Old feminist and wild-eyed liberal

The Scientific Process

2010-03-17T05:19:00.001-05:00

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There is logical fallacy to believing in scientists when it is convenient or has some associated benefit, but not when it goes against your political beliefs.

The scientific process that leads to discoveries that produce antibiotics and chemo-therapies is built on the same structure that produces data on global warming. Scientists, themselves, though are very careful to point out that science is never absolute, and that the door is always open for new and better theories.

However, many have taken this to mean that lack of 100% consensus as an absolute truth somehow invalidates the system. Keep in mind that the laws of gravity are still subject to future updating and/or refutation in light of new evidence, but if I hold a sledge hammer over your head, I'm relatively certain you're going to be afraid that it will fall if I release it.

Unfortunately, what seems to happen is that when there is a debate on television on something like global warming/climate change, even if you have 99% of scientists believing in it, and one % that doesn't, as long as you have a one-on-one debate many see it as 50:50. They take this to mean that "all the science isn't in," so we shouldn't believe the majority.

James Inhofe, Senator of Oklahoma stood in the well of the Senate Monday (15 March 2010) and disavowed--once again--climate change.

Deliver us--please--from James Inhofe.

Maybe we need to be a little more like the citizens of Copenhagen.
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The Problem With Textbooks

2010-03-15T05:58:00.003-05:00

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Thank God it is the Texans making fools of themselves--keeps the Nation's eyes off Oklahoma for a while.

The problem, of course, is with the Conservative view-point being crammed into the social studies, history and economics textbooks.

Answer: Instead of physical text books, purchase the eDGe, a 2-screen e-reader or even laptops (maybe minis), one for each student. Buy as many as are needed for any state and the price should fall through the floor. After all, newspapers and novels are moving to electronic format, why not textbooks? Bonus: The students can not physically write in the "e-books" and thereby render ordinary paper books unusable. It happens.

Next, say, New York should tell the publishers that it will only pay for the electronic version of the textbooks WITH the offensive passages (read Phyllis Schlafly) left out and Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Alva Edison put back in. This should not be a problem in an electronic format.

The electronic versions will be priced at about 40% of standard print versions--no paper, no binding, minimal shipping. (Added bonus: less paper means fewer trees sacrificed, less toxic processing of the paper, less toxic glues used in the processing of the cardboard covers, less money flowing off-shore--as I am sure text books are no longer printed and bound in this country.)

Or look to some enterprising, innovative, intelligent instructor with some practical experience who has a good text book that could not pass the Texas Board of Education. He or She will be pleased to see her/his work "published" and educating students. It was probably written in an electronic format to begin with: one less step in the process removed.

Macmillan and DynamicBooks already offer interactive textbooks. Macmillan even allows college professors (why not all instructors, no matter what grade?) to alter the content without prior permission.

This could get interesting.
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Precious Moments

2010-03-12T05:54:00.006-06:00

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Confucius wrote: "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Cornel West: "Next time we will fail better."

On 10 March 2010, Alan Grayson introduced a bill (H.R. 4789) which would give the option to buy into Medicare to every citizen of the United States.

Grayson said, “Obviously, America wants and needs more competition in health coverage, and a public option offers that. But it’s just as important that we offer people not just another choice, but another kind of choice. A lot of people don’t want to be at the mercy of greedy insurance companies that will make money by denying them the care that they need to stay healthy, or to stay alive. We deserve to have a real alternative.”

The bill breaks the citizenry into eligibility age categories:

(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age but not more than 25 years of age.
(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age 25 and not more than 35 years of age.
(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age and not more than 45 years of age.
(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age and not more than 55 years of age.
(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age and not more than 64 years of age.

Now, where have we run across this idea before?

Medicare for All.

Senate Bill 1218 [110th Congress] Sec. 2202 introduced April 25, 2007, by Senator Edward M. Kennedy!

The thing about precious moments is that most of the time you have no idea how precious they really are until much later. And then you can only wish that you had savored them a little more, held on tighter, locked that feeling away so that it wouldn’t be lost.

We could have been there already!

A Not So Bold Idea

2010-03-10T05:50:00.002-06:00

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A great idea from Norman Goldman (fronted on his radio show): Go to the post office, buy post-paid postcards, write a personal message in your own handwriting about whatever federal legislation you're interested in, and fire it off to Congress.

You can find addresses on searchgov.com.

Use whatever label maker you have on your computer--whether in a word processor, or a data base, or a dedicated label system--to print out a bunch or a page of pre-addressed labels with the names and addresses of your Representative and both your Senators. Keep them on hand. Use them on the post-paid postcards. Now, the process has become practically painless.

Keep the message short and simple. To Bart Stupak: "Shut the f**k-up, Stupid." (Sorry, but the man is a C-Street stooge.)

And, a bonus, the handwritten part is said to draw the attention of inside-the-Beltway Keystone Cops much better than an email. You know who I mean, those who can't decide if they represent us, their states or the country, and don't do any of the above well.

As an additional benefit, the purchase of post-paid postcards and the mailing thereof will help the failing, flagging, falling US Postal Service.

Get to it people!

I didn't vote for hope and change to run out of hope because I've seen no change.
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A Warning: We Ignore at Our Peril

2010-03-08T05:13:00.003-06:00

"In the councils of government we must guard against the acquisition of power, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties and democratic processes."

Dwight D. Eisenhower
from his final address to the nation
January 17, 1961

Well c'mon, Wall Street, don't be slow
Oh man, this war's au go-go!
There's plenty good money to be made
Supplying the Army with the tools of the trade....
And it's One, Two, Three - WHAT'RE WE FIGHTIN' FOR?

Country Joe and the Fish

Well, This Certainly Explains Things.....

2010-03-07T05:31:00.003-06:00

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Spoiler: This was plucked from an email.

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude, spotted a man in a boat below and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I'd meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,436 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."

She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a liberal Democrat."

"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me may be technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," she replied, "but how did you know?"

"Well," the man said, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problems. You're in exactly the same position you were before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault.

I Really Can Not Stand It---

2010-03-04T05:45:00.003-06:00

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A new report: Insurance Company Rate Hikes Driven by Greed, Not Underlying Medical Costs. Quell surprise, eh?

The cost of medical care is rising faster than inflation and doctors and hospitals are making more profit than they used to. BUT, insurance companies are raising their rates much faster than even that - over 20% faster than the amount they are paying doctors and two times the amount the underlying cost of care is rising. To put it another way, insurance companies are making more profit than ever (and they are making record profits) because they are raising their prices faster than their costs.

Rates go up for small business. Small business drops coverage. And then people have to seek insurance on the individual market where insurance companies make more profit because they deny coverage or raise their rates with impunity because individuals have a harder time fighting back.

And what, pray tell, are the insurance companies spending all that moola on? PERKS!

Anthem spent $27 million on 103 executive retreats to locations like Hawaii in 2007 and 2008 alone. From 2000 to 2008, insurance companies spent $716.4 billion of their premium dollars on administrative costs, salaries for their CEOs, and investor profit -- practically enough to fund the entire health reform bill.

And, so, this is why we must have--

Medicare for All!

And we must have it NOW.

What Fun!

2010-03-03T16:46:00.007-06:00

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Go here to check this out.

Honda has just revealed this incredible looking three-wheeled... sleek scooter-like EV. Honda’s latest research into compact urban vehicles, designed for one driver, the vehicle has a clear canopy that covers it when not in use and protects the rider from wind and rain.

One Robin Does Not a Spring Make --

2010-02-28T05:30:00.001-06:00

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---but, OH!, it is a hint.

I, like everyone else I know, am tired--so-o-o-o tired--of winter.

Enough already.

And I mean, ENOUGH!

Today, I saw a robin.

What a deliciously beautiful sight.

Hurray, for the coming spring!

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A Good Thing....

2010-02-25T05:50:00.002-06:00

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Vermont Senators voted 26 to 4 on Wednesday to deny a request to extend the license to operate for the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor.

It is leaking tritium like a sieve. And the operating company lied about the extent of tritium contamination in the local water supply.

Truly, the nuclear bunch is one full of honor....NOT.

The only true answer? Wind. . . Solar. . . And both close the site of use--i.e., roof top. This cuts out the necessity for long, expensive transmission lines. And prevents the homeland security issues faced by "long, expensive transmission lines."

Now, if we can just get rid of the notion of "clean coal," this country might actually become a better place.
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What Is a Progressive?

2010-02-22T05:48:00.002-06:00

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What being a progressive/liberal means to me: caring about and standing up for people and issues I don't have to care about, that my circumstances don't require me to care about

The essence of the conservative worldview: as long as I've got mine, I don't care if you have yours.
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U of Michigan Does It Again!

2010-02-19T05:25:00.002-06:00

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by Ariel Schwartz, 02/17/10

It’s not easy walking on a prosthetic foot. Aside from the obvious difficulty of adjusting to an artificial limb, dragging around the weight of the foot exerts a lot of energy — 23% more than walking on a natural foot, to be exact. But a prototype foot developed by researchers at the University of Michigan makes it easier for amputees to move around normally by recycling kinetic energy generated while walking.

According to the researchers, “Humans normally dissipate significant energy during walking, largely at the transitions between steps. The ankle then acts to restore energy during push-off, which may be the reason that ankle impairment nearly always leads to poorer walking economy.”
Typical prosthetic feet can’t mimic the ankle’s natural push-off, which is why the limbs feel so heavy. The University of Michigan prototype, on the other hand, is able to reproduce the ankle’s strength by recycling energy produced while walking. There are other artificial feet that can mimic the ankle’s push-off, but they require big batteries and motors. Since the prototype device recycles energy, it only requires a small battery that uses less than one watt of power.
No word on when the artificial foot will be released commercially, but it is currently in testing at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center. An Ann Arbor-based company is also reportedly looking into producing a device based on the University of Michigan research.

Happy Birthday, Susan B Anthony

2010-02-16T10:33:00.002-06:00

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In her own words:

It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.

There is not the woman born who desires to eat the bread of dependence, no matter whether it be from the hand of father, husband, or brother; for any one who does so eat her bread places herself in the power of the person from whom she takes it.

[T]here never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.

I always distrust people who know so much about what God wants them to do to their fellows.

Another Good Argument for Singe-Payer

2010-02-13T05:49:00.004-06:00

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If this is how the insurance companies are going to behave, we should STRONGLY threaten our Congress critters to just pass single-payer, Medicare for All.

Anthem Blue Cross apparently isn't taking any chances. The company recently informed many of the approximately 800,000 Californians who buy its individual policies that premiums will rise sharply March 1. Although Anthem provided no details, insurance brokers say they're already seeing increases of up to 39%. That's on top of even larger rate hikes last year.

Medicare for All!

God Bless Michigan

2010-02-10T05:53:00.002-06:00

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The good stuff just keeps on coming: teeny, tiny & with possible medical applications.

A tiny, tiny solar-powered sensor system is in the works.

Developed at the University of Michigan, the 2.5 x 3.5 x 1 millimeter system is the smallest in the world, and it can harvest energy from its surroundings almost perpetually.
Measuring in at 9 cubic millimeters, the micro sensor requires half a volt to operate, but the device can put out up to 4 volts of power with reasonable indoor lighting. It probably won’t be on store shelves any time soon, but the solar-powered system could be used to make environmental sensor networks that keep track of water and air quality both cheaper and more efficient. The device also has a number of possible medical applications — for example, it could monitor pressure changes in the eyes for patients with glaucoma. Eventually, the sensor could be powered by heat or movement and used inside the body.

Even the Cubans Can Get It Right

2010-02-08T05:46:00.001-06:00

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This should be required reading for all Senators and Representatives.

If they see that the Cubans do "health" better than the good ol' USofA, maybe that will be enough catalyst to make our elected animals get off their keisters and really make some meaningful health care delivery reforms!

Cuba-trained students, unencumbered by the massive debt that plagues grads from US medical schools, have the luxury to do the kind of medicine that Cuba instructs — family medicine. The island's medical schools focus on nutrition and other preventative approaches. Cuba also is well known for its focus on the "social determinants of health."

Cubans also enjoy a better doctor-patient ratio than Americans: 59 doctors per 10,000 people compared to 26 for us.

Cuban life expectancy also matches that of the United States, its infant mortality rate is lower, and the island's HIV/AIDS transmission is among the lowest worldwide. Cuba's aggressive health-care delivery system also costs much less — around $200 per capita annually, compared to our $7,000. And it provides timely and primary care for every citizen — near universal accessibility.

To the Cuban government, health care is a right.

Hoh, boy, schooled by the Cubans. We really, really, should be ashamed.

Medicare for All!

And So It Goes...

2010-02-05T05:36:00.004-06:00

The Office of the Actuary, an independent arm at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), released a new report showing that "National health spending accounts for the largest share of the U.S. economy since federal auditors began tracking the data in 1960." And, minus some sort of reform effort, it's only going up.

In 2009, national health spending made up a record 17.3 percent of the gross domestic product, a 1.1 percentage point increase from 2008, the largest-ever one-year increase reported, the CMS actuaries report based on preliminary estimates.

Total health spending grew 5.7 percent to $2.5 trillion last year. That rate of growth is faster than the 4.4 percent in 2008 but still less than the 6 percent reported in 2007. The 2008 figure was the lowest growth rate since the CMS actuaries began issuing these reports 50 years ago.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT--

Medicare for All!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig

2010-02-03T12:31:00.003-06:00

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Well, my gentle snowflakes, I made it home. Trust me in this, being caught on the other side of the bad, bad ice/snow storm that went through Oklahoma from SW to NE was no fun.

Anyway, I am back. Look for some, I hope, interesting rants in a couple of days when I begin to get caught up.

Suggestions? Requests? Prayers for the quiet to continue?
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Gone to Texas

2010-01-21T05:06:00.002-06:00

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I am going to be away for awhile. Not to worry: pleasure trip.
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Now This is REAL Health Care Reform

2010-01-18T04:31:00.000-06:00

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Ho, boy, now we are cooking!

Amazing! I particularly liked "unlike other bone substitutes like metals and ceramics, this new material is just as strong and will most likely never need to be replaced." Now that is really good, good news.

And, who knew? Rattan wood makes the best bone substitute and soon is almost indistinguishable from the original.
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Scientists Turn Wood Into Bones

by Bridgette Meinhold
Doctors and scientists have long been using metals to replace broken bones, but new research from scientists in Italy shows that wood can be transformed into a more effective material that is very similar to human bone. Wood was chosen as a starting point because it already closely resembles the structure of bone, and after 10 days under pressure and heat in a furnace, it becomes a chalky porous material with bone-like properties. This could be a huge leap forward for people suffering from bone loss or traumatic injuries, and what’s even better, it all comes from a natural material – wood!

Researchers at the Istec Laboratory of Bioceramics in Faenza near Bologna, lead by Dr. Anna Tampieri, have been studying different types of wood to see which one would result in the most bone-like structure. They place pieces of normal wood into a furnace and heat them under pressure for 10 days, resulting in a white porous material. The researchers have found that rattan wood, often used to make furniture, creates the best bone substitute material because it has a similar porosity to bone, which allows blood, nerves and other compounds to travel through it.
Studies in which surgeons have placed the bone substitute into sheep, and so far the results show great promise. The bone begins to fuse with the sheep’s bone and after some time, it’s impossible to even see where the two are joined. And unlike other bone substitutes like metals and ceramics, this new material is just as strong and will most likely never need to be replaced. The researchers plan to start using this new material within 5 years on humans and have great hope that a natural, cheap and effective replacement for bones is now possible.

Cozy!

2010-01-15T05:47:00.003-06:00

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And if you don't put the "roof" up, it can hide an awful lot of clutter when unexpected guests drop in! Just drape with a really long tablecloth.

Wow! An unassuming kitchen table that stealthily transforms into a playhouse or enclosed fort. Can you say, "Imagination"?

My poor mother endured years of a card table set up and draped with blankets. Usually, she made me take it down every day.

As I grew a little older, my concoctions got more elaborate and intricate. They soon took over the whole living room and had several "rooms." Sometimes I could make the case for them to stay up for days. (Remember, this was before we had a TV! Old, aren't I?)

Someday, my gentle snowflakes, I may tell you all about the "playhouse" my sister & I made in the back yard out of a refrigerator delivery case.

It is nice to see that some things never change.
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Here It Comes

2010-01-13T07:44:00.001-06:00

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DISCLAIMER: Once again, my gentle snowflakes, I don't have a dog in this hunt. I will be well ensconced into Medicare long before any of this magic comes down the pike. But....

I have stomped my feet, held my breath until I turned blue, screamed and hollered, made a genuine nuisance of myself, and written to every elected official for whom I could find an email address. For answers I got almost universally boiler-plate: "Thank you for your inquiry. Your interest/issue is very important to xxxxxxxxxxx [insert the elected person's name here]."

All to no avail.

For, this mess our ivory-towered congressional critters are about to offer up is not reform. What it is, is another HUGE bail out. And this time the bail out is for one of the most despicable sections of this country--the health insurance companies.

That mandate for every one of us to buy health insurance is just a real-l-l-ly big giveaway to the already incredibly profitable health insurers (read pay-back for all those campaign contributions). And we all know that those giving, caring health insurance companies will still find a way to kick people off, stop coverage, refuse to pay claims. All that new money and they will still act like the cruel, evil monsters that they have heretofore proven themselves to be.

I, also, realize that I frequently say, "You can't do more until you have done something." But, but, but..... this is hardly "something."

Medicare for All!

fear

2010-01-11T13:53:00.001-06:00

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John Adams, in his 1776 Thoughts on Government,

Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it.

Truly, the American Founding was predicated on exactly the opposite mindset. The Constitution is grounded in the premise that there are other values and priorities more important than mere Safety.

Even though the "Founding Fathers" knew that doing so would help murderers and other dangerous and vile criminals evade capture, the Framers,

banned the Government from searching homes without probable cause,
prohibited compelled self-incrimination, double jeopardy and convictions based on hearsay, and
outlawed cruel and unusual punishment.

That's because certain values -- privacy, due process, limiting the potential for abuse of government power -- were more important than mere survival and safety.

A central tenet of the Constitution is that we insist upon privacy, liberty and restraints on government power even when doing so means we live with less safety and a heightened risk of danger and death.

And if the Constitution is not a good enough basis for you, go to the Bible. “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:6,7).

There you have it--from both the bedrock of this country and the principles of Christian faith.
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Un-Intended Consequences

2010-01-07T05:17:00.003-06:00

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An Old Chinese Curse

2010-01-05T18:24:00.001-06:00

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"May you live in interesting times."

If the times get much more interesting, we are all going to have to ask for a transfer.
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