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?
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