen this type of thing while sitting in Tulsa airport...so Thank You.
Rant of the day
Mark Steyn asks: Is the hijacking of the Democratic party by the radical left weakening the war on terror?
Dr Sanity asks a similar question, and points out polls do not support them.
and a lot of the political discourse in the Democratic party is merely parroting warmed over marxism...and if I support the war, it's because I reject their naive view on the possibility of evil in an ideology that combines 8th century morality with 20th century terror Maoist terror tactics...
But what is ignored is globalization, for better or for worse: both sides need to readThomas Friedman's books not Norm Chomsky.
Full "MYGO" rant on screedblog
Dr Sanity asks a similar question, and points out polls do not support them.
and a lot of the political discourse in the Democratic party is merely parroting warmed over marxism...and if I support the war, it's because I reject their naive view on the possibility of evil in an ideology that combines 8th century morality with 20th century terror Maoist terror tactics...
But what is ignored is globalization, for better or for worse: both sides need to readThomas Friedman's books not Norm Chomsky.
Full "MYGO" rant on screedblog
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Helping in disasters gets little publicity
British experts hired by the oil company is trying to salvage the ship causing the mid Philippine oil spill, but the Philippine coast guard is busy, and is asking for help from Japanese and American experts.
Greenpeace has a ship nearby and is helping the government with expertise in protecting the environment.
Mayon volcano is settling down; maybe folks can go home soon.
The bodies of the two Pinay maids who were killed trying to escaped after employers locked them up have arrived back in the Philippines (no link). Families will get about $5000 death benefits.
Nigeria will cut down on local kidnappings from oil companies...several Pinoys were among the victims...
And while checking the African news I ran into this:
And Ethiopia has had some flash floods, killing over 300; US Troops have gone there with help including food and tents...Seebees to the rescue...doubt it will get thanks or publicity.
Greenpeace has a ship nearby and is helping the government with expertise in protecting the environment.
Mayon volcano is settling down; maybe folks can go home soon.
The bodies of the two Pinay maids who were killed trying to escaped after employers locked them up have arrived back in the Philippines (no link). Families will get about $5000 death benefits.
Nigeria will cut down on local kidnappings from oil companies...several Pinoys were among the victims...
And while checking the African news I ran into this:
And Ethiopia has had some flash floods, killing over 300; US Troops have gone there with help including food and tents...Seebees to the rescue...doubt it will get thanks or publicity.
snakes on a plane take two
And I found this ironic: Passengers refuse to fly with two suspicious men (LINK via Instapundit).
Expect to see more of this in the future...
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Katrina update
The weather channel blog has some notes on the cost of Katrina so far...
And Dr. Greg Forbes has a post about monsoons.
I was aware of the monsoon season in Asia, but until I lived in New Mexico I didn't know that they had a season there also...
And Dr. Greg Forbes has a post about monsoons.
I was aware of the monsoon season in Asia, but until I lived in New Mexico I didn't know that they had a season there also...
Family Update
Chano is holding a conference for church leaders to learn how to do accounting to track their finances. Not something regularly taught in bible schools.
Lolo has adopted two kittens that wandered in. There is a feral white cat that lives in our workroom, so we think she is the mom. Luckily we got to them before the dogs killed them, and they are now in an old birdcage for their own safety. Leter, after they have a bath and get rid of their fleas, we might let them in the bedroom.
Because of the conference, I went to put the white dog into our dogcage to confine him...and found the dogcage was full of live chickens. Yup. Chickens for lunch today. Yum.
The cartoon reminds me of our white dog: don't disturb him...
So right now we are in the bedroom, with three dogs. The cats are outside the room on the table of our shrine (all good Philippino Catholics have shrines in their house...Chano took it down but I restocked it with an icon of Christ and a painting of Mary. Usually we have Fred's mother's statue of Mary, but when the roof was leaking, we took it to the farm for safe keeping and haven't brought it back yet).
Lolo has adopted two kittens that wandered in. There is a feral white cat that lives in our workroom, so we think she is the mom. Luckily we got to them before the dogs killed them, and they are now in an old birdcage for their own safety. Leter, after they have a bath and get rid of their fleas, we might let them in the bedroom.
Because of the conference, I went to put the white dog into our dogcage to confine him...and found the dogcage was full of live chickens. Yup. Chickens for lunch today. Yum.
The cartoon reminds me of our white dog: don't disturb him...
So right now we are in the bedroom, with three dogs. The cats are outside the room on the table of our shrine (all good Philippino Catholics have shrines in their house...Chano took it down but I restocked it with an icon of Christ and a painting of Mary. Usually we have Fred's mother's statue of Mary, but when the roof was leaking, we took it to the farm for safe keeping and haven't brought it back yet).
Friday, August 18, 2006
More on Rapunzel\
No, she isn't a D cup...
Follow up on maids prevented from leaving the warzone by employers.
The link is about one enterprizing maid who merely wore her luggage so she wouldn't be stopped.
Note that her salary is 150 dollars a month, plus air fare and room and board.
Follow up on maids prevented from leaving the warzone by employers.
The link is about one enterprizing maid who merely wore her luggage so she wouldn't be stopped.
Note that her salary is 150 dollars a month, plus air fare and room and board.
Trading guns for bulldozers?
Puff peace for Hizbollah.
On the other hand, get these young bitter men decent jobs where they are admired, and they just might turn into productive citizens...
And no, I am not joking about this. Rehabilitating teenagers who learn to kill is a problem, and at least in Hizbollah there was some discipline in the ranks and intact family ties, so their rehabilitation would be more similar to German soldiers in 1946...
unlike the rehabilitation of childsoldiers in Africa and parts of Asia, where their formative years were warped, and often their minds were damaged by drugs...
On the other hand, get these young bitter men decent jobs where they are admired, and they just might turn into productive citizens...
And no, I am not joking about this. Rehabilitating teenagers who learn to kill is a problem, and at least in Hizbollah there was some discipline in the ranks and intact family ties, so their rehabilitation would be more similar to German soldiers in 1946...
unlike the rehabilitation of childsoldiers in Africa and parts of Asia, where their formative years were warped, and often their minds were damaged by drugs...
Good news/bad news
Good news: You are now free to use telephones to arrange suicide bombings .
Bad News: Big government in the UK at least, wants to monitor us when we buy gas/petrol/diesel....of course, this is the UK, where they are trying to outlaw kitchen knives...
Good news: Documentary on New Orleans flooding shows normal people.
Bad News: Big government in the UK at least, wants to monitor us when we buy gas/petrol/diesel....of course, this is the UK, where they are trying to outlaw kitchen knives...
Good news: Documentary on New Orleans flooding shows normal people.
For many the movie was a chance for New Orleans to reclaim an identity as the home of honest, hard-working people, and a place people want to live."This film shows that not every New Orleans resident is a crook or a druggie, a rapist -- they were professionals, family people," said Alex Lewis...
Bad News: Since it's by Spike Lee, one doubts it will mention the 100,000 US Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard and local responders helped in the rescue.....
Good news: Remember the "we're all gonna die" reports about West Nile virus a couple years ago? Well, so far this year, only 13 have died of the disease...
Bad News:Melioidosis...
Good news: a story to make one ponder: Did Timothy McVeigh repent? (headsup fromTheAngryTwinsblogspot.)
Bad News: SNAKES ON A PLANE is coming...
Axis of evil take three...
Well, as we all know, the axis of evil is Iran, Big Oil, and North Korea.
So number three is acting up also:
Or, as Mr.Smash puts it: Oh, Kimchee...
So number three is acting up also:
Or, as Mr.Smash puts it: Oh, Kimchee...
Oil, anyone?
The Bad News:
Authorities in the Philippines say a massive oil spill could get much worse without urgent help to lift a fuel-laden tanker off the ocean floor.
The ship sank in the Panay Gulf off Guimaras island on August 11, leaving two of the 20 crew missing.
The vessel's surviving crew members say only one of its 10 containers ruptured, leaving almost half a million gallons still on board.
There are fears the sea water and pressure could burst the tanks.
Dead fish, crabs and other marine organisms have started to wash up on the blackened shores around Guimaras.
The really bad news:
MAP of major oil spills since 1960
Authorities in the Philippines say a massive oil spill could get much worse without urgent help to lift a fuel-laden tanker off the ocean floor.
The ship sank in the Panay Gulf off Guimaras island on August 11, leaving two of the 20 crew missing.
The vessel's surviving crew members say only one of its 10 containers ruptured, leaving almost half a million gallons still on board.
There are fears the sea water and pressure could burst the tanks.
Dead fish, crabs and other marine organisms have started to wash up on the blackened shores around Guimaras.
The really bad news:
MAP of major oil spills since 1960
Math quiz of the day
The question on the test: Find X.
The Blond's answer was:
From Col. Updraft's email.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Children take three
7 reasons not to mess with children.
A little girl: was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher: said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl: stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher: reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl: said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".
The teacher: asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl: replied, "Then you ask him".
---------------------
A Kindergarten teacher: was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl: replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher: paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl: replied, "They will in a minute."
------------------------------------
A Sunday school teacher: was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat one little boy: (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."
--------------------------------------
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
------------------------------
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."
---------------------------
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face..."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary positions the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted,
"Cause your feet aint empty."
----------------------
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching"
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.
---from an email from Col. ThermalUpdraft
A little girl: was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher: said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl: stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher: reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl: said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".
The teacher: asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl: replied, "Then you ask him".
---------------------
A Kindergarten teacher: was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl: replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher: paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl: replied, "They will in a minute."
------------------------------------
A Sunday school teacher: was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
Without missing a beat one little boy: (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."
--------------------------------------
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
------------------------------
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."
---------------------------
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face..."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary positions the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted,
"Cause your feet aint empty."
----------------------
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching"
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.
---from an email from Col. ThermalUpdraft
Children news take two
Good News: A nice report on Multiracial adoptions. They are being allowed and encouraged again.
Bad news: African children with HIV often overlooked by HIV treatment programs.
Bad news: African children with HIV often overlooked by HIV treatment programs.
Guess which story made the headlines?
JonBenet Ramsey's murder?
google: 1666 stories
Bodies yield evidence of Sadam Hussein era murders? one NYtimes story...
google: 1666 stories
Bodies yield evidence of Sadam Hussein era murders? one NYtimes story...
On a gray wooden work table in the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, two yellowing skeletons lay side by side. One was that of a woman between the ages of 35 and 50 with a bullet hole in the back of her skull. Next to her were the tiny bones of an infant no older than a year. A separate bullet had shattered the baby’s skull, which investigators reassembled using surgical tape.
These were Case No. 19 (the baby) and No. 20 (the woman), two of the 123 victims whose bodies Mr. Trimble’s team pulled from a mass grave in a remote area about 60 miles from the northern town of Hatra.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Alice's hamster photo of the day
from Cute Overload..
and congratulations to CuteOverload for making it into Time Magazine's the top 50 coolest websites
Trivia....get your hot trivia here
Those catty conservatives at the Corner have a lot of trivia on their site today...
That's not an elephant, it's a mammoth...
Thank God for I'm a C cup now....
And (ta dah) the 25 questions everyone has been asking...
one example:: 14. How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck if a Woodchuck Could Chuck Wood?
"....a burrowing woodchuck can chuck dirt, in the form of tunnels that can reach five feet deep and as much as 35 feet in length. So, based on that number, New York State wildlife expert Richard Thomas calculated that if a woodchuck could chuck wood, he could chuck as much as 700 pounds of the stuff......"
That's not an elephant, it's a mammoth...
Thank God for I'm a C cup now....
And (ta dah) the 25 questions everyone has been asking...
one example:: 14. How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck if a Woodchuck Could Chuck Wood?
"....a burrowing woodchuck can chuck dirt, in the form of tunnels that can reach five feet deep and as much as 35 feet in length. So, based on that number, New York State wildlife expert Richard Thomas calculated that if a woodchuck could chuck wood, he could chuck as much as 700 pounds of the stuff......"
Miscellaneous headlines
Good News: the unknown marine who was the hero rescuer at ground zero reveals his identity....
Bad News: Whoops...hollywood assumed he was white...
Good news: My new Dell computer works great.
Bad News: Dell laptops are being recalled due to exploding batteries
Good News:One of the links at the left is to writer/artist Michael O'Brien. I get his newsletter, which is usually about religion and art. (He paints modern icons).
Bad News:It seems that his website was attacked by Isalmofascists...
"...A few weeks ago, you may have noticed that the studio was off-line for a
day or so, and that when you tried to access it an inflammatory image
appeared on your screen. For those of you who did not see it, the image was an
Islamic military warrior with accompanying symbolism and malevolent
message, plus an arrogant boast by the hacker, a man somewhere in the
Middle East who seemed rather proud of his handiwork. I thought the
sound effects of machine-gun fire were a bit melodramatic. ..."
Good news: Peaceful Iraqi demonstration in Ohio
Bad news: They were harassed by Christian fundamentalists.
The Chaldeans I spoke with were more than a little amused that some of them escaped Saddam and Al Qaeda only to come to a Catholic event inAmerica
Good news: Podhoretz notes that the Bush doctrine is not dead, and compares it to the Truman doctrine...
Bad News: The Corner comments:I don't think the essay fully addresses the challenge the Bush doctrine faces from Islamic radicals winning power at the ballot box...well, maybe Lowry should read about the Vatican and US paying for the defeat of communist in the 1948 election in Italy, or the Civil war in Greece...
Bad News: Whoops...hollywood assumed he was white...
Good news: My new Dell computer works great.
Bad News: Dell laptops are being recalled due to exploding batteries
Good News:One of the links at the left is to writer/artist Michael O'Brien. I get his newsletter, which is usually about religion and art. (He paints modern icons).
Bad News:It seems that his website was attacked by Isalmofascists...
"...A few weeks ago, you may have noticed that the studio was off-line for a
day or so, and that when you tried to access it an inflammatory image
appeared on your screen. For those of you who did not see it, the image was an
Islamic military warrior with accompanying symbolism and malevolent
message, plus an arrogant boast by the hacker, a man somewhere in the
Middle East who seemed rather proud of his handiwork. I thought the
sound effects of machine-gun fire were a bit melodramatic. ..."
Good news: Peaceful Iraqi demonstration in Ohio
Bad news: They were harassed by Christian fundamentalists.
The Chaldeans I spoke with were more than a little amused that some of them escaped Saddam and Al Qaeda only to come to a Catholic event in
Good news: Podhoretz notes that the Bush doctrine is not dead, and compares it to the Truman doctrine...
Bad News: The Corner comments:I don't think the essay fully addresses the challenge the Bush doctrine faces from Islamic radicals winning power at the ballot box...well, maybe Lowry should read about the Vatican and US paying for the defeat of communist in the 1948 election in Italy, or the Civil war in Greece...
Don't worry about snakes on a plane
Worrry about bombs on a ferry.
Lolo was watching the impeachment hearings yesterday, and on a news report they had the police show a man arrested while getting onto a ferry with bombmaking materials in his backpack....yes, including cellphone, which means nothing since everyone owns a cellphone to text here...
Yet this morning, nada in the newspapers. False alarm? Censorship?
There was a ferry fire in 2004 that was supposed to be terrorism, but given the fact that one or two ferries here sink each year, and the fire started in a kitchen, the claim by the terrorists is dubious to say the least. And security is high...at least it is supposed to be high. When we went to the SM Mall in Manila, they inspected our handbags, but they even do that here in Gapan.
Indeed, here the danger is the NPA --
Lolo was watching the impeachment hearings yesterday, and on a news report they had the police show a man arrested while getting onto a ferry with bombmaking materials in his backpack....yes, including cellphone, which means nothing since everyone owns a cellphone to text here...
Yet this morning, nada in the newspapers. False alarm? Censorship?
There was a ferry fire in 2004 that was supposed to be terrorism, but given the fact that one or two ferries here sink each year, and the fire started in a kitchen, the claim by the terrorists is dubious to say the least. And security is high...at least it is supposed to be high. When we went to the SM Mall in Manila, they inspected our handbags, but they even do that here in Gapan.
Indeed, here the danger is the NPA --
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
TSA MEMO: RE: Snakes on a plane
Exception: some limited amounts of snakes may be allowed if Samuel L. Jackson is traveling; licensed snake charmers are allowed to have snakes in their check in baggage only if the name on the snake charming license matches the one passenger’s ticket; people who'se name is Snake will be allowed on board but only after full body cavity search
- Snakes purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
- Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.
Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Snake Marshals Service (FSMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States....
Hilareous spoof...(headsup from boingboing)Oy veh the end is nigh
Every blog I read today is depressing.LINK LINK2
So, since Pope Ratz says that we should see the funny side of life, here is another joke:
OK, you know that 666 is the Number of the Beast, but did you know that:
660 Approximate number of the Beast
DCLXVI Roman numeral of the Beast
666.0000 Number of the High Precision Beast
0.666 Number of the Millibeast
/666 Beast Common Denominator
1010011010 Binary of the Beast
Beast1-666 Area code of the Beast
00666 Postcode of the Beast
1-900-666-0666 Live Beasts! One-on-one pacts! Call Now! Only $6.66/minute. Over 18 only please.
$665.95 Retail price of the Beast
$699.25 Price of the Beast plus sales tax
$769.95 Price of the Beast with all accessories and replacement soul
$656.66 Target price of the Beast
Route 666 Way of the Beast
666F Oven temperature for roast Beast
666mg Recommended Minimum Daily Requirement of Beast
Netscape 6.66 BetaBrowser of the Beast
i66686 CPU of the Beast
666I BMW of the Beast
668 Next-door neighbour of the Beast
So, since Pope Ratz says that we should see the funny side of life, here is another joke:
OK, you know that 666 is the Number of the Beast, but did you know that:
660 Approximate number of the Beast
DCLXVI Roman numeral of the Beast
666.0000 Number of the High Precision Beast
0.666 Number of the Millibeast
/666 Beast Common Denominator
1010011010 Binary of the Beast
Beast1-666 Area code of the Beast
00666 Postcode of the Beast
1-900-666-0666 Live Beasts! One-on-one pacts! Call Now! Only $6.66/minute. Over 18 only please.
$665.95 Retail price of the Beast
$699.25 Price of the Beast plus sales tax
$769.95 Price of the Beast with all accessories and replacement soul
$656.66 Target price of the Beast
Route 666 Way of the Beast
666F Oven temperature for roast Beast
666mg Recommended Minimum Daily Requirement of Beast
Netscape 6.66 BetaBrowser of the Beast
i66686 CPU of the Beast
666I BMW of the Beast
668 Next-door neighbour of the Beast
Words of wisdom for the day
Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself ~~"Lillian, you should have remained a virgin."
-- Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)
I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: "No good in a bed, but fine against a wall."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt
Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to with draw that statement.-- Mark Twain
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.
-- George Burns
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
-- Victor Borge
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
-- Mark Twain
By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
-- Socrates
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.
-- Groucho Marx
My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.
-- Jimmy Durante
I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.
-- Zsa Zsa Gabor
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
-- Alex Levine
My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.
-- Rodney Dangerfield
Money can't buy you happiness .. but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
-- Spike Milligan
I am opposed to millionaires... but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.
-- Mark Twain
Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP.
-- Joe Namath
I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon.
Then it's time for my nap.
-- Bob Hope
I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.
-- W.C. Fields
We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.
-- Will Rogers
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. . as you grow older, it will avoid you.
-- Winston Churchill
Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty ... but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.
! -- Phyllis Diller
By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere.
-- Billy Crystal
The cardiologist's diet: If it tastes good, spit it out.
----emailed from Col. Updraft
-- Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)
I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: "No good in a bed, but fine against a wall."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt
Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to with draw that statement.-- Mark Twain
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.
-- George Burns
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
-- Victor Borge
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
-- Mark Twain
By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
-- Socrates
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.
-- Groucho Marx
My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.
-- Jimmy Durante
I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.
-- Zsa Zsa Gabor
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
-- Alex Levine
My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.
-- Rodney Dangerfield
Money can't buy you happiness .. but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
-- Spike Milligan
I am opposed to millionaires... but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.
-- Mark Twain
Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP.
-- Joe Namath
I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon.
Then it's time for my nap.
-- Bob Hope
I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.
-- W.C. Fields
We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.
-- Will Rogers
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. . as you grow older, it will avoid you.
-- Winston Churchill
Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty ... but everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.
! -- Phyllis Diller
By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere.
-- Billy Crystal
The cardiologist's diet: If it tastes good, spit it out.
----emailed from Col. Updraft
Oil spill
Well, volcanos, typhoons, landslides, political killings, terrorism, dengue fever and meningococcemia aren't enough...
Now we have a major oil spill:
Now we have a major oil spill:
The tanker, Solar I, was carrying two million liters (12,580 barrels) of bunker oil when it sank off the central island of Guimaras on Saturday...
The Coast Guard warned that oil from the tanker threatens rich marine resources in the area and could threaten Boracay Island in Aklan province, famous for its white sandy beaches.
sigh. We have relatives who just opened a guest house off the beaches of Boracay...
Miss MoneyKitty
Now you can get your Hello Kitty Platinum Visa Card!(Headsup BoingBoing)
And HERE is a Japanese site that shows you all the places you can use your hellokittyvisacard...
And your August calander PDFHEREfeatures chococat...
although I prefer this calander PDF
Romanticizing terrorism take two
The same middle aged leftists that ignored the VietCong murders, the Vietnamese reeducation camps and the holocaust in Cambodia now have new allies...
Romanticizing terrorism
Ah, an article on the poor lady whose "life is on hold"...for her youthful crimes...
"I had a really good life," Olson recalled. She acted in community theater and taught citizenship classes. She volunteered for groups aiding African refugees, the poor and other causes, and recorded books for the blind..."We were young and foolish," Olson said at the time in a letter to the court, and "in the end, we stole someone's life."
Today, she doesn't want to discuss the events that landed her in prison, but she has expressed remorse more than once in the past.
What is missing from the story?this quote:
"Oh, she's dead, but it really doesn't matter. She was a bourgeois pig anyway. Her husband is a doctor. He was at the hospital where they brought her."
Who was this "bourgeois pig"? Her name was Myrna Opsahl.
SHE HAS A NAME. And a family that loved her...
Myrna Opsahl was murdered April 21, 1975, while volunteering for her church. She was shot by the Symbionese Liberation Army upon entering the Carmichael Crocker Bank. The SLA gang members in the bank: Emily Harris, Kathleen Soliah, Michael Bortin, and Jim Kilgore let Myrna Opsahl bleed to death while they proceeded to rob the bank and flee the scene with $15,000.
In other words, she died because she walked into a bank where the robbery was taking place...and the explanation that it was an "accidental" shooting is shown to be a lie by the actions of Olson and her helpers: For they did not allow others to help her, nor allow the immediate medical attention that would have saved her life. Nor did Olson ever apologize or even admit her guilt until confronted with overwhelming evidence.
Her son's statement (PDF HERE) is one of the most powerful statements that I have ever read about the need for justice, and the need for repentance on the part of the criminal.
From the LATimes article, it sounds like Olson still doesn't feel remorse for the murder, only remorse that her pleasant suburban life was interrupted by this inconvenience...
"I had a really good life," Olson recalled. She acted in community theater and taught citizenship classes. She volunteered for groups aiding African refugees, the poor and other causes, and recorded books for the blind..."We were young and foolish," Olson said at the time in a letter to the court, and "in the end, we stole someone's life."
Today, she doesn't want to discuss the events that landed her in prison, but she has expressed remorse more than once in the past.
What is missing from the story?this quote:
"Oh, she's dead, but it really doesn't matter. She was a bourgeois pig anyway. Her husband is a doctor. He was at the hospital where they brought her."
Who was this "bourgeois pig"? Her name was Myrna Opsahl.
SHE HAS A NAME. And a family that loved her...
Myrna Opsahl was murdered April 21, 1975, while volunteering for her church. She was shot by the Symbionese Liberation Army upon entering the Carmichael Crocker Bank. The SLA gang members in the bank: Emily Harris, Kathleen Soliah, Michael Bortin, and Jim Kilgore let Myrna Opsahl bleed to death while they proceeded to rob the bank and flee the scene with $15,000.
In other words, she died because she walked into a bank where the robbery was taking place...and the explanation that it was an "accidental" shooting is shown to be a lie by the actions of Olson and her helpers: For they did not allow others to help her, nor allow the immediate medical attention that would have saved her life. Nor did Olson ever apologize or even admit her guilt until confronted with overwhelming evidence.
Her son's statement (PDF HERE) is one of the most powerful statements that I have ever read about the need for justice, and the need for repentance on the part of the criminal.
From the LATimes article, it sounds like Olson still doesn't feel remorse for the murder, only remorse that her pleasant suburban life was interrupted by this inconvenience...
Monday, August 14, 2006
A Brit actually notices what America is all about
"...We (Brits) are inclined, in our snobbish way, to dismiss the Americans as a new and vulgar people, whose civilisation has hardly risen above the level of cowboys and Indians. Yet the United States of America is actually the oldest republic in the world, with a constitution that is one of the noblest works of man....
Why you should marry a geek
- While geeks and nerds may be awkward, they’re well-meaning 9 out of 10 times.
- They’re useful. In this tech-savvy world, it’s great to have a b/f who can make your laptop, desktop, and just about anything else that plugs into a wall behave itself.
- They’re more romantic than they’re given credit for. Ok true, their idea of romance might be to make up a spiffy web-page with all the reasons why they love you, with links to pics of you and sonnets and such... but hey. It lasts longer than flowers, plus you can show your friends.
- Due to their neglected status, there are plenty to choose from.
- They’ve got brains. Come on now, how can intelligence be a bad thing?
- Most are quite good at remembering dates. Like birthdates and such, especially if they know it’ll make you happy. Due again to their neglected status, they’re more attentive than guys who “have more options”.
- They’re relatively low-maintenance. Most can be fueled on pizza, Twinkies and Mt Dew.
- Although he may not want to go to every outing with you, you can arrange swaps, as in, you’ll go to his Gamer Con dressed as an elf princess if he’ll take you to the ballet.
- His friends aren’t jerks. I can’t stress this enough. You’ll more likely get “Omg! A GIRL!! Can I see?!” than “Hey hot stuff back that ass up here and let me get some grub on...”
- You won’t have to worry about him flirting with other women because, 9 out of 10 times, he’ll zip right by them in a perfect b-line towards the nearest electronics store.
"...If you are men..."
Everyone was rejoicing about the ceasefire, but now if PJ Media is correct, it won't happen because Hizbollah won't let the Lebanese Army into the south of that country.
The evacuation of OFW continues no matter what, however.Of the estimated 36,000 OFWs in Lebanon, 4,639 had been repatriated by the Philippine government and the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration as of Saturday.
This editorial notes how evacuations and emigration is a way of life for Pinoys.
The evacuation of OFW continues no matter what, however.Of the estimated 36,000 OFWs in Lebanon, 4,639 had been repatriated by the Philippine government and the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration as of Saturday.
This editorial notes how evacuations and emigration is a way of life for Pinoys.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
LATimes on bias in photos
...There are, however, two problems here, and they're the reason this controversy shouldn't be allowed to sputter to its inglorious conclusion just yet: One of these has to do with the scope of what strongly appears to be wider fabrication in the photojournalism Reuters and other news agencies are obtaining from their freelancers in Lebanon. The other is the U.S. news media's grudging response to the revelation of Hajj's misconduct and its utter lack of interest in exploring whether his is a unique or representative case. ,,,
headsup from Volokh conspiracy blog, a lawblog...
headsup from Volokh conspiracy blog, a lawblog...
Follow the ball
Follow one ball from top to bottom...if the music doesn't drive you nuts.
Heasds up from Etceterablog
Heasds up from Etceterablog
Monty Python break
making fun of Arabs, lady poets, anti semitism, professional marathon bikers, and other politically correct things.
And this was twenty years ago...
and don't miss this one: LINK
one doubts that one could make such airplane jokes today.
And this was twenty years ago...
and don't miss this one: LINK
one doubts that one could make such airplane jokes today.
Children safety links
Yesterday the internet was going off and on, so my links to Children's safety didn't get posted.
LINK is for post traumatic stress in children
PDF for parents here.
LINK is to a site for health care providers, including CME
and PDF MANUAL for early intervention here...
Of course, help from extended family is the best treatment.
In the Philippines, people cope without psychiatry, although the evacuated OFW are getting "debriefed"...only 5000 of the estimated 30 000 Pinoy OFW in Lebanon have made it home...
Alas, until you see the poverty here, and the lack of opportunity for non elites to move up in society, you can't realize that working overseas is the only means to get ahead.
Nor are the Lebanese OFW the only ones in jeapordy: there are 40 000 evacuees from the Mayon volcano...
And, given the fact that the Philippines has had many terrorist attacks in the past, GMA is increasing security in Manila and elsewhere.
Bahala na!
LINK is for post traumatic stress in children
PDF for parents here.
LINK is to a site for health care providers, including CME
and PDF MANUAL for early intervention here...
Of course, help from extended family is the best treatment.
In the Philippines, people cope without psychiatry, although the evacuated OFW are getting "debriefed"...only 5000 of the estimated 30 000 Pinoy OFW in Lebanon have made it home...
Alas, until you see the poverty here, and the lack of opportunity for non elites to move up in society, you can't realize that working overseas is the only means to get ahead.
Nor are the Lebanese OFW the only ones in jeapordy: there are 40 000 evacuees from the Mayon volcano...
And, given the fact that the Philippines has had many terrorist attacks in the past, GMA is increasing security in Manila and elsewhere.
Bahala na!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
FYI: Post traumatic stress syndrome
After Katrina, a lot of anxiety and adjustment problems arise...
Link is to VA that has a lot of stuff on PTSS.
Children's link HERE...although I worry about a professional who says "we" don't give parents resources to help...duh. In the old days, this was done by extended family...
Link is to VA that has a lot of stuff on PTSS.
Children's link HERE...although I worry about a professional who says "we" don't give parents resources to help...duh. In the old days, this was done by extended family...
Green helmet blog
Those following Reutergate, i.e. the photoshopping of photos on Reuters to exaggerate Israel's bombings, are also aware of "GreenHelmet Guy"
Film from German TV program HERE...shows his directing the taking of photographs. LINK to interview
So, the blogosphere being the blogosphere, the obvious next step is :GREENHELMETBLOG.
Film from German TV program HERE...shows his directing the taking of photographs. LINK to interview
So, the blogosphere being the blogosphere, the obvious next step is :GREENHELMETBLOG.
Islamophobia
People don't realize that there are a lot of Muslim refugees in Oklahoma.
(for example: did you read "Reading Lolita in Tehran"? She studied in Oklahoma) .
After 9-11, they became nervous. One Sandwich shop in Tulsa put up the flag and the newspaper article about how they were citizens.
And one of my patients mentioned her daughter had dated an immigrant's son, and that if the government rounded up Muslims, she said she'd hide them on her ranch.
Finally, my patients who worked at the 24 hour Walmart noted that a lot of the Muslim women, wearing scarves and not very good at English, would shop late at night when they didn't have to face crowds.
But a lot of these things are NOT new with immigrants.
My husband, an immigrant and a US veteran, always flew the flag.
Too shy to shop in crowds? In South Philly, when I grew up, there were women who moved to the US years before but still only spoke Yiddish or Italian (and shopped at local stores run by fellow Jews or Italians).
Islamophobia? One doubts that suspicion of Muslims is any worse than suspicion of Japanese in WWII...and that suspicion was widely dispelled by Japanese American soldiers fighting in Italy...
And my grandfather was once investigated for pro German sentiments in World War I...he used to sing songs in German...what saved him from arrest was probably that his son was in the home guard. (see Photo) So the investigators decided that his songs were what he said they were: merely a love of good music.
So my advice to CAIR and others who shout "Islamophobia", could I suggest that they way to prove they too can be good Americans is to fly the flag, rally to the side of the US in this war against radicals, and to have their sons join the government?
Yes, some have done this...but not enough.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Airports screening alive and well
For any of you worrying about traveling on local Philippine flights, you might want to know that Lolo's classmates said they won't let you carry on anything. She had to check in her purse.
So you are now safe from 81 year old Filippina Catholics...
The ironic part is that although the previous bombs (the famous one that went off halfway to Japan and the one that went off halfway down the runway but is rarely mentioned) were placed on by a passenger.
But the real way to bomb planes here would be good old fashioned bribery. Which is why NWAirlines "parks" their Manila bound planes overnight in Taiwan...
So you are now safe from 81 year old Filippina Catholics...
The ironic part is that although the previous bombs (the famous one that went off halfway to Japan and the one that went off halfway down the runway but is rarely mentioned) were placed on by a passenger.
But the real way to bomb planes here would be good old fashioned bribery. Which is why NWAirlines "parks" their Manila bound planes overnight in Taiwan...
Rapunzel update take three
Rapunzel managed to escape from a tower by cutting off and climbing down her hair...and in Lebanon, there have been two killed and several more injured trying to escape abusive employers who would not let them leave employment in Beruit...
NGO notes sardonically:“If we were effectively reaching out to the abused domestic workers, then how come some of them ironically saw the war as a rare chance to escape from the exploitation they have been enduring?” the group said...
Oh yes: speaking of evacuation The ships are out...it would take too long and cost too much...
India, however, did get some of their people out on ships...and again there are reports of abuse this time of men who were recruited but did not have proper papers and so were exploited.....
One suspects these stories are the tip of the iceburg...of exploitation of Asian workers in the mideast..
NGO notes sardonically:“If we were effectively reaching out to the abused domestic workers, then how come some of them ironically saw the war as a rare chance to escape from the exploitation they have been enduring?” the group said...
Oh yes: speaking of evacuation The ships are out...it would take too long and cost too much...
India, however, did get some of their people out on ships...and again there are reports of abuse this time of men who were recruited but did not have proper papers and so were exploited.....
One suspects these stories are the tip of the iceburg...of exploitation of Asian workers in the mideast..
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