Does it bring closure?

Texas has recently carried out its 500th execution. I was wondering if the secondary victims (also known as families of the victims) of executed criminals feel a sense of closure or relief or resolution after they are executed.

Divided by design

Two editorials in the New York Times (here and here; thanks to here) highlight how this country is  divided in two along many issues. It brings to mind that the efforts of Lincoln, one Republican president, to keep the union united is being deliberately attacked and destroyed through the gerrymandering of Republican party of today (see hear  and here).

Will they dare?

At some point, the effects of climate change will be so obvious that even the politicians who currently refuse to acknowledge it will have to reverse their position and admit the issue needs to be addressed. I suspect that someone on that side will claim that their party has been working to mitigate the rate of climate stress through their economic policies. After all, a major consequence of those policies have been high income disparity, increasing the number of poor Americans and it is well documented that the poorest of the world contribute the least to climate change.

GMO labeling…

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?

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.

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?

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.