A couple news stories I just saw that are important.
First: Girl Scout cookies toss out trans fats.
How exciting. Now I can eat a full box of Tagalongs all at once. Oh, and another box full of Thin Mints. That is, of course, if they didn't cost about $10 a box. Anybody remember those cheesy triangle crackers? Shaped like pizza slices vaguely. Back in the 80's. Those were pretty awesome too.
Second: Lieberman: I won't switch to GOP.
Lieberman just chaps my ass. He says the following two things in the same interview:
"I guess that makes me a genuine independent"
and
"I have no desire or intention to leave the Democratic Party or the Democratic caucus"
I hate to break it to him, but he left the Democratic Party after he fairly lost in his state primary before taking the representation opportunity away from Ned Lamont. I guess you should watch Countdown tonight (I Can't), and Keith Olbermann will talk about this subject. I get the feeling that the Democrats would love to kick Joe to the curb, except that they need his vote with the numbers so close.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Boooooooooooo!
Not much in the news today. Just this: Waters off Alaska Arctic to see exploration wells
I can't wait until the day when we're no longer destroying our world to keep the lights on. Everybody should go back and watch the polar bear animation in Inconvenient Truth.
Ho-hum.
I can't wait until the day when we're no longer destroying our world to keep the lights on. Everybody should go back and watch the polar bear animation in Inconvenient Truth.
Ho-hum.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Good news! (Baby step)
Check out the news: Australia to ban incandescent bulbs
I covered this subject a bit back on January 20. We've switched to CFLs in our house, but have not lived here for a year yet. Therefore we can't tell what kind of effect this has had on our power usage.
But Australia has mandated that, except for a few special cases, there will be no more incandescent bulbs anywhere (that's the kind with the filament, the round bulb), and that everything has to be replaced with compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which use less power and last longer. Cuba has been doing this for some time, and California may take the plunge soon too. Maybe we should all urge our representatives to explore the options for our own states, counties, and municipalities. The first pebble has started falling, let's turn it into a landslide!
I am listening to NPR.
I covered this subject a bit back on January 20. We've switched to CFLs in our house, but have not lived here for a year yet. Therefore we can't tell what kind of effect this has had on our power usage.
But Australia has mandated that, except for a few special cases, there will be no more incandescent bulbs anywhere (that's the kind with the filament, the round bulb), and that everything has to be replaced with compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which use less power and last longer. Cuba has been doing this for some time, and California may take the plunge soon too. Maybe we should all urge our representatives to explore the options for our own states, counties, and municipalities. The first pebble has started falling, let's turn it into a landslide!
I am listening to NPR.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
I mean, really.
Here is an article from MSNBC. The link from the main page read "Study: Americans torn between science, astrology".
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17206139/
What year is this? Answer: it is now 2007. It is not 1503. Or even 1692. Having accepted that, why do people still believe in stuff like astrology? I had to spend some time this past month starting to disillusion my 11-year-old niece on this very subject. Why do we need to convince adults?
Here are a few quotes from the article:
"[M]ost readers of horoscopes are women, contributing to the listing of "female" as a leading negative factor in science literacy."
"[T]here also has been a drop in the number of people who believe evolution correctly explains the development of life on Earth and an increase in those who believe mankind was created about 10,000 years ago."
"[A] second major negative factor to scientific literacy was religious fundamentalism and aging."
"Having taken college science courses was a strong positive influence, followed by overall education and informal science learning through the media. Having children at home also resulted in adults being more scientifically informed, he said."
Plus there's this from a website arguing against astrology from a religious point of view:
"When children open the Sunday newspaper, according to a recent newspaper industry survey, the first (and usually only) section they read is the "funny pages". Among all other demographic groups, the daily horoscope section is the most faithfully read." (Emphasis mine)
How about this. Here are several horoscopes for me today:
From Astrology.com:
Your powers of perception are heightened thanks to these sensitive celestial energies. The solution to a tricky situation suddenly is crystal clear. You don't know how you know it, but you know just what to do.
From Daily-horoscopes.com:
You'll make important progress with either a domestic or work project. Later, you'll be skipping as you make spontaneous plans for a fun night together. This is a fabulous time to dote on number two in your life.
From Dailyhoroscopes.com:
Take care when discussing emotional things today. Forgetting the ground rules to stay focused you might find yourself, or another in a difficult place, emotionally. A group meeting among neighbors can be handled successfully if you do not garnish the story. You may have a lot of fun when it comes to the process of story telling so try putting your stories in books--they would be a great success! You greatly enjoy social and romantic activities. You truly desire fun and should not hesitate to get to know new people and form new acquaintances. The exchange of ideas becomes a focal point in your life. Learning, knowing a little about many things and staying in touch and on top of the latest developments are the things that satisfy the stimulation of the mind.
From Astrology-online.com:
You can make life easier for an older member of your family. You can handle situations that require contact with institutions or large corporations. You may be somewhat emotional concerning a rather private matter.
Clap-trap. Please don't believe that the stars control your life. If you don't believe me (and I haven't presented any evidence - but then again, neither do astrologers), please believe the Bad Astronomer.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17206139/
What year is this? Answer: it is now 2007. It is not 1503. Or even 1692. Having accepted that, why do people still believe in stuff like astrology? I had to spend some time this past month starting to disillusion my 11-year-old niece on this very subject. Why do we need to convince adults?
Here are a few quotes from the article:
"[M]ost readers of horoscopes are women, contributing to the listing of "female" as a leading negative factor in science literacy."
"[T]here also has been a drop in the number of people who believe evolution correctly explains the development of life on Earth and an increase in those who believe mankind was created about 10,000 years ago."
"[A] second major negative factor to scientific literacy was religious fundamentalism and aging."
"Having taken college science courses was a strong positive influence, followed by overall education and informal science learning through the media. Having children at home also resulted in adults being more scientifically informed, he said."
Plus there's this from a website arguing against astrology from a religious point of view:
"When children open the Sunday newspaper, according to a recent newspaper industry survey, the first (and usually only) section they read is the "funny pages". Among all other demographic groups, the daily horoscope section is the most faithfully read." (Emphasis mine)
How about this. Here are several horoscopes for me today:
From Astrology.com:
Your powers of perception are heightened thanks to these sensitive celestial energies. The solution to a tricky situation suddenly is crystal clear. You don't know how you know it, but you know just what to do.
From Daily-horoscopes.com:
You'll make important progress with either a domestic or work project. Later, you'll be skipping as you make spontaneous plans for a fun night together. This is a fabulous time to dote on number two in your life.
From Dailyhoroscopes.com:
Take care when discussing emotional things today. Forgetting the ground rules to stay focused you might find yourself, or another in a difficult place, emotionally. A group meeting among neighbors can be handled successfully if you do not garnish the story. You may have a lot of fun when it comes to the process of story telling so try putting your stories in books--they would be a great success! You greatly enjoy social and romantic activities. You truly desire fun and should not hesitate to get to know new people and form new acquaintances. The exchange of ideas becomes a focal point in your life. Learning, knowing a little about many things and staying in touch and on top of the latest developments are the things that satisfy the stimulation of the mind.
From Astrology-online.com:
You can make life easier for an older member of your family. You can handle situations that require contact with institutions or large corporations. You may be somewhat emotional concerning a rather private matter.
Clap-trap. Please don't believe that the stars control your life. If you don't believe me (and I haven't presented any evidence - but then again, neither do astrologers), please believe the Bad Astronomer.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Your crow, sir.
I lied.
Please read this story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6364663.stm
Let me just say for a moment that scientists have been saying this for years. The public, unfortunately, hasn't listened. Instead, they'd rather listen to people who know nothing about science (helpful hint: the fact that you can put Doctor before your name doesn't make you a scientist) (helpful hint #2: Michael Crichton is dumb).
So John McCain is on board, eh? I used to trust the things he said, back when he was still a maverick. He used to do his own thing. I used to say that I would actually vote for him. But then something funny happened: he turned into a king-size flip-flopper and party-line-toer. Put on top of that the fact that he's working with sore loser Joseph Lieberman, and I am highly dubious that anything meaningful will happen. But then again, maybe they already understand that.
Well, my mood was "happy" when I started.
Please read this story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6364663.stm
Let me just say for a moment that scientists have been saying this for years. The public, unfortunately, hasn't listened. Instead, they'd rather listen to people who know nothing about science (helpful hint: the fact that you can put Doctor before your name doesn't make you a scientist) (helpful hint #2: Michael Crichton is dumb).
So John McCain is on board, eh? I used to trust the things he said, back when he was still a maverick. He used to do his own thing. I used to say that I would actually vote for him. But then something funny happened: he turned into a king-size flip-flopper and party-line-toer. Put on top of that the fact that he's working with sore loser Joseph Lieberman, and I am highly dubious that anything meaningful will happen. But then again, maybe they already understand that.
Well, my mood was "happy" when I started.
nothing
I have nothing to say today but this:
"May your hats fly as high as your dreams."
--Michael Scott
"May your hats fly as high as your dreams."
--Michael Scott
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Friday, February 2, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
