Context: Defeat of Prop 37 in California requiring labeling of GMO ingredients <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/prop-37-defeated-californ_n_2088402.html>.
How frequently do those who advocate against Prop 37 and other similar legislation wear synthetic versus natural fibers? Do they actively avoid donning synthetic fibers? How do they know the fiber content of various items in their wardrobe? Do Americans have a right to know the fiber content of their clothing? If yes, why does this not apply to knowing what is the food they ingest?
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Try it...
Well into adulthood, I was leery of trying unfamiliar foods. When I found myself socializing with a group of more adventurous eaters, I realized I was shortchanging myself by being so timid. By not opening myself to new experiences, I was not giving myself the chance to discover wonderful foods and tastes. Given that each new dish (or experience) is an opportunity to enjoy something previously unknown to me, it's worth the short term risk of finding it distasteful.
So now when I eat out, my only ask that my meal satisfy my hunger and take great joy in discovery a novel (to me) taste or flavor combination that satisfies my taste buds.
So now when I eat out, my only ask that my meal satisfy my hunger and take great joy in discovery a novel (to me) taste or flavor combination that satisfies my taste buds.
Friday, April 19, 2013
For Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky...
Context: At a speech at Howard University in April of this year, Rand Paul asked "How many of you, if I were to have said, 'Who do you think the founders of the NAACP were, did you think they were Republicans or Democrats?' would everybody in here know they were Republicans?" <http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/04/rand-pauls-speech-at-howard-got-a-little-awkward-but-it-wasnt-a-disaster/274877/>
Why are you asking in light of today’s political climate? Are you proposing to take the Republican party back to those roots?
Why are you asking in light of today’s political climate? Are you proposing to take the Republican party back to those roots?
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Public faith
Is it just me? I was listening to a podcast of a Dolly Parton interview where she spoke quite extensively about her faith and how it was a source of strength and support throughout her life. And while this is in no way a reflection of Ms Parton, I was discomforted by these profuse affirmations and it got me thinking about why I have always shied away from and distrusted people who habitually advocated their religiosity. It's like my privacy has been invaded. This likely stems from the social norm of reciprocity… when something is given, there is an expectation of something returned. In the case of religiosity, some nugget of personal information (their view on faith) and there is an expectation of a confidence in return. My response has always been I consider my beliefs a private matter only to be shared with a select few.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Murderer of Texas Prosecutors
Context: As it turns out, it appears that extremist groups may not be involved in the recent deaths of two Texas prosecutors but rather a former justice of the peace. <http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/14/us-usa-texas-districtattorney-idUSBRE93B16F20130414>
This goes back to my inability to understand or empathize with some people. This guy was prosecuted for stealing office computers. *What* is going on in this man's head? He murders prosecutors because they did their jobs and caused him to lose his job and embarrassed him. Somewhere along the line, he didn't learn the essential life skill of self restraint.
This goes back to my inability to understand or empathize with some people. This guy was prosecuted for stealing office computers. *What* is going on in this man's head? He murders prosecutors because they did their jobs and caused him to lose his job and embarrassed him. Somewhere along the line, he didn't learn the essential life skill of self restraint.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
I can't relate
Yesterday (4/15/2013) was the Boston Marathon and a little before 3 pm, near the finish line, two bombs went off, killing at least 3 (including an 8 year old boy) and injuring more than 100.
There are some experiences and emotions that are beyond my ability to relate to and properly understand. The example I normally use is hunger… I am fortunate to live in the U.S. where my family or I have always have the skills, resources and knowledge to maintain a healthy diet, even during times of unemployment. This is not the case for some people I know who have experience periods of great deprivation. Contrast the experience of hunger to understanding how a person can become so enraged and angered as to perpetrate an instance of violence; it's similar to a child throwing a tantrum, to be so caught up with your emotions that your actions are not under rational control.
Going back to the bombing, this is an example of something I find myself unable to relate to. What can drive someone to such sustained anger that they can plan and execute a frigid attack targeted at random innocent bystanders? How is this restitution for their received slights, insults or losses of any type, size or duration? What does stealing the life and future of an eight year old child contribute to such causes other than discredit?
I have lost a dear to violence by a stranger. Aside from the painful realization that the sun still rises and the time still marches forward in their absence was understanding how powerless I/we were in light of our loss. There was no way to fix this, no one anywhere could do anything to correct this, including destroying the perpetrator. If anything, holding onto the anger would damage us.
I have no answers or solutions for the victims, perpetrators or other Americans. I would just say to the victims… continue your lives with as much grace and dignity as you can conjure and direct your anger to productive directions. To the perpetrator(s), I would say… you are battling the wrong war. The true war is within yourselves and you need to direct your energy there. Your destructive actions cannot and will not fix what ails you. To the rest of us… what are we doing that germinates and nurtures this kind of anger? We Americans did not make or set off these bombs but we certainly have made someone(s) angry enough to target them at us.
There are some experiences and emotions that are beyond my ability to relate to and properly understand. The example I normally use is hunger… I am fortunate to live in the U.S. where my family or I have always have the skills, resources and knowledge to maintain a healthy diet, even during times of unemployment. This is not the case for some people I know who have experience periods of great deprivation. Contrast the experience of hunger to understanding how a person can become so enraged and angered as to perpetrate an instance of violence; it's similar to a child throwing a tantrum, to be so caught up with your emotions that your actions are not under rational control.
Going back to the bombing, this is an example of something I find myself unable to relate to. What can drive someone to such sustained anger that they can plan and execute a frigid attack targeted at random innocent bystanders? How is this restitution for their received slights, insults or losses of any type, size or duration? What does stealing the life and future of an eight year old child contribute to such causes other than discredit?
I have lost a dear to violence by a stranger. Aside from the painful realization that the sun still rises and the time still marches forward in their absence was understanding how powerless I/we were in light of our loss. There was no way to fix this, no one anywhere could do anything to correct this, including destroying the perpetrator. If anything, holding onto the anger would damage us.
I have no answers or solutions for the victims, perpetrators or other Americans. I would just say to the victims… continue your lives with as much grace and dignity as you can conjure and direct your anger to productive directions. To the perpetrator(s), I would say… you are battling the wrong war. The true war is within yourselves and you need to direct your energy there. Your destructive actions cannot and will not fix what ails you. To the rest of us… what are we doing that germinates and nurtures this kind of anger? We Americans did not make or set off these bombs but we certainly have made someone(s) angry enough to target them at us.
Monday, April 15, 2013
A question for tax dodgers and their enablers on tax day…
Context: News accounts in April 2013 of 4,000 Americans with offshore accounts used to evade paying taxes in the U.S.. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/piercing-the-secrecy-of-offshore-tax-havens/2013/04/06/1551806c-7d50-11e2-a044-676856536b40_story.html>
I have a question for any American or American corporations who takes advantage of every tax loophole, tax haven, government subsidy and off shore accounts (especially of American politicians): How patriotic is it to evade paying taxes to the government?
I have a question for any American or American corporations who takes advantage of every tax loophole, tax haven, government subsidy and off shore accounts (especially of American politicians): How patriotic is it to evade paying taxes to the government?
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Sometimes the right response is a little too late
This happened about two years ago on a transit bus in a major American city…
Scene: Passenger with a baby strapped on her chest was speaking very loudly on her cell phone. The bus driver requested she tone down her volume. Passenger refused and claimed she was not disturbing anyone. Driver said it bothered her and requested that other passengers speak up. No other passenger was willing to publicly speak up in the face of the cell phone toting bully of a passenger.
Appropriate response by a passenger: Please do not distract the driver from her job of navigating this bus through traffic. I am sure that you, like everyone else on the bus, want to arrive at your destination safely.
Scene: Passenger with a baby strapped on her chest was speaking very loudly on her cell phone. The bus driver requested she tone down her volume. Passenger refused and claimed she was not disturbing anyone. Driver said it bothered her and requested that other passengers speak up. No other passenger was willing to publicly speak up in the face of the cell phone toting bully of a passenger.
Appropriate response by a passenger: Please do not distract the driver from her job of navigating this bus through traffic. I am sure that you, like everyone else on the bus, want to arrive at your destination safely.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Related to recent assassinations
Related to recent assassinations
The recent murders of the prison official in Colorado and district attorney and his wife in Texas <http://www.npr.org/2013/04/02/176035798/experts-prison-gang-reach-increasingly-extends-into-streets>; <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/family-from-hell-the-rise-of-the-aryan-brotherhood-8563520.html> brought a few issues to mind…
-Were the guns used in those shootings obtained legally? What rules/laws permitted those gun acquisitions? What was the role of the NRA in supporting or obstructing the rules/laws in question?
-I also wonder if militia groups have caches of weapons, their legality and the role the NRA played in the rules/laws that permitted such stockpiling.
-Is has been speculated that prison gangs are responsible for these murders… what is the prevalence of prison gangs in government runner prisons compared to privately operated prisons?
Friday, April 12, 2013
What if…
- All laws passed by the federal government have to be fully funded. If not fully funded for some period (1-2 quarters), that law will be considered obsolete, defunct, and removed from the law books. There can be no picking and choosing of funding/defunding specific amendments.
- All lawmakers at all levels of government are only paid the fraction of their salary not funded by borrowing. For example, locale whose budget involves borrowing 50% of their spending can only pay their lawmakers 50% of their salary. This would also be reflected in their retirement benefits. Other government workers would not be affected because _only_ lawmakers can make widespread spending decisions which affect and extend beyond their entire constituency.
Would lawmakers construct more thoughtful laws and request more constructive rules?
- All lawmakers at all levels of government are only paid the fraction of their salary not funded by borrowing. For example, locale whose budget involves borrowing 50% of their spending can only pay their lawmakers 50% of their salary. This would also be reflected in their retirement benefits. Other government workers would not be affected because _only_ lawmakers can make widespread spending decisions which affect and extend beyond their entire constituency.
Would lawmakers construct more thoughtful laws and request more constructive rules?
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Homemade bubble solution
3-4 parts clear liquid dish detergent
1 part clear shampoo (not conditioning)
5-8 parts water
It's been many years since I've used this recipe so I don't remember the precise proportions. I would recommend mixing a batch with the smaller amounts (3 parts dish detergent and 5 parts water) to start with. Add more dish detergent and water to get your perfect bubble formula. Shampoo is the secret ingredient; it has glycerin which stabilizes bigger bubbles.
1 part clear shampoo (not conditioning)
5-8 parts water
It's been many years since I've used this recipe so I don't remember the precise proportions. I would recommend mixing a batch with the smaller amounts (3 parts dish detergent and 5 parts water) to start with. Add more dish detergent and water to get your perfect bubble formula. Shampoo is the secret ingredient; it has glycerin which stabilizes bigger bubbles.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Why big powerful muscle guns whose sole purpose is to kill people?
Why do the gun lobby and gun manufacturers persist in attempting to market their most destructive products on the civilian market? I understand the justification for research and development of new and improved weaponry for law enforcement and war making (although I don't like it)… but are weapons of war, capable of mass carnage, necessary for hunting or personal defense? In light with our second amendment right to bear arms, in this day and age, the most effective defense against political oppression is the argument of ideas, not physical aggression.
I would suggest that gun makers develop their experience into other related directions; for example, support and promote the sport of target shooting as a pastime suitable for all ages. Make sports equipment capable of accurately hitting a target from a distant trajectory which dissolve on impact so they are minimally injurious to humans. In essence, make the sport as ubiquitous as darts or pool. Additionally, take advantage of the popularity of first person shooter video games… create novel and imaginative shooters or develop narratives for girls… In the video game market, imagination is more limiting than public opinion and government regulation.
I would suggest that gun makers develop their experience into other related directions; for example, support and promote the sport of target shooting as a pastime suitable for all ages. Make sports equipment capable of accurately hitting a target from a distant trajectory which dissolve on impact so they are minimally injurious to humans. In essence, make the sport as ubiquitous as darts or pool. Additionally, take advantage of the popularity of first person shooter video games… create novel and imaginative shooters or develop narratives for girls… In the video game market, imagination is more limiting than public opinion and government regulation.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Co-op grocers
This is a call for those interested in social justice and sustainability to forgo giving custom to boutique grocers such as Whole Foods or Dean and Deluca and instead seek out local grocery co-operatives or employee-owned grocers. There are a number of reasons for this, mine are: (1) The prices at co-op grocers are generally not higher than at boutique grocers. (2) They are often more responsive to customer requests. (3) They often carry the same or similar inventory as boutique grocers. (4) They attempt to source locally and consider organic/environmental/sustainability issues when determine what items to stock. (5) They are locally owned. (6) They tend to pay their employees a living wage.
For the record, I am not a perfect model of socially responsible grocery shopping, I spread my grocery shopping around several sources. The factors which influence my food decisions are the following (with no discernible priority): availability, condition, convenience (car, walk or public transportation), and price. With that in mind, I patronize four independent ethnic markets and one large chain grocer within my immediate walking (one mile) distance (1-2 times per week); several ethnic markets and independent market stalls by public transport (every 2-4 weeks); one large chain ethnic grocer by car (every 2-4 weeks); and a co-op grocer within distant walking (2-3 miles) distance (every 2-3 months). Given my druthers, I would frequent the co-op more often but as it is, I currently live too far away.
For the record, I am not a perfect model of socially responsible grocery shopping, I spread my grocery shopping around several sources. The factors which influence my food decisions are the following (with no discernible priority): availability, condition, convenience (car, walk or public transportation), and price. With that in mind, I patronize four independent ethnic markets and one large chain grocer within my immediate walking (one mile) distance (1-2 times per week); several ethnic markets and independent market stalls by public transport (every 2-4 weeks); one large chain ethnic grocer by car (every 2-4 weeks); and a co-op grocer within distant walking (2-3 miles) distance (every 2-3 months). Given my druthers, I would frequent the co-op more often but as it is, I currently live too far away.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Sources of record
I love dictionaries. I own several and frequently use them to look up definitions and check my spelling (here's a recent source of confusion: pallet, palette, palate). Like with any Wikipedia entry with its embedded links, I get engrossed following word ladders and references throughout the dictionary and lose track of my original inquiry.
Overall, I have found that the major dictionaries (Webster's, American OED, American Heritage) proffer very similar definitions. That being said, I am often confused by the word usage by the news media, especially right leaning media. I was once informed that all arguments are semantic and it's true when you think about it. So I would request that all news providers name their dictionary and general reference of record. I want to know what they mean when they report someone has prevaricated, fabricated or lied. What is socialism, communism, fascism, Nazi-ism and feminazi? The reporting of various news sources (be they mainstream, left or right leaning) is so frequently diametrically opposed that they seem to be speaking different languages. If a mission of news sources is to inform, then we consumers need to know what language is being spoken.
Overall, I have found that the major dictionaries (Webster's, American OED, American Heritage) proffer very similar definitions. That being said, I am often confused by the word usage by the news media, especially right leaning media. I was once informed that all arguments are semantic and it's true when you think about it. So I would request that all news providers name their dictionary and general reference of record. I want to know what they mean when they report someone has prevaricated, fabricated or lied. What is socialism, communism, fascism, Nazi-ism and feminazi? The reporting of various news sources (be they mainstream, left or right leaning) is so frequently diametrically opposed that they seem to be speaking different languages. If a mission of news sources is to inform, then we consumers need to know what language is being spoken.
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